Good news! We, here at Restored Ministries are lowering the disco ball for today’s Song Sunday!
My current song obsession is Lincoln Brewster’s Live to Praise You.
Take a quick dance break and then read my song story…
Recently, I attended a women’s conference held by my church. Having worked as a volunteer earlier that afternoon, I knew already that I was already assigned to Table 11. So that evening at the designated time, I went to, well, Table 11 and sat by a new friend I had been wanting to get to know better. Awesome! But, then, after looking at the table list, I realized that, since that afternoon, my name had been marked off of the roster for Table 11. It was done in ink pen, so you know it was final. Weirdly though, within a minute, I happened to see another good friend of mine walking by, so I said hi to her. She looked in confusion at me and asked why I was sitting there – she was a table leader and said I was supposed to be at her table. Sure enough, my name had been written on her roster in ink, so you know it was final. Instead of getting flustered and wondering what happened, I had the immediate thought wondering if God was up to something. I was intrigued by what the weekend would hold. When things “happen to” change at the last minute, you really should start looking around for Him.
Among a lot of great women at my new table, I met a new friend, Chris. Part of our table discussion Friday night involved ‘morning people’ and ‘night owls’ and the plight of the young mommies in our group who were just hanging on for dear life for whenever they could find sleep – morning or night! Chris indicated that she was a morning person and felt that her cup got filled up during the night. Yes – definitely a morning person.
Fast forward about twelve hours: Saturday morning rolled around way too early and I went in search of coffee. My roommate and I had stayed up way too late (early) talking, so at this point, I think I must have looked like Frankenstein – imagine arms extended forward, making unintelligible moaning sounds as I drug my heavy feet towards the dining hall. I just “happened to” meet Chris on the way in. Y’ALL! She had sooo many words! So many. So early. I made the grouchy joking comment that she reminded me of that bird that sings outside your window in the morning…you know the one…who starts his crazy, joyful song about 10 minutes before your alarm is supposed to go off. My comment didn’t even faze her a bit. She giggled and took it as a compliment. That girl was JOYFUL! I promised her I’d be closer to her cheeriness once I’d had my coffee, too. She laughed and said she hadn’t had any yet and bounced on off leaving my mouth hanging open. Her response to being out of her element and among unfamiliar people? To mornings? Exultant joy.
It got me thinking: As Christians, what should our responses be to…?
All of a sudden, I was filled with these questions:
Back to my friend Chris and why this is important. Chris’ reaction to my grouchiness and my song Sunday choice both bring me back to one thing. JOY IS A CHOICE. Just like the birds whose joy can be too much for those living without it, just like Chris’ response to morning, just like our response to what life throws at us…Joy is a choice. Always. What if every single action God took toward you was out of goodness? What if only goodness flowed from Him toward you? Would it shock you to know that it does? With mercy and grace thrown in for good measure! Now, let’s all check for what our correct response should be and, like the birds, like this song, respond with JOY!
~Debbie Bouckley
Live to Praise You
Day after day You never change
Ever the same, there is hope in Your name
You are the fire that’s burning bright
Ever You reign so we’re lifting You high
Everybody
Everybody
Come on somebody
1, 2, 3, hey!
Everybody shout, make it loud
All of heaven sing, hear the sound
Let the praises ring, Your renown
Everyday we live
Everyday we live to praise You
Everyday we live to praise You
Breath after breath we’re so alive
Ever we’re changed ‘cause You rescued our lives
The First and the Last, no one in between
Ever the King, You’re the song that we sing
The joy of the Lord is our strength!
The joy of the Lord is our strength!
The joy of the Lord is our strength!
The joy of the Lord is our strength!
Nehemiah 8:20 (B) “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Galatians 5:22-23 The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this.
Luke 15:4 What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep and should lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness (desert) and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?