Blog / Wired Worship
This morning, I was sitting and reading "The Hole In Our Gospel" by World Vision President Rich Stearns. Stearns has an interesting story of coming to the realization that this Christian life, if truly lived out, required much more than consuming Church every Sunday. His is a journey of drastic measures: from the CEO of Lenox, to the President of a non-profit 501c3 organization World Vision. His transformation was instant when he took his first trip to Uganda. He came face to face with pain, and suffering of massive proportion. Genocide, kidnapping, murder; all a daily struggle in Uganda, and Richard Stearns was learning by looking in the eyes of it's victims. Humbling. Monumental.
In today's reading, he quoted Matthew 11:12.
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom...
...have tended to warrant happiness in my life, although I certainly know that's not a good thing.
...are a fickle thing, if we really think about it.
...are different for each of us, some good, some bad, some blah.
...are, the very thing that has caused me to neglected this here blog. Nevertheless, here's a new one for you.
There once was a man of particular greatness. Everyone in the land knew him, and knew of his greatness. They saw his amazing estate, and all that he owned, for he was quite wealthy. It would be safe to say, that his fame preceded him. There was nothing he needed that he didn't already have, and all that he aspired to work towards, was successful.
Then one day, bad stuff started happening to him. Through no fault of his own even. Some neighbors stole...
One of the interesting things about being in the Worship ministry, is that Christmas music is heard streaming from my office, as early as July each year. I am used to having visions of sugarplums dancing in my head happen so soon. It's not uncommon for me to come home whistling "O Holy Night" in August. My family is used to it. It's normal to them.
But something I am seeing more and more lately is that signs of Christmas is coming earlier and earlier each year. I have already seen the displays in HEB, and Target, and a leisurely stroll through the Dallas Galleria last weekend confirmed my suspicions. Christmas is in full swing! At least, it is for a few retailers. No doubt, in the midst of this recession we are in, they are working hard to get their share of our...
Last weekend, God moved in a mighty way. I saw a glimpse of promise, as I witnessed the body of Christ, pouring out for a stranger, and her children. I saw this family rescued from disaster, because people gave in the name of Christ.
Here is the story, as a good friend emailed it to me:
"Yesterday my wife came home upset because she has a little boy in her class that has been living in a Suburban in the school’s parking lot. Come to find out that he is one of 5 kids, and the mother is a single mother trying to finish her dental hygienist classes to provide for her family. They were living with her sister but the sister’s son beat the little boy up so bad that he was hospitalized. So, she took her kids and left her sisters house. They have no money, and have been living...
Top Left: Beautiful Ikokole, from Uganda. Wearing her new dress that she bought with the $20 we gave her for Christmas last year. Oh the joy we could feel in her own words when she wrote us a thank you! With it, a new dress, shoes, and some candy. How marvelous.
Top Right: Little Dude = Olsen, from Haiti. Olsen is near and dear to us, as he was one of the reasons we entered the fray known as Adoption. See, after the earthquake in Haiti, with no information from Compassion, International, we thought to ourselves, “what if…would we bring him to live with us? Would we be willing to adopt him?”. The answer, an quick and resounding “YES”. There was no need though, months later we received word that he was fine, and had a new baby brother.
Bottom Right: Dita...
Sitting in Austin, TX this morning I couldn’t help but be thankful. Thankful for the time spent with my Mother. Thankful for these two days we will be spending together before her heart procedure. Thankful for our friendship and her love.
I am thankful for this fresh breath of cool air. I know you are too. Thankful for deep blue skies, ringing in the fall, and I’m thankful the The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch.
Yesterday, we began the new series “Servolution”. Pastor Jerry challenged each of us with conviction, and purpose. Come on church, let’s show the world His hands! Let’s raise His banner! Let’s contend for His cause, and let’s invite them into His family”.
God tells us that “He set’s the lonely in families”. Psalm 65: 5-6. A great verse. ...
I ran across this song on a friends blog via twitter. (I run across a lot of great things on twitter. You should join the conversation by the way-it’s information overload…great information though.) ----end of tangent.
The name of this song is “Naïve”, from the band Sleeping At Last.
Now, this blogger who posted about this song said when listening, I should be alone, with headphones on, and just let it wreck you. I was skeptical when I read that. “How can this song, I’ve never heard, wreck me?” I read the lyrics.
Religion is a breeding ground
Where the devil’s work is deeply found,
With teeth as sharp as cathedral spires,
Slowly sinking in.
God knows that I’ve been naïve
But I think it makes him proud of me.
Now it’s so hard to separate
My disappointments from...
