tag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:/blogs/calvary-chapel-mission-hills-worship-life-thoughts?p=4Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Life & Thoughts2017-02-01T12:33:02-08:00Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandfalsetag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/2727282012-12-29T04:22:21-08:002017-01-13T06:05:35-08:00Resolutions - Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)<span style="font-size: medium;">"Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century revivalist, sat down at age 17 and penned 21 resolutions by which he would live his life. He added to this list until, by his death, he had 70 resolutions. He put at the top of his list: “Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions… Remember to read over these resolutions once a week.” Edwards didn't casually make New Year's resolutions with an expectation of eventually breaking them. Each week he did a self-check. He regularly summed up how he was doing and sought God's help in the process." - Jan Brown
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//treasuring-christ.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Jonathan-Edwards-Banner.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.</span></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.</span></div>
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1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.<br><br>
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.<br><br>
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.<br><br>
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.<br><br>
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.<br><br>
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.<br><br>
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.<br><br>
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.<br><br>
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.<br><br>
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.<br><br>
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.<br><br>
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.<br><br>
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.<br><br>
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.<br><br>
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.<br><br>
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.<br><br>
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.<br><br>
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.<br><br>
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.<br><br>
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.<br><br>
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.<br><br>
(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in on setting in New Haven in 1722) <br><br>
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.<br><br>
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.<br><br>
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.<br><br>
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.<br><br>
26. Resolved, to east away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.<br><br>
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.<br><br>
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.<br><br>
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.<br><br>
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.<br><br>
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.<br><br>
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, "A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.<br><br>
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.<br><br>
34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.<br><br>
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.<br><br>
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.<br><br>
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.<br><br>
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.<br><br>
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.<br><br>
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.<br><br>
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.<br><br>
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.<br><br>
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.<br><br>
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.<br><br>
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13, 1723.<br><br>
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.<br><br>
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.<br><br>
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.<br><br>
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.<br><br>
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.<br><br>
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.<br><br>
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.<br><br>
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.<br><br>
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.<br><br>
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.<br><br>
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.<br><br>
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.<br><br>
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.<br><br>
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.<br><br>
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.<br><br>
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.<br><br>
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; "knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." June 25 and July 13, 1723.<br><br>
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14 and July 13, 1723.<br><br>
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.<br><br>
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and August 10, 1723.<br><br>
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.<br><br>
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.<br><br>
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.<br><br>
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.<br><br>
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/2460752012-11-04T00:50:03-07:002012-11-04T00:50:03-07:00The love of Christ - so amazing!The love of Christ in its sweetness, its fulness, its greatness, its faithfulness, passeth all human comprehension. Where shall language be found which shall describe his matchless, his unparalleled love towards the children of men? It is so vast and boundless that, as the swallow but skimmeth the water, and diveth not into its depths, so all descriptive words but touch the surface, while depths immeasurable lie beneath. Well might the poet say,<br><br>
"O love, thou fathomless abyss!" for this love of Christ is indeed measureless and fathomless; none can attain unto it. Before we can have any right idea of the love of Jesus, we must understand his previous glory in its height of majesty, and his incarnation upon the earth in all its depths of shame. But who can tell us the majesty of Christ? When he was enthroned in the highest heavens he was very God of very God; by him were the heavens made, and all the hosts thereof. His own almighty arm upheld the spheres; the praises of cherubim and seraphim perpetually surrounded him; the full chorus of the hallelujahs of the universe unceasingly flowed to the foot of his throne: he reigned supreme above all his creatures, God over all, blessed forever. Who can tell his height of glory then? And who, on the other hand, can tell how low he descended? To be a man was something, to be a man of sorrows was far more; to bleed, and die, and suffer, these were much for him who was the Son of God; but to suffer such unparalleled agony--to endure a death of shame and desertion by his Father, this is a depth of condescending love which the most inspired mind must utterly fail to fathom. Herein is love! and truly it is love that "passeth knowledge." O let this love fill our hearts with adoring gratitude, and lead us to practical manifestations of its power.<br><br>
CH Spurgeon - Morning and Evening (Morning Day 88)<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/1903312012-07-16T15:42:21-07:002012-07-16T15:42:21-07:00Real Change - The Power of God's Word<span style="font-size: larger;">"The amazing thing is that everyone who reads the Bible has the same joyful thing to say about it. In every land, in every language, it is the same tale: where that Book is read, not with the eyes only, but with the mind and heart, the life is changed. Sorrowful people are comforted, sinful people are transformed, peoples who were in the dark walk in the light. Is it not wonderful to think that this Book, which is such a mighty power if it gets a chance to work in an honest heart, is in our hands today?" (Amy Carmichael)<br><br>
