Spiritual Formation and Worship Discussions
1. Introduction
My name is Sarah, and I currently teach 7th and 8th grade math at a classical Christian school in West Dallas. I grew up in Dallas and then studied to be a teacher at Texas A&M University. I then spent five years teaching middle school at an English-immersion school in Guatemala. When I came back to Texas, I moved to Oak Cliff and taught 8th grade science for a year in Dallas ISD. It was one of the hardest years of my life, as I missed so much of the Guatemalan culture and life there. Thankfully, I quickly joined Cliff Temple Baptist Church and made some good and encouraging friends. Time in Guatemala changed my view of missions and opened my eyes to the need and joy of living and working among the poor. Friendships with current missionaries and authors like Henri Nouwen have shown me the value of the contemplative life. I first read Foster’s Celebration of Discipline while volunteering at a sports camp in Egypt. I am pursuing a Masters in Global Leadership, though I am not quite sure where it will lead, perhaps away from teaching and into something like ESL adult education, immigration, advocacy, or youth development.
I have a younger sister who lives in Virginia, because her husband is serving in the Navy, and I have a younger brother who lives in Louisiana. My mom is here in Dallas, so I enjoy spending time with her. I also enjoy volunteering with Young Life and Mission Oak Cliff, hiking, reading, running, and traveling.
2. Jesus
My name is Sarah, and I currently teach 7th and 8th grade math at a classical Christian school in West Dallas. I grew up in Dallas and then studied to be a teacher at Texas A&M University. I then spent five years teaching middle school at an English-immersion school in Guatemala. When I came back to Texas, I moved to Oak Cliff and taught 8th grade science for a year in Dallas ISD. It was one of the hardest years of my life, as I missed so much of the Guatemalan culture and life there. Thankfully, I quickly joined Cliff Temple Baptist Church and made some good and encouraging friends. Time in Guatemala changed my view of missions and opened my eyes to the need and joy of living and working among the poor. Friendships with current missionaries and authors like Henri Nouwen have shown me the value of the contemplative life. I first read Foster’s Celebration of Discipline while volunteering at a sports camp in Egypt. I am pursuing a Masters in Global Leadership, though I am not quite sure where it will lead, perhaps away from teaching and into something like ESL adult education, immigration, advocacy, or youth development.
I have a younger sister who lives in Virginia, because her husband is serving in the Navy, and I have a younger brother who lives in Louisiana. My mom is here in Dallas, so I enjoy spending time with her. I also enjoy volunteering with Young Life and Mission Oak Cliff, hiking, reading, running, and traveling.
2. Jesus
Most recently, I have experienced Jesus as my close Friend. Since
moving back from Guatemala, I have felt more loneliness than I can ever
remember, and I have shed a lot of tears. I will turn 30 in a few
months, and I am not where I thought I would be by now. I am not
married, although many of my friends are, and they are starting to have
children. I know that there are many advantages to being single, but I
also desire to live life with a husband who is also my best friend. With
my job, I often feel restless and dissatisfied, but I am not sure what
else I could do, as many of my interests are typically volunteer
positions.
However, through all of these unmet desires and disappointments, I have been more honest with God through prayer, sharing my raw thoughts, feelings, and hurts. I have turned to God and relied on Him, because in a very uncertain world, He alone is certain. He alone is my Rock and Comfort. Whether circumstances ever change or not, I am getting to a point where I can truly say that Jesus is more than enough for me. In Spanish we say Jesucristo basta. For awhile the chalkboard in my kitchen read, "He is bigger than the pain that aches within us. He is more lovely than all the things we are envious of. He is stronger than the grip of loneliness. He sees. He knows. He is enough." I read and re-read that each day, reminding myself that my Friend was with me, and with Him, I lacked nothing.
I would like to continue to experience Jesus as the Master Teacher, learning from Him and His Ways, not just to know information, but to experience true transformation in my mind and heart. I desire to live with less anxiety and more peace each day, regardless of what my circumstances are.
3. Repetition and Study
However, through all of these unmet desires and disappointments, I have been more honest with God through prayer, sharing my raw thoughts, feelings, and hurts. I have turned to God and relied on Him, because in a very uncertain world, He alone is certain. He alone is my Rock and Comfort. Whether circumstances ever change or not, I am getting to a point where I can truly say that Jesus is more than enough for me. In Spanish we say Jesucristo basta. For awhile the chalkboard in my kitchen read, "He is bigger than the pain that aches within us. He is more lovely than all the things we are envious of. He is stronger than the grip of loneliness. He sees. He knows. He is enough." I read and re-read that each day, reminding myself that my Friend was with me, and with Him, I lacked nothing.
