Reverent Worship

I know I'm from the "Old School" so I tend to expect reverence when we enter what we call the sanctuary. A place where we meet to fellowship together, to hear the word of God read and expounded upon. A place to sing and praise, a place to testify to the grace and goodness of our Heavenly Father.

Some congregations are quiet, some get rather loud, some sing traditional songs, some sing contemporary songs.To me, it doesn't really matter what your style or methods are as long as God is honored. That's what reverence is.

But reverence is about more than a physical building. Reverence is about our life itself.

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman in John 4:23, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (NKJV)

Jesus made this statement when questioned about a place to worship. I've already stated my position on reverence at the place we choose to worship. But consider this: We Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit. WE are the house He dwells in. When we gather in worship, the Holy Spirit joins us. If we gather for worship.

In our tradition, we say, "It's good to be in God's house today." Consider this, if you will: Jesus is with us all day every day. Why not wake up every day and say, "Jesus, I'm glad you chose to live in me today. Live your life through me and guide me in each step I take." That's reverence.

When we honor Him in that way - with our very life - He will give us a renewed understanding of His wonderful presence. But we must allow Him, and even invite Him, to live through us.

Even our music attests to this belief. Remember the little chorus we sing: "Lord, prepare me, to be a sanctuary..."

My prayer today is this: "Lord, I will be your house to dwell in, live through me."

NOTE: Enjoy this guest post from my husband and fellow Pastor, Greg Bishop.

From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out

Nancy Twigg is a Knoxville, Tennessee-based author and friend whose work I've enjoyed for many years. I believe you will, too!

From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out
by Nancy Twigg

When most people think of simplifying, the first thing they think of is getting rid of clutter around the home or office. Cleaning out closets and drawers is definitely a part of simplifying, but true simplification goes far deeper than that. Clutter is much more than old magazines, outdated clothes, and kitchen gadgets you never use. Certainly those things are clutter, but from now on, think of clutter as any possession, habit, thought pattern, attitude or activity that fits into one of these three categories:

• Anything you don't need or use anymore
• Anything that doesn't fit or work for you like it used to
• Anything that doesn't add value and meaning to your life as it once did

Under this new definition, clutter is anything that complicates your life and stands in the way of simplicity. In the past, you may have only thought of clutter in terms of stuff: those size 8 jeans you hope to wear again someday or those unfinished projects in your garage. But let me share a secret with you. These kinds of unwanted and unneeded material possessions are only the tip of the iceberg! What about the multitude of commitments that cram-pack your schedule? What about the thoughts that jumble your mind and the spending habits that sabotage your finances? All of these things are clutter too, because they cause chaos and confusion.

When you think of clutter in this new light, you begin to see what a tremendous problem clutter truly is. You will also see that the root causes of this ugly clutter make the clutter itself look tame. Think about it. Why do you say yes to everyone who requests your time and services? Are you afraid that people won't like you if you say no? Do you feel the need to present a Super Mom image to the world?

What about those clothes you hold onto even though you know you will never wear them again? Are you afraid that if you get rid of them you will need them again someday? If you did happen to need them, do you doubt God's ability to provide more? And if you have a tendency to spend more than you can afford, ask yourself why you do that. Are you driven by feelings of discontentment or the need for instant gratification? Are you afraid that if you pass on a sale now you will never find a good price on that item again? These issues go much deeper than just having a messy desk or disorganized pantry. These are issues of the heart.

Clutter is a problem for anyone, but for Christians, it spells major trouble. Clutter does more than affect us physically and emotionally; it affects us spiritually because it keeps us from following Jesus fully. We simply cannot make room for Him when so many other things are in the way. The more we stay focused on the junk of this life, the less time and energy we have to focus on the important mattersGod and His plans for our lives.

Have you ever tried to lug an overstuffed suitcase through a crowded airport? Not an easy task, is it? No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot move quickly and efficiently when you're carrying a heavy load. Think of clutter as baggage, physical, emotional, and financial baggage that weighs you down and holds you back. Clutter is the heavy load that keeps many of us from maneuvering effectively through our lives. Our suitcases are filled with all kinds of deadweight: habits we need to give up, attitudes we've long since outgrown, activities and possessions that no longer serve a reasonable purpose. If we want to lighten the load, we have to get rid of some of the junk.

