Dying to Live

   I have many mixed emotions about this whole Government shut down. On one hand I'm angry because of the retaliation it will have on our economy, and am scared to see the number of lay-offs rise again. It's never fun to see people you care about work for no pay, or not get paid for work they've already done. On the other hand, I am happy to finally see some patriotism in a group of people standing up and trying to make change in some thing, I believe will become more disastrous as the days march on. But in all honesty, what I think doesn't really matter in the whole scheme of things. What matters is who holds the ultimate decision, and what He thinks. (No, I'm not referring to Obama here.. )   Stepping outside the human realm as much as possible, and attempting to look at this from a view outside of myself.. I can't help but wonder, what can I do to reach people through this mess? What a great outreach this could be. How many of your friends or neighbors are...

    I think it's safe to say that my favorite example of corporate worship in the Bible, is in the book of Luke, otherwise known as the story of Palm Sunday. Maybe because I've seen too many Easter plays, but it's just so vivid and really depicts the purpose of worship.  They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.  As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.  When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:  “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” -Luke 19:35-38    I love how the process is laid out in this story. The laying down of the cloaks for the King to sit on, and in the street to make a way. The joyful praise of voices raised together, praising Him for not only what he had done, but b...