28 Oct 1998
18:36:19

Poor old Psalms - nobody preaches 'em! Do you sing a new song? Some churches have the praise hymn, the dedication hymn, etc. I always announce the middle hymn by saying "Today's weird hymn is . . " and then we sing one that nobody's ever heard! Have found some fabulous ones that way. If you have a Methodist hymnal try "People, Look East" in Advent, and "Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore" any time. I love "Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy" - very Appalacian sounding.

Well, actually Psalms co-exist really well with silence. Maybe we should just let this spot alone! Back to the Gospel - kbc in sc


28 Oct 1998
21:58:06

kbc in sc,

I think it's sad that this space is empty. Last week and this week's psalms were psalms of praise. How many of us spontaneously praise God? How many of us get excited or emotional about the goodness, majesty and sovereignty of God? I believe one of many keys to the awareness of His presence is praise. Our charismatic/pentecostal brethren (of which I have a special place in my heart for) may occasionally cross the line into emotionalism but oh can they praise God!

Rick in Va


31 Oct 1998
13:04:51

Okay, Rick, we have a challenge here! I'll look for you!

You know, praise is like driving down a muddy driveway - when you do it a lot, your wheels just find their way into those same tracks. And every tradition, from the very structured monastic use of Psalms, to that of our Pentecostal colleagues, uses repetitive, increasingly familiar, musically-based words of praise for God. I love Psalm 136 - over and over, the refrain: For his love endures forever! kbc in sc


31 Oct 1998
16:37:59

kbc,

I like the muddy driveway analogy... Praise seems to naturally lead to worship... A few years ago I attended a charismatic Episcopal church that began the service with a 'season' of praise (roughly 30 minutes or so). I was enthralled each week and seemed to literally feel His love and presence. If I ever do start preaching, I'm hoping the church I get assigned to will be open to 'seasons' of praise!

Thanks for hanging out in the Psalms...

Rick in Va


30 Aug 1999
11:52:53

Hey, I'm psyched! I didn't expect to find anyone else in here! . . . I had decided some time ago that when this week rolled around I would be preaching on the Romans text. However . . . whilst doing my devotional time this morning, I happened to focus on Ps. 149 (working with a lectionary-based devotional guide). And I came away from that time leaning strongly toward preaching on the Psalm this week ... That's, in fact, why I decided to check out this corner of DPS, and was pleasantly surprised to find a couple other souls dwelling here . . . Praise the Lord! :-) I am even thinking about calling my sermon, "Praise the Lord," . . . or would that be too "out there"? :-)

-- Dave K. in Ohio <><

"God loves you and there's nothing you can do about it."


30 Aug 1999
11:54:34

What's more, in our congregation, the tradition (of late) has been to use an affirmation of faith in place of the Psalter reading on the first Sunday of the month. . . . making it easier, perhaps, to "play the Psalm card" for my sermon. hmmmmmm.


30 Aug 1999
15:50:21

Good to see some thoughts about the Psalms. I am just getting started and so really don't have anything to share. But I would like to know the name of your devotions book, Dave. Deke of the North


31 Aug 1999
02:04:11

Hey Deke --

It's called "Upper Room Disciplines - 1999."

-- Dave K. in Ohio <><


31 Aug 1999
21:38:55

Praise the Lord! sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

The little kids came trough the doors for the first time wondering what will they found in Vacation Bible School. The hispanic mother had received an invitation in spanish for the first time and was also wondering what the activity was. She saw many other mothers with their kids, most of them hispanics from the community around. She saw the pastor and volunteers taking care of kids. She knew they wil be fine.

Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

The kids began to learn, play, sing and make crafts. They were amazed by all the things they found. They learned new songs that they had never sung before, songs of praise to the Lord. They learned to play the tambourine.

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.

On the last day, they all came to church to sing an be part of the worship service. Their parents came too to hear them sing. When the time came, the pastor invited them to stand in the front, they were a little shy, the sanctuary was now full with so many new faces. The pastor began to speak in spanish so they felt more confident and took their place without problems. They sang and laugh and had fun with all the congregation. They did not want to stop singing and laughing.

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.

