Tag: worship

Well done

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You pray in formation
Beyoncé has to feature you in her next formation
Praises first, worship second
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned
Well done, ma

You give up on yourself
Because you keep running from Pillar to Post
Pillar of fornication
Post of prayer for forgiveness of sins
Your legs are weak
You imagine the lord must be tired of you
Tigers woods!
Well done, Sir!

You are told Jesus has forgiven you once and for all
But you argue you have to work out your salvation with fear and trembling
How is the walk going?
Are you trembling yet?
Wakajugbe!
Well done, ma!

You complicate simple English
And say there is more to believing than believing
That believing is not enough for eternal life if not backed up with works
Backup memory card!
Listen to yourself
Are you making any sense at all?
Well done, Sir!

You say Grace keeps one from sinning
Aunty stop sinning already
But you cannot
Is God’s grace not sufficient for you?
Now you say you have to strive to enter
You go wound oh
Well done, ma!

You call me heretic
That I preach a message from the pit of hell
A message that allows believers to lounge
Can we talk about this
Without you getting worked up and defensive?
Because I would like to see you without a York
Jackie!
Well done, Sir!

ChyD
© 2019

Freedom

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I want to be free to live,
A life free from difficulty,
A life with no tragedy

I want to be free to walk,
walk and never be stopped
Free to walk away from that sin that enslaved me,
Free to confront the devil that estranged me

I want to be free to speak,
Oh let my tongue leak, the truth.
I want to be free to spill out words that heal,
Words that plant and uproot futile roots

I want to be free to see,
See beyond diverse challenges,
See an adventure in the midst of peril

I want to be free to smile,
A smile that brightens and brings joy to a troubled mind and uplifts the weary heart

I want to be free to dream,
Dreams that are not assaulted by ferocious nightmares,
Dreams that give the assurance of a bright future

I want to be free to give,
Give without demanding to receive
Free to give myself up, just as Christ did for us

I want to be free to worship,
Acknowledging him who has dominion and lordship

I want to be free to love,
Unconditionally, exclusively and indefinitely

I want to be free to be the creators poet,
Free to get my papers wet,
With blue blood as they surge freely through my pen

I want to be free to write my piece,
Without chaos afflicting my peace

I want to be free to be the “me” that I’m supposed to be,
Not regarding people’s thoughts and opinions of me

I want to be free from pressures,
Free from peer pressures that accelerates my blood pressure
Free from living to measure up and forgetting his “treasure up”

I want to be free from the shadows of my past,
Free to take off this obfuscating mask
I know I committed crimes and crossed lines but I want to be free to bask in his ever redeeming light,
Free to actualize that in Christ, I am worth a Jew’s eye

I want to be free
According to God’s will
Flourishing like the flowers
Gushing with full strength like the waters
And as a tree planted near the rivers whose root spreads across like the garment of a diva

I want to be free expanding in knowledge
thrilling in the realm of possibilities
healing the broken souls with those words gifted from above

So, I desire to be free
Free from the seal of fear and jest
Free from imperfections and wrong decisions
Free the rain of confusion that overwhelms the kingdom on the inside,
Free from the floods of lust that empties grace
And takes away God’s face
I need to be free!
clothed with righteousness on the race
Nurtured on the way
Living to become my very best

Princess
The Alchemist
© 2019.

A Portrait of Sacrifice, with Blood as Paint

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A band of butcherers chant,
As they drag crying sheep through,
Smashed rocks and dirt clouds,
Swarming, to slaughter point,

Its fluffy coat sheds, to mingle,
With mud puddles and grim slime,
It swims in darkened blood,
And sways, to torturers’ feet stomping,

As shredding skin paints the path,
To the altar, with red hue,
A portrait of life takes shape:
Suffering, to death,

But if through its last cries,
It sees losing self could be worship,
It’ll fall, to paint its dying as,
Living worship to God, “Sacrifice Infinite”.

Ikenna Nwachukwu
© 2018

BOOK REVIEW: EXPLORING WORSHIP, by Bob Sorge

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Author: Bob Sorge 

Pages: 262

Edition: 22nd

Publisher: GCEE BRUNO CONCEPT LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria. 

Reviewer: PHILIPA ORAEGBU
 
 
 
God seeketh worshipers not worship. Why then do I need to worship if he seeks it not?
 
