Nov 10
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Great Proclamations"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . ." "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. . ." "whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches. . ." Recognize those "proclamations?" You should! They are some of the most powerful statements made by human leaders in the last 300 years. (OK, I'll tell you, but you sho… Read more »
Nov 4
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Right in the MiddleAs I studied these two verses this week, at first I thought I would write all about the significance of prophecy, and how these verses are fulfilled so perfectly in Jesus Christ. I wrote the entire devotional, then erased it. I realized that that was not what I wanted to write about. Sure, it's important that we understand the prophetic implications of these verses; but since I have been writing to you specifically about worship, I wanted to make sure that I continue in that venue. And that… Read more »
Oct 15
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Graham's NumberDavid's worship now turns to the acts of God - the things God has accomplished on behalf of man. Worship is somewhat neutral when we only worship God for who he is. Don't get me wrong, we must worship God for who he is. However, it is when we combine that knowledge with the understanding of what God has done that worship becomes both passionate and expressive. What is amazing to me here is the ability David has to discern so many things that are attributable directly to God. Most of… Read more »
Oct 4
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Dr. MisguidedEvery time I read this Psalm I am reminded of the genius of David's writings, and of course the power of divine inspiration. There couldn't be a more fitting topic to follow verse three, where we encountered those who turn to God as a result of authentic worship, as the topic David introduces: affirming the object of our worship. The constant fear that I face as a worship pastor is that we are worshiping something other than than the almighty God. David is quick to specifically ident… Read more »
Sep 28
-
worshippastor added a text contribution The Case for Worship Evangelism3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. I love the second half of this verse! It affirms what I have strongly held for many years - that the fervent, effectual worship of God's people in and of itself is a tool for evangelism. If we are worshiping according to the Spirit of God, if we are celebrating with that "hymn of praise" it will cause people to stop, look and listen. I had an interesting exper… Read more »
Sep 16
-
worshippastor added a text contribution My RedeemerPsalm 40:2 2 He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. Once David has established "contact" with God by waiting patiently and expectantly on him, and God has turned his attention to David (although we should point out that God is never NOT aware of us!) we come to the next segment of David's worship. What I'd like to suggest… Read more »
Sep 10
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Where to Start in WorshipPsalm 40 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that more often than not, we rush head first into worship without even considering what 1) we should be saying to God and 2) what He is trying to communicate to us. David, who I consider to be a real pro when it comes to understanding worship, begins a great Psalm of Worship by waiting. Now, in our church, waiting to worship mea… Read more »
Jul 8
-
worshippastor added a text contribution I Feel Your Pain18 Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. Did anyone ever really believe Bill Clinton when he said "I feel your pain"? I have my doubts. Bill Clinton doesn't seem like a person who would be drawn to empathetic feelings. Feelings of power, yes; feelings of self-assurance, certainly; feelings of superiority, probably; but feelings of empathy? NAH! We need to talk more about God as an empathetic figure. Someone who really can relate to what we experienc… Read more »
Jun 22
-
worshippastor added a text contribution When It Rains, It Pours17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. David sounds like a man who has intimate knowledge of Murphy. For those of you who may not be aware, yes, Murphy was a real guy, and yes, this unfortunate human was the first to experience what would come to be known legendarily throughout the world as "Murphy's Law". Murphy's law has most often been stated as follows: anything that can possibly go wrong, does. And of course, Murphy's law has spawne… Read more »
Jun 15
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Are you Lonely Tonight?16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. I have to confess, the very first thing I thought about when I read this verse was Elvis Presley's rendition of "Are You Lonely Tonight?" Two lines in particular come to mind - Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again? Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight? David must have been lonely a lot. As a young boy, watching over sheep. On the run from Saul. Hiding in caves. Never really knowing who he… Read more »
Jun 8
