Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
It was our delight to have Kaili home from college this weekend. During her fall break, there was a list of things that she wanted to do with the family, including carving the pumpkins together. While we spent many moments laughing and playing together as a family, we also had the joy of seeing my son, Cameron win District Finals in Varsity soccer on Saturday afternoon. It was freezing cold and raining, but well worth the hard work they put in! Congrats to the Lancers! The OCS Lancers compete for the Regional title on Wednesday at 4pm.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
So you call THIS worship?
I have been convicted beyond words of a few things. My heart has not been humble before God. I have been quick to cast the first pebble at those who have shared their opinion, given criticism to the "heart" of the musicians and been judgemental of style. We have been called too casual and irreverent before our Almighty God by a few by wearing jeans having a band and not caring. Rather than listen with an open heart, instead, I have turned a cold heart back and had a judgemental, calloused approach. Rather than give an answer with love, I have avoided any response and my response has come across as indifferent. This indifferent heart is a heart of avoidance. By not pusuing after the heart of these people, I have not pursued after the very heart of worship. This heart of indifference toward the people around us, causes a certain avoidance of a full God centered life of worship. Music, which is my passion and soul's cry is empty. Embracing the glory of this weakness will help me see the goodness of God. Loving people and pursuing after a life of worship is first found in extending humility, grace and mercy. Leaving behind this closed off heart is a daily process. We are commanded to do everything to the glory of God.
From Genesis to revelation, music plays an integral part of our worship of God. While "music" and "worship" aren't interchangeable terms, God does seem to delight in music. Ps. 92:1 says "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name." In Ephesians, we're told to make music in our hearts to the Lord. The Bible reveals that music played a central role around the heavenly throne and now plays a major role in worship around the heavenly throne. It is clear to me that God delights in OUR music! am I standing in the way of His delight? Am I holding back His amazing glory shining down on ALL of us, by having a heart that is closed off and secretly casting cold judgemental pebbles? Are you?
WORSHIP IS MORE THAN MUSIC
This should go without saying, but it needs to be said! The word "worship" was never meant to simply describe a musical style, or a part of the service, or a particular song. WE must work hard to remember that worship is a way of life- a continual response of obedience, love, awe, adoration, and service to God Almighty. Am I moving throughout this earth loving people and living a life of worship? Am I living a life of indifference and avoidance? How bout you? These are just some random thought that have been on my heart today.
I have been convicted beyond words of a few things. My heart has not been humble before God. I have been quick to cast the first pebble at those who have shared their opinion, given criticism to the "heart" of the musicians and been judgemental of style. We have been called too casual and irreverent before our Almighty God by a few by wearing jeans having a band and not caring. Rather than listen with an open heart, instead, I have turned a cold heart back and had a judgemental, calloused approach. Rather than give an answer with love, I have avoided any response and my response has come across as indifferent. This indifferent heart is a heart of avoidance. By not pusuing after the heart of these people, I have not pursued after the very heart of worship. This heart of indifference toward the people around us, causes a certain avoidance of a full God centered life of worship. Music, which is my passion and soul's cry is empty. Embracing the glory of this weakness will help me see the goodness of God. Loving people and pursuing after a life of worship is first found in extending humility, grace and mercy. Leaving behind this closed off heart is a daily process. We are commanded to do everything to the glory of God.
From Genesis to revelation, music plays an integral part of our worship of God. While "music" and "worship" aren't interchangeable terms, God does seem to delight in music. Ps. 92:1 says "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name." In Ephesians, we're told to make music in our hearts to the Lord. The Bible reveals that music played a central role around the heavenly throne and now plays a major role in worship around the heavenly throne. It is clear to me that God delights in OUR music! am I standing in the way of His delight? Am I holding back His amazing glory shining down on ALL of us, by having a heart that is closed off and secretly casting cold judgemental pebbles? Are you?
