After Battling cancer for a while, Gospel music Minister
Darlene Zschech speaks of what she has been Praying
for according to the leading she has been having…
I’ve been really praying about this topic: worship and
mission. These two words are like fire in my belly;
they daily give me my purpose and reason. They are
not entirely separate from each other; they are almost
like a bride and groom—hard to have a wedding with
just one of them.
Yet mission will always be trumped by worship for
worship abides forever. As we continue to create
God’s throne room here among us, building his
glorious throne of praise and going deeper in our
understanding and experience, we will realize the
passion God has for the lost and broken, that everyone
needs to hear, see, and know the goodness of the
gospel.
Revelation
I continually find myself in John 4, seeing and hearing
the scene where “true worship” is discussed by Jesus
and the Samaritan woman. Seeing once more that
when Christ’s Lordship is established, living waters
are our promise, our inheritance, our radical need, and
God’s even more radical provision.
As we continue to reveal Jesus in every area of our
lives, I see God’s throne being established among us
in our churches, in our communities, in our families, in
our new experiences and in our traditions. For
wherever He is enthroned, there you’ll find hearts that
are open and thirsty for the one thing none of us can
acquire elsewhere, only from relationship with Jesus:
Living Water.
How can truthful and authentic worship be anything
but missional? In genuine worship we are constantly
declaring God’s goodness, always announcing and
declaring that he is with us, always being filled with
joy in his presence, always announcing freedom,
always dependent on the Holy Spirit to fill us, change
us, lead us, and turn our sorrows into joy, our
mourning into dancing.
More Than a Song
To worship with our life means that it is not just in
the singing of songs that we find our hearts
emblazoned with mission, but it is the result of a
worshipful life where mission finds its expression in
the going, the sending, and the daily expression of our
faith in the ordinary. As Christ followers, all that we
are should be somehow resulting in bringing the love
and light of Christ to our world. Is this mission? Yes.
Is this worship? Yes.
Limitless Connection
I’ll never forget sitting in the South African dirt with a
beautiful four-year-old boy in an orphanage in
Johannesburg. It seemed nothing could reach his
lonely little heart, no toys or games, not even the
crazy young musicians traveling along with us could
find a way to connect with him. His eyes were glazed
over; I cannot bear to think about what he had
endured at such a young age. So in the dirt, into his
gorgeous, perfectly formed little ears, I started to sing,
“Jesus loves me.” It only took moments for his
stunning tear-filled eyes to look up, and it was like
our hearts connected right there and then. Building
Jesus a throne in the middle of the dirt. As we drew
near, he drew near to us (Jas 4:8). That’s the
promise.
There is no other name like the name of Jesus to heal
our wounds, calm our fears, walk with us through
suffering, and to even hold an aching four-year-old
heart tenderly in his hands. This little boy’s heart was
opened to the love of Jesus, and he experienced what
it was like to draw from a well that could never be
taken from him, and certainly never run dry.
I may not have been leading lots of worship through
music over the last 12 months, but the mission of my
life, as a worshiper, has not changed one bit. As I’ve
sat in doctors’ waiting rooms and laid in bed for many
months, that call to take Jesus to every sacred place
burns in me just like leading people to his glorious
courts through praise does. Living our lives poured
out … in response to his great love for us…
That the world may know!
Darlene Zschech is the former worship pastor at
Hillsong Church. She is now a popular Christian singer
and songwriter.
1.The Gays/Lesbians:These types of people do not need elaborate explaination to convince everyone that they have lil or no interest in valentine’s day. this act is an ungodly act that needs quick divine intervention, this act cause sodom and gomora to be destroyed.
2.The Real Born Again Christians:These sets of people in which I belong to don’t regard or recognise anything such like this.It’s highly unacceptable in the ‘christiandom’.The bible says ‘don’t be an equally yoke with the unbeliever’,hence,christians don’t engage themselves in valentine’s celebration.
3.Those In The Battle Field: [/b]Our patriotic and beloved Nigeria soldiers in Maiduguri and other parts of the North-East will definately not be having a one-out time with their loved ones this season.
4.[b]The Singles:I know many will be on this lane.Many broke up before the celebration in the aim of dodging his responsibility during this season whilest some don’t have a date.Majority of these people are the guys ‘cos the ladies are always engage and it’s their norm.
