Culture force feeds us a false idea of satisfaction. We are told by the shows that we watch and the music that we listen to that sex and wealth can gratify our needs, but it only seems to fuel itself and perpetuate a stronger desire for those things. Once the smell of those things reaches our nostrils the idols of our stomach cry out to be fed. The funny thing is that we (Christians) think we can subside the stomach pain by teasing it with a little bit of what it’s calling out for. “Maybe if I go that one website just this once my desire for lust will dissipate.” What a backwards way of thinking.
Maybe we should fill our sense of smell with the sweet aroma of the Word of God. Maybe if we did this our stomachs desire would change from the filth and garbage that we wave in front of our faces daily and start to crave that which it was intended for. And maybe, just maybe, if we were to feed on Scripture the church would look drastically different; the hands and feet of Christ might finally have the strength to move forward and make a difference.
May you begin to fill yourself with the beauty of God’s Word. May we, the church, the body of Christ, hold up what we are taught and hold it up to the Light and see if it is genuine or counterfeit.
Dancing and Applause
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
*I just re-posted this because I didn't like the inconsistent font between this post and my others... so.. yeah..*
I think God taught me a little more about worship these past few weeks and I want to get my thoughts down on paper (or pixilated screens) before it gets lost in the small mundane thoughts of my life.
We lead worship last Sunday morning for the youth at Northstar Church in Atlanta, GA (Lauren Boyd’s church) and for the next couple of days we were able to be a part of their youth outreach program called “Leap” where they go out into the community and serve in the name of Jesus Christ. The place we went on Monday was a youth center in an apartment complex. It was kind of like a Christian daycare almost. At this youth center, the kids are broken up into 4 or 5 groups and in each they did a different activity. I chose to go to the “Human Video” class, which was pretty much interpretive dance for 2 hours. It was one of the most memorable things I’ve done all summer. Not only for the fact that I, Jesse Phillips, did interpretive dance for 2 hours, but also for the fact that the children that were in that class left a huge impact on me. One kid named CJ loved the fact that a “big kid” would come hang out and dance with them and he taught me all the dance moves to “Shackles” by Mary, Mary. Another girl who was too shy to tell me her name taught me the dance for “Potters Hand.” It wasn’t a super spiritual “I can see Jesus in all of their faces” moment, but it was a time where God used the kids to let down my guard in a sense, and just worship in a way that I don’t think I would normally have even thought of.
That night we attended a service at First Baptist Woodstock that was called “Prime.” It happens once a month and is geared towards college aged kids. Something that the worship leader said at the very beginning of the service that was very thought-provoking for me was something to the effect of “let us lay down our own agenda of what we want to sing to God and rather focus on what God wants us to sing to Him.” I wish I could remember the exact quote, but that’s the general gist of it. At that moment, I felt conviction that I have always focused on what I want to sing to God rather than what He wants me to sing. Whenever a worship song that I’m not too fond of comes up in the set-list it seems as though I give God my half-hearted worship, but when a song that I enjoy comes up I feel more inclined to raise my hands. What a hypocritical way to worship! That’s me saying that the worship is about me rather than about Jesus.
A few days ago we were in Summerton, SC playing for Hickory Grove Baptist Church’s youth camp. It was a great experience and I think God really used this one particular night to encourage me to worship Him in a deeper sense. I don’t remember which night it was, but on the 2nd or 3rd night the rain just started coming down in torrents. The room that we were gathered in to worship and hear from the speaker started to take in water. The ceiling was leaking in a few spots and water was coming in through the backdoors on both sides of the room. The adult leaders were cleaning up the mess during our worship set and for some reason I had one of those moments where it felt like time just stopped. The rain clapped onto the tin rooftop and it sounded like thunderous applause. God was receiving a standing ovation from the rain falling down on that roof. I felt at that moment the Holy Spirit teaching me to let God reign down in my life so that He could get a standing ovation from what was going on in my heart.
I think it’s about time I lay myself at the altar and give God my undivided worship. Worship that is not based on how I’m feeling, a song that’s being played, or an atmosphere, but rather worship that is as unstoppable as a rain storm, clapping with fervency at the amazing work that God has done.
I think God taught me a little more about worship these past few weeks and I want to get my thoughts down on paper (or pixilated screens) before it gets lost in the small mundane thoughts of my life.