I would like to continue to experience Jesus as the Master Teacher, learning from Him and His Ways, not just to know information, but to experience true transformation in my mind and heart. I desire to live with less anxiety and more peace each day, regardless of what my circumstances are.
3. Repetition and Study
Foster
describes how the discipline of study consists of four components:
repetition, concentration, comprehension, and reflection. He explains
how repeating words and phrases forms “habits of thought” and changes
behavior. While some might object to repetition’s ineffectiveness and
lack of depth, Foster reassures the reader that repetition trains the
inner mind, even if what is being repeated is not fully believed.
At
the beginning of the new year, I chose the word peace to be my focus for
2019. In going through some old boxes, I came across St. Teresa of
Avila’s prayer of peace. I put the original copy on my refrigerator, and
I typed another copy and placed it by my desk at work. I have begun
many mornings by reading these words, and throughout the day, I have
returned to phrases that I have memorized, especially when I have found
myself getting stressed or worried. I know that doing this has calmed my
heart and helped me focus on trusting God.
At school, all Pre-K through 8th
grade students and teachers start the day by gathering together for
Morning Assembly. We begin by reciting the Shema that begins with “Hear,
O Isreal” from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. While many students are not yet
believers, they are training their minds to believe this truth, and I am
confident that God is working to transform their hearts. I hope that
one day they will be able to reflect on the verses they learned as
children and whole-heartedly seek to love the Lord their God with all
their heart, mind, and soul and to love their neighbor as they love
their self. In classical education, the school of grammar is followed by
the stages of logic and rhetoric. Students must first learn basic
facts, phonics, and vocabulary before they can analyze and articulate
ideas. Likewise, repetition is the first step and foundation of the
discipline of study.
4. Seven Stages of the Soul
It seems appropriate to reflect on Porete's A Mirror of Simple Souls
today on Valentine's Day, because she writes from a very deep and
intense experience of God's extreme love. She personifies the soul as a
female, which creates a more romantic tone. I could personally relate to
the first few stages of the soul, but beyond that, I have not
experienced what she describes.
I remembered my early Christian days as I read about the initial salvation and obedience stage called "keeping the commandments." The second stage of perfection called "following the counsel of perfection" brought back memories of middle school and high school when I sought high grades and involvement in many activities to make the perfect resume. I sought the things of God, and I would have said that I wanted to please Him, but I think my heart was divided (as Augustine would say). I was seeking the ways of Jesus, but I also had selfish motives for doing so. The third stage, "the death of the will," calls the soul "to abstain from all the good works which had in fact become her greatest pleasure" (23). The soul has made her desire for perfection an idol, so her will must die, which is no easy task. She must become so consumed in the wills of others so that she is freed from herself. This stage made me think of my current job. I work hard and seek to do my very best, but I hardly receive any praise, and my output just seems average. I feel like a failure many days, but perhaps God is teaching me to die to my own will. In the fourth stage, "labours give way to contemplation," the soul moves from doing the will of others to focusing on contemplation. Being becomes more important than doing. The soul is very vulnerable and in tune with the great love of God. Two friends who are missionaries in Guatemala came to mind, because while "a drunken ecstasy of love" seems too dramatic, they are often so overwhelmed by God's love that they only see His love in situations and other people. The problems and flaws become very dim in the light of Christ.
The fifth, sixth, and seventh stages seem a bit like reaching nirvana and pure bliss, and I struggled to relate to them. However, this intense intimacy with God seems desirable and makes me curious.
5. Freedom from Anxiety
I remembered my early Christian days as I read about the initial salvation and obedience stage called "keeping the commandments." The second stage of perfection called "following the counsel of perfection" brought back memories of middle school and high school when I sought high grades and involvement in many activities to make the perfect resume. I sought the things of God, and I would have said that I wanted to please Him, but I think my heart was divided (as Augustine would say). I was seeking the ways of Jesus, but I also had selfish motives for doing so. The third stage, "the death of the will," calls the soul "to abstain from all the good works which had in fact become her greatest pleasure" (23). The soul has made her desire for perfection an idol, so her will must die, which is no easy task. She must become so consumed in the wills of others so that she is freed from herself. This stage made me think of my current job. I work hard and seek to do my very best, but I hardly receive any praise, and my output just seems average. I feel like a failure many days, but perhaps God is teaching me to die to my own will. In the fourth stage, "labours give way to contemplation," the soul moves from doing the will of others to focusing on contemplation. Being becomes more important than doing. The soul is very vulnerable and in tune with the great love of God. Two friends who are missionaries in Guatemala came to mind, because while "a drunken ecstasy of love" seems too dramatic, they are often so overwhelmed by God's love that they only see His love in situations and other people. The problems and flaws become very dim in the light of Christ.
