Since my last blog, I have moved to Colorado to serve with the people at Loveland Nazarene. I am the Worship and Arts Pastor here and I am loving it! Stay tuned for more info and thoughts on worship in the days to come. God bless! - Chris
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thoughts on Encouragement for the Worshiper
Once again I am on the cutting edge of the blogging world...yeah right. Oh well, I can't be expected to have too many thoughts in a year. Just a couple will do me just right!
The Revelation Band has been doing some really great things over the past few months and we have added a couple of new faces to the mix since losing our long time pianist, Rhonda. Rachel and Erika have done a fantastic job filling in and we look forward to many more events with both of them in the future. In June, LFCN hosted the Nebraska Dist. Assembly and The Revelation Band was asked to do a NOW event to kick off the festivities. Over 340 people showed up on a Wednesday night to worship and praise God with us. During one or the songs that night, a woman from Columbus Nebraska asked Christ into her life for the first time and we are rejoicing with the angels for that. It was a great opportunity to prove to the band that God is working in the lives of those we minister to. Although we may not see lives changed every week, what we do still matters in the hearts and lives of those we come in contact with. Even if it is just a seed, Paul confirms what can happen to that seed in 1 Corinthians 3:6 when he says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
Be an encourager to someone today. Whether you are a believer or not, we can all use a little encouragement in our day. Sometimes though we need to be careful and not add an opinion to our encouragement. This has been a true sore spot for me lately. Instead of encouragement, I and other band mates get criticisms. One band mate had someone say, "I liked that song, now if we could just tone down the other stuff." It left our band mate with a bad taste in his mouth. I get irked when people will tell me, "Great song today, you should sing those songs more often!" While I believe they THINK they are complimenting or encouraging, they only succeed in aggravating. Can we just leave it at, "Hey, great song today."?
Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building each other up..."(NIV) The Message says, "Watch the way you talk...say only what helps, each word is a gift." This can be for all sorts of things especially in how we encourage each other. Just encourage without giving your opinion. I hope I haven't offended anyone by this but just believe that we as Christians need to be careful about the things we say to each other and to those we are supposedly trying to reach. If we really are trying to "Impact our world with the love of Jesus" than I think it prudent to recognize these things.
Sometimes a song really gets to me and I have to share it with you...this is the case recently when I heard a song by Kevin Levar called "Let's Come Together". Here they are and feel free to comment on what you get out of the lyrics. God bless.
The Revelation Band has been doing some really great things over the past few months and we have added a couple of new faces to the mix since losing our long time pianist, Rhonda. Rachel and Erika have done a fantastic job filling in and we look forward to many more events with both of them in the future. In June, LFCN hosted the Nebraska Dist. Assembly and The Revelation Band was asked to do a NOW event to kick off the festivities. Over 340 people showed up on a Wednesday night to worship and praise God with us. During one or the songs that night, a woman from Columbus Nebraska asked Christ into her life for the first time and we are rejoicing with the angels for that. It was a great opportunity to prove to the band that God is working in the lives of those we minister to. Although we may not see lives changed every week, what we do still matters in the hearts and lives of those we come in contact with. Even if it is just a seed, Paul confirms what can happen to that seed in 1 Corinthians 3:6 when he says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
Be an encourager to someone today. Whether you are a believer or not, we can all use a little encouragement in our day. Sometimes though we need to be careful and not add an opinion to our encouragement. This has been a true sore spot for me lately. Instead of encouragement, I and other band mates get criticisms. One band mate had someone say, "I liked that song, now if we could just tone down the other stuff." It left our band mate with a bad taste in his mouth. I get irked when people will tell me, "Great song today, you should sing those songs more often!" While I believe they THINK they are complimenting or encouraging, they only succeed in aggravating. Can we just leave it at, "Hey, great song today."?
Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building each other up..."(NIV) The Message says, "Watch the way you talk...say only what helps, each word is a gift." This can be for all sorts of things especially in how we encourage each other. Just encourage without giving your opinion. I hope I haven't offended anyone by this but just believe that we as Christians need to be careful about the things we say to each other and to those we are supposedly trying to reach. If we really are trying to "Impact our world with the love of Jesus" than I think it prudent to recognize these things.