5.The Handicaps:By handicaps,I don’t mean the handicap the bettors give to a club whilest staking his game oh,lol.Such people in this group may include,the dumb,the blind,the deft,the lame etc.These sets of people would likely go to their plantation tomorrow being saturday or even stay indoor to watch GoTv,hence,they don’t bother about valentine’s day.
6.The Minor Or Under-aged:When I was a lil boy,I used to see people put on reds cloths,caps on val’s day but I didn’t know why they were puting on such on that day not until I was matured enough to know the reason behind it.So,a minor is less concerned about val’s day,all he cares for is to get his parents’ attention,play around and get his stomach filled to the brim.
7.The Typical Hustler:The truck pusher,wheel Barrow pusher,the undertakers,the itenerant trader,the pedestrians,the hawkers etc hardly think about Love ‘cos they don’t have the time for such and hence,less bothered about it.
8.The Village ‘papos’ And ‘Mamos‘:These are the old people in the village usually the Grandpa and grandma.They can hardly move out ‘cos they are too old and those who can,don’t even remember anything like val’s day let alone celebrating it.
9.The Experienced:These categories are the ones who try to advise their younger ones/sibblings to steer-clear from guys this period ‘cos they’ve seen the bad side of val’s day.These ladies are in their late 30’s trying to caution their sibblings who aren’t adult at the moment.They are experienced and as such not so bothered about the season as the youths do.
10.The Ugly ones:]These sets of people have been forcing themselves on the opposite se.x long before the val’s day but as soon as the day approaches,they all alone.These categories of people are commonly ladies who don’t have any swag,who put on un-attracting skirts that are long to their toes,they have no features on their body to attract a guy,the least goes on and on.As such,they relax in their single apartment all day.
The pastor and 2 others who accompanied him on a pastoral visit were reportedly beheaded by fuming youths in Ediba.
Confirming the incident, the state police commissioner, Henry Fadairo disclosed that the pastor and the 2 other members of the Assemblies of God church in Mkpani area of Yakurr LGA, Cross River were slaughtered brutally and beheaded.
Police PRO, Hogan Bassey, also confirmed the incident, saying it was under investigation
Most of us would agree with George Eliot’s words, “I like not only to be loved, but also to be told I am loved.”
Valentine’s Day is the occasion when you can experience both. We asked FamilyLife Facebook friends and Marriage Memo readers to share some of their favorite Valentine’s Day ideas.
With a little help from our friends, here are 25 creative ways to tell your spouse, “I love you.”
1. On small pieces of paper, write down every kind of kiss that you can think of (examples: passionate, on the cheek, etc.). Then fill an inexpensive red felt bag with your “kisses” and give it to your spouse. Ask your spouse to pull several pieces of paper from the felt bag, and then give your sweetheart whatever kind of kiss is described.
2. Make a book about why you love your spouse and why you are thankful for him/her. The woman who sent this idea wrote, “He loved it! Said it was the best gift he has ever gotten. And it helped me to focus on the things I love about my husband and not his shortcomings.”
3. Take your sweetie on a scavenger hunt. Ask him/her to answer riddles to find the clues to items that you placed somewhere around town. The last item should give instructions that lead to your Valentine’s Day activities.
4. After enjoying a candlelight dinner for two at home, give your spouse a massage and watch a romantic movie. The woman who suggested this wrote, “Last Valentine’s Day when I got home from work, my husband … had our bedroom set up with a candlelit table for two. He is NOT a cook but he made an awesome meal … grilled steak, sautéed shrimp in lemon, garlic, and butter, a vegetable, and [he] bought a chocolate fountain that was flowing—surrounded by fresh fruit for dipping. After dinner he led me over to his homemade massage table. … We ended our special night with a romantic movie.
5. Surprise your spouse with a special getaway together. The man who suggested this made reservations at a bed and breakfast, arranged for childcare, asked for time off from work for himself and his wife, and packed his and her bags. When he asked his wife to go to lunch on Valentine’s Day she was in for a wonderful surprise. “The little bit of effort I put into that weekend paid off huge for weeks to come.” (For an extra special experience, take your spouse to one of FamilyLife’sWeekend to Remember marriage getaways. It’s one of the best investments you could make in your marriage. There are seven scheduled around the country forValentine’s weekend, and many more throughout the year.)