WORSHIP IS MORE THAN MUSIC
This should go without saying, but it needs to be said! The word "worship" was never meant to simply describe a musical style, or a part of the service, or a particular song. WE must work hard to remember that worship is a way of life- a continual response of obedience, love, awe, adoration, and service to God Almighty. Am I moving throughout this earth loving people and living a life of worship? Am I living a life of indifference and avoidance? How bout you? These are just some random thought that have been on my heart today.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
This week, we are saddened by the sudden loss of our friend Broeck Schermerhorn. While driving his car in Waterford on Thursday evening, he suffered a massive heart attack and Jesus called him home to be with Him immediately. Eric's dad was a giving, fun and precious man. We were privileged to play music with him, the day before, as he was our fill in drummer for the next couple of weeks. Please join us in praying for Eric, our lead guitarist in our contemporary service, and his precious family. Eric's son, Eric was drumming pencils on the back of the seats on Wednesday night, waiting for his dad to pack up his equipment. I asked him if he was gonna play drums someday. His response was; "Yep! just like my grandpa!"
Broeck is greatly missed and left a pretty cool legacy of things greater than money. He was involved in the work of Christ musically, served others and loved his family much! May that be said of us.
Peace be with you.
Broeck is greatly missed and left a pretty cool legacy of things greater than money. He was involved in the work of Christ musically, served others and loved his family much! May that be said of us.
Peace be with you.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Friday, September 04, 2009
This past week was filled with both challenges and learning curves. After the big weekend celebration for WCC, I packed my bags and loaded up the truck to take Kaili back to school. She's headed back to Grace college for her sophomore year of college. it was hard to leave her, but I know she is where God wants her to be right now! We then drove to Spring Hill where i was a sponsor for the OCS Expedition camp. Every year, they take the high school students to this camp to bond, start off the year focusing on Jesus. The LEAD team plans and organizes a great deal of it. They work really hard serving the students and exhibiting leadership qualities. Cameron is part of this team. It is an amazing time away.
This year the themes was "OZ" The team put together sketches and video clips of each one of the characters. They even had the monkeys! During one of the large group sessions, Cam and i shared a little bit about what God is doing in our lives. We respesented the Tin Man. "If I only had a heart" is what he said. We talked about how our hearts had been closed off to Jesus. My experience was when my dad died when I was 11years. The way I dealt with things was to close off and build up walls. I never really let anyone in to my heart and emotions. Being vulnerable was completely out of the question. Opening up and approaching life differently has been a challenge. But through the Holy Spirit's prompting and the learning to let go, I have learned to tear down those walls that safely held my heart captive. I still have a long way to go, but identifying the issue is part of the healing process.
After the session of sharing, I had several girls come up to me and share their heart. As difficult as it was to admit that I struggle in this area, I believe God used it for good. we all "have a heart". Do you ever let anyone in to see what that looks like? Most of all, do you let your Almighty Creator see your heart? maybe it's time we let down that guard around the walls of our heart and became real authentic followers of Jesus. What do you think?
This year the themes was "OZ" The team put together sketches and video clips of each one of the characters. They even had the monkeys! During one of the large group sessions, Cam and i shared a little bit about what God is doing in our lives. We respesented the Tin Man. "If I only had a heart" is what he said. We talked about how our hearts had been closed off to Jesus. My experience was when my dad died when I was 11years. The way I dealt with things was to close off and build up walls. I never really let anyone in to my heart and emotions. Being vulnerable was completely out of the question. Opening up and approaching life differently has been a challenge. But through the Holy Spirit's prompting and the learning to let go, I have learned to tear down those walls that safely held my heart captive. I still have a long way to go, but identifying the issue is part of the healing process.
After the session of sharing, I had several girls come up to me and share their heart. As difficult as it was to admit that I struggle in this area, I believe God used it for good. we all "have a heart". Do you ever let anyone in to see what that looks like? Most of all, do you let your Almighty Creator see your heart? maybe it's time we let down that guard around the walls of our heart and became real authentic followers of Jesus. What do you think?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Sunday, August 02, 2009
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