Last week I went to Niagara Falls with Karen. We went to the Canadian side. Okay, there were 22 other people with us on this trip. But still.....to me, it was a trip to Niagara Falls with Karen.
I had heard people talk about going to Niagara Falls, and I had seen countless pictures, but I was overwhelmed by the shear power of seeing the Falls and listening to the majestic roar. This was incredible! Karen and I would just stand there and look at the Falls. Of course, we took pictures and videotaped the whole thing, but just to stand there and look and listen...we never tired of doing that. We spent a lot of time at the Falls. We went down an elevator and walked out on a platform at the base of the Falls. The sound was deafening and exciting. We even went down through some tunnels to get in behind the falls. You could get within feet of the rushing wall of water. As crazy as it may sound, we got on a boat (The Maid of the Mist) and rode it right up to the Falls. You couldn't hear the sound of the boat's engines.....just the roar of the Falls. The force of the water crashing down from about 200 feet made for a very bumpy ride. And yes, we were soaked. This was an amazing adventure. Would I go back? Oh, yes.
I happened to be thinking about that trip this evening and I was remembering how awestruck I was at the sight and sound of the Falls, and I couldn't help but wonder if I would react the same way in God's presence. Would I make an extra effort to get even closer to Him? Would I find a way to try and reach out to feel Him? Would the force and power of His majesty keep me back, or would I surge through the turbulent waters to get as close as I could, to be soaked by His love for me?
Everyday, we are given another opportunity to draw closer to God; another chance to reach out and take hold of His hand as He guides us through life; another chance to know His love when everything is crashing down around us. Do we just look at pictures, or listen to others talk about God? Or, do we make the effort to get to where we can feel His majesty and be soaked by His love for us?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
acceptable worship
I was in a conversation the other day that was centered around worship; go figure. Anyway, the discussion headed more toward what we thought was the most important element to worship. What makes our worship acceptable to God? Do we need the right songs for worship? the cleanest sound? the newest technology? a deeper understanding of what worship really is? dedicated musicians and singers? coffee? diet Dew?
I just finished reading a book by Louie Giglio, "The Air I Breathe", for a second time. And, in this book he writes that there is one thing that we need to make our worship acceptable; just this one thing, this one element that defines worship. It turns out that it could be simple to grasp, but very difficult to apply. It's not pretty, yet it's necessary. Without it, there is no worship. Without it, there is no audience with God. Without it, we can't even approach God. Without it, He doesn't know us. We can't play it, or sing it.
We can embrace it; bow down in it's shadow; remember the love shown there; the sacrifice that was made so that our worship would be acceptable to God. Without the cross, there is no worship. Without the cross, there is no audience with God. Of all the things that we think that we need to do, or have to have to be able to worship God; the one and only thing that makes our worship acceptable to Him............He already provided. Have we missed it? Did we cover it up with everything else that we think that we need? Did we misplace it? Or, did we just forget about it today........yesterday........last week? When was the last time that we thought about the Cross of Christ? Was it while we were worshiping?
Should've been.
It's all we need.
I just finished reading a book by Louie Giglio, "The Air I Breathe", for a second time. And, in this book he writes that there is one thing that we need to make our worship acceptable; just this one thing, this one element that defines worship. It turns out that it could be simple to grasp, but very difficult to apply. It's not pretty, yet it's necessary. Without it, there is no worship. Without it, there is no audience with God. Without it, we can't even approach God. Without it, He doesn't know us. We can't play it, or sing it.
We can embrace it; bow down in it's shadow; remember the love shown there; the sacrifice that was made so that our worship would be acceptable to God. Without the cross, there is no worship. Without the cross, there is no audience with God. Of all the things that we think that we need to do, or have to have to be able to worship God; the one and only thing that makes our worship acceptable to Him............He already provided. Have we missed it? Did we cover it up with everything else that we think that we need? Did we misplace it? Or, did we just forget about it today........yesterday........last week? When was the last time that we thought about the Cross of Christ? Was it while we were worshiping?
