Anyway, breaking through the desert of no blog posts, I thought I would post an .mp3 for you.

This summer, I had the honor of preaching a message, entitled, “What is Worship?” at my church, The Highland Vineyard.

Here is what I covered:
What is Worship?
Who, or What, are YOU Worshipping?
Why do we Worship God?
What do we do when we gather to Worship?
Why do we sing?
How are we to sing?
Who are we singing to?
What if you don’t like the music? (or for that matter, the powerpoint backgrounds, the message, the way you think your neighbor is worshipping, or not worshipping, or anything else you can think of)

Here is a link to the message, for your listening pleasure:
http://www.churchdonedifferently.com/wp-content/uploads/sermons/06-06-2010.mp3

Headlines

• Louisville Couple Arrested for Gross Cheapness During Recession
• Julie Spends More Time at Gymboree, Claims She is Paid to Play Around
• Halitzkas Share Honeymoon Suite to Celebrate New Year in Style
• George Does More Writing in 2009

The Bible is clear. There is only ONE G-d. The Bible is also clear, the the Father is G-d, the Son is G-d, and the Holy Spirit is G-d. There are times when they are spoken of with a distinction, and others when there is a blur. Jesus said that He and His Father will come dwell in those who believe. Elsewhere it is said to be the Holy Spirit…

There are several passages in the Old and New Testaments that refer to Jesus or the Messiah in terms that can ONLY be applied to G-d. In many of those instances, it was Jesus making those claims about Himself:

Only G-d is good (Psalm 16:2; Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19). Jesus is good (Mark 10:17; Luke 18:18). Jesus claimed to be good (John 10:11, 14).

Only G-d is Holy (1Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 8:13; Revelation 15:4). The Old Testament said that the Messiah would be Holy (Psalm 16:10). Jesus is Holy (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; Acts 2:27; 3:14; 4:27, 30; Acts 13:35). Jesus claimed to be Holy (John 8:28-29, 46; Revelation 3:7).

Only G-d is the Rock (1Samuel 2:2; 2Samuel 22:32; Psalm 18:31; 62:2, 6; Isaiah 44:8). The Old Testament calls the Messiah the Rock (Isaiah 8:14). Jesus is the Rock (Romans 9:33; 1Corinthians 10:4; 1Peter 2:8).

Only G-d is the Savior (Psalm 62:2, 6; Isaiah 43:11; 45:21-22; Hosea 13:4). Jesus is the Savior (Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Ephesians 5:23; Philippians 3:20; 1Timothy 1:15; 2Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:4; 2;13; 3:6; Hebrews 7:25; 2Peter 1:1; 1:11; 2Peter 2:20; 3:18; 1John 4:14). Jesus claimed to be the Savior of the world (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10; John 3:16-18; 12:47).

Only G-d is the Judge (Psalm 50:6; James 4:12). The Old Testament calls the Messiah Judge (1Chronicles 16:33). Jesus is the Judge (Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2Timothy 4:1). Jesus claimed to be the Judge (Matthew 7:21-23; John 5:22; 5:30).

Only G-d is the Creator (Isaiah 40:25-26; 45:18). The Old Testament calls the Messiah the Creator (Isaiah 48:12-16). Jesus is the Creator (John 1:3, 10; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2).

Only G-d is the First and the Last (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6). Jesus claimed to be the First and the Last (Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13). The Messiah is called the first and the last (Isaiah 48:12)

Only G-d can forgive sins (Isaiah 43:25). Jesus can forgive sins (1John 1:9). Jesus claimed that He had the authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2-6; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-25).

G-d said He will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11). Jesus shared in G-d’s glory (Mark 10:37; John 1:14; 2:11; Acts 3:13; 2Corinthians 4:4-6; 2Thessalonians 1:12; 2:4; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:3; 2:7-9; James 2:1; 1Peter 1:21; 2Peter 3:18; Revelation 5:12-13). Jesus claimed to share in G-d’s glory (John 17:1-5; see also Matthew 24:30; 25:31; Mark 8:38; 12:36; Luke 9:26; 21:27; 24:26; John 5:41-44; 7:18; 8:50, 54; 11:4; 12:23, 41; 13:31-32; 16:14; 17:10, 24).

