tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175505155566910352024-03-13T12:25:55.231-05:00Worship HeartCriesWeekly encouragements and insights into biblical worship.Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-13166650834589115802024-01-18T18:34:00.000-06:002024-01-18T18:34:05.963-06:00 Focus: Just a few words of encouragement... <p>“Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” [Exodus 6:9]</p><p>Initially, the Israelites recognized Moses was sent from God, that God had heard their cries of suffering and was now going to lead them out of Egypt. But when Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and ask to leave, Pharaoh calls them “slackers” and increases their load of labor, requiring the same quota of bricks, but not giving them the straw to make them. Then, he has their overseers beat them because they are not “keeping up.” </p><p>The people go to Moses complaining, stating that he was the cause of their suffering. Moses goes to God, telling Him that he had obeyed, Pharaoh’s response and that the people are worse off than before. God assures Moses who “He Is” and tells the Israelites that now they will see the hand of God at work– but they cannot hear or believe because of their pain.</p><p>The pain and suffering are real. The blood from the lashes on the backs of the laborers was not an illusion. The hope of deliverance vanished in the hopelessness they saw in the situation. <b><i>When we shift our focus from the truth of who God is and His promise to the difficult circumstances we may be experiencing, we will lose hope and discouragement will come.</i></b> When we choose to focus on the truth of who God is, we are not denying the gravity of the pain, and the severity of our circumstances, but placing them into the hands of the only one who can really do anything about them. </p><p>Through trusting God amid hurt, we get to know Him in deeper and richer ways: in distress and grief, our Comforter; in confusion, our Rock and Teacher; in sickness, our Healer; in danger, our Shelter. Leaning on what s the truth of God in our circumstances builds our faith and helps us grow in Him. </p><p><i>How can we do this?</i> Here are some ways to begin: </p><p>1. Lay out your hurts and situation before the Lord in prayer. Share your honest feelings and fears, confusion, anger, and hurts to Him. </p><p>2. Recall Who God is, His great works, His love for us that sent Jesus to suffer and die for us; recall His greatness, His mercy, and grace. </p><p>3. Thank Him for Who He Is and that He has not changed. </p><p>4. Give Him, lay before His feet all these feelings, people, situations, —give them all to Him in faith. </p><p>5. Remember Jehoshaphat’s prayer when surrounded by the enemy: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” [2 Chronicles 20:12]. </p><p>6. Thank Him for what He is going to do. Wait and hope in Him. </p><p>7. Remember: You are not alone, He has promised never to leave or forsake us.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-50019330232337567902023-12-14T13:39:00.010-06:002023-12-18T21:19:23.789-06:00The Experience of Worship: God, Emotions, and Music<p style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: white;">Kathryn Steele, Ph.D., Psychology and Counseling, MAMFC, LPC-S, LMFT-S</span></span></p><p>Written by Kathryn Steele, Ph.D., Psychology and Counseling, & Edward Steele D.M.A. Church Music, Composition & Voice Concentration</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Scripture teaches that man was created in the image of God.1 The God of the Bible is described as having and expressing emotions, so an assumption of this paper is that being created in the image of God would imply that humankind, made in his image would also possess emotions.2 However, because of sin and resulting fall, that nature was corrupted and no longer reflects the nature of God as he intended, but rather is self-directed. The relationship with God who is holy was broken and his creation suffered the results of the separation. God, in his grace and mercy, provided a way to restore the relationship with himself through trusting in the work of his Son, Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection provide the ransom needed for the restoration. The apostle John referred to this as being “born again,” and becoming “children of God.” </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As a result of the broken relationship in the fall, emotional response patterns, which are created within the body, became corrupted and the expressions of those response patterns often became destructive, rather than serving as messengers to tell the individual that there is something important they need to notice. From the beginning, emotions in humankind served as messengers. For example, fear (a physiological chemical response when the limbic system senses a threat) warns the individual to prepare to fight, run, or freeze. Implied in the analogy of becoming a child of God is the idea of transformation. The corrupted emotional response patterns that were a part of the fallen nature have the promise of being transformed through conversion, with the emotions being available once again as “messengers,” fulfilling God’s original design and purpose for emotions. Just as believers possess two natures, the new redeemed nature and the old fallen nature (Romans 6:6), so the emotions of believers have similar qualities of the two. Followers of Christ can allow their emotions to serve as messengers about beliefs and behaviors, rather than “directors of belief and behavior.” Because the transformational process is a cooperative effort of the self and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13) the propensity to continue in the old emotional patterns also exists. As the believer grows in the knowledge of who God is and what he desires and grows in an obedient relationship with God, there is an increase in the ability to recognize when emotionally driven behaviors fail to reflect the truth or character of God. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Research in recent years has demonstrated that music can evoke various emotional responses. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Although researchers still debate the degree of overlap between music-evoked </span>emotions and emotions evoked in everyday life, there is now evidence that music can evoke changes in the major reaction components of emotion, including subjective feeling, physiological arousal (autonomic and endocrine changes), motoric expression of emotion (such as smiling) and action tendencies (for example, dancing, singing, playing an instrument, foot tapping and clapping, even if only covertly).3</p></blockquote><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>More recent researchers have narrowed the common emotions from eight to four: fear, anger, joy, and sadness.4 These four emotions (and the variations which express the intensity of the emotion) are all expressed in the Scriptures, by God, Jesus, and humans. Research reveals that emotions are tied to physical chemicals and patterns of response built into the brain. Emotions, like fear and anger, prepare individuals for environmental challenges. These are connected to safety, “preparing us to meet challenges encountered in the environment by adjusting the activation of the cardiovascular, skeletomuscular, neuroendocrine, and autonomic nervous system.”5 Emotions can also be driven by physiological conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, the impact of a heart attack, surgeries, lack of sleep, and the rise and fall of hormones, as well as some medications. A discussion of the emotions of God, and the emotions of humankind follow. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How does this connect with the role music plays in the individual, and specifically, in the individual at church, engaged in a worship service? Are there any necessary precautions worship leaders need to take into consideration? The purpose of this paper is to begin to draw together ideas to address these questions. </p><p><b>Emotions of God</b></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>God is Spirit and not physical, so a discussion of the emotions of God is not tied to chemicals within a physical brain, but pure and perfect reflections of his nature and character. When God created humankind in his image, he created a physical body able to produce the chemicals related to emotional responses. So that God could communicate himself to his creation, he chose to describe his actions in a way that would be comprehensible: Scripture mentions that he has thoughts, and God is mentioned as having hands, but all these are only anthropomorphisms enabling his creation to at least partially comprehend the incomprehensible. </p><p><b>Sadness</b> </p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Of the four basic emotions: sadness, joy, anger, and fear, Scripture indicates that God does not express fear since he is greater than all, and all-knowing. Scripture does give examples of God expressing sadness expressed as grief over the wickedness of his creation: “The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled” (Genesis 6:6). Isaiah states God was grieved: “Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit.” (Isaiah 63:10) and Ezekiel 6:9, “how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts.” The Apostle Paul mentions that the Holy Spirit of God can also be grieved by sinful actions: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30). Sorrow is akin to grief and perhaps the greatest biblical example is Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane: “Then he said to his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” ( Matthew 26:38). </span></p><p><b>Joy</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Nehemiah 8:10, the “joy of the Lord” is mentioned: “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength,” as does Jeremiah: “Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it’” (Jeremiah 33:9). The prophet Zephaniah expresses the joy of God toward his people with singing: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). When the seventy disciples return from the mission for which Jesus had commissioned them, he is joyful: “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do” (Luke17:13). After the discourse about the Holy Spirit, Jesus exclaims: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). In Jesus’ high priestly prayer, he again mentions his joy: ““I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” (John 17:13). The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes joy: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). </span></p><p><b>Anger</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The anger of God is a result of human actions that do not follow his perfect plans and will. In Scripture, God’s anger is linked to the holiness of his nature in reaction to that which is contrary or demeaning to it. Idolatry and evil behavior demean the character of God by actions that are in direct disobedience to what has been commanded. The anger of God is his response to the affront to his perfect holy nature and is expressed in the Old Testament by vengeance, rage, and wrath. God’s responses are usually related to his love for mankind, and knowledge as the Creator toward the destructiveness of the behaviors discussed above. The following passages are representative of the many in Scripture.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Exodus 32:9-10, God tells Moses: “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone, so that my anger can burn against them and I can destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation,” after they begin to worship the golden calf. God is angry with Balaam when he agrees to go with the messengers of Balak to curse the Israelites: “But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him (Numbers 22:22). When David was moving the ark of God to Jerusalem, God struck down Uzzah for touching the ark: “The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:7). Time and time again the Lord expressed his anger for the idolatry and false worship of his people. However, God’s anger is tempered with his mercy: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” (Micah 7:18), and Psalm 30:5: “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.” </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Incarnate Son of God also showed anger during his earthly existence. When religious leadership was more concerned with adherence to the legal systems they had devised than the needs of those around them, Jesus showed anger: “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored” (Mark 3:5). </p><p><b>Humans Emotions</b> 6</p><p><b>Anger</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Anger is an emotion that comes when a person is threatened in some form. It can also be a result of unfulfilled expectations. This is a natural response from the limbic system in the brain which God created. The limbic system is the only part of the brain that is fully developed and working from birth. It serves as a warning system of danger and threat. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If a threat is likely, the amygdala sounds the alarm to the rest of the brain that energy may need to be diverted to prepare to respond to the danger. When it appears to the amygdala there is a threat, it redirects the hypothalamus to begin producing extra cortisol and adrenaline. The sole purpose of these hormones is to motivate and produce movement in the body, shown in the response of fight or flight.7</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When a person is physically or emotionally hurt, stress hormones are released as the limbic system perceives the threat which results in one of three responses: fight (anger), flight (fear), or freeze (being overwhelmed). A common response to criticism from another person is allowing the emotion to direct behavior rather than receive the comment and evaluate the “why” of the emotional response. How one responds establishes emotional response patterns that can ignite highly defensive reactions of fight, flight, or freeze, or weighted verbal responses that are rooted in analyzing why. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For example, suppose that the worship leader receives an extremely critical email about the choice of music or a verbal attack from a member of the worship team. Physically, there is an immediate surge of the stress hormone into the system. A common response would be to immediately jump to the defense with a reply that is equally sharp [fight], delete the email, or ignore the remark [flight], or to freeze in confusion. If the individual has poor emotional health, and self worth is based on personal performance rather than rooted in what Christ has done in his or her life, one of the above responses is likely. The emotional response of fight (anger) in the person’s life may become a pattern of response when similar situations are experienced. An emotionally healthy person is prepared to step back, remember that personal worth is not determined by other people, and evaluate the comments to see if there is some kernel truth they need to own, remembering everyone has personal limits and areas for growth. The emotionally healthy individual also recognizes how family and past experiences have influenced their perspective.</p><p><b>Fear</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Using the same example: the worship leader receives an extremely critical email about the choice of music or a verbal attack from a member of the worship team. Physically, there is an immediate surge of the stress hormone in the system. A common response might be to have a fear (flee) response. The worship leader decides it is time to move on to another church and actively searches for positions in other churches. Each time he receives criticism, his response is to flee.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fear often expresses itself as insecurity, crippling the desire to act and hampering positive relationships with others. The source of fear may be an early childhood trauma such as being constantly criticized or experiencing repeated failure and embarrassment. Directly or indirectly the message received is “warning: failure ahead!” Self-worth, based on personal performance rather than being rooted in one’s identity in Christ, leaves the individual with no defense to counter the message. Attempts are made to “prove others wrong” by overworking, or striving for perfection to substantiate their sense of self-worth. While achievements gained in this way might address the inward feelings, the results are temporary and the person lives in the tension of a failure that may destroy his or her sense of self-worth. Only by the realization that one’s value and worth are based on what Christ has done can the insecurity be mastered as expressed in good emotional health. