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We have a ecumenical ministry in town that serves a certain demographic of our population.  They are specifically geared for this demographic, and are intentional in every aspect of their ministry offering - time, place, content, etc.  So I have a volunteer that wanted to get involved.  This person is FANTASTIC in their facet of leading in worship, and wanted to offer their talent to Christ in this other venue.  This person is in the MIDDLE of the demographic that this ministry is trying to reach, has a great heart, and truly wants to serve in however God is calling.  So…

6.ZAMAR - zaw-mar - To sing with instruments. To make music accompanied by the voice. One of the musical verbs for praise in the book of psalms. It carries the idea of making music in praise to God as in Psalm 92:1. The word ZAMAR also means to touch the strings, and refers to praise that involves instrumental worship as in Psalm 150. The one word is usually translated "sing praises".I've been having several discussions lately about participation in worship, and how we are seeking to use more and more instruments and technology in worship.  The thought occurs that we…

I love the song "Heart of Worship."  I think Matt Redman and his wife nailed it when they wrote that song.  It may be church urban legend, but rumor has it that the song was written for a church that went without music for several months because the congregation couldn't agree on what style of music to play.  The pastor canned the song service from the Sunday morning schedule for several months, and after which, "Heart of Worship" was sung to restart the congregation singing again.So as we sang it this morning, I started thinking about the words in the…

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Or better titled - TV shows that I TIVO and watch parts of. . . Seriously - like anyone cares:Scrubs - I love it. I love Dr. Cox's character.The OfficeHouseStudio 60 on the Sunset StripTV shows I REFUSE to watch:American Idol (after the first 3 weeks). Once they start taking themselves seriously, I'm out.The Surviver, Bachelor, Big Brother, and all the other really dumb "reality" TV shows.Anything on MTVAnything that plays on the big 4 networks during the day.Baseball.Soccer.NFL Football

Yeah right.  Last week, they went into half-time, got on some busses and drove down the road, asking for people that could play football.  They came back from half-time with the new players, in the old jerseys.  They kept them through the first half of this week, then let them go home at half-time.  Of course, it IS just a football game . . . 

There's not much to offer.  Tomorrow is the second Sunday of the month, and on the second Sunday of the month, we participate in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.For our worship tomorrow, we're singing the song Hungry.  Great tune, and moving lyrics, but when you really think about the statement: "I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me . . . "  it brings me (at least) to the most humbling place - I have nothing to offer but my sin; which is exactly where the Gospel brings us - repenting of our sin, the belief (surrender, offering)…

" . . . He descended into hell . . . "Not the literal hell. Not separation from the Father, but the punishment, equivalent to an eternity in hell, for our sins. The wrath and justice of God - placed upon the shoulders of the Christ for our sins. Descending into hell = taking that amount of punishment so we can be declared righteous before the throne.

I had a conversation with a friend tonight, and it reminded me, as I should always be reminded, that the devil doesn't come with a neon sign, flashing: "i'm the devil, beware! Watch out. I'm here to ruin your day!" Nope. He's crafty, smooth, friendly, appealing . . . He talks a great game, and he'll do anything, say anything, be anything to win. He attacks in ways that we're never looking for, and has an uncanny ability to use our insecurities, or our over-securities to attack. So the defense then becomes the prayer that the Spirit would constantly be…

Mistaken EmotionsNot everything we feel Sunday morning can be labeled true worship. Several emotions can be mistakenly associated with true worship.Nostalgia. Some people are moved to tears by listening to "The Old Rugged Cross" and others by "The Wind Beneath My Wings." But those feelings are not necessarily worship. They could also be merely a sentimental connection; the song reminds people of a warm memory. This is one reason why people will say, "I can't worship if I don't sit in my pew," or "I can't worship because you rearranged the furniture," or "I can't worship if I don't know…