Open The Blinds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiXZYiyB1L4
At 5:30 am, I heard my baby boy awake. He is still figuring out what it means to to get a full night's rest. I knew his crying was not from a pressing need, so I laid still to see if he may wander back into sleep. As I lay there, I noticed the sun beginning to rise from the horizon. Because of the amount of light entering the room, I knew that the sun was making it's appearance for the first time that day. I've seen the beauty of a sunrise before, but it isn't a regular occurrence for this night owl. My mind was telling me, "get up, go watch the sun come up," but my body was not responding. So, I laid there staring at the closed blinds, knowing that something beautiful was taking place just beyond them.
Unfortunately, I live with the blinds closed to God's beauty all too often. His beauty is pretty obvious (as obvious as the sun rise), but the choice to open the blinds is not always natural or easy. The blinds in my life are the things that don't go my way; the negative and critical. There are so many let-downs, disappointments, unmet expectations, and difficult circumstances that I often become content with whining and self pity. So, I choose to stare at the blinds instead of choosing to fix my eyes on the beauty of the Lord filling up the universe.
I am in need of God's grace to daily make the conscious choice to open the blinds to God's beauty in my life. I know we can never just take the blinds down, but I am praying for the will to choose to open them new every morning.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thief
"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." --John 10:10
Have you ever called the devil, "thief?" It's an interesting name for the enemy; one that Christ uses in John's gospel. What is it that Satan is stealing from you?
Just last week my wife and I moved into our new home in Gardner, KS. As you would expect, the move was filled with excitement and stress. We were thrilled to be purchasing our first home and excited about our new community, but the stress of moving is almost unbearable. Our lives were consumed with packing, cleaning, changing addresses, canceling services, adding new services, closing, cleaning some more, renting a truck, finding help, cleaning again, unpacking, and so much more. After the first few stressful days in our new home, I could sense my attitude sinking into the dumps.
The day after we moved all of our stuff to the new place, I went to the old place to clean. In the midst of an all day cleaning session, I found out that the cable company that was supposed to be at our new house installing internet that day had backed out on their appointment. After two hours on the phone trying to understand what just happened, and working towards a solution, my attitude was completed wasted.
After 8 hours of cleaning and a disappointing experience with the cable company, I returned home to our new place in time for some friends of ours to visit. As I sulked in my own pity, our visiting friends celebrated the blessings we had been given with this new home. As they walked through the home you could sense their genuine excitement and joy for us. They were seeing all the good things right in front of me that I was missing. They revealed to me that my joy and gratitude had been stolen by the "thief."
After our friends left, the Spirit of God helped me to understand that in a moment of stress and frustration, the enemy had snuck in to deceive me. He had stolen my joy and gratitude by making the focus of my heart the stress and disappointment I was experiencing rather than the blessings God was granting. My circumstances were not discouraging, but my focus and perspective had been hi-jacked. There was a thief at work in my heart, keeping me from blessings and presence of God.
There is a thief running loose in your spiritual neighborhood. Do all you can to protect yourself.
"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." --John 10:10
Have you ever called the devil, "thief?" It's an interesting name for the enemy; one that Christ uses in John's gospel. What is it that Satan is stealing from you?
Just last week my wife and I moved into our new home in Gardner, KS. As you would expect, the move was filled with excitement and stress. We were thrilled to be purchasing our first home and excited about our new community, but the stress of moving is almost unbearable. Our lives were consumed with packing, cleaning, changing addresses, canceling services, adding new services, closing, cleaning some more, renting a truck, finding help, cleaning again, unpacking, and so much more. After the first few stressful days in our new home, I could sense my attitude sinking into the dumps.
The day after we moved all of our stuff to the new place, I went to the old place to clean. In the midst of an all day cleaning session, I found out that the cable company that was supposed to be at our new house installing internet that day had backed out on their appointment. After two hours on the phone trying to understand what just happened, and working towards a solution, my attitude was completed wasted.