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Another type of fear is discussed in Scripture: fear of God. When admonished to fear God, the intent is one of awe, wonder, reverence, and respect. When speaking of the fear of God in this sense, the emotions created are awe and wonder, and these lead to a response of reverence and respect. Fearing God in this sense is always appropriate and is commanded in Scripture: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding ” (Proverbs 9:10).</p><p><b>Sadness</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The writers of Scripture also approached God in humility, contrition, a broken spirit, seeking his mercy and grace: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18) and Isaiah 66:2: “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?' declares the Lord. 'These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit and who tremble at my word.'” </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Unfulfilled expectations can not only result in anger but also disappointment and sadness, a sense of loss. The loss of a family member or friend, broken relationships, and other tragedies can result in emotional pain and loss. Attempts to hide grief and loss only delay the ultimate result and can begin to manifest themselves in other ways. A person’s family history provides the most basic model for how grief and loss are handled. If stoic responses were the norm in a person’s family while growing up, the individual would most likely close those emotions of loss in the closet of the mind and pretend that all is ok. Unfortunately, after time the weight of failing to process the loss will manifest itself in other ways. </p><p><b>Awe </b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Scripture is replete with multiple expressions of emotions related to the worship of God. Perhaps the most common expression of emotion as the people of God approached God to worship was that of awe. Awe is related to joy and surprise but in a much greater way. Throughout the Bible, men and women were overwhelmed with the greatness and power of the Creator and Lord of the universe. Not only did people respond in awe, but Scripture also commanded them to fear and reverence God, which was the beginning of wisdom. In the culmination of all things, myriads of believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation will bow in awe and holy reverence to the Son of God and give him glory. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The believer not only expresses reverential awe to God but also a desire and longing to know him more. The image of desiring God as one longs for water in the desert reflects deep emotion for wanting to know God: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2). As the psalmist meditated on God and his works, the emotion of joy expressed itself through gratitude for all that God had done would overflow into praise for his nature and character. Psalm 100 encapsulates this idea:</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Worship the Lord with gladness;</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>come before him with joyful songs.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Know that the Lord is God.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It is he who made us, and we are his[a];</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Enter his gates with thanksgiving</span></p><p> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and his courts with praise;</p><p> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>give thanks to him and praise his name.</p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;</span></p><p> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>his faithfulness continues through all generations.</p><p><b>Love</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Because of the common cultural misconception of love as an emotion, a discussion of love as it is understood in Scripture is necessary. The term in Hebrew for God’s faithful love, loyal, or everlasting love, is <i>chesed</i>, however, no one English word or phrase can fully encapsulate the depth and richness of its meaning. “When ‘loyal love’ (<i>chesed</i>) is used about people, it represents a type of fidelity or loyalty that leads to action.”8 In the New Testament, the term <i>agapē</i> can refer to: God’s love (Luke 11:42; John 5:42; Rom 5:8; Jude 1:21), a person’s love for God (Rev 2:4), or love for one another (Rom 13:10; Gal 5:13).9 The Greek <i>agape</i> translated as love, describes a giving and sacrificial love that is not dependent on a positive response of its receiver, nor is it dependent on an emotion. Agape love is a choice. “Love” that fails to respond in action cannot be truly called biblical love. The love of God is not dependent on the ability of the recipient to return love in kind, it is part of the essence of his very nature and character. When the relationship with God is restored by accepting the work of reconciliation through the death of Christ, biblical love becomes a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the individual, “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). </span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>However, in the present Western culture, “love” has been reduced to an emotional response, measured by how one person makes another “feel” connected. The sense of connection is somewhat complex because it is actually a sense of “connection” with the other person that is felt. That is a chemical response generated by the body. Research has shown that about 40,000 neuron cells are in the heart. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>These cells release noradrenaline and dopamine neurotransmitters, once thought to <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>be produced only by neurons in the CNS. More recently, it was discovered that the heart also secretes oxytocin, commonly referred to as the ‘love’ or bonding hormone. In addition to its functions in childbirth and lactation, recent evidence indicates that this hormone is also involved in cognition, tolerance, adaptation, complex sexual and maternal behaviours, learning social cues and the establishment of enduring pair bonds.10<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This sense of connection is generated by those chemicals and is key to creating the lasting bonds of marriage. However, various factors influence maintaining the sense of connection. These factors are not “emotions” but rather spring from behaviors that cultivate the ongoing creation of oxytocin. “Feeling connection” by the creation of oxytocin does not always protect an individual from making a mistake in their choice to marry someone. It is critical that the cultural use of the word “love” not be confused with the biblical understanding and use of the term. </p><p><b>Worship and Emotional Experience</b></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>After a general understanding of God’s emotions, and human emotions, the question of how emotions relate to worship? In worship, the believer approaches the throne of grace with awe and wonder in the realization of the greatness of who God is, and the wonder of the mercy and love that provides the way for the Holy One to be approached. In response, the believer moves, in humility, from sorrow and repentance to meditating on the enormous cost of sin involved in redemption. In contemplating the magnitude of the love of God, sorrow is transformed into gratitude, and from gratitude to an overflowing joy and peace from the Holy Spirit. Out of these responses comes a commitment to obedience and growth in the wisdom and knowledge of God and the relationship with him. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In studying the progression above a central truth emerges: the believer’s response is always in relationship to God, not from focusing on self. The goal of approaching God in humility is not peace or joy, but a response to understanding Who God is to deepen the relationship. Love, joy, peace, and obedience are natural byproducts of the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer from worshiping in spirit and in truth. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...;” the issue comes in human attempts to produce that which only the Spirit can rightly give. Such attempts only lead to moving the focus away from God to self and trying to manufacture fruit. Self-orchestrated or self-directed emotional responses are like the Turkish Delight from the White Witch in Lewis’ <i>Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe</i>, a fleeting taste of what might have been that evaporates into unfulfilled longing. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To better understand what is occurring in self-directed emotional response, it is necessary to look at what happens physiologically in the human body:</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Scientists have shown how certain practices of music—such as a congregation singing the <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>doxology at full volume—evoke “neural activation that is shared among listeners in key emotion areas such as the amygdala, insula, and caudate nucleus.” These experiences create a surge of endorphins and a release of oxytocin, resulting in a heightened sense of “fellow feeling,” a deepening of “social bonds,” a loss of self-protective “boundaries,” and an increased sense of “feeling felt by another”—which is to say, an increased sense of empathy. In terms of the scientific theory of “Hebb’s axiom,” neurons that fire together wire together, and a people who sing together experience a wiring together of their neural networks. They become tethered to one another in neurological and physiological ways, not just in affective or relational ways.11</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The act of singing together as a congregation, fully engaged in this act of worship produces chemicals in the body that produce “heightened” feelings. Not only this but music can be linked to past experiences and attach themselves to that music: “The relationship between music and memory is compelling. Songs from the past can stir powerful emotions and memories. It’s an experience almost everybody can relate to: hear a piece of music from decades ago, and you are transported back to a particular moment in time, like stepping into a time machine. You can feel everything very strongly as if you were actually there.”12 Songs linked to meaningful experiences from the past can release chemicals in the brain that produce feelings of pleasure, which might help explain why one generation fails to relate to each other’s musical preferences: they do not have shared meaningful experiences related to each others’ music and the feelings tied to the memories do not exist. This is not to minimize the significance of that experience, reducing it to only chemical reactions in the body, but to realize how the body responds and how strong memories are established by them. Neither does this understanding of how the body works minimize the role of the Holy Spirit’s working, but only explains what is happening physically. God, who created the human body is well able to use every cell for his will and purpose. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Understanding how the body responds in the varied worship experiences leads to the realization of at least two dangers: First, the danger of manipulation on the part of the worship leader to use the music to produce a desired experience.13 Such mapping out the music to obtain the experience desired could be confused with the work of the Holy Spirit. “Rather than a worship leader seeing the crowd’s emotional response–raised hand, closed eyes, or tears–as a sign of successful set, ...the thoughtful shepherd will use what he calls the ‘emotional contours of the gospel’ (‘the glory of God,’ ‘the gravity of sin,’ and ‘the greatness of grace’) to shape musical worship and avoid manipulation.”14 The effectiveness of worship is not in the experience, but in the obedience to God as a result of the worship.</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A second danger is that the experience in worship is so strong that the focus for the individual becomes the desire to repeat the experience and confusing the feelings that were experienced with biblical worship which centers itself in God. This is like the father who had a habit of bringing a gift to his children every time he was away on a business trip. Eventually, the children become more excited about the gift than the return of the father. The experience for some in worship becomes more about repeating the felt experience than focusing on the greatness of who God is and what he has done, resulting in measuring the depth of worship by whether or not the experience had been repeated. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Not all individuals will experience worship in the same manner, so measuring the worship experience of others to one’s own experience is unreliable. Jesus did not heal all the people the same way; to some he touched, to one he made mud out of his spittle and rubbed it into the person's eyes, and to some, he only spoke the word. The key lesson here is that the focus must be on Jesus, not the method. Not all experiences will and should be the same and the measure of the validity of the experience is not left to personal feelings, but that the center and focus of the experience is God. Dependence on an expected experience as the measure of worship is another form of idolatry.</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Some other driving forces in self-orchestrated emotional response are (1) the desire or motivation to focus attention on those leading or facilitating worship, (2) the lack of understanding of what biblical worship is, (3) the lack of preparation of those leading and of the individuals worshiping, and (4) misuse of the elements used in worship, such as the music used. The remainder of this paper will address these issues. </p><p><b>Misguided Attention</b> </p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The worship leader or facilitator who does not have good emotional health is more at risk of failing to see the signs that his or her motivations are rooted in a deep desire for approval or an attempt to earn worth as a leader, rather than understanding that personal worth is a result of what Christ has done in the life of the individual. A failure to understand this basic truth can lead to ongoing attempts to prove oneself as good, acceptable, or even better than others. Only by recognizing this motivation, confessing it before God, and accepting the fact that acceptance is not earned, but only given as an act of grace can the process of reorientation of self-worth begin. </span></p><p><b>Lack of Understanding Biblical Worship</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One of the results of the worship wars of previous decades and the controversy that has continued was the tendency to define worship by personal tastes rather than by biblical understanding. Here is a brief summary of what a biblical understanding of worship involves: (1) God is the center and focus of all worship. (2) Worship activities focus on the nature, character, and acts of God, including God plan of redemption and consummation of his work. (3) Corporate worship is realized by the Body of Christ, and not for entertainment of the Body. (4) All activities related to worship must be consistent with the teaching of Scripture. Discipleship is incomplete if a biblical understanding of worship is not a part of the process.15 </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Those responsible for facilitating worship should have a strong biblical understanding and personal practice of worship, otherwise, they will be ill-equipped to facilitate worship for the congregation. While the skill of playing or accompanying an instrument is crucial and the ability to lead a group or have strong skills in working with people is necessary, without the personal spiritual depth and emotional health the leader limits himself or herself in attempts to copy what others have done. The leader cannot take someone where they have not been. Formal training in worship leadership is vital and this education is a lifelong process. Just as doctors are required to continue their education to remain proficient in their practice, those in worship leadership should be no less committed to continued learning. The worship leader whose only time of worship happens in front of the congregation is robbed of the personal preparation necessary to lead worship. Many times the rush of Sunday morning preparation supplants time for the worship group to spend time in the presence of the Father. It is easy for there to be more concern about smooth transitions than the transparency of motivation and placing all before God in prayer. </p><p><b>Lack of Preparation</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Great care is needed in planning the various elements of corporate worship: readings, prayers, music, and preaching. The public reading of Scripture must be done well, appropriate for the service, and read expressively. Those who lead in public prayer need to know ahead of time, rather than be surprised when asked to pray. Those leading should be those whose public prayer life is an outgrowth of a vital private prayer life. Much has been written on sermon preparation, and that topic goes beyond the goal of this writing. While planning is not wrong in and of itself, a weakness lies in making emotional experiences the goal and using music to manipulate them to achieve it.