Music...

As a Worship Leader I have to keep in mind the needs of every individual that comes to sing to God. Sometimes my efforts are overshadowed by the desires of people who "prefer" a certain style of music. Why are there so many opionions? What is it about music? What should be the right attitude for myself and the opionated? Well, our human nature causes us to stumble in the area of opinions. We offer opinions like we're professionals. While eating at a restuarant we know what is right and wrong. We express that to the manager or take it out on the wait staff. Nothing like making someone's day by sharing our opinions. Don't get me wrong, there is a proper place for opinions, especially when the opinion is offered in humility. Anybody can receive an opinion when the opinionated is humble, not aggressive. What about music? Why is music always on the minds of everyone? Music has a way of reaching to the real depth of a person. No matter what the style is, each individual can be touched deep within by music. God has placed a sensitive spot within our hearts that can only be touched by music. We can get excited, saddened, refreshed or even angered by music. It is obvious that music is impotant to God, not only because he created it, but because it is a powerful way to worship Him. Individually, we have our own preferred way of worshipping God. Some pray more than others, while some give finaccially. Some do with their hands, while others sing with their voices. The list goes on and on. Musically speaking, many have their preffered way of worshipping. Some connect to God through traditional hymns, while others connect through modern songs. Some prefer organ and piano only, while others prefer a full rock band with lights and smoke. I struggle with listening to both sides of the music spectrum. I try to block out the frustrations of the opinionated and encourage open minds and hearts. Here's the reality. God dedicated an entire book of the bible to praising him through song. Each song in the book of Psalms is different in style and topic. Through the book of Psalms we are challenged to sing with a variety of instruments. No where do we read, "Always sing with an organ only." Nor do we read, "Sing with a full band of guitars, drums, pianos and keyboards." Our worship to God should have vareity. The point of giving God praise is to exalt Him, which in a lot of cases means that we should be out of our comfort zone. If worshipping God was for our comfort, it would be a waste of time. Worship would dissolve into a moment of selfish gain. Jesus was taken way out of His comfort zone, by dying to worship God. We must let go of ourselves and be more like Christ. As Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." (Luke 9:23-24) I pray that we will be more open to what God wants from us. Worship Him in a way that seems out of your comfort zone. God Bless You!

Happy Holidays...Bahhummbugg!

When it comes to the "Holiday Season" a reality is forgotten...even lost. The "Holiday Season" includes one day and that is Christmas. Our society has elected to delete Christmas, except for convenience sake, as to not offend anyone. How does the word "Christmas" offend people. Since there are some that don't believe that God exist, then why should a word offend them. Do they give gifts to each other, during the "Holidays"? Oops, "Gifts of good tidings and great joy." That's scripture from the Holy Bible, God's Word. Do they gather as a family? Is Christmas taken advantage of for people to have time off of work and a reason for a free vacation day or two. It pains me to see a wandering people, with a standard created by their fellow wanderer(s), celebrating with no purpose. I am challenged to ignore the worldly standard and celebrate the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The reality and forgotten source of the "Holidays". The One who was sent, not to condemn, but to seek and save the lost. When you check out at the grocery store or shopping center, tell them "Merry Christmas". It's why their working extra hours. It's the economic stimulus to our world wide crisis. Celebrate, knowing that one day He will return and the "holidays" will disappear and the Face of Love will shine. Jesus Christ is the breath of life, the Savior of the world! I'm going to Heaven. I don't want to let anyone get left behind if I can help it! Are you? Will you? Merry Christmas!