We lead worship last Sunday morning for the youth at Northstar Church in Atlanta, GA (Lauren Boyd’s church) and for the next couple of days we were able to be a part of their youth outreach program called “Leap” where they go out into the community and serve in the name of Jesus Christ. The place we went on Monday was a youth center in an apartment complex. It was kind of like a Christian daycare almost. At this youth center, the kids are broken up into 4 or 5 groups and in each they did a different activity. I chose to go to the “Human Video” class, which was pretty much interpretive dance for 2 hours. It was one of the most memorable things I’ve done all summer. Not only for the fact that I, Jesse Phillips, did interpretive dance for 2 hours, but also for the fact that the children that were in that class left a huge impact on me. One kid named CJ loved the fact that a “big kid” would come hang out and dance with them and he taught me all the dance moves to “Shackles” by Mary, Mary. Another girl who was too shy to tell me her name taught me the dance for “Potters Hand.” It wasn’t a super spiritual “I can see Jesus in all of their faces” moment, but it was a time where God used the kids to let down my guard in a sense, and just worship in a way that I don’t think I would normally have even thought of.
That night we attended a service at First Baptist Woodstock that was called “Prime.” It happens once a month and is geared towards college aged kids. Something that the worship leader said at the very beginning of the service that was very thought-provoking for me was something to the effect of “let us lay down our own agenda of what we want to sing to God and rather focus on what God wants us to sing to Him.” I wish I could remember the exact quote, but that’s the general gist of it. At that moment, I felt conviction that I have always focused on what I want to sing to God rather than what He wants me to sing. Whenever a worship song that I’m not too fond of comes up in the set-list it seems as though I give God my half-hearted worship, but when a song that I enjoy comes up I feel more inclined to raise my hands. What a hypocritical way to worship! That’s me saying that the worship is about me rather than about Jesus.
A few days ago we were in Summerton, SC playing for Hickory Grove Baptist Church’s youth camp. It was a great experience and I think God really used this one particular night to encourage me to worship Him in a deeper sense. I don’t remember which night it was, but on the 2nd or 3rd night the rain just started coming down in torrents. The room that we were gathered in to worship and hear from the speaker started to take in water. The ceiling was leaking in a few spots and water was coming in through the backdoors on both sides of the room. The adult leaders were cleaning up the mess during our worship set and for some reason I had one of those moments where it felt like time just stopped. The rain clapped onto the tin rooftop and it sounded like thunderous applause. God was receiving a standing ovation from the rain falling down on that roof. I felt at that moment the Holy Spirit teaching me to let God reign down in my life so that He could get a standing ovation from what was going on in my heart.
I think it’s about time I lay myself at the altar and give God my undivided worship. Worship that is not based on how I’m feeling, a song that’s being played, or an atmosphere, but rather worship that is as unstoppable as a rain storm, clapping with fervency at the amazing work that God has done.
Exodus Update: Mobile
Friday, June 12, 2009
There must be something in the water here in Mobile, AL. Something really good. Something like... the Holy Spirit.
I have been greatly challenged by the youth here in Mobile to get my act together and worship unhindered by pride. Each youth group we have lead worship for here have been so passionate in their worship that I have felt embarrassed by my lack of zeal for singing praise to God. I don't believe that passion is just manifested in physical form with hands lifted high, but I do believe that some of what's in your heart should infiltrate your physical response to what is being sung. I have seen youth raise their hands during the lyric "so we raise up holy hands, to praise the Holy One", dance during the lyric "the redeemed have come to dance", and shout for joy during the lyric "make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth." I think I've been learning about response in worship a lot during this tour.
The devotions of the leaders here in Mobile have been penetrating my heart as well. One youth leader spoke about sponges and how when you stick a sponge in water it becomes saturated with that water. The water infiltrates every pour of the sponge and when you squeeze the sponge, whatever was soaked up in it will come out. Matthew 12:34 reinforces this in saying that the overflow of our hearts come out in speech. I have a confession to make: I'm not soaking in the word of God like I should be. I have not been writing the words of Christ on my heart by memorizing them. How different would I look if I soaked in Scripture instead of pop-culture? I think I would look drastically different. In a good way too. Not to bash pop-culture though, I do believe this has its place in our society (especially in being able to relate to non-believers) but at the same time, I know that I spend to much time revelling in things that are not of God.
I believe that God is moving strongly here in Mobile. I believe that He brought me here to teach me more about worship. I also believe that this has the potential to affect the world we live in. May I never forget what God has taught me here. And may you beging to saturate yourself in the words of Jesus Christ. May you become immersed in the Word so that when the world grips you tightly and tries to suffocate you, what overflows is Holy.
Luke 6:45 - "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart the mouth speaks."
