Dear Worshipers,
These are uncomfortable words for all of us. We realize that we have to extend ourselves a little to do it. There is risk involved.
The image that comes to mind for me is reaching out to something that is just beyond your grasp, like the top shelf where the cookie jar is. Imagine the thought process of a child, "I can probably reach it if I climb on the chair then onto the counter." Sure, the thought may cross the child's mind that he could be hurt, but it is quickly dismissed. There is risk involved, but the payoff makes the risk worth taking.
I am certainly glad Jesus was willing to do that. To take the "risk" of reaching out to me. He was willing to suffer reproach and loss, rejection and death for me. Do you REALLY want "to be like Jesus"? Is that really your "desire"?
To be honest, there really was no risk for our Lord. He knew that He would finish the task entrusted to Him by His Father. He knew He would provide reconciliation for me back to God.
Ultimately, there is really no risk for us either. Let me explain why. In doing so maybe I can take some of the fear of reaching out away from your soul.
Remember that He said "When I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself…" John 12:32 Your reaching is really about reaching your arms up as you "lift" Jesus. You do not have to carry the weight of that person you are "reaching out" to; all you need to do is lift up Jesus. And that is not so hard, after all He is already ascended. So, ultimately your reaching is more of a pointing toward for the purpose of drawing attention to Jesus than a grasping for the purpose of holding or moving the person(s) in question.
Easter is less than three weeks away. How will you seize this opportunity? How will you reach out in this season?
There are a lot of symbols that represent this season, but for rne one of the most prevalent, and often least understood, is the egg, showing new life. Once again this year we are employing this symbol and redeeming it in the minds of people who will see our impact cards. They are located all around the church for the purpose of outreach, a.k.a. "reaching out"
Make this Easter season a new beginning for you. Take a card, write a note, and stick it in the mail, or better yet, reach out to someone and hand it to them. That may be all that is required of you for them to have a real NEW BEGINNING this Easter. Let us reach out with the love and life of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
My Best for His Glory
Dear Worshipers,
Does that describe your life? Can you honestly say that you pour out the very best of who and what you are that God may be glorified and His kingdom expanded in the hearts of others? That is the call that has echoed down through the ages. The call we must hear and open our hearts to everyday. That is the call we will issue when we share our upcoming musical, My Utmost for His Highest.
This musical is based on the exceptional devotional book by Oswald Chambers being the same title. Since August of last year I have been asking you to use that little devotional in your quiet times that we may slowly allow the Holy Spirit to bring into focus this idea of giving our entire lives for the glory of God. That is the “whole life” worship that is the driving vision of God’s call on my life, and this musical gives us a tremendous opportunity to share that.
It is also a wonderful culmination to the sermon series Pastor David has been preaching these last five months or so, To Be Like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus is one way of defining the process of being our best for God’s glory. When conformed to the image of His Son, we are our best. When transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we do everything for God’s glory. I am tremendously excited about the potential response to this message through music on May 7.
I am also very excited about taking this message “on the road”, literally. I recently read that “worship in the sanctuary must become evangelism in the streets”. Enjoying God in the comfort of our padded pews is only a part of our expression of worship. It must grow feet and go somewhere. Taking it outside the walls will hopefully be reinforced when we drive all the way to Martinsburg to share it with Harvest Community Church, our Alliance church plant in the eastern panhandle on May 21st. Two months from today we will put feet on the message and make ourselves a blessing to this church which is less than two years old.
If you have been reading My Utmost, keep it up. I know it has been a rewarding experience. If you have not yet been reading My Utmost, I am asking you to start today. You can click on this link to start right now, http://www.myutmost.org/. I also have a few copies remaining in the choir room. Even if you are not planning on being involved with the production of the musical, be reading with us that you may be prepared for what the Lord will say to you when we share it here on May 7th in the morning service.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Does that describe your life? Can you honestly say that you pour out the very best of who and what you are that God may be glorified and His kingdom expanded in the hearts of others? That is the call that has echoed down through the ages. The call we must hear and open our hearts to everyday. That is the call we will issue when we share our upcoming musical, My Utmost for His Highest.
This musical is based on the exceptional devotional book by Oswald Chambers being the same title. Since August of last year I have been asking you to use that little devotional in your quiet times that we may slowly allow the Holy Spirit to bring into focus this idea of giving our entire lives for the glory of God. That is the “whole life” worship that is the driving vision of God’s call on my life, and this musical gives us a tremendous opportunity to share that.
It is also a wonderful culmination to the sermon series Pastor David has been preaching these last five months or so, To Be Like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus is one way of defining the process of being our best for God’s glory. When conformed to the image of His Son, we are our best. When transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we do everything for God’s glory. I am tremendously excited about the potential response to this message through music on May 7.
I am also very excited about taking this message “on the road”, literally. I recently read that “worship in the sanctuary must become evangelism in the streets”. Enjoying God in the comfort of our padded pews is only a part of our expression of worship. It must grow feet and go somewhere. Taking it outside the walls will hopefully be reinforced when we drive all the way to Martinsburg to share it with Harvest Community Church, our Alliance church plant in the eastern panhandle on May 21st. Two months from today we will put feet on the message and make ourselves a blessing to this church which is less than two years old.
If you have been reading My Utmost, keep it up. I know it has been a rewarding experience. If you have not yet been reading My Utmost, I am asking you to start today. You can click on this link to start right now, http://www.myutmost.org/. I also have a few copies remaining in the choir room. Even if you are not planning on being involved with the production of the musical, be reading with us that you may be prepared for what the Lord will say to you when we share it here on May 7th in the morning service.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Trusting God’s Heart
Dear Worshipers,
Many in our body are reeling at the news of two different deaths over the weekend. One, and older man, who lost his life in a tragic accident. The other a little boy, with a heart defect who did not make it through reparative surgery. One, totally unexpected. The other, not surprising, but no less painful. Both reminders that this life is short.
My heart aches today as I continue to pray for these two families as they deal with the loss of someone they love. My pastoral heart is searching the horizon for what God is saying in each of these circumstances to the families, and their friends. As I prayed with a dear friend at the close of the call that informed me of the little boys death, the Lord reminded me of a song text written by Cynthia Clawson.
Trust His Heart
All things work for our goodThough sometimes we can't see
how they could.Struggles that break our hearts in twoSometimes blind us to the truth.Our Father knows what's best for us;His ways are not our own.So, when your pathway grows dim,And you just can't see Him,Remember He's still on the throne.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,when you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
He sees the Master plan.He holds the future in His hands.So don't live as those
who have no hope.All our hope is found in Him.We walk in present knowledge,But He sees the first and the last.And like a tapestry,
He's weaving you and meTo someday be just like Him.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,When you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
It was the chorus in particular that the Lord used to minister peace to me. The same peace that I continue to pray for these families. The same peace I hope you will join me to pray over them as well.
I also hope that this trust is one you know. We can rest in the Father’s plan, knowing that he is always working together for the good of those who love Him. Ultimately, He is more concerned about becoming more like Jesus than anything else. I trust that is exactly what has happened to the two whose deaths we now mourn.
Thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Many in our body are reeling at the news of two different deaths over the weekend. One, and older man, who lost his life in a tragic accident. The other a little boy, with a heart defect who did not make it through reparative surgery. One, totally unexpected. The other, not surprising, but no less painful. Both reminders that this life is short.
My heart aches today as I continue to pray for these two families as they deal with the loss of someone they love. My pastoral heart is searching the horizon for what God is saying in each of these circumstances to the families, and their friends. As I prayed with a dear friend at the close of the call that informed me of the little boys death, the Lord reminded me of a song text written by Cynthia Clawson.
Trust His Heart
All things work for our goodThough sometimes we can't see
how they could.Struggles that break our hearts in twoSometimes blind us to the truth.Our Father knows what's best for us;His ways are not our own.So, when your pathway grows dim,And you just can't see Him,Remember He's still on the throne.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,when you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
He sees the Master plan.He holds the future in His hands.So don't live as those
who have no hope.All our hope is found in Him.We walk in present knowledge,But He sees the first and the last.And like a tapestry,
He's weaving you and meTo someday be just like Him.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,When you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
It was the chorus in particular that the Lord used to minister peace to me. The same peace that I continue to pray for these families. The same peace I hope you will join me to pray over them as well.
I also hope that this trust is one you know. We can rest in the Father’s plan, knowing that he is always working together for the good of those who love Him. Ultimately, He is more concerned about becoming more like Jesus than anything else. I trust that is exactly what has happened to the two whose deaths we now mourn.
Thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
InterCessors
Dear Worshipers,
I sent out the first communication to the InterCessors last week. I have been saying for some time that I was going to ask some of you for a prayer commitment and I did indeed ask in early February. A few of you responded and received this letter below last week.
There are probably many different reasons why others of you did not respond. Not everyone should say yes to this ministry of prayer It is a significant commitment. I want those who say yes to take it seriously. But in the event that you just needed more information or prodding, I have included my letter to this group below.
God has already begun to answer the prayers of the Inner Circle [see below for description]. Maybe you want to be a part of something that is experiencing the moving of God. Consider the following and let me know if I should add you to the list. May God lead us each into the processes that will conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Dear InterCessors,
Thank you for answering the call to prayer. For a long time the leadership of the Alliance have said that prayer must be our first work. This ministry, a broad group of people praying collectively for the worship life of our church, will ensure that we keep the main thing the main thing. I believe we can move mountains. I believe Jesus gave us great authority that we too often fail to exercise. Thank you for being willing to “get in shape”, or rather to assist the worship life of our church to do so, through your prayers.
First let me tell you that I have a group of six men that I have recruited to gather around me in prayer. I am calling them the Inner Circle. The commitment I have asked them to keep is this. To spend 2006 doing this.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying once a week, on your assigned day, for an extended period, to include weekly updates (15 minutes)
Praying once a week with a partner in person or on the phone (5 minutes) [7 men plus me equals 4 teams of 2]
A quarterly “prayer encounter” lasting about 45 minutes
We are developing phase four in the month of March, having started in earnest in January.
