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I heard a great sermon today. Father John Sweeney unpacked Psalm 100 in a very unique way this morning. Made my heart glad! I don't think we hear enough about what God expects of us in the way of worship and praise. These five verses comprise a wonderful primer on the expression of our relationship with our God. It also is among my first childhood memories



The preface and premise of this was that worship and praise are action verbs. He pointed out that each of these action verbs has a focus. Fr. John also noted that this psalm also adds a descriptor or an attitude to coincide with each verb and focus. We use the New King James Version at church, but I'm going to use the New American Standard Bible here. I think it's a little easier to see some of the words.


<QUOTE author="Psalm 100 NASB">

Psalm 100 NASB Wrote:1 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness;

<COLOR color="#EBEBEB">.....</COLOR>Come before Him with joyful singing.[/+]

3 Know that the LORD Himself is God;

<COLOR color="#EBEBEB">.....</COLOR>It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;[/+]

<COLOR color="#EBEBEB">.....</COLOR>We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.[/+]

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving

<COLOR color="#EBEBEB">.....</COLOR>And His courts with praise[/+]

<COLOR color="#EBEBEB">.....</COLOR>Give thanks to Him, bless His name.[/+]

5 For the LORD is good;

<COLOR color="#EBEBEB">.....</COLOR>His lovingkindness is everlasting[/+]

<COLOR color="#EBEBEB">.....</COLOR>And His faithfulness to all generations.[/+]

Verse 1 is always a great place to start. The verb is SHOUT, the focus is TO THE LORD, and the attitude is JOYFULLY. Verse 1 also sets the tone for the psalm, speaking not just to the Hebrews, but to ALL THE EARTH. Shouting--joyful shouting, no less--has its place in church services! Yes, maybe elsewhere, too, but especially within the household of faith. It is a means of expression to the Lord, and it is also a means of bolstering the faith of those shouting next to you. Shouting is usually not something done privately, but even if it were, someone would hear it.



Verse 2 has two verb and attitude sets. Well, three verbs actually. We are told to SERVE GLADLY and we are told to COME while SINGING JOYFULLY. The idea of coming toward the Lord is important. In Hebrews, we're told that we have been authorized to come boldly before the throne. We can borrow that attitude descriptor here. Fr John shared about his sons, both of whom are of an age where they can pull the cord on the mower and serve by cutting grass. He brought understanding smiles and chuckles as he shared that they haven't got the gladly part down yet, but he's working on that. We've all been in services and situations with lots of singing that is pretty mechanical. God's instruction here is really about getting the heart involved. ZionFireFriends has been preaching the whole-being issue of Hebrew mindset, that God's ideal is that our whole being be involved in life. Romans 12:1 re-emphasizes it with presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, that is our spiritual worship.



Verse 3 is a little more subtle. KNOW THE LORD contains the verb and the focus, but where is the attitude. It's hidden in that little word know. This word implies a knowing beyond mere knowing, an intimacy. This is the same Hebrew word used to describe God's knowing of our very thoughts and that part of Genesis where Adam "knew" Eve. Even though subtle, this is an intense attitude that goes with this verb. Intentional, purposeful, intense. This verse also reminds us that we are the sheep of His flock. The Gospel portion this morning was that quotation where Jesus is engaged with the scribes and Pharisees who were totally unbelieving in Jesus' ministry as Messiah. He told them plainly that His sheep know (there's that word again!) His voice.



Verse 4 is the culmination of a previous verb. Before we were told to come or approach. We've come from afar and now actually approach. We're told to ENTER the gates with THANKSGIVING, to ENTER the courts of the King with PRAISE. Praise here is the Hebrew word tehillim which translates act of general or public praise, adoration, or thanksgiving (paid to God). It also translates as "psalm". So, this is about both public and personal thanking of our God and blessing of our God.



Finally, verse 5 tells us why we're doing these things. We know that we love Him because He first loved us, but look at His plans from several thousand years ago laid out here, to show eternal lovingkindness and for us to realize that we witness His faithfulness as part of the "all generations" spoken of in this verse.