I have been greatly challenged by the youth here in Mobile to get my act together and worship unhindered by pride. Each youth group we have lead worship for here have been so passionate in their worship that I have felt embarrassed by my lack of zeal for singing praise to God. I don't believe that passion is just manifested in physical form with hands lifted high, but I do believe that some of what's in your heart should infiltrate your physical response to what is being sung. I have seen youth raise their hands during the lyric "so we raise up holy hands, to praise the Holy One", dance during the lyric "the redeemed have come to dance", and shout for joy during the lyric "make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth." I think I've been learning about response in worship a lot during this tour.
The devotions of the leaders here in Mobile have been penetrating my heart as well. One youth leader spoke about sponges and how when you stick a sponge in water it becomes saturated with that water. The water infiltrates every pour of the sponge and when you squeeze the sponge, whatever was soaked up in it will come out. Matthew 12:34 reinforces this in saying that the overflow of our hearts come out in speech. I have a confession to make: I'm not soaking in the word of God like I should be. I have not been writing the words of Christ on my heart by memorizing them. How different would I look if I soaked in Scripture instead of pop-culture? I think I would look drastically different. In a good way too. Not to bash pop-culture though, I do believe this has its place in our society (especially in being able to relate to non-believers) but at the same time, I know that I spend to much time revelling in things that are not of God.
I believe that God is moving strongly here in Mobile. I believe that He brought me here to teach me more about worship. I also believe that this has the potential to affect the world we live in. May I never forget what God has taught me here. And may you beging to saturate yourself in the words of Jesus Christ. May you become immersed in the Word so that when the world grips you tightly and tries to suffocate you, what overflows is Holy.
Luke 6:45 - "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart the mouth speaks."
Hey Thanks, Peter...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
I was reading 2 Peter today and something shook my soul. I was a little fearful that chapter 2 might have been talking about me. Peter writes about false prophets and teachers of destructive heresy because many will follow their "shameful ways" and "will bring the way of truth into disrepute." I couldn't help but to think of how I am somewhat of a 'teacher' of true worship to the congregations that I play music for with the Sounds of Liberty. Am I teaching a false gospel by the way I live behind the stage? Are the kids that I'm going to be in contact with this summer traveling with Exodus going to hear me preach a message of hypocrisy or a message of Truth through my behavior?
What about you? What message are you preaching with the way you live?
Verse 10 of chapter 2 mentions those who follow the desires of the sinful nature, despise authority, are bold and arrogant... in many different ways I fall into each of these categories. These kinds of people bring "disrepute" to the name of the Lord. I had to look up the word disrepute to even know what it meant, but it means "the state of being held in low esteem." Our behavior as followers of Christ can cause others to look on the name of Jesus with low esteem.. what a huge responsibility we have then, as followers of Christ to hold his name up with high esteem and live in a way that is worthy of the Name we represent on Earth.
The ending chapter of 2 Peter states that Peter wrote this letter as a reminder to stimulate us to wholesome thinking. I'd encourage you to read this book... it has certainly stimulated my mind to revert back to thinking soberly.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8
What about you? What message are you preaching with the way you live?
Verse 10 of chapter 2 mentions those who follow the desires of the sinful nature, despise authority, are bold and arrogant... in many different ways I fall into each of these categories. These kinds of people bring "disrepute" to the name of the Lord. I had to look up the word disrepute to even know what it meant, but it means "the state of being held in low esteem." Our behavior as followers of Christ can cause others to look on the name of Jesus with low esteem.. what a huge responsibility we have then, as followers of Christ to hold his name up with high esteem and live in a way that is worthy of the Name we represent on Earth.
The ending chapter of 2 Peter states that Peter wrote this letter as a reminder to stimulate us to wholesome thinking. I'd encourage you to read this book... it has certainly stimulated my mind to revert back to thinking soberly.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8
Change, Kingship, Frustration
Friday, April 17, 2009
I'm sitting in the computer lab at Liberty University right now after just hearing the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. speak at convocation. I should be doing an assignment for my History and Philosophy of Worship class, but instead I'm drawn into the conversation that is going on behind me. There are 4 or 5 students (I don't know the exact number because I don't want to awkwardly turn around) and they are discussing a variety of different things (who's dating who, finals coming up, etc.) but the their discussion continues to come back to the words that we heard from Bernice King this morning. And quite frankly, it's disturbing me.
Let me explain...
