"What the fat are you thinking?!"

David Crowder
Originally uploaded by kickeur77.

David Crowder pretty much rocks my world. Okay, maybe I'm going a little far with that statement, but he is definitely one of my top 10 favorite authors. This book of his(Praise Habit-check it out) is very insightful, even with his quirky humor(my title is one of his many weird phrases).


I read a section tonight about praise. He talked about how praising changes over the course of our lives. When we are kids we are always praising our toys or friends. We want to show others how valuable they are to us. Then when we start to get older, our priorities change and we become more self-conscious. We no longer want to parade around with our favorite "blankie" or G.I. Joe doll(sorry, "action figure").

This is the same as the type of praising you usually think of- singing in "BIG CHURCH". The praise band begins and everyone rises from their chairs, hoping the band will play one of their favorite songs, a song that will make them feel good. Most people stand there with their arms folded or hanging at their sides, singing at the top of their lungs. Then there's those few people that are bold enough to extend their arms and reach up to God, giving Him their voices.

I'm not getting down on anyone who does praise in the first way I mentioned. Some people prefer to focus on God in that particular fashion and that's cool, too. I, personally, love praising God with my hands as well as my voice. I love glorifying God with everything I have. I used to be one of those people who were ashamed to lift their hands in praise. I thought it was weird to do that in a church service. Now I find that I naturally will open my hands during a song because I want to praise God for what he has done in my life. I want to show Him praise for who He is!

I challenge you: if you ever have the urge to lift your hands during a song or even when you're shouting praise to God when you're praying, DO IT!! Don't be afraid of what others will think. You are doing this for God, you are praising Him with all that you have! This will show others that you are proud of the fact that Christ is working in your life and you want to give Him all of the praise. Maybe they will learn by your example and lift their hands too(I feel like I'm writing this to myself- "Here's some encouraging words, Sarah"). How cool would it be to have the entire congregation extending their arms in praise to our Awesome Father? Do you want to show how valuable He is to you or feel ashamed as if He was your favorite old toy?