The lyrics in the header are from a song called “Asleep In the Light” that Keith Green penned a few decades ago.  I usually tend to write-off older songs (or older anything for that matter) as outdated.  I think Keith’s words still ring true for you and I today.

Too often, I see people settle down into their nice church communities and safe havens, becoming content, stagnant and apathetic.  Remember that part in Mark chapter 2 where Jesus mentions the healthy not needing the doctor, but the sick?  And I’m not trying to point any fingers, if anything, I am one of the worst at getting too comfortable.  My mentor and friend Tyler Thigpen (who was a pastor at the time), used to say that the day he became a pastor he left the ministry.  We tend to think of “joining the ministry” as signing up on church staff or becoming a missionary of some sort.  On the basis of English semantics, this “ministry” term does refer to “ministers”… but I think scripturally the ministry is more of a Acts 1:8 model.  Witnesses.  After all, if Jesus came for the sick… someone who works outside the church most likely hangs out with the lost more than a pastor would.

I love grace.  I’d be nothing without mercy.  But, I don’t think He died for us so we could live lives that produce no fruit.  Remember Romans 12:1?  Sometimes I take a step back and think about the reality that many of my close friends, at present, are not in the kingdom.  I often avoid thinking about the realities of it in place of, “oh they’re really great and honest people”.

…or, “i don’t want to ruin a friendship by offending them with God.”

But they need it.  Just as much as you and I need Him.  We’ve been given a spirit of power… not timidity (2 Timothy 1:7).  I think it’s time we begin to take the steps towards being intentional about the relationships we are building with our

friends,

classmates,

coworkers,

clients,

bosses,

baristas,

waiters,

maids,

nannies,

neighbors,

families.

I don’t think it means we have to start being Bible thumping, bullhorn holding radicals.  And I am not promoting simply loving people or friending people with an agenda.  One way I’ve started this process is continually asking God to make it clear to me any opportunities in which I can share truth.  Verbally.  But, also, being intentional about how our lives reflect what our mouths say we believe.  As cliche as it may sound, that is where the rubber meets the road: in our actions.

How do you live?

Is it congruent with truth?

As we continue living in accordance with the Spirit, our minds are becoming set on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8)….  for all men to be saved (I Timothy 2:4).

In no particular order, are a handful of blogs you would probably like.  You may read them all already.  If not, check them out:

1) Brian Burchik

2) AJ Passman

3) Evan Forester

4) Erin Burchik

5) Trey Boden

6) Cole Jennette

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Let’s start our discussion with a definition:

Praise - “to commend; to applaud; to express approval or admiration of; to extol in words or in song; to magnify; to glorify.”

Similar v. Identical:

Today, we are so used to combining the two phrases “Praise & Worship” as if they are one in the same.  This is not really the case, Praise and Worship can be two cooperative activities and sometimes look the same but they are two seperate entities with often times two separate manifestations, and they are used in different ways as well. Each act, praise and worship have their own nature and purposes and they both have different dynamics that we can grow in and learn about.  We’ll talk about worship later on.

So, What You’re Saying Is…:

Okay, try and picture it this way: we praise everyday. If you Google “Praise” about 99% of the search results or images that return will be regarding some type of religious site or pictures of what we would consider “praise and worship services”.  But, to help us understand it, let’s take a step back and just think about the word “praise” on a basic, human, realistic level.

Parents praise their kids when they get good grades.

Coaches praise their players when they do well during a game.

Band leaders praise their musicians when they have done well.

You praise your dog or cat when it fetches or rolls over.

For our purposes within the body of Christ, praise is “preoccupied with who God is and what He has done”.  When we praise God, what we are doing is we are essentially applauding the Lord for who he is and for what he has done.  It’s us, you and me outwardly saying to the Lord, “You are you, and you are amazing and the things you did, are doing and will do are incredible!”

Silence Isn’t Golden:

Meditation is not praise.  Psalm 66:8. “Let the sound of his praise be heard.“  Praise is outward and it has to be expressed outwardly in order to be praise.  Think of it within the contexts of our examples.  Until a mother or father tells their kid that they did good or that they are proud of them, they have not really praised them.  They could be thinking it all day, but until they actually open their mouth and say “great job”, it isn’t praise.  (We’ll talk about worship later). Or, if you’ve ever played sports, there exists the general understanding that a pat on the rear means “good game”.  But, as a teammate I could be thinking you did great on that play but you will never be praised until I put my thoughts into action by laying a firm one on your behind.

Praise is characterized by celebration, energy, dancing, singing, shouting, rocking out on instruments, just all out, over-the-top, head-over-heels, exhilaration.  I want to take my delight in Him. Luke 19:40 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if they keep silent, the rocks will cry out.”.

Let’s not let the rocks cry out in our place!  If there is truth in your heart that He has spoken to you, and if you have been redeemed, then we all have reason to praise.  The air you’re breathing right now as you read this is reason to praise.  Enter his courts with thanksgiving!  Enter his gates with praise!

Sorge, Bob.  Exploring Worship.   Chapter 1: “What Is Praise”.

I just started reading this book… I’m only a few chapters (or entries, as they are called in this book) in, and it is already rocking my world.  More to come on this McManus book!  Check out some of the quotes in the pictures!