Illusions

So my husband had the talk with my eight-year-old. Well, not THAT talk, the Santa talk. I really didn't want this to happen. He is my baby and I wasn't ready for it. I can't think of a bigger sign that childhood is passing than no longer believing in Santa. It made me so sad, but we had to make a decision concerning him. Knowing his disposition we knew that one of us needed to be the one to tell him. He is exactly the kind of kid that would either get in a fight defending Santa and cry for days if he found out in an uncontrolled way. The other problem was the whole, nothing is impossible for Santa but some things are impossible for mom and dad's bank account, thing. So I finally gave in and let Adam have the talk with Judah. I was expecting tears and hysterics, but boy was I wrong. The end of the conversation went something like this:

Judah: So you bought me my DS?
Adam: Yeah. You ok with that?
Judah: You and mom took money out of your bank account to buy me things so I would believe in Santa. Yeah, I think I'm ok with that.

And that was it. What surprised me so much was not just the lack of drama, sadness and disappointment, but the sense of gratitude that came across in his words. The “you did that for me?” attitude that he had, amazed me. And I was grateful for the gift my son is to me.

In the days since then I have been thinking a lot about believing in illusions. In today's busy world it is easy to do that. We use credit cards to over spend, pretending we have money we don't. We work our job and rely on our talents and abilities to keep those jobs and provide for our families. We count on friends and loved ones to provide us support and advice in difficult times and in simple decisions. Self-sufficiency becomes our Santa. We believe whole-heartedly in that illusion, and trust that it will not disappoint.

I think maybe it is time for us, as Christians, to grow up a little. We need to truly realize the source of our blessings. The Bible says that God is our provider, that He will supply our needs (Phil. 4:19), and that every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17). Everything I have and every moment I live is a direct result of God and His goodness to me. How can we think of Jesus in the fullness of everything He did and not say, “Wow! You did that for me?”

What strikes me is, Judah didn't say “thank you” to us, but just him acknowledging where the gifts came from made me feel like he was grateful. So let's make that the focus of our Christmas this year. Let's just acknowledge that our blessings are from Him and not of our own doing. Let's set aside our illusion and embrace the reality. God is very good to us all!

What It Takes

It's been a while since my last post and I apologize for that. Life went crazy there for a little while and I'm having to adjust to some new things. Hopefully the adjustment period is over and I can get back to doing this on a more regular basis. That being said. . .

I've been thinking a lot lately about the church at large, about what happens to our brothers and sisters around the world. Adam and I have friends that run a missionary ministry to Iran. I am always sobered and thankful after a conversation with them. I hear stories of people ostracized, imprisoned and killed for their faith in Jesus. In a recent video I heard the story of two women imprisoned for their faith. On more than one occasion they have faced a judge and refused to denounce Christ, then they go back to their cells. Recently one of the three charges against them was dropped, but they could still die for their “crimes.” To make things worse, their health is failing, and they are refused medical care. So they may die in prison awaiting their trial or they may end up dying for their faith. Either way they hold their heads high and put everything on the line for Jesus.

Six years ago another woman was faced with this decision: Renounce Jesus or we will take your daughter (then three years old) away from you. That lady said she looked up saw the face of Jesus and knew she could not deny Him. She now ministers to children and hopes to some day find her daughter in that.

I walk away from these stories and wonder do I have what it takes to stare death in the face and refuse to denounce Him? Even Peter failed this test the first time (or three). I usually end up thinking that I do, but afraid that I don't. Maybe I don't and that is why God allowed me to be born here, where I don't have to face this test.

I wonder what makes me think I could face death, when I have trouble facing rejection with my friends and neighbors. I don't witness as I should. I don't speak to unbelievers about my faith as much as I could. I don't risk discomfort, so why do I think I would risk death? Christians in parts of the world put their lives on the line to share Jesus, but I won't put what social standing I may have out there for Him. I pray for Muslims around the world to come to know Jesus as savior, but I don't speak to my Muslim friend about her faith and mine.

It is very easy to put missions in a box that goes around the world. It is very easy in our society to say "someone else will do it." But the fact of the matter is the Great Commission is for all of us, weather we go to the other side of the globe or the other side of the street. So, go on missions trips, pray for those persecuted and martyred, and be willing to do a little for the Kingdom yourself, in your little part of the world.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. (Mark 16:15)

Visit http://www.iran30.org/ and join in prayer for the church in Iran.

Worship Anyway (part 4)

So all this talk about what is good and bad about worship styles and I feel like all I've done is make some people happy and others. . . not so much. So I just want to sum things up by saying this: Worship isn't about us. It is about God. Over the last few posts I've talked about why people like different things and I think I have made some valid points, but so what?

