Psalm 34:3 
“Glorify the Lord with me; 
let us exalt his name together.”
(NIV)

“Join me in spreading the news; 
together let’s get the word out.”
(MSG)

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Years ago now, our staff went to Venezuela to train pastors and other church leaders. One of the places we stayed was at Camp Carabobo, the Venezuelan Baptists’ national retreat center. 

Texas Baptist Men built some of the buildings where we stayed and worked. They built large shower and restroom facilities in the dorms. They used cinder blocks for the interior walls and shower stalls. The reverberation of even a voice as subpar as mine sounded good when expressing a song of praise. 

The clear, cold water prevented overlong visits to these singing stalls. Even so, I was all alone there when I began a worship song. Another man a couple of stalls away began singing the same song with the benefit of being in tune and having the kind of baritone voice that is completely unfair to those of us who sound better talking than singing.

A few moments into our worship, a woman on the other side of the wall began harmonizing with us, or him. She sang like I imagine the angels did on the night Jesus was born. 

I dropped my vocals to a whisper so that I could fully enjoy this shower stall concert. I’m pretty sure that damp setting is not what King David had in mind when he quilled the words above. Every time I remember that day, and every time I read this verse, I am reminded how good and pleasant it is to worship together with those who deeply love our God. 

Let’s take our minds out of the shower and place them in a car. A coworker and I were driving back to the Houston area from a conference in Dallas. We were listening to one of my favorite worship tapes. (Cassette tapes were once the best medium for listening to music in a car. Look it up.)

My coworker has one of those voices other men envy. I compensated for my lackluster vocals by turning up the volume really loud. We experienced a holy moment driving home that day. 

What are your fondest worship memories? 

How do you worship day by day?

How are you preparing your heart for congregational worship this Sunday? 

Here is King David’s invitation extended across the ages to you and me:

“Glorify the Lord with me; 
let us exalt his name together.”

Amen.

—

I will worship God anywhere and everywhere, and with whoever loves him like I do.

—

Our Father, give us hearts of worship. Put a song in our hearts and minds that turns our attention to you. Give us loved ones, friends, and church families to share our vocalized songs of gratitude and love. Thank you for shower worship, car worship, and congregational worship. May our everyday lives become expressions of worship in how we live, work, and play. Amen.