Real Faith Music

I posed a question to friends online recently asking, “does your faith control you or compel you?”  Those who entered the conversation offered a broad spectrum of thought — everything from “both” to “neither.”   “Both” didn’t surprise me — it’s a great compromise answer.  “Neither” made me think, and I appreciate that.

In thinking of this question myself I’m drawn to considering how Jesus’ contemporaries viewed this after seeing the way He lived.  In a letter written to the early church it was said…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 TNIV)

What strikes me about this, and so much of what Jesus and those who knew Him wrote, is that it’s written almost entirely from a perspective of inspiration rather than compliance. Certainly God “laid down the law” quite literally in Old Testament writings. But Jesus put even that in context when He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And pointed out in Matt 22 that the entire law stands on this principle. So in the end, it’s motivation that counts.

I am becoming increasing convinced that a faith of real power is a faith that compels. A life in the way of Jesus must be lived through the Spirit, from the heart. Faith should be our greatest motivation. Motivation challenges us to live life abundantly. To the extent we live by a faith that controls us, we are living in supposition that the Spirit has not, and will not, change our hearts. That mindset has us defeated from the start. Let’s remember that God made us in His image. We were made to live as He modeled for us through Christ. And if we are in relationship with Him, the Spirit will guide our hearts and minds. So rather than focusing our efforts on living our modern version of old testament law, let’s free ourselves, recognize that we’re imperfect, BUT that the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4 paraphrase.)

I have to admit I have always shrugged a bit at the term “worship team” which has grown in use so much in the church.  I’ve been a part of groups under that label for years. It’s not that there’s anything essentially wrong with it, I just see it as unnecessary and a bit inaccurate. Another example of how the church tends to rename normal things and then confuse the rest of the world In most cases, isn’t the worship team simply, the “band” or “ensemble?”  What’s wrong with just calling it that then? More importantly, it’s just not inclusive enough. Dictionary.com defines “team” as a number of persons associated in some joint action.  So in the sense of communal worship, isn’t it more accurate to think of the entire assembly as the “worship team?”  We’re all in it together, right?

I’m increasingly impressed with how we are all unique and essential parts of God’s kingdom. Each person has a unique role. This means ministry, church and all of life, really, are not done alone, but as a team. As a community of believers there will be leaders and individual contributors in all levels and capacities. Men, women, all ages, gifts, styles, preferences, strengths, weaknesses, with all our experiences good and bad. Look at how Jesus did it.  If anyone could have done it alone it was Him. Instead, He pulled together a diverse team that wouldn’t have ever come together without Him and together they set a course to change the world. God has orchestrated life such that we need each other in the same way the Godhead itself is a “community” of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Over the years I can remember hearing people muse about “being born in the wrong time,” and how they long for things as they were (or mostly likely as they imagined them to be.)  I’ve never really connected with that line of thinking.  I’m definitely a product of my time and place in history, and for what it’s worth, I’m pretty happy with that. For the most part, I enjoy living in an area that’s highly populated and diverse. I like fact that American society has become more accepting and open. I like technology and the ways it’s enriching our live and empowering people to communicate, create, share and connect. And the list goes on.  Yes, every one of these things has it’s downsides. Everything does. Things are far from perfect. But I think this is a pretty cool time to be alive overall.

But from those who long for ages past, I think I may note a common thread — and this is one that does resonate for me. The desire for simplicity. When people talk of “the good old days,” that’s usually an aspect of what they’re referring to.  It is true that one facet of our modern society is that we have a lot competing for our time and attention. I realize that many of you won’t even finish reading this because you’ll be interrupted by a call, email, txt, status update, Tweet, TV show, etc. Most of those didn’t even exist when we were born. For the most part our modern lives are loud, distracted, and over-crowded. Our attention spans suffer in the process.

Those of us who value a relationship with a God who’s known to speak in a “still small voice” should take note. People in every time have had to make an effort to have a relationship with God. The efforts required change with the times. God’s always knocking, but we have to answer the door. The question today is sometimes, can we hear him knocking over the iPod blasting in our ears?  Distraction is an enemy of intimate connection.