</span></p><p><b>Role of Music </b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Music is a powerful tool to teach and meditate on God, to adore him, and to allow individuals to participate in unified expressions of praise by congregations. Ranging from joy to lament, emotions can and should be expressed through the songs used in worship. Research indicates when an individual verbalizes emotions (even in song), the frontal cortex is stimulated to send a calming chemical to the limbic system to lower strong negative emotions.16 The more informed leaders of worship and worshippers begin to understand and evaluate their emotional responses and deepen their understanding of biblical worship, the more they will experience character transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit. The growth in this understanding can aid in responding to a culture that seems to be addicted to the Turkish Delights of worship that focuses on positive personal feelings rather than biblical truth. This trend in the church has taken years to develop and will not be changed overnight. Biblical worship is expressed in biblical emotional response and obedience. Biblical emotional response in worship leads to obedience because it is focused on God and not on the self. The key is avoiding contrived attempts to produce the fruit through the music that only the Spirit can produce. Addressing the issue is extremely complex and there are no quick fixes or magic bullets to solve the problems. The following are some considerations for a solution:</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1. Commitment to discipleship that includes a biblical understanding and practice of worship.17</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2. Teaching how to recognize when the focus of worship is on experience rather than the person of God.18</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3. Commitment to spiritual growth and working on personal emotional health, such as being before doing, embracing limits, accepting grief and loss, breaking the power of the past, leading out of vulnerability, and making love the measure of maturity.19</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>4. Training in worship leadership and worship planning that facilitates worship born out of emotional health rather than attempts to produce an emotional response.20 </span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5. Training in planning worship from a biblical understanding of worship which is reflected in the elements of the worship service.21</span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6. Regular review and evaluation, realizing that lasting change is a marathon and not a sprint. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p>Endnotes</p><p>1. Anthony Hoekema provides a scholarly, yet accessible explanation of this subject in his <i>Created in God’s Image</i>.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/articles/created-in-gods-image-2/ .</p><p>2. David Eckman and Kimberly Grassi’s Theology of Emotions: How to Minister to Our Emotions, (Pleasanton, CA: Becoming What God Intended Ministries, 2005), 10-11.</p><p>3. Stefan Koelsch, “Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions” in <i>Reviews: Neuroscience</i>. 170 | March 2014 | Volume 15 Macmillan Publishers Limited. Access June 29, 2023, https://www.nature.com/reviews/neuro.</p><p>4. R. Jack, O. Garrod, and P. Schyns, (2014). “Dynamic facial expressions of emotion transmit an evolving hierarchy of signals over time.” Curr. Biol. 24 187–192. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.11.064, Accessed 23 November 2023, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24388852/.</p><p>5. Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs Web Page Resources “The Neurobiology of Reactions to Stress: Fight or Flight, Then Freeze,” Oct 2016. Accessed November 22, 2023, https://www.wcsap.org/resources/publications/tips-guides/youth-advocacy-therapy-tips/neurobiology-reactions-stress.</p><p>6. “The website “Good, Good, Good” gives a list of more than 544 emotion words that are descriptive of different intensities of the four primary emotions, but due to the limitations of this paper, the authors will continue to use the four primary emotions of anger, fear, joy, and sadness: Good, Good, Good.” Accessed November 23, 2023, https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/list-of-emotions.</p><p>7. Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs Web Page Resources “The Neurobiology of Reactions to Stress: Fight or Flight, Then Freeze,” Oct 2016. Accessed November 22, 2023, https://www.wcsap.org/resources/publications/tips-guides/youth-advocacy-therapy-tips/neurobiology-reactions-stress.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>8. Benjamin I. Simpson, 2016. “Love.” In <i>The Lexham Bible Dictionary</i>, edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.</p><p>9. Ibid.</p><p>10. M. Cantin and J. Genest (1986), “The heart as an endocrine gland,”<i> Clinical and Investigative Medicine</i>; 9(4): 319-327. Accessed November 22, 2023, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3026709/.</p><p>11. W. David O. Taylor, Accessed August 29, 2023, https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-webonly/worship-church-music-hymns-brains-bonds-together.html. </p><p>12. Dennis Beentjes & Robin Reumers, Accessed 15 November, 2023, https://abbeyroadinstitute.nl/blog/emotion-in-music-giving-you-the-chills/.</p><p>13. Such could be by the use of rhythmic drive, tempo, volume, staged movements, repetition, pace, etc. While these are common elements in music, the difference would be that the purpose of such use is to initiate a given response.</p><p>14. Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, “Worship Music Is Emotionally Manipulative. Do You Trust the Leader Plucking the Strings?” <i>Christianity Today</i>, Accessed November 20, 2023, http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/may-web-only/worship-music-emotionally-manipulative-leader-hillsong.html. </p><p>15. A more detailed discussion on these issues is found in Ed Steele, <i>Worship HeartCries: Personal Preparation for Corporate Worship,</i> North Charleston, SC: CreateSpace, 2016, IBSN 9781530373574.</p><p>16. University of California - Los Angeles. "Putting Feelings Into Words Produces Therapeutic Effects In The Brain." <i>ScienceDaily</i>. accessed November 28, 2023, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070622090727.htm.</p><p>17. For more help: Ed Steele. <i>Worship HeartCries: Personal Preparation for Corporate Worship</i>, North Charleston, SC: CreateSpace, IBSN 9781530373574.</p><p>18. One method would be to ask oneself: “By what measure am I determining what is worship and how am I measuring if I have worshiped? By feelings? By fresh recognition of who God is and what he has done?</p><p>19. For more help: Pete Scazzero. <i>Emotionally Healthy Discipleship</i>. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021. IBSN: 978-0-310-10948-8.</p><p>20. For more help: Pete Scazzero. <i>The Emotionally Healthy Leader.</i> Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015. IBSN: 978-0-310-49457-7.</p><p>21. Michael Sharp and Argile Smith. <i>Holy Gatherings: A Leader’s Guide for Engaging the Congregation in Corporate Worship</i>. Denver, CO: Outskirts Press, 2009.</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Selected Bibliography</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;">Beentjes, Dennis and Robin Reumers. ‘Accessed November 15, 2023. https://abbeyroadinstitute.nl/blog/emotion-in-music-giving-you-the-chills/.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>Cantin, M. and Genest J. (1986), The heart as an endocrine gland, <i>Clinical and Investigative Medicine</i>; 9(4): 319-327. November 23, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3026709/.</p><p>Good, Good, Good. Accessed November 23, 2023. https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/list-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>of-emotions.</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>Hoekema, Anthony. Created in God’s Image. https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/articles/created-in-gods-image-2/. </p><p><span style="white-space: normal;">Jack, R., O Garrod, and P. Schyns. (2014). “Dynamic facial expressions of emotion transmit an evolving hierarchy of signals over time.” Curr. Biol. 24 187–192. DOI: <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>10.1016/j.cub.2013.11.064 Accessed November 23, 2023. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24388852/.</span></p><p>Koelsch, Stefan. “Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions” in <i>Reviews: Neuroscience</i>. 170 | March 2014 | Volume 15 Macmillan Publishers Limited. Accessed June 29, 2023. https://www.nature.com/reviews/neuro. </p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;">McGinnis, Kelsey Kramer. “Worship Music Is Emotionally Manipulative. Do You Trust the Leader Plucking the Strings?” <i>Christianity Today</i>, Accessed November 20, 2023. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/may-web-only/worship-music-emotionally-manipulative-leader-hillsong.html. </span></p><p>Scazzero, Pete. <i>Emotionally Healthy Discipleship</i>. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021.</p><p>________. The <i>Emotionally Healthy Leader</i>. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015.</p><p>Sharp, Michael and Argile Smith.<i> Holy Gatherings: A Leader’s Guide for Engaging the Congregation in Corporate Worship</i>. Denver, CO: Outskirts Press, 2009.</p><p>Simpson, Benjamin I. 2016. “Love.” In <i>The Lexham Bible Dictionary</i>, edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstei, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.</p><p>Steele, Ed. <i>Worship HeartCries: Personal Preparation for Corporate Worship,</i> North Charleston, <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>SC: CreateSpace, 2016.</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;">Taylor, W. David O. Accessed August 29, 2023.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-webonly/worship-church-music-hymns-</span>brains-bonds-together.html. </p><p>Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs Web Page Resources “The Neurobiology of Reactions to Stress: Fight or Flight, Then Freeze,” Oct 2016. Accessed November 22, 2023. https://www.wcsap.org/resources/publications/tips-guides/youth-advocacy-therapy-tips/neurobiology-reactions-stress.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </p><p><br /></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-70883758491638498612023-09-28T09:19:00.001-05:002023-09-28T09:19:52.692-05:00 Thoughts on Prayer and Social Media…<p>Many times I have asked for prayer, some for others in need, illnesses, sometimes personal or family issues and I am always so grateful for the many that chose to join me. Many requests come through Social Media and I join in praying for many of these. </p><p>Recently, I have been thinking about prayer and <i><b>why</b></i> do I ask for others to join me? <i>Would God, Creator of the Universe and the King of kings and Lord of lords not hear the pleas of just one of His children?</i> Of course He does! As we pray in faith and in line with His will, God promises to hear. When we share these requests with others; we desire other to share this burden or ours, — sometimes we need clarity, we feel weak, helpless, or facing overwhelming issues and we cry out for others to come along side, to pray with us. </p><p>Sometimes, we are not clear what direction to take, or what God’s will is. We want God’s will, and we want God to address our need. To be sure, God will address our need, our request: Sometimes it is yes, sometimes it is no, and sometimes it is to wait. </p><p>As we ask other to join us, it is not to try to convince an unwilling God to do what we want. God is not waiting until we have a great numbers of “Likes” and “Emojis” before He will act. When we join together in prayer, we are joining together in seeking the will of a Loving Father, aligning our wills and desires to His. Our pleas are not an attempt to amass so many prayer warriors so that “God will” do what we ask. In asking others to join, we are presenting our needs, but at the same time aligning our will to His will. Remember Jesus’ prayer in the garden: “<i>Let this cup pass, but not my will, but Yours be done.” </i></p><p>Nothing we have done makes us worthy of our Holy God to answer; He does so out of His love, mercy, and grace– Who He is. We come to Him in faith, depending on His nature and character. [<i>For some, asking others to join us might be motivated from a lack of faith, and inviting others could be for “helping us in our unbelief,” as the father pleaded with Jesus when the disciples could not heal his son</i>.] Our faith is only as strong as the object of our faith: if our faith if based on how we feel, then our faith ultimately resides in us. </p><p>However, if the object of our faith is based in the nature and character of God, then we are trusting in the only One that can make a difference. We must always remember, that [1] God is in control, [2] God loves us {think of the cross}, [3] God has a plan for our lives, and [4] we can trust God. </p><p>These are just a few thoughts “to chew on” as we pray and as we ask others to join us. Much more could be said, I am only sharing a few.</p><p>Blessings!</p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-58726333253622932052023-08-29T09:23:00.002-05:002023-08-29T09:23:57.431-05:00 Lamentations 3:19-24 Helpful thoughts<p>Traditionally Lamentations was written by Jeremiah not long after Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed Jerusalem, the Temple and carried most of the inhabitants into exile, leaving only the poorest there. The book is comprised of 5 songs of grief and lament about the state of the land and its people, written in acrostic form using the letters of the Hebrew alphabet to begin each verse. Song 3 is the highpoint, where grief is mixed with the hope in God’s character.</p><p><b>Lamentations 3:19-24:</b></p><p><i>{ז Zayin}19 Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. 20 I continually remember them and have become depressed. 21 Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: {ח Khet}22 Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! 24 I say: The Lord is my portion, I will put my hope in Him</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Helpful Thoughts</b></p><p>1. When we choose to focus on the bad, we will become bitter and depressed; we can choose to change our focus by asking ourselves “What is God’s truth in the situation?” [i.e. God is still in control, God loves me, God has a plan...]</p><p>2. Meditation on God’s nature and character reminds us of His faithful love, mercy, and compassion. God always is in control. </p><p>3. We can never exhaust the supply of God’s love and faithfulness; they are new every morning!</p><p>4. In the midst of his difficult situation, Jeremiah wrote out his feelings; he did not try to hide them and then shared them back to God in prayer. This is a great model for us as well; name your feelings and share with the Father. He already knows, but naming them helps us to process and trust them to Him.</p><p>5. God uses the difficulties and hardships, even those that are a result of our own poor choices to train and shape us into what He desires. God does not waste our sorrows and tears.