Post details: Psalm 95 Blog Due March 28
Psalm 95 Blog Due March 28
Psalm 95 Blog Due March 28
Paging through the psalms this cold, clear morning (2 ft. of snow lies on the ground), I came upon number 95, one of the major texts used by the author of Hebrews to convince his readers to continue their identification with Jesus. But that’s a later use; let’s first listen to the poet as he writes to our hearts.
As you generate your thoughts, consider using the blog as a forum for communal discussion directed toward making our relationship with God more intimate, more influential with others.
Quickly the writer draws us in with four cohortatives, commands in the first person—“let us…” to worship yhwh (LORD, but not lord nor Jehovah) with joyful and loud song. Such worship challenges me, perhaps the right music or words that tell affect me to join in but for the most part I tune out. Of course if one reads the psalm my problem readily surfaces; although worship is communal it’s directed Godward, and that alone demands, or better engenders songs of praise. (Of course my very human problem relates to my following a chapel’s worship leader who just cut my class or did not turn in homework. Forgive my sin, that’s my fault not yours.)
As often the biblical writers offer reason for their claims—why should we worship Yahweh? He’s not just a god, he is god to the gods; he is their king. Theology proper has evolved; in this politically correct age, it would be good for us to learn from the ancients, who readily acknowledged the presence of other gods: “a great king above all gods.” Do not be afraid to compare your god with that of anyone else; if Jesus is who he claims to be, and if Yahweh, his father, is who he asserts, then they are more than capable and willing to demonstrate their claim. It’s just that they choose to do it through you! We all need to learn to do evangelism as demonstrated by Dan Sheard, the man we interviewed for the missions position: tell God’s story as accurately as possibly, Jesus saves not me, not you.
Next the psalmist turns to one of my favorite subjects, creation. I won’t belabor the point, but if we enter into the creation vs. evolution debate, we miss what it’s all about. Our God is one of powerful words, for instance: he created by the spoken word, his writers made outrageous claims about him with their pens, and his son manifested himself as word incarnate—again with shocking pronouncement, heretical to God’s own people. So how God created, doesn’t matter to me, it’s the claim that he did so by the same word that now calls me to faithful obedience that matters.
Briefly the writer draws to close his call to worship by identifying his audience with a recognized, comforting metaphor: the shepherd minding his flock. This picture spans the biblical story from Genesis to Revelation. We all are his sheep, some of us will become his co-shepherds, leaders of his flock--this is what gods do; lead sheep to provision and through difficult circumstances.
(The printers of the NASB set this psalm on two pages, with the break right here. Several times I have thought that I turned an additional page, so do the two halves of this poem not cohere.)
The unidentified composer turns his audience, most likely anticipating soon worship of their God, to consider the ways of their ancestors in the wilderness. Those who had tasted God’s power in Egypt and at the Reed Sea, failed--at least 10 times--in the wilderness, life required more than just sit back to watch him once again deliver: what we call normal. The verb our writer chose to reflect God’s attitude toward that generation was “to feel disgust”: that is, “marked aversion aroused by something highly distasteful.” As we have been discussing in class, we now need to ask how did Israel know that God felt “disgust” toward them? Distance from God, problem #1, evidences physically, problem #2. They did not trust God; he prohibited them from entering the promised land--oh my.
There the psalm ends, openly, thus implying to the writer’s readers, you are where they were, the options remain the same: worship God--enter his rest; do not trust him--lose out. In one way or other, to one degree or the other, we need to hear this psalm. A few of us may be probing the depth of disorientation; if so, the message is clear: hear his voice or else.
(If this is too long, it’s the result of the too blue sky, the beautiful waving cedars, and far too much time with God.)
Comments:
Comment from: Michael Brown [Visitor] 
That last comment, "too much time with God" was over the top! could one possible spend too much time with God? I have found your reflections on this psalm much like the psalmists writings. You have taken the blue sky, the cold winter day and ceder trees blowing in the wind; and injected it into your reflections of God and His desires for us. It is amazing to me how Gods creation can point us back to Him. The psalmist pointed us at creation to see God, and our Rabbi has done the same thing, though he has pointed us at the psalms to see God.
It is my hope that I don't stop looking. Fresh gleaming winter snow, or the melting snow and flowers starting or sprout up from the earth, or to look into the heavens on a clear dark night. Gods fingerprints are all around me, reminding me He is there, He has a plan and rest for me, and he desires me not to be like the stiff necked people who worshiped other gods and idols. Like the people at the golden calf, breaking Gods law while God was giving it to Moses
It is my hope that I don't stop looking. Fresh gleaming winter snow, or the melting snow and flowers starting or sprout up from the earth, or to look into the heavens on a clear dark night. Gods fingerprints are all around me, reminding me He is there, He has a plan and rest for me, and he desires me not to be like the stiff necked people who worshiped other gods and idols. Like the people at the golden calf, breaking Gods law while God was giving it to Moses
Permalink
03/25/08 @ 11:46
Comment from: Sheila Eldred [Visitor]
To “sing” and “shout” with music sounds to Pentecostal for my conservative background. The church I grew up in frowned on such activity. I was to be reverent in church- not rowdy. It’s difficult to get that kind of brainwashing out of my head. Now I attend a contemporary church that my daughter calls the “Rock and Roll Church”. Ironically, I wonder if as the conservative church was stifled by its rigid silence, is the contemporary church hindered by people going through the motions? I conclude that although the psalmist proclaimed that worship includes singing and shouting, it should be heartfelt. I speculate that God would be more please with Dr. Snyder quietly sitting in the back of Chapel, while praising in his heart than if he were to “fake it” raising his hands and making a lot of noise. With that said, I feel that our praise should be genuine and individualized. For me, ‘singing and shouting’ is something I do while running. I feel closer to God running the rail-trail looking at the blue sky above and the occasional rabbit or butterfly on the trail. Singing to Him energizes me and I do not feel that I am acting irreverently. When I’m in God’s house I feel like I have to use my best manners. When I run with Jesus I can be my goofy self. I may even do an occasional cart-wheel or hand spring with my Jesus. Perhaps finding a place where you can be yourself with Jesus will help you as much as it has helped me.
