Praise Is What I Do, Now!

September 5, 2001, I was reading a Detroit Free Press Magazine and I saw an article that said,” A Moving Experience – Moved By The Spirit.”

September 18, my friend, Daisy and I attended our first Higher Praise Worship Ministries dance class of 12 weeks under the leadership of Susan Hawthorne-Parks.

My purpose in enrolling in the praise dance class was to help me overcome the fear of speaking, moving and being free with my worship to the true and living God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit. I knew my praise to God was to be something that I present to God to acknowledge my deep passion and appreciation of who He is and all that He has done.

But I needed to overcome the fear expressing myself in public and what people might be thinking about me expressing myself. I was brought up at Messiah Baptist Church where basically the congregation witness to the truth  at times by saying “Amen”, a few shouts, clapping of the hands and patting of the feet to the music.

However, there wasn’t a praise language begin expressed. That “outer praise” was not there. You notice I said “outer praise”, because no one knows what goes on inside of a person. My Mom, back in her younger days was not one who did a lot of rejoicing or praising. She would clap her hands, shed some tears and nodded her head, but that was about it. But now, Mom can be teaching Sunday School or walking around the house and be talking about God and let out a “Shout of Joy – Hallelujah”.

Since I wasn’t around “praisers” and I wasn’t really taught much about how to praise the Lord. I never matured in that spiritual area. I really didn’t have true praise in my heart, mind, soul, body or on my lips because I was just plain old afraid.  I even used the excuses, “God can hear me. He knows my heart”. “Everybody don’t show praise the same way. It’s not for you anyway.” My favorite one was, “It don’t take all of that.” I didn’t even have the courage to open my mouth boldly in church or at home and say, “Lord I really Love You, I Adore You, I Honor You, I Magnify You. You’re an Awesome God and there is none like You. Hallelujah!” Not to mention, I wouldn’t dare stand up by myself and clap my hands in a service. No Way!

“Song of Joy ” aka Carol Turnbough

 

But Thanks Be To God! 16 years later the praise seeds that were planted during those 12 weeks  gave me a breakthrough in not being afraid to only praise and worship . The class taught me how to submit in praise and worship. My praise life has increased 1,000 times more and, “ Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for” this Praiser, Carol, Song of Joy!

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for not giving me the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, thank You for The Spirit that has lifted up a standard against him. Glory to Your name for a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Song of Joy

Carol

Carol Turnbough – Song of Joy teaches and ministers to children and youth. She loves to praise God with her whole heart. She writes songs and skits to the glory of God and serves on  the Music Ministry of Messiah Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. She also serves on the Christian Education Administrative Team and teaches Sunday School.