Heart of Worship Tuesday: Blessed Be Your Name

We all go through difficult times. We all go through good times. Yet, through it all, God is there with us

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“Blessed Be Your Name” is a more recent worship song. It was written in 2001 by Christian recording artist, Matt Redman. He penned it a few weeks after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. In his book of the same name as the song, he notes that:

 “For the few weeks following those attacks, church attendance went up dramatically…It wasn’t written consciously in response to those dark events-but no doubt, being immersed in the spiritual and emotional climate of those days was an important factor in birthing it…It’s really a song born out of the whole of life-a realization that we will all face seasons of pain or unease. And in these seasons we will need to find our voices before God.” (1)

This song is full of imagery, much inspired by the book of Job. In the first verse it states:

“Blessed be Your name

In the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your name!”

Blessed be Your name

When I’m found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed be Your name!”

In the bible, good times were often correlated with times of ‘plenty’. This meant that lots of food was growing. People were happy and had what they needed and more. In times of famine, food wouldn’t grow and the economy went bad. Today is no different. We go through periods of things going well, and other times not so much.

In the second half of the first verse, it talks about going through the desert and the wilderness. The desert is dry and many times void of food. It is often hot. It is easy to become tired and weary.

 In a wilderness, it can be easy to get confused and lost. There is nobody, except animals-some which could kill you.

The children of Israel, as a result of their sin, wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before God let them into the Promised Land. We can also see a parallel of how our own sin can plunge us into difficult times. Yet, God is forgiving and patient. (1 Romans 2:4, John 1:9.)

God’s love is abundant, and just knowing that He is in control gives us comfort.

The next verse says this:

“Blessed be Your name

When the sun’s shining down on me

When the world’s all as it should be

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Tho there’s pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name.”

There are times in our lives when things will be great. There is “sunshine” in our lives, so to speak. It is easy to praise and serve God during these times and to be thankful. But so many things can take us by surprise and derail our lives. Whether it be loss of a loved one, illness, broken relationships, accidents, or the loss of a job. All these things can come in and choke out our sunshine. We may begin to feel hopeless and uncertain.

As the song says, “though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.”  There are going to be times when it is difficult to serve God. It is so hard to give our all when our hearts are broken. The person is saying that, despite the fact they are in a rough patch, they are still going to give anyway.

Romans 5: 3-5 says, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Our trials and tribulations, if we let them, can help us grow spiritually. When we give it everything we have, even in the most difficult of times, we will be blessed.

Job exemplified this. Despite the fact that he lost his wealth, his home, his family, and his health, he still praised God. (Job 1:21.) There are going to be times that bad things happen to us. It won’t make any sense. But in the end, He can use it for good, such as the case with Joseph when his brothers sent him into slavery. (Genesis 50:20.) We can come out of it and be stronger than before. 

In the chorus we have this line:

“Every blessing You pour out

I turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in Lord

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord…”

No matter where we find ourselves in life, we should look to God. We should patiently wait through every trial and tribulation.  We should strive to give God the praise as Job did: “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. BLESSED be the name of the Lord!”

1. http://brianmbailey.blogspot.com/2009/03/story-behind-blessed-be-your-name.html

I'm Weird. You're Weird. We're all Weird. Let's Rejoice!

In Tim Burton's film, "Alice and Wonderland", I believe it had it right when Alice told the Mad Hatter that all the best people are mad and bonkers. I think I quite agree with that statement.

As Christians, this is precisely how the world sees us. They think we are crazy, much to our dismay, oftentimes.

I get it. Right now, things in our nation aren’t so good from a moral perspective. It is easy to worry, wondering what could happen. 

As time goes on, we begin to lose "our muchness", as the film also states.  I see far too many Christians getting down and out about the liars and the dirty, dirty ways of the world. Discouragement abounds. We are becoming increasingly quiet about God's word. Many are losing their boldness and confidence.