Here we have the basic instructions for approaching our God and our King. His place, His space, His rules. What a plan!

Our newest member wrote (and I'm forwarding to all):



I would love to have a copy of a dvd that I had once, but loaned it to a friend and do not have it anymore.



It is a dance dvd of Jean Mabry's dancers. I do not know where they were at when they did this dvd, but there is several dances on it. Go through the gates, Going up to the mountain, the set time has come, there was more but I cannot remember the titles.



I would love to get a copy if anyone can tell me how please e-mail me at <EMAIL email="jewishdance7@yahoo.com">jewishdance7@yahoo.com</EMAIL> Thank you

Years ago, we were ministering at an event with Charlotte Baker, who is one of the forefunners of the worship arts movement. Over forty years ago, she was conducting church services where the prophetic dance, song, pageantry and even inspired on-site painting would go on. She and other pioneers like Fuschia Pickett forged the way for those of us ministering in the worship arts today. She is a mighty woman of God and powerful teacher.



But back to my story. Worship events are wonderful in that you can connect with other leaders from all around and get a sense of what God is doing overall in His church. During the conference a group us jumped in car and went to do something in the city. Conversations during such trips are always rich, because you have intense people quickly sharing many intense things, all knowing that our time together is short.



I vividly remember one exchange that by most counts would be thought trivial. This was a conversation Charlotte had with herself as we were driving through the city streets. She saw a woman in a rather hideous outfit on the sidewalk in front of a store and made an uncharacteristic snarky comment about it's tastelessness. Without skipping a beat, Charlotte spoke again and said, "shut up, Charlotte." And then proceeded to repent to the Father.



No one said anything else, but I sat there quietly and I thought, "She is self-correcting....and I want to be like that."



Charlotte was living her faith. Not as a perfect being who never sinned, but being so close to the Lord, that the moment she DID sin, she came right back to Him. That was a lesson that burned itself into my spirit that day. Charlotte, I'm sure, has no idea that she mentored me so powerfully in that little car ride. But that moment to me was eternally significant, and changed my walk with God.

There has been one thing in particular that has made me alternately smile or shake my head over the years. Have you ever walked out of a service in your home congregation or one where you've visited and heard someone say, "Wasn't worship wonderful today?" So many times, I've had to wonder if they had been in the same service with me because there was nothing that I recognized as worship!



This past week, I've been rereading an old favorite, Judson Cornwall's Let Us Draw Near. Dr. Cornwall has been both a long time hero and was a personal friend during the last years of his life. As I read this particular book (present and past tense), I could hear his voice reading to me and teaching me, and one particular phrase stuck out this week. Paraphrased, "Worship belongs to the object of worship, not to the worshiper." Hmmm. There have been times in the past when I have commented on the fine quality of the worship or praise times together. Papa Judson's words have convicted me. Who am I to say that the worship was wonderful? I can talk about what it meant to me and that I was really able to enter in, or that I felt it was more worshipful or more praiseful, but on it's quality?



Worship belongs to Him Who sits on the throne. He alone is the One Who can decide if the worship was wonderful. How can I react to that? How do I assess my own personal worship efforts in light of that reality?



Romans 12:1 is an important definer of things and attitudes concerning worship. It's a spiritual duty, it involves my entire being (offer your body, or your entire being as a living sacrifice). Worship involves the outward, and physical response to the inward realization of God's love for me. We are loving Him back as it were. How are we to do that? Jesus taught us in Luke and Mark by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 to love Him with ALL, defining all by including heart, soul, strength, and mind. Jesus actually amplified that quote, but He's allowed so that we can get a more complete view of what it is that He inspired in the first place! The point is the "all". This is in keeping with what has been called the Hebrew mindset. See the attached file for a comparison between Hebrew and Greek mindsets. The Hebraic thinkers knew that we are complex but compiled beings. We really cannot divide mind from strength. One affects the other too deeply to divide them.