As for Israel, did they know God was disgusted with them? If Moses did his job as spokesperson I assume they did know. I agree that problem #2, wandering, was the result of problem #1, a spiritual condition. However, we must be careful not to always assume that physical problems are a result of a spiritual deficit. I offer Job as support.
As for Israel, did they know God was disgusted with them? If Moses did his job as spokesperson I assume they did know. I agree that problem #2, wandering, was the result of problem #1, a spiritual condition. However, we must be careful not to always assume that physical problems are a result of a spiritual deficit. I offer Job as support.
Permalink
03/26/08 @ 12:10
Comment from: songeun beak [Visitor]
Did God feel disgust to me? I had struggled a lot of times because of distance from God. But, now, I am always feeling to God with my heart. God is always with me. wherever I go, God follows me and God leads to me. I believe. I confess that I can not live even one second without God.I trust you.
I realize without you, all of us are useless.
If Israel had realized this, God have not prohibited them from entering the promised land?
I hope that I want to believe God I believe is love of God. sometime I feel God is very cruel... But, even though this, I can not help obeying him.
God is my only hope.
As I am getting old, sometimes, I undergoes physical problems..
I know I can not solved problem #1 (spiritual problems)competely until death beacuse we are human. But Like I have meal everyday, if we try to communicate with God every day, finally, we are able to slove the problem #1.
still, problem #2 remains... we can solve problem #2 through solving problem #1.
But not always...
Even though we have problem #2, I believe that we always try to communate with God.
I realize without you, all of us are useless.
If Israel had realized this, God have not prohibited them from entering the promised land?
I hope that I want to believe God I believe is love of God. sometime I feel God is very cruel... But, even though this, I can not help obeying him.
God is my only hope.
As I am getting old, sometimes, I undergoes physical problems..
I know I can not solved problem #1 (spiritual problems)competely until death beacuse we are human. But Like I have meal everyday, if we try to communicate with God every day, finally, we are able to slove the problem #1.
still, problem #2 remains... we can solve problem #2 through solving problem #1.
But not always...
Even though we have problem #2, I believe that we always try to communate with God.
Permalink
03/26/08 @ 18:49
Comment from: Hannah Mecaskey [Visitor] · http://leshemshamayim.wordpress.com/
· http://leshemshamayim.wordpress.com/
Communal intimacy with God is a confusing concept, but since I’ve been working on personal intimacy with my Jesus, maybe I can apply the same approach to blogging dialog, retaining the parts of me which only Jesus needs to be bothered with (because they don’t bother them, I suppose). Interesting challenge, Rabbi, to make influential for others. I will give it another try. Still, community and intimacy with Jesus feel like a contradiction in terms to me.
I probably do just the opposite of associating worship with the person directly and personally, my sin of disengagement sometimes picks on the form. Some music to me just seems to send the Spirit rushing in, others I see Him in the words, but I allow the form in which the words hit my heart to be altered by the faulty melodies of the producer. I see that Jesus has been working on my heart, I am not as bad as I used to be, but still pretty bad at letting the form of a person’s worship get in the way of seeing their heart. But as you noted, Rabbi, worship is about God, and I do focus it on the person far too much: forget them, I must tell myself. But the psalmist says “let US worship…” I think of the lyrics “Let us adore the ever-living God…” I don’t know how well I do with adoring my Jesus and being conscious of the adoration next to me being something that I could never do. I am completely alright with individual worship tendencies, personal languages of the soul if you will, but how does that come together in community? How do we blend them all in genuine infatuation with our Jesus? Maybe it is being so consumed with His beauty that all our love blends together and distinction disappears. I have much to learn.
Maybe that problem, my God versus what evangelicalism has terms “non-gods,” non-existent gods, has infiltrated even the very body of Christ: we cannot acknowledge others’ rights to gods so we do not allow each other their personal understanding of God. How small my faith is… I cannot understand how someone would be offended by my dialog with Jesus, the ways in which I think of Him and try to remember Him… yet I guess that this is me not allowing someone else to understand God in their way. I think He’s big enough to be personalized yet remain huge. Like a parent has a different relationship with each every child in the family… individualized way of relating to each child… yet they themselves as a parent are still parent to all. They as a person are still the same. Maybe God’s like that. I can so much more easily recognize the other religions’ gods in other peoples’ lives… they exist as much as someone believes they do. I can see that… I am incapable of convincing anyone of anything with my words; I spent too many of my rather wild younger years hotly debating. Jesus sent my ego in for shock therapy and I am a bit more sober now—I just take a different approach, the persuasive method. But words are not convincing, my life is more so, it evidences what God I truly follow. Dallas Willard said of Frank Laubach, author of “Letters by a Modern Mystic,” “He himself is the assurance that what he says about a constant life with God and in God is true.” Too much digression there, but my words do meet the test of my life… if I don’t live what I speak, why bother believing, it doesn’t change me, it won’t change you.
