Thoughts on worship p. 1

Worshiping together...

"Worship" is used to describe everything from a gathering to singing to an experience. Some view it as the "warm up" to a message. Others view it as an opportunity for creative expression.

Jesus talked about God looking for worshipers, those who would worship Him in spirit and in truth. That seems to indicate worshiping from the core of who you really are on the basis of who He really is.

The Bible also paints the picture of ALL our lives being worship - offering everything we are and do to God.

A friend used to say "pray with your eyes open and worship with your eyes shut." He was encouraging us to look for what God is doing when you are praying (quickly answering), and to look to heaven when worshiping.

I've been pondering the purpose of worship, specifically getting together to worship with other followers of Jesus. The early church primarily used the Psalms as their "hymnbook." Have you ever tried singing the Psalms? It can be pretty awesome and it can be pretty awkward... Can you imagine everyone singing a song with a couple hundred lines? At the same time the richness of singing something from God's book is unequaled.

Worship could be defined as declaring who God is; what He has done, is doing and is going to do. That can take quite a bit of time and opens the door to endless creativity.

Whenever people gather to worship God a strange thing happens, He actually comes near. The Person of the Holy Spirit draws near. The Bible says He inhabits or is enthroned upon the praises of His people. Have you ever experienced getting together with others to worship, only to find God's peace settling upon you and anxiety disappearing?

We can tangibly experience His peace, His joy, and whatever else we need from Him in times of worshiping together. You can't get that on your own. Yes, you can experience God's presence on your own, but there is an aspect or element of His grace that only comes when we worship together -- broken people in imperfect local church communities expressing their love for God, declaring His greatness.

All over the world wherever people gather to worship, lives are transformed, communities and nations are impacted, if we only knew...

That is one of the reasons God tells us in Hebrews to not forsake getting together as His people. It isn't just to hang out together. Something meaningful and transformational happens when God's people worship Him in unity.

A significant void develops when we stop getting together with other followers of Jesus to worship Him. We can fill it with other stuff. We can avoid the imperfections of local church community.

But the fact remains, we were made to worship together, and the church (and earth) suffers in the absence of one person who detaches from this wonderful calling.

I'm looking forward to the next time of worshiping with other followers of Jesus, no matter where they are in the journey, to expressing our love for Jesus and appreciation for His profound mercy. I may just close my eyes and imagine what is going on in heaven. And I'll glance around the room to be reminded that I wasn't made to walk or worship alone.

Vacation, golf and Psalm 107

Every August we try to take some vacation, a mini-sabbatical of sorts. Sabbatical is defined as a year or shorter period of absence for study, rest, or travel, given at intervals (emphasis on "shorter period")

Interestingly, when we fail to take a day of weekly rest along with periodic longer periods of rest, we burn out and end up resting not of our own choice.

I usually go into this time thinking it will involve lots of golf. For some strange reason I equate golf with rest. Isn't beating someone in a highly competitive activity (where you are "having fun") the definition of rest?

This year the biggest thing has been fixing broken stuff around the house. I get a strange sense of enjoyment in that, especially working on something that gets fixed. Someone once told me how therapeutic mowing or shoveling snow can be for a leader, because you actually get to complete the task in a concrete way. Of course electrical, plumbing and appliance repair don't compare because I don't get them fixed very easily.

Finally, I've been reflecting on Psalm 107 this month. What an amazing Psalm! Taking a few verses every day, reading, thinking, checking out what Charles Spurgeon says, praying about it, seeing how it applies, etc.

The Psalm paints the picture of 4 groups of people, all of which 1) stray away from God, 2) suffer consequences, 3) cry out to God, and 4) God shows His incredible mercy. He shows that mercy in different ways to each group.

The first group for example He "leads in a straight way" as part of His deliverance. Ever feel like you're on a circuitous route (indirect and lengthy)? Boy I do. That seems to be at the core of following Jesus. Probably not because He is going the indirect and lengthy route, but because we do.

I was just talking to a guy who has a really hard time listening. He is used to doing what he wants, when he wants, and gets rather offended when others don't fall in line. But he also has experienced some brokenness, crying out to God, and then God leading him "in a straight way." He'll experience that mercy again, as we all do, once he reaches the end of his own resources.

A time of rest where we are listening -- whether hanging out with family, golfing, or fixing things (not necessarily in that order).

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Psalm 107:1

When everything is shaken

Jerry had lost almost everything -- his wife and kids, many friends, he no longer enjoyed his work..., he had always been a "glass is half-full" kinda guy.

We talked about world events, natural disasters, poor decisions, betrayal and faith gone cold.

Staring at his drink he said "Man, what is going on? Where is God in all this mess? It is like the radio dial is in between stations -- I hit the "seek" button and there is no signal strong enough to land on..."

How can you be hopeful when uncertainty colors everything? Thankful when facing loss? Clear-minded when confusion permeates?

I listened to Jerry, didn't offer any insights or answers (beyond reminding him that God still loves him). We did pray and invite Jesus to comfort and restore. An amazing peace seemed to settle upon him in that moment. Yet I knew it would be gone by the time he got to his car if he didn't hold on to the truth.

Someone once told me "Remember God is closest when He seems the most quiet."

He brings peace whenever we yield to Him, time and time again!

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" Hebrews 12:28

Hold on to this truth today. Though everything else is being shaken, let Jesus have what He wants. Let His unshakable Kingdom come into every area -- and let go of the things you can't control.