Blog Header – January 1, 2008
This week’s photo is a bridge in Fredericksburg, Virginia, during one of our rare snow storms. Fredericksburg is a wonderful town. Visit it if you ever get the chance. But do it soon, the rapidly expanding creep of the big city (Washington, DC) is rapidly overtaking this once relatively rural town.
Lynchburg Christmas
Last week I posted a few pictures of Washington, D.C., with the Christmas decorations brightening the early morning streets [Read that post.] Today my son and I were walking the streets of our hometown, Lynchburg, Va. I thought it would be nice to post a photo of this altogether different city with one of its Christmas decorations. My family really loves Lynchburg. It is a beautiful city with true depth of character. And the city is made more beautiful by the delightful people who live there. I’d invite you to visit, but I know that you would do the same thing we did once we visited—you’d pack up your family and move there. And eventually it would be just like Washington, D.C.—overcrowded.
But seriously, if you get the chance to visit Lynchburg, do so. You’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
Lynchburg Christmas
Last week I posted a few pictures of Washington, D.C., with the Christmas decorations brightening the early morning streets [Read that post.] Today my son and I were walking the streets of our hometown, Lynchburg, Va. I thought it would be nice to post a photo of this altogether different city with one of its Christmas decorations. My family really loves Lynchburg. It is a beautiful city with true depth of character. And the city is made more beautiful by the delightful people who live there. I’d invite you to visit, but I know that you would do the same thing we did once we visited—you’d pack up your family and move there. And eventually it would be just like Washington, D.C.—overcrowded.
But seriously, if you get the chance to visit Lynchburg, do so. You’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
Bible Study Blog
My father has just entered the world of blogging. He will be using web log technology to communicate with his Sunday school class and others who may be interested in their topics of study.
If you get the chance, check out the Navigators Blog and join the bible study discussions.
Bible Study Blog
My father has just entered the world of blogging. He will be using web log technology to communicate with his Sunday school class and others who may be interested in their topics of study.
If you get the chance, check out the Navigators Blog and join the bible study discussions.
The ghost of Christmas past
Many of us feel a bit of letdown after Christmas has ended. The month-long excitement of the season ends suddenly with almost no decrescendo. The anticipation begins to build around Thanksgiving and increases steadily and seemingly exponentially with each day until Christmas Day arrives. The surrounding events (visits with family and friends, Christmas pageants, special church services, Christmas caroling, etc.) increase as the big day approaches.
But then the day is over. The presents have been unwrapped. The wrappings and bows have been thrown away or stored for next year’s use. And although the tree remains in the living room and the lights still shine on the houses for a few more days, they seem to be simply a leftover and to not have any true reason for being there.
As with everything else, our son’s version of the “Post-Christmas Blues” is extreme. It displays itself with a severity that is almost impossible to describe. And I tend to react to this each year rather than remembering that it happens each year and being prepared for it. Can this annual post-Christmas emotional meltdown provide an opportunity for teaching?
Jon Bloom of Desiring God Ministries provides some solid insight into this question with his post, “Hopeful Post-Christmas Melancholy.”
The ghost of Christmas past
Many of us feel a bit of letdown after Christmas has ended. The month-long excitement of the season ends suddenly with almost no decrescendo. The anticipation begins to build around Thanksgiving and increases steadily and seemingly exponentially with each day until Christmas Day arrives. The surrounding events (visits with family and friends, Christmas pageants, special church services, Christmas caroling, etc.) increase as the big day approaches.
But then the day is over. The presents have been unwrapped. The wrappings and bows have been thrown away or stored for next year’s use. And although the tree remains in the living room and the lights still shine on the houses for a few more days, they seem to be simply a leftover and to not have any true reason for being there.
As with everything else, our son’s version of the “Post-Christmas Blues” is extreme. It displays itself with a severity that is almost impossible to describe. And I tend to react to this each year rather than remembering that it happens each year and being prepared for it. Can this annual post-Christmas emotional meltdown provide an opportunity for teaching?
Jon Bloom of Desiring God Ministries provides some solid insight into this question with his post, “Hopeful Post-Christmas Melancholy.”
Merry Christmas
Following our family tradition, our son could not get to sleep on Christmas Eve until well past 2:00 am. He came into our room to get us up to open presents at 5:14am. In between those hours, we had to put out the presents “from Santa.” So lack of sleep is the order of the day.
But we had a good time and our son is enjoying his presents. He’s building a K’nex “Starburst Spinner” right now. K’nex are amazing. Much better than the Erector Sets we used to have as children. In fact, here it is in completed form:
Last night our church had a candlelight Christmas Eve worship service. Several people sang special music and our youth pastor read the delightful Tale of the Three Trees, which you may read more about here. The congregation sang Christmas carols, one of the men presented a message about the fact that Christ came “to save his people from their sins.” We all held candles and sang “Silent Night” at the end of the service. When the song was finished, together we extinguished our candles. It was a wonderful reverential time.
