Singing Praises, Clues, He Heard Hannah and NOT most importantly... My New Lens

It was 1999 and Kyle and I were walking into an elevator to go and get something to eat. Our baby girl was recovering from open heart surgery. It had been a difficult journey. Anna had faced death - we had faced death, but so far had escaped it. I felt compelled to sing praises... loudly. As we walked towards the elevator my spirit burst and my mouth broke out into song. Kyle looked at me with his little eyes getting as big as I'd ever seen them and then he joined me.

When I was reading in Acts this morning, I saw this verse that reminded me of my "sang praises" moment.

Act 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed."

I didn't think of it at the time, but I wonder now if God used my words for others to hear. When Paul and Silas sang praises it said that the prisoners heard and then the earth quaked and the prison doors were opened! Those prisoners saw God at work right before their eyes. In fact they were so astonished by it that when the doors were opened, they didn't even try to escape - they didn't dare - they were witnessing God at work, why would they want to leave?

The keeper of the prison witnessed it too. In fact the first thing he said after considering killing himself was, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Do you sing praises for others to hear? I'll admit, and likely not to your surprise, I do. I rejoicing publicly on many occasions, but I have new insight into the beauty of it today. I realized after reading Acts 16 today that my public praises might be working more than I even realize. Perhaps somebody who hears me is getting ready to face a trial as the prison keeper was and then they'll remember my words of praise and seek the Lord as the prison keeper did.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! or sing so!

________________________________

Random babblings...

Some of you didn't understand my clues - even after I revealed my secret. Goodness, I guess I'm going to have to explain. (And don't worry, I'm known as one who often doesn't 'get it'.)

Clue 1: He Heard "Hannah" Okay, obviously it didn't make sense at the time, but certainly does now. It's the title of my book! :)

Clue 2: There's a 'new book' clue in Friday's comments. I had Courtney (the man I'm writing the book with) leave a comment to say "It's been a blessing working with you." If you would have searched my blog under Courtney Becker, you would have found this post: My Heart is Full... I Stand in Awe and I Rejoice

Clue 3: That picture I posted with all of us looking down. It wasn't what we were doing at all (that was only to throw you) ... it was just the "who are those people" that was the clue. :) Aren't I sneaky?

Well, after all of that - now you know about the book! I'm so excited that you're all excited! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I can't wait to share the finished product with you... now if only I can convince somebody to look at it. Publishing is NOT an easy road. Ugh. I do believe that God will provide though since he is the one who told us to write it.

_________________________

And true to Lynnette Form - One last little Tuesday Tidbit

Guess what these pictures mean....

I got a new lens! It's a Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. Pretty fun to be able to get a wide view of life - and an unusual close up (kind of adds a different dimension to things).
Okay - I'm done! Come back tomorrow for Getting to know YOU

Singing Praises, Clues, He Heard Hannah and NOT most importantly... My New Lens