Celebration

The turkey is roasting, the sweet and sour red cabbage - done. All that's left is the dressing, mashed potatoes and baked acorn squash. Oh and the gravy.

Tonight's meal compliments of Rosh Hashana, Shabbat and a change in the weather - autumn time. Celebration time.

And there is much to celebrate. It's a new year. 5772 according to the Jewish calendar.  Shana tova umetukah. A good and sweet year. New beginnings.

Well, let me back up a little. Actually Autumn came early this year. September 1st to be exact. All 6 pounds 7 ounces of her. Perfect. Tiny. Beautiful. And quite a surprise. You see her due date was September 23rd - the first day of fall. But G~d in His mercy and compassion saw to it that she was to be delivered safely. So you can see why it's a time of celebration.

Tonight Les will pronounce the blessing over the bread and the wine as well as spend some time in thanksgiving. 

Bless ADONAI, my soul! Everything in me, bless His holy name!  Bless ADONAI, my soul, and forget none of His benefits! He forgives all your offenses, He heals all your diseases, He redeems your life from the pit, He surrounds you with grace and compassion, He contents you with good as long as you live, so that your youth is renewed like an eagle's.~Psalm 103~

I'm sitting in my livingroom listening to Craig Taubman - waiting for sundown so I can light my candles and begin the wonderful 24 hour period of Shabbat. It's been a busy week. Today was a full day. I am ready to rest.

And I ponder - why are so many resistant to receiving the gift of Shabbat or Sabbath given by G~d? I've heard all the reasons and excuses. I just scratch my head.

Not long ago I was one of those who fell into bed exhaused on Friday night, got up on Saturday with a full schedule, ran full tilt all day only to stay up too late because there was always one more thing to get done. Then came Sunday. Up for church and all the obligations waiting for me there. By Sunday night I bemoaned the  obvious realization that Monday was too close for comfort and with it another long week ahead.

Is this really how our Creator meant it to be? He rested. And He told us to rest too.

I just don't buy the "Jesus is our day of rest." Well yes, Yeshua did provide rest for my searching soul. But my spirit needs my body and my mind to stop long enough so I can remember. How can He renew my mind and restore my body if I can't even sit down long enough to allow Him a moment of my time?

For most of us it's just easier to take a pill or gulp another Starbucks and keep going. Ouch. I'm stepping on toes here aren't I?

Well, no more cooking, cleaning, shopping, bill paying, worrying (did I mention I give myself permission to put that on hold too?) until Saturday around 8 pm. Time to light those candles.

Spontaneous Worship

"Worship was so good today." It's a phrase used by many in the community of Believers. But what does that mean? The worship team played all your favorites? You got warm tingles? You felt good? You connected with G~d? When I was on the worship team at a church I once attended, that's exactly what good worship was.

Can one get warm tingles, feel good or get connected by sitting in a room of silence? Can one get healed or delivered if there is no driving beat or repetitious phrase that the Presence of G~d is there?

I've been doing some Youtube surfing lately, typing in spontaneous worship. Interesting what I am finding. It's all pretty much the same no matter which group or person is singing. I watch the crowds in each video. Most are dark environments with mood lights and they all look the same, moving to the music the same no matter which venue. And I wonder - where's the spontaneity? Could there be songs where everyone is declaring from scripture (those songs are out there - just outdated) the majesty of our G~d, who He is and not what we expect from Him? And is twenty minutes of "spontaneity" necessary? Could it just be that you could slip any phrase into the mix ten minutes into the set and no one would notice? Could someone begin a beautiful haunting melody with a driving beat  "I want only You, I want only You and slide in, "I want a PBJ, I want a PBJ without many noticing? Would the beat go on?

Is this just another music trend or is this truly a move of the Spirit? Was this a move of the Spirit for the first person or band but everyone else sees how cool it is and needs to keep things at their service trendy?

In Hebrew the word for worship and service is the same - avodah.

Let me just leave you with this. Could we be turning worship into something more or less than what G~d intends?