Praise and worship

From the Rising of the Sun

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From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

Years ago, we had a chorus that used this Psalm. I never stopped to think much about what this meant when we sang the words. I had always just thought that we simply needed to praise God all day long, every day. Then the Holy Spirit began to show me a picture of my life. God has given each of us an amazing chance in life, no matter how long or how short it is to be. From our earliest days when we just begin to speak, we can begin to praise the name of the Lord. He can be precious to us, or we can choose to neglect him. Jesus continues calling us, as our sun rises and strengthens to noonday and even to the evening shadows. Some of us come in the morning; some come in the early afternoon and some not until our sun is starting to set. God is always looking for the opportunity to enter into our life. He wants to come and give us life for however many moments we have.His name is still to be praised wherever we are. God is delighted with early morning praise formed on the lips of children. God is honored by praise that rises from excited young people and God is lovingly receives quieter praise from the hearts of runners with tired legs, who are nearing the end of the race. God’s name is always to be praised. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the Name of the Lord is to be praised!

To Hear the Church Bells Ring

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After fingers of the rain reach down
Pulling frost out from the ground
And the cold relentless wind grows still
And I hear the gentle sound

Of a robin singing at my door
And distant thunder in the sky
Then I look out of my window
And watch children splashing by

Then I wonder at the changing world
As snowdrifts melt in Spring
And my sleeping faith sits up in bed
To hear the church bells ring


To Hear the Church Bells Ring
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2024
All rights reserved

Photo by Luke Webb on Pexels.com

A Little Talk With Jesus

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Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
John 13:37-38 ESV

While the other gospels just tell us that Jesus went from the Last Supper table to the Garden of Gethsemane; John allows us to listen in to His conversation. Jesus had just finished telling the disciples that He was going to be betrayed and that He was leaving them, and they were shocked. Peter then volunteered to die before he would let that happen. But, instead of saying, “Wow that’s great. I know I can always count on you! Jesus turned and told Peter that he was about to deny even knowing him! Try to imagine Peter’s thoughts. “What could possibly happen to make me deny knowing Jesus? Where in the world is He going? Why is He telling us this?” Just as most of us would be pretty discouraged if our best friend told us this, the disciples were both astonished and dismayed to hear Jesus’ words. But Jesus wasn’t telling them this to discourage them. Instead, in order to tell them the wonderful news of God’s plans, Jesus needed to begin by showing them that nothing would depend on them. And just like with those disciples, God knows about our personal failures, lack of faith and sins, and yet, He still loves us. His plan is in no way dependent on our success, ability, or reputation. Jesus specializes in saving lost people, and even those who sometimes deny faith. He not only loves us, but He has come to give us strength, and forgiveness, so that we can be saved, and that God will get all the glory!