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Monday, January 15, 2024

It Can Be a Concert

    


I'll get straight to the point. Worship can be a concert. Worship can be entertaining. Worship can include expensive lights, fancy sound systems, talented singers, and exuberant and raucous crowds. This might offend some Christians who prefer their reverent and tame services. Certain Christians often cling to a canon of reverent songs and exclude songs that feel too modern or rambunctious. However, I am more and more convinced that God requires worship that is emotional, high-spirited, personal, and empowering. It takes on many forms, and I don't devalue free expression.
    When Jesus met the woman at the well, He emphasized that one must worship in Spirit and in truth. This means anyone who wishes to worship must first acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and be honest in their worship. Therefore, it seems to be less about lofty standards, and more about motivation and faith. I have encountered Christians who have an aversion to worship that comes in the form of a concert. They get uncomfortable when Christian music is similar to secular forms. (I am not referring to secular lyrics, I am referring to secular composition, which include things like thunderous beats and catchy melodies.)
    I saw a video of Christians worshipping along with a Christian rapper. The crowd was extremely energetic and shouting truths about God's character. There were some naysayers who accused the teens of becoming "like the world in their worship". That accusation irked me because "the world" doesn't claim Christ as Messiah. These teens were shouting to the roof tops that Jesus is Christ! Our God owns rap just as much as He owns our beloved hymns.
    The song by Brandon Lake entitled "Count 'Em" is a perfect example of this concept. It might be easy to assume that Brandon Lake has copied a musical genre to sell records to a larger crowd. The song is catchy and the composition is more modern. Someone might assume that this song doesn't glorify God because it sounds too secular. I disagree with such an assumption. God is redeeming all musical forms. When I hear this song, I feel God's power. The song is also well written and the backup choir is crazy talented. God is a singing God, and I have no qualms with rocking out to this powerful expression of worship. Worship can be a concert!

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Why Israel? Why the Jews?


I grew up with Bible stories, so my faith and religion gave me some context for Jewish history and culture. However, I don't think my church upbringing can be blamed for my personal obsession with Jewish culture and heritage. If anything, the catechism at my church emphasized that there is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles since we are all one in Christ. Which, I must state, is an accurate interpretation of both the teaching of Christ and the Epistles. However, I can't deny that I elevate the Jewish people.
Intellectually, I understand they are just people like everyone else. However, my spirit and emotions do not submit to this intellectual knowledge. When someone reveals that they have Jewish heritage, my heart races. I instantly get giddy while at the same time experience a deep reverence. If I am in the presence of a person who is a descendent of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I am NOT going to remain calm and pretend I'm not overwhelmed.
I don't really remember where or when this fascination materialized. I feel like it was a slow progression of interest that quickly grew into a full blown infatuation. I remember learning about the Holocaust, which led me down a path of watching documentaries. The Jews' resilience during that horrible period of time shocked me. Learning about the Holocaust led me to research more about the Jews and their religious practices. Later, I started watching foreign films from the Middle East. There is much to investigate: their ceremonial dress, dietary laws, holidays, their own calendar, and well...the rabbit hole never ends. I wish I could describe the inner glory I feel when I am in the presence of someone from Jewish decent. Yes, I understand how weird that sounds. I must emphasize that it is an honest and involuntary reaction. 
I must mention that I also met some Palestinian believers when I was studying at Taylor University. I actually felt a similar feeling. Knowing that they actually lived in the Holy Land was enough for me to be mesmerized by them. That entire region and history pulls at my heart strings. There is much to say about the current crisis in the Holy Land, but this blog post won't enter into that conversation. 
I recently found a YouTube channel with a man who talked about the history of the land and went on tours around the city. Due to my mental health, traveling to Israel isn't something I can do. I felt like God whispered to me, "You can't go there physically now, but I will reveal her beauty to you." As this YouTuber traveled the streets of Israel, it felt like Jesus was taking my hand and leading me through His hometown. I can't even express how glorious it felt. He knew I couldn't travel there, but He made a way for me to experience it. He's romantic!
Loving the Jewish culture and the Jewish people is now engrained inside me. I don't really understand it myself. It is a spiritual matter that I haven't been able to discern in its fullness. Why do I love the Jews so much?? Probably more than I should. Well, I know the source is Jesus. He is a Jewish man after all.  I do love Him, so perhaps my obsession with His people is both rational and acceptable.

Wednesday, July 05, 2023

Martin Luther and Me


Martin Luther is on my mind, a pestering earworm. I find myself asking questions. How much conviction and bravery did it take to challenge a foundational institution? How often did he wrestle with insecurity and confusion? Did he know his conviction would lead to a fundamental change in the practice of faith for millions? If I shared his distaste for the abuse of church power, would I have done the same thing?

I need to read more about him. I have a basic knowledge of what he did to start the protestant reformation. I can envision him with hammer, pounding a nail into the doors of the Castle Church at Wittenberg. Even though I can envision his actions, I haven't study his theses in depth. I haven't read his other works. I watched one movie about him. I was reared in a protestant church, so my catechism teachings have some foundation in his choice to question the church's improper use of indulgences. However, I don't know why he felt the necessity to act. I hope to remedy that.

