If My People...: Experiencing God Through Praise and Worship

By Dr. Mary L. Simmons-McLaughlin, PhD

Finally, a book that candidly explains corporate worship of congregations as well as personal worship of individuals.

A real eye opener that is long overdue and will motivate readers to move from humdrum commune with God into a more fruitful and personal relationship with Him.

After applying the principals from this book,CHAINS WILL BE BROKEN!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512761245

Dr. Mary L. Simmons-McLaughlin, PhD

Dr. McLaughlin has traveled extensively throughout the US and abroad. When traveling she always found time to visit religious services. During her travels God began to quietly speak to her that He wanted more than most people were giving Him in their worship experience. Through that insight the Holy Spirit prompted her to write a book showing people the things he has shown her in the Spirit. Dr. McLaughlin has a heart for all people and pray everyone come to a place of complete fellowship with the Creator. She has studied extensively and in addition to many certificates of completions she has to her credit two doctorate degrees in religious studies.

Book preview

IF MY PEOPLE…

EXPERIENCING GOD THROUGH

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

Dr. Mary L. Simmons-McLaughlin, PhD

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Copyright © 2016 Dr. Mary L. Simmons-McLaughlin, PhD.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6125-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6126-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6124-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016917337

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/8/2016

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 Observation

Chapter 2 Letting Go of the Past

Chapter 3 My Testimony

Chapter 4 All the People Are to Praise Him

Chapter 5 Lifestyle of a Praiser

Chapter 6 Levels of Praise

Chapter 7 Differences in a Praiser and a Worshiper

Chapter 8 Guidelines on How to Become an Effective Praise and Worship Leader

Chapter 9 Anointed Worshipers

Chapter 10 Parishioners’ Participation in Worship

Chapter 11 Lessons on Prayer

Chapter 12 Doxology and Benediction

Summary

Conclusion

Final Notes

Author’s Bio

The Death of a Church

This book is

dedicated to my mother, Mrs. Lula J. Simmons, who was instrumental in my original decision to compile a book. She went home to be with the Lord before its completion.

When the family prepared to celebrate Mom’s eighty-fifth birthday, I felt tangible gifts purchased with money usually lost their luster after a while. I wanted something more personal, so I quickly scribbled a poem on a scrap paper trying to explain how I felt. I had no idea that such a simple poem would mean so much to her and that she would cherish it until the Lord took her home. My daughter, Shirley, had it typed and inserted in her obituary I feel it’s fitting to include in my book, so it is below.

Well, Ma, here we are—all gathered

Junior, sister, brother, and me,

Along with most of your grands and greats, you see.

It’s been a long time since we’ve all been together,

And this is just our way of saying we love you forever.

We hope you will always remember this day,

Because the thought is more than words can say.

You’re worth much more than just a night out,

And maybe one day we can prove that without a doubt.

The Bible says, Train a child the way they should go.

We’re proud that you did just that for us, you know.

We want you to know we appreciate your love,

And we all agree that you were sent from above.

Though we will soon be leaving and going our separate ways,

We’ll all thank god for you every day.

So as we now say happy birthday and cheers,

We wish you God’s best throughout the years.

Written on occasion of

her eighty-fifth birthday, 1986

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to acknowledge my grandson, D. Sherrod Jones, pastor of Victory Outreach Center, Providence, Rhode Island, who is a great encourager to me.

To my daughter, Shirley Jones-Odufunade, as well as my grands and great-grands, whom I love dearly.

To my sister, Ruth Johnson, in Wilmington, North Carolina, the writer in the family.

And to Cheryl Robertson who willingly critiqued and corrected the many errors in my first draft.

"Edification shows a level of dedication, so I’m … contemplating and meditating on more ways to praise him." This quote, written by my nephew, Derick Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, inspired me as I struggled to finish this book.

Finally, I bless God for answering prayers when my two brothers, James and Pinkston, had health challenges. God brought them through, and they are now walking in victory.

INTRODUCTION

I am continuing a book that is years past due. God wrote this book in my heart years ago, and he waited patiently for me to fulfill the mission he had for me. He was patient with me, even when I accused him of not letting me understand my purpose in life. I repent for procrastinating on the assignment he had already given me; however, I am aware that everything happens in God’s timing.

Many times God wants to bless us, but we reject or ignore him because we don’t feel we are ready or able at the time he is calling out to us, or perhaps we are concerned about what others might think of what we are doing or saying. I am guilty of those things; I had much doubt about whether God really wanted to use me to deliver this message.

As I procrastinated and denied my calling, the scripture frequently came to me, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. I learned that scripture is a key and that we must open ourselves up to do his will because he will not force us to work for him. Why should he? Millions are working freely for him! His Word affirms that if we don’t praise his name, the rocks will praise him. He does not have to beg us for anything, yet he yearns for our adoration. Now I realize how blessed I am that God still wants to use me even though there are thousands who would love to have been given this assignment.

During the years when I hesitated about writing, God continued to open my eyes to my surroundings. In the past few years I have observed that more and more people are claiming to be a Christian, which is good. At the same time, however, society seems to be going in a downward spiral. One would think that if people have actually become acquainted with Jesus as they’ve claimed then we could collectively change our society for the best.

Many people who are arrested because of crime come from families who are faithful churchgoers, and that seems to be a problem to me. I know that it is not always because people were or were not raised in church that causes crime to continue. The reason for the turbulence in our world is created by demonic spirits who are attacking the land.

In the past, the Lord has allowed me