I worship...You can too...It's ok...Really...

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the king of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. - Psalm 47:6-7

     How many of you know this scenario? You walk into church on Sunday morning, get a bulletin from a greeter, find your way to your seat, maybe say hello to someone you recognize, you stand up when worship starts, hold on to the back of the chair in front of you while you sing, and all during the worship you sing as quiet as you can. When the music finally stops, you are glad that you can sit down and just be a face in the crowd the rest of the morning. Then, when the preacher is done you try to be the first person out the door so you can get on with the rest of your day.

     I'll be honest (big surprise), this scenario makes me sick. Now, I do not condemn anyone who does this when they go to church. Everyone is at a different place in their relationship with God, and that is just where some people are at. However, for me, this just won't do. To me, God deserves so much more from my worship. I haven't always had this opinion, but God has been doing some work in me that makes me care less about what other people think of me. My focus is on him, and I want to help others shed whatever holds them back from truly worshiping with all they have. 

     Now, I guess it might be time to step on some toes. People who think you have to wear a suit and tie to enter the church doors, plus stand at attention while holding a hymn book to sing have it wrong. Now you can say this is just my opinion, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say God agrees with me. How do I know this? Well, I've read the Bible, especially the book of Psalms. I've read stories about how the Israelites, David, Daniel, and many others have worshiped. Now, at times they have stood silently in God's presence, but most of the time they had their hands raised, raised their voices, played their best instruments, danced around, etc. Basically, they unabashedly praised God with every bit of their being, and they did it without shame or caring what other people were saying. Plus, I believe God smiled and took joy in how they were praising him, even if it looked silly.

     Let me add some more of my opinion here. I don't think everyone has to worship the same way. Some people give it all they have by singing with their hands raised. Others have to jump up and down or clap their hands. Some people, however, worship God with all they have by just standing in their spot, maybe singing, maybe being quiet before God, and they let the presence of God wash over them. When you sing is doesn't have to be a Grammy winning performance either. All you have to do is make a joyful noise to the Lord. One of the greatest worshipers I know right now sings a little off key, but he has it right. He worships with everything he has no matter who is around him, and I think thats where we all need to be. 

     So what this comes down to may sound a little strange. It comes down to honesty. You have to be honest with yourself and with God. When the worship music starts what urge do you have? If no one else was around and the music was on a CD, what would you do? Would you clap? Would you jump? Would you raise your hands and voice as high as you could and tell God how much you love and adore him? This is one time you shouldn't ask what would Jesus do. Stop holding back. If you feel like doing something during worship, do it. If your church looks down on that, find a life giving church that lets you worship the way God is calling you to. Stop being proud and embarrassed of God!!! That is what you are doing when you don't give God your all. He will meet you where you are, but you have to let go and worship Him. Do you think that if you go to Heaven you are just gonna walk around with your hands in your pockets? I don't think so. If you make it to Heaven, you with throw yourself at the feet of Jesus and cry out "Holy, Holy, Holy is our Lord God Almighty." If you think I must be crazy for saying that, then you need to read the Bible a little more because it says every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess. I'm pretty sure when it says every, it includes you and me. So why not get a head start and worship him here on earth so you can be practiced up when you get to Heaven.

     I feel the need to throw this in also. I believe that worship is one of the main things that you need in your relationship with God. If all you ever do is ask for stuff, how will God know that you love him? Sure he sees your heart, but he wants you to tell him. Does the person you love know that you love them if you never tell them? Of course not. They want to hear you say it, and so does our Savior.

     I have to say I hope this shakes somebody up. It's time to let go of religion and have a relationship. It's time to stop being prim and proper and go after an encounter with Christ. Let go. Be free. After all isn't that what Jesus came to this earth for? He came to set us free, and whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

     Thanks for stopping by and God Bless...

Word of the week...Encounter...

Ok, so I know its been a while since I've posted a blog. The last few months have been days of blurred activity and chaos. Well, not so much chaos, but needless to say I have been busy. Everything that has been happening has led up to this point.

So here is a quick question. Have you ever felt like your life is at critical mass? You know, that point where something has to give or you will explode. The point where you need a touch emotionally, spiritually, or even physically. The point where life's path will change forever. That's where I am at and I think a lot of people are.

Here's my opinion why. Most of the people that call themselves Christians have never had a true encounter with Jesus Christ. They go to church on Sunday. They might even go to a small group during the week, but they never take the steps necessary to truly have a life changing encounter. This is the biggest failure of today's church. We are so wrapped up in our social status, what we want, and (to be blunt) we enjoy our sins too much to let them go. Too many Christians think that sitting in a seat for an hour and a half on Sunday morning makes them good. The problem with this is that they never engage in worship, and while the message is coming from the stage, they are busy surfing facebook. They hear one or two lines of what the preacher says that makes them feel guilty, so they respond when the altar call happens. They might have a goose bump moment and feel better about themselves. Then they shake someone's hand as they walk out the door.

However, when they go home they aren't happy. They are like dogs returning to their vomit. They go back and do the same things that they know pull them away from Christ. They go to the same adult websites, the same clubs or bars, yell at their spouses, or just drink the pain away. It's always me-me-me, what I want to do, my busy schedule, just one more drink, just one more nude picture, I have to put my kids in every sport or event, we have this activity or that practice, I don't have time for Jesus stuff now, but I will later. After all God will understand, won't he? I have to do all these things to make it. All the while, the family Bible gets a little more dusty on the shelf. Unwilling to give God a little time with the most life giving tool only a few feet away. True joy and true peace are so close, but to several it is too much of a sacrifice to their lifestyle to change.

Critical mass, something in life needs to change or you will explode.

I honestly hope this slaps a few of you in the face. I'll be completely honest, I'm not perfect and I stumble from time to time. However, I choose to get up and chase after God. I hunger for a life-changing encounter with him. I sacrifice certain events for my family and my kids to have time for him. We try to do a family devotional every night (notice I said try), and we encourage our kids to serve and pray. Again, I'm not perfect, but I do my very best to lead my family into a God-filled life to encounter him.

I recently had the honor to go on a missions trip to Zimbabwe, Africa. God had whispered to me back in December that I needed to go on this trip and that he would change my life there. Needless to say, I went and he did. I truly realized for the first time that God is the same all over this world. Wherever there are people hungry for God, he shows up. What was so amazing is how hungry the people of that area are for God. Here is my lightbulb about that. They have so much less than us in the USA that they have more time to dedicate to seeking Christ. They have fewer material possessions to take care of, so they take care of their spirit and seek an encounter with him. Encountering God in Zimbabwe has forever changed me, and I hope that I can change the lives of others with the hunger I now have.

I'm gonna be a little blunt here. Ask yourself a few questions. What am I doing that I should give up and give that time to God? What sins am I returning to day after day that are keeping me from growing close to Jesus? Here is a simple one. Why don't I spend 5 or 10 minutes a day praying and reading my Bible? What steps do I need to take to have a life-changing encounter with Christ, and then lead my family there?

Be honest with yourself. Be honest with God. He already knows the truth. You can't hide it from him. Get past your pride. Who cares about social status. When you are hungry for God he is what matters, not what everyone else says or thinks.

Think about it. It could change your life.  Thanks for stopping by and God Bless...