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.
Learning To Sing
Building on Matt's post on the vapid nature of most contemporary worship music I want to address a question many have brought up to me and one that I have heard time and again asked to others. It goes a little something like this - “Ok, I buy in principle your argument that today's worship … Continue reading Learning To Sing
Why did God Become a Man? Part III- To Make us His Children
“Aren’t we all the children of God already?” Some might ask. The answer is partly “yes,” and partly, “no.” Man does not rest in a state of peace with God. Far from friends, let alone children of God, sin has made mankind enemies of God, rebels against his will, and children, not of his love, but of his wrath.
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
Advent: A Glimmer in the Darkness
In the midst of pitch darkness, the light from one solitary candle breaks through the blackness and pierces through with clarity and brilliance. For nearly four-hundred years, the people of Israel had heard no word from the Lord. He who had cast down mighty Egypt, gave them the Promised Land, and ruled over them through mighty … Continue reading Advent: A Glimmer in the Darkness
“Be Filled with the Spirit… Giving Thanks.”
You don't need serious Bible study software in order to find biblical references to thanksgiving, thankfulness, or gratefulness. In fact, you barely turn a few pages into Genesis before seeing the offering of sacrifices by Cain and Abel from the fruit of their labor. I'm also quite sure that all brands of social media are … Continue reading “Be Filled with the Spirit… Giving Thanks.”
Your Creativity Is Killing You
It has never been said that I am boring. Many other adjectives have been used, some not so kind. I love poetry, literature, food, brewing, making stuff, remodeling, gardening and working in my urban orchard. I have come to accept that I am what my mom thinks I am, a renaissance man. I am also … Continue reading Your Creativity Is Killing You
A Table Prepared 