"Other Nudges"

Well I see you've found your way here. As I explained on the first page, these are a few of those other nudges I find floating and banging around on the inside of my head. While the content may not be like the first page, don't think that I don't see God at work. I know, I know....we've been taught that every time we talk about God we have speak "sacred-like" and I don't mean any disrespect or anything like that. Not at all. I love God, I love everything about Jesus and the longer I walk this journey, the more I see how downright funny things can be. Church especially, yikes! We sure do have a funny set of rules and stuff that is supposedly the way we are to act. Well read on, if you choose.....

 

"Trouble-getting stuff "

Seems like there's always something to get in trouble for. But the stuff you get in trouble for at church... and the things that people moan about. It's quite astounding sometimes that we have any mind, spirit, or body left for our worship gatherings. "Why are we singing this new stuff, what's wrong with the songs in the hymnal?" Why must we sing all these old songs, there's so much new good music".. Why can't we have more of a blended service"  Over and over people complain (well they think they're just offering an opinion) about a music style on a Sunday morning or evening. Rarely do I ever find those same people saying, "I didn't like a couple of those songs, but I was still looking for God." No instead, the attitude of "what I like" is what determines whether or not someone found a worship service to be meaningful. Were the visuals just right, songs in a good order....was the preaching the most dynamic thing you have ever heard.....If those elements are what it takes, then you'll never find worship. Because all of that is what you are receiving or taking in according to your likes or dislikes. And none of that is you giving yourself. It is impossible for me or anyone else to satisfy 200 opinions in a worship service. I will never succeed in that. But I can't and won't let that bog me down. Because while as a worship leader or musician, I am trying to help draw you in, I can really only go so far. You can't stop worshipping because you don't like something.....IT ISN"T ABOUT YOU! And the day that you think it is....well your back-order of trouble getting stuff just came in and you're gonna have to pay the freight.

      ....to be continued.......

 

 

 

 

 























 


So We Pray

Wondrous Love

Tattered and Worn


Website designed by Tony Swartz [@ tswartz.com]. All content is copyright 2009 -2010 Jeff Raught.

Lamenting

I wonder sometimes if we don't lament enough. I know that may sound odd, and I'm not implying that we should be more depressed or anything like that. Not at all. The reality is, I wonder if we even understand the word anymore. The defintions are "to wail loudly" "to regret strongly" "to express sorrow, often demonstratively". I suppose none of these sound real appealing, because it means we're willing to acknowledge being vulnerable for a time. So we stay clear and try to find another way around, perhaps a safer way. But I think God likes a genuine lamenter. If you really lament something, there can be a wonderful cleansing that happens with that. A great release. But, you really have to acknowledge what it is that's broken your heart. And that can be especially difficult when you've broken your own heart. Ouch! Still, that's a perfect place to lament. And you can enter in to that place, knowing that God has already prepared for this moment. Jesus, more than anyone else, knows the depth of lament. So why not go to the One that not only can understand your lament better than anyone, but has the healing power to restore you. So go ahead, lament...clear away some of your regret and rise up again.