Praise Upon Praise Upon Praise Upon . . .

 Wednesday morning I was listening to The Worship Initiative. This is one of my favorite resources for a few minutes of worship time each week morning. It’s like a mini podcast where they share a hymn or praise song every day and then a devotional that goes along with it. I highly recommend it!

 The focus that morning was on praise. And there was one thought presented that I loved: that “the prerequisite for praise is breath. And the prerequisite for praise is no breath.” If you have breath - men and women, boys and girls - praise the Lord. If you have no breath - rocks and hills and the ocean and all of creation - praise the Lord! Let all nations, all peoples, all creation praise.

 So in light of our first morning in our own building after years of waiting following the 2020 tornado, let’s do that - let’s bring praise upon praise:

 

Praise Upon Praise

We praise You for this space, this place

We praise You for a building to be

We praise You for the rooms for classes

We praise You for the auditorium for learning,

Singing, growing

 

We praise You for the body that is the church

We praise You for our friends, our family

That we are there together, but that it is

The together that matters more

 Than the bricks and walls

 

We praise You for the time we were waiting

It was hard and at times confusing

But we stated what we knew to be true

Your timing is good and perfect and You chose us

To be taught the patience and to be taught together

 

We praise You for the hands that have worked so hard

For the minds that planned, for the people who have met

We praise You for the paint on the walls

We praise You for the windows and the stairs

And the roof and the chairs

Praise Upon Praise Upon Praise

 

We praise You for the hands we can raise

We praise You for the voices singing in the choir

We praise You for the people you have brought together

To be a local church, loving, supporting,

Worshipping together

 

We praise You for the trials You allow

Those who are hurting physically, emotionally

The burdens we can help one another bear

We praise You for the times we are weak so that our only hope

Is the strength You provide

 

We praise You for the times of peace

For the mercy You give when we don’t deserve it

We praise You for the days of rejoicing and the times

That we are reminded of the hope eternal

That only You can give

 

We praise You for the body of Christ

We praise You for those around the world

That praise Your name in different languages

And rhythms and cultures

That it is our one true God who unites us all

 

Praise Upon Praise Upon Praise Upon Praise

 

We praise You that you are our Father

That You are good and have a plan

We praise You that You loved us first

And that You hold us to comfort and hold us

To a standard of holiness

 

We praise You that when we couldn’t meet that standard

You gave Your Son

We praise You for Your sacrifice

We praise You for Your rescue

And for the friend that Jesus is to us

 

We praise You that You gave us Your Spirit

To lead us in love and joy and peace

We praise You for the help that He is

We praise You for Your Word

That we understand and apply with our Guide

 

We praise You that You heal

We praise You that You hear

We praise You that You protect

We praise You that You restore

We praise You that You are good

We praise You that You are right

We praise You for You are worthy

 

We praise, Nosotros alabamos, Nous Louons, Wir Preisen…

Praise Upon Praise…

 --Sandy Gromacki

Out in the Fields with God

 My favorite room in my house is not really a room–it’s my front porch.There’s a table and chairs, a papasan chair, a loveseat, two rockers, other chairs.  There are wind chimes and bird houses and bird feeders.  But there is mostly quiet, silence.  I spend hours out there, reading, napping, entertaining, but mostly sitting, praying, thinking, being.  I think being is perhaps the most important.  I am a doer.  I think I have to be productive.  But sometimes I need to just be.  I need somehow to let go of the things that burden me.

In the last few days I have remembered a short poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I have needed the reminder.

The little cares that fretted me,

I lost them yesterday

Among the fields above the sea,

Among the winds at play;

Among the lowing of the herds,

The rustling of the trees,

Among the singing off the birds,

The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may happen,

I cast them all away

Among the clover-scented grass,

Among the new-mown hay;

Among the husking of the corn

Where drowsy poppies nod,

Where ill thoughts die and good are born

Out in the fields with God.

Are you fretting over little things?  Perhaps even big things are bedeviling you.  Cast those away. Lose them. Let God bring the peace you need.

                                                                ~~Faith Himes Lamb

New Beginnings

 

I know it is not January and the “new year.” Nor is it the traditional time for new calendars and resolutions and diets. However, it is fall—another more practical time for new beginnings: school, Awana, schedules, et al. I have always loved the start of school—both as a student and a teacher.

As a student, I loved the gathering of school supplies: pencils, papers, books (oh, and new clothes). I enjoyed meeting new teachers and forming new relationships. I appreciated the clean slate: no negative grades in the grade book—that was always a confidence builder.  As a student, I wanted to do my best and needed to know my teacher would help.