"We change because we have seen a superior beauty and worth and excellence. If you look into the face of Christ and then look into Sports Illustrated or Glamour and are not moved by the superior beauty and worth and excellence and desirability of Christ, then you are still hard and blind and futile in your thinking. You need to cry out, “Open my eyes to see wonderful things out of your Word!” And your life will show it. Where your treasure is – your desire, your delight, your beauty – there will your heart be also – and your evenings and your Saturdays and your money. We are changed by seeing the glory of God in the Word of God." - John Piper</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/638762012-03-02T01:35:00-08:002012-03-02T01:35:00-08:00Our AMAZING God!!!<span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="font-size: medium;">God is utterly other than us – other in a way we express with the word holiness. Yes, He dwells within each Christian, but He’s not you. <b>He</b> isn’t the same as you, <b>He</b> isn’t a part of you, and <b>He</b> isn’t a “higher” you. Yes, you’re made in <b>His</b> image, but you’re not <b>Him</b>. You’re not the same as <b>Him</b>, you’re not part of <b>Him</b>, and you aren’t a “splinter” of <b>Him</b> – nor will you ever be. <b>He</b> doesn’t depend on anything else because <b>He</b> is what everything else depends on. <b>He</b> can’t be explained by anything else because <b>He</b> is what everything else must be explained by. Although we can know what <b>He</b> has taught us about <b>Himself</b>, we can never comprehend <b>Him</b> completely because <b>He</b> is greater than our minds. Anything <b>He</b> wills, <b>He</b> can do. <b>He</b> not only holds supreme power but <b>He</b> also uses it. Nothing can defeat <b>Him</b> and nothing can happen contrary to <b>His</b> will. <b>He</b> is also supremely good – light with no darkness. Although evil is real, <b>He</b> detests it and bring it to judgment. <b>He</b> knows everything, <b>He</b> pays attention to everything, and nothing escapes <b>His</b> notice. <b>He’s</b> not just a What and a Who, like me or like you, but one What in three Whos – one <b>God</b> in three persons: <b>Father</b>, <b>Son</b>, and <b>Holy Spirit</b>. There is no one like <b>Him</b>. <b>He</b> is set apart. <b>He</b> is what <b>He</b> is, and there was never a time when <b>He</b> was not.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><br><br>
J. Budziszewski<br>
From How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski copyright 2004, p.33-34.<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/1428962012-02-25T06:20:54-08:002012-02-25T06:20:54-08:00How do we approach worship as a leader?<span style="font-size: medium;">"All of our discussions of the style and mechanics of worship must be anchored in a deeply biblical and richly gospel-centered understanding of what worship is. We might be tempted at a worship conference to focus exclusively on the style and mechanics of worship. And these are important! But a larger challenge is to link how we approach the week-in, week-out task of planning and leading worship with our theological understanding of worship. Do our planning and leading habits, mechanics, and techniques enable people to experience worship in the deepest, most profound, most Christ-centered way? Does our work form our congregations in a deeply biblical faith? We need a high-octane theology of worship – and one that is not simply articulated in writing, but enacted in our worship and lived out in our lives."</span><br><br>
John Witvliet, Reflections on Worship’s Meaning and Purpose - Thinking About Worship<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/1421662012-02-22T04:51:27-08:002021-03-31T09:00:14-07:00Praise to God for what He is in Himself<span style="font-size: medium;">Worship is the loving ascription of praise to God for what He is in Himself and in his providential dealings. It is the bowing of our innermost spirit before him in deepest humility and reverence. Worship is the adoring contemplation of God as he has been pleased to reveal himself in his son and in the Scriptures. </span>(Oswald Sanders)<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/1413882012-02-18T20:44:44-08:002012-02-18T20:44:44-08:00The Beauties of Christ Seen in the Beauties of Creation<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><b>The Beauties of Christ Seen in the Beauties of Creation</b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"></span></span><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"></span><br>
by Jonathan Edwards<br><span style="font-size: medium;"><br>
"Now we have shown, that the Son of God created the world for his very end, to communicate himself in an image of his own excellency. . . . the beauties of nature are really emanations, or shadows, of the excellencies of the Son of God.<br><br>
So that when we are delighted with flowery meadows and gentle breezes of wind, we may consider that we only see the emanations of the sweet benevolence of Jesus Christ; when we behold the fragrant rose and lily, we see his love and purity. So the green trees and fields, and singing of birds, are the emanations of his infinite joy and benignity; the easiness and naturalness of trees and vines [are] shadows of his infinite beauty and loveliness; the crystal rivers and murmuring streams have the footsteps of his sweet grace and bounty. When we behold the light and brightness of the sun, the golden edges of an evening cloud, or the beauteous bow, we behold the adumbrations of his glory and goodness; and the blue skies, of his mildness and gentleness. There are also many things wherein we may behold his awful majesty: in the sun in his strength, in comets, in thunder, in the towering thunder clouds, in ragged rocks and the brows of mountains. That beauteous light with which the world is filled in a clear day is a lively shadow of his spotless holiness and happiness, and delight in communicating himself.<br><br>
And doubtless this is a reason that Christ is compared so often to those things and called by their names; as, the sun of righteousness, the morning star, the rose of Sharon and lily of the valleys, . . ."</span><br><br><span style="font-size: x-small;">Edwards, J 1994. The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 13: The “Miscellanies,” a-500. Schafer, T (ed). New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 279.</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/1410022012-02-16T18:52:47-08:002012-02-16T18:52:47-08:00Sovereignty & Supermacy of Jesus Christ our Lord<span style="font-size: medium;">All divine names and titles are applied to Him. He is called God, the mighty God, the great God, God over all; Jehovah; Lord; the Lord of lords and the King of kings. All divine attributes are ascribed to Him. He is declared to be omnipresent, omniscient, almighty, and immutable, the same yesterday, today, and forever.<br><br>
He is set forth as the creator and upholder and ruler of the universe. All things were created by Him and for Him; and by Him all things consist. He is the object of worship to all intelligent creatures, even the highest; all the angels (i.e., all creatures between man and God) are commanded to prostrate themselves before Him. He is the object of all the religious sentiments; of reverence, love, faith, and devotion. <br><br>
To Him men and angels are responsible for their character and conduct. He required that men should honour Him as they honoured the Father; that they should exercise the same faith in Him that they do in God. He declares that He and the Father are one; that those who had seen Him had seen the Father also. He calls all men unto Him; promises to forgive their sins; to send them the Holy Spirit; to give them rest and peace; to raise them up at the last day; and to give them eternal life. God is not more, and cannot promise more, or do more than Christ is said to be, to promise, and to do. He has, therefore, been the Christian’s God from the beginning, in all ages and in all places.</span><br><br>
Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, v. 2, p. 382.<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/1323432012-01-06T23:51:24-08:002012-01-06T23:51:24-08:00Utterly Persuaded<span style="font-size: larger;">"Nothing makes God more supreme and more central than when a people are utterly persuaded that nothing – not money or prestige or leisure or family or job or health or sports or toys or friends – is going to bring satisfaction to their aching hearts besides God. This conviction breeds a people who passionately long for God on Sunday morning. They are not confused about why they are here. They do not see songs and prayers and sermons as mere traditions or mere duties. They see them as means of getting to God or God getting to them for more of His fullness." - John Piper </span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/952822011-03-19T05:12:18-07:002011-03-19T05:12:18-07:00Well done<span style="font-size: larger;">The only music minister to whom the Lord will say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant," is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are saying, and to whom music is the least important part of their life. Glorifying the only worthy One has to be a minister's most important goal! </span>- Keith Green<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/899302010-12-23T22:04:05-08:002022-05-17T11:14:37-07:00Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor<span style="font-size: larger;">Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,<br>
All for love's sake becamest poor;<br>
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,<br>
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.<br>
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,<br>
All for love's sake becomes poor.<br><br>
Thou who art God beyond all praising,<br>
All for love's sake becamest Man;<br>
Stooping so low, but sinners raising<br>
Heavenward by Thine eternal plan.<br>
Thou who art God beyond all praising,<br>
All for love's sake becamest Man.<br><br>
Thou who art love beyond all telling,<br>
Savior and King, we worship thee.<br>
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,<br>
Make us what Thou wouldst have us be.<br>
Thou who art love beyond all telling,<br>
Savior and King, we worship Thee.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: smaller;">— Frank Houghton (1894-1972) in PRAYING WITH THE ENGLISH HYMN WRITERS, compiled by Timothy Dudley-Smith. Triangle Books, 1994, ISBN 0281044333. (www.wqotw.org)</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/883702010-11-30T22:36:45-08:002010-11-30T22:36:45-08:00Repentance is WorshipWe do not always think of repentance as worship, but it can be much easier to sing a rousing hymn than to turn away from our favorite sin. A sinful act involves worship of the wrong kind, submitting ourselves at that moment to serve the appetites of our pride or lust, and so repentance is literally a transfer of our worship back to the One who rightfully owns it. . . . . Worship has been misunderstood as something that arises from a feeling which “comes upon you,” but it is vital that we understand that it is rooted in a conscious act of the will, to serve and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. The feelings, the joy of having been forgiven, follow on as a consequence of our reunion with him.<br><br>
–– Graham Kendrick, from WORSHIP, Kingsway Publications, 1984<br><br>
(Source: http://www.wqotw.org)<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/785022010-10-26T02:10:19-07:002010-10-26T02:10:19-07:00THE PRIVILEGE OF WORSHIP<span style="font-size: larger;">Let us engrave this useful lesson upon our hearts, that we should consider it the great end of our existence to be found numbered among the worshipers of God; and that we should avail ourselves of the inestimable privilege of the stated assemblies of the church, which are necessary helps to our infirmity and means of mutual excitement and encouragement. By these, and our common Sacraments, the Lord who is one God, and who designed that we should be one in him, is training us up together in the hope of eternal life, and in the united celebration of his holy name.</span><br><br>
—John Calvin (1509-1564), from his commentary on Psalm 52.<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/839182010-08-30T15:18:32-07:002010-08-30T15:18:32-07:00JESUS CHRIST: LUNATIC, LIAR, OR LORD?<span style="font-size: larger;">Jesus . . . told people that their sins were forgiven. . . . This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin.<br><br>
. . . I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.</span><br><br>
— C. S. Lewis, in MERE CHRISITIANITY (New York: Macmillan, 1952), p. 56-57.<br>
Source: http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-08-03<br><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/800402010-06-21T03:09:33-07:002010-06-21T03:09:33-07:00There is a God"The stars are God's fingerprints. The sun is a mere smidgen of his radiance. The moon is to remind us that he doesn't sleep at night. The vastness of space proclaims the infinity of his wisdom, while the sand pebble indicates his thoroughness with the puniest details. The lion hints at his fearlessness, the bear at his power, the hawk at his keen insight. And yet, those possess only a tidbit of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. Every tree points toward heaven; every bird has a song to sing; even every moment of wind goes in some direction. There is nothing chaotic about our beautiful designed world. All creation has a message to tell. It says, Listen, there is a God. There is a God!" - Brent D. Earles<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/690562010-04-19T06:07:36-07:002010-04-19T06:07:36-07:00Mocking God?<span style="font-size: medium;">"The worship wasn't very good today." "I get so much out of the worship." The worship is so much better over at {insert whatever name here} church." "I really don't get that much out of worship."<br><br>
Ever heard any of these statements? Ever said any of them? Here is a quote from Steven Charnock to ponder...<br><br>
"To pretend homage to God and intend only the advantage to myself is rather to mock God than to worship Him. When we believe we ought to be satisfied rather than God glorified, we set God below ourselves and imagine that He should submit His own honor to our advantages." </span>(Stephen Charnock (1628-1680), THE EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD.) Source: wqotw.org<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/636412010-03-22T11:25:04-07:002010-03-22T11:25:04-07:00Proclaim His Salvation<span style="font-size: larger;">Biblical worship involves proclamation and leads to proclaiming God's truth with our lives. We're doing more than emoting or having a "worship experience." We're declaring why God is so great, what he has accomplished, and all that he has promised. We all need to be reminded, and proclamation helps us remember.<br><br>
Peter tells us that we have been saved "that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). We're meant to fulfill this command both in our meetings and in our lives.<br><br>
People come into our churches proclaiming all sorts of things with their words and actions. Through close-fisted giving, some are asserting how much their own personal wealth matters. Others, by their complaining, are declaring that personal comfort matters. Teens in the latest fashions may be proclaiming that being cool matters. Others confirm through their smiles or frowns that their musical preferences matter.<br><br>
But we want each of them to leave proclaiming this: THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST MATTERS.<br><br>
God's Word commands us to "proclaim his salvation day after day" (Psalm 96:2, NIV). Proclaiming this salvation should be a daily practice and preoccupation for as long as we live.</span><br><br>
- Bob Kauflin, WORSHIP MATTERS: LEADING OTHERS TO ENCOUNTER THE GREATNESS OF GOD. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2008, pp. 129-130. (source: wqotw.org)<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/623392010-03-08T06:46:10-08:002010-03-08T06:46:10-08:00Worship in Life<span style="font-size: medium;">We must devote, not only times and places to prayer, but be everywhere in the spirit of devotion; with hearts always set toward heaven, looking up to God in all our actions, and doing every thing as His servants; living in the world as in a holy temple of God, and always worshiping Him, though not with our lips, yet with the thankfulness of our hearts, the holiness of our actions and the pious and charitable use of all His gifts. </span><br><br>
(William Law)<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/613842010-02-25T03:00:29-08:002010-02-25T03:00:29-08:00Blessing the Lord<span style="font-size: larger;">Each of us in the Body of Christ has the ability, because of His love for us, to minister to and bless the Lord. We can bring joy to God just as a loving son or daughter does to their parents, and as a friend to a friend. Worship from the heart is one of the best gifts you can bring to your heavenly Father. When we worship Him, not because of fear or pride or obligation, but out of an overflow of love and gratitude, we bless and minister to God. This is a privilege that He has given to all His sons and daughters. A worship leader is not necessarily more “spiritual” than anyone else; he or she simply is willing to help a group of people reach a place of loving intimacy with God via music.</span><br><span style="font-size: smaller;"><br>