Whatever anyone believes sincerely affects every part of them: so why have we reduced our God into mere facts? No wonder he can’t be seen in our lives… he lives in a small part of the intellect; I limit him from the rest of my life. I am losing track of thoughts from the many gods existence… sure many gods exist, why would I be threatened by them… they are all pawns in Yhwh’s chess game. I have a huge responsibility with all of my life to validate my claim that Yhwh is God. And what really matters? Creation is the same issue as all the gods: Yhwh is the only all-powerful, the Most High… and He can do whatever He wants. Isn’t the point of creation that God made everything, the how doesn’t matter. Maybe we still focus on what doesn’t matter about the creation: what matters in creation to my obedience is that its all about God, right?
Does my worship evolve, as in those thanksgiving psalms, first coming because I recognize what He’s done, and then see who He is from what He has done? I have learned from seeing what comes out of the word that my God being Word is the best thing that ever happened to me. So the big Word allows us, the little words, to be those gods? Maybe, jumping back to another theme of gods’ existence… we each are gods, I suppose, if only in our own minds, because we tend to think the most highly of our selves. So how do we allow the big Word to define who we are? I like that, we got to do God-type stuff because we are his little gods. Maybe I took that too far.
I have often wondered, if God would show Israel how much they were making His love sour towards them (yet it was still love), how would my Jesus let me know He was displeased, hurt? Maybe Yhwh and Jesus deal with their brides differently… Yhwh externally and Jesus internally… though all of life is supposed to be worship, we humans are still those amphibious beings, physical affects spiritual, and spiritual affects physical. So we have the option to engage it all, to really see God, to take up that Kingdom of Heaven (for it is “at hand” right?), to enter into His rest if we will only obey, cultivate community?
It has struck me lately that cultivating unity among the saints is part of obedience… because they are Jesus just as I am. It’s a little different than the caring for widows and orphans, right? Sure, Jesus’ heart is among the needy, but Jesus is real in His people… His Spirit lives in us. My mind is blown away by how He is fully in each of us, not divided, but shown differently because we are different. Can we reorient from disorientation without the probing? Such a rich blog, Rabbi, too many thoughts in my head to express!
I probably do just the opposite of associating worship with the person directly and personally, my sin of disengagement sometimes picks on the form. Some music to me just seems to send the Spirit rushing in, others I see Him in the words, but I allow the form in which the words hit my heart to be altered by the faulty melodies of the producer. I see that Jesus has been working on my heart, I am not as bad as I used to be, but still pretty bad at letting the form of a person’s worship get in the way of seeing their heart. But as you noted, Rabbi, worship is about God, and I do focus it on the person far too much: forget them, I must tell myself. But the psalmist says “let US worship…” I think of the lyrics “Let us adore the ever-living God…” I don’t know how well I do with adoring my Jesus and being conscious of the adoration next to me being something that I could never do. I am completely alright with individual worship tendencies, personal languages of the soul if you will, but how does that come together in community? How do we blend them all in genuine infatuation with our Jesus? Maybe it is being so consumed with His beauty that all our love blends together and distinction disappears. I have much to learn.
Maybe that problem, my God versus what evangelicalism has terms “non-gods,” non-existent gods, has infiltrated even the very body of Christ: we cannot acknowledge others’ rights to gods so we do not allow each other their personal understanding of God. How small my faith is… I cannot understand how someone would be offended by my dialog with Jesus, the ways in which I think of Him and try to remember Him… yet I guess that this is me not allowing someone else to understand God in their way. I think He’s big enough to be personalized yet remain huge. Like a parent has a different relationship with each every child in the family… individualized way of relating to each child… yet they themselves as a parent are still parent to all. They as a person are still the same. Maybe God’s like that. I can so much more easily recognize the other religions’ gods in other peoples’ lives… they exist as much as someone believes they do. I can see that… I am incapable of convincing anyone of anything with my words; I spent too many of my rather wild younger years hotly debating. Jesus sent my ego in for shock therapy and I am a bit more sober now—I just take a different approach, the persuasive method. But words are not convincing, my life is more so, it evidences what God I truly follow. Dallas Willard said of Frank Laubach, author of “Letters by a Modern Mystic,” “He himself is the assurance that what he says about a constant life with God and in God is true.” Too much digression there, but my words do meet the test of my life… if I don’t live what I speak, why bother believing, it doesn’t change me, it won’t change you.
Whatever anyone believes sincerely affects every part of them: so why have we reduced our God into mere facts? No wonder he can’t be seen in our lives… he lives in a small part of the intellect; I limit him from the rest of my life. I am losing track of thoughts from the many gods existence… sure many gods exist, why would I be threatened by them… they are all pawns in Yhwh’s chess game. I have a huge responsibility with all of my life to validate my claim that Yhwh is God. And what really matters? Creation is the same issue as all the gods: Yhwh is the only all-powerful, the Most High… and He can do whatever He wants. Isn’t the point of creation that God made everything, the how doesn’t matter. Maybe we still focus on what doesn’t matter about the creation: what matters in creation to my obedience is that its all about God, right?
Does my worship evolve, as in those thanksgiving psalms, first coming because I recognize what He’s done, and then see who He is from what He has done? I have learned from seeing what comes out of the word that my God being Word is the best thing that ever happened to me. So the big Word allows us, the little words, to be those gods? Maybe, jumping back to another theme of gods’ existence… we each are gods, I suppose, if only in our own minds, because we tend to think the most highly of our selves. So how do we allow the big Word to define who we are? I like that, we got to do God-type stuff because we are his little gods. Maybe I took that too far.
