Engage Worship "Praise the Lord"

Engage Worship is a group in the UK with a heart for really engaging people in worship (hence their name) with some really creative ideas.  Some of these leaders are also part of Resound Worship which is more focused on songwriting.  I have to admit that sometimes I find ideas on Engage worship to be a little out there, or at least not something that I would try with our congregation at Christ's Church.  But I recently discovered one of their latest songs/engaging ideas and I think it's great.  Perhaps this will inspire you to get creative in engaging people to "Praise the Lord."  Let me know what you think, I'd sure love to try this at some point.

I Will Follow - Lead Me to the Cross

I was recently listening to a podcast entitled "The Power of the Resurrection." In it Rabbi Jason Sobel (a messianic rabbi based in California) highlights the fact that the resurrection and what it means for us is all about being changed, from death to life.  But that change came at a great price, it cost the very life of the Son of God.  Now of course we all want to see that kind of resurrection power in our lives and in the world around us.  The problem Rabbi Jason identifies is that "we all want change, but we're not willing to pay the cost for change."  Now we might be open to change that isn't too costly, something that only costs the spare change of our lives, but not the bigger kind of change that will cost us our time, plans, comfort, money, reputation...  And yet when we looked at Luke 9 in Part 1, we saw that one can't be a disciple unless they are willing to surrender their entire lives to the Lord on a daily basis.  And thus, as Rabbi Jason observes,  Jesus has "lots of fans, but few true followers."  


What's the difference between a fan and a follower?  Consider this excerpt from J.C. Ryle's "The Cost."

"Any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33 

What does it cost to be a Christian?

I grant freely that it costs little to be a mere outward Christian. A man has only got to attend a place of worship twice on Sunday, and to be tolerably moral during the week--and he has gone as far as thousands around him ever go in religion. All this is cheap and easy work--it entails no self-denial or self-sacrifice. If this is saving Christianity and will take us to Heaven when we die--we must alter the description of the way of life, and write, "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to Heaven!"

But it does cost something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are . . .
  enemies to be overcome,
  battles to be fought,
  sacrifices to be made,
  an Egypt to be forsaken,
  a wilderness to be passed through,
  a cross to be carried,
  a race to be run.
Conversion is not putting a man in a soft armchair, and taking him pleasantly to Heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory. Hence arises the unspeakable importance of "counting the cost."

True Christianity will cost a man . . .
  his self-righteousness,
  his sins,
  his love of ease, and
  the favor of the world.

A religion which costs nothing--is worth nothing! 

A cheap, easy Christianity, without a cross--will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown.

This week's song is "Lead Me to the Cross," written by Brooke Fraser.  It was first released on the Hillsong United album All of the Above.  One of my favorite lines in this song says, "Rid me of myself, I belong to you."  Oh Lord, may we truly live each day as if our lives were not our own.

I Will Follow - "The Lord went ahead of them..."

I Will Follow

by Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram 

and Reuben Morgan

"By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." 

-Exodus 13:20-22

It must have been amazing to be the people of Israel during the Exodus, to be led by God in such visible and powerful ways.  Surely I'm not alone in thinking that it would be nice if God would lead us in such a perceptible way today.  But then again, Jesus did say "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).  And let's not forget that despite all the wonders performed, many of those pillar-led people still doubted God's provision (Numbers 11), made idols (Exodus 32), and refused to go where He had commanded them to go (Deut. 1:26-46).  The truth is that God can lead us just as intimately and unmistakably as He led the Hebrews thousands of years ago.  Just look at passages like Mark 13:11, Acts 10, and Acts 16:6-10.  As exciting and life-changing as this should be for all who believe, I can't help but notice that many of us don't seem to be moving when God moves.

You're the one I seek,

knowing I will find,

All I need in you alone. 

