Worship and Sacrifice

"This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD has commanded, saying: 'Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish …' "
~ Numbers 19:2 (NKJV)

This verse describes what has long been one of the obstacles for modern day Jews to again establish temple worship and sacrifice: obtaining the ashes of a perfect red heifer for the water of purification.

In my heart there burns deep affection for faithful Jews, my fellow servants in the Kingdom of Adonai. While I, too, ache for the day when temple worship is restored to Jerusalem, I also know that the Lord Jesus has completed everything necessary for me to come before God to offer my sacrifice.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
~ Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

Worship may include our actions, but it is foremost the condition of the heart which continually bows before the Lord God of Israel to offer myself—all I am, all I do, all I have.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.… here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
~ from Hebrews 13:10-15 (NKJV) 

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

True Worship

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth ..."
~ John 4:23 (NKJV)

What is the heart of true worship, in spirit and truth?

True worship will certainly bow the knee to God as Lord—but even those who are spiritually lost and will perish shall one day bow the knee and confess Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).

True worship will continually speak praise to God for His goodness (Psalm 34:1-3)—but all to often our words fail to come from the heart (Matthew 6:7).

True worship sacrificially offers to God the very best of time, talent, and treasure—but God does not desire the simple return to our Giver of what He first gave us (Acts 17:25; 1 Corinthians 4:7). Indeed, David says in Psalm 40:

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire ...
Then I said, "Behold, I come ...
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart."

It seems to me that to worship in spirit is to worship God for His own sake, as pleases Him, and not because Self seeks benefit, pleasure or completion of duty; to worship in truth is forsaking whatever image of Him I've created so that I might delight to gaze upon the beauty of all He truly is, and thereby delight in His will.

What is the heart of true worship, in spirit and truth?

Can we even begin to understand the answer to such a question?

Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Success in Resolution

Art by John Baldessari; image source: About Exhibitions

One form of resolution is the determination to effect change by the power of word and will.

Among the reasons such resolutions fail:
• too much is attempted at once;
• no specific plan is made;
• without accountability or other support, moments of failure become permanent.

A more significant reason for failure is focus on negative action ("I will not ...") rather than affirmative action ("I will ...") Eliminating something creates a void. Whatever has our attention is most likely to fill that void. We effect change not by looking back to what has been, but by visualizing success and working toward it—and then empowering the vision with necessary components of words and will.

There is a third component which determines success or failure in resolution.

Words and will lead us.

But worship leads words and will.


"That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


We worship what we esteem and trust so much—whether it is good or bad—that we look to it with reliance in moments of question, or weakness, or desire for satisfaction.

God most certainly uses people and things to answer us, to strengthen and reassure us, to satisfy our healthy desires. But He is the Provider. Only God is God. Anything else we worship is an idol.

We do not weaken our reliance upon idols by saying, "I will not worship ..." We instead strengthen our reliance upon God with "Everyday Worship" (yesterday's post).

"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship ..."
~ John 4:22 (NKJV)

Success in both good and bad resolutions comes through the power of word, will, and worship.

Know what you worship.

: : :

This post is part of the "One Word at a Time" blog carnival hosted by Peter Pollock. You're invited to visit his site and see what others are saying about today's one-word theme: Resolution.


Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Everyday Worship

"... the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father."
~ John 4:21 (NKJV)

... to kiss, adore. To worship, do obeisance, show respect, fall or prostrate before ...

The definition of worship includes all these things and more (see Friday's post, "A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss"). So ... if we adore God in our hearts, then go to church on Sundays and offer corporate praise, and then maybe even go so far as to kneel with face to the ground in personal prayer, have we adequately worshiped?

Or might worship be incorporated into every waking moment? Might worship be an expression of the soul which is continually prostrated before God, acknowledging Him to be Lord and God in everything?

Whenever our thoughts and feelings, words and actions put God on the throne, we worship.

I think worship is as simple as an hour ago when I opened the cheese coffee cake in our kitchen, felt a prompting of the Holy Spirit to bypass it, tried to think of all the reasons that couldn't be the Holy Spirit speaking (so I could still have some dessert), and then by momentous effort closed the package again. With my actions I worshiped and said, "You, God, are Lord over even the coffee cake."

