Growing in Christ

The past two weeks have been a real growing experience for me and my walk with the Lord. On multiple occasions I had posted how I was on the mend in regards to my walk with Christ. Unfortunately within the span of a few days I would return to the "ways of the flesh" as the Apostle Paul would put it. What I failed to see that all my attempts were of my own striving. I came to the realization through the wise words of one of my new friends in Josh Woodall he said something like or to the effect of that there is no good in us whatsoever and that any good is that of Jesus Christ. An that any attempt to correct my walk would fail ultimately cause that it was without the help of Christ.

My attitude and my relationship with others changed some much because finally and for the first time my relationship with Christ was where and what is was supposed to be and that being an authentic one.

I owe my growth to God's word and devotion by Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest

Culture Current Worship

Greetings to all you members of the blog sphere.....well my network of bloggers at least. I submit this for discussion and thought this afternoon.

Today as sat in Sunday morning worship we sang two familiar songs one was "I Will Call Upon The Lord" and the other was "Shine Jesus Shine." We took and sang these two songs at a incredibly slow tempo if you ask me; slower than I'm used to. I'm a musician....well I like to think of myself as one; as a person who has led worship on many different occasions and I can tell you from first-hand experience that the style of the music has an effect on people. The music you pick and play will either energize them or bore and depress them.

I find that the majority of worship in our churches is bored and played out. There are a slight few that have a mixture and worship in those churches is exciting and great. I know and will admit that the majority of churches have to consider the makeup of their congregations. Consider any fast paced song that you think of and slowing it down and even removing two maybe even three of the instruments(guitars, drums, and bass) used to originally record it and replacing them with a piano and organ. This is done so that the older and more influential members will be happy and want to sing that Sunday. Still I have to sit and think: Why do we worship through singing?......is it for our enjoyment and pleasure, or do really grasp the concept that it is God the Father to whom we are singing.

Don't get me wrong I'm not for the removal of hymns there are some outstanding pieces of music that I would cry if we never sang them again: "Come Thou Fount", "O For Thousand Tongues","How Great Thou Art." These are only a few that have awesome truths contained within in them.

I think that it was do us some good to consider the culture and time that we're in when we put our minds to doing worship.

A song like "Trading My Sorrows" at a slow tempo doesn't come off sounding too joyful.

Confessions of an Amateur Believer Review

Title: Confessions of an Amateur Believer
Author: Patty Kirk
Genre: Christian, Faith
Rating: (1-5) - 5

Review:

Confessions of an Amateur Believer by Patty Kirk is a brief glimpse into the life of the author and how she goes from unbelief to the faith of a young adult to struggling with owning her faith to the deepest, darkest hours of questioning whats the point of having faith wondering whether or not the promises of God told of in the bible were true. This book approaches the Faith Journey in a down to earth way that everyone who reads this work can at some point identify with the author and take comfort in the notion that they are not the first to experience struggle with knowing what they believe and why they believe it.



Personal Word:

I loved every moment of this book.....there were times where I could put myself in the author's shoes and clearly identify with the struggle.

I recommend this book to any and all who wish to be encouraged and edified by the struggle and eventual victory of a fellow believer.

Dried Up

Like much of the south right about now with hardly any rain in past several weeks so is my mind when it comes of thinking about topics or good blogging fodder.

with the fall semester right around the corner. Plus two conferences here @ Southeastern one entitled the Convergent Conference with topics such as the emergent church to be discussed with the like of Ed Stetzer and Mark Driscoll and the other a conference on the life and works of C.S Lewis I'm sure to have plenty of stuff to discuss.

That book review is right around the corner just have to gather my thoughts on it...


Hope everyone is doing well....love to hear from ya.....look me up

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5 Things I Dig About Jesus

So Adam Whipple has tagged me into this thing. I hope you will be able to participate and keep the fun going.

1. Those tagged will share 5 things they dig about Jesus.
2. Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers.
3. Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here of their post so that others can read them.

Here goes.

1. Jesus still went to the Cross knowing how many time I would still turn my back on him in rebellion of the flesh. What a mighty love that is.

2. He is that small voice constantly telling and reminding me that he is in control.

3. That he is not a white middle class republican* for most this is the picture of what it means to be a true faith walking Christian.

4. That he is faithful to me inspite of faithlessness

5. He loved to fish...I like to fish!!!!!


The next five victims....erh I mean contestants are:

Scott Guthrie
Natalie Justice
Evan Higgenbotham
Andy Witt
Josh Woodall

those of you I've tagged feel free to post your digs wherever you call home(facebook, myspace,blogger, or xang) or as comment on my site.

lets keep this going.