Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

The Artist's Life

Warren Cole Smith:

“The artist’s life, a helpful college professor once told me, is a vocation, a calling. It should be engaged in to tell the truth about the world, and not just to make money or even to propagate a message. It takes discipline, perseverance, and mastery of the tools of that particular art. Most of all it takes an unsentimental view of what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing. And it takes the courage to hear the truth about your work. Tough feedback is not a discouragement—it is a gift.”

Wide Awake Study Guide – Chapter 7

ENJOY – The Hedonist

•    What is a simple pleasure you love in life? Coffee? Twinkies? Sunsets? Nintendo Wii? Share yours with the group.

•    Is life for you ‘an endless exploration of beauty and mystery’? Explain why or why not.

•    Think about someone in your life with a contagious personality. What makes them contagious?

“You were created to enjoy, but make sure you enjoy what you were created for.”

•    What is the difference between proper pleasure and destructive pleasure? What kind of pleasure should we be pursuing? Explain your answer.

•    Erwin says that our darkest moments in life will be when our relationships are a mess. Why is this the case? Explain your answer.

•    Read James 1:2. Why can trials be an opportunity for joy? Explain your answer.

•    Why do we conclude that the people who are truly spiritual are the ones who are sober, serious, and joyless? Do you agree?

“The less you enjoy your life, the weaker you will be on your journey. Why? Because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Worship Consumers?

As followers of Christ, have we focused on the excellency of our offering more than the brokenness? Worship is not pretty. Surrender is not glamorous. Worship begins at the cross and is expressed in a focused life. We cannot just sing about the greatness of God – we must feel his greatness. We cannot just say we love Him – we must love Him. We cannot simply say…we must be.

All of us look forward to cool “worship experiences”, or “worship concerts”, where there is a gifted worship leader leading great songs and excellent music. It is entertaining, emotional, and fun. This can be a great thing, but if we are not actually loving God than it is pointless. If the band is tight, the songs are catchy, but our hearts are cold towards glorious Truth, we need an awakening.

“Lord, make me a true lover of You today. Keep me from just retaining information and being able to say profound things about you, but have coldness  in my heart. Help me be consumed by You.”

Song Story – "Holding Onto You"

I’ve always learned from my Mom the importance of a quiet time with God – extended moments spent everyday in quietness and worship before the Master. This truth and discipline has kept me in many a distressing time.

The content of this song is extremely vulnerable and personal. As a musician and a worship leader, I’ve had to deal with many compliments, criticisms, and learning how to distinguish between what I do and who I am. Also, 2005-2006 was an unbearably distressing year of physical suffering – multiple doctors and hospitals finding no diagnosis for me. Through this time, even my closest friends no longer knew what to say to me. I felt alone.

This song emerged out of that season because I really was not alone. Christ was my anchor.

I had to leave North Central University when I wrote this because my health was so bad. I never sang it, but my friend Kati Tollefson and friends from school ministered through this song while I was at home trying to get well. I cried for a long time when I heard the first recording back in 2006. It was encouraging to see God use this song without me being there. God is good at getting His glory while keeping me in the shadows sometimes!

I hope this song can be a source of strength to you. It came out of a dark place and God has lifted me out!

When all the songs are sung
And all the crowds are gone
When I must be myself again
When there’s no friend in sight
No gifts to hide behind
Speak to my heart its confidence

It’s You and all You are
Satisfying the deepest part of me

Draw me nearer
To Your heart, to Your love
Let me rest here
Holding onto You forever

When darkness fills my eyes
No light, no joy, no pride
When hope’s the last thing on my mind
I’ll stand before Your face
Press into Your embrace
Receiving all I need today

My hope
My strength
My truth
Always

Seasons of Delay

This coming Tuesday at APEX Young Adults, we are talking about the idea of CREATING – being active in shaping our future for the glory of God. We will look at the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25. I am absolutely stunned by this simple verse:

“As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept” (25:5).

Erwin McManus says, “Preparation is the beginning of the creative process” (Wide Awake, 164).

5 virgins prepared their lamps for the bridegroom’s coming. 5 did not. Are we preparing today for what God has for tomorrow? Your dream may seem very delayed, or non-existent. Your promise from God may seem delayed, or even forgotten.

I challenge you today: Don’t become drowsy and sleep simply because nothing seems to change in your life. God’s promise to you, based on His unshakable Word, WILL COME TO PASS! Live in the moment with expectancy and prepare your heart for when God’s promise comes to pass!