Don Francisco - Am I Worthy to Minister, Music Ministers Newsletter, Rocky Mountain Ministries.</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/601182010-02-18T06:42:01-08:002022-05-17T21:31:19-07:00New Bio/Testimony PostedA new Bio/Testimony has been posted. <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/shades_smile.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><br><br>
Check it out! <a href="./lorenkotter.cfm">Loren Kotter</a><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/603262010-02-15T08:39:19-08:002010-02-15T08:39:19-08:00A Biblical Balance<span style="font-size: larger;">A biblically balanced view of worship must take into account both God's transcendence and his immanence, his exaltation and his nearness, his majestic holiness and his unmeasurable love. This balance is not always easy to maintain. Churches that focus on divine transcendence are in danger of making God appear distant, aloof, unfriendly, unloving, devoid of grace. Churches that focus on God's immanence sometimes lose sight of his majesty and purity, his hatred of sin, and the consequent seriousness of any divine-human encounter. To maintain this balance, we must go back again and again to the Scriptures themselves so that we may please God in worship rather than merely acting on our own intuitions.</span><br><span style="font-size: smaller;"><br>
- John M. Frame, CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP MUSIC: A BIBLICAL DEFENCE, P&R Publishing Co., 1997, page 14.</span><br><span style="font-size: smaller;">(Source: </span><a href="http://www.wqotw.org" target="_new"><span style="font-size: smaller;">http://www.wqotw.org</span></a><span style="font-size: smaller;">)</span><br><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/582562010-02-03T03:20:53-08:002010-02-03T03:20:53-08:00Christ-centered Worship<span style="font-size: larger;">If you worship Christ as the CREATOR of everything, every cosmic speck across billions of light years of trackless space, the Creator of the textures, shapes and colors that dazzle our eyes: if you worship Christ as the SUSTAINER of all creation, who by his word holds the atoms of your body and this universe together; if you worship him as the GOAL of everything, that all creation is for him; if you further worship Christ as the RECONCILER of your soul—then you worship the God of the Bible. Anything less than this is reductionist and idolatrous.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: smaller;">— R. Kent Hughes, "Free Church Worship: The Challenge of Freedom," chapter three of WORSHIP BY THE BOOK, edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002, p. 153.</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/595162010-01-29T13:44:51-08:002010-01-29T13:44:51-08:00The Importance of Thanksgiving<span style="font-size: larger;">The importance and spiritual benefits of thanksgiving in our prayer life cannot be overemphasized. The Bible tells us God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Buth the question is, How do you become humble? It is done by being thankful! A good rule is to be careful (worried) for nothing (Phil 4:6), be prayerful in all things (1 Thess 5:18), and be thankful for anything. It was the sink of thanklessness that caused the ancient world to plunge into the terrible depths of sexual depravity (Rom 1:21). In the OT, a special group of priests was appointed to do nothing else but praise and thank the Lord (2 Chron 31:2).<br><br>
There are two main things we are to thank God for:<br><br></span>
<div><span style="font-size: larger;">a. We are to thank him for his work in creation. David reminds us concerning this area of thanksgiving in Psalm 100. Later, John the apostle tells us we aill thank God for his work in cration thoughout all eternity. Note the words of this song of praise: "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created." (Rev 4:11)<br><br>
b. We are to thank him for his work in redemption. John also informs us that our sectond song in heaven will feature thanksgiving for God's work in redemption. "And they sang a new song with these words: You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God!" (Rev 5:9)</span></div>
<br><span style="font-size: smaller;">Quoted from THE CHRISTIAN'S GUIDE TO THE NEW LIFE, a study help in THE OPEN BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, (c) 1998, Thomas Nelson Inc., page 1583</span><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/592312010-01-26T02:38:44-08:002010-01-26T02:38:44-08:00The Key to the Open Door of Prayer<span style="font-size: larger;">Supplication for pardon, with humble and ingenuous confession of guilt, forms both the preparation and commencement of right prayer. For the holiest of men cannot hope to obtain anything from God until he has been freely reconciled to him. God cannot be propitious to any but those whom he pardons. Hence it is not strange that this is the key by which believers open the door of prayer, as we learn from several passages in The Psalms. David, when presenting a request on a different subject, says, "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to thy mercy remember me, for thy goodness sake, O Lord" (Psalm 25:7). Again, "Look upon my affliction and my pain, and forgive my sins" (Psalm 25:18). Here also we see that it is not sufficient to call ourselves to account for the sins of each passing day; we must also call to mind those which might seem to have been long before buried in oblivion. For in another passage the same prophet, confessing one grievous crime, takes occasion to go back to his very birth, "I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5); not to extenuate the fault by the corruption of his nature, but as it were to accumulate the sins of his whole life, that the stricter he was in condemning himself, the more placable God might be. <br><br>
But although the saints do not always in express terms ask forgiveness of sins, yet if we carefully ponder those prayers as given in Scripture, the truth of what I say will readily appear; namely, that their courage to pray was derived solely from the mercy of God, and that they always began with appeasing him. For when a man interrogates his conscience, so far is he from presuming to lay his cares familiarly before God, that if he did not trust to mercy and pardon, he would tremble at the very thought of approaching him. There is, indeed, another special confession. When believers long for deliverance from punishment, they at the same time pray that their sins may be pardoned; for it were absurd to wish that the effect should be taken away while the cause remains. For we must beware of imitating foolish patients who, anxious only about curing accidental symptoms, neglect the root of the disease. Nay, our endeavor must be to have God propitious even before he attests his favor by external signs, both because this is the order which he himself chooses, and it were of little avail to experience his kindness, did not conscience feel that he is appeased, and thus enable us to regard him as altogether lovely. <br><br>
Of this we are even reminded by our Savior's reply. Having determined to cure the paralytic, he says, "Thy sins are forgiven thee"; in other words, he raises our thoughts to the object which is especially to be desired--viz. admission into the favor of God, and then gives the fruit of reconciliation by bringing assistance to us. But besides that special confession of present guilt which believers employ, in supplicating for pardon of every fault and punishment, that general introduction which procures favor for our prayers must never be omitted, because prayers will never reach God unless they are founded on free mercy. To this we may refer the words of John, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Hence, under the law it was necessary to consecrate prayers by the expiation of blood, both that they might be accepted, and that the people might be warned that they were unworthy of the high privilege until, being purged from their defilements, they founded their confidence in prayer entirely on the mercy of God.<br></span><br><span style="font-size: smaller;"><br>
