good blog. that is very convicting. thanks for sharing that. when i think of it that way, i realize i'm not in awe of Jesus enough and a little part of it is if i worship the way He deserves, people will look at me as a weirdo. i need to be weirder
First Day in Heaven
Ron Malone and I attended the Pastor's Conference and opening session of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention at the beginning of the week. I heard some powerful preaching and was encouraged by hearing people's passion for reaching a lost generation for Christ. One particular preacher was specific in saying that the Mosaic generation was looking carefully at the present generation of worshippers to see if what they experienced in worship was mechanical, ritualistic, or really heart felt and expressive. Boy, did that raise some questions in my mind.
The speaker went on to define worship. He said "I think my worship should be the same here as it would be if I closed my eyes in death and opened them in the very presence of Jesus." He was speaking of his mindset, his posture, his emotional state, and the overwhelming awe he would experience to be in front of the King of kings. He went on to admit that his personal times of worship and his corporate experessions of worship did not measure up to his previous definition.
Wow, that statement has caused me to ask some questions of myself that are hard to answer. I've used my church hertiage, my denomination, my age, my .... and the list goes on ... as excuses for physically and emotionally restraining what my heart is feeling. Hmmm, will I be so stoic when I open my eyes to see Jesus in all of His majesty and spendor? I think not. Pray for me. I want to encounter Jesus each time in worship with at least a hint of what I might experience when I see Him face to face. I think if our church were to get "on fire" with passion and excitement about our Savior, others would show up just to watch us burn. Let it happen.
this makes me think we all need ...