Life's True Meaning

This was a great book of the Bible. Even though once again I thing that Solomon was reflecting on his own life and looking at his failures and warning the reader not to do the same thing. How do we best learn, but by the failures of our own and from listening to the failures of others.

Look in everything there is, even reason, it all goes to God. It all looks back at Him. Instead of always looking around us and glooming over the don't haves or glooming over our own mistakes. We need to point out head up to the sky and praise God that we know Him and know that since we know who he is, we have a relationship with him and He is always there for us, we are blessed. Just as blessed as Solomon, David and all the rest. The words that we have been reading are given to us so that we can learn to be more righteous and right with God.

Value of Wisodm

Solomon's tone sure does change here. He does not seem as upset and cynical about his upcoming death in the future. He goes back to giving us his advise on hoe to live our lives. My favorite out of here was the danger of extremism.

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:
a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise...why destroy yourself?
Do not be over wicked and do not be a fool...why die before your time?
It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.

Basically what I thing he is saying is MODERATION in everything.

Meaninglessness of Human Pursuits

OK, in my last post I stated that Solomon was being cynical. Yea! H e is reflecting on his life and realizing that life really is meaningless. That all the wisdom and wealth in the world is meaningless without God. Our ultimate goal is to not try so hard to fulfill our every desire because "all things done under the sun are meaningless and a chasing in the wind."

I like how he talks about the meaningless of materialism. Living hear in Orange County California, materialism is probably one of the highest in the nation. Most of the people who live here are very well off or just trying to look that way. They have their flat screen TVs, extra large SUV, 3000 square foot homes with pools, beautiful brand new furniture up the ying yang, kids in every class under the sun and shopping at Nordstroms etc. And guess what they are doing while trying to keep up with the Jones? Going bankrupt! I bring this up here because Solomon make such a great case against all of that. I have lived my life like Solomon describes, somewhat meagerly not getting all the new and best things, and from time to time, I get jealous of some of my friends. I want all that cool stuff and beautiful yards and awsome things in my house. But after reading this, I realize more then ever that Solomon is right...It is all meaningless and a chasing in the wind.

He also mentions the fact that we need each other. Here is another thing that bothers me about our country or even world right now that I myself have gotten caught up in. The fact that we no longer are dealing with people. We send emails and text etc. Yes, I admit, I am a bit of a loaner, but I also love to have my friends around. Solomon warns us that if a man falls down and he is alone it is hard for him to get up. But if he has a friend or a partner or as he calls it a brother then we can just get up. We need each other and we need to get off the computer and make that call instead of email.

Look Our hearts are always yearning for something. We try to fill it with TV, cars, email etc, but the only thing that can fill those empty spaces and voids is God. The sooner we learn this and live it the sooner our desire for all that stuff will start to die down!

Great read and a real hit home for me.

Solomon's Reflections on Life

OK, forgive me for saying this, but Solomon almost sounds a little cynical here. He states that life is meaningless. I feel that this might have been written after his last talk with God and he was told that he will dies and his son will not inherit the Kingdom.

However on a nicer note here, he had a very strong point. Life is meaningless when we try to strive for all the material possessions and wealth and flat screen TVs, BMW's etc. Oh, don;t get me wrong, I would love to have all those things too, but Solomon puts it well. We all came into this world the same. We all leave this w0rld the same. We are born, we live, and then as un-unexpectedly as we came into this world we will leave. Not one of us is better then the next and certainly not one of us will die any differently then the next. He even points out that the animal comes and goes the same as we do.

Even thought this reading was a little dark and down, he has lead us down the right path of thinking. we know that success is more dependant on spiritual things rather then material things.

Solomon's Glory Fades

Man oh man did Solomon blow it! Here we have a man who is so almost perfect. He follows God, he is wiser then most men, he is strong, but like most, he has a weakness. Women. HE decides to go against not only God but all the wisdom he has and marry hundreds of woman that worship idols. So God tells him that he has failed and that his son will not be the King of Israel.