Because of that, Paul's injunction is easily applied to worship expressions. If we're not paying full attention to the throne, and more concerned about getting that note right or making the timing right with a flag or getting the dance step right, we lose the real focus.



What makes worship "WONderful"? Pick the word apart--wonder filled. Most of us know that we can get all inspired about and warm and fuzzy about time in His presence. We NEED to be affected by Him, but we need to guard ourselves to keep the focus not on the ooh/aah but on the One Who makes our hearts go pittypat. For those of us who are up-front ministers, our best days are when we disappear and when people see God. John the Baptist had it figured out: "I must decrease."



Now is wonderful worship all about what we as leaders offer? Of course not. Can your worship experience be powerful while mine is kind of stinky? Sure. It's always a two or three way street, like any communication. If Bob is saying/singing/dancing it, but Sharleen not getting it or has a chip on her shoulder today about anything, will both have a good experience in worship? Probably not. If the Holy Spirit can penetrate the dark shroud over Sharleen's heart. If Bob's offering is pure and brings others to the throne and into conversation/communion with our Lord, worship was wonderful, even if Sharleen wasn't able to participate. For those who saw Bob, sniffed and saw him as elitist or egotistical or arrogant, even though he wasn't, it's not Bob's problem! And it's not those who mis-perceive. That's God the Holy Spirit's problem. God will receive the offerings that are pure, in this case from Bob, and from those who worshiped with Bob's pure offering, whose hearts were turned toward the throne, whose eyes saw Abba rather than being impressed or depressed by whatever Bob offered!



In my mind, God receives pure offerings. That makes worship wonderful!

It's been a wild weekend. I've spent a lot of time resting, reading, praying, IM-ing with Tom (a far-off friend and young worship leader), and writing. I went back to work today with a number of these things buzzing in my head.



Over the past year, I've spent a lot of time wondering and a fair amount of time praying about why some congregations don't grow much numerically, don't grow spiritually, and even fade away. Some, mind you, not all. I have a friend in pastoral ministry who attributes church decline to the current over-emphasis on the all important concept of "self". I don't disagree with that, but I do want to explore how that might look.



I've spent some time this weekend reading and praying through one particular verse in Revelation, chapter 5, verse 8. I've been in love with this scene for a very long time. Using my imagination to see the scene puts me in mind of the psalm verses that talk about longing for the courts of the Lord. Oh the throne, oh the Seven Lamps burning before the throne, oh the emerald rainbow emanating from Him Who sits on the throne. Awe is too mild a word to describe my feelings while reading the verse. Father has highlighted various facets of this gem at different times, helping me view the richness there. This time, I saw something that I've pretty much overlooked for my entire Christian life. Maybe it has something to do with my age. :unsure:



The four and twenty elders of the verse. I've studied their actions and their thrones. I've pondered their identities and the symbolism. It's a rich enterprise. This time, however, I was struck by the simplicity of their title, elder. There is a lot packed into those five letters. As I wrote in my previous entry, one definition of "elder" is a senior member of a tribe who has influence or authority. This is not one who IS an authority. This is not one who somehow PROCURED authority. An elder simply "is", and by being, has authority and is respected. It is an old principle. Remember that Moses appointed select men to help in overseeing or judging the issues among the Hebrews while they were in the wilderness. Their wisdom, insight, and authority made it possible and practical.



A barrage of questions came to mind today, one upon the other so quickly that I really don't know which was first or if there is an order. Hopefully I can sort them out by the time this ramble concludes. What is an elder? What is man's definition of a mature Christian? Most importantly, what is God's definition of a mature Christian? Like the weekend, this might be a ramble and a really wild ride.



So we have the elders, the wise, experienced, influential men with authority, worshiping before the throne along with the four creatures. I was stunned as I realized that I had focused too long on what was not important! This is not about the twenty-four, it's about their activity and their focus. The scene is about Him Who sits on the throne and about those who love Him; peripherally, it is also about how their love expresses itself--in prayer and worship. Because Father has provided this scene for our edification and enlightenment, what can we learn from it? The point is about relationship, elder to God and each of us to God, and how that relationship presents itself. God is showing us what a mature relationship looks like, what a mature love relationship looks like. Doing is involved, yes, but only in response to being. I love Him and I love being with Him. I love hearing from Him and feeling what the Holy Spirit is communicating to me. I simply love it. This is part of longing for His courts. Not just the cool trappings of court-of-the-King life, but rather intimacy with the King of the court.



