Although it may have appeared that Satan had taken the throne of God from Him, Satan was tossed out of heaven. Revelation 12:4 tells us that ‘the dragon’ or Satan took a third of the angels with him from heaven (aka demons). Although God won this first battle decisively the cost was great, and even the earth was handed over to Satan along with a third of the angels. Lets be honest about this then. If we are worshipers of God we are stuck in the land of Satan, C.S. Lewis very bluntly stated we are behind enemy lines in Mere Christianity. If we do not worship God, well we are on the loosing side, but are in our own territory. Why is this opening battle important? Well man lives in Satan’s “Kingdom”, we are fighting this war whether we know it or not. This battle sets up the rest of the war, the rest of existence and informs and leads into the second battle: “The Battle of Eden.”

We will look into the Battle of Eden next week. 

For the remainder of the “Worship War” series that I write I am going to be working from this definition of worship: Worship is the life consuming and life long service to a person, persons, or deity. It can include the way life is lived, how one treats those he meets, the attitude they have in work, prayers, reading of scriptures, serving, bowing down, and singing of songs among other things. Keep in mind that although I attempted to be thorough in my definition that it is still limiting as well as not the best definition of worship. I would appreciate additions to my definitions in the comment section.

How do you best worship?

Most people are unaware that the worship war is ongoing, we either are or choose to be ignorant of this fact. What makes matters worse is that churches have begun a ‘Civil Worship War’. If this ‘Civil War’ is allowed to continue we (as a Church) are allowing Satan to win. I am going to spend my next few blogs unpacking the previous battles in this war, and even discuss what misperceptions people have that have caused this ‘Civil War’.

Which side are you on?

This song is not my normal worship song pick, it isn’t my style, nor is it written more recently. My second point comes from this. Style and era of the song shouldn’t matter, the author of the song shouldn’t matter either. We shouldn’t select songs because they are the most popular Hillsong songs, or Tomlin, or Redman, or Crowder, or Jesus Culture and we can hear them on the radio. We should pick them because they are musically compelling and easy to remember and more importantly because their theological and doctrinal language edifies us and glorifies God!! The song should cause us to proskynein (worship) God, not think “Oh this song is so cool and I love the author.” I am just as guilty as this as anyone, I freely admit that I have bias toward DC*B. My challenge to myself, and other worship leader, pastors and worshipers is to find songs that truly worship God, and don’t just give you the warm fuzzies. Our worship tells the story of God in a way that glorifies Him, make sure we strive to do that as well.

I am well aware that technology and the ‘seeker sensitive’ movement has created a mass of Christians who are consumerist in their thought toward church. I am not condemning the seeker sensitive movement it did some good stuff. What I am ashamed of as a Christian and worshiper of God is the consumerist attitude many Christians have. Despite all of this, I was surprised that someone with this attitude, someone who expected everything to go off without a hitch and as smooth as a hollywood production was sitting in our church that morning. What surprised and shocked me and saddened me the most was that this person was a long time member of the church, and a person that appeared upfront on numerous occasions to give announcements and pray. At that moment I wanted to turn around and confront the gentleman, and rebuke him for his attitude and try to correct his thought process. However, I did not in that moment, because I also became angry at this gentleman for his attitude. I never did get a chance to talk to this gentleman, which I regret.

However, it got me thinking. What is most peoples focus in worship? Do they focus on the quality of the music and production? Do they focus on whether they feel their needs are being met? Or do they focus on the worship of God and the revelation of God to us through His written Word? I am the first to admit that my focus is not always as it should be. I do get lost in some of the trivial details of church sometimes. However, the Church I attend normally does a great job in their music and video production, and more importantly they always do a great job of focusing on God, and not themselves.

My question is: What do you focus on in church? Is it what you can get out of it? Or is it how you can serve and worship God best?