After 8 hours of cleaning and a disappointing experience with the cable company, I returned home to our new place in time for some friends of ours to visit. As I sulked in my own pity, our visiting friends celebrated the blessings we had been given with this new home. As they walked through the home you could sense their genuine excitement and joy for us. They were seeing all the good things right in front of me that I was missing. They revealed to me that my joy and gratitude had been stolen by the "thief."
After our friends left, the Spirit of God helped me to understand that in a moment of stress and frustration, the enemy had snuck in to deceive me. He had stolen my joy and gratitude by making the focus of my heart the stress and disappointment I was experiencing rather than the blessings God was granting. My circumstances were not discouraging, but my focus and perspective had been hi-jacked. There was a thief at work in my heart, keeping me from blessings and presence of God.
There is a thief running loose in your spiritual neighborhood. Do all you can to protect yourself.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Hockey
I have been waiting for this day for quite some time -- NHL opening day. I love opening days, especially in the NHL. This is the year that the Blues finally...make the playoffs. I know that no one cares about hockey, but here is my season preview blog.
Let's start with the Blues. The Blue Notes are coming off a very disappointing season in which they found themselves 9-2, and the top team in ESPN's power rankings after the first few weeks. Unfortunately, the wheels came tumbling off as Halak wore down, Perron took a nasty hit to the head, and Oshie landed on his foot. Some bad luck, mixed with playing in the toughest division in the NHL resulted in a nasty slump and the Blues missing out on meaningful hockey. To rub dirt in the wound, the blues finished the season just strong enough to have to forfeit their conditional first round pick to Colorado. After a season of disappointing losses, the Blues needed to lose their last game to retain their first round pick, but they found a win in the one game they didn't want it. All this to say, I am glad it is opening day.
The Blues have a lot to prove this year. Davis Payne's honeymoon is over, Oshie and Berglund no longer have any excuses, Halak must step up, and all this to entice a buyer to purchase the Blues before the year is over. In my very amateurish opinion, these are the keys for the Blues this year:
1. Goaltending Consistency
Halak has shown that he can be spectacular, but he hasn't proven that he will show up every night. Halak's save percentage must improve over last year, especially considering how well the defense played. If Halak is consistent, the Blues will be in the playoffs.
2. Special Teams Production
Much of the dominant penalty kill from the 09 season is gone. Last year's penalty kill was adequate, but not the heartbeat of the team. The penalty kill can be just as energizing as a powerplay conversion, and the Blues must take pride in shutting other teams down. The injury to Crombeen will not help to begin the year, but the addition of Scott Nichol in the faceoff circle should be a huge improvement.
The powerplay lacks creativity and a lethal scorer. Steen will have to get his confidence early with his one-time slapper, and Backes will need to be more of net-front presence. If McDonald is willing to get to the net, he should lead the team in powerplay goals.
3. Faceoffs
Faceoffs are about effort, and the blues weren't trying very hard last year. With Backes as the first line center (converted from RW), he is still perfecting his skill on the dot. The addition of Nichol and Arnott will certainly help in the circle, but Berglund and Backes must lead the way with face off wins. For the Blues to be effective with their aggressive and physical style, they need to control the puck. Plus, nothing helps your special teams units more than a faceoff win.
4. Chris Stewart
I am somewhat disappointed to see that Stewart is not starting the year on the first line. With the addition of Langenbrunner, Stewart will begin the year on the second line. For the Blues to be effective this year, Stewart's goal production needs to be significant (30 goals seems realistic). If Stewart and Backes stay healthy and motivated, the Blues can be the toughest team to play in the Western Conference.
5. Avoiding Sophomore Slumps
Now that E.J. and Brewer are gone, the weight of the defensive responsibility rests on the shoulders of two sophomore D-men, Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. Both guys had amazing Rookie years and will need to avoid the sophomore slump for the Blues to be a top 8 team. The blues are deeper on defense than ever before, but the top guys must prove that they can keep guys out of the middle, and pucks out of the net. Defense always comes first, but the forwards will need some help with point production as well. Hopefully, these guys will make me forget about Erik Johnson completely.
