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Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth...  Philippians 2:9-10 Do you want a life-changing experience? Become a worshiper. Do you want to know God’s presence? Become a worshiper. Do you long for deep intimacy with God? Become a worshiper.  In Psalm 95:6, it says, “Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” This isn’t just coming to church on Sundays; it’s a lifestyle of gratefulness and praise. Worship is what angels do, what Satan wants, and a major theme in the Bible. It’s why we were created, and worship draws us into God’s presence. Worship is more than an act; it’s a lifestyle. It’s bowing at the knee and declaring “Holy Holy Holy,” but it’s even more. It’s living “Holy Holy Holy” in our daily lives. For me, it starts with waking up and greeting my Lord. I might pray, read scripture, journal, play the piano, or sing to Him. I look for opportunities to respond to His love throughout the day, as I clean, cook, interact, and work. This is bowing my life to Him in worship.  I don’t do it perfectly, but I’m drawing closer to Him every day.  What’s my love response to the One who has given all? I bow before Him every day—knees, words, attitude, work, pain, will. I bow ONLY to HIM. Brothers and sisters, let us join in worship and kneel before our Lord, the Maker of all things. There is only one name worthy of worship, and that is Jesus!

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. Revelation 4:11 I still vividly recall my wedding day. I looked into James’ eyes and saw an overwhelming sense of love. There was no one else on my mind. He captured my heart and attention, and our love has only grown stronger over the years. A few months ago, I saw the same look on my granddaughter’s face when she married Andrew. Her face lit up as if there was a light inside her, and it was clear that she had found her Beloved. When you find that person, there’s no one else. They’re the one you can truly love and commit your life to. The Bride and Groom are a beautiful example of worship, yet with Jesus it is even more! As time goes by in a marriage, it’s easy to get caught up in serving our loved one. This can include things like cooking, cleaning, working, stacking wood, and more. Serving and caring for our partner might replace the intimacy that initially drew us together. Life goes on, and we get busier and busier. Do we do this in our relationship with Jesus? Our desire to serve God is great, but are our priorities in order? God’s Word clearly says that the first and most important part of following Him is to love God with all our being (Matt 22:37-38). This is the first and greatest commandment. The second commandment is to love others, which includes serving and ministry. It’s easy to get the two mixed up. I think the story of Mary and Martha is an example of this. Martha was exhausted by serving, and Mary was refreshed by sitting at the feet of Jesus and worshipping Him. Mary chose the better thing.. When we prioritize loving others over loving God, we’re headed for spiritual and physical exhaustion. Let your life revolve around loving and worshipping the Lord. Don’t let your busy schedule hinder your worship and love for Him. He deserves all your devotion and attention!  He is Worthy of It All!

Sing to the Lord a new song;  sing to the Lord, all the earth.   Psalm 96:1 I’ve been digging into the history of Christian Music going back to the Jesus Freak Days of the 70s when I was saved. There’s a lot of criticism around Contemporary Christian Music, and I’ve been curious to understand why. It turns out there’s a real clash within the church. Therefore, many churches, including ours, have taken the path of "Blended Worship". We sing hymns, worship songs, and modern contemporary songs.  Personally, I appreciate the diverse range of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) as well as hymns, renowned for their depth and richness. Additionally, the songs of saved hippies from the 1970s, such as “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love,” have left a lasting impact. Amy Grant ’s songs, like “El Shaddai,” also contribute to the genre’s appeal.  However, CCM has faced criticism for its association with heavy metal bands and from the influence of preachers such as Jimmy Swaggart, who claimed it was music from the devil. There was an influence of rock 'n' roll, as seen in groups like DC Talk and Newsboys , who sang "God's Not Dead". There was a movement in the early 2000's that emphasized worship music. Michael W. Smith was a prominent figure in this movement, along with other artists. Notable worship songs from this period include “Heart of Worship.” In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of beautiful worship songs from composers like Phil Wickham and Chris Tomlin .  "Goodness of God" and "Holy Forever" are new songs we have sung this past year that are worshipful. A band currently at the forefront is For King and Country, whose story is told in the movie "Unsung Hero". This is just a short summary of the development of modern music in the church. We haven't even discussed the emergence of instruments. We’re instructed to sing a new song to the Lord. Past hymns were considered new songs at one time. Every generation influences music, and we should be open to God’s influence on this generation. Worship is in our hearts, and music creates an atmosphere that helps us turn towards God. Every generation has musicians who bring us back to “The Heart of Worship.”

