Seven Ways to Praise

Psalm 119:164 Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

I have been meditating on Psalm 119 over the last several months, and have read this verse over 200 times during that period, but I only truly noticed it yesterday. Is God’s Word not amazing? No matter how many times we reach into it, it never runs dry! Since this verse gripped me and won’t let go, I figured I’d better try it out. Naturally, I started by doing a bit of math: 

Between 6:30 in the morning and 11:00 at night there are sixteen and a half hours. Divide that into seven equal sections, and each one is two hours and forty-five minutes. With an iPhone timer set, I’m in less danger of losing track of time. 

Praise is an important part of prayer, and one that is often neglected. The Hebrew word for praise in this verse is the one from which we get “Hallelujah” (praise the Lord). It means to boast or exult, so basically just telling God (and others) how wonderful we think He is. There are many ways to incorporate praise into prayer, and I’ve made a list of some I use:

1. Praise God for Who He is. Obvious, and all over the Bible. Think about God’s attributes: mercy, love, strength, righteousness. How can we not boast about our incredible God?

Psalm 7:17  I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness,  And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

2. Praise God for what He has done in your own life. He saved you, keeps you, and gives you everything you need each day.

Psalm 71:6  By You I have been upheld from birth;  You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.  My praise shall be continually of You.

3. Praise God for what He has done throughout history. Creating the heavens and the earth, sending His Son as a sufficient sacrifice for all the world, sustaining life and withholding His wrath.

Psalm 148:1-5 Praise the LORD!  

Praise the LORD from the heavens;  Praise Him in the heights! 

Praise Him, all His angels;  Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon;  Praise Him, all you stars of light!

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,  And you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the LORD,  For He commanded and they were created.

4. Praise God to other people. Whether in a blog post (cough), on FaceBook, through a text message, but most especially in real life, face-to-face conversations, tell your friends why you think God is so awesome.

Psalm 108:3  I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples,  And I will sing praises to You among the nations.

5. Praise the Lord using songs and psalms. We have many hymns which express praise to God, and the psalms are also full of verses of praise. If you are struggling to come up with your own words of praise, use the words of these faithful men as a starting point.

• Psalm 145: A Praise of David
• O Worship the King
• How Great Thou Art
• I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Psalm 47:6  Sing praises to God, sing praises!  Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

6. Praise the Lord over and over for the same thing. Repetition is a powerful tool, if used with focus and purpose. 

Psalm 34:1    I will bless the LORD at all times;  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

7. Praise the Bible, the Word of God. 

Psalm 56:10  In God (I will praise His word),  

In the LORD (I will praise His word),

11  In God I have put my trust; 

See, with a list like that it's not so hard to praise the Lord seven times in one day. Just a couple minutes to focus on God is all it takes. I found it to be a fun exercise, something different from my usual Bible time routine. 

Large Family Idiosyncrasies #5: Saved by the Bell

When there are twelve people living on ten acres, one does not want to always be shouting to get the attention of children who might be playing in the field, on the volleyball court, basketball court, all the way out in the woods, or picking apples or blackberries in the orchard. We did not get quite as creative as the Von Trapp family, but we have come up with a system to communicate without damaging our vocal chords.

An old Navy bell hangs on our back porch, and we ring it to send certain messages to any within earshot:

One ring. If we need a certain child, ring the bell once and then call out the name of whoever is needed. The bell gets everyone's attention so that they can hear the shouted name, rather than it being drowned out by other shouting that might (possibly) be going on at the time.

Two rings. There is fresh coffee in the house available to the first comers.

Three rings. Mom and Dad need to come back to the house. They often walk up and down the road in the afternoon, and often a conflict comes up back at the house that requires their attention before their walk is finished.

Four rings. Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee. We also call this "All hands on deck". Everyone is to come back to the house as quickly as they can. Usually used for lunch/dinner calls, as well as picking up the house, and time for church/getting ready for church.

Frenetic ringing of any number over four: major emergency, imminent danger, or (if Mom and Dad are absent) catastrophic personality clash.

There are two drawbacks to this generally excellent system: if friends and relations are standing nearby we try to warn them before ringing, as it is quite startling if heard unexpectedly at close quarters, and sometimes when visitors come to the house for the first time they are confused, and try to use it as a doorbell.
SaveSaveSaveSave

Large Family Idiosyncrasies #4: Colour Codes

How many toothbrushes are in your bathroom?

Most people have two or three, and they're easy enough to keep track of. In a big family, however, you are most likely looking at five or more toothbrushes, all from the same seller, and alarmingly similar. Add a couple (or ten) germaphobic kids, who are terrified at the thought of accidentally using someone else's brush, and the problem is magnified.

