Happy Anniversary, Mrs Decker!

Clueless….I was…aren’t we all? Twenty years ago today, I confirmed the 2nd biggest decision that I have ever made in my life. What was I expecting? What was I thinking (that it would be like)? Did I have any idea the road that 20 years of marriage would include some unexpected detours, a couple of tricky potholes, some tricky turns, a few speedbumps and best of all - the journey of a lifetime?

As I look back at pictures and videos…I see friends and loved ones who have left this earth…I see friends and loved ones who no longer love and have left each other…I see friends and loved ones who have been left more than their share of suffering. In it all, I see a moment, a lifetime and a journey including them both that brings me to this milepost.

Don’t get me wrong, I made some bad decisions, a few wrong turns and even stalled out the clutch a few times. But, each time, God faithfully got me back on track, headed in the right direction. Just when it seems that the trek is too tough, He reminds me that His road was a troubled one, too. He also reminds me that the trip is smoother when I allow Him to drive.

I’m sure I’ve missed out on a few things on this highway as I pass by…but you know - fewer trinkets streamline the passage, less snack stops and potty breaks shape the perseverance and being another mile down the road satisfies the paternal heart.

As for me and my house, I’m joining the 20/20 Club…see you in 2027!

Happy 20th Anniversary Diane – I Love You!

Who Is This Worship Thing For Anyway?

Each year, I have the privilege of doing some limited travel related to my job. With that comes the opportunity to experience differences in society, culture and faith. There is an annual worship event that serves as one of these opportunities. It usually brings me great joy to stand with thousands and sing the praises of our Savior in such a unique setting.

This year, however, things proved to be vastly different. Now, I count myself to be somewhat adept with modern worship. Between working at a Christian music station for over 20 years and working with the church youth group for more than 4 years has certainly exposed me to a broad medium of songs and styles of music. Attempting to be a participant in a 2-hour service in which I knew a total of two songs proved somewhat disconnecting - Spiritually and physically fatigued you might say. Don’t get me wrong – I was in the midst of a wonderful worship event. I told those who were with me, I would have much rather sat at the back of the room, enjoying the music and watching the others. Instead, I was a reluctant participant in something that made little sense to me and was doing little to connect me to the Father.

DING, DING, DING – NEWSFLASH: I now knew how the generation above us feels every time we force them to accept our ideals, our music and our worship. Each generation has its’ own means of expressing itself and each is a viable means of worshipping God. Lord, bless our senior saints and give me a fresh appreciation for their faith. I am not a proponent of separating the Body into a variety of worship services based on our musical preference. Somehow, I don’t see this following the self-sacrificing model that Christ laid out before us, because (believe or not) – it’s not about music.

Most importantly, this whole event reminded me that our worship is more than a song, a Sunday or an experience…Ours is a service of worship, not a worship service (Rom 12:1-2).