When I feel His prompting that I've spoken too harshly to a child and then take time amid a hectic schedule to apologize, I worship.

When I realize an unwelcome task is a divine appointment, and then make it welcome, I worship.

If I can say to the Lord, "Better is one day in Your courts, where You rebuke my pride and refine me with trials, than a thousand days of esteem and comfort elsewhere"—I have worshiped.

Might, perchance, the Lord receive such worship as kisses?

: : :

I invite you to share other ways in which God is continually worshiped in the everyday.

Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss

"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews."
~ John 4:22 (NKJV)

"Worship" is the English translation of the Greek word proskunéō. The definition provided by The Word Study Dictionary* is so compelling that I quote it here:

proskunéō: to kiss, adore. To worship, do obeisance, show respect, fall or prostrate before. Literally, to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage. The ancient oriental (especially Persian) mode of salutation between persons of equal ranks was to kiss each other on the lips; when the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek; when one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees and touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, throwing kisses at the same time toward the superior.

The dictionary definition goes on for a few paragraphs. I also plan to share more about worship.

But for today, I'm simply re-absorbing the paragraph above, and thinking of all the times the Bible refers to someone falling on his or her face in worship.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
~ Psalms 2:12 (NKJV)

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You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
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Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

* from The Complete Word Study Dictionary
General Editor: Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D.
© 1992; Revised edition, 1993 by By AMG International, Inc.

The One Burning Question

The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet... "
~ John 4:19 (NKJV)

The woman at the well stands exposed. The Prophet sees her for what she is. Most people might withdraw and hide at this point.

But the Prophet did not turn away from her, and she does not turn away either. She elects another option, revealing an even deeper secret of her heart—revealing the woman who has already been in hiding.

Something greater than her shame dares to emerge, because she has won the spiritual lottery of obtaining a Prophet's ear. She wants to claim a prize which has eluded every person she knows.

"... Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
~ John 4:20 (NKJV)

The woman at the well of five husbands and a live-in boyfriend wants her worship to be validated.

This woman who is a nobody dares to believe she might be a somebody in the eyes of God.

I ask of you and of myself ~

When exposed before the Lord, is the first inclination to run and hide as Adam and Eve, or face the God-Who-Sees and engage Him?

When we understand that we have God's ear, will our one burning question dare to emerge?

Is worship about doing a duty or about knowing we've touched God?

Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Ascribe Greatness to Our God

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be[long] to our God forever and ever. Amen."
~ Revelation 7:11-12 (NKJV)

"For I proclaim the name of the LORD:
Ascribe greatness to our God."
~ Deuteronomy 32:3 (NKJV)

Ascribe Greatness to Our God

The book of Revelation provides another glimpse of Heaven's worship. Those present ascribe greatness to our God using these seven words, (all seven are feminine nouns in the Greek):

Blessing (Greek eulogia)
fine speaking, elegance of language; commendation (“eulogy”), adoration; (different than a pronounced blessing which is bestowed)

Glory (doxa)
splendor or brilliance which excites admiration, or to which honor is ascribed; not merely outward glory, but glory from within which is reflected in appearance
(more tomorrow on God's glory in us)

Wisdom (sophia)
wisdom with clarity or in knowledge of relationship to God; (different than prudence)

Thanksgiving (eucharistia)
gratitude; grateful language as worship; response of accepting grace by one undeserving

Honor (timē, pronounced tee-MAY)
valuables; esteem of the highest degree; act of ascribing worth

Power (dunamis)
a force; miraculous power; ability or capability

Might (ischus)
strength, physical power, capacity

For
of Him and
through Him and
to Him are all things,
to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
~ Romans 11:36 (NKJV)

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: iamthewordthecomforter.blogspot.com

Holy Beauty Preparation

Today I share what might be seen as a somewhat fanciful perspective of brokenness in contrast with praise and worship.

