New Song: How Deep The Father's Love For Us

I want to teach a new song this week as we remember the death of Christ through communion. It's called "How Deep The Father's Love For Us." This is a modern-style hymn by Stuart Townend, who also co-wrote "In Christ Alone," "See What A Morning," and "The Power Of The Cross."

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished:
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished!

I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection!
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom!

By Stuart Townend, Copyright 1995 Thankyou Music, CCLI License 2915685

Preparing For Worship: April 27th

"Mind and heart belong together. Strong, passionate desires for God flow from and encourage the faithful, thoughtful study of God-His nature, character and works.
We're deceived when we think we can have one without the other. God intends us to have both.
If our doctrine is accurate but our hearts are cold towards God himself, our corporate worship will be true but lifeless. Or if we express fervent love for God but present vague, inaccurate, or incomplete ideas of him to those we're [worshiping with], our worship will be emotional but misleading-and possibly idolatrous. Neither option brings God glory."

That quote is from Bob Kauflin's book "Worship Matters: Leading Others To Encounter The Greatness Of God." A book I have already found to be immensely helpful (I'm only 5 chapters in), and one that I would recommend to you all.

We seek to worship God in spirit and in truth, with our spirit (our heart and soul), and our minds engaged in full response to God's glory. Sometimes I can see myself shifting towards one extreme or the other, WHILE I'M LEADING! I have to continually work to find the balance of intellect and emotion when responding to God.

This is an issue both when we sing, and when we sit under teaching. When we listen to the sermon, we sometimes approach it as a university lecture, something we're supposed to intellectually understand, and be able to recite during a test. We should strive to respond just as much emotionally and passionately to the Truth, as we do intellectually.

Something to think about.

Now about this Sunday. We're going to start with a song that presents us with the majesty and strength of God: "Let God Arise". This will draw our attention to his glory as we seek to corporately honor and seek him.

Darren Utley will come and remind us of upcoming opportunities at Crossroads including:
-Pastor's Coffee
-Foundation
-Building Update

We'll continue singing with "For You Are The Lord" which also extols the sovereignty and power of God as our Creator and Savior. Then we'll learn a new song called "Mighty To Save" which talks about the universal need for forgiveness, and the power that God has to forgive our wretched sin; he is might to save! We'll lead into the sermon by remembering the culmination of that power through Christ's death on the cross for our sins: "At The Cross."

Pastor Todd will continue to teach through the book of Ecclesiastes (3:16-4:16), and we'll think through the life lessons that Solomon is trying to teach us. Be sure to read the passage and prepare your minds AND HEARTS to engage and respond to God's Word. I really want to try and develop this in my own life: to respond as passionately to God's Word as I do intellectually. This includes praying that the Spirit would help me to fully understand it, and that he would show me how to apply it in my life that I might better glorify the Father.

After the sermon, we'll respond with "Blessed Be Your Name" and "I Am A Friend Of God."

Looking forward to worshiping with all of you! I hope you're enjoying the CD that Frosty and Linda blessed us all with last week: "Paradox of Power." (If you weren't there or didn't receive one, catch me before or after the service, or check out Linda's website HERE)

Good Christian Music: Chad Long

For fans of: Jack Johnson, Damien Rice, Dave Matthews Band, Jon Foreman, Bright Eyes

I went to school at The Master's College with Chad Long, and I'm excited to see his first self-titled release. His music is a perfect representation of his personality: laid back Southern California surfer, totally committed to Christ, totally authentic.

I am trying to get Chad to come and do a concert for Crossroads this summer, so check his album out on iTunes. You can also hear some of the tracks on his MYSPACE.
He's living mostly off of live shows and album sales, so pick up his album so he can have enough money to buy his Ramen noodles. (the staple dinner for starving college students, musicians, artists, etc.)

Principles For Corporate Worship

It's always been helpful for me to read how other churches are teaching their congregations to worship, both in their lives, and corporately on a Sunday morning.

I found this post over on www.colossiansthreesixteen.com (Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.)

I am in the process of developing a similar document for Crossroads, and this is a great example of what I'm shooting for. Great principles!

How We Worship: Ten Principles Which Guide us on Sunday Morning

Preparing For Worship: April 20th

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

Many of you have probably heard this famous song from The Byrds. This song comes straight from the passage Pastor Todd will be preaching from this Sunday from Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, so be sure to give it a read before Sunday.