I have often wondered, if God would show Israel how much they were making His love sour towards them (yet it was still love), how would my Jesus let me know He was displeased, hurt? Maybe Yhwh and Jesus deal with their brides differently… Yhwh externally and Jesus internally… though all of life is supposed to be worship, we humans are still those amphibious beings, physical affects spiritual, and spiritual affects physical. So we have the option to engage it all, to really see God, to take up that Kingdom of Heaven (for it is “at hand” right?), to enter into His rest if we will only obey, cultivate community?
It has struck me lately that cultivating unity among the saints is part of obedience… because they are Jesus just as I am. It’s a little different than the caring for widows and orphans, right? Sure, Jesus’ heart is among the needy, but Jesus is real in His people… His Spirit lives in us. My mind is blown away by how He is fully in each of us, not divided, but shown differently because we are different. Can we reorient from disorientation without the probing? Such a rich blog, Rabbi, too many thoughts in my head to express!
Permalink
03/27/08 @ 08:59
Comment from: Dr. Snyder [Member]
As for doing Jesus in public, here's a thought. Yesterday I spent 7 of my 9 hours here talking with all kinds of people about all kinds of stuff. Meaning 7/9ths of my time occurred in community; 7/9ths of my time I could have spent committing James 3 type of sin, a teacher misusing his mouth. I need to take Jesus, somehow into every conversation or I am sunk, spiritually that is. How does one do that? Always being armed for the conflict? My Jesus I love you, please don't leave me when I need you most, when I thing about you least!
Permalink
03/27/08 @ 09:24
Comment from: Hannah Mecaskey [Visitor] · http://leshemshamayim.wordpress.com/
· http://leshemshamayim.wordpress.com/
Yeah, Sheila, I struggle with that too... how much can I set aside without being fake for the sake of community intimacy with Jesus? I don't think we should ever be fake, and I am sticking to that until Jesus convinces me otherwise... but maybe He wants to mature me to a place where everything can be worship. Maybe I am still focusing too much on the people... but wait, how much should the people affect the worship? Honest question to anyone reading: should my default worship in a group be to try and feel the community, pull community to Jesus and if I can't feel it with them in a group, do I abandon for just me and Jesus? I have no idea. Maybe if we all individually focus on Jesus, we find a corporate connection beyond what we can reach noting too greatly all the distinctions. Thoughts, please?
Permalink
03/27/08 @ 09:29
Comment from: Hannah Isaiah Victor [Visitor]
"worship" a key feature of the book of Psalms,it is the
act in which the community celebrates and makes available
God's presence and activity.Psalms' portrayal of worship begins with devine presence and activity rather than human initiative.Worship is a corporate response to divine presence and activity.Psalms' portrayal of worship includes
different elements:praise,proclamation,confession and commitment.Psalm 95 is A call to worship the Lord,it has 2 parts( a call to praise the Lord of all the earth), and
(a call to acknowledge the Lord's kingship over his people
we have to be submissive and obedient."Come let us sing for joy to the Lord" and "come let us bow down in worship,let
us kneel before the Lord our maker "for" He is our God and
we are the people of His pasture.Vs2 "for" the Lord is the great God,the great king above all gods.The sea is His
"for" He made it and His hands formed the dry land.God is the
owner of the mountain tops,He is in control of the of deep
places of the earth.Lord help me to live a life that pleases
you and to be a part of corporate worship because you rule
our lives individually and corporately(if there is such a word!),Lord you know what I mean.Help me to learn your word
diligently and to live by the word.Thank you Jesus for you came down to save a sinner like me.Thank you for this class
and your servant who teaches.
act in which the community celebrates and makes available
God's presence and activity.Psalms' portrayal of worship begins with devine presence and activity rather than human initiative.Worship is a corporate response to divine presence and activity.Psalms' portrayal of worship includes
different elements:praise,proclamation,confession and commitment.Psalm 95 is A call to worship the Lord,it has 2 parts( a call to praise the Lord of all the earth), and
(a call to acknowledge the Lord's kingship over his people
we have to be submissive and obedient."Come let us sing for joy to the Lord" and "come let us bow down in worship,let
us kneel before the Lord our maker "for" He is our God and
we are the people of His pasture.Vs2 "for" the Lord is the great God,the great king above all gods.The sea is His
"for" He made it and His hands formed the dry land.God is the
owner of the mountain tops,He is in control of the of deep
places of the earth.Lord help me to live a life that pleases
you and to be a part of corporate worship because you rule
our lives individually and corporately(if there is such a word!),Lord you know what I mean.Help me to learn your word
diligently and to live by the word.Thank you Jesus for you came down to save a sinner like me.Thank you for this class
and your servant who teaches.
Permalink
03/28/08 @ 10:12
Comment from: mario [Visitor]
Worship is something, giving that its something everyone does, Christian or not. But God is king and people are His royal subjects. That makes him fit to recieve everyones worship. There is no god like our God. When people talk about other gods or goddesses they are sadly mistaken. How terrible that the generation of Israelites in this psalm was highly distasteful to God. Thats understandable because I often wonder how can God put up with people so much. God is holy, good, perfect, and we're sinful...distasteful. But God is the wonderful counselor and He's willing to work with us. Thank you God. Worship God equals rest, how true.
