Praising with little birds

It was one of those beautiful summer mornings and the house was calm since everyone was still asleep. The sun was shinning and I felt drawn to outside, so I sat on the deck soaking up the sun and morning breeze. Little birds played on the tall trees, and filled the air with their songs. In fact, there was so much singing that it was as if  I was in a concert hall listening to the most beautiful symphony. The sound was amazing and I couldn't help but smile at God's creation singing praises to their Maker. A new day had begun!

The little birds' music was so beautiful that I wanted to join in, so I just started singing too. As the sound of my voice rose to the air, the songs of the little birds started to quiet down, and soon I noticed I was the only one singing. All of a sudden I realized I had the solo part of this big choir, so I continued to pour my heart to God in song as my feathery friends listened.  In a way it was as if they knew that a princess, a child of the King of kings, the most important part of creation, was singing, and my song had priority over theirs. After several minutes, one little bird started singing with me. It was so cute and so beautiful. The two of us continued singing until soon, other birds joined in for their part as well. Not long after that, a choir of little birds joined us breaking out into the most beautiful song. And so we stayed there, that beautiful summer morning, praising our Creator in song!

A while back I was talking with someone about praise and worship, and they were telling me how some people and some churches truly know how to worship. This friend was referring to worship services with lots of music where people sing with their hands raised up high, who clap during songs, and who shout their praises to God in a nice and audible manner. Now while this is a form of praise, it's not the only one, and it doesn't even mean it's the best one. Having a good time during praise is not the best indication of a good praise service. 

The best praise is the one that comes from the heart, and that can come in many forms. For me, that summer morning, was singing with little birds, but it can happen in so many ways. A heart filled with awe and gratitude towards God is the one who praises the best! I've praised God through my tears, through a smile while watching the sky in wonder, through song, or even by pouring my heart to Him in prayer. Praise can come from the compassion we show to others, the way we talk to our spouses and children, and by being there for our friends. Praise comes in as many forms as there are people in this world.

Praise must come from the heart, and our heart is what God wants. Often He told the Israelites that He didn't want their sacrifices if they kept their hearts away from Him. We could do everything "right", but if we keep our heart far from God, none of those right things have value.

Today I encourage you to give your heart to God and pour your praise and adoration on Him in a way that only you can do it. You know your walk with Him and what experience you are living right now. Either way, right now, it's a great time to praise God. And if you give God your heart, you may be surprised at the way praise will come out of your life. It may be in tears, it may be in prayer, it may be in singing... even in singing with little birds on a sunny summer morning.

Photo by Bill Kasper

"Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare."

Psalm 40: 5

"I will praise the Lord at all times.  I will constantly speak his praises."

Psalm 34:1

 

Like seeing stars

It had been one of those beautiful sunny days, filled with activities and play. As the day neared it's end, I sat by the window looking outside. The snow covered landscape has become even more beautiful with the shinny sun, and I was admiring nature getting ready for the night. Little birds left the feeders and quietly sat on the trees. The sky was now getting darker and I could see two little stars already shinning up above.

As my eyes got used to the changing light, I realized that there were a few more stars already shinning. In fact, the more I looked up to the sky, the more stars I found! There were many already sending their glittery light down to earth. It was beautiful and I couldn't help but think how incredible that the stars had been there all along, but I just couldn't see them yet. All I could see at first were the two brightest stars.

This made me think about relationships and people we meet. How many times do we meet someone and make a judgement based on what we see, but as we get to know them we start seeing more and more of who they truly are. Just like I could see the two brightest stars at first, so many times when we meet someone all we can see are the things that are right in front of us.

But people are a lot deeper than that, and as we get to know someone, we start seeing more and more of themselves. And often we come to a completely different conclusion about a person than what we first thought.

No wonder the Bible counsels us not to judge anyone. We only see the surface. To see deeper we need to get to know them, develop the relationship. If we don't get to know them deeper, than we should be content with the thought that everyone is a beautiful child of the King of kings. A potential heir to the kingdom of God, and someone worthy of our love and respect.

That's what Jesus did, and we're supposed to be like Him, right?

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2321.html

"You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one."

John 7:24

Waking up...

The blending of the end of winter with the beginning of spring is fascinating. The white landscape is slowly transforming. As I sit outside on the porch watching this transformation happen, I can't help but be amazed. The snow is calmly melting off the roof giving the impression that I'm in a rain forest by a small waterfall. Other times the snow comes down the roof with a force that makes me think of an avalanche! Little birds fill the air with their joyful songs and happily spread all over the seeds that fill the feeders. After several months away, I finally saw a squirrel this morning. My dog is loving having her little friend back to play catch with. Walking through the woods earlier today made me think that soon we'll see baby moose playing in the yard and that somewhere buried in the snow there must be a bear getting ready to wake up from hibernation. Winter is coming to an end, and nature is waking up from it's slumber. Spring is coming!

It's interesting to notice all the object lessons we get from nature. The Bible also says that it's time for us to wake up from our slumber. Why? Because Jesus is coming! Can you see that happen in your life? Does the idea of His soon coming fill you with excitement? Do you look forward to spending time with Him every morning? Are you eager to share with others all the wonderful things your God does for you? Are your lips full of praise because of who God is?

If not, then it's time for you to wake up from your slumber! How? By asking God to fill you with His love and by putting on Jesus Christ. He must be your everything. Seek Him first. It's the only way to enjoy the abundant life He so wants to give you.

Happy Spring!

"The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."

Romans 13:11