This is the commitment I would like to ask you to make. I am calling the InterCessors to spend 2006 as follows.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying on Sunday morning for the worship experience of the church gathered.
Praying the rest of the week for the worship experience of the work dispersed.
Eventually I would like to add a fifth phase, possibly in the fall once the team is a little larger
Praying once a month during the service with other members of the team for God to reveal Himself and His people to respond.
Below you will find the set or requests for March. Let us begin together and allow the Lord to lead us as we go. I expect He will say things to you as you wait that will need to be shared with me. Do not hesitate. I believe the Lord will say things to me through you. Bless me and the Lord by sharing them.
March:
For the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we may know God better as a church [Ephesians 1:17]
For our responses in the Sunday AM service to reflect the majesty and glory of God’s name [Psalm 8:1]
For our responses the rest of the week to bring other to a place of worship [Matthew 5:16]
For the details of the Easter services to begin to come together.
For the close of Pastor David’s series “To Be Like Jesus” to have that effect on each of us
Thank you for your willingness to serve. I welcome your comments.
Thank you for considering this ministry opportunity.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
I sent out the first communication to the InterCessors last week. I have been saying for some time that I was going to ask some of you for a prayer commitment and I did indeed ask in early February. A few of you responded and received this letter below last week.
There are probably many different reasons why others of you did not respond. Not everyone should say yes to this ministry of prayer It is a significant commitment. I want those who say yes to take it seriously. But in the event that you just needed more information or prodding, I have included my letter to this group below.
God has already begun to answer the prayers of the Inner Circle [see below for description]. Maybe you want to be a part of something that is experiencing the moving of God. Consider the following and let me know if I should add you to the list. May God lead us each into the processes that will conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Dear InterCessors,
Thank you for answering the call to prayer. For a long time the leadership of the Alliance have said that prayer must be our first work. This ministry, a broad group of people praying collectively for the worship life of our church, will ensure that we keep the main thing the main thing. I believe we can move mountains. I believe Jesus gave us great authority that we too often fail to exercise. Thank you for being willing to “get in shape”, or rather to assist the worship life of our church to do so, through your prayers.
First let me tell you that I have a group of six men that I have recruited to gather around me in prayer. I am calling them the Inner Circle. The commitment I have asked them to keep is this. To spend 2006 doing this.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying once a week, on your assigned day, for an extended period, to include weekly updates (15 minutes)
Praying once a week with a partner in person or on the phone (5 minutes) [7 men plus me equals 4 teams of 2]
A quarterly “prayer encounter” lasting about 45 minutes
We are developing phase four in the month of March, having started in earnest in January.
This is the commitment I would like to ask you to make. I am calling the InterCessors to spend 2006 as follows.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying on Sunday morning for the worship experience of the church gathered.
Praying the rest of the week for the worship experience of the work dispersed.
Eventually I would like to add a fifth phase, possibly in the fall once the team is a little larger
Praying once a month during the service with other members of the team for God to reveal Himself and His people to respond.
Below you will find the set or requests for March. Let us begin together and allow the Lord to lead us as we go. I expect He will say things to you as you wait that will need to be shared with me. Do not hesitate. I believe the Lord will say things to me through you. Bless me and the Lord by sharing them.
March:
For the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we may know God better as a church [Ephesians 1:17]
For our responses in the Sunday AM service to reflect the majesty and glory of God’s name [Psalm 8:1]
For our responses the rest of the week to bring other to a place of worship [Matthew 5:16]
For the details of the Easter services to begin to come together.
For the close of Pastor David’s series “To Be Like Jesus” to have that effect on each of us
Thank you for your willingness to serve. I welcome your comments.
Thank you for considering this ministry opportunity.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Tolerance vs. Thankfulness
Dear Worshipers,
Last week I had the opportunity to sit under Gary Thomas’ teaching. He is a writer and the founder and director of the Center for Evangelical Spirituality, a ministry that integrates Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics. [If that sounds appealing to you, get one of his books. You will not be disappointed] His speaking was of comparable quality with the reading I had done before hearing him. It was a wonderful time spent considering some truths that I am continuing to absorb, and will be digesting for quite some time.
When I have an experience like this I like to try and distill it down into a couple of thoughts that I desire to allow the Lord to change my life. One thought that I am processing these days is that of tolerance versus thankfulness. Let me explain what I mean.
In a message titled Common Blessings, Familiar Miracles Thomas made a statement that I recorded like this. “Our minds adapt to God’s blessings and we end up tolerating them instead of being thankful for them.” WOW! We all know that because we have experienced it, but hearing him articulate it like that was a powerfully convicting moment for me. [Now you may want to run out and get one of his books all the more.] While this was just one example of things that were shared that were revolutionary, this one really hit me.
He used examples of his home to clarify. What had once been a source of blessing to him, a home he was amazed he could buy, became so common that he longed for more. I have often thought of this as discontentment, but he explained that our minds are prone to become so familiar with some things that we develop a “tolerance” for them. Think about the path home. Sometimes when you pull in your driveway you realize that you can not remember the lat few miles or minutes of your journey because you mind was simply “tolerating” it.
Here comes the rub. What blessings and miracles have you been tolerating? Your home? Your children? Your spouse? Your job? Your church? You name it. Let us be a thankful people. It changes our disposition not only towards the gift, but most importantly toward the Giver.
Psalm 100.4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” As you enter your next time of worship whether later today or tomorrow, enter with thanksgiving, and see if it makes the approach to your Lord different. I welcome your responses.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Last week I had the opportunity to sit under Gary Thomas’ teaching. He is a writer and the founder and director of the Center for Evangelical Spirituality, a ministry that integrates Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics. [If that sounds appealing to you, get one of his books. You will not be disappointed] His speaking was of comparable quality with the reading I had done before hearing him. It was a wonderful time spent considering some truths that I am continuing to absorb, and will be digesting for quite some time.
When I have an experience like this I like to try and distill it down into a couple of thoughts that I desire to allow the Lord to change my life. One thought that I am processing these days is that of tolerance versus thankfulness. Let me explain what I mean.
In a message titled Common Blessings, Familiar Miracles Thomas made a statement that I recorded like this. “Our minds adapt to God’s blessings and we end up tolerating them instead of being thankful for them.” WOW! We all know that because we have experienced it, but hearing him articulate it like that was a powerfully convicting moment for me. [Now you may want to run out and get one of his books all the more.] While this was just one example of things that were shared that were revolutionary, this one really hit me.
He used examples of his home to clarify. What had once been a source of blessing to him, a home he was amazed he could buy, became so common that he longed for more. I have often thought of this as discontentment, but he explained that our minds are prone to become so familiar with some things that we develop a “tolerance” for them. Think about the path home. Sometimes when you pull in your driveway you realize that you can not remember the lat few miles or minutes of your journey because you mind was simply “tolerating” it.
Here comes the rub. What blessings and miracles have you been tolerating? Your home? Your children? Your spouse? Your job? Your church? You name it. Let us be a thankful people. It changes our disposition not only towards the gift, but most importantly toward the Giver.
Psalm 100.4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” As you enter your next time of worship whether later today or tomorrow, enter with thanksgiving, and see if it makes the approach to your Lord different. I welcome your responses.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Plan Your Pause, Place and Purpose
Dear Worshipers,
Sometimes getting to go out of town can be so exhausting you really need the break for which you have been preparing. Sarah and I are heading out of town for a few days to our District Pastors’ and Wives Retreat. This is an annual event that is designed to help ministry couples recharge and refresh.
We have been looking forward to this time since the drive back from the Ohio Amish country last year. This time with each other and the Lord has become very precious to us. Years ago we beganto realize the need to withdraw occasionally from our regular activities and spend some time in reflection and renewal.
I want to encourage you to find some similar opportunity. It does not have to be a big event, or a few days long. Maybe an afternoon walk through the woods, or a few hours spent in quiet with a large cup of java…and the Lord. Pull back and enjoy His presence. This kind of time is important, but one word of caution.
Oswald Chamber’s says somewhere in My Utmost for His Highest that we must be careful about these mountaintop moments. Those special times when escape the normal routine and commune with the Lord are good, but they are insufficient to cultivate our relationship with God. We need regular time spent with Him to “Maintain” our intimacy.
That is exactly what Pastor David was reminding us on Sunday, Do you have a pause…a place…and a purpose that you enjoy with consistency? If not, I want to encourage you again to make a plan for this. If you really want to become like Jesus, a plan for this kind of investment is essential.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Sometimes getting to go out of town can be so exhausting you really need the break for which you have been preparing. Sarah and I are heading out of town for a few days to our District Pastors’ and Wives Retreat. This is an annual event that is designed to help ministry couples recharge and refresh.
We have been looking forward to this time since the drive back from the Ohio Amish country last year. This time with each other and the Lord has become very precious to us. Years ago we beganto realize the need to withdraw occasionally from our regular activities and spend some time in reflection and renewal.
I want to encourage you to find some similar opportunity. It does not have to be a big event, or a few days long. Maybe an afternoon walk through the woods, or a few hours spent in quiet with a large cup of java…and the Lord. Pull back and enjoy His presence. This kind of time is important, but one word of caution.
Oswald Chamber’s says somewhere in My Utmost for His Highest that we must be careful about these mountaintop moments. Those special times when escape the normal routine and commune with the Lord are good, but they are insufficient to cultivate our relationship with God. We need regular time spent with Him to “Maintain” our intimacy.
That is exactly what Pastor David was reminding us on Sunday, Do you have a pause…a place…and a purpose that you enjoy with consistency? If not, I want to encourage you again to make a plan for this. If you really want to become like Jesus, a plan for this kind of investment is essential.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
God loved us, so we love each other.
