Why I Worship

What Is Worship, Why Do We Worship, How to Worship

Public, Private, Online, or Home School? Let’s talk…

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Jill and I were recently faced with the decision of where our youngest son, Josh, would attend High School. He was slated to attend one of the public schools in our city but, we had some very hearty reservations about him spending the next four years in that atmosphere.

We were very blessed and surprised to find an option that really suited our needs and schedules. Josh is now attending The Oklahoma Virtual High School.

I know there are many folks out there who home school their children as well as send them to private schools,etc.

I would like to hear what you think about this issue. If your children are home schooled, why did you make that decision? If you have them in private school or if you’ve made a conscious decision to send them to public school, I would like to hear you reasons.

So, let’s talk!!!

What are You Waiting For???

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Ok, let’s imagine for a moment; you’re eighty five years old. You’re sitting on your back porch in the rocker. You begin to reminisce about your life and all of a sudden the thought crosses your mind; “I really regret that I never got to …”

Take a minute and let that sink in.

Now, what is it? What is that one thing that you will regret not accomplishing or achieving as you approach the end of your life? Getting that degree? Learning to play an instrument? Taking that trip to Europe or Hawaii? Or maybe it’s as simple as learning a second language?

As a young man I dreamed of singing and being involved in music professionally for the rest of my life. I would stand in front of the mirror with Tom Jones playing on my record player (I know! Now you know I’m not as young as I look!); my white, collared shirt unbuttoned way lower than it should have been, singing into my mom’s hairbrush until someone would eventually come and make me turn the music down!!! I always knew; without any doubt, that this would be the way I would spend my life!

But then, this thing called L-I-F-E happened. I got married, had three children, bought a home and fell into the same trap that; no doubt, many of us fall into. I allowed “obligations” and “responsibility” to steal my hopes of ever being able to live my dream. I mean, after all, I was an adult now and those were just childish dreams, right???

WRONG!!! I’m so thankful that God allows us second, third, and sometimes fourth chances!!! Psalm 37:3-4 says “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

I had always been a person who loved God and sought to find His will for my life. Eventually, as many of you know, I was presented with the opportunity to live my dream again. Now, I get to get up every day and do something that I absolutely love to do. What could be more fulfilling than that?

Now let me ask you a very serious question… What are you waiting for? What is keeping you from going after your dreams? God wants you to be happy! He gave you those dreams and he loves you enough to give you another chance! Don’t let years of life pass you by without becoming all He created you to be.

It’s your life…. So live it!!!

“Search Me, Oh God…”

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In my study time today, I was reading Psalm139 and there were some things that really jumped off the page and spoke to my heart. I thought I would take a minute and share with you. Maybe you’ll get something out of it as I did.

We all know well and can quote verse 23 and 24 which read “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

I’d like for you to take a moment and read the first 22 verses of this chapter.

Do you see it? Can you hear what the Spirit of God is saying here?

All through this chapter, David acknowledges that there is nothing in his life that is hidden from God (V1-2). There is nothing he can think, do, or say that God has not already seen (V3-4).There is nowhere he can go where God will not be (V7-12). He even acknowledges that there is no part of his physical being that God does not know or did not have planned (V13-16). Then in verse 23 he says “Search me, O God…” When I read this today, I sat back in my chair and thought “Knowing that God knows everything, why did he say that?”

We find what I think is the answer in verses 19 through 22: “Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.” Right in the middle of all of this praise to God and acknowledgment of his power, majesty, and goodness, Davids thoughts turn toward his circumstances. He begins to speak to God about his enemies and how they are “wicked and bloodthirsty.”

Davids enemies interrupted his praise!

Has this ever happened to you? Right in the middle of a worship service or your personal worship time your thoughts seem to wander towards some bill you have not been able pay? Or maybe your thoughts turn toward some broken relationship that you have not been able to mend; or toward some addiction you have not been able to get victory over?

David realized this was not how this time of worship should have progressed and his tune changed to an inward focus; “Search me, O God and know my heart. Try me and help me to understand why I have these anxious thoughts that take my attention away from you and how good you are…”

I encourage you today to allow God to search YOUR heart and bring HIS revelation to those areas of your life which have the ability to steal your focus away from how much He loves you and how much He truly cares for you.

DON’T LET YOUR ENEMIES INTERRUPT YOUR PRAISE!!!