Again, I get it. More and more people are rejecting God. People are rejecting us. It hurts. It’s easy to feel discouraged and wonder how the church could possibly grow at a time like this.  There is a part of you that wants to gain some sense of normalcy and keep your mouth shut. 

I’m here to tell you, whatever you do, don’t! God wants us to embrace our weirdness. Because, let’s face it; we are a weird people. The world doesn’t get it. They will never get it. Sure, there will be a few people that take a second look and join our weirdness.  But, we are weird and that is how it is. Very few people will want to take the road less traveled by. (Matthew 7:14.)

1 Peter 4:4 says, “With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them in the same debauchery, and they mock you.”

We don't make sense to them. They are going to make fun of us. They are going to insult us. Yet, Jesus turns this into something positive.

“Blessed are you when others revile your and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12.)

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:14.)

We are blessed when we stand up for what is right and others think us strange. We are supposed to be a strange people. While we don’t suffer in the US like others in the world, the treatment of Christians here is turning sour. Many are wondering why we won’t just shut up.

Find the joy and embrace your weirdness. Stop worrying so much, and just embrace hope and trust in God.  No matter what happens in this world, He will be right there. Whether you are mocked for your faith or even killed for it, God tells us not to be afraid of people. (Matthew 10:28.)

Despite the circumstances, there is joy. Give the world something else to think we are weird for. Find hope and joy in the stressful times. (Romans 12:12.) Find it in the uncertain times. Find the contentment  and joy when they are ridiculing you for your weirdness. Then you’ll be even weirder to them. And that is a bigger blessing than you realize. 

Heart of Worship Tuesday: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing/O Thou Fount”

Singing to God is a beautiful thing. Encouraging each other through song is one of the greatest blessings there is.

As Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.”

Singing is such an important part of our worship. Knowing this, why shouldn’t we also be mindful of what we are singing? When our hearts are engaged with the words' meaning, it makes our worship that much better. When we understand what we are singing, the more we encourage one another. (Eph. 5:19.)

Today, in this first installment, we will be looking at “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.

This is on my list of favorite old hymns. Not only is the melody pretty, but the words are beautiful. Robert Robinson wrote it in 1757 . He  was formerly a pretty rough member of society. He was a gambler and a drunk. One night while attending an evangelistic meeting, the words of the minister got to his heart. After a few years, he finally changed his life and looked to God. He wrote this as a poem to go along with a sermon he gave. (1)

The first verse says,

“Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.

Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, Mount of thy redeeming love.”

God is the “fount of every blessing”, is He not? He loves His people immensely. He blesses and takes care of us. Every good thing we have is from God. (James 1:17.) The greatest blessing we have from God is His love and mercy. As the verse says, “Streams of mercy never ceasing…”. God’s mercy and love is never ending. (Romans 8:31-39.)

The writer is asking God to teach him a “sonnet sung by flaming tongues above”. Sonnets are usually written as love poems. He wants to sing a love song that heavenly beings sing to their creator. He may think that if he could sing songs like the angels, the words He sings would be closer to being worthy of God. He wants to be focused on God’s love, “fixed upon it, Mount of thy redeeming love.”

This verse is all about awe and humbleness we have towards God’s love and mercy. It’s amazing isn’t it? God loved us, sinners, so much that He sent His son to die for us. (John 3:16.) If that isn’t love, I’d like to know what is.

“Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come

And I hope by thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the throne of God

He to rescue me from danger interposed His precious blood.”

 According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an Ebenezer is defined as “a commemoration of divine assistance.” (2) The dictionary webpage also makes reference to 1st Samuel 7:12. Here, after the victory of the Israelites against the Philistines, the Prophet Samuel sets up a “stone of help” to commemorate God’s help in the battle. This would be comparable to statues or memorials honoring an event or person.

