A strange feeling in the pit of my stomach... practicing the songs for Sunday morning over and over trying hard to get every chord, every note - just right! Wondering to myself (and God) did I chose the right songs for Sunday or not? Lord, how will the congregation respond to the music? What will I pray about? Will I even say anything? Should I say anything at all? Will Mr. "B" or Mrs. "W" still give me the same strange look when I start the praise and worship music? Will they decide to even try to learn the songs, after all my noble efforts to sway them in our biblical calling to "sing unto the Lord a NEW song? I pray silently about tomorrow, wondering if Mrs. "G" will once again come up to me Sunday morning (just about 10 minutes before the service begins!) and ask me "so Dave, when are you going to pick some good old hymns for us to sing instead of all these new songs I don't know?" I smile politely, fighting hard the urge to say "It's not about US," quoting from Psalm 118:1 "Not to us O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the Glory..." but calmly I breathe in deep and breath out, give her a gentle hug and say "Mrs. "G" I will pick something special just for you next Sunday! (Even though the service this week is already made up of 2 traditional hymns (contemporized of course!), 1 new praise song and one middle of the roadder... Yes, four songs is about all we can handle right now, but I'm pushing them to add a few more in there over the next year! By the way, here was my worship set last week...
Opening Song - "We Bow Down" - T. Paris's - it's in their hymnal and I like to sing it in Bb (Capo'ed on 3rd fret) rather than D major. D is just a little too high for us to sing comfortably.
Then they usually greet after the opening song...
Worship Set - (2 songs)
"Here I am to Worship" - D - This is the "new" praise song I was speaking of...
"My Jesus, I Love Thee" - D - This is a wonderful "Hymn" that really does blend in well with the newer/contemporary "vertical" worship songs. It was written by a sixteen year old by the way!
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" - also D. (I just did the chorus of this song right at the end to close the set!) Just sort of sneaked it in there last week!
Then for Special Music, I used the moment to teach them a new song "Love the Lord" by L. Brewster. Had them read the scripture verse before hand (Deut. 6:5) Then played it. Saw one or two of the "younger" kids singing along and moving their heads to the rhythm... That was cool!
And then the fourth song and last song we sing is usually our closing song - I often try to make this a Hymn, but once in a while I shake them up and do something different! Last week we sang "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"
Now, here it is Saturday evening - and I am once again getting those Saturday Night jitters! Wondering WHY me O God? Why did you choose me for this task? Why here and why now? Lord, I think you must have picked the wrong person for this gig!
Do you ever feel that way? Regardless, we keep on hoping and hoping...
Then I read this passage from Psalms in my Bible...
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. (Psalm 71:14 NIV)
Well, back I now go to my guitar and piano to practice for tomorrow mornings music.
Blessings to you,
Dave
A collection of thoughts, ideas, prayers and experiences I have had over the years in my personal journey with Christ and growing as both a leader of worship, as well as a worshipper.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Being bold for Christ...
A humbling experience this afternoon as my wife and I went to a dinner/fundraiser to benefit a young lady from our church family, who has been on a mission in China for the last eight months. Several members stood up and shared from her monthly newsletters that she has sent to us telling of her experiences so far. As I closed my eyes and listened quietly to the stories of her experiences with living in East Asia, the new friendships she has made and the repression of religious freedoms within the government; I realize just how lucky we are here in our country to have the freedoms we have.
We are called by Christ to be BOLD in our faith, here in our own country as well as to the nations of the earth.
"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among the peoples" (Psalm 96:3)
How challenging it is for us to do that. It isn't easy is it? I've been a public school music teacher for nearly twenty five years now and find that it's been difficult on many occasions to separate my profession of teaching with my "passion" for Christ and ministry to others. It's a fine line to walk. But should I? Should I really be walking that "fine line" as it were - between keeping a line of separation between my profession with my passion?
As I listened to the stories from East Asia of how our young missionaries were asking for prayer for themselves to be able to continue with school over there and not be sent home early (it is the law in some countries over there, that if you are caught proselytizing, you will be sent home!) as well as prayer for those close friendships and bonds that have been formed over there to continue and grow in knowledge and boldness in Christ. I realized just how lucky and "spoiled" we have become with our own freedoms.
