Songs of Praises

 

The title for this piece comes from the old church. It is a refrain of a hymn that begins with the words, "Guide me, oh Thou Great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land." Although, I've traveled some distance from the spiritual experiences I had as a youth in the old church, they were nevertheless poignant and contributive to my ongoing spiritual expansion. In the stories from the scriptures which form the basis of the belief system of the old church, Jehovah is defined as a punitive, disruptive being who is very jealous of his position as the only one to receive worship from his followers.

 Such a being would be frightening if he was the leader of any organization with no power greater than an ordinary human being in today's world. However, Jehovah was God with the power of life and death; he would destroy nations if they lived on land desired by his chosen people. He was capable of turning a woman into a salt sculpture for the small disobedience of looking back; when told by one of his messengers to flee her home and village and not look back at the destruction he was carrying out on there. To this very powerful being, the song was urging his followers to send praise while asking for guidance in their daily lives.

While practicing this religion, I was extremely certain it was the only way to get to heaven and be in the presence of Jehovah and his son, who was sent to redeem us; this redemption was done in a particularly bloody fashion. My belief has changed, and I am come to see this Great Jehovah as punitive and unforgiving. I, had to find a kinder, gentler deity to whom I may sing my songs of praises.

These days I sing songs of praises to the Holy Devine Presence living life on earth as me, can I get an Amen.

Photo at the top is of my mother, who did not like to be photographed, we used this one for her memorial service.

This one is of my father who loved to pose