We're going to sing "He Lives" as a call to worship, to remind ourselves of the resurrection of Christ from the dead; the crux of our Christian faith!

John Book will share some announcements with us, including
-Shelter meets Sunday night
-Pastor's Coffee on April 26th (new attenders highly encouraged to attend)
-Linda Gray CD project
Linda and Frosty Gray (Linda plays keyboards in the worship team, and Frosty can usually be found helping back at the soundboard) have produced a CD of Linda's original music, and they want to give every person at Crossroads a copy. They want it to encourage the body through the lyrics and music, and they also want it to be used as a witnessing tool, so they encourage you to take an extra copy to giveaway to someone at work/school/etc. I'll share more about it Sunday morning...

We'll continue singing together of the great gifts of God's love: "Hallalujah (Your Love Is Amazing)," grace: "Your Grace Is Enough," and mercy: "The Power Of The Cross." We learn that in these gifts, God has lavished us with everything we could ever need, and has shown his sovereignty and power over his creation, and over the sin that we brought into the world.

The sovereignty of God is the theme of the morning as we turn to God's Word, and to the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds to its truth. In light of that, Pastor Todd will ask us if we truly trust
God in everything, acknowledging his sovereignty not only with our lips, but with all of our lives.

We'll have the chance to respond in singing the great hymn "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" and end the service with "We Trust Your Will."

That's what's happening, so come prepared to participate and edify the body!

Delirious: Kingdom Of Comfort

I've been a marginal Delirious fan for most of their career, kind of in the "if you own one album you own them all" camp. I came across this review of their new album "Kingdom of Comfort" and was intrigued. After giving it a listen, I think musically they do a few new things that I enjoyed, but I was much more affected by their lyrics on this album, especially the lyrics to the title track. I probably can't review the album any more thoroughly than they did over at Christianity Today, so CLICK HERE to read the full review.

I do want to post the lyrics to the track "Kingdom Of Comfort" here though, as they are what really drew me to this album.

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

I built myself a happy home
In my palace on my own
My castle falling in the sand
Pull me out, please grab my hand
I just forgot where I came from

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

I rob myself of innocence
With the poison of indifference
I buy my stuff at any cost
A couple of clicks and I pay the price
Coz what I gain is someone else's loss

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

Instrumental/Lament

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
To this kingdom of heaven where you are king

Written by Delirious? ©2008 Curious? Music UK

I appreciate that the Christian community is beginning to become aware of the horrific conditions in which many people around the world live. I appreciate that Martin Smith (lead singer of Delirious) put together THIS PROJECT to help raise money and awareness. This album, and this track in particular, was very convicting in the way that I live. Sure, I'm not living extravagantly, indulging in every whim life brings my way, but what am I doing for those less fortunate than I??

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' - Matthew 25:42-45

Preparing For Worship: April 13th

Well we're off and running in our study of the book of Ecclesiastes! The words of Solomon resonate so well with our society that is constantly looking for the next thing to give it some sense of purpose.

Life truly is a vapor, and it becomes cyclical, and repetitive, and living in light of God's goodness is the only way to truly enjoy the trivial pursuits of our hands.

We finish chapter one and cover chapter two this Sunday where Solomon reaches an important conclusion in verse 24. Be sure to read the passage before you come on Sunday in order to prepare (click HERE to read it online).

I previously posted a new song that we'll be singing as our call to worship this Sunday, called "Your Name Be Praised." Check out the post for lyrics, and a link to a recording of the song.

John Book will bring us some important announcements and ministry opportunities including:
-Pastor's Coffee on April 27th (new attenders are strongly encouraged to attend a Pastor's Coffee to learn more about Crossroads)
-Foundation (Crossroads' Youth ministry) meeting this Tuesday night
-Request for prayer for a Campus Crusade AIDS awareness event happening at UCLA (John is on staff at Campus Crusade)

As we continue singing, we'll think through the sovereignty of God by singing "Indescribable," and then consider the gift of this God to us in Christ, and the ultimate fulfillment that is found in him with the old hymn "I'd Rather Have Jesus," and then plead that the Spirit would consume us "From The Inside Out" as we live in light of who he is.

This will prepare our hearts to hear the truth of God's Word that Pastor Todd will bring to us from Ecclesiastes.

At the conclusion of his sermon, we'll respond God is indeed more than "Enough" for us, and leave rejoicing again in the sovereign power of our Father with "Praise To The Lord, The Almighty."

