Cherry Hills Baptist Church Worship Arts

Pure Praise Week 7

2009-08-23T19:55:00.002-05:00

With this week 7 reflection I am entering territory that worship wars are fought over - STYLE.

I taught this several weeks ago in church, and I believe this to my core...that worship services should be God-Centered, God-Focused, and God-Exalting. But how does that play out practically?

I appreciate how Moore believes this too, stating, "If God's Word is not concerned about style, why should we be up in arms about it?" He also says, "Style is not the issue with God. He loves all kinds of music - as long as it honors him. What matters is not so much what we sing, but how we sing it."

But come on, at some point a church picks a style of music and goes with it. I do believe at Cherry Hills we do evaluate new music Scripturally and Theologically, before style ever enters into the mix, but style has to be a part of the conversation.

What I would argue is that we don't choose all up-beat cutting edge songs to be introduced, and we don't choose to sing all hymns all the time.

I frequently say, "A good song, is a good song is a good song." Of the thousands of songs written today, only a few are worth singing, just like there are only about 50 out of 900 hymns in the hymnal worth singing.

As I evalute my own thoughts about Sunday services and songs, I'm getting better at being able to worship through all kinds of songs and musical styles, but the bottom line is I still have my preferences - and that plays out in planning worship services. I really do try to serve the people that come on Sundays, and that means providing people opportunities to respond to God in a variety of ways, but I still have my own personal preferences.

I'm still working on this, but I have a lot of room to improve.

I'm hoping my friend Chuck Bosworth writes in and comments on his experiences with his band Chapter 6 as they toured the country and visited different churches each Sunday. It's a story that has impacted me a number of time.

What stood out to you in Week 7, and how does this STYLE issue play out for you in Sunday services?

Pure Praise - Week 6 Reflection

2009-08-13T12:14:00.002-05:00

This week focused on qualities of leadership, and the day that impacted me the most was day 2 (Recognition is not required). I wonder if many of us in the arts, and serve in front of people struggle with this.

My story can be wrapped up in one visual - a key.

Sara and I served as volunteers at a church before coming to Cherry Hills, and we both held quite a few positions. Not only did we help out with the services, Sunday, and children's activities, but I was the Vice-Moderator of the Leadership Coordination Team. I was 25 years old, and basically the 2nd in charge on the leadership team. You can probably see where this is going, but I had such an attitude of entitlement. I thought all of my ideas were the best ideas, and should be followed. And if people didn't follow my ideas then the other people were just crazy! I didn't like what I was becoming, and looking back, I wish I could do some things over.

When we decided to come to Cherry Hills, I just wanted to be part of a church - not lead anything, just be part of something. I remember getting involved with some ministries at Cherry Hills and being offered a key from the staff (we pass out keys like candy around here), and I turned them down for some time. You see, for me, that key represented the worst about me. It gave me access to the church whenever I wanted it, and it gave me this spirit of entitlement that I was more important than other people. So I turned down a key for some time.

I now have a key to the church, but I always want to remember that it doesn't allow me special priviledges or value. I always need to check myself and remember why I'm doing what I'm doing, and rememeber that "Recognition is not required." I've actually gotten to the point now where I prefer to be behind the scenes working on service planning because it helps me not desire or require the recognition.

In addition, I think for the most part, the Arts Team at Cherry Hills does a good job of this. Churches are notorious for blow-ups in the arts of prima donnas needed recognition and stage time. That's why in our Worship Arts Guidelines we include this paragraph,

"Humility and Grace: We all agree and understand that there are no ‘stars’ on this team. Although there are varying degrees of giftedness and skill and as a result some team members may occasionally carry a larger leadership role, every person on this team is equally important and is committed to playing whatever role they are asked to play. No one is above singing back-up vocals, serving behind the scenes, aiming lights, hauling equipment, plugging in cords, pushing a broom or whatever it takes to help the entire team succeed. And no team is more important than another. We all exist to serve God and to serve one another, and we come together to do what none of us could do alone. Our focus is never on who gets the recognition or the opportunity. Our one desire is simply that the Kingdom of God goes forward, and to that end each of us will humbly serve in whatever capacity will allow us to accomplish that best."

Let's keep being a team that allow God to increase as we decrease.

Pure Praise - Week 5

2009-08-05T08:48:00.001-05:00

This will be a short post because in Week 5 one thing stood out to me over and over again. Beginning in Day 1 with prayer, then Day 2 with planned spontaneity, and then Day 4 with the power of the Spirit I was reminded again and again how these are God's services.

Yes, we can and should plan and execute to the best of our ability, but these are God's services. I need to pray like crazy, and then humbly expect the Holy Spirit to work in the services, and if He wants to change something then let's change it.

Here's the prayer I wrote on Day 3, "God, I have honestly never considered veering from the plan a good thing, especially in worship services. Help me remember that these services are yours, not mine and you can change your plans any time you want."

In my love of planning, the quote on page 86 nailed me, "To be filled with the Holy Spirit is really more about getting unfilled with ourselves."

What spoke to you this week?

Pure Praise Week 4

2009-07-27T07:45:00.002-05:00

Sorry this is a little later than usual, but better late than never.

Man, week 4 spoke to me and addressed one of my biggest weaknesses. Truth be told, I'm just not very good at listening TO God or FOR God. I think a lot of that stems from being a type A personality that likes being in control; coupled with the fact that I love to figure things out on my own.

Yesterday at church, Pastor Lee talked about Rehoboam and how he sought advice from other places instead of going to God first, and I can identify with that. I'll look in books, ask the wise advice of friends, and try to figure things out myself and then realize I haven't even asked what God would want me to do.

I loved The Contents of His Words on Page 65:
1. God's voice is consistent with the Bible.
2. God's voice might conflict with human wisdom.
3. God's voice will likely clash with our fleshly nature.
4. God's voice may challenge our faith.
5. God's voice will often require us to be courageous.

God, help me listen for your voice and act on it when I hear it. I need your help on this because this is not natural for me. I don't just want to talk to you, I want to hear from you.

Pure Praise - Week 3

2009-07-17T21:56:00.003-05:00

This was such an important week in this study. The first two weeks were foundational material to begin to understand what praise really is: A RESPONSE to what we value most, and different ways we can praise God.

It is crucial that Moore now turns to talk about the object of our praise - God. Worship is always God-centered.