The fifth, sixth, and seventh stages seem a bit like reaching nirvana and pure bliss, and I struggled to relate to them. However, this intense intimacy with God seems desirable and makes me curious.
5. Freedom from Anxiety
As the lecture even emphasized, Foster describes simplicity as
freedom from anxiety. This really resonated with me, because anxiety has
been a recent theme that God has been teaching me. I read Calm My Anxious Heart
a few months ago, and Philippians 4:6-7 is currently on my chalkboard.
Anxiety, fear, desire for control, and worry are all connected
struggles, but God is able to provide freedom and peace as we trust in
Him. As Foster states, the simple life "is characterized by three inner
attitudes. If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is
to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then
we will possess freedom from anxiety" (88).
Oh how quick I am to pat myself on the back instead of giving God the credit for what I have. Of course I have a responsibility, but as James 1:17 reminds us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above..." Apart from the Lord, I am nothing and can do nothing. The world values independence, but Jesus invites us to abide in Him and depend on Him.
As Foster mentions, God protects the things we possess, which includes more abstract things such as "our reputation and our employment" (89). I believe Foster's point is that we can trust God, because He cares for our things, but what happens when a Christian loses his or her job? Or something happens to his or her reputation or family? I think about Jesus' words about the sparrows and how we are not to worry, because if the Lord provides for the birds, how much more will He provide for His children. However, are God's protection and provision the same?
Sharing our possessions with others reminded me of a time when my mom bought quite a few dresses from Target, because they were on sale. I was living in Guatemala at the time, but she brought them when she came to visit. I think I kept one and gave the rest to friends, and my mom was actually a little hurt that I did that. I just wanted my friends to enjoy a new dress too. This was sharing out of excess, but how much greater if we are able to rely more heavily on God's provision by sharing when we have little.
I appreciated that Foster concludes this discussion by reminding us to fix our eyes on Jesus and seek His kingdom above all.
6. From Tozer
Oh how quick I am to pat myself on the back instead of giving God the credit for what I have. Of course I have a responsibility, but as James 1:17 reminds us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above..." Apart from the Lord, I am nothing and can do nothing. The world values independence, but Jesus invites us to abide in Him and depend on Him.
As Foster mentions, God protects the things we possess, which includes more abstract things such as "our reputation and our employment" (89). I believe Foster's point is that we can trust God, because He cares for our things, but what happens when a Christian loses his or her job? Or something happens to his or her reputation or family? I think about Jesus' words about the sparrows and how we are not to worry, because if the Lord provides for the birds, how much more will He provide for His children. However, are God's protection and provision the same?
Sharing our possessions with others reminded me of a time when my mom bought quite a few dresses from Target, because they were on sale. I was living in Guatemala at the time, but she brought them when she came to visit. I think I kept one and gave the rest to friends, and my mom was actually a little hurt that I did that. I just wanted my friends to enjoy a new dress too. This was sharing out of excess, but how much greater if we are able to rely more heavily on God's provision by sharing when we have little.
I appreciated that Foster concludes this discussion by reminding us to fix our eyes on Jesus and seek His kingdom above all.
6. From Tozer
In the selection from The Pursuit of God, Tozer describes
how "there is within each of us an enemy which we tolerate at our
peril," but "allow[ing] this enemy to live is, in the end, to lose
everything (112). He provides the example of Abraham and Isaac, which is
one of my favorite parts of the Old Testament. God had promised Abraham
and Sarah descendants from this baby. They had waited and waited. They
had tried to "help" God with Hagar. Yet, God was in control, and they
had to wait on His timing of things. I can only imagine their joy and
strong emotion when Isaac was finally born! The awaited child had come,
but "the child became at once the delight and idol of [Abraham's] heart"
(112). We are familiar with this story. God gives Abraham an
opportunity to "lose his life" and to die to the enemy of self within
him, as he had become "an eager love slave of his son" (112). Tozer
notes that the Scripture does not give us many details of Abraham's
wrestling with God that night, trying to decide what to do, but we can
only imagine "the bent form wrestling convulsively alone under the
stars" (113). Should he continue to allow his self-life to rule or
should he be obedient to God, as difficult and confusing as it might be?