Pain or Pleasure

It's not easy to go on in life and not have definitive answers. If you ever wonder where the money will come from to pay bills or how you'll pay for the groceries or maybe you need a few extra bucks for this or that. Maybe you're not sure about a current relationship or job situation or maybe your car doesn't seem right. Whatever the case, not having definitive answers can really put a wrench in your day, week, month or even year! The reallity is that there are definitive answers to life's toughest questions. I find myself questioning everything. I realize that less and less am I trusting people. It seems that I have lost faith in people. I cringe when I see a person approaching me that I have a hard time trusting. Mostly because their motives are strictly self seeking. I understand that people are people. That's life. But what about long time, "mature" believers. Are they just people? Should they have a different perspective on life and the "I wants"? Where does, "Dying to self" enter in the thought process. I'm by no ways innocent, but I make great attempts to humility for the sake of Christ. I, in no way, want to get in the way of what God wants and is going to do in the lives of people whom He puts in my path. I feel extreme disappointment when an older saint of the faith comes to me seeking personal preference in order to fulfill their "walk" with Christ. Maybe my perspective is off, but as a Christian, my walk and the depth of my relationship with God isn't dependant on a Pastor's message, worship leading, prayer, or whatever. My walk is up to me. It is the desires of my heart and how deep I can go when worshipping my Savior, my King and my Father. Church is a 1 hour a week assembly of believers for learning and being equipped. Some will come to know Him through that and will learn by attending weekly services, but in the grand scheme of things, a Believer will only strengthen his/ her relationship, with God if they want to. So, when a long time Christian enters a worship service the thought should be, what will I learn today and how will I be equipped in order to fulfill the great commandment. Never should the thought be, what will the Church service do to please me. If you've read this far, then let me say this in closing, go to church desiring to gain and not be pleased. Learning is hard and sometimes painful. We all need refining in order to be like HIM. That's the one definitive answer to life's toughest questions...HIM...Jesus! Be like HIM!

Learning to Cope

Have you ever had to live without something for a while? You realize how valuable that something is when you have to live without it during a brief period of time. Just recently I had surgery on my right shoulder. This has been a huge deal for me because everything I do, requires my right hand/arm. This surgery has put a lot of limitations on me. I can't play my guitar, I need assistance with showering and getting dressed, and even typing this blog is difficult when you can only use your left hand. Even my sleeping habits have been changed for the time being. Living without use of my right hand has caused me to step out of my comfort zone and do some things differently. To be honest, we all need a little change that causes us to step out and do stuff differently. Learning to cope is valuable when you are so dependent. Gaining some independance has it's rewards, when you learn the value being more independant, an out of the box thinker. This week, I plan to step out of the box a lot and learn to do some stuff differently. What will you do? How will you cope?

Good grief! Why are people so hung up on rules and regulations, when it comes to "legislation". Why can't people get fired up about people who need Jesus. Why can't we argue about planning fundraisers for Missionaries. Maybe I need to get over myself. Maybe I don't understand other's passions. I know this, God the Father is my passion, God the Son is my salvation, and God the Holy Spirit is my conviction. I wish I knew people with money. I wish I had money. I would seriously give it away so that other's might be saved. I'm rich in the eyes of God, but I would love to give the riches of the world to those who need it. Whatever. No one reads these blogs anyways.

Oh the Joy

This weekend many families will gather to celebrate the day that Mother's are to honored and encouraged. Unfortunatley, many children haven't a mother to love or a mother that cares. Bummer. When did a women begin the process of bearing a child, going through the entire process of pregnancy and labor and then decide that the child isn't worth loving. As a Pastor, I interact with so many people who's moms are just as dead beat as a lot of dads. Some moms are more concerned about their own appearance and not the well being of their kids. As a father, it is my role to encourage and also challenge my wife as a mother. This Sunday, my wife will be blessed by her kids. She will know she is loved and I know for a fact that my daughters will feel the same way from their mom. My wife loves our girls. They're Daddy's Girls and Mommies World.

Family

This is my family. My daughters and my awesome wife. I am going to make a statement that I would render as fact. Here it goes...Behind the success of every husband is the greatness and support of his wife and kids. Think about it for a second. Real success can't be gained without support and hard work. Who wants to work hard when they're lacking support. On the flip side of that, who wants to support someone who doesn't work hard. My wife is amazing. She can do just about anything. If she had to, she could do it all. The reality is, I can't do it all, and without her my life would become a sinking ship. So, if you're wondering why you're not supported, put your work ethic in question. If you are not supporting, then ask yourself this, "Why not?" The challenge for families to today is to override the creativity of hollywood comedy and perversion, and call the husbands, wives, and children of the USA to stand out of the crowds as families who want to preserve the sanctity of marriage and diminish the divorce rate. We are to raise up children of good character and moral standing in a world that lacks integrity. Next time you watch a TV show that portrays the husband, or man, as a moron, affirm your husband. Make sure he knows you believe in him. When the wife, or a woman, of a TV show is considered clumsy or emotional, affirm her, she is strong. As families we can change the way the world views North Americans. I LOVE MY WIFE!