Labor Day = One less day. Isn't that sad? I have been a little extra rushed this week as I am trying to fit 4 days into 3. In fact, I had a fantastic idea to blog about today (if I may say so), but it'll have to wait. Instead, you guys the worship set from last week. That's all. No frills, nothing special. So sorry!
Bless you all, hope this has been a great week for you, and that you have a fantastic weekend. Without further adieu:
I ran into a thought provoking video via Twitter this morning. Has "worship" in the "church" become an industry? Sadly, I believe there is some truth to this thought, and I question whether or not I have added to the machine. In the same breath though, I know that because we recognize that it exists, perhaps it isn't too late to do something about it.
While I don't love alot of what Brian says in some of his books, I love what Brian says about truthful worship,Ecclesiastes, Job, even Lamentations. Or how about King David's Lament in Psalm 51. Or his honest cry inPsalm 41, "Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?"
Check out this video. What do you think?
Feel free to weigh in today, or whenever you read this.
Bless you!
John Cordes, Worship Pastor
I hope you are having a wonderful week so far.
I pray that after Sunday's services you are worship God our creator more and more, and the created things, less and less. For me, it's a daily battle, but one that I am waging with God's help. Less of me God, more of You.
The songs from Sunday were:
I hope you all will come back this Labor Day weekend. I know that God will be there, hope to see you as well.
Blessings,
John Cordes, Worship Pastor
Years ago, about the time I was learning how to play bar chords on the guitar, wore courderoy pants, and was in my first band, I was a committed Caedmons Call follower. I, along with many of my college friends (one who is the Creative Arts Director, currently on staff at The Fellowship) would travel around Southeast Texas chasing Caedmons Call. Where they played, we showed up. We stalked them, if you will. We even had the audacity to ask Derek Webb what he thought of the types of guitars we played. He was gracious. We were smitten. No, it wasn't pretty.
Back then, Derek wrote a song called "Standing Up For Nothing". With cryptic, mysterious lyrics, Derek told a beautiful story of dedication to Jesus, his calling and his purpose.
"I'll stand, upon this rock is You...I'm...
As we are going through Isaiah this year, many, many things have struck me about the character of God. We read about the impending judgment and doom that Israel is up against if they don’t change their ways. And change their ways, they DON’T.
Hold on for shock and awe. God’s gonna wipe some people out.
We hold our breath. He waits. We just know He's about to act. He waits. Nothing happens. In fact, He gently reminds Israel that He is the only Way and the only One to trust in. Yet, Israel strays. We think, “take ‘em out God, they’ll never learn”, and if I was in charge, I am sure I would.
Yet through all this we read, “Comfort, comfort my people says your God”. (40:1) We read, “He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the...
On Sunday, I returned from being in Indonesia for two weeks. What a joyful time those two weeks were. While I missed my family, and my church home, I soaked in all that I could while I was gone. It was refreshing, inspiring, encouraging, and really spurred me on in the ministry.
To see the workers that have given their very lives for the people of Aceh, engaged in pure communion with The Father during the worship time, was something I will always cherish. What a delight was to see their tears as they were pleading with God on behalf of the Acehnese.
On the second day of the retreat, during the morning session, something very cool happened. We were singing "Glory To God", and as we came to the bridge of that song, we sang it out:
Take my life and let it be
All for You and for...
Sunday, Pastor Tim preached from Isaiah 33, a prophetic portion of scripture dealing with the vast chasm between the holiness of God, and His people. Naturally ancient Israel was the audience in that day, but I look around at our world today, and the shoe fits. We must heed Isaiah's advice. Return to the Lord! This chasm is huge, and can only be bridged by the blood of Jesus. Our God is a jealous God that will not tolerate our dangerous behavior of living unholy lives. He "gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:14.
If I am honest, I am guilty. I am far too easily pleased in the unholy pleasures of this world. My dreams last night were filled with a longing to...
No time to blog yesterday. I packed it full of administrative duty. Not only that, it took me awhile to compile my thoughts about Sunday. Why was I so moved? What was it? Why could I not sing the last two chorus' of "Still"? I didn't really know. All I knew, was that I was wrecked, totally overwhelmed.
Saturday, I was honored to be a part of the celebration of the life of Marty Espinoza. Marty was a special person, who touched many, many people in the community. I sat and listened to many of his friends, and colleagues, and family members share about how ALIVE Marty was. He was full of life, always. Sharing his love of soccer with all those around him. It was a touching to hear of the influence that he had.
And as I sat there, my thoughts turned to my family,...
About the Blog
Welcome to Wired Worship. Learning to live life as a true worshipper! Join me weekly as I share from my heart about worshipping the one, true, living God, Jesus Christ.