Easter vs Christmas

 As I woke up this Good Friday morning it occurred to me that we don't celebrate Easter as much or like we do Christmas. Other people are thinking the same thing and some have posted their views or comments on social media about the same subject.

When it comes to Christmas, the decorations for the occasion and special sales begin way before Halloween, and as far as music preparation for special Christmas services have been known to begin before July 4th, as I can admit I have been guilty even before that Memorial Day.

Although it is important to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for without Him there wouldn't be an Easter. But, shouldn't Easter get as much, if not more, celebratory events as the day this baby that came to earth and put on mortality and human flesh laid down His life to pay a price that redeems us from a life of sin and escape from hell?

I'm thankful and know that many of us recognize Lent, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Sunrise Services as a part leading up to Easter but seems there should just be more. Maybe it could be because the events are spread out and lead up to Easter Sunday? Maybe it's because we decorate our houses, workplaces, vehicles and such at Christmas?

Christmas seems to be more about relatives and family getting together and sharing gifts, while Easter seems to be more about sharing what Jesus' sacrifice has done for us with our church families.

I'm not debating one event should be larger or more celebrated than the other, it was just my heart was asking questions about our intentions at both and are we celebrating to our fullest potential and giving the praise, honor and glory both to the Babe in the Manger and to the Man on the Cross......

TRUE WORSHIP

 John Chapter 4

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

24  God (is) a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship (Him) in spirit and in truth.

It seems that in any time of crisis or unrest we've heard or read the phrase, "Never before like now...." and that's because in that specific time-frame it seemed like there had never been anything as bad happen like what was/is going on that moment. 

But as time marches on, some feel we've encountered things that seem far worse than what our predecessors experienced which gives us cause to say, "Never before like now...."!!

I could not have ever imagined in my lifetime that I would have experienced what our world has endured thus far; grocery store shelves bare due to people hoarding food and supplies, people dying from some plague like disease that's escaped any type of cure from modern medicine, as many souls were taken in its wake, men and women without jobs, children kept home from school, countries, nations, city's and communities afraid to assemble in their houses of worship and travel brought to a halt as borders are closed for fear of spreading this invisible enemy. As I think on these things it reminds me of the many sermons, I heard preached as a child, of what the last days might look like!!!

So as I think about this "Never before like now....." statement does it really have relevance? Have we really had it as bad as our predecessors, or is it just because we didn't experience it first hand? Could this be the time John is referencing in his writings above?

So I'm going to say it, "Never before like now is the time when we should be worshipping and praying like never before!!"

We might think these times are rougher than before, but three Hebrew men who were thrown into a fiery furnace might not think so (Daniel 3:16-30), A trusted servant thrown into a lion's den might not agree (Daniel 6), two apostles beaten and thrown in the uttermost bottom of a jail with chains and guards might have something to say as well (Acts 16:16-40). BUT THIS DID NOT STOP THEIR PRAYING AND WORSHIP....BUT HAS IT STOPPED YOURS?!?!?!

Worshipping in Spirit is not formal and comes from a place in each person's soul that knows how to cry out and worship the God that created it. The true issue is we suppress that feeling our spirit wants to express because it's not popular or will make us uncool. Newsflash------Christians are not supposed to act like those who have not been washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

1 Peter 2

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Prayer is much the same way as the Apostle Paul writes in 

Romans 8

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

Some may not understand this, but those who have experienced a time when you were at your lowest and all you knew how to do or have the strength for is to cry and moan out to God, is an example of the above text. Trust that same Spirit of God that lives inside of you!!

This is the time when the TRUE WORSHIPPERS are needed to rise above this, "Never before like now...", example that's sweeping through our world and Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth and Pray like you've never prayed before. Because as the scripture reads above: "....for the Father seeketh such to Worship Him". 

Thanks After Turkey......

I just read a tweet from Aaron Chewning that went something like this...

"I deserve hell. Everything beyond this is a gift. Thankful today and everyday."

Can we stop and understand for a moment just what volumes this speaks? Do we stop being thankful once the Turkey is gone?

I am THANKFUL to my God for sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me so that I can live eternally with Him.

I am THANKFUL to my God for allowing me to be born in the time era that I currently live, because He saw fit that I could do the most for Him now.

I am THANKFUL for my beautiful wife, Michelle. She is my best friend and I love her more and more each day.

I am THANKFUL for my five beautiful Children: Alex, Brad, Chelsea, Christian & Ethan. They are my life and they fill that life with joy.