Another example: if you ever come to our house, you would probably see twelve cups on the counter. This may seem like a lot, but we are actually rigorous to keep it down to this number, since we can easily accumulate 16 used mugs and 36 glasses in one day. Here's how it happens:

A child, being thirsty, goes into the kitchen, fills a glass with water, drinks it, sets it down on the counter, and walks off. Soon another child comes in. He sees twelve glasses in a group, which were used at lunch. If he chooses a glass from the lunch group, he has a one in twelve chance of it being his glass, and thus not having anyone else's germs on it. However, another child has been in the kitchen before him, and chose a glass at random, so there is a one in twelve chance that his glass has been contaminated.

Okay, this is not a math problem, so I won't ask you to calculate the odds of randomly picking out your own glass from a group of twelve and it remaining uncontaminated, but it's a poor probability to start with, and gets even smaller as the afternoon progresses. So what does the child do? He takes a clean glass from the cupboard, drinks from it, and adds it to the group on the counter, thus giving future children even worse odds of picking their own cup. Obviously, in the toothbrush scenario, even this option is not available, since you can't use a new toothbrush every night.

Our family has come up with a clever solution to this conundrum: the Colour Code.

Every child is assigned a colour at birth (or at least as soon as they start drinking out of a cup), and we have rubber bands in that colour to put around our glasses: green, white, purple, yellow, red, blue, pink, orange, light blue, and light green. Girly colours are assigned to the girls, and boyish colours to the boys. Originally, the cups themselves were coloured, but as the family grew this became hard to keep up with. Now, we also have a row of labels on the counter to place our glasses on, to be further organized. One advantage of colours over words is that children learn to recognize colours before they learn to read.

The same concept works for toothbrushes, socks, and any other easily mixed up possessions. As the kids get older, they learn to keep better track of their stuff and it is not as necessary.

Large Family Idiosyncrasies #3: The Buddy System

You remember my definition of a large family? Part of it involves parents having more children than they can hold onto at the same time. This is when the Buddy System needs to be implemented.

Some things about large families are rather humourous, but the Buddy System is not particularly so. It is, however, one of the most wonderful things about being part of a big family, from a sibling's point of view, and it looks like this:

Pretending I know what I'm doing, so I can help her.

Sitting still, because he fell asleep on me.

Feeding him--sometimes things he wants to eat, but often requiring more persuasion.

Getting stuck at a table with him.

Making gingerbread houses with her.

The buddy system links an older kid with a younger kid, and they become a special unit within the larger family team, as the older child keeps track of the younger one and takes care of them. 

Basically, we older kids are Jedi Masters, the younger ones were our Padawans, and as more children were born, they graduated to become Jedi Knights, so that we could take on new apprentices. 

If you know nothing about the Star Wars universe, that illustration is likely not helpful, but it is a very good explanation of how the buddy system works. 

Rebekah was technically my first buddy, but she was really too old to need much help (I will refrain from comparing her situation with that of Anakin Skywalker—this post already has too many Star Wars references), and as soon as Tabitha was born, I switched to taking care of her. Several years later, Sam became my last buddy. Andrew had Maxwell, and Margaret took care of David Clayton and then Marta. William, poor fellow, had two half-buddies—Andrew and Rebekah both. 

The Buddy Oath 

(which I just now made up, reflecting some of the experiences I've had over the years)

If you are my buddy...

1. I will hold your hand, despite your best efforts to extricate it.

2. I will sit next to you at the table, holding a fork in front of your mouth as long as is necessary.

3. I will wake up in the middle of the night and crawl under your bed to retrieve your blanket.

4. I will always check your seatbelt.

If I am your buddy... (the younger buddy's half)

5. I will learn your name before anyone else's.

6. I will pick your lap to sit on.

7. I will wake you up in the middle of the night when I lose my blanket.
8. I will grow up and want to do things on my own.

Even when the younger half of a buddy team has grown up, there is still a special bond between buddies, more than an ordinary sibling relationship. Beka, TJ, Sam-a-Rammers—Love you guys!

Large Family Idiosyncrasies: Counting Noses

Idiosyncrasy #2: The Seat Belt Check

"Seat belts!" Dad (or Mom) calls from the front of the van.

"Andrew's seat belt on."
"Sarah's seat belt on."
"Margaret's seat belt on."
"Rebekah's seat belt on."
"Maxwell's seat belt on."
"David's seat belt on."
"Tabitha's seat belt on."
"Marta's seat belt on."
"William's seat belt on."
"Samuel's seat belt on."