We know he chose the latter.
Two things were disturbing to me. First of all, there are enemies in me that I am tolerating. There are possessions and loves within my heart that I continue to cling to instead of being fully surrendered to the Lord and what He desires. I think I am aware of some of these, but what else is there that I have yet to identify as an idol? What kind of wrestling needs to take place so that I am wholly His? Secondly, Tozer states that Abraham chose his love for God over his love for his son, but if had chosen differently, "God would have found His man, no doubt, but the loss to Abraham would have been tragic beyond the telling" (114). God will accomplish His purposes no matter what. He will use the people who are willing to surrender to His will, and I want to be one of those people. I do not my self-life to be a hindrance. I do not want to miss out on the true life.
7. Guidance Together
Two things were disturbing to me. First of all, there are enemies in me that I am tolerating. There are possessions and loves within my heart that I continue to cling to instead of being fully surrendered to the Lord and what He desires. I think I am aware of some of these, but what else is there that I have yet to identify as an idol? What kind of wrestling needs to take place so that I am wholly His? Secondly, Tozer states that Abraham chose his love for God over his love for his son, but if had chosen differently, "God would have found His man, no doubt, but the loss to Abraham would have been tragic beyond the telling" (114). God will accomplish His purposes no matter what. He will use the people who are willing to surrender to His will, and I want to be one of those people. I do not my self-life to be a hindrance. I do not want to miss out on the true life.
7. Guidance Together
For about the past four years, I have started to feel discontent
and restless as a teacher. I do not usually wake up with the same
excitement and passion that I once had for teaching. I am drained by the
end of the day. So I have asked God many questions. Lord, what else
might You have for me? Is this just a hard time right now or are these
feelings meant to move me in a different direction? What else could I
do? What else am I "qualified" to do? Should I pursue a different path
within education or should I completely change careers? What about doing
full-time ministry? Teaching is unique in that I cannot just find a new
job, give my two weeks' notice, and leave the students with a long-term
substitute teacher, so the decision-making time is brief. All of these
questions then cause other questions and fears to surface. While I tend
to be very open about the dissatisfaction and desire for a change with
close friends, the conversations simply end with them saying they will
pray for me.
I was somewhat surprised to find the discipline of guidance with the corporate disciplines, but Foster does a nice job discussing how corporate seeking, questioning, and decision-making can take place. It makes me wonder if I should have a group of friends over for dinner and a very intentional time of reflection and guidance to help me discern what to do about my current job situation.
For a more individual setting, Foster describes the value of having a spiritual director. I have always treasured the Paul/Timothy relationships in my life. When I was in high school and college, I had older women in my life who mentored me and encouraged me. When I lived in Guatemala, I actually met about once a month with a woman who was trained as a spiritual director. I always enjoyed our time together, because it incorporated a snack or meal, silence, prayer, and conversation. She listened well and asked questions to help me understand and see how God was moving in my life. Recently, I was telling a friend how I desire a spiritual director and guide, and she responded that Jesus is. While I understand her point, and I do believe that I should be seeking Him first, it was refreshing to hear Foster emphasize the importance of discerning together.
8. Importance of Laughter
I enjoyed reading Frederick Buechner's selection from Pelicular Treasures. He recounts the story of Abraham and Sarah and focuses on their laughter. Initially, their laughter stems from doubting that God's words are true. Sarah is very old and physically should not be able to bear a child. She even lies to God out of fear and tries to deny that she laughed. However, God fulfills His promises, and Sarah has Isaac, which actually means "laughter" in Hebrew. She and Abraham laugh again but now in celebration of what God has accomplished despite the unlikely circumstances.
As a child, I had a bad habit of laughing at inappropriate times. Sometimes I laughed when I got in trouble. Sometimes I laughed at the expense of others. As I have gotten older, I can relate to Sarah and find myself laughing out of doubt or disbelief at times. However, I love laughing out of full joy. When I am laughing the hardest, my mouth is wide open, and I am not even making a sound. I probably look silly, but in the moment, it does not even matter.
I want my life to include more moments with laughter like this. Of course, there is a time for everything, but I want to celebrate who God is and what He is doing. Like the woman Proverbs 31 describes, I want to be worry-free and laugh at the days to come, content in the present moment and unafraid of what the future holds. I want to live with my palms faced upward, ready to receive from God but also willing to let go of things. Even in the midst of challenging or undesirable circumstances, I want to take delight in each day.
