Sometimes when we worship, we're looking for a feeling. Was the lighting right? Was the volume right? Did the band sing songs that I liked? Let's remember that when we worship, it's not about us. It's about Him. This is an amazing video to remind us of our focus.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Money Trees, Plaques, and Windows
We visited a new church last night. It was a mixture of mostly traditional with a bit of contemporary mixed in. I was thankful that the pastor wasn't wearing a suit and tie and that the people were dressed modestly, yet casual.
There were stained glass windows in the auditorium. They weren't even outside windows. They were there for decoration with a light behind them. I guess these were just for looks. At the bottom of each window was someone's name. The names were actually a part of the window and not on a plaque.
Churches are full of these kinds of things - money trees, bricks, stained glass windows, plaques - all with names of recognition for good deeds. I want to remind us of Jesus said. This is from Matthew 6:1-4.
There were stained glass windows in the auditorium. They weren't even outside windows. They were there for decoration with a light behind them. I guess these were just for looks. At the bottom of each window was someone's name. The names were actually a part of the window and not on a plaque.
Churches are full of these kinds of things - money trees, bricks, stained glass windows, plaques - all with names of recognition for good deeds. I want to remind us of Jesus said. This is from Matthew 6:1-4.
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Let's be careful not to get caught up in praise and recognition for the things we've done. It is easy to get wrapped up into these things.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A Little Humor for You
A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"
The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so was all mankind made."
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.
The father answered, "Many ages ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"
The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."
The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so was all mankind made."
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.
The father answered, "Many ages ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"
The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."
Psalm 23 for the Work Place
Someone sent this to me in an email.
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without
murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop--- for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check His retirement plan beats any 401k there is!
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Cultivate Joy
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2
Serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13b
Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. I Peter 4:10
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy. Psalm 116:11a
Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11
Serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13b
Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. I Peter 4:10
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy. Psalm 116:11a
Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11
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