pointe of worship

Real Worship

The following excerpt from Tim Steven's blog came from an interesting discussion on "what is worship." More specifically, the post was in response to an ongoing argument regarding secular music in church... but Tim makes a strong point about all forms of worship.

"Worship is a personal thing. You can't look at someone in a worship service who is singing praise songs and lifting their hands and know for sure that they are worshiping. It is a heart issue. They might be thinking about a recipe for lasagna.

You also can't look at someone who stays seated in a worship service (while everyone else is standing), arms folded, staring straight ahead, not participating...and know that they are not worshiping.

A few years back I was with a friend in Vienna and we walked into St. Stephen's Cathedral. His eyes instantly filled with tears as the majesty and history of the building brought him to a place of awe about the majesty of God. I stood there thinking about the architecture and construction process. For my friend, it was worship. For me, it was not.

For some, spending time in nature makes them aware of the awesomeness of their God. For others, standing at the base of a skyscraper in New York City does the same thing. For many, a church service filled with praise songs about God will usher them into the presence of God. For me, that rarely does it. But the excellence of a musician playing their instrument without words--it makes me so aware of the amazing splendor of our Creator God."

I couldn't agree more. Worship must be about what is happening between the individual and God, not about what is happening (or perceived to be happening) between two or more individuals. True, we can and should help each other in worship through encouragement and atmosphere... but when it comes down to it, are you communing with God or are you just communing with your friends?  

So what should church include and what should it not include? I suppose if I asked that question to 100 people I would get 100 variations of an answer - in part because we are all traditionalists in some way and look for what we know, what we have been taught, what society has shown us to be "true". But honestly, I don't think for a minute that I or anyone else do this thing called "worship" exactly right. We are all lacking; traditionalists, contemporary, post-modernists... we are all unworthy to stand before God. But like the little drummer boy and Mary, when we bring God an offering from the heart we can thank Him for His grace in accepting our worship regardless of the form or level of splendor. If our hearts are tuned to God and intent on bringing Him praise, what we have to bring is acceptable in His eyes. If our hearts are tuned to serving our 1-hour per week penance, then my guess is it's not so acceptable. 

I simply propose this: Church should include all things that bring glory to God and exclude all things that do not... as should your life.

Car Talk

I am a huge fan of the NPR program "Car Talk". In the past, I have purposely taken the long route to my destination just so I could listen to the entire program. However, recently I discovered Car Talk on iTunes and now the shows are automatically downloaded to my iPod and ready to restart wherever I leave off. Technology is a beautiful thing!

Speaking of cars and new things, what I drive is arguably classified as neither. My 1994 Chevy S-10 has had nearly every part replaced, including the engine. But now things are beginning to break at record pace and, as she ages less and less gracefully, I am less inclined to fix that which I can simply put up with. This results in car repair people coming back out into the waiting room to ask me things like "how do I release your emergency brake?" or "where is the hood latch?" (the cables for both of these items have long since broke and require special operating knowledge). So, for those of you wondering why I'm too lazy to properly maintain my vehicle... let's create a list of items yet to be repaired and see if I have good reasoning as to why they remain in this condition:

Air Conditioning: This went out a couple years ago, but it's only painful for a short time during the summer months (albeit a bit more so during summer rainstorms when the windows have to be rolled up). So drive fast, keep the windows down and pray for an early fall... problem solved. 

Power Steering: It's really only hard to turn when you are moving slowly, i.e. rounding slow and tight corners, moving in or out of parking spaces, backing up or dodging slow squirrels. So I just put my back (arms, legs, hips and toes) into it and take fulfillment in the knowledge that I'm getting a great workout every time I drive. 

Driver Side Window Crank: This is "mostly" there... with the exception of the round spinning knob. I can still raise and lower the window, it just takes a bit more time. Nuisance? I like to think of it as a good finger dexterity exercise.

 

Spare Tire Hanger: Some time last year while driving in downtown New Haven CT, my wife and I heard and felt a tremendous bump. My wife mentioned she thought I lost a wheel. I somewhat sarcastically replied, "of course not, I'm still driving aren't I?" To which she emphatically stated "but I just saw a tire rolling across the street behind your truck!" She was right... my spare tire hanger cable had broken and the spare tire was making a desperate run for a better vehicle! Should I repair this? Of course not - that's why they made pickup truck beds... to haul tools, chairs, dogs, washing machines and spare tires!  

Hood and Emergency Brake Releases:  Again, they are still "there"... just a little further back. A small pair of pliers can still grab what's left of the hood release cable.  The location of the emergency brake release is so far back, for those who don't know where it is... it's a theft deterrent device. Who needs a car alarm? 

Horn Cover, Turn Signals and Wiper Controls: Two weeks ago my horn cover, which had already been somewhat loose, fell off as I was negotiating a left turn. Because it was still connected by a small wire, the cover wrapped over the turn signal arm as I turned and snapped the entire assembly right off.  Now, I can still honk my horn... I just touch the end of the wire to the metal plate. I can still signal turns... I just hold the turn signal in the slot while I prepare to turn. However, I cannot operate my wipers... but hey, there's always Rain-X. 

 

Key Operation for the Passenger Side Door Lock: If you have been paying attention thus far, you can guess how many people are willing to ride in my truck with me. Problem solved.