tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31816413591494270682024-03-05T08:56:57.108-08:00Edgewood WorshipEdgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-36123126369114785832015-11-08T14:24:00.001-08:002015-11-08T14:24:15.310-08:00Knoxville, TennesseeAt our services this morning, we shared that God has been preparing us for a new ministry. Here is a little more of that story.<br />
<br />
Over the last couple years, God has placed within us a strong heart to
adopt more kids. Last fall we started the training and preparation. As
we moved forward, we quickly realized our house was going to be too
small for more kids. We sought God's direction for clear guidance on
how to move forward. At that time, we felt led to start looking at
ministry positions around the country just to see if He might be
preparing us for a new direction. In May, we decided to take a big step
forward by selling our house. We felt that regardless of whether we
stayed in Seattle or moved to a new area, we would need to sell the
house anyway.<br />
<br />
Since we have greatly enjoyed the ministry at Edgewood and didn't really
want to leave, we were very selective in sending out resumes. We
didn't want to go anywhere else unless it was clear leading from the
Lord, so we were searching for His direction and trusting in His timing.<br />
<br />
In August, I began regularly communicating with Salem Baptist Church in
Knoxville, Tennessee. In September, I flew down for a visit with their
staff and personnel committee. Through those conversations and visits,
God has made it very clear that this is where He wants us to serve. So,
in October, Megan and I both went down to Knoxville, met many of the
teams from the church, led worship for a Sunday service, and accepted
their invitation to become their Worship and Creative Arts Pastor.<br />
<br />
While Megan and I both feel a strong peace about this direction, it is
still very hard for us to leave friends and ministry at Edgewood. It is
hard to walk away from eight and a half years of building
relationships. We have so many good memories of Edgewood and the
Seattle area and it will always remain as a special part of our lives.
We have also gained truly valuable ministry experience that will be put
to good use at our new church.<br />
<br />
Please join us in praying for Edgewood as this has definitely been a
year of transition and now there is one more transition to work
through. We truly believe that God wants to do great things through
Edgewood to reach out to the Seattle area.<br />
<br />
We also ask that you please continue to pray for us as we transition to a
new community and a new ministry. Our last Sunday at Edgewood will be
December 13 (the Christmas program weekend) and then we'll head down to
Knoxville shortly after that with the hopes of starting there the first
of the New Year.<br />
<br />
It is definitely with mixed emotions that we share this news, but we are
excited about moving forward with God's plan for our lives.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThRYxoo0dZdEhAYC0FtIX02LPkZDkekjwlNS-yZIwhEg2tVuDwUkvfmFTWo1TkOL-zOJEdTxGy4JxuQ2LV_4YvvoF-NsiMVeFuLXvgia1Ljif3Ach0sfDqg9kgdcN0rfaSkTscxL40SA/s1600/Salem+Staff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThRYxoo0dZdEhAYC0FtIX02LPkZDkekjwlNS-yZIwhEg2tVuDwUkvfmFTWo1TkOL-zOJEdTxGy4JxuQ2LV_4YvvoF-NsiMVeFuLXvgia1Ljif3Ach0sfDqg9kgdcN0rfaSkTscxL40SA/s400/Salem+Staff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salem Pastoral Staff</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmzG5uE6afGFLTW-htWa0yXU_3-mzvx_bfmFZ3VI1MRgU10M7-wVKOq_6RrI1Z_JONpKSL1-zqVdAYHGU7iqNvNAgtkPt4jupQVrUl3YdnSnepL6VucuSR1eWUBku09_05NxLR3SrkZE/s1600/draft+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmzG5uE6afGFLTW-htWa0yXU_3-mzvx_bfmFZ3VI1MRgU10M7-wVKOq_6RrI1Z_JONpKSL1-zqVdAYHGU7iqNvNAgtkPt4jupQVrUl3YdnSnepL6VucuSR1eWUBku09_05NxLR3SrkZE/s400/draft+day.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee Gifts from the Pastor's Wife, Miss Nova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-82013772829909706002015-10-07T13:35:00.001-07:002015-10-07T13:35:24.574-07:00Ch 6 - The Worship Leader and His Heart
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over
the last week, my schedule has been fairly full and there has been plenty going
on to keep me busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I’ve
allowed that to cut into my personal time with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Monday night, I was home and was ready to
catch up on my devotional reading…when I realized I left my Bible and book on
my desk at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This afternoon, in my
preparation for tonight’s choir rehearsal, I sat down to review the devotional
thought from our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doxology and Theology</i>
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The topic was very convicting to
me this week as an area of needed growth.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chapter 6 discusses The Worship
Leader and His Heart.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here
are a few thoughts from the book:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-
The character of your heart (good, bad, and ugly) will shape everything you do
in ministry.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-
The perilous detriment of sin is that it separates us from God, our source of
life.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-
What our congregation sees us doing publicly; they are expecting us to do
privately as well.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matthew
6:1 says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order
to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from our Father who is in
heaven.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Worship
leaders are always in danger of falling into the pharisaical trap of honoring
God with our lips, but keeping our hearts far from Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Our
mandate is to actually love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and
strength—not to simply make people think we do.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please
pray for me in this area that I can keep my heart more focused on Him all week
long.</span></span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-6235076837315924812015-09-30T18:00:00.000-07:002015-10-01T14:49:33.484-07:00The Worship Leader and the Trinity - and Mission (Ch 4/5)<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chapter 4 – The Worship Leader
and the Trinity</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
who worship the one true and living God recognize that our worship should take
His shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That shape includes the
Trinity of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trinitarian worship, then, at
its core, is the worship of the Father, through the Son, by the power of the
Holy Spirit.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">True
Trinitarian worship is mindful of the unique roles of each of the Persons and
at times addresses Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in accordance with those roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our songs, we want lyrics that address and
praise the three Persons individually.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chapter 5 – The Worship Leader
and Mission</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Missions
exists because worship doesn’t.” – John Piper</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
desires to see worshipers from every tribe and every nation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In places where that’s not happening, we need
to be passionate about missions work to reach those people.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Worship is a rhythm of
revelation and response</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So in order to encourage people to worship, we must help them see God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the best examples of this in in Isaiah
6. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sees the holiness of God and
in his response he sees his own sinfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then Isaiah experiences God’s mercy and his response is complete
surrender to God’s mission.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
the sake of the nations and for the sake of God’s glory, put the beauty of God
on display!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People will fall in love
with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who are in love do
crazy things, like change the world.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we turn people to “look at
Him” they will respond with “Here am I, send me."</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love these thoughts of turning people to God and want to do this even better at Edgewood. I'd be curious to hear from you about what specific things in a worship service help turn your focus more on God. Any thoughts?</span></span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-1366738351583874642015-09-23T13:16:00.002-07:002015-09-29T13:52:05.098-07:00Qualifications of a Worship Leader and the Importance of Scripture (Ch 2-3)<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We continue looking through <em>Doxology and Theology</em> tonight to read about qualifications of worship leaders and the importance of Scripture.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Old Testament is filled with detailed directions on how to worship God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is proof that God cares about how we
worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the New Testament
makes it clear that He is more concerned with our inner attitude than our
outward actions (“in spirit and truth” from John 4).</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I love this quote from Matt Boswell and think it is right on...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“Worship
begins in the heart, is cultivated in the home, and is displayed in the church.”</strong></span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We
