5-Minute Trekker's JournalSample

SING AND MAKE MUSIC

AS A BOY, I found church intimidating. It didn't start out that way because I had asked my parents if I could please go to church. They agreed, and one Sunday, a church school bus picked me up and transported me and my older brother to a nearby church for worship and Sunday School. Even though I wanted to like the experience of attending church, I found it intimidating. Perhaps it was the building with its high arched ceilings, its long rows of half-empty pews, and its distant altar with larger-than-life wooden carvings of Jesus and His apostles. If the architect had envisioned "grand" as his primary consideration, then he succeeded heroically: Grand and cold. For a young boy with an attraction to Jesus, this particular place failed to create any sense of intimacy and joy. Instead, this church was a beautiful rendition of the historic church at a particular moment in time.

The Psalmist speaks of worship in terms of joy, thanksgiving, music, and song. Paul speaks of worship in terms of being filled with the Holy Spirit, singing hymns, and giving thanks to God for the immeasurable blessings of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20).

The early church had it right as given to us in Scripture. It isn't about money or buildings or perfectly crafted sermons. It is about passionate love and belief in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Journal your thoughts and feelings on today's readings.

Spend time in prayer about what you wrote down.