May 2002 -
Adventist Review, pg. 14 - NAD
Edition Family Matters by Kay Kuzma
Let's Just Praise the Lord
I was raised a Baptist, but I attended a series
of evangelistic meetings, and 1 now believe in the seventh-day Sabbath. I love
my Sabbath school class, and the message at church is good, but I miss the
praise and worshipful singing part of the church service. I feel like I'm
starving to death.
Sometimes I think about going to a Baptist
church, but I don't believe in their beliefs any longer. But then again, I don't
believe in everything at the church I'm at now.
What can I do?--Joyful
Dear Joyful:
I love praise services too. We right-brained
people need to feel and respond to God's love with our body language. There are
a lot of left-brained people, however, who were drawn to the Adventist Church
because they saw the logic of Bible truth, and they don't understand us. Many
are afraid that a show of emotion will lead to extremes.
So what should we do? I urge you to enjoy the
diversity of God's church family and pray for flexibility, for openness to new
forms of worship, and for a loving tolerance of each other. Raise your hands
when you feel like it--especially if the words of the songs you sing tell you
to, Any song can be a praise song if sung with emotion (although it seldom
happens with heads buried in hymnals).
You might suggest that your church select a few
hymns to memorize, so they can put the hymnals down and look up to God. Start
with a slow, meaningful version of "Holy, Holy, Holy." Our little church group
is memorizing scripture songs; it's really fun. The children sing with us, and
they're eager to raise their hands to the Lord and clap as the words of the song
may indicate. We're also learning to sign some songs, since one of our members
is a deaf teenager.
There's no question that the seventh day is
holy time. But when you're
hungering for something more, there's nothing wrong with worshiping on Sunday
too. Just don't give up one for the other. Plus, it's a great way to witness to
others about the Bible truth you've found.
And keep playing the praise CDs in your home,
singing out, raising your hands, and praising the Lord,
Kay Kuzma, Ed.D., is founder and speaker of
Family Matters. Send your questions and comments to Dr. Kay c/o Family Matters,
1105 Big Creek Road, LaFollette, TN 37766; or via e-mail to
kaykuzma@aol.com. |