I believe this has important ramifications for what worship should be in the church today. There are always voices calling for church services to be culturally relevant.  And they should be.  But this doesn’t mean they have to be highly produced 55-minute programs wrapped with multimedia, hosted by hip, humorous, and well-styled spokespeople who manage to deliver the whole event with not a second of “dead air.”

Rather than “relevant”, perhaps a better goal would be “refreshing”.  Being in relationship with God should be refreshing — “He restores my soul.”  I’m inspired to think of a place and time for community worship as an oasis of simplicity. A gathering that derives its relevance not by virtue of its familiarity, but by its contrast. We notice that daytime is beautiful partially because it is not night. We thirst for water when our mouths are dry. In world of distraction, worship should have space.

I attended a service Saturday night at Antioch’s Church on the Rock that explored this interesting ways. In many ways it had familar features — music, speaking, slides, video, drama. But it was a service that was not afraid of silence and space. And in that space, the presence of The Spirit was palpable. It was refreshing. The kind of worship experience that leaves you feeling refreshed, rather than impressed. There was no applaus, though deserved. But there was a sense that reverence filled the air, and that was enough.

When we seek God, shouldn’t we leave room to feel His presence?

This has been big news year. Wars, rumors of wars, major political changes, financial chaos. It’s a lot to take in and this season is filled with media that covers every possible angle. I’ve taken some time to consider the year in review from a personal perspective. What are the big things I’ve learned this year? Like the world around me, it’s been a big year for me as well I suppose. I’m seeing things pretty differently and I’m grateful for what I’m learning. Some things are new. Some are confirmation of things I already knew, but didn’t understand. Still others represent resolution to ideas that had existed in conflict in me over the years.

I share this here for three basic reasons:

1. I feel compelled to though I can’t fully explain why.
2. That what I write might encourage others to consider these ideas and conclusions (especially if they surprise you) and either adopt them or challenge me on them.
3. That people who know me might hold me accountable to the impacts of these realizations. 2009 and years that follow should be different because of what I’ve learned in 2008.

Like anyone, I am a product of my culture. What I’ve learned this year has been heavily influenced by the times. That’s unavoidable. But it’s also been shaped by purposeful experience and learning. Some key influences in 2008 were:

• Short-term mission work with the poor in rural Haiti. You can’t experience something like this and not be changed.
• In depth study of the Gospel and several New Testament letters.
• Reading several contemporary authors that express faith from a non-traditional perspective.
• Formal study of the Church and prophesy of future things

Many thanks to the people around me who write, teach, preach and discuss on matters such as these. I learn from all of you. My thanks also to the Holy Spirit who amazes me with His ability to reveal truth. Finally, I especially appreciate my wife with whom I’ve shared so many great discussions as we’ve each wrestled with these topics through the year. I appreciate her appetite for learning (an inspiration), her thoughts, her ability to challenge me and her passion to have faith that’s real. I love you

God is far bigger than I’ve ever conceived
His Word is vast and complete in its ability to communicate history, theology, wisdom and salvation. It is our guide to the way of life modeled by Jesus, the apostles and the churches they established. Yet in our finite nature, we cannot begin grasp the height, depth, vastness, or grandeur of His creation, let alone His infinite nature. We must know and live by scripture as lead by the Holy Spirit, but be cautious about stretching its application beyond what it literally says.

God is far more intimate with us than I’ve previously understood
The “substance” of God runs throughout His creation including everything and everyone in it. He not only set it in motion, He actively holds it together. As the Psalm says, there is no where we can hide from Him, because He IS everywhere. The Great I AM. This may seem somewhat basic, but it necessitates a level of personal involvement that has become increasingly real to me in 2008. If you believe this, you will see the world, everything, and everyone, differently. You pray differently. You experience life differently. It’s not that God is everything. He is infinitely more than the sum of His creation. But He is present throughout it.

Heaven is real, is imminent, and is the first time we’ll fully experience life as it was intended
God established mankind in Eden, a place where He was fully present with us physically and spiritually. It was an imperishable place and man was also imperishable. Eden was here on Earth and could have been our eternal home. The fact that sin messed that up through breaking our ties with the source of life (God), doesn’t change the fact that this the kind of place and the kind of life we were intended for. The struggles and pain we experience today in what’s left of creation are all a direct result of our fall from grace. All of them, personal, political, economic, social, ecological, you name it.  They all stem from the lack of direct and personal connection with God that resulted from our acts of sin. But through Jesus we are reconciled with God. We can once again experience communion with Him intimately through the Holy Spirit. The world we live in is still fallen, and so will remain imperfect until it is remade. But after a time, God will establish a new Heaven and a new Earth and we will see all that God has had in store for those who love Him since the very beginning! Heaven is a far more tangible hope this year than it was in the past.