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. -- Revelation 5: 5,6 The music of the church is about worship! It is not about hymns versus contemporary or bands versus choirs.  It isn't what songs we like or dislike. It is ONLY about Jesus! If you are struggling with this, you have missed the point of why we sing in church. We sing to Him, not just about Him. Who is Jesus? The scene in Heaven described in Revelation should be etched in our hearts. Jesus, the Son of God, embodies the duality of a Lion and a Lamb. He is not merely a lamb; if we perceive him only as such, we might mistake our Lord for weak. However, he is also a Lion, possessing immense strength and power. It almost seems contradictory to see a Lion and a Lamb together. Let us behold His strength and power, even as He went to the cross like a lamb to the slaughter, a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is the Almighty, the One who conquers! He overturned tables and engaged in heated debates, yet He remained silent as He ascended to the cross. This same God has sent His Spirit into your heart to worship Him.  As I consider this, I am currently reading, journaling, and drawing wildflowers. The drought a few years ago convinced James and me that we needed to establish natural grasses and flowers in our landscape. Did you know that our state flower, the Columbine, symbolizes both a dove and an eagle? The Latin word “columbo” means dove, while its scientific name, “Aquilegia,” means eagle, due to the shape of its petals and the number of spurs that resemble both dove and eagle talons. I started to think about the differences between a dove and an eagle. One represents gentleness and the other strength.  This has led me to contemplate what seems to be contradictions in the Bible. For instance, the Lion and the Lamb—a shepherd boy and a giant—each embody opposing qualities. The verses that describe being gentle as a dove yet wise as a serpent, and in our weakness, we are strong, are just a few examples. My point is that we must be cautious not to worship only in part but grasp the entire picture of God’s true nature. Worship Him in the fullness of truth, for this is where we truly understand Who Jesus is! Worship Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb!

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9 Lately, many of my close friends have been going through tough times. When we’re struggling, confused, persecuted, or defeated, what words of encouragement can we offer to loved ones or ourselves who are crushed, hopeless, abandoned, and destroyed? What is the answer? The answer lies in 1 Peter 1:6-7. "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire— may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. " Another verse we know is Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” How do we do this? What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? The scripture talks about a sacrifice of praise. It starts with turning to the Lord and leaning into Him. As we focus on the Lord, we realize that He is greater than all our trials and sorrows. He is the strong one! The words from the song “How He Loves Us” pulled me out of despair at a very difficult time in my life. The visual illustrations of a tree bending in the wind or drowning in an ocean, and the unforeseen kiss, convey God’s love surrounding us at all times. He is the answer! As I reflected on "rejoicing in the Lord", I was reminded of my Australian Shepherd, Pace. He has a fondness for sitting on my feet and leaning into me with his entire body. It is as if he is unable to satisfy his desire for closeness. This illustration is simply a reminder to not forget to lean into God, instead of thinking He’s far away and we have to make things better ourselves. God’s love surrounds us. So, let’s rejoice in Him! Try to think about the little word “in.” That small word is really powerful. Worship the Lord, draw close to Him, and rejoice IN HIM! And He is jealous for me Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory And I realize just how beautiful You are And how great Your affections are for me Oh, how He loves And we are His portion and He is our prize Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss And my heart turns violently inside of my chest I don't have time to maintain these regrets When I think about, the way...

For many people, the Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration. But for many others, this season is bittersweet due to a loss of a loved one, loneliness, financial difficulties, family being far away, or life being overwhelming. Because the Christian faith offers light, healing, and hope, First Presbyterian Church of Montrose is hosting a “Service of the Longest Night” on the longest night of the calendar year, which is the winter solstice. This service is open to all in the community, especially those who find the holiday season difficult, and holds up those in the community who have lost loved ones, who are burdened by life’s difficulties, who are experiencing serious health issues, serious illness, or just feel overwhelmed. This service is also for those who are supporting and walking alongside those who are having a tough time. The Service of the Longest Night will provide a quiet time for reflection with prayers, songs, scriptures, and candle lighting. All worshippers will be invited to light a candle as a symbol of Christ coming into the darkness of mourning. It is our fervent hope that this service will remind us again that God came into the world to save us, and that God still uses Christmas to extend this invitation of grace. Communion is open to all but not required of anyone. No contribution or donation is expected.

"For now ,  we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12 James, my husband, made bluebird houses. One is close to our house and has two bluebirds making their home. Lately, they have started a family, and we are excited to watch our little bird family grow. That is, until the mama started flying into our windows.....constantly.  WHAM, BAM, CRASH! The constant flying into our window panes is such a nuisance. We have tried everything to discourage Mama. Including drawing the curtains shut, letting the dogs out, banging on the windows, and just hoping she would stop. Nothing will keep Mama away. The problem is that she is looking at her reflection on the glass and seeing herself as an enemy, so she attacks. Truly, she does not see the truth of the matter. It's herself in the reflection. Scripture says we only see dimly right now. We have a foggy viewpoint. Christ will one day return, and then it will be clear to us. Sometimes we act like that little bird, thinking we know more than we do. Perhaps if we would just trust the Lord, life would be better. This is an old hymn, but the message is a good reminder to us.  Face to Face  Face to face with Christ my Savior.  Face to face what will it be When with rapture I behold Him.  Jesus Christ who died for me.    Face to face I shall behold Him. Far beyond the starry sky Face to face in all His glory. I shall see Him by and by Only faintly now I see Him. With the darkling veil between But a blessed day is coming. When His glory shall be seen