My prediction: The Blues make the playoffs as a 6 seed, and upset the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs.
Now the rest of the league...
My previous two preseason, cup-winner predictions have fared pretty well. Chicago got it done two years ago, and the Canucks were 1 game away from making me 2 for 2. So, here is my pick for this season:
SJ Sharks defeat the Washington Capitals in 6 games.
I am not as confident as the previous two years, but I am feeling lucky!
If you hate hockey, I am sorry you wasted your time reading this post. If you have read every word, we should hang out and watch some hockey together this year. Let's all hope this is the year that Blues finally get back to where they belong; playing hockey games with 20:00 minute overtimes.
Happy Hockey!
Let's start with the Blues. The Blue Notes are coming off a very disappointing season in which they found themselves 9-2, and the top team in ESPN's power rankings after the first few weeks. Unfortunately, the wheels came tumbling off as Halak wore down, Perron took a nasty hit to the head, and Oshie landed on his foot. Some bad luck, mixed with playing in the toughest division in the NHL resulted in a nasty slump and the Blues missing out on meaningful hockey. To rub dirt in the wound, the blues finished the season just strong enough to have to forfeit their conditional first round pick to Colorado. After a season of disappointing losses, the Blues needed to lose their last game to retain their first round pick, but they found a win in the one game they didn't want it. All this to say, I am glad it is opening day.
The Blues have a lot to prove this year. Davis Payne's honeymoon is over, Oshie and Berglund no longer have any excuses, Halak must step up, and all this to entice a buyer to purchase the Blues before the year is over. In my very amateurish opinion, these are the keys for the Blues this year:
1. Goaltending Consistency
Halak has shown that he can be spectacular, but he hasn't proven that he will show up every night. Halak's save percentage must improve over last year, especially considering how well the defense played. If Halak is consistent, the Blues will be in the playoffs.
2. Special Teams Production
Much of the dominant penalty kill from the 09 season is gone. Last year's penalty kill was adequate, but not the heartbeat of the team. The penalty kill can be just as energizing as a powerplay conversion, and the Blues must take pride in shutting other teams down. The injury to Crombeen will not help to begin the year, but the addition of Scott Nichol in the faceoff circle should be a huge improvement.
The powerplay lacks creativity and a lethal scorer. Steen will have to get his confidence early with his one-time slapper, and Backes will need to be more of net-front presence. If McDonald is willing to get to the net, he should lead the team in powerplay goals.
3. Faceoffs
Faceoffs are about effort, and the blues weren't trying very hard last year. With Backes as the first line center (converted from RW), he is still perfecting his skill on the dot. The addition of Nichol and Arnott will certainly help in the circle, but Berglund and Backes must lead the way with face off wins. For the Blues to be effective with their aggressive and physical style, they need to control the puck. Plus, nothing helps your special teams units more than a faceoff win.
4. Chris Stewart
I am somewhat disappointed to see that Stewart is not starting the year on the first line. With the addition of Langenbrunner, Stewart will begin the year on the second line. For the Blues to be effective this year, Stewart's goal production needs to be significant (30 goals seems realistic). If Stewart and Backes stay healthy and motivated, the Blues can be the toughest team to play in the Western Conference.
5. Avoiding Sophomore Slumps
Now that E.J. and Brewer are gone, the weight of the defensive responsibility rests on the shoulders of two sophomore D-men, Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. Both guys had amazing Rookie years and will need to avoid the sophomore slump for the Blues to be a top 8 team. The blues are deeper on defense than ever before, but the top guys must prove that they can keep guys out of the middle, and pucks out of the net. Defense always comes first, but the forwards will need some help with point production as well. Hopefully, these guys will make me forget about Erik Johnson completely.
My prediction: The Blues make the playoffs as a 6 seed, and upset the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs.
Now the rest of the league...
My previous two preseason, cup-winner predictions have fared pretty well. Chicago got it done two years ago, and the Canucks were 1 game away from making me 2 for 2. So, here is my pick for this season:
SJ Sharks defeat the Washington Capitals in 6 games.