Salvation is a beginning, not an end
I have been guilty of seeing salvation of sinners as the end-result of the church’s work. That is part of our work (more specifically, “making disciples” is.) But the great commission (Matthew 28) is so much more than that alone. It is just as much about teaching people how to live like Jesus in this life, not just bask in the rewards that will come in the next life. Honestly, that always felt a little self-centered, and it was. But like most selfish pursuits, it also began to feel shallow. (And I should know, I have a lot of experience being selfish.) So how do we teach people how to live like Jesus? The answer is at once simple and impossible: live like Jesus. Ouch! Yes, Jesus was a teacher and we should continue to teach His message. But He lived-out his lessons and taught by example. We must too. This is the most challenging realization I think I’ve ever experienced and I have no idea where this may lead me in practical terms. But I don’t want this to be a passing thought. It should be transformational, as it was for those who heard it first-hand from Jesus himself. Jesus said, “follow me.”  I think He’s still staying that to all who believe, not just pastors, evangelists and missionaries.

The Kingdom of God is here now
I have often thought of Jesus words proclaiming the Kingdom of God as being “at hand” as pointing to His Millennial reign, or even later starting in the new Heaven and new Earth. More recently though, I have come to believe that He was referring to the time beginning at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit arrived to reign in the hearts of believers. The impact of this is huge. It places Christians today in a very different position with respect to our allegiances. It also makes Paul’s claim of citizenship in Heaven in Philippians 3 make more sense. We are part of a different kingdom, and if we believe the Holy Spirit is literally present in our lives today and we aspire to living under His rule, then we’re talking about a literal kingdom. A government led by God through the Spirit and we (the church) are solely under His citizenship and authority. So as believers, we should not see ourselves as Americans, or Mexicans, or Chinese beyond ethnicity. These are human kingdoms lead by men that we were born into. However, having been baptized to Christ, we now live as expatriates in a foreign land. We are Christian, and our leader is our namesake — Christ Himself.

The “American Dream” is not ours to claim
As citizens of Heaven, we seek different goals. The fact is neither Jesus, the Apostles or the 1st century church ever sought or encouraged chasing after life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In fact, these things are more akin to “eating, drinking, and being merry” (1 Corinthians 15), but the apostle Paul only suggested this course of life if the Gospel were false! Christians in the US have bought into our American culture because it is comfortable. The constitution’s separation of faith from matters of state, while an unholy trade-off for a true believer, has afforded the church a measure of freedom to comfortably coexist as long as it doesn’t infringe on the state. This has encouraged a comfortable church that enjoys its tax shelters and largely stays under them. Other countries (e.g., China, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.) have not had it so easy. In those countries you would definitely find fewer minivans sporting Christian symbols. But the Christians you find there would be surprised to think that such a symbol would be necessary to identify a true believer living in freedom.

God’s politics are far different than I’ve been lead to believe
I have been relatively politically-minded over the years, even as a young adult. I was quite liberal (and Democrat) as a teen, but by my early 20’s I found myself relatively alone in this persuasion once established in the evangelical church. Through the influence of others and some natural moderation that come with maturity, I shifted significantly to the right (and Republican.) But after witnessing political failures at the hands of both parties during the two decades of my adult life, while at the same time learning more about Jesus for myself, I have become increasingly disillusioned with traditional politics and more interested in Jesus. Man’s systems clearly don’t hold the solutions to our problems. At best, the problems don’t essentially change. At worst, man creates more or worse problems. I’m beginning to believe that the ramifications of this realization may be quite far-reach for me, but 2008 netted these two major conclusions:

• Party affiliation. I no longer consider myself affiliated with either of the two major political parties. My association is to God’s kingdom, not man’s. This will affect my judgement on issues, my choices of candidates, my endorsements, or even my willingness to participate in the process. The solutions to every problem under the sun lie not in party platforms, but in restoring the hearts of men and women through the Gospel and in the church truly living as the body of Christ. There is no lasting hope short of this. But there is both immediate and eternal hope as we live lives consistent with the principles of the Kingdom of God today through the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.

