When we worship, what do we worship? For me, I very much enjoy singing, but when it comes to a 'time of worship', the majority of the time I'm engrossed in getting the tune right and making the words fit with the music. With that, I'm generally looking at the guys upfront leading. Watching their eyes closed, mouths wide open and their feet stamping.
I'm sure, that alongside all of that, God is getting some praise. Maybe??
So when we worship, are we worshipping the sound system, the flashing whizzing lights, the rather attractive person next to you...or is it God?
I believe worship demands our all, because God demands our all. So if the light that's blinding you in the eyes, when it comes to every chorus is distracting you from worshipping God, then I'd maybe question whether that style of worship enables you to engage with God in the right way for you.
Worship is not one way, one style. Instead I believe worship is something that enables you to give your all to God. Your style, your choice, your worship.
10/31/2010
7/12/2010
Church
We’re living in a world that is increasingly lost. We hear of declining church attendance. We send our Christian students to University, and over 90% of them finish their degree with only little or having lost their faith. I attend church where the colour of the sea is grey. Few of us have heard the message of salvation, yet even fewer are being saved. Is it that we are lost, or are we just distracted by a world that is lost? It’s time to stop being protective of ourselves and insular. This is literally a matter of life or death. If you’re not already fired up…I want you to still carry on reading, as you’ve got to be prepared to deal with those who are.
The church worldwide is currently under media fire. The church is perceived to be corrupt with alleged child abuse cases. The church is threatened to be split by the matter of enabling women to fulfil their mission call to be Bishops. Churches are closing down because they cannot afford to make ‘necessary repairs’ and maintenance costs. Can you believe these churches are symbols of our saving grace – Jesus. Something has gone terribly wrong. There are millions of lost souls in the world! There is nothing ‘necessary’ about repairing a wall when the world’s relationship with God needs repairing. Sorry – but I do not want associated to the church that thinks like this. I want to be associated with the church that has a raging mad, love, passion and energy – just like the One who came to save us did.
The church is under attack. The church is lost. We, the church are lost! Please don’t think I’m saying you are lost, because I’m not, but ‘we’ the ‘church’ are lost. I sometimes wonder whether or not there is a divine prerogative in all of this, or are we just been ignorant towards the mission of the church? And, I suppose if we were ‘found’ we’d be in heaven…so, there’s still work to be done, because obviously we’re not in heaven. Yet.
Church. What’s it there for? Who’s it there for? What is it? I’m sorry, but the day we start to think the church is there for its own people, that’s the day we will have lost the plot. The church doesn’t exist for itself. The church should be a beacon of hope, love, inclusion and peace. Not a symbol of exclusiveness, brokenness, judgement and double standards. The church is a living monument, where the Holy Spirit dwells, and is a mighty force for saving souls. I do not want to sit. I want to stand. My worship is going to be living, breathing God in the real world.
WWJD. What Would Jesus Do? We’ve all heard of that one. And some of us have even worn it around our wrists. We are fragile beings. Easily tempted. Easily destroyed. Let’s stand firm. Let’s stand up when God’s work is being masked, prevented, and mis-interpreted. Don’t leave it to someone else to do. You are the church. Let’s walk together. What Would Jesus Do? Ok, you’ve had long enough to think about it…now do it!
Let’s be honest. We’re the lost ones too. Let’s continually find our Father when we daily walk astray. Let us persistently confess and ask for forgiveness. Let our hearts be full of love and passion for the lost world we are privileged to help reconcile with God again. If you are already doing it…do it with everything that you’ve got. If you’re not…consider the consequences if you did. If I’m good enough for the divine Lord, then I’m good enough for you.
The church worldwide is currently under media fire. The church is perceived to be corrupt with alleged child abuse cases. The church is threatened to be split by the matter of enabling women to fulfil their mission call to be Bishops. Churches are closing down because they cannot afford to make ‘necessary repairs’ and maintenance costs. Can you believe these churches are symbols of our saving grace – Jesus. Something has gone terribly wrong. There are millions of lost souls in the world! There is nothing ‘necessary’ about repairing a wall when the world’s relationship with God needs repairing. Sorry – but I do not want associated to the church that thinks like this. I want to be associated with the church that has a raging mad, love, passion and energy – just like the One who came to save us did.
