Dear Faith Family, 

Praise the Lord!  Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens!  Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!, (Psalm 150:1-2). 

What a delight!  Our entire family (all our kids and grandkids enveloped our home over the Labor Day weekend)!  One afternoon we gathered at the neighborhood pool.  It was rather interesting to watch as the ladies enjoyed the conversation and the cool water on a rather warm day. 

The boys.  Well, we enjoyed the conversation and the cool water.  And the football.  You know, the one that was being tossed back and forth.  It quickly descended (or ascended) into a competition.  We weren’t content with simply throwing and catching.  No!  We had to intercept the toss to the other guy.  And then? 

Well, that’s my point.  Anytime someone made a diving interception, it might just have been followed by a celebration!  And, when the youngest (2-year-old) would throw the football, a celebration would follow.  Ah, the joy of gloating in something spectacular! 

Isn’t that what the psalmist did?  Psalm 146 – Praise the Lord!  Psalm 147 – Praise the Lord!  Psalm 148 – Praise the Lord!  Psalm 149 – Praise the Lord!  And, you guessed it, Psalm 150 – Praise the Lord!  Psalm 150 specifically directs our praise to our God thirteen times in six verses!  It’s as if the Book of Psalms crescendos in a praise of glory!  Talk about something spectacular!  Or should I say someone?  Consider who our God is!  Consider the works of our God. 

Are you up for a challenge?  Why not plan a celebration.  Pick one of the works of our God.  Maybe something He recorded in the Bible.  Maybe a specific answer to prayer.  Maybe a relationship He’s entrusted to you.  You decide.  Make Him the focus of your celebration.   

Now, a good celebration ought to include food, right?  So, grill some steaks.  Bake some potatoes.  Boil some okra (ok, you didn’t see that coming did you?!).  And don’t forget some dessert!  How about company?  Who gets to celebrate with you?  Maybe you’re not up for company.  Invite yourself to someone else’s house for a celebration.  Like to decorate?  Get out some decorations.  This is The God we’re celebrating after all! 

Now, gather around the table and talk to God about how incredible He is!  Talk about what He’s done.  Boast about your Father!  Gloat in who He is.  Remind each other of His glory.  Enjoy Him! 

In a praise of glory, 
Pastor Karl