• The Earth is His, and everything in it. (Psalm 24) And we should treat it as such. Creation is not our Walmart from which to extract whatever suits our fancy as cheaply as possible. Yes, the resources of Earth were put in our care to feed, shelter, and even comfort us. But that are also intended to proclaim His glory and thus should not be thwarted or denigrated. The unique planet we’ve been graciously given is not ours to rape, pillage and burn. It is God’s. I have long felt uncomfortable with tension that seems to exist between the evangelical church and environmentalism. On one side we have Naturalists who revere “Mother Earth” and Darwinian evolutionism and see man as a blight upon her face. On the other, you have those who so seek to differentiate themselves from this that they end-up supporting ideologies that fail to acknowledge the wisdom God gives us through science and deny any need for ecological responsibility. I find myself equally at odds with both. ?I have come to this conclusion. God gave us the gift of a diverse, beautiful, hospitable and remarkably durable home. Like our own bodies, the Earth’s ability to heal itself within certain limits is nothing short of miraculous. But as everything else physical, it is not unbreakable.  The church is quick to condemn smoking as a desecration of our bodies, yet our parking lots are remarkably full of trucks and SUV’s that needlessly desecrate the air we breathe. We should at once enjoy, share, and care for the earthly home we’ve been given.

Conclusion
So that’s a bit of what I’ve learned and concluded in 2008. So now what? The net of this is surely more then a collection of New Year’s resolutions. I specifically avoid making them because I’ve never been able to keep them. From what I hear I’m not alone. No, these things are more foundational than that. I’m very aware that the implications of these ideas are not to be taken lightly. I’m not sure where this will lead, but I’m sure of these things:

• I need to continue to grow.
• I don’t want to be a complacent Christian who is on the sidelines of the Big Game (or worse yet, finally discovers he’s not really on the team.)
• I need to be willing to rethink and reorder virtually every area of my life.
• I can’t do this alone. I need the Spirit’s guidance and strength, the support of a like-minded Church community and family.

I was intrigued to ponder a quote I read today – a view on what worship ministry should be like.

“Our varied skills should function like the frame around a classic painting. If the frame is too bold or extravagant, we’ll hardly notice the picture it displays. On the other hand, if the frame is cheap, shabby, or marred, we’ll wonder why such a masterpiece is surrounded by junk. The right frame compliments the picture in all the right ways, directing our eyes to the brilliance of the artist, not to the frame.”

First, this is a beautiful statement and is a great word picture of an important aspect of Christian expression. There’s a lot of truth in this. But I think this is only reflects one aspect. That is, the part of worship expression that is intended to create ways of revealing God. This reflects aspects of evangelism or edification. Good stuff, for sure.  But this is intrinsically horizontal – directed toward each other. There is another aspect too that I don’t think this quote fully encompasses.

An intrinsic part of worship is simply expression of our love TO God. This is intrinsically vertical. In fact, it’s my view that while the afore mentioned aspect is essential, vertical worship is it’s highest goal. That we would all express our love for God not to each other, but to Him!  

Back to the metaphor in question…. It is in this sense that I see the painting (or music, or dance, or poem, etc.) as being THE work. Not because it’s of highest value, but it is the expression of our heart. It is the gift (or even question, or prayer) we present to God. We sketch it, paint it, and frame it.  As He has used art through time – including the Bible itself – God will reveal Himself to others through it. We don’t even need to try to get out of the way. Make it loud! Make it bright! Make it ornate! “Praise him with sounds from horns. Praise him with harps and lyres!” When God is present, man is easily overshadowed and “He inhabits the praises of His people.”

God be praised!

Happy Earth Day!

