Hello, my name is Louise and I am an Israelite

I am.

Remember that bunch of whiney-annoying-frustrating-always-questioning-God people who drove Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb loony in the wilderness? (Checkout Exodus and Numbers in the Bible for the full story. And read Francine Rivers' Sons of Encouragement) Well, I'm one of those.

Why is it that we can be consistently blessed by God, cared for by God, see His hand in different situations - Miracles, people. I'm talking about daily miracles. - and yet still constantly question?

God had given His people, the Israelites, their own land. Canaan was a land "flowing with milk and honey". He had brought them out of slavery after an exceptional display of signs and wonders. He had brought them through the Red Sea on dry ground. He had given them water from a rock, amongst other 'small' miracles! He had led them through the desert for 40 years. Each day they'd had enough food to eat - food that came from heaven. Their clothes and shoes had never worn out. He'd watched over them, cared for them, fought their battles and yet all they could think about was the giants.

What about the GIANTS?

Numbers 13:30 But Caleb ... “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

I long to have the faith of Caleb. What giants are you facing today?

You and me, together, let's trust "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin" in spite of ourselves to give us "the land" that He has promised. Because He who has promised is faithful.

Abandoned praise

For this week's Java worship, I'm working on a theme of abandoned praise. It follows from the reading that I gave in last week's Java worship about Aaron and all the people giving all that they had for the temple, and particularly the line about Aaron giving back his all to the One that had given it to him in the first place.

A fellow worship leader posted on her website a little while back about something that I have been observing in a particular person in our own congregation for a while now - abandoned praise:

I just experienced one of the most authentic worship times in my life! I
walked across the auditorium to listen to the sound levels and stopped far to
one side for a while.

As I stood and began to worship, I noticed a 'mentally challenged young
man' worshiping. It was one of the most moving times of worship I have ever
experienced.

He had a freedom to express himself that I have never felt. He could have
cared less who was watching, I often wonder who is watching me. He was filled
with the Holy Spirit at a level that most 'normal' people never reach. Complete
surrender, unaware that he may be the only one with a true understanding of our
Savior.

I will look for this young man in the future and try to stand near to him
during worship so I can also leave cares behind and become overcome with love
for our God and express it freely!
http://www.loribiddle.com/2008/12/authentic-worship.html

Often I have felt that our worship times are perhaps a little stilted when I watch the bush shrike "bokmakierie" throw back it's head with its throat completely exposed - vulnerable - and sing as though its life depended on it. My prayer is that our worship this week would head towards a life abandoned to God. Not caring for or about the praise or criticism of others but only reaching upwards to love the One who gave everything for us. Pressed down, shaken together and running out all over...

If you have any suggested songs or readings, please leave a comment. If you've had a similar experience to Lori and myself, please comment...I would love to hear from you.