It really upsets me when I see people, young and old alike that check out just because a certain style of music is being played. You have to understand that you might not like everything, but that others like what you don't. It isn't always about what makes you happy. It is about giving glory to God, and crossing your arms and pretending to be somewhere else until you like the song that is being played gives glory to no one. And honestly it makes your love for God seem conditional. I know I'm being harsh, and trust me I would rather not be, but this needs to said. People, I have my preferences. I love a screaming guitar, bass I can feel in my bones, and rocking drums. I love music I can dance to and music I can bow on my knees to. I love to run the gambit of intensity in worship. But I know that this does not suit everyone. Two my of favorite high praise songs haven't been done in my church. I understand that it is just too much for a lot of people, and yes sometimes that can be frustrating, but that doesn't stop me from giving God my all in worship, no matter the song.

What we need to come to grips with is that we are all saying the same thing, whatever style we sing it in. Think about it for a minute. . . How Great Thou Art (hymn) & How Great Is Our God (modern) What A Friend We Have In Jesus (hymn) & What a Friend I've Found, Friend of God (modern). See? Same thing. And as long as we are saying the same thing why does it matter if we like the accompaniment? Or for that matter the volume? Or what instrument is being played? As long as we glorify God what else really matters?

So what I'm saying is: It's time to lay our preferences aside. It's time to give God what He deserves no matter the style of the song. It's time to stop worrying about musical style and “worship in spirit and in truth” no matter what song we sing. And didn't Jesus tell us to prefer our brother? And aren't we supposed to try to reach the lost. . . who typically don't appreciate hymns? And shouldn't we honor our mother and father (and their mother and father) by singing songs they like? Don't discredit anything just because you don't like it. It all has its purpose. And its purpose is to glorify God.

Worship Anyway (part 3)

I guess I should continue my rant by speaking my thoughts about modern worship music. I have so many thoughts it is hard to nail down any. The problem is today's worship runs such a wide gambit of genres and styles that it can't be nailed down to a single label, like hymns. I mean, hymns are hymns. You can't say that about today's worship. There are simple repetitive songs, and deep complex songs. There are songs of desperation, and celebration. There is just so much today, and it all serves to express our own deepest yearnings, thoughts, needs, and love.

What I love about modern worship is the variety. I know there are a lot of people out there that love traditional, old, and familiar songs, but I have a hard time with that. The truth is there are a lot of songs that if I ever hear them again it will be too soon, just because they were worn out. I love the chance to not only learn something new and different, but in that to find a new way to say to God what I need to say. Today's worship is not about stating facts about God, but truly giving our hearts to Him in love, adoration and worship. I love learning new songs because in that I think about what I am singing, and I am reminded of my need of and love for God. In all honesty, when a song becomes too familiar I can sing it without thinking or feeling or meaning what is coming out of my mouth, and that is not true worship.

I love modern worship because it points my emotions in the right direction. I want to share 2 things about the way I feel about emotions and God: 1. I don't approve of over-emotional hype that just feels good, but is not truly God centered. 2. I believe God gave us our emotions because he wants us to express ourselves. God has emotions. The bible talks about Him being jealous for us, loving us, being angry even hints at frustration. God wants us to share our feelings toward him. I truly believe God's desire is not for us to stand still and sing a song we've sung a hundred times without feeling. God's desire is for us to engage in worship, to reach out to Him with our hearts, souls, spirits and yes even our bodies. God desires what is on the inside to come bubbling and overflowing out. Modern worship paves the way for that to happen for me. The words that resonate in the heart, the music that builds and subsides, the intensity of emotion released, all work to take me into God's presence. And in His presence is where He wants us, so He can pour out His love on us.

I think the thing I love the most about modern worship, is there is a constant reminder that this thing called Christianity is not a one sided conversation. It is not God did His part now we must do ours. It's not a formal service once a week. It isn't even accept Jesus and be good, follow the rules and get in heaven, the end. This is supposed to be a relationship. Today's worship is interactive, on our part and God's. I love when we sing a song and get to a point that God is in that room so strong that no more words can be said. I love it when we get to one line of a song and it is so exactly what we need to say and what God wants to hear in that moment that we repeat it until the words are truly a part of us. I love it when during a worshipful moment people truly open up and bear their hearts to God and He is there speaking right back to that heart. That is the essence of today's worship.



I think there will only be one more Worship Anyway post. Part 4 is coming and I hope in that post to bring everyone together in worship to our truly amazing God. Until next time. . .

Worship Anyway (part 2)

I want to start with a subject that gets a lot of people up in arms. Hymns. That one word makes some people sigh in contentment and others cringe on the inside. I grew up singing hymns in church until I was a teenager and we moved to more contemporary worship. The truth is I love both so I hope I can speak to both sides of the issue.

To my hymn lovers:

I read a book recently about an Amish family living in today's world. I was struck by the rules they follow. Evidently each church district's leaders make the rules they have to follow. These particular people could have gas appliances, running water and a fully functioning bathroom, but no electricity. They could use telephones, but couldn't have them in their houses. They could not own or drive cars, but they could hire a reliable driver to take them places. I just found my self wondering, how do you find the cut off? How do you define what goes to far and where to draw the line? Those are the questions I want you to try to answer.