Sometimes a song really gets to me and I have to share it with you...this is the case recently when I heard a song by Kevin Levar called "Let's Come Together". Here they are and feel free to comment on what you get out of the lyrics. God bless.
Let's come together and worship the King
Let's come together as one let us sing
Let's come together putting everything aside
Let's worship Jesus Christ the one who bled and died
The one that gave His life.
For these next few hours let's praise the One with all power
He deserves the glory He deserves the honor
For these next few minutes come on put everything you got in it
and give Him the praise that He's due, because the Lord's been good to you
God's been good to you.
Let us come together and worship the Lord
Let us come together our hearts with one accord
Let us come together with one heart and voice
Let's make a joyful noise
Ooh, ooh, singing and dance
Let's come together lifting up holy hands
Let's come together transparent and true
Lord we give our lives to you.
If we come together so many souls will be saved
If we come together so many lives will be changed
If we come together so many bound will be free, they'll be free
We've got to come together
Said it's time to put our differences aside
We've been fighting long enough
The world is looking at us saints, they're looking at us.
We've got to love each other
By them shall all men know you are my disciples.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Revelation Band
Recently, through a series of conversations and worship events, it was brought to my attention that we should think of a name for our worship band. I thought it was kind of a silly thing to name a worship band, but then it dawned on me...New Life has the Desperation Band, Hillsong has Hillsong United, Gateway has Christ for the Nations, and so on. So why can't we name our worship band? If they can, so can we and it might just be a way for others to be able to connect and identify with our band. So the search began, although it was more of a thought, "I wonder what we should call our band...eh...I'll get to it tomorrow" type of process.
One day as I was listening to "The Revelation Song" written by Jennie Lee Riddle and performed by Kari Jobe. The song had been recommended to me several times as a possible congregational worship piece and I had heard it a few times on the radio. For some reason that day, I was really absorbing the lyrics and soaking in the context of the scriptures the song was based upon. It inspired me to look up Revelation 4:8-11. This is what it says from the NIV version....
....Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Whoa! Did you hear that? Everything you need to know about worship is right there in those 4 verses. There are 3 very important things we can glean from this passage about scripture.
1. "Day and night they never stop praising" (my paraphrase)
This means, everyday, every hour, every minute, every moment of our lives should be spent praising God. We stress that worship is not a 30 minute meal on Sunday mornings, but an every moment activity. Worship can be done in the simplest to the most difficult tasks and should be included in every aspect of our life. Spend one second of your day thanking God for your job and offering Him your best effort at it and then see how your work day goes. I guarantee it will improve your overall outlook regarding your employment and quite possibly the relationships with the people you work with. A simple praise can change your whole day if not your whole life!
Like the scripture says in Malachi "My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty."
2. "Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him...the twenty-four elders fall down before him and worship him...(again my paraphrase)
Whew! John says that true worship require us to worship in spirit and in truth. "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23 What exactly will happen when we do that? We find out here in this verse. Not only will we worship Him but others around us will worship also! How cool is that? For some time I have struggled with the issue of performance vs. excellence vs. worship. Trying to make them all fit together in a way that is pleasing to God. Well, I finally figured out that I had them all backwards. Worship from within should always come first! Then it doesn't matter what we look like or if we make a mistake while playing or singing, if we are participating in true spirit AND truth worship, others can't help but worship with us. Also, on a side note, it's important to understand outward expression is not always a sign of worship.
3. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Do we ever spend enough time telling God how totally awesome He is? One of the first commandments says "I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other Gods before me" Does that not, right there, tell us that God is one big ole' ball of sweetness that nothing can compare with? He even knows it! Why don't we? We need to spend a good portion of our worship (our life rather) acknowledging who God is and what He has done in our lives! If we can humble ourselves by proclaiming His power and glory and honor to Him, how could He not bestow upon us some of that sweetness. It's like when you were a kid, your friend had all the cool Hot Wheels. One day, just because you were friends, he gave you a really awesome car just because. That is in some ways the way it is with God. Give Him a lifetime of service and loyalty and He'll give you something in return. "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23 (I've always hoped that God would stock my mansion garage with real versions of the Hot Wheels I collected!)
