There are many different ways to worship, and everyone has their own way that they like. Different churches, different religions, and different people all have their own way of doing things. For instance, in my church, worship is a little more upbeat than some. We have a worship team/band with guitars, keyboard, and sometimes other instruments. When people worship in my church they usually stand and clap to the beat and raise their arms as an act of surrender to God. There may be a few jumping and shouting, but this is the norm. I love worshipping this way. Jesus is exciting and sometimes I just want to jump and shout His praises! But there are other churches that may just sit quietly with their heads bowed in reverence to the Lord, praying softly with their eyes closed and hands folded.
I recently attended a church service that had worship that was the complete opposite of what I am used to. There was one woman up front playing a guitar and singing into a microphone very simple songs while everyone just sat with heads bowed as they sang along. My first thoughts were negative. I thought to myself that this isn't how I worship. This isn't how I like to worship. I am used to my way. My way is comfortable to me...WAIT! Comfortable? It hit me and hit me hard. Worship cannot just be a routine I'm comfortable with! I was denying my Lord the praise He deserves simply because I didn't normally worship that way. How silly and selfish and blind I am! Worship isn't about being comfortable, it's about stepping out and declaring that you love God! There isn't just one way to worship, and there is no right way to worship. Just worship! I believe that sticking to just one way of worship can give way to becoming comfortable in it, which can also lead to worship becoming a routine to us. Each and every time we worship should be a new and beautiful encounter with our Lord! We should go into each time of worship as if it were our first...and our last. I believe it is important also to change it up. Step out of your comfort zone and worship in a different way. It doesn't matter if everyone else is doing it, it doesn't matter if you don't know how. The only thing that matters is that your entire mind and body are flowing with love for our Savior! Sit down. Stand up. Walk around. Dance. All these are ways to worship. So I encourage everyone, the next time you worship try a different way than you are used to and see what happens!
04 September 2009
03 September 2009
Indescribable
I simply do not know how to put this in words: God is amazing. I have this desire to shout of how wonderful He is, but there is no earthly way to describe Him. It would be impossible!
One of the things I struggle with is trying to survive life on my own. Everytime I do this I fall, and God is right there to put my feet back on solid rock; so why do I continue to fight on my own? We as humans can be so blind. We think we have everything under control and before we realize it the world is swirling around us as we just stand there wondering where we lost control. I can be so stubborn sometimes. In my heart I know that I need to fully surrender to the one who gave me life, but at the same time I'm afraid to let go of the control I have. God is revealing to me that I really can trust Him. With everything.
I worry a lot. What are people going to think of me? What will happen tomorrow? Next week?
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Give Him all your cares and spend your day glorifying Him in everything you do!
God has told me to wait on Him. Wait. Wait? Why wait? God tells us in Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." We tend to think that waiting is weakness, but the Lord tells us to be strong and take heart as we wait for the Lord. It takes a lot of strength and courage to put our trust fully in Him and just allow Him to work.
Something I have really begun to think on is how God is everything we need. Not only that but he is all we need. We don't need to worry about the little things in life; all we need is Him. I really feel that God is teaching me this. I may not always understand, and I may not always remember, but God really is all that I need. Each day I want to wake up and declare that "God is everything and all that I need! Nothing in this world can satisfy my heart. Nothing else can comfort me and love me the way He does."
Lord, You NEVER let go of me!!! Thank you!
One of the things I struggle with is trying to survive life on my own. Everytime I do this I fall, and God is right there to put my feet back on solid rock; so why do I continue to fight on my own? We as humans can be so blind. We think we have everything under control and before we realize it the world is swirling around us as we just stand there wondering where we lost control. I can be so stubborn sometimes. In my heart I know that I need to fully surrender to the one who gave me life, but at the same time I'm afraid to let go of the control I have. God is revealing to me that I really can trust Him. With everything.
I worry a lot. What are people going to think of me? What will happen tomorrow? Next week?
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Give Him all your cares and spend your day glorifying Him in everything you do!
God has told me to wait on Him. Wait. Wait? Why wait? God tells us in Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." We tend to think that waiting is weakness, but the Lord tells us to be strong and take heart as we wait for the Lord. It takes a lot of strength and courage to put our trust fully in Him and just allow Him to work.
Something I have really begun to think on is how God is everything we need. Not only that but he is all we need. We don't need to worry about the little things in life; all we need is Him. I really feel that God is teaching me this. I may not always understand, and I may not always remember, but God really is all that I need. Each day I want to wake up and declare that "God is everything and all that I need! Nothing in this world can satisfy my heart. Nothing else can comfort me and love me the way He does."
Lord, You NEVER let go of me!!! Thank you!
Untitled
laughs and whistles
loathing the innocent
visible marks crash the page
and scream in vain.
one eager mistake is dampened away
while the ignorant loather's is stained
loathing the innocent
visible marks crash the page
and scream in vain.
one eager mistake is dampened away
while the ignorant loather's is stained
Not So Geeky Band Geek-Sonnet
This poem is a Shakespearean sonnet (also an English sonnet) written in iambic pentameter.
Not So Geeky Band Geek
I almost tried out for the play that day.
I held the sheet within my shaky hand.
But soon I heard a voice inside me say,
"Instead of trying out for plays, do band."
And all at once, right then and there I put
That paper down, and then I grabbed a horn.
I took off running, tripping on my foot;
A band geek now I cared not of the scorn.
My first day of that good old class I knew
That I would learn to love this one so soon.