9. Priority of Worship
10. Church Building
I was somewhat surprised to find the discipline of guidance with the corporate disciplines, but Foster does a nice job discussing how corporate seeking, questioning, and decision-making can take place. It makes me wonder if I should have a group of friends over for dinner and a very intentional time of reflection and guidance to help me discern what to do about my current job situation.
For a more individual setting, Foster describes the value of having a spiritual director. I have always treasured the Paul/Timothy relationships in my life. When I was in high school and college, I had older women in my life who mentored me and encouraged me. When I lived in Guatemala, I actually met about once a month with a woman who was trained as a spiritual director. I always enjoyed our time together, because it incorporated a snack or meal, silence, prayer, and conversation. She listened well and asked questions to help me understand and see how God was moving in my life. Recently, I was telling a friend how I desire a spiritual director and guide, and she responded that Jesus is. While I understand her point, and I do believe that I should be seeking Him first, it was refreshing to hear Foster emphasize the importance of discerning together.
8. Importance of Laughter
I enjoyed reading Frederick Buechner's selection from Pelicular Treasures. He recounts the story of Abraham and Sarah and focuses on their laughter. Initially, their laughter stems from doubting that God's words are true. Sarah is very old and physically should not be able to bear a child. She even lies to God out of fear and tries to deny that she laughed. However, God fulfills His promises, and Sarah has Isaac, which actually means "laughter" in Hebrew. She and Abraham laugh again but now in celebration of what God has accomplished despite the unlikely circumstances.
As a child, I had a bad habit of laughing at inappropriate times. Sometimes I laughed when I got in trouble. Sometimes I laughed at the expense of others. As I have gotten older, I can relate to Sarah and find myself laughing out of doubt or disbelief at times. However, I love laughing out of full joy. When I am laughing the hardest, my mouth is wide open, and I am not even making a sound. I probably look silly, but in the moment, it does not even matter.
I want my life to include more moments with laughter like this. Of course, there is a time for everything, but I want to celebrate who God is and what He is doing. Like the woman Proverbs 31 describes, I want to be worry-free and laugh at the days to come, content in the present moment and unafraid of what the future holds. I want to live with my palms faced upward, ready to receive from God but also willing to let go of things. Even in the midst of challenging or undesirable circumstances, I want to take delight in each day.
9. Priority of Worship
One
of the most important ideas for me comes from Foster's chapter on
worship. Foster emphasizes that "The divine priority is worship first,
service second. Our lives are to be punctuated with praise,
thanksgiving, and adoration. Service flows out of worship. Service as a
substitute for worship is idolatry" (161).
During
my formative years in high school and college, a big emphasis was
placed on serving God by serving and loving others. I was taught that
Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, and apart from Him we can do
nothing. I was told that I needed to spend daily time with Jesus, and
once I did that, I was ready to go and serve others. I was encouraged to
continually drink from the fountain of Living Water so that I would not
run dry, and therefore, not have anything to offer others. In college, I
led high school students with a team of college students through a
para-church ministry, and we sought to “give our lives away” as we loved
the high school students. Theologically, I knew that I was saved by
grace through faith, and I was created to do good works, as Ephesians
2:8-10 describes, but I began to miss the mark, because I filled my
schedule with ways to serve, which left little time for God, the One who
I was trying to serve.
To
this day, unfortunately, this is my default, and I have to guard
against saying yes to so many good opportunities to serve if they keep
me too busy, because “Activity is the enemy of adoration” (Foster 161).
God has to be my greatest desire, because anything second to Him, as
good as it may be, is idolatry. Foster says that “Today God is calling
his Church back to worship…It is as if God is saying, ‘I want the hearts
of my people back!’” (161). May God and worship of Him be the greatest
desire of my heart. 10. Church Building
The church building itself could lead to idolatry. Now I'm not
suggesting that members are going to start bowing down in the parking
lot or singing songs about how great the walls and ceilings are, but
sometimes it seems like too much time, money, and energy are focused on
the actual brick and mortar. The church building is important, as it
offers a place for large numbers of people to meet and worship God, but
it cannot be the focus.
My church recently launched a capital campaign to remodel many parts of the old church building. There are plans to transform the sanctuary and areas for the children and youth. This is a multi-million dollar project, and I feel a bit torn about these changes. I understand that many new families are moving into the neighborhood, and the church wants to be able to serve them well. However, it seems like many members think these new families are going to be working in downtown Dallas and living in the new and upscale apartments or homes, and they are assuming that these families will want a church that is nice on the inside and out. The people make a church, but the building serves as the first impression.