So, in my mind this little, but power-packed verse tells me a lot about what maturity looks like. There are other images, too, and those may be explored in additions to this topic, but these are the main pieces of the puzzle, I believe. Now what's with the "baby steps" reference in the title?



I mentioned above about how so many congregations don't grow much. Because of the revelation in Revelation, I'm wondering if it is because so many Christians got stuck very early on in their Christian walk. Most Christians have a concept of prayer and a concept of worship. I think for many of us, those concepts are stunted. We are spiritual infants. Paul talked about that several times. Paul's intention--and the Father's, I believe--was that the believers would become mature in their expression of love toward Father. The Greek word is teleios, and the pictures are about a ship with its rigging strong, in good repair, ready to sail; or an army fully clad, sword and shield in hand, trained and awaiting the command to engage in battle. Another analogy would be a bone once broken, now completely healed and again ready to do what the bone was intended to do.



I've talked with many Christians over the years and asked them about why they worship or pray the way they do. I usually ask because I see timid or even indifferent worshipers and pray-ers who pray strangely or awkwardly, or as though they can't wait until the prayer stops. In both cases, prayer and worship don't seem to be a natural part of their existence.



Think about baby humans for a minute. The ones who can't walk yet and who can't talk yet. Imagine a child who finally managed to get "mama" and "dada" out and who finally managed to walk five steps without falling or flailing. Imagine now that the child has figured out that those three points of his being are sufficient and that he really does not want to expend the energy to gain more vocabulary or to travel any further than five steps, that his world is enough. If I say "mama", walk five steps, plop down, and wail, mama comes and picks me up, dries my tears and tries to figure out what I was trying to communicate--hungry, wet, whatever. Baby steps.



Imagine a physically mature human now who confesses Christ as savior, but whose prayers are still "Now I lay me down to sleep" and "God is great, God is good, now we thank Him for this food. Amen" And this same person's idea of worship is, "Well, I sang the words to that song, didn't I? Isn't that enough already??" I'm trying really hard to make this as simplistic and obvious as possible. Most of us can put our own acquaintances (fellow congregation members?) in this story and nod our heads. These are the baby steps that I'm talking about.



But what do we DO about that? Let's explore it!

Everybody's got a theory, a theorum, a formula, a pondering about how our personal and corporate lives ought to be focused. Part of that is viewing life on earth through the filter of earthly giftings. That's not a bad thing, necessarily, but is it the right thing?



I have struggled with this at various times of my life and I have watched congregations large and small try to deal with the concept. There are so many different aspects to my personal walk (and yours ). We are supposed to be "moderate in all things" and yet we are to be radically committed. The word that many use is "balanced". Many of you know that I really do not like that word. Can I be a balanced radical for Jesus? Something oxymoronic about that, somehow.



I'm not talking about things like the faith message or name-it-claim-it theology. I'm interested in some of the real basics of what most Christians see as essential aspects of our corporate life. I don't want to label them as "ministries", but rather as facets of our corporate life. Liturgical churches and evangelistic churches see these things differently and put different emphases and labels on them, but some of the biggies in our life together include outreach (to unchurched or lapsed believers), evangelism (to unbelievers and includes missions), education (catechesis for children, youth, adults), praise/worship (including sacramental life, music, and movement in large and small groups, and in individual lives). Governance, leadership building, church planting, and a host of other things are out there, too, but I'm not not sure of how to group them all.



Some churches are so "Word-oriented" that nothing is considered unless it supports the promotion of and study of the Word. Teaching heavy, classes, classes, and more classes. Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Tuesday evening, and Thursday evening, plus a teaching evening for the youth and a teaching afternoon for seniors, early morning for work-a-day folks, later morning for the home-makers. That's radical, but is it "the" formula?



