Thankful Thursday

Worship Wednesday with Pastor Edith
August 6, 2026
Psalm 103:1-2 + Deuteronomy 6:4

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me” (Psalm 103:1-2).

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

A hymn that I love, and one which I haven’t heard in quite some time is “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” written by Joachim Neander in the mid 1600’s. It seems that his early years were reckless and wild, but then one day a gifted evangelist came to his town of Bremen Germany and Neander was converted to following Christ. Everything changed for him, he became a very successful headmaster of a school and gifted hymn writer. However, the school authorities disapproved of his fervor in sharing Christ with the students, so he was dismissed and became homeless. With no money, and no one to help, Joachim Neander died at the age of 30. Living in a cave he still found ways to write hymn after hymn to praise his wonderful Lord.

Perhaps the scriptures I am sharing with you today, had inspired him to write the hymn which ends with these words: “Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him! Let the amen sound from His people again; Gladly forever adore Him”.

Wherever you find yourself today and in the days ahead, I hope you will find reasons to worship the God in whose image you were created. If that seems impossible to you, call a faithful friend, don’t let negative feelings and thoughts overtake you. God loves you so much that He made a way for you to find peace with Him, His name is Jesus (see John 3:16 for starters).

AMEN and Pray on!