I am THANKFUL for my two daughters-in-grace: Lindsay (Alex's wife) and Baily (Brad's Wife). They have made my two sons very happy.

I am THANKFUL that my daughter, Chelsea, has found the love of her life in Evan. They will soon be married and begin a new chapter in both their lives.

I am THANKFUL to God for giving me a talent in music so that I can serve Him within His church and spread the Gospel through song.

The list could go on and on because He has been so good to me, even when I didn't deserve it.

Don't just thank him on Thanksgiving, or until the turkey runs out, but EVERYDAY!

Thanks.....beyond.....the.......Turkey!!!!

Psalm 63New King James Version (NKJV)

Joy in the Fellowship of God

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek my life, to destroy it,
Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 They shall fall by the sword;
They shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;
But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

I heard someone say recently, "one of the problems with Christians today is we've stopped being hungry for God."

I have always loved to eat and get cravings for certain foods. The problem is many times the foods I get hungry for are not good for me, either by themselves or how I like them prepared. And even though I know this, I still want them.

One of my all time favorites was my Grandmother's (Lillie Hodge) fried chicken. I always looked forward to Sunday dinners after church, because she always fixed that for our family. And though it was chalked full of fat, carbs and calories, it was not good for me health wise, but I still craved it!!

We have substituted our craving of God's Word and His blessings. We've replaced them with tangible things, that may give us the feeling that the void has been filled, but only temporarily. And when this happens there's no room left for the Spirit of God to nourish our souls, that we so desperately need.

Many of you who are close to me know my diet does not include the nutritious vegetables that a body needs in order to sustain a healthy lifestyle. As a result of this, there are health issues that I have to combat with medication(s).

There is no substitute for God. There is no substitute for His salvation. How destitute spiritually do we have to get before we understand this?

When we diligently seek Him and receive His blessings then can we say, "my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness".

Is It The Parent's Fault?

Over the course of the weekend, social media has been inundated with articles and sayings from the women's march. I believe in free speech and feel it is important and one of the pillars of this countries freedoms. With that being said, I do believe that it's also important to be sensible and logical in that speech if you want to be "heard" or you want to exact change.

One saying that caught my eye was written on, what looked like to be, a white bed sheet and it read:

"If Mary had had an abortion, we wouldn't be in this mess"

Obviously, they were referring to the Virgin Mary, and if she had aborted Jesus, our Lord and Savior, there would be no need for a march. Because, it would seem, Christians are what's wrong with this country, or even this world.

One has to wonder if their parents were Christians. Did they ever read the Bible and/or did they teach them about God or even right and wrong. While a child's actions are a reflection of the parent(s) sometimes, the apple falls a long distance away from the tree.

Our two youngest sons went to the Winter Crossroads Conference in Gatlinburg, TN a couple of weekends ago. Since returning,  we've had some of the chaperones come up to my wife and I, and tell us just how wonderful they were while there. As a parent, that's one of the most thrilling and pleasing things you could ever want to hear about your child(ren). But things like that just don't "happen". It takes years of instructing and teaching so that when they are not with you, and are forced to interact with the rest of the world, you hope what you've taught them will be played out in their life. 

I'm reminded of a scripture: 

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Take note that it doesn't say in the way "we" want them to go, but in the way "they" should go. My mother used to always say, "Do as I say, not as I do!" While the statement may have been true, still it's important to show the example of what is being taught. My wife will tell you that I learn better by watching something being done, rather than reading the instructions. The world is watching us (Christians) and how we react to things that are contrary to our belief. If we react like a person who does not know God, how are we being an example of Him?

Instruction(s) of our own can be swayed by what our likes/dislikes are, based on our own experience(s). But teaching based on Biblical foundation(s) takes away nostalgic tendencies, Republican or Democrat ideologies and even family tradition(s). It's a compass that will always point to the right path.

Have we all not rebelled against Biblical instruction from our parents, Sunday School teachers or Pastor?

We've all thought we knew the right way and didn't need this crazy "old" book to tell us how to live our life. Times have changed and there's a new way. Maybe those individuals holding that sheet are at this point in their lives. My first thought was in anger for someone speaking ill about my Jesus. Then it turned to their parents for teaching them correctly. Then a still small voice says, "Pray for them."

I Never Lost My Praise!!

In these times we live in, it is easy to give excuses for not being able to Praise the Lord, have Joy or losing our Faith. It's important to understand that nothing this world can through at us can separate us from the Love of God...(Romans 8:38-39).