Only G-d is to be worshiped (Exodus 20:3-5; 34:14). The Old Testament says that the Messiah is to be worshiped (according to Hebrews 1:6). Jesus is to be worshiped (Hebrews 1:6). Jesus claimed that we should worship Him and He accepted worship publicly many times (Matthew 14:33; 28:9, 17; Luke 24:52; John 5:23; 9:38; 20:27-29).

There is no one like G-d (Isaiah 40:18, 25-26; 44:7; 45:5-6; 46:9-10), and there is in fact, no other G-d but G-d (Exodus 8:10; 9:14; Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 33:26; 1Samuel 7:22; 21:9; 2Samuel 7:22; 22:32; 1Chronicles 17:20; Psalm18:31; 86:8; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5-6, 14, 18, 21-22; 46:9; 64:4; Jeremiah 10:6-7; Hosea 13:4; Joel 2:27). The Old Testament calls the Messiah G-d (Isaiah 9:6; Psalm 45:6-7). Jesus is G-d (John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15; 1Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:3, 8-9; 2Peter 1:1; 1John 5:20). Jesus claimed to be G-d (John 10:30-38; 12:45; 14:7-11, 14).

Only G-d’s name is “I AM (YHWH or Jehovah)” (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 47:8, 10; Zephaniah 2:15). The Old Testament says the Messiah is “I AM” (Isaiah 48:12-16; Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16; Malachi 3:1). Jesus referred to himself as the “I AM” (John 4:26; 8:58; 13:19; 18:5-6).

Jesus referred to Himself as the S-n of God (Matthew 16:16-17; 26:63-64; Luke 22:70; John 1:49-50; 10:33, 36; 11:27), which was equal with claiming to be G-d (John 5:18; 19:7). Those who heard Him understood this clearly. Back then, to say that someone was a son of something was a figure of speech used to say that they had the very same nature or essence of that object. For example, Jesus referred to James and John as “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). Jesus’ favorite title for Himself was “the Son of Man,” which He used 80 times (Matthew 8:20; 9:6…). He was showing His humanity.

Internet sites that are helpful for bible study

Bible Gateway

When you remember a piece of a verse, and want to find it. OR when you want to pull up several different versions of the bible next to each other. OR if you want to study a topic, use the topical index as a starting point.

The NET bible

The bible wasn’t originally written in English, it was written in Greek and Hebrew. The NET bible is a great study bible that tells you why certain english words were used in the translation, and what the other options might have been. Also, you can print out a .pdf of and entire book of the bible at a time, if you want. I like doing that so I can mark it up.

Bible Reading Plans

e-sword

This FREE software lets you generate plans, you just need to select what you want to read over what period of time.

Logos Bible Reader

This program runs in the tray of your computer and will pop up everyday with the reading for the day.

http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/

5 plans, including Beginning to End, Chronological, Historical, New then Old, Old and New(simultaneously) They have each of these plans with start dates on the 1st and the 15th of EVERY Month.

Bible Gateway Survey Plan

The survey plan found on biblegateway seems like a great place to start too. Highlights from every book in 61 days.

Internet Teaching

Cincinatti Vineyard Videos

It’s a Vineyard Church in our region, it’s video, and they include their worship sets, yes!

Mars Hill Church

While I don’t always agree with their theological positions, for the most part, the video sermons are both engaging and solid teaching.

Lifechurch.tv

They do live broadcasts many times per week that include worship, or watch sermons only in their video archive.

Sovereign Grace Worship

Under both “Theology of Worship” and “Training Resources,” there are lots of FREE .mp3 resources. I wish the Vineyard movement had a free resource like this.

For now, that’s my list. Hope someone finds some of these helpful!