Spiritually speaking, the writer is putting up his own commemoration of God’s help towards him. He is saying that God is the only reason he has changed and made it this far. In the next part, it compares where He was before God. He was a stranger who insisted on staying away from God. But, Jesus patiently waited for him, as he does for us. When he finally came to his senses, the blood of Jesus was there to cleanse him.

So many people try so hard to avoid being convicted by God. One way or another, it will catch up with us. Whether in this life or the next, God will convict us that He is the one true God. (Romans 14:11.)

“O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be

Let thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering to thee.

Never let me wander from thee, never leave the God I love.

Take my heart, O, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.”

Because of our sinful nature, we can never ever repay what God did for us. We can never live up to what we are supposed to be. But, that is what Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is for. Jesus’ goodness and perfection is our salvation.

 The writer is aware of his sin, and how alluring it is. He is asking God to help him not to walk away from Him back into the world that he once knew. He is asking God to take his heart and seal it in heaven. It makes me think of the verse, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

This is something that should be prayerfully on our minds every day. We should always be praying that God helps us to keep our focus on Him, and not be enticed back into the world. We should all be aware of just how tempting it is to sin. We should all be aware of the one who is out to destroy us. (1 Peter 5:8.)

What we have is a prayerful song. The singer is humbly coming before God realizing how unworthy he is to do so. We all are. It is a song praising God for His goodness and mercy. It is a song praising Him for loving us in our imperfection. Let us never forget how blessed we are to have received God’s love and mercy. Let us never forget what a call we have to serve God each day.

Sung by the Fiddlesticks

1.      1.  http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/come-thou-fount-of-every-blessing-the-song-and-the-story.html

2. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ebenezer

Why I Don't Do "Sexy"

Sexy:  (adj) 1. Concerned predominately or excessively with sex; risqué.

2. Sexually interesting or exciting; radiating sexuality.

3. Excitingly appealing; glamorous.

Victoria’s Secret. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Abercrombie and Fitch. American Apparel. Miss America, even.

We see these things and one word reverberates that describes it all:

Sexy.

This word is used to describe things that are glorifying sexuality. The word denotes an idea of being proud and revealing your body to the world. It describes one who walks around flaunting herself.

Here is my question: Is ‘sexy’ something the Christian woman should aspire to be?

People may try to use the excuse that, if God made them, shouldn’t they be proud in how they created them? We are, after all, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” What’s wrong with showing pride in that? Why not strut our stuff? Why not be proud of your assets?

Here are the reasons why we don’t embrace the Sexy mindset.

1.       We aren’t out to be obsessed with appearance.

In a world where people are coveting the life of the Kardashians, we have forgotten something.  Our hearts.

In the verses about modesty, it says that our main concern should not be on our appearance, but our hearts. To God, ‘gentle and quiet spirits’ are precious to Him. (1st Peter 3:4.) Gentle and quiet spirits are humble, kind, and see to the needs of others before self. How much different is that from the mindset people have today?

1st Timothy 2:9-10 says: “Likewise also that the women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control…but with what is proper for women who profess Godliness-with good works.” (emp. Added.)

Philippians 2:3 says: “Do nothing of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others before yourselves.” (emp. Added.)

How much different would our society be if women focused serving God and others before how they look? Many women hate to go out without their makeup and hair done perfectly!

For thousands of years, women have gone to extreme measures to be beautiful. It is so easy for us to base our worth on our appearance. When we focus too much on how we look, less focus is put on God. Our appearance becomes an idol.

2.       We aren’t to “parade” ourselves.

If there is one quality that doesn’t fit in with the Christian lifestyle, it is Pride. Part of sexiness is parading your body or outfit around for the whole world to see. It is exuding a “Look at me!” attitude. We’ve all seen people like this. Not only does it not fit in with the idea of modesty, but it isn’t loving either. “Love does not parade itself. It is not filled with pride…” (1st Corinthians 13:4.)