This stirs my own conviction, wondering if I should follow in his footsteps. I have some grievances against organized religion too. Do I just remain silent. Do I journal about it with no real intention of forcing others to listen to my inclinations? Do I get dogmatic and preach against the current church model like a raging lunatic? Haven't come to any conclusion yet.

What are my grievances? I fear liturgical church has stifled the Holy Spirit. I don't think liturgy is inherently wrong. Actually, it can be very beautiful and unifying.  However, the concept of a required, rigorously scheduled service steals my peace. Arrive at 9:30am. Grab a coffee and fellowship in the lobby. Service starts at 10:00am. Worship is done at 10:30. Announcements follow. Preacher preaches for 30 to 45 minutes. Lord's supper once a month. Collection/Tithe is collected. Two more worship songs. Congregation is dismissed. This schedule is easily found in many evangelical churches. More traditional churches are even more liturgical, even coming with a manual guide called a bulletin.

Church liturgy and schedules are not inherently evil, but it feels like a grocery list to me. I assume it makes it easier on the church staff to have a consistent template for worship services. It makes everything ordered and easy. It fits into our American culture, everything neat and tidy. However, as someone who has encountered God powerfully in prayer rooms, a sanitized and predictable service lacks luster and authenticity. I want churches to function more like prayer gatherings because the soul purpose can be free fellowship with the Spirit, obtaining revelatory knowledge of God, loving Jesus, and engaging with our neighbor. I think church services could become prayer services without losing anything! All of the spiritual gifts could function. I believe there is a path to altering the current church model to function more like a house of prayer.

Last Sunday, I really didn't want to attend church. I wanted to meet with God and His people! I just didn't want to go through the motions again. Actually, the church I attend is better with its service than many I have attended. However, even this church falls into the rut of doing things how we have always done them. (I don't blame the leadership for this!) I decided to attend church despite my vexation. I was pleasantly surprised. The service did follow its regiment for the most part. However, they intentionally stopped the regular service to give the Spirit time. It was only about 5 to 7 minutes. It didn't last long, but it was exactly what I needed. My anxiety left. I could just sit in my chair without having to engage in the rigmarole of a typical service. I could saturate myself in the presence of Christ and listen to His Spirit. Peace flooded me. It's possible that God can change an engrained pattern, if He desires. He can remove the idol of organized church and reinstitute His house of prayer.

I don't claim to have this all sorted out. I realize this idea might be far more complicated than I can even imagine, but after witnessing the Asbury revival, I know it's possible. Unlike Martin Luther's calling, I don't feel the need to reprimand our current church model. I don't think liturgical practices are wicked. It's just an old wine skin, and Jesus is pouring out wine that might require a new wine skin. This change might not be a global movement. Perhaps, it is simply the type of service I need.

Sunday, May 14, 2023

The Aftermath

I did it! I wrote a script, which finally made it's way to the stage. "Our Little Revolution" came to me in 2008, and it reached fruition in 2023! Despite all my doubts and insecurities, people came and appeared to enjoy it. I had conversations with people who broke down in tears. I hate to admit that this was my goal, but it certainly was an objective. I received accolades alongside some minor push back.

The play was about abortion. It had an obvious pro-life message, but the foremost theme was about having difficult conversations and working through disagreement. I might pick the script up again and make changes. There were obvious flaws in dialogue, continuity, and character development. There are two character that I want to flesh out more. However, I also have an inkling to just let it go. It was what it was. I don't envision it finding another stage unless someone actually approaches me about it. It was here and now it's gone. This play has lost it momentum. I want to write about new characters, new settings, new themes, and invigorate my creativity with other possibilities.

This whole process has taught me lesson upon lesson. (Most of those lessons are too personal and raw to share.) My cast and I were able to reflect on the process, and that was the most rewarding aspect. This play was only for a select few. The theatre is a small community theatre with Christian values. It wasn't meant to draw massive crowds. Due to the intimacies of the community, I was able to have deep conversations with those who experienced it. I'm thankful I wasn't inundated with mass crowds coming to give less than heart-felt congratulations. A space was miraculously created for catharsis. This venture was never about elevating my talents; it was about giving the community a place to face their pain and perhaps find mechanisms to heal that pain.

I'm not delusional. This play didn't meet my high standards. I was lazy as a playwright, and my directing skills need refinement. For this very reason, I chose a life in community theatre instead of within a professional setting. I am not looking for hype, unbelievable skill, or excessive self-promotion. It's about instilling a love for theatre in the amateur. Two of my actors had little previous stage experience. It gave me an unspeakable joy to work with them as they discovered the glamorous exercise of embodying someone who is both like you and not like you at all.

