The narrow Way has two boundaries; so, I believe a word on fear is in order here. It is all too easy to generalize our choices and state that fear is always based on death. That simply is not true.
Solomon describes the beauty of his bride in the Song of Songs. Twice he compares her to an awesome army with banners. That speaks volumes about the value of the army for both the king and his bride.
I’ve read so many people who are wanting to add praise dancing to their wedding or renewal ceremony. This was the first video I have seen of it. What a great addition to such a joyous occassion!
May we make this our personal praise to the Lover of our souls.
Yes, it is the holiday season, it is so easy to let other things take priority, to forget to stop and praise Him. As families gather, we can be reminded of their shortcomings, as well as our own. May you focus on Him, on His power to heal and make you into the blessing for your family and those near you, to make you all that He created you to be.
He loves it when we are creative as He is creative! Try many of these moves at home, during your own worship, and you may find that this choreography is not for the weak! This encourages me to reach higher; it encourages me to do my exercises, get stronger, stretch further, hold longer, develop better control of my body that I might worship Him in excellence. Yes, the attitude of our hearts counts, our desires to please Him and give honor to Him is good. However, we must also remember that David, a man after His own heart, chose those who were SKILLFUL to worship Him! Skill takes time, practice and dedication to develop.
So often, we as Praise Dancers, especially in this culture, are so much about right now – this instant. We tend not to learn from the past or to plan or build for the future. We have a lot to learn from our less expressive accountant type brothers and sisters. Precision, skill, excellence in what we do also honor Him. He has given us our bodies that we might use them to do all that He created us to do. If He has called you to dance, He has called you to dance with excellence. That means your body is a tool that you must master, that it might do all that He desires you to do as you praise dance for Him!
Praise Dance meets Praise Dancing Life
Exercising, however, does not mean going at it hard until you are so stiff you can hardly move! He desires excellence and wisdom in all things – that also usually means moderation when we are growing, learning to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Having gone through physical rehab more than once, I’ve learned that for me, walking is one of the best stamina builders. To start, walk as far as you are comfortably able – even if that is only half-way across the living room. Do this 3-6 times each week. The next week, go a bit further, a bit longer, and slowly your stamina will grow.
For strength, the best program I have ever found for me was PROper BOdy EXrcise – ProBodEx. I started with a couple Easy Warm-up exercises and added a few more each week until I could get through the entire set of easy exercises. It took me weeks, but what a difference! When I started my fingertips were nearly a foot from the floor. Now, I can touch not only my toes, but the floor, and hold that position! I know, that doesn’t sound like much, but it is huge! I’ll find the link and let you know. I hate exercise, but this one feels sooooo good, its like it is waking your body up, when you didn’t even know it was asleep! Easy and energizing! I miss it when I am traveling and unable to do it!
Praise Dancers: Brandon, Kadetra, Kiara of Imani Temple of Temecula Church of God in Christ
Choreography: Yada Praiz Community Dance Group. (Temecula, California)
Event: Point Loma Nazarene University’s V.I.P. (Voices in Praise) Gospel Concert
Duration : 0:5:55
He had asked me what I desired. It took ages for me to answer. Finally, I asked not for a material blessing, nor to see His face, but for a pure heart, that I might know His heart.
Now, He had given me a glimpse of what I had requested; I had begun to understand the great price of this precious gift. Knowing that I now knew, as much as a mortal can, the price of what I had asked, He offered to grant my request; He offered to draw me close, that He might share His heart.
He knew I’d heard. He didn’t need to keep calling, keep inviting, or try to persuade me. This was my decision; mine alone. He was patient; He sat; He waited for me to say yes once again.
It was not hours or days, or even weeks that He waited. I was frozen in my journey, and could not continue. I had spent weeks pouring over what I should ask of Him, it was not a hasty response to His question. His Son knows His heart, and it cost Him His life. How foolish that I should cling to mine; it was not even mine! I had given it to Him years ago. Why was this so hard? Why did I even hesitate when He offered what I had requested?
How could I even have imagined to ask such a thing?
Praise Dancers: Aunty Liz
Praise and Worship Artists: Shekinah Glory
Praise and Worship Songs: Yes
Praise Dancers:Tiffany using interpretive American Sign Language ASL
Praise and Worship Artists: Shekinah Glory
Praise and Worship Songs: Yes
Jen has given us a peek into her graceful, fluid style as she praises the Lover of her soul.
Grace Singh has such a dynamic grace with these streamers!
My faithful Father covered me. I was the only one in the brain injury rehabilitation group who was able to return to my work.