Dear Worshipers,
Happy Valentine’s Day!
On the occasion of this holiday falling on a Tuesday, allow me to encourage you today in the expression of love. You probably are familiar with one or more of the various strains of legend that serve as the foundation of this special day. They revolve around a historical figure by the name of Valentine.
One tradition has it that in defiance to the Roman Emperor, this Christian man, a priest, continued to marry young men and women though marriage had been outlawed for the purpose of filling the ranks of the army. He was sentenced to death. Another vein says that when the Emperor tried to convert him to worship the Roman gods and escape his sentence that Valentine responded by trying to convert the Emperor to Christianity. This sealed his fate.
Another part of the legend says that while awaiting his death Valentine was befriended by the guards’ daughter, who happened to be blind. The guard asked Valentine to heal her, calling on his faith, and apparently God heard his plea and did just that. Before his death, Valentine wrote her a letter signed, “From Your Valentine”, a phrase which is still used today. There are a number of places to get more information, none authoritative but here is a fairly good one. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/10/story_1064_1.html http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/107/11.0.html
Depending on where you look you get a different slant. St. Valentine has almost been forgotten on this day that still bears his name, and little else of his life. Nonetheless, we are reminded in the origins of this holiday, traced to the date of his martyrdom, of his love for God, which was a response to the love of God for him.
So what significance does that have for us today? Just the implication of the Scripture to mark our lives with love, not just today but always. Though the entire chapter is worth considering on this special day, consider I John 4:19. “We love each other as a result of his loving us first.” God loved us, so we love each other.
Is that the impetus behind your expressions of love today? Do you love because he loved you first? If not, then take a few quiet moments right now and set your heart upon his love. Then love from there.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Happy Valentine’s Day!
On the occasion of this holiday falling on a Tuesday, allow me to encourage you today in the expression of love. You probably are familiar with one or more of the various strains of legend that serve as the foundation of this special day. They revolve around a historical figure by the name of Valentine.
One tradition has it that in defiance to the Roman Emperor, this Christian man, a priest, continued to marry young men and women though marriage had been outlawed for the purpose of filling the ranks of the army. He was sentenced to death. Another vein says that when the Emperor tried to convert him to worship the Roman gods and escape his sentence that Valentine responded by trying to convert the Emperor to Christianity. This sealed his fate.
Another part of the legend says that while awaiting his death Valentine was befriended by the guards’ daughter, who happened to be blind. The guard asked Valentine to heal her, calling on his faith, and apparently God heard his plea and did just that. Before his death, Valentine wrote her a letter signed, “From Your Valentine”, a phrase which is still used today. There are a number of places to get more information, none authoritative but here is a fairly good one. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/10/story_1064_1.html http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/107/11.0.html
Depending on where you look you get a different slant. St. Valentine has almost been forgotten on this day that still bears his name, and little else of his life. Nonetheless, we are reminded in the origins of this holiday, traced to the date of his martyrdom, of his love for God, which was a response to the love of God for him.
So what significance does that have for us today? Just the implication of the Scripture to mark our lives with love, not just today but always. Though the entire chapter is worth considering on this special day, consider I John 4:19. “We love each other as a result of his loving us first.” God loved us, so we love each other.
Is that the impetus behind your expressions of love today? Do you love because he loved you first? If not, then take a few quiet moments right now and set your heart upon his love. Then love from there.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Calling All Intercessors
Dear Worshipers,
The last few weeks we have been examining the vision God has given us as a worship ministry. It is a pretty daunting task, not only within out our lives, but endeavoring to nurture it in the lives of others. It is a task that quickly reminds us of our need to prayer, specifically for God’s enabling.
Over a year ago I sensed God leading me to intensify my pastoral prayer. I have been praying for many of you with regard to a specific area or need. I am agreeing with you in prayer. We have seen some marvelous answers. Let me know how I can pray for you if you have not yet given me that opportunity.
Later in the year I felt God leading me to initiate a small group of men to pray for me, my family, and the worship ministries of the church on a regular basis. I recruited last fall and had positive response from six men. They were asked to pray every day through a short list of requests, then listen to God. They have been praying since last December. Last week I asked them each to pray on one assigned day each week for fifteen minutes for a particular area as well as the list. I am excited to see what God will do through their prayers.
For some time now I have been asking you to prayerfully consider involvement in an ongoing prayer ministry. In my previous pastorates, I have seen the benefit of this kind of concerted prayer by a dedicated team of prayer warriors. I could trace the hand of God in some situations as a direct result of their prayers, both private and public.
One time a few of them were praying during a Christmas musical. They came up to me during the intermission with tears in their eyes. They had a strong sense of the moving of the Holy Spirit, as did the rest of us, and they prayed for me and others before returning to their behind-the-scenes ministry. At the close of the musical, many people prayed to receive Christ. Those prayers availed much.
It’s time to for us to pray.
This is the commitment that I am asking you to consider.
1. Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
2. Waiting on the Lord everyday following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
3. A quarterly “prayer encounter” lasting about 45 minutes
4. Praying during our Sunday morning service on a rotational basis
If this resonates with you, then please prayerfully consider making a commitment to pray. I will add you to my list and we will get going by early March. May God grant us favor as we work and wait for Him.
If you do not feel led to pray, or to make this commitment, that is alright. I trust that the Lord is raising up a team that will not include everyone. Some of you may have the gift of intercession. PLEASE JOIN US. Others may simply feel led to be involved in this way. Others may want to prayer, but not everyday. Find the place God has for you, and flourish there.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
God's Self-Revelations
Dear Worshipers,
Let us continue on our journey through our Worship Ministries Vision Statement and allow it to remind us what it is that we are trying to accomplish through this ministry of worship that we share. We will do that by unpacking the last section of the vision statement for our Music and Worship Ministries. This is what you are committing to by becoming a member of this team. Here is the statement:
This week we will look at the last few words of the statement and probably the most important. They describe what we are responding to when we worship either gathered or dispersed. It all begins and ends with the Alpha and Omega as we reply “to God’s self-revelations”.
Revelation is simply the unveiling of something hidden, so that it may be seen and known for what it is. That is a very broad definition. Let us consider what we mean by “revelation” in the context of our Worship Ministries.
Henry Blackaby in his Bible Study Experiencing God cited as one of what he called realities that “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through prayer, the Bible, circumstances and the Church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.” This statement has shaped the way I see the Lord and His work since early in my walk with Him. Blackaby is only one source that confirms this activity.
I could not have said it better myself. Partly because I had to read that a couple of times to let it sink in. You might need to as well.
There is another aspect that is difficult to understand as well. There are really two parts of this understanding. First, that God ordered biblical history to reveal Himself. Second, that He inspired writers to record that history. Again, revelation is defined.
So we see God acting in our age to enlighten us to the significance and authority of the Scripture. That is God’s self-revelation. It contains “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
So that brings us back to living a life that is one substantial, sincere response to Himself, His purposes and His ways. Ephesians 1:17 was one of the key verses that God used to reveal the vision of our Worship Ministries to me. That verse in the NIV says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” As God answers that prayer by Paul, which I pray for all of you, we get to know him better by seeing, understanding and experiencing His truth.
I really like the way the Eugene Peterson has put this passage (Ephesians 1:16-19 in his translation, The Message. It really describes our response as a way of life beautifully. But I especially like the way it starts, with Paul giving thanks, as I do fro you when I pray.
May our eyes be “focused and clear” so that we may “see exactly what it is [God] is calling [us] to do.”
To that end, I want to ask you to continue to memorize our vision statement. I hope you have been working on it the last few weeks. Then as God brings it to mind, pray for the worship life of our church that it will transcend Sunday morning and truly become a through-the-week event as we experience “the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him.”
Assignment for the week: Memorize: “[Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle characterized by sincere responses-last week] to God’s self-revelations.”
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Let us continue on our journey through our Worship Ministries Vision Statement and allow it to remind us what it is that we are trying to accomplish through this ministry of worship that we share. We will do that by unpacking the last section of the vision statement for our Music and Worship Ministries. This is what you are committing to by becoming a member of this team. Here is the statement:
Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle
characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.
Last week we looked at next phrase “characterized by sincere responses”. I shared that to respond means to make a reply or answer. All worship is but a response to God. The response is qualified with the adjective sincere which means to be genuine or authentic. Pastor David challenged us on Sunday with regard to “Getting Real With God” so this territory has been well-covered.
This week we will look at the last few words of the statement and probably the most important. They describe what we are responding to when we worship either gathered or dispersed. It all begins and ends with the Alpha and Omega as we reply “to God’s self-revelations”.
Revelation is simply the unveiling of something hidden, so that it may be seen and known for what it is. That is a very broad definition. Let us consider what we mean by “revelation” in the context of our Worship Ministries.
Henry Blackaby in his Bible Study Experiencing God cited as one of what he called realities that “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through prayer, the Bible, circumstances and the Church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.” This statement has shaped the way I see the Lord and His work since early in my walk with Him. Blackaby is only one source that confirms this activity.
When the Bible speaks of revelation, the thought intended is of God the Creator
actively disclosing to men his power and glory, his nature and character, his
will, ways and plans…God’s disclosures are always made in the context of a
demand for trust in, and obedience to, what is revealed—a response, that is,
which is wholly determined and controlled by the contents of the revelation
itself. In other words, God’s revelation comes to man, not as information
without obligation, but as a mandatory rule of faith and conduct. Man’s
life must be governed, not by private whims and fancies, nor by guesses as to
divine things unrevealed, but by reverent belief of as much as God has told him,
leading to conscientious compliance with as many imperatives as the revelation
proves to contain. (Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our
God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we
may follow all the words of this law.) [From “Revelation” as found in the
New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, InterVarsity Press]
I could not have said it better myself. Partly because I had to read that a couple of times to let it sink in. You might need to as well.
