Worship...and other misunderstood words

When did the trend toward calling the music and songs we sing in a church gathering "worship". I think it happened in the '80s... That's when I was a teenager and remember the term "praise and worship" beginning to be used in that context. Of course, now it's completely the norm. What has always been even stranger to me is how "praise songs" came to be defined as those with an upbeat tempo, while "worship songs" are slow...

First off, let me be clear, in that I am referring to praise and worship in the church sense; therefore, God is the recipient. In society at large, we often praise athletes for a job well done, we praise our children when they do well, we praise our pets when they obey, etc. We also sometimes "worship" someone we consider a hero, "worship" the almighty dollar, etc. So, these terms are used in society, but in the church culture, we have narrowed them down to something very specific and often misleading.

When a person comes to a point in his life's journey where he acknowledges the lordship of Jesus Christ in his life, a change takes place in the heart, and suddenly he has a desire to worship God. Does this mean he bursts forth into song? Could be, but most of the time, it means he begins to acknowledge the sovereignty of God in every area of his life; he has a newfound reverence for God, a newfound understanding of his smallness against God's greatness... He begins to know, often without even being told, that he must now live his life differently...no longer for his own selfish gain but for God's glory and honor... He now sees clearly that his life is important, yes, but not in the way he used to think -- how does God want to use him, what can he do to please God and bring honor to God, how can he live his life in such a way that God is lifted up and others can discover God's amazing love and mercy...? It is now all about God, and how does he, as a mere mortal, fit into the grand design... THAT is worship... Worship is more than words, more than a song. Worship is a way of life.

It's not that I think most true Christ-followers don't know this. It's more that we have allowed ourselves to follow a trend of using certain verbiage to describe things we do in a church setting. And, when we do this, we not only limit the meaning of the word "worship", but we also limit the kind of music and songs we share... As if a song's lyrical content must be expressing worship and/or praise of God in order to be shared in that particular environment. And, who, I ask respectfully, made up that arbitrary "rule"? I abhor all the unspoken, and sometimes not so unspoken, "rules" of church culture... We have made it incredibly difficult for people to respond to God, while Jesus made it so easy. So many of us look more and more like the Pharisees whom Jesus vehemently rebuked. Why do we cling so to certain things and think that if someone down the road does it differently, they are so wrong?

The passion which God has put within me as far as the music and songs we share in a church gathering goes like this:

Some of the songs we share are, lyrically, straight-up worship of God.

Some of the songs we share are, lyrically, straight-up praise for God -- his works, his power, his deliverence of us, etc., etc. (which, incidentally, has nothing to do with the tempo of the song and which, also incidentally, is the dictionary definition of a "hymn").

Some of the songs we share are, lyrically, a challenge to the listener/participant/attendee; a challenge about his lifestyle, a challenge about his choices, a challenge about his distance from God, etc.

Some of the songs we share are, lyrically, a meditation...

Some are a lamentation: an expression of sorrow or regret for something, a crying out in grief...

Some are an admission of guilt or wrong...

Some are an expression of need...

Some are a prayer...

Some are an invitation to surrender, to accept God's love, to open one's heart to something new...

Some are an expression of that surrender...

Some are an expression of realization, like the light bulb suddenly coming on...

Some are expressions from God's perspective... of his love, of his desire to live in relationship with us...

Some are upbeat and happy, some are downright heartbreaking...

And, the list goes on...

But, do you see what I'm saying? The songs we share are not confined to one specific topic. As much as this is the passion God has put within me musically-speaking, I have no issue with people who want to share songs whose lyrical content would be described strictly as "worship". The problem is, I find the opposite is too often not true. Don't judge me and my passion, just as I won't judge you and yours.

