Communion

Tomorrow we will have communion in church. Since I will be facilitating the communion time, I looked up some scripture that talks about that event in Christ's life when he broke the bread and raised the cup for that symbolic moment. I learned quite a bit actually. You see I have been taking and observing communion for quite some time now, and I have always done it soberly. No I haven't been drinking, but I've always taken communion with a very somber attitude about me. I've always been very reflective about the sacrifice made, the blood spilt and the body broken. The images that I call upon from my mind during communion are always very funeralish (if I may make up a word).

However, today I was reading in Matthew about the last supper, about the Passover Supper. I imagined the feast and the fellowship, I imagined the laughter there must have been between friends and family. All these images gave me a different look on that point in history when Christ raised the cup and began a "tradition of rememberance" that continues some 1,972 years later.

The very last verse in that section said that "when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives". I wondered what they would have sung to conclude such a feast. I looked in the notes and it said that it was most likely Psalms 115-118 that they sung. Well, after reading through Psalms 115-118, there is no way that I can recall a gloomy, sad, or somber picture for communion. Rather I will recall a picture that will be of ............. And ................. And of His glorious....................(I don't want to ruin it for you) Let's just say that tomorrow when communion is taken, for me it will be with a different spirit and picture. Let me just say that the battles may still rage, but the war has been won. Go read, and grow.

Oh To Think Like A Child

Tonight I was reading a chapter from Genesis to my boys right before they went to bed. As I was flipping pages finding the text I wanted to read to them, my oldest began to inform me that every page in the bible is the word of God. That He created every word and put them on every page. He also informed me that with His powers he created the front and back covers as well. At about that time my middle child chimed in, "That's right daddy". I thought it was cute and wanted to share.

James 1:27

I don't quite know how to begin this blog entry, I just know that God is a good God and He is worthy of our praise. For the past few days I have been attending Woodside Bible Church, http://www.woodsidebible.org/ in Troy Michigan and have been consumed by great music, Godly teaching, Godly friends, and great opportunities to learn from others that lead Worship. I've been having a great time learning about and praising our Heavenly Father. Tonight about 300 of us attended a Paul Baloche worship concert at the church. Of course the music was good and the quality superb, no questions, but what made tonight so special was what happened during the service and it wasn't music related. Last year I met a woman from New York who has a great spirit and good heart. Now in talking to her I knew that her husband had passed away several years ago but I had no idea how or why. Yesterday being 9/10 I asked her how she as a New Yorker was holding up being out of town and all on the 5th anniversary of 9/11. She said fine and that the Integrity family had been there for her. Well shortly after that conversation, I learned that her husband had died as a result of 9/11. So tonight at the concert, during a time of reflection and offering, the host said he wanted to offer up a prayer for her. I looked over and she was sitting somewhat by herself. I was compelled to go sit with her and in my feeble attempt, tried to comfort her during the prayer and time of remembrance. Others from the class surrounded her, and as a family of believers, brothers and sisters in Christ we stood there under one God praying for our sister and for the others who's lives were dramatically changed by the events of that day. I was reminded of the scriptures that speak of taking care of the widows and orphans in time of distress,I believe it is James 1: 27. Nothing I could say at that time would make her feel better, nothing I could do would take her pain away. But as we stood there together, tears streamed down my face, my heart ached and I could feel her pain. We grieved with her, and cried with her. After the prayer, the entire place broke into this standing ovation that seemed to last forever. I would imagine most were clapping in honor of the sacrifice her husband paid in trying to save those who were lost in the collapse of the towers. Some may have been clapping to affirm her that they were there for her. I clapped for her because she is strong in the Lord. With all this woman has been through, she places her hope and trust in Jesus Christ and praises His name with a heart that is pure and righteous. To watch the outpouring of love for her tonight was amazing. That's what we as a church are to be about. Loving others the way Christ has loved us. I have a picture in my head of tonight's events, and as I look at it, I see that we were not the only ones hugging and comforting her tonight, she was in Gods hands and he had His arms wrapped tightly around her.

One of my favorite scripture readings used to be read by a minister that served the church I attended as a child, and it went like this.
"The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '

The Holy Spirit

Tonight I sit in Troy Michigan, where I am attending a class through Integrity Worship Institute. Tonight’s primary discussion was on Team Building with the DISC profile. It mostly deals with personality types and reveals in a snapshot, how God has made us, and how we are made up right now. The discussion went deeper into understanding the Spirit's work in worship. I realized that I have, for quite some time now, ignored the Holy Spirits role in my life. My view of the Trinity has been somewhat two sided. Often in my prayers, I address God or Jesus directly completely bypassing the Holy Spirit. I looked up some passages tonight that talk about the Holy Spirit and it's role in our lives, and what I found was quite interesting. John 14: 15-31 specifically talks about how the Holy Spirit works and why it is given to those who accept Christ.

I have read many other scriptures about the Holy Spirit, and in just about every one, it is the Holy Spirit doing the work. Guiding us, speaking to us, giving us the words to say. Teaching us, testifying on our behalf to God, being our translator and interpreter. The following are a few I’ve come across.
Matthew 1:18
Mark 12:36
Mark 13:11
Luke 4:1
Luke 1:67
Acts 9:31
Acts 13:2
(All can be viewed at www.biblegateway.com)

Going back to what I said about my default prayers, and not addressing the Holy Spirit, I think it’s crucial that we bring attention back to the importance of the Holy Spirit, and the role it plays. In Jude 1: 19-21, it says. “19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Holy Spirit, please forgive me. You have been instrumental in my life in so many ways, and yet I have failed to understand or see your work. Please lead me, instruct me, speak to me, work in me and work through me. Amen