shouldn’t be defined by our stage presence, but our desire to point people to
the Lord all week long. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the worship
leader cannot lead his own wife and children well, he should not attempt to
lead the bride of Christ.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One
of the great joys of being a worship leader is putting God’s truth on the lips
of God’s people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, worship leaders
must be able to correctly handle and communicate the Truth of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church cannot afford to settle for
worship leaders who are capable musicians but are incompetent theologians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be teaching the Bible in our song lyrics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>The worship of those you are leading will be
richer if you teach them the riches of the One they’re celebrating.</strong></span></span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even
though a variety of people can serve as worship leaders, the oversight should
come from a pastor of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
pastor who meets the requirements of an elder in I Timothy 3 by being above
reproach, a one-woman man, sober-minded, self-controlled, disciplined, respectable,
mature, hospitable, able to teach, sober, peace-maker, humble, not a lover of
money, and a leader in his home.</span></span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-59865744897140232392015-09-16T20:15:00.000-07:002015-09-29T13:52:36.789-07:00Doxology and Theology Study (Ch 1)<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Tonight at choir we started a new devotional series and I wanted to share highlights here on this blog as well. I'm looking forward to walking through the book called <em>Doxology and Theology </em>by Matt Boswell. He has a lot of great thoughts for worship leaders and I encourage you to read the whole book.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">In Chapter 1, he talks about several marks of the worship of the church. His emphasis is on theology and how we should all strive to better understand the ways and the heart of God.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">First, the worship the <strong>worship of the church is God-centered</strong>. Our worship should express more of what God has done for us and less of what we will do for Him.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Second, the <strong>worship of the church is Biblically formed</strong>. He said that "Worship leaders should come to lead the people of God with a guitar in one hand and a Bible in the other...knowing how to use each weapon well."</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">The chief end of theology (study of God) is doxology (the praise of God). The rhythm of worship is revelation and response: our beliefs about God's revelation dictate our response. In order to respond appropriately, we must be consumed by God's Word. D.A. Carson put it this way, </span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>"You cannot find excellent corporate worship until you stop trying to find excellent corporate worship and pursue God Himself."</strong></span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next, the <strong>worship of the church is congregational</strong>. In our lyrics, there should be equally as much "we" as there is "me." The primary function of the church singing is the church singing together.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lastly, the <strong>worship of the church is missional</strong>. As worship leaders we are to live in the light of the gospel. What we truly believe about the gospel is evidenced by how concerned or unconcerned we are for those apart from its grip. Christian worship is build upon, shaped by, and saturated with the Word of God.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a great reminder that our position before God is secured in what Christ has done for us, not in the ministry we do for Him. But as we get to know God better, our best response should be to worship Him in all we do.</span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-63229223998955433472015-08-22T15:03:00.000-07:002015-08-22T15:03:00.114-07:00#7 Our Personal Worship Should Build Anticipation for our Corporate Worship<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Throughout
this study, we’ve been talking about worshiping God all week long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I want to be clear about
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am NOT saying this will
replace our Sunday worship time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you scroll back to the
archives on this blog (Feb/Mar 2012), you will find the “Why do we sing”
study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That study talks about why we do
what we do on Sunday mornings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
there is a huge connection between our Sunday worship and our worship the rest
of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it leads us to our
last point…</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">OUR PERSONAL WORSHIP SHOULD
BUILD ANTICIPATION FOR OUR CORPORATE WORSHIP</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We spend a lot of time
preparing for Sunday mornings and doing our best to provide opportunities for
our congregation to worship God together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, honestly, I cannot lead our congregation into God’s presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Jesus Christ can do that through His
sacrifice on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the more we get
to know God and the deeper our worship is throughout the week, the more
anticipation is going to build to come together to worship God on Sundays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I want our congregation to
be excited about and look forward to coming together each Sunday…not just to
see friends or to sing our favorite songs, but to join together to worship the
God we’ve been worshiping all week long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bob Kauflin, a highly
respected worship leader, has written a wonderful book called, “Worship
Matters.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that book, he said, </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“A worshiping community is made up of individuals
whose lives are centered on the Savior they worship together each week. A
worshiping community expects to encounter God’s presence not only on Sunday
morning but every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A worshiping
community recognizes that passionate times of singing God’s praise flow from
and lead to passionate lives lived for the glory of Jesus Christ.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I pray that our Sunday
services inspire our congregation to worship God all week long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I believe our worship all week long will
inspire us to passionate times of worship on Sundays.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> They go hand in hand.</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">After this message, we closed the service with
Matt Redman’s new song, “Unbroken Praise.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I appreciate his words and challenge to let our deeds outrun our words
and our lives outweigh our songs as we lead a worshipful life all week long. </span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-56272851712843780312015-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:002015-08-22T09:00:07.059-07:00#6 Worship God in Your Home<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This next point takes us
to Deuteronomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it is an area I
felt strongly led to include with this message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that is the point that you should…</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WORSHIP GOD IN YOUR HOME</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In Deuteronomy 5, Moses
recaps the Ten Commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to
the words in the very next chapter.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Deuteronomy 6:6–7</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">6 And these words that I command you today shall
be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and
shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,
and when you lie down, and when you rise.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This passage clearly shows
the importance of passing down God’s teachings from one generation to the
next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the men of the home could
also add the word LEAD in front of this point. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should “LEAD worship in your home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has placed a huge privilege and
responsibility for men to lead their families.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What does that look
like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that could be a whole series
of sermons that someone more qualified than me should probably teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you look back at that passage, there
is great encouragement to simply talk about God and His Word at every
opportunity that you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says you
shall talk when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down and when you rise…that’s
pretty much all the time!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This could look very
different in different settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us,
with a 3 year old and a 4 year old, we talk about God by thanking Him for ice
cream and sunshine and swimming pools and doggies and just about everything
else we see in a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also attempt
