I used the King James phrase for this because it is a great explanation for an event in the future that we will probably be a part of. in I Cor 15:51-52 (New King James)
"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed"
That is just an awesome thought that in the part of a second it takes to blink your eye, the amount of time it takes to just shut your eye and open it in a blink, that is all the time it will take for Him to return. That's it.
A blink.
a "twinkling"
it is less than a second. that is all that separates us from the return of Christ. When will that be? is it this blink? the next one? how about the next blink?
It is a moment... a twinkling... and we will be changed.
The thing i love the most is that that is how quick it will take to get to the greatest worship service that will go on for eternity. unfathomable!
we complain about worship services being too long, we have to stand, it's too loud, we don't like the songs, we can't wait for church to be over... gotta eat, gotta watch a game, gotta see mom and dad.... it goes on and on... It seems that the worship part of the service (all 4 songs) is just too much to deal with. Some people time their arrival to coincide with the end of the "singing" because it isn't "their thing". Some leave the second the sermon is over (something about the offering) and some as soon as communion is over (communion saves us thank God, and as long as we get our bread and juice, we are ok till next week).
The saddest part of it all is that a lot of people never really worship! we are too busy getting there and waiting to leave to actually give any reverence to the reason we are there! I have to admit it makes me angry, but I just trust God enuf to know that He can handle it. I think we must become indignant to the things that hurt the heart of God. We need to be bold and loud to the ones that break the heart of God.
And when is it even reasonable that 4 songs and a sermon change the world. It can, and it has, but when is that the definition of worship.
And when is it acceptable that we complain because we don't like a style of music or a song or that we don't sing enuf hymns??? Who has given us the right to tell God what he needs. I always shake my head when someone tells me we need more hymns or newer songs or .... what does God want? Is it songs He is looking for? Is it a musical style? Is God looking to see what we are wearing on? or what the lady on the 4th row was doing during the sermon? What is God doing during the drama in Pew # 5??? He is looking at our hearts.
So what is the answer to all these questions? When we seek more to our own personal desires in "worship" and what we want to see and hear, we do not have the heart of God. God is looking at our hearts. He is checking our motives. He knows when we've been bad or good...
My other thought is this. If we can hardly make it to a worship service here while we are live, how do we think we will enjoy heaven with the "eternal' worship service? Why would we think that heaven would be the place to end up with when we can't even "sit thru" the rehearsals. DO NOT TELL GOD WHAT WANT IN A WORSHIP SERVICE. It is not about YOU... it has nothing to do with YOU... the questions is WHAT DOES GOD WANT???
that being said and ranted... i started this with a great thought... and I will end this post with the same thought. The greatest worship experience can happen here on earth, not in most churches, but it can happen. We have to prepare our hearts, and our minds, and our lives. It has nothing to do with the hour and ten minute event that takes place millions of times each week. It has nothing to do with what we want and like and demand. It is about the worship of the Creator of all things. Only through grace have we been made worthy to be in His presence. Only through grace will we be able to worship in spirit and truth, for EVER... eternally... in the twinkling of an eye.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Joy In The Morning
I have always loved the phrase "there will be joy in the morning". It comes from Psalm 30. It is a Song at the dedication of the house of David, which was probably written for his palace, but may have been sung at the dedication of the temple. Just a thought.
I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up
And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
I get this... it is like God speaking thru the Psalmist. The beginning of chapter 30 is psalm of praise... the reason we praise or extol the Lord is because 1) You lifted me up 2) and my enemies are not allowed to rejoice over me... or God has protected me from shame and harm. It is like the best insurance plan ever. satan has always wanted to destroy us, but that battle has already been won. The ultimate of not letting my foes rejoice over me.
The greatest thing is the same truth, if we call upon the Lord, he hears and listens and moves all at the same time. I think that this talks about physical and spiritual healing. How awesome is this. I believe that God still heals today. I believe that he is more than able to do whatever He wills. God's will is not just what we want God to do... it is what He wants to do. I think it is harder to make a god up and then live according to those rules. We do it all the time. We have to let God be who He is an quit trying to do His job for Him.
