Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Worship - can it be facilitated?

Recently I find myself not being able to study because I have too many songs playing in my head!

This summer I spent my time in Fort Worth visiting the Village Church in Dallas - 1.5 hrs away from my house. Why drive so much? At first, I was just curious about them since I had heard so much from so many people. I kept going back though because I found something very unique... which until just now, I hadn't been able to explain.

After this past Sunday's sermon I think I've figured it out. Sunday morning we had a speaker from Texas here in the UK. Craziness. yes. One of the things he said was basically that worship is not for us to enjoy but for God to enjoy. For us to desire to enjoy worship means that we are concentrating on ourselves and not Christ. This same concept was life changing for me in my first year of undergrad.

Coming at a time when I have truly been missing the songs I can sing so freely, I have had to wonder if perhaps I have strayed away from worshiping God, to desiring to enjoy worship for myself. I don't really know the answer to this question but I do know that certain songs lead me to think deeper about Who I am singing to. Not just think... but also to cry out louder, to sing freer, to feel fuller. Meaning either that certain songs facilitate worship or that I am completely engrossed with myself!

Most of the songs at the Village Church are written by their music pastor, Michael Bleecker. That man has a gift for writing songs that lead me in worship of Christ! I think maybe because the style is more conversational? I would imagine it would be hard to sing these songs and not give glory to Christ. Yet, I can't help but wonder if I just love and feel greater desire to sing because they are more in line with my style.

Anyone have any scripture that might indicated whether or not worship can be facilitated? I am not referring to worship as in just singing... but all of what it entails.

In case you desire to hear these songs I've mentioned, you can check them out on my Odeo link http://odeo.com/channel/263863/view

-Overwhelm Me
-My King
-Who You Are
-Glorious Day
-From the Inside Out

1 comment:

craig said...

Funny. I was listening to Hillsong when as I was reading this post. And on listening to Bleecker's songs from your site, he does the right things: sing scripture and borrow from great songs of the Church.

The words of a song definitely make a difference in facilitating praise with our mind. The particular style and structure of a song lend to funneling our emotions in praise. Dedicating time to worship is required to praising Him physically. And gathering with the assembly strengthens our growth in favor with man. Each aspect is important in bringing our to praise to the only one that deserves it.