I’m your average guy with average abilities given by an awesome God. I do what I do in effort to please him (Psalm19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”)
I am married to a wonderful Christ-follower, Heather. Yes…we really are an eharmony.com success story. Our first baby, Evangeline Ruth was born in December (the 19th). We also have a great dog named Summer and a cat named Selah.
I am the Minister of Creative Worship for East Pickens Baptist Church in Pickens, SC. I have been serving in this capacity since July of 2009. I received my bachelor of music degree from Samford University in Birmingham, AL and my Masters of Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.
Nice site. I got here by searching for a paper John Piper wrote many years ago, unpacking Bruce Leafblad’s definition of worship that you have in your left-hand column. Have you ever seen that paper, or know where a copy can be found? Thanks.
Barry… I have not seen that paper by Piper. If you run across it, I’d love to see it.
I do have a book by various authors entitled “Experience God in Worship” put out by Group. Dr. Leafblad has his exegesis of the Isaiah 6 passage – the divine dialogue as he says. It is a pretty good article and you can even hear Dr. Leafblad’s voice every time you run across the word “God”.
Let me know if you find that article…or anyone else out there finds it!
Bobby, I found that and scanned it, if you want me to send you a copy. You’ve got my email address. Let me know.
Thanks, Bobby. I once had a printed copy. If I can find it, I’ll scan it and let you know.
By the way, I thought it was interesting you mentioned Isaiah 6. My pastor is preaching through the book of Isaiah and preached a great message on that chapter about 4 weeks ago.
Thanks again.
Nice blog. When did you graduate from SWBTS?
I graduated in 01.
Bobby
Ive been reading your site for some time now.
Thanks for sharing your heart.
Tim FBC Mary Esther Florida
Bobby
Thanks for sharing some thoughts with me today.
Whatever God is doing….I am grateful to be involved
We will pray for you and Heather.
Ed Z
I was a student at SWBTS in 1980′s and took 3 courses from Dr. Leafblad. However, I have moved several times and have misplaced my class notes on worship. Do you have his definitions for Praise, Adoration, and Thanksgiving? I have the definition of Worship which is on your blog. I am teaching a class this Sunday on Praise and I would appreciate finding Dr. Leafblad’s definition if you have it. Thanks so much.
Betty…sure do…
1. Adoration is contemplative worship which is pre-occupied with the beauty and splendor of the Lord in the context of an intimate personal relationship of loving submission to the Savior in which the enjoyment of and delight in the revealed mysteries and experienced marvels of God’s character are expressed in attitudes and acts of intense heart-devotion.
2. Praise is celebrative worship in which believers glorify and exalt the Lord through expressive acts enthusiastically proclaiming the unrivaled excellence of His character, His Nmae and His actions in a spirit of uninhibited rejoicing.
3. Thanksgiving is grateful worship in which believers responding to the working of God around them and within them acknowledge the manifold blessings, gifts, and favors of God, and His specific actions in their behalf, in a spirit of humble appreciation.
Hope this helps!
Exactly what I wanted and needed..Thank you so much.