Category Archives: Worship

January 23, 2009

Do you need a break today?

By Roye Glass

It’s interesting how each person that follows Jesus is so different. The gifts given, the personalities, and purposes for each person are all different. God is very personal with each person. Even the circumstances in life are different for each person. For some, it may seem like everything in life always goes their way. Another look at the human race it may seem like there are others that always struggle and have difficulties… never getting a break.

Why is it that some seemingly have no problems and all they touch turns to gold or at best stays steady moving forward? Why is it that others seem to never get a break?

It’s the same thing when I look at churches. Most churches get to a certain place with the number of people attending. And they just maintain that number… sometimes they will hit a growth spurt and leadership is gelling and moving forward then BAM roadblock… people leave and move on and continue on elsewhere or they get frustrated with the whole church thing and just drop out. Then there are those churches that start up and never look back… they grow and grow. The staff grows, changes, and grows some more.

Do you ever find yourself frustrated? Like there is something else that you should be doing… or that you just aren’t fitting in with what you are doing or where you are serving? Do you think that maybe you are doing something that God really didn’t intend for you to do… thus bringing on the frustration and roadblocks?

In Psalms 73we read about the frustrations of Asaph.  I’ve read it several times in the past couple of days. Do you relate to the thoughts of Asaph? What about in verses 11-14?

  What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch?
      Nobody’s tending the store.
   The wicked get by with everything;
      they have it made, piling up riches.
   I’ve been stupid to play by the rules;
      what has it gotten me?
   A long run of bad luck, that’s what—
      a slap in the face every time I walk out the door. (The Message).

Look and see just how Asaph ends this Psalm in verses 25-28.

You’re all I want in heaven!
      You’re all I want on earth!
   When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
      God is rock-firm and faithful.
   Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
      Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
   But I’m in the very presence of God—
      oh, how refreshing it is!
   I’ve made Lord God my home.
      God, I’m telling the world what you do! (The Message).

I don’t know why (but for some) things just seem so easy – and for others it’s incredibly difficult. Wherever you find yourself I encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay focused.  Give all of your attention and worship to Jesus.

If it’s difficulties you are faced with remember the words of Jesus to John the Baptist’s disciples just before John was beheaded, “You’ll be blessed if this does not cause you to fall away.”  God can and will get you through anything… it just may be in a different way than what you are expecting.

1 comment | posted in Bible Reading, Calling, Church, Focus, Holy Spirit, Psalms, Spiritual Gifts, The Bible, The Message, Worship

January 20, 2009

Blog Update

By Roye Glass

I’ve added a new category to my blogroll.  “Worship” is the new cateory.  I’ve added a new link there I think you may like… especially if you love to worship God.  Checkout WorshipCity.  I’ve also moved Even Adam to Worship as well…

Check back for more updates to this category soon…

1 comment | posted in Christian Music, Even Adam, Music, Worship

January 15, 2009

The Sun Dances with the Water

By Roye Glass

sun-dancing-on-water

I received this photo in an email today.  It was taken by Jessica Stephenson and entitled, “Sunlight Dancing on Water.”  As I have looked at this photo I’ve thought about how the rays of the sun and the water move in unison together… as if dancing together.

God desires to move with each of us in perfect unity just as the rays of the sun move on the face of the water.  God reveals Himself in countless ways through His creation.  The next time you are at the lake, hiking in the mountains, riding through the countryside in your car, or just spending time with your children – take the time to notice all that He has created and know that He shows us Himself through what He has created. 

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. (Romans 1:19-20, The Message).

3 comments | posted in Creation, Holy Spirit, Worship

January 3, 2009

Panty Praise?

By Roye Glass

Thanks to Pastor Elrod for revealing the cure to panty praise!  I am glad to have been introduced to Lee McDerment!!  Check out all of these links!

3 comments | posted in Christian Music, Music, Worship

December 6, 2008

2009: A Look Forward – in Your eyes

By Roye Glass

Hope as defined by Dictionary.com as a noun is wrapped up in “feelings.”  But as a verb: 

  • To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
  • To believe, desire, or trust.

Hebrews 10:19-25,

So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (The Message).

Are you looking toward the future or is your vision on the here and now?  I’m trying to gain all I can today from yet another extremely rare moment of quiet.  It’s rather nice.  The only light in the room is from the Christmas tree.  My heart is set on the hope of things yet to come – in Jesus Christ.