I stepped inside the brightly colored blue,
And then I played a note on my bassoon.
Now playing my sweet instrument so dear,
Is often so rewarding when there's cheer.
Not So Geeky Band Geek
I almost tried out for the play that day.
I held the sheet within my shaky hand.
But soon I heard a voice inside me say,
"Instead of trying out for plays, do band."
And all at once, right then and there I put
That paper down, and then I grabbed a horn.
I took off running, tripping on my foot;
A band geek now I cared not of the scorn.
My first day of that good old class I knew
That I would learn to love this one so soon.
I stepped inside the brightly colored blue,
And then I played a note on my bassoon.
Now playing my sweet instrument so dear,
Is often so rewarding when there's cheer.
Sometimes I Fall.
Sometimes I stumble and think, "Will I ever be able to get back up?" Sometimes I can't keep up and the world keeps on going, leaving me behind, and I'm not fast enough to get back to where I was. Sometimes I'm not perfect and sometimes I feel like a failure. And worthless. And no good. Sometimes I feel like I'm not worth it. Not worth forgiveness, not worth love, not worth life or happiness. But God is always there. God always gives me a second chance. God always loves me and cares for me and sets my feet on the right path again. He pulls me back up when I stumble, He gives me the strength the push on. He always walks with me, holding my hand through the hard times. I am worth something to him. He made me who I am and loves me exactly how I am. He will never leave or forsake me. Even though I'm undeserving, He is full of grace and mercy. He is LOVE.
I am so blessed!
Well, I've been thinking lately how truly blessed I am to have so many amazing people in my life. I thank God so much for the people that he has so carefully placed into my life, even if we may have only crossed paths for a short time. There are people in this world who I have just connected with right away, people who I have grown up with, people who I admire, people who have always been there, and people who I just love! It just amazes me that God has picked those people to be in my life for a reason, whether it was for them to encourage me, or for me to encourage them, and whether it is just someone who I admire and aspire to be like in certain ways.
The people around you really do shape the person you will become in so many ways, and I'm glad to have so many amazing people to help with that! Also, with some of the younger girls, whom I completely adore, I want to be someone who they look up to as well.
My church family has been one of the greatest influences in my life. Honestly, I don't know where I would be, or even who I would be, if it weren't for all the amazing people there. My pastors and their wives have been great role models to me; I admire their strength, ability to love, and their wonderful personalities. There are also so many selfless, kind, and loving families and individuals in my church, I couldn't even name them all! I really admire their heart of giving, and hope that I can continue to live my life in the same manner. My youth group is completely amazing in every way. I love Cory and Angie and their kids to death! They mean the world to me. The leaders are so much fun and great people all around. My church is just completly amazing!
Although this may sound a little cheesy, another group of people who have really influenced me and whom I admire have been my teachers. I have had so many great teachers in my life, some who have encouraged me in what I do, who are always cheerful and fun, and who I admire because of everything they do for the students and the school. I really have some amazing teachers who I really look up to. I love the relationship I have with all of my teachers; they're great!
My family has had it's ups and downs, but I love them! There are also some people who I don't know that well, but I still look up to and think are wonderful! I have met many people who have impacted my life, even though I may not see them very much, or maybe haven't seen again. There are also people who I haven't seen in a while, but I still think about and thank the Lord that they came into my life.
The point is, God has blessed me beyond anything I could imagine! How could I ever think I have little, when all around me there are people who love me, and who I love. The people in my life mean so much more to me than the material things. I have first of all God, and my family, friends, teachers, and church family, and that is all I need! Thank you so much for everyone who has impacted my life in some way! There were so many people I could have tagged in this, but apparantley there is a tag limit, so you know who you are!! I Love You All!!!
The people around you really do shape the person you will become in so many ways, and I'm glad to have so many amazing people to help with that! Also, with some of the younger girls, whom I completely adore, I want to be someone who they look up to as well.
My church family has been one of the greatest influences in my life. Honestly, I don't know where I would be, or even who I would be, if it weren't for all the amazing people there. My pastors and their wives have been great role models to me; I admire their strength, ability to love, and their wonderful personalities. There are also so many selfless, kind, and loving families and individuals in my church, I couldn't even name them all! I really admire their heart of giving, and hope that I can continue to live my life in the same manner. My youth group is completely amazing in every way. I love Cory and Angie and their kids to death! They mean the world to me. The leaders are so much fun and great people all around. My church is just completly amazing!
Although this may sound a little cheesy, another group of people who have really influenced me and whom I admire have been my teachers. I have had so many great teachers in my life, some who have encouraged me in what I do, who are always cheerful and fun, and who I admire because of everything they do for the students and the school. I really have some amazing teachers who I really look up to. I love the relationship I have with all of my teachers; they're great!
My family has had it's ups and downs, but I love them! There are also some people who I don't know that well, but I still look up to and think are wonderful! I have met many people who have impacted my life, even though I may not see them very much, or maybe haven't seen again. There are also people who I haven't seen in a while, but I still think about and thank the Lord that they came into my life.
The point is, God has blessed me beyond anything I could imagine! How could I ever think I have little, when all around me there are people who love me, and who I love. The people in my life mean so much more to me than the material things. I have first of all God, and my family, friends, teachers, and church family, and that is all I need! Thank you so much for everyone who has impacted my life in some way! There were so many people I could have tagged in this, but apparantley there is a tag limit, so you know who you are!! I Love You All!!!
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