*slight pause*
"Is Samuel's seat belt really on?"
(quick visual check) "Yes!"
"Do the little boys have shoes on?"
"Yes."
-----
This is our ritual every time we go somewhere in our big white van. It's different now, of course, with the two top names dropped off, but I'm sure they still run through the rest of this procedure. (Right, Mom?) The "seat belt check", as we call it, accomplishes several objectives in a short time:

1. It ensures that everyone in the van is wearing their seat belt. (As you would guess.)

2. It also ensures that everyone who is supposed to be in the van is, indeed, in the van. If there is a gap in the list of names, the only proper way to proceed is after Mom or Dad have verified, "Maxwell is not here," which means that person has leave to be absent. Otherwise, we stop until we have located the missing person and they are buckled into their seat.

This second objective is just one part of a larger group of big family idiosyncrasies, which all revolve around not losing children. I may mention some of the other ways we accomplish this in future posts.

3. It functions as the last call for "going ashore", ie. friends and relations that are not supposed to be in the van have to get out.

4. It is an exercise in cooperation.

Siblings may not say their own seat belt is on until the person just before them has said it. Siblings may not poke other siblings to get them to say their seat belt is on faster, nor may they say someone else's seat belt for them, unless they have parental permission (as in the case of a buddy who is too young to talk.) You may not yell or whisper that your seat belt is on, but must say it clearly enough to be heard all the way in the front of the van. It is amazing how much these few, reasonable rules bring out sin nature that needs to be addressed.

5. It is useful to tack things on to. Remember the end of the ritual? What do the little boys' shoes have to do with seat belts? Well, I invented that bit a couple years ago, because during the summer they were constantly getting to church with no shoes on, despite our clear rules to the contrary. Because the seat belt check is always the same, and already in place, it was easier to remember to check the boys' shoes if I just tacked it on the end of that. Other inquiries could also be tacked onto the seat belt check as needed, such as "Do you all have coats on?" or "Does anyone need coffee?"

Another added benefit to this system is the fact that it always amuses guests who ride in our van. We had one Japanese exchange student who would take a video recording every time we went through it. Funny it may seem, but it is a very useful habit, that should be more widely adopted.

Christian Oneness

Eph. 4:1-6 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

In Sunday school this week, we were talking about Christian unity. The first three verses of Ephesians four explain how to have unity—being lowly, gentle, longsuffering, and loving—and in the next three verses Paul reminds us why we should have unity: because we ARE one, and God is one. 

Our "homework assignment" was to look up verses that back up each phrase of verses 4-6, and since I enjoyed the mini-study this turned into, I wanted to share it. I'll try not to add much commentary, lest this post should become unmanageable, but...no promises. I put some of the words in bold to highlight how they support the original phrase.

One body: This is a favorite idea of Paul's, so it was quite easy to think of many verses! I picked just a few:

Rom. 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

1 Cor. 12:12-13 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Cor 12:20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

Col. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

One Spirit: 

1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Eph. 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Phil. 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

One hope of our calling: 

For this one, I focused more on finding verses that explained what this "hope" of our calling is exactly. Our calling, of course, is become more like Christ and preach the gospel. But what are we "expecting and desiring to happen" that makes us follow this calling?

Tit. 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

Tit. 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Col. 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Eph. 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

One Lord:

Deut. 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

1Cor. 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

1Cor. 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

One faith:

2Cor. 4:13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,

Phil. 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

Gal. 3:7-8 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

Eph. 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

One baptism:

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1Cor. 1:12-13 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Rom. 6:4-5 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

One God and Father of all:

Matt. 23:9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

1Cor. 8:4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

Gal. 3:20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

1Tim. 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

• who is above all: 
• 1 Chron. 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all.

• Psa 96:4 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

• Eph 1:20-22 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

• through all:
• Rom. 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

• and in you all:

• 2Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

• Col. 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

• 1Pet. 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. ¶ Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

• 1John 4:13-15 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Warbling Wednesday Week 3

Still not Wednesday. However.

This week's winner is: Say Something by Christina Aguilera

One of my ten-yearold students is learning this piano solo arrangement of the song:

Here is a live version in Seattle that has the words with it as well (by Pentatonix)

I have had this stuck in my head on and off for a few weeks now, actually, except I only knew the first line, which, as all of you know, gets old very quickly. The aforementioned student and I were working on it this week's lesson, though, so I now know the first verse or so. 

At this point I feel like I should make the disclaimer that this is the only current "love song" that I know. The rest I am aware of were popular when my Mom and Dad were in high school. My "with it" status is pretty much limited to the knowledge that Piano Guys exist, and the vague idea that ankle boots are in right now. I don't have any, but other people do and there seem to be a lot in shoe stores at the moment, so I am assuming that is the case.