Writing

7 May: Tuesday Refocus

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“To escape the error of salvation by works we have fallen into the opposite error of salvation without obedience. In our eagerness to get rid of the legalistic doctrine of works we have thrown out the baby with the bath and gotten rid of obedience as well.” - A.W. Tozer

We live in a day when restriction, restraint, and self-denial are seen as oppressive - that true freedom can only be found in giving full vent to my own desires. And so long as they ‘don’t hurt anyone else,’ we should be free to live however we deem most authentic to our true selves. But Christians follow a God who said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24).” Christians live lives of obedience and self-denial not so that we will be saved, but because we have been saved.

Obedience gives evidence to what we believe about God and what we believe about ourselves. Because we follow a Savior who ‘…being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).” We know that “…to obey is better than sacrifice… (1 Samuel 15:22).” And that obedience follows love: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).” 

“In binding love you set me free.” - Wendell Berry

Father, may our obedience follow our love. Amen.

Amen,

AB

16 January: Tuesday Refocus

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“Calm me, O Lord, as You still the storm. Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease. Enfold me, Lord, in Your peace.” - Celtic prayer

The rest and rescue we most desire cannot be found in created things. Both within and without the ground of our being and beneath our feet is sand. Shifting, sinking. No amount of interior exploration, or exterior distraction can level out the most unsettled places of our souls.

But there is good news, there is hope - Christ our Savior is a firm and fixed hope, an anchor for our souls (Psalm 18:1-2, Hebrews 6:19). Upon the throne of grace is seated a Savior who lives to make intercession - daily bearing us up at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 7:25, Psalm 68:19, Romans 8:34). Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne, and steadfast love and faithfulness go before Him (Psalm 89:14). Even in the chaos of the world and our hearts, no one can be snatched from the hand of the Savior (John 10:28).

Father, in the middle of storms within and without, may our gaze be fixed, my our lives be anchored, my our souls rest in the life, death, resurrection, and intercession of Your Son, Jesus. In His name, amen.

Wrestling and resting,

AB

2023 In Review

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I love speaking with people about corporate worship. I love speaking with people working through a theology of worship, the practical realities of serving on a team, or with volunteers. I think that is why I write about worship - I love that we as followers of Jesus, and worshipers get to think through how we encourage and equip the saints to worship with beauty and truth. As 2023 draws to an end, I wanted to collect all of my Friday posts in one place. I hope these words have been helpful to you:

Tuesday Refocus: October 31

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“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” - Teresa of Avila

In prayer we come face to face with our need, and face to face with God’s sufficiency. 

We wake up to our shortcomings and his boundless grace.

We taste and see that He is good and He does good.

Hallelujah, amen.

Praying,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: October 24

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“People will mock those who prioritize prayer. Gather and pray anyway.” - K.A. Ellis

If we are honest, prayer can feel unproductive. Even the most devout Christians can believe their time is better spent laboring in ministry, laboring in the community, laboring in work, rather than laboring in prayer. Prioritizing prayer can seem like an excuse to avoid the ‘real’ work.

But if it is in prayer that our hearts are revealed, are priorities are realigned, our desires are exposed, our lives are surrendered, we become aware of our desperate need and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, and we grow in affection for the Person of God - why would we ever cease to pray? Why would we prioritize anything other than prayer?

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We are invited to pray without ceasing. This constant flow of communication to our Father is right and good. But perhaps it is easier to speak than to be silent. Perhaps it is easier to pray without ceasing than to cease and pray.

In high school, I took a missions trip to Peru. There was an American 20-something who had lived in Lima, serving with a church for a year before we arrived. Our team of 20+ quickly dwindled to single digits as many were so sick they could barely crawl out of bed each morning. I remember she said to me, “Maybe God brought your team all the way to Peru not so that you could serve, but so that you could pray. So that you could pray for these people, this community, and this country.” This young woman who had left her own country, raised support to live and serve in this community, who wept through singing worship songs in English - because it had been more than a year since she could sing in her heart language - believed the real work was not our English classes, vacation bible schools, and street evangelism - it was prayer. Prayer was not the lesser work of our preparation but was the invitation to deeper work.

Father, what a gift to be your children, what a gift to approach you with boldness and confidence. May we never cease to pray, and may we cease to pray. In Christ’s name, amen.

Praying,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: August 1

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“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies;
    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.”

“Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth;
    their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
    they flatter with their tongue.

Make them bear their guilt, O God;
    let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
    for they have rebelled against you.” - Psalm 5:4-10

While an abundance of transgressions casts us out, the abundant love of God welcomes us in. 

His love is steadfast and immovable. The welcome and love of God mean that we no longer bear the guilt we rightfully deserve, but instead, it has been cast out so that we can be welcomed in.

Father, thank You for Your abundant love greater than the abundance of transgressions we have to offer. Jesus, we are grateful, Spirit help us remember, in Christ’s name, amen.