I must confess that I am experiencing the unexpected emotion of despondency. I poured energy and emotion into this script since 2008. My life has been a rollercoaster for those fifteen years. I've matured and turned into someone I could have never predicted. It amazes me how much theatre teaches me about myself. Sometimes it is a welcomed journey, and sometimes it is uncomfortable. I'm thankful I have another project; otherwise, I might fall into a depression. Now, I am co-directing a play for 28 teenagers. I'll be busy, so I won't have time to grieve the ending of "Our Little Revolution".

I am beyond thankful for my cast and crew: Micah, Jacob, Judy, Dakota, Karen, Jason, Carter, Seth, and Stacie. Their love and support are a rare treasure. I want to thank Rachel and Danny for being there in 2008 to encourage me when God called me to write this script. I also want to thank them for making the trip to see it in 2023. I also want to thank Lisa, Isabel, and dad for making the trip too. It is always pleasant to share theatre with family. Obviously, I want to thank EVERYONE who filled a seat. I can't mention everyone by name, but you know who you are!! Finally, I want to thank everyone who donated to First Choice and Lil Miracles. I don't just want to have an esoteric experience that does nothing to change society. I want to love them both, mother and unborn child.

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Describing an Outpouring


I want this blog to be concise and well written, but it won't be. I'll ramble. I have too much to say, and my intellect will fail to explain what just happened. I don't know if you are aware, but God is breaking out. I'm sure a portion of you have heard about the Asbury outpouring. Yes, I am referring to that outbreak. However, I am also not limiting the move to that time and place. God has secretly been placing a hunger for an outpouring in His bride for a long while. Sometimes that outpouring came in hiddenness. Sometimes it came in a massive gathering. I've always known God was on the move, but I feel people outside the church and inside the church are starting to recognize it more. They are being drawn away from their screens, hungry for a true expression of Christianity. Hungry for community.

I knew with everything going on in my life, specifically my increase need for the body of Christ, I had to go to church tonight. I've been struggling to find a church for awhile now. God was calling me to a church called Kingdom Life, but I knew this wasn't an easy calling. I fought it for awhile. I knew God was going to move in their congregation. However, I also knew I would have to face some hardships that needed healing. They are currently teaching about worship. I faced pain during the sermon. Hurts from other congregations. Past experiences where my worship was extinguished. I knew God was going to renew my freedom in worship in the midst of that heartache. I don't expect you, the reader, to understand all that. It's all very personal. All that to say, I now feel like I need to commit to going to this church on a more regular basis. Even call Kingdom Life my home church.

Tonight as I was driving to Kingdom Life, I knew God was about to move. It was more than a hope. It was time. It was time for God to celebrate with His people in a new and special way.  He did just as I hoped. After a good basic teaching on worship, then some powerful baptisms, the room erupted in dancing, singing, embracing, laughing, and heartful joy. I just sat back, maybe rocking a little bit, and watched the Lord move like I have asked Him to move. I felt like I was at a wedding ceremony. So much joy and freedom!

Certainly, God spoke to me on intimate levels, but He also revealed the beauty of the body of Christ surrounding me. My focus was outward and upward. I felt connected to everyone in the room even the strangers. These believers were obviously so ready to throw off their shackles and praise God in freedom. I also celebrated with the leadership, those who have toiled in prayer for those under their influence. They didn't feel the need to reign people into subserviently robots. They wanted them to encounter God and be forever changed by Him!

The congregation reverently sang Defender during the baptisms. (Sang by Steffany Gretzinger in the video above.) It brought such healing to my heart because I know how much society can mock and try to quench unadulterated worship. God is our defender when we worship. Those who were baptized where welcomed into a community that would defend them and their worship.

I know there are some naysayers concerning this move. I'm not surprised, but even more than that, I don't care. It doesn't even matter anymore. If people want to be critics, let them. There are conflicting voices out there, and I am really only concerned about One voice.

I am so grateful to Asbury for their commitment to praise and their commitment to love one another. It can spread. I have experience, so I am fully aware that it takes effort and servanthood to carry the presence of God. It won't be sustainable if you just live off hype, and the community isn't prepared. I just do NOT believe that is the case with Asbury. Worship and praise is not just singing, although that is a very integral part. It is also loving on each other, building a community that takes the love of God outside the four walls, and serving people in the overflow! The lingering is essential too. Stay until the Spirit leads you elsewhere. The Gospel is FULL of stories of people gathering in crowds that were hard to control and manage. That is what God does. The church has a rich history of creating spaces that can sustain a move of God because God has taught them a better way!

Sorry! I know I'm rambling. I might not even be making sense. I can't really share this experience without a face to face encounter with you. I can't really explain what happened, if you weren't there. I am not expecting anything specific in this move. I know God can do whatever He wants. I won't decide what it should or should not look like. However, He gave me a promise tonight or rather reminded me of a promise. No one can take my worship. Nothing can. It's my holy and unquenchable weapon.

My blog title is "Describing an Outpouring". So many voices are trying to describe what is happening. There are many voices who have found wisdom by saying that you can't really describe it. It has to be experienced. God is a personal God who wants to meet you now! Right where you are presently.

If you are interested in Kingdom Life, you can go to this website: http://www.kingdomlifedisciples.org