Sunday, November 27, 2011

Worship Welcome Mat

How do you invite the Lord in? Do you usher Him in with a farse, coonery version of worship or an authentic Christ-focused warm welcome? Before I unveil my position on worship, excuse me if I sound culturally biased and a bit racist of sorts but my belief still remains. Growing up in a baptist setting, my predisposition towards african-american/gospel music was established as a bass line in my soul. I'm guilty of tapping my foot and bobbing my head to the soulful sounds embedded in the gospel genre. The chasm arrives when an artist begins to spew out lyrics that divide my attention. Singing about your feelings, secular beliefs, misled "truths", hatred towards satan and blessings you're entitled to- to me- don't constitute as an "aroma" that invites One in. It certainly isn't edifying, nor adoring. I added the above video as a symbol of how Contemporary Christian music has served as a model of bringing the Psalms alive! Song after song is steeped in Spirit-inspired words that seem to be Old Testament verbage laced with melodic and harmonious tunes. What more could God be pleased with and feel adored and edified when His very Word is repeated back to Him massaging the essence of His character? I see Him sitting back in his Righteous Jealousy grinning as the worshipper is caught up in voicing (thus meditating on) His word in song. What an invitation for Him to embrace them in their emotions and evoke Him to move in their situations. My gospel artist- is it too much to ask that you take time and develop a genuine relationship with the Lord? Possibly get discipled, under the tutelage of a Bible teaching church and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth? Shoot...just open up the Psalms! I'm fed up with the "feel-good" music. I'm offended that we as a people are more caught up in what sounds good rather than what inclines the ear of God. I realize this doesn't apply to ALL of you...but our people need truth in their worship. They need to focus less on the moment of worship and more in Who desires to be worshipped. Until then...Selah!

A "Dime Piece" devalued!

This video confirms that women have truly become the "catfish" of humanism. Why do I say this? What God created to be a 'masterpiece' of sorts (appropriately named WO-man) has obviously depreciated in value in the eyes of both "A-dam" and "Eve" from the moment we rolled out of the Garden. Naturally created as a stunning centerpiece and pedestal upon which men would shine, clearly this video has summarized the common viewpoint of society as we know it in inferring that women are now (at best) the base of an unstable pyramid. The ignorant guy in this video (who though claims to NOT condone this behavior/treatment of women yet participates in this heresy himself) tries to articulate and sell a flawed system and through his cunning speech is almost convincing but only to the naiive female who lack self esteem. First off, to allow a man to "appreciate" your strengths by keeping you around while he meets his own selfish needs by way of your weaknesses via other women is strike #1. True appreciation comes in acceptance of weaknesses and admiration of flaws. Second, the reason a guy can even conceive of this plan let alone get away with it (as dim wit as one can be) is because women (stands to be noted again-who devalue themselves) allow it to occur. Strike #2. Men have no clue of how valuable a woman can be to his life. To abuse her girth rather than massage it is a huge caution in the end. Finally, no woman in her right mind should misunderstand all she has to offer. The powers secretly hidden within our nature are meant to be 'praised' and used for a greater good. In the right hands, they are caressed and adored. Once a woman unlocks this door of understanding and comprehends her true value, she will cringe at the sound of even being considered the title mentioned in this video. Sorry guy, your flow chart WILL crumble and shame on you for being on top of it and letting this "chic" take the brunt of your foolishness. And girl...shame on you for letting him. You deserve better and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll open up the possibilities for it to occur.