Bob Sorge, an ardent writer of thought provoking practical books, ignites hearts yet again with this piece, Exploring Worship: A Practical Guide to Worship . Bob, a former music director, expresses his belief and desire to see leaders and worshipers equipped in the spiritual and practical aspects of worship. His writing is not just theoretical; it retells real life experiences and contains bible references. With these, he is able to show the importance of spiritual sensitivity in the art and act of worship emphasizing the place of the Holy spirit and a worshiper’s ability to discern.
 
“Worship”, though a common term in the faith and commonly regarded as just the act of singing slow songs, is beautifully exposited in this book. Exploring Worship clarifies the diverse misconceptions of the term while expounding its simplicity, essence and exclusivity. 
 
The book is divided into two sections: The Heart of Praise and Worship, and The Leading of Praise and Worship. The first section of the book comprises 7 chapters and dwells on worship and praise as expressions unto God, while the latter has 3 chapters and relates the practical aspect of worship. 
 
The first chapter discusses praise and its distinctive extroverted nature. Its essence, and how it’s perfunctory on will and not emotion. Bob proceeds to explain when, where and how one should praise. Praise, being extroverted expression, is done in varying ways. Some of these are common; others are not very widely practised. 
 
The second chapter addresses our approach to God’s presence: an individual approach and congregational approach. Worship as a Christian communal experience is described as an excercise which requires both on the worship leader and worshippers to bring to life. The author makes it clear that there are sacrifices to be made by all involved, in order to actualize worship. 
 
Chapter three emphasizes the use of praise as a weapon of spiritual warfare. The scriptural basis of its use is not without explanation, likewise the exposition on the use of the forms of expression of praise as spiritual weaponry.
 
Chapter four explores the term ‘worship’, its distinction from praise, its essence, and how the Holy Spirit is an integral part of worship. Worship as revealed is not bound by time or place but rather is dependent on “spirit” and truth. 
 
Who really are worshipers? How does one become a worshiper? What does it mean to worship without guilt and what are the attitudes that could hinder an acceptable worship? These questions are answered in detail in the fifth chapter of the book. 
 
Worship has three aspects to itself as written by Bob, the vertical aspect where the worshipes communicates with the Lord; the horizontal aspect, in which the worshiper communicates with the congregation; and the inward aspect of worshiper’s internal communication. All of these are found in chapter six. 
 
Chapter seven talks about the link between prophecy and music, the difference between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and how they should be incorporated into today’s congregational worship. There’s also some discussion about walking in prophetic worship by faith. 
 
Chapter eight delves into the art of leading worship. The author wants us to understand that proper worship leadership is learned. Worship leaders don’t just spring up; they grow by learning. Further explained are the qualifications a leader should possess: musical expertise which is of great necessity; the leaders preparation both musically and spiritually; and the leaders leading– and not controlling -worship. 
 
Chapter nine exposits the importance of a worship leading team in a church, the role of the pastor and worship leader in congregational worship, the various members of the worship leading team and their place in the church. 
 
And finally, chapter ten makes known the need for planning worship services, the need for sensitivity, preparation and balance as regards worship services, creativity in providing good variety in worship services, and practical steps to writing songs and teaching new songs.
 
If you are desiring insight into the world of worship, the art of worship and leading worship, you will find this book useful. It demonstrates, among other things, that worship is not about the subject (worshiper) but the object (God) . And this, in the end, is the key message we all need to internalize.

Jesus be REAL!

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Pour me a drink He said.

I ain’t got time for y’all Jews she said.

Oops if I were you I’d be asking me for a drink He said.

Now there you go thinking you’re better off than our fathers she said.

Well I got water that  will give them water-well companies a run for their money He said.

Oh really? She exclaimed Well can I get some? She asked.

Go call your boo He said.

What you all up in my business for? I ain’t got none She said.

You are correct cos you’ve had 5 and the one you’re with ain’t yours He said calmly.

What the? You must be prophet! Can I holla at you for a Moment?  We have church at the mountain cathedral but y’all Jews and the like say we all have to get to Jerusalem before we can have church. What’s up with that? She asked.

I’m gonna be real with you, God is done with all them physical locations. These days, any man that wants to worship can do so wherever he is in spirit and in truth.  and that’s what’s up. He said

 

  • Ezeonyeka Godswill (2017)

#TheConversation

#FreestyleFriday

EVERYDAYJESUS’ Worship 3 (an update)!

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Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted by much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. “But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken from her.”

Luke 10: 38-42(NKJV).

Home making is both a duty and a major hobby for me as a woman but then on the other hand lies a higher duty and calling which is worship. Sometimes while going about my woman functions diligently; it could be very easy to forget the place of worship – the better part. Worship for me, is a God consciousness in the very most mundane thing. It is to me like not just shuffling back and forth the Mary-Martha woman life, but running the ‘Mary and Martha Me’ skillfully at the very same time. The Truth is that Martha isn’t the wrong one, in fact nobody is. She didn’t know something I know now, LOL. Woman balance is worshiping in my most very common activities. If I realized that the Lord is right there with me, then I would involve Him in my home making, this to me is pure worship! Home making like every other thing is fun doing but when done with the consciousness that the Lord is right there with me, it becomes even rejuvenating and refreshing – worship actually is refreshing! If you ask me, I would tell you that as a woman, God is glorified when I do the home thoroughly because that is my God-given role being attended to very well, but then, God is even more glorified when I let Him help me with my chores because I let Him teach me by His Holy Spirit the best ways to do every single thing. Do you know that Abba Daddy could give one a snazzy elegant DIY on almost anything including a perfect haute cuisine, cordon bleu ‘how to make a good sauce for potatoes’? Well He has given me tones of ‘em, no kidding!

By Favouromeje, 2016

EVERYDAYJESUS’ worship 1 (an update)

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Hey, I have accepted that my opinions most times are way larger than my slight form, I know but I think I can manage with them! I am sorry that I have to shock you right now with some of my most secret thoughts. It was meant to be Mon secreto, yeah, but I like sharing tho!
So listen up,
It is weird but the thing is that I don’t find dancing so hard in church to be much of a worship- at least in my mind. For me, it is a really fun thing to do, especially when I have to get past my shy demeanor to show those siting close to me, the dance step I picked up from watching a ‘top notch video’ on HipTV. Yes I watch that sometimes. It is not like showing of my lil amateur dance steps was my plan but good dearest, it is my most subconscious reality. Maybe I am the only one seeing dancing in church as just pure fun but somehow I think other people do too, maybe just a little. Have you ever been in church when the song leader is messing up with the beats, rhythms and all, and if devil happened to be kidding with the instruments at that same time, people will be like,
‘What’s all this na, what’s this guy even doing in the choir sef’,
‘Mtchw that’s why I like churches with cool music, mtchw’,
‘See how I am just snapping in and out of the ‘holy of holies’ mtchw’.
‘If I hear say I come to this church ever again, mtchw’. Lol.
Maybe I am the only one noticing it o. If you like, say that I am the only one thinking it in my head, lol, I don’t mind tho. You know, when dances really get crazy in church I really sometimes decide to not just drift in the fun but to do it consciously as though Abba Daddy is watching me dance to Him.
These days, I even prefer to be in churches where songs are purely based on what my realities are, because I am a son of God, I mean mutant! So for me, I prefer to sing and dance to songs that a non-mutant might never understand, let alone having the courage to dance to. Maybe I’ll let you in on that la’er but right now, I am just in the mood of le’ing you know that worship for me is not when I sing or dance ‘gospel’ songs but the totality of my love affair with the King of Kings. Right now, ama le’ u take a peek into my little heart of worship.
Worship is my love affair with the King of Kings. Worship is my relationship with I AM. Worship is yielding to His voice.
Worship is having my bath twice a day at least just to impress the King of Kings.
Worship is guarding my nakedness jealously for Him because my body belongs to Him.
Worship is sleeping with a big and beautiful smile because I know that He is right there watching me sleep.
Worship is using the right cosmetics and fragrance to be properly groomed for Him alone.
Worship is eating and exercising right just to keep His temple strong and fit.
Worship is taking care of my hair and skin for Him alone- He knows my every detail including the number of hairs on my head.
Worship is dressing soft, gentle and feminine; for that will give Him so much pleasure.
Worship is walking tall and gentle- I am His princess.
Worship is my chastity and purity, for His name is Jealous.
Worship is being patient with Him in my waiting just because I love Him- love is patient.
Worship is my love affair with the King of Kings.
I am confident that He is not too busy to take note of the little things I do to impress Him. He loves me and I love Him too. I know that He reads those little things that I write to Him to bring smiles to His beautiful face. I am waiting for that day I will behold His beautiful face. I know the contagious radiance of His presence. I bask in His love and presence.
“But the hour is coming and now is when the true worshippers will worship the father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. “ God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”- John 4:23-24 (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).
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrew 11: 6. (NIV).
By Favouromeje, 2016.