Praise lifts up hands and voice,
exalts the Lord,
and provides a throne for Him.

Worship bows low,
makes oneself small,
and invites the Lord to bend and show favor.

Brokenness is not a superficial crack or chink. Brokenness thoroughly shatters, releasing sin and pride. It hurts, bringing plentiful tears which make the heart soft and tender. It makes one weak enough to cry out to One with strength.

Brokenness serves as a holy beauty preparation if one chooses to use it that way. It prompts a bride to be perfumed and anointed, to be clothed in finest linen of bright righteousness, and to call out to her Bridegroom with the invitation, "Come, lie in the bosom which has been made soft for You, and find the place of Your rest."

Brokenness invites the Lord to look, and then to display His strength.

"For the eyes of the LORD
run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf
of those whose heart is loyal to Him."
~ 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Eternal Realities

"Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you
little in comparison with eternal realities."
~ Robert McCheyne

Eternal Realities

Behold, a door standing open in heaven ...
"Come up here, and I will show you things ..."
~ Revelation 4:1 (NKJV)

And they never rest day or night, saying,
"Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
He who was, and who is, and who is to come!"
Whenever the living beings give glory ... the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and they worship Him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne ...
~ Revelation 4:8-10 (EMTV)

In the first three chapters of Revelation, the apostle John describes Jesus' appearance to John while he's on Earth. Now, John is taken "in the spirit" to Heaven, to receive the perspective of angels.

The angels here use the word "holy" nine times (Greek Majority Text), in three sets of three. In Scripture, the number three represents "solidity, divine perfection, entirety, substantiveness, Godhead." The number nine represents "the conclusion of a matter." *

God's people praise Him for attributes such as love and mercy, and thank Him for salvation and blessing. Angels of spiritual realms, able to see God in contrast to all else, exalt Him as "holy"—utterly good, set apart, pure and perfect—both here and in Isaiah 6:1-3.

Perhaps angels use the word nine times to emphasize the conclusion of the matter. In any case, the crowned saints who are present respond by falling down in worship and casting down their crowns—the prize of their perseverance—before the only One worthy of a crown.

The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
~ Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)

The day is at hand for all to be concluded, for faith of things unseen to become sight, for us to know the Holy One.

Lord God Almighty, please help us catch a glimpse of Your perfection and of eternal realities, to sustain us in the mire and chaos of temporal realms.

* From Numbers in Scripture, E.W. Bullinger (Kregel, Grand Rapids, © 1967)

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: revelation-today.com

Who Am I?

"I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant."
~ Genesis 32:10 (NKJV)

Who Am I?

The Bible quotes David asking three times, "Who am I, that ..." The man after God's own heart asked this of Saul shortly after slaying Goliath, of God after receiving promise of an everlasting kingdom, and again shortly before he died.

Please permit me to quote from that last instance with greater length than I generally use here:

"Blessed are You,
LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
And You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
"Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You.
For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,
As were all our fathers;
Our days on earth are as a shadow,
And without hope... "
~ 1 Chronicles 29:10-15 (NKJV)

Whatever his lapses, whatever his achievements, David did not lose sight of the fact that he was quite small, and God is quite large; that without the Lord, we are utterly without hope; that the Lord is worthy of our blessing at all times, even in the valley of the shadow of death.

It is a fitting perspective.



Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wondering heart?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord You catch me when I'm falling
And You told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see our sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me? ...

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Lyrics of "Who Am I?" as recorded by Casting Crowns are written by Hall, John Mark; © 2003 Reunion Records, Inc.

How Great Thou Art

I can hardly wait for Heaven, when I can sing with all my strength in a way I am unskilled to worship with on the earth.

(And thanks to Bud Ezekiel, who features many praise songs on his blog, by whom I was introduced to this fantastic rendition of a timeless hymn.)

NOTE (added Sunday evening, 9pm): My apologies that this video is a format which does not display properly in Blogger. If you'd like to watch this in the wide screen format, please click this YouTube link: How Great Thou Art



Oh Lord my God, How very great You are.