There is another aspect that is difficult to understand as well. There are really two parts of this understanding. First, that God ordered biblical history to reveal Himself. Second, that He inspired writers to record that history. Again, revelation is defined.
The biblical view is that God reveals Himself by both deeds and words; first by
ordering redemptive history, then by inspiring a written explanatory record of
that history to make later generations ‘wise unto salvation’ (cf. 2 Tim.
3:15ff.; 1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4), and finally by enlightening men in every age
to discern the significance and acknowledge the authority of the revelation thus
given and recorded (cf. Mt. 16:17, 2 Cor. 4:6). [See above]
So we see God acting in our age to enlighten us to the significance and authority of the Scripture. That is God’s self-revelation. It contains “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
So that brings us back to living a life that is one substantial, sincere response to Himself, His purposes and His ways. Ephesians 1:17 was one of the key verses that God used to reveal the vision of our Worship Ministries to me. That verse in the NIV says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” As God answers that prayer by Paul, which I pray for all of you, we get to know him better by seeing, understanding and experiencing His truth.
I really like the way the Eugene Peterson has put this passage (Ephesians 1:16-19 in his translation, The Message. It really describes our response as a way of life beautifully. But I especially like the way it starts, with Paul giving thanks, as I do fro you when I pray.
I couldn't stop thanking God for you--every time I prayed, I'd think of
you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask--ask the God of our Master,
Jesus Christ, the God of glory--to make you intelligent and discerning in
knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly
what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of
life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who
trust him--endless energy, boundless strength!
May our eyes be “focused and clear” so that we may “see exactly what it is [God] is calling [us] to do.”
To that end, I want to ask you to continue to memorize our vision statement. I hope you have been working on it the last few weeks. Then as God brings it to mind, pray for the worship life of our church that it will transcend Sunday morning and truly become a through-the-week event as we experience “the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him.”
Assignment for the week: Memorize: “[Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle characterized by sincere responses-last week] to God’s self-revelations.”
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Sincere Responses
Dear Worshipers,
Let us continue on our journey through our Worship Ministries Vision Statement and allow it to remind us what it is that we are trying to accomplish through this ministry of worship that we share. We will do that by unpacking another section of the vision statement for our Music and Worship Ministries. This is what you are committing to in becoming a member of this team. Here is the statement:
Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle
characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.
Last week we looked at the first line and discussed a little bit of what it means to live our lives as worship by defining worship and then putting it in the context of a response to God that is whole-life. This week I am going to take a look at the next phrase “characterized by sincere responses”. Next week we will finish with the final phrase which is really the foundation of everything we are talking about, “God’s self-revelations.” But before we go there, so that your memorizing is not put out of order let us look at what it means to respond to God.
To respond means to make a reply, to answer, or to act in return. Each of these is instructive as we consider our response to God, but the crucial part of the definition is that it is the reaction to something. A response is not a first strike. Even an immediate response has a precursor, something that elicited it. God is the Great Elicitor. We are only and ever responding to Him, whether favorably or not.
This brings us to the adjective describing the response, “sincere”. This qualifies our response as being genuine, without hypocrisy or pretense. The intent is that we would carefully consider God’s revealing Himself to us and then make a careful, authentic and appropriate reply. The fact that we desire to see lives that are characterized by these kinds of responses instructs the activity of this ministry. It is more than music. It is life. And life made up of many smaller acts in return to God for showing Himself to us.
While there are any number of passages that teach this principle, allow me to take you to a couple from the writings of Paul. If anyone lived a life of response to a revelation from God it was this man. From that moment on the road to Damascus and stretching forward through the remainder of his life, Paul’s living was characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.
In Romans 8:31 he testifies, “What shall we say then in response to this? If God is for us, then who can be against us?” This comes at the end of one of the greatest discourses on God’s self revealing. It culminates earlier in the chapter as Paul writes about the life through the Spirit, and the future glory of the believer. After the phrase above, Paul climaxes with the more than conquerors passage. What a response!
That is Paul’s instruction on how the life we live should be characterized. But lest you think he was just a philosopher, remember his words in Galatians 2:2. “I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.” Here Paul indicates that his trip to Jerusalem was a response to a revelation from the Lord. Paul had a number of similar events in His life and the general practice should be evidenced in our lives as well. When God shows us something of Himself, we should adjust our lives to respond to it.
Next week we will look at Ephesians 1:17 which was one of the key verses that God used to reveal this vision to me. You can look ahead if you like, or you can wait until next week. Either way, make certain that you are living your life as a response to what God has already shown you about Himself. It is an amazing journey.
I want to ask you to continue to memorize our vision statement. Do it in little bite-sized sections so that over the next couple of weeks you will have it. Then as God brings it to mind, pray for the worship life of our church that it will transcend Sunday morning and truly become a through-the-week event.
Assignment for the week: Memorize: “[Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle-last week] characterized by sincere responses…”
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Let us continue on our journey through our Worship Ministries Vision Statement and allow it to remind us what it is that we are trying to accomplish through this ministry of worship that we share. We will do that by unpacking another section of the vision statement for our Music and Worship Ministries. This is what you are committing to in becoming a member of this team. Here is the statement:
Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle
characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.
Last week we looked at the first line and discussed a little bit of what it means to live our lives as worship by defining worship and then putting it in the context of a response to God that is whole-life. This week I am going to take a look at the next phrase “characterized by sincere responses”. Next week we will finish with the final phrase which is really the foundation of everything we are talking about, “God’s self-revelations.” But before we go there, so that your memorizing is not put out of order let us look at what it means to respond to God.
To respond means to make a reply, to answer, or to act in return. Each of these is instructive as we consider our response to God, but the crucial part of the definition is that it is the reaction to something. A response is not a first strike. Even an immediate response has a precursor, something that elicited it. God is the Great Elicitor. We are only and ever responding to Him, whether favorably or not.
This brings us to the adjective describing the response, “sincere”. This qualifies our response as being genuine, without hypocrisy or pretense. The intent is that we would carefully consider God’s revealing Himself to us and then make a careful, authentic and appropriate reply. The fact that we desire to see lives that are characterized by these kinds of responses instructs the activity of this ministry. It is more than music. It is life. And life made up of many smaller acts in return to God for showing Himself to us.
While there are any number of passages that teach this principle, allow me to take you to a couple from the writings of Paul. If anyone lived a life of response to a revelation from God it was this man. From that moment on the road to Damascus and stretching forward through the remainder of his life, Paul’s living was characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.
In Romans 8:31 he testifies, “What shall we say then in response to this? If God is for us, then who can be against us?” This comes at the end of one of the greatest discourses on God’s self revealing. It culminates earlier in the chapter as Paul writes about the life through the Spirit, and the future glory of the believer. After the phrase above, Paul climaxes with the more than conquerors passage. What a response!
That is Paul’s instruction on how the life we live should be characterized. But lest you think he was just a philosopher, remember his words in Galatians 2:2. “I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.” Here Paul indicates that his trip to Jerusalem was a response to a revelation from the Lord. Paul had a number of similar events in His life and the general practice should be evidenced in our lives as well. When God shows us something of Himself, we should adjust our lives to respond to it.
Next week we will look at Ephesians 1:17 which was one of the key verses that God used to reveal this vision to me. You can look ahead if you like, or you can wait until next week. Either way, make certain that you are living your life as a response to what God has already shown you about Himself. It is an amazing journey.
I want to ask you to continue to memorize our vision statement. Do it in little bite-sized sections so that over the next couple of weeks you will have it. Then as God brings it to mind, pray for the worship life of our church that it will transcend Sunday morning and truly become a through-the-week event.
Assignment for the week: Memorize: “[Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle-last week] characterized by sincere responses…”
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Worship as a Lifestyle
Dear Worshipers,
As we start another year of ministry let us take a couple of weeks to remind ourselves what it is that we are trying to accomplish through this ministry of worship that we share. Allow me to do that by unpacking the vision statement for our Music and Worship Ministries a section at a time. This is what you are committing to in becoming a member of this team. Here is the statement:
Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle
characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.
I will divide it into three workable sections that will allow us to finish this examination before the end of the month.
Worship in its’ simplest form means to ascribe worth to something. In our context, we understand that we are to ascribe worth to Jesus Christ. Our worship ministries exist to nurture or cultivate that. Not to make music. Not to produce musicals. Certainly not to entertain. We want to do whatever we can to help facilitate the growth of true worship in the lives of the people of our church. We want to foster worship as a lifestyle.
While there are any number of passages that teach this principle, allow me to take you to one that I pray will help you see it. In Ecclesiastes 12:13 a very wise man boiled down his years of research and striving for contentment into this short but powerful phrase, “Fear God and keep his commandments.”
ChristianAnswers.com defines the first part of this summation as follows:
The fear of the Lord is, in the Old Testament, used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Compare Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.)
At the end of the definition we see a word that is more commonly used as we consider our approach to God, that is reverence. But more so than our approach, we should remember that we have been called to live “IN CHRIST”. We must abide in Him (John 15). So clearly, mingled with love and hope we are to live with a fear of the Lord that informs every word, thought and deed.
Out of that fear [love and hope] we keep His commandments. This is a little more obvious to us. We should do everything God has commanded us to do, and nothing He has commanded us not to do. This instructs the way we live, our lifestyle, and if we obey will allow us to worship God with our entire lives. We live to make much of God, our Worship Ministries should aid that process.
I want to ask you to memorize our Vision Statement. Do it in little bite-sized sections so that over the next three weeks you will have it. Then as God brings it to mind, pray for the worship life of our church that it will transcend Sunday morning and truly become a through-the-week event.
Assignment for the week: Memorize: “Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle …”
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
As we start another year of ministry let us take a couple of weeks to remind ourselves what it is that we are trying to accomplish through this ministry of worship that we share. Allow me to do that by unpacking the vision statement for our Music and Worship Ministries a section at a time. This is what you are committing to in becoming a member of this team. Here is the statement:
Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle
characterized by sincere responses to God’s self-revelations.