I am not as confident as the previous two years, but I am feeling lucky!
If you hate hockey, I am sorry you wasted your time reading this post. If you have read every word, we should hang out and watch some hockey together this year. Let's all hope this is the year that Blues finally get back to where they belong; playing hockey games with 20:00 minute overtimes.
Happy Hockey!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sinner and Savior
Today, I was encouraged by some great artists (Gungor, Kari Jobe, and All Sons & Daughters). God's revelation came in ways somewhat unexpected and surprising. Here are three thoughts that stuck out to me:
1. "You know my every move...You love for me to sing to you"
Kari Jobe has written a song called, "You Are For Me" with this phrase in the verse. As I sang these words, I thought about the unnerving fact that the God I worship knows my every move. More than that, he knows my every motive. As I contemplated the implications of God's all-knowing, ever-present nature, I thought about the Sundays that I lead worship and think to myself, "God doesn't want to hear it from me...not after the week I've had." As if God's acceptance of my worship is based on the pre-requisite of my behavior, I feel that I am unworthy of even worshipping. But, God doesn't feel that way. Just as his love and acceptance is unconditional, so is His grace when accepting our sacrifice of worship. This means there is no more shame, no more guilt, no more legalism. Only Freedom.
2. "I am a sinner, if it's not one thing it's another...You are a Savior and you take brokeness aside and make it beautiful"
As Paul cries out to God to remove the thorn from his flesh, God replies, "My grace is sufficient". Not only is God's grace sufficient, but ONLY God's grace is sufficient. I have been staring my sin in the eyes lately, and sin's scowl is haunting. Sometime's the power of sin seems overwhelming, as if it weren't one sin it would just be another. Yet God is a redeeming God. Not only is God redeeming sinful acts, he is redeeming sinners.
Sinners, like me.
3. "You make beautiful things out of us"
As I listened to Gungor shout these lyrics, I began to think of the beautiful things he has made from the dust of my life, and the lives of the people close to me. It is good to remember the dust from which you came. I thought about these beautiful things:
-- My 83 year old grandpa finding Jesus in the nursing
home and the new life he has inherited.
-- My best friend finding healing and restoration
in Christ after being sexually abused.
-- The miracle God worked in my life to heal me of anxiety
and empower me to live a life free of fear.
There is beauty all around me. May I not forget the dust from which the beauty was formed, and so, neglect the gratitude God is owed.
1. "You know my every move...You love for me to sing to you"
Kari Jobe has written a song called, "You Are For Me" with this phrase in the verse. As I sang these words, I thought about the unnerving fact that the God I worship knows my every move. More than that, he knows my every motive. As I contemplated the implications of God's all-knowing, ever-present nature, I thought about the Sundays that I lead worship and think to myself, "God doesn't want to hear it from me...not after the week I've had." As if God's acceptance of my worship is based on the pre-requisite of my behavior, I feel that I am unworthy of even worshipping. But, God doesn't feel that way. Just as his love and acceptance is unconditional, so is His grace when accepting our sacrifice of worship. This means there is no more shame, no more guilt, no more legalism. Only Freedom.
2. "I am a sinner, if it's not one thing it's another...You are a Savior and you take brokeness aside and make it beautiful"
As Paul cries out to God to remove the thorn from his flesh, God replies, "My grace is sufficient". Not only is God's grace sufficient, but ONLY God's grace is sufficient. I have been staring my sin in the eyes lately, and sin's scowl is haunting. Sometime's the power of sin seems overwhelming, as if it weren't one sin it would just be another. Yet God is a redeeming God. Not only is God redeeming sinful acts, he is redeeming sinners.
Sinners, like me.
3. "You make beautiful things out of us"
As I listened to Gungor shout these lyrics, I began to think of the beautiful things he has made from the dust of my life, and the lives of the people close to me. It is good to remember the dust from which you came. I thought about these beautiful things:
-- My 83 year old grandpa finding Jesus in the nursing
home and the new life he has inherited.