I am reading Psalm 139.  Take a moment to read the chapter.  Psalm 139:1, “God, investigate my life, get all the facts firsthand.  I’m an open book to you.” (The Message). 

I’ve never been one to make a lot of goals or plans for the beginning of the “New Year.”  Why not?  I do this (it seems like) all of the time already.  So, this year I’m going to go about it a bit differently.  I am already making some plans to implement for my life beginning January 1, 2009.  But before I get into that I would like to look at Psalm 139 as it pertains to my thoughts and direction.

I have been focused on the meaning and purpose of the life of Jesus Christ…  His redeeming mankind and making a way for all mankind to have a relationship with God.  I’ve been focused on his Holy Spirit (John 16) and the reason the Holy Spirit is in our lives today…  The power, confidence, and hope He gives.

As I read Psalm 139, I’m asking God to take a deep look into my life.  To look at all of it – inside and out.  I’m asking Him to see all of the highs and lows and to search me out east to west.  I am an open book to Him.  I am one of the verses in His book that is still being written in Acts 29.

I’ve also looked ahead into My Utmost for His Highest to see what Oswald Chambers has said on this subject and Psalm 139:

The psalmist implies— “O Lord, You are the God of the early mornings, the God of the late nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea. But, my God, my soul has horizons further away than those of early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature. You who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot discover, dreams I cannot realize. My God, search me.” (January 9).

I know, “I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot discover, dreams I cannot realize.” without God taking a deep look into my life.  Without Him searching the darkest places and shining His light.  As I look toward the coming New Year, I’m asking God to prepare my heart for the plans He has for me.  I want to live in the power of His hope and walk boldly – with confidence – into His plans.

One of my prayers for the past couple of months – as I drive in my car - has been the following.  These are the words from the first verse and chorus of “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel.  I have capitalized the word You and made it personal to God and want to share it.

love, I get so lost sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place You are

all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

in Your eyes
the light the heat
in Your eyes
I am complete
in Your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in Your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in Your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in Your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in Your eyes

 

As I begin this look forward, I start with asking God to search my heart.  As He begins this search and reveals to me Himself – I will prepare for the year to come.  I will make the plans and take the steps necessary.  I look forward to complete fulfillment in the coming year – walking in His power for His glory.

Leave a comment | posted in Confidence, Faith, Focus, Future, Holy Spirit, Hope, Oswald Chambers, Peter Gabriel, Psalms, Spiritual Growth, The Bible, Trusting God, Vision, Worship

December 5, 2008

U2: Praise & Worship

By Roye Glass

I was talking with a good friend of mine this morning.  As we talked, he began to share a passage of Scripture with me from Psalm 116.  As he read this passage to me I was reminded of this praise and worship set by U2.  It’s a very moving moment. 

According to RNS Blog, while speaking with reporters at the National Prayer Breakfast (February 2, 2006), Bono is quoted as saying,

I believe being a worship leader is the highest of all art forms, to worship and call people into the presence of God.

 

1 comment | posted in Christian Music, Concert, Hope, Inspiration, Obedience, U2, Worship

November 19, 2008

Even Adam has a new blog

By Roye Glass

I have put together a new blog for Even Adam.  I hope you will take the time to check it out. 

Be looking for a schedule, set list, words from the band, videos, photos, and interviews with Joel, Brad, and Dean.

Leave a comment | posted in Christian Music, Even Adam, Worship

October 10, 2008

Catalyst Day 2

By Roye Glass

There is so much to reflect on for Day 2. 

First, these are most of the people we had the pleasure of learning from today:  Tim Sanders, Jeff Foxworthy, Franklin Graham, Dave Ramsey, Matt Chandler, and Andy Stanley… There were others who spoke or shared I don’t have my workbook in front of me right now.  The icing on the cake was the experience of a lifetime in worshipping the Creator of all things and the King of kings.

I stood there on several occasions during worship and just looked around at the 12,000 people attending this conference on Leadership.  The noise that 12,000 people can make is amazing.  I leaned over to Brad at one moment while everyone was clapping and said something similar to this, “Listen to all of the clapping.  It’s kind of strange to hear how we humans have found a way to express our approval and gratitude to others.  We are no different from other animals in this regard.”  We want to express to people and to God in a manner that shows our approval of them and one way we do so is by clapping.  I paid attention a lot today to how people responded to what they were hearing. 

