The Veil

Worship was changed forever when the veil in the Temple was torn. Here is how it happened:

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely He was the Son of God!"
- Matthew 27:50-51, 54

In those days, only the high priest could enter into the holy place behind this massive veil in the temple. The people would look to the priest to speak to God on their behalf on the other side of this veil. They had a distant connection to God.

Once the veil was torn, God made it clear that anyone can have access Him. Vernon Whaley said that even the people who nailed Jesus to the cross could now approach God and find His mercy (Called To Worship).

We have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Hebrews 4:14, 16

Because of what Jesus did on the cross, worship can occur anywhere! One can worship in a church building, an open field, an underground house, or even up in an airplane.

Knowing about this direct access that we have to God, I am surprised that people go through their days (and weeks) without including Him in thought, conversation, or prayer. I think that the believers in the Bible would be shocked at how casual we take our relationship with God. Because of Jesus, we have direct access to God! We should be thankful and amazed at God's grace and mercy and daily worship Him.

Wednesday's Brian Teaser

What is the word, phrase, or saying depicted below?

TAILR
RIALT
AIRTL
TLRIA

Prize to the winner!

CRU Sunday

I am really looking forward to Sunday. The Campus Crusade worship team (from St. Cloud State) will be leading our Sunday morning worship services. I know everything will be excellent.

From my perspective, here is a quick, behind the scenes view of the team:

Even though a number of the musicians and singers have been involved on other church teams (including past CRU ensembles), this worship team really came together as a group this past fall. A new worship leader (Matt) was given the responsibility of the team. He took the reigns and started trail blazing new grounds for their campus ministry. Other vocal leaders have stepped up (Julie, Jess, Alberto, and Reese). The band is also a solid part of the worship team (Tony, Brent, Kal, and Tom). As a whole, they bring glory to God every week.

Their Christ-centered style of leadership is encouraging and refreshing. I know Westwood will be blessed to have a wonderful, meaningful time of worship on Sunday.

Another Great Sunday

Yesterday, our worship service was excellent. I said this last week (and I will say it again) - I am part of a great team.

I want to highlight 3 things from Sunday's worship experience - (1) Tech booth, (2) Band, and (3) Singers.

The unsung heroes of a production are usually the people you do not see. Yesterday, Pete, Kevin, and Lisa did an outstanding job with the sound, computer, and lights. We had fast and slow songs, solos from different singers and instruments, contrast in lighting, and appropriate changes with the overall presentation from the computer. Way to use Pandora in place of our missing iPod!!!

The band was solid. Dan and Mandi did great with the piano/keys (nice solos and high octave playing), Ken nailed the electric guitar parts, Mike's drumming was terrific (sounded just like the recordings), and Josh (bass) and Mitchell (ac. guitar) definitely know how to worship and play off each other (I enjoy the interaction on stage, guys!).

Dan, Hannah, Melissa, and Linda did a great job singing and leading the congregation in worship. The different solos were very well done. They covered the parts, vocally gelled, and brought appropriate attention to God. My favorite part was hearing the 3 ladies sing, I'd Rather Have Jesus.

Here are some comments I received from people:
- You guys were phenomenal! I had the chills...when the harmonies came in (on I'd Rather Have Jesus), it just did me in.
- The song, He Is Lord, was the best singing I've heard.
- The team did an outstanding job.

Thanks for a great Sunday, team! I am blessed to lead with you guys!

Friberg's Friday Favorite

Job and Worship

When you think of the story of Job, does worship come to mind? If so, what circumstances shaped his worship?

Job's life was blessed. He had ten children, land, animals, and good health. Job could worship God without distraction from any outside situations. Enter Satan. He thought that Job would curse God if he lost everything (Job 1:10-11). After getting permission from God, Satan attacked job in two rounds. Both attacks displayed Job's amazing integrity and true heart of worship.

The first attack came on Job's earthly possessions. All of Job's land, family, animals, and belongings were taken away. Following this first attack, Job declared that the name of the Lord should be praised (Job 1:21).

The second attack came on Job's body, physically and emotionally. He obtained boils and verbal attacks through his closest friends. As Vernon Whaley put it, the character and integrity of a person is revealed in hard times and under pressure (Called To Worship). In the end, Job fell on his face, surrendered himself once again to the Lord, and worshiped with all that was in him (Job 42:2-6).

A person may display a life of worship on Sunday morning. However, just like the story of Job states, adversity will truly reveal a person's integrity in worship. Our worship should not be affected by the stability of some earthly possessions. We should worship God for who He is, not for what we own.

Our worship should properly be displayed through a life of integrity in a honest relationship with God.

Wednesday's Brian Teaser

Here we go:

What king can you make if you take -
The head of a lamb
The middle of a pig
The hind of a buffalo
and the tail of a dragon?

Prize to the winner!