—John Calvin (1509-1564). THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, Book III, Chapter XX (Section 9). This volume is available for free on the Classic Christian Ethereal Library at <a href="http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.txt" target="_new">www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.txt</a></span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/558422010-01-18T08:09:18-08:002010-01-18T08:09:18-08:00M. L. King Jr. - A Pastoral Prayer (1956)<span style="font-size: larger;">O God, our Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this golden privilege to worship thee, the only true God of the universe. We come to thee today, grateful that thou hast kept us through the long night of the past and ushered us into the challenge of the present and the bright hope of the future. We are mindful, O God, that man cannot save himself, for man is not the measure of things, and humanity is not God. Bound by our chains of sins and finiteness, we know we need a Savior. We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man. We are in nature, but we live above nature. Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate. Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us. We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee. Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and to live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace, help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red and Yellow will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the kingdom of our Lord and our God, we pray, Amen.<br><br></span><span style="font-size: smaller;">— Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), as collected by James Melvin Washington in CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD: TWO CENTURIES OF PRAYERS BY AFRICAN AMERICANS. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994, p. 190. ISBN 0-06-017161-8</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/586692010-01-14T09:55:56-08:002010-01-14T09:55:56-08:00Haiti - It's time to pray AND take action"What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" (James 2:14-16)<br><br>
You've seen the pictures of the devestation. You've heard heart-wrenching stories. In our world, with the constant bombardment of need, we tend to grow callous. Let's not let that continue. What can you do? First and foremost, you can pray. Pray for the people of Haiti and for the teams of disaster workers now arriving on the scene. Second, you support with a donation. Please consider giving to the Haitian relief efforts of any of the following organizations.<br><br>
Samaritan's Purse - <a href="http://www.Samaritanspurse.org" target="_new">http://www.Samaritanspurse.org</a><br>
Food for the Poor - <a href="http://www.foodforthepoor.org" target="_new">http://www.foodforthepoor.org</a><br>
Red Cross - <a href="http://www.redcross.org" target="_new">http://www.redcross.org</a><br>
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Haiti Relief: <a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=XOP0KO07JI8C5XFY" target="_new">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=XOP0KO07JI8C5XFY</a><br><br>
Thank you. And may the Lord or the Poor bless you.<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/584512010-01-11T04:03:08-08:002022-05-31T04:31:06-07:00Worship is the submission of all our nature to God<span style="font-size: medium;">Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by his holiness, the nourishment of the mind with his truth, the purifying of the imagination of his beauty, the opening of the heart to his love, the surrender of the will to his purpose.</span><span style="font-size: larger;"><br><br>
William Temple</span><br>
(a short biographical sketch on William Temple can be found here: <a href="http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/61.html" target="_new" multilinks-visible="true" multilinks-offsettop="96" multilinks-offsetleft="371" multilinks-offsetwidth="228" multilinks-offsetheight="15">justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/61.html</a>)<br><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/582872010-01-08T08:53:13-08:002010-01-08T08:53:13-08:00Unity<span style="font-size: larger;">"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship."<br><br>
A. W. Tozer</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/581032010-01-06T09:32:43-08:002010-01-06T09:32:43-08:00Prayer and Worship<span style="font-size: larger;">Prayer can no more be divorced from worship than life can be divorced from breathing. If we follow his impulse, the Holy Spirit will always lead us to pray. When we allow him to work freely, he will always bring the Church to extensive praying. Conversely, when the Spirit is absent, we will find excuses not to pray. We may say, "God understands. He knows I love him. But I'm tired... I'm so busy... It's just not convenient now..." When the Spirit is absent, our excuses always seem right, but in the presence of the Spirit our excuses fade away.</span><br><br>
R. T. Kendall<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/577462010-01-01T04:29:17-08:002010-01-01T04:29:17-08:00A Puritan Prayer for the New Year<span style="font-size: larger;">NEW YEAR<br><br>
O LORD,<br>
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed<br>
in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.<br>
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,<br>
sanctifies, aids every hour,<br>
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,<br>
but may rely on thy Spirit<br>
to supply every thought,<br>
speak in every word,<br>
direct every step,<br>
prosper every work,<br>
build up every mote of faith,<br>
and give me a desire<br>
to show forth thy praise,<br>
testify thy love,<br>
advance thy kingdom.<br>
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,<br>
with thee, O Father, as my harbor,<br>
thee, O Son, at my helm,<br>
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.<br>
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,<br>
my lamp burning,<br>
my ear open to thy calls,<br>
my heart full of love,<br>
my soul free.<br>
Give me thy grace to sanctify me,<br>
thy comforts to cheer,<br>
thy wisdom to teach,<br>
thy right hand to guide,<br>
thy counsel to instruct,<br>
thy law to judge,<br>
thy presence to stabilize.<br>
May thy fear be my awe,<br>
thy triumphs my joy.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: smaller;">—Arthur Bennett, editor. THE VALLEY OF VISION: A COLLECTION OF PURITAN PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Banner of Truth Trust, 1999 (first published in 1975), p. 112. ISBN 0-85151-228-3.<br><br>
Source: </span><a href="http://www.wqotw.org" target="_new"><span style="font-size: smaller;">http://www.wqotw.org</span></a><br><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/577052009-12-31T10:50:51-08:002009-12-31T10:50:51-08:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!<br><br>
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)</span><br><br><span style="font-size: large;">"Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God." (William Carey)</span><br><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/574022009-12-24T07:37:24-08:002009-12-24T07:37:24-08:00The Humiliation of God<span style="font-size: larger;">This important truth of the humiliation of God the Son (the Incarnation) is part of the great story of redemption.<br><br>
JOHN 1:10-14 (NIV)<br><i>He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.</i><br><br>
THE HUMILIATION OF GOD (C. S. Lewis)<br>
The Second Person in God, the Son, became human Himself: was born into the world as an actual man—a real man of a particular height, with hair of a particular color, speaking a particular language, weighing so many stone. The Eternal Being, who knows everything and who created the whole universe, became not only a man but (before that) a baby, and before that a fetus inside a Woman's body. If you want to get the hang of it, think how you would like to become a slug or a crab.<br><br>
—C. S. Lewis, MERE CHRISTIANITY. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., p. 155.<br><br>
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-8 (NIV)<br><i>If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.<br><br>
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:<br>
Who, being in very nature God,<br>
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,<br>
but made himself nothing,<br>
taking the very nature of a servant,<br>
being made in human likeness.<br>
And being found in appearance as a man,<br>
he humbled himself<br>
and became obedient to death—<br>
even death on a cross!</i><br><br>
HOLD FAST TO THE HUMILITY OF GOD (Augustine)<br>
All that springs from the humility of this sublime moment [the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ] is grasped by the faith of Christians, while far from the comprehension of the godless; since God <i>"has hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and revealed them to the little ones" </i>(Luke 10:21).<br><br>
