Words on Worship

Have you ever been caught doing wrong? Our first response is often to blame someone else for our actions. It's called transferring the blame, and we are pros at it.  But, as worshipers and free Americans, the responsibility of our actions lies squarely on our shoulders. Transferring the blame means shifting the ownership of the problem elsewhere, which in turn creates a household, or a church or a society that lacks the integrity to own up to our own failures.  As Ronald Reagan once said, "We must reject the idea that every time a law is broken, society is guilty rather...

We are one nation. But, we are also a divided nation.  We are divided by racial tensions, moral dilemmas, religious views and political warfare.  Back in the day of our nation’s beginnings, even though the arguments were many, there was one basic belief that was foundational to all reason and truth…the belief that we come from a Creator, and that under that Creator, all men are created equal. Our Founding Fathers were not all Christians, but virtually all of them held a system of beliefs that was grounded in Biblical Judeo-Christian ethics.  Now, even the most basic of those truths is not only...

Well it's the week of July 4th.  This is the week we celebrate our independence…our freedom as a nation. But while we do that, I also want to remind you as Christians, that you have a freedom that goes far beyond just that of an American citizen.  You have the freedom of Christ!  Because of His sacrifice on the cross and because He rose from the grave, you have a freedom that lasts forever! If Christ has saved you, then He has forgiven you of your sins and you are no longer a slave to them.  Therefore, if the Son makes you free, then...

I am guilty of always having my mind on the future.  I know it is a good thing to plan.  But it is a bad thing to plan without God.  In fact, when we leave God out of our planning, He may leave us out of His.  So let me propose this plan for you today.  Number 1: Be wise and prepare yourself for the future…financially, spiritually, relationally.  Number 2:  Be careful and make sure that you are following God's will in all of this.  Number 3:  Be alert and know that your plans could change in an instant because God is in charge and you are not.  And number 4:  Be thankful and rest in...

Many of you work incredibly hard.  And then, as a reprieve from your work, you play just as hard.  While all of this can be fun and fulfilling, we also need to take a regular time…preferably one day a week, where we simply rest.  The stress of life can wear us out quickly so it is good to sit down on a regular basis and just be still before the Lord.  So if you are tired and weary today, maybe instead of planning a weekend full of activity, you should just rest…and settle your heart.  A long time ago I recorded a song called...