As a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area Earth Day is a pretty big deal. It’s almost like another New Years except all the resolutions have to do with recycling, composting, driving less, or at least doing it in a vehicle that doesn’t use fossil fuels. And, like New Years, most of these resolutions will vaporize…. but leave no carbon footprint

I am actually more of an environmentalist than  many in the church. Regrettably, both the American church and taking care of our environment have been so politicized to opposite ends of the spectrum that too many people viscerally feel they can’t go together. Too bad, particularly because Genesis so clearly says that it’s man’s responsibility to care for the earth. Of course it also says it’s ours to use and enjoy, something which you’d swear some “environmentalists” think is a sin! It’s this polarization that’s a problem. But it’s not the heart of the problem.

As I was hearing an Earth Day presentation today I noticed and thought about a word I’ve heard countless times before around the topic of environmental concerns, but I’ve never really thought about it. That term is “sustainability.” The concept of course is that mankind should live in such a way that we keep the earth a sustainable place — that we don’t use it up. What occurred to me today is that the problem with this idea is that it places the responsibility for sustaining the earth on man. This is something we simply aren’t qualified or remotely capable of doing. Read Psalm 104. This is not an admonition for man to sustain the earth, rather it poetically observes that GOD does this. And He does so with so much more beauty and grace than we ever could.

As a Christian, I absolutely believe that we need to be responsible about the resources we use, the junk we create, the animals and plants we harm, and try to make our place on the earth as good or better than we found it.  But I don’t believe for a minute that the Earth will be used up or become uninhabitable one minute before God intends that to happen. HE sustains the earth and everything in it. From the water we drink to the air we breathe to the blood coursing through our veins.

Happy Earth Day. And THANK GOD for this beautiful place He’s given us to live, play, and share His love with others.

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
— Ecclesiastes 1:9

I’m encountering references to “the emergent church” and variations on the theme more and more in books, blogs and other media and I’m curious about it. I’ve even seen this called the emergent “reformation.” That is a big label to live up to!

I’ve done a little reading on the subject, but not a lot. One source I’ve gone to is Wikipedia. I must admit to being a wiki-skeptic in most cases because of the fact it’s basically built on the concept that what most people think is true probably is. That’s a fallacy in my opinion. But in the case of ideas that are just beginning to to shape, I actually think it’s a reasonable place to reference. So as of this writing, the emergent church is described as a “movement whose participants seek to engage postmodern people, especially the unchurched and post-churched.” Regardless of how you describe people, if this is seeking to engage more people in Christianity I’m all for it — regardless of their stage of “churchedness.” The next part of the definition I found a little troubling.

“Emerging Christians deconstruct and reconstruct Christian beliefs, certain culture norms, and methods in ways which will accommodate postmodern culture.”

Whenever I hear people talk about trying to find ways to adjust theology to accommodate culture I start to get very nervous. What comes to mind is something a theology teacher said in class one day, “be very cautious about new ideas in theology.” I don’t think he intended to say new ideas were impossible, only that they would ultimately have to be rooted in the unchanging foundation of The Bible. This also brings to mind Ecclesiastes 1:9 (quoted above) andHebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” God does not change. And neither do we, essentially. At a heart level the things that make us tick haven’t changed since we were initially designed in God’s image. Obviously, what does change is the way we live and interact in the world around us. The things we make, the way we organize ourselves into semi-sustainable units, governments, economies, even religions, change. In that, there is certainly room for new things to “emerge.” But since God, who does not change; has revealed Himself to us, who do not change; through His Word and the Holy Spirit, which does not change; what’s left? As I see it, all that’s left is religious practice. In that I think God gives us guidelines, but a lot of latitude.

You “emergents,” if you’re there. What do you think?

Everyone should fly!

We should all have the chance to see our terrestrial home from from a jet plane thousands of feet above the highest points on earth. You can’t help but gain perspective. That’s where I sit as I write this. (The downside is that I’m crammed into an economy-class seat ;)  I’ve loved flying all my life. I love the rush of take-off. Passing literally over and through various kinds of weather — I even love the occasional turbulence. It’s an exciting reminder of where you are, and how small you are! I always try to get a window seat. Seeing the world from this vantage point is incomparable. I’m amazed at the people who seem to never even look out the window!

