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A few minutes on Facebook or in front of a TV and you quickly notice how hyper our descriptive language has become. A recipe has to be AMAZING!, a performance of a song is the MOST EPIC VERSION you have ever heard, and TV shows proclaim that the upcoming episode is the one THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING! I understand the need for a product to stand out among others, but when carpet cleaners, stunt videos, and dog tricks are AWESOME we are left feeling flat when we speak of the awesome God of the Bible. The Christian books designed to challenge and grow our faith fall victim to this temptation as well and, of course, I am guilty of it too. How do we dial ourselves back and speak of things with an appropriate perspective? Michael Horton, professor of Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California, has recognized this trend and some of the heart issues behind it. He has written a book to help us process this dilemma. I greatly enjoyed reading his book on worship, A Better Way, and I look forward to reading his new book or-di-nar-y which is available today. Here is what Amazon says about it:  Radical. Crazy. Transformative and restless. Every word we read these days seems to suggest there’s a “next-best-thing,” if only we would change our comfortable, compromising lives. In fact, the greatest fear most Christians have is boredom—the sense that they are missing out on the radical life Jesus promised. One thing is certain. No one wants to be “ordinary.”
Yet pastor and author Michael Horton believes that our attempts to measure our spiritual growth by our experiences, constantly seeking after the next big breakthrough, have left many Christians disillusioned and disappointed. There’s nothing wrong with an energetic faith; the danger is that we can burn ourselves out on restless anxieties and unrealistic expectations. What’s needed is not another program or a fresh approach to spiritual growth; it’s a renewed appreciation for the commonplace. Far from a call to low expectations and passivity, Horton invites readers to recover their sense of joy in the ordinary. He provides a guide to a sustainable discipleship that happens over the long haul—not a quick fix that leaves readers empty with unfulfilled promises. Convicting and ultimately empowering,Ordinary is not a call to do less; it’s an invitation to experience the elusive joy of the ordinary Christian life.
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 Keith and Kristyn Getty have just released a limited edition 7 track EP called The Greengrass Sessions. In addition to writing excellent hymns for worship, the Gettys continue to explore a musical connection that I find fascinating: the musical DNA shared by Irish Folk/Fiddle music and the Appalachian folk tradition. Much of the Appalachian folk, bluegrass, and early country music grew out of the styles brought to America by the immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. You can hear this most clearly in their rendition of Arkansas Traveller / All Hail the Power and their new arrangement of their hymn Lift High the Name of Jesus. My favorite track is the recording of their new song My Worth Is Not in What I Own, co-written with Graham Kendrick. This modern hymn strikes at the heart of our 21st century society and at the idols of materialism and status in my own heart. This track and the entire EP is exclusively available at their website. My Worth is Not in What I Own
My worth is not in what I own Not in the strength of flesh and bone But in the costly wounds of love At the cross My worth is not in skill or name In win or lose, in pride or shame But in the blood of Christ that flowed At the cross Refrain: I rejoice in my Redeemer Greatest Treasure, Wellspring of my soul I will trust in Him, no other. My soul is satisfied in Him alone. As summer flowers we fade and die Fame, youth and beauty hurry by But life eternal calls to us At the cross I will not boast in wealth or might Or human wisdom's fleeting light But I will boast in knowing Christ At the cross Two wonders here that I confess My worth and my unworthiness My value fixed - my ransom paid At the cross By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Graham Kendrick © 2014 Getty Music Publishing and Make Way Music (admin by MusicServices.org) |
AuthorAnthony is the Director of Worship and Communications at Arden Presbyterian Church in NC. Recommended WebsitesRecommended Music for WorshipKeith & Kristyn Getty
Sojourn Music Russ Mohr Indelible Grace Porter's Gate Stuart Townend Sovereign Grace Red Mountain Bifrost Arts Recommended ReadingUnceasing Worship
Worship Matters Essential Worship The Worship Pastor With One Voice Look and Live Te Deum True Worshipers Rhythms of Grace The Worship Architect The Stories We Tell Christ Centered Worship Archives
October 2018
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