I think you would've liked this...
"There's one more angel in Heaven
There's one more star in the sky
Joseph we'll never forget you
It's tough but we're gonna get by..."
With a heavy heart, but trusting in Him...
1.15.2009
1.06.2009
Worship
A post from fellow blogger Heather inspired this post...
Our church services are a lot like many other Protestant churches. We have the traditional "worship songs" and prayer time. We have the Pastor's message. We have quiet time to really be "in the moment". Recently, our pastor and his wife (our worship director) have been incorporating more opportunities for individual worship into our services.
This led me to really consider how I worship. What goes through my mind, my heart, my soul. I grew up in a liturgical church where "properly worshiping" included standing, sitting and kneeling at the right time and knowing what to say when. I thought I would be in that church forever. I even did graduate studies thinking that God was calling me to help teach youth about the Church.
Then one day, my "worship experience" seemed flat. I was "going through the motions" more than really seeking God with my whole heart. After a long period of doing nothing, returning to what I knew, and seeking elsewhere, I found a new church home.
Suddenly, the comfort of routine was gone. I was worried that I "wasn't doing it right", whatever "it" was. I loved the "feel" of my new church. The pastor was wonderful, the people were loving, and somehow I could really sense the presence of God in that place. I knew in my heart that I was in a good church.
But I still never really THOUGHT about worship. Music is HUGELY important to me (I was a band and choir director in a former life!) and I rely on it often as a primary form of worship. Now I wonder if I've been relying solely on music. The focus of worship should be about WHO, not HOW.
Over the past couple of years, God has really been working in my heart and life. I have a lot of "baggage", as many people do. My pastor and church community have been a huge support system for me. I've been able to get involved with so much in our church and have come around to the thinking that anything I do can glorify God, if done with a servant's heart and loving spirit.
That is worship.
One of my resolutions for this year is to eat better and exercise regularly so I can lose weight and become healthier. Taking care of my physical body is not just self-preservation. It is wanting to be there for my children and husband. It is wanting take care of God's precious gift to me, to be a good steward of this temple.
It is worship.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” - John 4:23-24 (The Message)
Our church services are a lot like many other Protestant churches. We have the traditional "worship songs" and prayer time. We have the Pastor's message. We have quiet time to really be "in the moment". Recently, our pastor and his wife (our worship director) have been incorporating more opportunities for individual worship into our services.
This led me to really consider how I worship. What goes through my mind, my heart, my soul. I grew up in a liturgical church where "properly worshiping" included standing, sitting and kneeling at the right time and knowing what to say when. I thought I would be in that church forever. I even did graduate studies thinking that God was calling me to help teach youth about the Church.
Then one day, my "worship experience" seemed flat. I was "going through the motions" more than really seeking God with my whole heart. After a long period of doing nothing, returning to what I knew, and seeking elsewhere, I found a new church home.
Suddenly, the comfort of routine was gone. I was worried that I "wasn't doing it right", whatever "it" was. I loved the "feel" of my new church. The pastor was wonderful, the people were loving, and somehow I could really sense the presence of God in that place. I knew in my heart that I was in a good church.
But I still never really THOUGHT about worship. Music is HUGELY important to me (I was a band and choir director in a former life!) and I rely on it often as a primary form of worship. Now I wonder if I've been relying solely on music. The focus of worship should be about WHO, not HOW.
Over the past couple of years, God has really been working in my heart and life. I have a lot of "baggage", as many people do. My pastor and church community have been a huge support system for me. I've been able to get involved with so much in our church and have come around to the thinking that anything I do can glorify God, if done with a servant's heart and loving spirit.
That is worship.
One of my resolutions for this year is to eat better and exercise regularly so I can lose weight and become healthier. Taking care of my physical body is not just self-preservation. It is wanting to be there for my children and husband. It is wanting take care of God's precious gift to me, to be a good steward of this temple.
It is worship.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” - John 4:23-24 (The Message)
12.25.2008
12.21.2008
For Such a Time As This
I get it. For the first time, I get it.
He cares for ME.
HE cares for me.
He knew, that for me to get it, He would have to come down as a baby. A poor, innocent child.
The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel...
A baby. God with us.
And during this Advent season, this time of preparation, it is good to remember that this sweet little Child whom we celebrate, was born to die. To save us all. I don't say this to be a "downer" during a season of celebration. Rather, it is important to remember "the reason for the season".
Tonight at our Candlelight Christmas Celebration (we rent space in a school and are only able to use it on the weekends), one of the Pastors shared a story...
It was a few days before Christmas and a young mother decided to brave the mall and wrap up her Christmas shopping with her two young children. There were people everywhere, and the children seemed insistent on misbehaving.
Finally, the harried young mother was done with her shopping. The children were asleep in their double stroller, naughtiness had completely exhausted them. Shopping bags were hung all around the stroller, and the mother carefully wheeled the whole mass into the elevator.
The elevator crowds parted like the Red Sea. When she was finally positioned in the elevator, she breathed a sigh of relief, and to no one in particular, muttered aloud, "Whoever thought up this Christmas thing should be arrested and strung up!"
A moment passed, and then a quiet voice in the back of the elevator said, "Ma'am, I think that's been taken care of."
May we never forget the true "reason for the season".
