Monday, January 13, 2014

The Issue of Age in Modern Worship

I read an excellent blog post recently regarding The Issue of Age in Modern Worship and I wanted to share it here on my blog.

http://manuelluz.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/the-issue-of-age-in-modern-worship/ 

This definitely is a growing trend in many churches in the US and is something The Church as a whole should be concerned with. 

It is a concern I've had and I've witness this trend in many churches across America and is something that the church as a whole needs to consider and seek God about! The post focuses on Worship but I think this (the issue of age) is something that plagues other areas of the church as well.

"Age", "Coolness" and "looks" shouldn't be the deciding factor...maturity, capability, skill, talent and most of all "Calling" are many of the things that should be taken into consideration. If this is being used to grow the church the short term gain in numbers via the draw of a younger "face" of the church will not necessarily equate to true growth through the growth and development of the people who attend the church.

I also realize this issue can fall on both ends of the age spectrum. However, the last several years its fallen on the older end of the spectrum which is troubling because God isn't finished with us yet. (anyone over 20 something is seemingly considered old these days)

The issue in part comes down to balance...in other words the leadership needs to seek The Lord's help to find the right people to call and to utilize in ministry ...paid or volunteer...and that could be someone older or on the 20 something side of the spectrum. It just shouldn't be an issue of age.

God can use everyone!! We should seek to honor God in everything because it's about Him and we as leaders and followers of Christ will be accountable to Him!

God is not finished with any of us yet and in this particular case...the people in the "old" category still have a lot left to give and serve God and the Body of Christ with in the area of Worship and a multitude of other areas within The Church!

I wonder what it would take for The Church, as much as possible to become more Multi-Generational?

I don't know the complete answer to resolve this but I pray The Church (Not just one specific church, rather The Church as a whole) will consider this and seek to balance this so the young and the "old" (anyone seemingly over 20 something) will be used for and be allowed to use their gifts, talents and most of all for the calling God has placed on their lives.

I pray that we will prayerfully consider what the author shares in the above article.

Please take time to read the article and then come back and share your thoughts here. 

I would love to dialogue with you about this as it's an issue the church needs to wrestle with!

Prayerfully and with Hope,

rlk 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Our Development



"God does not relish our sufferings, but He delights in our development." -Max Lucado

In times of trial and struggle I've come to believe that we can either view these times up as either "Here go again" times or "Here we GROW again times".

God's Word teaches us that trials, hard times, struggles, etc are not without purpose and through these hard times He is and always has been at work. (See Romans 5:3-5, Romans 8:28 & 1 Peter 5:10 for some examples) You are not alone in your battle, The Lord is with you and your family in Christ is with you as well..that is if you don't distance yourself from God and cut off the people around you during these times!

Going forward, even though we can all attest to how difficult it is when we're in the thick of the battle, however, let us purpose to see these times a growth or "Here we GROW again time" where God is at work in your life for His Glory and your good! Amen!?

You will make it through whatever you're facing today!

Blessings in Christ,
rlk


Saturday, January 04, 2014

The Fiery Sermon

Our words are important and we need to choose them wisely. 
We also need to know when to speak and when not to speak as we reach out to and communication with others. 

The following story reminds me in part of this famous quote:

"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." -Francis of Assisi

Take time to read this story and see the wisdom communicated through it. Then take time to reflect on your own life. We need each other and again, we need to use our words wisely...especially when we're trying to help others.

I pray that we all grow in wisdom - learning when to speak and when to be silent. 


The Fiery Sermon (A.K.A. The Wordless Sermon) – Author Unknown 

A member of the church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.



#yourwordsmatter #weneedeachother

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!

Hello,

Wanted to wish you a very Happy, Fruitful, Prosperous and Blessed New Year!

As I reflect on this past year, I am very thankful for many things including my family, church family, friends, and the co-workers all of the before mentioned that I'm blessed to know!

Most of all I’m blessed to be an adopted Son (One of the King's Kids) of the Most High King – The God of the Universe!

As you head into the New Year, may you fervently seek God will all your heart, soul, mind and strength!

We don’t know what 2014 holds but we can put our hope in a Great God who loves you and I and Who does know the future and will guide and direct our paths for His Glory and our good!

Here's to a putting the past year behind and looking forward with great hopes and expectations on the New Year ahead…2014!

Now - Bring on 2014!!! :-)

Your Brother and Servant,
rlk

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day


Merry Christmas!

Have you ever wondered about the story behind some of the famous Christmas Carols we sing each year or maybe the hymns we sing from time to time? 

Some of the stories behind the songs range from tragic to triumphant - yet all of them I find fascinating!

One song that comes to mind this time of year is "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" which uses as it's lyrics a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which is a name you may recognize as he wrote many poems. 

His poem was forged through tragedy but God used it in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's life to show forth triumph one Christmas day and today we see that through the verse of the song. 

Here's a good article (one of the many about this poem/song) titled "The Bells of Hope" that provides us with further insight into what was taking place in his life that moved him to write the poem:  http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/holidays/featured/christmas/the-bells-of-hope

God can use any of our circumstances for His glory and our good and I trust that as you sing the songs of Christmas that you are filled with great joy and peace as you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus!

Lastly, I wanted to share this updated version of "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns as I find it very moving and beautiful! Enjoy!


http://youtu.be/M7670CXvPX0 
Because He is the reason for the Christmas Season,

rlk

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wanted to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for!
Here are two "Oldie but hopefully Goodie" Thanksgiving themed devotions if you'd like to read and briefly study something.

http://ashepherdsheart.blogspot.com/2006/11/thanksgiving.html
http://ashepherdsheart.blogspot.com/2006/11/thinking-about-thanksgiving.html

Have a wonderful day!

In Christ,

rlk

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Your Words Matter!


"A Tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart. Be careful with your words!" -Unknown



Have you heard that old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but works may never heart me."? Well, the idea is that words shouldn't hear you but you and I know they do and they are harder to set right and takes longer to heal from than a broken bone!

Here's What James has to say about our tongue/how strong our words really are:
"If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things."

"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." -James 3:3-10  (ESV)
 
Our words and actions are powerful and our words have the ability to breathe life or breathe death, they have the power to be a blessing or a curse. 

As people who follow the Lord and are called according to His purpose - we ought to breathe life especially in this often discouraging and dark world. We need to be a light and encouragement to others. Furthermore, we should receive encouragement and not rush past a moment because our schedules stress us out or we perceive it's not of value...

Whatever the case may be, may we seek to share life giving words and not tear ourselves or others down anymore. Amen?!

In Christ,
rlk