3 things. 1. All the time worship 2. True worship produces supernatural reaction 3. Acknowledge Gods power and glory in our lives.
All of that from 4 verses of scripture I had read hundreds of times. What was the result? Well, I discovered the 3 principles of worship above, and oh yeah, I found a name for the band...
The Revelation Band
Check out some pics from our most recent NOW event at http://www.lincolnfirstnaz.org/ under the ministry tab and click on worship ministries!
One day as I was listening to "The Revelation Song" written by Jennie Lee Riddle and performed by Kari Jobe. The song had been recommended to me several times as a possible congregational worship piece and I had heard it a few times on the radio. For some reason that day, I was really absorbing the lyrics and soaking in the context of the scriptures the song was based upon. It inspired me to look up Revelation 4:8-11. This is what it says from the NIV version....
....Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Whoa! Did you hear that? Everything you need to know about worship is right there in those 4 verses. There are 3 very important things we can glean from this passage about scripture.
1. "Day and night they never stop praising" (my paraphrase)
This means, everyday, every hour, every minute, every moment of our lives should be spent praising God. We stress that worship is not a 30 minute meal on Sunday mornings, but an every moment activity. Worship can be done in the simplest to the most difficult tasks and should be included in every aspect of our life. Spend one second of your day thanking God for your job and offering Him your best effort at it and then see how your work day goes. I guarantee it will improve your overall outlook regarding your employment and quite possibly the relationships with the people you work with. A simple praise can change your whole day if not your whole life!
Like the scripture says in Malachi "My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty."
2. "Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him...the twenty-four elders fall down before him and worship him...(again my paraphrase)
Whew! John says that true worship require us to worship in spirit and in truth. "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23 What exactly will happen when we do that? We find out here in this verse. Not only will we worship Him but others around us will worship also! How cool is that? For some time I have struggled with the issue of performance vs. excellence vs. worship. Trying to make them all fit together in a way that is pleasing to God. Well, I finally figured out that I had them all backwards. Worship from within should always come first! Then it doesn't matter what we look like or if we make a mistake while playing or singing, if we are participating in true spirit AND truth worship, others can't help but worship with us. Also, on a side note, it's important to understand outward expression is not always a sign of worship.
3. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Do we ever spend enough time telling God how totally awesome He is? One of the first commandments says "I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other Gods before me" Does that not, right there, tell us that God is one big ole' ball of sweetness that nothing can compare with? He even knows it! Why don't we? We need to spend a good portion of our worship (our life rather) acknowledging who God is and what He has done in our lives! If we can humble ourselves by proclaiming His power and glory and honor to Him, how could He not bestow upon us some of that sweetness. It's like when you were a kid, your friend had all the cool Hot Wheels. One day, just because you were friends, he gave you a really awesome car just because. That is in some ways the way it is with God. Give Him a lifetime of service and loyalty and He'll give you something in return. "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23 (I've always hoped that God would stock my mansion garage with real versions of the Hot Wheels I collected!)
3 things. 1. All the time worship 2. True worship produces supernatural reaction 3. Acknowledge Gods power and glory in our lives.
All of that from 4 verses of scripture I had read hundreds of times. What was the result? Well, I discovered the 3 principles of worship above, and oh yeah, I found a name for the band...
The Revelation Band
Check out some pics from our most recent NOW event at http://www.lincolnfirstnaz.org/ under the ministry tab and click on worship ministries!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Grace has called my name
Well friends, it's been a few months since I have last written anything and I figured it's about time. I thought I might spend a few short minutes discussing what is playing on my Ipod right now. "I Belong" by Kathryn Scott. Kathryn Scott is one of my all time favorite vocalist/writer/worship leader. She has the voice of an angel and the lyrics to some of her songs are just awesome! Based in Northern Ireland, Kathryn and her husband Alan lead Causeway Coast Vineyard church. (A place I would love to visit if anyone feels so inclined to purchase me a plane ticket!)
Kathryn has written some of our favorite songs that we sing on a regular basis here at LFCN. Songs like "Hungry, falling on my knees" and "At the Foot of the Cross" and also sings one of my favorite versions of the song "When I survey the Wonderful Cross" (All found on her album "Satisfy") She also sings on several Vineyard releases such as the albums "Hungry" and "Surrender" and can also be found singing along with Paul Baloche and Brian Doerkson on a few of their albums. And no wonder, her voice is absolutely stunning. If I released an album and needed to sing a duet, she would be my first choice!! If you've never heard her sing, check her out at www.myspace.com/kathrynscottmusic , she also has her own blog here, http://www.kathrynscott.blogspot.com/ or go to her website at http://www.hungryworshiper.com/
Ok, so back to what I am listening to..."I Belong" and a great song called "Grace has Called my Name" I find that many Christians, including myself, have a hard time dealing with the past. As Chris Rice said, 'we find comfort in the past because we know we at least we know we made it!' But the past is just that, the past. Christ gives us freedom to look forward with hope, peace, and promise. He does that with His grace. That's why I love this song! Here are a few of Kathryn's CD jacket notes and after that I will post the lyrics to the song.
"In our line of work (pastoral) you regularly encounter people working through the stuff of the past - sometimes the road is smooth, but most of the time, there are some rocky patches people have to go through before they come out the other side. I wrote this song as an expression of that - to help people remember that 'just one touch' can make them clean."
Peace as elusive as a shadow dancing on the wall / Life swallowed by the pain of yesterday / Left broken by the shame of things that I had done / No freedom from the choices that I'd made // But with one touch You made me clean / You met me in my deepest need // Grace has called my name / When all that I had left were just my filthy stains / Grace has called my name / When hope had all but faded far away / Grace called my name // Wounded by words that left their mark upon my soul / Dreams overturned by empty promises / Well intentioned things I'd heard a million times before / Just left my heart to grieve alone again / But with one touch you set me free / You met me in my deepest need // Your mercy has met me / You set me free
© 2007 Vertical Worship Songs
Grace and peace be with you today as you live your life to the fullest in Him. Know that God is greater than what's the matter and that He loves us in spite of us. Have a great day!
Kathryn has written some of our favorite songs that we sing on a regular basis here at LFCN. Songs like "Hungry, falling on my knees" and "At the Foot of the Cross" and also sings one of my favorite versions of the song "When I survey the Wonderful Cross" (All found on her album "Satisfy") She also sings on several Vineyard releases such as the albums "Hungry" and "Surrender" and can also be found singing along with Paul Baloche and Brian Doerkson on a few of their albums. And no wonder, her voice is absolutely stunning. If I released an album and needed to sing a duet, she would be my first choice!! If you've never heard her sing, check her out at www.myspace.com/kathrynscottmusic , she also has her own blog here, http://www.kathrynscott.blogspot.com/ or go to her website at http://www.hungryworshiper.com/
Ok, so back to what I am listening to..."I Belong" and a great song called "Grace has Called my Name" I find that many Christians, including myself, have a hard time dealing with the past. As Chris Rice said, 'we find comfort in the past because we know we at least we know we made it!' But the past is just that, the past. Christ gives us freedom to look forward with hope, peace, and promise. He does that with His grace. That's why I love this song! Here are a few of Kathryn's CD jacket notes and after that I will post the lyrics to the song.
"In our line of work (pastoral) you regularly encounter people working through the stuff of the past - sometimes the road is smooth, but most of the time, there are some rocky patches people have to go through before they come out the other side. I wrote this song as an expression of that - to help people remember that 'just one touch' can make them clean."
