Remembering in Worship

In my last post I mentioned a bit about remembering in worship.

As I've been contemplating Psalm 139 I've been thinking . . . as I recall what God has done in my life and His power in creation and creating me . . . how important it is to be reminded.

I tend to forget things that are not right in front of me so I have to build reminders into my daily schedule to be sure to accomplish the work that I am intended to do.

. . . task lists are important !

I remember better when someone else describes for me how they experienced the same event that I was part of.

. . . others are important to expand my appreciation for God's work in my life !

Discussion on past experiences often help me reconsider the consequences of personal actions or involvement.

. . . community discussion is vital for evaluation !


I find family insights helpful in remember acurately. Things like . . . "O, remember when . . . it wasn't quite like that . . . it was like this" - they bring clarity to how I remember it.

. . . family keep us honest, help clarify how we see and how to express our memories better !


God knows me far more and better than anyone. I can trust him because he made me.

. . . God will help us remember what he has done for us !


Journaling is a great way to remember details. For a non-detail writer like me . . . journaling still jogs my mind about what I was thinking at the time I wrote it.

. . . there is something about the written word that captures thought and memory !


This is just a start to recording some thoughts on Remembering as I look at Psalm 139.

I've been fascinated by "memory" and remembering in worship. It's a big part of it.

On Remembering - Psalm 139

Over the past week I’ve been reminded several times of the importance of Remembering. To remember is to recall to memory, to reflect on past experience, consider once again – at least that’s my understanding of it. I’m sure it is much more than that. Click here to see the meaning of Remember according to dictionary.com

I’m amazed at how we so quickly forget things. Throughout the Bible are numerous occasions where people were to remember what God had done and who he is. Take for example Nehemiah’s prayer 1:8 and again in 4:14. I keep coming back to these statements to remember for they are essential to our faith. How important it is for us to remember – remembering is part of our worship and important to our spiritual growth.

I like how Robert Webber puts it

“Worship is the context in which our relationship with God is continually re-established, maintained, repaired, and transformed. Anamnesis (memory).”

For the full article, click here

This is just an introduction to and the reason for choosing Psalm 139 as my next

“story to internalize.”

It brings to mind God’s power/involvement in my life and the life around me.

My Version of the Beatitudes

In my last two posts I talked about Internalizing and what that mean and made an attempt to begin reflecting on what that involves and means for me . . . to internalize the story of the Beatitudes.

I've thought a lot about one of the comments on my earlier posting about telling the story in a different setting, re-write the story in my own words and tell it to a different audience. So, here's my re-writing of the Beatitudes:

You will only be happy in life if you are open toward others,
for then you will find what really matters.

You will know joy even when you grieve.

You will be truly happy if you are humble and patient,
for then you will receive your legacy.

You will find fulfillment if you continue to persue what is right.

You will be content if you show compassion.

You will understand what it is to be happy if you think and focus on what is good,
for you will be with God.

You will be glad when you make peace with others,
for they will see you as God's offspring.

You will enjoy life even when you are oppressed,
for then you will find what really matters.

You will receive more than you can imagine if others bother you because you know Jesus,
for they bothered others as well.

I'm not sure how to go about the rest of it as this whole passage really is more of an exhortation than a narrative per se. I'll have to give this more thought and see what some others have to say. I think I may just focus more on the context of my telling the story instead of re-writing it. It's a start anyway!

Cheers! Let me know what you think.