I keep thinking about how your parents probably didn't approve of Elvis or the Beatles, and their parents may not have approved of jazz or swing. But with the generations come change, and lets face it: every song, every hymn was new at some point. Some were even set to the tune of secular songs. Did you know that Luther wrote some of his songs to old pub tunes? You have to stop putting a line in the sand, saying “if I didn't sing it as a child it doesn't work for me.”

I want you to know that I know the value of something familiar. Some songs are powerful to you because wrap around you like your favorite blanket. Warm and comfy you can access His presence more easily. I get that, more than you know. But think of the people who don't feel that way about those songs. People who a turned off by just how old the song sounds. People whose warm comfy blanket is something more modern. People who also need to connect to God in a real way. Isn't it worth giving up a little comfort to provide a little comfort?

To my hymn dislikers (I didn't want to say haters even though it sounds better :))

Let me set the scene for you. You are in church enjoying praise and worship. Then the piano starts to play these old chords and you know what is about to happen. The “more mature” people get excited and start singing their hearts out while you wonder where they pulled this song from. You stand there and try to figure out the actual meaning of the song around the thee and thous. It can be a bit frustrating. But just take the time to think about it for a minute. Do you think that maybe these classic hymns have stood the test of time for a reason?

A lot of the modern worship songs carry you places. The music is intense and the lyrics make sense and can be easily related to. These songs express raw yearning and need and put people in a place to not only access God's presence but pour out our hearts before Him. But I think what a lot of modern songs miss is the depth and beauty of hymns. For example:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

I nearly cry just reading those words, let alone singing them. This is the 3rd verse and chorus of my favorite hymn. In all honesty it may be my favorite song. What we miss today is poetry in music form. I'm not saying people don't write “deep” songs anymore, because they do, but some things are truly timeless.

I think where people do hymns a disservice is to not only tune out the beauty and meaning of the words, but avoid the sense of history and tradition that comes with singing a song that your mother, and her mother and her mother sang. To avoid the tradition in hymns would be like never again singing your favorite Christmas carols. Think of a Christmas without Silent Night or Away in a Manger. That, dear friends, is the church without hymns. It just wouldn't be the same.


Stay tuned for more on worship. . .

Worship Anyway

Worship is more than just the songs we sing, more than just what happens on Sunday morning. Worship is the life we live. It is everything that we do according to 1 Cor. 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” But just to make things easier over the next few posts if I say worship I am referring to praise and worship music. I have become disheartened by the seemingly constant battle over how worship should be done, what songs to sing and how to sing them. Some people want high energy, intense music. Some want hymns, and some not just hymns, but they have to be done in the traditional way or they just don't count. Some want free-flow, no songs prophetic worship. Some want 3 fast songs 2 slow songs and we sit down. Some want the whole service to be worship, some just want to get it over with. I have seen and heard it all over the years, and it breaks my heart.

I have been thinking about it a lot lately. About what connects us to God and why. About how we respond to Him and He to us. About what really matters in worship. I think God wants everyone to connect in no matter what that takes, but how can that be accomplished when so many people are concerned about their personal preferences? I have so much to say that it will take much of your time than I want to at once. So I'm going to break it up, and I hope over the next few posts to speak to all of you. To validate your points of view and preferences, but also that of others. I hope that you read everything and maybe see things differently than you have to this point. I hope to bring us all together at least a little bit. So until next time. . .

Hooray for a happy ending

I have read several good books recently and watched some good movies, but I am bothered by a trend I've been experiencing. A lot of these stories have not had happy endings. The hero doesn't get the girl, or the heroine dies, or something just leaves you unsettled. I read a review of a book that criticized the author for allowing the hero and heroine to get everything they wanted out of life and have their “happily ever after.”

It leaves me wondering, what has happened to us? Why is it that we as a culture don't really believe in happy endings anymore? Has the harshness of life made us believe that they don't exist? Has the astounding divorce rate robbed us of the belief that happily ever after can happen? Have we become so cynical that happy endings seem childish and so unlikely it’s laughable? I know that suffering and pain are a part of life. I understand that we are going to face hardships, but does that mean we don't ever get the happy ending?

I have been feeling very dissatisfied with the lack of happy endings. I was actually angry with one book. It was the third in a trilogy. I had invested time and money into these books and it ended wrong! I read the authors commentary about how the story came full circle and was complete. I don't buy it. I believe in happy endings and that is what I want to read and to see. I want to see triumph over struggle. I want to see people achieve their goals and get things right in the end. I want to see people end up making the right choice, and being rewarded for it.

I started thinking, why is this so important to me? I realized that the happy ending I want to see in my books and movies is a reflection of an eternal truth in my heart. You see, for those of us who have made the right choice, the happy ending is inevitable. No matter the struggle we face or what we have to overcome in this life we have the promise of eternal life. And not only eternal life but that life with the lover of our souls. My friends, we get our “happily ever after”. The bible says God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. So I believe God has placed that desire for "happily ever after" in our hearts, because He wants to be that for us. He is our happily ever after. And that is reason to rejoice.