Mortadella and God?!?!

I was slicing mortadella, a really gross lunchmeat (sorry if you're Italian and love the stuff), for about the millionth time at work earlier this week...and I have to say, I was feeling just a tad insignificant.

The day had been trying--grumpy customers, grouchy coworkers, angry boss, the list goes on. Before I knew it, a full-blown pity-party was taking place in my head.

I was angry that I had to work this "meaningless," thankless job (just a little pride there, don't you think???). I wasn't getting what I crave--approval from others (totally misplaced value). And I, lofty college grad that I am, had to *gasp* SERVE other people all day long!

The Lord lovingly flooded me with the grace to discern my heart. It is truly astounding how the Spirit can knock you flat on your face before you even know what happened! One second, your flesh is wholly enjoying the release of venting about 'whatever,' and the next instant, you are left trembling with the fear of the Holy One.

So, all of this is happening in my mind and in my heart while I'm slicing half of a pound of a smelly, fatty lunchmeat. The irony of this reality hit me full force--I am simultaneously performing a menial little task and crying out to the Sovereign Creator of all things (my Father, nonetheless!!!).

I am talking to G-O-D...

Such immense joy hit me that I laughed out loud. What sweet fellowship comes when the proper balance is restored--God is ultimate...I am pen-ultimate. Okay! This is right. Now what would He have me do--honor Him by *gulp* slicing mortadella for His glory.

Such moments happen, for me at any rate, about a hundred times a day. It is the constant struggle of the Christian life--living in the spirit, not the flesh.

I'm going to end with a rather lengthy excerpt from the book The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer because it's just too good not to share. I encourage you to read it and let it sink in.

"A spiritual kingdom lies all about us, enclosing us, embracing us, altogether within reach of our inner selves, waiting for us to recognize it...our trouble is that we have established bad thought habits. We habitually think of the visible world as real and doubt the reality of any other. We do not deny the existence of the spiritual world but we doubt that it is real in the accepted meaning of the word...sin has so clouded the lenses of our hearts that we cannot see that other reality, the City of God, shining around us. The world of sense triumphs. The visible becomes the enemy of the invisible, the temporal, of the eternal...we must shift our interest from the seen to the unseen. For the great unseen Reality is God...if we truly want to follow God, we must seek to be other-worldly...the "other world," which is the object of this world's disdain and the subject of the drunkard's mocking song, is our carefully chosen goal and the object of our holiest longing. But we must avoid the common fault of pushing the "other world" into the future. It is not future, but present...as we begin to focus upon God, the things of the spirit will take shape before our inner eyes...a new God-consciousness will seize upon us and we shall begin to taste and hear and inwardly feel God, who is our life and our all....more and more, as our faculties grow sharper and more sure, God will become to us the great All, and His presence the glory and wonder of our lives...make heaven more real to me than earthly thing has ever been."

I Want to Dance

Lexi, my 2-year-old granddaughter, had a seriously bad case of the flu this week. For three days she did not eat, she barely allowed a sip of liquid between her lips and she remained on the couch not able to do a thing. Elliot and Kate were naturally very concerned and stayed in close communication with their doctor. On the fourth day the doctor advised taking her to the hospital. She was given medication to treat the nausea and sent home. Elliot and Kate knew she was feeling better the next morning when the first thing she said as her feet hit the floor was, "I want to dance!"

Today as I share with you some of what I find helpful for worship may I suggest we have the same enthusiasm as Lexi? I realize you may not be ready to dance but if you are reading today's post you probably have at least a spark of desire to grow in your worship of God. I appreciate that.

The first thing we have to remember is that we cannot whoop up that enthusiasm in the car on the way to church. In order to fully enter into worship on Sunday, we need to be living Coram Deo (in God's presence) during the week. We need to be experiencing the joy of our salvation, and the wonder of His grace every day in order to wake up on a Sunday saying, “I want to dance!” But, even if that is not the case, even if we've had a week that has been stained with sin, or in the press of life you have failed to commune with God, there is mercy and grace through the cross. That by itself could open a floodgate of emotion!!

I offer the following only as suggestions. No law here. Many of you may not yet be ready for this. That is OK, so long as you keep your heart open to God's will revealed in His Word, and cultivate a willingness to grow. Wherever you are in your worship of God, give it your whole heart to the glory of God.

I think I have it a bit easier than most folks because I sit in the front row where the distractions are fewer. But distractions are used by the enemy no matter where we sit. Even though I am in the front where I cannot see much of what is going on behind me, I can be distracted by wondering what others will be thinking of me. So, before anything begins I cry out to God to help me to stay focused on Him who gave me a heart to worship in the first place.