Applied Ministry involves volunteering 9 hours per week at my church, loving every minute of that. Add that to substitute teaching 1-2 days per week, teaching 15 Gymboree classes per week, volunteering at Southern Seminary’s Attic (like Goodwill but free to give and recieve), co-leading a new small group bible study with my husband and another couple, and teaching the new believers class, and that makes me a BUSY woman this semester.

My piano and guitar skills are coming along, I have gotten into a consistent practice routine where I am doing 30-45 minutes on each every day. Sometime soon I will add a worship repertoire list to my seminary portfolio in order to track what I’ve learned and can play.

One week from today I will be at the Vineyard Worship Leaders National Conference East in Asheville, NC at the Ridgecrest Conference Center. I’m very excited for that.

Blessings!

These are the goals that I have set with Lee Anne for Applied Ministry this fall.
(NOTE: This was edited on September 10th to reflect the final revision of my goals)

Continue to develop musical skills used in leading worship.

• Develop skill on guitar and piano adequate to lead worship with an instrument, both solo and with a worship team. Put skills into practice during Sunday services. Meet weekly with Lee Anne Turner for lessons and goal setting. Create and add to a repertoire list evidencing songs prepared on each instrument.
• Write at least four new worship songs, with coaching from Lee Anne Turner, as well as other worship team members.

Coordinate worship services.

• Participate in creative service planning for special services, as well as Sunday morning services. Communicate with staff about sermon topics and how they relate to music preparation. Attend staff meetings along with worship director on the third Tuesday of each month, and special meetings as needed.
• Assist in scheduling the worship team for Sunday morning services. (Team of 15-20 members including singers, instrumentalists, and sound/media personnel.)

Grow in knowledge and experience of technology that helps to support corporate worship.

• Set up and maintain a planningcenteronline.com account for the Highland Vineyard worship team (Create user accounts for team, add charts and mp3 links, use for scheduling and generating service orders.)
• Run live sound and projection for church services and team rehearsals as needed when not leading musically. Become familiar with equipment needs and budget.
• Assist Media Director, Rick Mathley with video production and other media projects from week to week.
• Experience a recording studio environment during the Fall Worship Team CD project. Learn the software program Sonar, assist producer as needed.

Musically it’s been a good year, I have progressed – I have led worship from keys while singing – both solo and doing rhythm piano with a praise band. Lee Anne (worship leader/mentor) has also agreed to teach me to play the electric bass over the summer, and hopefully I will take drum lessons sometime in the next year.

My goal is to finish up my music courses in 2008-2009. I have six more theology classes to complete the year after, which could be done either online, or on campus. I am not taking any classes this summer.

My hours at Gymboree Play & Music have greatly increased, which means I get to enjoy spending lots of time getting paid to play with the 0-5yr old set. I’m very happy to be there more. I also will be volunteering at The Attic at Southern (like goodwill as far as donations go, but FREE to shop, for seminary families), and will finally complete training and start volunteering regularly with Home of the Innocents.

George has also created a Character Education Program that we will be performing together at local camps and YMCAs.

Next fall I will be taking Applied Ministry and Integrative Seminar, alongside Music since 1900, and an ensemble. I am doing Applied Ministry at my current church, Highland Vineyard, which is sweet! I will be able to keep almost all of my hours at Gymboree, and will substitute 4-6 days a month in order to pay for classes.

On another note, this site will probably get an overhaul at some point – streamlining and rearranging, mostly. It is turning out to be more a website with some blogging than a true blog. And I still really need to fold my music into everything.

Personal Goals for the new year:

• Feast on God’s word daily. Savor every bit of it. Slow down, and take time. Not just skim, or read for information. Allow all of my life – the way I live every moment – to be mastered by the text of scripture.
• Care for the body that God has given me, so that I can have maximum effectiveness in ministry. Specifically, do a 30 minute aerobic workout at least three times a week.
• Steward my gifts well – practice and spend time songwriting. The latter has fallen off way too much, mainly because I haven’t been taking the time.
• Care for orphans. Specifically, I will volunteer at Home of the Innocents, they are within walking distance of my house.
• Identify and eliminate meaningless time wasters – such as excessive web surfing and internet tv and movie watching, among other things.




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