Interesting that the disciples of Jesus never asked this. In not making this request, they assumed they could worship on their own, that they had not to learn how to worship. The phrase ‘learning to worship’ sounds strange to us today. If our heart doesn’t overflow and begin to worship by itself, we say, we’ll never ‘learn’ how to worship. But it‘s a dangerous error, very widespread among most Christians, to think that the heart can worship rightly by itself. For then we confuse wishes, hopes, sighs, styles—all of which the heart can do by itself—with true worship. We then confuse earth with heaven, man with God. Worship doesn’t mean simply to pour out one’s heart. It means rather to acknowledge the awesome glory of Christ and to submit to him as Lord, whether the heart is full or empty. No one can do that by oneself. For that he needs Jesus Christ.
When Jesus joins us in his worship of the Father, when we are privileged to worship along with him, when he lets us see the awesome glory of the Father and engages us in his worship, then we are free from vain worship. And that is precisely what Jesus wants for us. He wants to worship with us and have us worship with him, so that we know intuitively that the Father accepts our facedown obeisance to Christ in his vicarious death and resurrection. When our will whole-heartedly enters into Christ’s worship of the Father in the Spirit, he has taught us to worship in spirit and in truth. Lord teach us such worship.
(Liberally adapted from Psalms The Prayer Book of the Bible. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Minneapolis: Auguburg. 1970.)
John Hubley. Mindheart Foundation, All rights reserved
All I can say is that that I know few people that work harder and are willing to sacrifice more than my friend Carlos Whittaker. This guy has become one of my better friends over the past couple years and I’m so stoked to see him have an opportunity to get some music out there to the world.
Today, Carlos releases his first ever full length project and I’m just stoked for him. I know how hard it is to put a record together and I know today is a big day for him. I think you’ll enjoy the album. You should know that you’re supporting a guy that loves God, loves his family, loves his friends, sacrifices a lot and cares for the least. Click the album cover below to go order his new record and to help a brother out!!
Today has been such a mix of emotions for those of us that know 5 yr. old Kate and the McRae Family. For Aaron and Holly (her parents) today has been quite hell like.
If you aren’t tied in to the story of Kate McRae in short this is how her parents tell it:
Monday June 29th, 2009 began like every other day, and ended like one we could have never imagined. Our daughter Kate was taken to the Dr. for tremors in her right hand. We proceeded to Phoenix Childrens Hospital for a stat CT of her head. At 5:30 I, Holly, Kate’s mom, was taken into a room alone and told Kate had a massive tumor on the basil ganglia portion of her brain. I called her dad and our journey has begun. It’s a journey we never would have chose to be a part of, but was chosen for us, and our sweet Kate. She is now in the Phoneix Childrens ICU awaiting tests to determine what it is and how far progressed. Please, our dear daughter needs your prayers, as do we, Aaron, Holly, Olivia and Will.
On Thursday, July 2nd, 2009, the day before Kates surgery, my wife (promise) and I had the chance to go be with Sweet Kate and The McRae Family. We ended up doing a little photo shoot with Kate and you can see some of those photos here:
Our time with them was so special and we got to run around the hospital and play with Kate. She was in the brightest spirits and you would have NEVER known the little girl had a brain tumor. That day truly was a gift with her. We then filmed a short little video that we called ‘Pray for Kate’ with Aaron and Holly. We really thought people would want to see their face and hear their desperate cry for the world to pray for their girl! They did such a stand up job in the midst of ALL the emotions sifting through their heads.
This video has taken off and in 24 hours it circled the world and rallied THOUSANDS of people to pray. In the first 24 hours the video had been seen over 5,000 times and posted via Twitter/Facebook/Blogs everywhere. It was so viral and so awesome. Here’s the video if you haven’t seen it:
People from all over the world began praying for Kate and it became quite a trending topic amongst communities everywhere. People have been grabbing this story from all walks of life and they even got a visit from John McCain in the hospital. Dr. Phil and his wife Robin are praying, Switchfoot, Natalie Grant, Candance Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner from Full House), the Women of Faith team/speakers, pastors, moms, dads, kids and many more have rallied thier support in prayer for Kate. One thing is true, God has heard the cry of his people for this little girl.
On Friday, July 3rd, 2009, Promise and I were driving home from a few errands and just heavy over the situation. I asked Promise what she thought about doing an online Global Night of Prayer for Kate McRae. Well, she quickly responded with YES and what do you need me to do. We began Twittering the idea and with 2 hours of promo at 8pm PST we had 250 people logged in for a directed time of prayer and worship. We know that 250 people were logged in, but, we’re finding out that families/spouses/friends/etc… gathered around to join in. We’re guessing that at the time of the live broadcast we had over 500 people worshiping, interacting, praying, singing and lifting Kate up. It was a time filled with the Spirit of God and people continue to go and interact in prayer via the REPLAY stream. We’re hoping to do another Global Night of Prayer this week. It should be another powerful time together.
It’s been so amazing to watch Kate’s life ALREADY routing people towards him. She has no idea that she has been revolutionary in some of our lives. She’s just a 5 yr. old girl who’s trying to fight an aggressive brain tumor. She’s got great parents, great family, great friends and a loving church community surrounding her and fighting this journey with her.
I’ve been so encouraged by the many people that have had their hearts gripped by her story and I call it a privilege to be walking alongside the McRae’s while God walks us towards his miracle in her. We really are putting all our eggs in the basket that He will heal her. Why not? Trusting and believing in Him for the healing is our best course of action and until He chooses something different, I choose to believe for her complete healing.
I shared with Aaron and Holly that I would rather pray in faith for her healing and be devestated by His will if He chooses to take her from this world right now. I’m anchored in the healing hand of Jesus for her healing. Let’s keep this faith for them and keep petitioning God for His mercy.
BRIAN WURZELL :: BLOG 