A New (?) Way to Worship
Funny how things all seem to come together...I was doing devotions today and stumbled across one called "How Real is Your Worship?" I've had a lot of conversations with people in the last while about how sometimes we just don't feel like it. And we all know it's not about feelings. Blah blah. Since God gave us feelings, I can hardly believe that feelings don't factor in somehow. Maybe the mystery is in how to get those feelings. Maybe we need to communicate our desires for those feelings to God, so He can show us that He alone can give them to us. Maybe He wants to use our blahs as a way to draw us closer. Just a thought.
And I must say, I am proud of our body (not my own personal body, I'm still working on that). I have seen tremendous growth in our church since I started going there less than four years ago. I don't spend every moment with every person in our church, but for the most part, I believe that we are coming before God with a genuine desire to meet with Him and present our praises to Him. We are learning there are many different ways to do this, through music (with or without the band), flags, dance, lifting holy hands, etc. I think God is pleased with our progress. But before we become too full of ourselves...
Isaiah 1:13-17 (the Message) says:
"Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless..."
Before you get offended (it's the Bait of Satan), I don't think we are playing charades when we worship. I think we are moving away from religion toward relationship. I think God is listening because He is answering our prayers. I just think it is interesting what God says He wants from His people. 1 Samuel 15:22 says "...Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams..." Kirk has been talking a lot about action (especially in Sunday night service, you should go). Love is action. Faith is action. Obeying is action. Kirk is a great speaker and very, um, creative, but I have to say, I think he is taking his material from the Bible. I'm pretty sure that God said it first. Like in the verses above from Isaiah, He says what He wants is action.
Psalm 92:1-3 says "It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High, to show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, with an instrument of ten strings and with the lute, with a solemn sound upon the lyre." Songs, instruments, etc. this is what we (or maybe just me) usually think of as worship. The devotion I read today suggested that the instrument of ten strings could possibly be referring to our instruments: two ears, two eyes, two hands, two feet, a mouth and and heart. (And there are a lot of verses to suggest these are our instruments.) It then asked "How musical are you today in worship?" Well, as someone who is not very musical at all, I found this very encouraging. I have been reading a lot about servanthood (in Conspiracy of Kindness, you should read it), and attempting to put it into action, but never considered this an act of worship. You always hear people saying that everyone worships in their own way. I think I know now what mine may be.
Yeah. I got nothing.
Once again, I have been slack. One must admit, the will to blog has diminished considerably since Nacho and Emo have been away. Timmy, by his own admission, has tried to take up the slack, but failed miserably. It seems he doesn't understand that to be a successful blogger, you must not only read the blogs, but comment on them. He is starting to come around to see the benefits of blogging, however, and that is a step in the proper direction.
So, I have missed some more fantastic holidays. I don't know who is responsible for coming up with these celebrations, but I think the gas fumes from the mower have finally got to them. Judge for yourself:
August 5 - National Failures Day/Take a Walk on the Moon Day
Hence the phrase, "Prepare for the worst, hope for the best" (Matthew J. Maxwell).
August 6 - National Fresh Breath Day
If only you could remember where you put your toothbrush last August 6th.
August 7 - Sea Serpent Day
Isn't Loch Ness a lake? I vote to rename this day: Legless Lake Lizard Day. I have been mowing as well.
August 8 - Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbour's Porch Night
Small town prank turns urban legend/holiday? This would be a good outreach project I think. Who doesn't love waking up to a fresh zucchini on their doorstep? Next Monday night, guys? Better a meal of vegetables where there is love, then a fattened calf with hatred. Prov. 15:17
August 9 - Dance a Polka Day
This may or may not be a certain Weird Al fan's birthday. If so, today's holiday is entirely appropriate. If not, it is Betty Boop's birthday, and I'm pretty sure she looks like a girl who digs accordians.
August 10 - Spoil Your Dog Day
So I did. I said "Hey, Duke". And then I went into the house and closed the door.
August 11 - Dog Days End
Just when we were getting close.
Tomorrow I am off to shoot another wedding. This will be my 3rd of the summer, 2 more to go. It really is a priviledge to be part of each couple's celebration and to get to know new people. I still get nervous about ruining precious memories, but God has been awesome. Whenever I get a great shot, I know that it is because He has positioned the sun & clouds in the right spot or put a great idea in my head (or someone else's). Here
are a few shots of Orlando & Amanda's day. 
So Long Sweet Summer
Yeah, to borrow a phrase from Pepto, I am a slogger. I have neglected my blogging duties. I will attempt to rectify this situation immediately.
But before I do that, I would just like to say that Chris Stephens commented on my last post. Thank you very much.
So, here's a catch-up and some brief, meaningful comments on the holidays I have missed...
July
26- Bert's Birthday (Sesame Street).
Bert & Ernie were my favorite Sesame Street characters (I like Ernie better, but you can't have one without the other). BTW, Bert is NOT gay. Neither is Jack Black.
27- Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day
I am sucktastic at growing plants. The only walk they go for is the walk to the garbage can. I am, it seems, proficient at growing certain banned substances in my garden. Whoops, maybe not. I accept your apologies, Mr. Bulletproof Vest.
28- First Fingerprint Taken
Not today, buddy. You can call off your helicopter and put the inkpad back in your pocket.
29- Chicken Wings Day
But alas, my hot [sauce] cohort has flown the coop.
30- National Cheesecake Day
Time to praise my husband...he makes the best cheesecakes in the universe.
31- Harry Potter's Birthday
Or it would be Harry's birthday...if he were REAL and not just a FICTIONAL character.
August
1- Chopsticks Song Birthday (1877)
I'll tell you what I like about Chinese people...as long as we're on the subject. They're really hanging in there with those chopsticks. Hahahahaha...
2- National Back To School Month Only 26 more days of summer for me....3- International Forgiveness DayWell, no pressure here. But now you know. You have 364 more days to work up to it. And today is National Chocolate Chip Day. Cohen had a bit of a rough day yesterday, so I told her we could make cookies today. Here is a replay of that conversation:Mommy: Maybe we can make cookies tomorrow.Cohen: But Mommy, you don't know how to make cookies.Mommy: I do so know how to make cookies. (Note: Do not argue with a 4-year old. You will lose.)Cohen: But you always burn them.Mommy: Sobbing uncontrollably.Out of the mouths of babes.