Some of the proposed plans are very practical and necessary, because they include improvements to increase handicap accessibility and safety, but it is hard for me to rationalize the extremely high costs of all of these plans. Are we willing to spend as much money for missions? Would we be as excited to launch a capital campaign for something that benefited others more directly? With the increase in neighborhood and house churches, are we misusing resources that God has given us? Right now, I am trusting that the church leadership is seeking God's wisdom as they move forward with these decisions.
11. Worship Elements and Actions
My church recently launched a capital campaign to remodel many parts of the old church building. There are plans to transform the sanctuary and areas for the children and youth. This is a multi-million dollar project, and I feel a bit torn about these changes. I understand that many new families are moving into the neighborhood, and the church wants to be able to serve them well. However, it seems like many members think these new families are going to be working in downtown Dallas and living in the new and upscale apartments or homes, and they are assuming that these families will want a church that is nice on the inside and out. The people make a church, but the building serves as the first impression.
Some of the proposed plans are very practical and necessary, because they include improvements to increase handicap accessibility and safety, but it is hard for me to rationalize the extremely high costs of all of these plans. Are we willing to spend as much money for missions? Would we be as excited to launch a capital campaign for something that benefited others more directly? With the increase in neighborhood and house churches, are we misusing resources that God has given us? Right now, I am trusting that the church leadership is seeking God's wisdom as they move forward with these decisions.
11. Worship Elements and Actions
The five elements of worship in the Old Testament and five "c"
actions of the church complement each other well. Webber's first
element, divine initiative, is the cornerstone of all true worship.
Humbly, we must remember that although worship is for God, He is the One
who brings us together and enables us to worship Him. Wiersbe labels
this action of coming together as congregate. While individual worship has its place, as a church, we are to worship as one body.
Once we are together, we celebrate by "singing, giving thanks, sharing in the offering, encouraging one another, reading and hearing the Word of God" (Wiersbe 88). Wiersbe further explains that we also communicate God's truth by singing songs and preaching the Word. This coincides with Webber's third element of worship, proclaiming the word of God.
Wiersbe describes that we commemorate or remember key events in the history of the church through sacraments such as baptism and communion and holidays like Christmas and Easter. We remember the depth and significance of Jesus' birth, baptism, death, and resurrection and their implications in our lives today. Wiersbe adds that "These key events never grow old, but take on new meaning year after year" (88). I have personally experienced this during Advent and Lent, intentional times set apart in expectation for Christmas and Easter. Although each year is similar in many ways, God always reveals something in a new or different way. Webber describes this as a universal responsibility worshipers have to God to remember what He has done and established.
Wiersbe's final action is contemplate. We are to reflect on what God is saying to each of us. This typically involves silence and meditation, seeking to listen to God's still, small voice. We are to ponder, treasure, and obey what we hear.
Webber's final elements involve transformation and application. If we are just going through the motions and not truly worshiping God, then little change will occur. However, those who encountered God in the Old Testament left His Presence changed, and we should too. Perhaps as we listen to God in contemplation, we might be led to make decisions that draw us into a more intimate relationship with Him.
12. Sacrifice in Worship
Once we are together, we celebrate by "singing, giving thanks, sharing in the offering, encouraging one another, reading and hearing the Word of God" (Wiersbe 88). Wiersbe further explains that we also communicate God's truth by singing songs and preaching the Word. This coincides with Webber's third element of worship, proclaiming the word of God.
Wiersbe describes that we commemorate or remember key events in the history of the church through sacraments such as baptism and communion and holidays like Christmas and Easter. We remember the depth and significance of Jesus' birth, baptism, death, and resurrection and their implications in our lives today. Wiersbe adds that "These key events never grow old, but take on new meaning year after year" (88). I have personally experienced this during Advent and Lent, intentional times set apart in expectation for Christmas and Easter. Although each year is similar in many ways, God always reveals something in a new or different way. Webber describes this as a universal responsibility worshipers have to God to remember what He has done and established.
Wiersbe's final action is contemplate. We are to reflect on what God is saying to each of us. This typically involves silence and meditation, seeking to listen to God's still, small voice. We are to ponder, treasure, and obey what we hear.
Webber's final elements involve transformation and application. If we are just going through the motions and not truly worshiping God, then little change will occur. However, those who encountered God in the Old Testament left His Presence changed, and we should too. Perhaps as we listen to God in contemplation, we might be led to make decisions that draw us into a more intimate relationship with Him.