The perfect reaction is to "sing praise to the Lord and give thanks". hmmmmm Singing and Thanksgiving... reminds me of Psalm 100. Our response to God should be thanksgiving.
but then comes the best part of Chapter 30... For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life... God's favor is something that we all enjoy, that call upon His name. To live in God's favor, that is just too awesome for words. Mary was called God's "favored one" and the song she sang (The Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55) shows us how God moves and touches and brings about His Will.
There is a promise in all this... and it is something that I cling to. Weeping and grief and sorrow my just last for a night... but the the next day (even on the 3rd day) the sun rises. There is joy, there is hope, there is all encompassing peace that comes in the morning. When there seems to be no way out of a situation, the sun rises. There is always a new day.
The Psalm is ended with this thought... In the morning, my sorrow is turned into a dance. I no longer have to wear "black", but I can wear my party clothes. When all is said and done... we sing, we dance, we give thanks - forever.
Psalm 30: 11-12 says
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up
And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
I get this... it is like God speaking thru the Psalmist. The beginning of chapter 30 is psalm of praise... the reason we praise or extol the Lord is because 1) You lifted me up 2) and my enemies are not allowed to rejoice over me... or God has protected me from shame and harm. It is like the best insurance plan ever. satan has always wanted to destroy us, but that battle has already been won. The ultimate of not letting my foes rejoice over me.
The greatest thing is the same truth, if we call upon the Lord, he hears and listens and moves all at the same time. I think that this talks about physical and spiritual healing. How awesome is this. I believe that God still heals today. I believe that he is more than able to do whatever He wills. God's will is not just what we want God to do... it is what He wants to do. I think it is harder to make a god up and then live according to those rules. We do it all the time. We have to let God be who He is an quit trying to do His job for Him.
The perfect reaction is to "sing praise to the Lord and give thanks". hmmmmm Singing and Thanksgiving... reminds me of Psalm 100. Our response to God should be thanksgiving.
but then comes the best part of Chapter 30... For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life... God's favor is something that we all enjoy, that call upon His name. To live in God's favor, that is just too awesome for words. Mary was called God's "favored one" and the song she sang (The Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55) shows us how God moves and touches and brings about His Will.
There is a promise in all this... and it is something that I cling to. Weeping and grief and sorrow my just last for a night... but the the next day (even on the 3rd day) the sun rises. There is joy, there is hope, there is all encompassing peace that comes in the morning. When there seems to be no way out of a situation, the sun rises. There is always a new day.
The Psalm is ended with this thought... In the morning, my sorrow is turned into a dance. I no longer have to wear "black", but I can wear my party clothes. When all is said and done... we sing, we dance, we give thanks - forever.
Psalm 30: 11-12 says
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A thought about Barbara Johnson
Every first day of the month, I remember Barbara Johnson.
I met her through a friend, Lynda Wigren. Lynda worked at Berean Bookstore in Whittier (it is no longer there), but Lynda traveled with Barbara. She'd help her sell her books, take care of details, etc. So we met... Barbara gave me her book (autographed of course) "Where Does A Mother Go To Resign?" It made me laugh.
Barbara was just funny. She had been through a lot in her life. And those things had happened years before I met her. So the Barbara I knew and loved was the "after the fact" Barbara. She had wit and wisdom. It was great to banter with her, she was well armed. But she celebrated the First of every single month. Every 1st of the month I remember her. Every single one. I just smile.
Her youngest son, Barney, came to our church for a while in West Covina (Christ's Church of the Valley's original name was West Covina Church Of Christ). And one Sunday, I ran into Barbara at the back of the old church. (dang we packed em in). We laughed about something "churchy" and she was glad that Barney was going to church.
I ran into her probably 15 times in person, and we talked many times on the phone. I moved to Colorado, then Fresno, then Kentucky...
Lynda called one day and said that Barbara had brain cancer. She was typical, Lynda... trusting in God, just as Barbara was.
