Sometimes our praise to God falls short.
Actually , it alway does.
But, like a proud and loving parent, God delights when we love him. Through praise, worship, the devotion of our heart, and the actions that spring from this, God accepts us, where we are.
Now-When kitsch meets passion meets God you might get this:
Can you think of another one? Put your funny hat on.
This morning on FACEBOOK, I issued a challenge to my friends who happened to be on their computers at the time. The challenge was simple: Sing Praise.
Quickly, a friend replied by posting a Psalm of her own. Inspired, I rejoined with more praise, and then so did another.
After you read what happened, maybe you can type in a few words of praise.
(me) Praise you God, the Highest One. You glory extends from the heavens to the depths of the earth. The stars shout for joy, the tree sway to your music, the birds sing your refrains, the creatures acknowledge you.
Sharon Herbster
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. . .Praise Him ye creatures here below. . .Praise Him above ye heavenly host. . .Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
(Once my granddaughter was talking to me on the phone from NC and sang me her “Jesus song”. She asked if I knew any Jesus’ songs and I enthusiastically said “YES!”. “Sing one for me, Mimi” she asked. So, I did. When I finished she said, “Sing me another one!” This repeated and went on for close to a half hour. . .)
When I first spoke about remembrance stones, or Ebenezer stones, a visitor friend of mine wrote this:
I also have small “alters” of stones in my house…up in jars. They are written on with a sharpie pen. I write one or two words down when I have a breakthrough, or a praise. When people come to visit, they ask about the stones and I can tell them that “good things happen here”. I take that from the Bible. Whenever there was a victory, as you probably already know, they use to build an alter…so that when people came by, they would see, know and remember.
This visitor’s practice of erecting contemporary “standing stones” helps her remember God’s goodness, mighty works, and faithfulness in her life. It can help her tell her story. It’s wonderful to have a visual reminder, also, because we can too quickly forget God’s work when we hit troubling times, or get too busy.
The practice of using stones as a memory device goes WAY back. For a brief devotional or your own research, look up the Scriptures of Joshua 4:9, and I Samuel 7:12.
Consider trying this practice for yourself. The materials are easy to find, and when you go through your jar and reflect on what’s inside as you are alone with God, or with someone else, you’ll be reminded of God’s faithfulness, and goodness.
Do you Pray like a Consumerist, and don’t know it? Many of us have slipped into a consumer mindset, and don’t realize it. (It’s a North AMerican speciality!) It could be hurting our spiritual growth.
Here are 5 questions to ask yourself to see if you may need some kind of revision in your communication with God.
You may be praying like a consumerist if…
1. Your praying resembles window-shopping, or a trip to the superstore with a credit card.
2. If you imagine God a bit like a waiter, or butler in the sky.
3. If bargaining or haggling seeps into your communication to God.
4. If waiting for answers to your prayer requests is just as awful, or feels eerily similar, to waiting in a long checkout line.
5. If your prayers tend to be mainly focused on you, and your concerns, and often do not include worship, praise, gratitude, or…and this is a big one…listening (because communication doesn’t consist of just talking).
If you answered “yes” to 2 or more of these questions, consider revising how you view and engage in prayer, and communication with your God: Creator and Redeemer.
The Takeaway– Prayer is communication.
It changes us because through it we may become more like our God, if we yield to God and allow him to work in our hearts. When God is the primary focus of our prayer life, more growth is possible. And like I mentioned, this involves both speaking and listening to him.
(For a new way to engage in prayer using Scripture, and a focus on listening to God, do a search here for Lectio Divina.)
Thanks for reading!
Leave your responses. Was there ever a time when you prayed like a consumerist?