Through prayer, scripture, the counsel of godly people, or perhaps even a supernatural sign the Holy Spirit can reveal the will of the Father to us.  But if we don't actively seek God, how can we expect to hear His voice or sense where He's leading?  One of the biggest obstacles to perceiving God's leading is the lack of priority we put on spending time seeking the Father either in private or with other believers.  Getting to that place where we can hear from God clearly and begin to step out in faith takes intention, consistency and patience on our part.  He can transmit to us all day long, but if our spiritual antennas aren't up, we'll never get the message.  Of course, sometimes I wonder if the reason we don't put a lot of effort into seeking the Lord is because we're afraid of what He might say.  

  All your ways are good,

all your ways are sure,

I will trust in you alone,

But even if we do end up getting the message that God wants us to hear, we've got just as much potential as Israel did to resist Him.  If we don't totally believe that God's intent for us is good and that His way is the only way in the grand scheme of things, then our fears, doubts and idols will hold us back at some point along the journey.  We'll begin to doubt what God actually said, just like Adam and Eve did.  Or we'll be afraid because of the risk involved or because it means changing our plans (that was Jonah's problem).  At the end of the day, it's about trust.  Do we trust that He'll provide if we start giving more of our time and resources away for kingdom purposes.  Do we trust that He'll give us the words to speak if we're brave enough to talk to our co-worker about Jesus?


Lord we pray that you would help us to prioritize seeking you so that we might actually hear from you, and Father we ask that you would increase our faith so that when we do hear from you, our lives will actually begin to look like the picture this song paints, going where you go, staying when you stay, loving whom you love, serving however you call us to serve, so that in dying to ourselves we might truly live in You. Amen.

Worship Workshops 2011 - Jam Night

Next Friday June 10th we'll be having an informal worship gathering at Christ's Church for all the area churches.  Basically the plan is to jam some worship songs and pray together.  You can find all the details by clicking here.

If you are planning on coming I'd encourage you to check out the following song list and get familiar with any you don't already know.  Please try to come with music/chord sheets already printed out so we don't need to make tons of copies for everyone.  If you need music or need to hear the songs please e-mail me and I can help you find the music and recordings.

Blessed Be Your Name - Key of A (or G w/capo 2)
Everlasting God - Key of A and B
How Great is Our God - Key of C
Hosanna (Paul Baloche) - Key of G
God of Wonders - Key of G
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Key of E
Praise Adonai - Key of A minor/C Major
Jesus Paid it All (Kristian Stanfill) - Key of B (or G w/capo 4)
The Wonderful Cross (Chris Tomlin) - Key of D
All Creatures of Our God and King (David Crowder Band) - Key of D

These are just some songs that came to mind that seem fairly familiar and easy to jam.  If you are coming please feel free to suggest a song, you can e-mail it to me or share a comment on this post.  If we have enough adventurous people we might even do some psalm surfing.  Look forward to seeing you then, be blessed.

Jesse

The Effect of Advent - Overwhelmed by Jesus' Humility

I'm sitting here transcribing a great contemporary version of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Red Mountain Church and as I'm getting ready to enter the words into the sheet music I'm in awe of what God did.  I just needed to stop and say "thank you God."

  

"Leaving riches without number,"

"Born within a cattle stall,"

"from our fears and sins release us,"  

  At the same time as I'm blown away by Jesus' humility, I'm also caught up in a feeling of hope and expectation as if I'm watching it unfold the way it did 2,000 years ago, like I'm one of those who saw the Messiah come into the world first hand.

"O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth,"

"Go to him your praises ringing Christ the Lord has come to earth"

"Now thy gracious kingdom bring." 

 

This moment I'm having is a perfect example of how powerful music and good poetry based on God's Word can have an amazing effect on someone's emotions, intellect and spirit.  Dare I say the effect could be classified as worship that is in spirit and truth? 

