I invite you to join me in taking a pause in your morning‚ even if it is after all the kiddos are in school (or you have to hide in your closet)‚ so you can truly honor God for all His goodness and faithfulness. Because the truth of the matter is that when we give thanks to God in the morning‚ it sets the tone for our day and gives way for us to praise Him throughout it.

We’re often told singing in church “isn’t about us‚” but Scripture does tell us to address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19). Yes‚ the ultimate goal of our singing is glorifying God‚ but this is often accomplished by edifying his people (Rom. 15:2). While we can address one another in any style or era of music—including contemporary worship choruses and modern hymns—time-tested‚ four-part hymns are specifically composed for mutual upbuilding. When we sing these older hymns‚ we build one another up in at least seven remarkable ways. 1. We teach one another. The words we sing—whether at a ball game‚ at church‚ or alone in our cars—tend to penetrate our hearts pervasively and permanently‚ so it’s logical that Scripture links teaching and singing (Col. 3:16). In well-written hymns‚ each verse builds on the previous verse‚ expositing a rich theology of the hymn’s topic‚ sharing the testimony of the hymn writer‚ or recounting plot points in a biblical narrative. For example‚ “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” takes much of its text from Psalm 23 and moves singers to consider‚ verse by verse‚ Christ’s tender care as a theological truth and an experienced reality. 2. We warn one another. Colossians connects “admonishing‚” which most simply means warning one another‚ to singing (Col. 3:16). I’ve yet to find a good contemporary judgment day song. But hymns don’t shy away from recognizing Christ as Savior and Judge‚ and from exhorting Christians to live with faithfulness‚ expecting his return. I regularly encounter urgent warnings in my hymnal‚ such as this: The clouds of judgment gather‚ The time is growing late; Be sober and be watchful‚ Our judge is at the gate. 3. We weep with one another. Proverbs 25:20 says‚ “Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day‚ and like vinegar on soda.” If our songs are exclusively exuberant‚ we fail to be sensitive to one another’s suffering. Worse‚ we risk neutralizing the grief that leads to repentance by insisting on immediate cheerfulness (2 Cor. 7:10). Hymns provide appropriately solemn texts and tunes for lamentation and confession‚ both of which are necessary for transformed lives. Hymns such as “We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died” overflow with grief and gratitude‚ helping singers sorrow over their sin and‚ through this‚ better adore their suffering Savior. 4. We encourage one another. Hymns provide appropriately solemn texts and tunes for lamentation and confession‚ both of which are necessary for transformed lives. The last time I played “Fight the Good Fight” for a worship service‚ I used a baseball organ riff as the introduction. A couple of singers nearly shouted “Charge!” as we began the first verse. This received a few chuckles‚ but I did it to emphasize the point of the hymn: Christ is victorious‚ but we still must “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call” (Phil. 3:14). Hymns frequently remind singers of their identity in Christ and charge them to persevere. Martin Franzmann captures this succinctly in his line “Glorious now‚ we press toward glory.” 5. We pray for one another. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that Christians must sing when they gather “because in singing together‚ it is possible for them to speak and pray the same Word at the same time.” Hymns provide blessings to sing over one another‚ often to mark momentous occasions in one another’s lives. For example‚ “Gracious Savior‚ Grant Your Blessing” is a prayer for newlyweds that uses the same tune as “Love Divine‚ All Love’s Excelling‚” which praises God for his love. As we sing such hymns‚ we intercede for one another. 6. We include one another. Hymns assume confessional unity and vocal diversity. Although the congregation sings the same text‚ written harmonies empower singers of all ranges to participate appropriately and beautifully (I know the altos in my church choir appreciate those low harmonies!). Steven R. Guthrie writes that singing together renders Christian unity an “aural reality.” When we sing hymns in harmony‚ we embody what the church is: many members of differing gifts and abilities‚ all proclaiming “one Lord‚ one faith‚ one baptism‚ one God and Father of all” (Eph. 4:5–6). 7. We remember one another. G. K. Chesterton defines tradition as the “democracy of the dead.” In hymns‚ previous generations of Christians continue to have a vote in what and how we sing. Hymnals are a rich inheritance of theology‚ poetry‚ and music‚ curated and cherished by generations of Christians. By singing hymns‚ we honor the work and witness of those who came before—and who are praising God even now—as we look forward to rejoicing with them in eternity. Hymns assume confessional unity and vocal diversity. I hope these points inspire you to sing more hymns‚ not from allegiance to a particular musical style but from a commitment to teach‚ warn‚ weep with‚ encourage‚ pray for‚ include‚ and remember one another. These are weighty tasks‚ but isn’t it wonderful that we can begin practicing them simply by singing hymns together?