I'll admit up front that I need to work on a better balance in my life between viewing God with the reverance and awe he deserves, yet at the same time understanding that his is a personal God who longs to have a relationship with us.

In theological terms, God is transcendent (He is above, beyond, outside, all that He has made); and at the same time God is immanent (God exists is His creation, and he is still actively involved in our lives).

My life has been a roller coaster in terms of how I view God. Growing up I probably had more of a fearful/reverant view of God, thinking he was the great punisher in the sky just waiting for me to mess up. I knew very little of a God who wanted a relationship.

Then in my 20's the pendulum swung about as far back as it could, and I considered God as my buddy (as in the movie Darma), or like the t-shirts "Jesus is my homeboy." I lost almost all reverance, awe and fear of a transendent God.

I now have a better balance of the two views of God. I probably still find it easier to see God as personal rather than the all-powerful (from what I read this is very common for people to err on the side of immanence).

However, I'm working on focusing on God's attributes, and reading books (Tozer's "The Pursuit of God", J.I. Packer's "Knowing God") that help me see the whole picture of God.

Pure Praise - Week 2

2009-07-09T08:47:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone. Lots of ground to cover this week, so I'll keep it relatively short and give you my two biggest take-aways from the week.

1. Praise is prevalent. What a great reminder that we were created to praise God and glorify him. As Moore said on page 25, "it is every believer's most natural response to God's power and grace."

Think about it, we're all wired to worship right. We go to concerts, ball games, broadway plays, and we stand and cheer, clap, shout, sometimes cry. We're just wired with an innate sense of worship. However, what happens to us is that we trade worship of the Creator for worship of created things. (Don't hear me say going to those things and cheering is bad, we just have to have priorities in place)

I said it last week, and I'll say it again, the best definition of worship is that it is a RESPONSE. Worship is our response to what we value most. That’s why worship is that thing that we all do. It’s what we’re all about on any given day. Because worship is about saying, “This person, this thing, this experience, this whatever is what matters most to me…it’s the thing I put first in my life.”

We were all created to worship, and we all worship something.

And this is why this is so important for us to get right…we become what we worship. Whatever you worship, whatever you put first, you become obsessed with. Whatever you become obsessed with, you imitate. And whatever you imitate you become. In other words, whatever you value most will ultimately determine who you are.

I pray that as a team, we put Jesus first. I pray that he becomes our obsession.

2. I had never heard about Perfect Praise before this week, and I still need to do some more thinking about it, but I truly appreciated his requirements for perfect praise: a worshipful and passionate heart, approach Him as little children, and have total dependence on God.

My confession is that every day I struggle to give God perfect praise, including days when I have to stand on stage and lead other people. I need to work on this, and want to come to a place where I worship him with a full heart, and a dependence, humility, wonder and awe that I see in children's eyes.

I'll finish with a quote from a guy named Bob Kaughlin. I'm reading his book right now, and he makes this statement that blew me away:

"I don't ever want people who see me lead worship publicly to be surprised by the way I live privately. It's not my songs that define my worship; it's my life." Amen.

Sunday, July 5

2009-07-07T14:04:00.001-05:00

Corporate set for July 5:

Let God Arise
Marvelous Light
I Stand Amazed

Special Song Before Communion: Forgive Me by Rebecca St. James

Closing Sonng After Communion: Jesus Messiah

I thought the instrumentalists played great today. I have to admit though, the room felt pretty dead all morning. I don't know if it was because Sunday was the day after the 4th of July, or the gray rainy weather contributed, but it didn't seem like people showed up to worship? Just my take. I freely admit I could be wrong.

Pure Praise - Week 1

2009-07-01T14:51:00.002-05:00

First, thanks for doing this study as a team. As I said at our meeting last week, my prayer is that we can all get into God's Word together so what we do in private flows out of us on Sunday mornings. In addition, I pray that we get to know each other better through this study.

Week 1 of this study is some pretty basic material that some of you may have heard many times. But it's always a good reminder to go back to what worship really is.

I think a lot of times we get caught up thinking that worship is music or singing, or what happens on Sunday morning. But it's so much more than that, and as we saw this week, worship is our whole lives - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Above all else, the definition that I would love for everyone to remember is that WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO GOD. I love Louie Giglio's definition of worship: "Worship is a whole-life response to God's greatness and glory."

So if worship is bigger than just Sunday mornings where we all help lead worship, then it is important that we're worshipping during the week too. We can't just show up Sunday morning and turn on a switch and begin to worship the God of the universe. It actually might work for a little while, but I think people would figure out that we're pretty fake.

One verse that stood out to me in the story of Jehoshaphat was 2 Chronicles 20:12, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

That's probably the biggest lesson the Lord is teaching me right now is to keep my eyes on Him. In the midst of everything going on in my life, my home, my work and the world, I need to keep my eyes on Him - which coincidentally is worship.

Let me know what stood out to you this week.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

2009-06-28T15:21:00.003-05:00

I thought the song sets and creative elements really came alongside the message today on Balaam, and enhanced the services.

Chuck led a great song set:

A Mighty Fortress
Better is One Day
Psalm 62 (we introduced this for the first time today)
Come Thou Fount (with Sing Praise chorus)
Psalm 62 tag

After Jeff had taught on Balaam, he asked, "Do we really want to do God's will, or do we want God to bless our plans?"

We showed the following video, which I think opened people's hearts to the question of the day - "who is sitting on the chair of your life?"

Pure Praise Starts Monday

2009-06-27T19:47:00.002-05:00

Team,

Remember that our summer Bible study start on Monday, June 29th. I'll post my thoughts/reflections on Wednesday, and then you can comment any time after that.

The one and only Eddie Ebeling found this video intro for the study. It might help give you a feel for where we're going.

I'm really looking forward to doing this together, and learning what it means to be lead worshippers at Cherry Hills. Blessing.

Stripped

2009-06-25T10:39:00.003-05:00

I just finished reading another one of Jud Wilhite's books. This one is called Stripped: Uncensored Grace on the Streets of Vegas. You can buy it here. This book is absolutely worth your time to read.

One of the main things that stuck out to me in the book, and that I am still wrestling with revolve around three words, Belong, Believe, Behave.

So many times in our churches we expect people to follow the progression of needing to believe and/or behave before we accept them.