When the music begins I close my eyes as much as is possible. This helps with my fear of man issues. But this is only possible if I know the words to the lyrics. If I do not know the them, I fix my eyes on the words and my heart on the Savior.

Going from toe-tapping to hand-clapping can be a big leap for some. I started timidly. I tapped my leg. I clapped with hands down low. It wasn’t long as I focused on the truth being sung, as I was overwhelmed by God's love poured out for me on the cross, and as I sang of His kindness and grace, I found within my being the physical connecting to my spirit and I was set free.

When a song speaks of offering praise, or offering my life in devotion to Him, I lift my hands with palms held up as if to show God that I am coming to him with a gift; a gift that He gave to me in the first place.

When a song speaks of God's rule, or gives Him praise as in: "Hallelujah, What a Savior", my hands turn upward as one does for greeting, or cheering an important person. (You may be more comfortable letting your hand only go as high as your shoulder but watch out, it may not be long before you wish your hands were high enough to reach through the ceiling, beyond the clouds into the very presence of God.)

When a song speaks of receiving something from God (“You give and take away, You give and take away”) I lift my hands above my head with palms facing each other with my face toward the sky as if to literally receive His blessing as it falls into my arms.

When a song speaks of bowing in His presence I like to bow my head, or I bow from the waist. It is difficult to sing while lying prostrate on the floor, or kneeling at my chair. Not impossible, but difficult I will admit.

During prayer, occasionally my heart may tell me to bow. This is when it is easier to lie prostrate in the aisle, or kneel by my chair. Here again, I have to remind myself to focus on God, not on others.

Sisters, we are told to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our strength. We are body, mind and spirit. I think in our church we've always done well in worshiping God with our mind and in our hearts. But I believe the Lord is showing us that He wants our whole person, body and spirit as well as mind and heart to be engaged in worshiping Him.

We read in scripture that Jesus received people's physical expressions of worship. He let Mary wash his feet with her tears. He allowed for Hosannas to be given, with palm branches being waved. I cannot imagine this being done with no jumping or shouting. Jesus could have shut down all the excitement. He could have said, "Be still! I do not approve of such expressiveness," but He did not. He let the people respond physically to their emotional connection with Him.

I often hear people say that women are emotional beings. I believe that to be true. I also believe men are emotional beings. That is how we were created. It occurred to me years ago how I would get excited about good news, an athletic victory, and seeing someone I love. But when it came time for me to worship my Savior my emotions were left outside the church building. As TW showed us from scripture, David danced in the very presence of God without a veil between him and the Ark of the Covenant. Now, through the work of Christ on the Cross, I have been given access to God. I am told to come boldly, but only through Jesus.

I hope and pray that my testimony might help you, my sisters, to find your way into more of the kind of worship God calls us to – even if it is with a joyful toe-tapping. It will be for the strengthening of your soul and for your joy in Christ. May this encourage you the next time you prepare to meet Him in our gathering of believers. And please remember, we'll never worship perfectly until we worship in heaven. But the One we worship is perfect. All glory be to Him!

Worship

Last night I had a chance to listen to Warren's message. As is my custom for blogging I like to follow up on the Sunday's message with how I am applying it to my life. As it turns out I am going to focus on a minor point (though an important one) of his message to connect to TW's message a couple of weeks ago. What you will read below is a post I began that week but never finished.

As I listened to Warren give testimony to his experience stepping into the worship of God at a Sovereign Grace church, it reminded me of TW's message. He mentioned how hard it was for him to make the stylistic switch to newer music. Over the next couple of days, I want to add to Warren’s testimony my own experience, and then share with you something that I have never done or plan to do again. Please read on as I give you my musings from two weeks ago:

A week ago my husband, Tim, gave us an inside peek into his devotional time in his FreeTruth post. This was an unusual thing for Tim to do but many were blessed and helped by it. Today and tomorrow I am doing something similar. I am going to share how I worship and how the Lord has graciously led me into this.

I do not do this to draw attention to myself. I do not do this so others will think (erroneously) how great I am, or what a spiritual person I am (again--erroneously), or what a great worshiper I am (again--erroneously). I fear my God who judges every thought and intention of my heart. I dare not try to pull a fast one and try to photo-edit an image of myself that is far more flattering than I really am. Also, I want to be sure to add that I am not writing this to place judgment on those that struggle with these things. I am simply desiring to serve you as you consider how to apply TW's message.

 
I know many who relate to Warren's initial struggle to worship God with music that has the kind of rhythm that promotes clapping, dancing, and even the joyful shouting which the God’s word speaks of. I am thankful for those among us who though they struggle as Warren did, still come. Thank you.