It's so easy to pass blame on to those around us, miss-directing the real issue/reason for our not doing the things we know to be right. It's easy to just give up and relinquish our Joy and the power that He has bestowed on us over nothing.

Many times we are faced with things that challenge us. Things happen in our lives that we don't seem to understand or figure out why they've happened. We're human, and humans want answers. the answers we need, don't come with photographic evidence. They require you believe in something you can't see. After all, that's why we call it faith, isn't it?

Believing in something greater than ourselves is truly an act in faith.

Job said, "Though He slay me, YET WILL I TRUST HIM..."(Job 13:15)

We are responsible for ourselves. WE are the ones who have to do the praying. WE are the ones who have to do the fasting. WE are the ones who have to read the Word and interpret it into our lives. WE are the ones who have to sacrifice our time, energy and finances for the sustaining of the work of the Lord on this earth. WE are His hands and His feet.

It's time to stand up, shake off the dust from yesterday, and Praise Him with a renewed spirit as if..

WE NEVER LOST OUR PRAISE!!!

When is it time to STEP DOWN?

What an awesome responsibility to step in front of a congregation and lead them before the Throne of Grace, in worship to our God and Savior. The responsibility is to LEAD and FOLLOW at the same time.

While leading the praise band/singers through the flow and dynamics of the songs, there are sometimes, at the same time, several thoughts to process:

• Do we end here or keep singing?
• Is there a need to say something between this song and the next?
• Is the Spirit of God moving right now?
• Are we being sensitive to the flow of what's happening in the service?
• Are the people engaged, are they responding?
• Do we need to be silent for a moment, and give the Spirit time to speak to the hearts of the men, women, boys and girls?

The eyes of the musicians, singers, the computer guy [who's trying to keep up with the slides], and those of the congregation direct their way to you, looking for leadership, some type of signal, on our path to the throne.

To follow is to be sensitive to the Spirit of God and His work. To keep singing, if that's what's needed, to stop and be silent, to talk, if being prompted by the Spirit or to simply just pray. Are we listening, so we can follow, or are we fixated on how well our group "performed"?

To some, this might be merely a job, as this is their livelihood. A way to provide for their family by paying the mortgage, the car payment, buying groceries and clothes to wear. Too many times, when we are dependent on this as a job, we tend to let it become more about us and how well we are doing in this position so we can gain popularity with this "industry". We just might get better paying venues or jobs. There's nothing wrong with serving in excellence as long as we understand the true meaning behind the excellence. We should always do our best for God. The worship experience is not about "us" and our capabilities. It's about teaching and equipping those we lead how to lift their hearts in worship to Him who sits on the throne. Many of those following will mirror the example they see on a regular basis. Have we lost sight of what the true responsibility of leading worship is all about?

I have said, "I am a Pentecostal". But that's not truly accurate, I AM A CHRISTIAN!! I have had, and continue to have Pentecostal experiences. Pentecost is not a possession, we don't possess it,  it's an experience. Likewise, we don't possess worship we are to be "TRUE WORSHIPER'S...in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). Anywhere we go or anywhere we are our "worship" should look the same. If we worship differently, depending on the venue we are in,...something is wrong. If we lose the true experience of worship where does that leave us?

There are people entering places of worship every Sunday, looking for their weekly concert experience. Keep in mind, it's not the songs, or even the music, but the heart of those leading. If we lead in performance then we will reap performing worshipers. We need to be TRUE WORSHIPERS so that those we are leading may become true worshipers themselves and may go on to lead others to become the same.

Understanding the weight of everything you say, and that you will be held accountable, can be overwhelming at times.  Some leaders may feel speaking anything in a huge audience will surely hit someone is a dangerous path. Whether they are Senior Adults, Baby Boomers, GenX'ers, Millennials or mix of any or all them. No matter their level of education. If they are Christian or not, it makes no difference, the accountability of every word still weighs the same. Spouting off things you've heard in other concerts or you've memorized is not leadership. Understanding the prompting of the Holy Spirit and how to convey that along with how rich and free is His Mercy and Grace is a gift, that not everyone possesses.

So, let me ask you this question, "When is it time to step down, and how will you know?" I never thought the day would come when I would ask myself this question, as well as these: "Is it time for fresh(er) ideas on worship music or arrangements?" "Are you standing in the way of your church's growth or progress?" "Are you too old to understand this newer generation is in need of in worship?" These are the thoughts that seem to consume me. Is it a trick of the enemy, maybe. I've always worked hard to make sure that leading worship was not a job, that it was/is never about me, the band or the singers. But an invitation to come. Come and let us lift up the name of Jesus!