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Monday, June 12, 2006
101 Ways to Say "Hallelujah!"
Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17
This Sunday we celebrated our church's musical ministries. The chancel choir got one last wonderful chance, before a well earned summer break, to lead our hearts and voices in praise to God. Pastor Jack and a special guest put in a few choice words about it all.
Listen to the GODcast!
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I get a kick out of visualizing all the critters of Psalm 148 raising a chorus of "Hallelujahs" in all their different voices. Everything from humpback whales to creepy crawly caterpillars, from loud crashing thunderstorms to whispering snowflakes, and everything in between -- each in its own way singing praise to God who made us all.
This isn't the psalm that says it, but I also have fun with the Bible phrase, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord." I mean, there's your written permission to sing out with everything you've got even if you can't carry a tune in a bucket.
It's pretty clear that God enjoys your honest praise whether you're a baritone or a monotone, a coloratura diva or a non-sight-reading soprano, tone deaf or perfectly pitched... whether you play 12-string guitar or pipe organ or tambourine... The plan is just to tell God -- and each other -- how much you appreciate God's good gifts.
Music has a tremendous power not only to express the state of our souls, but also to transform it.
I remember one day when I was just testing this thing of believing in Jesus as a living presence in my life and not merely a nice religious idea. My father and I were both deep in the throes of hoping against hope that God could change our wayward lives, yet wondering how it all fit together and how it might really work. We talked together about all this, sometimes laughed and cried about it, and certainly prayed about it a lot.
One thing Dad told me was, "Try talking to God like you would to me or anybody else. Tell God what you want, ask for what you need, in plain English and see if you get it. If so, then you'll know God has listened to and answered your prayer." Now that's a down to earth reality check for faith's validity.
So, on this one day, as I walked across town to my high school campus, I was in a deep blue funk. Just as grouchy as can be. Muttering my way along, I knew I didn't want to feel that way all day. So I asked God, "Please make me happy. Amen." A naive, no-frills prayer.
A block or so later, I suddenly realized I was singing to myself. The song: "How Great Thou Art"! Whoa -- God had not only answered my little prayer but set me to singing about it, too. I smiled ear to ear for the rest of my trek, and on throughout the entire day.
Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast, they say. And the moody soul of a teenaged boy as well.
Hey, guess what... This Saturday night (June 17) our church family will put on a talent show -- First Pres Follies. I'm not sure about the monotones, but I know for a fact we'll see and hear a lot of joyful noise as a dozen and more acts present their musical offerings. I understand there'll even be a hula in the mix. Woo hoo. The show starts at 6:00, preceded by a potluck dinner at 5:00.
Come on down! And bring your voice and happy feet along with you!!!
posted by Jack Buckley at
11:30 AM
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