I am in Philly again for the last time for awhile with the baby coming and all. I actually got to bed at a decent hour and woke early enough to get to the hotel fitness center. Wow, you’re thinking – Kevin is exercising something other than his mouth? F)
So noticed something interesting in Exodus 20 today. The last verse reads like this:
26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’
We are going to expand the stage soon so more folks can fit and less changes have to be made during the time of worship. One could perhaps make an argument that our stage is a place where we bring a sacrifice of praise to God. Given our clothes are much different these days, is there still an application to modern day with this verse?
Exercising and plucking thoughts from obscure O.T. passages? You are indeed my hero…
Two thoughts:
1. Yes, the passage does apply to us today. We have an obligation to not call attention to ourselves, or to approach God in a flippant way.
2. No, the passage does not apply because I do not wear a robe. If the altar was built on a high stage, a priest could ascend upstairs and those down below could see up his robe.
Along the lines of no.1, I was thinking the altar should not be elevated as to lift up man but kept low to remind man of his position before God. Of course I could be reading into the text too much.
So should we put the band on the floor to the side of the stage in order to not call attention to ourselves? Where is the balance in leading folks and calling attention to oneself? I know motives are a big factor here.
More fun with IBM “Stinkpads” Eh Kev? 😉
I can tell you from mucho mucho experience in this area of “worship logistics” that I preferred being on the same level with the congregation while leading to not feel so distant from the people out there while worshipping. In practice many would be looking at the back of people’s heads and get frustrated. A slightly elevated platform really works better. It also allows us to see those in the congregation worshipping and is very encouraging.
As long as our own focus and desire is on worshiping the Lord “with” those people in those seats out there, and not putting on a show or good performance “for” them as is the goal of too many worship leaders today, God will be honored and the people in those seats will focus on the Lord too.
Talking about “Making God Famous” would fit well here! If I get up in front of a group to lead or sing for my own recognition or acclaim, then there is no need to hop up that first step on the platform. Just turn around and sit down.
Mary is currently reading a book from Max Lucado called “It’s Not About Me” dealing with God’s holiness. Basically what He wants should be so much more important to us.
On a sidebar…I am about the same age as so many of you guys, (big 39 tomorrow / no card please) and my daughter Laura just turned 12 last weekend. Stephen is now 15. Laura is my second and last child that we plan on. Did I start too early or did you guys all start too late? It also seems like GF families seem to average well over the US 2.5 “kids average” per family without being Catholic or Mormon! What was in that “Kudzu Community Church” Water you guys were drinking? 🙂
I’d say we are closer than you think. When I am your age (Happy Birthday!) my oldest will be 11. As for the large families at Grace, I believe there is a common belief in the words of the Solomon in Psalm 127.
Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate
Having your “quiver full” (sleeve/pouch for holding arrows right?) is the same reference I have been using for describing the number of kids of some of the families as GF. Seems like 5 kids is a magic number, exactly double the national average, but I am still trying to figure out what .5 of a kid is since the national average is 2.5. 🙂
Just played golf with John Lee yesterday and he tells me the first question most have for him when people hear the number of kids is if he is Catholic!
In our case we will have to plead the case for “quality over quantity” as we are over the hill and done. 😉
Everyone is different when it comes to children. I believe 4 could be complete for us. We have enough kids now to be the next partridge family. After Timmy was born, Tracy kept seeing 4 kids in her dreams about our family and God made it so. Between us and Miller’s we average at 5 to conform to the GF magic number. 😉
I take the same approach as playing the slots on the first day of a cruise – quit while you’re ahead. :^)
(You are more likely to win on the first day of the cruise so that you will see how “easy” it is and then blow it all — and then some.)