reading Bible stories every night with our kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This typically consists of Madelyn telling me
what she sees in the pictures while Theo is hanging off the side of the
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t have to be overly
formal, but we want our kids to see the importance of regularly being in God’s
Word.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And little by little they
are picking up more and more from the stories.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve also greatly
appreciated the help with this through Awana. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sharing this not as a pastor of the church
to promote a program, but as a Dad who has greatly appreciated the help and
resources for training our kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Madelyn, who started Awana last year as a 3-year old, memorized a Bible
verse every single week through Awana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Bible stories and lessons are great resources to read with your kids
at an age-appropriate level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theo is old
enough to join this year and we’re looking forward to that starting back up at
the end of September. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Matt Boswell, a worship
leader from Providence Church in Texas said, “Worship begins in the heart, is
cultivated in the home, and is displayed in the church.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I think that’s so
true….worship begins inside our heart and with the renewing of our minds, it’s
cultivated at home and all week long, and then we get to publicly worship
together at the church on Sundays.</span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-36417161457379080512015-08-21T20:40:00.002-07:002015-08-21T20:53:39.587-07:00#5 Worship God by Loving Others<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Romans 12:13-16</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show
hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with
the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus said the Greatest
Commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul
with all your mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then He said there
is a second like it, that you should “Love your neighbor as yourself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">These passages alone make
it clear that God wants us to worship Him all week long by loving Him and loving others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-73310066884998374552015-08-20T10:10:00.000-07:002015-08-21T20:53:31.388-07:00#4 Worship God While You're Waiting<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Romans 12:10-12 says,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Love one another with brotherly
affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in
zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient
in tribulation, be constant in prayer. </i></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are so many good
points in these verses, but the one that really stuck out to me for today was
“Being patient in tribulation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need
to worship God while we’re waiting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know there are many in our congregation going through challenging issues and
there many in the middle of situations that involve waiting on God’s
timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are waiting to get married,
waiting to have kids, waiting to find a new job, waiting for health issues to
be clear, waiting for marriage struggles to resolve….there are all kinds of
things that we have to wait for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For us, Megan and I have a
strong heart to adopt more kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
there are a couple HUGE roadblocks that are keeping us from moving
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be so easy to get
upset and ask, “God why did you put this on our hearts and then not allow us to
do it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it doesn’t make sense.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you are in that place
today, I want to encourage you to not get so consumed with what you’re waiting
for, that in turn you miss what God has for you today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to look different in different
situations, but for us….it would even be easy to get so focused on adopting
more kids that we don’t stop and treasure the two beautiful children God has
already given us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that God’s
ways are higher than ours….His plans are inscrutable…and His timing is perfect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sometimes these difficult
moments of waiting can also be some of the most beautiful times of
worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that happens when we
realize whatever we are waiting for is totally out of our hands and we can say,
“God, I trust you, I know Your plans are higher than mine, and I want to
worship You while I wait.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you want an encouraging song to listen to while you're in one of these waiting situations, look up "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller. </span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-74591807790397135612015-08-19T14:33:00.000-07:002015-08-21T20:37:43.540-07:00#3 Worship God by Choosing Good Over Evil<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Romans 12:9 says,</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to
what is good.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I love the stories of
Joseph in the Old Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
particular story of interest for this point is in Genesis 39 when Potiphar’s wife
was trying to persuade Joseph to sleep with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The passage says he ran out of the house to
get away from her. He wanted nothing to do with evil.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As I’ve been thinking
about this point more, I should have used stronger language than simply
choosing good over evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">clinging</i> and holding tight to good while
we are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hating</i> and running away from
evil.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Joseph didn’t linger
around Potiphar’s wife and hang out and talk for a little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t flirt around with sin at all…it
says he ran out of the house. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sin will immediately come
between us and God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we truly want to worship
God all week long, we have to regularly running away from evil and clinging to
what is good.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-5643329171404860812015-08-18T11:00:00.000-07:002015-08-21T20:35:38.716-07:00#2 Worship God by Using Your Gifts<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In Romans 12:4-6 we read, </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4 For as in one body we have many members, and
the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are
one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having
gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">God didn’t give you gifts
just to keep them to yourself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave
them to you so that you could use them to worship Him and bring glory to His
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew 5:16 says,</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We don’t strive to do good
works to draw attention to ourselves, but we strive to do good works so others
may give glory to our Father in heaven.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Last summer, I had a
wonderful opportunity to go on a mission trip to East Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a blessing to be a part of the class
teaching about American culture and trying to build relationships with those
students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, a personal thing that I
like to do when I visit other countries is to try to find an authentic musical instrument
from that culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, one night on the
trip we finished our evening plans a little early and a couple of us went to go
search for musical instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
talked with a few of the students in our class and they told us where the
authentic instruments were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we
hopped on the subway and rode for over an hour to get to this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it and there was shop after shop of
instruments and artwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except for one problem….we were
too late and every shop was closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
didn’t think we’d have time to come back another night, so we just walked
around and looked in the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were about ready to give up and started heading back to the Subway station,
when we heard this beautiful-sounding flute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went toward the music and sure enough, she was standing outside a music
store that was still open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We called her the flute
angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She spoke a little English, so we
tried to explain we were from the United States and I wanted to look at
authentic instruments from their culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She immediately said, “Let me introduce you to the master.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The master was the owner of the store and he
actually hand-made most of the instruments they were selling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He played several of them for us, we spent
