Tag: Christianity

Christian Living

Living in Light of Eternity – Intro

Chris

We live in an interesting age, don’t we?  We have gadgets and gizmos galore that supposedly exist to make our lives easier and more efficient.  CEO’s of large corporations bring home salaries that are “gross” compared to what the workers in those companies are given.  The stock markets are at record highs while time with our children, our spouses, our Creator, or even for ourselves dwindles down year by year.

Of course, I’m talking mostly about Western Christianity.  But it seems that we have forgotten to live as we are encouraged by Scripture to live.  We’re not just talking about family neglect and workaholism and greed, though these are a few of the bigger factors we have to contend with.  In reality there are many other symptoms, factors and warning signs that we have stopped living in light of eternity.

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Christian Living, Ministry

Worship “Litmus Test”

Chris

In a post entitled A help for struggling worship leaders, I mentioned that a worship blogger was working on a book, and that he asked worship leaders to give him input on their “greatest challenges”.  One comment on that blog was, “…is there a way to determine if people actually worshiped rather than were entertained? My goal is to point them to Christ and help enter into God’s presence, but how do we know if we have been successful?”  I alluded that the answer to this question is found in your Philosophy of Worship.  Let’s jump in from there.

It sounds really complicated and scary when you talk about developing a Philosophy of worship.  Let’s face it, so many of us are wondering about what to do, where to go, who to talk to for today; and then we worry about our future and how we can walk in God’s perfect will for our lives, and how to build the Kingdom, and if we’re growing closer to Him or not… Do we really have time to stop and think about, to sit down and “develop” a philosophy of worship?  Hasn’t someone written a book on that and given me all the answers, Cliff Notes style, so I can read/memorize them once and move on to the next thing?

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Ministry

Choosing Songs

Chris

Let’s start thinking about and discussing worship and worship leading, shall we?  I mean, let’s get past all the “theory” talk for a while and really get into the meat of it.

Of course, this is going to take some effort from you, the readers.  As of today there are 516 hits to this site, but a total of 17 comments to all of my posts.  So c’mon, gang, let’s get serious.  Let’s talk.  I’m know you don’t want to just hear my ramblings.

Let’s start with something basic to get the channels open.  Here’s the day’s question: How do you choose your songs?

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Ministry

A help for struggling worship leaders

Chris

I’m going to pass on the Childlike Wonders thoughts, as I’ve been distracted lately and I’ve got my mind somewhere else. This post is the introduction to a short series, and the posts that follow will be looking for input from you. Thanks.

There’s a popular worship blogger that, I believe, has taken a great leap into the unknown.  He is currently writing a book aimed at worship leaders in their mid-twenties who want “to grow in [their] effectiveness.”  On his blog, he has left an open-ended question: What are “the greatest challenges you face as a worship leader”?

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Christian Living

Childlike Wonder

Chris

One of my favorite quotes is from Socrates, “Wisdom begins in wonder.”  I like to apply this to how amazing, awe-some, and wondrous God is.  Surely if I understand that I can’t begin to fathom the depth, height or breadth of the Creator of the universe, I will live my life in the fear [reverence, awe, respect] of the Lord, which Proverbs tells us is the beginning of wisdom.

One of the byproducts of such take on Socrates’ statement, though, is that it forces me to examine what I take wonder in, why I do so, and what those implications are for me.  After my recent trip to Disneyworld (my first visit ever, and I’m almost 30), I find myself walking down that road again.

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Bible

The Hope Chapter

Chris

We often hear 1 Corinthians 13:13 quoted: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (NKJV).  We’re quick to remember that 1 Corinthians 13 is Paul’s great discourse on love.  And Hebrews 11 is the chapter on faith, regularly referred to as the Hall of Fame of Faith.

Have you ever wondered where the chapter on hope is?  It’s a strange thing, I know, but who talks about the “Hope chapter” like we throw around the love chapter and the faith chapter?  Maybe it’s easier to pick up on love and faith than it is hope, and I’ll get back to that a bit later on.  I think I found that hope chapter this week in my devotional reading.

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