In just a few weeks, we will enter into Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. This week chronicles the time that Jesus returns to Jerusalem and, shortly after, is arrested, falsely tried, convicted, sentenced to death, beaten, and forced to carry a cross to the place of his execution. Somewhere along the way, his executioners realized that Jesus was not going to be able to carry the cross by himself the rest of the way. It is here that the Roman soldiers seized and forced a man named Simon to carry the cross behind Jesus. Who was this man named Simon who was mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark, and the Gospel of Luke? Simon was an African. Cyrene was one of the most prominent cities in what today is known as Libya. Historians tell us that the city of Cyrene was a place in which the Jewish faith had flourished in North Africa for centuries. There are two things that we can conclude from these small bits of information. Simon might have been an African Jew who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. 1 Or he could have been a pagan who, for whatever reason, had ended up in Jerusalem on that fateful day. What an emotional and mind-shattering day it was for Simon. His timing put into motion an encounter that he would never forget. As one writer had said, “If he had been on his way in from the country an hour later, he would have missed it all. If he had walked a little faster or a little slower, or taken another gate into the city, he'd have seen nothing. If he'd pressed back into a doorway, the lieutenant in charge of the execution squad wouldn't have spotted him. But none of that happened, and in God's providence, he was there at that place and at that time, and so he carried Christ's Cross.” 2 For Simon, was this moment a chance encounter or a divine appointment? Was Simon in the wrong place at the wrong time? Mere minutes, just one or two minutes, made the difference in the circumstances in which Simon was spotted by one of the Roman guards and was pressed into service. Perhaps you can relate to Simon’s experience. Perhaps you have had a chance encounter. Perhaps you have had an experience in which you felt that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Perhaps in your particular situation or circumstance, one minute of being early or late made all the difference, and your life was changed by it. In the Book of Acts, we read these words in Chapter 13, verse 1: “In the church of Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen and Saul.” Did you catch that one name…Simeon called Niger? Niger was a common name in ancient times for someone who came from North Africa. On that fateful day, Simon was coming in from the countryside and by chance found himself in a crowd. A Roman guard picked him out of that crowd and ordered him to carry a cross. That encounter changed his life forever, and he became a Christ follower. Not only did he become a believer, but he passed his faith on to his entire family. Here is what one commentator has said: What began as an inconvenient detour became his salvation. What started as an irritating chore forced upon him by a rude soldier became his entrance into eternal life. The cross has a way of doing that. It bursts unexpectedly into our lives. For many of us, the cross comes unexpectedly. But when it comes, it is compelling. 3 As each of us approach es Holy Week, may we be reminded of our encounter with Christ and how that encounter changed our lives forever. 1 David B. Curtis, http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/mark/15_16-21.htm 2 Curtis, http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/mark/15_16-21.htm 3 Curtis, http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/mark/15_16-21.htm

The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now, he has brought you to this place. Deuteronomy 1:30-31 One of my favorite stories about my Dad happened when I was about eight years old. We were skiing at Berthoud Ski Area (which no longer exists), and it was the last run of a very windy, stormy day. My Dad and I got on the chairlift that went up the face of a huge mountain. All of a sudden, the chair stopped at the crown of the peak. We hung there suspended in space, swinging back and forth as the gusts of wind and frozen temperatures encompassed us. My Dad opened his coat for me to cuddle next to him and keep warm. I could tell Dad was very concerned. Time went by…more time went by…and it became apparent we were forgotten. The chair lift was closed down. We couldn’t jump. We were stuck. Finally, a ski patrolman was taking his last run of the day when he saw us. He yelled, “Don’t worry! I’ll get you down.”  What a relief when the chairlift started up again, and we made it to the top of the mountain. For me as a little girl….I was safe in my father’s care, warmth, and embrace through it all.   Years later I went to a Stacie Eldridge conference in Winter Park. (Stacie is the wife of John Eldridge, who wrote Wild at Heart.) I drove by that old ski area, which is now abandoned, and I remembered that day. At the conference, I went to the coffee shop to journal. I was dealing with some significant issues that needed healing. I finished my journaling and looked up and saw a silhouette picture of a chairlift with “3” people sitting on it. Under the picture was the word “UNLOAD.” My Dad and I were not alone that day we were in the storm. Our Heavenly Father was there with us. There were 3 in that chairlift. More than 50 years later, God was telling me to UNLOAD all my cares in the place where my Dad held me in the storm. I unloaded and surrendered it all and received from my Heavenly Father. Almighty Father protects us, just like He did for the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. We can cuddle close to Him, knowing that we are safe in His presence.   This week, when you face a challenging situation, remember that you live in the Father’s protection. Let your first reaction be to run to Him for security…I am writing this to remind myself to go to my Father in Heaven first!