When it comes to the actual style of music played during said songs, including even those devoid of lyrics, it simply does not matter. People can get so tangled up in this point that they won't even give it a chance, which is always sad to me. Since when did music become "Christian" or "non-Christian"? Music is music, plain and simple. Music is notes and beats and sounds all mixed together to hopefully create something that will move the soul. Therefore, can we not enjoy music in a church setting simply for the sake of enjoying music, just as we would in any other setting? And, are we not free to use any style of music to accomplish our goals -- country, rock, reggae, classical, easy-listening, pop, hip-hop, r & b, alternative, screamo, surfer, techno, folk, hillbilly, good-ol' backwoods guitar-pickin' bluegrass, and any morphed style within a style, WHATEVER!?!... Why does it matter? Why do we think God cares about that or prefers a certain style over another? Do we think he actually considers one style of music more sacred than another?...

The truth of the matter is, music crosses all boundaries, defies all barriers and moves all hearts in a way nothing else can. Music is so powerful that we should use it to the fullest extent in our church settings to melt the heart of the listener and hopefully make a way for truth to enter. Music calms the angry beast, soothes the panic-stricken heart, and expresses emotion in a way mere words or images alone cannot.

One of my favorite things to do in a church gathering is to share a song from mainstream radio. Of course, the lyrical content is the important thing, not the person who sings it on the radio. Many songs written to a loved one can easily be understood as directed to or about God; many are even written by people who are expressing something to or about God, but simply are played on mainstream radio instead of radio that is directed specifically toward a "Christian" audience. And, many songs written from a godless perspective are some of the best to describe the human quest for peace, love and happiness, as well as raising questions we all have about life. Why should it matter who wrote the song? ...if he is labeled a Christian or non-Christian? And, frankly, only God knows the heart of each individual anyway... How great it is for our kids to hear one of these songs on mainstream radio and think back to when they heard it in a church gathering and how it applied to their lives spiritually - they begin to hear the song in a completely different way! And how rewarding it is to take a song which may have been intended to direct a person's attention elsewhere, but used in this context, directs him to God. Isn't that just like God, anyway? To take something the devil intended for evil and use it for good?

In essence, this is simply another way we humans try to put God into a man-made box. God is bigger than all of us, and he is bigger than all of that. Just when you think you have him all packed in, he busts through the packing tape and makes a mess of everything again! And, aren't you glad, really, that we will never be able to get him all boxed up, packed in and wrapped up with a nice little bow on top?! Whatever we do, let's strive to worship God from a heart filled with wonder and honesty and openness and humility... Let's worship him with our lives. And, let's allow ourselves to shed our narrow-mindedness concerning music.


c2009 Lorenda Houston

Love!

attraction
reaction
distraction

fluttering
sputtering
stuttering
muttering

excited
delighted

light-heady
palms sweaty
legs spaghetti

moony
loony
swoony

mood swings
phone rings
heart sings
sudden wings

happy
sappy
yappy

sunny
funny
honey-bunny

together
forever
no matter
the weather


c2009 Lorenda Houston

In Manila...

smiles warming all the faces
traffic filling all the spaces
people crowding all the places
music wafting through the air

weather sometimes suffocating
traffic noise reverberating
sights and sounds intoxicating
constant movement here to there

on every corner a giant mall
mcdonald's and starbucks enjoyed by all
in my heart, a deepening pall
shocked by poverty everywhere

children running, playing games
different culture, different names
giant hearts, tiny frames
hopes and dreams, we all share

tiny islands, far away
you and me, a part to play
jesus' love will save the day
hope will triumph, not despair


c2009 Lorenda Houston

Can you believe what the kids nowadays are wearing???