As a teacher, I really valued the gathering of school supplies: pens, folders, curricula, books (not so many new clothes). I was exhilarated by meeting new students and returning faculty members. I really appreciated being able to start each class with a clarified syllabus, new PowerPoint presentations, and a fresh approach to things I had already learned or taught. I knew my students were anxious and needed to know I would help them learn.

As a believer, I and thankful for and treasure the new beginnings of each day. I am confident in the faithfulness of God to me. I am guarded by God’s personal knowledge of me and the hedge of protection He provides. I know He is loving me, is with me, and is guiding me.

Each day’s new beginning is predicated on God’s hesed love and mercy. Jeremiah tells of God’s mercies that are new every morning because He is faithful. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23). Whatever happened yesterday is over. My sins are forgiven, my opportunities are spent, and today is new and may be spent for God.

I am reminded that for each day, in each new beginning, God will be faithful no matter what I face. Paul reiterates this promise with an explanation that God is in control. "And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear" (I Corinthians 10:13). In our lives we face trials, tests, tumults that God will use for our benefit and His glory.

I am confident in the fact that God keeps His promises. The Psalmist speaks of God’s mercies, faithfulness, and steadfastness. “The Lord upholdeth all that fall  . . . the Lord is night unto all them that call upon him.” (145: 14a, 15). God kept His promise to Abraham by allowing him to father a great nation. God upheld His word to David, and Jesus Christ was born of David’s line. God promised the world a Savior, and “in the fulness of time” (Galatians 4), Jesus Christ came to “seek and save” all who were lost. God will continue to be faithful.

 

Yes, God is faithful. Am I? Oh, I am so thankful for new beginnings: each year, each day, each time I rush to Him with my pain, my sin, my problems. And Almighty God hears and calls me “Child.” This new beginning I am gathering promises that I know God will keep.

 

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”. (Psalm 86:15)

 

--Janet Hicks

It's Okay to Not Know

 

In Corrie Ten Boom’s book, “The Hiding Place,” Corrie tells a story about an interaction she had with her father when she was a young girl. She asked him what sex-sin was. He thought long and hard and then asked her to pick up his suitcase which was much too heavy for her. He told her that like that suitcase, so was knowledge that is too heavy for a young girl. He told her he would explain things to her once she was big enough to carry that knowledge and that she would need to trust him to carry it for her in the meantime. That was enough.

Like Corrie, I was recently made aware that a difficult situation had happened, but I was not allowed to know the details. Of course, I was curious and wanted to know more, but I simply had to be satisfied with just a little information. I wasn’t merely being nosey. mind you. I wanted information, so I could process things and form my own opinions about the matter. But general information had to be enough.

After the first few days passed, I noticed the demeanor of a few people who did know the details. The weight of that knowledge was heavy upon them. They looked strained and haggard. Swollen, red eyes hinted at much crying. I began to think, “Maybe it’s best I don’t know the details. This could be bad for my mental, emotional, and even physical health.”

Consider these verses from Ecclesiastes 1 (ESV):

“I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted.

I said in my heart, ‘I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.’”

 

The Preacher (whom many assume was Solomon) knew all about what was happening in his kingdom and in much of the rest of the world – “all that is done under heaven.” He saw much suffering and injustice as well as meaningless activity. Even though he was a king, he felt the powerlessness of not being able to fix the evils of this world.

 

Again, some knowledge is just too heavy for us to carry. I felt this deep in my bones on October 7, 2023. If you’re uncertain about what happened on that date, I caution you to be careful if you research it. Terrible, horrible things happened in Israel. I watched too many troubling videos on social media. Lingering too long, I saw things I will never forget.

 

Yes, we want to stay informed about history and current events, but limiting the knowledge of evil, especially of which we have no control, might be wiser than consuming it straight into our hearts and minds over and over again. Many today are suffering from depression and anxiety, and although, these can be complex issues, feeding our hearts day-in and day-out on endless news cycles and social media posts cannot be helping us mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually.

 

Like Mr. Ten Boom, our Father in Heaven waits to carry this knowledge that is too heavy for us. We can trust Him with it.

 

I Peter 5:6-8, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

 

The enemy can destroy us internally with knowledge we should not be bearing.

 

Protect your heart. Give your cares to the Lord. He’s strong and mighty. He can handle it.

 

joyce hague

How to Fight a Battle that Is Already Won

            Are you in the midst of a battle? There are various battles we fight throughout life, aren’t there? There are health battles, relationship battles, internal thought battles, spiritual battles, temptation to sin battles, and many more. This morning we sang the song “Christ the Victor” in church. The chorus says, “Now to the Lamb upon the throne, be blessing, honor, glory, power for the battle you have won. Hallelujah!” Christ has already won the battle! Which battle? Primarily, He has won the battle against sin and bought our redemption at the cross. Ultimately, every battle will be won by Him. All will be put right. For the believer, all will be well.

