Tag Archives: David Crowder

Unity

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If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Philippians 2:1-2 NIV*

The way Paul starts here with “if you have any” implies he expects us to have a great deal of it:

  • encouragement from being united with Christ
  • comfort from His love
  • fellowship with the Holy Spirit

These ought to be the things that keep us going each day. Relationship with God makes all the difference. We’re to be people “living the rescue.” We’re not the same any more.

Verse 2 is a natural progression from verse 1. With our eyes and hearts filled with Jesus, that has to shape our relationships with other Christians. As we remember Who is our focus, He’s going to grow us together in His love.

But we get used to Jesus’ presence and instead of relying on Him more and more, we tend to take Him for granted. And we start to look at one another with colder eyes, noticing flaws and irritants.

Father, please forgive me, and open my eyes and heart to joyful awareness of Your presence. Help me linger with You, walk with You in the days, and thrive in You. As You change my heart and the hearts of my brothers and sisters in faith, grant us unity to serve You in this world.

Our song this week is “Neverending,” from the David Crowder*Band’s Remedy CD.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praise Habit, by David Crowder

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Praise Habit, by David CrowderPraise Habit, by David Crowder (2004, TH1NK Books, an imprint of NavPress)

Praise Habit is subtitled “Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi”. I picked up this book knowing I needed to recognize and praise God more frequently in my day. David Crowder adds a deeper meaning to the title by linking to nuns’ habits and suggesting the possibility of praise as our garment, of our lives becoming living praise. He calls us to a life larger and more free than the one we usually settle for.

The first part of the book explores the nature of praising God, and then provides a sampling of Psalms from The Message version with the author’s own devotional thoughts. He shares enough instruction to equip readers to encounter God in Scripture on their own.

This is not your stereotypical, formal book about faith and the Christian life. I love the freshness of his language, the new-to-me illustrations he uses – and the humour. This man is brilliantly funny, in an off-beat way. Want proof? Read the copyright page. Read it all, and tell me if you don’t at least giggle. [Find it in the Amazon preview here.]

David Crowder’s reflections on the Psalms often start with an anecdote, and some of those had me laughing out loud. Then he transitions to practical and insightful application of the passage at hand.

What this book gave me was new language and a sense of renewed wonder for the salvation experience: “live the rescue.” I’ll return to it for that, and also for the laughter.

I hope David Crowder continues his music ministry for years to come. I also hope he writes another book soon. It’s long overdue.

If truth brings freedom

And laughter is the best medicine

Then Praise Habit is a tonic worth tasting.

Rescue

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Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV*

For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7, KJV*

David Crowder talks about “living the rescue” in his book, Praise Habit: about how accepting God’s gift with open arms, embracing it and living it, is praise to the Giver. (page 40)

As I was praying this morning, it seemed to me that when I live confident in God, that’s praise, because it’s a testimony to His trustworthiness and power. That was how the God wanted the people of Israel to live, in the Old Testament. And its how the early Christians lived: openly dependent on God. If He let them down, they’d fall. Of course, He didn’t. But the point is, they were living examples, testimonies, God’s “Exhibit A”.

God has been reminding me that I need to see what He does, and to praise Him with my words, both private and public, spoken and sung. Today I’m realizing that public praise may not involve words.

If I’m living confidently, secure in God’s hand, that says something. I can tell people who ask (“always be ready to give the reason for the hope that is within you,” says 1 Peter 3:15) and I can speak naturally about God, but it’s the living by faith – calm and at peace – that’s going to demonstrate God’s power. It’s living proof of God’s goodness.

Father, please help me understand this and apply it even in the deepest levels. Help me walk by faith, trusting in You with all my heart, and help me not lean on my own understanding. Help me to acknowledge You in all my ways. Thank You that You will direct my path – please help me walk in it by faith, not by my limited sight. Because of Jesus, who rescued me. Amen.

Let’s make this week’s song our prayer: Walk By Faith, by Jeremy Camp.

*King James Version (KJV) Public Domain

A Life of Praise

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I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:1-2, 21 NIV*

The active words in this psalm include “tell, speak, commend, meditate, proclaim, celebrate, sing, praise, extol.” And it’s all about God: His works, splendour, majesty, goodness, righteousness, graciousness, compassion, faithfulness, love, help, nearness, justice….

King David says he’ll praise God every day and declare His praise for ever and ever. The Apostle John says if we tried to write down everything Jesus did on earth, the world couldn’t hold all the books. (John 21:25)

This psalm first caught my attention before we went on holiday, and I was glad to find a copy of David Crowder’s book, Praise Habit, in a New York City Borders. More about the book later, but this is what he says about praise: “We have put on Christ. We are found dressed in His rescue, redemption, and righteousness and, aware of this rescue, we spew forth praise. We wear this very rescue into our relationships, into our interactions….”**

That’s how I want to live. Thanking Him for my daily food, enjoying solitude with Him, are part of it but not enough. I want to not only meditate on what He has done, but tell others—and hear them tell me what He’s done in their lives. That encourages our faith and invites others to trust Him.

Father, I don’t praise You enough. Please forgive me and change me. Please help me focus more on who You are and what You do—and help me share You with others. Open my eyes to see Your touch around me. Give me a delight in You that is natural and irrepressible and contagious. And bring glory to Your Name through the praise of Your people.

This week’s song is “Be Unto Your Name“, written by Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler and performed here by Robin Mark.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

**David Crowder, Praise Habit, TH1NK Books, 2004, page 38.

God and Idols

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Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity.

‘Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.’
Isaiah 46:1-4, NIV*

The gods made by the Babylonians are burdens: not only are they powerless to help the people who made them, but those people expend energy trying to care for and protect them, to the point where they get carried into captivity.

What a contrast with God: He carries us, sustains us. Where the Babylonians end in captivity, Israel (and us) who have been in captivity for a time because of not cooperating with God, will be rescued.

God goes on in this chapter to say that nothing will thwart His purposes, and that He will do what He planned: including “I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendour to Israel.” (Isaiah 46:13b)

Idols burden the people; God’s people are a burden He faithfully carries. People can’t even keep their idols safe; God keeps His people safe. Idols come to a bad end and the people get dragged along; God promises a good end for His people, guaranteed by His own integrity and power.

Now… how many lifeless things have I poured my treasure into and tried to bring to life and lug around? Plans, attitudes, dreams that aren’t from God or for this time?

Father, please forgive my wayward spirit. I get distracted, or I pick up junk to carry. Please help me recognize anything I need to take out of my pockets and dump at the side of the road. Help me rest in You as You sustain me. Help me trust Your leading and value You. Thank You for valuing me.

Our song for this week is “To the Only God“, from the Glory Revealed CD, lyrics by Chris Tomlin, lead vocals by David Crowder and Shane & Shane.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.