It is important to say before anything else that our worship is all about God, the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is only by His amazing grace that we live and breathe. It is only by His extreme love that we have been given hearts to love and worship Him. Our sins have been forgiven!! Christ took the penalty for our sin upon Himself!! When we worship, we worship with the righteousness of Christ: “we come with your righteousness on, our humble offerings to bring” (A Debtor to Mercy from the album Upward).  It is only through the activity of the Holy Spirit that we have hearts that desire to worship!! It is all about Him!!

But there's more: we have also been given freedom to gather to worship; we have been given a building to worship in; we have pastors and musicians and other believers to lead us and to share in this experience. We are very blessed women indeed.

When we gather to worship we are telling God we love Him, and we are telling those around us we love Him. I remember many years ago having a conversation with a dear friend about my experience of worship, in which I said, "There has to be more!" I was referring to the experience of what felt to me like "going through the motions." At that time it was: stand (very still), sing, pray, sit. Stand, sing, sit. Offering, stand and sing, pray. Now, that may be fine and very joy-giving for some but for me I felt like there had to be more. It wasn't that I was looking for an "experience;" I was looking for a way to release what was in my heart for God. I felt constricted.

Then our church was introduced to some Messianic Christian music (Up To Zion). In this I found a way to worship God with my mind, soul and strength. The clapping, the cheering, and the dancing released my long pent up emotion over the work of Christ on the cross for me.

Worship was no longer (to my ears and heart) just a sober and subdued reflection but a celebration. Christ did it all! I don't need to do a thing! It is finished! I am forgiven! I wanted to celebrate!!

After finding a treasure in those Messianic songs, we found more treasure!! I remember singing a medley, "Under the Blood" by Integrity Music. What I had long felt in my heart, was now given to me to sing by a skillful songwriter. How could he have known my heart?? My joy was expressed in a singable and danceable melody and to this day I get a bounce in my step whenever that medley comes to mind.

Then someone in the church discovered Sovereign Grace Music (PDI at the time). Here like never before (in my experience) was a combination of Christ-exalting lyrics and music that allows for physical expression in worship. What a gift!

When I am given a gift I give thanks for it and I use it. So, tomorrow I will share with you how I use the gift of celebratory worship music to move me closer into an intimate connection with Jesus, my Savior and King, and the Lover of my Soul..

leftovers (pt.2)

                                           
In my real world this Joyous Journey is a trek with the church. It doesn’t always feel joyous but my joy is not found in how I am feeling, or in my circumstances. Paul says, "rejoice in the Lord always; and I say rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

The key words in that verse are “in the Lord”. When my thoughts are centered in “the Lord” especially as He is described in Philippians 2:5-10 it will not matter if partnering in ministry is testing my ability to abound in love. All that will matter is that Christ is exalted. My desire will be to see many bowing their knees before Jesus on that Great Day and confessing Him to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2 :10). I am learning that my love will abound more and more in knowledge and discernment as I study my Savior and His humble, suffering servant love.

I am so thankful for the women who model this in our church. I’m thinking of the many women who for the sake of the gospel surrender their desire to sit in on the worship of a Sunday morning to be in the nursery and/or children’s ministry. They give so that others can receive. I’m thinking of the women who come early to provide childcare so parents can go through membership classes. And I’m thinking of the women who give up their Thurs. evenings to provide meals and/or childcare for our Christianity Explored classes (Philippians 1:21).

I have women approaching me with eagerness to serve the church in any way they can. “Whatever you need” is their motto. I am blown away by their “standing firm in one (cheerful) spirit with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians1:27).

I will not forget the women who serve our dear sister Nancy. Nancy’s needs are many and women of all ages are making sure these needs are met. Young moms with young children, women with many children, singles, working women and women with their own physical weakness are humbly pouring themselves out for the cause of Christ. I am confident that God is being glorified where Nancy lives because of you (Philippians 3:17, 20, 21, 4:1).

How about the Lydia Ladies who once a month meet to do service projects for those in need? Blankets for nursing homes, caring for our missionaries, sending care packages to college students, and providing meals for a mother who is sick or a woman who just needs a helping hand is what these dear women do. Ladies you are placing others’ needs over your own. God sees and God is pleased (Philippians 4:14).