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭ The Greek word "proskuneo" (often translated as "worship" or "bow down") means "to kiss toward" or "to kiss the hand".  The last thing my mother taught me was how to die with dignity, grace, and gratitude. In her last hours, she was blowing kisses to those around her. The words “Thank you” were on her lips, though she could not talk.  What a remarkable memory of my mother as she danced into heaven. Do your children or grandchildren blow kisses to you? Or perhaps your spouse will blow a kiss from across the room. This small gesture of affection touches our hearts. Worship is like blowing kisses to God.  The last few verses of Ecclesiastics say when all is said and done, here is the last word: worship in reverence the one True God, and keep His commands, for this is what God expects of every person.   Are you blowing kisses to your Father in Heaven today? Are you living for Him in all you say and do?

By the time you read this, we will have turned the corner towards the liturgical season known as Lent. The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 4th and ends on the Saturday before Easter. This is about 40 days, excluding Sundays. Even if you have been around the church for a long time, you may have some questions about the meaning of Lent. You may have heard that people “give up” things or activities such as certain foods, entertainment, or interests, and even give up social media during Lent.  Because the central message of the Christian faith is the Good News of the resurrection, the early church prepared to celebrate Easter with fasting and prayer vigils a few days before. This morphed into seven days during Holy Week, then three weeks, and finally, in the fourth century, it became 40 days, excluding Sundays. The focal point of these pre-Easter days was this idea of preparation. It was a way to help believers focus upon their relationship with God. The early church introduced the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting, almsgiving, confession, self-examination, and Scripture reading. These disciplines were introduced to provide avenues for the faithful to empty themselves of things or behaviors that were distracting from their relationship with God and to instead fill their lives with practices that paved the way to experience God fully. The challenge for 21st-century Christians is not so much understanding the meaning of Lent as how how does one observe it or participate in it. I want first to interject a helpful reminder: Observing or participating in Lent is not a means to gain favor in the eyes of God. Grace has already done that for us. Before I offer some suggestions for observing Lent, start by opening your heart to God and asking him for guidance and direction.  Now, here are some suggestions for daily practices: Pick a Gospel and read portions of it for 40 days. Write in a daily poem focusing on God's character and goodness . Paint anything in nature capturing God’s magnificent handywork. Listen to or sing your favorite hymns or worship songs. Take a picture of objects with your phone. Pay attention to what God may be inspiring you to photograph. At the end of the 40 days, look at all of them and see if a “theme” presents itself. Express an encouraging word to a different person every day. Find a prayer book that appeals to you. Use to pray in this season of Lent. As we ramp up to the season of Lent, my hope and prayer is that you may find it fulling and rich. God bless you all. Warmly in Christ, Jesse *cf. Shirley Heeg, https://www.reformedworship.org/article/december-1989/very-full-time-how-can-we-observe-lent and Atti Murphy, https://sunvalleycc.com/read/articles/what-is-lent-and-why-does-it-matter?gclid=Cj0KCQiA54KfBhCKARIsAJzSrdrma3NvEjt5l5W5MUpa78SYK34y_mmI_-ZuZxaXw09MsVCnQwnI81UaAiv-EALw_wcB

For many people, the Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration. But for many others, this season is bittersweet due to the loss of a loved one, loneliness, financial difficulties, family being far away or life being overwhelming. Because the Christian faith offers light, healing, and hope, First Presbyterian Church of Montrose is hosting a “Service of the Longest Night” on the longest night of the calendar year which is the winter solstice. On Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7:00 p.m., I along with lay leaders will be conducting this service, which is open to all in the community, especially those who find the holiday season difficult. This worship service holds up those in our congregation and in our community who have lost loved ones, who are burdened by life’s difficulties, who are experiencing serious health issues serious illness, or just feel overwhelmed. This service is also for those who are supporting and walking alongside those who are having a tough time. The Service of the Longest Night will provide a quiet time for reflection with prayers, songs, scriptures, and candle lighting. All worshippers will be invited to light a candle as a symbol of Christ coming into the darkness of mourning. It is our fervent hope that this service will remind us again that God came into the world to save us, and that God still uses Christmas to extend this invitation of grace. Communion is open to all, but not required of anyone. No contribution or donation is expected. Warmly in Christ, Jesse