Should've been.
It's all we need.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
"just" worship
“I just want to worship…..that’s all”
I heard that in a conversation recently. At first I thought, this person must really want to spend time in worship. But, when I wrote these words on paper......this type of worship seems so limited. How is it possible to be called a follower of Christ and "just" do anything? When I hear someone say that they "just" want to do this, or that; what I hear is that they don't want to do anything else. Is their life so busy that they can't experience the fullness of what God has to offer? He is not limited to "just" one area of our lives. He is all encompassing. He is in every part of our lives. When a person says that they only want to do "just"; they limit their relationship with God and they limit their involvement in church. There is so much to knowing who God is, and there is so much to discovering what He wants to accomplish in our lives, that the word.."just"..doesn't fit.
In Luke, Chapter 10, we read about Jesus visiting with Martha and Mary, and how Martha was rushing around the house doing this and that while Mary was at the feet of Jesus. Martha complained about Mary's choice, but Jesus said that Mary had made the right choice, and it wouldn't be taken away from her. Mary did make the "right" choice, but she didn't "just" sit at Jesus' feet. She listened to Jesus speak, and He had her undivided attention. She would have done anything He asked of her. I believe that when a person only wants to do "just" what they want to do, then their attention is divided among a lot of other things that make them more like Martha. I'm afraid that they may "just" miss out.
If we "just" want to worship, then we will miss out on all that God has planned for us. Worship is all about knowing who God is and what He has done, but knowing who God is and what He has done in our lives is not limited to "just" worship.
Worship is the start.
I heard that in a conversation recently. At first I thought, this person must really want to spend time in worship. But, when I wrote these words on paper......this type of worship seems so limited. How is it possible to be called a follower of Christ and "just" do anything? When I hear someone say that they "just" want to do this, or that; what I hear is that they don't want to do anything else. Is their life so busy that they can't experience the fullness of what God has to offer? He is not limited to "just" one area of our lives. He is all encompassing. He is in every part of our lives. When a person says that they only want to do "just"; they limit their relationship with God and they limit their involvement in church. There is so much to knowing who God is, and there is so much to discovering what He wants to accomplish in our lives, that the word.."just"..doesn't fit.
In Luke, Chapter 10, we read about Jesus visiting with Martha and Mary, and how Martha was rushing around the house doing this and that while Mary was at the feet of Jesus. Martha complained about Mary's choice, but Jesus said that Mary had made the right choice, and it wouldn't be taken away from her. Mary did make the "right" choice, but she didn't "just" sit at Jesus' feet. She listened to Jesus speak, and He had her undivided attention. She would have done anything He asked of her. I believe that when a person only wants to do "just" what they want to do, then their attention is divided among a lot of other things that make them more like Martha. I'm afraid that they may "just" miss out.
If we "just" want to worship, then we will miss out on all that God has planned for us. Worship is all about knowing who God is and what He has done, but knowing who God is and what He has done in our lives is not limited to "just" worship.
Worship is the start.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
pauses and tears
Joshua.......Ryan........Pinyan
As he stood at the edge of the platform, waiting for his name to be called so that he could walk across the stage to be "hooded" by Dean Staver, and then receive his diploma from the Liberty University School of Law.....my thoughts go back to other graduation ceremonies. Each time, he would stand at the side of the stage and wait for his name to be called; and every time...there would be a pause.....my heart would jump up to my throat and my vision would blur. (Why is it that the tear ducts fill up when I want to see clearly as I video my children finishing one chapter in their life, and beginning another one.)
This was a familiar pause that I have heard all through his life; Pre-School Graduation; High School Graduation; College Graduation; and now Law School. You would think that I would be accustomed to this pause.....this waiting to hear his name called.....this moment when my son, my little boy, takes his next step in life and continues to grow into the fine young man that God has been shaping from his first breath. Even then, there was the pause.....the tears.....and the words...Joshua....Ryan.....Pinyan.