But Jud turns this idea on its head and says, "Many churches are more or less reversing this order out of live for people far from God. Their philosophy is first you belong (you're loved), then you believe, and finally you behave.

Why should se expect people who are far from God to behave like a follower of Jesus should behave. Shouldn't we simply love people where they are, love them and disciple them to a place where they can cross the line of faith, and once they are a follower of Jesus they are challenged that their behavior should match the talk.

I pray that Cherry Hills can be a church where people feel like they can belong before they are expected to believe and behave.

2009-06-19T12:55:00.002-05:00

Just finished reading another book on the blog tour. This one was "Eyes Wide Open" by Jud Wilhite. I had the opportunity to meet Jud in Washington D.C. last summer at a small conference at National Community Church. Since then I have run into Jud at Catalyst in Atlanta and at the Willow Arts Conference last week in Chicago. I really admire Jud as a young leader navigating the huge responsibility of leading Central Christian in Las Vegas.

This is a great book. Particularly for young believers, but also a good reminder for those who have followed Jesus for some time. In Eyes Wide Open, Jud invites you to discover the real you. Not the you who pretends to be perfect to satisfy everyone’s expectations. Not the you who always feels guilty before God. Not the you who secretly feels God forgives everyone else but only tolerates you. Not the you who looks in the mirror and sees a failure. The real you, loved and forgiven by God, living out of your identity in Christ.

I'd encourage you to pick this book up and be reminded of your real identity in Christ. You can click here to find out more about the book, or go to Amazon.

Willow Arts - Session 1 Reflection

2009-06-18T14:18:00.002-05:00

Nancy Beach opened the 2009 Willow Arts conference by talking about Wonder. Nancy gave several memorable soundbites in this session, including:

As artists, we are called to be agents of wonder and hope.

And to be those types of people, we need to be grateful. We need to look around and be grateful for what God has given us.

Through the arts in church, we need to show people the wonder of God, and the hope of His Son Jesus Christ. We can do this through cretion, relationships, and God's grace.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

2009-06-17T13:47:00.003-05:00

Each week I'm going to start posting what took place at CH the previous Sunday. I always appreciate hearing what other churches are doing, so I'm joining the party.

Our team had just gotten back from the Willow Arts Conference, so we stripped everything down, and led corporate singing with just an acoustic guitar. Al, did a great job, and Sara joined us on vocals.

The set was: Great is thy faithfulness; Corporate reading (see below); Let us Adore; How Great is our God (chorus and bridge); How deep the Father's Love; and Grace Flows Down.

The Responsive Reading during the set was actually written by Tim Hughes, and went like this:

You shaped the heavens and the earth revealed Your splendour
You spoke Your life into our hearts
And we belong to You

You are the Maker of all things,
First and the last
Creation sings praise to You God

And Your people join with heaven declaring Your glory
Proclaiming the works of Your hands

We started a new series this past week called Heart Check, and we're using the Scripture Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

We're looking a different characters in the Bible all summer, all of whom had a heart problem. This past Sunday we looked at Cain (Genesis 4).

I have included our series graphic for you to check out. Thanks Tamiko for creating another graphic for us!

The Disappearance of God

2009-06-16T13:18:00.003-05:00

I'm part of this blog tour thing where I get asked to read books, and then eveluate them here. This is one of those books.

Dr. Albert Mohler Jr., President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has written a new book called "The Disappearance of God," where he talks about the foundations of the Christian faith that are disappearing in this post-modern, pluralistic, relativistic world we are living in. If you would like to read more about the book, click here.

Surprisingly, as an academic writer, Mohler was pretty easy to read and understand. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised at some of the "core" truths Mohler decided to write about. I understand writing about the doctrine of perseverance; salvation by grace through faith; sin; the reality of hell; the emerging church; pluralism; and church discipline. But is "A Christian View of Beauty" really one of the most pressing issues?

Probably my biggest beef with the book was Mohler's argument against the emerging church. While I agree with almost every point he makes, and his reasons are biblical and solid, he needs to expand his resources against the emerging church past D.A. Carson's Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church.

In spite of this criticism, I would encourage people to pick this book up. If you are concerned about the church and how the church relates to culture this would be a good read for you. In the age-old battle to preserve the foundations of faith, it's up to a new generation to confront and disarm the contemporary shams and fight for the truth.

Rejoice & Celebrate

2009-05-27T09:56:00.004-05:00

I was reading Luke 15:1-32 yesterday, and was struck by how many times the words rejoice and celebrate are used.

This section of Scripture contains the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the prodigal son. In 32 verses the word rejoice is used 4 times, and the word celebrate is used 3 times.

I was struck again by God's concern for those who do not yet follow him. And I was amazed by how much rejoicing and celebrating goes on in heaven when one person decides to follow Jesus.

I love how Brennan Manning describes the scene of the prodigal son and father. (Verse 20) But while he was a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with love for him; he ran to his son and threw his arms around him. He couldn't stop hugging and kissing him!

You Gotta See This

2009-04-26T17:03:00.002-05:00

My buddy Gavin sent me this link, and it's so bad I have to pass it on. Enjoy this video!

Holy Week

2009-04-06T16:16:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post...I'm reading The Ancient Christian Devotional by Thomas Oden, and one of the readings for this week struck me.

Cyril of Alexandria made this comment around the year 400, "He became like us that we might become like him."

That's a quote that will stop and make you think for a while.

Hot Off The Press

2009-03-15T12:37:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share with you our Easter morning title and title slide for April 12, 2009. Our services are at 7:45; 9:15 and 10:45 that morning. Hope you can make it.

Stand Firm

2009-03-15T12:33:00.003-05:00

We are in the middle of a teaching series on 1 Peter, and I thougth I would share our title slide graphic with you. Steal it if you like:

U2's "No Line on the Horizon"

2009-03-04T15:48:00.004-06:00

U2's new album "No Line on the Horizon" dropped on Tuesday, March 3rd, but I've been listening to it for about two weeks now because the band streamed the album on their website before the official release.

After the first listen, I didn't know what to think - it was definately a departure from All That You Can't Leave Behind and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

I have now listened to it about 10 times and here is the verdict: I think this is the second best album U2 has made, behind 1991's Auchtung Baby. I know, I know, all you fundamentalists will argue for The Joshua Tree as the best album. And while this album may not be as seminal as Joshua Tree, it is a deep, layered work that will take many listens to hear all of the intracacies.