So let the humble hold fast to the humility of God, so that this wonderful support may, like a beast of burden, lighten the burden of their weakness, and they may arrive at the heights of God. As for the wise and prudent, they aim at the loftiness of God without believing in his humble lowliness; and so, by overstepping his humility and reaching his loftiness, they have remained, empty and weightless, inflated and elated, dangling, as it were, at a windy middle level between heaven and earth.<br><br>
They are indeed wise and prudent, but in the affairs of this world, not of the one by whom the world was made. Because if they were possessed of the true wisdom, which is from God and is God, they world understand that it was possible for flesh to be taken on by God without his being changed into flesh; they would understand that he took to himself what he was not, while remaining what he was; and that he came to us in a man without ever departing from the Father; and that he continued to be what he is, while appearing to us as what we are; and that his divine power was confined in the body of an infant without being withdrawn from the whole mass of the universe.<br><br>
—Augustine of Hippo (354-430), from a Christmas sermon preached in the year 396, as found in PROCLAIMING THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL: ANCIENT SERMONS AND HYMNS FOR CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATION. Edited by John D. Witvliet and David Vroege. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2004, page 30.<br><br>
"O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."<br>
"Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in."</span><br><br>
From <a href="http://www.wqotw.org" target="_new">http://www.wqotw.org</a> 12-26-06<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/572172009-12-18T06:03:48-08:002009-12-18T06:03:48-08:00New Bio/Testimonies PostedSee the About Us page for links to Bio/Testimonies from various members of the CCMH Worship Band.<br>
Click here: <a href="http://www.ccmhworshipband.com/fr_aboutus.cfm" target="_new">About Us</a><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/570142009-12-15T04:57:44-08:002009-12-15T04:57:44-08:00Christmas and Xmas<span style="font-size: larger;">Just a hurried line . . . to tell a story which puts the contrast between OUR feast of the Nativity and all this ghastly "Xmas" racket at its lowest. My brother heard a woman on a bus say, as the bus passed a church with a Crib outside it, "Oh Lord! They bring religion into everything. Look—they're dragging it even into Christmas now!"<br><br>
— C. S. Lewis, LETTERS TO AN AMERICAN LADY, (December 29, 1958), edited by Clyde Kilby. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967, p.80.</span><br><br>
(Thanks to Worship Quote of the Week: <a href="http://www.wqotw.org" target="_new">http://www.wqotw.org</a>)<br><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/566962009-12-10T02:46:35-08:002009-12-10T02:46:35-08:00Doctrine & Philosphy of Ministry<span style="font-size: larger;"><b>WHAT I BELIEVE<br>
My Doctrine and Philosophy of Ministry</b><br><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><hr>
<b><i>Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority. We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature. (2 Corinthians 13:5-9, NLT)</i></b></span> <br><b><hr>
Beliefs Regarding the Purpose of the Church</b><br><br>
I believe that the church exists, first and foremost, to glorify God. My supreme desire is to know Christ and to be conformed into His image by the power of the Holy Spirit.<br><br>
I am non-denominational in my thinking. Not that I am opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of the doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the Body of Christ.<br><br>
I believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is His (agape) love, which is greater than any differences we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves to be Christians.<br><br>
I believe that worship of God should be Spiritual. Therefore, I think it is important to remain flexible and yielded to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit as we gather to worship Jesus Christ, be taught by His Word and grow in our love for one another.<br><br>
I believe worship of God should be Inspirational. When we come to worship Him it is because He is worthy to receive glory, honor and power and has created all things. Therefore, I believe it is important to emphasize music and songs of worship and praise.<br><br>
I believe worship of God should be Intelligent. As a church, Christians ought to be taught by His Word because it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, leading us to a knowledge of Him. Therefore, I think it is important to place great emphasis on the Word of God. In Worship, that plays out in selection of many "Scripture Songs" that enable the body to memorize the Word.<br><br>
I believe worship of God is Fruitful. We come to grow in our love because it is His commandment that we love one another, and by this the world will know that we are His disciples. I look for His love in my life as the supreme manifestation that I have truly been worshipping Him.<br><br>
In worship, I enjoy services that focus on a "personal relationship" with God through song worship and prayer and the teaching of the Word of God. I enjoy teaching and hearing both expository and topical studies. While I am what many would call a charasmatic, I do not believe the church should allow speaking loudly in tongues or the interruption of services with prophesy if there is a Bible Study in progress. It is not that I do not hold to the using of these gifts, but I believe that everything should be done decently and in order. I believe that God will not interrupt Himself. <br><hr>
<b>Statement of Faith</b><br><br>
I believe in all the fundamental doctrines of the orthodox, evangelical Protestant Christian church.<br><br>
I believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible, authoritative Word of God, inerrant in the original writings.<br><br>
I believe there is one true and living God, eternally existent in three separate persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<br><br>
I believe that God the Father is the personal, transcendent, and sovereign Creator of all things.<br><br>
I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He is fully God and fully human. I believe in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.<br><br>
I believe that for the salvation of the lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential, and that repentance from sin and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only way to come into a relationship with God. Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.<br><br>
I believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life; I further believe His power and gifts are available to believers today. I believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.<br><br>
I believe it is important to uphold the Scriptural practices of the early church like water baptism (adults, immersed) and the regular taking of communion. I do not believe that either of these practices is essential for salvation, but that they serve as a demonstration of our living faith in Christ.<br><br>
I await the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and I believe that the second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth will be personal, pre-millennial, and visible. This motivates me to strive for holy living, heartfelt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, and participation in baptism and communion.<br><br>
I believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible, and their exercise today, but always decently and in order, and with the primary emphasis on the Word of God which ought to be our primary rule of faith. To quote Pastor Chuck Smith of </span><a href="http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com" target="_new"><span style="font-size: larger;">Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa</span></a><span style="font-size: larger;">, "We believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today if they are exercised within the Scriptural guidelines. We as believers are to covet the best gifts, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. We believe that love is more important than the most spectacular gifts, and without this love all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless."<br><br>
