shhh....someone snuck in the Hallelujah into our church or how I got beat up by Jesus this week

Whenever people ask, I often describe that a attend a mostly White/Anglo church in which my wife and I are some of the few Latinos in the congregation. At our church we have the occasional pro-life speeches, Bush-Cheney bumper stickers in the parking lot, support our troop reports, and other republican, White, middle class, evangelical expressions. Today was quite interesting... like other churches there has several discussions regarding what is appropriate during worship. We usually have a contemporary style/largely evangelical culture/non-gospel type music with an occasional hand lifted up and a person standing up. Today though, maybe it was something in the water, but during the last song, people starting clapping, there was two or three people standing up and there was four or five hands being lifted up. I thought I was seeing/hearing things--but I was. So, was the Spirit moving? I think so. That is kind of a blanket statement because I know the Spirit just doesn't just move through fireworks, sequence pants, flying angels, back flips, phone books being torn in half , and musical instruments being played really loud. It was nice to see people getting excited in church.

Throughout Christendom I often run across people who complain about their church's music and pastor's message. I often refrain from commenting on these because I know our worship pastor and pastor on a personal level--not that I have anything to complain about. I often think to myself and wonder, if I could have worship my way, I would have some of the Sunday morning stuff but in addition I would have some other off the wall performers play worship music such as a Christian electronica band (kind of like Kraftwerk.) I would also have this band that describes itself like a cross between the Ramones and John Denver. So in reality I get to worship in church but also in my car, home, and while out and about---but shouldn't it be like that? Anywho, as far as sermons go, I am a fan of conviction but also I enjoy a socio/political/progressive edge to it. Also the use of movies or pop culture comments are cool too. When comes down to it though, I am belong to my church because I am committed to a community and that includes the full package. I have also seen as someone who just complains and fails to look for redemptive value or to see what God maybe doing through what maybe seen as conventional methods of worship, as lazy and bitter. I somewhat have that person in some senses but God calls me to be responsible, loving, and to be another iron to sharpen iron with. Not just a piece of material that just rubs resulting in a dull blade.

Well, today I was especially encouraged by the message today. Our Pastor explained how 'Jesus beat me up this week' and by this he described that it is God's will that prevails over our selfish desires. This really spoke to me as I am constantly needing to feel in control-if not I go crying to God. It was good stuff. Even if it wasn't good stuff, God is still awesome, and I know that our Pastor loves God and his word. So this week, call out to God, and you might find your self clapping, standing, swaying, or punched in the face.