12. Sacrifice in Worship
There is a couple at church who comes to my mind. They have two
children, and the youngest one graduated from high school last May. As
"empty nesters," they could have utilized their extra time by spending
time together, trying a new hobby, or just resting. However, they
decided to "adopt" the ten or so college students that consistently come
to worship. Instead of sitting with their friends during the service,
they sit with the college students. They foster community within these
students and provide consistency. Often, the husband and wife don't even
sit next to each other, because they are engaging with the guys and
girls respectively. After worship, they lead a Sunday school class for
the group of students (instead of going to their own class) and invite
the students to their home each week. They have even taken the students
on two camping trips.
A few Sundays ago, the wife prepared a large, home-cooked breakfast for all of the students, and she and her husband hosted a morning "lunch and learn" with other members of the church. Each church member was specifically invited for a student based on his or her future career interests. The church members were able to share wisdom, advice, and encouragement with the students.
Each week this couple sacrifices their time, personal interests, and selves. They continue to model Jesus by laying down their lives for these students. I know that I am learning a lot by watching their example, and I hope to imitate them, as they imitate Christ.
13. Art and Worship
A few Sundays ago, the wife prepared a large, home-cooked breakfast for all of the students, and she and her husband hosted a morning "lunch and learn" with other members of the church. Each church member was specifically invited for a student based on his or her future career interests. The church members were able to share wisdom, advice, and encouragement with the students.
Each week this couple sacrifices their time, personal interests, and selves. They continue to model Jesus by laying down their lives for these students. I know that I am learning a lot by watching their example, and I hope to imitate them, as they imitate Christ.
13. Art and Worship
I wouldn't necessarily consider myself artistically-inclined, but I
do enjoy art! I enjoy singing, painting, going to art museums, drawing,
and observing beauty, because these beautiful, created things point me
back to the Creator and bring me to worship Him.
Recently, I participated in a mini Wednesday night series at church called God and Art. The first week, we all painted together. The second week, we walked through our urban neighborhood with the purpose of finding "treasures" around us in murals, sculptures, architecture, and people. The third week, we shared some of our personal favorite artistic pieces. One person shared a song. One person shared a black and white drawing of a floral heart. Someone else shared an abstract piece that hangs in a chapel. Another shared a building in Europe she recently visited. It was interesting to hear why people were drawn to certain pieces and how they connected with God through them.
When I lived in Guatemala, a friend introduced me to something called praying in color. It can be an especially effective tool with Lectio Divina, because it focuses on one word or phrase and encourages prayer as meaningful drawings, doodles, and color are added to the word. Two years ago, I did this consistently during Lent. I read a devotional and then spent time meditating on a different name of God. For me it was a very powerful time each day, and I still admire the finished product to this day.
I would like to see the church place a greater emphasis on the arts. I think it serves as a good way to connect with others and engage in spiritual conversations.
14. Battle
Put on the armor of God. Fight the good fight. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces. These are just some pieces of Scripture that come to mind and show that we are constantly living a spiritual battle.
I honestly cannot remember much of the worship service last week. I cannot even remember the Scripture that was shared and discussed. I remember being there, but my mind was thinking about other things. Things are very busy right now for me as a teacher and graduate student. As the semester winds down, the number of activities and things on the to do list only increase, and I struggle to be present in the current moment.
In The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape writes to Wormwood saying, "Our business is to get them away from the eternal, and from the Present," because in the Present, "and there alone, all duty, all grace, all knowledge, and all pleasure dwell, [and] his [the Christian's] state is very undesirable and should be attacked at once" (Lewis 76, 78-79). The enemy recognizes that Christians can be attacked easily when we are focused on the future instead of the present, and he uses that to distract us from what God has for us in that moment. I know that I am very prone to this attack.
I also tend to take on more responsibilities than I can probably handle, which fuels my inability to be present. Wiersbe reminds and encourages us to "start carrying on the burdens that He assigns us...It means saying good-bye to good things, enjoyable things, even successful things, because they get in our way and rob us of the time and energy we need to seek after the best things. Our priority is to please God and serve Him" (164). I need to evaluate my current commitments and ask God to help me know what should stay and what needs to go. The Navigators have published an article titled "Satan's Agenda," which furthers describes Satan's clever schemes that bring us to church but prevent us from truly encountering and experiencing Jesus.
*The article can be found at https://www.navigators.org/satans-agenda/ if you are interested. It's a good read!
