Do you know Dorcas? Part 2...

Dorcas rules!

At least she did this weekend as local gals traveled to Escanaba for a to study the woman whose name means, “benevolent use of the sewing needle.”

Of course there was more to the weekend than study of Dorcas; there was also a little pampering and sewing- and craft-related activities to fill the hours between the speakers and the praise and worship songs, led by an inspired musical group from Lakefield Baptist Church.

"You’re never too old to dream or have a dream in your life,” one organizer encouraged as she surveyed the 50+ women gathered in the inn’s meeting room.

As I looked around I saw ladies of all shapes, sizes, ages and denominations. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 80-something. There were Methodists, Mennonites and Baptists, to single out a few. They were svelte and pleasingly plump; they were happy and sorrowful; they were filled with the Holy Spirit. To a person, they were blessed by the Lord above.

We absorbed scripture that pointed to the need to help our fellow man.

In particular, the focus was on Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV) where Jesus explained the requirement of Christian charity. {Jesus said} 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Did you know that women the world over heed Jesus Christ’s advice as they participate in Dorcas societies? Did you know that one of the original groups was established by Methodist women in 1824? Did you know that in the United States the need for this group of Christian women seamstresses grew out a cholera epidemic? 

Me neither.

Seems that since the disease was so contagious, when a person died or recovered from cholera, every stitch of clothing and every article of bed clothing was burned. Enter the Dorcas Society ladies, who replaced the necessities that were consumed in germ-obliterating flames. With cholera pretty much under check in the developed world, these industrious woman still work as seamstresses, providing clothing for the less fortunate among us.

After mastering so much biblical instruction, our collective minds needed a rest.

We were, unexpectedly, entertained by star sounds and whales singing praises to God!

Star sounds? Whales? Yep – check it out on YouTube by clicking here. Be sure to keep in mind as you watch that God made all of this; Psalm 33:6 (NIV) By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

Can you possibly imagine? It is, in a word, unfathomable!

If you took the time to watch and listen to the video, and you really should, you’ll know that Louie Giglio references Psalm 148 in his sermon about the multitude of songs eternally lifted up to God.

As I watched, I thought about the reason God is privy to all these celestial, and other, songs of praise. And I surmised - It's because he deserves it!

How else would the universe, and everything in it, celebrate its creator?

Then I thought about how we glorify God in praise and worship songs, many of which were sung at the retreat. And then I thought about the praise Psalms and decided to read the poetry of number 148.

Wow!

Why not take a few minutes yourself to read this human Psalm of praise to the Maker of Heaven and Earth?

{Hint - According to a former pastor of mine, the Psalms are best read in front of a roaring fire, sipping a glass of exquisite wine with your special someone, and soft music playing in the background.}

Psalm 148 (NIV)
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
    for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
    he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
    old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,
    the praise of all his faithful servants,
    of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

Praising Him is what it’s all about, folks.

Because…

Our God truly is an awesome God!

I could go on and on and on and on about this weekend, but enough for today. We’ll explore more of this past weekend’s It’s Tough Being a Woman – Dorcas the Seamstress Retreat later in the week.

In the meantime, my prayer for you is this –

May the Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 May the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
May the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.
AMEN!

Note: I’ve added a few more photographs from this weekend. More to come in the days ahead. Enjoy!