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!