I’ve been blessed to get to fly a fair amount — a few times a year. Despite the fact the whole process is very familiar now and can be arduous at times, the joy of flying has never faded. Regardless of the view, looking out the window never fails to inspire worship in my heart. Whether it’s the grander of a snow-packed mountain range, vast expanses of fruitful plain, wilderness so thick with foliage all you see is a carpet of textured green, a barren desert seemingly devoid of life, a seemingly endless sea, or even nothing but formations of clouds — it all amazes me. I am almost always reminded of Scripture’s declaration that God is clearly evident from what has been made so that man is without excuse (Romans 1:20.) Indeed! With crystal clear skies and Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable” playing on my iPod the view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains today is truly moving.

Even more amazing? That the creation we see today is but a mere reflection of what lies before us in Heaven. This all proclaims His glory. But it is not His glory. It cannot compare to the beauty of His face, His actual presence. Even the Earth we see today is scared by our fall from grace. It is no longer Eden. But the good news is that He will make all things new (Revelation 21:5!) All this will be restored, and us with it! Can you imagine the beauty of our flight into Heaven? The breathtaking moment when we step out into the beauty of our eternal home? When you fly to a destination far from home, ever notice how even the air feels and smells different when you get off the plane? Sometimes that’s a pleasant experience, sometimes it’s not. But imagine the feel and the scent of the totally renewed, revived and healed land where we’ll make our eternal home! Then the faces of those who will greet us as we step into the terminal of Heaven? Surrounded by the unfettered presence of the Holy Spirit in the company of saints. And then there’s Jesus and the Father himself. The beauty of that moment. The unspeakable gratitude we’ll feel knowing it is only by His grace that we can enter, and stay, forever! Perfection at last. Something that has been foreign to man since the fall. But we will know it again. He’s preparing it for us now (John 14:2.)

Everyone should fly! And be sure to look out the window!

Every artist I know including me ask why they do what they do. For all but a very few, art is costly financially and personally. It rarely pays as much as the artist could get doing something else. And it rarely ingratiates you to the people around you, particularly spouses, because it takes time — often a LOT of time. Time that could be spent on all kinds of “productive” things. SO, we often find ourselves asking, why am I putting myself through this? Read biographies of artists through the ages. 

If you’ve ever felt that way, this is for you. But it’s not from me, which makes it even more powerful. I am passing on an impassioned email I received from a friend. He wrote it to me and a list of others. He probably had no idea how much of an encouragement it would prove to be OR that I would ask to share it with all of you. So here it is, for all of you. Thanks Blaine!

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This is not about me, it is about you. This is a plea for you to keep creating.I am 44 years old and in the darkest place I have ever been in, for absolutely no good reason. Well, I did read on Wikipedia that men have their most difficult battle with self doubt in their 44th year, on average. Good news for me, discovering that in yet another way, I am average. Neato.

Remember this is not about me, this is only background. Each and every day I leave the house and try as hard as I can to come home 8 to10 hours later, and not be in the same self doubting funk that I left in.

On the days that I can do that, it is because of music, art, and creativity. Music helps me feel. It makes me feel what I am afraid to. It makes me feel loved, hopeful, and clear about my mission. It makes me ache with sorrow, it makes me angry, it makes me fight. I can trust it because it came from artists who bled deeply to give their art away. It does not help me because it is popular, it helps me because it is real, about real things that the artists know about. I can trust it as an honest effort to make things better.

I can tell you, that these guys don’t know s@#$ about what entertains me, and they don’t need to — there is commercial art for that. But what you all know, is what it is like to be afraid, to feel peace, or to have longings. Or to be proud, or ashamed, to win some and loose some.

What you know best, is exactly what I need from you. Not what sounds popular or deep, but what has really been proven from your life experience. I really don’t need to know that you play well, or that you sing nice, or how smart you are. Don’t try to impress me, but do try to help me. I need to know what you know, without you being superior about it, because I don’t know enough to get by anymore.

So you who create, if you don’t do some more of it right away, some guy like me is not going to get his spirits pulled out of a ditch during the day, and is going to return home, unable to lift up and care for his responsibilities.

But if you can write something, sing something, paint something, or do any form of any creative activity, do it now. Somebody you know needs it.

Artists are f@#$ing Jedi’s.

If you want to hear the Holy Spirit speak, worship in a church that doesn’t speak you language!