-- My best friend finding healing and restoration
in Christ after being sexually abused.
-- The miracle God worked in my life to heal me of anxiety
and empower me to live a life free of fear.
There is beauty all around me. May I not forget the dust from which the beauty was formed, and so, neglect the gratitude God is owed.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Our God Reigns
This week, I feel lucky to be able to attend the National Worship Leader's Conference here in town. Year after year, this conference has been an encouragement to my soul and a catalyst for new ideas and fresh movements of God. This year is proving to be more of the same.
The worship sessions at the conference are led by some of the most well-known worship leaders in the world. The production value is through the roof (and on the roof, sometimes), the hunger for God's presence amongst church leaders is contagious, and the level of musicianship and artistry is almost distracting. All that to say, it is easy to find myself 'swept away' in a movement toward God and His praise. This being my third year at this particular conference, I find myself heavier against that natural pull towards total abandon in worship. The enormity of the worship experience is more familiar, and less overwhelming. Which leaves me looking for something fresh, yet lasting and constant amidst an environment swirling with revelations from God.
Tonight I felt as if I were mining for the treasures of God. As I absorbed the lyrics, melodies, words, and images on the screen, I was waiting to here God's voice in a new way; I was trusting God to initiate a worshipful response. During this mining, as one of my favorite worship leading couples were leading, God revealed Himself to me in humbling way through the phrase, "Hallelujah, our God reigns". As we sang this phrase over and over, God revealed the circumstances in my life in which he is now, actively reigning. I began to imagine the broken, fragmented, discouraging, scary, hurtful, jealous areas of my life. Then, I had an image of God reigning in those moments. I also thought of the exciting, new, challenging opportunities ahead of me, and pictured God reigning there as well. Before, 'our God reigns' meant that He is generally in control of the universe and will have the last word. But now, God was revealing that 'our God reigns' means that he is present in our specific circumstances, in control of the chaos, and lovingly leading us.
I thought of our friends who desperately want to have children, but for whatever reason it hasn't happened. I thought of our friends and family out of work, in broken marriages, or in careers that don't satisfy. I thought about my son's arrival here in a few weeks. I thought about the opportunities that await Living Hope as we embrace our new home. The common thread in all of these situations is that I don't have the answers or explanations. To be honest, I don't even know the right things to say anymore. BUT, "Hallelujah, our God Reigns"
That revelation, the image of God as reigning in my specific circumstance, solicits a response. My response will be a life abandoned to the will and way of Christ.
The worship sessions at the conference are led by some of the most well-known worship leaders in the world. The production value is through the roof (and on the roof, sometimes), the hunger for God's presence amongst church leaders is contagious, and the level of musicianship and artistry is almost distracting. All that to say, it is easy to find myself 'swept away' in a movement toward God and His praise. This being my third year at this particular conference, I find myself heavier against that natural pull towards total abandon in worship. The enormity of the worship experience is more familiar, and less overwhelming. Which leaves me looking for something fresh, yet lasting and constant amidst an environment swirling with revelations from God.
Tonight I felt as if I were mining for the treasures of God. As I absorbed the lyrics, melodies, words, and images on the screen, I was waiting to here God's voice in a new way; I was trusting God to initiate a worshipful response. During this mining, as one of my favorite worship leading couples were leading, God revealed Himself to me in humbling way through the phrase, "Hallelujah, our God reigns". As we sang this phrase over and over, God revealed the circumstances in my life in which he is now, actively reigning. I began to imagine the broken, fragmented, discouraging, scary, hurtful, jealous areas of my life. Then, I had an image of God reigning in those moments. I also thought of the exciting, new, challenging opportunities ahead of me, and pictured God reigning there as well. Before, 'our God reigns' meant that He is generally in control of the universe and will have the last word. But now, God was revealing that 'our God reigns' means that he is present in our specific circumstances, in control of the chaos, and lovingly leading us.
