A focus of praise

The other morning, as I prayed before slipping out of bed, I asked God to help me praise him more. I realized that I thanked him often, and said, “I thank and praise you,” but I wanted to be more specific with praise. After all, believers will praise him in eternity. I figure I should get into the practice now…”on earth as it is in heaven.” God started to answer my prayer that morning through my morning Bible reading.

 

I opened to Psalms 117. It was so short! Only two verses which call for universal praise of God.

Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify Him, all peoples!  For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah! Psalm 117 (HCSB)

Even though it is the shortest of the Psalms it was by God’s providence that I read it that morning after my prayer. I was reminded to the praise him for his faithful love and his merciful kindness that I don’t deserve.

Since it was such a short Psalm, and did speak about praising God, I decided to study it. You know what I mean. Dig in a little deeper and see if God had a nugget to help me learn to praise him more. And I did. I learned that Psalms 113-118 is known as the “Hallel” which in Hebrew means praise. It’s where we get the word halleluiah. These Psalms are recited as a Jewish prayer by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as a way to offer praise and thanksgiving.

Jesus sang these Hallel Psalms

In ancient times, these Psalms were traditionally sung at the celebrations of the Feast of Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, and the feast of Pentecost. I found it inspirational to think Jesus sang these same Hallel songs with his disciples. In Mark 14:25-26 following the Passover meal (last supper) we see that Jesus and His disciples sang psalms before going to the Mount of Olives.

I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God.” After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives (Mark 14:25-26).

They would have sung the Hallel. Psalm 118 is the traditional song sang at the close of the Passover Feast, and it just so happens to be a prophetic Psalm of Jesus that was fulfilled that very night! As Jesus sang these words he knew what was about to happen in the garden, on the cross and everything in between.

As I read Psalm 118 equipped with this bit of history, it choked me up. It starts with giving thanks to God for his goodness and love which endures forever. Vs. 4 speaks of his faithful love, “Let those who fear the Lord say, ‘His faithful love endures forever.’”

Vs. 5-7 speak of calling on the Lord when in distress. "I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is my helper; Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.”

But the vs. that stood out to me were verses 22-24.

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

 This came from the Lord;

it is wonderful in our eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This cornerstone is Jesus. This Psalm describes his rejection and his triumph. The builders in verse 22 are the Jewish religious leaders, who rejected Jesus as their Messiah. The Stone, which they disavowed, received the place of honor as the headstone of the corner. The rejected stone now sat at God's right hand.

Stop and think. Jesus sang Psalm 118 knowing what was ahead. He went to the cross as a willing sacrifice. I can’t begin to imagine. But I can praise God for his example. I can praise God for providing the way for us to escape the second death. And I definitely can praise him for his lovingkindness and mercy.

Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death (Revelation 2:11)

Praise God

I'm a whosoever (John 3:16)

A couple Mother’s Days ago, my son bought me a red tee-shirt with a simple white script across the front that says, “I’m a whosoever” (John 3:16). I’m one of those people who dresses simply, avoids things that clash, goes for comfort, but hopes that they don’t look like a slob. Once I’m dressed, I don’t often think of what I’m wearing. For this reason, I am amazed at how many people read what tee-shirts have to say. This particular shirt brings out something more. People don’t just say, “What’s your shirt say?” and read it with little comment. This particular shirt has people coming up to me saying, “I like your shirt. I’m a whosoever too.”

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)

The first time it happened, things were still sketchy with going out to eat with all the Covid restrictions. My husband and I had the opportunity to enjoy a lunch at an understaffed Steak & Shake We stepped up to the host and were told it could take up to 20 minutes to seat us. With a quick look at each other we decided to wait. A couple of women were ahead of us. Next a man and his son who looked about eight. Soon the entry way turned into a crowd of people waiting. A few more women joined the first waiting before us. When the host came to seat us, I pointed out the people who were before us. He thanked me and seated them. Poor kid didn’t have a clue who to seat next. When our turn came, we were seated at a table for six, just the two of us. It did have the surreal feel with the hoops everyone had to jump through to comply. Through it all, our waitress, Chandler, did a marvelous job and served with a genuine smile. 

I'm a whosoever

As we stood to leave, one of the women from the first group seated, walked over to me and said, “I love your shirt.”

With all the chaos going on around us, it surprised me. “Thank you, my son gave it to me for Mother’s Day.”

She smiled. “I’m a whosoever too.”

The knowledge of the truth connected us as sisters at that moment. We chatted about our Lord and Savior for a few minutes, and said goodbye knowing we would see each other in heaven if not before.

The most recent person to approach me about being a whosoever happened in a Buc-ee’s so crowded it reminded me of being at a theme park attraction. A woman came up to me as I stood before a wall of assorted gummies, shouting over all the noise. “I love your shirt!”

“Thank you, my son gave it to me.”

“He has good taste. I’m a whosoever. In fact I have a website.” She handed me a card. Christiantellmewhy.info. “It’s a site that answers questions about being a Christian.” We chatted among the chaos and said goodbye.

The Christian fish symbol

I thought about how the people who know Scripture are the ones who knew what my shirt meant. And when they said they were a “whosoever,” I knew that they realized Christ’s sacrifice for them, believed in Him, and received his truth.