I pray for the young missionaries in China, I pray for all missionaries. I pray for You, my church family, my family and myself for boldness in Christ as well as protection. I close with this short verse from Proverbs for you to meditate on...
"The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe." (Pr. 29:25)
Blessings,
Dave
We are called by Christ to be BOLD in our faith, here in our own country as well as to the nations of the earth.
"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among the peoples" (Psalm 96:3)
How challenging it is for us to do that. It isn't easy is it? I've been a public school music teacher for nearly twenty five years now and find that it's been difficult on many occasions to separate my profession of teaching with my "passion" for Christ and ministry to others. It's a fine line to walk. But should I? Should I really be walking that "fine line" as it were - between keeping a line of separation between my profession with my passion?
As I listened to the stories from East Asia of how our young missionaries were asking for prayer for themselves to be able to continue with school over there and not be sent home early (it is the law in some countries over there, that if you are caught proselytizing, you will be sent home!) as well as prayer for those close friendships and bonds that have been formed over there to continue and grow in knowledge and boldness in Christ. I realized just how lucky and "spoiled" we have become with our own freedoms.
I pray for the young missionaries in China, I pray for all missionaries. I pray for You, my church family, my family and myself for boldness in Christ as well as protection. I close with this short verse from Proverbs for you to meditate on...
"The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe." (Pr. 29:25)
Blessings,
Dave
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
What is Worship?
Worship 101:
“What is worship?”
I have decided to begin adding a short lesson each month in our church newsletter, this is a copy of that lesson on the nature and biblical foundations of what worship is, both in the musical sense of worship, and our roles as worshippers.
The Webster dictionary defines worship as “reverent honor and homage paid to God…” where the biblical definition of worship goes much deeper and broader than that in defining the true nature of worship.
Are we commanded by God to be worshippers? What does God expect from us in time of worship? Were we made by God to worship Him? Is the only way to worship God, by singing in Church? Who do we sing to during worship time? Whom do we sing for?
Those are all very good questions that every Christian should ask of themselves all the time. You know, I’ve been a Christian for nearly thirty years now, but it’s only been in the last few years, that I’ve grown enough in my journey with Christ - to be able to begin answering those questions myself.
Over the next year, I plan on adding short lessons each month to the newsletter on worship. “Worship 101” I am titling it. I hope you read it, enjoy it and that it helps you grow in your knowledge and relationship with our Lord and savior.
So then, are we commanded to worship God? Well, here is what Jesus said when asked about the most important commandment…
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12: 29-30 NIV)
I leave you with this thought… How marvelous would our Sunday worship be if we all sincerely followed God’s command?
Next month: What does God expect from us as worshippers?
Blessings in Christ,
Dave Farmer
“What is worship?”
I have decided to begin adding a short lesson each month in our church newsletter, this is a copy of that lesson on the nature and biblical foundations of what worship is, both in the musical sense of worship, and our roles as worshippers.
The Webster dictionary defines worship as “reverent honor and homage paid to God…” where the biblical definition of worship goes much deeper and broader than that in defining the true nature of worship.
Are we commanded by God to be worshippers? What does God expect from us in time of worship? Were we made by God to worship Him? Is the only way to worship God, by singing in Church? Who do we sing to during worship time? Whom do we sing for?
Those are all very good questions that every Christian should ask of themselves all the time. You know, I’ve been a Christian for nearly thirty years now, but it’s only been in the last few years, that I’ve grown enough in my journey with Christ - to be able to begin answering those questions myself.
Over the next year, I plan on adding short lessons each month to the newsletter on worship. “Worship 101” I am titling it. I hope you read it, enjoy it and that it helps you grow in your knowledge and relationship with our Lord and savior.
So then, are we commanded to worship God? Well, here is what Jesus said when asked about the most important commandment…
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12: 29-30 NIV)
I leave you with this thought… How marvelous would our Sunday worship be if we all sincerely followed God’s command?
Next month: What does God expect from us as worshippers?
Blessings in Christ,
Dave Farmer
Beginnngs!
Well I actually made the first step in getting this started - my first blog! There is so much to cover in my personal journey as a Christian, a worshipper and as a "worship leader" I hope you enjoy it. As I get used to working with blogspot and setting up the blog - I will begin adding more...
Blessings,
Dave
Blessings,
Dave
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