Tag Archives: Praising God

Merry Christmas

Christmas Day

December 25, 2019

Scripture Reading: Psalm 148

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his faithful,
   for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord! –Psalm 148:13-14

I just read commentaries by various newspaper writers telling about the vitriol in responses they get these days. No seasoned discourse on differences of opinions are written rather they receive nasty name calling, and even threats. How did we get here and, more importantly, how do we move to a better place? Much of what I hear and read expresses extreme frustration resulting in people hitting out at anything they can. I am not sure people understand the source of that frustration.

A feeling of helplessness is perhaps the cause of most frustration without a target. The Good News is we are not helpless. God loves us and sent God’s Son to save us and is with us every step of our way. So, let us focus our energies on following the model Jesus set for us, working together to bring about a world where love, not hate thrives.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men*.”

Prayer:
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his host! (Psalm 148:1-2) Amen

*First and last verse of the hymn I Heard the Bells on Christmas day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. See at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day?lang=eng&_r=1

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Joy in the Morning

Eastertide

May 1, 2019

Scripture Reading: Psalm 30

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
   and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
   his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
   but joy comes with the morning. –Psalm 30:4-5

The Hebrew word rinnah* translated joy in the above scriptures means a ringing cry. Possible translations include cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, singing, triumph

From ranan; properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. Shout (of joy or grief) — cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, sing(-ing), triumph

The header for Psalm 30 in my NRSV Bible is: Thanksgiving for Recovery from Grave Illness
A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David.

I remember the unexplainable feeling experienced the first time after major surgery I slept through the whole night without pain after no pain medicine. In such a situation most, I think, experience a euphoric seen of relief. Our culture is less likely to cry out in public, but the feeling is the same. I have observed Middle Eastern citizens expressing a shrill cry when dealing with the deaths of loved ones or the destruction of their villages. News reports, I am sorry to say, more often report on sad times in stories from the Middle East than healings.

I feel the same response would be appropriate, if we ever figure out how to beat our weapons into plowshares and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. I look forward to that day.

Prayer:
When morning gilds the sky,
our hearts awaking cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
in all our work and prayer
we ask his loving care:
May Jesus Christ be praised**! Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7440.htm
**Author is anonymous.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.