probably half an hour with them and just had a really good time.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you go back to Matthew
5:16, we read again..</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In the same way, let your
light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory
to your Father who is in heaven.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The flute angel was simply
using the gifts that she had to let her light shine in a very dark place with
no open music stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we saw
her, she didn’t want glory for herself, she wanted to introduce us to the
master.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In much more powerful ways
than introducing our friends to a musician, I believe when we let our light
shine, we will have opportunities to introduce our friends to the real Master,
our Lord and Savior.</span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-47871348516941661292015-08-17T10:15:00.000-07:002015-08-21T20:51:36.231-07:00#1 Worship Requires a Renewal of Your Mind<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are passages all
throughout the Bible on worshiping God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
could read from Genesis to Revelation and hear story after story of God’s people
worship Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, in this study, we are only
going to scratch the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main
passage that I want to look at is Romans 12.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Romans 12:1 says,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I appeal to you therefore, brothers,
by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To better understand the
context of this verse, we need to look back a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first 11 chapters of Romans contain some
great theological studies of our God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even just backing up a few verses gives us a
great introduction into Chapter 12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look
at Chapter 11, verse 33.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says, </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and
knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his
ways! </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or
who has been his counselor?” </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might
be repaid?” </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">36 For from him and through him and to him are
all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">One great definition of
worship is that, “Worship is our response to God’s revelation.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s exactly what we see here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Chapter 11 we read about the depth of His power
and wisdom and then we read our instructions for how to respond…</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Romans 12:1-2….</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of
God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but
be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern
what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We learn very quickly from
this passage that our bodies are a living sacrifice to God, so everything that
we do should be offered as worship to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the other part that stuck out to me was that it starts with the
renewal of our minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We won’t know how
to act or how we can worship God until our hearts and our minds are first
focused on the Lord.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WORSHIP REQUIRES A RENEWAL
OF YOUR MIND</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In the Old Testament, God
was very concerned with how they worshipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the New Testament and today, we now have direct access to God through
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In John 4, when Jesus is
talking to the woman at the well, He states how we should worship in spirit and
truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike in the Old Testament, the
location and rituals of worship are no longer important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should be able to worship God wherever we
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s the renewing of our minds
that should guide our actions.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Isaac Watts, who wrote
hundreds of hymns, also wrote these words,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Lord…has no regard for outward forms of
worship, if there be no inward adoration.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">John Piper put it this
way, “The key to praising Christ is prizing Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is most glorified in us when we are most
satisfied in Him.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I also want to point out
here that the renewing of the mind has to start with salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t worship what we don’t know and if we
don’t have a personal relationship with God, it has to start there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after we come to know the Lord, we must
continue to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t want to
settle at the level of transformation that we have right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Pastor Kevin has said
numerous times over the last couple months that we have been saved, are being
saved, and will be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the same
idea here…we are being saved and want to grow more and more like Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do this, we have to regularly be in God’s
Word…Joshua 1:8 encourages us to “meditate on God’s Word day and night, so that
we will be careful to do what is written in it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This is the point that was
the most convicting for me during this study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was hoping for 2 or 3 points of this is how you worship all week
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this study really reinforced to
me the importance of regular times in God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to focus on that inward renewing of
our minds, THEN we will know what God’s good and perfect will is in every
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That regular renewing of our
minds will guide our hearts and actions to worship God all week long.</span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-49806472115434312862015-08-16T20:27:00.000-07:002015-08-21T20:51:54.289-07:00Worship God All Week Long<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It's been a long time since I've been able to post on here. There have been MANY transitions going on at Edgewood and it's been a little challenging to keep up with the blog. However, today I had the
opportunity and privilege to speak to our congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our senior pastor is out of town and asked if
I’d share while he was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a
topic that has been on my mind for the last couple months and preparing for
this message gave me a push for deeper study. Since I enjoyed this study so much, I wanted to share it on here as well. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The topic was how we
should worship God all week long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spend
a strong majority of my week preparing various details to help lead worship for
our Sunday services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while Sundays
ARE important times for us to gather together to worship, what are we doing Monday through Saturday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be a worshiper all week long, not
just on Sundays and I hope that’s the desire of your heart as well.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Recently, I was at home
playing with the kids and watching my 4-year-old Madelyn play with her Lego
dollhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just watching her move
her Lego people from one room of the house to the next when I heard her
humming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was humming the tune to the
song, <i>Here I Am to Worship</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
such a beautiful picture to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
should be able to say “Here I Am to Worship” when we’re playing with our toys, spending
time with our family, mowing the grass, going to school or going to work.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’d like to take the
points from this message and share them this week through different posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray this study can encourage you to
worship God all week long.</span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-73779348846655479302014-08-18T22:33:00.000-07:002014-08-18T22:39:15.275-07:00Edgewood Music AcademyAfter several months of preparation, we are ready to launch a brand new ministry...the Edgewood Music Academy. Megan and I have both taught private music lessons for several years. We have found this to be a great way to use the gifts God has given us to connect with and encourage others.<br />
<br />
To be able to teach lessons through the church is a huge blessing. Megan and I will teach voice, piano, guitar and drums and we are joining with Cathy who will teach clarinet and Sarah who will teach violin and piano. We pray that the Academy can serve our church and our community through these lessons. <br />
<br />
Over time, I believe this will greatly enhance our worship ministry. When students of all ages are encouraged to develop their gifts, we hope they will want to use those gifts through the church as well.<br />
<br />
We also pray that this will be a great opportunity to connect with people who don't currently attend Edgewood. Our teachers are committed to offering top-quality teaching regardless of whether the students are from Edgewood or not. We believe any students could benefit from these lessons and so we hope to meet new people outside the church as well.<br />