Permalink
03/28/08 @ 11:29
Comment from: Tim Sanford [Visitor]
I have no idea what you just said besides describing Psalm 95 which I just did last night when I did chapter summaries. I don't much about anything but I know that the last senstence that you wrote in the Parenthesis sounds pretty good to me. I would like to comment on that. Blue sky, cedars...that reminds me of the part in some of the upper 90 psalms about the creation praising God because he is coming to judge the earth and that he was going to be just in his judgment. That is weird. I don't know how that is going to happen. I hate that we have to chose what texts to take literally and what to take metaphorically and what not. It is so stupid because it just makes for a lot of arguments. By the way, the humility thing that you just brought up in class is something that I have never heard of or thought about as a solution. I don't know what that means but I think that whole senario has to do with preception of God and I most likely don't have a right preception. Who knows. And by the way, I think that you have succeeded in making this class a life changer. So far it has been the most life changing class that I have taken. So thanks.
Permalink
03/28/08 @ 14:20
Comment from: josh sinclair [Visitor]
out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (or the pen writes) Whenever the psalmist wrote, he opened a wormhole directly into his soul, thus, he had all the benefit. My biggest problem is that I'm dumb. Not stupid, but I can't speak. I'm very nervous in crowds and being in front of people (and yet the Lord has called me to be a pastor?!?) As a result, my insides never come out. I love to read the psalms, and the rest of the bible; but yet, I'm tired of reading the Psams and the Bible. I want to live it. I want to pick up where the Psalmist left off. I'm not saying I want to be as god, but that I want to experience God far deeper than I do, or have. It's interesting, that in the book of Acts, the word love is not in there (KJV); yet the book of acts displays love as powerfully as the gospels do. I think that the Western Christian (myself included) has done just the opposite. We've got the word "love", but do we live it? I fear not, I hope so, I'm working towards.
peace guys...
sorry I'm a day late
peace guys...
sorry I'm a day late
Permalink
03/29/08 @ 15:37
Comment from: Christa Moss [Visitor]
i think its interesting how we can ignore the powerful words of God, and doubt them and think that our way is better, when...
Gods words created the universe... well, and everything.
What have we done?
Gods words created the universe... well, and everything.
What have we done?
Permalink
03/29/08 @ 19:46
Comment from: Scott Ladd [Visitor]
I’m disappointed with Sheila’s comments; not Sheila (I like Sheila) but not so much the comment. Why is it that we as believers in general feel that we have any insight as to what motivates others to worship and whether or not their energetic praise is “false.” For some reason we question the heart of the one who praises with energy, and I wonder if it has anything to do with our lack of. We consider the Dr. Snyders of the world to be more Godly because of the “reverence.” And why is it that there is some stigma about a church building as if God lives there somewhere. We don’t run in the sanctuary, but we will gossip about a fellow believer. If disrespecting God’s sanctuary is your concern, hold your sarcasm about your brother and run in the sanctuary (preferably during the service!) I believe that God would be equally disappointed with a “silent” worshiper who remained tight lipped while God has given every reason to raise a shout of praise. Please, no offense intended toward Sheila, Dr. Snyder or anyone else, I think this is really a case of Christian “lingo” more than anything else. I also feel as though I hear too many people “judging” the praise of others.
This is for you Dr. Snyder, and anyone else whom I may have had a negative effect. I am sorry. Really, from the depths of my heart, I am truly sorry. As one of the worship leaders in chapel, I have had the privilege of leading the songs of praise. It is both great and horrible at the same time. I fear this will be a long blog, but it might be interesting for you to hear my heart.
Leading other in the song of praise to God is a joy that could only be compared to the birth of my children. First of all there is the anticipation of the grand event itself. When a child is born, I cannot think of anyone who is not both happy and excited. Certainly there are few events that are enveloped in such joy. Leading worship to me is like that. We are giving life to the very hope that wells up inside us; breathing life into the words so that others around can share in the joy and hope that we possess. When I am in the presence of someone who is full of joy it affects me in a profound way. I cannot help but embrace that joy either for myself or on behalf of the joyous party. All of this is only true of course after 9:00am, if you are happy before that, and before I’ve had my coffee, physical harm may come to you if you attempt to share your joy.
Ok…back to the serious…what about worship style? Hannah, when I’m leading worship, I just want to share the joy and hope that I have, Brueggemann might say I’m exercising my freedom in embracing a new orientation. Musically, stylistically, I want to demonstrate that hope in my art, in my music. I want to capture the intensity and emotion that has driven me from the pit, to the high praises without abandon. I write music and compose chords changes that will make His praise GLORIOUS! (Psalm 66:2). I try hard to make my music as dynamic as life itself is. I don’t mean to be distracting by being loud, or fast, or intense; I’m just trying to communicate musically what we experience in life; highs and lows, up and down, fast and slow, loud and quiet. Music is powerful, and I want to stir your emotions so that you can get in touch with your inner self and really feel the words you sing and not be fake! I want you as the worshipper to reach a place where you can neither control the volume of your shout, nor hold back the well of tears.
Lastly… the downside of worship, or really worship leading. Dr. Snyder, my apology was for the distraction that I may have brought to you and to students alike. When I hear of you, the professor, or the student, that cannot participate in times of vocal praise, shouts of adoration, thanksgiving for our rescue; my heart breaks. My sight is blurred as the tears literally pool in my eyes. If I have hindered you in any way, I have placed myself between you, and the worship of your God. I would rather be struck down by either you or he than stand between you. There is a lot of pressure on the lead worshipper to create an atmosphere that is perfect for worshippers to “enter in.” What is worship time if not an elaborate prayer? Perhaps if there were a better understanding of “praying without ceasing” there would be a better understanding of entering into worship and what times of worship in song are all about. When I see people not participating, I take that so personally, my soul inside cries out, ‘what can I do, to help you express the hope that you have in Christ?’ Dr. Snyder, you said it yourself, they are not just suggestions but commands. Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord! Why rob him of what he deserves, and I really don’t want to be responsible if you do. My desire is that you, the worshipper, engage with God both individually and corporately with me because we both have experienced elation of being rescued. I war with myself all week long, I am burdened with the weight of those within my care. It is part of my function to help guide you into a place of song and praise; to free you from the bonds of expressionless silence and provide you with language and opportunity to speak, sing or shout. I really identified with Aaron, and the weight that he physically carried, because I carry a similar burden. As a worship leader at Davis, I am sick to my stomach knowing that I am partly to blame for any seeming “lack” of participation. I hope that you will both forgive, and help me understand what prompts you to participate in the gathering of believers and add your voice to ours.