</p><p>6. God does not delight in the suffering of His children. He is not distant, but near us and in us by His Holy Spirit. His faithful love, mercy, and grace are always there. </p><p>7. As we learn to “seek Him first,” we learn that “He is our portion” and all we need. Remember the Cross.</p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-82387898236864932382023-07-31T09:33:00.003-05:002023-07-31T09:47:09.093-05:00Worship Interest Survey<p> </p><p>This fall Kathy & I will be teaching a doctoral seminar in which we will be investigating (by using a survey) what elements of worship are people consider essential to sense that they have worshipped. If you are willing to help me, please complete the survey within the next two weeks The survey is anonymous. The first part is information about the survey and our research, and a link to the survey follows. If you have any questions, please let me know. Below is some information and FAQs to answer questions you might have. Thank you for your help!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Study title: </b>Worship Interest Survey</span></p><p><b>Researchers: </b>Drs. Ed & Kathy Steele, NOBTS DMA Seminar Participants</p><p>We’re inviting you to participate in a research study. Participation is completely voluntary. If you agree to participate now, you can change your mind later. There are no negative consequences, whatever you decide.</p><p><b>What is the purpose of this study? </b>We are seeking to understand what elements of worship contribute most to your sense of having worshipped during a worship service.</p><p><b>What will I do?</b> The survey will take 10-20 minutes to complete. You will answer questions about yourself such as your age, and about the history and frequency of attendance to worship services during your childhood until now. You will be asked to rate various activities that might be included in a worship service to tell us how essential each activity is to you.</p><p><b>Risks </b>Some questions may be personal or upsetting. If you find any of these questions upsetting, feel free to stop the survey.</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Other Study Information</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Possible benefits:</b> You may become more aware of worship elements and how they impact you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Estimated number of participants:</b> 350</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>How long will it take?</b> 10 to 20 minutes</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Costs</b>: None</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Compensation: </b>None</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>If I don’t want to be in this study, are there other options?</b> You may simply choose to not complete or turn in the survey.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Future research:</b> The survey does not collect any identifying information, and information identifying your church will be removed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Data Security</b><br /><b>What identifying information will be collected and why?</b> We will collect the name of your church, city and state, as well as the name of your denomination. This information will help the researchers to better understand the worship experience of the participants.<br /><b>How long will my data be kept?</b> The individual surveys will be kept electronically until the DMA seminar is completed (December 2023). Then only the compiled information will be retained.<br /><b>How is data kept secure? </b> Data is anonymous. We’ll store all electronic data on a password-protected, encrypted computer. We’ll store all paper data only until it is transferred to a digital format.<br /><b>Who might see my data and why?</b> The researchers, and those involved in analyzation of the data. We plan to share our findings in publications or presentations. You will not be identified by name, nor will your church be identified by name.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>For questions about the research, problems, or related issues:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Dr. Ed Steele: Ed.KathySteele@gmail.com Dr. Kathy Steele: DrKathy.Steele@gmail.com </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />Consent: </b><br />If you want to participate in this study, you may now follow the link below to complete the survey. By completing the survey, you consent to participate in this research. Remember, your participation is completely voluntary, and you’re free to withdraw from the study at any time.</div><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6XBHYKD" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Worship Interest Survey</span></a> </p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-45388051822555443832023-05-10T14:17:00.002-05:002023-05-10T14:25:53.630-05:00 Did We Really Let That Fall Through the Cracks?<p>Worship leadership has a lot to do: planning and rehearsal the sets, working with the tech crew, working with the Pastor and others on the pastoral staff, not to mention, family, and one’s personal spiritual life. Criticisms abound and it seems like we just can’t add any more plates to keep spinning. Got that. Sometimes we really do need to stop and make sure we’re not just keeping the machine running, but that we are following biblical instructions. [<i>Cue the picture of the Daddy madly assembling a Christmas toy 11:00 pm before Christmas morning and too busy to look at the instruction sheet.</i>]</p><p>One thing that seems to fall through the cracks in the midst of our work can be found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians: </p><p><i>“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.</i>” [Col. 3:16]</p><p>You will remember that Paul generally starts his letters with theological concerns and then transitions to practical applications in the latter part. Chapter 3 seems to begin this latter part with some specific instructions that are for all believers. Perhaps because it was directed to all believers, worship leaders might not have had the focus that the passage deserves. Here is a quick summary:</p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>The what</i>:</b> that God’s Word become central to all we are and do.<br /><b><i>The where</i>: </b>in us, in our minds and hearts <br /><b><i>The how</i>:</b> as we teach [as we give instruction by word and deed] and admonish [giving warning and encouragement to remain in what the Word teaches]<br /><b><i>The how of that</i></b>: with all wisdom, that is, seeing and living from God’s viewpoint.<br /><b>AND<br /></b><i><b>[how] </b></i>as we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs<br /><b><i>[how]</i></b> with gratitude in our hearts<br /><b><i>[to whom]</i></b> to God. <br /><b><i>When:</i></b> implied all the time, whenever we sing.</div><p>I would encourage everyone to study Paul letter and especially chapter 3; however, this will not be an in depth study. Let this serve more as a broad review. Much has been written about the “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,” so rather than try to divide songs into categories, it is better to think of this as a grouping that encompasses all songs used in worship. </p><p>[<i>In practice, these weren’t strict categories, since the use of “hymns” sometimes was a psalm, as when Jesus sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives after the Lord’s Supper. Psalms from the Great Hallel were sung at that time during Passover and some scholars believe that Jesus sung Psalm 118; one of the verses is “this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it,” which gives deeper meaning the supper since it preceded His death.</i>]</p><p>The greater focus should be not the categories, but focusing all of what we sing in the teaching of God’s Word with wisdom. Here are some ways that we can do that:</p><p><b>1. Review the text of the songs</b> to be used in worship and write a brief summary of what is taught and how it is consistent with biblical truth. <i>How can we do that?</i> Keep reading.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2. Indicate what is being taught about God</b>, what aspect of His nature and character is highlighted, examining if what is there is consistent with that teaching throughout Scripture. Indicate where the teaching fits in the overall teachings of Scripture: <br /><i>+Does it highlight God the Father, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit? <br /></i><i>+Is the focus on Scripture itself and the truth of Scripture as the Word of God? </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>+Does it teach about the church as the Body of Christ, or what the Body of Christ is to do or how to live? </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>+Is it directed to God or to the Body of Christ? </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>+Is it more of a personal testimony? </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>+Are the texts commands to praise directed to the congregation, or praise directed toward God?</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;">It is important that we can actually view the various categories by song. [Some songs may cover more than one category, then, the would fit in both. Dr. Constance Cherry’s <i>The Music Architect</i>, has an excellent chart in helping assessing the canon of song you are using in your church.]</div><p><b>3. Review what you have written down</b>. Analyzing what categories are given the most emphasis helps us see not only<i> what we are</i> teaching, but <i>what we are not</i>. Obviously, we cannot cover every area in every service, but over time we should be covering the others as we strive to relate the songs to the Word being preached. Praising God for who He is and what He has done is important and should be a part of every worship service. At the same time, we cannot neglect teaching the whole of the Word of Christ. At the very least, we should be doing the review everyone month. Many pastors have an evaluation time with staff to see how things are going; having the review ready for these meetings will show not only what has been done, but that there is specific intention in the worship planning to be comprehensive. </p><p>I pray that we all would become more aware and intentional about putting the Word of Christ in the hearts and minds of the congregation in all we sing!</p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-90523746117296912532023-05-02T15:05:00.001-05:002023-05-02T15:06:09.476-05:00 Please join me in prayer for the upcoming meeting of the SBC in New Orleans:<h3 style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Father, we thank You and praise You for Who You are<br /> and for the gracious gift of a relationship with You through Christ Jesus, Your Son.<br />We pray Jesus’ prayer that we would be “one as He and the Father” are one;<br />We pray that our agenda would be repentance, brokenness, and weeping for our sins;<br />We <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>pray that we would not shred the body of Christ in the name of being right while seeking to build power and recognition for ourselves;<br /> We pray that we do would not fight over being “reformed” or not but that we would cry out to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in You and Your Word;<br />We pray that we would be more concerned about Your glory than “my rights;”<br /> We pray that our tongues would be filled with Your praise and sharing Who You are;<br />We pray that the world would see Your love so expressed to each other that it would draw them to Your Son;<br />We pray that You would grant us the boldness to continue to carry Your gospel to the whole world,<br />for Your glory and Your Honor<br />In Jesus’ Name<br />Amen.</h3><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; 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box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 1.3333em; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><div class="x9f619 x1ja2u2z xzpqnlu x1hyvwdk xjm9jq1 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x10l6tqk x1i1rx1s" style="box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; width: 1px; z-index: 0;">All reactions:</div><span aria-hidden="true" class="xrbpyxo x6ikm8r x10wlt62 xlyipyv x1exxlbk" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; width: 100px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="xt0b8zv x1e558r4" style="font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px;">95</span></span></span><span class="xt0b8zv x1jx94hy xrbpyxo xl423tq" style="background-color: var(--card-background); float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-left: -100px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px;">Kathy Scogin Eudy, Marvina Perez Hooper and 93 others</span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px;"><br /></span></span></div></div></span></div></div><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #65676b; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-17405572083011762882022-07-08T08:26:00.002-05:002022-07-08T08:26:39.514-05:00A Neglected Part of Worship Leadership<p> Yes, there are many neglected parts of worship leadership, but here is one that we may not hear much about because it touches an area that we can conveniently allow to slide by and ignore. [<i>I am indebted to Dr. Jessica McMillan for the genesis of these thoughts when she was asked in an interview for faculty her thoughts on a call to ministry and worship leadership. Her response has stuck with me since that day: “First, I am called to make disciples.” What follows is some thoughts her response has spurred in me.</i>]</p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Bypassing Discipleship</b><br />I have no doubt that God called me into the worship leadership roles that I have had, however, my first and foremost calling is that to be and make disciples. The Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion, but a command for all believers. Leading worship is not a substitute for it. Making disciples is more than just proclamation, though it certainly includes it. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><p>To make disciples we first must be one– a follower of Christ who is growing daily in an intimate relationship with God and His Word. There are no substitutes for quality time in the study and application of God’s Word and allowing His Holy Spirit to mold us into what He desires. Because there are many good resources in this area, I am going to move on to making disciples. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Great Commission</b><br />Matthew’s account in 28:18-20 lays the foundation for what all believers are called to do: “<i>Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’</i>” </div><p>I’m sure you have heard some powerful messages on this passage, so I just want to highlight a few points. [1] Jesus has the authority to command and expect obedience. [2] The word “go” here is better translated, “as you go;” the command is to make disciples. [3] the implication is that they must first hear, understand, and respond to the Good News of what Christ has done and then baptize them, that outward sign of inward change and a new life and identification with Christ. We also must continue working with them by teaching them what Christ taught and how to obey by word and example. A goal in discipleship is that our nature and character becomes more and more a reflection of Christ Himself, in our words, actions, and emotions. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Teaching Through What We Sing</b><br />Leading worship can be one means of teaching, provided that the lyrics being sung are theologically sound, but there must be individual involvement as well. Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:16 gives some great guidelines for worship leadership: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” The Word of Christ in us flows to those around us by what we sing and by example. We can teach and admonish one another through the songs we sing provided tat they focus on Christ and His teaching. Failing to teach through what we sing means we are missing that opportunity for discipleship. </div><p>Doing this “with all wisdom” and “with gratitude” can be challenging. “With all wisdom” implies that we are doing it [1] with a biblical understanding of what worship is, [2] with an understanding of what the message and teachings of Christ are, [3] doing it in such a way that is effective, and [4] doing it in such a way the Christ is glorified, not the messenger. “With gratitude” implies that we are ever mindful of the great sacrifice that Christ made so that He might redeem us from our sin by His grace. This needs to be done in more than in a group setting, but with individuals so the details of how to apply what is being sung can become part of the process. The most effective discipleship is done one-on-one or in small groups. We need to not confuse an emotional response with a song with an obedience response to God’s Word. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>What</i> We Sing, Not Just <i>How</i></b><br />We need to reconsider what we are teaching each time we stand to lead, as well as how we are doing it. Mapping out the theological themes and biblical teaching of the lyrics and coordinating them with the message is one way we might be able to do this more effectively. Another step would be to review all the songs sung in the past 3-4 months [or a year would be better] to see what has been presented and if it has been done in such a way that we are helping the congregation to build a canon of songs that they will know well enough that they are part of their heart songs. Doing this would also reveal those things which we are overlooking in our sung worship. A lot more could be said, but I trust this might help start some conversations and help us to become more aware of an area that is being neglected in worship leadership. </div><p>I welcome responses of how this is being done so we can all learn more.</p><p>Blessings.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-63654060874589979142022-07-06T08:31:00.000-05:002022-07-06T08:31:14.424-05:00The Dangers of a Velcro Heart….<p> The Dangers of a Velcro Heart…. To what or who are we attached?</p><p>It was July 1978, and we were attending a reception as part of the newly commissioned missionaries in Richmond, VA at the home of the Dr. Baker James Cauthen, then Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board [later, International Mission Board]. We were excited and moved at the testimonies of the others that had responded to God’s call as we had done and were soaking in the wisdom from veteran missionaries and Dr. Cauthen. In a small group that had gathered around him, he shared some wisdom that had been shared to him as he and his wife were preparing to leave and serve in China years before: “<i><b>Never wrap your heart around what you can carry in your hands</b></i>…” Though I understood what he meant; the implications of the statement grew over the next several years.</p><p><b>God was so gracious.</b> During orientation and the year of language study we developed friendships that we cherish to this day. After completing a year of language study in Costa Rica, we had to stay an additional two months for the birth our our youngest, David, and because of the war in Nicaragua, the country to which we were headed. We had excellent care for our newborn and proceeded to war torn Managua, where things were difficult and many things were scarce as a result of the fighting. Dr. Cauthen’s words would come to mind many times during the next years as we completed our first term and were unable to return because of the continued conflicts. God then opened the door for us to serve in Panama. During the next ten years God continued to show His love and faithfulness, as we grew to love the people, and loved the ministries to which God had called us. The embargo and invasion gave opportunity to see God as work even more.</p><p><b>God was so gracious.</b> Later God led us to fill a need at the Baptist Spanish Publishing House in El Paso as a music editor, where we worked and served in a local church for six years until God called us to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to do doctoral work. God’s call to make disciples and train leaders developed into a teaching role. During the next twenty-four years God provided and walked with us as we became professors at the seminary, taught in Cuba, walked through the death of our parents, and through cancer for both Kathy and me. Dr. Cauthen’s words began to take on expanded meaning: we must always be careful that we don’t attach ourselves to the things which make us comfortable, but places, or even people as well. We can love, appreciate, and thank God for them but never let them supersede the priority of Christ as our highest desire in our lives.</p><p><b>God is so gracious.</b> This year we “retired,” though we still will have a limited teaching role and moved once again this time to be close to family. We have loved the people in every place God has allowed us to serve, however, He has led us to not “<i>hold in our hearts a place, but the person of Jesus.</i>” Paul’s admonition in Col. 3 has been a part of my call from the beginning and now has taken on new meaning: “<i>Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”</i> [Col. 3:1-2] As we approach this final part of what God has called us to here in this life , we want to continue to have the right focus.</p><p>Our desires for people, places, and things are so much like Velcro, grabbing our attention and our affections that we miss the ultimate purpose and calling in our lives: an eternal relationship with Him. I like what C. S. Lewis said in the <i>Weight of Glory</i>:</p><p><i><b>“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”</b></i></p><p>My prayer is that God would help us deliver us from our Velcro heart and mold and shape our hearts to long for Him.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-27738828202543650532022-06-05T09:39:00.002-05:002022-06-05T09:40:54.468-05:00Worshiping a Memory: 2 Kings 18:4<p> <i>He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)</i> 2 Kings 18:4</p><p>Someone reading this for the first time might wonder why Moses made a bronze snake in the first place. Numbers 21:4-5 gives us the background: </p><p><i>They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”</i></p><p>Rather than looking to God for help [remember God had parted the waters and they had passed through the sea on dry land, a great miracle], they began to [1] get impatient– God was not working on their timeline and [2] began to complain, looking at their lack of provisions rather than looking to their Provider. To help them refocus, God sends the snakes, but also sends the remedy: He tells Moses to make a snake of bronze and put it on a pole; all who would look on the pole would be healed. Moses does and God keeps His promise healing all those who would look. “<i>So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” </i>[Number 21:9] </p><p>Fast forward several hundred years and the people of God had begun worship the bronze snake. What had been a reminder of God’s grace and provision for their sin had become an object of worship in and of itself. Rather than remembering the lesson of God’s forgiveness and provision for their complaining and not looking to God as their Provider, they had begun to worship the memory of the occasion focusing on the object that symbolized it all.</p><p><i>As we review all the great things that God has done in the past, we can easily slip into worshiping the memory of a great work of God and delighting more in being a part of it than focusing on God who was the source of the great work.</i> </p><p>We recently “retired” from teaching [though we will still teach some in a limited capacity] and also celebrated 48 of married life. While reading the above passage this morning in my devotional time, God reminded me that as I recall the great and wonderful things that He has done over the years, I must closely guard my heart in delighting in the memory of the feelings and what others might have said at that time more than focusing on our loving God who was the source of it all. </p><p>The next time you read about Moses and the bronze snake, let this be a reminder to you as well. </p><p>Blessings.</p><p><br /></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-31568738932907228762021-12-29T16:02:00.001-06:002022-01-05T16:04:01.967-06:00My Prayer for My Students in 2022<p><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. That they would have a deep and consistent time in getting to know and trust God better; knowing that in asking that they are asking God to lead them through situations and circumstances that will stretch their faith.<br /><br />2. A growing understanding that their worth is based not on their performance, but on what Christ has done in their lives so that their desire for excellence would grow out of gratitude and not from trying to prove they are better than others.<br /><br />3. That they would realize that their gifts and talents are merely the frame around the picture of Christ’s nature and character that He is building in their lives.<br /><br />4. That giving God thanks and praise and responding in obedience to Him is at the heart of pleasing God.<br /><br />5. That as we get to know God more intimately, our desire to please Him grows.<br /><br />6. That they would be willing to ask themselves their inner motivations and ask God to purify what is not consistent with His will.<br /><br />7. That they would realize that they are not studying for just a particular class, but for the development of discipline and life skills that God wants them to learn through the class.<br /><br />8. That they would realize that there are no shortcuts to character development.<br /><br />9. That learning the material, developing the skills, and relating to others in godliness is as an important than getting the degree.<br /><br />10. Understanding and accepting their limits; that they cannot do everything and must learn to make wise choices of what God desires.<br /><br />11. That they would learn to ask and think through the future ramifications of the choices they make today.<br /><br />12. That they would forgive and seek forgiveness, releasing to God the vengeance desired and readily admitting wrong committed.<br /><br />13. That they would worship God in Spirit and truth and lead others to do the same. <br /><br />14. When discouraged and going through difficult times, that they would remember the four corners of “The Square” [a] God is in Control [b] God loves them and is always near, [c] God has a plan for their lives [d] They can trust God.</span>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-19383181101026225652021-05-30T15:07:00.003-05:002021-05-30T18:46:37.921-05:00 Dealing with Discouragement 1 Kings 19<p>We all face discouragement: circumstances change, jobs, people, even ourselves, —we get overwhelmed, can’t seem to see a “way out” and just want to to push the button and say, “ok, I quit, I’ve had enough!” Learning how to deal with these feelings is a major step in our growth as a Christian and walking daily with the Lord. After a quick review of an event in the life of Elijah, we will look at some specific ways God dealt with the prophet that can help us with discouragement when it comes our way.</p><p>The prophet comes on the scene in chapter 17 as he proclaims God’s declaration of no rain, which would last for 3½ years. King Ahab, Israel’s monarch of the northern tribes had fostered idolatry across the kingdom. In God’s timing to end the drought, the prophet is commanded to confront the king and challenge those that are responsible for turning the people’s hearts against God. </p><p>Directed by God, Elijah calls for a public challenge between Yaweh and Baal, the Canaanite storm god and bringer of rain. The prophets of Baal were to offer their sacrifice and Elijah his; the god who answered by fire would prove himself to be truly God. For several hours the prophets of Baal cried out with all their might and by all possible means, but no fire came. Elijah even made fun of them. Then when it was Elijah’s turn, he repaired the altar built for the sacrifice which the other prophets had tried to destroy it in their frenzies. Water was then poured over the entire sacrifice 3 different times. Elijah prayed and fire fell consuming everything so that nothing is left. The people erupted in praise declaring the Yaweh was God alone and then the 450 prophets of Baal were killed. </p><p>Ahab told his wife, Jezebel, that the prophet had killed all of the prophets of Baal, the god she worshiped, but nothing of what God had done. She vowed to have Elijah killed, so he fled for his life, going as far south as the southern edge of the kingdom of Judah, out of Ahab’s rule. He leaves his servant there and goes a day’s journey into the desert. Convinced his life and ministry have been fruitless, he tells God, “It’s enough! Everything I’ve done is worthless!” </p><p>In chapter 19 we see the same prophet who called down fire from heaven so discouraged, he is ready to die. What happened? I’m sure there is much more, but I would like to make a few suggestions to show how God worked in Elijah’s life to bring change and restoration. Let’s trace what happened:</p><p><b>1. The prophet was physically exhausted. </b>In 18:45-46 we read that Ahab rode back to town after the showdown on Mt. Carmel, but that Elijah <i>ran</i> and <i>beat him there</i>. Sometimes we keep pushing to go own, whether because the situation is so dire we just can’t stop or that we just because we have developed habits of burning the candle at both ends. Regardless, our bodies will begin to send warnings. For Elijah, his strength to focus was lost.</p><p><b>2. He lost his focus on God and focused on his fear of Jezebel because of his weakened condition. </b>He began to make poor choices. He left his servant in Beersheba, perhaps for the servant’s protection from the queen, but in doing so he lost companionship, encouragement, and any sounding board that might have helped him think differently.</p><p><b>3. God continued to watch out and direct His prophet. </b>Elijah was alone, depressed, exhausted, discouraged and finally collapsed into a long sleep. God provided food [not unlike what he had been eating with the widow for 3½ years], and fell asleep again. God’s angel woke the prophet again and instructed him to eat otherwise the journey would be too much for him. Elijah then traveled 40 days [200 miles] to Mt. Horeb without eating, reminiscent of Moses receiving the law after 40 days of fasting in the same place. Elijah then found a cave in which to rest.</p><p><b>4. God began to help him change his thinking. </b> God asked him: “What are you doing here?” That sounds odd, since God was the one who led him there, so there must have been more to the question. Elijah’s answer seemed almost rehearsed, perhaps a thoughts and words that played a continual loop in his mind: “I’ve been obedient, but it hasn’t made any difference and they are trying to kill me.” His physical condition and circumstances had led to distorted thought patterns. He had forgotten the great victory God had just given and the people’s declaration that only Yahweh was God. Instead of Jezebel, now an nebulous group called “they” were out to kill him.</p><p><b>5. God responded in a way that Elijah was not expecting.</b> Rather than respond to the prophet’s commentary, God sent him out to the mouth of the cave where God would pass by, again, like Moses. There was a powerful wind, but God didn’t speak, an earthquake, but no voice, and a raging fire; still God did not speak. All three of these could have been understood as things God would use to display His power and might, but God didn’t choose to speak through them. Instead, after all three, there was a period of silence and the prophet heard a still small whisper. Sometimes God speaks in ways that we are not expecting. We need to listen carefully in the times of silence.</p><p><b>6. God repeated the same question. </b>To get a better grasp of the situation, it might be helpful for us to repeat the question, but change the emphasis on the words:</p><p>— What are you doing here, Elijah? </p><p> Hiding in a cave? Running away? Am I not the one who protects?</p><p>— What are you doing here, Elijah? </p><p> You are my prophet, my voice, your life and mission are wrapped up in my will for you.</p><p>Unfortunately, Elijah was stuck in his distorted thoughts. He responded with the exact same words as before as if God didn’t hear it the first time.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><b>7. God shared His truth about the situation. </b>God sent him back to anoint two foreign kings and a replacement to take his place as prophet, but just as important, God shared His truth and reality of the situation that Elijah did not know: there were 7000 in Israel who were faithful and had not bowed down to Baal. Rather than chastising the prophet, God helped him see God’s truth and called him to obedient service once more. When we get stuck in distorted thoughts, we need to go back and ask ourselves, “What is the truth of God in this situation?” and be obedient. God’s command showed the prophet that God still had work for him to do and that his work would not be in vain; it wasn’t all left up to Elijah, but God to carry on His will.