I guess you could say that I am a proud father, but the correct term would be.....
I am a blessed father. God has blessed me beyond words. He has blessed me with Karen, to help me in this life. He has blessed me with two beautiful children and a great son-in-law. Most of all, He has blessed me with pauses......and tears.
As he stood at the edge of the platform, waiting for his name to be called so that he could walk across the stage to be "hooded" by Dean Staver, and then receive his diploma from the Liberty University School of Law.....my thoughts go back to other graduation ceremonies. Each time, he would stand at the side of the stage and wait for his name to be called; and every time...there would be a pause.....my heart would jump up to my throat and my vision would blur. (Why is it that the tear ducts fill up when I want to see clearly as I video my children finishing one chapter in their life, and beginning another one.)
This was a familiar pause that I have heard all through his life; Pre-School Graduation; High School Graduation; College Graduation; and now Law School. You would think that I would be accustomed to this pause.....this waiting to hear his name called.....this moment when my son, my little boy, takes his next step in life and continues to grow into the fine young man that God has been shaping from his first breath. Even then, there was the pause.....the tears.....and the words...Joshua....Ryan.....Pinyan.
I guess you could say that I am a proud father, but the correct term would be.....
I am a blessed father. God has blessed me beyond words. He has blessed me with Karen, to help me in this life. He has blessed me with two beautiful children and a great son-in-law. Most of all, He has blessed me with pauses......and tears.
Monday, April 27, 2009
God You Reign
Sunday night I was having rehearsal at the church with some of the Praise Team to get ready for next weekend. Most of the time, we rework some songs that we have done in the past to refresh our memory, and then there may be a new song to introduce to the Team....and hopefully to the church. This was one of those rehearsals.
I had heard a new song called, "God You Reign", and thought that this could be a do-able song for the church......it has a chorus that seems simple in the phrasing.....but what is said, and what is sung just surrounds you with a major truth.......God....You Reign!! And, as we rehearsed it and rehearsed it and rehearsed it, that statement got stronger and stronger. 24 hours later; I can still hear it in my head. We know that God is in control, but do we understand what it means for Him to reign in our lives? I understand the "control" that God has in my life; how He cares for me; how He guides me; watches over me; teaches me; challenges me. He is with me every step of the way, but.........what does it look like for Him to "reign" in my life?
The best way that I can think of to answer that question is this.......for God to be in "control" of my life means that He is in charge of everything, and I am His servant. For God to "reign" in my life means that He is King of everything, and I not only serve Him, but I worship Him with everything that I have.....my whole being. That is why I was created......to worship Him for who He is and what He has done. That is why you were created. That is why we were created.
God You Reign
God You Reign
Forever and ever
God You Reign
Yes........that's truth
I had heard a new song called, "God You Reign", and thought that this could be a do-able song for the church......it has a chorus that seems simple in the phrasing.....but what is said, and what is sung just surrounds you with a major truth.......God....You Reign!! And, as we rehearsed it and rehearsed it and rehearsed it, that statement got stronger and stronger. 24 hours later; I can still hear it in my head. We know that God is in control, but do we understand what it means for Him to reign in our lives? I understand the "control" that God has in my life; how He cares for me; how He guides me; watches over me; teaches me; challenges me. He is with me every step of the way, but.........what does it look like for Him to "reign" in my life?
The best way that I can think of to answer that question is this.......for God to be in "control" of my life means that He is in charge of everything, and I am His servant. For God to "reign" in my life means that He is King of everything, and I not only serve Him, but I worship Him with everything that I have.....my whole being. That is why I was created......to worship Him for who He is and what He has done. That is why you were created. That is why we were created.
God You Reign
God You Reign
Forever and ever
God You Reign
Yes........that's truth
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
did you feel that?