The church is under attack. The church is lost. We, the church are lost! Please don’t think I’m saying you are lost, because I’m not, but ‘we’ the ‘church’ are lost. I sometimes wonder whether or not there is a divine prerogative in all of this, or are we just been ignorant towards the mission of the church? And, I suppose if we were ‘found’ we’d be in heaven…so, there’s still work to be done, because obviously we’re not in heaven. Yet.
Church. What’s it there for? Who’s it there for? What is it? I’m sorry, but the day we start to think the church is there for its own people, that’s the day we will have lost the plot. The church doesn’t exist for itself. The church should be a beacon of hope, love, inclusion and peace. Not a symbol of exclusiveness, brokenness, judgement and double standards. The church is a living monument, where the Holy Spirit dwells, and is a mighty force for saving souls. I do not want to sit. I want to stand. My worship is going to be living, breathing God in the real world.
WWJD. What Would Jesus Do? We’ve all heard of that one. And some of us have even worn it around our wrists. We are fragile beings. Easily tempted. Easily destroyed. Let’s stand firm. Let’s stand up when God’s work is being masked, prevented, and mis-interpreted. Don’t leave it to someone else to do. You are the church. Let’s walk together. What Would Jesus Do? Ok, you’ve had long enough to think about it…now do it!
Let’s be honest. We’re the lost ones too. Let’s continually find our Father when we daily walk astray. Let us persistently confess and ask for forgiveness. Let our hearts be full of love and passion for the lost world we are privileged to help reconcile with God again. If you are already doing it…do it with everything that you’ve got. If you’re not…consider the consequences if you did. If I’m good enough for the divine Lord, then I’m good enough for you.
6/15/2010
Be the change you want to see
So often, we pray that God will bring change into situations. We store up all our requests and spill them out during our prayer sessions. I've recently been challenged as I, and I'm sure others, have prayed for God to act.
Ghandi once said 'be the change you want to see.' Why is it, we store up all our hopes and dreams, like a shopping list we want God to do?
I don't believe our only role is to throw out hot air from our mouths, speak things as though we mean them, but then sit back and presume God will just get on and do it. I actually believe God has given us the ability to recognise injustice, oppression and weakness, but I also believe He has given us the ability (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to get on with dealing with it ourselves.
Lets be realistic. This week I've thrown away eggs, milk, cheese, fruit and probably much more mouldy stuff growing in my fridge, that my friends will tell you about. How then, can I pray for God to feed the hungry, when I have the ability to feed them? Its like asking someone in another room to put the kettle on when your stood right next to it yourself.
I think its about time we recognise that we can change the world. That God has made us, to change to the world. That we're not just a little segment, but actually, we are salt and light. If God can implant in us, a heart and passion to see change, I'm sure He'll equip us to get the job done. Involve God, and pray first, and He'll then be there when we need Him - when we get on with bringing and being change!
Ghandi once said 'be the change you want to see.' Why is it, we store up all our hopes and dreams, like a shopping list we want God to do?
I don't believe our only role is to throw out hot air from our mouths, speak things as though we mean them, but then sit back and presume God will just get on and do it. I actually believe God has given us the ability to recognise injustice, oppression and weakness, but I also believe He has given us the ability (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to get on with dealing with it ourselves.
Lets be realistic. This week I've thrown away eggs, milk, cheese, fruit and probably much more mouldy stuff growing in my fridge, that my friends will tell you about. How then, can I pray for God to feed the hungry, when I have the ability to feed them? Its like asking someone in another room to put the kettle on when your stood right next to it yourself.
I think its about time we recognise that we can change the world. That God has made us, to change to the world. That we're not just a little segment, but actually, we are salt and light. If God can implant in us, a heart and passion to see change, I'm sure He'll equip us to get the job done. Involve God, and pray first, and He'll then be there when we need Him - when we get on with bringing and being change!
6/08/2010
Love Life Into Everyone
Loving someone can do alot of things. As we know, love can be difficult sometimes. When it comes to 'loving life' into someone, this is when it requires us to get some dirt underneath our fingernails.
