Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:16-17

It is another Sunday morning, and it looks like, this week at least, here in Raleigh we will not be relegated to virtual church by the vagaries of North Carolina weather. And by “we” I mean “I”, as Rebekah will be spending today enjoying some much overdue get to know each other time with grandson Mr. T. in Bahrain.

Church or no church, our friends the birds get out there and sing their little hearts out regardless. With the temperatures hovering at or below freezing much of the week I have kept the feeders topped off. I hadn’t intended to take any more photographs but yesterday I couldn’t help myself.

I am sure the language the birds tweet in is very simple, but I somehow sense the spirit of praise in their song. More importantly, their song feeds the spirit of praise in me.

So this morning, if I were to lead the call to worship at church, I would share this:

It is so good to be in community today, Lord,

Gathered with the saints in your house.

We have so much joy to sing and such thanksgiving to offer.

Our praise is a powerful prayer.

The birds in our gardens can’t help but celebrate with so much noise;

Our children and grandchildren express vibrant life with high spirits and high decibels;

The torrent of life we see all around us resonates with light and with promise.

We too, this small part of a worldwide family of believers, own a deep need to let our passion for you overflow.

So come among us, we pray, and dismantle the barriers we erect that resist your initiatives of grace.

Release us, Lord; release us to celebrate without reservation.

Release us to serve you with joy and enthusiasm.

Release us into love.

Amen

I firmly believe that we all have joy we could sing, a joy that goes far deeper than the happiness that comes when things are going right and all is well in our world.

So I will sing my joy and I will commit myself to celebration.

Praise is a powerful prayer – DEREK