This is for you Dr. Snyder, and anyone else whom I may have had a negative effect. I am sorry. Really, from the depths of my heart, I am truly sorry. As one of the worship leaders in chapel, I have had the privilege of leading the songs of praise. It is both great and horrible at the same time. I fear this will be a long blog, but it might be interesting for you to hear my heart.
Leading other in the song of praise to God is a joy that could only be compared to the birth of my children. First of all there is the anticipation of the grand event itself. When a child is born, I cannot think of anyone who is not both happy and excited. Certainly there are few events that are enveloped in such joy. Leading worship to me is like that. We are giving life to the very hope that wells up inside us; breathing life into the words so that others around can share in the joy and hope that we possess. When I am in the presence of someone who is full of joy it affects me in a profound way. I cannot help but embrace that joy either for myself or on behalf of the joyous party. All of this is only true of course after 9:00am, if you are happy before that, and before I’ve had my coffee, physical harm may come to you if you attempt to share your joy.
Ok…back to the serious…what about worship style? Hannah, when I’m leading worship, I just want to share the joy and hope that I have, Brueggemann might say I’m exercising my freedom in embracing a new orientation. Musically, stylistically, I want to demonstrate that hope in my art, in my music. I want to capture the intensity and emotion that has driven me from the pit, to the high praises without abandon. I write music and compose chords changes that will make His praise GLORIOUS! (Psalm 66:2). I try hard to make my music as dynamic as life itself is. I don’t mean to be distracting by being loud, or fast, or intense; I’m just trying to communicate musically what we experience in life; highs and lows, up and down, fast and slow, loud and quiet. Music is powerful, and I want to stir your emotions so that you can get in touch with your inner self and really feel the words you sing and not be fake! I want you as the worshipper to reach a place where you can neither control the volume of your shout, nor hold back the well of tears.
Lastly… the downside of worship, or really worship leading. Dr. Snyder, my apology was for the distraction that I may have brought to you and to students alike. When I hear of you, the professor, or the student, that cannot participate in times of vocal praise, shouts of adoration, thanksgiving for our rescue; my heart breaks. My sight is blurred as the tears literally pool in my eyes. If I have hindered you in any way, I have placed myself between you, and the worship of your God. I would rather be struck down by either you or he than stand between you. There is a lot of pressure on the lead worshipper to create an atmosphere that is perfect for worshippers to “enter in.” What is worship time if not an elaborate prayer? Perhaps if there were a better understanding of “praying without ceasing” there would be a better understanding of entering into worship and what times of worship in song are all about. When I see people not participating, I take that so personally, my soul inside cries out, ‘what can I do, to help you express the hope that you have in Christ?’ Dr. Snyder, you said it yourself, they are not just suggestions but commands. Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord! Why rob him of what he deserves, and I really don’t want to be responsible if you do. My desire is that you, the worshipper, engage with God both individually and corporately with me because we both have experienced elation of being rescued. I war with myself all week long, I am burdened with the weight of those within my care. It is part of my function to help guide you into a place of song and praise; to free you from the bonds of expressionless silence and provide you with language and opportunity to speak, sing or shout. I really identified with Aaron, and the weight that he physically carried, because I carry a similar burden. As a worship leader at Davis, I am sick to my stomach knowing that I am partly to blame for any seeming “lack” of participation. I hope that you will both forgive, and help me understand what prompts you to participate in the gathering of believers and add your voice to ours.
Permalink
03/30/08 @ 18:15
Comment from: Sommer Scott [Visitor]
What a great reminder to worship. If I
go astray in my heart I won't enter His
rest!
Out of curiosity, I wanted to look up
some history about Meribah. I saw that it was referred to several other times using
the phrase "where the people of Israel
quarrelled with the Lord". God forbid
I ever have a heart as hardened as that!
Sometimes we can get so used to the same
old thing in our worship that it ends up
that we are just going through the
motions. In our hearts, we know that
is certainly fake worship. God
can't be honored with that kind of half-
hearted "worship". Maybe if each person
vowed to make their own individual
worship genuine, our communal worship
would also be genuine. Nothing less
will please God.
go astray in my heart I won't enter His
rest!
Out of curiosity, I wanted to look up
some history about Meribah. I saw that it was referred to several other times using
the phrase "where the people of Israel
quarrelled with the Lord". God forbid
I ever have a heart as hardened as that!
Sometimes we can get so used to the same
old thing in our worship that it ends up
that we are just going through the
motions. In our hearts, we know that
is certainly fake worship. God
can't be honored with that kind of half-
hearted "worship". Maybe if each person
vowed to make their own individual
worship genuine, our communal worship
would also be genuine. Nothing less
will please God.
