A worship resource created by Chris Tomlin and a team of worship leaders

August 2009

Awe / Awesome / Awestruck
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Thursday - August 27, 2009
      The FQblog brings you a great picture of the content available at FQworship.com. Today’s post is from the Themes section.
       The Themes section at FQworship.com is designed to assist you in planning a worship service around a central theme or message. Our goal is that it will help bring a fresh look at attributes that define a Christian walk. These themes may be the topic of a Bible study, a sermon, a word study or simply a personal study.
       Each theme at FQworship.com includes a definition, a closer insight on the word itself, scripture references and a list of songs that include that theme. Our desire is that this will assist you in creating environments where people can experience genuine worship.

Awe / Awesome / Awestruck
an expression or state of reverence and respect.

Insight
The word, “awesome” is used often in our culture to describe something very special or meaningful. It can be used as slang…”like totally awesome dude.” That will take you back! The Word of God uses the word “awesome” to describe the many inspiring and supernatural acts of God.

It is always true that an encounter with God brings wonderment and awe!
- A.W. Tozer


Worship the Awesome God
Let all of our hearts praise you today, for You are the Awesome God. You have stretched out the heavens and the earth. You display Your awesome power and deeds for all to see! We stand in awe of who You are, and the things You have done. We cannot fathom Your greatness or Your worth. We are in awe of You.

…Lead us Sunward…
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Monday - August 17, 2009

          Old hymns are like dusty gems.  Take one off the shelf, dust it off, and you have a beautiful, multi-faceted, precious declaration of faith.  How often do I forget that those who have gone before me have needed Jesus, just as I?  Many have walked before us with even greater burdens and suffering, and to read their declarations of praise is such a blessing.  On a particular day of need, I came across this old jewel: Ode to Joy.  This poem was written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke (a college student) and set to the famous melody of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Take a minute and meditate on these precious words:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

          When was the last time you asked the Father to melt the clouds of sin and sadness in your life?  What a beautiful picture when he writes, “hearts unfold like flowers- open to the sun”.  The last line, “joyful music leads us (to Christ) in the triumph song of life.”  As you walk this week, may you be joyful!  As you lead others in worship, may you offer up joyful songs to the Author, Creator, and King of JOY!

Thinking on the Purpose of Worship Ministry
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Tuesday - August 4, 2009

          Each week, millions of people attend worship at churches around the world. Only God knows the impact of His work in the hearts and lives of these worshipers. Through worship, God ministers to the heart, challenges the mind, and refreshes the soul. Our aim is to: #1 please God in corporate worship to Him and #2 lead others to His heart through song.
          Throughout time, Christ-followers have seen God’s power displayed through song. When Nehemiah led Gods people back into obedience to him, He summoned worship leaders to challenge, remind, and encourage the people’s hearts as they celebrated fulfilling their promise to God…see Nehemiah 12. The songs we sing may tell a story of God’s faithfulness or simply adore our Savior. Bottom line: we all have had life-changing experiences during times of corporate (and personal) worship. As a follower of Christ, personal worship is essential. We encourage personal worship as a way of life-everyday.
          Corporate worship is also so important because it unifies a group of people under the umbrella of God and propels them to partner together for the sake of Christ. It also calls all to lay down selfish desires and sins, and challenges all to a victoriously holy life. It challenges the very spiritual person not to leave his or her struggling brother or sister behind. Lastly, corporate worship reminds us who we are together (the children of God) and that we are loved by Him…deeply.

How do we accomplish this?

  • Ever-strengthening walk with Jesus.
  • Regularly asking for God’s direction and plan.
  • Humbly asking God for a deep love for people, and a desire for them to know God and experience His love.
  • Excellence in music.
  • Flexibility on and off the stage with song selection and the direction of the worship service.