Singing the Day Away

I found myself singing some hymns today. I've really needed them because work has been long, hot, and tiring.

Assembly of God

I attended an Assembly of God church yesterday for an assignment in my worship class. It was definently a unique experience. The preaching wasn't that bad (a topical sermon on fasting) and the preacher definently had passion, such as five minute long periods where his voice was so loud I thought I needed earplugs. The music was okay. No deep theology, but worship doesn't always need to have that. The strangest moment was the tongues at the end. It was my second time experiencing that and I still can't relate to it. Overall, it was hard for me to engage in worship. Maybe it was my own preconceived notions and disbelief in this genre of Christianity, but I felt more worshipful in the Spanish service I went to a few weeks ago, even though I was not able to understand much of the language.

Worship through Evangelism

My wife and I just finished a conversation with two Jehovah Witnesses. We had met one of the JW's before, but had never gotten into a real deep conversation. It was great to hear my wife preach the gospel. I'm glad we had the opportunity to do so together. Hopefully, we will get more opportunities.

Geocaching

Here's a random way I enjoy worshiping the Lord. It is called geocaching. It brings me into the great outdoors to explore places that I would normally never see. And yet life is so short and there are so many places I will never explore. It makes me think of the new heavens and earth. Part of me hopes that some of the pleasures we enjoy in this life will carry over to the next. I think of CS Lewis' picture in the Last Battle, where the kids die, but upon death, they live and enter into the new renewed Narnia. They start to run through the wonderful paradise consisting of waterfalls, fields, mountains, forests...and during all of this running, they never tire. I hope some of my time in heaven will consist of exploring like Lewis envisioned.

Happy Birthday to my Wife, Krisha

I'm not the most sentimental guy and often have a difficult time encouraging my wife in the ways that would be most encouraging to her. But today on her birthday, I had a good opportunity to go the extra mile. In a real sense, it was a time of worship preparing and carrying out the encouragement.

My wife made a wonderful comment on the way to work that I wanted to share. We are both working at Wycliffe Bible Translators (she is full time, I'm there for the summer). To bring the story into context, you need to know that some of the employees working at Wycliffe headquarters previously worked out in the jungle translating Scripture. She observed that the jobs these former missionaries have back in the US are often less glorious than their previous status as leaders who brought the Word of God to a culture that had never had it. She was amazed at their humility. Had these people stayed in the US, more opportunities for jobs would likely have come along, more praise and acknowledgement from peers would have come. I appreciated my wife sharing her insight with me and am also thankful to the missionaries that live humble lives for the glory of God...setting an example to younger Christians like me.

Book of Common Prayer

My wife and I have tried using the Book of Common Prayer. I heard and bought it because of another class, but had never really used it. I have likes and dislikes about it. One dislike, which my wife shares, is that it can seem wooden and forced. It can be hard to enter into a heart set fully upon God. However, the language is beautiful and the prayer book helps guide prayer about particular things I would not normally prayer about, such as our government and people traveling.

Prayer with my wife

Recently, my wife and I have had some great time praying before bed. It is a great excercise to pray together and hear the burdens that my wife lifts before the Lord. Often, our prayers are about the same things, but I really enjoy hearing the prayers that I have not thought about.

I got into a great discussion at work today. There is a guy at work who is pretty quiet most of the time, similar to me. I guess our similar personalities encouraged conversation. He started talking with great passion and vigor about the Lord and how good he is. I think we both blessed and were blessed by the conversation. Another worship moment.

The Power of a Pastor

Last week, I was greatly encouraged by my home church pastor. I had not been in the best of moods and he called me to see how I was doing. He seemed to cut through the barriers I had set up and was able to encourage me. I'm thankful to God that he has placed certain people in my life (wife, pastor, best friends) that can reach down to my soul and move me towards a more worshipful attitude.

Alabanza al Senor

On Sunday, I attended a Spanish service with my wife. It moved me greatly. I was overcome with emotion during the songs. I don't exactly know why...whether it was seeing the joy and freedom of these people worshiping Christ or whether it was experiencing part of God's heart for the nations. Maybe both. In any case, the service was excellent and I'm thankful for my wife who was able to interpret the service for me and explain everything that occurred.

Today, was the biggest thunderstorm I have seen this year. The lightening was brilliant and the crack of the ensuing thunder was magnificent. And to think, God’s power is infinitely greater. Simply amazing, simply worshipful.

Ultimate Worship

I love ultimate frisbee and see it as a great time to worship. God gives different people, different types of talents. I think one of mine is athletics. For me, there are only a few things better than sprinting a full field and seeing a disc fly out in front of you. As the disc slows down and starts to drop, I lay out, fully extended and catch it the moment before it hits the ground. Ok, so not every play is this dramatic, but it sometimes is and I love it. My prayer is that when I play, I would play to the glory of God and be a witness to those who watch. And don't worry, as I write this, my wife tells me that she will keep me in check so that this wonderful sport does not become an idol for me.

Morning Worship

I think the time I love God and my wife the best is the first few moments I'm awake. My mind is clear and my flesh has not yet had any provocations leading me to sin.

Anyone out there in cyberspace have best worship time periods?

This one is geared towards Father John, but everyone is free to read.

Father John, yes we do have a bulldog and here she is.



She is a bundle of energy and joy, but also very mischevious. Since this post is pertaining to worship, I will share how our bulldog Zoe helped us to worship and possibly bring a family to Father John's church. My wife, her parents, Zoe, and I went out for ice cream. Zoe loves people and people love Zoe. My wife and I got into a conversation with a family of pug owners that also love bulldogs. The conversation led into spiritual issues. The family has recently moved into Chuleota and their old catholic church they attended is now far away. I told them of Father John's Episcopal church plant, which will be a lot closer to them. They sounded interested. So who knows. Father John, if for some reason, you do hear of a family like the one I described, attending your church, I would love to know. 

Worshipping During the Dull Moments

I'm working, what some would consider, a less than glorious job in landscaping this summer. Some people with college degrees would never touch a job like this, but I find them good for the Christian life. There are many times to meditate on the Lord during "simple" tasks. Another aspect of my job is that I am in charge of propagating plants. It is amazing how God has created plants to reproduce and I get paid in helping to foster life and beauty for the enjoyment of those who walk by and see.

Thoughts from Sunday, July 2, 2006

I went to my church, University Presbyterian Church (UPC), on Sunday. We celebrated the Lord's Supper. I really appreciate the way this sacrament is administered. First, the bulletin contains a page describing the elements and their meaning. It is a helpful reminder that brings me into a deeper meaning when partaking of the elements. Also, the table is fenced. I think many people in our quasi-post Christian culture often take the elements without really knowing what they stand for. It is tradition, therefore, we should take, eat and drink. So, often no warning is given and these people who do not know why they are eating, reap judgment by doing so. Therefore, I'm a big fan of fencing the table and grateful for my church in doing so clearly.