6. Give your wife a dozen roses. On each stem attach a note for a future date—to do something that she would enjoy (example: Go to the symphony).
7. If possible, go on a date with your spouse to a restaurant that you enjoyed when you first met. After you order your meal, take some time to write down favorite memories from the past year. Then share your lists.
8. Have 11 roses delivered to your wife, and then give her a 12th yourself while reading her a love poem.
9. Fill a large box with helium balloons and special gifts for Valentine’s Day. The woman who suggested this said that her gifts included “new sleep shorts for him and a new nightgown for me, a box of chocolate-covered strawberries and red napkins … some new candles, and a romantic CD. He got the hint. And loved the weekend.”
10. Create an intimate Valentine’s Day evening at home, without the children. The woman who suggested this idea said that she and her husband “enjoyed planning the menu, shopping for the meal, and ultimately preparing the meal together. Cooking to soft, romantic music can really be a turn on! While dining, the same soft, romantic music is a wonderful mood-setter. Dinner was followed by just the two of us having the whole dance floor, our den, to ourselves. I won’t say what all this led to, but it was a truly romantic night that would not have happened at the local restaurant!”
11. Order food from a take-out restaurant and have a picnic for all the Valentines in your family on your living room floor. The person who suggested this said, “The kids look forward to this every year. When we tried to change it, they wouldn’t allow it … it has become a tradition. The kids see the value of family and a loving marriage.”
12. Privacy and weather permitting, watch a romantic movie on your deck or patio.
13. If you are separated across the miles, send a care package filled with things that are red.
14. Make a meal with symbols of love. Examples: Write I love you with string beans, make a tart in the shape of a heart …
15. Hide little heart candies in your spouse’s shoes, coat, car, etc. The woman who suggested this said that she’s been doing this for decades. “Now a couple of the grandkids help me with delight.”
16. Wives, show up at your husband’s office before lunch. Call him from the parking lot and tell him you are going to take him for a lunch rendezvous and that you will be waiting for him whenever he can take a break. Wear a nice outfit and tell him you have something sexy on underneath for when he gets home. Take him to a nice place for lunch and back to the office. Give him some great kisses telling him how glad you are to be married to him, and tell him you will be waiting for him when he gets home.
17. Fill a jar with Valentine candy and notes for your spouse. Examples of notes are: Good for a backrub, 10 kisses, etc. Notes could also express your love and respect: “I am so glad that God blessed my life with such a great husband like you.” Individually roll each note and tie it with a ribbon.
18. Surprise your spouse by taking a vacation day from work and enjoy Valentine’s Day at home. Have a relaxing morning together on the porch, deck, or patio. Then go to a favorite restaurant for lunch. The man who suggested this idea had also reserved a spa treatment and tanning session for his wife. “While she was doing that,” he says, “I went home and made her a special dinner.”
19. Write a poem for your spouse and frame it.
20. On individual note cards, write why you love your spouse. Insert these cards in a small photo album. The woman who suggested this idea began her album with a honeymoon picture and introductory note card, and ended it with a love note.
21. Surprise your husband when he comes home from work on February 14. Place a welcome sign on the kitchen table and leave a trail of red foil-wrapped Hershey kisses to your bedroom.
22. With roses in hand and permission from your wife’s boss, go to her workplace and read a love poem to her. The woman who shared this idea said, “I am a teacher in an inner city school. Last year my husband dressed in my favorite suit and tie, came to my school with roses in hand. He got permission and assistance from the office staff to open the speaker system into my classroom and proceeded to read a long and beautiful love poem to me. He then came to my classroom and presented me with the bouquet of roses which I received while wiping my tears of joy and love for this wonderful man whom I have been married to for just under 30 years.”
23. Make a special “14 Reasons I Love You” Valentine’s Day breakfast for your sweetheart. On his/her plate, leave a letter or card listing 14 reasons that you love your spouse.
24. If possible, send a card postmarked in a town that has a romantic name such as Loveland, Colorado; Valentine, Texas; or Romance, Arkansas.
25. After your spouse goes to bed, tape notes to his car’s steering wheel with reasons that you love him, or decorate the bathroom mirror with lipstick kisses or Valentine’s window clings.
Have fun on February 14, and remember: Love is not meant to be given and received on just Valentine’s Day. Instead, it’s to be practiced every single day of the entire year.
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