Peace as elusive as a shadow dancing on the wall / Life swallowed by the pain of yesterday / Left broken by the shame of things that I had done / No freedom from the choices that I'd made // But with one touch You made me clean / You met me in my deepest need // Grace has called my name / When all that I had left were just my filthy stains / Grace has called my name / When hope had all but faded far away / Grace called my name // Wounded by words that left their mark upon my soul / Dreams overturned by empty promises / Well intentioned things I'd heard a million times before / Just left my heart to grieve alone again / But with one touch you set me free / You met me in my deepest need // Your mercy has met me / You set me free
© 2007 Vertical Worship Songs
Grace and peace be with you today as you live your life to the fullest in Him. Know that God is greater than what's the matter and that He loves us in spite of us. Have a great day!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
East to West
Here in a few days we begin the yearly task of preparing for Easter and the much anticipated Easter program. The purpose of the Easter program is to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ and to introduce the message of what Christ did for us to those that may not know. The celebration choir begins early in the year learning new music through rehearsals and the drama team gathers to prepare to visually perfect their parts. Lights are positioned, sets are constructed and props are gathered and so much preparation goes into the actual event, we sometimes forget why we even do it in the first place.
This year the choir is preparing a program entitled "East to West, One Scarred Hand to Another" and man, it is going to be fun. New songs, old songs, songs that are familiar and some not. But what really is drawing me to this is the title song "East to West." I've heard this song a thousand times but never really listened to the words. Until now.
A few weeks ago, I received my local ministers license. This is the first step towards being an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene. You first get your local license and then work towards the District license and then to the ordination. The license was presented to me by my good friend/pastor/boss Brian Smith. As I was standing there accepting my license, I couldn't shake from my mind the magnitude of what was happening in my life. Satan it seemed, was reminding me of all the failures in my life, the sins, the short comings. To be honest, I was thinking that I can't do this! What was I getting myself into? Was I really good enough to be in the position of ministry?
Later that night, I confessed my feelings and thoughts to my wife Nikky and she responded like any good wife would. Assuring me that God wasn't concerned with my past but only my future. That God had forgiven me from those sins and failures and it was all forgotten. But it wasn't, at least not by me. I lay awake in bed that night, not being able to fall asleep, wondering about how my past would creep back into my life. The next morning, more of the same, I couldn't focus. My mind was a wreck. Then it happened. I heard that song, and this time I listened. That was me I thought. I knew what I had to do. I bowed my head and let God know that I was done focussing on the past and was going to allow Him to, one more time, lead me.
I wish I could say that Satan left me alone at this point, but he didn't and I'm alright with that. Because I know that I have Christ on my side as my protector and He is the one assuring me this time. "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" He says and I can rest in the arms of His mercy! I hope you are encouraged by my words today, and if somedays you feel the same way I did, read these words and rest assured that just as far as the east is from the west, His forgiveness stretches from one scarred hand to the other.
Here are those words from the Casting Crowns song, "East to West" (written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms)
Here I am Lord and I'm drowning In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where you found me And it echoes in my mind Keeps me awake tonight
I know you've cast my sins as far As the East is from the West
And I stand before you now As though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away From you leaving me this way
Jesus can you show me Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been Come rising up in me again. In the arms of your mercy I find rest Cause you know just how far the East is from the West From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day the war begins Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your Truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in. Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away From you leaving me this way
Jesus can you show me Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been Come rising up in me again. In the arms of your mercy I find rest Cause you know just how far the East is from the West From one scarred hand to the other.
I know you've washed me white Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel But by the truth your word reveals
I'm not holding on to you But your holding on to me Your holding on to me
(repeat chorus)
This year the choir is preparing a program entitled "East to West, One Scarred Hand to Another" and man, it is going to be fun. New songs, old songs, songs that are familiar and some not. But what really is drawing me to this is the title song "East to West." I've heard this song a thousand times but never really listened to the words. Until now.
A few weeks ago, I received my local ministers license. This is the first step towards being an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene. You first get your local license and then work towards the District license and then to the ordination. The license was presented to me by my good friend/pastor/boss Brian Smith. As I was standing there accepting my license, I couldn't shake from my mind the magnitude of what was happening in my life. Satan it seemed, was reminding me of all the failures in my life, the sins, the short comings. To be honest, I was thinking that I can't do this! What was I getting myself into? Was I really good enough to be in the position of ministry?
Later that night, I confessed my feelings and thoughts to my wife Nikky and she responded like any good wife would. Assuring me that God wasn't concerned with my past but only my future. That God had forgiven me from those sins and failures and it was all forgotten. But it wasn't, at least not by me. I lay awake in bed that night, not being able to fall asleep, wondering about how my past would creep back into my life. The next morning, more of the same, I couldn't focus. My mind was a wreck. Then it happened. I heard that song, and this time I listened. That was me I thought. I knew what I had to do. I bowed my head and let God know that I was done focussing on the past and was going to allow Him to, one more time, lead me.