Dr. Bernice King spoke today about Kingship, and how as children of the King of kings we are to live lives as kings and take authority over things that we have influence over. She referenced President Obama several times and made similarities between him and God ("God spoke this world into existence, and Obama spoke his presidency into existence.") Obama's campaign slogan "Change" is apparently a revelation from God for us to repent, and she says that it is sad that the Christian community wasn't able to cling on to this before the election. She likens Obama's presidency to the Promised Land since her dad represents "Moses" and his 40th death anniversary parallels the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert. Some things that she said like this bothered me, but other things I believe had merit. She mentioned that we need to be willing to take a stand against morals that are not biblical even when those people are your loved ones (like she did in 2004 when her mother took a stance to support the gay and lesbian community). Overall, I believe that she had a lot of good things to say, as well as some unbiblical things to say (like her dad being the only national prophet that america has ever had.) But moreso than what she said, what the Liberty students behind me are saying bothers me just as much.
"She's friggin' retarded", "I wanted to punch her in the freakin' face", and "She looked like she had a headache at the beginning and it might've been, like, God trying to smite her" are just a few of the phrases that the fabulous 4 (or 5) have been tossing around in this convocation rebuttal. They have criticized everything about Bernice, from her hair style to her voice. It seems to me that their critical analysis of what happened earlier is every bit as disturbing to me as what the speaker said today if not more so.
I've been reading "The Unlikely Disciple" (since it's pretty much the 'new thing' on campus to do) and it's behavior like that of those behind me that line the pages of that book with colorful characters that shock even me, as an evangelical Christian. Not to say that I am a perfect Liberty student that has never given the name of Christ or Liberty a bad rap, because through reading this book I have felt much conviction about similar things that I have done that could have caused a non-believer to think that I am no different morally than most of his friends at secular school. I'm just frustrated that we cannot evalute critically what is being spoken to us without pulling apart more than just the falsity of the words. It's been my expereince more than once after convocation where someone will attack a person rather than their words.
I guess Liberty can be a tough crowd.
Please know this though, this post is not intended to bash Liberty or its students (or Bernice King for that matter either.) I am typing this up so that we can all realize that we do need to analyze what is being said and filter it through the Bible and if it's not true, we need to make sure to take note of that, but we also need to analyze our own speech and filter that through Scripture and see if what we are saying is meritted through it.
Well, it's nearly noon... I should probably get a few minutes of work into that project before lunch.
Let me explain...
Dr. Bernice King spoke today about Kingship, and how as children of the King of kings we are to live lives as kings and take authority over things that we have influence over. She referenced President Obama several times and made similarities between him and God ("God spoke this world into existence, and Obama spoke his presidency into existence.") Obama's campaign slogan "Change" is apparently a revelation from God for us to repent, and she says that it is sad that the Christian community wasn't able to cling on to this before the election. She likens Obama's presidency to the Promised Land since her dad represents "Moses" and his 40th death anniversary parallels the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert. Some things that she said like this bothered me, but other things I believe had merit. She mentioned that we need to be willing to take a stand against morals that are not biblical even when those people are your loved ones (like she did in 2004 when her mother took a stance to support the gay and lesbian community). Overall, I believe that she had a lot of good things to say, as well as some unbiblical things to say (like her dad being the only national prophet that america has ever had.) But moreso than what she said, what the Liberty students behind me are saying bothers me just as much.
"She's friggin' retarded", "I wanted to punch her in the freakin' face", and "She looked like she had a headache at the beginning and it might've been, like, God trying to smite her" are just a few of the phrases that the fabulous 4 (or 5) have been tossing around in this convocation rebuttal. They have criticized everything about Bernice, from her hair style to her voice. It seems to me that their critical analysis of what happened earlier is every bit as disturbing to me as what the speaker said today if not more so.
I've been reading "The Unlikely Disciple" (since it's pretty much the 'new thing' on campus to do) and it's behavior like that of those behind me that line the pages of that book with colorful characters that shock even me, as an evangelical Christian. Not to say that I am a perfect Liberty student that has never given the name of Christ or Liberty a bad rap, because through reading this book I have felt much conviction about similar things that I have done that could have caused a non-believer to think that I am no different morally than most of his friends at secular school. I'm just frustrated that we cannot evalute critically what is being spoken to us without pulling apart more than just the falsity of the words. It's been my expereince more than once after convocation where someone will attack a person rather than their words.
I guess Liberty can be a tough crowd.
Please know this though, this post is not intended to bash Liberty or its students (or Bernice King for that matter either.) I am typing this up so that we can all realize that we do need to analyze what is being said and filter it through the Bible and if it's not true, we need to make sure to take note of that, but we also need to analyze our own speech and filter that through Scripture and see if what we are saying is meritted through it.
Well, it's nearly noon... I should probably get a few minutes of work into that project before lunch.
Encouragement.
Monday, March 23, 2009
This weekend was phenomenal.