"That was amazing!!", "Wow!!", "Did you feel that?", This was awesome!!" These were just a few of the remarks that I heard over this past weekend. There were more......a lot more, but I think you get the point. HRCC had just experienced one of the biggest weekends in the short history of the church.
Friday night, HRCC became "One Church in One Location" with UNITED. "That was amazing!!" All three campuses met together to worship God for His blessings; to celebrate 20+ baptisms; and to share the Lord's Supper. Again, "That was amazing!!"
Saturday, in Denton and Kannapolis, a total of 20,000 eggs disappeared in less than 45 seconds. "Wow!!" This was crazy!! There were almost 7,000 people that showed up to see eggs fall from a helicopter. And that was just Saturday.
Sunday, HRCC's Easter services were attended by over 1200 people. "This was awesome!!"
Now that I have caught myself up with what all happened this past weekend, I can focus on what I saw........or felt. I saw a lot of volunteers work very hard behind the scenes to make everything work as smooth as it did. I saw a lot of hard work rewarded with blessings. I saw a lot of eggs, a lot of people, and a lot of fun. But most of all......I felt God move in the worship of His people. Friday night, the worship began before any worshippers entered the service. The musicians and singers offered their talents and abilities to God for Him to use in the service.....and He did. The same thing happened on Sunday morning..... and God took the offering again, and caused the worship to become more than musicians and singers on stage leading. God took over the worship and moved through His people in an amazing way. If you were there at either of these services, even if you weren't singing along with everyone else.....you had to have felt it.
You know.....the sound of God dancing.....and clapping His hands as His children praised Him.
"Did you feel that?"
Friday night, HRCC became "One Church in One Location" with UNITED. "That was amazing!!" All three campuses met together to worship God for His blessings; to celebrate 20+ baptisms; and to share the Lord's Supper. Again, "That was amazing!!"
Saturday, in Denton and Kannapolis, a total of 20,000 eggs disappeared in less than 45 seconds. "Wow!!" This was crazy!! There were almost 7,000 people that showed up to see eggs fall from a helicopter. And that was just Saturday.
Sunday, HRCC's Easter services were attended by over 1200 people. "This was awesome!!"
Now that I have caught myself up with what all happened this past weekend, I can focus on what I saw........or felt. I saw a lot of volunteers work very hard behind the scenes to make everything work as smooth as it did. I saw a lot of hard work rewarded with blessings. I saw a lot of eggs, a lot of people, and a lot of fun. But most of all......I felt God move in the worship of His people. Friday night, the worship began before any worshippers entered the service. The musicians and singers offered their talents and abilities to God for Him to use in the service.....and He did. The same thing happened on Sunday morning..... and God took the offering again, and caused the worship to become more than musicians and singers on stage leading. God took over the worship and moved through His people in an amazing way. If you were there at either of these services, even if you weren't singing along with everyone else.....you had to have felt it.
You know.....the sound of God dancing.....and clapping His hands as His children praised Him.
"Did you feel that?"
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
thank you
I was sitting here in the conference room today (I was late coming in to work), and it dawned on me that two years ago I today, I came on staff as a full-time Worship Pastor. Wow!! It has already been two years........time just slips away.
I won't even try to put on this blog what all has happened in the past two years. If you have been here during that time frame, you'd understand. God has blessed me in so many ways through the friends of High Rock Community Church. I prayed today and thanked God for all of you that have helped me grow in my position as a worship leader and as a pastor. I even thanked God for all the struggles that have come our way, because it has been through these struggles that we have all grown together. Thank you all so much for what you mean to me.
God is truly an amazing God.
I won't even try to put on this blog what all has happened in the past two years. If you have been here during that time frame, you'd understand. God has blessed me in so many ways through the friends of High Rock Community Church. I prayed today and thanked God for all of you that have helped me grow in my position as a worship leader and as a pastor. I even thanked God for all the struggles that have come our way, because it has been through these struggles that we have all grown together. Thank you all so much for what you mean to me.
God is truly an amazing God.
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