What business is it of yours how other people worship? What gives you the right to force your way on me? We all have different personalities, learning modalities, and preferences. Our different expressions in our love to God are valuable to Him and that is all that matters. You should have confidence in individual Christians to make discerning decisions for themselves. I get this kind of response a lot here on the blog and on social media. Basically, just, “Mind... Read more
“Wasn’t all worship once contemporary?” I’ve thought for a good while that using “traditional” and “contemporary” to describe different worship formats was pretty confusing. One of the things the “contemporary” worship apologists like to throw back in my face is that all worship, usually referring to music for worship, was once contemporary. They do have a point, of course, and it bothers me. We all know that “contemporary” doesn’t mean “like the music you hear on the radio.” It simply... Read more
From a funeral bulletin. Hopefully, the deceased had a sense of humor. And this – dear pastors, music directors, organists, church secretaries, and anyone else hanging around – this is why you always proofread. Oh, Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder Consider all the words thy hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then things my soul, my saviour God, to thee How Great Thou Art, How... Read more
We’ve got a problem, everybody. Maybe you haven’t noticed it yet. I didn’t for a long At this point, I know what my detractors are thinking, and I want to cut them off at the pass. Emotions aren’t bad, of course. They aren’t bad in general, and they aren’t bad in worship, either. But following unchecked, unbridled emotion is a horrible idea in any case. It will always lead to serious mistakes, and possibly devastating consequences. No, emotions aren’t bad,... Read more
At the Lamb’s high feast we sing Praise to our victorious King, Who has washed us in the tide Flowing from his pierced side; Praise we him whose love divine Gives his sacred blood for wine, Gives his body for the feast, Christ the Victim, Christ the Priest. Where the paschal blood is poured, Death’s dark angel sheathes his sword; Israel’s hosts triumphant go Through the wave that drowns the foe. Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed, Paschal Victim,... Read more
Jesus had a reply for all of this: Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” I don’t think Jesus is saying that familial relationships don’t matter, and that’s not what I’m getting at, either. As usual, there’s something deeper in Jesus’ words. They point us to a... Read more
Thine be the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son: endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won; angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay. Thine be the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won. Lo! Jesus meets thee, risen from the tomb; lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom; let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing, for her Lord now liveth, death hath... Read more
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! The strife is o’er, the battle done, the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions hath dispersed: let shout of holy joy outburst. Alleluia! The three sad days are quickly sped, he rises glorious from the dead: all glory to our risen Head! Alleluia! He closed the yawning gates of hell, the bars from heaven’s high portals fell; let hymns... Read more
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended, that man to judge thee have in hate pretended? By foes derided, by thine own rejected, O most afflicted! Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee? Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee! ‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee; I crucified thee. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered; the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered. For our atonement, while we nothing heeded, God... Read more
Ponder Anew
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In