My mom told me the funniest story once... and it was a true story. A friend of a friend's mom was visiting, and had never been to a gynecologist, and she was in her 70's or 80's... Her daughter set her up with her own gynecologist, and she went to work. When she got home she asked her mom how it went, and the mom was really upset. She said the doctor said something so rude and fresh and out of place... and her daughter asked well what did he say? the mom said, he said, "My don't we look festive?" Her daughter was shocked, so she just started asking questions. What did you do before you went??
well i took a shower... good
and I used some of your feminine hygiene spray... good, but i don't have any
yes you do
No i don't... show me what you are talking about
So the mom went into the bathroom, looked around and handed her a can of glitter hairspray. hence... "My don't we look festive?"
ok.. that's kinda iffish... but it's my blog, get your own.
My mom took 3 phone calls just to tell me she was laughing so hard. I of course told Lynda Wigren, who... told Barbara. Next thing I know (old Jed's a millionaire), I mean Lynda called and wanted to find out who it was, make sure it was true, etc because Barbara wanted to share it at Women Of Faith, and put it in her book.. which she did on both counts.
Barbara told it much better than I would ever have done.
ok this isn't about worship
This isn't about much more than an awesome and wonderful lady named Barbara Johnson that touched my heart and my life. I still smile the first of every month!
I met her through a friend, Lynda Wigren. Lynda worked at Berean Bookstore in Whittier (it is no longer there), but Lynda traveled with Barbara. She'd help her sell her books, take care of details, etc. So we met... Barbara gave me her book (autographed of course) "Where Does A Mother Go To Resign?" It made me laugh.
Barbara was just funny. She had been through a lot in her life. And those things had happened years before I met her. So the Barbara I knew and loved was the "after the fact" Barbara. She had wit and wisdom. It was great to banter with her, she was well armed. But she celebrated the First of every single month. Every 1st of the month I remember her. Every single one. I just smile.
Her youngest son, Barney, came to our church for a while in West Covina (Christ's Church of the Valley's original name was West Covina Church Of Christ). And one Sunday, I ran into Barbara at the back of the old church. (dang we packed em in). We laughed about something "churchy" and she was glad that Barney was going to church.
I ran into her probably 15 times in person, and we talked many times on the phone. I moved to Colorado, then Fresno, then Kentucky...
Lynda called one day and said that Barbara had brain cancer. She was typical, Lynda... trusting in God, just as Barbara was.
My mom told me the funniest story once... and it was a true story. A friend of a friend's mom was visiting, and had never been to a gynecologist, and she was in her 70's or 80's... Her daughter set her up with her own gynecologist, and she went to work. When she got home she asked her mom how it went, and the mom was really upset. She said the doctor said something so rude and fresh and out of place... and her daughter asked well what did he say? the mom said, he said, "My don't we look festive?" Her daughter was shocked, so she just started asking questions. What did you do before you went??
well i took a shower... good
and I used some of your feminine hygiene spray... good, but i don't have any
yes you do
No i don't... show me what you are talking about
So the mom went into the bathroom, looked around and handed her a can of glitter hairspray. hence... "My don't we look festive?"
ok.. that's kinda iffish... but it's my blog, get your own.
My mom took 3 phone calls just to tell me she was laughing so hard. I of course told Lynda Wigren, who... told Barbara. Next thing I know (old Jed's a millionaire), I mean Lynda called and wanted to find out who it was, make sure it was true, etc because Barbara wanted to share it at Women Of Faith, and put it in her book.. which she did on both counts.
Barbara told it much better than I would ever have done.
ok this isn't about worship
This isn't about much more than an awesome and wonderful lady named Barbara Johnson that touched my heart and my life. I still smile the first of every month!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Stand In Awe / Habakkuk
besides how funny the name sounds to us, Habakkuk, is probably my favorite book of the OT, next to Psalms.
Habakkuk called himself a prophet... because of how he wrote his book is written, the thought is that he may have been a temple prophet. I Chron 25:1 says that Temple Prophets used lyres, harps & cymbals. Habakkuk may have been a Levite and singer in the temple... OK I THINK THAT IS PRETTY COOL. A singer in the temple -- it sounds familiar. There is a Rabbinic tradition that he was the son of the Shunammite woman's son who Elisha had brought to life (II Kings 4:16). But no one really knows about him. It doesn't matter, Habakkuk, is just an awesome. It encourages me.
