Phil over at Called to Worship continues to write a number of things on planning worship. His latest is on the Sabbath, and taking it seriously:
As I hinted in an earlier post, I think its important to rest from your work and normal diversions. Jesus was quick to remind us that the Sabbath is for man and so we aren’t to be bound up in fear over how well we’re keeping the rules (one of the Pharisees’ many troubles). Instead, the Sabbath is meant to give us life.
Bob Kauflin’s posted his notes from a recent talk, “Pastoring through Song” – a topic near to many hearts I know. He’s got some good thoughts here, and the outline would be easily adapted to use in teaching a worship group:
The talk developed out of a realization that we can often be unaware of how God wants to use the lyrics of songs and how they’re led to care for people’s souls. We’re doing more than simply singing songs together when we gather, hoping for some “worshipful” or “anointed” moment to happen. The Holy Spirit is at work to encourage, impart faith, convict, and comfort as we “teach and admonish one another” through song.
via Pastoring Through Song – Notes from Sydney | Worship Matters.
Via the grace seattle blog, a nice resource on the Daily Office. No, not the one with cubicles, but the one that the Church has used historically as a guide to daily prayer.
Things like this can seem awkward for some protestants – but it is a great way to order your day around prayer, surrounding yourself with reminders of God and his Grace.
There are a number of these around of course. This is a simple little site that gives you prayers and readings for each day. I’ve also found Mike Farley’s weekly prayer e-mail quite a rich resource as well (he’s not got it online yet, but comment and I can send you his e-mail and request to be added).
Quite excited to listen to this when it is released – the latest from Sojourn Community.
Looking for new advent or Christmas music? Go grab a pre-order!
I remember hearing the lyrics to “Sometimes a Light Surprises” when my friend Nathan Partain ran across it and wrote a tune for it. The lyrics were a comfort to me, and I found out many others.
Many artists struggle with emotional instability. If not depression, then perhaps melancholy – the Long Dark Teatime of the Soul, if you will. If you’re unfamiliar with William Cowper, his story can be helpful. Paxson Jeancake has as a great article on Cowper and some lessons we can learn from those who struggle:
Art is not birthed in a vacuum, nor is it produced solely from a life of blissful devotion and ongoing prayer and song. Art is often brought forth from hardship and struggle, turmoil and tears. There is something about a troubled soul that taps into both the reality of our fallen condition and the hope of something greater than ourselves. Such is the life of William Cowper, the troubled but gifted artist whose hymns have been sung in many different languages for more than two centuries.
via Sometimes a Light Surprises: The Treasured Gift of a Troubled Soul – The Gospel Coalition Blog.
Remember the Cyberhymnal? An early hymn resource online, it went offline several years ago. I was searching for something last week, and found it again – the full site, with old-school look and feel: The Cyber Hymnal has texts, histories, and simple MIDI files and scores for all kinds of stuff.
Phil Mershon over at Called To Worship is writing up a storm these days. Besides a great review of Zac Hicks + Cherry Creek’s new CD, he also has a 3 part series on preparing hearts for worship.
His recent entry into that is on saturating your heart with Scripture – previous entries are some great starting points as well, regarding how NOT to prepare for worship (I think he was looking over my shoulder). Most of his posts include some great links and videos as well.
Preparing for Worship (Part 1): 3 Ways NOT to Prepare for Sunday Worship
Preparing for Worship (Part 2): 7 Ways to PREPARE for Worship Today
Preparing for Worship (Part 3): Praying and Reading the Scripture
Phil’s been working hard to write new things recently – I’d encourage you to go check it out!
