Leading my family in worship

I have come up with some prayers for when I lead my family in worship. I have loosely based my prayers on a liturgical model sort of creed like.

opening: We welcome you Lord for we gather in your name

morning: As there was evening and there was morning on that first day Lord your will was done. Lord your grace and mercy are renewed towards us each day. Let us this morning seek you and offer up praise that while we were yet sinners you have loved us so much so that your word became flesh among us and brought grace into our lives. Lord we seek to bind the word to our hearts and fulfill the commandments of loving You and loving our neighbors. For this day we will walk in your ways with faith in the promise that your grace is sufficient.

evening: As there was evening and there was morning on the first day Lord your will was done. We rejoice in the day that you have made and with all creation we praise and thank you for it. Though we have sinned and come short of Your glory we are not condemned for Christ is within us. We offer up the burdens of this day that we may rest and be still knowing that your are God and sleep in Your Peace that surpasses all understanding.

closing: We thank You Lord for your word, your promises and your most precious Son. Amen

the order of worship will be:

opening
morning/evening prayer
verse memorization
proverb/prophet
gospel
discussion
praise song
verse memorization
closing

Grace and Peace, Mark

Seeking first the Lord

I have been browsing many websites lately and have by them been encouraged and convicted in the way I have been living. Priorities are becoming clearer and as well as actions needed. I like the Idea of credenda/agenda "things to be believed/things to be done" and what needs to be done is to seek first the kingdom and righteosness(mt 6:33). In order to do that me and my house must serve the Lord(jos 24:15). I must accept the headship of my family and begin to instruct them in study, prayer and praise. I have been unable to prvide for my family the necessary finances and this has been heavy on my heart but what has come to light as more grievous sin is that I have not provided headship. Knowing that His grace is sufficient to keep me and encourage me through every endeavor I will lead morning worship daily through the week. I look forward to the blessings of his word.

Grace and Peace, Mark

At the Bass Hall

I am a cowtown Kool ade drinker. I have already mentioned in previous posts our great museums. Now I am to trumpet the praises of the Bass Hall. It is elegent and grand and beautiful. I always enjoy going there and unfortunately do not get to go there enough. Last night my wife and I had a date there with Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax. It was an all Beethoven recital and at first I was a little disappointed. I say this because I love the cello and everyone knows LvB loved the piano. Fort Worth is a piano town as Mr. Ma stated so the piano lovers in cowtown were not disappointed, and in the end nor was I. My initial disappointment was quickly turned to joy when I put my instrumental favoritism aside and just let LvB's musical brilliance brighten my spirits. The music for piano and cello by Lvb is great music and taken as such truly moves the soul. As a duo Messrs Ax and Ma are near symbiotic and immensly enjoyable to wach. The ease at which they play their instruments belies the level of effort to attain such mastery. I am always awed by how apart of his being the cello seems to be when Mr. Ma is playing. Granted I have only seen him four times and Mr. Ax I have had the pleasure of seeing three times. The two of them seem like kids in a candy store when they play togehter and it is just so beautiful to see. I have heard each of the pieces many times before but their obvious enthusiasm for the music made them fresh for me. All that can be said is that great music was played by great musicians in a great hall amoung great company (my wife) meant for a great time.

Grace and Peace, Mark