Solomon's Porch Christian Community

Introduction

Today I thought I would encourage you all to make praise your daily habit. Many, many moons ago, in the early years of my Faith in Christ, I stumbled onto a little book called, “The Practice of Praise” by Charles Haddon Spurgeon I was miserable at the time. I was working as a Framing Carpenter’s Helper, hich is a fancy way of saying, “I carried heavy wood all day.” My ignorance of carpentry, young age (22 years old at the time), weighing a buck twenty-five soaking wet, and being five foot seven on a good day made me the “butt end of many of the jokes” with a focus on the “butt” part. I hated it but I loved the guy that gave me the job. We went through a program together called “Discipleship 101.” So, I stuck it out.

Reading The Practice Praise

One week I was thinking particularly hard about quitting, when, after work I visited a Christian bookstore with a friend. An early mentor told me to read anything I could get my hands on by Charles Haddon Spurgeon or A.W. Tozer, so I regularly did just that. That night I bought the Practice of the Praise of God, Looking back now it seems such strange advice. Spurgeon stood firmly in the Reformed tradition, while Tozer held views that were quite the opposite of Reformed theology.

However, both had a love for dead saints and a disdain for the modern church. Both quoted liberally from early church fathers. I was introduced to Augustine’s “Our heart is restless until we find rest in Thee.” at the beginning of a chapter in the Pursuit of God, which I still suggest people read. Through their influence an honor was developed in me for my fathers and mothers of the faith. That night I bought, “The Practice of Praise.” It is a light paperback of maybe 150 pages with large-ish print. I consumed it over the weekend in a sessions.

Practicing The Practice of Praise

On Monday morning, I stared at a stack of 3/4″x4’x8′ plywood, realizing I had to move every sheet up onto the floor of the house we were building. That meant moving it all up to the porch and then dispersing it out in different stacks, which is hard because there is no plywood to walk on. You have to walk across the tops of the joists. Then after that a big stack of 24′ long 2×12’s for the second floor of the house. Let’s leave it at, I was not a happy camper. However, I thought about the book. It seemed like as good a time as any to try the obedience.

I decided that for each board I lifted or carried I would praise God for something or pray for a specific friend. I began. Thirty boards in I was actually smiling. I had forgotten the pain of the project. After that I bought my own tools and began to learn. From twenty two to thirty six years of age I made my living as a carpenter, a contracting superintendent, or as a contractor that specialized in high end remodeling. Learning to giving praise to God made that possible. If I had not learned to give praise I would not have lasted the week.

The Fruit of Practicing Praise

As I praised the Lord and interceded for friends that day, my heart became light. Why? For the first time since I took the job, I focused on God’s character and the needs of others rather than on myself or my momentary circumstances. A little later, I even thought to myself that having a menial job was a blessing. The real problem was my pride, you see. I didn’t want to do it because it was a menial job. I was the low man on the totem pole and I didn’t like being made fun of because I was Christian who didn’t smoke or use foul language. The reason I wanted to quit was because I was focused on myself. The reason I was unhappy was because I had become unthankful. Everyone is sad and unthankful when they focus on themselves and their circumstances.

Thanksgiving: the Fruit of Praise

The Bible tells us to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).” Why was I blessed to have a menial job? Because if I had been a pilot or some high powered lawyer I couldn’t pray practically without ceasing. My menial job actually allowed me to consciously commune with God because it did not require my mind all that much. I realized that “not being conformed to this world, but being transformed by the renewal of your mind (Romans 12:2)” involves more than just memorizing Scripture—it requires living it out.

Practicing Praise & Intercession

Each week I encourage everyone to make an intercessory prayer list. We even have a spot for you to make one each week in the SPCC Prayer Book (Digital link in a section below btw). This week I encourage you to make a list of praises as well. Also should sing a songs of praise to God. When is the last time you sang a Psalm or hymn in your private worship? Remember that all our Psalms and hymns are in the Prayer Book too and tunes are provided in our Wednesday Ascending Zion blog. Is singing a common occurrence in your private worship, or do you reserve singing only for corporate worship and entertaining yourself in the car? Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day (Psalm 96:2).Go forth in peace to love, serve, praise, and give thanks to the Lord!

Check out last week’s Prayer Is Evidence of Faith in the Gospel.

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Yes Midweek Worship

6:15 Pizza and Fellowship

7:00 Opus Dei, Catechism Lesson, and Intercessory Prayer

For the month of March we are Memorizing Questions 6-10 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism

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Opus Dei, Prayer Book & Blogs

Opus Dei Monday – Saturday @ 7 am & 7 pm via the SPCC Zoom Prayer Room

Get a digital copy of our latest prayer book: Remembering the Crucifixion: March 8th – April 19th, 2025

Read and share our latest blog series Forsaken For Us All Part 1 & Part 2

Check out our recently completed series: Christ, His Church, & Marriage Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

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Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!

Pastor Jeremy

“Joy and thanksgiving expressed in prayer and praise according to the Word of God are the heart of the Church’s worship.” – John Calvin