Purpose Worth Pursuing

We can look back on the earliest times in history and see patterns. Since the beginning of time man has wanted more. Just as Adam and Eve became greedy and wanted more knowledge, people in today's world want more as well. They think if they could read just one more book, article, take one more class, they would understand. 

But always this emptiness. Always something missing. 

When people come to a point where they believe they were somehow formed, accidentally flung into existence, they don't realize the negative impact that has on their thoughts...their entire brain changes with how it thinks, reacts, and affects how they feel as a person. To be taught your whole life that you being alive is merely an accident? God help us. 

Some of the best selling books on the market today are in the self-help sections. That means people are searching everywhere they can to get answers:

-Who am I? 

-Why am I here?

-What is my purpose? 

As humans, we would like to think that we are important, loved, and have some kind of meaning for being here on this earth. But in today's society, is it even possible to find our way through the noise, judgement, and lies thrown at us every day we wake? 

As a follower of Christ,  I am not immune from some of these feelings. I do, however, have a sort of map in my life, a reference to guide me through life when I am unsure. 

You see, as Christians, we have this unimaginable joy of KNOWING we were created with and for a purpose. It wasn't an accidental explosion that gave us the life we now live. But rather, words spoken with purpose and love, bringing us into existence because someone had a plan. A plan so miraculous that it could only come from an almighty, loving God who WANTED us here. 

Our purpose? To spend each day sharing His unmistakable love, while praising and worshipping Him for all He has done and continues to do. He knew who we were long before time even began, and loved us so much even then, that when the time came for punishment for the many sins in this world, He sent His only Son as an offering to cover OUR sin and evil deeds. 

Did you catch that? BEFORE we were even born.

So, for this world to tell anyone they are simply an "accident" is incredibly disrespectful of that love, kindness, and unthinkable gift.

God does not make mistakes. YOU are not a mistake. 

I see so many hurting people, people searching for something greater than themselves. But how often do they get pulled into a worldview filled with empty promises and lies, simply because someone took the time to present their beliefs in a kind way? The lost meet someone who seems to genuinely CARE that they are alive, and they are willing to follow wherever they lead. 

Fellow believers, how can we expect people to know how special they are in the sight of their CREATOR if we don't ever open our mouths to tell them? What damage we do when the only words coming from our mouths are condemning, judgmental, and hateful. Whether in person, or behind a digital screen...our actions are to be images of Christ. And we wonder why so many see God as a hurtful, hateful God...when we show them nothing else. 

We live in a time where hate is fed, hurt is given out by the truck loads, and people do not care how their actions affect those around them. But as believers in the one true God, this is not our purpose. This is not our calling. We are to STAND OUT with our actions in the most positive way possible. We are to show love to a dying and hurting world. May God reach down and touch our hearts, cleanse them of the dirt we have allowed to build up inside; may we speak truth, filled with hope to a hopeless world in need of a Savior. 

The Reason We Worship

There are so many posts, blogs, and articles by Christians complaining or bashing the praise and worship band. Although I can understand some of the viewpoints of those people, I have to respectfully disagree. As I sat in church this past Sunday morning, those posts came to mind as our song leader for the day was quoting scripture about God's power, might, and presence. How we don't come to church to sing words, but worship Him, and draw near to Him...to feel His presence.

I've read the complaints about these kinds of bands....my church's band; they're "too loud", there's lights and fog...like a "rock concert"...or the fact that the worship team seems to be worshiping and not strictly leading the congregation. See, I grew up in churches where the song service had a single song leader instead of a worship team, a simple piano in the background instead of multiple instruments, with the congregation holding hymnals singing along instead of slide shows, seated in pews instead of standing with raised hands.

Here's the thing, before you go and get defensive, let me explain that I do not have a problem with the traditional worship service, hymnals, or a single instrument during song service. I have absolutely no issues with this style. I do, however, have a problem with people judging the heart of those praising God in this way, simply because it is not what THEY prefer. 

Let me give my thoughts. Growing up in the traditional song service with no raising of hands, rarely standing unless told to, and reading words from a book...I never felt a lot of emotion during our song services. I was never moved. Now those who are traditional song leaders, that is not meant to discourage or degrade the job that you do! God has called you to this position; you're there for a reason, and what you're doing is meaningful.

For me, this is a personal feeling, nothing against the job you have done.

