What Is Worship To You? (part three)

A few weeks ago, as I was planning a worship set for Driven, I starting thinking about the whole idea of worship. Questions such as, "What is worship to you?", and "Why should I even do it?" soon crowded inside my head. Then I started thinking about a book I had read about four months ago entitled, "Exploring Worship". In the book, Bob Sorge (the author) suggests that worship can be described by these actions. My goal in this article is to describe worship with the help of a CUP. CUP, (not an actual cup, but an acronym) being comfort, unlimited blessings, and protection.

My first point, is that worship opens the doors to divine comforting. It's no secret that none of us live perfect lives, so everyone can use a little comfort sometime in our lives. Paul and Silas could relate to that. These guys we're sharing the love of Jesus, when all of a sudden they get thrown in prison. The slammer. The rock. I'd say they could use a little comfort right about then. So the two started singing praises to God and worshiping His name, when all of a sudden, the prison gates flew open. To make a long story short, they we're released, and a prison guard came to salvation. The men found comfort in their time of need when they gave everything to God, and surrendered all control to him. A friend of mine, Erin Cox, said to me once, "Worship is when you get intimate with God fully, and you block out everything from the day, and everything from the world."

Second, worship gives us unlimited access to God's blessings. When I think of my dream life, I start off with a nice car. After thinking about my 1968 Shelby GT, I then start dreaming up this three story mansion, and then finish up with tons of sweet tech gadgets to fill my time up with. Well guess what: King Solomon already stole my dream. That's right. He's a dream stealer. This guy had a heart after God, (much like his father, David) and so therefore, when God asked Solomon what he wanted from Him, this guy said wisdom. So because Solomon was humble enough before God, and didn't ask for extravagant things that might have made him look like a god to his people, he was given tremendous wealth.

Finally, my third point is that worship allows God's protection to run rampant in our lives. I'm sure we've all heard about Joshua and the walls of Jericho. In Joshua Chapter 6, we see just how powerful, and effective our praise can be. But there has to be some deep, spiritual system they must have done. Let's look: The priests blew the horn, the people marched, and they all offered Jericho as a Holy Offering to God. That’s it. No secret meetings, no fancy techniques, just worship to God. If they pulled down walls with their worship, imagine what God-centered worship can do in your life.

What Is Worship To You? (part two)

For the second part of this three-part series, "What Is Worship To You?", I couldn't think of a better way to express what worship is, then finding out some interesting things from someone who loves worship almost as much as I do. So tonight I was able to snag an interview from Art Dantzler, a local worship leader at Summerville Family Worship Center.

Art Dantzler was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and has lived around that area for all of his life. He attended Summerville High School, and currently works at Southeastern Trucking. He has been "leading people into worship" at SFWC for about two years, but has been playing guitar with them for quite a bit longer. Here's a little bit about Art that you may not have known:

1.) What is worship to you?

- "Worship, is allowing the Temple of God to be in a state of being completely filled by Him."

2.) When did you first start leading worship?

- "I started leading worship about two years ago at Summerville Family Worship Center."

3.) What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you on stage?

- "Forgetting the words to songs."

4.) What's your favorite bible verse?

- "Proverbs 3:5, which says "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"."

5.) Tell us the hardest thing about leading worship.

- "Definitely working with people."

6.) What's you're favorite thing about leading worship?

- "It's when the Holy Spirit takes over our program, and God takes over our songs."

7.) Let's talk about something you've learned this past year about leading worship.

- Well, I've learned that's it's not about me. The more we try to put ourselves into our worship, the more God has to humble us. And you have to stay connected with God, otherwise, when you get up on stage to play, it's not always good."

8.) What would you say to encourage rising worship leaders?

- Study, pray, and be one with God. Then, He can lead you into a new level of worship."

9.) Do you have a favorite worship song to lead?

- "I guess it's "Everlasting God", because it talks about our strength rising with God's help."

What Is Worship To You? (part one)

I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP!

Check out this video on YouTube and post a comment below it.

Here's the link.

I'll be posting the second part to this three part series this coming Thursday (September 2). The Third, and final part will be posted next Thursday (September 9).

Thanks everyone for your support!

You May Say I'm A Dreamer...

Integrity

n. A concept that has to do with perceived consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcome.

So last night I had a dream.

I was working in a restaurant, and all the tables are scattered around the room. My goal was to put all the chairs back at their tables. There were tables that sat four chairs, and those who sat six. So I put all the chairs back at their appropriate tables, with the exception of one. For some reason I couldn't find out where to put the last chair.

I put it up against the wall, and right next to it stood a man who started making fun of me for some reason. I ignored him, but somehow, I knew that he would tell my boss that I cussed him out. I remember feeling so scared that my boss would believe him over me, so I started worrying. And right about here is where I started to hear the phrase "Your integrity is going to be tested".

In the meantime, someone eventually showed me where the last chair was supposed to go, so don't worry too much about that.

I've been praying that when this test of integrity comes, that I won't fail. I don't know when it will come, but when it does I'll be sure to keep you guys posted!

Stunting Worship By Leaving Out Smells?

I just ran across an interesting article online.

In the article, the author suggests that maybe we're stunting our spiritual growth by leaving some things out of our worship. I believe that on some levels, he is correct, and maybe excluding certain things from our modern worship has affected our intimacy with God.

Personally, I am a huge "atmospheric worshiper''. My favorite prayer times are those sprinkled with dimmed lights, music playing in the background, and my arms thrown open to God in total surrender. No, I don't think my worship is hindered when the lights are all turned on fully, nor do I think that God doesn't hear me when there is no music behind my prayers. But I'm sure everyone has their own preference when it comes to stuff like that.

If you agree or even disagree with his idea, I would love to hear your take on it. Post a comment below!