Music Monday has special memories of praise music during worship yesterday.   Sometimes mixing praise with "traditional hymns" is a special way of celebrating God's love.  The praise song "Way Maker" has this for the chorus: "Way Maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness, my God
That is who You are

Sunday, Sabbath celebrating God's Majesty with worship, prayer, praise and fellowship.  Time to not only celebrate God's love but also God's guidance and strength.  Words of encouragement: "The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic."  (Psalm 29:4 NLT)

Strengthen, getting stronger, in our physical strength AND in our relationship with God takes time.  Time to spend with God.  Time to work on strengthening muscles.  Sometimes it is a "quiet" time, sometimes it is with praise music (headphones?) and keeping our fingers busy (quilting).  Either way it is how we can help and encourage each other. Words of encouragement: "With this news, strengthen those have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees."  (Isaiah 35:3 NLT)

Fellowship, hopefully with food involved, happens somewhat regularly - right?  Sometimes it has to "be on the calendar" but sometimes it "just happens" over coffee.  However it happens it is a wonderful way to share when, and how, we have felt God's presence, guidance and strength.  It is an excellent way to help and encourage even as we celebrate.  Words of encouragement: "And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.'" (Luke 15:8 NLT)

Thinking about, and thankful for, God's blessings.  The wonders all around us AND the gift of God's presence, guidance and strength.  Things we can talk about as we share and encourage each other.  Words of encouragement: "Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!  Praise his holy name."  (Psalm 30:4 NLT)

working with each other, helping with sharing God's loving guidance and strength, can be done in so many ways.  We can start by encouraging each other.  Even easier is to start with a smile.  Words of encouragement: "For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised.  What is important is faith expressing itself in love."  (Galatians 5:6 ESV -emphasis mine)  Something to think about..........

Thinking about sharing, talking, teaching, helping...all ways we can encourage each other.  Helping each other to feel God's presence with us.  Words of encouragement: " The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."" (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

Something to think about........

Music, yesterday, was a wonderful reminder of how God keeps God's promises. AND a celebration of Pentecost.  One of the hymns, "Because He Lives,"  has this for the chorus: "And because He lives I can face tomorrow     Because He lives All fear is gone    Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives"

Sunday..... a day to celebrate God's many gifts to us.  A day to remember God's love, strength, peace and guidance.  A day to be in worship with Scripture, prayer, praise and, maybe, some fellowship (and food?).  Sometimes it means celebrating online because of weather, health or other "in the way" things.  Sometimes it means we can celebrate with family.  All definite reasons to be thinking about, and thankful for, Sunday Sabbath.

Sharing God's strength with each other can be done with encouragement.  Sharing where we see someone doing something and letting them know we noticed.  Sometimes it is "just" a nod, or smile, but sometimes it can be an actual "good job!"  Words of encouragement: "Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them."  (Galatians 6:6 NLT)​