Long before he was king, David wrote psalms (poetry and songs) reflecting on the years he spent as a fugitive, hunted by King Saul. David is a rich example of godly manhood–he makes mistakes, of course. But the man is unusually well-adjusted. He is courageous but sensitive, bold but vulnerable, strong but compassionate. This warriorContinue reading “The Prayers of King David. Various Psalms.”
Category Archives: Worship
THE COMFORT FOR EVERY ACHE. Psalm 22:3; 1 Thess. 5:16.
Do you know the wonder drug for hurting hearts? The universal cure that can replace grief with JOY? There is something you can DO. When life dumps you into an ocean of sorrow, you can sink or you can swim. You swim through worship. How? You lose a loved one, and go off somewhere toContinue reading “THE COMFORT FOR EVERY ACHE. Psalm 22:3; 1 Thess. 5:16.”
ANOINT. Matthew 26:6-12.
Anoint. There’s a word we don’t use every day. It means “set apart.” When you anoint something, you dedicate it for special use. The high priest, the temple, and the things in the temple were anointed for special service. Christians anoint the sick by placing olive oil on their foreheads, following James 5:14. Others anointContinue reading “ANOINT. Matthew 26:6-12.”
EMOTIONS. Luke 7:37-38, 47.
We are emotional creatures. I have heard some describe their emotions as a “roller coaster,” but I think emotions are more like waves in the sea. The amount of energy in motion does not really change, but as the sea floor gets nearer to the surface, the waves become more dramatic. We all feel emotions,Continue reading “EMOTIONS. Luke 7:37-38, 47.”
ENTERTAINMENT AT CHURCH. Ezekiel 33:30-33.
SESAME STREET convinced generations of children that school should be fun. There’s nothing wrong with an entertaining class. But EXPECTING to be entertained at school is TERRIBLE. If students believe everything must be entertaining to “earn” their attention, then they will refuse to learn when things become boring or tedious. Why is that a problem?Continue reading “ENTERTAINMENT AT CHURCH. Ezekiel 33:30-33.”
You Worship Better When Things Are Hard. Habakkuk 3:17-19.
I love it when life is good, when I can sit back with family and friends and smile at how wonderful life is. Bills are paid, I have a little money in the bank, everyone is healthy and happy, work is done and we can relax and be thankful. And that’s real thankfulness. It’s genuine.Continue reading “You Worship Better When Things Are Hard. Habakkuk 3:17-19.”
A GOD WHO SINGS. Zephaniah 3:17.
I played my first baseball game at eight. I was years behind. My teammates on the Fireballs had been playing together since tee ball. But there was no tee at my first game. I had to hit a ball that was moving. It was dad’s pitch, but it may as well have been Nolan Ryan. Continue reading “A GOD WHO SINGS. Zephaniah 3:17.”
When Did You Last Sing to God? Zephaniah 3:17.
Here is the best verse I read today: The Lord your God delights in you. He will shout joyfully for you. He will sing over you. He will comfort you with gentle singing. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17. You know why you should sing about God? Because He isContinue reading “When Did You Last Sing to God? Zephaniah 3:17.”
God is Awesome. Psalm 97.
He is, you know? Sometimes, that is enough. Always, that should be enough. Anyone who speaks often to young people will be looking at every verse of the Bible to find a point that can be APPLIED to life. For example, when you read a verse about the value God places on honesty, the APPLICATIONContinue reading “God is Awesome. Psalm 97.”
Make a Joyful Noise.
Church choirs include many skill levels: exceptional singers who can sight-read music, some who follow others and eventually learn their parts, and some who “make a joyful noise,” Psalm 100:1. I have played each of these roles! During one rehearsal I was at the top of my game: reading the music like I’d written itContinue reading “Make a Joyful Noise.”
Household Words: 