I love the fact that he questioned God - a lot... I do the same thing. God can handle it. God can handle any emotion we bring to Him. Habakkuk asked God "how long must I call for help, and you do not listen?" WHAT? Ok i have never done that. demanding an answer from God. God told him that he was going to send the Babylonians to bring judgment... DAAAANNNNGGGGGG! that is powerful. God uses even the most "unholy" people to teach us and to judge us.
So the stage is set, Habakkuk questions God and when God answers, He passes judgment on the evil nations. At the end of the second chapter is probably the most misused scripture in the Bible... God says... "But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him." I have seen this written on the walls outside of sanctuaries, meaning be quiet in here! I have to thank Ron Keller for this, but it is true, silence has nothing to do with "worship". Ron said that the only time there is "silence" in the Bible, it is for judgment, not worship! And it is true, no where in the Bible does silence = worship... NO WHERE. So this idea that we have to be "quiet" and "formal" is just wrong. Don't get me wrong.. if you want to be formal before God.. be formal, but if you want to dance and fall prostrate and lift your hands... then do it. He is not looking at that anyway... something about your heart!
The last chapter of Habakkuk is truly amazing. Habakkuk give glory to God.. in vs 2 he says, "I stand in awe of Your deeds" When you understand that you don't know God, but learn to trust in Him... the true response is AWE. The God of all creation gave Habakkuk answers to his questions and demands. He saw God as He was, and believed that God was in charge.
To set up the ending of this blog, I have to say, the end of Chapter 3 is powerful. it gives each of us hope. Habakkuk said that no matter what happens, we should Praise God. Even if everything we are, we have, we do, we want falls apart, the answer is to rejoice in the Lord. when you are waiting for destruction and judgment and God is being Himself, what would you say? What would you do? Where would you run to? What questions would you have for God? This is why I love this book. So to close this thought Habakkuk says in chapter 3:16-19:
"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
Habakkuk called himself a prophet... because of how he wrote his book is written, the thought is that he may have been a temple prophet. I Chron 25:1 says that Temple Prophets used lyres, harps & cymbals. Habakkuk may have been a Levite and singer in the temple... OK I THINK THAT IS PRETTY COOL. A singer in the temple -- it sounds familiar. There is a Rabbinic tradition that he was the son of the Shunammite woman's son who Elisha had brought to life (II Kings 4:16). But no one really knows about him. It doesn't matter, Habakkuk, is just an awesome. It encourages me.
I love the fact that he questioned God - a lot... I do the same thing. God can handle it. God can handle any emotion we bring to Him. Habakkuk asked God "how long must I call for help, and you do not listen?" WHAT? Ok i have never done that. demanding an answer from God. God told him that he was going to send the Babylonians to bring judgment... DAAAANNNNGGGGGG! that is powerful. God uses even the most "unholy" people to teach us and to judge us.
So the stage is set, Habakkuk questions God and when God answers, He passes judgment on the evil nations. At the end of the second chapter is probably the most misused scripture in the Bible... God says... "But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him." I have seen this written on the walls outside of sanctuaries, meaning be quiet in here! I have to thank Ron Keller for this, but it is true, silence has nothing to do with "worship". Ron said that the only time there is "silence" in the Bible, it is for judgment, not worship! And it is true, no where in the Bible does silence = worship... NO WHERE. So this idea that we have to be "quiet" and "formal" is just wrong. Don't get me wrong.. if you want to be formal before God.. be formal, but if you want to dance and fall prostrate and lift your hands... then do it. He is not looking at that anyway... something about your heart!
The last chapter of Habakkuk is truly amazing. Habakkuk give glory to God.. in vs 2 he says, "I stand in awe of Your deeds" When you understand that you don't know God, but learn to trust in Him... the true response is AWE. The God of all creation gave Habakkuk answers to his questions and demands. He saw God as He was, and believed that God was in charge.
