Reflection, Jan. 28, 2007

Chi Rho Reflection for the Week of January 28, 2007

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As one of the on-going ministries of Chi Rho Press, here is a selection from our book of daily devotions, "Living as the Beloved: One Day at a Time," by the Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok.

Please read the Scripture passage and Dr. Bochonok's meditation. We hope you will be blessed.

Thank you for forwarding this to your friends.

Praise

"I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long."
Psalm 146:2

My spiritual director once asked what my spiritual resolutions were for the new year. I piously pondered and responded, "Years ago I used to read ten chapters of scripture a day. I haven't done that for years. I'd like to resume that spiritual discipline." Her eyes twinkled as she laughed. "Ten chapters of scripture a day?" She gasped with glee. "You need to sit with ten words of scripture a day. Try praying a few words or phrases. Hold them in your heart and enjoy God."

How on earth can any of us truly enjoy God? Praise through singing is one good place to begin. When I baptized a little boy several years ago, I invited both his family and the church to teach this young child to sing before he got old enough to be self-conscious and worried about what other people think. Then we sang the beautiful hymn, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. They are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so." (Osbeck, Kenneth W. "Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions," p. 73. The author quotes Anna Warner's hymn, "Jesus Loves Me," written in 1860.)

The apostle Paul reminded the first century Colossian church, "with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God" (Colossians 3:16c). Singing praises helps us pray more fully. I have often heard it said that those who sing pray twice.

Any songs coming from our hearts are music to God's ears. Many enjoy singing scripture as a wonderful way to pray. So sing! Make up your own melodies. Sing in the shower. Sing in your car. Sing while cleaning bathrooms. Sing praises to God with gusto. God loves our joyful sounds. Sing for the rest of your precious lives. Enjoy God.

God, let psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs make beautiful music in my heart. Bless each reader with many songs of joy, gratitude, love, and peace. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Chi Rho Press

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