The early church didn’t have tee-shirts, but they did have the Christian fish symbol that helped them recognize other believers. The story, as I’ve been told, is that not long after Jesus ascended into to heaven, the church grew quickly, but just as quickly the Christians found themselves persecuted by the Romans and the Jews. (Just take a look at the early part of the apostle Paul’s life story in the book of Acts. At that time he was known as Saul and was a Pharisee on a mission to arrest Christians.) And so, when two people met and thought the other might be a fellow believer, one would draw the upper half of the fish symbol on the ground. If the other person was a believer they knew to draw the second curved line to complete the fish.

While I’ve always heard this called the Christian fish, it is actually the Greek word for fish as an anagram/acronym for “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior.”

The thing that stands out in my stories and the story of the Christian fish is that people were able to recognize people as to be believers. For this reason, we should really think about what we are doing and how it reflects back on our Heavenly Father. We are to reflect God's love. The question is, what are we reflecting!

Remember, whether you eat, drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)

 

Excerpt from The Inheritance

Here’s an excerpt from The Inheritance which relates to this very topic:

"You know Truth?" Tenderheart asked. He took another swig from the water skin and offered it to Jejune. "I wondered, when I saw you carrying that." He pointed to the walking stick.

"This?" Jejune raised the stick and tossed it to the ground to accept the skin. "Thank you."

He motioned toward the staff with a tick of his head. "That's a reward for saving Chary's sister's life in Goodeeds. It has been useful on the trip."

Tenderheart scratched the back of his neck. "Do you know that the people in Goodeeds think the notches marking their deeds get them into the Eternal City?"

Jejune stopped drinking and wiped his mouth. "What? The notches in the walking stick? They really believe that? Absurd!"

Tenderheart nodded. "They believe the more notches they earn, the better their dwelling will be within the Eternal City. And if they arrive at the gates without a walking stick, they may not get in at all."

"They will get in, even if they have the Condition, just because they are holding a piece of wood?"

"It does sound absurd, now," Tenderheart agreed, "but I grew up in Goodeeds and believed in notches with all my heart."

"I didn't understand all that," Jejune said. "I didn't stay long. I admit I heard some of that, but never really took it to heart."

"It's quite an impressive stick." Tenderheart picked up the carved stick. "It's one of the nicest I've seen. I'm happy to hear you've met Truth instead of putting your confidence in this." He handed it to Jejune in exchange for the water skin.

Jejune fingered the carvings. "I never believed in notches. In fact, I didn't really understand their ceremony at the Hall of Strokes." He tapped his chest. "Truth gave me his Light, and he gave me an inheritance in the Eternal City." He looked into Tenderheart's dark eyes. "Do you know Truth well?"

Glossary Bookmarks for The Inheritance

Since The Inheritance is an allegorical fantasy, I've decided to make up glossary bookmarks to make it easy for readers to keep their place without having to stop to look up what a name means. I hope to have the physical bookmarks in time for the book signing at The Lighthouse Christian bookstore on January 14, but I'll also be adding a free downloadable version of some sort on my website. I'll keep everyone updated!

The Inheritance - Email Quote of the Day

I'd love to share this snippet from a fan email I received today. After reviewing The Inheritance,  and having positive things to say, this writer has returned for an interview, so I definitely consider her a fan. This snippet was buried within a thread as we talked about the upcoming interview. It made my day and am using it with her permission.

 

 

 "I do believe it [The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad] has valuable potential especially after trying (as a Christian educator) to use Pilgrim's Progress as a teaching tool. Your book is more user-friendly for today's audience in my opinion than the classic." ~ Donna Cosmato

Journey of The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

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My latest novel, The Inheritance, is now out in print and kindle and as the author I celebrate my latest release with this new blog. You may think I'm going to tell you all about the story in this first post, but instead I want to tell you about the book's journey and some of the people who played a part in making it possible.

At the writing of this post, I had started writing The Inheritance eight years ago when I still worked a nine-to-five job. The book is a fantasy, but written in the allegorical fashion of christian classics like Pilgrim's Progress and Hinds' Feet On High Places. I knew not everyone likes to read fantasy, not everyone likes to read allegories, and not everyone wants to read a book that makes them think about what they believe or why they believe it. But I wrote it because I knew I had to. I wrote it not knowing if it would ever be published. One goal was not to make it a religious book, but a story everyone can enjoy, one that entertains but makes them think.

My publisher did not accept "religious" books, but six years after finishing the book, the acquisitions editor, Joan McNulty-Pulver, brought the book up. "I don't think it's religious," she said. And the book was accepted.

As it went through the editing process, Joan's health deteriorated. I thought the book would be out for Christmas 2010, but progress slowed. Joan passed away in March. The book was edited but stuck in layout. Margaret Carr, the editor-in-chief, made slow progress. She had the book ready to submit to the Epic for Authors eBook competition on the last day of May 2011.

Margaret passed away unexpectedly at the end of July, and with her death my publisher of seven years closed their doors. The Inheritance was ready to be published in print, but now I didn't have a publisher. Then in August I lost my job as a staff writer. I prayed for what to do.

In September finalists for the 2012 Epic eBook awards were posted and there it was! The Inheritance finaled in the Spiritual/Metaphysical category! That spurred me to move forward with the book!

 

Update: The book is now available through Next Chapter Publishing.