Two more quick things. I think it's U2's most overtly Christian album, with songs like Magnificent, Unknown Caller, White As Snow, Fez-Being Born, and Breathe.

Finally, the second track on the album is titled Magnificent and I believe is already, and will go down as the second best U2 song of all time behind Bad.

I can't wait to hear the new stuff live.

Sacrifices, Sacrifices

2009-02-28T07:21:00.003-06:00

So I'm reading through Leviticus right now - I know, exciting right.
and I got to thinking about all of the sacrifices that were necessary to make things right between the people and God (provide atonement for the people's sins).

Here is one small example of the many rules and regulations, taken from Leviticus 10:12-15, "Take the grain offering left over from the offerings made to the Lord by fire and eat it prepared without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy. Eat it in a holy place, because it is your share and your sons' share of the offerings made to the Lord by fire; for so I have been commanded. But you and your sons and your daughters may eat the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. Eat them in a cermonially clean place; they have been given to you and your children as your share of the Israelites' fellowship offering. The thigh that was presented and the breast that was waved must be brought with the fat portions of the offerings made by fire, to be waved before the Lord as a wave offering. Thsi will be the regular share for you and your children, as the Lord has commanded."

I can't imagine living under these laws. I don't know how Moses, Aaron and the people remembered all they had to do. And an example of the seriousness is the immediate death of Aaron's sons (Nadab and Abihu) for lighting incense at the wrong time. I think some of the reason Nadab and Abihu did this is they simply forgot when/where they were supposed to offer incense.

I'm so thankful I live on this side of the cross, and I don't live under the sacrificial system. I'm grateful for Hebrew's 10:10, "For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time."

He fulfilled the law perfectly so I don't have to!

U2

2009-02-23T20:37:00.003-06:00

The new U2 album drops on March 3rd in the U.S., but the album is available for free download at U2's website www.u2.com.In the meantime, below is a video from the band's performance in London of what I think is the best song on the album - Magnificent.

I've listened to the album 5 or 6 times and it keeps getting better and better. U2 continaully reinvents themselves so the sound on "No Line on the Horizon" isn't similar to a lot of U2 songs, although a lot of the signature hooks and riffs can be heard. If I had to pinpoint the sound, it reminds me of a lot of early stuff from Boy and October. Anyway, enjoy the video!

Willow Arts Conference 2009

2009-02-12T11:32:00.002-06:00

Whatever you might think of Willow Creek, they value the role of the church, and want to train people to lead others and make the church all it can be. I love Bill Hybel's quote, "The local church is the hope of the world." I believe that to the core of my being, and believe we have the best news on earth in the good news of Jesus Christ. So to that end:

We are taking a team of 10 to the Arts Conference this year. I encourage you to check out their website, and if you can make it up to Chicago, it would be worth your time.

http://www.willowcreek.com/events/arts/2009/index.html

MLK Day

2009-01-20T10:40:00.001-06:00

In honor of MLK day, thought I'd share one of Martin Luther King's quotes.

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven will pause to say, 'There lived a great street sweeper who did his job well'."

New Creation

2009-01-09T10:02:00.002-06:00

As the New Year begins I want to remind you that if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a New Creation.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21:

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Do you know what this means? This means that when you follow Jesus, you are a new person. The Holy Spirit lives inside of you and guides you. You are not a lowly sinner saved by grace (that's what we used to be), but you are a saint that sometimes sins.

As you begin this New Year, know that you are a New Creation. Know that when you decided to follow Jesus, you took on the following characteristics (compiled by Bob Warren in his Romans study):

• Crucified with Christ
• Not condemned
• Sealed in Him
• Holy and blameless before Him
• Raised up with Christ
• Forgiven
• Justified
• Glorified
• Perfected
• Complete
• In Christ
• Made a saint
• Washed
• Member of God's Household
• Citizen of Heaven
• Holy and beloved

In 2009, live knowing you are a New Creation. In Philippians 3:16, Paul tells us to "live up to what we have already attained." He is saying, you are a new creation, live like it!

Book Recommendations

2008-12-18T13:18:00.002-06:00

I love to read. I can't read all the books I want to because of school right now, but I try to read as much as I can. If we are followers of Jesus, then we're disciples, and a disciple is a student. We're not just students for a season, we're lifelong students. And students are lifelong readers. So I encourage you to read books as often as you can, and read about subjects that you don't necessarily always agree with.

So without any further ado, here are some of the books I read in 2008 and I recommend to you. I read other books, but they aren't worth your time.

(In no particular order)

Axiom by Bill Hybels
In a pit with a lion on a snowy day by Mark Batterson
Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
Walking with God by John Eldgridge
It by Craig Groeshel
This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley
The Jesus Way by Eugene Peterson
Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson
Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson
In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
The Living Church by John Stott
Prayer by Philip Yancey
The Great Omission by Dallas Willard
Experiential Worship by Bob Rognlien
The Worshippping Artist by Rory Noland
Ancient Future Worship by Robert Webber
Blended Worship by Robert Webber
Revelation's Rapsody by Bob Lowery
His Story, Our Response by Dinelle Frankland
The Shack by William Young
Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron

Joy

2008-12-10T08:08:00.002-06:00

There is a rare and out of print Christmas cd that you have to have in your collection. It is titled
Joy and is recorded by Bebo Norman, Ed Cash and Levi Allen. This was put out in 1997 and is now hard to find. You can download the album from itunes, but good luck finding a cd.

Go out and get this album today. This is the best Christmas album I have ever listened to, and I've gotten a lot of my friends hooked on it too.

This is a collection of eclectic music, all with the foundation of acoustic guitars. Enjoy!

Advent

2008-12-04T11:38:00.003-06:00

Most of the time, as the Christmas season approaches, our schedules fill up rapidly with parties, shopping outings and other festivities to celebrate the holidays. Unfortunately, most of us lose focus as to the real meaning of the season. We do not do this maliciously, we just get busy, and other things become our priority.