Skip several years, and I joined a church that has a band, lights, a worship TEAM, and yes...even fog sometimes...heaven help us. I can honestly say I have learned another kind of worship.

I want you to ask yourself this: do you feel like the traditional way of worshiping is better than the modern way because it's "not how you were raised", or because you don't really understand the meaning of worship? Now, I'm not judging. Your worship experience is between you and God. Not me. Not the person sitting next to you. Not your family. You and God. I have simply realized in my own life that I previously judged these bands because I was uncomfortable ...maybe even jealous...that these people were OPENLY worshiping. They weren't afraid to lift their hands to the Lord; cry tears of joy, sadness, or gratefulness. I grew up where you stood still, like a statue, and sang words from a page. Still to this day I love hymns, especially when my family sits together and sings, or my praise and worship group leads them...but do you really think people in heaven will be praising God in seated positions, hands in their lap, reading from a book? Do you think the voices and instruments will be soft? Or do you think people will be falling to their knees, singing with a LOUD voice, praising their King singing "holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty"?

If praise and worship isn't for you, that is 100% okay. If that isn't how you get close to God, that is your business. But I want to warn you...be cautious of your judgments on those who give their time and talents to the Lord by leading 

these praise and worship services. Worship is a PERSONAL experience, and to judge others for worshiping one way, simply because YOU don't feel close to God in that time is a very dangerous place to be.

"Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a SHOUT of joy." -Psalm 33:3

"SHOUT joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!" Psalm 66:1-3

"I will praise the name of God with song and MAGNIFY Him with thanksgiving." -Psalm 69:30

"Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with JOYFUL singing."

Psalm 100:2

I can honestly say I feel closer to God through my praise and worship band, seeing their emotions, joy, gratefulness, and LOVE for their Savior than I ever did standing in a pew. 

Worship is personal. If you don't like one way of worship, seek out another. Don't bash those who feel God's presence in that place.

The beautiful thing about

Christianity is that we are all 100% uniquely designed by the most loving, gifted artist there is. Use your story and time with God to touch and move other people. Not degrade their experience with their Savior. 

A Beautiful Marriage

Today is a special day for two special people. It's a day we celebrate two of the most influential people in my life.

It's my parents 27th anniversary!

There are a few things you need to know about my parents.

1: They told me, my brothers and sisters very early on in our lives that they wanted us to know with assurance that they would never get a divorce. They said they never wanted us to fear that one or the other would leave us.

2: They have always worked together on everything.

3: They are ALWAYS open with each other.

4: They are best friends...and if you're around them longer than 2 minutes you can tell.

5: I have NEVER heard my parents yell at or degrade one another. I'm sure they've had fights...I mean, they're married with 6 kids, it's inevitable...but they've never done it in front of us kids or other people.

To grow up with a hard working mother, who did so much for my brothers and sisters on a daily basis....trained us to work hard, taught us how important it is to have character, how to love learning (reading specifically), and how to treat other people with respect, is something a lot of kids don't get these days.

And my dad. He has always worked so hard to provide above and beyond what my family needed. We have always had a nice house. Plenty of food (maybe too much sometimes, ;) electricity, water, and we never lacked toys to play with or things to do.
I've seen my dad stressed over work, bills, where to move, which job to take, churches....and through every choice he made, he made it completely selflessly based on how it would affect his family (which meant passing up sever really good job opportunities).
My dad was always eager to help us if we had an interest in learning a new skill, or thought of something we might want to do for a living. Even if he thought it was silly, he bought the material and books to teach us that skill.
I've sat through countless sermons of my dads, heard the conviction, felt the passion he has for his Lord, and seen the tears of his gratefulness and awe of Christ. Not many kids get that privilege. My dad is an AMAZING pastor. My favorite out of every pastor I've ever heard (no bias here).

For the 23 years I've been alive, I have been able to witness a beautiful marriage. Lots of hard times, many unknown times, many stressful times....but my parents have stuck with it, grown closer, and continue to be an example of a Christ centered marriage to their children and everyone around. It's not about how perfect your life is....our family certainly has its struggles...but having my parents as the example always makes things a little brighter.

I want to thank you, Mama and Daddy. For always believing in me, pushing me to do more, encouraging me, raising me, teaching me about the love of Christ, how to never stop learning, and how wonderful a marriage can be.

I love you!!!