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[Sunday Service December 18th, 2011 - Wade Petteys]

Listen to the audio at the bottom of this post.

[If you don't see the audio player visit the post to listen]

Listen to the audio at the bottom of this post.

[If you don't see the audio player visit the post to listen]

Listen to the audio at the bottom of this post.

[If you don't see the audio player visit the post to listen]

All to often during worship services I have observed what I call vertically challenged worship. You ask, what do you mean?

How often have you been there amidst a worship service and you get that odd feeling that people are not really worshipping, but just there taking up space and mouthing the words(horizontal) rather than worshipping the Creator of the Universe?

Please don’t take me wrong, I’m not calling out anyone in particular here – I have been guilty of this in my past as well. Just recently I have been reminded of how much this practice eats me up and irritates me. So to discuss where I feel the focus needs to be directed here a couple of definitions that go hand in hand:

Vertical: at right angles to a horizontal plane; in a direction, or having an alignment, such that the top is directly above the bottom. *

Worship: reverent honor paid to God, adoring reverence or regard. *

Put the two together and I come up with:

Vertical Worship: the act of an adoring reverence or regard in an alignment towards God who is directly above.

You ask what this looks like? Usually you can easily tell the difference between those in the congregation that are vertically aligned and the horizontal ilk by where their collective gaze is; is it an upward focus, or more on each other, the worship leaders, band, or on whatever other distractions are going on in their life.

Now seriously I’m not trying to pick here, but if the focus seems to be on distractions and not on the Lord, I feel that we have broken away from what scripture tells us “make a joyful noise UNTO the Lord…”

And you have to realize that this isn’t necessarily the fault of the aforementioned leaders, band, solely, often its the congregation at fault. All to often even when the leaders etc are giving their all, the congregation, or a majority are way to distracted by life or the game coming on in a few hours…

Now to pull it all in, how do we put this into practice? Well, in a couple of ways; first is the fact that all worship is a personal thing from you towards Jesus. Secondly you need to allow yourself to be lead, this of course being done by being on the same page as the leaders and participating actively. And remember that everyone brings something to a service, so what are you bringing to the plate? Is it time spent with the Lord during the week so that you are prepared for service, or it all of your own distractions that prohibit you from doing your part?

Make a point to be mindful to keep your worship vertical, our leaders will pick out songs are about/to the Lord, and congregation – set your distractions aside! Keep the focus on Him who is worthy of the worship.

-Drew (@mrdrewjames)

*Definitions modified from dictionary.com

If you do not see the video above, click here.

Psalm 31: “19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men!20 In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues.21 Blessed be the Lord! For He has shown me His marvelous loving favor when I was beset as in a besieged city.”

This song is an exuberant profession of God’s faithfulness to us at all times.

Verse 2 of the song proclaims:

“Nothing and no one comes
Anywhere close to You
The earth and oceans deep
Only reflect this truth

And in my darkest night
You shine as bright as day
Your love amazes me”

We’d love for you to become familiar with the song and join in with us as we sing this Sunday!

You can hear the song by playing the video below:

You can purchase via iTunes

You can view/print/download the full lyrics & chords to this song and more for free from their website: http://www.brianandjennjohnson.com/chord-charts

Blessings to you and looking forward to the Lord doing great things among His people this Sunday!

Bill

If you do not see the video above, click here.