Each year as Christmas draws near, we hear the word Advent used. However, if you’re like me, you’ve never quite understood what the word fully meant, or how to observe the Advent season. So this year I created a Daily Advent Devotional. The link is below:

Advent Daily Devotional

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Advent has been celebrated since the year 400, and marks the beginning of the Christmas season. The word “Advent” means arrival or coming in Latin, and represents the approach of Christ’s birth (and fulfillment of the prophecies about that event); and the awaiting of Christ’s second coming. It is composed of the four Sundays before Christmas Day, starting on November 30th.

The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the second coming while commemorating the first coming of Christ at Christmas. These readings direct our thoughts to the first coming of Jesus Christ as Savior, and to his second coming as Judge.

In Max Lucado’s book God Came Near, there is a short story titled “The Arrival”. It takes us through the environment of what it might have been like at the time of Christ’s birth, and shows how people weren’t intentionally neglecting the coming of the Messiah, they just weren’t preparing themselves for the arrival, and they missed it. Lucado then brings the story to the 21st century and closes the story with this powerful line, “Those who missed His majesty’s arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking. Little has changed in the last two thousand years has it?”

Lucado’s words sting because we too have missed the real meaning of Christmas, and turned to secular materialism instead. I believe the remedy to recapturing the meaning of Christmas is by preparing ourselves daily and returning to the rich tradition of the church and observing Advent for the four weeks before Christmas in our churches.

I pray this will help enrich your Christmas season this year, and help prepare your heart for the arrival of our Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The Least of These

2008-11-26T11:07:00.002-06:00

So it's been a while since my last entry, and I wanted to bring you up to speed on what's been going on at Cherry Hills.

This past Sunday night we just wrapped up a 4-week series called "The Least of These." Big props to Matt Bortmess at Rochester Christian for sharing the graphics with us.

We looked at the issue of social justice and Jesus' concern for the poor throughout the series, and asked people to give in several tangible ways, leading up to Thanksgiving. The results were unbelievable.

First, we put a shoe box under everyone's seat in the worship center and asked them to fill a showbox for Operation Christmas Child. People ended up returning 802 shoeboxes for children around the world!

Next, we asked people to take a "Limit Your Consumption" challenge for 5 days (Nov. 16-23) and eat only what 90% of the world eats (oatmeal, rice, beans and tortillas). Then with the money saved from eating on $2 a day, bring a bag of food for Contact Ministries and Salvation Army and/or bring an offering to give to Compassion International's Global Food Crisis.

On Sunday night at our Thanksgiving Service, people brought over 400 bags of groceries for local ministries, and I think over $2000 will be collected for the global food crisis.

I'm blown away by the generosity of God's people, and truly believe that if we'll look to Him this Thanksgiving we'll be filled with joy and generosity because of what the Lord has done for us.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Ten Shekel Shirt

2008-09-26T11:51:00.005-05:00

I've written a lot about new albums coming out this fall, but this is a great fall for good music being released.

Just a few weeks ago one of my favorite bands released their third album. The band is Ten Shekel Shirt and the album it titled Jubilee. To listen to some tracks, click here.

I think this is their best album to date. There probably isn't one corporate worship song on this album, but for personal listening it's awesome. I keep listening to it over and over. They have some deep lyrics and tight harmony.

I think you'll like it. Let me know if you pick it up and what you think.

Joe Horness - Part 2

2008-09-12T12:31:00.002-05:00

Several weeks ago Joe Horness came to Cherry Hills to lead a worship seminar and teach on Sunday morning.

I've heard this teaching before, but it's one of the best I've heard on the importance of leading others in worship.

Joe teaches that the goal of leading people in worship is to get their hearts engaged with God. And he goes on to say that the way to do that is to paint a great picture of God!

I've written before on this blog that our worship is a response to the character, the works, and the grace of God. So it makes sense that if our worship is a response, we need to lead people in responding to God by painting a great picture of God for people.

To do that (paint a great picture of God) Joe gave some suggestions that have helped me for years while planning and leading worship:

Teach well - what does it mean to see God.
Bring your best offering (Malachi 1).
Use the spoken word (calls to worship, ask a compelling questions, tell a compelling story).
Use Scripture - anytime we can replace our words with God's Word is a good thing.
Pray intelligent prayers.
Pick songs that help paint a big picture of God (objective songs, not just subjective).
Recapture the use of art and visuals in helping people see a big picture of God.

New Charlie Hall CD

2008-09-10T09:10:00.002-05:00

I picked up Charlie Hall's new cd, The Bright Sadness a couple of weeks ago, and it has taken a few listens to grow on me, but I have to tell you, this is a great cd. I'm not sure there are many corporate worship songs on this album like there was on his previous album Flying Into Daybreak, but I keep listening to this cd over and over in the car.

If you like Crowder and/or you liked Steve Fee's first release Shine, I think you'll really like this album. To check out reviews or listen to samples you can click here.

Pump You Up!

2008-09-02T09:11:00.001-05:00

At Cherry Hills our mission can be summed up in 3 words - Reach, Build, Send.

Last week I shared a video with you that focused on the Send mission of our church. This morning, I want to share a really ridiculous video that we showed on Sunday that heats up the Build mission of our church. This video was used to promote Wednesday Night and Sunday Morning Classes coming up. We believe right now, these are the two best opportunities we can provide as a church to help build you up in your faith. We call these opportunities Next Steps.

Next Steps from James Davis on Vimeo.

God of Justice

2008-08-28T14:33:00.002-05:00

One of the values of Cherry Hills that I love is that we have a heart for missions. Many people are actively involved in serving, and 20% of our budget each year goes to missions. So, this past year we have been focusing on how to be a 50/50 church, where we're concerned as much about outside our walls as we are inside. One way we do that is to uphold this value on Sunday mornings, and several months ago we did that by showing this video of CH people serving, set to the song God of Justice by Tim Hughes.

One of our videographers, Dr. Jim Davis created this fantastic video, and I wanted to share it with you.

God of Justice from James Davis on Vimeo.

Joe Horness Part 1

2008-08-23T17:09:00.002-05:00

We hosted guest artist Joe Horness at Cherry Hills this weekend. On Saturday, Joe taught three sessions about Engaging the Heart. The session were 1. Painting a great picture of God, 2. Building unity on your worship team, and 3. A heart after God's own heart.

I'll post some bullet point hightlights later, but I wanted to post this picture of our creative team with Joe during the Saturday intensive.

Joe's leading worship and teaching tomorrow morning at Cherry Hills and I'm excited for our congregation to hear him.

