Living Alive

I love music.
But it strikes me that not everyone does.
There are some people who don’t like music (and I suppose some who don’t care for chocolate or fresh air…. What kind of life is that?).

Music is spiritual. It’s as elemental to existence as breathing. Every culture in the history of humanity has come up with some form of music. And prayer.

Macedonia held a benefit concert the other night. The music filled the place, moved the people, helped the needy, and most of all, pleased the Lord (to be sure, check Psalm 33, 71, 100, 108 and more).

(Yes, I performed in the opening band, but let me speak as a listener-participant as well).

There I was, friday evening, with my wife, seated up front. The music begin slow & invitingly. One by one, the members of the band Revival! approached the stage & joined those already singing & playing.

It was a powerful demonstration. Not just the music, the opening song. It was an example. God’s music is an *invitation*

A song says “come on in” – “take part”. Will you join in?

Music is a gift of God. It’s part of our passionate worship which we offer to God from the depths of our being.

But not everyone sings. “Well, you gotta know that song. And it helps to like the song.”

What’s your attitude toward singing?

Do you think of it as an offering to God? It doesn’t matter if you’re on key. Simply lift up your heart, and lift up your voice, as a way of pleasing God, praising God… for ALL that God has done for You.

Singing let’s the heart return to God.

(more about this soon)

PASSIONATE WORSHIP

People have been created by God to live (eternally) in right relationship with the Creator. We’re made to worship God. This is a good thing! Worship involves a loving relationship with our Creator, a relationship that has been initiated by God, consecrated by God, and redeemed by God in Christ.

Worship is part of our created way of being. God created humans from the dust of the earth & “breathed life” into us. This essence of life (soul) or breath (spirit) is the very presence of our Creator residing within the creature. Each breath we breathe is a living doxology (praise) and worship of God our Creator, each moment, then, a communion with the Author of our life.

Worship is a human task given from the beginning. In the Garden of Eden, we see this close relationship: where people are called by God personally, by name; given instructions, and provisions (Gen. 2:15); shown the consequences of disobedience (Gen. 3).

Worship has become, however, better known as a “thing” we do at church, usually one hour per week (a lot less if it’s not convenient for us to get there). It’s better to understand “worship” as anything we do to ascribe “worth” (same root word in both worship & worth) to something else. Many of us worship “things” whether they be sports or possessions, or even people, as we invest time, resources and attention to these other things.

Worship, done rightly, seeks to offer oneself first to God and to further God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus spoke of it this way (John 4:24): “God is spirit and worshippers must worship God in spirit and in truth.”

Worship a Macedonia seeks to fulfill that very command of Christ. One way we’re doing so is to incorporate “passionate worship” in all we do. So what is meant by “passionate” worship? “Emotion. Personal feeling”? Is that all?

I invite you to comment about what you think it means.
In the meantime, consider this Wesleyan perspective from the Wesley Study Bible.

“Spiritual Worship” : John Wesley’s desire was for a religion of the heart devoted to God. Spiritual worship is worship suitable to God’s nature, which is full of power, wisdom, love and holiness. It arises from the Christian’s inward dimension of faith, love and holiness and finds expression in the service of the heart toward God. Mere outward use of external forms of worship does not constitute spiritual worship. The service of the heart is sparked by an inward delight of God to the point of desiring to imitate God’s holiness. Therefore, the outward dimension of spiritual worship involves obeying the commands of God and using the means of grace [prayer, bible study, sacraments in corporate worship, spiritual disciplines] to draw [your heart] into deeper communion with God.

Let us worship the One Who is Worthy! ~ Pastor Jason

Resources: The Wesley Study Bible, Abingdon, 2009; worship matters, B. Anderson, Discipleship Resources UMC.

The Determination to Help in the Wake of Disaster:
I awoke early the day after the major earthquake in Haiti. I’ve never been to Haiti. I don’t know anyone from Haiti. But God gave me a sense of urgency & determination to help: to pray & to call other Christians to pray & to help in any way that God lays upon their hearts.

I lie there in bed at 5am, in the dark. The Holy Spirit seemed to be urging me – in an imaginative act of empathy – to simply (prayerfully) imagine myself, trapped, like many people were (still are?) at that hour, buried alive under the rubble. I began to sweat. I am painfully aware of the needs of many people – not just in this present disaster – but many, many people who suffer daily, in ways I can only imagine (and hope to never experience personally).

Lord, have mercy on suffering people everywhere, every day.
So, I am determined to help others, any chance I get. Here’s my appeal to you this week:

RESOLVE TO HELP

Pastor Joe & I spent some time with some young scouts, Weblos, this week. We were talking about “helping people” as part of living our faith in God, as well as being good scouts, or good people.

One of the most basic things any human being desires to do is to help. A noble New Year’s resolution might be simply to help others more. After Joe & I gave the boys some examples of how to help others at home and elsewhere, I heard the news about the recent earthquake in Haiti. There is great need for help there.

I thought that you may like to know who is helping & how you can help. Certainly, United Methodists are already there through our UMCOR (Cmt on Relief) which serves globally, mobilizing quickly with money and logistical supplies anytime, anywhere there is a tragedy.

I personally had the opportunity to work with UMCOR and Methodist lay people from local churches after a flood in Southeastern Virginia ten years ago. What I learned first-hand was that UMCOR will be one of the first helping agencies on the scene. But long after other church groups, non-government agencies are gone – even after the Red Cross leaves – the UMC will still have a presence there. We are still on the Gulf Coast helping rebuild after hurricane Katrina.

I am glad to report that our connectional church body (United Methodism is global) invests in such life-changing, Christ-bearing ministry – just by helping people in crisis, here and around the world.

Did you hear the reports of people’s cries turning to songs of praise in the aftermath of the devastation? There are Christians in need there! They are witnessing for Christ in the crisis! What about you & me?

Want to learn more? Go to umc.org. Want to help? You can give online or through Macedonia (simply write “Haiti” in the memo line of your check payable to Macedonia). Thank you.

Spiritual Reading/Companion Book for January Worship Series: Facing Your Giants, Max Lucado

The Inner JOY of a NEW SONG
I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t live without music. Personally, I am glad to read that eternal life in heaven will be punctuated with praise music!

Some of you know me and that music has been a part of me all of my life. There are times when I listen to the same ol’ stuff I have for decades. Then there are times when I trip on something totally new. That’s now.

Recently, I stumbled across (during a surfin’ session on the internet) a Christian rock-praise band called “Jesus Culture.” They’re not hugely popular; ya probably won’t catch em on the Christian Top 4o, but they are bearing witness worldwide.

Here’s a taste, if you care to sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLZvwCB6tCM

Just thought I’d share Some of my favorite things, as I begin this new year. I hope you’re enjoying God’s gift…called 2010.
- Pastor Jason

“A characteristic of the great saints is their power of levity. Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly…”
- G. K. Chesterton

****No trees were harmed in making this post. However, millions of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.****

Worship Resources:  M. Lucado, “Facing Your Giants” / New Interpreter’s Bible, 1 Samuel