God created us in His image. We are like Him in many ways. We are triune beings, body mind and spirit, just as He is a triune God, The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. He created us to be social beings, to love Him, and to love one another. 

I love alone time with God, and it is difficult for me to worship with others. I would much rather stick my head in the Bible and about 10 reference books than to sit in a worship service in a full sanctuary. The picture here, of a man standing alone in an abandoned church, looks to me to be ideal. 

Still, I know that a healthy relationship with my Creator necessitates a healthy relationship others. Like a cross, our life has both vertical and horizontal paths. The life of a healthy being is like a stool that stands firmly on three legs: our relationship with God, family, and our fellow man. 

So, I try. I go to church and worship, sometimes arriving late and sneaking out early, in hope of avoiding others, in hope of not having to speak. I love the people in my church, the few I know. Am I Shy? Antisocial? A loner? I don’t know. Call it what you will. I know others feel the same way I do. I grew up in church. I love it. But, I often feel very uncomfortable speaking to people. Still, I try.  

Wesley was right. The New Testament Church is about loving others, helping others, supporting others, relying on others, touching the lives of others. Worship is about loving and praising God. Church is about loving and helping others. 

God, help me to relate to others the way you intended. 

…praise Him. 

Have you ever had one of those days? You know what I mean: everything that can possibly go wrong does, in fact, go wrong. Well, I have had a few years worth of those days strung back-to-back. Or, that’s one way of looking at it. 

A string of cancers, three surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, back problems, on top of financial troubles, setbacks, car problems. I could go on, but you get it. 

Anytime I feel sorry for myself, God reminds me that I am still alive. I have recovered from two cancers and will recover again. My back problems are painful but minor by comparison. My financial issues… He’s never let me starve. Car problems? He provides. 

I look at God and I smile. He takes care of me. Sure, I’d rather He arrange it for me to win the lottery, but HE PROVIDES. I smile. I have to. In spite of my fears, doubt, and pain, He is faithful. 

So on days like this… in times like this, I smile and, before long, my smile turns to praise. Sometimes, I simply have to praise Him. 

I just want to praise the Lord

I just want to dance and celebrate yeah

I just want to bless my God

Lift my hands and sing (repeat)

Chorus:

Heavens and the earth proclaim

All the nations bow before You

All creation shouts Your praise

The majesty, honour and glory of God
©1992 Word Music, Inc. (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company)

All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

CCLI song #1406396

Writer: Geoff Bullock

In Star Wars – A New Hope, there is a scene where Princess Leia sends a message through R2D2, pleading for help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. “Help us, Obi-Wan; You’re our only hope,” she says. 

The Bible talks a great deal about hope, a thing which many of us seem to feel is in short supply these days. Few can honestly say they have hope in a strong economy, and even fewer believe that our presidential candidates offer real hope. I don’t know about you, but when I look at the immediate future, I see little hope for a brighter tomorrow. Christ is our only hope. 

He is the only hope for salvation. He is the only hope for our nation. He is the only hope for a stronger economy. 

I recently signed up with a group that prays daily for our nation. So far, every single one of the group prayers have been an examination of our individual spiritual conditions. They get it: Christ is the only hope to change our nation, but change starts with me and you. 
Help us, God. Save our nation. Help us to change, to once again be a Christian nation. Begin with me. 

Let it start in me

Let it start in me

There’s a change a coming

Gaither Vocal Band