Those closest to me know that many years ago I began to have very apprehensive feelings towards anything Christmas.  I still do, and I won't get into all the reasons why, but I have softened up and have come to appreciate some things. The greatest of these of course (because I'm a wannabe theologian) is the opportunity Advent season affords to teach and meditate on the incarnation.  My prayer is that the worship experience I've had tonight prompted by this Christmas hymn would be had by many more once advent season begins.  So to you few readers out there, may you fix yourself on the Lord's incarnation and be filled with joy because of what it means not only for those in the past, but to us as well.  If that happens, then despite all the traditions, materialism and pagan history that looms over this season, I will consider advent to be something still worth observing.

Before the Throne of God Above

After listening to this song for several years I'm finally going to introduce it to Christ's Church this weekend.  So for you CCA folks here's a preview (don't worry we won't be singing it this high), and for the rest I hope you enjoy it too and consider adding it to your repertoire if aren't using it already.  It almost brought me to tears just to sing along with this video yesterday, but just imagine the day when everything is made new and we can "Praise the One Risen Son of God!" with all the redeemed and the angels singing together before His throne. 

Unfinished Worship Song

Hi all, I came across this idea from Resound Worship and wanted to share it with you as well as get some participation going on. For some background on this concept, see the article from Worship Leader Magazine. I think I'm going to try doing this on Sunday and I thought it would be really cool if I not only used their words, but also wrote some of my own and also used ones that you the readers came up with. So click here to read about and listen to the song, and then come back to this post and comment to share any lines you've come up with.

Here are some passages to consider meditating on if you are looking for some inspiration.

Colossians 1

John 14

Matthew 27-28

Romans 5

Revelation 5 and others passages in quotes throughout the book.

Thanks in advance to those who take the time to try this. If any other worship leaders try this let me know how it goes. The next step is to try writing our own musical idea that can be used like this.

On My Mind- Bono, Social Justice and the Church Part 2

"He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed."

Proverbs 19:17

Start with Part 1 of this post if you haven't read it already.

Many teachers and apologists that I've read lately are sounding the alarm against the "social gospel." This is certainly understandable since influential emergent church leaders like Brian McLaren and Rob Bell are trying to convert us to their re-painted version of it. However, I fear that some people's refutation of the social gospel causes them to neglect giving to the poor, caring for the sick, etc., to the extent that God would like them to. It would serve us well to look at Matthew 23:23 and put it into the context of this debate. I can almost hear Jesus now, "You've got your theological i's dotted and your t's crossed, but you've spent more time pointing out people's bad teaching than you have living out my teaching about justice and mercy. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former."

Some argue that Matthew 25, which Bono quoted in the video, isn't about the poor in general, but about caring for believers in need (specifically Jesus' disciples in that context). Okay sure. And Bono's comment based on the Lord's prayer about bringing heaven to earth, if he actually means trying to create a utopia (like Walter Rauschenbusch taught), is not what that passage means either. But despite questionable exegesis of specific passages, you can't look at all the scriptural examples here and tell me that Bono is totally off base in his understanding of God's heart for the poor and oppressed. It is absolutely a tragedy when we use the Bible to argue against meeting the needs of those we have the ability to help.

The parable of the Good Samaritan won't let us ignore the people that Bono is advocating for. The Samaritan responded immediately to the plight of the robbed and beaten jew, he didn't waste time reasoning whether he was obligated to or not. He got his hands dirty cleaning wounds, he invested time and money, and he saw the recovery through to completion by partnering with the inn keeper. All this for a stranger and cultural/religious enemy. I would argue that in the 21st century, with all of the resources, technology and global organizations out there, people on the other side of the world who are suffering now fall into the category of "neighbor" for us. The command says love your neighbor as yourself. Take it at face value. You wouldn't let your child die of starvation right? Then help your neighbor in Africa keep her child from starving too, even if it means cutting back on your starbucks or choosing a cheaper cable TV plan.

If we're concerned about giving to the ONE campaign because of it's lack of focus on sharing the gospel, we can still respond to this challenge by giving to and working with organizations like Compassion, World Vision, Gospel for Asia, or Samaritan's Purse. The work still needs to be done, it just needs to be coupled with meeting the underlying spiritual need for Jesus that all these people have as well.

Rather than fight with false teachers of the social gospel or secular humanism, let's outdo them all with our response to these challenges, "that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Let our actions prove that we follow the God who "secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy" (Psalm 140:12).

On My Mind - Social Justice, Bono, and the Church

"The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern." - Proverbs 29:7

This concern that Proverbs speaks of is often on my mind, but I find myself questioning whether my concern is resulting in enough action. The message I keep getting from the Holy Spirit is that I can't treat it like a checklist item- just because I'm doing something doesn't necessarily mean I'm doing enough. Anybody else doing self-assessment on this issue of caring for the poor?

I also can't help but notice that many churches in the U.S. seem to be spending a lot of time and money on their buildings and worship services. I don't claim to know for sure, but my guess is that a lot of these churches aren't even coming close to spending that same amount of resources and effort on helping people in need of basic necessities for life. Surely this wasn't the case with the early church.

"Recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John... gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship...They only asked us to remember the poor-- the very thing I also was eager to do." - Galatians 2:9

I recently watched a video of U2 frontman Bono challenging the church to get more involved in fighting what he calls "stupid poverty." You'll have to watch this clip for yourself to find out what he means by that. I really appreciated his thoughts and his honesty and think his passion and insights might challenge you as well.

A few quotes that stuck with me.

"The world is more malleable than you think." - Believers have something that makes this especially true. We have access to the throne room of God, where the future of the world is ultimately shaped. We have the authority of Christ to break down strongholds that contribute to the cycles of poverty and death, and we have access to the endless resources of the Kingdom of God.

"We musn't describe this stuff as a burden, as a duty, it's really an opportunity and an adventure." - God loves a joyful giver, and the right heart attitude in regards to this issue makes a big difference in how much we're willing to invest ourselves in it.

"Stop asking God to bless what you're doing. Find out what God is doing, because it's already blessed." - If only we'd be more perceptive to this and be on the look out for what God is doing (and not just in regards to poverty ministry). I think we'd find ourselves doing a lot of things differently with our time here on earth.

For any of you worried that I'm embracing the social gospel, fear not, but I have a few thoughts on that issue in store for next time.

Fail Us Not

Came across this video on CCLI TV. Decent song with a cool video concept, full of hope and just very real. Something that I think will really speak to a lot of people. Check it out if you get a chance, and find out more at failusnot.com

"Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?

Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?

Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Selah

Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Selah "

Psalm 77:7-15

Come Ye Sinners

I came across this song last week on Mars Hill's worship music website (Seattle - Mark Driscoll, not Rob Bell). I wondered who actually adapted this Joseph Hart hymn to a contemporary version and I've found recordings by Todd Agnew and Cambridge. I think I like Cambridge's version best, but Todd Agnew's version came out first, and his version is featured in this video.

This song and video really hit me in a big way after coming back from a retreat with our youth group. One of the messages we heard from the main speaker was from Luke 5:27-31, that we needed to stop avoiding the "sinners." Jesus said that "It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick...," and he risked his reputation on a regular basis to call "sinners to repentance."

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

This verse should be taken to heart by those of us who have already been saved and can tend to get comfy only interacting with other believers. We can't expect people to get better before we are willing to associate with them. We can't expect that people will come up to us and ask "What must I do to be saved?" If we recognize that the world is trapped in darkness, then those of us with the light have to be willing to take the initiative and go into the darkness, bearing Christ's light. How else will we get the chance to share the Savior with them? This song is great to sing, but it is more important that we live it out, actually seeking opportunities to call "sinners" to come to the saviour.

Christian Music Cartoon

This is a really funny cartoon done by Joshua Harris back in 1996. I think it's still pretty true of much of the Christian music industry today. I wish it weren't. Click on the image to see it in a larger format.

Thanks to Rich at sounddoxology for the link to this.

I am a Promise

So I'm working on a binder of music with about 15 songs in it for our children's ministry. It includes some easy praise choruses, hymns and children's songs. I had to get lots of song suggestions from the kids' ministry leaders because I really don't know too many children's church songs. I didn't grow up with it, just like I didn't really grow up with hymns, apparently you miss out on that when you don't grow up in the church. Some of you will laugh, but I've just now become familiar with the song "I am a Promise."

My sermon this weekend was based on James 4:13-17, specifically talking about making plans and seeking God's will for our lives. I thought it was neat how this kids' sing song tied in with my message. Seriously though, instead of telling our kids they can be anything they want to be, we should teach them this song. "I can go anywhere He wants me to go, I can be anything that He wants me to be." You never know how much of an impact a simple little song like this might have on their life later on. It might even help prepare them to take James 4 seriously as they get older.

Just in case you're up for something cute, I found this video when I was searching for the chords to this song. I'm pretty sure my baby girl is gonna be this cute when she gets to be that age.

I am Second

I know that a lot of famous people have "come to Christ" over the years, only to return back to a life of loving the world and forsaking whatever relationship they once claimed to have with Jesus. Despite all that, I was touched by this video about the former guitarist of the metal band Korn. It was put together by a movement called I am Second. They have put out many videos that feature testimonies from people who were forever changed when Christ took first place in their lives. Many of these videos feature well known politicians, musicians and actors. The I am Second movement and this video in particular are great reminders that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and His redeeming power.

Sojourn Music - Over the Grave

A couple of weeks ago I caught wind of a unique worship music album that had been produced by Kentucky-based Church community.  I was intrigued by the concept behind it and was motivated by several enthusiastic blog reviews to investigate further.  I was able to preview some of the material and after that is was a no brainer, I placed my order and have been waiting expectantly ever since.  I received my copy of Sojourn's CD "Over the Grave - The Hymns of Isaac Watts Volume 1" in the mail right before a long car ride on Saturday.  Perfect timing.  The hour plus car ride gave me (and my lovely wife) more than enough time to really listen to this album and pick it apart a bit.  All I can say is wow! 

Here's a little bit more about this project from Sojourn's website...

"As musicians, pastors and songwriters, our desire was to explore the hundreds of hymns that Watts wrote during his lifetime, to learn from the incredible range and depth of his lyrics, and to re-envision those songs with modern language and melodies.  In particular, we gravitated towards themes that seem unfortunately absent in modern worship — themes about God’s wrath and judgment, His righteousness, and a dramatic vision of the cross and atonement of Christ."

There is definitely an indie/alternative sound to this album, but there is quite a bit of variety, and even if that's not your style, I can't see how anyone could deny what a great work this is and how it accomplished the vision stated above.  So far my favorite songs are "Only Your Blood is Enough," "We are Changed" "Refuge," "Living Faith," but they are all good.  I have no problem saying you should spend the $14 (including shipping) and purchase this album and support this effort.

I am encouraged that there are gifted Christian artists out there committed to quality work like this, and it's great that it came out of a church and not a record company trying to have another hit worship record.  This is better content-wise and music-wise than most of the worship albums I've listened to in the last few years!     

Click here for more info. on Sojourn and this album.

The Cows Are in the Corn

A humorous comparison of hymns vs. praise choruses which should be appreciated by those of us who have had to deal with this particular battle.

Tired of Worship Just Being about Music and Products

I just felt like blowing off a little steam and since I haven't posted in a while I though I'd do it here on the blog. I just set up a login on a website that is supposed to offer worship resources (which they do have some good worship music resources, I'll give them lots of credit for that). But as I look at their main page and the links, its all about selling different "worship" artist's CD's, and how to play such and such an instrument. Way too much music overload for a site that is offering worship resources (funny that someone like me who loves music so much has a problem with this). There are literally three different link buttons with the word SONG in it. What about prayers? readings? creative ideas to meditate on God's word?  What about talking about the functions songs serve in the grander context of worship, and what you should look for in a good worship? 

One article talks about mentoring and the need to bring young people into mentoring opportunities in leading worship, which is such a great article to write. However, most of the content is just about how he got his son to play on the worship band and had to help him remember what guitar gear to bring and try to get rid of his stage fright. I think there's a lot more to worship mentoring than helping them do well at playing in a band, don't you? I'm not judging the heart of the guy who wrote this article, he probably has a much deeper well of understanding of worship to draw from and give to others, but this article doesn't say anything about growing people up in their faith while they interact with the worship band. It doesn't talk about other roles you could get young people involved in other than music.  So does that mean young people can only be mentored in worship if they want to play music?

I had the opportunity to preach yesterday morning, which I didn't actually feel very good about while I was doing it.  I didn't think I had all my thoughts clear, or that they were working together towards one clear idea, etc.  But regardless of whether it went well or not, I spent a bit of time talking through different elements of worship gatherings, those elements included fellowship, Word, song, and prayer.  All of those are elements of what we do in worship.  However, isn't it true that in a lot of churches today, worship is the time of music and the time we're in God's Word is the sermon?  The ancient understanding and practice of worship is that all the elements are worship, and the sermon time is as much worship as the singing time is.  When we got to the part in the passage that mentions songs, I made a point of reminding the congregation that worship and music are not synonymous, and that when we use song in worship it can't be approached the same way we would approach going to a rock concert, which is coming to be a spectator and to get a good feeling out of it.  

Forgive me if I was too negative in this post, I'm just a little passionate about this stuff. I truly don't want to be a whiner, I want to be a part of the solution.  Influential websites like the one I just mentioned are not helping us to have a well balanced understanding and practice of worship.  I think the first thing that will lead to the solution is to change the mindset of what worship is.   I am thankful that I've had people in my life that have helped me to work towards a more complete understanding of worship and challenged me to lead more complete worship experiences.   So I brought this topic up today to share with anyone who might be stuck in the mindset that worship is just when we sing spiritually flavored songs.

Here's a couple of links to some sites that based on the few times I've visited them, seem to be working towards a more balanced approach to worship services, or if they are focused on music, are trying to write to the fill important gaps in our contemporary worship song content.  Check em out if you get a chance and see what you think.

http://www.engageworship.org/
http://www.resoundworship.org/
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/index.html

Centre of It All

Here's a new song we're gonna sing at Christ's Church on Sunday.  It's by Tim Hughes and it is called "Centre of it All."  (That's how you spell center if you're British).  I am very excited about this song because it worships (and remembers) God for being the One who made it all and reminds us that He is at the center of it all, He holds everything together, it is all about Him. Nice way to get us God-centered as we worship (its sort of ironic that we have to work at that). Ties in nicely with what I mentioned about having the perspective that we should seek to be a part of His story, not my story or our story.  It all begins and ends with Him.  

Desert Song

Here's yet another powerful testimony from our brothers and sisters at Hillsong Church.  I know that they put on great productions and all that.  Some people may say they think its too much or that it leads to people's walk with Christ to amount to nothing more than singing and being emotional, and neglecting all the other things we're called to as followers of Him. Though I think there is a danger that people could just get into the "happy clappy" worship services without really worshipping and not doing anything else in regards to living for Christ, I don't think that is where Hillsong is coming from.  Just in the making of their last CD/DVD album, some of these leaders and singers have gone through incredible trials and yet the glory is going to God, and I believe that this is praise and worship founded on the Rock, not something that is fluffy and shallow.  Check out this testimony, it will probably make you cry, and then consider the words to the song that follows, "All of my life, in every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship."  Consider the weight of those words when coupled with Jill's testimony, consider the worth of our God who receives that kind of offering and praise in the midst of a most devastating loss.