Praise Habit

I'm finally reading David Crowder's Praise Habit - Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi . I love this book! Crowder goes about interpreting the psalms in such a creative way. I suppose it shouldn't suprise me since, in my opinion, God has already gifted this man with an incredible artistry in his song writing.

Last night I was reading his take on psalm 50 and I just love the way he went about discussing praise. I think he hits the nail on the head. Christians, myself included, often misinterpret God's definition of praise. When we don't see authentic praise happening in our churches how often do we think that planning a worship night will be the solution to the problem. "We'll have amazing songs and a rock out band that will surely get them praising." Everyone will come together and sing and dance and be moved. I've been to so many of those worship nights and have witnessed and experienced authentic praise in that moment, but I often wonder how many of those people go home afterwards and continue living in praise.

Here's David's interpretation. It's so great:

(God:) "I don't find fault with your singing of songs, but do you think I'm in great need of music? Do you think it is too quiet where I am? Did I not make the air molecules to vibrate in such a way to let a melody float from here to there? Do you think I am in great need of hearing these songs that were my breathings in the first place?"

We may argue, "Isn't that praise? Songs = Praise right?" I thing they're more like burnt offerings. The good news is that GOD doesn't find fault in our song offerings. There's nothing wrong with them. In, fact they can be beautiful expressions. But often they're nothing more than ritual, and at their worst they can be provoking to GOD. Well then, what is He looking for? What is this praise He's after? It is Praise Living. It is God leaning in and shouting, "I am the center!" and the sum of our lives nodding back in agreement. It is the core of our hearts echoing this statement. . . . . . . Our songs might verbalize and echo that at times, but so what? It is the nuts and bolts of our living that indicate if we really think this is truth. I would be so bold to say that eating barbecue and wearing sauce on your fingers and face and a grin as big as Texas with the knowledge that Caps Lock GOD is at the center of this can be truer praise than belting this "song ritual" that we have elevated to dangerous heights.

According to this psalm (50), even the simplicity of calling out to Him in times of trouble is considered truer sacrifice. How surprising is that? And how easy? Higher than our ritual is the simple acknowledgment that, in truth, He is what we need. We, like the Israelites, often find rescue in burnt offering and not in God who is the source of all. We find comfort in the song and not in the Comforter. It is a subtle but necessary shift. It is more difficult to find the Creator in a barbecue sandwich than in your favorite Sunday morning song, but when you do, when you begin to find Him in all the stuff of life, everything starts singing. Every moment breaks into song. Every breath becomes sacrifice, and the songs become sweetness. This is Living Praise.

- David Crowder - Praise Habit - Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi