I have been involved in the worship ministry at Western Hills since last November. The details of that fact and my ever present lack of confidence and ability would fill up several blogs so I will not bore you. The short story is we have been working to recreate worship as a God inspired, Spirit filled activity.
This past Sunday night was set aside as a worship evening, involving some new music that we had given the congregation on a CD as an Easter gift. The 3 worship leaders chose the songs they wanted to lead and prepared a short intro or explanation on why they were important. My songs were "Days of Elijah" and "Ancient Words".
If you know me at all you are already aware that I am not the emotional rock I would like to be. I made it through the explanation and singing of "Days" without any problem. I mentioned Robin Mark who wrote the song and some of the reasons for the words used. The church seemed to follow and sounded great singing "riding on the clouds, shining like the sun ....".
"Ancient Words" was next. This is were I folded like a cheap chair. I started out by talking about the faith that is handed down from the "Ancient Words" of God, through the Prophets, and believers we read about in he Bible. But I wanted to say more. I also feel that the "Ancient Words" are words from the saints that guided us as our faith began. The "holy words, of our faith, handed down" by saints that we knew personally. This is were I really lost it. I thought of James and JoAnn Gibbs, Eugene Winter, Bubba and Robynn Martin, Tom Bankhead, Dr. Jack Mankin, Mark Lewis, Wayne and Mimi, James LeFan, Easter Bundy and in my mind the list went on and on. Faithful believers that had impacted my life and pushed me toward the cross of Jesus. The legacy of faith that I had been given and entrusted with. The sacrifices made over the years for the benefit of the church. What touches me the most is that the "Ancient Words" do not change. They are the same for all believers.
The list of believers that passed on to me the "Ancient Words" is a much longer list then what you have read above. Who is on your list? Who are the saints that passed the legacy of faith on to you? Think about those people please. Share them if you would like to. Above all, carry on the legacy. YOU MUST.
God bless those who guided us in faith. God help us to pass on the faith to the next generation.
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8 comments:
A faithful grandmother, Lorene Allred, Nell and Grady Jolly, Cleo Denny, Randy Becton, John Willis, Brother "Huffy", Haven and Sarah Miller....whoa. I could go on and on, Coach. Thanks for giving me this chance to reflect and be grateful for the precious believers that have shared their lives with me. I hope we can all live our lives in a way that would put us on someone's list...Good song, too.
thank you for a great blog. it helps to be reminded of those that have influenced our faith. it reminds me of paul's list of such people at the end of romans..
Isn't it amazing how, put in the right frame of mind, worship songs can have such a powerful impact on us. I believe our truest theology is found in our worship songs. These are the songs that invade our hearts, minds, and souls. Days of Elijah is just so amazing that it makes me want to just jump out of my skin. Which is what worship is all about, getting our minds out of this place and putting it at the feet of God. Great post...you are definately the Sunago chaplin!
Well, you did a good job on this post but as usual I have something to add. I was recently convicted about the importance of leaving a legacy of faith when I studied this passage: "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who neither knew the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served Baals." Judges 2:10-11
How could the Israelites not pass along to the next generation how God saved them and all He had done? So I am grateful for the women in my life that have left a legacy of faith for me: my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mom, Marleea Crittendon, Liz Everest, Jeanine Reece, all the Kojie sponsors (Gayla, Karen, Marsha, Judy) and my dear friends who encourage me as we learn to be mothers together. Sharla
Jim Woodroof, John York, Kyle Bolton, Mike Cope, Tony Ash and wonderful women like Geri Harmon (taught my middle school class on Wednesday nights when I was in 8th grade) Judy Thomas (thru her writings) Betty Goforth and my grandmother who raised me.
I know we give eachother such a hard time everytime we talk but I wanted to let you know that I am proud to call you a friend. It takes a very big man and an even bigger Christian to make a statement like you made last Sunday. I have loved "Ancient Words" since I heard it on the CD for the fist time and I am moved each time I hear it. I just wanted to thank you for being an inspiration to me and showing me what a true Christian is. Thank you! Not only did you make me stop and think of the people who influenced me and my faith, you make me think of the ways I need to be influencing my 3 boys! Again, thank you! (I'm sure by now you might be wondering if this is really me, since this might be our first conversation that isn't harassment, but it truly is! If I could think of a crude comment to make right now, you know I would, but you have silenced me for the fist time!)
You are wise beyond your years my friend...
You are wise beyond your years my friend...
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