I will divide it into three workable sections that will allow us to finish this examination before the end of the month.
Worship in its’ simplest form means to ascribe worth to something. In our context, we understand that we are to ascribe worth to Jesus Christ. Our worship ministries exist to nurture or cultivate that. Not to make music. Not to produce musicals. Certainly not to entertain. We want to do whatever we can to help facilitate the growth of true worship in the lives of the people of our church. We want to foster worship as a lifestyle.
While there are any number of passages that teach this principle, allow me to take you to one that I pray will help you see it. In Ecclesiastes 12:13 a very wise man boiled down his years of research and striving for contentment into this short but powerful phrase, “Fear God and keep his commandments.”
ChristianAnswers.com defines the first part of this summation as follows:
The fear of the Lord is, in the Old Testament, used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Compare Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.)
At the end of the definition we see a word that is more commonly used as we consider our approach to God, that is reverence. But more so than our approach, we should remember that we have been called to live “IN CHRIST”. We must abide in Him (John 15). So clearly, mingled with love and hope we are to live with a fear of the Lord that informs every word, thought and deed.
Out of that fear [love and hope] we keep His commandments. This is a little more obvious to us. We should do everything God has commanded us to do, and nothing He has commanded us not to do. This instructs the way we live, our lifestyle, and if we obey will allow us to worship God with our entire lives. We live to make much of God, our Worship Ministries should aid that process.
I want to ask you to memorize our Vision Statement. Do it in little bite-sized sections so that over the next three weeks you will have it. Then as God brings it to mind, pray for the worship life of our church that it will transcend Sunday morning and truly become a through-the-week event.
Assignment for the week: Memorize: “Our Worship Ministries exist to nurture worship as a lifestyle …”
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
To Be Like Jesus [in 2006]
Dear Worshipers,
A New Year. A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate. The potential is almost overwhelming. With all that promise, I am certain that over the past week you have worked to say goodbye to some things and hello to others.
Maybe you want to lose a few pounds this year. Exercise more. Spend more time with the ones you love. Or maybe your thoughts are more lofty. Start a new career or business. Remodel your home. Travel abroad. Get out of debt.
Here’s one for you to consider: To Be Like Jesus. I mean after all that is the resolution of our soul. It is the one we made when we first bowed the knee to our Lord. It is the one that all resolutions should ultimately serve. Now before you dimiss this as just another pastor trying to get you to think about “spiritual things” read on.
Have you made any resolutions for the New Year? If so, how are you doing. Have they helped you to leave any old habits or lifestyles behind, or have you already left the resolutions in the past. Each of our resolutions serve the goal of ushering in what we feel would be a more enjoyable life. A life filled with health and hope. An abundant life.
Sometimes we think that living for Jesus means giving up so much. So many things that you may want to do may have to take second place, or be removed from the list altogether, if you choose to live solely for the One who is altogether lovely, altogether worthy. That is a misconception we must set aside.
Jesus said, “I came so they can real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10) Isn’t that the life you are longing for? Let me rephrase that, “THAT IS THE LIFE YOU WERE CREATED FOR AND LONG FOR!” It can only be found in Jesus.
The enemy of your soul wants to steal, kill and destroy the hope of that kind of life. Do not let him. Jesus gave his very life to secure it for you!
In 2006, let us strive for the life that Jesus died to give us. Abundant, more and better than we could have ever dreamed, and not just here and now, but forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
A New Year. A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate. The potential is almost overwhelming. With all that promise, I am certain that over the past week you have worked to say goodbye to some things and hello to others.
Maybe you want to lose a few pounds this year. Exercise more. Spend more time with the ones you love. Or maybe your thoughts are more lofty. Start a new career or business. Remodel your home. Travel abroad. Get out of debt.
Here’s one for you to consider: To Be Like Jesus. I mean after all that is the resolution of our soul. It is the one we made when we first bowed the knee to our Lord. It is the one that all resolutions should ultimately serve. Now before you dimiss this as just another pastor trying to get you to think about “spiritual things” read on.
Have you made any resolutions for the New Year? If so, how are you doing. Have they helped you to leave any old habits or lifestyles behind, or have you already left the resolutions in the past. Each of our resolutions serve the goal of ushering in what we feel would be a more enjoyable life. A life filled with health and hope. An abundant life.
Sometimes we think that living for Jesus means giving up so much. So many things that you may want to do may have to take second place, or be removed from the list altogether, if you choose to live solely for the One who is altogether lovely, altogether worthy. That is a misconception we must set aside.
Jesus said, “I came so they can real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10) Isn’t that the life you are longing for? Let me rephrase that, “THAT IS THE LIFE YOU WERE CREATED FOR AND LONG FOR!” It can only be found in Jesus.
The enemy of your soul wants to steal, kill and destroy the hope of that kind of life. Do not let him. Jesus gave his very life to secure it for you!
In 2006, let us strive for the life that Jesus died to give us. Abundant, more and better than we could have ever dreamed, and not just here and now, but forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
What Has God Done for Us?
Dear Worshipers,
TO everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die…
A time to weep
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance…
A time to gain,
And a time to lose…
I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before him. [Ecclesiates 3:1-2a, 4, 6a, and 14]
We West Virginians have had the extremes of emotions the last few days. We have gone from dancing in the end zone, to watching others dance in theirs. We have watched loved ones laugh with the joy of a promised return, only to see them weeping over the loss of that promise. We have watched the birth of a new era in Mountaineer football led by some talented hard-working young men, but all the while cast against the backdrop of the death of 12 men knew the meaning of hard work even better and probably were more Mountaineers than any of those who recently traveled to Georgia.
In the aftermath of the tragedy at the Sago mine, we are forced to ask some tough questions. A man in the crowd at the church there angrily asked of the pastor as he tried to give them hope, “What…has God done for us?” As I wrestled with the answer to that question set against all that we have experienced in the last few days, I found myself in my daily reading in Ecclesiastes 3. While the opening of the chapter casually explains that there is a time for all we experience, the latter verses explain no only what God has done for us through all that, but also, and more importantly WHY.
God has sovereignly ordained the circumstances of our lives. He superintends those plans working out His purposes. He does this, as we see again and again in Scripture “that men should fear before Him.” We need to take a close estimation of our lives and consider them before God. Doing so will rightly fill us with an awesome reverence for Him. We must then ask, “Are we prepared to meet Him?” We all ask ourselves that question at one time or another. After all, verse 11 reminds that us “He has put eternity in their hearts.”
As you talk with your family and friends about these circumstances, seize this opportunity. Do more than dismiss it with a trite “It was the Lord’s will” or “God knows what He is doing”. Go the extra mile and prepare them for eternity. It is in their hearts, but have they given them to the Lord.
Let us pray for the families of these miners that the God of mercy will give them grace for this time of trouble. May He receive glory through this difficult circumstance, as He works His sovereign will. Pray for the one miner that has survived for a complete recovery. He told his wife every morning something like “God is with us”. May they know that now as never before.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
TO everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die…
A time to weep
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance…
A time to gain,
And a time to lose…
I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before him. [Ecclesiates 3:1-2a, 4, 6a, and 14]
We West Virginians have had the extremes of emotions the last few days. We have gone from dancing in the end zone, to watching others dance in theirs. We have watched loved ones laugh with the joy of a promised return, only to see them weeping over the loss of that promise. We have watched the birth of a new era in Mountaineer football led by some talented hard-working young men, but all the while cast against the backdrop of the death of 12 men knew the meaning of hard work even better and probably were more Mountaineers than any of those who recently traveled to Georgia.
In the aftermath of the tragedy at the Sago mine, we are forced to ask some tough questions. A man in the crowd at the church there angrily asked of the pastor as he tried to give them hope, “What…has God done for us?” As I wrestled with the answer to that question set against all that we have experienced in the last few days, I found myself in my daily reading in Ecclesiastes 3. While the opening of the chapter casually explains that there is a time for all we experience, the latter verses explain no only what God has done for us through all that, but also, and more importantly WHY.
God has sovereignly ordained the circumstances of our lives. He superintends those plans working out His purposes. He does this, as we see again and again in Scripture “that men should fear before Him.” We need to take a close estimation of our lives and consider them before God. Doing so will rightly fill us with an awesome reverence for Him. We must then ask, “Are we prepared to meet Him?” We all ask ourselves that question at one time or another. After all, verse 11 reminds that us “He has put eternity in their hearts.”
As you talk with your family and friends about these circumstances, seize this opportunity. Do more than dismiss it with a trite “It was the Lord’s will” or “God knows what He is doing”. Go the extra mile and prepare them for eternity. It is in their hearts, but have they given them to the Lord.
Let us pray for the families of these miners that the God of mercy will give them grace for this time of trouble. May He receive glory through this difficult circumstance, as He works His sovereign will. Pray for the one miner that has survived for a complete recovery. He told his wife every morning something like “God is with us”. May they know that now as never before.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
What Can I Give...?
Dear Worshipers,
What can I give….?. If you are like me, the last week has been consumed to some extent with the contemplating, locating, selecting, purchasing and wrapping of an assortment of gifts. Most an expression of love for someone in your life. Many a reminder of the great love-gift your share in the person of Jesus Christ. Some a gift for the Lord Himself, a token of your gratitude for His abundance.
And that is where I would like to linger for just a few moments with you today. What are you giving to the Lord this Christmas season? I am not even talking about financial contributions to a love offering at church, or other year-end worthy causes. I am not talking about giving of any of your resources, no matter the worthiness of the cause. I am referring to giving of yourself. Giving your heart with all your heart. Here is how the Lord brought this revelation to me today.