Wages of Sin

"Sin would have fewer takers if the consequences were immediate."
~ Unknown

Wages of Sin

"If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity. And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering."
~ Leviticus 5:17-18 (NKJV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
~ Romans 12:1 (NIV)

The first five books of Leviticus detail the sacrifices to be made for a multitude of reasons, sin being primary. The section concludes with the offering required when a person sinned and didn't know it.

Despite good intentions, sin is still sin, and sin must be dealt with.

Sin was very, very expensive under the old covenant. Using the best animals of the flock or herd in sacrifice for sin would be like us sacrificing something important to making a living—computer, tools, work clothing. If committing a sin meant forfeiting your cell phone, how long would it take to get your attention?

Yet more was lost than the monetary value of an animal. To demonstrate clearly that the wages of sin is death, an animal's life was snuffed out. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." (Hebrews 9:22 ESV) In the course of 1500 years of sacrifice, millions of animals were slaughtered to point to the ultimate blood sacrifice Jesus paid at Calvary.

Because sin's eternal cost has been paid, we can sometimes forget sin's ongoing cost here in temporal realms of this life. Not only does each sin bring its related consequences, it robs us of spiritual life and closeness to God.

The wages of sin is still death.

Ironically, the way to avoid sin is also death—death of self. It is when we daily offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, laying down our own will, that we truly live.

Father in Heaven, we belong to You. You have purchased us with the precious blood of Your Son, the Lamb of God. Please help us to freely give to You whatever we hold dear. Please help us believe that You always offer us something greater.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: punchstock.com

Fascination not Force

"Art is not what you see,
but what you make others see."
~ Edgar Degas

Fascination not Force
#knowingGod

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
~ Psalms 63:1-2 (NKJV)

What first fascinated you about the Lord? What did you learn or see that captured your awe?

My friend Mike Ellis shared this thought: "Christianity spreads best not through force but through fascination." He then asked me, "How do you, I and other Christ followers make Christianity fascinating?"

I do not think we can make Christianity fascinating unless we make Christ Himself fascinating, because He has fascinated us.

However else the Lord captures the awe of others, He seizes my heart with no more than His presence. He draws near when I enter the place of worship, and I bow before His majesty, truth, and love.

It is then a privilege, pleasure and passion for me to even attempt to make Him fascinating to others.

Lord, Your presence is an exquisite and satisfying wonder. We need no more from You than Yourself. How glorious the day when You are ours without distraction.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to

BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Art of Riek Jonker titled "In Awe" from fineartamerica.com

Friday Freelance: FALLEN ON FACE

Image source: revphil2011

"By nature, worship is not some performance we do,
but a presence we experience."
~ A.W. Tozer

Friday Freelance: FALLEN ON FACE
#knowingGod

Like millions across the nation, we’ve had a house full of sickness this week. My husband John went first, then the kids, one by one. By God’s grace (and with a few natural remedies) I’ve thus far evaded being sick, despite sleeping between two sick people.

Four-year-old Daniel slips into my bed so quietly that I don’t realize he’s there until his warmth pressed into mine wakes me up. Sickness isn’t the only reason he’ll wind up there. Funny noises outside his window will bring him. The rare bad dream dispatches him in search for safety. And returning from a nighttime trip to the bathroom is simply an excuse to snuggle.

We’ve always had an open door policy with our kids during the wee hours. Our philosophy is that they’ll know God is always available to them in a dark times by learning it first from us. There are other times when the door is locked, for Mom and Dad to have a serious talk or serious affection. In those hours our children learn that however important our relationship with them, the relationship with each other comes first.

When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down,
and the glory of the LORD on the temple,
they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement,
and worshiped and praised the LORD.
~ 2 Chronicles 7:3 (NKJV)

There is another place in the house which our children know to respect when it is closed. I’m usually already out of my prayer closet when they awaken, but if I tarry they’ll come to give me a good morning kiss (the youngest two will also cuddle quietly a bit), then slip away and allow me my time with the Lord. They understand that my relationship with Him comes first.