Wild Goose Chase

2008-08-19T14:10:00.003-05:00

I just finished reading Mark Batterson's new book, Wild Goose Chase, which was released today (August 19th). This is the follow-up book to his first release, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

I was able to meet Mark personally at the Unplugged Conference last month, and I respect him greatly as a leader and teacher. So, when I heard he was releasing his second book, I was pretty excited.

In the introduction Batterson states, “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…"

Batterson goes on to discuss six reasons we don't chase the goose (Responsibilities, Routine, Assumptions, Guilt, Failure, and Fear). I found this to be an easy read that makes you think about taking risks and living dangerously for God. I'd recommend you check this book out. For more information on Wild Goose Chase, you can click here. And to order the book from Amazon, you can click here.

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com).

Let me know if you decide to read the book, and what you think about it.

It

2008-08-11T16:21:00.003-05:00

Last week I attended Willow Creek's Leadership Summit. For me, the best message was given by a pastor named Craig Groeshel of lifechurch.tv.

Groeshel has written his third book titled IT about why some churches have it, and some don't. While he can't define it (and neither can I), you know what I'm talking about. You have been to churches that have had it and you've known it; and you've been to church that have NOT had it, and you knew that too.

I'm half way through the book, and think it's a valuable read for the church in the vision casting process. I'd recommend picking up a copy. Let me know if you've read it already.

Rochester Christian Church

2008-08-10T18:57:00.003-05:00

I had the privilege and honor of teaching at all 4 services at Rochester Christian Church in Rochester, Illinois this weekend.

I grew up at RCC in Jr. High and High School so it was a sort of homecoming. I love their staff and love their church. I'm always thankful to hear about churches in the area who are advancing the kingdom, and RCC is one of those.

Cornhole

2008-08-06T22:20:00.003-05:00

If anyone has any questions about what cornhole is and the cornhole tournament that took place last weekend, I wanted to share this video with you.

Worship Arts at the Muni

2008-08-05T20:07:00.000-05:00

We took the praise team and tech team to the Muni on Sunday night to see the Music Man and support our own Barb McNamara who is in the show. Before the show began we ate dinner together, and held the 1st Annual Worship Arts Cornhole tournament, won by Jym Gregory and Nate Roth. Some pics from the night can be found below.

Pics of the Muni

2008-08-04T18:01:00.012-05:00

Axiom

2008-08-01T11:53:00.003-05:00

If you're looking for a good leadership book to read this summer, Bill Hybels' new book, Axiom is fantastic.

It contains 76 leadership proverbs that he has learned over the years. Each proverb and description is only 1-3 pages long, which makes for an easy read.

I'll be reading this book over and over again, so I can add some of these proverbs to my leadership skills. You won't be dissapointed by getting this book.

Familiar Verse - New Revelation

2008-07-28T09:44:00.002-05:00

I have read Luke 10:38-42 many times, but I haven't caught this before. I'm reading the ESV this year, and I love the translation they use.

This is the familiar story of Mary and Martha and how they act when Jesus visits their home. The text tells us that Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his teaching. Verse 40 then says, "But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." Jesus goes on to respond to Martha with these words"

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen THE GOOD PORTION, which will not be taken away from her.

THE GOOD PORTION! Somehow I had missed those three words for 33 years. And now in the past week I can't get them out of my head. In ministry and life in general we get so busy doing things (even good things like serving at church or in the community) that we forget to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to his teaching.

So today, may you do the one thing necessary and choose THE GOOD PORTION.

1%

2008-07-24T11:02:00.002-05:00

Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church gave this quote at the Unplugged Conference I attended about a month ago. He said this:

"Pay attention to details. Everything says something about something. 1% of what you do makes 99% of the difference."

I totally agree with this, as I'm a detail person myself. I wish I had more vision casting capability, but my strengths include detail and execution.

So I want to play this out for you in how the 1% rule makes all the difference in the world in worship services.

Last Wednesday night our praise team practice a set of songs that included: Open the eyes of my heart Lord; The Stand; Your Name; and Breathe. This was to be the set before the message, which was on Abraham and the Covenant. We were supposed to end the services with a song of response - For Who You Are by Hillsong.

It was an acoustic set, with 2 acoustic guitars, a bass guitar and a djembe. So after the entire practice was over, Jenny (the worship leader that week) called and said the songs just felt like they fit better as a response to being people of the covenant, rather than opening songs. So we followed the Spirit's leading and switched everything around.

And that little detail - the 1% detail made a 99% difference in the entire service. Rather than having an acoustic opening set that was pretty meditative (and potentially not engaging), we had a powerful time of response after the message by singing together for 15 minutes.

The courage to change things up and pay attention to the 1% detail, made a 99% difference. Thanks Jenny!

Lead Worshiper - Part 2

2008-07-22T09:58:00.007-05:00

In the last post, we established that everyone serving on Sunday mornings is a lead worshiper. From people on stage to people backstage to those in the tech booth, we're all lead worshipers.

Today, I wan to focus on what we need to do to be the best lead worshipers we can possibly be, and again this comes right out of Rory Noland's The Worshiping Artist.

Noland says, "The first step in becoming a worshiping artist, and an effective worshiper, is to become a vibrant private worshiper. You can't lead others in an experience that you yourself aren't having already."

Author Jerry Bridges puts it this way, "The vitality and genuineness of corporate worship is to a large degree dependent upon the vitality of our individual private worship. If we aren't spending time daily worshiping God, we're not apt to contribute to the corporate experience of worship. If we aren't worshiping God during the week, how can we expect to genuinely participate in it on Sunday morning? We may indeed go through the motions and think we have worshiped, but how can we honor and adore One on Sunday whom we have not taken time to praise and give thanks to during the week?"

Noland finishes this section by writing, "If a church wanted to take the next step in improving its worship, I wouldn't rush to change the program or find a new worship leader, I would encourage every member to become a personal worshiper."

I don't have this all figured out yet, and there are still a number of days where I don't feel like a private worshiper, but I'm working on it. And that's my prayer right now for the worship team at Cherry Hills. I want us to work on our hearts; on our private worship. We're bringing in Joe Horness on August 23rd to help us learn how to do this better, but we can start today.