Teenagers always seem to get the short end of the stick. And it's weird because we were all once teenagers... Isn't it funny that we can so easily remember how misunderstood we were in those tumultuous years of our lives, but ask us to have compassion on the teenager standing next to us, and we freak out!?! Now, I'm not talking about ignoring unacceptable behavior, but I am talking about learning to enjoy and even value the things that make teenagers so special... Their zest for life and passionate expression of it; constant yearning for friendship and acceptance; deep desire for the love and understanding of their parents; struggle for uniqueness, individuality and identity while desperately wanting to be part of a group; hormones run amuck, emotions on a constant roller coaster ride, bodies morphing on a daily basis... Oh, the joys of teenager-hood!!! Teenagers are so much fun, and I think that's the greatest thing of all. If you can learn to have fun with them, many of the problems you fear will never even surface. If you find yourself having a lot of fears concerning your teen, you simply must take more time to be with him and listen to him... Let her talk as long as she wants to, and be slow to speak yourself. Mostly, just listen. Don't overreact to what he says, just listen. After all, isn't that what you always wanted? To be listened to... To be understood... To be loved and not feared... Listen to your teenager, laugh with your teenager, let your teenager teach you how to lighten up and enjoy life again!


c2009 Lorenda Houston

Rest...

sun is shining
clouds are floating
sky is brightly blue
little bird perched
on a branch
sings a song of you

cool breeze through
the open door
softly wafting in
lovely day
no sign of grey
ready to begin

in the air
hope is there
floating on the breeze
bird takes flight
now out of sight
up above the trees

all alone
no one around
drinking in the day
soaking in
the lovely sun
watching lizards play

simple things
surround me here
in this quiet place
i gather strength
as i rest
in your arms of grace


c2009 Lorenda Houston

Discipline, good...Anger, bad...! (spoken in a Frankenstein voice)

Do you find yourself angry with your kids a lot? Angry they are late for curfew?... Angry they won't clean their rooms?... Angry they won't take "no" for an answer?... Angry they don't seem to understand where you're coming from?... Angry they won't pick up after themselves?... Angry, angry, angry...!

Say this out loud to yourself -- "My anger toward my children is simply a reflection of my poor parenting."

Now, before you get angry with me...(!)... Let me tell you, the moment I had this epiphany, it changed my relationship with my kids forever. Yes, I used this on myself and with great success! Too often, we older humans (adults) think our anger is what will change our child's behaviors -- if we are just stern enough... or serious enough... or, if that doesn't work; if we just beg and plead our case enough -- our child will understand, respond and discontinue his inappropriate behavior. Actually, most often, we just don't take the time to even think through what we're doing. We simply respond from habit -- a huge part of the problem. What is wrong with us parents that we don't place the highest priority on our relationships with our children??? How many songs have been sung, tears have been shed, and lives utterly destroyed because a parent did not embrace his most important role in life?...

Anger does not work; consequences do. Think for a moment: Who is allowing your child to misbehave? Who is allowing your child to respond inappropriately when told what to do? Who is allowing your child to come in late?...leave his trash scattered on the floor?...talk back to his parent?...(insert what peeves you the most here)... Replace the word "allowing" with the word "enabling" -- same thing. You are allowing bad behaviors; therefore, you are enabling those bad behaviors. Take it to its ultimate end -- you are actually teaching your child to act in ways which make you angry! Crazy, huh?! Why would you punish yourself like that?!?!

Try this... Next time you give your child instruction to clean his room, tell him if he doesn't do it in an allotted amount of time, he will lose television privileges for that night. If he is a teenager, he will lose his ipod (or cell phone...or computer privileges...or whatever will be most effective) for that night -- not for a week or a month (punishment must fit crime), but for a night. And, do not be angry while saying it!! And, do not get angry if he doesn't do it -- simply apply the consequence.

If you want to have a long, healthy, happy relationship with your children, learn to discipline the right way -- without anger, with consequences which fit the disobedience, and of course, with lots of hugs and kisses and positive statements! Your child loves you and wants you to be pleased with him, so just accept the blame right now for his bad behavior by realizing it is a result of your bad behavior, and start fixing it today!! If you will be consistent, you will be absolutely amazed with the results...