He cares for ME.
HE cares for me.
He knew, that for me to get it, He would have to come down as a baby. A poor, innocent child.
The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel...
A baby. God with us.
And during this Advent season, this time of preparation, it is good to remember that this sweet little Child whom we celebrate, was born to die. To save us all. I don't say this to be a "downer" during a season of celebration. Rather, it is important to remember "the reason for the season".
Tonight at our Candlelight Christmas Celebration (we rent space in a school and are only able to use it on the weekends), one of the Pastors shared a story...
It was a few days before Christmas and a young mother decided to brave the mall and wrap up her Christmas shopping with her two young children. There were people everywhere, and the children seemed insistent on misbehaving.
Finally, the harried young mother was done with her shopping. The children were asleep in their double stroller, naughtiness had completely exhausted them. Shopping bags were hung all around the stroller, and the mother carefully wheeled the whole mass into the elevator.
The elevator crowds parted like the Red Sea. When she was finally positioned in the elevator, she breathed a sigh of relief, and to no one in particular, muttered aloud, "Whoever thought up this Christmas thing should be arrested and strung up!"
A moment passed, and then a quiet voice in the back of the elevator said, "Ma'am, I think that's been taken care of."
May we never forget the true "reason for the season".
12.15.2008
Give Presence
This year I've been trying to be more aware of the Advent Season. It always seems like those four weeks prior to Christmas just get lost in the countdown.
Advent is meant to be a time of preparation and waiting--not a solemn, sad kind of waiting, but waiting with anticipation, waiting for Him. Sort of a breathless eagerness. I always think of the song "Something's Coming" from West Side Story....
Could be! Who knows?
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose! Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!
Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming,
I don't know what it is,
But it is Gonna be great!
With a click, with a shock,
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when, but it's soon;
Catch the moon, One-handed catch!
Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!
Will it be?
Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!
Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .
Wouldn't it be amazing if we Christians could, for the four weeks prior to Christmas, step back and prepare? I'm not talking about baking and cooking, shopping and cleaning, the frantic-ness that typically is associated with preparing for the holidays. I'm talking about praying and playing, smiling and giving.
You know, really living?
The folks over at The Advent Conspiracy think it would be amazing. Check out this video...
In the remaining time of the Advent Season, help us live as the Advent Conspiracy says...
by worshiping fully,
spending less
giving more
and most importantly,
loving all.
And may we do these things with hopeful, expectant enthusiasm.
Advent is meant to be a time of preparation and waiting--not a solemn, sad kind of waiting, but waiting with anticipation, waiting for Him. Sort of a breathless eagerness. I always think of the song "Something's Coming" from West Side Story....
Could be! Who knows?
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose! Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!
Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming,
I don't know what it is,
But it is Gonna be great!
With a click, with a shock,
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when, but it's soon;
Catch the moon, One-handed catch!
Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!
Will it be?
Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!
Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .
Wouldn't it be amazing if we Christians could, for the four weeks prior to Christmas, step back and prepare? I'm not talking about baking and cooking, shopping and cleaning, the frantic-ness that typically is associated with preparing for the holidays. I'm talking about praying and playing, smiling and giving.
You know, really living?
The folks over at The Advent Conspiracy think it would be amazing. Check out this video...
Dearest Lord Jesus,
In the remaining time of the Advent Season, help us live as the Advent Conspiracy says...
by worshiping fully,
spending less
giving more
and most importantly,
loving all.
And may we do these things with hopeful, expectant enthusiasm.
12.14.2008
Waiting and Preparing
The skies don't seem to be as dark as usual.
The stars seem brighter than they've been before.
And deep within I feel my soul is stirring
As though my hope
Has been restored.
The shepherds say they've heard the voice of angels
Confirming rumors spread across the land.
That a child protected well from Herod's anger
Is our Father's Son and the Son of Man.
Love is raining down on the world tonight.
There's a presence here, I can tell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
He's the Savior we have been praying for.
In our humble hearts He will dwell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
I feel compelled to tell all who will listen
That peace on Earth is not so out of reach.
If we can find grace and mercy and forgiveness
He has come to save.
He is all of these.
Love is raining down on the world tonight.
There's a presence here, I can tell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
He's the Savior we have been praying for.
In our humble hearts He will dwell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
--Wayne Kirkpatrick
The stars seem brighter than they've been before.
And deep within I feel my soul is stirring
As though my hope
Has been restored.
The shepherds say they've heard the voice of angels
Confirming rumors spread across the land.
That a child protected well from Herod's anger
Is our Father's Son and the Son of Man.
Love is raining down on the world tonight.
There's a presence here, I can tell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
He's the Savior we have been praying for.
In our humble hearts He will dwell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
I feel compelled to tell all who will listen
That peace on Earth is not so out of reach.
If we can find grace and mercy and forgiveness
He has come to save.
He is all of these.
Love is raining down on the world tonight.
There's a presence here, I can tell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
He's the Savior we have been praying for.
In our humble hearts He will dwell.
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
God is in us. God is for us. God is with us.
Emmanuel!
--Wayne Kirkpatrick
11.26.2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine, making request for all of you with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now being confident of this very thing. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3-7
With enthusiastic gratitude,
Philippians 1:3-7
With enthusiastic gratitude,
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