I believe in participating in and supporting evangelistic outreach ministries in our own communitiy as well as communities all over the world. However, my main belief concerning evangelism is that "healthy sheep beget sheep." I am convinced that as pastors continue to feed the flock of God by teaching them the Word of God, that they will "naturally" lead others to Christ. The Worship Team plays a major role in the Sunday morning services. When healthy sheep bring their friends to church, often one of the first things a new visitor notices is "the band". As such, it is important that the team plays skillfully and to the best of their abilities. Note: It is not a requirement that the team member be a virtuoso, just a willing vessel, called to lead others in worship.<br><hr>
<b>The Role of the Worship Leader or Worship Pastor</b><br><br>
A Worship Leader or Worship Pastor is to meet the needs of all those who choose to fellowship at the Church in which he serves and to help every believer become a functioning member of the body of Christ, particularly with those whom God has called to participate in the Worship ministry. The pastor's calling is expressed in <i><b><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Ephesians 4:11-12</span></b></i>, and I believe it applies to the Worship Leader as well.<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153);"> </span><i><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153);"></span><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><b>"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ."</b></span><b><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">(NLT)</span></b></i><br><br>
It is therefore my goal to help those that are a part of the Worship Minsitry to mature in Christ so that they can do "the work of ministry." To accomplish this, I place a high emphasis on the teachings of the Word of God regarding worship and the role of singers and musicians in worship.<i><b><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"> "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." </span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">(2 Timothy 3:16, NLT) </span></b></i>Accordingly, the Worship ministry under my leadership is reliant upon the authority of Scripture for direction and the empowering of the Holy Spirit for success.<br><br><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Compiled from many sources, mostly Calvary Chapel related sites, and personalized by Greg Skodacek)</span> <br></span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/545692009-12-09T10:41:17-08:002009-12-09T10:41:17-08:00A Fifteenth Century Christmas SermonAn excerpt from a Christmas sermon by Thomas à Kempis, the fifteenth-century author who penned the devotional classic THE IMITATION OF CHRIST. Notice how this intense meditation on Christmas Eve worship pictures the scene in Bethlehem and draws on the language of the entire biblical record. Try reading this out loud.<br><br><span style="font-size: larger;">Seek the Lord, while he may be found; call on him, while he is near” (Isa. 55:6). Arise, all you faithful of Christ: eagerly gather for this reverent observance of the Lord’s birth. For this is the most holy night on which the Redeemer of the world, Jesus Christ, chose to be born of the glorious Virgin Mary. Arise, therefore, all, and watch. Prepare your hearts and pray. The Lord has come. Come and adore. Seek Jesus, and you will find him. Knock at the door and it will be opened to you. Enter the house and you will see. Our King has arrived. Christ has been born to us. Come, let us adore and fall down before him: for he it is who made us. Come, you angels and archangels: chant and rejoice and sing psalms. Be glad, you just in the Lord: sing a hymn to our God. Proclaim his works among the nations. God has come in the flesh. He who is never away from us in the divine is with us in human nature. Come, little and great, old and aged, youths and maidens: sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders this day. Lift up your hearts with your hands to heaven and above all rejoicing give glory to his praise.<br><br>
The Lord is with us: do not be sad. Put on the garments of gladness and joy, you chosen ones of God. Cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. As in the light of day, so let us watch this sacred night. Let us rejoice and exult. Let us sing songs and hymns. Let us praise God our Savior. Let us offer him our vows. Let us present him the service of our mouth, The Lord is with us, depart not, weary not, but stand strongly, and sing psalms to him with cheerfulness. . . .<br><br>
Therefore be glad and rejoice, daughter of Zion. Give praise, O Jerusalem. For this day true peace has come down from heaven to appease and restore the things that are in heaven and the things that are on earth. This day the true Light has shone on the earth to enlighten everyone that believes in him. This day there is great joy in Israel, for Christ is born in Bethlehem. This day throughout the world the heavens are flowing with honey; for from the mouth of the learned comes very sweet speeches by which the weak are refreshed, the devout consoled, the ignorant instructed, the slothful aroused, the faithful strengthened, and unbelievers put to shame.<br><br>
Today the angels rejoice, the archangels exult, and all the just are expressing adoration and spiritual joy. Today night is turned into day and great brightness, for to those with righteous hearts a light has risen up in darkness, the merciful and compassionate Lord. . . . And when the day shall have dawned, may the Sun of Justice, who is born shine in the hearts of all those who love him, and may fresh devotion again rise in the hearts of all who celebrate. . . .<br><br>
O blessed and joyful birth, which has changed the curse of our fist parents into blessing and has turned their grief into everlasting joy. This night is truly worthy of the awe and love of all people, the night in which Christ permitted himself to be delivered in order to deliver all.<br><br>
Blessed therefore be the holy Trinity by, whose goodness and wisdom the dignity of humanity has been restored and the cunning of the devil deceived. I bless you, heavenly Father, who sent your beloved Son into the world for our redemption. I bless you only-begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, who to redeem us assumed our nature. I bless you, Holy Spirit, the paraclete, who gloriously and wondrously perfected all the mysteries of our redemption from the beginning to the end, To you be infinite praise and glory, to you be honor and empire, O supreme, eternal Trinity, by whose providence and ordering so sweet and solemn a festival has come to us. Amen.</span><br><br>
—Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471), from PROCLAIMING THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL: ANCIENT SERMONS AND HYMNS FOR CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATION. Edited by John D. Witvliet and David Vroege. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2004, pages 102-4. ISBN 0-8010-6405-8. <br><br>
Note: This is a quote from Worship Quote of the Week. An excellent resource of wisdom and encouragement. <a href="http://www.wqotw.org/" target="_new">http://www.wqotw.org/</a>. <br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/542012009-12-01T05:04:48-08:002009-12-01T05:04:48-08:00Worship's Center of Gravity<span style="font-size: larger;">"The New Testament books highlight the spiritual enrichment of life. The exultant outbursts of Ephesians 1:3, ff. and 1 Peter 1:3 ff. center our thoughts upon God’s saving mercy in Christ and the Gospel. The bounty of God’s care and provision is indeed recorded, especially in the teaching of Jesus (e.g., Luke 12:22-31); and God’s creative and sustaining power in nature is a theme of the heavenly anthem (Revelation 4:11), but there can be no doubt as to the center of gravity in New Testament teaching on worship. The lodestone which irresistibly draws the New Testament Church to the recognition of God’s love and mercy is His saving actions in the Son of His love. Martin Luther’s limpid confession of faith, “Christ the Son of God is our Savior” is sufficient to call forth the loudest and most triumphant chords of worship and praise. Christian worship finds here its true center and its main inspiration, as it celebrates that mighty act of redemption in Christ—incarnate, atoning and exalted (these are the motifs of the “new song” of the redeemed in Revelation 5:9-14); and His continuing presence with His people in the Holy Sprit makes our worship a reality and not (as it would otherwise be) an empty form (Philippians 3:3)."</span><br><br>
— Ralph Martin, WORSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH, from chapter 1, “The Church—A Worshipping Community,” Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, second edition, 1974 (2000 printing), p. 16.<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/551752009-11-27T18:30:00-08:002017-01-13T06:05:34-08:00Stand In Awe CD's Special Price<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>For a limited time, Stand In Awe CD's are available for <u>only $10.00</u> </b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>plus shipping (and tax for CA residents).<br><br>
