Open hand, open heart

I remember a few years ago when a worship leader was talking about the symbolism of an open hand during worship. If we stand with closed hands, grasping onto the things of this world (an obsession, a selfish desire, a trial, a recurring sin, etc), we stand with clenched fists that are not open to receive the wonderful blessings and gifts that God has prepared for us, or the tools necessary to combat our struggle.

When I worship I love opening up my hand. I feel like it creates this flowing energy between me and God. I open my heart and ask God to change and mold me. I ask for God to make my heart more in tune with His.

What you are holding onto? What's in your clenched fist that you need to let go of, to be freed from the chains of this world so that we can truly experience Christ?

There are no limits when we stand with open hands and an open heart.

Children's Song

My church in Pittsburgh just started a series called "This Little Light of Mine."

I'd like you to take a minute and consider these questions...

What is the status of your light? What is the condition of your heart?

Have you hidden your light under a bushel? If so, why? Are you ashamed to let others see your light? Is there someone or something in your life that is causing you to cover your light? If so, what steps do you need to take to get your light back?

If your light is shining... what is the history of your light? In the past, what has had an influence on how bright it shines? How has God worked through or in you in these times?

Is your light shining or is it raging?

If you find your light isn't quite shining the way you'd like, I think the bridge "Glory to God" by Fee is a great prayer,

"Take my life and let it be all for your and for your glory. Take my life and let it be yours." Take a listen at http://www.myspace.com/stevefee

If you are interested in listening to the series, audio and video tracks are available online. http://www.northway.org/secondary/mediaArchive/mediaArchive.aspx

Bittersweet

Last night Northway, my church in Pittsburgh, held a worship night where we sang praise to our God, including some Christmas songs.

We also took Communion.

I had never taken communion when celebrating Christ's birth before.

Normal births are a joyous day to celebrate a new life entering the world. I don't think God quite had the same experience with His son. He saw His son be born, but all the while, knowing Christ's fate. On that beautiful day when Christ was born, God knew that he would live a short life; one that would end in both mental and physical pain and agony.

How bittersweet a birth.