I remember when I thought of worship as an emotional feeling. I either felt like worshiping and it was good or I didn't and it wasn't bad just not as good. Maybe I sinned too much this week and God wouldn't want my worship. Of course its all about me!
It took me a while to get to where worship was a choice and had nothing to do with how I felt.
Then reading page 36 Ross describes God (which is ironic in itself because he describes God by using words that say He is indescribable) "...God is inconceivable, incomprehensible source of all existence, invisible majesty..."
As I read that page I started to cry but I felt like worshiping - wow there's the emotional feeling, but this time it was inspired by the majesty of who our Lord is. I wanted to share it so I read the page to my kids but the impact was lost due to the expensive words Ross uses. But I though what a great devotional to share with others.
I'm excited about this book and can't wait to read more.
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A bit along those same lines, Kevin. God has worked with me a bit to help me realize in the last few years that my relationship with him is not based on how I feel. Here is an observation that I made reading the first section: Observation: Are we inspired by song or inspired to song?…We expect the music and songs to inspire us to worship, when it should be God himself inspiring us to worship. All too often, we come to church with a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude instead of viewing our worship as an offering and giving God the praise he is due. Worship is not about receiving. It is not intended for us to get a warm fuzzy. It is about giving, to worship the God of glory!
When planning and implementing services, I must keep in mind this question: How do I help people begin to focus their hearts and minds on the holiness and the glory and the beauty of the one they say they know and love? (37)
Ross outlines the spiritual progression that is reflected in true worship: revelation, cleansing, and commitment. (54)
When people come away from a worship service three things should happen: 1.) they should come away with a fresh awareness of the majesty of God, with a desire to glorify God, and with renewed commitment to serve God. 2.) they should come away with a renewed assurance of the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, of forgiveness through his blood, of acceptance into his eternal kingdom, and with fresh commitment to give him the preeminence. 3.) when services are led by the Spirit, people should come away with zeal to love and serve the Lord. It will not be contrived or forced, and it will not be momentary enthusiasm; rather, the Spirit will continue to work in them to produce godliness. (66-67)
So if it takes a "vision so great a glorious that what we call worship is transformed into a transcendant meeting with the living God" to pull us out of our mundane existance enough to worship fully, what does it take for us and the congregation we lead to achieve that vision?
Food for thought...
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