This may be one of the main reasons for modesty. Modesty represents a quiet humility that God commands of us. (1 Peter 3:4.) If we are to be noticed for anything, the bible says, it should be for the good things that we do. Not our outfit or our body. Our clothes should allow our actions to speak louder.

3.       Our Bodies are Not Our Own.

Our bodies are the temple of the Living God. (1st Corinthians 6:19-20.) They are to be used as vessels for God’s glory. (Colossians 3:17.) “Sexy” puts the focus on us rather than God.  “Sexy” makes an idol of ourselves and the idea that we have to be perfect all the time. 

When our focus is on Him, we are set free from the idea that we have to please anyone but Him. We aren’t out to make other women jealous. We aren’t held to the idea that if men don’t find us attractive, we don’t have value. We aren’t held to pride in ourselves and our beauty. In the end, none of these things will bring true fulfillment like Christ can. All of these things will lose their luster and turn to dust.

4.       Sexy has one place. And one place only…

God made us to be attractive and beautiful. If there is any place where being sexy glorifies God, it is in the marriage bed. There, we are cherished by someone who loves us. One day, if it is meant to be, you will marry and meet the love of your life.

Sex is not dirty. Nor is it bad. The bible never says this, unless it is done in a way that goes against God’s word.

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”-Hebrews 13:4

The allure of the world is strong. It is normal to want to be desired. To an extent, that is okay when you have that longing in the confines of scripture. God made marriage to have those needs fulfilled. 

But you know, you ARE cherished by God, our heavenly Father! You were made by Him, and He loves you. There is no need to try to measure up or be like everyone else. There is no need to.

Simple Truths-More than just Kid Stuff

I have always loved cartoons,  animation, and stories for children. That is one thing that hasn’t changed about me. More than likely, it never will.  I hear people say all the time, “Oh, that movie was cute, but it is just for kids.”

The truth is, there are things like Disney movies that ring such simple truths. I think as adults, we often want to ignore them. We think there is nothing we can learn from them because we’ve “heard it all before”.

Adults are stubborn. I think we often write off these “cute movies” or books because we often don’t want to face reality. 

We don’t want to hear that “a little kindness goes a long way”. 

We don’t want to hear that “Love is putting others needs before your own.” 

We don’t want to hear that we must persevere and keep trying. We don't want to hear that when it is easier to give up. 

We don’t want to hear that we need to stand up for what we believe in, or what is right.

We often turn a blind eye and stay silent when others are hurting, abused, or in need. We tell ourselves to mind our own business.

We walk away from someone just because they aren’t giving us a thrill anymore. They aren’t making ME happy. (Note: I am not talking about abusive situations. Please, if you can help it, don't stay in an abusive situation.)

We stay silent because it’s easier than dealing with conflict.

We give up because it feels better to be comfortable than to grow.

Each one of the things above are things we tell ourselves every day. We try to do everything we can to avoid these situations.

As Christians, we have to stop avoiding them. Not only are these things “kid-movie worthy”, but they’re also biblical. Pride prevents us from being convicted.

Kindness and agape (self-sacrificial) love are commandments of God. (1st Corinthians 13:4-8, Ephesians 4:32.)

We are to speak up with the truth that will save the world. We are not to be ashamed. (Ephesians 4:15, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 28:19, Romans 1:16.)

We are to grow, examine our hearts, and be open to conviction. (2nd Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 1:9, 1 Tim. 4:15, 2 Peter 3:18.)

I am not saying that everyone should have to watch Disney movies or cartoons. I am saying that sometimes the “simplest truths” are the most important. And, the fact that they are first from God makes them all the more important.

Put On Your War Paint!!!!!

One of my sisters faced a difficult situation yesterday. You could see in her face that she was heartbroken.

One thing I remember Mom saying to her was, “When you wake up, put on your war paint!” 

