Life Goes On

The Apostle Paul was more than just a missionary.  He was the author of the bulk of the New Testament, and he was a prophet.  We are seeing at least two of his prophesies coming true today.  The first is found in Romans 1: 18-32.  I'm not going to type it all in this post, but I strongly encourage you to read it in your own Bible.  The bottom line of this passage though is that we are seeing these things happening daily in the headlines and through radio and TV news casts.  I will print vv28-32.  "And because they did not think is worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right.  They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil greed and wickedness.  They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice.  They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.  Alt...

I was reminded again during two worship services yesterday just how subjective our worship is. Regardless of how much we claim otherwise, it IS about us and not so much about HIM. What we deem as REAL worship is usually that which elicits a certain emotional response from us, with little or no thought given to the supposed object of our worship. It seems that we can even abide horrendous theology if the music to which it is set gives us goose bumps or brings tears to our eyes. Paul addressed this issue in 1 Corinthians 14 when he said, "What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding." There should be thought given to our worship, whether in prayer, quiet meditation or music. Worship is not about calling forth some visceral response from deep in our gut. It is about acknowledging the ONE to whom we pray, and of whom we sing. Worship must be ...