A few weeks back, I decided to use a child solo in the Christmas Eve service. I prayed about who should sing this song. A week or so ago, I felt the Lord leading me to have Samuel sing it. I approached him with the idea, and he immediately said yes. [Samuel actually enjoys singing.] In the days that followed, he began to have second thoughts, really stemming more from his growing tiredness from all the holiday festivities than anything else.
With time however, he slowly began to be more firm in his unwillingness to sing. It grew to the point that I was beginning to think of asking someone else, simply because I wanted it to be offered as a gift to the Lord, with no compulsion or reluctance. But I really felt that the Lord was in this whole situation. Then, this morning.
I put the CD on again on the way to school. Samuel opened the book and began to sing along. At the end, he asked if we could hear it again. My heart leaped at the apparent change of heart. At the end of the second time, he looked up and said, “I do want to sing this song Dad.” I was so blessed, I almost cried right there. Big surprise.
What the Lord showed me in that moment of sheer joy, was something of His heart. When we surrender to what our Father wishes, it is a blessing to Him that is possibly impossible for us to understand. When my son said he would do what I asked, I was so blessed. The real blessing was that he had wrestled through his feelings and uncertainty and had come to the place of surrender. He will sing with his whole heart on Christmas Eve. I will be blessed. But so will he.
See, that is one of the amazing things about God’s will. It brings Him glory, while at the same time being for our good. Samuel will be blessed, in and through his obedience to God and to me. So where is the lesson for you.
What has God been leading you to do or say to which you have said, “No”? Or maybe you first said “Yes”, but are living more like “No” right now. Give Him your heart in this matter, and in everything, and watch the blessing that will flow from that place of surrender.
You may feel like you do not have much to offer the King. But to the extent that this you feel that way, you have been deceived; either by yourself, or the enemy of your soul. After all, you have your heart, the core of all that you are, and that is of inestimable value to God. I think Christina Rosetti put it nicely when she said:
In comparison to the riches of heaven, even the wealthiest of us have little. We are “poor” as she puts it. Yet, we can give to Jesus what we only have one of, our heart. Give Him your heart this Christmas. After all, He gave you His everything.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
What can I give….?. If you are like me, the last week has been consumed to some extent with the contemplating, locating, selecting, purchasing and wrapping of an assortment of gifts. Most an expression of love for someone in your life. Many a reminder of the great love-gift your share in the person of Jesus Christ. Some a gift for the Lord Himself, a token of your gratitude for His abundance.
And that is where I would like to linger for just a few moments with you today. What are you giving to the Lord this Christmas season? I am not even talking about financial contributions to a love offering at church, or other year-end worthy causes. I am not talking about giving of any of your resources, no matter the worthiness of the cause. I am referring to giving of yourself. Giving your heart with all your heart. Here is how the Lord brought this revelation to me today.
A few weeks back, I decided to use a child solo in the Christmas Eve service. I prayed about who should sing this song. A week or so ago, I felt the Lord leading me to have Samuel sing it. I approached him with the idea, and he immediately said yes. [Samuel actually enjoys singing.] In the days that followed, he began to have second thoughts, really stemming more from his growing tiredness from all the holiday festivities than anything else.
With time however, he slowly began to be more firm in his unwillingness to sing. It grew to the point that I was beginning to think of asking someone else, simply because I wanted it to be offered as a gift to the Lord, with no compulsion or reluctance. But I really felt that the Lord was in this whole situation. Then, this morning.
I put the CD on again on the way to school. Samuel opened the book and began to sing along. At the end, he asked if we could hear it again. My heart leaped at the apparent change of heart. At the end of the second time, he looked up and said, “I do want to sing this song Dad.” I was so blessed, I almost cried right there. Big surprise.
What the Lord showed me in that moment of sheer joy, was something of His heart. When we surrender to what our Father wishes, it is a blessing to Him that is possibly impossible for us to understand. When my son said he would do what I asked, I was so blessed. The real blessing was that he had wrestled through his feelings and uncertainty and had come to the place of surrender. He will sing with his whole heart on Christmas Eve. I will be blessed. But so will he.
See, that is one of the amazing things about God’s will. It brings Him glory, while at the same time being for our good. Samuel will be blessed, in and through his obedience to God and to me. So where is the lesson for you.
What has God been leading you to do or say to which you have said, “No”? Or maybe you first said “Yes”, but are living more like “No” right now. Give Him your heart in this matter, and in everything, and watch the blessing that will flow from that place of surrender.
You may feel like you do not have much to offer the King. But to the extent that this you feel that way, you have been deceived; either by yourself, or the enemy of your soul. After all, you have your heart, the core of all that you are, and that is of inestimable value to God. I think Christina Rosetti put it nicely when she said:
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him; give my heart.
In comparison to the riches of heaven, even the wealthiest of us have little. We are “poor” as she puts it. Yet, we can give to Jesus what we only have one of, our heart. Give Him your heart this Christmas. After all, He gave you His everything.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Time to Tune
Dear Worshipers,
Time to tune. We have worked for months preparing for this weekend. We have rehearsed phrases, diction, breathing, entrances, cut-offs, dynamics, tempos, transitions, etc. The time has finally come when all that remains to be done is…tune.
We have scheduled and signed-up. Recruited and rearranged. Prayed and paused. Called and cajoled. Rehearsed and reviewed. The time has almost come to…tune.
We have sent invitations, put up banners, stuck roadside signs around town. We have spoken about the musical to family and friends, co-workers and classmates, neighbors and well…you name it. We have done what could, or what we were willing to do to let others know. This is a special night at our church. Now about all that is left to do is…tune.
The preparation has been lengthy, tiring, productive, sacrificial, blessed, fun, ______ [fill in the blank] Somewhere in the midst of it you asked yourself, “Is this really worth it. This is a lot of time to commit. I have a lot to do at this time of the year. I am not certain I will say, “yes!” to Pastor Scott next year.” But let us keep in mind I am not the One asking the question, I am just bearing it to you. If you listen closely I believe you will hear the One who asked telling you it is worth it, for the return will only be fully known in eternity.
The same could be said of every commitment in your life, ultimately all expressions of your ultimate commitment of your entire life to Jesus. The parallels struck me during some quiet time this morning. Though the musical is upon us, this is simultaneously a season of preparation for other big events in your life, other moments of ministry that the Lord is grooming you for that you may not even be able to dream of just yet.
I think of the Markle’s. Pastor David mentioned in his prayer on Sunday that the Lord is instructing their hearts through these difficult days as they wait to hear the diagnosis for little Eli. He is teaching them His love in a way that neither they nor we would ever choose, but that is best according to His plan for their lives. Let us pray they will see His great mercy and love clearly as they walk this path.
You may be facing something difficult, or wonderful that the Lord is using to prepare you for what lies ahead. Hear is my point. We have been preparing for the musical, and are about to tune to share it. We do not know exactly how God will use it but we offer it with hearts of love for His enjoyment and employment, that he may delight in it and use it to make Himself know. God is preparing you for something. When the time comes, tune your heart and give Him praise, then trust Him to use you as well.
Let us be every ready to tune our hearts to sing His grace. Sometimes you will have advance notice, like a few months. Most of the time however you will have only a few moments, so you had better stay in tune the best you can.
I am here to help you tune should you need some assistance. I don’t have perfect pitch, but I know Someone who does. He delights in tuning the hearts that are truly His.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Time to tune. We have worked for months preparing for this weekend. We have rehearsed phrases, diction, breathing, entrances, cut-offs, dynamics, tempos, transitions, etc. The time has finally come when all that remains to be done is…tune.
We have scheduled and signed-up. Recruited and rearranged. Prayed and paused. Called and cajoled. Rehearsed and reviewed. The time has almost come to…tune.
We have sent invitations, put up banners, stuck roadside signs around town. We have spoken about the musical to family and friends, co-workers and classmates, neighbors and well…you name it. We have done what could, or what we were willing to do to let others know. This is a special night at our church. Now about all that is left to do is…tune.
The preparation has been lengthy, tiring, productive, sacrificial, blessed, fun, ______ [fill in the blank] Somewhere in the midst of it you asked yourself, “Is this really worth it. This is a lot of time to commit. I have a lot to do at this time of the year. I am not certain I will say, “yes!” to Pastor Scott next year.” But let us keep in mind I am not the One asking the question, I am just bearing it to you. If you listen closely I believe you will hear the One who asked telling you it is worth it, for the return will only be fully known in eternity.
The same could be said of every commitment in your life, ultimately all expressions of your ultimate commitment of your entire life to Jesus. The parallels struck me during some quiet time this morning. Though the musical is upon us, this is simultaneously a season of preparation for other big events in your life, other moments of ministry that the Lord is grooming you for that you may not even be able to dream of just yet.
I think of the Markle’s. Pastor David mentioned in his prayer on Sunday that the Lord is instructing their hearts through these difficult days as they wait to hear the diagnosis for little Eli. He is teaching them His love in a way that neither they nor we would ever choose, but that is best according to His plan for their lives. Let us pray they will see His great mercy and love clearly as they walk this path.
You may be facing something difficult, or wonderful that the Lord is using to prepare you for what lies ahead. Hear is my point. We have been preparing for the musical, and are about to tune to share it. We do not know exactly how God will use it but we offer it with hearts of love for His enjoyment and employment, that he may delight in it and use it to make Himself know. God is preparing you for something. When the time comes, tune your heart and give Him praise, then trust Him to use you as well.
Let us be every ready to tune our hearts to sing His grace. Sometimes you will have advance notice, like a few months. Most of the time however you will have only a few moments, so you had better stay in tune the best you can.
I am here to help you tune should you need some assistance. I don’t have perfect pitch, but I know Someone who does. He delights in tuning the hearts that are truly His.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
I Adore You
Dear Worshipers,
Come, Let Us Adore Him. That is my call to you in this season. Though a familiar phrase to all of us I pray it will ring with freshness in your ear and then your heart as we go through advent and into the Christmas season.
Many of our Christmas carols give us wonderful opportunity to sing of the story of the coming of the Christ. They let us proclaim that to each other and to send the greatest story ever told to those who have not yet heard it. But many of them do not give us much opportunity to sing to the Lord.
Adeste Fidelis [O Come All Ye Faithful] is no different. Though it has a passing line sung directly to Jesus, many of the lines are encouragements to come and adore Him, sung to the faithful, the angels, even the “citizens of heav’n above”. This is all good, but it leaves the joyful feeling a little incomplete. Paul Baloche, the writer of “Offering” which we sang this past Sunday, adds “O Jesus, we adore You” after the final chorus to give the worshiper a chance to respond to all that admonishment. I love that.
You may remember a chorus that I introduced to the church last Christmas titled “I Adore You”. [Check out worshipideas.com for a pdf of the song] The intent was the same as Baloche’s added chorus above, to give the worshiper the chance to sing to Jesus. As I was singing through this jus today, I encountered the Lord in a fresh way. One of the lines says, “Jesus, I was made to love You.” The Spirit quickened my conscience with that truth, and I worshipped the Lord, as I was made to do.
The challenge for me in that moment was the realization that I have many things on my agenda that I have to do. But I must be careful to be certain that I take the time to do the thing I was created to do. Even to allow all those things to be expressions of service to the Savior whom I love. If they are not, something must change, either my attitude or my agenda.
As you make your way through the busy holiday season, make certain you are taking time to adore Him. After all, that is what you were made to do. Come, let us adore Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Come, Let Us Adore Him. That is my call to you in this season. Though a familiar phrase to all of us I pray it will ring with freshness in your ear and then your heart as we go through advent and into the Christmas season.
Many of our Christmas carols give us wonderful opportunity to sing of the story of the coming of the Christ. They let us proclaim that to each other and to send the greatest story ever told to those who have not yet heard it. But many of them do not give us much opportunity to sing to the Lord.
Adeste Fidelis [O Come All Ye Faithful] is no different. Though it has a passing line sung directly to Jesus, many of the lines are encouragements to come and adore Him, sung to the faithful, the angels, even the “citizens of heav’n above”. This is all good, but it leaves the joyful feeling a little incomplete. Paul Baloche, the writer of “Offering” which we sang this past Sunday, adds “O Jesus, we adore You” after the final chorus to give the worshiper a chance to respond to all that admonishment. I love that.
You may remember a chorus that I introduced to the church last Christmas titled “I Adore You”. [Check out worshipideas.com for a pdf of the song] The intent was the same as Baloche’s added chorus above, to give the worshiper the chance to sing to Jesus. As I was singing through this jus today, I encountered the Lord in a fresh way. One of the lines says, “Jesus, I was made to love You.” The Spirit quickened my conscience with that truth, and I worshipped the Lord, as I was made to do.
The challenge for me in that moment was the realization that I have many things on my agenda that I have to do. But I must be careful to be certain that I take the time to do the thing I was created to do. Even to allow all those things to be expressions of service to the Savior whom I love. If they are not, something must change, either my attitude or my agenda.
As you make your way through the busy holiday season, make certain you are taking time to adore Him. After all, that is what you were made to do. Come, let us adore Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Monday, November 21, 2005
Give Thanks
Dear Worshipers,
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136.1 (NIV)
Sometimes it is easy to be thankful. Everything’s going your way. Finances are in order. Family is getting along. Friends are helpful, happy and healthy. Fears are stilled. It is easy in those moments to give thanks to the Lord, primary because you can see His goodness so clearly.
Other times you might find yourself having a difficult time being thankful. Checkbook is out of balance. Children are fighting. Companions are sad and sick. Concerns are looming. In these moments it can be very difficult to thank the Lord, primarily because you might not be able to see His goodness as clearly, if at all.
But let us always remember the last part of the verse. His love endures forever. It may look differently at times, but it endures. It may seem near sometimes and far away at others, but it still endures. It never fails. Forever is a really long time.
I was clinging to this last week as I drove with Sarah to Charleston to see my father-in-law. Having been transferred there from Beckley where they had started angioplasty, he had experienced a heart attack and in surgery undergoing a quadruple bypass. As I drove down I-79 we prayed, some together, some separately. All the while we were trusting in God’s enduring love. We hoped we would arrive to find that he had come through surgery beautifully, that he had not bled though he had been on blood thinners just days before, that the Lord was going to give him a little more time with us here.
Chances of all that happening were not great. A few doctors at WVU told him last spring they would not do the surgery because they felt as though he could not survive it. We hoped for the best, but feared the worst.
While we drove, I was thanking God for His faithful love. Thanking Him that no matter what happened I knew it was the best. Thanking him that we were close enough to get there quickly. Thanking Him for the times I had shared with Sarah’s dad. I praise God that I was able to see His goodness even in the uncertainty of the situation.
I praise God that all we prayed for He gave us. Sarah’s father came through “beautifully”, the doctors words. He did not bleed. Praise the Lord! That we would have a chance to talk to him even later that day, and then the next. He is not out of the words yet, still on a ventilator, but yes I am thanking God for His love, the expression of His goodness to our family in these days.
Next time you face some uncertainty, maybe later today. Thank God. Thank God right now that when that time comes you are confident His love will be faithful. Thank God for the way you are experiencing that today.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He certainly is good. His faithful love endures forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136.1 (NIV)
Sometimes it is easy to be thankful. Everything’s going your way. Finances are in order. Family is getting along. Friends are helpful, happy and healthy. Fears are stilled. It is easy in those moments to give thanks to the Lord, primary because you can see His goodness so clearly.
Other times you might find yourself having a difficult time being thankful. Checkbook is out of balance. Children are fighting. Companions are sad and sick. Concerns are looming. In these moments it can be very difficult to thank the Lord, primarily because you might not be able to see His goodness as clearly, if at all.
But let us always remember the last part of the verse. His love endures forever. It may look differently at times, but it endures. It may seem near sometimes and far away at others, but it still endures. It never fails. Forever is a really long time.
I was clinging to this last week as I drove with Sarah to Charleston to see my father-in-law. Having been transferred there from Beckley where they had started angioplasty, he had experienced a heart attack and in surgery undergoing a quadruple bypass. As I drove down I-79 we prayed, some together, some separately. All the while we were trusting in God’s enduring love. We hoped we would arrive to find that he had come through surgery beautifully, that he had not bled though he had been on blood thinners just days before, that the Lord was going to give him a little more time with us here.
Chances of all that happening were not great. A few doctors at WVU told him last spring they would not do the surgery because they felt as though he could not survive it. We hoped for the best, but feared the worst.
While we drove, I was thanking God for His faithful love. Thanking Him that no matter what happened I knew it was the best. Thanking him that we were close enough to get there quickly. Thanking Him for the times I had shared with Sarah’s dad. I praise God that I was able to see His goodness even in the uncertainty of the situation.
I praise God that all we prayed for He gave us. Sarah’s father came through “beautifully”, the doctors words. He did not bleed. Praise the Lord! That we would have a chance to talk to him even later that day, and then the next. He is not out of the words yet, still on a ventilator, but yes I am thanking God for His love, the expression of His goodness to our family in these days.
Next time you face some uncertainty, maybe later today. Thank God. Thank God right now that when that time comes you are confident His love will be faithful. Thank God for the way you are experiencing that today.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He certainly is good. His faithful love endures forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Worship and the Word
Dear Ministry Team Members
Below I hope you will find Part 1 of a series of articles about Worship and the Word. THough I have note received them all I enjoyed this very much. I think you will see why as you read. My concept of corporate worship, actually worship in general, is revelationand response. This is a good beginning at defining that more clearly.
If you like it there is information as to how to subscribe to the weekly newsletter yourself. I get this every week and always find it thought provoking. I trust you will as well.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
From: Worship Matters [mailto:Worship_Matters@crosswalkmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 10:26 AMTo: worship@cmachurch.netSubject: Mail FilterCrosswalk - Worship Matters: Worship and the Word, Part 1, November 15, 2005
Worship and the Word, Part 1
Craig Cabaniss
This week we begin a guest series by my friend, Craig Cabaniss, a pastor from San Diego, based on an outstanding message he gave at the recent Sovereign Grace Ministries worship conference. - Bob Kauflin
As a Christian father, one of my goals is to foster in each of my children the heart of a worshiper. Some time ago I experienced what I thought was a breakthrough in this area. While at work in my upstairs office, I overheard my 3-year-old son break into spontaneous, enthusiastic singing. "Hallelujah, hallelujah!" he repeated in a zealous, toddler melody. I paused in my work, inwardly rejoicing over my success as a parent.
As Christopher ascended the stairs, and the refrain grew in volume and intensity, I began imagining him one day writing songs and leading congregations in worship, all the while crediting his godly father's training and example. It was one of those triumphant moments a father treasures. Then he reached the top of the stairs, just as his song reached its stunning crescendo:
"Hallelujah...to... MEEEEEE!"
Stunning, indeed. Did I mention he was 3?
The truth is, we are all prone to worship ourselves - we're just more subtle about it. We are so inclined toward self-centeredness that, on our own, we could never stumble into selfless, God-focused worship. It's true - we are able to worship God only to the extent that God reveals Himself to us. Without revelation, we could not know who God is or what He is like. We could not know how to worship or what brings Him glory. My son's hallelujahs were misdirected because His worship wasn't based on revelation.
At its most basic, worship is simply man's response to God's revelation. New Testament scholar Ralph Martin writes, "The distinctive genius of corporate worship is the two-beat rhythm of revelation and response." Authentic Christian worship must be anchored in the Word of God.
Over the next few weeks, we will explore this theme as it is found in Psalm 19. In this psalm David meditates upon the wonders of God's written revelation. We will look at characteristics of Scripture and how they should inform our worship.