You know most rulers fall hard when they are at their peak. Either because of woman, money or too much pride. Solomon I guess is no different. The thing we can take home from this is the fact that no matter how strong we may thing we are we are never as strong as we are when we are faithful to the Lord. That is the peak of our strength. And when we fall away from that our strength dies out. Solomon is a picture perfect example of that.

Song of Songs or Song of Solomon

This sounds so much like a little play. Ther are obvious (and our bible points it out) changes in the person who is talking. But the way it is written it is almost like as if Solomon wrote this to be a play for his wife. We see the bride longing for her lover and once they meet they praise each other. As her love grows for him she starts to describe him with items from their natural surrounding. However suddenly the lover disappears and she starts to cry out for him. But he returns, they marry and then they take care of married business.

I think we need to look at this book through eyes of learning. God created sex and love and all the emotions that go along with it. God, that I know of, has never said that sex was bad or any type of it is bad through marriage. Yes when you are single it is, homosexuality is, sodomy is, but when your married sex is beautiful. So we should go away from reading this book as our how to manual to sex and love for our spouses.

Sayings of Agur

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heart ache crushed the spirit.

Death and destruction are never satisfied and neither are the eyes of a man.

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar!

The leech has two daughters; “Give, give”,they say.

I really like the “Wife of Noble Character”. This is something to live and strive for.

Persons and Attributes

Lets just say I loved the whole section on parenting and children, but here are a few of my favorites…

Listen my son to your fathers instruction and do not forsake your mothers teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Children's children are a crown to the aged and parents are a pride are the pride of their children.

Gray hair is a sign of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her hands, the foolish one tears it down.

Better to live on a corner of the roof then to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are give to gluttony, for the food is deceptive.

Like a bird who strays from his nest is a man who stray from his home.

A good name is more desirable then great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Do not let your heart envy sinner!!!!!!

Sorry

Ok, So I realized today that I have people who really do read my Bible in a Year Blog. I had a reader keep me accountable to this posting. She asked me how it was going. Well as you all know I have not posted in a couple weeks. No excuses, but some I am going to be transparent about myself for a moment. I typically do not bother people with my problems unless they are huge, then I will ask for prayer.

I am a migraine suffer. I typically have at least 1 migraine (scale 1-10, 10 being need for silence and no light) at about a 9 or so, about every other week. Well, they started to come sooner. About 1 time a week. It got so bad that I have been having really bad migraines almost daily for about 4 weeks now. Again these are not the 10's, but 8-9's. So I am able to do most of my daily chores etc, but I will now nap daily and I can not read very well, as well as I am short tempered etc.

Anyway, reading, even with glasses, all that fine print was not a do-able thing. The words would all start to run together, my head would hurt even worst. So I put my Bible study a side along with most things that had to deal with small print. But I have started a treatment that has taken the daily headaches almost completely away and supposedly will take away the migraines. I did these treatments about 4 years ago and they worked great. I was unable to keep them up due to lack of heath insurance for the past 3 years. But we have it again and I am starting those treatments again.

I have got my first treatment a few days ago and so far it has dimmed the headaches form an 8 to about a 6. I am smiling a real smile once again instead of those silly pretend smiles I have been putting on so people will not know I am hurting.

Well, you may ask, why am I writing all of this. I want to apologize for not blogging my notes for the past 2 weeks. I have started inputting all my hand written notes from early May and then I have about a week or a bit more of catching up to do on the reading. SO bare with me, I will catch up.

Meanwhile, let me know how you are doing with your reading. Are you up to speed or behind? What have you found that has interested you the most? Have you learned something that you Never knew? Or write me and say Hi!

Thanks for keeping me accountable and for being patient. If you think about it....pray that these treatments will work once again for me. This will mean a great change for my family and me. They will have a happy mom and wife once again!

God Bless!

Economic Well Being

Honor the Lord with all your weath…snd your vastsd will brim over.

A mans riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.

Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the maker of them all.

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing.

Lazy hands make a poor man, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Laziness brings on deep sleep

Disharmony and Strife

Do not plot harm against your neighbor who lives trustfully near you.

DO not say "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait on the Lord and He will deliver you.

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
short story: Two days ago, I gave a cashier a $100 bill then realize I had a $10. and
exchange it. She ended up giving me change for the $100. bill. I could have walked out
making about $95, but I did not. I was honest with her and told her the truth. I am not
telling you this to toot my own horn, but this is a great example of the quote of Solomons and
exactly what he means by it!

A truthful witness saves lives but a false witness is deceitful.

The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. **I think we all are to hasty with buying things. This is a great one for those who may tend too buy too much on infomercials or HSN etc. I have someone in my circle who is like that.**

Control of the Tongue

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

A wicked man listens to evil lips, a liar pays attention to malicious tongue.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a hard word stirs up anger.

Through Patience's a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. (AMEN)

Reckless words pierce like a sword.

Control of Self

A hotheaded man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms the quarrel.

Listen my son and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

I won;t write it all out but I loved the verse 7:6 where he talks about looking out through the window see a young man getting seduced by a woman. This is something I worry about already for my son and he is only 7. I pray all the time that God will help him with his discernment when it comes to woman later in life.

Sincere Motive

Here are some more of my favorites.

*All a mans ways seem innocent to him, but the motives are weighed by the Lord.

*Do not gloat when your enemy fails; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.

*Better to be nobody and have a servant then to pretend to be somebody and have no food.

*When pride comes, tehn come disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

*A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Sharing and Responding to Wisdom

I decided since these quotes are kind of all over the place. Yea they are all in the same category, but they pretty much are self explanatory. So I figure what I will do is write out my favorite sayings here.

*He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will dies.

*Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

*My so do not despise the Lords discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father, the son he delights in it.

*Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge but he who hates correction is stupid.

*He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

*Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not part from it.

*With his mouth the godless destroy his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

*No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

*Be sure of this, the wicked will not go unpunished.

Let me know what some of your favorites are.

Proverbs of Solomon & Sayings of the Wise

Solomon is giving out small little quips or bits of advise not only about wisdom once again, but also about how to follow the Lord. How you should, when you should and wheat you should do to keep right with God. He talks more about dealing with money and to be careful with when dealing with fools. I really like the one on discernment as well as the one on knowledge. Wise me store up knowledge. I loved that. And isn't that what we as christian homeschoolers are trying to do? Store up the knowledge of God in our kids by bringing God into every subject as we teach.

Proverbs of Solomon: Wisdom

OK, here we go. Poetry. I have realized something about myself since I started doing this study. I do not enjoy poetry. It is beautiful and all, but it is not me. I have a hard time understanding all of what the writer is saying. I have to read and re-read it to get it sometimes. So I will try my best to understand what we are about to read. With help again from God he will guide my mind and give me the wisdom to understand.

Wisdom was with us from the beginning of time. God approves of wisdom and we are told that if we hate wisdom then we must hate death. We need to open our whole life to God for direction and wisdom. Wisdom is found in 2 ways. It is a gift from God as well as a searchable thing to obtain. But we need to listen. Put aside our pride (thinking we are better then...). But also as a parent it is our responsibility to pass along wisdom. The most important wisdom to pass along? The wisdom to seek God.

Costruction of Cities and Royal Palace

Solomon now finishes his own palace as well as his wife's palace. Then the Lord appears to him to reaffirm all the promises He had made as well as re-iterating the fact that Solomon must keep his eyes on the Lord and keep His commandment's. We find out exactly what makes up Solomons army. Also Solomon pays back King Hiram with some rebuilt cities, but Hiram is displeased. Not too much more is said here about that, but I am kinda curious to know if the King did more then just tell Solomon he was upset. Anyway, Solomon fixed the cities once more and gave them to Hiram.