15. Healthy Balance
Recently, I participated in a mini Wednesday night series at church called God and Art. The first week, we all painted together. The second week, we walked through our urban neighborhood with the purpose of finding "treasures" around us in murals, sculptures, architecture, and people. The third week, we shared some of our personal favorite artistic pieces. One person shared a song. One person shared a black and white drawing of a floral heart. Someone else shared an abstract piece that hangs in a chapel. Another shared a building in Europe she recently visited. It was interesting to hear why people were drawn to certain pieces and how they connected with God through them.
When I lived in Guatemala, a friend introduced me to something called praying in color. It can be an especially effective tool with Lectio Divina, because it focuses on one word or phrase and encourages prayer as meaningful drawings, doodles, and color are added to the word. Two years ago, I did this consistently during Lent. I read a devotional and then spent time meditating on a different name of God. For me it was a very powerful time each day, and I still admire the finished product to this day.
I would like to see the church place a greater emphasis on the arts. I think it serves as a good way to connect with others and engage in spiritual conversations.
14. Battle
Put on the armor of God. Fight the good fight. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces. These are just some pieces of Scripture that come to mind and show that we are constantly living a spiritual battle.
I honestly cannot remember much of the worship service last week. I cannot even remember the Scripture that was shared and discussed. I remember being there, but my mind was thinking about other things. Things are very busy right now for me as a teacher and graduate student. As the semester winds down, the number of activities and things on the to do list only increase, and I struggle to be present in the current moment.
In The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape writes to Wormwood saying, "Our business is to get them away from the eternal, and from the Present," because in the Present, "and there alone, all duty, all grace, all knowledge, and all pleasure dwell, [and] his [the Christian's] state is very undesirable and should be attacked at once" (Lewis 76, 78-79). The enemy recognizes that Christians can be attacked easily when we are focused on the future instead of the present, and he uses that to distract us from what God has for us in that moment. I know that I am very prone to this attack.
I also tend to take on more responsibilities than I can probably handle, which fuels my inability to be present. Wiersbe reminds and encourages us to "start carrying on the burdens that He assigns us...It means saying good-bye to good things, enjoyable things, even successful things, because they get in our way and rob us of the time and energy we need to seek after the best things. Our priority is to please God and serve Him" (164). I need to evaluate my current commitments and ask God to help me know what should stay and what needs to go. The Navigators have published an article titled "Satan's Agenda," which furthers describes Satan's clever schemes that bring us to church but prevent us from truly encountering and experiencing Jesus.
*The article can be found at https://www.navigators.org/satans-agenda/ if you are interested. It's a good read!
15. Healthy Balance
This idea of balance is something I have been thinking about a lot
lately. Too often I want things to be nice and neat, black and white,
but I continue to come back to the idea that so many things that seem
opposing have to coexist, and this is where balance is so important. We
are not to choose one extreme or the other, but somehow, we are to allow
a healthy balance of both.
In the classroom, I struggle to maintain a good balance of high expectations and discipline with strong relationships with students. Typically, middle school students do not make the connection that correction is done out of love for them, because I want them to grow, mature, and become men and women with strong character. However, the old saying goes that rules without relationships breed rebellion. Both are necessary.
At church, I see the need for balance among the personal and corporate. Individuals have personal agendas, ideas, and convictions, which can be used to move the church in a particular direction, but we have to be careful that we are seeking the Lord's direction and the welfare of the entire body. What does Scriputure say? Where is the Spirit leading? As culture continues to change, and the church is faced with complicated issues like homosexuality, how do we maintain balance? How do we speak the truth in love? How can a diversity of opinions exist among a unified family of believers? These differences can quickly cause division, but we are called to be one.
In the classroom, I struggle to maintain a good balance of high expectations and discipline with strong relationships with students. Typically, middle school students do not make the connection that correction is done out of love for them, because I want them to grow, mature, and become men and women with strong character. However, the old saying goes that rules without relationships breed rebellion. Both are necessary.
At church, I see the need for balance among the personal and corporate. Individuals have personal agendas, ideas, and convictions, which can be used to move the church in a particular direction, but we have to be careful that we are seeking the Lord's direction and the welfare of the entire body. What does Scriputure say? Where is the Spirit leading? As culture continues to change, and the church is faced with complicated issues like homosexuality, how do we maintain balance? How do we speak the truth in love? How can a diversity of opinions exist among a unified family of believers? These differences can quickly cause division, but we are called to be one.
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