The Greatness and Goodness of God

When it comes to relating to God in the Old Testament, a prevalent theme is that of awe, mixed with a bit of fear. In Genesis 28, Jacob has a vivid dream of God. When he wakes, he is strongly aware of God's presence, and his reaction is awe and fear. Why?

The wonders and signs of God are sort of unimaginable. Through our 21st century lens, we view stories in the Bible—of a flood that covered the earth, or an army bringing down the walls of Jericho with a loud shout, or a man healing the blind, or raising another man from the dead—with skepticism. If these stories are true, then it changes our reality: what we thought was impossible is possible by the greatness of God. For the people who witnessed these events first hand, the same shift must surely have occurred, and they must have felt a sense of fear. We hear them ask questions like, "Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)

The same God, called mighty and awesome over and over in the Bible, is not only a great God, but also a good God. We see God working good in the life of Joseph for Jacob's family in the midst of some pretty dire circumstances (Genesis 37-50). Over and over again, God blesses, leads, sustains his people. Again, some of the stories—of God leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, or providing miraculous food for a woman and her son, or rescuing the disciples from a storm at sea—we view with skepticism. If God is this good, then it may challenge our reality: it's easy to see the darkness and pain around us and wonder at this great God. It might bring comfort to know that the people of the Bible often wondered the same thing. We read questions like, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?" (Psalm 22:1)

When we find ourselves asking these questions, we must always look at Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He encompasses the greatness of God, in the miracles he performed and his resurrection from the grave. He shows the goodness of God, in the compassion he shows the widow, the child in his presence, and the outcasts of society. In Jesus the Church—the people of the kingdom of God—grows and shares the good news with the nations. Followers of Jesus have throughout history shown God's greatness and goodness: through founding hospitals, establishing relief organizations, rescuing women from sex trade, serving soup to the homeless, crossing the street to a neighbor in need. These things, big and small, show forth God's goodness and greatness, and prove true the miracles we see in the Bible.

When we sing songs of God's goodness and greatness, as we have the past two weekends, may we remember. May we be in awe, may we let God shift our reality. And may we live through that lens, letting God guide us to a world that needs Jesus more than ever.

Have You Ever Seen the Wonder?

I’m grateful that I grew up in a strong family environment, with parents who found ways for my brother and I to experience the world at its fullest. We savored food grown in the garden, or game hunted afield. We went to concerts together, from choral Christmas music to Pink Floyd. We took road trip vacations more often than not, in a time without built-in DVD players; I remember watching the country go by and wondering at the places and people and stories we passed. We swam in boundary waters, laughed with family and friends, shared books with each other, sat around the wood stove, listened to coyotes at night. “Wow” was as common a word as “hello” or “goodbye.”

I think this foundation has led me to do the same with my family. Not only do I love making memories with them, I also love seeing my three kids wonder at new experiences. Many of them are old to me now, but through them I get to revisit the joy and awe of a clear, quiet night under the stars, or a twist ending of a good book, or a perfect chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven. I feel alive running around an amusement park with them, exploring a forest on foot trails, or seeing their laughter the first time they meet Chunk, Sloth, Mikey and the rest of the gang in The Goonies. 

To take a familiar but favorite experience, and to see someone else experience it for the first time is a gift.

And that’s what Jesus gives us. In Christ we have a chance to view the world with a new sense of wonder and awe. Creation is beautiful and full of life and color. Relationships long worn thin are given a second chance at substantive connection and love. The world is not a place full of danger; it’s a place full of opportunity. To share, to love, to heal, to restore: this is the invitation of the Gospel. We get to join in the work of re-creation that God is doing in us and around us. And then we get to invite others in, and experience the wonder of it all themselves.

What stands in the way of you seeing the wonder of Jesus today? “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)

Nothing comes between us and God’s love. Jesus paid the price completely on the cross. 

Wonder at the deep and powerful love of God, shown in Christ Jesus. 

Wonder at the gift of each day, each minute, each breath.

Wonder, and walk in the light.

(Inspired by the song “Wonder,” from Hillsong United.)

