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Friday, October 31, 2008

All types of worship for All types of people

I grew up in a traditional southern baptist church. I followed after Jesus at an RA camp (google it if you don't understand it) at 12 years old and all I knew from that point was:




Blessed Assurance Choir anthem


Hymn ---ie----425 When we all get to heaven


Welcome


Offertory Hymn ---ie--- 533 He Lives


Piano offertory instrumental


special choir....I mean choir special


Message


Invitation Hymn---ie---136 Just as I am


(and we sang it until someone came down to pray or follow Jesus)




During my highschool years I went to concerts; christian, and secular. I went to youth camps and conferences...These events seemed to have a huge impact on me and worship style was a factor.


If you study music history (which is mostly church music) then you will find that the church thought certain music was holy and certain music was not worthy of the church. I find this same thought in today's church. Some think a more classical feel(baroque mostly) honors God because this style music focuses on technique and has a beautiful color to it. Some think that traditional style, (which makes me think of little house on the prairie), is the only way to honor God due to the teaching nature of hymns. Some are out on the edges of worship with worship leading djs, projection art, production teams, and whatever else they can come up with...these sometimes think the newest, best, most innovative idea is the only way to go. Some are in the contemporary worship movement that seems to blend older (with a guitar driven rythmn) and the worship music as a way to reach large groups.

Now in my opinion (which some would say is not worth alot) worship style is a preference of each individual follower. As a worship leader your personal preferences influence your musical choices, which is a good thing because all types of people like all types of music. God can use all types of music to share his message. Some types are more wide spread and reach a larger audience, and others are more focused, but neither are more or less worthy. God's plan for each of us is to worship HIM. He desires us to follow Jesus and start a journey of worship which is not a particular style of music. Sing to him with an organ and choir, Sing to him with a band and lights, Sing to him with candles and poetry, Sing to him with voices alone, Sing to him in prayer, the point is Sing to him.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

All the way my Savior leads me...

All the way my Savior leads me.... My grandma has been sick for many years with Alzheimer's and I have seen her condition worsen over these years. She has gone from a vibrant strong mom and grandmom to not being able to speak and weighing almost half her normal weight. She has a strong faith in Jesus and no disease can take that spiritual commitment away. She is safe in the arms of Jesus who has been with her through these years. One day when she is free from pain, sin, and sorrow my grandma will be more alive than she has ever been in the life. She will have more there, and will have her family to greet when we are freed of here.

All the way my Savior leads me...

My mom and her 2 sisters have gone from being her daughters to being her caretakers and doing all that entails. Making, many times, life and death decisions for their mama. From creating schedules so that she is watched over every minute to practically pulling their hair out over financial issues. I have watched them grow closer through trials and lean on each other through fire, which has been some of the proudest moments of my life.

All the way my Savior leads me...

Worship is a lifestyle. And I don't know if you know this but life can be hard and unfair. Sometimes when we are at our breaking point a deeper worship can occur. I have seen this worship through my grandma's children, grandchildren, and friends. It has become evident that grandma's days are nearing an end here and a song has been in my heart for a few days.

All the way my Savior leads me...

My Savior has led grandma all the way...these past years the Savior has used her own children to lead her to rise up after this life. What honor and love has been poured out from this family. What a privilege to be apart of this family that has worshiped Christ through loving grandma.

All the way my Savior leads me...

Where he leads is where we all need to be. Where he leads us is to a new dawn, a new day, and a perfect eternity. When this season is through we will always have the Savior.