Having a couple days away from life’s madness gave me time to reflect and recalibrate my soul. It is common to find the eminence of circumstances encroaches on the tenor of our lives; especially our spiritual lives. While reflecting I pondered several conversations I had about why I believe and how my faith offers me support.
To answer the most basic of questions, “why do I believe?” is pretty easy for me. I received undeniable revelation that God exists and my religion is living out that reality the best I know how. I could persuasively argue from a social, scientific, philosophical or even a historical perspective about different rationales that support my faith that God exists. However, in the end I think, the fundamental element in everyone’s conversion is a revelation of God given by the Holy Spirit, not a persuasive argument or a pretty building.
The second question regarding how faith offers support is harder to answer. I don’t want my answer to appear a thoughtless trust of the most valued part of my life to religious notions and empty traditions. In the same manner, I want to guard against sounding too heavenly minded or overly spiritualized. These difficulties communicating how faith offers support is only the tip of a difficult iceberg because the introspection itself can lead to some revelations of our character, which if we are honest, is where we might need the most help.
Can anyone argue we don’t live in difficult times that have many people crying for help? The economy has been hard. The shift of morals and values has made it difficult to maintain purity. Wars are taking the best of our future. People are without work and people who have work are working harder for less. The environment might be on the brink of disaster. In sum, it has become overwhelming to consider every aspect of our world at one time. Maybe that’s why the title of Leslie Bricusse’s and Anthony Newley’s play “Stop the World I Want to Get Off” resonates with our inner thoughts of escape from a world that persistently presses against our values and priorities.
In this sense faith is a crutch; but not a “one size fits all” crutch prescribed to the injured. Our faith is precisely designed to support our highest values and help us traverse through the myriad of life’s snags and snares and pains and sorrows. Yours is solely designed for you and mine for me. It uniquely supports our brokenness yet allows healing, strengthening and growth as we press toward the upward call of Christ. On this note, King David had it right when he said “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:1-5, NKJV). By consciously whispering my faith’s values and priorities to my soul, I strengthen my faith and in turn, my faith will continue to grow and to support the ever increasing distress I find in the world. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, bless the lord.
Background
I accepted Christ on September 13, 1980. At 20 years old, I was completely lost but very aware of that there was a spiritual existence that was eternal. On that day, I heard God’s audible voice. (AMAZING! That God would condescend to me in a miraculous way!) At the hearing of His voice, that moment I know the reality of God. I also new this knowledge demanded a full commitment of service and response to Him.
Introduction to Worship
As a new believer, I immediately sensed the importance of worship, not merely at the services, but to live a life of worship. In 1983, I started to study worship and worship leading while I attended The Vineyard in Yorba Linda/Anaheim. I helped two friends plant two churches in Orange County and now my family and I attend a progressive Foursquare Church. I continually study the Bible on worship and worship topics.
Ministry Accomplishments
I have led contemporary worship bands since 1985. We performed a few concerts at other churches and couple of community events each year but worship in those days was not as popular as it is today. I used to lead worship in a congregation of 800. The smallest group I’ve led in worship has been myself and the largest was about 4500. I recently enrolled in a Bible School and have cut my commitments to leading a mid-week Bible study where I lead worship, leading a preaching fellowship (we are learning to communicate better), and leading worship at a bi-weekly men’s function. I also support a Song Writers ministry. Occasionally, I teach people the basics of leading worship in an 8-week course (about 20 hours total).
Other Related Accomplishments and Interests
I tried to produce a ‘record album’ of original worship music of the last concert that the contemporary worship band performed but had several technical difficulties that made that effort difficult. I settled for a cassette tape. I have served as a sound engineer for some of the churches I attended and taught others how to do sound. I design audiophile speakers and sound systems and have served as a sound consultant for setting up PA systems. I designed and build choir monitors, PA speakers and other sound reinforcement equipment.
Personal
I am happily married since December 30, 1983 and have two children. I currently work as an optical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab designing and building the next generation space clocks that should be accurate to one second in 30 million years’ not that I expect to be here then! I feel the Lord is leading me to be an administrative or executive pastor, which is one reason I enrolled in school. I will graduate in October 2002. I play rhythm guitar for worship only. I am learning how to write music all over again. I look forward to the day when we will live in the light of Christ in the new Jerusalem with new bodies that can completely serve Him without compromise or fainting. Maranatha!