What keeps you from moving forward at a steady pace in your life? Undoubtedly the things that slow you down are some kind of clutter, clutter you want to get rid of for good. Maybe you struggle with physical clutter around your home. Try as you might, you cannot seem to get organized. Or maybe you want to get a handle on your finances. You are tired of making good money but having nothing to show for it. Or maybe yours is an issue with time. You are tired of living at warp speed. You want to stop running and start living.

Whatever clutter challenges you face, trust me when I say you can learn to clarify your life by putting clutter in its place. I know because I have done it myself. My biggest clutter challenge was not dealing with cluttered living spaces or even cluttered finances. My challenge was to open up my emotional suitcase and go through its contents carefully. When I did, I discovered all kinds of clutter lurking inside. I found worry and doubt. I uncovered a faulty self-image and an inability to set appropriate boundaries. I even found an unhealthy preoccupation with what others thought of me. It was a painful process, but necessary. One by one, I learned to trade in these old clunkers for the more efficient models God offered.

I'm not saying I have it all together. Believe me, I don't. I'm not saying I never face challenges. But I have come to a place of clarity and life is much more pleasant now that I have. Is my life perfect? No, but it is much more peaceful and purposeful. And isn't that what we all want to live in peace as we live out our purpose?

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Nancy Twigg is an author and speaker who loves inspiring women to live more simply. To learn more about Nancy's speaking and writing ministry, visit her online at http://www.keepitsimplesister.com

Article Source: Faith Writers

Seeds in the Garden

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; (Mark 4:26)

I planted a garden this year. In early February, I planted potatoes and onions, and green English peas. In early March, I planted corn, squash, green beans, and watermelons. First, I had to prepare the seedbed, then I had to make the rows, put the seed in the soil, and apply fertilizer. After I labored doing these tasks, I had to sit back and wait to see if the seeds I planted would spring forth from the soil.

The Lord sent a good rain, and some sunny days that warmed the soil. Being kind of impatient, I scratched the earth where I had planted corn, and discovered that many of the seeds I planted were planted too deep. I went to the seed store, bought more seed and replanted.

Early this morning, I went to the garden alone to see how many seeds had sprang forth. Lo and behold, most all of the seeds had produced a plant. I could clearly see the results of my labor! Potato leaves shining brightly, little corn stalks, green beans peeking their small ears through the warm earth, tiny watermelon plants stretching forth to the sun, and peas and squash making their appearance. Most all of the seeds I had planted, from the large potato seeds to the small pea seed, had taken root and were growing! My labor had not been in vain!

This earthly garden gives one a sense of God's presence, and of His infinite wisdom...who but God can grow a plant from a tiny seed? The Bible speaks of sewing seeds, spiritual seeds, into the Lord's kingdom. After awhile, the seed will germinate, if planted in the right kind of "soil", and produce a human plant for God. Planting seeds in a earthly garden is labor intensive. So is planting seeds for a heavenly garden. In both cases, all we can do is labor, and only God can give the increase!

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. (Mark 4:27-28)

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Article © 2008 by Irvin L. Rozier, author of My Walk with the Lord, US Army, Chaplain of American Legion Post 181. Visit his song and video sites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lseFgH7XumU
http://www.youtube.com/user/walkin2e

Article Source: Faith Writers

Edgy humor or sacrilege?

There's a new "comedy" coming to HDNet on April 26. It's called "Sex, God, Rock 'n Roll" and will feature indie rocker Stuart Davis performing "stand up comedy, news, sketches, and music" according to their press release.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that where my faith is concerned especially, I'm very conservative. And I have no qualms about stating publicly that promoting a show about a man with a "twisted mind and a sensitive soul" under the guise of religion troubles me. The title alone by my standards, is sacriligious. There are just some things you shouldn't make fun of. God is at the top of that list.

