Saturday, September 29, 2012

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart 
and my portion forever.   Psalms 73:26

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012

There is something in the expanse of sea and
sky that washes away our troubles and leaves
them on the beach to dry.
source unknown




Friday, September 7, 2012

Here I go rambling again...
I miss my worship leaders, Dave and Jess. Their departure for a sister church has left our service in limbo; its future yet to be determined. I miss their music. I can't explain it, but I know  music makes a difference in how I offer praise back to God. Melodies from the last two centuries rarely stir me, even though I relish their transforming lyrics. It seems like the theology found in them just sinks deeper within when set to music that reflects the style in which I'm accustomed to listening. Maybe it's the riveting beat of the drums or the clean punch of a good bass; I just know I worship more deeply.
I've asked most of the questions:  Does a personal bent towards contemporary style reflect my immature notions of worship? Am I focusing on my preferences instead of what God desires? Are we making others uncomfortable in our chosen style of corporate worship? Am I willing to sacrifice even a bit?  I'm not sure I have the answers.
But my biggest concern lies with what will deliver the Gospel to those who aren't familiar with corporate worship and to our youngest generations. What style will welcome them to consider my Jesus? Will my young friends I invite to church be distracted by tradition, possibly missing a Savior who wants to radically change their broken lives?
I recall a young fifteen year old, Isaac Watts, sorely irritated by church music he felt was "dead". "Nobody my age can relate to this!" he argued and with the urging of his father, Isaac pushed the envelope with new relevant hymns that grabbed the youth. Even though, the traditionalists hated his "Watts' Whims," they survived and again and again , new discontents,  the young Charles Wesley's, Fanny Crosby's,  Keith Green's, offered a new and more palatable set of chords.  What if no congregation had ever accepted,  adopted the offerings of these worshipers?
Music is a powerful thing...a God-given thing!
Music undeniably can break mental barriers and can open a heart to the Truth found in the Gospel.
Musical taste is wildly varied and trying to meet all preferences in one service runs the risk of not fully engaging anyone. For me, personally, it is terribly distracting.
But I come back to my original concern: What about those who might stay to hear the Truth if they are drawn by the music? Contemporary or Traditional!
Perhaps we need to explore other formats of "doing Church together" as a multi-generational, eclectic body.
But I do think we need to heed Paul's advice:
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I Cor. 9:22  

There I go rambling again.