CD's are available only at our web site, <a href="http://www.ccmhworshipband.com/store" target="_new">http://www.ccmhworshipband.com/store</a></b></span></span>.<br><br>
Sorry, shipping is only available in the USA at this time. <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/sad_smile.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/556802009-11-25T12:08:05-08:002009-11-25T12:08:05-08:00Thankful for the Greatness of God<b>Psalm 105: 1-3</b><br><hr>
1 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.<br>
Let the whole world know what he has done.<br><br>
2 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.<br>
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.<br><br>
3 Exult in his holy name;<br>
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/558322009-11-24T09:05:52-08:002020-10-12T04:16:46-07:00Thanksgiving and SongHave you ever noticed how often the Bible links music and singing with giving thanks to God? Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE is a selection of Scripture passages that illustrate this strong biblical connection. I find this fascinating and helpful. This is not a complete list.<br><br>
THANKSGIVING AND SONG<br><br>
Ezra 3:11 — With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love to Israel endures forever.”<br><br>
Nehemiah 12:27 — At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.<br><br>
Nehemiah 12:31 — I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks.<br><br>
2 Chronicles 5:13 — The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever."<br><br>
2 Chronicles 7:6 — The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD's musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, "His love endures forever."<br><br>
Psalm 7:17 — I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.<br><br>
Psalm 28:7 — The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.<br><br>
Psalm 30:11-12 — You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.<br><br>
Psalm 69:30 — I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.<br><br>
Psalm 95:2 — Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.<br><br>
Psalm 147:7 — Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.<br><br>
Isaiah 51:3 — The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.<br><br>
Jeremiah 30:19 — From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing.<br><br>
Jonah 2:9 — But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD.”<br><br>
Ephesians 5:19-20 — Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br><br>
Colossians 3:15-17 — Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.<br><br>
From the Worship Quote of the Week web site: <a href="http://www.wqotw.org" target="_new">www.wqotw.org</a><br><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/564102009-11-21T18:05:38-08:002009-11-21T18:05:38-08:00With my whole being, body and soul<span style="font-size: medium;">As you enter into your place of worship, let this be the cry of your heart. "I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God." (Psalm 84:2)</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/563442009-11-18T08:37:04-08:002009-11-18T08:37:04-08:00Love Overwhelming<i>"You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you."</i> (Nehemiah 9:6, NLT).<br><br>
When I think about the grandeur of creation, the immensity of it all, and the fact that the Creator God loves us and thinks of us, I am filled with awe and wonder. In the book of Isaiah, God says,<i> "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts.... And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."</i> (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT) ...And He still thinks of us.<br><br>
The Psalmist sums it up so well. <i>"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor." </i>(Psalm 8:3-5, NLT)<br><br>
As we enter into the Thanksgiving season, lets take time to reflect on these things. Let's be thankful for God's overwhelming love for us.<br><br>
"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.') No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39, NLT)<br><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/563092009-11-17T03:54:13-08:002009-11-17T03:54:13-08:00Stand In Awe CD's are in!Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, You inspire shouts of joy. (Psalm 65:8, NLT)<br><br><span style="font-size: larger;">For those of you that prefer an actual CD you can hold in your hand, as opposed to downloads, the Stand In Awe CD's are in and are now available at our web site store. </span><a href="http://www.ccmhworshipband.com/store.htm" target="_new"><span style="font-size: larger;">www.ccmhworshipband.com/store.htm</span></a><br><br>
(USA deliveries only at this time. We are working on setting up international shipping and will keep you posted.)<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/562422009-11-15T01:56:26-08:002022-01-07T17:45:35-08:00Psalm 27:4-6 (NLT) <span style="font-size: larger;">Psalm 27:4-6 (NLT) "The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music." Wherever you fellowship today, have a blessed time "delighting in the Lord's perfections."</span><br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/562112009-11-13T17:42:17-08:002020-09-02T22:49:36-07:00Worship<span style="font-size: larger;">“Worship is the total alignment of our heart, soul, mind and strength with the will of God. It is our whole-hearted response to God’s extravagant love and mercy.”</span> - Tim Hughes<br><a href="http://www.worshipcentral.org/blog/tim/worship-definitions" target="_new">www.worshipcentral.org/blog/tim/worship-definitions</a><br><br type="_moz">Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/560642009-11-11T10:05:52-08:002009-11-11T10:05:52-08:00What is Worship? (John Stott)What, then, does it mean to worship God? It is to "glory in his holy name" (Ps. 105:3), that is , to revel adoringly in who he is in his revealed character. But before we can glory in God's name, we must know it. Hence the propriety of the reading and preaching of the Word of God in public worship, and of biblical meditation in private devotion. These things are not an intrusion into worship; they form the necessary foundation of it. God must speak to us before we have any liberty to speak to him. He must disclose to us who he is before we can offer him what we are in acceptable worship. The worship of God is always a response to the Word of God. Scripture wonderfully directs and enriches our worship.<br><br>
John Stott - in THE CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN, InterVarsity Press, 1992, p. 174<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/558862009-11-08T16:59:54-08:002009-11-08T16:59:54-08:00Living WorshipWorship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God, for who He is and what He has done, expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live.<br><br>
--Louie Giglio, The Air I Breathe<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Bandtag:ccmhworshipband.com,2005:Post/557942009-11-05T15:10:00-08:002009-11-05T15:10:00-08:00Worship: The Christian's Highest OccupationThe term, "worship," like many other great words, such as "grace" and "love," defies adequate definition. The meaning of these words, like the exquisite perfume of a rose, or the delightful flavor of honey, is more easily experienced than described. Some definitions of value: "Worship is the overflow of a grateful heart, under the sense of Divine favor." Here the writer has emphasized the fact that worship is a spontaneous thing. It is not something which has to be laboriously pumped up, but that which springs up, and overflows from a heart filled with a sense of the greatness and goodness of God. . . . "Worship is the outpouring of the soul at rest in the presence of God." Here the accent is on the spiritual condition of the one who worships. The believer is at rest. . . . "Worship is the occupation of the heart, not with it's needs, or even with it's blessings, but with God Himself." Here the distinction is between prayer, praise, and worship. . . . One more definition: "Worship is the upspring of a heart that knows the Father as a Giver, the Son as Savior, and the Holy Spirit as the indwelling Guest." . . . . "Salvation is something received by us as a free gift from God (Rom. 6:23). Worship is something presented by us to God, as a willing acknowledgement of our deep appreciation of what He is, and all He has done." --from the first chapter of *Worship: The Christian's Highest Occupation,* by A. P. Gibbs<br>Calvary Chapel Mission Hills Worship Band