She meant that, the next day, get up and do your makeup. Make your hair pretty. Despite whatever may be going on, it helps to keep taking care of yourself. It helps to keep doing what you need to do. Cry if you need to, get angry. Rest. But, keep moving forward, no matter what.

It made me think about the situation in our nation right now with the election. We are at a crossroads in our nation’s history. We are at a questionable time in Church history as well. There is no telling what is around the corner.

I know two things. First, God is still in charge. Second, as the Church we need to get up and work. We need to also get down on our knees and pray like we have never prayed before. As my Mom said to my sister, we need to get our war paint on, spiritually speaking.

Forget politics as they apply to secular issues for the moment (economics, healthcare, etc.). While I have opinions on those things, in the light of God’s word, they  don’t matter in the end.

 It doesn’t matter who is president. It doesn’t matter if we don’t care for our Government Officials. Our job, as Christians, is to obey the law of the land. We are to respect our leaders and the rules. We are to be in submission to them.  (Romans 13:1-7)

As Christians, our ultimate job is to spread the Gospel. Our purpose is to tell others about God. What the US doesn’t need right now is more Christians obsessed with politics. No. What the US needs is for the Church to be the Church.

We need to get our hands dirty. (Eph. 4:28, James 2:17.)

We need to Study God’s Word. (2nd Tim. 2:15, 2 Tim. 3:14-17.)

We need to preach the Gospel. (Matt. 28:19.)

We need to help the poor. We are the Church. The government is not. Stop trying to make it their job. (Luke 3:11, Luke 12:23, Matt. 25:35-40)

Visit, help, mentor, or even adopt those in foster care. (James 1:27.)

Visit the sick and lonely. (Matt. 25:35-40, 2nd Cor. 1:3-5.)

Love the abused and broken.  (2nd Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 12:15.)

Give unconditional love to all despite their sins or circumstances. (1 Cor. 13:4-7.)

Tell them of the healing and forgiveness that God can give. (2 Cor. 1:3-5.)

Get on our knees and pray for this nation and the world. (1 Tim. 2:1-4.)

This is putting on our war paint. This is how a Christian goes to battle. This is putting on the full armor of God. (Eph. 6:10-18.) Getting up and working and being an example changes things.

We can scream until we are blue in the face about the morals in this nation. The screaming isn’t working. 

We cannot make an impact unless we are what God has called us to be. We must be ready each moment for opportunities we receive. We must be ready to work. We must stop being afraid. 

This is what Christians need to be doing right now, no matter what happens this year. Now until Jesus comes back. It’s time to paint up for battle!

Singles, BE GRATEFUL!

Ah, Valentine’s day. That day of the year when couples drown each other in love.

 And also the day that singles lament their singleness.

I am single. But, I hate it when people get so down in the dumps about being single on the holiday. I remember a few years ago my first boyfriend broke up with me just before Valentine’s day. If anyone had a reason to hate the holiday that year, it would have been me.

I was staying with some friends at the time. The two of them went and bought me a Hawaiian pizza for me to have all to myself. While I was still in deep hurt, I also so felt so blessed and thankful that they did something like that for me.

Even now, I have no disdain for the holiday. I never have. Valentine’s day doesn’t make me lament the love I don’t have. Actually, quite the opposite. If anything, it reminds me of how blessed I am. 

While I don’t have a lover, I have many who love me. I have a wonderful family that is always there for me. I have precious little sisters who make my heart overflow. I have fantastic friends that have blessed my life in so many ways. God is my constant. He is faithful. He loves me and takes care of me.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:8)

“Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand so that at a proper time, He will life you up. Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Everyone wants a special someone. I know I do. I will find him eventually. But I don’t want to spend my life being sad about being single. I don’t want to be angry or depressed when Valentine’s rolls around. On Valentine’s day, I want to see the immense love that is  around me right now.

On Valentine’s Day, celebrate God’s love, and the love of those around you. Do it year ‘round. Whether you are single or not, be thankful for the love you have. Return it tenfold!

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:10)