pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: praise


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Sing to God

The Book of Psalms was like Israel’s hymnal.  The songs they sang recounted their history and their relationship with God.  Both the good and the bad are in there – psalms of praise and psalms of lament.  Most of the time they sang songs to remember their past, to seek God’s help in present trouble, or to praise their God.

The songs we now sing on Sundays or in our car or… are also ways that we connect to God.  Some of our hymns contain ‘history’ but many hymns and most contemporary songs celebrate our relationship with God and Jesus and what they bring – hope, peace, love, strength, mercy…

Song has a way of uniting us as a people of God or of bringing us to a common place.  For example, to some songs offer hope for the future while for others the same song is a call to work for justice and freedom for all.  In another way, our songs can be like scripture passages that we memorize.  We can have ‘favorites’ to sing as we praise God, as we seek to find strength or comfort in God, or as we try to connect or reconnect to God.

What are your favorite songs to sing to God?

Scripture reference: Psalms 105: 16-22 and 45b


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Hosana to the King!

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the large crowd of people gathered there threw their cloaks and palm branches on the road into the city.  The soft path that they created symbolizes a special entrance.  They must have sensed that there was something special about this man on the donkey and colt.  Perhaps the people’s kind act even brought comfort to Jesus as he pondered what was to come in the days ahead.

The people raised their voices to welcome Jesus too.  Their shouts sought what we too seek from Jesus –  healing and salvation – and what we offer to him – our praise and thanksgiving.

May we be full of praise and thanksgiving as we walk into and through Holy Week so that we may also experience the healing and salvation that the week yields!


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His Mystery and Power

How does God see our hearts today?  Does He see us like the Israelites who saw the mighty miracles of their exodus story yet chose to test God almost as soon as they were across the Red Sea? (Psalm 95: 7b-11)

In our lives we see the beauty of creation, witness the miracle of a birth, experience healing from a rare disease, … We give thanks yet so often in the same breath say, “but could You also…?”

Instead we should take the time to rest in the creation and mystery of God.  Maybe even sing a song of praise to Him!  But most importantly, acknowledge Him as the creator and ruler of it all.  Bow or kneel before His awesomeness and take notice of the Lord almighty.  Draw in a deep breath, focus in on His presence, and lift up a long, slow thanks.