<br />
Please help us spread the word about the new Academy. We are hoping to see 30 students for this fall semester. More information and instructions on how to sign up are all on the Edgewood website...<a href="http://www.ebc-edmonds.org/musicacademy" target="_blank">www.ebc-edmonds.org/musicacademy</a>.<br />
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<br />Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-11304076326037193952014-04-28T23:46:00.000-07:002014-04-29T18:57:50.755-07:00Theo's First Emergency Room Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This last weekend was quite eventful. To be honest, it was a little more eventful than we prefer.</div>
<br />
Thursday night, we noticed Theo was having a difficult time breathing. First thing Friday morning, we took him to our doctor's office. They took an oxygen level test and thought their testing device was messed up because his level was so low. They tried another device and got the same results. Very shortly after that, the doctor entered and said, "the ambulance is on the way to take you to Children's Hospital." A few minutes later, several EMT guys came into our room and got us onto the ambulance.<br />
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<strong><em>This was an overwhelming moment when all of a sudden nothing else in the world mattered...nothing except for making sure Theo was okay.</em></strong> <br />
<br />
We got to the Emergency Department at Children's and he had to do two hours of albuteral treatments (the first hour didn't make enough impact, so they did another). But, easy-going Theo just sat on the bed and watched some movies with daddy. He even got a little bored of the movies and started practicing his "beatbox." I have no idea where he could have gotten this from, but he likes to make this little drumbeat with his mouth. This was a proud daddy moment, so I had to grab the camera =).<br />
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The treatment was starting to show positive signs of effectiveness for his breathing, but he still had a long way to go. So, they admitted him to the hospital for the evening to continue treatment/monitoring. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGi68gkx13rfdFOMC6jbpq3NGEukWPG49ovL_exbNMZ8JrOFELwHC0SfnLAMg7X1AdeamYAZZMeiV-4QzRJXQoOESFpFSNz3d5mqdpvgKZThHi8o0ukR62a3ZVKfq-Uy-tPngTQun8Xuc/s1600/ER+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGi68gkx13rfdFOMC6jbpq3NGEukWPG49ovL_exbNMZ8JrOFELwHC0SfnLAMg7X1AdeamYAZZMeiV-4QzRJXQoOESFpFSNz3d5mqdpvgKZThHi8o0ukR62a3ZVKfq-Uy-tPngTQun8Xuc/s1600/ER+1.PNG" height="320" title="facetime" width="180" /></a>Theo started improving while he was awake and that gave us a chance to even talk on facetime with his big sister...he loved that! However, when he tried to take a nap, his oxygen levels went down again. He had to sleep with oxygen tubes to get through the night. </div>
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As we talked more with the nurses and doctors, we came to the realization that Theo has asthma. Asthma combined with some type of cold virus is what really hit him hard this weekend. We are grateful to now have a better understanding of this condition so that we can be more equipped to handle it if/when it happens again.</div>
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Megan and I discussed how blessed we are (in America, and especially in Seattle) to be this close to great medical care. Many kids around the world don't have access to any medical care and they suffer with simple to severe issues with no relief. </div>
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<strong><em>We are very blessed.</em></strong></div>
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On Saturday, they kept trying to ween him off the medicines little by little. By late afternoon, the doctors decided it would be fine for him to head home. We were excited for his progress and the chance for all of us to get home. Before we put him down to sleep in his own bed, I just sat there and held him for awhile. Tears came to my eyes (as they had several times through this experience), but this time they were tears of joy.</div>
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<em><strong>I was so blessed to know that he was okay.</strong></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlqR-EfRUJEUygvm3ye5HHLxTrluqdzWLfwts1C_RA4F6VwVhsO-eIwSJlYnbhpNV4ChEyPzhr4zJHHFUgeBxZCJ-3Y2onILJGZbhdnsl09eViyfpP02LLJdmWdFRgBE61mpulmbYlRs/s1600/ER+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlqR-EfRUJEUygvm3ye5HHLxTrluqdzWLfwts1C_RA4F6VwVhsO-eIwSJlYnbhpNV4ChEyPzhr4zJHHFUgeBxZCJ-3Y2onILJGZbhdnsl09eViyfpP02LLJdmWdFRgBE61mpulmbYlRs/s1600/ER+2.JPG" height="320" title="ice cream" width="240" /></a>On Monday, we had a follow-up appointment to see how he was progressing. The doctor said Theo looked fantastic! That was such a relief to hear! We decided to get some ice cream to celebrate =).</div>
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<strong><em>We praise God for His protection of little Theo...I believe God has great things in store for this strong little boy.</em></strong></div>
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Love you Buddy!</div>
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<br />
Here's how we got to Joseph.....<br />
Abraham's son was Isaac<br />
Isaac's son was Jacob<br />
Jacob's son was Joseph<br />
<br />
God is already fulfilling His promise to Abraham through his descendants!<br />
<br />
Many of you are familiar with the story, but it's quite a different perspective if you picture yourself in Joseph's shoes.<br />
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Joseph was one of many brothers and his brothers despised him (Genesis 37:5). They eventually faked Joseph's death and sold him into slavery. This makes no sense that Joseph would have to go through this...but...<br />
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<em><strong>You never know what God is going to do next.</strong></em><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
39:2 shares that "the Lord was with Joseph." As Joseph served as a slave, he became very successful. Because the Lord was with him and he worked so hard, he was eventually placed as an overseer of the house. <br />
<br />
Things look great now and now Joseph can really make a difference!<br />
<br />
Until...the master's wife lied about Joseph and he was sent to jail (39:20). Joseph did nothing wrong and again, this makes no sense that Joseph would have to go throug this...but...<br />
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<strong><em>You never know what God is going to do next.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
Joseph continued to seek God's face even now that he was imprisoned. As God continued to bless Joseph, about 2 years later his name was mentioned before the Pharoah (41:1). Imagine waiting in prison for 2 years wondering if God gave up on you! Joseph never lost his faith.<br />
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I believe that sometimes God has to put us through uncomfortable circumstances to get us exactly where He wants us. That's precisely what happened to Joseph.<br />
<br />
Pharoah (the RULER of the land!) called for Joseph (from prison!) to come assist in interpreting his dream. Joseph did, and Pharaoh then placed him as second in command in Pharaoh's house. Joseph continues what he has always done, trusting in God and following His plan. God uses him to bless hundreds and hundreds of people as well as his own family who deserted him years ago.<br />
<br />
There were so many opportunities for Joseph to give up in this story and he never did. He continued to trust in God and God proved faithful! If you are going through a time that just doesn't make sense, I challenge you to keep your trust in God and don't give up! Because.....<br />
<br />
<strong><em>You never know what God is going to do next.</em></strong>Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-14063994890803329892014-01-27T14:41:00.000-08:002014-02-10T14:41:43.689-08:00Abraham and God's PlanAs we read through the Bible this year, I plan to share a few stories that really stand out to me. The first one is in Genesis and it's the story of Abraham.<br />
<br />
In Gen 12:1-3, we see that God has chosen to further His glory around the world through Abraham and his descendants. God said that Abraham's descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth (13:16) and the stars in the heavens (15:5).<br />
<br />
Sounds exciting! Except for one minor problem...Abraham didn't even have one child...and he was 100 years old (17:17).<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong><em>But God works His plan regardless of our understanding of it.</em></strong></blockquote>
<br />
Abraham and Sarah had a baby boy and they named him Isaac (21:3). Now, through this miracle of birth, it seemed like God could fulfill His promise and make Abraham's descendants numerous through Isaac.<br />
<br />
Now the plan makes sense! Until Genesis 22. Here it says that God tested Abraham and He asked him to offer Issac as a sacrifice to God. This would make absolutely no sense to Abraham who believed Issac was the plan for the many descendants.<br />
<br />
But, Abraham followed God's request and prepared Isaac as a sacrifice. When God saw that Abraham was going to follow through, God stopped him and said "for now I know that you fear God" (22:12).<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong><em>God works His plan regardless of our understanding of it.</em></strong></blockquote>
<br />
I love this story. So many times in life things happen that we just can't explain. But, we need to continue seeking God's will and God's direction for our lives. He is working His plan through us whether we fully understand it or not. Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-60844736723845054712013-12-31T10:57:00.001-08:002013-12-31T11:18:11.309-08:00Read Through the Bible in 2014As we head into a New Year, many people are making resolutions to give their best in 2014. I want to encourage you to do that, but make sure you're living through God's power and not your own.<br />
