The Saturday Night Service and a little thought about worship.

My buddy Kyle made this flyer for the service on April 18th at 5:00pm. It is unreal how many things go into one hour of worship, how many people have to use they're gifts, how many people have to tithe their time, all for one hour of corporate worship. From greeters, to singers, to the band, to preachers/teachers/speakers to planners, sound guys, graphic designers, snack servers, snack preparers, set-up crew, clean-up crew, marketers, powerpoint operators, prayer warriors, researchers, nursery workers, schedulers, and then the most important people of all, WORSHIPPERS.

It's just funny, I used to attend services kind of half-heartedly, justkind of thinking that it was no big deal, but when I realizes how much goes into just one hour, it astounds me. And this is just all the people who are going to serve on the 18th, nevermind the people who serve each and every week at our 3 worship services. We have roughly 80-100 people involved in some compacity each weekend here at South Side, and that is only on a typical Sunday, on special Sunday's such as Easter we will have many more than that, but it is all for one hour at a time of WORSHIP.

I am one that has always believed that if you are going to do something, no matter what it is, do it with PASSION. You will never fail when you do something with passion. You can't help but try your best and give glory to Jesus when you are doing something with passion.

This follows the two major reasons I will almost always invite people I meet to worship with us at South Side. These are:

1. I want them to have an encounter with Jesus. (and i trust that God uses us for that)

2. When we do something, we do it with passion.

Christianity Today did a servey once abotu why people don't invite their friends to church and the findings were very surprising. They found that embarassment or shyness was only the second biggest reason for not inviting people to church, the biggest reason was that they felt that they're friends wouldn't enjoy it. I for one, have no problem inviting people to our church, because I know that there is passion involved, and it shows in everything we do on a typical Sunday.

So I guess my challenge for you is, when you attend a worship service, don't just relax so much that you forget how much worship and service went into putting this hour together. Notice the passion for Jesus as the hands are shaken, the classes are taught, the songs are sung.

The people on stage aren't the only one's there that can inspire you to worship, just look around.

A big announcement...

On Saturday, April 18th at 5:00pm we are having another Saturday Night Worship Service. This thing will be wild. We are having a guest band led by my buddy Brandon Shinault and the music will be full of energy, grace and love. I will be preaching on the topic of "No Perfect People Allowd. I am going to go out on a limb and say it's my favorite message the God has EVER given me. The subject matter is a little touchy, not too churchy, best 100% Jesusy (not a real word)

Afterwards we will be hanging out and eating fatty foods and doing other things that are non-productive as far as society is considered.

Be There.

Five Things That Would Surprise You About Me...

Here at Five Things That Might Surprise You, about me...

1. I've seen Brokeback Mountain, and, loved it. (I know, this is a post in and of itself)

2. I rooted for Michigan in both their tournament games this year. (because I picked them in my bracket)

3. I was in show choir in high school. I won best soloist at something called "Dinner Theatre". I also won best 1st year member and most improved dancer. (and yes, their are videos)

4. I can't ride a bike. (not even kidding, it used to be a secret, by, eh, what you gonna do?)

5. One of my best 3 friends in the world is a bartender.

What I WISH I could be preaching on...

So recently, Emily has gotten totally into the Twilight book series by Stephanie Meyer. She is on the last book and loves them. We actually watched the movie on Saturday, and well, I was open minded. I usually take an interest in anything she loves, because I love her and we've always said we will never have "completely" seperate interests. We are "one flesh" and we try to attempt to enjoy similar things, or at least understand each other's interest. So I watched the movie, and kept thinking to myself "there is something more going on here". I couldn't help it. Inspite of myself I couldn't just cast it off as a teenage girl movie, it was just way more than that. It seemed that the lead characters, the Cullens, weren't just representing Vampires, they were representing something far more real, far more, important.

So as I sat and thought about it, I decided to begin to read the 1st book in the series. The book cover intrigued me. It has a pale set of arms, holding a apple in it's hands. I wondered how that could relate to the movie I just saw, then, I opened the book. The 1st thing you read after the author's name, the ISBN # and all that is a page, that just reads,

Genesis 2:17
"But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Now, that began to connect things a bit. It is of course referring to the Garden of Eden. Which is when Man betrays God. And it is quoting the command God gives them. It is the 1st times man is presented with options of whether to choose to obey or defy God, and, he does.

Now reading the book, the lead character is named Edward. He is a 17 year old Vampire, yes, I said 17 year old Vampire. And he is a member of a family called the Cullens. Now, they actually aren't related at all. There is Emmet, Alice, Esme, Rosalie, Jasper and their leader, Carlisle. He is like the father figure.

Now this family isn't your typical fictional Vampire family, their major difference is they don't kill humans, they have chosen to only hunt animals (all of you PETA supporters are half troubled, half relieved by this I am sure, as was I). The reason is, Carlisle has learned in his over 360 years on earth that for them to be a monster is a choice, not a must. They hav chosen to suppress their desires for human blood, and instead serve their fellow man, and live among them.

Now this is where the "there is something more going on here" part kicks in. When reading this book, and yes, talking to God about it, I think there is a spiritual truth that is crying to get out here, and it is plain to see for me. The truth is: The Vampires in this story, represent Christians. I know, odd. Funny enough early Christians were often accused of being Vampires, because of taking Communion, and the wording of eating Jesus' flesh and drinking Jesus' blood. But that isn't why the Vampire represent Christians.

The Cullens live a life of suppressing their evil desires. Edward even says that they called themselves "vegitarians" and says their life still leaves alot to be desired. He says that eating what they eat, instead of humans is like a human only eating soy and tofu, you get full but at never completely satisfied. This is where we come in.

Sin is fun. I love it. It thrills me and unleashes an animal-like instinct in me that nothing else can. But in the end, I always know it is wrong. I crave it, constantly, but I don't do it. I try to live life to the fullest (someone smart once said to do that, I think it was Jesus) and when I do, I live a happy, guilt free life. But there is a darkness in me that doesn't want that.

Like Edward Cullen, I have largely learned to control it. But it does tempt me in my thoughts often. And this sin is, anything.

For some Vampires in this story, becoming one is a choice. But this choice isn't something you can go back on, and it will affect you, forever. The same choice is before us to accept Jesus or not. But once we do, alot more goes on. See then we are living for God, not us. And then we have the power to give life or end it. You have the power to spread legalistic hate, or Jesus' love. You have the power help someone or ignore, everyone. For us, it isn't that some of us choose Jesus and other don't, we all do.

I wish I could preach on this book, this movie, but, I can't. The reason is, not everyone will read it. Not everyone will watch it. I know at times what we are teaching doesn't apply to some, but this book/movie, doesn't apply to many. The truth it teaches, well it applies to everyone. We have a choice.

What are you going to choose? Your cravings or your commitment? Love or hate? Selfishness or living for something way bigger than yourself?

Thats what I WISH I could preach on.

In the most wicked sweet thing anyone have said to me in years news...

My mom came to our worship service on Sunday and told me I remind her of....

Ed Young.

Hex Yeah Main.

Thoughts?

Surprised? Not Surprised?

Bothered? Not Bothered?

Well...it happnened.

Hope everyone enjoyed the service today. I think God was truly in it, it's amazing what God can do when people use their gifts and passions for God's glory.

And for a little celebration, here is Michael Jackson's Thriller, the 1980's India Version, and yes, it is worth your 3 minutes. Get up and move to it!