(a post in response to a video that was re-posted from four years earlier, showing my young grandsons singing, Ain't It Grand)
Children And Praise
I was unable to have service this morning, so this video of the boys singing, "Ain't It Grand," was a special blessing. I like the way they would get into the singing. Don't think that it was just smoke without fire. Notice how Timothy was always thinking about another verse to add. The other children did the same, but it would be easy to dismiss the value and sincerity because he was so young and because he seemed to be disconnected from any semblance of worship.
We Need Fire
I say, "We need fire in the services."
Someone may say, "We don't need wildfire."
I say, "I would rather have wildfire than no fire."
Correction And Direction
Listen,
I would rather control wildfire than have to confront hell fired attitudes, words and actions during a gathering of the body.
I would rather fight hellfire with wildfire than to try to start a fire from a block of ice.
I would rather guide a moving vessel than have to move a stuck vessel.
Enthusiasm
I could only hope that the children would retain the enthusiasm they showed that day.
I have watched them grow up and excitement about worship, fellowship, the Bible, preaching, prayer and praise has not hurt them at all.
Think about the word ENTHUSIASM. It has its roots in the Greek language, referring to GOD WITHIN.
Controlled wildfire can be directed to Holy Spirit fire, like they enjoyed on the day of Pentecost, because it is the FIRE OF GOD WITHIN.
The Norm Between Two Extremes
Some adults need to get caught up in the joy of worship, in the thrill of praise, in spiritual exercises. (While some need to be still and know that He is God). God ain't deaf and He ain't nervous.
It has been said, "It ain't how high you jump or how loud you shout, but how straight you walk." This is true. But don't forget, the dead don't jump or shout.
Are we teaching our children to come to service with a scowl on their faces, a barrier in their lives (between themselves and other people as well as between themselves and God), a quietness that is more self righteous than holy, a heart focused on the problems of life than on the deliverance of God, a fear of men rather than a fear of God, a desire for man approval rather than God approval?
Are we leading our children in self oriented praise and worship rather than God oriented praise and worship?
Just because you have never been reduced to tears of joy and humility does not mean that they should miss the blessing.
Just because you have never been lifted to joy unspeakable and full of glory does not mean that they should miss the blessing.
Just because you have settled into a routine of either emotional screaming or dumb silence does not meant that the children should not enjoy and experience the wide range of praise and worship.
I am not calling for carnal displays of excitement any more than I am calling for carnal displays of dignity. I am saying, SOME PEOPLE NEED TO LET THE INNOCENCE AND HONESTY OF CHILDREN LEAD THEM IN WORSHIP.
This isn't all, but it is enough to get the blood circulating.
I was unable to have service this morning, so this video of the boys singing, "Ain't It Grand," was a special blessing. I like the way they would get into the singing. Don't think that it was just smoke without fire. Notice how Timothy was always thinking about another verse to add. The other children did the same, but it would be easy to dismiss the value and sincerity because he was so young and because he seemed to be disconnected from any semblance of worship.
We Need Fire
I say, "We need fire in the services."
Someone may say, "We don't need wildfire."
I say, "I would rather have wildfire than no fire."
Correction And Direction
Listen,
I would rather control wildfire than have to confront hell fired attitudes, words and actions during a gathering of the body.
I would rather fight hellfire with wildfire than to try to start a fire from a block of ice.
I would rather guide a moving vessel than have to move a stuck vessel.
Enthusiasm
I could only hope that the children would retain the enthusiasm they showed that day.
I have watched them grow up and excitement about worship, fellowship, the Bible, preaching, prayer and praise has not hurt them at all.
Think about the word ENTHUSIASM. It has its roots in the Greek language, referring to GOD WITHIN.
Controlled wildfire can be directed to Holy Spirit fire, like they enjoyed on the day of Pentecost, because it is the FIRE OF GOD WITHIN.
The Norm Between Two Extremes
Some adults need to get caught up in the joy of worship, in the thrill of praise, in spiritual exercises. (While some need to be still and know that He is God). God ain't deaf and He ain't nervous.
It has been said, "It ain't how high you jump or how loud you shout, but how straight you walk." This is true. But don't forget, the dead don't jump or shout.
Are we teaching our children to come to service with a scowl on their faces, a barrier in their lives (between themselves and other people as well as between themselves and God), a quietness that is more self righteous than holy, a heart focused on the problems of life than on the deliverance of God, a fear of men rather than a fear of God, a desire for man approval rather than God approval?
Are we leading our children in self oriented praise and worship rather than God oriented praise and worship?
Just because you have never been reduced to tears of joy and humility does not mean that they should miss the blessing.
Just because you have never been lifted to joy unspeakable and full of glory does not mean that they should miss the blessing.
Just because you have settled into a routine of either emotional screaming or dumb silence does not meant that the children should not enjoy and experience the wide range of praise and worship.
I am not calling for carnal displays of excitement any more than I am calling for carnal displays of dignity. I am saying, SOME PEOPLE NEED TO LET THE INNOCENCE AND HONESTY OF CHILDREN LEAD THEM IN WORSHIP.
This isn't all, but it is enough to get the blood circulating.
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