After learning of the many babies born every month in our county who need homes‚ my husband and I decided to pursue adoption through the foster care system. We educated ourselves about custody‚ fostering‚ visitation‚ adoption law‚ subsidies‚ and which babies are the hardest to place. We finished a home study‚ background checks‚ and a large tree’s worth of paperwork. Then‚ much sooner than expected‚ we got a call. Almost overnight‚ our family of four became a family of five—and we were completely unprepared. We had no diapers‚ clothes‚ furniture‚ or bottles. I wrote a quick email to a friend at church giving her an update on our situation. Several days later‚ we drove our tiny baby home and found a fully furnished nursery complete with a beautiful crib‚ a dresser full of clothes‚ and a changing table stocked with preemie diapers and wipes. I cried when I saw it all. The people of God had pooled their resources to love this tiny‚ helpless person before they’d ever met him. A week later‚ a woman from our church texted me saying she wanted to buy his diapers for the first year. I cried again at the kindness of God’s church. Beyond Diapers and Dinners Many families experience this kind of generosity at the beginning of an adoption journey. Fundraisers are held to pay for adoption fees and expensive flights. Gifts are brought to welcome children; meals are provided for days and weeks as the family adjusts to a new member. All these encouragements are helpful and needed. But for some adoptive families‚ like ours‚ the most significant needs come later as they parent children who have endured significant trauma or have special needs. A child’s difficulties may begin in the womb‚ with a mother who struggled with addiction‚ didn’t have access to prenatal care‚ was unaware of her pregnancy‚ lacked nutritious food or prenatal vitamins‚ or was in dangerous circumstances that caused stress for the developing baby. Sadly‚ being adopted into a stable family doesn’t erase these challenges. Many children‚ like our son‚ have significant‚ lifelong struggles. How can churches support adoptive families with ongoing needs? For some adoptive families‚ the most significant needs come later as they parent children who have endured significant trauma or have special needs. 1. Provide financial support. Adopted children may have physical needs requiring expensive surgeries‚ treatments‚ and hospital stays. They may need ongoing physical‚ occupational‚ and speech therapy. These medical bills can financially overwhelm a family. Some children come with a history of trauma that can be difficult to treat. Neglected or abused children may‚ in their anxiety and fear‚ lash out with physical violence‚ verbal assaults‚ and frequent threats. Trained therapists may be needed for long periods‚ not only for the child but also for adoptive parents and other children who live with these extreme behaviors. Sometimes multiple types of care are needed to help with these behaviors‚ and not all are covered by insurance. Churches can help with these expenses. 2. Reduce barriers to participation. Adoptive families may struggle to engage in church activities due to a child’s special needs or extreme behaviors. Our church has cared wonderfully for our adopted son‚ handling behavior problems and conflicts and allowing him to participate in night events and weekends away‚ even when that requires managing medications and food intake. Not all churches have the resources to care so comprehensively for a child with special needs‚ but consider what your church can do to help families with challenges participate as much as possible. If the adoptive family has other children‚ get to know them and seek to make them feel welcome at church. Volunteer to sit with them during the worship service or to be a backup in case the parents need to attend to a sibling’s needs or behaviors. 3. Form a care group. Get to know the family‚ the diagnoses‚ and the child’s needs. Form a small group of people to listen regularly to updates on therapies‚ school‚ health‚ and home life—and offer an unshocked ear. These parents may experience difficult behaviors. They can’t share these struggles with everyone‚ but they need to share them with someone. Be willing to hear what real life looks like in their home and respond with compassion. Pray specifically for these needs and let the family know when you do. You might also form a support group for adoptive and/or special needs parents in the church that meets semiregularly for encouragement and sharing. 4. Provide respite care. Encourage members of your church to be trained by adoptive parents or other professionals to provide respite care. Your church could even facilitate group training. Then offer a regular chunk of time (perhaps monthly) when trained church members supervise the adopted child in their homes as a break for both the child and the rest of the family. Adoptive parents may experience difficult behaviors. They can’t share these struggles with everyone‚ but they need to share them with someone. Adoption is a meaningful way to care for the most vulnerable in our society. If a family in your church has stepped out in faith to adopt‚ by all means‚ throw them a baby shower. But also check in months and years later to see how they’re doing. Some adoptive families have few problems and adequate resources to deal with the ones that come up. Others may really need your help. Consider how your church can come alongside adoptive families in your congregation to help these little brothers and sisters who have big needs.

Chaos ... utter chaos

The authorities said that a teacher from northwest Indiana was found dead in a school stairwell after they did not show up after a relative came to the school to pick them up‚ according to the New York…

The Kansas City Star reported that a man in Indiana has been accused of setting up hidden cameras disguised as alarm clocks to monitor women without their consent.Kristan Peter Reibel now faces two counts…

Earlier on Saturday afternoon‚ the former President Donald Trump addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and told the crowd he believed he was heading for a win in the South Carolina…

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles‚ videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email‚ you are…

Sun Feb 25‚ 2024 - 12:01 am ESTFri Feb 23‚ 2024 - 12:47 pm EST (LifeSiteNews) — The subject offered to our consideration‚ on this second Sunday‚ is one of the utmost importance for the holy season.…

Although‚ in the wake of attacks by Iran-supported groups in the Middle East‚ a senior White House adviser claimed that “extreme sanctions” had throttled the Iranian energy sector‚ a New York Times…