“For: The Institute Of Contemporary And

Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s

University, Essentials Red Online Worship History

Course with Dan Wilt”

It wasn’t until recently that I started processing the thoughts that creativity is very much part of what we are made of. It is in our blood to create. We all have something different in us that make’s us come alive, something that god instilled in us as we were knitted together, something unique that make us special. Creativity is the very thing that puts that purr in our motor, that skip in our step and makes us come alive.

I have seen painting canvases set up in a worship set with several people working on the painting. The first time I saw this I was a little taken back but quickly I came to realize that this was special. Our creativity can be a type of communication with our creator. The songs I create I believe are gifts that god give to me during my personal worship time. To me they are like a box that I open, never knowing what’s inside. As I mix the words with a melody, as I find the rhythm and refine the work, I am saying thank you Lord God, thank you.

“For: The Institute Of Contemporary And

Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s

University, Essentials Red Online Worship History

Course with Dan Wilt”

I was brought up in and around the sacraments and because of this I have come to realized that I have a personal experience that many in the church do not enjoy. As I was taking in the material I found myself missing these outward signs and for the first time realized the importunacy of them.

I was recently talking with a friend that has never experienced sacraments in the way that I have. It’s funny though, the life experiences are very similar in regards to experiencing the same kind of life things. The church we belong to really only practice’s what I call the common sacraments. Dedicating children, Baptism and the Eucharist once a month. These outward projections are very powerful within themselves but there is so much more that we can show God. These signs are part of our life’s calendar, setting, marking and dancing with the language of the time of our life.

I think it would be refreshing to incorporate a few more public outward signs into today’s church. Learning from the past we can start to appreciate more the present and future by showing God outwardly our intentions.

“For: The Institute Of Contemporary And

Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s

University, Essentials Red Online Worship History

Course with Dan Wilt”

“I’ve Been Thinking About The Language of Prayer and Scripture (Essentials Red)”

The word must go on! To experience the fullness of Jesus and his ministry here on earth we must constantly remind each other of the goodness of God. We must never cease reading the word and praying with each other. This can be done in many creative ways. Putting scripture to music is one way that this can be done. Wheather in public or at your home church, music can be a wonderful and powerful way to meditate on scripture and prayer.

“For: The Institute Of Contemporary And

Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s

University, Essentials Red Online Worship History

Course with Dan Wilt”

I had a dream last night, maybe because I was pondering how to get through this lesson. I was at a worship leaders retreat. As the activities progressed I found myself not as a participant but as an observer. The dream was pretty much uneventful, up until the ladder part. The scene was set out in a thick forest. I found myself separated from the main group. It was getting dark when I heard singing coming from the group at a pretty good distance. I stopped to pause when the singing turned into a free form worship, there was praising mixed with tongues all in a full range harmony. At once a Shalom, a great peace fell on the land like no other.

The freshness of scripture filled music in the public square I think would be a tremendous expression of the heart of god. The power of prayer must be shared and taught to everyone in a language we can understand. Jesus came to us as a man so we could understand his message. Likewise we can use the language of public prayer and scripture reading to reach out and to edify and remind each other of the wonderful gift of Jesus.

http://dcpens.wordpress.com/

“For: The Institute Of Contemporary And

Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s

University, Essentials Red Online Worship History

Course with Dan Wilt”

I remember vividly standing on the outside of an iron gate in the basement of a great Cathedral, staring at the vaults that were preserving the men that served in the church for generations back. Contemplating what it was like for these men.  The Great Cathedral was a majestic and wondrous place to be, it was beautiful and spacious. There were stories in the stain glass, statues of the holy family and angels high above that seem to be telling me something. I recall the morning my dad woke me up early to share the news that the church burned down. I remember at the age of twelve how I teared up when I heard the news and again now just remembering.

One Good Friday as a child I took a small statue of Jesus and carefully wrapped him up in a cloth and revealed him on Easter morning. Looking back, I now understand this was an innocent and personal act of worship. I had recognized and practiced an act that I really at the time could not fully understand.

A few years later I remember trying to get on a worship team. I had a heart for the art, but there was no room. Coincidentally there was a need for someone to man the sound board. I took the job just to be close to the worship music. Looking back at my life I realize the reoccurring theme of just wanting to be close to my lord.

Death Valley