<br />
We can all do great things, yeah. But the great things that we can do on our own will NEVER compare to the amazing works that God can do through us. <br />
<br />
Pastor William reminded us in his sermon Sunday that life must be built on a solid foundation. And we must build on that foundation with things that will last. As we head into a New Year tomorrow, what are you building your life on?<br />
<br />
As a response to William's challenge, <strong>60 people from Edgewood have committed to read through the entire Bible in 2014!</strong> Megan and I have both joined this commitment as well. We want to be more faithful about regularly being in His Word and living by God's power and not our own.<br />
<br />
Whether you're going through a Bible reading plan like this one or doing another devotional study on your own, I strongly encourage you to make sure your life in 2014 starts with a foundation in God's Word.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong>"You can accomplish more in an hour with God than in a lifetime without Him."</strong></blockquote>
If you want to accomplish great things this year, make sure you're growing closer to God and letting Him lead the way!Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-30539861073904018362013-10-16T14:39:00.000-07:002013-10-17T09:39:58.310-07:00Philippines Mission TripEdgewood recently took a mission trip to share in a joint ministry with a church in the Philippines. Megan and I were blessed to be able to join this team.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohBxpWGzpTIrlz50h5Bd2RDbR2GWYJ_n35razYIn_pBMDocGI695iBVGe4iEMlgYz4F82lFajYsGhyphenhyphencNTgtwc8gb0ON4KXDHmf1jYiDOHd1e8OiMLjKFbdHbuNIrDdG-20JbQ9z-2k4g/s1600/03+Worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohBxpWGzpTIrlz50h5Bd2RDbR2GWYJ_n35razYIn_pBMDocGI695iBVGe4iEMlgYz4F82lFajYsGhyphenhyphencNTgtwc8gb0ON4KXDHmf1jYiDOHd1e8OiMLjKFbdHbuNIrDdG-20JbQ9z-2k4g/s320/03+Worship.jpg" width="320" /></a>We partnered with Church of the Triumphant Christ (CTC) whose main campus is in Cainta, outside of Manila. At this church, we were able to unite as one team to share in Sunday morning worship together. It was a blessing to get to lead worship at this passionate church! Our team had prepared two songs in Tagalog as well. I was worried about getting all those words right, but they sure seemed to love them anyway!<br />
<br />
The main focus for the trip was hosting medical clinics in poverty stricken areas. Our team included a doctor, two nurses, and a dental hygienist. We also partnered with more medical personnel from CTC. The first clinic was at a CTC church plant in Antipolo where we saw 45 patients. The second was in Binangonan where CTC is working to start another church. This clinic was held at a factory where they currently hold Bible studies and we saw another 38 patients. The next day, we held our third clinic at another CTC church plant in Bulacan. This clinic saw 62 patients!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1_vIl4hkZD90jrBJzDnD9xkiTgcLykKAOvVGH2bj-FFLXEISIsT688E2RKF335t8EDdZEOfk9zTFavcu5tZOMvGbzjaP3kYOO0XvjIgXSvIQqGJoaPiCYt9NA1szYg0aR8sVUfSeUp8/s1600/09+Binangonan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1_vIl4hkZD90jrBJzDnD9xkiTgcLykKAOvVGH2bj-FFLXEISIsT688E2RKF335t8EDdZEOfk9zTFavcu5tZOMvGbzjaP3kYOO0XvjIgXSvIQqGJoaPiCYt9NA1szYg0aR8sVUfSeUp8/s320/09+Binangonan.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
These three clinics were all a great way to see different areas where CTC is working and to be a part of the ministries there. There were pastors and church leaders at each site connecting and witnessing to the people.<br />
<br />
The fourth clinic was the biggest and it was hosted at the main campus in Cainta. This clinic saw around 250 patients! Even more amazing was that almost all of these patients also went through one-on-one spiritual counseling! There were 6 or 7 pastors/counselors meeting with people all day long. It was a beautiful sight to see how God was working through those meetings.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKWlnHBaIYw4rM3UbaSexbGXC6b6LpmrAVxefaexMsiE0qTG4jnZFpxl-JFjns5rwur9A8ylWvUSXiV5jc3s2ATeKy7bHSCyTHZnh29fMhcA5ptICc33NdHTxhUpC0ILMzR5d-cUryp0/s1600/17+Counseling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKWlnHBaIYw4rM3UbaSexbGXC6b6LpmrAVxefaexMsiE0qTG4jnZFpxl-JFjns5rwur9A8ylWvUSXiV5jc3s2ATeKy7bHSCyTHZnh29fMhcA5ptICc33NdHTxhUpC0ILMzR5d-cUryp0/s320/17+Counseling.JPG" width="320" /></a>One of the main goals of this trip was to create a solid partnership with CTC in order to have an ongoing relationship for years and years to come. I feel that we made a successful start at this relationship and would be happy to consider returning for more joint missions.<br />
<br />
A huge eye-opener for me was to see the extreme poverty in which millions of people live. We walked through some of their homes and it was just unreal to see how they are living. But what was also a huge conviction is that these people still found ways to live with such joy. Kids would light up with smiles at the sight of a simple toy. Adults would bend over backwards to make sure that WE were taken care of during our visit. While many of them have so little by worldly standards, they have so much in God's eyes!<br />
<br />
I was also greatly encouraged by how highly the Philippine people value relationships. They would share stories, carry on in conversations, and always valued others before themselves. We get too busy in our American lives to truly connect with people. I pray that we can realize that, find ways to cut things out of our schedules, and truly value the people God has placed around us.<br />
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Our team will be sharing our full report during the morning services at Edgewood on November 3 (9:30 and 11:00). If you're in the area, we'd love to have you join us to hear more.<br />
<br />
Also, here are a few prayer requests that you can lift up with us:<br />
1. Pray for CTC and their continued ministry to reach those in Cainta and beyond<br />
2. Pray for CTC as they desire to plant another church in Binangonan<br />
3. Pray for Edgewood as we seek God's will for further connections with CTC<br />
4. Pray for the Edgewood team (and others who hear these stories) to learn from this experience, be grateful for the many blessings we have, and to continue to share God's love with those around us and those of all nations!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbn_-Jtz31wTZf84S8IgCiVUtX_iuPsrALJ1jUPLuGH4MbIiuXIZp9YFsyl2kH5vo7PjAGRrD-TmJRNVFZCR01wReGFapyTUlJvPf8u9yerQwGAIDmzWMbtgTsMd0IJakBhV3SgQ-iLU/s1600/13+CTC+Team.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbn_-Jtz31wTZf84S8IgCiVUtX_iuPsrALJ1jUPLuGH4MbIiuXIZp9YFsyl2kH5vo7PjAGRrD-TmJRNVFZCR01wReGFapyTUlJvPf8u9yerQwGAIDmzWMbtgTsMd0IJakBhV3SgQ-iLU/s400/13+CTC+Team.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joint EBC and CTC Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-8123583930076159422013-09-30T16:04:00.000-07:002013-09-30T16:04:00.116-07:00Worship Ministry Purposes and GoalsOver the last few months, our Worship Leadership Team has been defining our overall purposes and goals as a ministry. This has been a very helpful foundation for us as we are hoping to set the direction for this ministry. This is a pretty long blog post, but if you haven't heard these yet, I'd love for you to read through them. Our Worship Leadership Team would greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have for us regarding these goals.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“The Edgewood Worship Ministry strives to honor and glorify God while engaging others in the ongoing journey of worshipping Him.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We want everything that we
do to bring honor and glory to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
song that we sing, every word that we speak…how we handle good situations and
hard situations…we want everything to honor and glorify God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This “journey of
worshipping God” can be split into four stages:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I. Coming to a Personal Relationship with God<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(Romans 10:13-15, John 13:35)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">II. Growing in that New Relationship with the Lord<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(Psalm 1:1-3, Colossians 3:12-17)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">III. Using Gifts to Serve God and to Strengthen the
Body</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(Romans 12:4-8, Colossians 3:23)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">IV. Continuing to Worship God through Contagious
Faithfulness<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(Romans 12:1, Matthew 28:19-20, Psalm 78:3-4, Luke 16:10)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a church and as the
worship ministry, we have people in all four areas of this journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of that, we cannot put our focus
fully on any one of these areas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want
people to come wherever they are to join and grow with us in the journey of
worshipping God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> -----------------</span></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I. Coming to a Personal Relationship with God<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is where the journey
has to begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t worship what you
don’t know.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Romans 10:13-15</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Whoever will call on the name of the Lord
will be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How then will they call
on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they
have not heard? And how will they hear without</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">a
preacher?</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">How will they preach unless they are sent?