Give Me a Song to Sing

Worship is the work of the people. It is the expression of our faith community – from the songs we sing, to the ways we share Jesus with those around us; from our prayers in private, to the service we offer to others for the sake of Christ.

Our Sunday gathering is designed to both reflect our worship, and shape our worship. It is a time when we express our devotion and love for God, and when we are changed by God's story, by His Word to us, by the Holy Spirit moving in us...

Which is why selecting songs can be difficult sometimes. New Cov is made up of people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, interests, and careers. We are young and old, new members and longtime members, male, female, hurting, recovering, glorifying God together. How do we find songs that unify us and help us raise our voices together as the one body of Christ?

We typically have time for just 4-5 songs to sing as a congregation on a Sunday. Songs both serve a purpose (praise, prayer, proclamation, exhortation, call-to-action) in our spiritual formation, and must express our voice as a congregation.

Right now, our corporate expression, based on our vision for the next two years, is one of evangelism: sharing Jesus with those around us. I will be looking for songs during this time that help us express the joy, strength and peace of knowing Jesus as our Savior. When we sing those songs together, we are better equipped to share our faith with those we encounter through the week. I'm excited for the song we introduced Sunday, "Glorious Day" by Kristian Stanfill. When we remember the joy and newness of life Lazarus (see John 11) must have felt coming out of his grave, we are reminded that in Jesus we have new life! We are free from the shackles of sin! What incredible news! What a message to share!

Of course, it would make little sense for us to sing only songs like "Glorious Day." Our congregation, and our expression of faith, is more complex and variegated. So what are the songs, or even the words, your heart is singing these days? And what are the songs you need to learn, to more closely walk with Jesus?

Every Tribe, People, Language

Worship is spiritual formation. Every Sunday, when we gather, we are being shaped and molded by the message, the songs we sing, the order of the service, the announcements, the prayers, standing, sitting, closing our eyes, raising our hands... everything we do together on Sunday helps us yield more of ourselves to worship Jesus Monday through Saturday.

This week I was particularly excited for our worship service because I asked Elba and Danielle, both from Brazil and both of whom speak Portuguese fluently, to sing parts of "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" in their native language. I was inspired to have a foreign language reach my ears and heart as we worshiped God together, for several reasons:

1. It gives us perspective.
It's easy to get focused inward and only see our small corner of the global Church. The Church--capital 'C' denotes the universal collective of Jesus followers, from the first disciples of first century, to the expanding Church of today, to the believers that will follow us, until Jesus' Kingdom comes--is so much bigger than we usually imagine! When we remember this truth, we are prompted to celebrate and thank God for those who have gone before, to pray for those under persecution today, and to commit to God those who will believe the Gospel tomorrow.

2. It tells the Biblical story.
Acts 2 has this great scene where tongues of fire fall on the gathered disciples of Jesus, and they begin speaking in foreign languages. As a result, people overhear the praise of God in their own tongue, and it sets up a moment of witness: many put their trust in Jesus.

Likewise, the New Testament gives us a picture of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures coming together under the banner of Jesus. Sometimes this leads to friction, but God's invitation is clearly open to everyone, no matter their background.

Likewise, Revelation (John's vision of heaven and Kingdom come) portrays God's throne as a place where people of every tribe, nation, people, and language are gathered in eternal praise. When we hear/sing in different languages, we get a sense of the diversity of believers, and the diversity of heaven.

3. It opens our doors wider.
I know from conversations with people over the years that visiting a church can be intimidating, especially if there is a language or color barrier. I pray our church can be a place that welcomes everyone. When we include diversity in our leadership, in our songs, and in language, we practice hospitality.


For the sake of the world, and for our sake as worshipers, let us be people who celebrate the diversity of language, tribe, nation and people who make up the collective Church of Jesus Christ!

For the Sake of the World: Yesterday and Today

As we were putting together the photo mosaic last week, I came across a lot of great pictures from New Cov's history. It's encouraging to look through images showcasing where our church has been. It reminded me that He has done great things in us and through us. We have served and shared Jesus with people in Lincoln, many states, and in several countries (Ireland, India, China, and the UAE come to mind). And knowing that He has still calls us "for such a time as this," I look forward with faith to where God will lead us next.