The pastor then invited their parents to make a special prayer of blessing for all of them and the volunteers at VBS. The parents were a little shy too. They were not dress like the rest of the congregation, they were afraid of coming to the front in their humble clothes. But the pastor again in spanish, invited them as friends to rejoice with their kids in the altar. They knew they were welcomed and came to join their kids. They all prayed together for peace in their homes and for the blessings of the Lord in every one of them. They left to their pews with tears in their eyes, but they were not the only ones touched by the Lords presence that morning.

Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing off joy...

Latina


31 Aug 1999
21:39:19

Praise the Lord! sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

The little kids came trough the doors for the first time wondering what will they found in Vacation Bible School. The hispanic mother had received an invitation in spanish for the first time and was also wondering what the activity was. She saw many other mothers with their kids, most of them hispanics from the community around. She saw the pastor and volunteers taking care of kids. She knew they wil be fine.

Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

The kids began to learn, play, sing and make crafts. They were amazed by all the things they found. They learned new songs that they had never sung before, songs of praise to the Lord. They learned to play the tambourine.

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.

On the last day, they all came to church to sing an be part of the worship service. Their parents came too to hear them sing. When the time came, the pastor invited them to stand in the front, they were a little shy, the sanctuary was now full with so many new faces. The pastor began to speak in spanish so they felt more confident and took their place without problems. They sang and laugh and had fun with all the congregation. They did not want to stop singing and laughing.

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.

The pastor then invited their parents to make a special prayer of blessing for all of them and the volunteers at VBS. The parents were a little shy too. They were not dress like the rest of the congregation, they were afraid of coming to the front in their humble clothes. But the pastor again in spanish, invited them as friends to rejoice with their kids in the altar. They knew they were welcomed and came to join their kids. They all prayed together for peace in their homes and for the blessings of the Lord in every one of them. They left to their pews with tears in their eyes, but they were not the only ones touched by the Lords presence that morning.

Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing off joy...

Latina


01 Sep 1999
18:38:08

I think a visable barameter of how close to the Lord we really are can be seen in where we are at in Praise. all the way through the scriptures whn the throne room is seen theres more and more praise the closer one gets to the throne. The cheribum for example are closer than anybody and the praise like no other. 24/7 round the clock, past present and future crying holy holy holy Lord God all mighty who was and is and is to come!

so much of our walk with God is a progression. including praise. the closer I get to the throne, the more he is revealed and the more I want to Praise him. The more his kingship is established within me the more i want to praise him.

thats the neat thing about Praise. the progression of Jsus in me means a progression of praise from me.

Troy in texas


03 Sep 1999
13:15:39

Date:
03 Sep 1999
Time:
14:05:04

Comments

I am preaching this one Sunday . . . I just don't get the part about the saints "jumping on the beds" with joy. Sounds like an image of little children who've had too much sugar! I'm going to have to go straight to the commentaries on that part of it! Peace ... go with God! -- Dave K. in Ohio <><


Date:
08 Sep 1999
Time:
15:01:26

Comments

I believe singing a new song onto the Lord is one you make up which comes out of your soul.You know out of your Love for him and out of gratitude. Something like a prayer. I often sing as I'm washing dishes or driving. I feel God's protection upon me and my family and he delights and is smiling upon me.


Date:
26 Apr 2000
Time:
11:10:11

Comments

I sit amazed and at a loss for words, as the inspired psalms put their words into my mind I am struck by the.......violence of it all. Yaweh in their throats and 'two edged swords'in their hands...149:7 seems to tell that on at least this day,vengance was not his but his peoples.Few of us I think,would enjoy such a spectecle of swift punishment...though I fear not, but for my faith of the creator.faith is key here,for the grace of god must be true to exact these types of revenge....the line gets ever thinner in the world of flesh,btween the seen and unseen. trust in him him always,and i will be there with you to share in the trials ahead--praise our almighty creator--for the lord finds pleasure in his people,and we,in his love for every living thing on earth and all creation,Amen-holy-holy-holy is the lord!


Date:
27 Sep 2000
Time:
13:34:30

Comments

Let's praise the Lord with all our heart. We must teach our people to praise Him. As pastors, we limit them. It is really interesting about the way Jesus thought about ppraise. Do we think about the way He did that?