"1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care."  ~ Psalm 95:1-7a

Use that passage as some kindling for worship tomorrow as we celebrate the Rock of our savation. If you are in Dahlonega, let me invite you to Creekstone Church. Cafe' at 10:00 a.m.; singing, shouting and extoling begins at 10:30 a.m. Wherever you attend, look to Jesus and be stunned by the wonder of the cross. 

We sang this on Sunday— a powerful uniting of the old and new, broken and hopeful. Thanks for the words, Charles Tindley, and for the music, Chris Minor. I hope this encourages you as much as it helps me.

Beams of heaven as I go, through this wilderness below, guide my feet in peaceful ways, turn my midnights into days. When in the darkness I would grope, faith always sees a star of hope, and soon from all life's grief and danger I shall be free someday. I shall be free someday.

Often times my sky is clear, joy abounds without a tear; though a day so bright begun, clouds may hide tomorrow's sun. (But) There'll be a day that's always bright, a day that never yields to night, and in its light the streets of glory I shall behold someday. I shall behold someday.

Harder yet may be the fight; right may often yield to might; wickedness a while may reign; Satan's cause may seem to gain. But there’s a God that rules above with hand of power and heart of love; and if I’m right, he'll fight my battle, I shall have peace someday. I shall have peace someday.

Burdens now may crush me down, disappointments all around; troubles speak in mournful sigh, sorrow through a tear-stained eye. (But) There is a world where pleasure reigns, no mourning soul shall roam its plains, and to that land of peace and glory I shall want to go someday. I shall want to go someday. I shall want to go someday.

©2004 Christopher Miner Music.  

Here are a few nuggets of gold from one of my living heros, C.J. Mahaney (from an interview from a previous post- see below on the main page of mckaycaston.com).  Enjoy.

• When dealing with folks on the ministry team, especially in the context of worship leadership, encourage with evidences of grace before a critique or suggestion for improvement. Dr. Bryan Chapell did this with us in our preaching classes at Covenant Seminary. He always began a student's post-sermon evaluation with encouragement before suggesting areas of improvement.

• CJ quoted someone who once said, "What we win people with is what we win people to." Since Covenant Life Church is known for its emotive, celebratory worship style, he was warning people not to win people with music and modern creativity, but with the content of the gospel, focusing on Jesus and the cross. He wants people leaving the service saying, "What a great Savior!" rather than "Wasn't that great music." Or sermon for that matter. This leads into the next nugget.

• Music/singing, the sermon, and all the elements of worship are not the end, but a means to understanding, embracing and experiencing the power of the gospel. This does not mean that we downplay the significance of any element—I love to sing and I love to preach! This simply means that we should make sure that everything about worship (music, sermon, prayers, etc.) is a crowbar moving us to sense the wonder of the gospel in a deeper and more personal way.

• C.J. quoted Martyn Lloyd-Jones' statement in his book Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cures, saying, "Most unhappiness is because I listen to myself rather than speak to myself." He means that when I listen to my "flesh" and the lies of the enemy more than I preach the gospel and the fullness of God's truth to myself, I am bound for disappointment and unhappiness. But when I speak truth and grace to my heart, I discover a joy that is often unexpected and full of hope and worship.

• And of course, C.J.'s genuine humility and gospel affectedness is sheer beauty. He always takes the lowest place and lifts us those around him. Kind of reminds me of Phil. 2. Such a rare quality among us pastor types, and is only cultivated by long gazes at the cross of Jesus.

So, I'll make a deal with you. I'll preach the gospel to myself today if you will preach the gospel to yourself today, too. Deal? Great! Yes, we are more sinful than we could ever imagine (law), but in Jesus, we are more forgiven, loved and accepted than we could ever dare to dream (gospel)!