One picture I came across showed me with more hair than I now have, strumming my old black Takamine G Series, and looking east into the morning sunlight. Longtime New Covies will remember our involvement at downtown Lincoln's Ribfest. I remember this particular moment well (though I'm not positive the year... 2002?). We were given the opportunity to hold a church service at Ribfest on the Sunday morning of the event. We pulled out all the stops: dance, drama, music. Worship Pastor Bill Sloan had asked me to sing a song called "I Am A Christian," a proclamation of faith. The lyrics were nice, but I remember thinking the tune was a bit melancholy. I offered to write a new melody to some alternate chords. I chose the key of E (which is significant as you'll see in a minute) because I like the open chords and droning strings the key allows. I can still hear much of the melody in my head, but I'm not sure I have it printed anywhere any more.

Yesterday morning we sang together a prayer for God to do a work in us. For the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me / Light a flame in my soul for every eye to see / For the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me. We must share Jesus with those around us. It is urgent, important work: our world is wrecked every day by the consequences of our sin. But in Jesus we find hope—eternal unchanging hope—for forgiveness of our sins and for the redemption of the world. All of creation groans in expectancy of Jesus' return. In Christ, we have the opportunity to join in the work of redemption. We have chances—every week, every day, even every hour—to share this hope we have with others! We just need to embrace our place and look for the opportunities around us. Someone you know might be desperately searching for hope, or meaning, or truth, or freedom from the bondage of sin, or peace. You and I can bring that to them by the Spirit at work within us.

As I sang "For the Sake of the World," it occurred to me that I was playing many of the same chords, in the key of E, that I had played for "I Am A Christian" some 15 years ago. 

I was struck by two things as we worshiped and sang that prayer to God yesterday.

First, I play a different guitar these days. I have less hair on top and more on my face. My priorities have changed to include kids, new friends, new seasons. Such is the difference between being 24 and being almost 40. But God's call on my life remains the same: to share Jesus, for the sake of the world.

Second, our church might not be part of Ribfest anymore. Where we once sent mission teams to China we now look to Ireland and India. We serve in new and different ways. Our vision changes, and we follow where God points us. But God's call on our church also remains the same: to share Jesus, for the sake of the world.

How will we respond to God's call? Let's spend our time in prayer and thought this week on that question...

For the sake of the world.

Worship as Evangelism

A couple weeks ago I was reading through Ezra, and I came to a passage that caught my attention. If you’re unfamiliar with Ezra, he was a priest in the 5th century BC who gives an account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its Temple, following the Babylonian exile of the Israelites. In one particularly dramatic chapter, the builders lay the foundation to rebuild the temple, resulting in a time of worship and praise. Here’s how Ezra describes the moment:

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: 

“He is good; his love to Israel endures forever.”

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. (3:11-13. Read the passage in context here.)

Two things amaze me in this passage. First, you have lament and praise happening simultaneously. Those in the older generation remembered the glory of the former temple. They wept for what had been. Those in the younger generation were thrilled at the prospect of the new temple. They rejoiced for what was coming. Both responses were raw and heartfelt, and both were important expressions. And they were indistinguishable from each other.

Second, the lament-praise was heard far away. Imagine the sound heard by those living in the nearby wilderness. When I’m home in southeast Lincoln on a Saturday in the fall, I can sometimes hear the roar of Memorial Stadium. I can’t tell if it’s a sound of joy or of frustration, but I know it represents a real moment of response.

Worship unites generations. It provides a moment where lament and joyful exuberance can coexist and be indistinguishable from one another because both are authentic responses to God. When we respond to God in a way that is real and heartfelt, worship also bears witness to the reality of God’s presence in our midst. Those attending for the first time might have their eyes opened to a God Who loves them enough to rescue them from sin and death. In this way worship is evangelistic: it shares the truth of the gospel with those around us.

Is your worship authentic on Sunday mornings? Does your corporate expression of worship allow for you to be authentic before God? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts.