Uncomfortable Worship April 20, 2008

I’ve been thinking lately about what “sacrifice of praise” means.  I may be dead wrong on these points, but here are a few of my thoughts on this. 

1.  When my brother was killed in a car wreck last year, everyone expected me to take some time off the worship team.  My heart was broken.  I had a hard time even thinking straight, so how could I help lead worship?  But deep in my spirit, I knew that I still needed to offer my worship.  Yes, I know that worship is more than music.  But when you’re heart is so heavy that there’s no song left, what do you do?  I sang anyway.  Regardless of my circumstances, He is still worthy of worship.  It wasn’t easy.  It was a sacrifice.  And He gave me more comfort during that time of worship than I had ever known before.

2.  Music is what’s easiest for me.  I am a singer.  It’s a major part of who I am.  And when I sing to Him, I really am giving Him all of my heart.  But is that a “sacrifice of praise?”  I’m not so sure.  Since it’s so easy for me, where’s the sacrifice?  Am I really offering Him what’s precious to me?  In a way, yes.  Music is precious to me.  But is it a sacrifice?

So that’s what I’ve been thinking about lately.  I want to do more than what’s easy for me.  I want to offer more.  I have nothing that’s of any use to Him.  But I know that He wants something more than “easy” from me.  It’s time to get uncomfortable.  It’s time to step out of my easy offerings and step into real sacrifice.  Now how do I do that?  Well, I’m not really sure.  Gotta think about that.  But I’m willing to bet that since I’m saying this, He’ll show me something right away.  He’s good like that.  lol

So what’s your comfort zone in worship?  What comes easy for you?  And what is something you can offer that is a “sacrifice of praise?”

Worship Confessional April 20, 2008

This morning, I stood in the lobby for a long time watching the greeters.  These people are amazing.  I was really impressed by how good they are at what they do.  Honestly, I don’t think I could do it.  I mean, I love people and I love talking to people, but I still couldn’t do what they do.  I get so wrapped up in chatting with people and I would totally miss new people walking in the building.  These greeters didn’t miss a single person that walked in.  Seriously, the didn’t miss one.  They smiled genuine smiles the whole time, happily greeting every single person that walked in the building.  I was really impressed.  Good job, greeters!!!

I’m also excited about something that my husband did today.  He volunteered in Children’s Church!  I was hoping he would eventually do that.  He’s so good with kids and really loves hanging around with them.  After church, he told me that he got to pray with two kids this morning!  I’m so happy that he’s doing this.  I think he’s really going to enjoy it.

And now on to the confessional……

We had a really great morning, musically.  I can’t think of anything that went wrong.  Bryant, our guitar player, just got married yesterday so he wasn’t there.  We missed him, but other than that everything was great.  Here’s our set list…..

You Are Good

Friend of God

I Could Sing of Your Love

How Great is Our God

You Are Good (finale)

That’s really all there is to the confessional.  When everything goes well, there’s little to confess.  lol

But I will share one fun thing with you.  I was talking to Ryan (he’s on the finance team) about how our church has tripled in size since conception.  He corrected me.  We’ve actually grown 500%!!!!  Ryan, I think that’s the happiest correction I’ve ever received.  lol  And this Sunday, not only was our 11:00 service packed, but the 9:30 service was almost full too.  God is still shaking things up at HOW and I’m still in awe at how he’s using us! 

Today I Will….. April 20, 2008

This morning I was reading this article at Pete’s blog and it really made me stop and think.  What can I do right now that will make this world a little more like God intended?  That’s a big question.  That’s a life-changing question.  So here’s my answer….

Today I will show compassion.  I won’t just feel compassion, but I will show it.  The simple truth is, I feel compassionate for people all the time.  But what do I do about it?  Usually nothing.  I have all kinds of good reasons.  I’m too busy, I don’t have any cash, I’m exhausted, etc.  What have my excuses accomplished?  Nothing.  I’m still busy, have no cash and am exhausted.  And someone out there still has a hurting heart.  Someone out there still needs to be shown compassion.

That changes today.  Today I will be active in my compassion.  Compassion will not be a descriptive word to convey a feeling I’m having.  Today compassion will be a verb…an action word. 

So now I pose that same question to you.  What can you do today to make this world a little more like God intented?