WHY DO WE STILL USE HYMNS IN WORSHIP?

How often I have heard the comment we are just not ready for contemporary worship... maybe the next generation...

In the early 1950s, the catholic Taizé Community in France started to attract youth from several religious denominations with worship hymns based on modern melodies.

In the 1950s and 60s the Church began to place particular emphasis on reaching the youth. Christian Unions in university environments hosted evangelistic talks and provided biblical teaching for their members, Christian cafes opened with evangelistic aims, and church youth groups were set up. Amateur musicians from these groups began playing Christian music in a popular idiom. Some Christians felt that the Church needed to break from its stereotype as being structured, formal and dull to appeal to the younger generation.

We often perceive the Catholic Church as following the contemporary path but in truth it actually lead it. GO FIGURE :) even prior to the Charismatic Movement contemporary worship began. How often have you heard the statement "that contemporary stuff is for those Charismatics, Third Waver's, etc.?"

Just to be clear here are some of the younger founding fathers of contemporary worship in the US that I know/knew -

Barry McGuire - Born 1935 - Age 77
Larry Norman - Born 1947 - Passed Away In 2008 Cancer
Keith Green - Born 1953 - Died In A Plane Crash 1982
Dallas Holm - Born 1947 - Age 65
Matthew Ward - Born 1958 - Age 55

Now tell me what generation should we be reaching out to??? I can remember when I was a child (I am 52) when many churches began to move toward more modern versions of the bible because of archaic language. Now I love the King James Bible but rarely do I use it. My kids cannot understand the language and none of us have spoken that form of the Kings English for... well let’s just say over 100 years.

To communicate the gospel in a language that is understood is critical. I would hope most people see the truth in that statement. Communication and how we communicate will make or break our witness. Yes the Holy Spirit leads the understanding but He also asks for the application of our wisdom as the vessel He operates through.

Musical worship is a form of communication. So many who resist change in this form of communication have forgotten the importance of communicating in a way that can be understood, that is relevant to the current generation, and the ones coming. Again I love the King James Bible, and I love Hymns but neither speaks in a modern language nor reaches the ears or the hearts of a modern man as effectively “in most cases” as current modern languages do.

We may say we want to reach the community, the region, the world but unless we begin to communicate in ways that others will understand we put an unnecessary burden on the Holy Spirit. Who will make up the differences in our communication barriers because of our unwillingness to be all things to all people? We are indeed selfish if we do not change in a way that communicates effectively with our current generation. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT :) Pastor Dan

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. (1Co 9:19-23) NASB

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1Co 9:19-23) NIV

For although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ]. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the Law, though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law. To those without (outside) law I became as one without law, not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him, but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment) that I might win the weak and overscrupulous. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ]. And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel), in order that I may become a participator in it and share in its [blessings along with you]. (1Co 9:19-23) AMP

WHAT ARE HAUGHTY EYES? #1 ON THE LIST OF SIX THINGS GOD HATES! EEEEK LOOKOUT THIS ONE IS VERY COMMON :(

Question: "What does the Bible mean when it speaks against haughty eyes?"

Answer: The word haughty is defined by Merriam-Webster as “blatantly and disdainfully proud.” The word is always used in the Bible in the evil sense of “arrogant, disdainful and setting oneself above others”; it is often set in contrast to being humble.

In Proverbs 6:16-19 is a list of “six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him.” The first one listed is “haughty eyes,” followed by such things as a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a false witness, and feet quick to run to evil. Haughty eyes are said to be sin in Proverbs 21:4, along with a proud heart. To have haughty eyes is to have an arrogant demeanor; it’s an overall attitude of one’s heart that causes one to scorn or “look down on” others. The haughty person sets himself above others, and ultimately above God.

When we are haughty, we become the center of our universe; everything revolves around us. There is little, if any, concern for what others think and no consideration of the will of God. Pride, haughtiness, is the trunk of the tree from which all other sins sprout. When we are at the center of our world, then nothing that we want is unlawful to us.

