Shâbach, shaw-bakh ́: To address in a loud tone. To shout. To commend, glory, and triumph.1 One generation shall praise (shâbach) Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. — Psalm 145:4 NKJV Brandy and I started our family in the shadow of the windy city, and though it was a great place…
The Music of Praise
ZAMAR Zâmar, zaw-mar ́: To make music. To celebrate in song and music. To touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument.1 I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises (zâmar) to You. — Psalm 144:9 NKJV I stood over Brandy, looking into…
The Fools of Praise
HALAL Hâlal, haw-lal ́: To boast. To rave. To shine. To celebrate. To be clamorously foolish.1 Let them praise (hâlal) His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp. — Psalm 149:3 A couple of years ago my wife and I were invited to a Jewish wedding. I’d never been to one…
You Have a Good Good Father
The Bible is clear about what our relationship with God is. He is our Father; we are His children. In fact, God is identified as our Father 265 times in scripture. Most of those are found in the New Testament because through Christ, we have a new identity as an adopted child of God (Romans…
How Becoming a Parent Helps You Understand the Unconditional Love of God
Nearly five years ago, my wife, Lauren, and I became parents for the first time when our daughter, Ashlyn Alexandra, was born. Three years later, we welcomed her sister, Madison Amore, into the world and into our family. To say being a father has changed my life would be an understatement. To say being a…
Letting Kids Experience God’s Goodness for Themselves
Is it just me, or do we all question just about everything we do as parents? When I go to bed at night, doubts creep in. As I replay my actions of the day, I find myself wondering: Was I too harsh on the kids or was I too lenient? Did I spend enough time…