Permalink
03/31/08 @ 22:34
Comment from: Michael Brown [Visitor]
After reading back through this blog I could cry. Are we so arrogant that we dare to say this way of worship is right and that way is wrong? The whole point of worship is to recognize and accept, rejoice and yes even fear in Gods sovereignty. We can be humble or rowdy, or even cry. My flavor of worship might be different than your flavor, you know what? We are both right so long as we worship properly.
So lets take a look of proper worship. Does God get the glory? If it is a rock band, a jazz band, or blue grass band, does the music point you at God or at the performers? Personally I don’t care if you think my flavor of worship is to much this or that. That’s between me and God, you worship your way, and let me worship my way. If you don’t like my way of worship go to another church, but don’t go and thumb your nose at me while over there, and say I am doing it wrong.
So lets take a look of proper worship. Does God get the glory? If it is a rock band, a jazz band, or blue grass band, does the music point you at God or at the performers? Personally I don’t care if you think my flavor of worship is to much this or that. That’s between me and God, you worship your way, and let me worship my way. If you don’t like my way of worship go to another church, but don’t go and thumb your nose at me while over there, and say I am doing it wrong.
Permalink
04/01/08 @ 11:20
Comment from: Leanne Rofe [Visitor]
I wish to speak on Dr. Snyder's statement concerning comparing our God to another's god (i.e. Buddha). I used to think that to do this was going to be disrespectful to God. However, I have come to realize that this is actually honoring to God. In fact doing so glorifies God! By comparing God (Yahweh) to other people's gods (Buddha) we are able to point to how inadequate their gods are in comparison to Yahweh. Ultimately God is worshiped and praised because of this. Worshiping, praising, and glorifying God in everything we do, say, listen to, watch, etc. should be our #1 priority in life. It is with great sadness and heaviness of heart that I unfortunately can state that this is not always so in my life. Sometimes I allow other things to come between myself and worshiping God. I allow these things to distract me (i.e. wondering how I did on a test, wondering how I will do on a test, trying to remember if I have anymore homework to get done that day). This is sin on my part. I should not be allowing anything to distract me from focusing on God, and praising Him. Yet I find myself doing just that. Anybody have any suggestions that would help me to really be able to focus on worshiping God, and not allow anything to distract me?
Permalink
04/01/08 @ 13:42
Comment from: Thomas Bahr [Visitor]
I think this is one that I forgot to comment on, so here you go. There is always that fine line between the times that you should open your mouth and say something enlightening and the times when you open your mouth and insert your foot. I must say that Dr. Snyder is not the only one that may struggle with this. Honestly, I hope that I never become a teacher for that very reason. This is probably my biggest dilemma that I struggle with. If I don't struggle with the content of what I need to say, then it is the struggle of the timing of when I need to say it. I constantly pray (pray without ceasing) that my God will hold my tongue or at least teach me to do so when it is appropriate, and speak through me when it edifies and is meaningful or enlightening. One thing in meekness is knowing when to say the right words and when to just keep your mouth shut. Many times we should all practice the latter.
Permalink
04/03/08 @ 02:46
Comment from: Aimee Cartner [Visitor]
I know my comment is very late, therefore, maybe no one will read it, and that's okay, because communal discussion in cyberspace seems to me a bit like writing in a personal journal and hanging it on a bulletin board or leaving it on a coffee table for others to read and write their personal thoughts in. I'd rather have the conversation sitting around a kitchen table, even having the discussion in class is difficult, because you can't always see the one that is talking. So a communal forum, I don't think it looks like a blog, or a classroom, but I'll try.
My very human problem in worship is more what type of worship I am comfortable with. Like Sheila, I grew up in a fairly traditional church, and like my sister said to my on the phone this morning, we also liked "our contemporary Christian music", but that was then, and sometimes I just don't know the songs we do in chapel. I appreciate all your efforts Scott and others to make it a worshipful time, but sometimes if you notice people like me not singing, it's only because I don't know the song and am reading the words and can't quite pick out the melody. I understood Sheila's worshipping while on a run, for me a walk on a sunny day especially makes me want to raise my arms and my voice in praise and song. I enjoy every season, so many things in nature make me thank God for this beatiful world. Snow on a quiet winter night, trudging through fall leaves, crocuses and tulips breaking through the ground in spring, robins, even the many squirrels we have on campus, all give me opportunity to praise God. However, communal worship is important too. Over Easter, I visited my daughter in her church, and there was no singing. The teaching was good, and maybe this is just "religious feeling", but the lack of lifting our voices together in praise to God on Resurrection Sunday, left me a little flat. So Thank you to all those who work so hard to make worship time worshipful!!!
The last section seems odd to me in relationship to the rest of this psalm. Vs 7 seems especially odd as it begins with the shepherd, and ends with "Today if you hear his voice", which I suppose could relate to the sheep hearing the shepherds voice. But the writer of Hebrews bicks it upa at Today...harden not your hearts (vs 7b,8a--Heb.4, 7b)
I would also ask, do you really think that every problem #2--enemies, sickness, death, emotional problems arises from a problem #1? Isn't there stuff that happens to us because of life on this earth, the fact that sin is the guiding force of mankind, that Satan is the prince of the power of the air, that does not occur because our relationship with God is lacking. I think of Job, and the glowing report that God gave of his behavior, yet he allowed Satan to put him in the pit. Was his sin only that he didn't understand how God works? He did not curse God as his wife suggested. He did question God, but so does the psalmist, but in disorietation. God set him up to take him through disorientation, so that he could be reoriented at a level of greater communication with God? Is that what you are trying to say, Dr. Snyder?