I am having a difficult time with this chapter. Only because of the fact that Solomons palace was over the top. Why? What was the need to have a temple like that. I understand why he did not stay in Davids temple, but why all the cost on a home for himself? Is it conceded? Anyway, I do see that Solomon was a very faithful man to God. He did just as he said in all he did.

Dedication of the Temple

So now that the temple has been completed, Solomon gets all of Israel together for a dedication ceremony. But as the Ark is put into place a cloud hovers over which symbolizes God's presence. Then Solomon offers up a beautiful prayer to bless the people of Israel. He then asks God to acknowledge the prayers that will be prayed in this temple to Him. One last thing Solomon does is remind the people that they have to be faithful to God. Now the temple is dedicated.

Solomon realized back then more so then we do now that God may not be here with us in the physical form, but He is still with us in every step we take. All we have to do is go to God of our own free will with whatever our hangup or need is. He is right here listening and willing to help.

Solomon Blessed and Building of the Temple

I absolutely love this part of history! Now Solomon has a dream where God appears and he asks God for wisdom in his ruling of the kingdom. God is so please with this request that not only does he grant him excessive riches but unbelievable wisdom. One of the example of this wisdom he has now been given is the story about the two ladies and the bickering they did to claim the baby. Of course of of the ladies was lying. Slomon solved this problem wisely and smartly (if there is such a word). Then you see it again when he completely re-structured his government. Smart man, but only because of God. We also read here the building of the temple and all the specification. But i am going to focus on the prior information. The building of the temple was a God ordained thing. David was told that his son was going to build this. And it took place just as God had instructed. Even Solomon stated this.

You see Solomon did what we are told to do. Trust the Lord and ask! But sometimes we ask for things in selfishness not wisely. We could try to be more like Solomon when we ask for things. Lets try asking for God to give us more wisdom in our prayers and requests. Then maybe as we get our priorities together correctly He might just give us those requests as well as other unexpected gifts.

Solomon Secures His Kingship

So now that Solomon is in power he decides to do a little house cleaning. His brother Adonijah asks to marry Davids nurse/wife. Solomon takes this as a threat to the throne and has him executed. Then he decides to clean up a bit more by executing Joab, Abiathar, and Shimei. Now that all the threats are gone, his throne and Davids line is secured.

Well this is little tough for me to see what and how this can be applied to my current life. I am certainly not going to go murder the people who could be potential danger to me and my family etc. But here are a few things I can see that Solomon was trying to do. I feel that the Lord was directing him to go this route in order to protect his father line and descendants. Who knows what might have happened if his older brother lived. He might have tried to kill him. So it takes a lot of strength to follow what God asks you to do. Even the things that may seem far fetched.

I also see that he was not procrastinating like his father and he was trying to prepare his future. The fact that he was looking into the future and trying to prepare and protect it. This is something we should all be doing and trying to teach our children. I wish I would have learned that at an earlier age, but it is never too late.

Soloman BecomesKing

So we now come to where David is now old and he has not publicly announced who will become King. So Adonijah (oldest son) decides to take it upon himself to declare himself king with support from a few of the officials. But Nathan hears about this, goes to Bathsheba and Bathsheba goes to David and reminds him about his promise to make Solomon king. David realizes that he need to get to work, because he is about to die and publicly announce the new king. Once he does this Adonijah backs down and Solomon is now King. avid gives his last and finally words to him and then dies.

I think there are two things we can really put into action here in our own lives. The first being the fact that David kept to his word and promise. I know in everyday life we make many promises to our children that we break. We make them to get them off our back or maybe we think we will do it, but the day gets away from us. Lets make more of an effort to keep to our promises.

The second thing I see here is the fact of procrastination. David procrastinated the announcement of the new king. I am sure you fall into this too. I know I do. Procrastination is a touch little thing we can all do because we get tired. But there are some thing we just can not procrastinate on and we need to be careful to not delay making our intentions know on important subjects.

Psalm 4:2

Psalm 45: The psalm praises the royal groom, followed by advice for the kings bride and a wedding benediction.