            But now, as we wait for Christ’s return when He will set up His kingdom in full, we still fight battles. How do we fight a battle that has already been won? I think Peter gives us several clues in the opening words of his first letter to the dispersed believers. Here he encourages them to endure suffering and trials – their own battles. His words for them are also life-giving inspired words for us. This is how we fight the battles of life.

 

1. Fight with Hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1:3-4)

Our hope is not in this world. It is not in our health, our financial stability, or in other people. It should not rest on how our current situation plays out. The things of this world are not certain; we cannot set our hope on them. Peter says that we have been born again to a “living hope.” That living hope is Christ Himself who loves us and saved us. He is walking with us in the battle, and He promises to never leave us. Beyond that, He promises an inheritance in heaven that none can take away that will far outweigh any struggle of this earth. Therefore, we fight with hope, eyes fixed on Jesus and our eternity in heaven with Him in His perfect kingdom.

 

2. Fight with Perspective

“who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5)

We lose perspective in trials, don’t we? Our problems loom large; our Lord seems small. I am reminded of the image of one who puts his thumb in front of his eye and thus blocks out everything else from his vision. Peter tells us to keep perspective. We are being protected by God. He is holding us fast in our faith. Our final home and glorification lie ahead, not here on earth. Let us get our thumbs away from our eyes and see the bigger story that surrounds our current battle.

 

3. Fight with joy

“In this you rejoice” (1:6a)

Our battles often bring out our despair, anxiety, discouragement, and anger. Joy is the last thing we would naturally feel. Yet Peter tells us here that we have reason for joy, even in the midst of being “grieved by various trials.” That joy comes from all that Peter has written up to this point and what will follow in the passage. We have salvation, hope, a home in heaven, an unfading inheritance, and God’s power working on our behalf. We don’t have to love the circumstance, but we rejoice in the God who holds us in the midst of the battle and who uses it all for our good.

 

4. Fight with Perseverance

“though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials (1:6b)

Your battle is “for a little while.” When compared to eternity, even if the trial lasts for years, it is a blip in time. It does not feel this way in the midst of the trial; we struggle to see past it. However, we persevere because we know that this trial will not last forever. Even if it does not go away in this life on earth, glory lies ahead.

 

5. Fight with Purpose

“so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:7)

            Our faith is refined through trials. When we turn to God in our battles, looking to Him for strength and help in our time of need, our faith is tested and strengthened. Such faith is more beautiful than gold. Verse 6 even clarifies that the trial is “necessary.” Without the trials, we would not experience the sanctification that the Lord has for us. Our suffering is not for naught; there is purpose in it. The Lord is for us. He will bring about good. We fight our battles, believing that our faith is being made perfect in the midst of it as we fix our eyes on Christ.

            The singers Shane and Shane wrote a song that has been sung at the last two women’s conferences that I have attended. Whenever we sing the song and I happen to look around me, I always see women in tears because they are living the words of the song. Perhaps you are, too. Here is the chorus:

I’m fighting a battle You’ve already won.

No matter what comes my way, I will overcome.

I don’t know what You’re doing, but I know what You’ve done.

I’m fighting a battle You’ve already won.

--Amy O'Rear

 

Tales From Beyond the Walls

 

The Bible says that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."  I want to share a couple of God sightings that happened lately to me about this verse!

Many of you know that I have had the privilege of sharing music, prayer, and speaking with the homeless ladies downtown at the Chattanooga Rescue Mission once a month during dailylight saving time of year. Karleen Howe was the one that introduced me to this as she had been doing it for a number of years. My stories of giving come from this ministry opportunity.

During our prayer time when I took requests, one of the ladies asked prayer for her need of walking shoes in the size of 9.5. She explained that she walked miles a day to go where she needed to be and often had no money for transportation. So during the next Tuesday Bible Study at church, I asked if anyone had an extra pair that size, and if they would pray for this request. Well, after the study that day, a lady named Joy in our church handed me a $100 check and asked me to buy the homeless woman a pair of 9.5 shoes! I was thrilled and thanked the Lord right away!

That week when I was thinking about where to shop, the Lord brought to my mind that my daughter, Merrilee, had brought me a new pair of shoes that did not fit her feet for work. I went into my closet, and you guessed it, they were beautiful 9.5 size shoes which I took to the mission for them to pass on to the lady! Of course, Merrilee was excited about being an answer to prayer!

So I took the money back to Joy, and she said that I was to keep it and spend it for any needs that came up! HOW FUN IS THAT!?