</p><p>Ministry and life in general are challenging; relationships, jobs, illness, and a host of other issues can lead us down a path toward becoming discouraged. However, we don’t have to stay there; there is hope. </p><p>Hope in our God that is ever watching over us, even when we are down. </p><p>Hope that His plan is perfect, even when we can’t see the way. </p><p>Hope in seeing the truth of God in difficult situations and being obedient to His will.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-52370580152257824692021-03-09T16:27:00.003-06:002021-03-09T16:27:42.314-06:00 He must increase; I must decrease [John 4:30]<p>From the very beginning, John the Baptist recognized who Jesus was; even when John’s own followers were leaving to follow Jesus, his response, “He must increase; I must decrease,” showed the clarity of his understanding of his unique role with the Messiah. Yet, not long before his own death, suffering in prison, he sends some of his remaining followers to Jesus just to make sure; John’s idea of what Messiah was going to do didn’t seem to match with what he was hearing about Jesus. Most likely, he never envisioned imprisonment as part of is life and how his ministry would transition. Jesus reassured John that prophetic scripture was being fulfilled. </p><p>We, too, all called to decrease and see that Christ increase; John’s mission was to prepare for Messiah, our is to proclaim Him. If John the Baptist can get confused in his destined mission, so can we. I’m sure there are more, but here are five of the “red flags” to help us avoid failing in our role to “decrease.”</p><p><b>1. Focusing on making a name for myself.</b></p><p>As someone once said, if we focus on deepening our relationship with God, He will take care of the breadth of our ministry. It is easy to get lost in putting ourselves in positions for recognition, so much so that even the preparation and study for what we do is to further our position, not deepen the relationship of obedience. We study, we practice, we prepare so we can offer the best offering of service to the King of kings and Lord of lords, not be in pursuit of the next best position. God makes the decision and timing in our journey; it is His choice whether or not what we do expands to a broader audience.</p><p><b>2. When I am unable to receive the truth that contradicts my desire.</b></p><p>The rejection of wisdom from those outside “my circle” could reveal an unwillingness to admit that someone else's opinion might be a better option. When my desire, my opinion, or my perspective, becomes more important than searching out the truth, the opinion of others just becomes noise and we have failed to decrease. Sometimes we even look down on opinions from those that “aren’t as prepared as we are,” so their opinion really doesn’t matter. In ignoring even the evaluating of that advise, we may be passing up an idea that would transform what God is doing in our lives. Remember that God’s Word is always our final authority and source of truth.</p><p><b>3. Not accepting my limits.</b></p><p>Contrary to the popular belief “that we can do anything we really set our mind to,” the truth is we all have limits. In accepting our limits, we seek out God’s will for our lives rather than some dream that is beyond the limits of our </p><p>reality. As I age, I am reminded regularly that I cannot do what I could do 10 or 15 years before. The aging process is only one of many that are a natural part of “decreasing.” Even learning how to deal with death is a part of our decreasing. In death, we finally get to see His greatness and glory. We can do all that God has called us to, because He will equip those He calls to do what He commands. </p><p><b>4. When circumstances or plans don’t go as I had expected. </b></p><p>John the Baptist was living in that reality: he was in jail though obedient, and what he was hearing about Jesus didn’t match his expectations. God’s plan for his life did not make his expectations. When we are more driven by our expectations than we are the truth of God’s Word, then we are setting ourselves up to get side-tracked from God’s plan of decreasing.</p><p><b>5. Decreasing is not self-criticism or demeaning. </b></p><p>We are all made in the image of God, and all share the same fallen nature. Our worth does not come from what we might be able to accomplish, from fame, popularity, etc., but from what Christ has done in our lives. Continual beating ourselves up does not help us “decrease” nor is a part of His increasing. When we continually beat up on ourselves, we are actually doing the opposite of what we think we are doing because the focus centers around “us.” Living a life of grateful obedience in humility and joy brings honor and glory to God.</p><p> <b>He must increase; I must decrease! </b></p><p>Paul had faced incredible hardships and persecutions, as he shares in 2 Corinthians 1:8 “<i>We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.</i>” While he was transparent about his difficulties, later in 12:9-10, he underscores the importance of refocusing our perceptions: <i>9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. </i> </p><p>Rather than viewing our weaknesses and "decreasing" as something negative, Paul helps us realize God's truth that can help us as we continue in our journey here.</p><p><b>He must increase; I must decrease!</b></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-28709511532627147662021-02-23T18:53:00.002-06:002021-02-25T13:35:43.145-06:00 Fear Not...<p><span style="font-size: medium;">For the past two or three weeks God has continually brought to my mind and heart the words from Psalm 34:4-9:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I had started having some unexpected side effects that I thought were related to the radiation treatment, but upon consultation, probably were not. After ending the phone call, my mind began to race and the idea of a “reappearance of cancer” began to loop in my thoughts. Dread, denial, and fear all seemed to coalesce; even my heart seemed to begin to race. I stopped and took some deep breaths and began to pray: “God, I trust You...” Honestly, I really couldn’t say much more. Then God brought me to His Word in Psalm 34:4: “<i>I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.</i>” God has not put me on the planning committee, and He isn’t obligated to explain to me what or why, but the greater question was and still is, “Will I trust Him?” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I began to look at fear in a different light and jotted some notes down during my private devotional time in the morning. When we go through the storms of life, we do not become automatic experts in how to deal with the issues, however, if we allow Him, God can use those events to help mold us into His image. That’s where I am, on a journey trying to learn what God wants to teach me and to re-mold me into more of the likeness of His Son.</span></p><p>What are some of those fears that seem to eat us alive and consume our thoughts? Here are few thoughts:<br /><br /><b>Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment: </b>Sometimes we base our worth on what we can do, but our worth is really based on what Christ has already done in our lives. Our pride scrambles to save face and make excuses when we fail or push us to do things we probably would not have done in other circumstances. In these situations, we need to trust our reputations to God and remember our worth is what God has already done in us through Christ. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “<i>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”<br /></i><br /><b>Fear of suffering: </b>No one wants to suffer; regardless of what kind of suffering it may be, there isn’t a line of volunteers waiting to jump right in to suffer. We forget that suffering is just a natural part of growing and becoming like Christ. As Paul said “...<i>that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering.</i>..[Phil 3:10]. Jesus assured His disciples: “<i>I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”</i> [John 16:33] Suffering is the fire that burns away that which is unpleasing to God and the anvil that helps mold us into His character. We do suffer when we sin, but the kind of suffering to which I refer is not destructive, but constructive.<br /><br /><b>Fear of persecution: </b>Similar to the previous one, but perhaps more related to personal freedom and those in authority over us. We should never forget that regardless of what human government may be in power, God is still on His throne and still in control. What is more, throughout history, God has allowed persecution and His Church has grown strong through it. I am somewhat amazed that we would pray, “God, do whatever it takes to bring the world to Your feet!” and then, when God allows persecution to purify His Body to be able to be used by Him, we tell Him that persecution was not what we had in mind. One issue we must come to grips with is: “<i>Do we really believe God is who He says He is and that He is really in control?</i>” Trust is more than a word, it is faith put into active belief. We lay our fears at His feet, trusting Him. To be able to hear Him, we must be pure before Him and able to be used by Him. Hear the words of the psalmist to comfort your heart and spirit: <br />Psalm 55:22 “<i>Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” </i><br />Psalm 56:3 “<i>When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”</i><br />Psalm 4:8 “<i>In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”</i><br /><br /><b>Fear of punishment: </b>God does discipline those He loves as a loving father would his children, however, sometimes we secretly believe that God is sneaking up behind us, waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us; that He delights in making us squirm. We have misunderstood the love of God. Remember He sent His only Son to take our punishment, the punishment we really deserved, so we might have forgiveness and eternal life in relationship with Him. Rather than the “mean man” with a big stick to hit us and keep us in line, He is the loving Father that stands behinds the baby that is learning to walk to help him when he falls. Remember 1 John 4:18 “<i>There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”</i><br /><br /><b>Fear of death: </b>We all know we are going to die, but think that it is only something that happens to “older people.” If we are going to have to die, we just don’t want to suffer or cause a lot of suffering in the process. I am not trying to minimize the grief associated with the loss of a loved one; that grief is real and we need to be honest in our feelings. I am not trying to make light of death; the finality of this earthly existence is real. While that is true, the reality of an eternity in the presence of our living Lord is also real. When Jesus was trying to walk the disciples through His own impending death, He said: <i>“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”</i> [John 14:27] Only our relationship with Christ can really give us the peace that comfort. Remember Psalm 23:4 “<i>even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me..</i>.” We will close our eyes here on earth only to open them in the presence of Christ. The longings of our entire life will be fulfilled in the twinkling of an eye. Our focus then, it not on death, but on spending eternity with God in heaven.<br /><br /><b>So what can we do? Here is a start:</b><br />[1] Verbalize your fear to God; He already knows, but being able to articulate our fear, naming our fears is a great step in overcoming them. If you have a trusted mature believer, share those concerns with them. <br />[2] Go to the promises of God in His Word. You can start with those listed here, or follow the Spirit’s leading in Scripture.<br />[3] Shift your focus from your fear to your faith in God. What caused our fear may still exist, but our focus is on Him. Each time that wave of doubt or the dark cloud of fear tries to engulf you, go back to the promise of God’s Word. Memorize the passage, say it out loud. <br />[4] Thank God for His provision and care; list out those things for which you are grateful. Keep a gratitude list and review it early in the morning and before you go to bed.<br />[5] Remember: God is in control. God loves you and has a plan for your life. You can trust God.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-65911543887207607922021-02-04T10:16:00.006-06:002021-02-04T10:16:50.873-06:00 Parable: When JB Unfriended God<p><br /></p><p><i>“JB unfriended God. After being stuck in this pandemic so long and God hadn’t done enough to stop it, so JB decided to just unfriend Him. After all, friends don’t let friends suffer, do they? JB had given God his Sunday mornings and even an occasional extra day. JB had prayed to stop this mess, but it just kept on. He was tired of staying at home, tired of wearing a mask, tired of keeping his distance, and it had been nearly a year. He just wanted his life back. And it wasn’t just JB, he looked around and saw how many other people were suffering? It certainly looked as if God had “unfriended” JB; he would just return the favor. Fortunately, God never had unfriended JB.</i>”</p><p>Why God allows suffering is one of the greatest mysteries and sometimes one of the greatest obstacles for some to overcome. There are no easy answers; I certainly don’t have one. Fortunately, I don’t have to understand everything to trust God. I know that His love was so great that He allowed His own Son to suffer and die for my sin and the sins of the world; I can’t doubt that kind of love. I may not be able to understand, but I can trust that kind of love and that kind of God. I know there are some wonderful explanations about this and I encourage everyone to search those out. For me, this is my starting point: Almighty God is in control, He loves me and has a plan and purpose for my life; I can trust Him. </p><p>One of the purposes of my life with Him is that I would be conformed to the image of His Son. While salvation is instantaneous, being conformed takes time. He must continually cut away everything that does not reflect the nature and character of His Son. It is a long and painful process, but the result is a deeper relationship with God and knowing Him in new and more intimates ways. God is more concerned in deepening this relationship than the avoidance of temporary discomfort. So at times, while there is a temptation to believe that God might have “unfriended” me, I know I can go and trust Him. He is our faithful, loving God.</p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-25381333365155543412021-01-22T07:26:00.003-06:002021-01-22T07:26:52.583-06:00 Expectation<p><span style="background-color: #073763;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">The year 2020, and so far 2021 have not been what I anticipated. I was somewhat irritated recently with the limitations COVID has caused and came to the realization that, though I’m not fond of wearing the mask, etc., it’s really not that big a deal; what was really under the surface was I expected this to last a couple of months and then things would return to “normal.” Over and over again, my expectations of what I thought should happen got shot down with every new report or announcement of changes in what we must do.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Meditating on 2 Kings 5, I was reminded of another person whose unfulfilled expectations almost cost him healing. You know the story, Naaman, the powerful military leader from Aram had leprosy. Through the testimony of a young Hebrew girl who had been captured, he learns of a prophet that can heal him. [Too much here that I wished we could unpack, but not now.] He eventually shows up with a group of soldiers to the prophet’s house and is greeted by a servant who instructs him to go wash in the Jordan River. Infuriated, Naaman storms off. Listen to his crushed expectations in 2 Kings 5:11-12: </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"><i>11 But Naaman went away angry and said, <b>“I thought</b> that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?”</i> So he turned and went off in a rage.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">He had already imagined what needed to happen: </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">[1] the prophet would come out to meet him, </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">[2] call on His God, and </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">[3] wave his hand over the place, </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">[4] then be healed. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Bathing in a muddy river just wasn’t in his plans. At the urging of one of his soldiers, he finally does what Elisha had commanded and is healed. God wanted to teach some lessons to him: </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">[1] to humble himself, </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">[2] that Yahweh was the only true God, and </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">[3] to trust God’s commands and obey, even when it doesn’t seem logical. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Naaman returns not only healed of his leprosy but a believer in the only True God.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Fast forward to 2021;<b><i> if we are not careful we can begin to trust our expectations of what we think should happen more than trusting God in the midst of everything going on. </i></b>So when we catch ourselves getting flustered over unmet expectations, let’s stop and give them back to God, seek Him to see what HE wants us to do or how to respond. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">I pray that the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as you trust in Him!</span></div></div>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-10325372939020160892020-08-23T18:21:00.000-05:002020-08-23T18:21:47.045-05:00 What is God’s Truth in the Matter?<p>I am humbled and grateful for so many praying for Kathy and me in my recent diagnosis of cancer and Kathy’s recuperation. I am also grateful for the encouraging reports from a bone scan and CT scan this week that the cancer has not spread. No one volunteers for this; it never comes “at a convenient time.” No one said, “yeah, and let’s do it in the midst of a pandemic!” I would be lying to say that I haven’t been struggling in all this; I have, and I have a long way to go</p><p>What I have been doing is trying to focus on God’s truth in this. Here are a few things that I believe are God’s truth in this:</p><p>1. God is in control; He loves me and has a plan for my life, I can trust Him.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>2. I have cancer; cancer does not have me. It may describe a physical condition, but I am defined by what God has done and is doing in my life, not what is happening to it.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>3. I am humbled and grateful for so many who are praying for both Kathy and me; however, God doesn't wait until He gets enough requests from His children before He does something. Our prayers help us align our desires to His desires and to give Him glory. He hears and listens to the utterance of the smallest child, whether anyone else ever knows.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>4. My worth is not on my abilities, but on what Christ has done in my life.</p><p>5. I am a child of God and a citizen of an eternal Kingdom. Since my life on Earth is temporary, my focus is not to build "my own kingdom" but be an obedient disciple of Christ.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>6. I am not promised health, wealth, etc., as a child of God. Though God in His grace has given His blessings, I need to realize that the hard things that come, like cancer, can be used by God to help shape me more into His nature and character as I learn to respond rightly to Him in faith. </p><p>7. Unless Christ returns beforehand, we will all die. That is not a surprise nor an option. At that time I will kneel before the Father only because of the death and resurrection of His Son and my faith in Him. The only question then will be whether or not I have been obedient to what He has called me to do; did my life bring glory to God.</p>Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-78338237640590815612020-07-07T21:10:00.001-05:002020-07-07T21:10:46.624-05:00How We Learn Theology Through Music<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts
to God.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">[Col. 3:16</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">ESV]</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Paul's
warning is clear: teach the truths of God's Word through what you sing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I am not trying to minimize
the importance of sermons, but state the obvious: the songs we use in worship
have the advantage of repetition over a more extended period than sermons,
which are heard only once. Songs often connect truth with our thoughts and
feelings, especially during times of crisis. Just a couple of weeks ago, I
found myself listening to the Getty's song, "He Will Hold Me Fast"
over and over because of things going on around me. Like David's playing the
harp for Saul, the words and music spoke to me and helped me refocus on the
fact that God is in control, that He loves me, that He has a plan, and that I
can trust Him. Research has shown that thoughts and ideas linked to an emotion
are stored in a different part of the brain, which is why even senior adults
who have dementia can still sing songs they knew in church as a youth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Earworms are melodies that
get "stuck in our heads," sometimes all day. We can find ourselves
repeating the earworm repeatedly, which can be very annoying, or not so much if
it is a song we like. If the lyrics to the earworm are not trustworthy in their
biblical message, then we reinforce wrong understandings of who God is and how
He works. For example, I know songs that invite God to come to those gathered
so that they might worship Him, ignoring the fact that it is God who initiates
worship and that His Holy Spirit permanently dwells in the believer. Such texts
instill false notions that somehow God is outside our place of worship and
won't join us unless invited, or worse yet, that God is not present until we
"feel" His presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Social media and the internet
have provided avenues of input for multitudes of new songs for worship, which
has the potential for great good. However, many of those composing the songs
have very little theological training and lack the filters to realize the
implications of what they have written. No one is questioning their sincerity
or honest desire to share their musical offerings for worship; the issue is
truth, not sincerity. A child could make some cookies for his or her parents,
but not notice that some dirt accidentally got into the mix. Regardless of the
love and sincerity of the child, the cookies still would not be healthy. More
than ever, the disciples of Christ must deepen their understanding of Scripture
so that they can recognize questionable biblical teaching in what is being
offered as worship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We need to consider one more
aspect of using songs to teach biblical truth: repetition. No, not the songs of
7 words repeated 11 times, but the repetition over time in which the words and
music become part of a “canon” known by heart. Songs like "Amazing
Grace" can be sung from memory because it has become part of the canon of
our praise. One of the dangers of just singing new songs every week in worship
is that we will fail to develop a canon that we can remember in times of need.
In addition to becoming the theological filter, we need to be diligent in
developing our "sung canon" for worship. We need to ask the question,
what could we sing if all we have is what we know, no tech, etc. What songs of
God's nature, Christ's work, the work of the Holy Spirit, the church's mission,
or even God's Word would we know? We need to work to fulfill the mandate to <i>Let
the <b>word of Christ dwell in you richly</b>, teaching and admonishing one
another in all wisdom,<b> singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs</b>,
with thankfulness in your hearts to God.</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-53232625763509411992020-04-24T13:36:00.000-05:002020-04-24T19:18:47.588-05:00Another Week of Quarantine: Notes to My Students <div class="adn ads" data-legacy-message-id="171acb481f4e7c5b" data-message-id="#msg-f:1664866522890140763" style="background-color: white; border-left: none; display: flex; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Another week. Waves of all the things we have to do keep </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> knocking </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">on our door in a relentless pounding; even the </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> desire to get out of bed </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">makes the covers seem like heavy </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> weights. We know in our minds </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">God is there, that He has </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> not left us, but we long to “feel” something; </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">we’re numb.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> <i>What can we do?</i> Let’s ask ourselves, “<i>What is the truth </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i> of God in </i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>this matter?”</i> Not how we feel, but <i>what is </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i> God’s truth? </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">God is God, God is all-powerful, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">God is in control, God is not caught off guard, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> God is not surprised, God knows my needs, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> God knows my hurt, God knows what will come next, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> God loves me, God loves my family, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> God provides, God protects, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> God never changes, God has a plan for my life, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> God sent His Son to die for my sin that I might have an </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> eternal </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">relationship </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">with Him and share this good </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> news with others, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> God Is the Great I AM, the Ever-Present One, eternally </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> present </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">and here, </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Almighty, Infinite, Loving, God.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Since this is the truth of God, I can trust Him. He did not </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> put me on </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">the planning committee, He just asks that I trust </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Him. Because we </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">know these things to be true, we can say </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> with Job, “</span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Though He slay </i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">me, yet will I trust Him...</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">” </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> [Job 13:15] </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">His love and commitment to </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">us are shown by </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> what was done </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">on the cross and the empty tomb. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">“</span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even </i><br />
<i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> though I walk through </i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the valley of the shadow of </i><br />
<i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> death, </i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will </i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">fear no evil for You a</i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">re with me</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">.” [Ps. 23]</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Because of Who He is and what He has done, we can lay </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> our fears </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">before Him; we can share how we feel, we can be </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> completely </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">transparent– He knows our thoughts anyway. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> As we share these </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">innermost thoughts with Him, we can say,</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> <i>“Father, this is how I feel, yet I know who You are, I know You </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i> know what is best. I choose to believe You, Who You are and </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i> always have been; I choose You over my feelings, my fears, </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i> my </i></span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">confusion. I trust You. Help me in Your grace and </i><br />
<i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> mercy. </i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love Y</i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ou. I need You. I thank You for what you</i><br />
<i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> are going to do. </i><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Jesus Name.” </i><br />
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Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-60590499030864030472020-04-07T19:28:00.001-05:002020-04-07T19:28:02.824-05:00Confessions....Today has been a rough day; not because we are sick, praise God, Kathy & I are fine, Mom is being well taken care of, we have plenty of food [and TP :)], we can teach from our home, we have been able to worship online with Metairie Baptist, we have been ministered to through the prayers of students and others praying for us. I am more than grateful, I am overwhelmed with God’s grace. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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Yet, after lunch, I began to cry. I recalled the great number of our students and faculty going through major trauma, loss of jobs, family members sick and some dying– so many being affected by the virus. Suddenly the feelings that I had when we were going through great stress overseas, – memories of tapped phone calls, letters opened and read before we got them, secret police taking our trash, listening to gunfire during the day and some even at night– all of these memories started coming back. We loved so many of our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters in Christ who were going through situations even worse. Later when we couldn’t return to Nicaragua, we were transferred to Panama. Panama was such a blessing, even with the invasion and all the stress and mess that went with it. I remember thinking back then, “<i>Oh God, how would our children survive the trauma of all we’ve been through?” </i>During those years, the stress on our marriage, and some of our responses were less than what we had hoped; God was revealing things in our lives that were not consistent with His character and nature in us. It was convicting; it was painful.<br />
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So, here we are again. This time the entire world is shaking, trembling from a virus that no one anticipated, without a vaccine– no place to run, just shelter in. Not totally true. We can and do run to our loving Father. He watched over us for the years overseas, through countless dangers, illnesses, and most recently, Kathy’s cancer. I still grieve over so much hurt. I’m not mad at God; He did not put me on the planning committee and I can trust Him, especially when I don’t understand. I will thank and praise Him through my tears. HE is the Faithful One. When the flashbacks come again, and I have no doubt they will, I can remember how God has worked, is working, and I know will continue to work.<br />
