Starting this blog has been more challenging than I expected.
When I consider all that has been written on worship the past few years (and I’m sure I’ve just seen a small slice), it doesn’t seem like there’s much more to say. We simply need to do it. Worship God, that is. In addition, many of the articles/books I’ve read communicate what I want to share much better than I could ever hope to. Maybe I should just make my blog a collection of great quotes on worship.
I’m also concerned that churning out a five-day-a-week column (that’s the goal, anyway) might be a little challenging. I’m not sure I can even convince Julie, my wife and best friend of 29 years, to read my blog THAT often.
Undoubtedly, pride has held me back. I don’t simply want to write a blog on worship. I want to write THE blog on worship (it helps that there aren’t very many out there to begin with). In my worst moments I’m hoping worshipmatters.com will be quoted, blogrolled, referenced, acclaimed, recognized, and well, worshiped. The fear that that WON’T happen, and that worshipmatters.com will die after two weeks due to lack of interest, gives me pause.
Ironic, isn’t it? One of my motives for writing a blog on worshipping God seems to be gaining glory for myself. Come to think of it, one of my motives for almost everything I do seems to be gaining glory for myself.
But, maybe you’re like me. Your efforts to steal God’s glory make you weep, and you ache to be undone by the splendor of Jesus Christ. You realize that attempts at “worship,” however musically skilled, historically rooted, emotionally moving, passionately expressive, culturally relevant, or theologically precise, can never adequately express the praise God deserves. You want worship to extend beyond singing to influence your every thought, word, and action.
If that’s you, I pray this blog will encourage you. If you grow in your understanding of worship and music that will be great. But my real hope is that you’ll see more clearly that the only life worth living is the one that magnifies God’s supreme worth and the grace found in Jesus Christ.
Thanks for reading.
“As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
(Phil. 1:20-21, ESV)
This post is significant to me as a new blogger. I would like to quote you this week from this post. I especially enjoyed your series on worship. I do agree with your friend who advised you to begin this blog that this may be a better vehicle to reach more people. You have much to say and I plan to be back often. God bless you.
Kay,
Thanks for your encouragement. Please feel free to use whatever’s helpful from this post.
Bob,
I just found your site and blog. I attended the CMS conference this past weekend and learned a lot from your comments. I bought your book “Worship Matters” and have been reading it every spare minute I get. Most books on worship that I have tried to read have not held my interest. However, you make it interesting and relevant and I have learned so much already that I can’t wait to finish your book.
I’m also looking forward to hearing more from you via your blog.
Keep up the good work.
God Bless,
Marty
Amazing post from 2005. I mean i see in your archives that you have been consistent and you were able to write a lot already and I think God will continually use your site to touch more people and to glorify God always. I am still starting. I’m like in my first few months and I relate with what you feel. The “glory” must belong to God not to my site, not to Him but to him who is the reason why I blog.
Blessings to you and thanks for the inspiration!
Our worship team uses the resources and articles found on Worship Matters every week :)
Thank You!!!