Chapter 2 Something More

O.K. Obviously I am about a week behind with this post. I have read chapter 2 a week ago, just have not made it to the blog post yet, slacker that I am.

Anyhoo, this chapter unpacks the radical concept that, in our search for God, we discover the truth that God is already seeking us -- drawing us towards Him, if you will. Louie references the passage where apostle Paul seizes the opportunity to address the people of Athens about their altar to "The Unknown God." Back then, like today, people were still trying to cover all their bases, wondering if there was something more.

In Acts 17: 16 - 34, Paul used their openness and seeking attitude as a platform to present the Christian worldview that God has created us and appointed our lives and time on this earth for a purpose -- that people would seek Him. He doesn't need us, but He is God, and He knows we need Him like we need life and breath.

Can you relate to Louie's statament? "The journey to God isn't like hopscoth on a chalk-lined sidewalk. It's more like a continual reaching for someone our eyes cannot see."

What are the road signs in your life that are potential clues that God has been seeking you?

How aware are you of God's "internal magnet" at work inside you?

What rings true about the idea that God has placed eternity in our hearts?

And what does all that say about Louie's claim that we are all worshippers/chasers of something to scratch that eternal itch inside?

And how does that explain Jesus's mission on earth?

Chapter 1 - Worship is What we Value

So Chapter One hit the idea that worship is mainly about what we value. The object of where we put most of our focus, energy, resources, and time speaks volumes about our worship. How did this perspective affect you? Agree? Disagree?

When you think of it that way, how do you eVALUate your worship?

Here's some questions to ponder: What would my friends observe? What does my checkbook say about my worship? If I tracked the last 48 hours, what got the most attention in my life? How much competition is God facing in my life?

Check out Colossians 1:15 - 17; John 1:1 - 3; and 1 Corinthians 8:5 - 6 for extra credit.

Let's Begin!

O.K. The books have arrived. About half of them are still awaiting pick up. If you haven't been able to pick yours up, let me know and let's try to get everyone up and reading this week. We will begin with (drum roll...) Chapter One!

I will attempt to faithfully post a conversation starter or "think on this." type of thought early in the week (Sunday or Monday), and then follow up on Fridays with a "so what do you think?" kind of question or comment to digest what we've read in the past chapter. Hopefully everyone can keep up with one short chapter a week. My goal is not to sprint to the end of the book, but walk together through the garden and stop and admire the landscape of what God will show us about worship.

Before you begin reading, I would really like everyone to post a short comment on your current understanding of worship. What does that word mean to you? If you were trying to explain it to an alien from outer space, how would you define it?

Also, try this exercise: Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and clear your mind. Then focus on the word worship. Take a mental snapshot of the images that come to mind, and then try to paint me a picture of what worship looks like in your mind's eye.

It will be interesting, when we get to the end of this book, to look back and compare snapshots we started with to those we ended with.

Who's on the Throne?

Worship is always the frontline of the battle. Always remember there is a spiritual war going on over who is on the throne. God says "I will not share my glory with another." Satan would steal the glory or distract people from God's glory. He is less interested in making us Satan worshippers, than lovers of ourselves. That is way easier for him to do. We are more than willing accomplices of the lie that "It's all about me." You expect to encounter this out in the world, but when we encounter it at "church," it's even more tragic. Especially in the American church, Consumerism is the religion of the day. There is a fine line among our congregations today between seeking religious entertainment on Sunday mornings vs. bringing the sweet aroma of self-surrender and sacrifice as we lay ourselves on the altar.

A prayer for today:

"God, as I go through my day, remind me of the eternal significance of my choices. Help me to recognize the false philosophies and attitudes (even religious ones) that would rob You of Your glory. Forgive me for the times I have made things all about me. You are the worthy One to sit on the throne of my life. I gladly move myself off the throne and onto Your altar as a living sacrifice."

"The Air I Breathe" - Join my online book study!

I thought I had a pretty good handle on worship. Then I went to a Passion Conference in 1999 led by Louie Giglio and team. What I learned and experienced there along with 12,000 college students, and student leaders revolutionized my perspective on worship. In his book, "The Air I Breathe," Louie presents his simple and profound perspective on this thing called worship. It's an easy read, and potentially life-changing. My worship arts team at Neptune Baptist is going to read this together as part of our Fall Season. I'd like to invite you to join us. Here's the plan: 1) Get a copy of the book (available online at Amazon, etc.). Multnomah Publishers (2006) I also have a limited supply available for a discounted price if you want to contact me. 2) Register as a follower on my blog to be part of the online discussion. 3) I will post the reading plan and discussion questions and comments to get the discussion going each week. 4) Check in to the blog each week to be part of the conversation.

Our Reading plan begins Sunday, August 29.

Worship before Service

This from A.W. Tozer in his book "I Talk Back to the Devil."

"Recall what happened when Jesus said to the disciples, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.' (Mark 16:15).

Peter jumped up right away, grabbed his hat and would have been on his way, but Jesus stopped him, and said, 'Not yet, Peter! Don't go like that. Tarry until you are endued with power from on high, and then go!'

I believe that our Lord wants us to learn more of Him in worship before we become busy for Him. He wants us to have a gift of the Spirit, an inner experience of the heart, as our first service, and out of that will grow the profound and deep and divine activities which are necssary."

PRAYER: "It's so easy to become busy, Lord, especially when I'm challenged with the vital task of evangelism. Quiet my heart first , that my evangelism efforts might spring from a heart of worship. Amen."

100 Pianos: Unity of the Church in Worship

Jesus's prayer for those that would follow Him includes this statement:

"...that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." -- John 17:21

A.W. Tozer writes (from his book The Pursuit of God):

"Someone may fear that we are magnifying private religion out of all proportion, that the "us" of the New Testament is being displaced by a selfish "I." Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become "unity" conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life."

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, allow me to be the answer to your prayer. Let this start with me, that I could have a closer walk with you today and then, as a leader, encourage others in their own unique pursuit of You, that we would see the Body of Christ made stronger and healthier, not all singing the same melody, but harmonizing together from every tribe, tongue and nation singing the same song to You, through You, and for You.