Psalm 47: All peoples are called to praise God. He is acclaimed as He takes the scepter and His throne.

Psalm 48: God is praised as the ruler and defender of the holy city, Jerusalem who keeps the city secure and so stimulates the praise of His people.

Psalm 87: The psalmist affirms God's love for Jerusalem. One day the nations will honor the Lord and Zion will be praised.

Psalm 110:The Messiah is exalted as Lord by the Lord and His royal victory predicted. At the same time He is introduced as a priest, not of Aaron's line but after the order of Melchizeedek. It is to Him, Gods King/Priest, that the Lord will give victory.

Psalms of the Messiah part 4:1

Psalm 2: Human society rebels against God's anointed Messiah, provoking God's scorn and sure judgement. God has decreed that His Son will rule the Earth. How essential then that we submit now and by taking refuge in the Son find blessing rather than destruction.

Psalm 22: The psalmist cries out in deep anguish, feeling himself forsaken by God and despised by his fellowmen. He graphically describes his anguish and begs to be delivered from death. With rescue assured, the psalmist praises God and foresees God's blessing of the whole world.

Psalm 27: David sets aside his fears finding release in communion with God and in prayer.

Psalm part 3:3

Psalm 111: The psalmist expresses his delight in Gods works and he names many that His saints enjoy and which should lead others to hold Him in reverential awe.

Psalm 130: This is another prayer for mercy. It blends the major elements of mercy as understood in the Bible. The psalmist is in distress. Yet, assurance of forgiveness give him and all Gods people strength to wait till He acts in love and redeems.

Psalm 131: This is a prayer of total trust. The arrogant rely on themselves and refuse to submit to God, but the true believer is as dependent on God as a little child is on his parents.

Psalm 141: David prays at evening for protection from sin and from sinners. He will be safe as long as he keeps his eyes fixed on the Lord.

Psalm 146: The psalmist will praise God all his life, first because God is creator and then because God is so gracious to the needy. God reigns.

Psalm part 3:2

Psalm 42: David yearns for God as his enemies taunt him. Although heavily weighed down, he reminds himself to hope in God. He cries out to God for vindication, deeply disturbed at his enemies success. David determines to urgently seek God's presence and finds renewed assurance from God.

Psalm 53: Like Psalm 14, this psalm decrees the corruption of the human race and yearns for the establishment of God's kingdom.

Psalm 58: David rebukes judges who pervert justice and calls on God to judge them. The righteous can take comfort in the certainty that ultimately God will reward them while punishing their oppressors.

Psalm 81: Tradition identifies this psalm with the Feast of Tabernacles. Israel is to share the joyful celebration decreed by God at which His people recall His words to them.

Psalm 101: David expresses his commitment to his God of "love and justice". David will lead a blameless life. He will not permit his people to sin and will advise those whose walk, like his, is blameless.

Psalms Expressing a Variety of Sentiments Part 3:1

Psalm 4: The setting is the same as Psalm 3. David pleads for God's help and warns he enemies not to wrong him because he is God's own. David is able to rejoice despite his desperate circumstances, because all he cares about is God. The Lord, not his lost royal glory, is the source of his joy and the source of his inner peace.

Psalm 12: David cries out in despair, but his confidence is restored by God's words of promise.

Psalm 20: God's people pray for their king as he prepares for battle, reassuring the ruler who trusts in the saving power of God.

Psalm 25: David turns to God for guidance and forgiveness and finds assurance in Gods grace to those who fear Him. David concludes with an earnest plea for help.

Psalm 32: David contrasts the blessing of forgiveness experienced with the anguish of refusing to confess sin. Out of the experience he shares advice and conveys the promise that God will guide the forgiven and surround the person who trusts in Him with unfailing love.

Psalm 38:David begs God to stop disciplining him powerfully describing his emotional turmoil and physical sufferings. Yet even when troubled by his son, David waits for the Lord, confident "my God" will save.