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Keep Your Eyes on the Road!15 My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. I remember it as if it were yesterday. The first time I took my kids out on the road with their permits. (Since they're twins, I had to take both at the same time) They had taken the classroom driver's ed course, but never had any behind-the-wheel training. That was dad's job. I don't think Lorrie really had any confidence in me as a driving instructor, though, because to this day (5 years… Read more »
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Keep Your Eyes on the Road!15 My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. I remember it as if it were yesterday. The first time I took my kids out on the road with their permits. (Since they're twins, I had to take both at the same time) They had taken the classroom driver's ed course, but never had any behind-the-wheel training. That was dad's job. I don't think Lorrie really had any confidence in me as a driving instructor, though, because to this day (5 years… Read more »
Jun 2
-
worshippastor added a text contribution A Sweet Duet14 The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Batman and Robin. Bonnie and Clyde. Oscar and Felix. Abbott and Costello. Barbie and Ken. Chances are you are well familiar with all these names. And you probably wouldn't think of uttering one without the other. Time doesn't permit to recite the full list; from Bert and Ernie to Zelda and Link, famous duos have entertained, taught, inspired, and challenged us from the first time that Adam met Eve. What… Read more »
-
worshippastor added a text contribution A Sweet Duet14 The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Batman and Robin. Bonnie and Clyde. Oscar and Felix. Abbott and Costello. Barbie and Ken. Chances are you are well familiar with all these names. And you probably wouldn't think of uttering one without the other. Time doesn't permit to recite the full list; from Bert and Ernie to Zelda and Link, famous duos have entertained, taught, inspired, and challenged us from the first time that Adam met Eve. What… Read more »
May 28
-
worshippastor added a text contribution The Office13 He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. Michael Scott is a nut case. No matter how normal he may appear in his shirt and tie, you just never quite know what's going to come out of his mouth. I think the writers of the hit TV show "The Office" sat down in a big conference room one day and listed all the idiotic characteristic, traits and habits of all the worst bosses they ever had, and then created Michael Scott. He is strange. He… Read more »
May 18
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Who fears the Lord?12 Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. Both of my children have a mind of their own. I guess that shouldn't surprise me, I was a very independent (translated stubborn) child myself. They've both inherited this sterling characteristic from their father. They haven't chosen the life path that I or their mother chose; both of them have chosen very unique paths that neither parent has travelled. But that doesn't mean that… Read more »
May 11
-
worshippastor added a text contribution Just Like "I Love Lucy"6 Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. We've all done this at one point or another in our lives. Whether the conversation is with a parent, a spouse, a boss, a teacher, or some other significant person, everyone's been guilty of pulling this little stunt. You've done something wrong, stupid, or irresponsible. You kno… Read more »
May 7
-
worshippastor added a text contribution The GuideRecently on our trip to Florida Lorrie and I decided to do one "tourist-y" thing, so we visited Thomas Edison's summer home in Fort Meyers. This is a beautiful property with many buildings, gardens, and workshops. There are two ways you can take it all in - either you go with a guide, or you can go on a "self-guided" tour. Being the total A.D.D. person that I am, I of course opted for the "self-guided" tour. There are some distinct disadvantages to this meth… Read more »
-
worshippastor added a text contribution The GuideRecently on our trip to Florida Lorrie and decided to do one "tourist-y" thing, so we visited Thomas Edison's summer home in Fort Meyers. This is a beautiful property with many buildings, gardens, and workshops. There are two ways you can take it all in - either you go with a guide, or you can go on a "self-guided" tour. Being the total A.D.D. person that I am, I of course opted for the "self-guided" tour. There are some distinct disadvantages to this method… Read more »
Apr 29
-
worshippastor added a text contribution The God We WorshipIf you are looking to get acquainted with the God that we worship, the Psalms is a great place to start. In particular, the Psalms of David provide fascinating glimpses of a God that is sovereign, majestic and holy and at the same time a God who is loving, personal, kind, and compassionate. I remember (this will REALLY date me) the Sunday night that the Beatles first appeared on national television, on the Ed Sullivan show. I remember seeing the images of screaming fans holding placards, wavin… Read more »