I thought of our friends who desperately want to have children, but for whatever reason it hasn't happened. I thought of our friends and family out of work, in broken marriages, or in careers that don't satisfy. I thought about my son's arrival here in a few weeks. I thought about the opportunities that await Living Hope as we embrace our new home. The common thread in all of these situations is that I don't have the answers or explanations. To be honest, I don't even know the right things to say anymore. BUT, "Hallelujah, our God Reigns"
That revelation, the image of God as reigning in my specific circumstance, solicits a response. My response will be a life abandoned to the will and way of Christ.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Hello Again, Old Friend
I've spent a lot effort trying to convince people that church is not about "us" (believers) and "our wants, preferences, and even needs". In my efforts, I was hoping to encourage people to see church from less of a consumer's perspective and more from the perspective of "priests" (1 Pet. 2:9). Hoping to encourage 'the church' to lay down their rights in order to reach the world, I may have accidentally painted us all into corner that ultimately strands us from Grace. While our maturity should express a spirit of selflessness when it comes to the color, style, structure, and services, may we never be complacent with the message the church is declaring. The programs of the church may not be for you, but the 'good news' that the church has to share is always for you. In fact, sometimes I wonder if 'we' inside the church are more in need of God's grace than those we are trying to reach.
I recently heard a pastor share about a lady that visited his church and responded with an email about how grateful she was to be a part of their community for the day. The reason for her gratitude was, "It was apparent that those of you 'inside' the church needed your message". She was blessed to be a part of a church whose message of Grace was bigger than a one-time salvation for a life of mess-ups. She was excited to see Christians well beyond 'the sinner's prayer', that were just as desperate for grace as those who have yet to believe at all. She appreciated this particular pastor and his church because their gospel was for all people, at all times.
Unfortunately, it is all too easy to feel like the more your churched, the less grace you require; or at least your desperation and dependence on grace is not the same. Thankfully, the measure of God's grace is sufficient for us at all times. It is even big enough to cover us even when we are unaware of how much we need it.
I recently came across a song by Lisa Gungor called "Jesus and John" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6vvqAxjPBE). This song was a powerful reminder of the gift of grace that Jesus came to give us all. It is comforting to know that we can trust God's grace when all else is so untrustworthy. I hope you take some time to listen to this song and be reminded that life and salvation don't come from yourself, your friends, your church, or your merit, but only from faith in Christ. No matter where you are, how long you've known Christ as Messiah, or what you've done for Christ, we all need the GOSPEL message that the church is sharing!
I recently heard a pastor share about a lady that visited his church and responded with an email about how grateful she was to be a part of their community for the day. The reason for her gratitude was, "It was apparent that those of you 'inside' the church needed your message". She was blessed to be a part of a church whose message of Grace was bigger than a one-time salvation for a life of mess-ups. She was excited to see Christians well beyond 'the sinner's prayer', that were just as desperate for grace as those who have yet to believe at all. She appreciated this particular pastor and his church because their gospel was for all people, at all times.
Unfortunately, it is all too easy to feel like the more your churched, the less grace you require; or at least your desperation and dependence on grace is not the same. Thankfully, the measure of God's grace is sufficient for us at all times. It is even big enough to cover us even when we are unaware of how much we need it.
I recently came across a song by Lisa Gungor called "Jesus and John" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6vvqAxjPBE). This song was a powerful reminder of the gift of grace that Jesus came to give us all. It is comforting to know that we can trust God's grace when all else is so untrustworthy. I hope you take some time to listen to this song and be reminded that life and salvation don't come from yourself, your friends, your church, or your merit, but only from faith in Christ. No matter where you are, how long you've known Christ as Messiah, or what you've done for Christ, we all need the GOSPEL message that the church is sharing!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Worship From A Spent Heart
Luke 21
The Widow's Offering
1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Have you ever had the "Disney Land Worship Experience?" You know, the worship service where you could feel the Spirit's every move, hear God's voice almost audibly, and you felt free to express yourself in ways that you maybe never have before. The kind of experience that squelches any doubt of God's intimate presence with us as we worship Him. A time with God where lyrics and melody lines flowed in perfect harmony with your heart's overflowing state. Maybe you were with your closest friends, favorite band, perfectly situated in the ideal setting for communion with God. Possibly this experienced was birthed out of a period of God's blessing or a fresh move of His Spirit in your life.
