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Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven, praise him from the mountaintops; Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his warriors, Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, you morning stars; Praise him, high heaven, praise him, heavenly rain clouds; Praise, oh let them praise the name of God - he spoke the word, and there they were! He set them in place from all time to eternity; He gave his orders, and that's it! Praise God from earth, you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps; Fire and hail, snow and ice, hurricanes obeying his orders; Mountains and all hills, apple orchards and cedar forests; Wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds in flight; Earth's kings and all races, leaders and important people, Robust men and women in their prime, and yes, graybeards and little children. Let them praise the name of God - it's the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he's built a monument - his very own people! Praise from all who love God! Israel's children, intimate friends of God. Hallelujah! (Psalm 148 The Message)
How often do you praise God? I don't mean try to sing along with the praise team or the choir. I mean, get-down-I-want-to-dance-I'm-so-happy praise? Good day, dear Friend! A certain man I know wanted very much to marry the woman of his dreams. This man had gone to visit his grandmother, who from stories told was not everybody's favorite grandma or person for that matter. He never confessed it, but that first visit was probably one out of obligation. What he discovered on that first visit to see dear ole grandma, was that she had a gorgeous nurse. I wish I knew more of the story, but this man's interest escalated to love for the nurse, and they planned to date, and later to marry. There was. one huge roadblock in their relationship. She was a devout Roman Catholic, and he was an on-fire Methodist. She was the daughter of a staunch Catholic, he the son of a staunch Methodist mother, and a non-church going father. Once the father of the woman found out, he was strictly opposed to the relationship, for in those days Catholics were to have nothing to do with the "Alleluias," as Hispanic Protestants were known. But the woman loved the man, and the man loved the woman and he tried to ask for permission to marry the woman of his dreams. The tradition was that two "Padrinos" (Godfathers) had to go and ask the father for permission. The wanna-be groom could not be present at this request. The two padrinos were his father, and his former boss and owner of the little grocery store he had once worked at as a boy. The two men went in to chat with the man, and the father said no. His daughter would not marry an Alleluia. A second attempt was made, for the man was determined to make this woman his bride. A second no was given. Determined to be Mr. to his Mrs., a third attempt was made, and the father reluctantly said yes. That was the answer my Dad was waiting for. The condition of the father was that my mother and father would marry in the Catholic Church. My Dad agreed. I was not present and my Dad was not a dancer, but I think that night he got pretty darn close to dancing. He also may have yelled out that word which Catholics say that Protestants used to holler out; Alleluia! That awesome feeling of happiness is the key to understanding the psalmist's desire for all the world to praise God. It's that joyous I can't help but sing or shout or cry sweet tears of joy for God is so good. This passage convinces me that this is the type of praise that David believes God deserves from all creation, especially from you and me. If you have that joy in your heart, let God know! Let those around you know too!
Friends, we don't have those type of victories every day as mentioned above in my love struck Dad, and even some days we see days where victory has escaped us, but even in those times, the eternal joy in the Lord should lead us to praise Him like never before. It does not matter how young or old you are, we are called to praise God. As David wrote, "It's the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything on earth and sky; He's built a monument - His very own people ("that's you and me!). All who love God should praise Him. Those who are or want to be God's intimate friends, shout alleluia!
As we pray today, please remember those for whom we have been praying that God be with them and their loved ones. Please pray for me as I prepare to preach both services at First UMC in Gonzales. Pray for Pastor Matt as he defends his dissertation and graduates as (we pray) a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary. That is worthy of our praise too!
PRAYER: Loving God, grant to us that joyous spirit that allows us to raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving to You! Speak to our hearts the truth of Your love and presence. This we pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Let loose and praise Him!
Blessings of love,
Eradio Valverde
The new podcast is ready at www.pimplesandwrinkles.org under Media Section. It's entitled "Wanna Make God LOL?"
