The Periodically

Occasionally after a morning service, I will hear someone say, “Hey Mike, great worship this morning!” After thanking them and walking on it hits me: What did they mean? Did they like the music? Did the band sound good today? Were they impressed by the new Christmas clothes? All I know is something affected them. They had a good experience in the service. What is a good experience? Was it God-focused? 
 One of the statements in our church’s worship philosophy says this: "Our worship will be God-centered; a high priority of the vertical focus of our Sunday morning service; the ultimate aim is to so experience God that He is glorified in our affections.”   Some time ago I read through a Christian bookstore flier, I noticed an ad for a new worship album that mentioned the term “experience” six times. We all love “worship experiences” with God. Experiences aren’t evil. But the concept of worship as an “experience” is fairly foreign to Scripture. I say “fairly” because...

                                                              http://www.zazzle.com/fool_4_jesus_inspirational_t_shirt There are two kinds of fools in the Bible. The first fool is found in Proverbs, and is characterized as one who lacks discernment, discipline, and is for the most part unteachable. From God’s perspective this person has no hope and is headed for trouble, difficulties, and eventual judgment. Proverbs admonishes us to do everything we can to avoid being labeled this kind of fool. But there’s another kind of fool that God esteems. I’m speaking of the person that the world labels a “fool” because of their commitment to the Gospel. I Corinthians  3:18 , says this: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” In...

  “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”  I John 3:2-3   (NIV) It was in early September of last year that my mom was diagnosed with cancer. We were told that it was not curable, but with aggressive treatment, there was a high percentage its harm could be minimized if not put into remission.   Less than three months later, a year ago today, I said, “I love you” to my mom for the last time.   She passed from this earthly life into eternity and met Jesus face to face.   Today as I think about my mom, my heart is filled with sadness and joy.   It is overwhelmed with sorrow and hope.   It is filled with sadness because I think about the things I miss:   talking on the phone with her as I drive to Peoria, hearing h...