One of the greatest rounds of applause came for a Staff Sergent from the Army on a 15 day leave who was at Catalyst.  WOW!  He spent 2 of his 15 day leave at this conference… He left the war in Iraq and got his spiritual and leadership batteries charged.  It was an amazing moment to witness his introduction.

There is so much to say as to what I gained from this 2 day conference.  If you have never been to Catalyst I highly suggest going… Catalyst 2008 is by far the BEST conference I have ever been to!  For those of you on the West Coast, Catalyst is coming your way in April 2009!!  Catalyst will be in Orange County, CA. 

Seth Godin gave us his latest book, Tribes.  I have begun reading it tonight and haven’t been able to put it down.  I know I will finish it this weekend.  I have already gotten several ideas on how to implement his ideas in this book to my own “tribe” at work.  I look forward to being stretched this way… my title may be “Area Manager” but my function is to be a leader of those who make up my tribe.  As I apply some of the thoughts I have jotted down tonight as to steps I will begin taking I hope to write on how my team of employees respond. 

The short story about today’s sessions is this:  Missions was a large thrust of today’s topics.  I was challenged to preach the Word, reach people with the preached Word and not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.  The goal of proclaiming Christ is Christ.  Nothing less.  For it to be less would be to lead people to think “you” (or I) did a great job in the presentation.  Doing a great job in presenting the Gospel should never be the goal.  Preach the Word and watch God do the work!

There was so much more that was communicated today that will apply to so many areas of my life.  I look forward to sharing this in the days ahead. 

I am so very thankful for the opportunity to go to this Catalyst.  I words can’t express my thanksgiving.  Thank you!

One more thought about both days.  God orchestrated so much for me over these two days.  From conversations with new and old friends, each of the sessions, the worship, the quiet moments by myself journaling, and the many tears that were shed…  I know everything I experienced was planned by God.  I am so looking forward to unwrapping all of this…

1 comment | posted in Catalyst, Focus, Future, Leadership, Missions, Obedience, Pray for the troops, Spiritual Growth, Worship

April 27, 2008

Will our children have faith?

By Roye Glass

Today, I was at The Church at Woodland.  During the time of worship I am sitting and writing in my journal.  I start to notice several families with their children sitting next to them.  I began to watch one little girl with a beautiful smile sitting in her mother’s lap.  This is what I wrote as I took in the moment:

What can I say? Once again I’m thinking about the question, “Will our children have faith?”  I sit here and look at this little girl as she looks around and watches all that is going on around her.  She sees a man behind her raise his hands… then she looks at the woman next to him as she sings.  Her daddy is on stage playing in the band…  She is now sitting in her mother’s lap as her mom helps her clap with the beat as she bounces on her mother’s lap…  She’s a cute little girl.

I can understand why some would not want children in a worship service… but I still have to ask, “Will our children have faith?”  In what other setting can a little child begin to see, hear, and experience worship?  More importantly with their parents? 

We are taking a moment on our knees not to pray but to be thankful.  I can hear little voices of children and the beautiful sounds they make.  I am thanking God for the sound I hear.  I can hear one little child say, “Momma.”  Brad is speaking about the things he is thankful for and then as he speaks to God he states,“Our children are thankful – hear them Father.”

This moment would have been lost had they been in the nursery.  I’m thankful for having had this moment today.  My thoughts on this subject were encouraged and blessed by what I saw and heard. 

 

2 comments | posted in Discipleship, Faith, Worship

April 25, 2008

Psalm 40:1-3

By Roye Glass

You know how sometimes when you wake up in the morning and you’ve got a song on your mind that you can’t get rid of all day long?  I had one of those the other morning.  It was a song that I really like and one I haven’t heard in 20 years or more.  It was by The Cars!  The song was “Moving in Stereo” and now I want to go and buy the CD. 

Well, this morning I woke up quoting a passage of Scripture.  I thought that it was pretty cool to wake up with God’s Word on my mind like that.  It was Psalm 40:1-3 in the King James none-the-less.  I will post it here from the New Living Translation. I read it in the NLT all day today as this is the version I keep on my desk.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.  He has given me a new song to sing, hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see what he has done and be astounded.  They will put their trust in the Lord.

Leave a comment | posted in Faith, Worship

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