Well, the first 20 went to helping the campers from our church get to camp this summer. The next two 20's went to filling two back packs with supplies. The next 20 is my next story of the downtown mission. 

When I came out of the building last time, someone pointed out my very flat tire! They told me where there was a gas station with an air machine. While deciding if I should risk it, I noticed a rather sketchy looking man (whatever that means) in a car inside the mission parking lot. When I pulled out, he followed me and pointed to my flat tire. I rolled down the window, and he asked if I could use his help with getting air. I sent a quick prayer to the Lord for direction, and I decided maybe he was an "angel" sent to help me, so I said that would be great. 

We made it to the gas station and while filling my tire, I asked him what he been doing in the mission parking. He said that he was looking for a place to sleep, but the men's side was already filled up for the night.  He had asked the Lord to give him enough money to make it to Brainerd Rd. where there was another mission place to sleep. I just laughed inside and told him the Lord had answered his prayer and gave him the next $20!  It’s so amazing how God chooses to answer!

And for the last $20, I was able to give it to a missionary that has needs to get back to the field!

During the month of July, our leaders encouraged us to think and pray “Beyond the Walls.” I wonder what other prayers were answered during this time. If we all just give someone else whatever the Lord puts on our heart, think of the good that might be done.

--Mary Ramsey

Note from Sherry: I love this story Mary has shared with us. If you have something similar to share, please let me know. I’d be delighted to post your story here.

 

Little Pilgrim's Progress

 

When I was young, I borrowed the 1978 animated vhs of The Pilgrim’s Progress from our church library. I think I must have watched it fairly often because some of the details from that movie are etched in my mind. There are some pretty intense scenes: one where Christian and his companion fall into a swamp, one with a large black toothed creature trying to attack him before he gets to the Palace Beautiful. Right after he leaves the Palace he has to fight off a winged demon with his new armor, sword and shield.

         I remember when he arrives at the foot of the cross and his burden rolls off. The moment that sticks out to me most often, and is the origin story of why I love this verse so much, is when a loud, confident voice speaks to Christian in the midst of turmoil and says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b) Even as a young child, I found such hope in that line.

My kids and I just finished a 9-month read-aloud of The Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen L. Taylor, a delightfully illustrated version, written for kids where all of the characters are animals. It follows the steps that Christian takes in the original, but makes it conceptually simpler for young minds. My three were excited to listen to it and tracked the story well, understanding much of the imagery of “The Good Prince,” Theia often referring to him as Jesus as she asked questions about where the story was going.

I think about the little hearts that are beginning their own journeys of faith that are in my own home, or the kids in our church that are figuring out their relationships with the Lord. Some have faced major obstacles at a young age. Others have normal hurts and difficulties, but much of the way has been smooth. But all are just beginning this journey with the Good Prince, traveling through Vanity Fair or climbing the Rock of Error or facing The Giant Despair. All silly little names for real life challenges. But they’re also learning that they have Great Heart walking beside them, or the Messages from the King instructing them, and the cross removing their burdens.

 As we look at our own paths, we face the foolish directions we choose to take, or the arrows of the enemy we need help fending off, the peaceful meadows, and the houses of rest. It is something to look back and see what God has done, review the story He has written for our own life. To know that “He isn’t safe.” He’s the slayer of the giants, the ruler over all and the defeater of evil, “But He’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

 Then we look ahead to what is shining before us. We love the stories that tell the end of the journey where the hero reaches the next shore. The one that takes him home. The elves crossing the sea sailing West, Reepicheep coming to the end of the world and crossing into Aslan’s country, and Christian crossing the deep dark water to the city shining and glorious.

 “The little pilgrims had now reached the threshold of the palace, and as the doors were thrown open they heard a sound of the sweetest music. The Good Prince Himself was waiting to receive them, and He smiled upon them and took their hands in His own. Then he led them into the palace and the whole City was filled with joy because their pilgrimage was over and they had been brought safely through the Dark River into the presence of the King.” (The Little Pilgrims Progress pg 171)

 We read these stories because of the common grace they point us to. The reality that life can be hard and sinful and has loss and grief, but that our God has overcome this world. This world that is not our home, but it points to the next. So I hope for the children who are learning of the Good Prince. I pray they do come to know Him and know Him well. And I have hope for the rest of us that while we continue to learn and fall and rise and grow and dwell in the truth, our journey too points us toward the grace and goodness that we have now, but also will experience a thousand times greater in the Celestial City.

 

-Sandy Gromacki

 (In addition to John Bunyan’s tale, stories by C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien are also referenced. Feel free to ask what they are!)