c2009 Lorenda Houston

Memories... the good, the bad and the ugly

We all have painful memories...and memories are a very personal thing. In a family unit, for instance, one sibling will remember different things than another. Or, if a memory is shared, it will be remembered in a different way based on the personality of each sibling involved. Events of the past are recalled at family gatherings and everyone begins to argue, never considering that each person has valid points because of how they personally experienced the events. A lot of relational healing could take place if we would try harder to listen... understand... and validate our loved one's memories as their own unique experiences. It's easy to get so self-absorbed that we begin thinking everyone else thinks like us and feels things in the same way, which couldn't be further from the truth. One sibling may remember his father's correction as harsh and uncaring while another thinks dad was just a strong, but loving disciplinarian. Still another may think his brother -- not dad -- was the problem, being rebellious and difficult to control. All lived in the same household, shared the same events, but remember them in their own unique ways. You may have a memory to which you have clung, waiting for an apology, when all the while, your parent has no recollection of the event at all. The bottom line is, we each have to work through our own memories in order to get to a place of acceptance and forgiveness, while showing patience and understanding to our family members as they work through their own. Remember -- their are no perfect people -- parents included...siblings as well... And, don't forget... yourself!! :-)


c2009 Lorenda Houston

What doesn't kill you...

makes you stronger... right?

Thinking about it the other day, I realized it could go one of two ways, actually.

Stronger, yes, definitely.

Or... stranger...!

I guess it's a personal choice really... :-)



c2009 Lorenda Houston

It says WHAT??!?!...

Are you one of those people who is offended before you even start to read the Bible? That's one of the biggest problems I see when it comes to understanding the Bible and applying it to your life. Maybe a friend shared a passage with you that was taken completely out of context, leaving you confused. Or, a sadly incompetent preacher twisted a passage to suit his own warped opinions, leaving you frustrated. But, instead of searching out the truth for yourself, you remain in a state of confusion and frustration, which leads you to feel offended by the Bible and, ultimately, by God. One very common passage of Scripture this happens with is in Ephesians, chapters 5 and 6...the passage which deals with relationships between husbands and wives, children and parents, "slaves" and "masters". Wives -- and women in general -- love to be offended when the word "submission" comes up, without ever realizing the full context and meaning of the passage. Did you know the instructions to husbands which follow are at least three times as long as the teaching to wives???...and when fully understood and practiced, bring a safety and security, i.e., a "true love forever" environment under which any sane woman would thrive and to which she would joyfully "submit"??? Let me tell ya, any husband who understands the instructions written to him would never ever act as if he were the boss and his wife the employee! Parents love to pull out the old, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right..." passage without ever reading far enough to see, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children..."! We get it all wrong when we read the Bible with offense, pre-conceived notions, twisted references, and misinformation blinding our eyes, clouding our minds, and blocking our hearts. Next time you open your Bible, I challenge you to ask God to help you remove all those roadblocks. I guarantee you will begin to know the truth and it will set you free! I know it has me!


c2009 Lorenda Houston

Enhancement or Entrapment?...

The other day I saw a bumper sticker for a nationally-known makeup company which had as its tag line, "enhancing the lives of women". It's not that I have anything against makeup or women who choose to wear it. I simply find it ironic that much of my experience with women who wear makeup is that they feel as though they don't look pretty without it. Rather than "enhancing" their lives, makeup seems to have them trapped. Trapped by what the world, via media, tells them they need in order to be attractive and feel better about themselves. A friend recently told me that there was a day she didn't want to put her makeup on, but when her husband saw her, he made a negative comment about how she looked...not because he is a mean person, but because he is not used to seeing her without her makeup. We've all had friends who are horribly embarrassed to be seen without their makeup, but what really takes the cake for me is when young teen girls feel as though they must wear makeup in order to be pretty. I can't help but think...well, here we go again with a whole new generation, perpetuating a lie about self-image which keeps a ridiculous amount of money flowing into the makeup industry's -- as well as all the industries' feeding into and out of it -- pockets. Sadly, so many women have believed the lies, that they are the ones pushing it onto other women! I, for one, will say till the day I die, "It's what's on the inside that counts...". Ladies, girls, females of all ages! I want to encourage you in your inner beauty! If we would spend as much time and energy on that as we do the outside, we would truly be beautiful....


c2009 Lorenda Houston