As a Christian myself, I know Jesus died for me because He loved me. I know that, through His death, I was given life. However, when it comes to me loving, most of the time, that's where it stops. I'm prepared to love someone for a moment, to do something randomly, to do an act of kindness that other's notice, but that's literally it! Nothing else is achieved apart from an act of love. Is it?
Surely love deserves to give more than a moment's peace, pleasure or hope? I think, when Jesus died on that brutal cross, He didn't intend, for us all to accept it and say 'aww thats nice'. No, I'm sure He didn't.
Jesus' act, I'm sure, intended us to accept the act of extreme love, but to recieve life too!
How often when we love do we breathe life into others? Why do we love them, should be our first question. If it's because we should, then we've lost the plot. But if it's because Jesus does, then we're got to move on from just loving them, but to breathe life in them.
Everyone deserves to be loved, and everyone deserves life. The two go hand in hand. I read somewhere once, those that love alot, and give alot, enjoy life alot more, than those who just recieve.
We've got to prove its Jesus that gives life. To prove it, love and breathe life into the weary, lost and broken! Jesus did for us.
As a Christian myself, I know Jesus died for me because He loved me. I know that, through His death, I was given life. However, when it comes to me loving, most of the time, that's where it stops. I'm prepared to love someone for a moment, to do something randomly, to do an act of kindness that other's notice, but that's literally it! Nothing else is achieved apart from an act of love. Is it?
Surely love deserves to give more than a moment's peace, pleasure or hope? I think, when Jesus died on that brutal cross, He didn't intend, for us all to accept it and say 'aww thats nice'. No, I'm sure He didn't.
Jesus' act, I'm sure, intended us to accept the act of extreme love, but to recieve life too!
How often when we love do we breathe life into others? Why do we love them, should be our first question. If it's because we should, then we've lost the plot. But if it's because Jesus does, then we're got to move on from just loving them, but to breathe life in them.
Everyone deserves to be loved, and everyone deserves life. The two go hand in hand. I read somewhere once, those that love alot, and give alot, enjoy life alot more, than those who just recieve.
We've got to prove its Jesus that gives life. To prove it, love and breathe life into the weary, lost and broken! Jesus did for us.
6/04/2010
"Your Kingdom Come, here on earth."
Why is it, that we get so boiled up at being territorial? Why do we try compete with other Christians and other churches? Why is it, when we see something done, that is actively building God's Kingdom, we find it within ourselves to either compete, or demolish it?
Recently, I've realised that although I am employed and get paid by one particular 'church', I actually belong to Jesus' church. I've become less protective of my churches' territory and more open to widening God's territory here on earth.
When we pray to see God's Kingdom come, here on earth, its actually going to come through God working in us. God's Kingdom doesn't belong to any one church - it deserves to belong in God's created people.
When God created us in Genesis, He was pleased and noted that we were 'very good'. We were not perfect! That means there's still work to do - and we are the means to get it done. God wants us to be the hands and feet in building God's kingdom here on earth. A work in progress.
I want to see heaven on earth. As soon as we accept that our focus needs to be on building God's people first, only then, can our mini-kingdoms, territories and boundaries be demolished. And so they should!
It's sad when one church becomes jealous of another. If we were 'one church' this wouldn't exist. Surely, we're all in this together, and if you're not - maybe reaccess.
Recently, I've realised that although I am employed and get paid by one particular 'church', I actually belong to Jesus' church. I've become less protective of my churches' territory and more open to widening God's territory here on earth.
When we pray to see God's Kingdom come, here on earth, its actually going to come through God working in us. God's Kingdom doesn't belong to any one church - it deserves to belong in God's created people.
When God created us in Genesis, He was pleased and noted that we were 'very good'. We were not perfect! That means there's still work to do - and we are the means to get it done. God wants us to be the hands and feet in building God's kingdom here on earth. A work in progress.
I want to see heaven on earth. As soon as we accept that our focus needs to be on building God's people first, only then, can our mini-kingdoms, territories and boundaries be demolished. And so they should!
It's sad when one church becomes jealous of another. If we were 'one church' this wouldn't exist. Surely, we're all in this together, and if you're not - maybe reaccess.
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