worship message preparation

There is a misconception that's developed over the years. Sometimes I think it's going away and then other times I feel like the myth has grown. The falacy is familiar and simple. Worship is something we do once or twice a week. It's a time for us to sit back and be inspired. It's gives us a chance to stop and remember who God is. It's not active but really just a time to hear some inspiring things and reminise about our heritage.

Our behaviors that articulate these concepts ultimately betray us and betray God.

I love Annie Dillard's definition- "Worship is the Christians response to grace."

Worship should be...

extravagant: When we look at the broken alabaster bottle, the rain of coins from Zacheaus' account, the nets dropped on a moments notice, the face down worship of lepers and wise men, there is no doubt that worship is meant to be extravagent.

transforming: Worship is for God. But there is a commonality in all unique worship experiences. Something happens to us! It flood every corner, every alley, every part of your life. When we encounter God, it brings perspective to bank accountants, car trouble, marital spats, and rebelious children. It heals us. It fills us. It empties us. It thrills us. It makes us want to be better people and it gives us the power to make it happen because when we worship we are possessed by the love of Christ. "Possessed?" Sounds a little errie, a little spooky, a little mysterious, a little out-of-this-world. Yes, yes, yes and yes. Letting go is all that. An experience with our Creator is all that. A supernatural experience is all that!

continual

Peterson interprets the Shema which gives us a definition of continual worship:

Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!
Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you 7and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; 9inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-7

and focused