It seems to me that people see the mystery of praise as something you should do when you go to Church but have no personal experience using it as a weapon. Let me share my experience with you. Some years back, I developed Chicken pox. I didn’t have it as a kid and having it as an adult made the effect on me worse. It was so bad that I had to stay with my mum just in case it got … [Read more...] about The mystery of praise
Worship
Beauty art kingdom: part 3 Beauty and art in worship
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. (Westminster Catechism) Our God is infinitely more worthy of any praise and worship that we could possibly offer. It seems right, then, that we employ our best imagination, gifts and skills to help one another worship well, to help us see increasingly more of God’s beauty. Over the course of history, … [Read more...] about Beauty art kingdom: part 3 Beauty and art in worship
Fanny Crosby: Poetic Songbird
Fanny Crosby, the poetic songbird was blinded, while only six weeks old, by a quack unlicensed doctor. He permanently scarred her corneas by applying hot mustard poultices to her mildly infected eyes. Her father died when she was just twelve months old, forcing her mother to become a maid to support the family. Despite these tragedies, Crosby never fell into … [Read more...] about Fanny Crosby: Poetic Songbird
Lament and the Church: Part 2, in the context of worship
When we accept a theology of suffering there’s the question of how to introduce lament as a truthful, healing practice that leads us back to hope. Worship leader and recording artist Brian Doerksen agrees that offering a space for lament in our worship draws us together as community, reminding us we’re not alone in our feelings of hopelessness and grief. Taking it one step … [Read more...] about Lament and the Church: Part 2, in the context of worship
John and Mary Newton: the transforming power of grace
John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace, the world’s best-known song, believed in the transforming power of Grace. Being an only child, he was deeply loved by his godly mother Elizabeth who taught him the Holy scriptures. She longed for her son to one day be a pastor. His mother’s best friend was also named Elizabeth. They both agreed that their young children (John Newton … [Read more...] about John and Mary Newton: the transforming power of grace