That's what's going on this Sunday, so do your homework: read the passage, learn the new song, make sure you remember the other songs, commit to pray for the upcoming events, and get ready to come and participate and build up your brothers and sisters as we worship together!

New Song This Week: Your Name Be Praised

Hey guys, I'm introducing a new song this week called "Your Name Be Praised." It's an upbeat, call-to-worship style of song, and I hope it will be effective in calling us to continually praise the name of the Lord.

The first verse explore different elements of God and rejoice in their beauty and glory, and joy of salvation.

The glory that surrounds Your name;
It takes my breath away
The blood that takes my sin and shame
Still washes me today
Your Word gives life unto my heart
Its truth shall set me free
Your Spirit from me never parts
Your Face one day I'll see

The chorus calls for the praise of God's name from all corners and heights of the earth, and cries out for God to reveal Himself more to us, as we live and grow more passionate for Him each day.

Your name be praised
From the highest mountain tops
Be praised
We'll carry on, and never stop
From the valleys down
Lord, it's You we want to know
Give us passion for Your truth
As we live a life of praise to You

The second verse explores the reality of redeemed worship, and how our lives are like creation in that we both "declare the glory of God, and...proclaim His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)

The skies are telling of Your ways; creation cries to You
My heart, redeemed, proclaims Your praise: Salvation comes from You!
God's wrath no longer waits for me; I stand now justified
From shackled sin to heaven freed
New hope alive inside!

Enjoy this recording as well, and I look forward to singing this with you on Sunday!

Good Christian Music: The Glorious Unseen

For fans of: Sigur Ros, Pedro the Lion, Leeland

This worship band puts a refreshingly different spin on contemporary worship music. Their style is full of slow, dramatic builds, and epic choruses. They make great use of effects on their guitars, and don't just smother on too much distortion.

Their lyrics aren't the most creative or unique, and they hover more on the emotional side, but I think they're appropriate for the style of music.

They do a great cover of David Crowder's "Oh Praise Him"

Check out their website HERE.

Their album is available on iTunes for only $7.99.

Discernment in Corporate Worship Singing

This is an interesting blog entry from one of the worship leaders at Mars Hill church in Washington, talking about why he's stopped leading the old hymn "I'll Fly Away" in their worship services.

Click HERE.

What do you think about his reasoning?

"I'll Fly Away"
by Albert E. Brumley
Copyright 1931, renewed 1960 Albert E. Brumley & Sons

Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away.

CHORUS:
I'll fly away, O glory,
I'll fly away;
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away.

When the shadows of this life have grown,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away.

Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joys shall never end,
I'll fly away.

Preparing For Worship: April 6th

This week marks the official start of our study through the book of Ecclesiastes! I know this study will be very practical and helpful for our congregation, as Ecclesiastes deals head on with the issue of finding purpose in this crazy thing called life.

Darren Utley introduced us to the author of the book, King Solomon, last week, and we saw how despite having every worldly desire, Solomon still fell to ruin. Click HERE for his message.

We'll dive into chapter 1 this week as King Solomon gives us "An Honest Assessment of Life." You won't want to miss it!

As always, we'll look forward to singing songs of praise, thanksgiving, and commitment together as one voice; as the church, the bride of Christ!

We'll start the morning with a newer song we learned at Easter called "See What A Morning," which I, as I mentioned previously, wanted to sing again outside the Easter season in an effort to continually remember and celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

John Book will have a few announcements for us, including Shelter (College/Young Adult ministry) and Pastor's Coffee. If you're new to Crossroads, we strongly encourage you to attend a Pastor's Coffee to find out a little more about where Crossroads came from, and where we believe God is leading us as a church.

We'll sing some more songs that lift up the name of the Lord as the Most High, and acknowledge him as the source and sustainer of all things: "For You Are The Lord" and "Lord Jehovah." This is an important mindset to cultivate, especially as we approach Ecclesiastes, which deals with living a purposeful life in light of the God we serve, and not of the things of this world.

Pastor Todd will come and preach God's Word to us, and so you should definitely read Ecclesiastes, chapter 1 in preparation.

We'll respond with a time of communion, and reflect on the atoning death of Christ on the cross, and sing "The Power Of The Cross" which Tiana shared with us at our Good Friday service a few Fridays ago.

We'll end our time of communion, and sing a song of commitment as we go out into another week of living in the grace of God: "May The Words (Psalm 19)."

See you Sunday!