Just as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news
of good things!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Church-wide and within the
worship ministry specifically, we must have opportunities to connect with
people from outside the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether
it’s our people going out, or finding ways to draw new people in, we have to
take steps to reach out to the lost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We do not believe that our
Sunday morning services should be fully focused on reaching the lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are primarily an opportunity for
believers to worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we do want
to provide connection points for non-believers and speak in a way that they can
understand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A better approach to reach
Sunday visitors is for them to see how much we are in love with our God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our greeters and ushers are a huge part of
this stage in helping visitors feel welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, visitors notice everything…including how all of us respond to
one another. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John 13:35 says, “By this
all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we are showing love
to those around us and we are passionately worshipping God, people will notice
and they will want to know the God that we serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>We don’t want people to go home impressed
by our music; we want them to go home impressed by our God.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since Sunday mornings are
not geared specifically toward non-believers, we do feel it is important to
have events throughout the year that ARE focused on those outside the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the worship ministry,
that would include things like NATP, Christmas Programs, Concerts, the Outreach
Challenge and things like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These types
of outreach events are important in drawing people into the church and inviting
them into a relationship with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also want to encourage our own people to
live an evangelistic lifestyle in order to reach out to those around them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John Piper put it this
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that “<u>missions exists
because worship doesn’t</u>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t
worship what you don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must
continue with these outreach missions so that more people can turn to worship
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">II. Growing in that New Relationship with the Lord<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 1:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">How blessed is the man
who</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">does not walk in the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">path of sinners, nor</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">sit in the seat of scoffers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">delight is</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">in the law of the Lord, and in His law he
meditates</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">day and
night.</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">He will be like</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">a tree</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">firmly</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">planted by streams of water, which
yields its fruit in its season. And its</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">leaf does not wither; and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">in whatever he does,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">he prospers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once someone has made that
decision to follow Christ, we want to offer areas where they can grow closer to
Him and learn what it means to truly follow Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the Worship Ministry, this is a huge part
of our Sunday morning services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want
people to have their delight in the Lord and to be firmly planted in His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>We want the preaching and our songs to be
Biblically-based and to encourage our people to deepen and develop their
relationship with God</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To help new
believers, we want to make sure we’re speaking in terms that they can
understand and are taking the time to explain complex issues as they arise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another encouraging
passage is Colossians 3:12–17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and
beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a
complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond all these things put on
love, which is the perfect bond of unity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were
called in one body; and be thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
thankfulness in your hearts to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This passage talks about
sharing compassion and love for one another and bonding together in perfect
unity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THEN, it talks about singing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. <u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s our God that unites us, but singing gives
us an opportunity to express that unity.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By focusing on God and His holiness, we should minimize ourselves and
our preferences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday morning’s time of
singing is the only time all week where we unite together and declare the same
message at the same place at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is a powerful example of our unity in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New believers need to experience that unity and
love from the Body of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Music is a tool for
worship…it is not the driving factor of worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hearts and our focus on God have to be
more important than the music itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
helping people understand that is a strong way that we can help encourage
people to grow in their walk with Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Explaining when songs are directly from
Scripture or are strongly based from Scripture can help assist this process as
well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We want people to leave
our services in love with our God, desiring to grow closer to Him all week
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">III. Using Gifts to Serve God and to Strengthen the
Body<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romans 12:4-8 instructs us
about the Body of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">For</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">just as we have many members in one body and all
the members do not have the same function,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">so we,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">who are many, are</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">one body in Christ, and individually members one
of another.<b><sup> </sup></b>Since we have gifts that</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">differ according to the grace given to us,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">each
of us is to exercise them accordingly</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">: if</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">prophecy,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">according to the proportion of his faith;</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">if</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">service, in his serving; or he who</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">teaches, in his teaching;</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">or he who</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">liberality;</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">he who</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with
cheerfulness.</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As people grow in their
walk with the Lord, they will realize God has given them unique gifts and
talents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>We want to come alongside
people to help them identify, use, and develop their gifts</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>We need to help people understand that
their gifts were given to them BY God and to be used FOR God.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we, as a church, need to give places for
those gifts to be used.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the worship ministry,
we have opportunities for those with:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Singing abilities (choir/praise teams/solos)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Instrumental abilities (orchestra/praise band/solos)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Technical abilities (sound/video/lights)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Acting skills (drama)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Abundant friendliness (greeters/ushers)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Administrative skills (office/scheduling)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Muscles (stage/equipment setup)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Servant’s Heart (cleaning/painting/etc.)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Creativity (decorations/graphic design)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Encouragement (we all need it!)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colossians 3:23 is one of our
driving verses and it says, “whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as if you
were working for the Lord, not men.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you’re working for the Lord, you can’t settle for anything less
than your best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One way we honor God
through each of these ministries is by striving for excellence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excellence is not perfection, but it is
giving our best to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We want to provide
opportunities for people to worship Him by using their gifts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we want to challenge people to strengthen
their gifts and continue to grow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If people don’t make the
step from stage two to this stage of serving, they will never fully experience
what it means to worship God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will
always remain as “spectators” and will likely become very stagnant in their
walk with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We need to take whatever
gifts He has given us and use them for His glory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">IV. Continuing to Worship God through Contagious
Faithfulness<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Romans 12:1 states, we
want to “present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, which is our
spiritual service of worship.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether we came to know
the Lord yesterday or 50 years ago, we have to remember that He saved us from
death and eternal separation…and THAT deserves our full praise every single
day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want our people to look forward
to every Sunday that we get the opportunity to come worship Him together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We need to continue
challenging people to grow deeper in their walk with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Explaining song lyrics or the story behind
songs can help with this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s a song
we’ve sung a thousand times, it can be a reminder of the importance and meaning
of the song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s a new song, it can
help us think about our God in a new and fresh way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gave us the Great
Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Go therefore and make
disciples of</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">all the
nations,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">baptizing
them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you; and lo,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I am with you</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">always, even to</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">the end of the age.</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We want to help people
realize that the process of learning, growing and serving is never complete until
God takes us to our eternal home</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He commands us to take what we know and share
it with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mature Christians should
be very active in this through missional living and personal evangelism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two other ways that we want to be encouraging
this are through mentoring connections and leadership opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mentoring connections are
a beautiful way to take what God has given us and to pass that on to future
generations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 78:3-4 encourages us
to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Which we have heard and
known, And</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">our fathers
have told us. We will</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">not conceal
them from their children, But</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">tell to the generation to come the praises of the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">, And His strength and His</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">wondrous works that He has done.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leadership opportunities