I wish I could say that Satan left me alone at this point, but he didn't and I'm alright with that. Because I know that I have Christ on my side as my protector and He is the one assuring me this time. "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" He says and I can rest in the arms of His mercy! I hope you are encouraged by my words today, and if somedays you feel the same way I did, read these words and rest assured that just as far as the east is from the west, His forgiveness stretches from one scarred hand to the other.
Here are those words from the Casting Crowns song, "East to West" (written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms)
Here I am Lord and I'm drowning In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where you found me And it echoes in my mind Keeps me awake tonight
I know you've cast my sins as far As the East is from the West
And I stand before you now As though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away From you leaving me this way
Jesus can you show me Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been Come rising up in me again. In the arms of your mercy I find rest Cause you know just how far the East is from the West From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day the war begins Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your Truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in. Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away From you leaving me this way
Jesus can you show me Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been Come rising up in me again. In the arms of your mercy I find rest Cause you know just how far the East is from the West From one scarred hand to the other.
I know you've washed me white Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel But by the truth your word reveals
I'm not holding on to you But your holding on to me Your holding on to me
(repeat chorus)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas
Just wanted to take a few minutes and wish you a very Merry Christmas. This past Sunday, we sang a song written by my very good friend who happens to be my guitarist, Rich Stansbury. The song is entitled "Christmas Time, Don't forget whose Birthday it is." I know it's a long title, but it has a great message. As you go about your buisness this Christmas season, don't forget to honor Christ birth, by doing a little celebration of your own. Thank him for what He has done in your life and how He has gotten you through. Then, thank Him for this coming year and what He is going to do through you and in your life.
I am looking forward to seeing family, giving gifts, and sleeping in a little these next few days! But most importantly, I am looking towards celebrating the life He gives us through His birth, His life, His death, and His resurection. Find comfort in that and have a very Merry Christmas.
I am looking forward to seeing family, giving gifts, and sleeping in a little these next few days! But most importantly, I am looking towards celebrating the life He gives us through His birth, His life, His death, and His resurection. Find comfort in that and have a very Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Made me glad
Welcome to my first blog entry. This should be interesting. I hope to use this as an avenue for the thoughts in my head concerning worship and using it as a tool for communication as to the purposes and significance of worship in our daily lives. And periodically, I come across things about worship that I really enjoy and feel I want to share with you. So I have created this space to do just that! I am excited about posting the things that God has placed on my heart and sharing with you some of the things He is showing me in order for me to grow in my walk towards Him.
As with all Christians, I have not arrived, He is God and I am not, and I too struggle in my daily walk. I am convinced that everyday no matter how hard we strive to involve Christ into our lives, Satan is working just as hard, maybe even harder, to separate us from the life we so desperately need and desire.
Take for example David. That was a guy who was described as being "after God's own heart" You think Davids got it really goin' on right? But take a closer look at Davids life and we see he was far from perfect. He committed adultery, murder, deception and was deeply troubled by the sin in His life and punished by God for it. But in some ways, we are not too far off from David. We too may have sin in our life. It may be something that has popped up recently or something that you have been dealing with for many years. It may be the sin of envy or jealousy. It may be sexual sin or the sin of anger and hate. Whatever it is, it is not only real to us, but real to God. Stay with me, there is good news here.
I have been listening to a song a lot lately and we have recently introduced it into our worship services. It is a song called "Made me glad" written by Miriam Webster. This song contains many reminders of God's promise to help us when we sin and to be with us in times of spiritual victory and in times of spiritual defeat. His promise to shelter us, to give us strength, to deliver us from unrighteousness and to be our "very present help in time of need." This song comes from one of my favorite pasages in Psalm.
Psalm 73:25-26 says "Whom have I in heaven but you? And nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." I pray that as God has given me this passage and promise, that you too will find His strength and portion for your life as you follow His footsteps for your life. May God richly bless you today.
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