Calling All Worshippers

(heartlight.org)


Once again I am going to follow Julie's lead with the theme this week. Worship . . . the word alone gives me goose bumps. I too am a worshipper.

When I first began walking in my faith I thought everyone should be jumping around and worshipping like I do, at the altar, hands up, singing and praising. After all, we serve a mighty God, how could people just sit in their seats? Well, my thoughts have certainly changed since then, and yes once in awhile you can still find me dancing at the altar, but most often I can be found with my hands in the air at my seat or sitting quietly holding my son, all while worshipping the glory of our God.

Worship . . . we all worship in our own way. One friend worships on Sunday through the beauty of 'the mass,' another through the lens of her camera, another while holding babies in the nursery, another while sitting quietly with his hands folded and head bowed. Everyday we have the opportunity to worship Him through our words, our actions, and the choices we make.

Worship. How do you worship? Not just on Sundays but each day.

Worship Him. He is worthy of our praise.

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Kim

True Worship

“Anoint me Lord, this day,
As I go along my way.
Let my life send forth a glow,
Let the oil around me flow.
Anoint me Lord I pray.
Amen.”

These simple words of prayer through music from Christian artist Vicki Yohe seem to be resounding in my soul lately. Her voice is absolutely amazing, and you can hear her love for the Lord through her sound.

I am a worshipper at heart. Music has always had a special place in my life. Before I became a believer, I endured much heartache through lyrics of secular music.

I learned at a very young age that I could express myself through my voice, and song. I came to life when I sang. Then through many disappointments and feeling inferior in the music world, I put my dream of singing to rest.

Then, when I came to know the Lord, I was in awe of the major role music play in worship. Finally, an actual, real reason to use my voice was right in front of me.

…And to think that He actually wants to hear me worshipping Him? That overwhelms me to this day.

In this season of surrender to the Lord that I’m in, I must obey. And He recently has petitioned me to take my gift of worship to a higher level. I’m spreading my butterfly wings, and am ready for Him to carry me in the air.

I’m not even scared. Not one bit.

It is actually exhilarating to read those words on the screen. He called me to write for Him a few years ago, so I write.

Now He has called me to sing.
Not just to sing, but to truly worship Him.

A few years ago, my husband and I went to see a crusade service of Joel Osteen’s, (before my husband surrendered to the Lord), and during the time of worship, I was singing, and afterwards, my husband said, “I never heard you sound that good.” I replied, “That’s because I am worshipping, not singing.”

So I have re-visited my childhood dream of singing, which He placed in my heart oh so many years ago.
And I’m doing it all unto Him, just for His glory…
My prayer is that of Vicki Yohe’s….
That my life will send forth a glow, and his oil around me will flow to others.
What could be better than that?

Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy.

Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis.

She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a columnist over with Kim, Julie and other writers over at

http://www.takerootandwrite.com/ Maria's column is on encouraging special needs familes.

She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com. Maria's first published work is in Jan Ross and Jeanice McDade's Women of Passion's anthology, "Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God". The book is available for purchase by clicking on the book image on the right side of this blog.

Maria is very passionate about getting the word out to special parents that they are not alone in their journey of raising their special child; and that they were chosen by God to parent their children. Maria welcomes comments and communication as well as invitations for her to speak to your group.

The Non Essentials

Awhile back I heard a radio program that discussed Christian faith. There were two camps of each Christian topic. There is the essentials and the non essentials.

In my opinion, we Christians sure waste a lot of our time on the non essentials.

Although I believe from that Moody radio program I believe there was a book tied in to the subject, but these are my opinions.

Essential---Personal faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible is the Inspired Word of God.

Non essential----the rest.

What rest?

The chit chat during worship.

"He should have a suit jacket on. It's the altar area for heaven's sake."

"Do you see that girl? No one should wear a top like that for church."

"Tattoo? What good Christian covers themselves with tattoos?"

"That song? How can the Holy Spirit move with a rock and roll song like that?"

"That song? How can I worship God with a slow boring old one like that?"

"Did you see he came alone? I knew their marriage was having problems."

"We're having a real service. Not like that church down the street."

Although I'm paraphrasing, I have to tell you I do hear a lot of chit chat during worship by people decades older than me. I don't mean to stereotype but I hear a lot more complaining during a church service and after by those older, rather than the teens who so often get a bad reputation.

I'm not perfect, I fall prey to obsessing on mole hill issues that bit by bit tear down the beams called the Church. But as I hunger and thirst for more things of God I'm tired of the non essentials dividing the church.

If a teen comes to church wearing shorts, I personally wouldn't care if they came or served publically somehow. Maybe they can't afford what we deem appropriate. Maybe they don't know there is a non verbal dress code. Perhaps they are so wrapped up in getting to church to join others in a total sell out to giving to God. Maybe we should too.

Ditto for why don't they stand, raise their hands, shout Hallelujhah, speak with words we don't understand, don't speak words we don't understand, laugh, etc...

I love when the sound system works. I love uplifting music. I love the hymns. I love powerful sermons that rev me up, but I love the quiet messages that transform my soul. I love how God moves. It's essential.

Our commentary? Non essential.

Have you visited Christian Women Take Root? The Narrow Gate Invites girls are not only involved in the social networking site with fantastic groups to join but the main site called Take Root and Write. Regular columns are ongoing, check it all out. We'll see you there...and hey---if you have a blog, Take Root has a blog roll. Give your blog some exposure and be associated with a quality Christian site!

Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. To get to know her better, read her interview by Lynda Schab at:http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=33%20To contact Julie, please use the e mail provided in our profile.