I hope you have had those times of intimacy with God. I am thankful for my "Disney Land Worship Experiences." But, I am even more grateful to serve a God that values worship from a spent heart.
In Luke 21:1-4 we read an amazing story about worship. It's the story in which Jesus observes two types of offerings. The first offering was probably pretty impressive in terms of monetary value. A group of "rich" people offered their "gifts" to the Lord from a place of wealth, abundance, and financial security. They offered God a percentage of what they had. Then, Jesus observed a second type of offering. He observed an offering from a widow of two small copper coins (mites). The widow's offering did not even compare to what the "rich" gave in terms of value, yet Jesus responds with these words in verse 3, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
I love this story because it reminds me that God's value system is far different from that of the world's value system. And, unfortunately, God's value system is often much different than that of the church. God is longing for us to be dependent on Him. He is calling us to risk everything we have and reach a place of desperation. Whether we feel like we have much to give or not, we must give until we can give no longer. recently I read a quote from Shane Claiborne that beautifully summarizes the issue. It said, "True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left."
I don't believe God is evaluating our worship based on the size, emotion, or expression of our worship experience. God is simply asking for all you have to give. You may enter into worship with heavy burdens, hurt feelings, huge doubts, and a seemingly spacious chasm between you and the presence of God. Yet, God still desires your worship in that moment. He is waiting for you to place your life in His hands in an act of dependence and possible desperation. He values worship from a "spent heart."
Whether we have much or whether we have little, may we not hold back even "one mite" in our worship. May we be defined by what we have left, rather than by what we have given.
The Widow's Offering
1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Have you ever had the "Disney Land Worship Experience?" You know, the worship service where you could feel the Spirit's every move, hear God's voice almost audibly, and you felt free to express yourself in ways that you maybe never have before. The kind of experience that squelches any doubt of God's intimate presence with us as we worship Him. A time with God where lyrics and melody lines flowed in perfect harmony with your heart's overflowing state. Maybe you were with your closest friends, favorite band, perfectly situated in the ideal setting for communion with God. Possibly this experienced was birthed out of a period of God's blessing or a fresh move of His Spirit in your life.
I hope you have had those times of intimacy with God. I am thankful for my "Disney Land Worship Experiences." But, I am even more grateful to serve a God that values worship from a spent heart.
In Luke 21:1-4 we read an amazing story about worship. It's the story in which Jesus observes two types of offerings. The first offering was probably pretty impressive in terms of monetary value. A group of "rich" people offered their "gifts" to the Lord from a place of wealth, abundance, and financial security. They offered God a percentage of what they had. Then, Jesus observed a second type of offering. He observed an offering from a widow of two small copper coins (mites). The widow's offering did not even compare to what the "rich" gave in terms of value, yet Jesus responds with these words in verse 3, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
I love this story because it reminds me that God's value system is far different from that of the world's value system. And, unfortunately, God's value system is often much different than that of the church. God is longing for us to be dependent on Him. He is calling us to risk everything we have and reach a place of desperation. Whether we feel like we have much to give or not, we must give until we can give no longer. recently I read a quote from Shane Claiborne that beautifully summarizes the issue. It said, "True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left."
I don't believe God is evaluating our worship based on the size, emotion, or expression of our worship experience. God is simply asking for all you have to give. You may enter into worship with heavy burdens, hurt feelings, huge doubts, and a seemingly spacious chasm between you and the presence of God. Yet, God still desires your worship in that moment. He is waiting for you to place your life in His hands in an act of dependence and possible desperation. He values worship from a "spent heart."
Whether we have much or whether we have little, may we not hold back even "one mite" in our worship. May we be defined by what we have left, rather than by what we have given.
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