Worship and the Eucharist.

What is our worship today? Why do we do certain things? Are we even following biblical principles? These are all things I am attempting to figure out right now.  I am currently in Houston at a Starbucks attempting to begin a research project for my Comparative Liturgies class, comparing the use of the sacraments in large Baptist Churches in 21st century DFW to the Early Church of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd century.  Sounds a tad bit ridiculous, but I am excited to see how it turns out. Hope it doesn't tank, because it is one of the only grades for this class. Did I put this off until the end of the semester? Of course I did, some things never change.

Back to worship and what we do today.  I have really started to wonder if what we do in our churches right now lines up at all with the early church. Some things do, but we have changed a lot of things today for what appears to be the convenience factor. Heaven forbid that our service last over an hour and fifteen minutes, and yes I admit that I get impatient when church runs long.  The early church would spend long periods of time reading scripture, praying, hearing instruction from the president (their pastor), then the service would shift from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Table and they would partake in the Eucharist (Lord's Supper).  In our churches now we often cram the Lord's Supper into the last 10 minutes of the service and check it off the list for the quarter.  We have lost sight of the true worship that takes place during this time.  This worship act goes back directly to Jesus Christ, yet we feel like we have to squeeze it into our services and not devote the time to it that we should.  It is a time for us to remember the huge sacrifice that was made to grant us our salvation. So next time that your church partakes in the Eucharist take time before the service to prepare your heart. It is probably the most important act of worship that we as Christians do and so little attention is paid to it by both church leadership and also the congregation.  I fall into this trap all the time. So join me as I seek to prepare myself and truly honor the Lord in worship the next time we take the Lord's Supper.

Peace to you.

a year full of thanks.

Thanksgiving. What an incredible and one of my favorite holidays, behind Christmas of course.  As I sit here and drink my coffee and watch the Macy's Parade in the background I can't help but think about everything that has taken place since last year.  It has been a year full of ups-and-downs.  I struggled with my faith and lived a life that did not line up with my faith, dealt with relationships, lost the only grandmother that I ever knew to a 30 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, doubted my call to ministry, and not trusting him to provide for me financially and with new relationships.  Too often I would try to go through everything on my own and not involve anyone or ask God for his help.  It is amazing how despite how much that I would try to do on my own that he always pulled me through.  I have so much to be thankful right now so I'll share just a few.

Getting to be in two of my best friends weddings.

Skiing with some of my best friends.

My family, and new sister-in-law Crystal.

That my sweet Ome can finally be able to walk, and for it to be with Jesus.

I could put another 400 pictures on here of trips, formals, football games, but I will spare you all.  God has been so great to bless me here recently with helping provide what I need to help pay for Seminary of my own and showing me that he has planned everything in my life.

As you spend time with your family today take sometime to thank God for everything that he has done for you and will continue to do. God bless you and your families. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Thankful.

What a great last few days it has been.  Incredible new friendships, new/old job, school is going well, not sure what else can go right!  God is blessing me in huge ways right now and it is sometimes hard not to get caught up in that and forget to thank Him.  I pray that I always remember this verse:

"I will bless the Lord at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

To say that I am pumped about the next week and half is an understatement.  I get next week off of school for Thanksgiving break, and I cannot wait for that.  Special dates, seeing my brother and his wife, and food, lots and lots of food. It'll be great to relax despite working for most of it and having to start a paper. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  The food is amazing, I mean who doesn't love sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie cheesecake?  The time with family and abundance of football cannot be beat.  Also it means we can finally start setting up for Christmas! While it will be a great time with family it will be difficult being the first major holiday when our family is together without my grandmother, Ome, who passed away in February.  I miss her everyday, but I know that she is in heaven not dealing with her M.S. and actually being able to walk along side Jesus.

As you spend time with your family be thankful for your time with them and remember all that God has given you.

New Beginnings.

Well here it is. My first blog post.  I always said that I would never blog, but here I am.  It is funny how things change!  I am not really sure what direction I am going to go with this.  I still need to do some work with this(which I have no clue how to do), but I am excited to begin a new part of my life.

First off, how amazing is our God?!  There have been some extremely difficult times this semester.  Spent time doubting my call to the ministry and if there was even a point in me being in school.  Despite my own insecurities God has shown his power and grace through it all.  He has provided for me in more ways than I could imagine, brought new people into my life, and has made Isaiah 45:5 apparent when he says "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me."  How comforting is that? No matter what we think he is always there and has an incredible plan for us.  I'm not sure what mine is, but I am so excited to see what he has in store.

In my class looking into Contemporary Christian Song someone brought in a song,"All I Have is Christ" by Jordan Kaughlin, that has really hit home for me.  First off the melody and rhythm of the accompaniment give a really cool feel to it, sorry that is the music nerd coming out in me, but it is the text that is key in this song.  

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone 

And live so all might see 

The strength to follow Your commands 

Could never come from me 

O Father, use my ransomed life 

In any way You choose 

And let my song forever be 

My only boast is You.

"O Father, use my ransomed life in any way you choose." WOW, what a line. That is my prayer and where I got the current name for my blog. 

 Looking forward to a special time of fasting tonight and tomorrow with my church culminating with the Lord's Supper.  Praying that God will reveal his face to me and teach me something new. Thanks for reading and hope that this blogging thing will be my new consistent thing!