A Sunday morning thought, singing bad theology

If you are happy and you know it clap your hands!! 

And you know I will - nothing wrong with this song. 

We go for fun, we go for upbeat, we sometimes teach bad theology through the songs we sing.
Yes, even a few of those age old songs we loved to sing as a child... because certainly as Christians we will be inright outright upright downright happy all the time! Really?
For Sunday mornings worship leaders are intentional in choosing songs that are truth about Jesus, and sincere words for believers to sing to an incredible God...should we offer anything less to our children in their worship/music time?!
My desire is to not make a list of songs with bad/wrong theology...but to have us think of the songs that we sing! Especially on Sunday mornings, let's not overlook the importance of being intentional with the songs we lead our children in each week.

thankful...for pleasant aromas

This November I am giving thanks for much...and that includes the five senses God created.  So this week, along the way I am inhaling deep breaths, taking the time to stop and smell the...

freshly ground coffee beans
the wood burning in a campfire
fragrant blossoms of a tea olive plant
cool salty air at the coast (Thanksgiving I will be doing this)
crisp Autumn air (has it's on fresh scent bidding summer good-bye, welcoming cool nights, apples, the changing colors of leaves...)
cinnamon

a Votivo Bright Leaf Tobacco candle
earthy smell of soil while planting a winter garden
stew or soup that has been cooking in a slow cooker all day
rich smell of chocolate oatmeal cookies right out of the oven
pine sap
pages of an old book
early morning rain


when these scents fill my nostrils, I am thankful. Thankful for a creative God!

Speak the truth

With heart racing there are words on the tip of your tongue, they must be spoken.
Like a meteor shower "what if's" begin to light up in your mind leaving you a bit lightheaded:
"they will think i am crazy"   "my motives will be judged"   "it is truth, but what if it is not received well"   "will they be angry?"   "but it is truth"     "it goes against the status quo"    "it's the right thing to do"     "this is like swimming upstream"


With a quiver the words come, spoken in love, but mighty in truth. The time is now, 

"speak the truth, even if your voice shakes."

Speak the truth...in your home, in the classroom, in the conference room, in the courtroom, on the field, on the court...

Speak the truth...to your family, with your friends, to your professor, with your boss, to your enemy... 

"speak the truth, even if your voice shakes."

"You shall speak all that I command you" Exodus 7:2

"My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely." Job 33:3

"He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend." Psalm 15:1-3

"My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding." 
Psalm 49:3

"I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame." 
Psalm 119:46

"My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever." Psalm 145:21

"Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit." Proverbs 12:17

"And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear or refuse to hear." Ezekiel 3:11

When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19&20