also give us a powerful way to keep growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being a part of a group and leading a group are two totally different
ways to serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We already have many
leaders in place who oversee the greeters, ushers, drama and other areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are good opportunities to use their
gifts while continuing to learn and grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having a variety of other worship leaders would be a huge benefit to the
church and a great leadership opportunity for the volunteers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Luke
16:10 says, “he who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we see people who are being faithful in
little things, we need to give them opportunities to grow, take on mo</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">re responsibilities, and transition into leadership roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>We can only dream of the worship service
we’ll have in Heaven!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until God takes us
there, we must continue to grow and be faithful in a way that inspires as many
as possible to join us on that day.</u><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-78454060300486088722013-09-07T17:07:00.003-07:002013-09-07T17:09:09.488-07:00How Great is Our God (Worldwide Edition)I am liking this worship and missions combo more and more. I love John Piper's quote that "Missions exists because worship doesn't." I find it such a privilege to be able to serve on both sides of that statement. One day we will all be worshipping our God together with every tribe and every nation. But, until then, we must be seeking as many people as possible to join us on that day.<br />
<br />
I recently came across this video from our End of the Year Worship Ministry Concert back in May and wanted to share it with you today. It's "How Great is Our God" with a mix of English, Spanish, and Tagalog.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Le4Nh_xT8&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">How Great is Our God (Worldwide Edition)</a><br />
<br />
Tomorrow, Edgewood starts a brand new service completely in Spanish. We are extremely excited about this new opportunity to better reach and serve those in our community who speak Spanish. We are blessed to have Julio (who is singing in this video) and his wife Liana leading this ministry.<br />
<br />
In less than a month, a team of 10 Edgewood members is taking a mission trip to the Philippines. Megan and I are blessed to be able to join this team. It's mainly a medical team to serve the needy areas around Manila. However, we're also going to have the privilege of joining with a church worship team and helping lead their service on the Sunday that we're there.<br />
<br />
Because of these two big upcoming events, I wanted to share this video with you today. I pray it will be an encouragement to keep striving to reach those around us until we see Jesus face to face.Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-76184799894309759332013-08-22T11:13:00.001-07:002013-08-22T11:13:42.426-07:00Missionary Update - HubbardsEdgewood has supported missionaries Van and Janese Hubbard for many years. In 2012, the Hubbards moved to Sierra Leone, Africa to begin ministering there. They are working to train pastors, church leaders, and Christian school teachers. They have also been involved with evangelistic crusades to see new people come into a life-saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Over a recent three month period of these crusades, they saw 511 professions of faith! <br />
<br />
Here is a link to a video of Van and Janese sharing more about their ministry.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo57WyAVmnQ&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1" target="_blank">Hubbard's Video Update</a><br />
<br />
I was personally blessed and encouraged to get to spend time with Van and Janese while they were in the Seattle area this summer. Their faithful service and hearts for the Lord are such an amazing testimony. Please join with us in prayer for Van and Janese and their continued ministry in Sierra Leone.<br />
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Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-26699526838955447422013-08-16T14:44:00.000-07:002013-08-16T14:47:35.638-07:00How to Frustrate Your Wife<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail with a subject line that really caught my attention. It was from <a href="http://www.familylife.com/" target="_blank">FamilyLife Ministries</a> and the subject was, "</span></strong>How to
Frustrate Your Wife."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They said there were two easy ways to frustrate your wife: </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1. Fail to love her</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2. Fail to lead her</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strong>Thoughts
on Loving Your Wife<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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You must love your wife to the extent that she has no
doubt about it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When shopping for greeting cards, we regularly see cards
that say, “I know I haven't said it as often as I should…." A Christian husband should never be in a
position to buy that card! We should be
confident that we are regularly speaking words of love and affection.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Recently, as I’ve been thinking a lot about missions and
the multi-cultural church, I’ve been reminded of a strong concept about serving
and loving others. You can’t show up in
another country and just plan American-style events and expect a different
culture to feel loved and served. You
have to get to know the culture and serve in a way that speaks to them. It’s the exact same concept overseas and in our
own households. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In case you haven’t noticed, men and women tend to think
differently. That different thinking
also goes into the way we show our love to each other. We have to make sure we are showing our love
in a way that speaks her language, not ours.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Thoughts on
Leading Your Wife<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Christian wives hope their husbands will be godly
leaders. It means taking the initiative
in leading the family in engagement with God's Word both in the local church
and at home. It is our responsibility to
shepherd our flock by providing for them, protecting them, caring for them, and
helping them grow.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In his sermon last Sunday, Pastor Dave reminded us that one
qualification of an elder is to be someone who can lead their family. He referred to I Timothy 3:5 which says, “If
a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of
the church of God?<sup>”</sup></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Ephesians 5:25 challenges us to “love our wives just as
Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for it.” That’s quite a high calling! But I hope all the husbands that read this today can be encouraged and challenged to do just that.</div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-49777775277542344272013-07-14T23:20:00.000-07:002013-07-15T09:52:28.866-07:00New Music and Missions Combo<div class="yiv1512854320yui_3_7_2_29_1368809855266_58" id="yiv1512854320yui_3_7_2_26_1368508175972_39" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Bud Childs has been leading the missions ministry at Edgewood for the last 10 years. He has done a fantastic job of supporting our missionaries and ministries all around the world. Just last month, Bud and Nan moved down to Oregon to be closer to family. While we're excited for them, we are very sad to see them go!</div>
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Megan and I have each had a heart for missions since high school. While the Worship Pastor role is a full-time position at Edgewood, we have had a desire to become more involved with the missions ministry as well. Over the last six months, we have been praying for a clear direction for whether or not God wanted us to pursue Bud's role.</div>
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Through much prayer, many discussions with Bud, talking with our Elder Board, and other confirming circumstances, we felt strongly that this was God's will for us.</div>
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I am blessed to have good leadership teams for the worship ministry and for the missions ministry. This combination of roles would not be practical without them. The Worship Leadership Team is new, but was formed in order to share the workload of the ministry and help it to grow even stronger. I'm very excited to have Megan, Jeanette, Ron, Jim, and Andy on this team. Bud already had a well-established missions leadership group called the GO Team (Global Outreach) including Mark, Melissa, Wes, Dick, Pam, and Kim. This team will be a huge asset to me as I'm getting started in the missions role.</div>
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After just a few weeks in this new role, I'm already loving it. Edgewood supports missionaries all around the world who are seeing God do amazing things. It is such a joy to get to know these missionaries and to come alongside them to join in what God's doing.</div>
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Please pray for me as I begin this new journey. Pray that God will be honored through the worship services at Edgewood and through the missions work around the world. Pray that I will be able to effectively balance time with my family and leading both the worship and missions ministries. Pray that God will move in powerful ways and that more and more people will come into a saving relationship with Him.</div>
Edgewood Worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239970418392122394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181641359149427068.post-68781903321025401652013-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:002013-05-26T06:00:05.011-07:00Happy Birthday Theo!<div class="MsoNormal">
In honor of Theo's first birthday, I wanted to write him this letter. He's an amazing little guy, so I want to share this with you as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Dear Theo,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Hey little buddy! I
just wanted to write you a quick letter to tell you how much I love you. You are an amazing little guy and have
already been such a blessing to my life.
I needed another guy in this house and I’m so glad that I’ve got you!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>As you turn one today, I want to share a few things that I
already see in your life.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>First of all, you have such a strong drive. If you want something, you will work very
hard to get it. You quickly figured out
how to crawl and move around our house with no problem. You wanted to get up the stairs and, even
though you fell a few times, you just got right back up and started climbing
again. Now, you are standing up constantly
and will be walking and running around this house in no time. I love seeing this in you, Theo. I pray that it continues and that you will
allow God to use this strong drive to accomplish many things for Him. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Secondly, you have a very tender side to you as well. In fact, I don’t get to hold you much because
your Mommy hogs you all the time. She
loves holding and cuddling with you. I
can also tell how much you love your big sister. You watch her all the time, you quickly learn
how to do things from her, and you continue to sit close to her even though she
loves poking you in the eyes. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Lastly, I’ve got this wild hunch that you’re going to be my
drummer in the family. You LOVE hearing
and playing drum patterns with Daddy!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Your Mommy and I pray for you all the time. We pray that you’ll grow strong. We pray that you’ll learn how much God loves
you and that you’ll want to give your life to Him. We also pray that you’ll have a loving wife
someday to serve the Lord together….and to clean up your messes!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Theo, I look forward to sharing life with you and I hope you
will learn a lot of things from your Daddy.
Here are three of the most important things that I hope you’ll learn.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>First, I pray that I can show you how to love God. I want to model a father’s love so that you
can better understand the love that your Heavenly Father has for you. I will mess up. But, God’s love will never fail. He’s the one I want you to see and He’s the
one I want to point you toward. I want to help you understand God’s love and to teach you how to live your life in
a way that shows your love to Him.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Secondly, I pray that I can give you a good example of how
to love your family. I love your Mommy more
than you can understand right now. I
want to give you an example of how to love your wife someday. God tells us to love our wives like He loves
the Church. That’s a pretty high
calling, but I want to do my best to model that for you. Learning how to honor your Mom and Dad will
be important as you grow as well. And
while we’re at it, that sister of yours will drive you crazy sometimes. But, I have a strong feeling that she’s going
to be your best friend in life. I want
to show you how to love her and take care of her as well.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Lastly, I pray that I can show you how to love others. God wants us to treat others even better than
we treat ourselves. We will meet many
people that are hard to love. But, I
want to show you how to honor God and love them anyway.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Theo, I am so excited to have the privilege of being your
Daddy. I think that God has great things
in store for your life. I want to be
here to help you and guide you along the way.
I love you Theo.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Daddy</i></div>
<br />
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