Spend a few minutes today reading the Bible and keeping company with God. Listen to praise music in the car when you're driving to work or running an errand. Or how about turn the television off tonight for a few minutes and pray in silence.

I'm convinced this is the next great step for our worship arts ministry. God has provided all the talent in the world, now we need to be good stewards.

Lead Worshipers

2008-07-19T09:13:00.002-05:00

I'm reading Rory Noland's "The Worshiping Artist", and he makes a great statement that all people that serve on Sunday mornings need to hear.

He says this, "Some church artists don't readily view themselves as worship leaders. For so long, this title has traditionally been given to the "up-front" paid professional at the church - the person who puts the worship order together and speaks during transitions. However, today there is a growing realization that if you're using your artistic gifts to facilitate worship in any way, you are indeed leading worship. Whether you sing, play, write, paint, act, dance, mix sound, run lyric slides, or direct lighting, whether you solo or sing in the choir, whether you lead visibly "up-front" or labor behind the scenes, the congregation follows your lead. Hence, you are a worship leader. Or to use the phrase most people are using these days, you are a lead worshiper."

Whether you're leading worship at Cherry Hills this weekend or another church, I hope you realize this truth - you're a lead worshiper.

Old School

2008-07-17T19:16:00.005-05:00

I'm listening to a cd recorded in 1997 by Jennifer Knapp called Kansas. This is one of the best albums I have - period. Knapp has only released three studio albums, plus a live album and greatest hits, but I don't think any of her music is as good as her debut album.

Check it out, and let me know if you like the music.

Fair Trade Coffee

2008-07-16T18:25:00.008-05:00

Last month I attended the Unplugged Conference at National Community Church in Washington D.C. A great conference limited to 50 pastors held at Ebeneezer’s Cofeehouse. This is a cool coffee house, actually owned and operated by the church. And I have to tell you the coffee they serve there is fantastic. I’m an admitted coffee snob, and this stuff was good. They serve Larry’s Beans coffee, which is fair trade and organic.

I liked the coffee so much that I ordered a pound of the “Frank’s Sumatra blend” when I got back to Springfield. And I plan to continue ordering from Larry’s.

I had heard of fair trade practices before, but I’ve been convicted lately to purchase fair trade products when I have the opportunity. Here’s some info on fair trade coffee if this is the first time you’re hearing about it: Over 70% of the world's coffee comes from small family farmers who don't have trucks to transport their crop and or access to info about its market value. Plus, there's been a huge oversupply of low grade, environmentally unfriendly coffee on the market which has caused ALL prices to drop. Even farmers who produce superior coffee get pressured to sell for prices that make it a struggle just to break even. Meanwhile the giant coffee companies that keep driving the prices down rarely if ever lower their prices for the consumer. (Taken from Larry's Beans website)

At Larry’s Beans they pay the International Fair Trade price on all their coffees, they visit the farmers regularly, and give the farmers repeat business. This allows local families who grow coffee for a living to make an honest wage for their work.

And while you won’t find the words coffee or fair trade in the Bible, there are plenty of examples of treating people with respect and fairness. Buying fair trade coffee won’t solve all of the world’s problems, but you can make a difference in someone’s life. Heck, if you’re going to drink coffee anyway, you ought to drink coffee with a cause! Let me know if you decide to go online and order Larry’s Beans.

Sunday Instrumental

2008-07-16T07:34:00.004-05:00

Cherry Hills believes in gift-based ministry. We believe that all followers of Jesus are given spiritual gifts in order to build up the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:1-11; 1 Peter 4:10). To that end, we encourage people to discover their gifts and get plugged into ministries that they can develop and utilize those gifts (which many times are the person's passion).

Worship arts uses this gift-based ministry philosophy, and strategically chooses people gifted in instrumental music, vocals, creative design, dance, drama, video, audio, bells and other worship arts to be lead worshipers during our Sunday morning worship services.

With that in mind, this past Sunday we were able to hear the gifts of a few of our instrumentalists. As I told the congregation Sunday, the creative team usually tries to pair the teaching message of the day with specific songs in the song set, choir presentation, and the offering music. Well, this past Sunday we were talking about Abraham giving Lot the first choice of land - and Abraham taking second place. We couldn't find any songs dealing with the giving away of land, so I asked our band to play during the offering.

You can listen to their instrumental by clicking on the mp3 player below.

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Track details

eSnips Social DNA

The guys came up with this in about 15 minutes on Wednesday night - talk about giftedness. Charles Rayot on drum set, Chuck Davidson on percussion, Alex Kinkaid on acoustic, Ron Dace on bass and Jeff Kruger featured on electric guitar.

Thanks to God for giving gifts, and thanks to these guys for using their gifts to glorify Him. I hope you enjoy the song.

Baptism Sunday

2008-07-14T19:33:00.004-05:00

We celebrate baptism Sundays approximately 4 times a year, and this past Sunday was one of those days. On Sunday, we baptized 14 people - children and adults, and watched Greg's baptism on video. These Sundays are the highlight in the life of our church.

I grew up probably undervaluing baptims, and not fully understanding how important it is. And I now go to a seminary which has historically placed too much emphasis on baptism (water regeneration), so I've had to come to some beliefs about baptism on my own through the reading of the Bible.

I'm reading the Gospel of Luke right now, and I just read about John the Baptist immersing people, including Jesus. And in Chapter 3, John tells the Pharisees and the crowds that baptism was of no value unless accompanied by a deep inner change of heart (repentance).

Salvation comes through confessing that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord; and in baptism we are identified in the death and life of Jesus Christ, and are publicly making the declaration that we will die to ourselves and put Christ first. In baptism we are declaring that we will deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Three things stand out to me on a baptism Sunday. One, the people getting baptized are making a huge, important, life-changing, dangerous decision to follow Jesus. Two, followers of Jesus who have already been baptized have the opportunity to be reminded about the importance of their own baptism - and we can be reminded to live our baptism every day. And three, people who are still on the way have an opportunity to see how Jesus changes lives. I'm already looking forward to our next baptism service on October 19, 2008.

Fall Music Releases

2008-07-11T09:04:00.002-05:00

I wanted to share with you some of the new releases that I'll be waiting for this fall. I'll be listening for personal reasons, but also to see if there are any congregational songs on any of these albums. For a complete list of new Christian music out this fall, you can go to New Release Tuesday.

