Asher Cole
1. Is Bach’s music simply classical music?When we think of Johann Sebastian Bach today, we usually think of classical music at its highest level. We think of complex fugues, beautiful chorales, careful counterpoint, and musical structures that feel almost impossibly perfect.This is why Bach is often called the father of...
Asher Cole
1. When Did the Worship We Know Today Begin?If we think about the way we worship today, a certain image comes to mind. A band stands at the front, with guitars, drums, and keyboards blending together. The congregation sings along as they follow the lyrics, and the music gradually builds,...
Asher Cole
1. When One Instrument Quietly Changed EverythingThere was a time when the sound of worship was clearly defined. The organ filled the room, and the choir carried the melody. Worship followed a structured order, steady and familiar. For many, that was simply what worship was.Then, something unexpected began to appear.Not...
Asher Cole
1. The unexpected direction created by one songA pastor once said during his sermon that if he had the authority to get rid of all the beer in the world, he would pour it all into the river. Then he added that he would do the same with all the...
Asher Cole
1. Why Did We Love This Worship?When we think back to the first time we encountered the worship of Hillsong Church, many of us share a similar memory. The melodies felt unfamiliar at first, yet quickly became easy to follow. The lyrics were simple, but the more they were repeated,...
Asher Cole
1. At some point, we began to watch worshipToday, we step into worship and naturally follow along. We listen to the music, look at the screen, and move with the flow. High quality sound, thoughtful lighting, and well prepared musicians have become a familiar part of many churches. At times,...
Asher Cole
A Nameless Song, Yet a Clear ConfessionToday, we sing naturally in worship. Familiar melodies flow from our lips, sometimes even without deep reflection. Among these is Were You There, a hymn that stands apart from many others. Unlike most hymns, its author and composer are unknown. It did not begin...
Asher Cole
1. A Time When We Could Not SingToday, we naturally sing together in worship. We close our eyes, sometimes raise our hands, and lift our voices to God. This has become so familiar that we rarely stop to question it. Yet this was not always the case. Before the Reformation,...
Asher Cole
1. Grace That Changed a LifeWe sing “Amazing Grace” so often that it can start to feel familiar, almost too familiar. But this hymn is far more than just a beautiful melody. It is the story of a life completely turned around, a testimony of grace experienced in a deeply...
Lisa Wesley I was reminded this week of a passage from Acts Chapter 16 which recounts the story of Paul and Silas in prison. There was a slave girl, "possessed with a spirit of divination, who brought her masters much profit by her fortunetelling." Paul cast the spirit out of her and...
Amy Olrick
"O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise." - Psalm 51:15Last summer, one of my dear friends told me about an encounter she’d had with a young group of students. My friend is an accomplished writer and frequent university speaker, and the students came to her...
Amber Ginter
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” -Thessalonians 5:18, NIVWhen I was first diagnosed with numerous physical and mental health conditions, I didn’t know what to think. I’d graduated college and gone from a normal functioning young adult to a chronically sick...
Amber Ginter
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” - 1 Thessalonians 5:1Please Pray:Father, we humbly come to you with gratitude and thanksgiving. No matter what we’re experiencing, you deserve praise because of who you are. We know that these difficulties we’re facing aren’t...
“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’” —Psalm...
“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’” —Psalm...
Anthony Taylor
This verse emphasizes a deep commitment to praising the Lord wholeheartedly and sharing His marvelous deeds. It highlights the joy and fulfillment found in worshiping God and proclaiming His greatness.
Anthony Taylor
This prayer is a heartfelt expression of gratitude. By offering praises and thanksgiving for God's countless daily blessing, we acknowledge His continuous grace and provision in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Anthony Taylor
This verse profound declaration of faith in God's power to heal and save. Trusting in the Lord brings complete restoration and deliverance, recognizing Him as the source of our praise and salvation.
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." - Psalm 42:11Have you ever felt like your soul is weighed down with worries and doubts? It's a feeling many...
When fear, worry or despair overwhelms us, Christians can fight back. And the sacrifice of praise is the most powerful weapon we have.