I try to "pray without ceasing" in mental chatter with the Lord all day, but of course it’s interrupted. I have lazy mornings when I try to get away with prayer time in bed, and as often as not it lapses back into sleep. I most enjoy morning prayer time in the eastern family room which offers sunrise in the summer and wood stove warmth in the winter.

But that prayer closet ...

This is the place of serious talk and serious intimacy. Unlike my numerous computer Bibles, the paper and ink version stored here is stuffed with notes and covered with writing. Like a suitcase plastered with travel stickers from around the globe, it evidences the places the Lord has taken me and the things we’ve seen together. A prayer journal ensures no one is overlooked (including you, dear readers). And the square of padded carpet behind tapestry curtain provides a comfortable place to sit—or a place for my face.

Say what you will about the Lord is everywhere and hears us no matter our position. For me, if I need to hear from Him, I fall on my face before Him. Something in this posture not only shuts out lesser things, but brings my heart to a place where either His whispers become clear, or His Spirit and mine find such unity that I needn't hear His voice. Like a comfortable couple who've reached the place where words are no longer necessary, I feel His pleasure, comfort, understanding, stretching, challenge, grief, peace. If you've felt any of these things, you know they are real.

If you desire these things, quietly slip into His presence with a humble heart until you feel His warmth pressed into yours.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

FRIEND Part II

This piece was scheduled to publish as a Friday Freelance at the end of this week. In deference to my friend Doug Spurling—(and because I have a class to teach that I need the time to prep)—it instead appears today.

=================================================

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
~ Henry David Thoreau

FRIEND Part II

Friday's Part I ended with a literal cliff hanger. My dear friend Gwen Stewart and I sat at the edge of a mountain drop-off, in a stick-shift vehicle (my preference for mountain driving). I needed to back up toward the precipice, then pull forward just after the further backward roll necessary to engage the clutch and gas pedal on a steep upward slope.

Though the situation was not entirely safe (but hey, neither is life!), my concern about the drop paled next to my concern for terrified Gwen, who already exhibited alarming syptoms of distress. I might have preferred to evaluate the driving situation for the safest way to get around the corner, but taking the time and going through the motions of doing so would have put Gwen over a different edge.

I owned the requisite skill and experience for my move, so I made a spit-second decision to simply take action before Gwen might realize the potential danger. I must move quickly, but not so quickly that I stalled the vehicle and had to roll back even farther to try again. I spoke calm and distracting words to my dear friend while nonchalantly moving backward then curving forward. No more than three seconds elapsed from the moment I realized I had to back up to the moment we were again ascending the valley wall.

We were soon above timberline, where trees no longer offered Gwen an occasional respite by mitigating her view of terrain and height. She scarcely breathed (not good at the low-oxygen high altitude), drawing air just long enough to periodically ask how much farther.

Then we came face to face with an 8x8 emperor bull elk, which stood a car's length from the road. In a small meadow which temporarily distanced us from those cliffs, Gwen's fear was briefly allayed. On his own protected turf, the bull took no heed of us while we admired his majesty against the backdrop of regal mountains. After several moments of rest, we again braved the sheer drops which brought us to the end of the dirt road at the visitor's center.

The two of us exited the vehicle to take in the spectacular view. I held my friend's arm as we walked around the building. She took one glance toward the cliff and faltered. I put Gwen safely back in the truck to breathe whatever oxygen her lowlander lungs might find, then alone approached the edge, stepping much closer than I would have allowed her. Morning sun danced with intoxicating grandeur across the valley floor some 4,000 feet below me.

The next leg of our journey took us onto Trail Ridge Road, at 12,183' feet the highest continuous road on the continent. We traversed the path which straddles the ridge, taking in alternating glimpses of the Continental Divide's two domains. Gwen shook her head and asked how anyone might look upon what she saw and claim atheism.

The surreal view defied adjectives. Gwen's fear gave way to awe, and then tears. I'd known all along that her soul needed to not just see, but experience those mountains. Our friendship assured me that I could take her there, and push her to the limit of herself without going too far.

