Worship Warriors!

Dear Crosswalkers,

 

 

Worship songwriter Brian Doerksen has written a number of popular songs such as: "Refiner's Fire" (1990), "Faithful One", "Come Now is the Time to Worship" (1998), "Hope of the Nations," (2003), "Holy God", and "Today (As For Me and My House)".  His passion is to lead God's people into authentic worship.  In the most recent issue of "Men of Integrity" magazine, he shares these thought provoking words:

 

The gathering of the church is meant to be a number of things: a hospital to heal the sick and wounded; a family where everyone is accepted; a school where we are taught the Word of God; and an army that engages and defeats the Enemy to see the kingdom of God advance. 

 

I like this array of metaphors for the church!  Now read on as he expands on the last one:

 

Becoming a worshiper means becoming a warrior... surrendered to God. Warriors who know that their authority comes because they are under authority—warriors willing to wait (even when everyone else is rushing ahead) or act decisively to walk in obedience.

 

We can be little 'w' warriors because our King is a capital 'W' Warrior. He's a warrior, not because he loves to kill and destroy, but because he defends and protects his own. Our King is a warrior because there is a rebellion against his rule and reign.

So our worship experience is designed to be part healing, part teaching and encouraging, and also part overcoming spiritual forces that would defeat us.  Worship involves claiming our position as a warrior for God who wants us to defeat evil and live a triumphant life!  Let's embrace this challenge!!

 

GOOD NEWS:  Our Faith Promises now total $107,000!!  This breaks through our goal, and with one more Sunday to collect Faith Promises we can do even greater!  I am blessed to be a part of a church family with this much faith in God to provide, even in a challenging economy!!

 

MORE GOOD NEWS:  Our Children's Pastor, Peggy Graves, had a successful hip transplant last Tuesday and for that we praise God!   Please continue to pray against any infections and for a full recovery!

 

EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS:  This Sunday we continue our "Mythbusters" series where we will bust through the myth that our Lord Jesus was merely a good moral teacher.  The message is entitled, "The Truth About Jesus!"  See you Sunday!

 

Blessings,

 

Pastor John