There are the mothers who stay home to be the primary influence in her children’s life. She has skills that could be used in the workplace to bring a second income into the home but she humbly chooses to “be a keeper at home”. She does not consider her equality a thing to be grasped (Philippians 2:5). Titus 2 says, that the word of God is not reviled when this is done for the Christ’s sake. Titus 2:3

I am in awe of the women who come to church prepared to worship enthusiastically even though they are almost old enough to be my grandmother. These dear women show me how to be “in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

There are a couple of women who release their husbands every Sunday morning at 6:30 so their men can drive an hour and be at the church in time to practice music for leading worship. Speaking of worship, how about the women who leave their families early so they can practice before the service? These women surrender a cozy, comfortable weekend breakfast with husband and family. I believe God receives your ministry as “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18)

I could go on. There are women who give up a Sat. to cut hair for the Kingdom. Women who volunteer in the office, women who mentor young women, visit the sick, provide for the needy, serve with their husbands as care group leaders, clean the kitchen, prepare meals, handle power-point, clean the building, welcome guests, weed gardens, decorate the building, wash cars, etc. And last but not least of which – women who pray for the Gospel advancement through TFC and elsewhere.

Ladies, Paul would be proud. I know your pastors are. I know I am. But let us not rest. Let our love abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment. Let us be careful to not be like Euodia and Syntyche who could not agree with each other.
Let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us be reasonable. Let us pray for one another and let us think on the things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. If there is anything worthy of praise (in a person) let us think about these things (Philippians 4:8,9).

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (Philippians 4:23).

Leftovers

I’m chewing on the leftovers from Sunday's dinner. “…that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:9).

Hardly table scraps.

As a woman giving thought to the application of scripture I try to think through my various callings and relationships:the church, my marriage, my children, my family and friends, and the unsaved. So, as I am chewing (meditating) on the message given to us on Sunday I am asking myself how do I abound more and more in love with knowledge and all discernment in my real world?

I proceed very cautiously here because I am not a theologian. But before I’m through I’ll be running this by my favorite theologian to make sure I’m not in error. The thing I’m noticing about Philippians is this: there is a whole lot in these four short chapters about relationships. But unlike Ephesians and Colossians there isn’t specific mention to family relationships. The emphasis in this book is on relationships in the church for partnering in the Gospel. So, as I read that my love is to abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, I have to think about my relationship with you my church, my sisters, my partners in the Gospel.

In Philippians 1:12-18, we read that Paul who was in prison because of labors for the Gospel knew some individuals who felt emboldened to preach because of his imprisonment.  Paul says that some of them were doing this out of envy and rivalry.  But Paul rejoiced anyway as long as Christ was proclaimed.  It’s not that envy and rivalry were okay, it’s just that in this case God was overruling their envy to further the gospel.  In Philippians, what Paul seems most concerned about is the envy and rivalry within the church that hinders the progress of the gospel.

The letter contains many references to what love isn’t.  Paul not only speaks of envy and rivalry but also about grumbling and complaining.  Paul refers to people who seek their own interest.  Paul tells the Philippians to look out for legalist (he calls them dogs, and evildoers).  He speaks of “enemies of the cross Christ” (people who are most concerned about their own physical and material desires).   Paul then hits close to home and addresses specific individuals (women):   “I entreat Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord.”

Alongside those references of what love is not are striking statements of what love does.  Love for Christ partners with others for the Gospel.  It is a selfless act of living for the progress and joy of Christ in others.  It is as Paul says in 1:27:  “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ… standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side.”  In chapter 2 Paul tells us to have the same mind, the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Again he says not to do anything out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than oneself.  He tells us to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Then we are given the example of Christ to follow.

Then we are given two other examples to follow:  Timothy and Epaphroditus. 

Then we are given the example of Paul to follow. 

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Phil. 3:17).  Paul did not have anything good to say about those who were putting more emphasis on outward performance than on the righteousness of Christ.  Paul knew the great temptation for all of us to fall into that trap.  We can so easily get sidetracked into legalism; which usually leads into self-righteousness and sinful judgment.  Therefore, Paul encourages us in love to stand firm in the Lord and His righteousness (Phil. 3:9, 4:1).

Then we are given two negative examples.  Euodia and Syntyche were evidently not abounding in love more and more.  They needed help.  And so I wonder if most of chapter 4 is Paul’s counsel to these women and to the church.  Is Paul telling us even if there is disagreement we still need to rejoice and be reasonable (Phil. 4:5)?  Is there anxiety born from disagreement?   Paul tells us to pray with thanksgiving.  Is the peace of God in verse 7 meant to replace feelings of turmoil in relationships that are stressed?  Is the list of things to think about in verse 8 the counsel for those who are trapped in sinful thoughts towards others in the church?

What we have learned and received and heard and seen in Paul we are to practice (verse 9).  I think Paul in his letter to the Philippians is teaching us what abounding love combined with knowledge and discernment looks like.  In chapter 4, verse 9, we are given a wonderful promise:  if we do practice these things, the God of peace will be with us, in our hearts, in our lives, in our church.

Tomorrow I’ll bring some practical application from these thoughts.  Until then, I pray: “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” especially as you interact with your partners in the Gospel today.