To set up the ending of this blog, I have to say, the end of Chapter 3 is powerful. it gives each of us hope. Habakkuk said that no matter what happens, we should Praise God. Even if everything we are, we have, we do, we want falls apart, the answer is to rejoice in the Lord. when you are waiting for destruction and judgment and God is being Himself, what would you say? What would you do? Where would you run to? What questions would you have for God? This is why I love this book. So to close this thought Habakkuk says in chapter 3:16-19:
"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
Friday, January 30, 2009
Stand in Awe / Isaiah
I love this phrase, but most of the time, it is just a phrase. How many people have said that they Stood in Awe of something. I have stood in disbelief, and I have stood in amazement, but in total awe...
the word awe just means that you are overwhelmed with reverence or admiration.
Have I ever really been overwhelmed? Have I ever been to the place where I couldn't think about anything else, or I couldn't function because of something I have seen or heard.
I was overwhelmed when Makkael and Tyler were born.. but that was joy. I was overwhelmed when we got the adoption papers for both Makkael and Tyler, but that was pure joy. I was ecstatic when I graduated with my master's - still not awe. I was overwhelmed when I heard that my dad had died. But that isn't awe, that is overwhelming grief. Awe is being overwhelmed and transfixed on something. You can't look away. You can't think about anything except what you are looking at or hearing.
When I think of standing in awe, i think of Isaiah 6. It is an amazing scripture that shows what standing in awe is. The amazing part is that at the sound of their voices... powerful and strong voices, that the doorposts and thresholds shook. Living in California, I have been through several earthquakes. The Whittier earthquake was pretty powerful. Cherie and I lived in a condo in Azusa at the time, and i watched the entire condo sway back and forth. It was really frightening and unnerving. At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook. There is a lot of power there.
The sign of standing in awe, is that you do feel unworthy. Unworthy of just being in God's presence. Awe can cause many reactions... fear is probably the one that I would have. To stand in God's presence is something we do every second of every day of our lives. No matter what we are doing, we are doing it in God's presence. Every thought, every decision, every idea, every tear... all in God's presence.
But Isaiah experienced the majesty and the glory... Isaiah 6:1-4 says...
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
So we stand and sing songs on Sundays, all over the world, and we sing a second song, and then we sing another. And we can't wait to sit down. And then we go home. And we return the next week, sing a song, then another.... We stand and sing and wait for a feeling, or a blessing, or to feel good or entertained. Where is the awe? Where is the power? Awe is not determined by what we DO... it is all about Who God is and WHAT HE DOES. My singing a song does not change anything in the world, but God's showing "up" with His MAJESTY and His POWER causes the world to tremble. and....
i
stand
IN AWE.
the word awe just means that you are overwhelmed with reverence or admiration.
Have I ever really been overwhelmed? Have I ever been to the place where I couldn't think about anything else, or I couldn't function because of something I have seen or heard.
I was overwhelmed when Makkael and Tyler were born.. but that was joy. I was overwhelmed when we got the adoption papers for both Makkael and Tyler, but that was pure joy. I was ecstatic when I graduated with my master's - still not awe. I was overwhelmed when I heard that my dad had died. But that isn't awe, that is overwhelming grief. Awe is being overwhelmed and transfixed on something. You can't look away. You can't think about anything except what you are looking at or hearing.
When I think of standing in awe, i think of Isaiah 6. It is an amazing scripture that shows what standing in awe is. The amazing part is that at the sound of their voices... powerful and strong voices, that the doorposts and thresholds shook. Living in California, I have been through several earthquakes. The Whittier earthquake was pretty powerful. Cherie and I lived in a condo in Azusa at the time, and i watched the entire condo sway back and forth. It was really frightening and unnerving. At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook. There is a lot of power there.
The sign of standing in awe, is that you do feel unworthy. Unworthy of just being in God's presence. Awe can cause many reactions... fear is probably the one that I would have. To stand in God's presence is something we do every second of every day of our lives. No matter what we are doing, we are doing it in God's presence. Every thought, every decision, every idea, every tear... all in God's presence.
But Isaiah experienced the majesty and the glory... Isaiah 6:1-4 says...
