Many of the traditions of Maundy Thursday are centuries old and carry a boat load of symbolism and tradition. But what happens when the meaning behind these symbols is lost?
“This is my Beloved Son, Listen to Him”
We live in a, "visual society." A society that values, above all, the sensational, the glorious, and the, "entertaining." So we indeed find it very hard to stomach the notion that God might manifest his glory in simple, common words- but he does just that.
Wailing at the Feet of Jesus- Lament in the Life of the Church
"All you young people want to do is wail at the feet of Jesus," some friends of mine were once told concerning the songs they had chosen for a worship gathering. Does God want us to "wail," to him? Isn't worship about celebration and forgetting your troubles? We need to rediscover the lament.
To Every Generation: The Mandate of Intergenerational Worship Part IV- The Prize, Unity
We’ve divided our churches between young and old, we’ve split congregations in “traditional” and “contemporary,” and in doing so, we have divided God’s people and broken God’s heart.
War of the Holiday Wor(l)ds: Why It’s OK to Say, “Happy Holidays”
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I love the sounds of Christmas, the smells of Christmas, and the entire season altogether. In my opinion, there's not a better, more joyful time of year than the month leading up to Christmas. On the secular side, I love spiced cider, hot chocolate, gingerbread, cookies, REAL Christmas trees, … Continue reading War of the Holiday Wor(l)ds: Why It’s OK to Say, “Happy Holidays”
To Every Generation: The Mandate of Intergenerational Worship Part III- Music
We have seen that God has been concerned for his people to worship him together since the creation of man. From the creation of mankind in his image, to the calling of his covenant people, Israel, to the fulfillment of that covenant people in the New Covenant Church, God has desired that his people, regardless … Continue reading To Every Generation: The Mandate of Intergenerational Worship Part III- Music
To Every Generation: The Mandate of Intergenerational Worship Part I- Sacred Stones
It was the LORD who first identified his covenant people, Israel, as “קָהַל,” “qahal,” or an “assembly.” Learning from covenant statements throughout the first five books of the Bible, we see the importance of communication between generations in the family and in the community (Deut. 6:4-6). This “assembled” group of elect people was to serve … Continue reading To Every Generation: The Mandate of Intergenerational Worship Part I- Sacred Stones
How to Assess Revival- Cultivating the Seed
Jonathan Edwards was one of the finest evangelists of all time. In what we know as the "First Great Awakening," a great revival came to England and New England under his preaching along with that of George Whitefield and John Wesley. At this great time of religious awakening in Britain and America, thousands upon thousands … Continue reading How to Assess Revival- Cultivating the Seed