Amen,

AB

Thoughts On Writing

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It has been said, ‘Write what you know…’ or others have said, ‘I write so that I might know…’ There is no doubt that words are formative. As followers of Jesus, we should not be surprised about this because God spoke the world into existence with His words. Jesus is the Word made flesh who sustains the universe by the word of His power. And God has given us His Word through Scripture.

Words are important. And personally, I believe that writing is important. That even if you do not consider yourself a writer, there is value, benefit, and importance to writing in, and for your unique context. Yes, write songs, but also write liturgy. Write in the language of your people, write to stretch them and grow them, write so that the trues of Scripture, deep doctrine, and beautiful devotion may inhabit their hearts, minds, and lives.

When considering writing, here are a few things I believe are worth considering:

Write all the time. Writing doe not just have to be pen to paper, it can also be exploring good writing, filling your own heart, mind, and life with things that are good, beautiful, and true.

Keep writing. I use my iPhone Notes app constantly. Lines, lyrics, phrases. Maybe they will turn into something - like a song, a call to worship, a blog, a responsive reading, a prayer, or devotional writing. Maybe those words are just a place for me to make sense of my own heart, and pour out my own praise. But keeping a running list of words, phrases, or quotes that have impacted me, can often jump-start a more intentional or focused time of writing.

Consider the purpose. If it is a song - is this a corporate worship song, a song of personal devotion, or something just for fun? What is it that the people of God need to hear? What is it that I just need to be able to say to God - or that He wants to speak to me?

Where are the gaps? As I am trying to bridge Scripture, songs, and liturgy, what words will help paint a clearer picture of the truths we are declaring? Does that passage of Scripture, Song, or pre-written liturgy already exist? If not, how might I prayerfully, and intentionally allow God to shape my words to fill in the gaps?

Are you feeling a need, a conviction, or a desire to write? How might you bring those desires to the Lord and allow him to shape them to bless, serve, equip, and challenge you, and those you lead and serve?

15 December: O Rex Gentium (O King of Nations)

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O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:

veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti

O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay.

We live in nations plagued by sin.  Even our most gifted and moral leaders are but clay.  Every kingdom will ultimately fall before the eternal King and His kingdom without end.  'The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice…’ - Psalm 97:1

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

    and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

He shall judge between the nations,

    and shall decide disputes for many peoples;

and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,

    and their spears into pruning hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

    neither shall they learn war anymore. - Isaiah 2:4

But now, O Lord, you are our Father;

    we are the clay, and you are our potter;

    we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8

May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun. 

May all nations be blessed in him. 

May Jesus Christ be praised! 

—based on Psalm 72, NRSV

Taken from the Worship Sourcebook 

To download a complete PDF of the O Antiphon Advent Devotional, click here.

Why All Churches Should Write Original Music

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Songs are gifts to the Church.

They have the ability to make theology accessible, articulating who God is, what He has done, and enable us to respond with lives of worship. Songs can become personal markers of our own journey - ebeneezers of God’s faithfulness in different seasons of life. But they are also connectors to a larger story. When we sing the songs which have been passed down through the ages, songs like the Doxology, A Mighty Fortress, and All Creatures of Our God and King, we are acknowledging that we are not the first nor will we be the last. We are a part of a Church that stretches across time, history, place, and space - and will last into eternity.

There are amazing songs accessible to the Church like never before. Gifted songwriters, worship leaders, and liturgists who have the ability to put into lyric and melody the things that the Church needs to hear and say to God. With such skill and talent available, why should the local church bother with writing songs for their particular expression of the Body?

Because those songs do not have the ability to carry the unique stories and struggles, triumphs, and joys that come with relationship, discipleship, and burden-bearing in the local community of faith. It isn’t that we want one or the other - only songs written by professional songwriters, or only songs written in and to a local expression - we need both. Our communities need songs that give us voice and connect us to the bigger picture, and they need songs that articulate our specific stories as we walk together as worshipers and lovers of God.

What do your people need to hear?

What do your people need to say to God?

Write it.

October 29: Tuesday Refocus

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‘Strengthen me that I may cling to Thee.’ – The Valley of Vision

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In fear I reach for talent, experience, career, or others to be a firm foundation, only to find all things created collapse under the weight of my need.

 

It is only through faith that I do not cling to myself, but am led to the Rock that is higher than I (Ps 61:2).

 

By faith I know I am not an orphan but an heir (Rom 8:17).

By faith I know I am never forsaken, for He is always with me (Heb 13:5).

By faith I know I am not forgotten, but the beloved of God (Eph 5:1).

By faith I know I am saved (Rom 10:9).

 

Faith is a gift from God (Eph 2:8-9). 

And in it’s strengthening I loosen my grip on the created, and cling to the Uncreated One.

Lord, thank You that our faith in You is never put to shame.  Help us hold fast, and walk closely by faith in You this week. In Christ name, amen.

In faith,

AB