July 29 - Third Day (Revelation)

August 5 - Hillsong (This is our God)

August 19 - Charlie Hall (The Bright Sadness)

August 19 - Ten Shekel Shirt (Jubilee)

September 2 - Chris Tomlin (Hello Love)

September 16 - Bebo Norman (TBD)

September 23 - Lincoln Brewster (Today is the day)

September 23 - New Life Worship (Counting on God)

November 11 - Fee (TBD)

November 25 - Passion (TBD)

And for those interested, the greatest band in the world is rumored to be releasing a new album in late 2008, but it will probably drop sometime in early 2009. For all of you who need an explanation, I'm talking about U2.

Victory!

2008-07-10T07:33:00.009-05:00

I was at the gym this morning listening to Fee's album We Shine. This has to be one of the best albums of the year. From top to bottom, every song is great. I highly recommend picking this up for your own personal listening, but also for some corporate songs. I think we'll be trying "How Beautiful The Blood" before the end of the year. I sang it corporately at National Community Church in Washington DC a few weeks ago, and it works really well in the corporate setting.

Fee's entire album is about the victory of Jesus and the freedom that we have in Him. As we look forward to this Sunday at Cherry Hills, we are celebrating the baptism of 14 people - children and adults. I am so thankful for the victory of Jesus and the freedom he provides - victory and freedom from sin, guilt, condemnation, addiction, death...

I'm reminded of a description of Jesus that I've learned in seminary. Jesus is the Christus Victor. This description, first offered by Gustaf Aulen in his 1931 book by the same title drew attention back to the classic early church understanding of atonement. In that book, Aulen writes this, "The work of Christ is first and foremost a victory over the powers which hold mankind in bondage: sin, death, and the devil." So as we're set to baptize people Sunday, I'm thankful that Jesus is the Christus Victor and that we can sing songs of victory together in a few days like "Our God Saves," "I am Free," and "Awesome is the Lord Most High."

Getting Started - What is Worship?

2008-07-09T10:04:00.002-05:00

Before writing anything about our worship services, or thoughts behind why we do certain elements of worship on Sunday mornings, I wanted to provide my theology of worship. Everything we do stems from the following beliefs:

We all worship something. Some of us worship money, some social status, others sports teams, food, recreation, travel – most of us worship ourselves. Those who follow Jesus worship the One True God, Yahweh, but often we do not stop to consider who it is we worship, who we are in relationship to the Creator, or our response to Him.

Who is God?: Attempting to answer this question is a daunting task. When I look back over my notes from Lincoln Christian Seminary’s Systematic Theology class, I read the following, “God transcends finite human categories…Theology speaks of God adequately because it speaks of God by analogy,” because we do not have the words to describe God. Yet God has revealed himself to us through His Word and His Son.

God is the initiator of worship because He is God. God has always been and will always be the Triune God who has revealed Himself in creation, the redemption and salvation of humankind through His Son Jesus Christ, and still speaks to us today through the Holy Spirit inspired Living Word.

I could list over 350 names, titles and descriptions of God found in the Bible, including I AM (Exodus 3:14), Judge (Gen. 18:25; 1 Sam. 24:15), Deliverer (Ps. 104:7), The Way (John 14:6), Righteous One (Acts 3:14), and the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). But the one characteristic that defines God is love (1 John 4:8-9). John tells us, “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” In his gospel John tells us “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (3:16 NIV) All descriptions of God ultimately come back to this foundational characteristic – God is love.

Who Am I?: Because we have a God that is defined as love; because we are created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26) and we are known intimately by the Creator, we know with certainty that we are the object of his affection.. The Psalmist tells us, “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:15-16 NIV)

While we are made in the image of the Creator, because of the Fall (Gen. 3) we are separated from God by the chasm of sin. Romans 5:12 states, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned…” In fact, we are told that we are born enemies of God. (Romans 5:10 NIV)
Yet, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. (Eph. 1:4), and this was accomplished through God’s own Son Jesus Christ. God’s redemptive plan is first revealed in Genesis 3:15 and continues to unfold in the patience, mercy and love of God towards His people in the Old Testament, ultimately fulfilled in His beloved Son Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

In the greatest example of love the world has ever known, Jesus served as the once and for all sacrifice. (Heb. 9:26) Because of this act of love, those who believe in Him are new creations (1 Cor. 5:17), the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21), not condemned (Rom. 8:1), sealed in Him (Eph. 1:13), Holy and blameless (Eph. 1:4), raised up with Christ (Col. 3:1), forgiven (Col. 3:13), justified (Rom. 8:30), sanctified (Heb. 10:10), perfected (Heb. 10:14), beyond reproach (Col. 1:22), complete (Col. 2:10), redeemed (1 Cor. 1:30), a citizen of Heaven (Phil. 3:20), and beloved (Col. 2:12). This is why we worship Jesus Christ – our Savior King.

How do I respond to God: My response to a sovereign God can be nothing less than my entire life; everything that I am – mind, heart, soul and strength; whether this takes place in the workplace, home, shopping center, softball diamond or in corporate gatherings of worship at church.

Worship in the Old Testament was marked with ritual sacrifices and offerings. But in the midst of the law and all of the regulations handed down in the Torah, God was still concerned about the motives of the people. He spoke through the prophets saying, “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” (Isaiah 29:13 NIV), and “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me, more than I want burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6 NLT) Behind of all the rules and regulations in the OT lay the foundation of all worship – the heart.

When we look at the New Testament we do not find prescriptions for worship as we do in the Old Testament. In fact, very little is actually taught about worship directly. Instead of teaching about rules and regulations of worship, Jesus taught about the heart. He taught that the Father is still looking for worshippers who worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23), in essence saying, “Love the Lord your God alone and love Him with everything you have.” This sounds very similar to the heart of the law, the Schema found in Dt. 6:4-5 and the greatest commandment as told by Jesus in Mark 12:29-31; love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength.

My response to God is based on the story that I see played out through the entire Bible. God has always wanted and still wants the hearts of His people. More than anything I can do for God, he wants me – he wants my heart, and my entire life is a sacrifice to Him. I pray my life is a pleasant aroma offered to the only One worthy of being worshipped.

Well this will be by far the longest post on this site. But I wanted to establish a foundation to build on. Tell me what you think? How would you define worship?