God is resistant to haughtiness. Over and over in Scripture, we read that God brings down the haughty and the proud (2 Samuel 2:28; Psalm 18:27; Isaiah 2:11, 5:15; Ezekiel 16:50). Twice in Proverbs, we read that haughtiness precedes destruction (16:18, 18:12). The New Testament is clear on the dangers of arrogance, warning repeatedly against it. Both James and Peter warn that God actively opposes the proud (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).

None of us are immune to pride. The Bible tells us of otherwise good people who were brought down in one way or another by pride. The godly king Uzziah was struck with leprosy because, in arrogance, he tried to take the place of the priest and burn incense before the Lord (2 Chronicles 26:16). Similarly, Hezekiah’s pride in his possessions eventually brought the discipline of God on him (2 Chronicles 32:25). Peter’s prideful statement that he would never forsake Jesus (Matthew 26:33-35) was found to be false when he denied Him (Matthew 26:69-75).

The danger of pride is the reason for the many exhortations to humility in Scripture. Meditation on some key passages can fight the tendency we all have toward pride. First Corinthians 4:7 tells us that all we have is a gift, for which we should be thankful. Both 1 Peter 5:6 and James 4:6 encourage humility by saying that God gives grace to the humble. Isaiah 66:2 goes so far as to say that humility in the heart of a person actually draws God’s attention. Humility of heart gives us a proper perspective. A proud heart – haughty eyes, if you will – renders a person intractable. Such a person is resisted by God.

Recommended Resource: Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers by Charles F. Stanley.

Oops Missed It Again! When Will The World End? 

Enquiring Minds Want To Know... REALLY? 

Ready Yes... Watchful Yes... Prepared Yes... Loosing Focus On What's Really Important NO. As Christians we believe Christ will return... that there i

s a time coming were weather a literal new heaven and earth or a renewing of the one we are on is coming... soon! How soon is soon? Does it matter as much as we fret and focus to the degree we lose focus on winning souls for Jesus? Or loving others so much they want to be like the Jesus in us?

NO, NO, NO, NO, and NO. If we are not careful we lose sight of our assignment to win souls and make disciples. AND if we are not careful we have a fear based gospel or fear based theology. You know if you don't do this you are going to hell. Yes I do believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell but more then that I believe in the love of a Heavenly Father that wants to have a love relationship with you and I and all who are currently lost. I challenge you to focus on our primary objective not a doomsday gospel but one that teaches about a God that loves us so much that He wants to have a deep personal relationship with all of us.

AND if the world ends in 5 days or 100 years praise God! We still get to be in His presence.

Pray for those that want to fix the church... that they will die to themselves and lovingly do so...

It's interesting that those with critical judgmental spirits that want to fix the church can’t even fix themselves... If I have seen it once I have seen it a hundred times... in fact I have even been one of those critics trapped in a place of anger and judgment. Sound like strong words? Sometimes we need strong words to draw attention to our own misgivings. 

So we think we have all of the answers, that the church is not doing things right, that it is behind, that it is ineffective, that it is religious, that it is dead, that it is not doing its job, that it is devoid of the Holy Spirit, etc... Pick your criticism, your anger, your gripe, your complaint, etc. 

Now look real hard in the mirror and begin to fix the church. You might see the very Pharisee you were complaining about. :) Until you die first you will be of little to no value in fixing anything. Learn to die daily, to love others, to have a kind spirit, not judging, not condemning, not criticizing... just a humble loving spirit. Then God can empower you, can use you to do all of those things HE wants to do to make HIS Bride spotless.

And if you get in that angry, critical, judgmental spirit just remember whose Bride you are addressing. Food For Thought... Strongly spoken but in love:) Be very blessed.