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
So we stand and sing songs on Sundays, all over the world, and we sing a second song, and then we sing another. And we can't wait to sit down. And then we go home. And we return the next week, sing a song, then another.... We stand and sing and wait for a feeling, or a blessing, or to feel good or entertained. Where is the awe? Where is the power? Awe is not determined by what we DO... it is all about Who God is and WHAT HE DOES. My singing a song does not change anything in the world, but God's showing "up" with His MAJESTY and His POWER causes the world to tremble. and....
i
stand
IN AWE.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Someone to Worship
It is not a new idea... but it is a great one. We were made to worship. I love that song.. Chris Tomlin, such a great songwriter, says it best... You and I were made to worship...
it is what we were made to do, but we let too many things get in the way. Life can stop a lot of "God" things. The parable of the Sower, in Matthew 13, tells it the best way. The Sower sowed his seeds... "some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Jesus explained it this way. When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
All of us have been at all of these places... It is hard to live life and not experience the hopelessness of being the path; or the rocky place where nothing seems to go right; or the thorny place where life in general just chokes us and takes our joy and give us nothing in return; or the perfect soil. The seed grows and there is a great harvest.
That being said, we have to realize that we were made to worship.. FIRST and FOREMOST. The fact that life and "things" get in the way is just reality. How can we stop this? How can we live our lives to the fullest? How can we know that we are worshiping "on earth as it is in heaven"?
Look a the life of David. He was a man after God's own heart, and yet he failed miserably. How many of us have had the husband of the person we have an affair with and get pregnant killed? How many of us have tried to cover that fact? But he was still a man after God's own heart.
David understood one thing, worship. He knew how to respond to God. He knew what to say to God. He knew how to worship. When we worship, we are giving God first place in our lives. It is more than just singing... it is breathing.
If you have let the things in your life get in the way of your honoring God, you need to turn around, go back to where you started. Realize that you need God more than anything else. It should be the first thing in the morning and last thing at night that you think about. How can you honor God more? How can you give of yourself more?
So if we were made to worship... the One that we worship is what defines us. Who we honor with our lives tells the world who we are. How we worship isn't as important to God as to why we worship. Next comes the names of God... It is also good to know the names of God in the Bible and what is said each time to and by whom. Instead of "Lord", what word is actually used.
Someone to worship is a journey. It is not just the title of this blog, it is the whole purpose of life.
it is what we were made to do, but we let too many things get in the way. Life can stop a lot of "God" things. The parable of the Sower, in Matthew 13, tells it the best way. The Sower sowed his seeds... "some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Jesus explained it this way. When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
All of us have been at all of these places... It is hard to live life and not experience the hopelessness of being the path; or the rocky place where nothing seems to go right; or the thorny place where life in general just chokes us and takes our joy and give us nothing in return; or the perfect soil. The seed grows and there is a great harvest.
That being said, we have to realize that we were made to worship.. FIRST and FOREMOST. The fact that life and "things" get in the way is just reality. How can we stop this? How can we live our lives to the fullest? How can we know that we are worshiping "on earth as it is in heaven"?
Look a the life of David. He was a man after God's own heart, and yet he failed miserably. How many of us have had the husband of the person we have an affair with and get pregnant killed? How many of us have tried to cover that fact? But he was still a man after God's own heart.
David understood one thing, worship. He knew how to respond to God. He knew what to say to God. He knew how to worship. When we worship, we are giving God first place in our lives. It is more than just singing... it is breathing.
If you have let the things in your life get in the way of your honoring God, you need to turn around, go back to where you started. Realize that you need God more than anything else. It should be the first thing in the morning and last thing at night that you think about. How can you honor God more? How can you give of yourself more?
So if we were made to worship... the One that we worship is what defines us. Who we honor with our lives tells the world who we are. How we worship isn't as important to God as to why we worship. Next comes the names of God... It is also good to know the names of God in the Bible and what is said each time to and by whom. Instead of "Lord", what word is actually used.
Someone to worship is a journey. It is not just the title of this blog, it is the whole purpose of life.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Friends make the difference
I have to say one thing about Facebook, is that it has brought many people back into my life. Which says 2 things... 1) I'm a horrible friend and 2) you are all horrible friends. hahahaha... What it does say is that we are all in the same boat. Time goes by and life gets in the way and all of a sudden it is 10 years, 20 years, 30 years...
The true test is where you pick up... a good friend is one that you leave in the middle of a sentence and when you see each other again you finish your thought. I have really good friends. I have always told my kids that your friends do help define you. The people you call friend lets everyone know what you cherish.
When I was growing up, we moved around a bit. Ministry can do things to you and your family. Dad started churches when I was young. His last ministries were in East Tennessee. He would go to a church and preach and minister. When they got to a certain number he would find someone to go and become Senior Pastor, then he'd move on. He loved it. I have to say, he was a dynamo. He never stopped. He was either making calls in people's homes, or at the hospital, or at Walmart. I told him he should be a Walmart greeter... he already was, but he'd get paid to do it if just put his resume in. He never did it. I went with him to Walmart when I was home, and it was amazing all the people knew him. It was either the churches he preached in, or just that he was a fixture at the entrance of Walmart.
I never thought twice about moving, mainly because i wasn't given a choice. Something about going with a flow comes to mind. Sometimes it was good. Sometimes it was sad. But what you leave, are friends. Friends and memories.
In the book of Acts Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, and he met the elders of Ephesus (for the last time). Friends. Co-workers. What do you say to someone that you know you will never see again? to friends that you have worked with and had spent time with and this was the last time you would see them on this side of time and space.
Paul spoke to them of his ministry with them. How he had not taken advantage of them, but worked and ministered among them. When you work in ministry with others, they become your closest friends, you become family. I have to admit that I have not taken and seized each moment I have had with friends. I have not lived all of my moments to the fullest. But Paul had definitely lived each moment to the fullest with his friends. He says in Acts 20:32-37
"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
"When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him."
To those of you that are my friends... thank you. For all the times I wasn't 100% there for you, please forgive me. For the times we had together, thank you. For all the laughs and tears... I am eternally grateful. I look forward to an eternal time with you... as if heaven was just for my personal joy. But I call you friend. And that is the greatest gift each of us can give.
The true test is where you pick up... a good friend is one that you leave in the middle of a sentence and when you see each other again you finish your thought. I have really good friends. I have always told my kids that your friends do help define you. The people you call friend lets everyone know what you cherish.
When I was growing up, we moved around a bit. Ministry can do things to you and your family. Dad started churches when I was young. His last ministries were in East Tennessee. He would go to a church and preach and minister. When they got to a certain number he would find someone to go and become Senior Pastor, then he'd move on. He loved it. I have to say, he was a dynamo. He never stopped. He was either making calls in people's homes, or at the hospital, or at Walmart. I told him he should be a Walmart greeter... he already was, but he'd get paid to do it if just put his resume in. He never did it. I went with him to Walmart when I was home, and it was amazing all the people knew him. It was either the churches he preached in, or just that he was a fixture at the entrance of Walmart.
I never thought twice about moving, mainly because i wasn't given a choice. Something about going with a flow comes to mind. Sometimes it was good. Sometimes it was sad. But what you leave, are friends. Friends and memories.
In the book of Acts Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, and he met the elders of Ephesus (for the last time). Friends. Co-workers. What do you say to someone that you know you will never see again? to friends that you have worked with and had spent time with and this was the last time you would see them on this side of time and space.
Paul spoke to them of his ministry with them. How he had not taken advantage of them, but worked and ministered among them. When you work in ministry with others, they become your closest friends, you become family. I have to admit that I have not taken and seized each moment I have had with friends. I have not lived all of my moments to the fullest. But Paul had definitely lived each moment to the fullest with his friends. He says in Acts 20:32-37
"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
"When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him."
To those of you that are my friends... thank you. For all the times I wasn't 100% there for you, please forgive me. For the times we had together, thank you. For all the laughs and tears... I am eternally grateful. I look forward to an eternal time with you... as if heaven was just for my personal joy. But I call you friend. And that is the greatest gift each of us can give.
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