ALLELUIA

Last night I looked for this book because it suddenly came to mind.  It was gathering dust in the shelf.  I practically forgot about it.  It was given by our church during one of our Intersect Programs which solicited books from the US to fill an adopted school's Library.  The team from the US has previously pimped the said Library with new paintwork and new book shelves.  Now it was ready to be filled up with the multitude of books that came in boxes from the US.  They came in all areas of studies including an array of Children's books and Bibles.

Before the books were to fill up the pretty shelves, we needed to cover them in plastic to make them last.  This was where all
of the volunteers' hands and time came to good use.  Can you imagine the big boxes needed to be done all in an afternoon after Sunday service?  But happy hands were willing hands and the time just passed by and we covered every single book.  The excitement of seeing all those gems in the School Library have overridden the task.

Before sundown we had the surprise when we were made to line-up and pick our own two books to bring home.  There was a lone box left to give out to the volunteers.  Of course, I made do with what was left after every one else had picked their own.

Nobody picked this hard-bound thin book which did not look attractive at all.  There was no fancy cover.  It was only in plain red card paper with a cream spine.  There wasn't even a title on the outside.  If you wouldn't care to browse inside it, you will never know what lies within.  So the tired overused cliche, "Don't judge a book by its cover" so aptly came alive in this particular book.

"Didn't someone come in such a packaging?  Rejected by the very tribe He came from and for."

Being a fan of underdogs and having a heart that lets all the others pick first, and be happy to find treasures from the left overs, this became my own adopted one.  A treasure indeed.  The other book was a Psychology Workbook.  It has long since been given to a friend's daughter who was about to graduate in the College of Psychology.

So, what you are looking at in the picture is the inside Title Page.  The book is by Michael Podesta.  If you know him you would know that he is a gifted calligraphy artist.  Please note the description below in his newer book ad.

"Michael Podesta is a local calligraphy artist who shares his love of God's word and his love of design through his artwork!"

                                                                                                      -LINK to this-

I am going to let you see one of the art page in this humble and unpretentious book with his own reflections in it.  Such a treasure!

Behind The Art - Alleluia: 

SCANNED IMAGE &CROPPED

The Hebrew word hallel means “praise”, and Yah or Jah is shorthand for “Jehovah,” the Lord. So, “Alleluia” is derived from “Praise the Lord”. In the book of Revelation, a heavenly multitude shouts, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory.” We use the word as an exclamation of praise, joy, thanks. Hearing its overwhelming repetition in the choruses of Handel’s Messiah is probably one of the reasons I see it that way, too.

Original Signature of Michael Podesta

There it is, 84 pages of Words of Praise which Michael Podesta has collected in one beautiful book.  You will actually hear and see those familiar words of praise in the Scripture, as if for the first time.

If you will allow me, as the bidding comes, I will share more pages in the days to come.

For now, let us say in unison..... as in the heavenly multitude shouts in the book of Revelation...... Unending  ALLELUIA to our Omnipotent Lord God, who reigns forevermore!

How I praise Him, for making it known to me today, that I am the owner of a priceless possession-a treasurer of a book.

And on top of this, I have an inheritance which the thieves could not steal and the moths could not destroy.    Alleluia!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ADOPTED LIBRARY ACTIVITIES:

COVERING BOOKS

THE OLD BOOKS

FILLING SHELVES

KIDDIE CORNER

CHILDREN'S BIBLE CORNER

MORE BOOKS

THE NEW SHELVES AND WALL

ANOTHER VIEW

THE TURNOVER CEREMONY

THE US TEAM AND THE LOCAL LEADERS

WITH MY THANKS TO QUEST CEBU COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP FOR THE PICTURES.

....And I want to link this post to one of Diane's at An Encouraging Word, which features the same Praise Word...... Hallelujah!.  This time by another calligraphy artist, expressing his own Praises with his calligraphy.