Biblical reflections and resources for thoughtful worshipers and worship leaders
Do you wonder why some pastors say that God is a missionary God? Are you confused when some people call America a Christian nation? Doesn’t Scripture talk about people from every nation being part of God’s family? How do we reconcile this? What does it have to do with worship? Let's consider some …
[Read more...] about Called to Worship: God is a Missionary God
I'm currently reading K.P. Yohannan's Revolution in World Missions, (get it free here). He has seen phenomenal results throughout Asia in taking the gospel to villages through national missionaries who are literally willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Gospel--it sounds much like the …
The end of a year always provides a chance for analysis and forecasting. While it's an arbitrary marker in certain respects, it allows us a chance to evaluate our work and lives. John Piper recently released his end of year report for Desiring God Ministries. In this 9 minute video, he describes …
[Read more...] about Phil’s Top Ten Lists: 10 Things to Make 2012 Memorable
If you're a church musician, I'm sure you've heard, said or been a victim of one of the following statements: "Worship is not a performance, so stop showing off every Sunday." "God is more concerned about our hearts in worship, so you don't need to practice as much for worship as you might for …
Football, turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Add in family, friends and some fall colors and you have Thanksgiving, right? I don't think that's what the pilgrims were thinking. The food and celebration overflowed from a place of gratefulness they had survived a very harsh first year in the …
What does your Sunday look like? Do you enter a new week invigorated or drained; renewed or discouraged? I was recently talking to a pastor friend about the way sports mania has invaded Sunday mornings for kids and family. I've seen numerous families have to make tough decisions about the …
[Read more...] about Preparing for Worship (part 4): 3 Things All Worshipers Can Learn from Children
Called to Worship – Issue #24 By Phil Mershon One of the most important facets of a worshipper's life is a steady diet of scripture. If your worship is not rooted in scripture and truth, then it will become empty emotionalism. Likewise, if your worship is not rooted in the Spirit, then it has the …
[Read more...] about Preparing for Worship (Part 3): Praying and Reading the Scripture
Called to Worship – Issue #17 by Phil Mershon Have you heard this joke? A burglar breaks into an empty house. He's carefully stowing away his newfound treasures when he hears a voice, "Jesus is watching you." Startled, he looks around for the source. Not seeing anyone he continues looting the …
[Read more...] about Jesus is Watching You: Gospel Reflections on Isaiah 53
Called to Worship – Issue #16 by Phil Mershon The terms of God's covenant with Israel could not be clearer: obey God's commandments and you will be blessed; disobey and you will be cursed. More specifically, you will either gain or be denied the presence of God based on your covenant fidelity. …
[Read more...] about Spelunking and the Gospel: Digging into our heart’s responses to God’s call
Called to Worship – Issue #15 by Phil Mershon ****WARNING: This post is longer than usual, so you may want to grab a cup of coffee for this chat!! **** I hate moving. I've moved 18 times in the last 20 years—12 of them while married. I think I'm qualified to say something negative about moving, …
[Read more...] about Grace on the Move: 7 Life Lessons Learned from Moving
