Day 1: Week 7 (It's Not About Style)

[WorshipVanguard]

It's Not About Style

1) Central Passage(s):
Psalm 96:1
Jeremiah 6:16
Revelation 4:6-8
Isaiah 6:1-3
Revelation 5:8-10
Revelation 4-5
Psalm 136:1
2 Chronicles 7:3

2) Daily Praise:
Listen to a CD (or mp3s) of Christian music you would normally NOT listen to or purchase on your own. Approach the songs with an open mind, and try (with God’s help) to worship through the WORDS of the songs.

3) Daily Surrender:
Search your heart. When people worship God with a style you don’t like, do you doubt their sincerity? Do you feel as if God is more pleased with your worship than theirs? Which opinions is God showing you through his written word that you should change?

[InHisName]

Hey...where is everyone? Usually I'm the last one to post. Oh, wait...Christmas week. I'm sure everyone is crazy busy, but not me! Done with shopping, AND I'm on vacation!

Okay...

Central Passage

I'm really grateful for this particular lesson. You know, I really believe one of the main reasons God led me to TWC was so that I could participate in this study. I can't describe how much I have learned in these last few weeks. This lesson is no exception. It was also a relief to me that Dwayne had struggled with issues of pride and "spiritual arrogance" as recently as "a few years ago"! We all deal with those things, and it seems like we always will. But with His voice and His power with us, we can prevail.

The old and the new. I like that. I'm not going to worry so much about style any more...I didn't really too much before. I'm a classical, rock, folk, hip-hop, whatever listener. I have my favorites, but this lesson helped me to realize that those styles can be used by GOD also! Praise Him!

Daily Praise

I know what I'm going to listen to. Stryper, which SOMEONE somehow loaded onto my iPod. I did not and do not like that group (glam rock is NOT a favorite) but I'll give them a listen.

Daily Surrender

I posted a thread about "extreme genres" in the church. I'm going to change my opinion about what God "likes" and "does't like" in the church. Although I still have questions about using a style of music that ORIGINATED from an evil (is evil the right word?) place, a la gangster rap, I'll try to be more open minded. God can use anything, and anybody.

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

Fell asleep in my chair last night and didn't get this post done.

Central Passages
What an awesome truth to learn that in God's throne room, there are old songs and new songs being sung. What matters to God is not the style of a song, or even the words, per se, but the attitude of the one singing the song-- the genuineness of their worship-- is what attracts God's attention. Of course, words that direct our attention to God are necessary.

The church I am part of uses a blended format of songs, which I like. I love most of the new songs out there, (as a songwriter, I write new songs,) and I love the old songs, too, partly because they are familiar, but also because many of them are loaded with Bible doctrine.

My Daily Praise
I was given a CD by a backwoods bluegrass group, that I can't stand to listen to. It's hard even to find words in it that glorify God. I also have a pretty good library of contemporary and traditional worship albums that I do enjoy listening to and worshiping through.

I want to share a story. About a year ago, our local TV station did a feature about a Christian rap/hip-hop group that was gaining quite a following. I disliked the music, but the words were straight out of the Bible. Their songs don't minister to me, but there are a lot of disaffected young people for whom this music is a godsend. Sadly, they also interviewed a person who is part of the anti-contemporary music group, and one of her vitriolic comments was that God could not possibly be pleased with such music.

I am thankful that the God I serve is far too big for me or anyone else to put into a box. Thank you, Lord, for music. Thank you that you didn't ordain that all music sound the same. Thank you for the thousands of people over the centuries that you have inspired to write new songs, and thank you that you are still inspiring people to write.

My Daily Surrender
God, I confess that I have often sat in judgment of people and music because of the style of the music. You didn't create everyone to be just like me (can I hear an "Amen!"?) Thank you for the considerable personal growth I have had in regard to styles of music. Help me never again to cast judgment on something that you have inspired by someone who sees a different side of your magnificence than I do.

[WorshipVanguard]

Central Passages:
I LOVE the old and the new in scriptures! A year ago this week, the Lord gave me a vision of an old music box. He blew off the dust, opened the box, the music started playing, and the Lord said to me, “I will make the old things new again with you.” What a blessing to know the Lord uses the old and the new together for His glory!

Like Tom, I have a story of how vitriolic people can be toward newer Christian music. My mom and I would often debate about Christian rock. Her view is that no one could ever worship with a rock style. For years, I’ve debated this point with her. One day, my (then friend, but now) husband opened the bible up in front of my mom, and quoted 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. When my husband finished reading, my mom said, “Oh, well since you put it THAT way. I understand now!” She has not since debated with me on this issue. As a matter of fact, she now respects the music we write and listen to because she knows it pleases the Lord and we use it as a testimony to those who enjoy that style of music. The Lord is good! :-D

When Moore mentioned that we are to sing a new song AND seek the “ancient paths,” that was sort of a confirmation that the Lord DOES blend the old and the new in the vision the Lord gave me! Lord, you are AMAZING!

Daily Praise:
This is actually tough for me. I enjoy most (if not all) styles of music. Whenever I listen to music, I always listen to the lyrics over the style. So choosing today’s music was tough since I enjoy them so much. Today, I chose to listen to Fred Hammond since I would normally not purchase gospel R&B music. I’ve heard so much of Hammond but have never listened to his music until today. WOW! Talk about worship! I not only sang along to the best of my ability, I danced too (and I’m NOT a dancer)! My sons even joined me in the dancing. :-D What a joy that my sons and I can dance in the presence of the Lord! Jesus, your name is ALWAYS worthy of praise! No matter what style, you are blessed by those that honor you! Thank you for loving me the way you do! I’m proud to be a child of the reigning King!

Daily Surrender:
Lord, I admit I have done this in the past. I have even scolded people for having that mindset when I had the same posture. I’m such a hypocrite sometimes. Thank you for showing me more of you. Who am I to judge one’s heart in worship? You see the heart, and you judge the heart. Thank you for being patient with me even when I find myself in that cynical position. I’m opening my heart more and more to yours so that your attributes show more in my life as I lay aside my misconceptions. Praise you!

[bkwestman]

1. Central Passage
- It is true - there are many who have an arrogant attitude when it comes to style, thinking that their style preference is the best, and sometimes only way to approach worship. I've experienced several people who have that attitude. But, I agree with Dwayne that "there is no such thing as a godly style or an ungodly style". I loved reading through the songs in Scripture - blended worship in heaven? Wow! It's so key to remember that it's not really about the style, but our heart. The status of a song changes with time. If it expresses truth, then a song will last.

2. My Daily Praise
- Whoa - I listened to my 13 year old son's heavy metal, screamo-type music - I style I personally can't stand! I really don't know why he likes it. I've never discouraged him from listening to it, though, as long as the content is filled with the Truth of God's Word. As I listened,I was able to worship Him as I thought about the heart of the men who wrote this song. I tried to imagine what they were thinking when they wrote it, and tried to focus on just the words, not the music. I'll probably never use it on a Sunday morning - I know I won't! But, if God can use that style to reach kid's my son's age, then I'm all for it!

3. My Daily Surrender
- Lord, it is easy to become judgmental when I see others singing to a style of music I don't like. Let that not be the case in me. Let me see that you are only concerned with their heart. If they are truly praising You as they sing, then that is pleasing to You. You may even like that style - You probably do, since You created it!!