Worship Service – Recognize What is Real

About a year ago we had a lady in a wheelchair come into the foyer during worship. She told one of our elders that she had cancer and wasn’t expected to live much longer. She asked if we would pray for her. That elder went right up front between songs, explained the situation and prayed for her right there on the spot. It was touching and moving. It made the hair stand up on your arm because that moment in worship was profoundly in touch with reality. I have forgotten a lot of sermons over the years and many conversations that have happened in foyers, pews, and classrooms but that moment was one I will never forget.

Those moments aren’t going to happen every week but if we are in touch with people and what is going on in their lives, those moments may present themselves more often than we may recognize. We have to be looking and listening for them and willing to recognize them (publicly if necessary). We don’t do that to make people feel fuzzy or to give an impression that we are cutting edge. We do it because it is what Jesus would do and because it brings our worship in touch with what is really real.

A Must Read Post – Blaming God for Cancer

I ran across a blog last week that I wanted to share with you all. It is a blog by Ryan Woods who is a minister and church planter in Vancouver, Washington. He has terminal cancer and is sharing his thoughts along the way. Ryan is a young guy who has a lot to share from his unique perspective. I have found it helpful in dealing with some of life’s tougher questions. His most recent post is called Blaming God for Cancer and it is profoundly helpful and insightful. He is honest. He asks the right questions. He is humble. He shares things we all will need to hear at some point in time either from the standpoint of personal suffering or suffering of loved ones. So have a read when you get a chance…

Blaming God for Cancer

Ryan is speaking at the Exponential Conference in Orlando this week. You can read more about Ryan here and about the Exponential Church Planting conference here.

Last, pray for Ryan and his family when you are done with this post.