Kneeling? vs 6, How many of you grew up kneeling? I didn't. In America, the land of the rugged individual, if you're a Protestant, do we really know much of truely humbling ourselves before our God.Our theology of grace allows us to stand before a Holy God--stand clothed in Christ's righteousness, but standing. The truth is I usually sit in prayer except at church or in chapel, and then we stand together. Some raise holy hands in worship. How many humble themselves in kneeling in prayer, and why?
My very human problem in worship is more what type of worship I am comfortable with. Like Sheila, I grew up in a fairly traditional church, and like my sister said to my on the phone this morning, we also liked "our contemporary Christian music", but that was then, and sometimes I just don't know the songs we do in chapel. I appreciate all your efforts Scott and others to make it a worshipful time, but sometimes if you notice people like me not singing, it's only because I don't know the song and am reading the words and can't quite pick out the melody. I understood Sheila's worshipping while on a run, for me a walk on a sunny day especially makes me want to raise my arms and my voice in praise and song. I enjoy every season, so many things in nature make me thank God for this beatiful world. Snow on a quiet winter night, trudging through fall leaves, crocuses and tulips breaking through the ground in spring, robins, even the many squirrels we have on campus, all give me opportunity to praise God. However, communal worship is important too. Over Easter, I visited my daughter in her church, and there was no singing. The teaching was good, and maybe this is just "religious feeling", but the lack of lifting our voices together in praise to God on Resurrection Sunday, left me a little flat. So Thank you to all those who work so hard to make worship time worshipful!!!
The last section seems odd to me in relationship to the rest of this psalm. Vs 7 seems especially odd as it begins with the shepherd, and ends with "Today if you hear his voice", which I suppose could relate to the sheep hearing the shepherds voice. But the writer of Hebrews bicks it upa at Today...harden not your hearts (vs 7b,8a--Heb.4, 7b)
I would also ask, do you really think that every problem #2--enemies, sickness, death, emotional problems arises from a problem #1? Isn't there stuff that happens to us because of life on this earth, the fact that sin is the guiding force of mankind, that Satan is the prince of the power of the air, that does not occur because our relationship with God is lacking. I think of Job, and the glowing report that God gave of his behavior, yet he allowed Satan to put him in the pit. Was his sin only that he didn't understand how God works? He did not curse God as his wife suggested. He did question God, but so does the psalmist, but in disorietation. God set him up to take him through disorientation, so that he could be reoriented at a level of greater communication with God? Is that what you are trying to say, Dr. Snyder?
Kneeling? vs 6, How many of you grew up kneeling? I didn't. In America, the land of the rugged individual, if you're a Protestant, do we really know much of truely humbling ourselves before our God.Our theology of grace allows us to stand before a Holy God--stand clothed in Christ's righteousness, but standing. The truth is I usually sit in prayer except at church or in chapel, and then we stand together. Some raise holy hands in worship. How many humble themselves in kneeling in prayer, and why?
Permalink
04/05/08 @ 13:13
Comment from: sakiko Ayashiro [Visitor]
I think i need more time to understand what you say in here.
however, this psalm makes me consider about "double minds" and "lukewarm faith."
verses 8-10 especially make me think about it.
when i play or sing worship song(well, i think worship is not only with music, music may be one of tools for worship Him. i just use that for this time), sometimes i am really foggy about words and expression what i use, and about my heart before Him. since i was little, i have been heard about Him (His greatness, what he has done for us...etc). however i do not know how much i understand or believe those His truth truly, and how much i fear or praise Him with true heart. i think worship needs the honor to God. if i don't have honor to Him, it may mean i do not admit Who He is and my position how i should be before Him. worship may come from true or healthy relationship with God. if we have the true one, even there is problem #2, like even v8 thing happens, our worship is not shaken.
I still do not know how i can explain what i think, and i think my words are really mess. However, this chapter just makes me think about this: what about my behavior/ heart, and my response to Him?
(and I am very sorry that I am late to do this comment! To be honest, I totally forgot about this blog homework. Therefore, I am very sorry about my carelessness and unfaithfulness to work.)
however, this psalm makes me consider about "double minds" and "lukewarm faith."
verses 8-10 especially make me think about it.
when i play or sing worship song(well, i think worship is not only with music, music may be one of tools for worship Him. i just use that for this time), sometimes i am really foggy about words and expression what i use, and about my heart before Him. since i was little, i have been heard about Him (His greatness, what he has done for us...etc). however i do not know how much i understand or believe those His truth truly, and how much i fear or praise Him with true heart. i think worship needs the honor to God. if i don't have honor to Him, it may mean i do not admit Who He is and my position how i should be before Him. worship may come from true or healthy relationship with God. if we have the true one, even there is problem #2, like even v8 thing happens, our worship is not shaken.
I still do not know how i can explain what i think, and i think my words are really mess. However, this chapter just makes me think about this: what about my behavior/ heart, and my response to Him?
(and I am very sorry that I am late to do this comment! To be honest, I totally forgot about this blog homework. Therefore, I am very sorry about my carelessness and unfaithfulness to work.)
Permalink
04/05/08 @ 16:30
Comment from: chris dorais [Visitor]
I must say that there are a lot of times in my life that I myself am a lazy and lukewarm Christian. I feel lost and confused when I don't look for God for answers. I know that God has the answers and that when I pursue him I am happy but why do I not always long for him or want to be in his presence. To be honest I scare myself when I think about how lost I am without God. Why do we as believers consist in being disobedient? Is it sin or just our human traits and personality that make some long for God more than others.
Permalink
04/30/08 @ 22:46 Leave a comment:
