Expressive Worship
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve always been an expressive worshiper. Back before we were first saved, we visited Calvary Church with our eldest. That was our introduction into expressive worship. Things like raising hands and clapping and praising God just weren’t done in our former church experiences (me=UCC, Ken=SBC). Quite honestly I think that was something that broke down a wall in me… I was seeing Christians sing and pray to a God they believed in, and really knew.
In our travels as believers we’ve encountered other expressive ways to adore of the Lord… ranging from a former worship leader who sang prophetically, to tambourines, to dancing and flags (and also dancing with tambourines, which is absolutely wonderful!)
There are times when I will get still before God… but I’ve learned over the years that I am an active person deep down inside. When I pray I tend to pace the room. I also talk with my hands (people have joked that if my hands were cut off I’d be silent :D) Sometimes I go outside to pray simply because I can move about more and there’s no danger of me knocking things over. In some church settings moving around can be distracting, too. I want to connect with God - but not at the expense of others!
When I crank up the music I like to dance before the Lord. Sometimes I just dance, and sometimes I dance with flags. (I’ll post a video whenever I get a cam!) It’s a beautiful response to the majesty of God.
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! (Psalm 150:4)
I should note that I’m not a particularly graceful gal (grace-full… but not graceful! LOL!) … I’m a tad overweight and got thrown out of dance class at the tender age of three. But God promised me back when I was in the wheelchair that one day I’d dance for Him. I danced the day of my healing and I’m dancing still!
I think in a church setting, people think that dancers are dancing to be seen. When I dance I tend to forget that there’s anyone but me and Jesus in the room (as much as possible … when I’m using flags I do keep an eye out for people’s eyes, equipment, and for small children who want to come and flag dance with me!)
The way I dance would probably be termed interpretive, and occasionally prophetic. Sometimes my body is an extension of my voice, expressing worship unto God. Occasionally I feel like I’m moving in response to what He has to say, and once in a while I have visions as I dance.
It has occurred to me that I could do a choreographed dance… in fact, I’ve got something in mind that I’d like to do in Jamaica… but I need flags of my own for that. I might be able to get some before I go… we’ll see!
More on this later, perhaps… I’m off to take the LuceGoose for a walk!
March 4th, 2008 at 7:51 am
“Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! (Psalm 150:4)”
And it’s sooo funny that there have been massive splits in the Church of Christ over this silly issue. Shouts of “Heretic!” “Blasphemy!” over whether to have music in church services.
Did you know Kathi that the Church of Christ is the only true church? The name says it all - or so they claim….
So amazing that so many who claim to follow the very same god are so at odds with each other….
March 4th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Wouldn’t life be easier (and more fun!) if we all just followed what the Word of God says?
There IS only one true church - praise the Lord!! (and FYI, the CoC is just a toe. And the AoG is a kneecap. And the SBC is a thumbnail…
)
March 4th, 2008 at 11:22 am
“And the SBC is a thumbnail…”
And since I’m not “saved” (Christians please note: insert your “must do” list here) the glorious creator of all things considers me to be a nasty fungus under this thumbnail. Bring on the fungicide. Zyklon-B for me. But alas, even that’s not enough.
Romans 12:19 KJV (of course).
March 5th, 2008 at 8:23 am
If God hates you…
Why did Jesus die on the cross for you?
March 6th, 2008 at 2:44 am
“Why did Jesus die on the cross for you?’
If he did indeed he got a very raw deal.
March 7th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
He did indeed die on the cross. He loves you.