Let It Be Said Of Us

This morning's service was encouraging and challenging, don't you think? I'm not going to write much this afternoon, but wanted to leave you with one line from our closing song that really stuck out to me:

That with gladness we bore every cross we were given

Take a moment to reflect on that phrase, meditate on the key words: gladness, cross, given, were the ones that stood out for me....

Is this statement true for you? Have you carried each cross that's been given you with gladness?

In Evil Long I Took Delight

A hymn by John Newton (1779). Read with care ...

In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agony and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.

Sure, never to my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.

A second look He gave, which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayst live.”

Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.

Pop Culture, The Bible and some Thoughts

I had a great discussion late last night with Brock, and during our discussion, among other things, we briefly touched on the transformation that happens when we receive forgiveness for our sins; we become convicted of our sins, we realize how short (really short!) we fall from God, and we get a glimpse of the uphill battle of changing the way we live. We are also astounded by the grace that is bestowed upon us ... but how quickly we lose our guilty conscience. How quickly we rely on grace, and go on sinning.

I was listening to a song today, and as usual I won't 'plug' the artist, however the song is said to be about "various normal people being drastically changed by the media and papparazzi", and one line goes like this:

"But I must confess, I'm in love with my own sins"

What a terrible and disturbing thing to sing. The song is upbeat, pleasant, catchy and light-hearted, but tucked away in the middle of the song are those two short lines that teenagers are singing along with, oblivious to the real message. As disturbing as it is, it's the reality of the world we live in. How many of our friends, family members, co-workers, and dare I say, fellow believers, are in love with their sin?

Consider what is written in 1 John 3 (ESV [emphasis mine]):

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

The challenge is before us. What sin do we tolerate? What sins do we not only tolerate, but embrace? I write this with a growing sense of uneasiness. I know in my heart that I have sin that I embrace. Perhaps we all do. Maybe we embrace the thought that a little gossip won't hurt, after all, it's not really gossip... or, this isn't really considered idolatry... couldn't be... it's just a hobby! Oh, that word isn't really 'cursing' per se, it's not even really considered profane, it's no big deal...

I'll encourage you, while I sit here ... guilty ... to reflect on the sin that you love. Pray with me today, as I ask God to convict my heart and name my sin, that I might be challenged to pursue righteousness. This is always a scary prayer, to be sure, but we can have confidence that God wants us to pray it - He wants us to pursue righteousness, and we can only do that by facing our sin.

Above All

We've sung the very popular Paul Baloche song (co-written by Lenny LeBlanc) "Above All" countless times at Westside, and it has definitely become a favorite of many. Actually, this song was one of my favorites for a long time; the music composed so beautifully - soft and reflective at times, powerful - evoking a wave of emotion, at others.

One of the first times I heard the song, I scribbled a few lyrics in the front of my Bible - what I felt was the driving lyric that "made" the song.

Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall, and thought of me
Above All

Powerful lyrics! But... are they theologically accurate? This week I spent some time thinking about that last phrase (in bold); He (Jesus) did indeed take the fall ... but was it me that he was thinking of, above ... all?

I think it warrants a closer look; some consideration. Did Jesus really think of me, or did he think of His Father above all? What was Jesus' last thought on the cross?

Matthew 27:46 records Jesus' last moments on the cross:

"About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"

Luke 23:46 says:

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last."

In the final days, as recorded in Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus pleaded with the Father; He pleaded for another way, asked for the cup to be taken from Him, if there was another way. If there is no other way, Jesus would be obedient.

I would venture that Jesus' last thought was about the Father, and His obedience to the Father's will and plan for reconciliation. It's implied that through that thought and action, we were thought of... am I being too picky here? Or is there a theological problem with that statement?

Will we keep singing "Above All" at Westside? Probably... but for me, that last line will have me wondering. To God be the Glory! I praise God for His gift of reconciliation and redemption, for providing us a way to eternal fellowship with Him! But might we be careful to be true to His word and not distort it.

Thank you Father, for sacrificing Your Son, Jesus... that through His obedience to You, I might have reconciliation, renewal and eternal life. Might I never be so haughty to think that my lowly life might have taken preeminence over Jesus' obedience to You. Amen.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments!

Unite in Worship

Well here's some exciting news! On October 17 & 18, two of Christian music's finest will be coming to a town near you! Paul Baloche (right) and Robin Mark (below) will be leading worship at the Unite in Worship conference in Cambridge, ON. Click on the link for more information about the schedule of events that are happening - there are lots of seminars to attend for those who are interested! Just want to attend the concerts? For $20 each, you can worship live with these amazing artists! Buy your tickets online here.

Who's Paul Baloche? Well, this rugged looking guy (above) penned "Open the Eyes to my Heart, Lord" and "Above All" - both in regular rotation at Westside! Paul will be leading worship on Saturday, October 18!


Recognize this guy? Well, if not, you'll recognize his music! Robin Mark wrote the popular "Days of Elijah" and is well known for his Celtic worship style. He'll travel from Belfast, Northern Ireland to be in Cambridge, ON this month at the Unite in Worship conference. He'll be leading worship on Friday, October 17!


Want more music? Check them out on myspace.com - Robin and Paul !!