At the beginning of this month I had the opportunity to participate in a short-term mission to the Caribbean nation of Haiti. As the poorest country in the northern hemisphere, there is much to be done there. The main purpose of the trip was to break ground on a new multi-use facility for a thriving ministry in the rural village of Maissade. We accomplished the task and laid the groundwork for local workers and missionary teams that will follow us. But God accomplished so much more than that alone.

One of the highlights of the trip was getting the chance to worship at the First Baptist Church of Maissade. On arrival to the church you know you’re entering a very different kind of experience. First, the church isn’t even finished…. and it’s been this way for many years. The rough reinforced concrete structure is fortified by scaffolding and supports throughout the building. The roof covers only a portion of the sanctuary. The platform is covered by a large tarp to shelter the speaker and leaders from the hot tropical sun and frequent rain storms. The seating is simple benches that rock up and down against the unfinished dirt floor. Window frames are empty so rain, breeze, birds, and sounds of the village pass through freely. It’s been said that “the church” is not a building, it’s people. Never has this been more evident.

(Click the photo to see on YouTube)

Empty, the building could be described as rough and unfinished, even a little eerie. But when filled with worshippers it’s glorious! These people know how to worship and it’s obviously a great joy to them to offer God their best. After seeing people on the street the day before, the biggest surprise was that everyone’s dressed-up! The women are in dresses, the men in suits. This in stark contrast to the rest of the week when most people are in clothes that are almost certainly second-hand or worse. Then there’s the singing! Everyone sings, and sings out strong! There’s harmony. There are traditional counter melodies. The music was mostly a cappella with a little help from an accordion. They sang in Creole. I sang along in English when I recognized the melody. There were hands raised, eyes closed, and every voice was raised. This worship was not in the slightest bit showy, but its honesty and heart was overwhelming.

The congregation is seated in groups by age and gender. Before the service begins, each group memorizes a passage of scripture that they recite together. They then rehearse a short song together, often in harmony. At the beginning of the service, each group from youngest to oldest, stands to recite and sing what they’ve learned for the whole assembly. At the conclusion, each group takes an offering. From what I learned, they evidently try to outdo each other in their worship and giving. This proved to be the first of several offerings that were taken, the last of which was the tithe. Seeing these people give was humbling. They did it with joy, reverence, and purpose. These are people who have next to nothing, the cost of food is on the rise, and the average annual family income is around $200. I felt like I was watching the widow of Mark 12. What my fellow Americans and I gave that day probably dwarfed the congregation’s total in monetary value. But I am SURE, their level of sacrifice dwarfed ours. I was taken aback by the significance of what God was showing me.

While in town we also witnessed a congregation worshiping in what sounded like a song service that began at sundown and lasted literally through the night, ending just before sunrise. Bare in mind there’s no electricity after about 9:30 pm, so the service took place in near total darkness. I watched and listened for hours as people filtered in and out of the humble, dark, cinderblock building as the music ebbed and swelled in turn. Soon, rather than a dark building I recognized that it shined with the light of the Holy Spirit. I thought about how hard it is to get people to turn-out to a midweek service that lasts past 9pm in the USA.

After worshiping in Maissade I was struck by how little of the service I understood in language, but how much it spoke to me in spirit. In some cases, particularly communion, I recognized the form and therefore could follow along. The sermon, all in Creole, was lost on me. But the exuberance of the people was obvious and moving, especially in their “amens!” The spirit of worship in the music was powerful and transcended all language barriers. These were people who actually felt truly dependent upon God. They have no wealth. Most have no steady employment, it’s not available. Their government has failed them for generations. The prevailing “faith” is Voodoo, sewing distrust and fear in their midst. But God is their rock! He is their ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). His church is their support structure, their community.

As Americans we have a tendency to think we have it all together in comparison to the rest of the world, and we have been greatly blessed materially. But we have no monopoly on faith, hope, and love. In fact, our wealth often masks our need for God. Even as believers, we fall prey to this as easily as anyone else. The result is that while we pay lip service to trust in God, in our hearts we don’t feel we need Him. While I’m sure this grieves God, it’s perilous to us. Most of us have lived like this all our lives. Like so many other things, without a point of reference, the difference is almost imperceptible. The worshipers in Haiti provided me with a point of reference. I left there with a strong sense that, in this way, I have a lot to learn from them.