Psalm part 2:10

Psalm 139: David meditates on the omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence of God. He then applies these truths to the wicked, whom he calls on God to slay and to himself, whom he calls on God to examine and to lead.

Psalm 145: This psalm praise God for His mighty acts. His gracious character and the glory of His coming kingdom. Our loving Lord show His care for His own, who praise Him in return.

Psalm 148: The psalmist exclaims\, "Praise the Lord," and calls on all in the heavens to join Him. Praise also echoes from the earth building to a crescendo as one by one all of creation joins in the shout of praise.

Psalm 150: Again the psalmist calls Gods people together to offer Him praise for His acts of power and surpassing greatness. Lest we ignore his first cry, the psalmist calls out again and again. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

Psalm part 2:9

Psalm 122 seeks peaces and security for Jerusalem for it is the site of the house of the Lord and worship is precious to His people.

Psalm 133 praises the unity God's people experience in their identity as brothers

Psalm 134 acknowledges that those who serve God are the most blessed of all.

Psalm 135: The call to praise concludes with an introduction of its themes: praise of Gods choice of Israel and praise of God's sovereign power. It concludes with a glad cry urging the house of Israel to praise God together.

Psalm 136: Each affirmation of this great worship hymn calls out the response. "His love endures forever". It was most likely used in public worship, with either two choirs or with one choir making the affirmation and the people giving the response.

Psalm 138: David vows to praise God publicly for answering his prayers and wishes that "all the kings of the earth" might praise God too. He is confident, for his sovereign God will fullfill His purpose in David's life.

Psalm part 2:8

Psalm 119: Psalm 119 is an acrosic psalm in praise of the Word of God and its role in the life of the beleiver. AN acrostic follows an alphabetic arrangement. In the original Hebrew each line in each of the 22 sections of the psalm begins with the same Hebrew letter. These letters are shown in the NIV text.

Psalm part 2:7

Psalm 103: David praises God for the many mercies that unveil the compassion of Him and lead all beings everywhere to praise the Lord.

Psalm 104: God's greatness is displayed in the Creation. He shaped and sustains. This powerful psalm weaves praise for God through its graphic description of majestic elements of creation which show God's power and the compassionate elements which show His concern for living creatures. No wonder the psalmists heart, and ours, are filled with wonder and praise.

Psalm 113: The psalmist calls us to praise because of God's grace, which reaches out to the poor and needy and lifts them up.

Psalm 114: The psalmist sees in the miracles of the Exodus God's mastery of all nature.

Psalm 117:The brief psalm calls us to praise God for His faithfulness.

Psalm part 2:6

Psalm 75: Celebrating God's Victory: The psalmist thanks God for appointing a time of judgement. God is judge and is to be praised continually for His certain victory over the wicked.

Psalm 93: God Reigns: God is in complete control as a ruler of His universe. Creation testifies to His authority. And His holy statues structure the moral universe.

Psalm 94: A Prayer for Vengeance: The psalmist appeals to God as the judge on earth to act against the wicked. He cries out, warning those who suppose God cannot see or hear their actions or punish their sins. the psalmist then expresses his satisfaction that God will one day take vengeance on those who condemn the Innocent.

Psalm 97: Honoring the Reign of God: God reigns over creation. The heavens display His aw some power. Idolaters are put to shame, but God's people rejoice. The response of the godly reign of God is to hate evil, rejoice in the Lord, and offer Him praise.

Psalm 98: God's Marvel: The psalmist again proclaims a new song. The marvels God has worked include salvation and nature joins the chorus of the saved acclaiming God when He comes to judge the world.

Psalm 99: In Praise of God's Holiness and Forgiveness: The psalmist calls all human kind to exalt God because He is holy and because He forgives those who call upon Him.

Psalm 100: Serving with Gladness: The psalm, affectionately know as "old hundred" thrills with the excitement of worship. We are invited to share the exhilaration and joy of praise and to gather for worship with thanksgiving and praise.