The Meaning Of Life

Good Friday. Let's always remember the meaning of life

1 Peter 2:21-25 (The Message)
 21-25This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.    He never did one thing wrong,    Not once said anything amiss.They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls

Worship with your heart

Many people think that praise and worship is only singing songs at church, but it is so much more! It is also a condition of your heart -- a willingness to exalt God and yield to his will. Worship is an expression of love and awe to the God who gives us more than we deserve. Whether you express your worship by singing, playing music, dancing or in some other way, remember that you are called to worship God with your every action, every day of your life. God is holy, loving, and worthy of all our worship and devotion.

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deut. 6:5)

Worship in 2010

As we move into 2010 with Jesus in view, I'm trusting that it will be a year in where we each deepen in wonder and heighten in worship.
Here are a few practical things we can do to make this happen. Keep in mind that doing these things won’t make any difference unless we’re depending on the Holy Spirit and praying for Him to change us!

1. Arrange a daily meeting with Jesus. Set aside time daily to listen and respond to God. Get a Bible reading plan, but don’t just read to read; read to hear what God is speaking to you. Don’t read for mere information, read for life transformation! And don’t over-read. Meditating on (and soaking in) a short passage each day is far better than quickly reading over an entire chapter (and forgetting everything). Jesus wants to change our lives and will do so through His Word. So open the Book in 2010!

2. Incorporate Psalm reading (and singing!) into your daily meeting with Jesus. God has given us the Psalms to help voice our praise, frustration, pain, hurt, longing, desire, etc. They’re there to be used…so use them to speak to God!

3. Study topics pertaining to Worship, Music, and Leadership. Get some good books (if you need suggestions, let me know!). Read, study, learn, and apply. If you don’t like to read, pray and ask Jesus to change you! He will. Also check out good websites for articles, audio teachings and more. I highly recommend Sovereign Grace Ministries.

4. Set aside a few dollars each month to purchase quality music. If we want to develop and grow in musicianship and leadership we must be listening to the best musicians and learning from the most humble and seasoned worship leaders out there.


I hope we’ll each put ONE or more of these into action!

Happy new year

Today, we start a new year. We have dreams and expectations, Some good, some not so good. Gen 26:24...the LORD appeared to him on the night of his arrival. "I am the God of your father, Abraham," he said. "Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you. I will multiply your descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant."


When I read that today, it really stood out to me." I am with you and will bless you." God has a good record of taking care of those who put their trust in Him. He took care of Israel for more than 40 years as they wandered in the wilderness headed to the Promised Land. He provided them with food, water, shelter and protection. This same God is our help in times of trouble and will be with us. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He doesn't change.

The other day, I was sitting and thinking about this coming year and asking the Lord what He desired from us and these are some of the things that came into my heart. God desires for those that call him their God to return unto his house (the Church).  If you have been away from church, it's time to make the time and commitment to get back.



Another thing that the Lord spoke to my heart about is those that do not know him. His desire is that all men would turn their life over to him and let him become your provider, protection and friend. There is no one greater, or more important in this life.


What this year holds, I don't know. But the one thing I do know is that Jesus is going to be with me and help me face what lies ahead. I don't put my faith in governments, people or promises that people make. My trust is in the one who knows what lies ahead and is able to provide, protect and meet my every need. His name is Jesus, and I encourage you to follow Him with me

No perfect people allowed

I am beginning to read this great book by John Burke. It's about creating a culture within the church that is welcoming and accepting to even the worst of sinners. John told a story in the book that really got me thinking. Here is a condensed version of the story


"In 1986 I was traveling through Asia with a couple friends when we decided to tour a Buddhist temple. Every sight and sound provoked a new question.Why was there a tree with money all around it? where we supposed to throw money down? would they be offended if we didn't? Why was there a woman standing by the gate with her head shaved? What was she doing with the beads in her hand?


as we stood by the wall listening to the mesmerizing hum of the chants rise and fall a million questions began to form in my head. why do they do this? What does it do for them? Am I an intrusion or will I be welcome here? Will they be mad at an "outsider" an "unenlightened one" has invaded their space?


Then everything changed. A gong sounded and everyone got up. Some went over and kissed the statues. My heart raced as I looked around the room for clues as to what to do. Were we supposed to bow? why were they bowing? Will I be insulting them if i don't bow?.... I wanted to escape the awkwardness that I felt.


Just then a kind-looking young man came to us signaling us with a smile to follow him. we made our way out to the courtyard as the lamas resumed their chants. He spoke to us in plain English, but his words were still foreign to us, as he tried his best to explain the things we saw and heard."
From "No Perfect People allowed" pg 55


This story really got me thinking. Every time new people come into our church, it can seem as strange to them as going to a Buddhist temple would be for us. They don't know the rules, so they automatically feel out of place. They don't know if they should sit or stand, will we be offended if they don't sing? They don't know the bible, or how to decipher the christian lingo that we speak. and they don't know if their questions will offend us, or if we'll still accept them if they voice their skepticism.

so it's up to us to be patient, and lovingly explain our culture to those who come into our doors, and to be accepting of everyone who comes in, despite our prejudices, and expectations. In fact, I think we need to get rid of any expectations that we have. Christ came and spent time with the worst society had to offer. Thieves and sinners, even a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. The law said she should be stoned to death, but Jesus chose to forgive.

So my question is... If the very scum of the earth started to attend the church that you attend, how would you react? Would our response be to conform them to our image, or could we accept them as they are and let God work in their lives?

Peace in our time

Peace. The second Sunday of Advent.

I was looking at my facebook page today, and noticed someone talking about needing peace. Christ came into the world to bring peace. His name is prince of peace. So why do we live in a world that seems to be without it. Wars in the middle east. famine and genocide. Unhappy and broken marriages. Troubled children, dysfunctional family units, trouble with the in-laws.

Christ came to bring peace. We need to let it rule in our lives. Collossian 3:15 says "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Advent: Hope

Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
-Luke 21:28 (NRSV)

Wow, here it is, Advent season again. A time when the church basically remembers to be watching for Christs return. A few years ago, I decided to give up something for Advent, I tried to give up rich foods and desserts until Christmas, hoping that my heart might be more open to the presence of Christ. It was a challenging sacrifice, and I didn't fair so well.

When suffering, hardship, or disaster come, are we ready to stand firm and place our hope God? I recently read an article online about a South African who spoke about her families history, they lived during the beginning of apartheid. Families were taken in trucks from their homes and towns and taken into exile to the so-called homelands. Singing arose on those trucks as loving parents comforted their children and offered songs of hope.

In dark times gifts of memory and hope comfort us, bringing strength to stand in the face of cruel injustice. God give us the strength to stand for you. To hope in you, and to find strength in You during this Christmas advent season. Remember to reach out to those around you who find this time of year difficult. Show them the Hope of Christ