General Ramblings on Our Second Assignment...

So, I was waiting for one of our cars to be worked on at the shop and I finished reading through page 118. Here are some thoughts I wrote down with page numbers for reference.

Intro Pt. 2 (pg. 77)
Creation began with light to dispel the darkness or there could be no life. If our hearts are clouded with darkness from the wold when we enter a worship setting, how can "life" or worship happen or exist? First a clearing of that darkness (repentance) must take place.

(pg. 78)
By not acknowledging the God of creation we are robbing the creator of his honor. How that must break his heart. To hear his own creation trying to logically explain away our very existence with the intelligence given by the creator himself. Lord, forgive me if I ever discount the glory of your creation!

(pg. 83)
"the people had to be made pure and holy by some means to draw near."
It is so VITALLY important that our teams who facilitate worship be prepared to come into God's presence. If they are not - what effect does that have on the congregational worship? I guess that says something about the age old debate of whether or not an unbeliver can be on a worship team.

(pg. 87)
"the glory of yahweh filled the place - indicates divine approval"
So when we hear comments from people that they "felt the presence of the Lord", does that indicate at all, more of a level of his pleasure or approval and movement among us? And why does this seem to be more concentrated at times than others?

Conclusion (pg. 89)
If we are now the temple or dwelling place of God, should our worship not reflect "a place of rest"?
Complete side note... When did the Levites (keepers of the temple) take a sabbath?

(pg. 104)
Tree of life...
The cross is also a representation of the tree of life for us. I had never really equated them before. Now the hymns that use the term "he died on a tree" have more meaning to me.

Conclusion (pg. 108)
According to Ross, our church is a sanctuary (if I am reading him correctly). I know in the past Bruce has pushed back on that mode of thinking. But, if we are... how do we remind people on a weekly basis that they are entering the presence of the Creator? Aren't we always in His presence? It's not the building - right?

(pg. 112)
When he spoke of the abuse of worship symbols it reminded me of the uproar that took place when we took down the cross. There is a fine line between using symbols to enhance worship and worshipping the symbols themselves. I thought of catholicism off the bat.

(pg. 114)
In discussing how sin keeps us from the presence of God it made me wonder if it is better for us to have a time of repentance before every worship service? I know it seems a bit legalistic and ritualistic, but isn't that part of why so many people have a hard time "getting in to it"? They can't because something stands between them and true worship.

Also it was interesting to note in a couple of places (I can get you page numbers if you would like) what could be the origin of some of the mormon rituals, like consumating a marriage when it happens in the mormon temple and the holy underwear they have to keep on at all times. I realized how easily people can take thing from the bible and pervert them into something so "off" of the original meaning of it.

That's all! Can't wait for some rousing discussion :o)