Comments on: Interview With Bob Kauflin: Part 1 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/03/interview-with-bob-kauflin-part-1.html Connecting God's Truth to Real Life Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:32:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Bob Kauflin http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/03/interview-with-bob-kauflin-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-9711 Bob Kauflin Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:13:36 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=4220#comment-9711 Kim, thanks for asking. There's nothing in Scripture that says musical worship will necessarily make us feel "closer to God." Generally, music tends to affect people's emotions. Of course, if the music is being performed badly, or if the arrangements aren't very good, or if there are sound problems, music may not be that effective. But singing is something I do myself and it's meant to engage me in the act of declaring God's praise with other believers. Sure, I can do it alone, but Jesus came to redeem a people, not a group of random individuals. Another benefit to singing is that it helps me remember the words. That's a characteristic of music that is undeniable. And when the words are based on eternal biblical truths, singing becomes a form of biblical meditation. So, rather than being concerned about feeling closer to God during musical worship, I'd continue to see singing as a way of meditating on the glories of Christ, the works and worthiness of God. I'd also be thankful that God has joined you with other believers to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Kim, thanks for asking. There's nothing in Scripture that says musical worship will necessarily make us feel "closer to God." Generally, music tends to affect people's emotions. Of course, if the music is being performed badly, or if the arrangements aren't very good, or if there are sound problems, music may not be that effective.

But singing is something I do myself and it's meant to engage me in the act of declaring God's praise with other believers. Sure, I can do it alone, but Jesus came to redeem a people, not a group of random individuals. Another benefit to singing is that it helps me remember the words. That's a characteristic of music that is undeniable. And when the words are based on eternal biblical truths, singing becomes a form of biblical meditation.

So, rather than being concerned about feeling closer to God during musical worship, I'd continue to see singing as a way of meditating on the glories of Christ, the works and worthiness of God. I'd also be thankful that God has joined you with other believers to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

]]> By: Kim http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/03/interview-with-bob-kauflin-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-9708 Kim Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:48:00 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=4220#comment-9708 What if you genuinely just don't like to sing or ever really feel anything from it? I can count the number of times on two hands that I have felt closer to God through musical worship. Reading His Word or looking at His creation does more than singing ever has. It definitely isn't that I'm distracted, that my heart isn't focused, or I am not thinking on Christ, I just don't enjoy it. What if you genuinely just don't like to sing or ever really feel anything from it? I can count the number of times on two hands that I have felt closer to God through musical worship. Reading His Word or looking at His creation does more than singing ever has. It definitely isn't that I'm distracted, that my heart isn't focused, or I am not thinking on Christ, I just don't enjoy it.

]]> By: Dave Wilson http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/03/interview-with-bob-kauflin-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-9707 Dave Wilson Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:04:01 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=4220#comment-9707 When I don't want to worship, it reveals that I am too big and God is too small. When I don't want to worship, it reveals that I am too big and God is too small.

]]> By: Ben http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/03/interview-with-bob-kauflin-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-9706 Ben Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:32:50 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=4220#comment-9706 When I'm distracted in worship, or if the "want to" is not as big as it should be, I've taken the following approach. 1. Realize that I "need to" worship (because He is worthy)and confess and repent that my "want to" is not bigger. 2. Take the song and turn it into a prayer. Literally a singing prayer. Often times the content of the lyrics is about things that need to be big "want to's" in my life. So for example, if the song is "Be Thou My Vision" I will sing the song as a prayer, asking God to be my all in all, my sole desire, to change my heart/mind, etc. Even if I don't have these big overwhelming emotions about it, I persevere in praying it. 3. Speak truth to myself. Remind myself of the promises of God and how good He is. I remind myself of the obvious work of Jesus in my life that has already happened, and then pray/sing with great hope. Knowing that as He has done in the past (in my life) He will do in the future. I try to stop focusing so much on "I don't feel like singing" or even "why don't I feel like singing?". I confess and then move on. It's easy to get assaulted with the fiery darts of the enemy if you navel gaze for too long. For myself I know I can get overly introspective and then my focus is not on Jesus. Hope this helps. When I'm distracted in worship, or if the "want to" is not as big as it should be, I've taken the following approach.

1. Realize that I "need to" worship (because He is worthy)and confess and repent that my "want to" is not bigger.

2. Take the song and turn it into a prayer. Literally a singing prayer. Often times the content of the lyrics is about things that need to be big "want to's" in my life. So for example, if the song is "Be Thou My Vision" I will sing the song as a prayer, asking God to be my all in all, my sole desire, to change my heart/mind, etc. Even if I don't have these big overwhelming emotions about it, I persevere in praying it.

3. Speak truth to myself. Remind myself of the promises of God and how good He is. I remind myself of the obvious work of Jesus in my life that has already happened, and then pray/sing with great hope. Knowing that as He has done in the past (in my life) He will do in the future. I try to stop focusing so much on "I don't feel like singing" or even "why don't I feel like singing?". I confess and then move on. It's easy to get assaulted with the fiery darts of the enemy if you navel gaze for too long. For myself I know I can get overly introspective and then my focus is not on Jesus.

Hope this helps.

]]> By: lisa http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/03/interview-with-bob-kauflin-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-9705 lisa Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:28:47 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=4220#comment-9705 Stephen, Bob has also taught ME more about worship than anyone else! How about that! Also about speaking with "clarity and charity" (can't remember who coined that phrase). He writes clearly, biblically, and graciously. His blog and messages have been a tremendous means of grace in my life. Thank you for featuring Bob's wise and biblical counsel. (and when I say "more than anyone else" I don't mean that he's taught me more than he's taught anyone else but that he's taught me more than anyone else has taught me. I'm sure you meant that too. :-D) Stephen, Bob has also taught ME more about worship than anyone else! How about that! Also about speaking with "clarity and charity" (can't remember who coined that phrase). He writes clearly, biblically, and graciously. His blog and messages have been a tremendous means of grace in my life. Thank you for featuring Bob's wise and biblical counsel.

(and when I say "more than anyone else" I don't mean that he's taught me more than he's taught anyone else but that he's taught me more than anyone else has taught me. I'm sure you meant that too. :-D )

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