Before David proclaims the wonders of the Word, however, he considers God's self-revelation through a different means - the created world.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving His chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
We all know that God reveals Himself through the handiwork of creation. Who hasn't been provoked to worship by a snow-topped mountain or star-lit night? Here the psalmist is provoked to worship by the beauty and mystery of the sun and sky.
God provides His creation as revelation to all men everywhere. The beauty of the world has always provoked men to consider a transcendent Maker. But the revelation of nature isn't enough. An unbeliever can watch a sunset and discover a Supreme Being of beauty, power, and creativity, but nature doesn't reveal man's need for a savior or Christ's sacrifice for sin. That kind of revelation comes only through Scripture.
In His Word, God speaks clearly and specifically. He reveals Himself and His will for man. That's why keeping the Bible at the heart of worship is so important-it keeps our hallelujahs pointed in the right direction.
Below I hope you will find Part 1 of a series of articles about Worship and the Word. THough I have note received them all I enjoyed this very much. I think you will see why as you read. My concept of corporate worship, actually worship in general, is revelationand response. This is a good beginning at defining that more clearly.
If you like it there is information as to how to subscribe to the weekly newsletter yourself. I get this every week and always find it thought provoking. I trust you will as well.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
From: Worship Matters [mailto:Worship_Matters@crosswalkmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 10:26 AMTo: worship@cmachurch.netSubject: Mail FilterCrosswalk - Worship Matters: Worship and the Word, Part 1, November 15, 2005
Worship and the Word, Part 1
Craig Cabaniss
This week we begin a guest series by my friend, Craig Cabaniss, a pastor from San Diego, based on an outstanding message he gave at the recent Sovereign Grace Ministries worship conference. - Bob Kauflin
As a Christian father, one of my goals is to foster in each of my children the heart of a worshiper. Some time ago I experienced what I thought was a breakthrough in this area. While at work in my upstairs office, I overheard my 3-year-old son break into spontaneous, enthusiastic singing. "Hallelujah, hallelujah!" he repeated in a zealous, toddler melody. I paused in my work, inwardly rejoicing over my success as a parent.
As Christopher ascended the stairs, and the refrain grew in volume and intensity, I began imagining him one day writing songs and leading congregations in worship, all the while crediting his godly father's training and example. It was one of those triumphant moments a father treasures. Then he reached the top of the stairs, just as his song reached its stunning crescendo:
"Hallelujah...to... MEEEEEE!"
Stunning, indeed. Did I mention he was 3?
The truth is, we are all prone to worship ourselves - we're just more subtle about it. We are so inclined toward self-centeredness that, on our own, we could never stumble into selfless, God-focused worship. It's true - we are able to worship God only to the extent that God reveals Himself to us. Without revelation, we could not know who God is or what He is like. We could not know how to worship or what brings Him glory. My son's hallelujahs were misdirected because His worship wasn't based on revelation.
At its most basic, worship is simply man's response to God's revelation. New Testament scholar Ralph Martin writes, "The distinctive genius of corporate worship is the two-beat rhythm of revelation and response." Authentic Christian worship must be anchored in the Word of God.
Over the next few weeks, we will explore this theme as it is found in Psalm 19. In this psalm David meditates upon the wonders of God's written revelation. We will look at characteristics of Scripture and how they should inform our worship.
Before David proclaims the wonders of the Word, however, he considers God's self-revelation through a different means - the created world.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving His chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
We all know that God reveals Himself through the handiwork of creation. Who hasn't been provoked to worship by a snow-topped mountain or star-lit night? Here the psalmist is provoked to worship by the beauty and mystery of the sun and sky.
God provides His creation as revelation to all men everywhere. The beauty of the world has always provoked men to consider a transcendent Maker. But the revelation of nature isn't enough. An unbeliever can watch a sunset and discover a Supreme Being of beauty, power, and creativity, but nature doesn't reveal man's need for a savior or Christ's sacrifice for sin. That kind of revelation comes only through Scripture.
In His Word, God speaks clearly and specifically. He reveals Himself and His will for man. That's why keeping the Bible at the heart of worship is so important-it keeps our hallelujahs pointed in the right direction.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Supplication
Dear Worshipers,
Prayer. It continues to be on the front of my mind for a number of reasons. Not the least of the things keeping it there is the sermon series Pastor David is taking us through, To Be Like Jesus.
This week we turn from the preconditions of holiness to the practice of it. We begin this part of the discussion with SUPPLICATION. In our weekly meeting today, Pastor David shared with me this thought. “All spiritual disciplines are prayers. All prayers are supplications.” While he will be expanding this in Sunday, let me give you my version.
All of our life lived out before the Lord must be done in an attitude of prayer, bathed with prayer, marked by prayer. (I Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1) I have always considered our corporate worship prayer, and you may have noticed me saying things like, “As we continue in an attitude of prayer…” as we have gone from prayer to a song. But if all of our life is to be one grand act of worship (prayer) made up of a million smaller acts of worship (prayer) then of course the corporate or combined, congregated worship of the church is prayer.
Maybe you can wrap your heart around that pretty easily, but check out the next phrase. “All of our prayers are supplications.” Whether is a prayer of adoration (worship), which I have already done a scant definition of, or a prayer of intercession, thanksgiving, confession, etc., it is ultimately supplication. Why? Because in praying we are portraying our reliance on One Who is above us Who has absolute authority to grant our request or plea, i.e. glorify Your Name.
As I said, Pastor David will flesh it out much more eloquently on Sunday, but here is a place to start for you as you consider supplication. I know you are praying. The invitation to pray even more is one the way, from Pastor David this week, and from me early in the New Year. Get ready.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Prayer. It continues to be on the front of my mind for a number of reasons. Not the least of the things keeping it there is the sermon series Pastor David is taking us through, To Be Like Jesus.
This week we turn from the preconditions of holiness to the practice of it. We begin this part of the discussion with SUPPLICATION. In our weekly meeting today, Pastor David shared with me this thought. “All spiritual disciplines are prayers. All prayers are supplications.” While he will be expanding this in Sunday, let me give you my version.
All of our life lived out before the Lord must be done in an attitude of prayer, bathed with prayer, marked by prayer. (I Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1) I have always considered our corporate worship prayer, and you may have noticed me saying things like, “As we continue in an attitude of prayer…” as we have gone from prayer to a song. But if all of our life is to be one grand act of worship (prayer) made up of a million smaller acts of worship (prayer) then of course the corporate or combined, congregated worship of the church is prayer.
Maybe you can wrap your heart around that pretty easily, but check out the next phrase. “All of our prayers are supplications.” Whether is a prayer of adoration (worship), which I have already done a scant definition of, or a prayer of intercession, thanksgiving, confession, etc., it is ultimately supplication. Why? Because in praying we are portraying our reliance on One Who is above us Who has absolute authority to grant our request or plea, i.e. glorify Your Name.
As I said, Pastor David will flesh it out much more eloquently on Sunday, but here is a place to start for you as you consider supplication. I know you are praying. The invitation to pray even more is one the way, from Pastor David this week, and from me early in the New Year. Get ready.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Reaching Out
Dear Worshipers,
Now that we are officially past Halloween, are you beginning to think about Christmas? Does the thought paralyze you with the list of things that need to be done between now and then? Don’t worry I have not forgotten about Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays in the entire year which I will address in a subsequent issue, but I want to think about the true nature of Christmas for just a few moments today.
What is the true nature of Christmas? We all know the story, but what was the point of it? Jesus incarnation. He became one of us. There was no other way to save us. For us to tell the story of Christmas best, we must live it first. We must incarnate with people, being willing to walk with them in the difficult times. This requires us to reach beyond ourselves.
Reaching out. How good are you at that? Is it easy for you to reach beyond yourself and identify with, and then help meet the needs of others? Or is difficult for you to even think about engaging in such an activity?
If it is difficult for you to even imagine reaching beyond yourself there could be a number of reasons. Maybe you are just too busy. Maybe you are too self-focused. Maybe you are not doing what the Lord created you to do. Whatever the circumstance I want you to realize that a change is necessary.
As we quickly approach the Christmas season, I want to challenge you again as I did a month ago. What are you going to do that will be a true reaching beyond yourself? You had better begin planning, or at least clearing some time in your schedule for the Lord when He provides the opportunity. Invite someone to the Christmas musical, or the Christmas Eve service. Visit someone in the nursing home. Have some neighbors over to just sit and talk. Call up an old friend who has been on your mind lately. Reach out, and be prepared for what God will do through you.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Now that we are officially past Halloween, are you beginning to think about Christmas? Does the thought paralyze you with the list of things that need to be done between now and then? Don’t worry I have not forgotten about Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays in the entire year which I will address in a subsequent issue, but I want to think about the true nature of Christmas for just a few moments today.
What is the true nature of Christmas? We all know the story, but what was the point of it? Jesus incarnation. He became one of us. There was no other way to save us. For us to tell the story of Christmas best, we must live it first. We must incarnate with people, being willing to walk with them in the difficult times. This requires us to reach beyond ourselves.
Reaching out. How good are you at that? Is it easy for you to reach beyond yourself and identify with, and then help meet the needs of others? Or is difficult for you to even think about engaging in such an activity?
If it is difficult for you to even imagine reaching beyond yourself there could be a number of reasons. Maybe you are just too busy. Maybe you are too self-focused. Maybe you are not doing what the Lord created you to do. Whatever the circumstance I want you to realize that a change is necessary.
As we quickly approach the Christmas season, I want to challenge you again as I did a month ago. What are you going to do that will be a true reaching beyond yourself? You had better begin planning, or at least clearing some time in your schedule for the Lord when He provides the opportunity. Invite someone to the Christmas musical, or the Christmas Eve service. Visit someone in the nursing home. Have some neighbors over to just sit and talk. Call up an old friend who has been on your mind lately. Reach out, and be prepared for what God will do through you.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
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