I'm reading a little book about how every congregation needs to become a house of prayer. That's the thing that will fix everything else because when it's the center of congregational everything, then everything will just work better. Prayer is the big thing and the other things will just come along as part of the package. Well, that's certainly a radical view. Prayer becomes the focus of the body and drive all the ministries. But is that "the" formula? Yes, I'm trying really hard to spin this thing out toward the extremes. Personally, I think Christianity cannot be viewed in tepid, middle of the road terms--"balanced".



All of those things are important. Having prayer as an integral part of these earthly ministries is certainly mandatory, not to be ignored. It could be seen as an integral part of the fabric of our congregations, the threads that bind much of what we do together. There are all sorts of analogies that can be offered. I want to offer a little different view.



For many years now, Helena and I have been trying to guide our lives on what we view as Kingdom principles, and actions of eternal significance. Kingdom principles work no matter who uses them or for what. Proclamation of the Word is a Kingdom principle. His Word never returns void, it always accomplishes His intentions. Confession (literally "saying with") is a Kingdom principle. God shows me where I've missed the mark. I confess it as sin, agreeing with Him, and He forgives me. Agreement is the place of power. When I agree with Him about that, His power cleanses me. These are clear, biblical, Kingdom principles. Let me introduce you to more.



Revelation 5:8 describes corporate life among the Church Triumphant. There, before the Throne (Kingdom principle), are twenty four thrones for twenty four elders (elders leading in actions of worship and praise is another Kingdom principle). Each of those elders holds a harp and a bowl of incense. This is yet a third Kingdom principle in this one verse, a verse that describes an eternity in His presence. For me, Kingdom life is about three things: the Throne of God, each of us involved in worship, and each of us involved in prayer (the harp and bowl are acknowledged biblical symbols of worship and prayer). The prayer and worship components represent the largest portion of what our eternity will look like. Because of that, should we not focus on making the eternal a larger portion of our temporality?



I am confronted now and again by my lovely wife about my tendencies to over-analyze and over-plan. My boss wags his finger at me regularly and tells me not to overwork my projects. He tells a lot of people that very same thing. Guys mostly. I think it might be just a guy thing. A friend of mine thinks that it's also a leader thing. Many of us fall into the trap of becoming human doings instead of human beings. It's an awful trap because we have these deep needs to plan and label and subdivide, to do and hone and polish. This is not Kingdom thinking and has no place among the Kingdom principles. Watch:



In the Revelation 5 verse, the principle humanoid characters on the stage were the twenty-four elders. Elders: it's who they were, not what they did. They held a harp in one hand and a bowl in the other. Their hands were FULL! No backpack, no grocery cart, no briefcase to lug other stuff, nothing tucked under their arms, no pockets, just the harp and the bowl. It's almost as though each of them were busy being, but had these two accessories to help express what they were called to do while they were about being elders. That's important. Each of those elders was modeling for the glassy sea of the multitudes surrounding the throne. They were busy elding. They were focused not on the harp or the bowl, but on the One upon the Throne. Did they worship or sing? Yeah, I'll bet they did. Did they pray? Yeah, I'll bet they did. Prayer is a broad topic, but it's mostly about conversation with Him, right? Not just about presenting one's "list". They were conversing, communing with Him. It was just a natural, normal part of their being.



That's what I see in the verse and the scene. And it's what I want my life to reflect. I want people to recognize me for what I am, not what I do. As one who loves life near the throne, I have to avoid tendencies to over-define and "over-work" the relationship. Worship is a natural part of life near the throne. Conversational prayer is a natural part of life near the throne. I strive to not allow myself to get in the mode where the worship or the prayer is the driver for my life and motives. My heart is toward HIM and worship and prayer are the means of communication. Neither worship nor prayer should drive my life--my love for Him has to drive my life. If it is any other way, I'm off track, not living in Kingdom mode.



More in part two.