Until my nomination I had no idea that this award existed. But thanks to fellow Blogger Karina, who writes a blog Express – You Are Self I have been nominated for the award! I really didn’t know what to say or think when I saw this. Really it’s an honor that at least one person, and a fellow blogger, believes that my blog is worthy of this award! So thank you to Karina! Thanks for believing in my blog and for sharing your thoughts to us so openly and profoundly!

There are a few stipulations to this nomination. They are as follows (I’m cutting and pasting from Karina’s blog now, so I’m kinda cheating!)

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog. (done!)
2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you. (d0ne!)
3. Copy & paste the blog award on your blog (done! it’s the graphic above)
4. Reveal your 5 blog picks.
5. Let them know you choose them by leaving a comment about their blog.

So now to pick my 5!

1. Express – You Are Self - By Karina: I don’t know how Karina stumbled upon my blog, but I am glad she did, for then I started to read her blog. This young woman shares her life’s journey with authenticity, honesty, and creativity! She shares her struggles, pains, victories and joys with all who read. Her blog can make you laugh, scratch your head and think, and something make you want to cry. Check it out, it’s great!

2. Reflections - By Becca Mann: Becca & her Husband Josh and I met briefly at a small Youth Pastor gathering, then got to know each other over Twitter to be honest. I’ve loved reading their life’s story via Twitter mostly. However, Becca writes about Life, faith, and adoption (they adopted a beautiful little girl named Mercy from Africa) on her blog. She is a profoundly thoughtful and gifted writer.

3. Worship Mythbusters – by Rich Kirkpatrick: Rich and I go way back. He is an intelligent honest man, who loves God and to see him worshiped profoundly and correctly. He began this blog to begin a discussion about myths we have about worship in the western church. While he does share his thoughts and opinions he is getting people talking and wants to learn as he teaches.

4. Amy Anderson -This is my wife. She is intelligent and beautiful. If only she’d write on her blog more I’m sure she would have quite the following at this point. What little she has written is profound and honest.

5. Finding Me - by Maribeth Hinton: Maribeth and I have been friends for a long time. Her blog struggles with issues that a new mother deals with as she tries to find her identity as a mother and wife, as well as a child of God.

Often in our churches today those that fill the seats or pews see those that serve upfront, or in more ‘public’ ways are those offering the best ‘gifts of praise.’ However, the most talented of worship leaders, and speakers can have a jaded heart, or a prideful soul as they present their offering. If you don’t have the gifts, or calling to be an upfront worshiper, if you can’t do musical offerings, or speak profound words do not fret. You are the modern day equivalent to the drummer boy. You have something to offer. Something that may be even more profoundly important than all of the elements that make a church run on a Sunday morning. Search your heart for what you can and want to offer to God as an act of worship through service and offering and give it. The same smile of approval that the baby Jesus gives the drummer boy will undoubtadly be given to you as well.

Merry Christmas!

All that being said, yesterday my wife, Amy, and I went to cut

down our Christmas tree, this was the first time I had ever cut down a tree for us or ever. I went with my family as a child to do this of course, but never for my wife and I. My wife and I then proceeded to set-up the tree and decorate and light it. My wife (with a giant smile) on her face decorated our apartment with Christmas decorations, she has a good eye for this kind of thing. When she was done she stood in the middle of our living area, with a giant smile on her face, and exclaimed how cute the place looked! I could only really look at her and agree. Why tell you all of this? Because of Romans 12:1, here Paul commands us to pour our lives out as a ‘drink offering’ as a way of worship. We are to serve as a part of our worship. If I was single, or didn’t love my wife as much, I would not have gone to any trouble to get a tree in this way. However, I wanted her to be happy, and to serve her in this way. In doing so I offered myself as a ‘drink offering’ before God by serving my wife.

My challenge to you is to find a way to serve others during this season. Worship God, and honor Christ, by doing this. Don’t care about what you get, or who does what for you, what deals you get at the store, or the perfect parking spot. Concern yourself with how you can serve others this Christmas. If Christmas is all about Christ, and Christ served us, then we should honor Him by doing the same!

All for the glory of the One true holy and awesome God!