I know nothing about this man's musical talent, song-writing abilities or personal characteristics. That's not my issue nor my concern. What does concern me is that this is just one more instance of minimizing God's greatness and omnipotence. We can and should laugh at ourselves and much of life, and I do so frequently. But I don't believe there is ever a time we should laugh at God. To do so makes Him seem smaller somehow. How can you lessen the greatness of the Creator of all?

While I realize that not everyone believes or thinks the way I do, when people claim to be "religious" people, I do look for some form of reverence in them. Somewhere. But the title of this series leads me to wonder if there is any to be found in Mr. Davis. And as a pastor and a minister, this is one more on my long list of things I would never watch.

Stay True

Our days are often filled with problems we just can't seem to solve. And we ask... What's going on? What do I do in this situation? Which way do I turn now?

Today, I've already had to deal with more problems than I had yesterday. They seem to pile up. Before I can get this one solved I have three more.

Does that sound like you?

I'm convinced that these trials will make us stronger if we just stay true to God and trust Him to work in every situation. Of course we say "Hurry Up, God!" but if He hurried, it wouldn't always be in our best interest.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, " No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (NKJV)

There's a story about David in the book of 1 Samuel. In verse 37, David gives the reason why he can fight the giant Goliath. "Moreover David said, 'The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.' " David expressed his faith that God would give him the strength he needed to overcome the giant. And God did.

Stay true and God will give you the strength you need as well. You can count on Him, He has the perfect solution to your problems already in the works. Have a blessed day!

Greg Bishop is a Nazarene minister and owner of Greg's Furniture Service in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Another Day... Another Week

Hope you had a wonderful Resurrection Day celebration! Sadly, we were sick here and plans didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. It seems that the enemy fights us when our expectations are high, don't you think?

But we're ready for another day, another week, another chance to serve Jesus and draw ever closer to Him!

Isn't it comforting to know that in the midst of our trials and tribulations, which are simply a part of this life, Jesus will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He's always there for us. I don't know about you, but that brings me tremendous joy - even when life brings me down!

Praying your week is blessed... and I want to encourage you to let me know if there is something you'd like to see here on the Christian Daily Blog. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Or a topic you'd like us to cover?

While we never want to take the place of your local pastor and church family, we know that sometimes the anonymity of the Internet allows for more open sharing, and we invite you to share as you need and as God leads you to do.

We're here for you...

Re-Examining My Expectations

Why can't people just put their turn signal on and think about somebody else for a change?!” That was the recent headline in my brain that sparked a whole series of interesting thoughts and eventually, a new perspective.

I consider myself a generally considerate and courteous person. In the past, I have often found myself puzzled and frustrated when others neglect (what I would consider) even basic courtesies. For example, simple things like holding a door open a moment longer for the person following them into a building, expecting that items in a parked car will be safe and not stolen, counting on others to tell the truth, and of course putting a turn signal on so other drivers know what to expect. Unfortunately, I'm beginning to realize my expectations of the world are too high.

Jesus says:

“In the world you will have troubles, but I give you my peace.”

Part of this peace is understanding that the world will not live up to the “do to others as you would have them do to you” expectations that God commands. Worldly, or carnal wisdom says to look out for number one first. Selfishness is always the natural tendency, unless a Godly wisdom is introduced and applied.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

“That is to be expected” is the new phrase and perspective that I have about the world’s behavior. Although I don't agree, and will try to assert a Godly influence and show a different example with my life, my expectations are now lower for those who are outside of God’s Kingdom. It has given me a new grace and compassion. It has also given me another viewpoint of how large of a gap there is between God’s ways and the ways of this world.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)

It’s not that we are accepting their behavior (certainly not!), but just realizing that it is the world’s “default setting." Don't get me wrong, my own behavior, attitudes and actions are not always optimum. However, I know that God will finish the work He has started in me! My hope is in the Lord and I have great expectations of Him. I know He is trustworthy and is making all things work out for my good. Let’s consider in our own lives who we may have expectations of who didn't agree to or cannot meet them. The world cannot meet God’s expectations, nor do they understand that they need to (yet). Pray for those around you that they will have a new revelation of God’s love for them and of His glorious purpose and plan for their lives.

Guest post by Krista Dunk of Koinonia Business Women.