The Who and Why of Worship

As we launch into our SPS focus on worship, it’s important to consider who we worship and why.

Centuries ago King David prayed in the presence of the people saying, “Yours, O LORD [Yahweh], is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD [Yahweh], is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."

Why worship? Because our LORD is great and powerful and glorious and majestic and splendid. The Almighty made and owns everything in heaven and earth, including us. God is King and we are subjects. No other master is worthy of our worship.

We were not made to worship money or technology or our cars or morning coffee or other people or our pets or stars or any other created thing. We were made to worship our creator and offer thanks for created things. As Augustine wrote in Confessions, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.”

Worship with joy. The object of our worship is wonder-full!

Gallery Wednesday - Worship

"I once did a bible study with two of my girlfriends called "Loving Your Husband" by Cynthia Heald. The author writes, "A wife rightly related to her Lord will be a wife rightly related to her husband." This card represents my love and commitment to my husband, Jason. He is truly such a gift from God and I adore him with all of my heart. But, as with any relationship, it takes a lot of communication and commitment. The same goes for our relationship with the Lord." - Trinh

See all of the Worship Gallery.

Summer and Fall Schedule

June, July, August 2009
For the summer we're doing a mini-study on Worship. This was one of the very first SPS topics so it's a great time to revisit it. A mini-SPS is more self guided so it's totally up to your own interpretation. Please send us your art so that we can post it on Gallery Wednesday. You can also link to your blog or web site from the comments. Next Wednesday's Gallery has not been assigned yet so submit anytime up to midnight on Tuesday.

September 7, 2009 - Kona with Jonah
We'll start a full SPS in September. We're excited because we'll be going through Sandra Glahn's new Coffee Cup Study "Kona with Jonah". It's so new, in fact, that it's only available right now for pre-order on Amazon, due to ship July 27. It's available for free shipping when you purchase $25 so now's the time to bundle your order with the new "Frappé with Philippians" and another Coffee Cup you've been wanting.

Speaking of Amazon, anytime you order, we recommend that you do so by going through the link provided in the right hand column on Sandi's blog:

Sandi's husband, Gary, is Special Projects Manager for the East Africa team of East West Ministries International. If you place any of your Amazon orders through this link on Sandi's blog a portion of your order will benefit Gary's efforts! How easy is that!

I guess that's enough news for now. Check here on Fridays for other news and scheduling updates.

Gallery Wednesday - Worship

"Some days are such a struggle to stay in the right mind frame. Satan attacks from all directions and sometimes he gets in the barriers." - Dena

See all of the Worship Gallery.

Worship: Music

How many ways do you express worship? Offering praise and thanks? Kneeling? Lifting hands? Writing out prayers? Contemplation? What about drums? Dancing? Worship along!

Jonah - coming in September

The spring study through Judges was intense! But I hope you all enjoyed it. I've never done a study of Judges so it was a great first time. If you'd like to go back through Judges on your own, just click on the tag "Judges" in the left column.

June, July, August 2009
For the summer we're going to do a mini-study on Worship. This is one of the very first SPS topics so it's a great time to revisit it. A mini-SPS is more self guided so it's totally up to your own interpretation. Please send us your art so that we can post it on Gallery Wednesday. You can also link to your blog or web site from the comments. Next Wednesday's Gallery has not been assigned yet so submit anytime up to midnight on Tuesday.

September 7, 2009 - Kona with Jonah
We'll start a full SPS in September. We're excited because we'll be going through Sandra Glahn's new Coffee Cup Study "Kona with Jonah". It's so new, in fact, that it's only available right now for pre-order on Amazon, due to ship July 27. It's available for free shipping when you purchase $25 so now's the time to bundle your order with the new "Frappé with Philippians" and another Coffee Cup you've been wanting.

Speaking of Amazon, anytime you order, we recommend that you do so by going through the link provided in the right hand column on Sandi's blog:

Sandi's husband, Gary, is Special Projects Manager for the East Africa team of East West Ministries International. If you place any of your Amazon orders through this link on Sandi's blog a portion of your order will benefit Gary's efforts! How easy is that!

I guess that's enough news for now. Check here on Fridays for other news and scheduling updates.

Gallery Wednesday - Worship

"Words that represent worship to me." - Becky

See all of the Worship Gallery.

Check out This Link

I found this artist today. Check out her stuff.

Worship!

This morning I'm thinking of reasons to worship God. These two come immediately to mind:

For creation - the smell of cinnamon, the feel of sand, the sound of Rachmaninoff, the taste of chocolate pie, the sight of roses blooming after a long winter

For making people into new creations - for the life of my friend who lost six family members during the turmoil in Rwanda and went on to found a reconciliation ministry with the brother of the man who murdered his own brother

Give thanks for the five senses. And share some of your favorite creations or re-creations here.