We both met God on that road. Gwen tells her own story of the journey to a chasm. Mine? I heard the Lord whisper, This is what I do for you.

The Lord knows there are experiences we need to grow—to more fully appreciate life. He understands our dread of what we consider insufferable. He knows the way is safe, despite the dangers, because He will not leave us on the path He's already traveled. He will speak reassuring words even as we tremble with terror. He will navigate with us what appears impassable.

He will push us to the limits of ourselves, but will not force us to go as far as we might if we pull back. He will reveal to us wonders which our minds have not conceived. We will be compelled to glorify Him by as much as we do take in.

He is the Friend Who will not permit us to remain unchanged by the journey.

I will not leave you orphans;
I will come to you...
you will know that I am in My Father,
and you in Me, and I in you...
Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to you...
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
~ John 14:18,20,27 (NKJV)

FOOTNOTE: Lest it appear that I paint myself a hero and Gwen a weakling, I shall this Friday tell you of the chasm from which Gwen deftly rescued me.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

The Sacrifice of Worship

"Worship changes people;
we become like whatever it is we worship."
~ Wes Harty

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me ...
I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
~ Psalms 27:5-6 (NKJV)

Therefore by [Jesus]
let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
~ Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)

Does Sunday morning ever arrive and find you not ready to worship? Whether busyness, contention with others, or cares of life weigh you down, do you ever feel you have nothing to offer God?

Then come before Him broken, frustrated, weak. If necessary, do all possible to make peace with any other Christian who is not at peace with you (Matthew 5:23-24).

Then offer worship and praise and joy as a true sacrifice. Let your soul say, "My heart hurts, my mind is distracted, my body is weary—yet I choose to worship my God through it all because He is worthy of it. I offer sacrifice of myself."

Such sacrifice is a pleasing aroma to Him (Ephesians 5:2).

And it may be offered any day or time of the week.

Almighty God, You are worthy of our most humble worship and most exuberant praise. Please enable us through Your Spirit to accept Your gifts of faith, hope, love, joy, peace when our hearts and minds and bodies need them most, so that we may bless You with an offering of ourselves.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

True Worshipers

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
~ John 4:23 (NKJV)

We worship God through his Spirit, and our pride is in Christ Jesus. We do not put trust in ourselves or anything we can do.
~ Philippians 3:3 (NCV)

My church has a skilled orchestra and outstanding choir, and they are directed by a gifted music pastor. Yet it's not "anything we can do" ourselves that makes our worship inviting to the Lord. Jesus said the Father is seeking true worshipers who worship in spirit and truth—which involves not outward performance, but the heart.

"Spirit and truth" can be applied a number of ways. Related to worship, I think of "spirit" as being led by the Holy Spirit to worship in a manner which exalts the Lord before pleasing ourselves; I think of "truth" as knowing God well enough (through Scripture) to worship a true picture of Who He is, and not an image we've ourselves created.

Today I rejoice to be a part of worship ministries which strive for excellence because our God deserves our best. I rejoice more that our leaders are devoted to God and direct worship with spirit and truth.

I rejoice most of all because I am privileged to know the Almighty, and take pride in Christ Jesus—by Whose blood I have access to the Father that I may worship Him.

Our Father in Heaven, thank You for Your great love, which reveals Yourself to us. Thank You for the ability to worship You in song and voice, in life and testimony. Thank You for being worthy of all we are, all we have, and all we do being laid at Your feet.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

My Strength and Song

For July, each post examines an Old Testament name of God.

Oz-ziy ve-Zimrath / My Strength and Song



Yah, My Strength and Song,
Has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will dwell in praise of Him;
My father's God, and I will exalt Him.
~ Exodus 15:2 (author)

"This day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
~ Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)

Music speaks soul language.

Music has the power to evoke every emotion we know. The intricate science and math of something so filled with beauty and art could have only originated in heaven.

Music precedes humans. The Lord told Job that at creation, "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7 NKJV). The Bible does not record that song. The first song to appear in Scripture is immediately after the Israelites have been delivered through the Red Sea from Pharaoh. The opening lines of that song declare, "I will sing to YHWH, for He has triumphed gloriously! ... Yah, My Strength and Song, has become my salvation ..."