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I pray for my students, that God would use this in their lives to build these “lion and bear” stories as monuments in their hearts of God’s faithfulness, love, mercy, and grace, just like He did in the life of David. I pray that God would use this time to draw millions to Himself. I pray for the leadership of our Seminary, our pastors, political leaders, that God would grant wisdom, that He would provide and protect His children. I thank God. And I thank you. Thank you for walking through all this as I try to process my feelings.Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-3741862337829085102020-02-05T08:26:00.001-06:002020-02-05T08:26:42.936-06:00 The Blessings of God...Why?<b><i>Why does God bless us?</i></b> I was meditating on the following passage and wanted to share what I found.<br />
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<i>When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.</i> [Deuteronomy 6:10-13]<br />
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The land was promised by God: “<i>When the Lord your God brings you into the land.</i>..” – no “ifs”, just “when.” The gift of a new homeland was settled hundreds of years before with Abraham just as the declaration that the people would be slaves for 400 years. God knew. God also knew something else: the Hebrews would be going into a land flowing with milk and honey, taking houses that they didn’t have to build, vineyards they didn’t have to plant, wells they didn’t have to dig, and, the temptation to begin to take it all for granted would be as close as their next breath.<br />
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The warning was clear and the danger anticipated: “<i>then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery</i>.” Day after day, month after month, the Israelites ate and slept, living in the amazing blessings of God. How were they to be able to avoid succumbing to the temptation to forget? God’s answer to the dilemma as straightforward: <i>Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name</i>. But what exactly did that mean?<br />
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In “fearing God” they would have an awesome reverence for Who God was, a reverence that would lead to serving only Him, in total dependence on Him. God had led them through the wilderness for 40 years, providing for their every need and protecting them from harm; He was worthy of their respect and worthy of their service. Another way of considering the command might have been that God was calling them to remember what their purpose for being here was.<br />
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When God made the covenant with Abraham, He declared “<i>I will make you into a great nation, </i><i>and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you</i>.” [Gen. 12:2-3] From the very beginning, God’s blessing would have a purpose beyond self-enrichment, but to share the blessing of God to others. Later, God clarifies, even more, what that the blessing would include the land as an inheritance: “<i>Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know this for certain: Your offspring will be resident aliens for four hundred years in a land that does not belong to them and will be enslaved and oppressed. However, I will judge the nation they serve, and afterward, they will go out with many possessions. But you will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation, they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.</i> [Gen. 15:13-16] <br />
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Years later speaking to Moses, God says: “<i>Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.</i>” [Ex. 19:5-6] God clarified further what being a blessing would be: <i>a kingdom of priests and a holy nation</i>.<br />
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Centuries later this passage is used by Peter: “<i>But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.</i>” [1 Peter 2:9-10] Those whom Christ had redeemed by His blood have now become the people of God, and as God’s chosen people, they assume the role of the royal priesthood. The role of the priest was to be God’s representative to the people, to minister to the people and to God. As the people of God, we now have the privilege to share the news of that blessing He has given in His Son, – the restored relationship with God through Christ, and to minister to others in obedience to Him. We are not to just enjoy the blessings of salvation, or assume that we deserve the richness of His grace; the blessing is the eternal relationship with Christ and to remember that the purpose to become bearers of that good news to others.<br />
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After years of being surrounded by God’s provision and grace, we need to take to heart the warning God gave the Israelites in Deuteronomy: not to take the blessings of God for granted, nor to believe that we were entitled to them. We need to be ever grateful and remember the purposes for which they were given.<br />
Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-16205342626941767482020-01-22T11:19:00.000-06:002020-01-22T11:33:13.784-06:00The Servant-Leader Professor: How to Recognize One...Over the years I have had and observed many professors and the most outstanding reflected the character of Christ in real and visible ways in and out of the classroom. One of these observations was the “professor as a servant leader.” Although much more could and should be said, here are a few summary statements:<br />
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1. The servant-leader professor sees the student is a gift from God to whom God calls professors to come alongside and to join in what God is doing in their lives in an area of ministry for God’s glory.<br />
2. The servant-leader professor’s task is not to impress the student with how much knowledge the professor has, but aid in the development hunger to grow and learn and to model how the character of Christ is lived out in everyday life in and out of the classroom.<br />
3. The servant-leader professor understands that the student does not exist to make the professor look good, but rather to seek to develop the student to his or her full potential.<br />
4. The servant-leader professor understands that his or her worth as a professor is not so dependent in how well the student’s performance makes the professor look, but in how well the student reflects the character of Christ.<br />
5. The servant-leader professor understands that the true worth of the student and professor is rooted in what God through Christ has done in their lives.<br />
6. The servant-leader professor understands that respect is earned, not demanded and is mutually given.<br />
7. The servant-leader professor does not lead in such a way that the students fear the professor, but follow out of love and mutual respect.<br />
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Lord, work in my life to become a servant-leader professor.Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-77576213276125265962020-01-19T21:35:00.001-06:002020-01-19T21:35:55.599-06:00I was obedient, and then things got worse...Following God’s leadership is not a vaccine from problems or difficulties. We can be sincerely following what we believe is God’s will and design, and to our surprise and disappointment [even confusion about who God is and His plan for us], the situation can become worst. Over the years I have known several men and women in full-time ministry who have been wrongly accused by others in attempts to discredit the direction they sensed God leading them, and some by other ministers whose colleague was attempting to get rid of them in order to take their place!<br />
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The devastation, hurt, and deep offense wasn’t limited to the husband and wife, unfortunately, the children suffered under the trauma as well. Yes, our obedience can mean that those we love might suffer for our following the leadership of the Spirit. A crisis point in our faith can occur if we are not careful. Fortunately, God’s Word gives us insight when we find ourselves in these difficult situations.<br />
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Last week I was reading in Exodus 6 and came across the account of Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh. I had made some notes on the side of the margin and spent some time meditating on what God was telling me through His Word. Here is a summary of those thoughts:<br />
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Context:<br />
In the book of the Exodus, Moses obeys God’s command and goes to tell Pharaoh to let God’s people go, resulting in having to make bricks without straw provided. The people blame Moses and Moses goes back to God.<br />
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The people of Israel were already suffering under the hands of the Egyptians, and through being obedient things only got worse. What can we learn from this? What does God do?<br />
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6:1. <i>Now you will see..</i>. Sometimes the situation will get worse before God chooses to act.<br />
6:3. <i>I am the LORD... </i> God reminds Moses of WHO He is, His nature, His character<br />
6:5. <i> I have heard ... I have remembered...</i> God reminded Moses that He knew their need and that He is faithful to His promise<br />
6:6 God tells Moses to remind the Israelites Who He is and of His promise.<br />
6:9. The people did not listen “<i>because of their discouragement</i>”<br />
6:12 Moses returns to God thinking Pharaoh nor the Israelites will listen<br />
7:1-5. God repeats Who He is and that “<i>I will multiply my signs” “I will reach into Egypt and bring out my people”</i><br />
7:6 Moses and Aaron obey.<br />
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<b>Points to ponder...</b><br />
1. Obedience to God can bring difficulties, it is not a vaccine against trouble.<br />
2. Sometimes the situation must get worse before God chooses to act.<br />
3. In the midst of the difficulty, God will take us back to Who He is.<br />
4. God reminds us that He knows the situation, the need, and His promise to be with us.<br />
5. Discouragement can make us close our ears to when God speaks.<br />
6. If we are not careful, the discouragement of others becomes ours and we forget Who God is.<br />
7. God reminds us again who He is and that it is He working, it is not left up to us.<br />
8. Our response must be obedience, regardless of the comments of others, trusting God is in control.<br />
<br />Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-58381518215543132132019-09-09T09:04:00.000-05:002019-09-09T09:20:51.294-05:00“Spiritual Bullies and Worship Leadership”<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;">Here are just a few thoughts that I am sharing with my students this semester about Servant Leadership. [For this commentary, let’s call Worship Leaders, Servant Worshipers.]</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Spiritual Bullies</i></b> look at those “under” and around them as objects to control;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Servant Worshipers</i></b> see those around them as someone for whom Christ died, and desire to know what God is doing in their life and to come alongside what God is doing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Spiritual Bullies</i></b> are more concerned with how those with whom they work will affect the reputation as a leader;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Servant Worshipers</i></b> give their reputations over to God, knowing that God’s evaluation of their actions is of greater importance.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Spiritual Bullies</i></b> gain their sense of self-worth from their ability to perform;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Servant Worshipers</i></b> realize that their self worth comes from what God has done in them through Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Spiritual Bullies</i></b> use people for their own advancement, playing favorites with those who can do the most for that goal;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Servant Worshipers</i></b> focus on the growth of those within their realm of responsibility, regardless of how much they might be able to advance their position or prestige.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Spiritual Bullies</i></b> focus on the amount of knowledge they acquire;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;"><b><i>Servant Worshipers</i></b> focus on being able to apply what they know and share what they have learned in a manner that is modeled and understandable.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: white;">My prayer is that the influence we have on others reflects the nature and character of Jesus Christ. Just a few thoughts... </span></div>
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Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217550515556691035.post-50303137151719863192019-06-12T11:11:00.000-05:002019-06-12T11:11:03.189-05:00Your wife has... cancer.<br />
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Not the words we wanted to hear and certainly not in our plans for the summer. We live in a fallen world that is racked with disease and Christians are not exempt from them. Still, in the back of our minds, cancer is what happens to others, not to us. Suddenly our lives were filled with doctor appointments, lab tests, etc., and notebooks of what has to be done and what not do. Moments of frustration and hurt watching the one you love suffer as a result of the chemicals pumped in her body to eliminate that which would kill her. The pain is still pain and we have only begun the journey. Overwhelming, yet God’s grace has been there through it all. We have even seen how He had been preparing us and providing for us long before we received the news.</div>
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Not surprisingly, Scripture and my devotional time have become more meaningful and critical to the day to day confronting of the new realities in our lives. Today as I was reading in I Corinthians 11, I was reminded of all that Paul had gone through as he sought to be obedient to God’s calling in his life. In the context, Paul is defending his apostleship to the church at Corinth against the “super-apostles” whose boasting and domineering leadership were causing trouble for the church. Rather than boast of all the miracles that had been a part of his ministry and the great expansion of the Gospel because of what he had done, his focus was on his difficulty and suffering. </div>
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For Paul, living in obedience was not a denial of the hardships, pain, and suffering that accompanies following Christ, but the acceptance that these things would be a part of developing the character of Christ in his life. In “living in the victory of Christ,” Paul showed complete transparency of the trouble and hardships he had and was facing. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 1:8 he stated:<i> “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” </i>Strong words from the same man who said that he could<i> “do all things through Christ.”</i></div>
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Rather than base his apostleship on a false philosophy that says “a loving God would never allow His loved ones to suffer,” or “following Christ means going from victory to victory in power,” Paul chooses to reveal the truth that even Jesus suffered and we should expect no less. In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul shared “<i>We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. [2] ... you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out</i>." [14-15] Obviously, part of the instruction Paul gave to new believers was the reality of suffering for the cause of Christ. </div>
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Not all suffering is a result of following Christ, however, as we follow Christ we must anticipate that suffering will be a part of the journey. Sickness is real. Pain really does hurt. Going through times of suffering does not mean that God is far away; on the contrary, His presence may be even nearer. We lean not on false or trumped up emotions, but on the promise of God’s Word that the Spirit of God lives in us and He is with us until the end of time. Our focus must be on giving Him glory and relying on Who He Is. The pain will remain, our understanding that God is still in control, that He loves us and that He has a plan for our lives and can help us trust Him that, “<i>though He slay me, yet will I trust Him</i>.” [Job 13:15]</div>
Worship HeartCrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911213966810407256noreply@blogger.com0