I had the privilege of playing at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York with Sounds of Liberty this weekend. I have been refreshed spiritually as a result of this trip. From the moment we stepped foot on the campus to the moment we left it I knew that the Holy Spirit was moving. The way the congregation worshiped there was unlike anything I had ever seen out of a western church. I felt as though the crowd understood the words of each of the songs and as a result sang them unto God with full meaning and comprehension. I'm guilty of making songs habit too much, I need to analyze the lyrics I'm singing and use them fresh and anew each time I sing them to God. The best thing about it was that Jesus Christ was glorified center stage the whole time. I never felt like the choir, the pastor, the worship leaders, or anyone else was trying to take the glory for anything, but rather they were leading God's people in worship that was really in spirit and in truth. What a great experience!
Another thing I wanted to mention to you guys is this little blog that my dad has for his non-profit organization. It's a blog that he posts every now and then about what goes on in the Philippines, and I have felt much encouragement and conviction from reading it. If you're looking for a ministry to pray for or support, I would challenge you to look into this organization.
http://globalwarmthblog.wordpress.com
and
http://www.globalwarmth.org
I had the privilege of playing at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York with Sounds of Liberty this weekend. I have been refreshed spiritually as a result of this trip. From the moment we stepped foot on the campus to the moment we left it I knew that the Holy Spirit was moving. The way the congregation worshiped there was unlike anything I had ever seen out of a western church. I felt as though the crowd understood the words of each of the songs and as a result sang them unto God with full meaning and comprehension. I'm guilty of making songs habit too much, I need to analyze the lyrics I'm singing and use them fresh and anew each time I sing them to God. The best thing about it was that Jesus Christ was glorified center stage the whole time. I never felt like the choir, the pastor, the worship leaders, or anyone else was trying to take the glory for anything, but rather they were leading God's people in worship that was really in spirit and in truth. What a great experience!
Another thing I wanted to mention to you guys is this little blog that my dad has for his non-profit organization. It's a blog that he posts every now and then about what goes on in the Philippines, and I have felt much encouragement and conviction from reading it. If you're looking for a ministry to pray for or support, I would challenge you to look into this organization.
http://globalwarmthblog.wo
and
http://www.globalwarmth.or
In Touch With Out of Touch
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I've come to hate something: my little facebook world. I have become so non-personal with people because I think I already know what's going on in their lives. Status updates have become all that I feel the need to read to feel like I'm in touch with people. I may occasionally look at some pictures, or read a few notes, but I think I've become so stretched out socially that I don't invest my time into people anymore. And for this I apologize. It needs to change.
In other news: 2009 brings a lot of challenge for me. I have decided that I need to do a few things to better myself as a person. And they are as follows:
1.) Be surrounded by positive people.
- It seems that whenever I am surrounded by people that complain, I take on the same attitude with nearly everything that's going on in my life. I look at things pessimistically when I hear negative conversation. I need to be more positive...
2.) Read More
- This goes for my Bible and other books in general. I only read my text books and sometimes I don't even fully finish those... Reading can help me to learn so much more and grow mentally.
3.) Witness More
- I feel like the only times I witness are those times I'm on mission in the Philippines. It's easy there for me. It's a comfort zone that I should have everywhere, but I don't. I need to break myself of this and thrust myself into the spiritual warzone here in the States.
4.) Set Goals
- I never seem to set goals that work because they're always so far away. "I eventually want to do this..." or "In the future I'd like to make this happen..." I want to make those goals shorter term and be able to actually work some of them out.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm tired of mediocrity. I would love for you to join me in this fight against being average and if you're willing to fight with me, let me know.
Now off to read. I feel better already...
In other news: 2009 brings a lot of challenge for me. I have decided that I need to do a few things to better myself as a person. And they are as follows:
1.) Be surrounded by positive people.
- It seems that whenever I am surrounded by people that complain, I take on the same attitude with nearly everything that's going on in my life. I look at things pessimistically when I hear negative conversation. I need to be more positive...
2.) Read More
- This goes for my Bible and other books in general. I only read my text books and sometimes I don't even fully finish those... Reading can help me to learn so much more and grow mentally.
3.) Witness More
- I feel like the only times I witness are those times I'm on mission in the Philippines. It's easy there for me. It's a comfort zone that I should have everywhere, but I don't. I need to break myself of this and thrust myself into the spiritual warzone here in the States.
4.) Set Goals
- I never seem to set goals that work because they're always so far away. "I eventually want to do this..." or "In the future I'd like to make this happen..." I want to make those goals shorter term and be able to actually work some of them out.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm tired of mediocrity. I would love for you to join me in this fight against being average and if you're willing to fight with me, let me know.
Now off to read. I feel better already...
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