Praise the Lord for the wonderful salvation he has prepared for his people. No other religion solves the problem of human sin by God dying to pay the penalty of that sin—because no other religion is the True religion. What a wonderful God we worship and love.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Following our family tradition, our son could not get to sleep on Christmas Eve until well past 2:00 am. He came into our room to get us up to open presents at 5:14am. In between those hours, we had to put out the presents “from Santa.” So lack of sleep is the order of the day.
But we had a good time and our son is enjoying his presents. He’s building a K’nex “Starburst Spinner” right now. K’nex are amazing. Much better than the Erector Sets we used to have as children. In fact, here it is in completed form:
Last night our church had a candlelight Christmas Eve worship service. Several people sang special music and our youth pastor read the delightful Tale of the Three Trees, which you may read more about here. The congregation sang Christmas carols, one of the men presented a message about the fact that Christ came “to save his people from their sins.” We all held candles and sang “Silent Night” at the end of the service. When the song was finished, together we extinguished our candles. It was a wonderful reverential time.
Praise the Lord for the wonderful salvation he has prepared for his people. No other religion solves the problem of human sin by God dying to pay the penalty of that sin—because no other religion is the True religion. What a wonderful God we worship and love.
Merry Christmas
Hidrances to worship
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
—Ephesians 5:18-21
I have thought a lot recently about the need to reclaim “horizontal” worship. The emphasis on “vertical” worship that has been so popular in recent years has led to a self-centered, self-absorbed music experience in our churches. The congregants are directed to worship with their God and to not care about what those around them may think (the Christian version of: “Wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care,” I guess). And the worship leaders have presented songs that are designed for personal communion with God at best or simply for emotional stimulation at worst. Gone is the concept of corporate worship, in which we edify the brothers and worship OUR God who gave His life to redeem US.
Bob Kauflin gives some solid guidance on this directive from Paul in his post on Addressing One Another in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In this article Kauflin discusses practices that hinder horizontal awareness in worship:
Over the years, most of us have developed a few practices that can hinder any benefit we might receive from addressing one another as we sing.
- Singing songs that lack biblical substance or doctrinal depth. If the songs we’re singing are primarily subjective, and focused on how we feel, what we’re doing, or some other subjective element, we’re not going to have much to say to each other.
- Thinking that “worship” means closing my eyes, raising my hands, and blocking out everyone else around me. I’ve had many profound moments like that, as I’ve focused in an undistracted way on the words I’m singing and the Savior I’m singing to. But being Spirit-filled should actually make us more aware of others, not less. Many of the songs we sing aren’t even directed towards God. Crown Him with Many Crowns, Before the Throne of God Above, and Amazing Grace, are a few that come to mind. So when I lead I probably have my eyes open more than half the time. I’m looking around, addressing others, celebrating the fact that we can glory in Jesus Christ together. I do that even when I’m not leading, sometimes turning to someone beside me to rejoice in God’s grace. I want to benefit from the fact that I’m with the people of God.
- Singing alone. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with praising God on my own. But in the age of iPods, earphones, and Internet downloads, it’s easy to lose our appreciation for singing with the church. The Spirit intends us to join our hearts to each other as well as to Christ when we sing.
Hidrances to worship
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
—Ephesians 5:18-21
I have thought a lot recently about the need to reclaim “horizontal” worship. The emphasis on “vertical” worship that has been so popular in recent years has led to a self-centered, self-absorbed music experience in our churches. The congregants are directed to worship with their God and to not care about what those around them may think (the Christian version of: “Wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care,” I guess). And the worship leaders have presented songs that are designed for personal communion with God at best or simply for emotional stimulation at worst. Gone is the concept of corporate worship, in which we edify the brothers and worship OUR God who gave His life to redeem US.
Bob Kauflin gives some solid guidance on this directive from Paul in his post on Addressing One Another in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In this article Kauflin discusses practices that hinder horizontal awareness in worship:
Over the years, most of us have developed a few practices that can hinder any benefit we might receive from addressing one another as we sing.
- Singing songs that lack biblical substance or doctrinal depth. If the songs we’re singing are primarily subjective, and focused on how we feel, what we’re doing, or some other subjective element, we’re not going to have much to say to each other.
- Thinking that “worship” means closing my eyes, raising my hands, and blocking out everyone else around me. I’ve had many profound moments like that, as I’ve focused in an undistracted way on the words I’m singing and the Savior I’m singing to. But being Spirit-filled should actually make us more aware of others, not less. Many of the songs we sing aren’t even directed towards God. Crown Him with Many Crowns, Before the Throne of God Above, and Amazing Grace, are a few that come to mind. So when I lead I probably have my eyes open more than half the time. I’m looking around, addressing others, celebrating the fact that we can glory in Jesus Christ together. I do that even when I’m not leading, sometimes turning to someone beside me to rejoice in God’s grace. I want to benefit from the fact that I’m with the people of God.
- Singing alone. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with praising God on my own. But in the age of iPods, earphones, and Internet downloads, it’s easy to lose our appreciation for singing with the church. The Spirit intends us to join our hearts to each other as well as to Christ when we sing.
By His grace - For His glory 