I’m Joni Tada and in this beautiful month of June, here’s a beautiful hymn to sing…
(Joni sings:)
For the beauty of the earth; for the glory of the skies
For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies.
Lord of all to Thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.
Oh, if you have ever helped drive me to work in the morning down the Ventura Freeway through the beautiful California hills, you’d be singing along on this hymn with me because June is such a gorgeous time, and the flowers along the freeway are so stunning. And at 5:30 in the evening, when I load up in the van to go home, my coworker Angela always beckons me over to the far end of the parking lot whenever a beautiful sunset emblazons above the coastal hills by our office. She simply must share her joy with others. And that really is the nature of praise, isn’t it?
Psalm 148 says, “Praise the Lord from the earth… young men and maidens, old men and children.” Friend, when something is worth praising God for, we simply must have others join in – young men and maidens, old men and children, whether it’s a sunset, a grandbaby’s smile, a beautiful new painting we just hung in the living room, our delight is multiplied when others enjoy that special something with us.
That’s why, according to C. S. Lewis, the writers of the Psalms keep encouraging us, the readers, to join them in praising the Lord. It’s like they’re saying, “Look, guys, I just have to show you… God is so great, you just have to agree with me, show me, and praise the Lord with me.” C.S. Lewis also said, “I used to think of praise in terms of giving a compliment or approval or the giving of honor. But it’s more than that. We praise the things we value, the things we enjoy. It’s a spontaneous overflow. And we cannot help but praise what we value.”
And you know what, friend? You would really help multiply my joy if you would allow me to share something with you for which I’m very grateful to God – as you well know, I paint holding brushes between my teeth and I absolutely love praising God through each rendering I work on. Now for spring I’ve got three of my paintings on three beautiful cards that I’d love to send you – just go immediately to joniandfriendsradio.org and I’ll send the special Spring Cards and envelopes to you right away. I call them Spring Cards, which is kind of funny because we’re right up on summer almost, but again that’s joniandfriendsradio.org or you can always call me toll-free 888-522-5664. Because when it comes to my artwork, it doubles my joy when I can share it with others.
Finally, friend, today in this beautiful month of June, find some aspect of nature – maybe the birds visiting your backyard, or an unusually beautiful rose bush on your street, or the lovely flowers in your community park – and then find somebody to rejoice in it with you. Consider together – that’s the point, do it together – consider some glorious aspect of God and praise the Lord together. Maybe his mighty work in creation. Or his infinite array of colors in creation. Because as you do, not only will your joy be multiplied… so will the glory to God. And once again, let me remind you of our website. Come by and visit us at any time at joniandfriendsradio.org.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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