We praise and worship the Lord in song because He is our Song!

And in our song we also find He is our Strength—of soul, heart, mind and body. The strength of our song lies not in the skill of voice or musician's mastery, but in the heart. Music may be performed flawlessly but passionlessly. The strength of song lies in the heart from which it is played. (I have this on good authority from those gifted in music.)

To say "the joy of the Lord is my strength" is not merely an encouraging platitude. It is the Word from God and it is a reality. The one who belongs to Christ has His Spirit in residence. In song, the Holy Spirit receives a voice to praise God, and strength lies therein.

His song is a love song.

Love is the most common theme of songs. Perhaps one of the reasons we so often express love of God and romantic love in the soul's language of song is because when we feel weakness in fluttering heart and weak knees, being lovesick compels us to find strength in song. In singing of love, and in expressing our love to the one (or One) we prize most highly, both soul and love are strengthened.

If the Lord were but Husband, we might or might not feel moved to song. But He is Song itself. He is Strength itself. And tomorrow, we'll look at Him as "My Beloved"—to Whom we sing love songs.

The above photo, titled "Rain Dance," is of my nieces while they're waiting for an outdoor wedding to begin. They demonstrate one response when the Lord sends clouds and rain upon one of life's celebrations: celebrate anyway.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Praise and Worship, Hot and Cold

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving ...
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For He is our God.
~ Psalms 95:1-2,6-7 (NKJV)

"To the ... church at Laodicea write: '... You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. Therefore, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you out of My mouth.' "
~ Revelation 3:15-16 (author)

O put my tears into Your bottle ...
~ Psalms 56:8 (MKJV)

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You.
~ Psalms 63:1 (NKJV)

Laodicea had no water source. Its aqueducts brought warming water from the Hierapolis 95-degree hot springs, and refreshing water from the Colossae snow runoff. Otherwise-satisfying hot and cold waters were a distasteful lukewarm by the time they reached Laodicea.

Jesus expressed a desire for either hot or cold. It is commonly thought "cold" refers to the heart frigid to God, and such is desirable because it makes for a more needy convert. But because Jesus addresses those of His church, some think "cold" means something good in believers.

The Lord is no doubt warmed by zealous praise and thanksgiving filled with songs, joyful shouts, and uplifted hearts and hands. Perhaps the cool waters He finds refreshing are tears shed by a heart broken by that which breaks God's heart, by sweet communion with His Word and Spirit in early morning's chill, or by His child bowed low upon cold ground in worship.

Rock of our salvation, no fire of mortal praise is sufficient for You. YHWH our Maker, we cannot bow low enough before Your exalted throne. Teach our hearts to make both praise and worship which is pleasing to You.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

My People

"I am the LORD. If you ... keep My commandments, and perform them ... I will give peace in the land ... I will look on you favorably ... I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.... But if you do not obey Me ... but break My covenant ... I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart ... I will punish you seven times more for your sins.... And those of you who are left ... they shall waste away. But if they confess their iniquity and ... are humbled ... then I will remember My covenant ... I will not cast them away ... for I am the LORD their God."
~ Leviticus 26 (NKJV)

"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
~ Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)

Isn't one of the deepest desires of the human heart the desire to belong? To feel included in whatever group of people one becomes part of? There is no greater treasure than to be included in the group of people the King of the universe calls "My people."

Our God is stubborn in the very best sense. When blessing fails to win the hearts of the people He has purchased, He will allow them to receive the fruit of their choices, until they come to a place of such despair they might become willing to return to Him. He does not give up on His people.

To belong to God means submission and obedience to Him—a prospect some find distasteful. Incredible! How could anyone not delight to belong to the good God who loves and blesses as ours does?

What a privilege to attend church and worship our Creator as part of those God calls "My people."

Lord God, You are worthy of our very best. As You are worshiped across the globe this Sunday, please put in our hearts the ability to give back to You the thanks and praise due to Your holy name.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.