Pastor Dan

The Fallen Son


You once spoke the Word with anointing, power, and authority in prayer. Your gift to do battle in the spirit was given by His Spirit. Your heart was tender, your mind renewed, you walked adorned with the full armor, a shining warrior not knowing defeat! Your gift(s) filled you above your boundaries. Hearts were moved minds renewed by His Word passing through your lips. You kissed His feet He renewed your strength. Your love for Him was likened to David’s you danced before the Lord, your heart, your lips filled with praise!

Where is His shining warrior now? As in the garden He seeks you early in the cool of the morning and you are not to be found. He longs to empower your prayers. He looks for your tender humble heart. You are not to be found like the prodigal son you have embraced your inheritance to throw before the dogs. Your gift given to the swine, your heart is hardened and grows cold. Jezebel seduces you Pride embraces you. You rise up the standard of new gods and your actions reject Him. His heart is broken. Is it your hands that thrust the spear into His side? Why do you now reject Him?

Your breastplate pierced in battle, your helmet dashed to the ground. Where is the shining Sword you wield? Who shoe’s your feet now? You the beloved son defeated in battle. You run to the hills hidden in a cave to lick your wounds as a dog. Pride fills the temple. Humility has hidden its face from you. Eyes blind, ears cut away, once a warrior sounding the battle cry, now given to the depths of the earth, hidden to pine away. How His heart cries out to you! How He longs to embrace you once again! Beyond despair you must go, deep into the sea of despond you are.

Fall upon your knees, lay prostrate before Him. He longs to be glorified in your restoration. His heart pangs are felt throughout His body. All of its members weep. Travail they do in mourning they are. Return, return, return is their cry! Restore the priesthood of the home. Teach your children of His loving mercies that they may know His abounding grace! Look no more into yourself. Deny your fleshly desires. Humility, humility, humility brings you again to His feet. A time of restoration fill His hands showing before your face.

Your steed has thrown you now captured by the enemy. Grab your bridle, regain your mount. Lay you armor before the Smith, plunge the Sword into the Fire. Temper and polish shall restore your armor; humility will restore your gift. Increased, increased, increased your gift shall be. Throw your saddle across his back, bridled in full armor, nostrils flaring, pawing at the earth waiting for your leg to throw over his spine. Don your armor in His glory you will shine once more. Sound the shofar let the enemy tremble. His son has returned. The barley abib, ripe for the taking. Now, now, now is the time speak the Word of the Lord ever watchful of the enemy’s campaigns. Wielding His Sword once more proclaim there is no defeat. Early you will seek Him, daily He will renew you, ever guarding the precious gifts in your home.

You kiss her head she blesses you. Place your hands upon your children’s heads teach them the ways of the Lord, He will never depart from them. In this your battle begins. In this He shall strengthen you. He longs for His warrior to be restored. Do not proclaim defeat. Not every battle is won. Perfection is not wrought in the battle, but rather claimed in victory at the End of the war. He is the Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End!

You are a beloved son! Warrior son rise up!

Return, return, return!

In Christ Jesus name return.

~ Pastor Dan Goddard ~

Saved For A Purpose

Often religion is cruel and boring. It bottles up the creative impulse God has put inside of every person. Many Christians miss out on God encounters because they are satisfied with good theology. Don't be satisfied with opinions of men search out the fullness of what God has for you. You are God's favorite one  through Christ. He died for you... Food for thought.

Be blessed

Pastor Dan

Where Is The Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is not only alive and well but much needed in America today. When we pursue kingdom principles above His presence, we are looking for the kingdom without a king. Food for thought...

Be blessed

Pastor Dan

What Is Your Destiny?

When Heaven stops manifesting itself in the Church, Christians have to prove somehow that they are reasonable for following Jesus. What defines Greatness is doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way. The Holy Spirit empowers the Church to be more then it is as an institution and to operate in an extraordinary way. Be the Church, let Heaven manifest through you, and operate in extraordinary ways. You have the power of God inside of you through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. Be possessed by Him. Food for thought. :)

Be blessed

Pastor Dan