As two dozen teenagers and I hefted a monstrously heavy wooden bench and prepared to slog it through the snow to the other side of the camp, I knew this was a different type of worship for most of us. Some people wouldn’t even call it worship - but God does.

I’ve often wondered what God’s favorite type of worship is.

Have you ever wondered if God has a favorite style? What does He like best? R&B? Passion? Soul Survivor? Bluegrass? Hillsong? Hymns? What do you think, really? We all say that He appreciates and receives our praise no matter the style, as long as it comes from the heart, but secretly…if it was just you and He, having a Macchiato at Peete’s (His coffee preference for sure), and you asked Him…Do you think He might have a favorite?

Well, guess what? He does.

God says this through the prophet Amos:
“I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
That’s what I want. That’s all I want.”
(Amos 5 - The Message)

As a songwriter and contemporary worship leader, this passage is a tough one to wrestle with. His comment about music stings and challenges. He also offers no redemptive instruction regarding music at all. Now, I realize there are many other references throughout the Bible where music is encouraged as a true expression of worship. I know God loves music, but there seems to be two things He loves even more; Justice and Fairness.  These are words with a sense of action embedded into them, action that awakens other virtues, as well; Compassion, Generosity, Service, Kindness. The questions we have to ask are; What would it look like for us to worship God the way He wants? What could this look like for our congregations during a “contemporary worship service” in which we seek to please God with our praise? And the toughest one of all; Are we really pleasing Him now?

As I’ve been wrestling with these thoughts, I’ve had the opportunity to facilitate some unique worship expressions in a variety of ways, and I wanted to share the latest experience. Last week, I was the “speaker” and “worship leader” (use of quotes, because I’m still trying to figure out those titles) for a group of high school students in the mountains of Washington . I focused our times together around various postures; Praise, Thanksgiving, Petition, Obedience, and Celebration. During the “worship through obedience” gathering, we explored the ideas of justice and fairness - how those play out in generosity and service, and what it would like for us to put some muscle into or worship, to back up our words and prayers with action. I had the idea of attempting some kind of service project for the camp. It turned out that they needed a 30 foot long, 1,500 pound workbench moved from one shop to another…300 yards…through the snow. If we could help with this, it’d be a huge blessing they said. We agreed to make it a part of our worship, and instead of singing a few songs in a nice, warm auditorium, we put on our boots and headed out into the weather.

The camp’s hosts had fashioned beams going under the long bench so that each student had a hand hold. We remembered the Israelites and the Ark of Covenant. We laughed, sized up the job, cheered each other on, counted to three, and lifted! It was hard work, but nothing could wipe the smile off our faces! It took all we had to get that table to it’s new spot. We were spent! Our aching arms, legs, and backs proved the effort (and to think there’s actually a computer program called “EASY WORSHIP”). We cheered. We celebrated. And afterward, we even carried a few lighter boards on the way back. Now that’s a picture of God-pleasing praise!

How about for you? Is there an action step you could make toward justice and fairness in your life? Could you take that step today, tonight, this week?

I didn’t regret one second of this service, and I doubt I’ll ever forget it. Did I get to share some of the songs I’ve been working on and preparing for years? No. Did we cry, get goose-bumps, or experience warm, tingly sensations as a band played? Not exactly. Our footsteps created the rhythm, our voices shouted a crude, spirited melody, and a beautiful song rose to the heavens. We obeyed. We served. We gave. We offered a real, one of kind gift to God, a sacrifice, and I KNOW He loved it. And how am I so sure? Because that’s His favorite kind of worship.

One of the ways our culture remembers and celebrates a person or occasion is with a “toast”.  You may have seen this at a wedding or a formal meal of some kind; someone will stand up, raise their glass of whatever they’re drinking, say something like “To the bride!” and that’s the signal for everyone to clink their glasses with each other and take a sip of their drinks.  I was thinking of this custom the other day while getting ready to celebrate a Sabbath family dinner with candles, special blessings, and grape juice.  As each of us began to share things that God was teaching us through the week, or things He’s helped us with, it seemed completely natural to want to make a toast after each story - to Jesus!  So as my youngest daughter finished talking, I raised my glass of grape juice and declared, “Let’s have a toast:  To Jesus!”
“Yay, Jesus!” everyone echoed.  Then we clinked our glasses together and took a drink.  It was so fun, we decided to do it after each person shared.  There were lots of toasts to Jesus that night.  He deserves it more than anyone!

P.S.  One polite element of toasting is to make sure you look the person in the eye that you are clinking your glass with.  So, not only do you get to remember and celebrate Jesus through this activity, you also get a chance to connect with each other, too!

“I don’t trust anybody.”

A friend was confiding to us how difficult it is to trust.  In the journey of faith, trusting is definitely a key component, but sometimes it’s so hard to do!  There’s tons of verses in the Bible that talk about trusting even being sort of a gateway to God and His guidance, but how to get there?  One time a few years ago, I really sensed God give me a thought about trust that came out like this; TRUST=JOY.  It’s true, I really think joy is also a byproduct of trust - very hard to have one and not the other - so if you want to be joyful in life, well, you’ve got to trust, and I’ve discovered that the more you trust, the more joy you’ll have.

So, this Halloween I’ve been thinking a lot about the spiritual; God, Satan, demons, etc…, and call me crazy, simplistic, childish, or whatever, but I really believe the Bible literally, and I believe in God, Satan, demons, angels, parting seas, people-swallowing fish, talking shrubbery…the whole thing!  If demons are real, and the devil is trying to keep us from God and His goodness, then I imagine they do NOT want us to learn to trust - in anything!  Their goal is to keep us from trusting, from joy, from God, and they never give up, but the good news is that God is more powerful than Satan, and God invites us to use His power against Satan’s attacks.  There’s many places in the Bible where we’re instructed to talk right to the demons (crazy, I know) and tell them something like this; “By the power of Jesus Christ, I tell you Satan; let go of me and get out of my life!”

Why don’t you give this a try next time you’re feeling unable to trust (no better time than Halloween)?  What have you got to lose?  Go on, just try it.  I probably pray a prayer like this over one topic or another about once a week, and I almost ALWAYS feel the crazy sensation of something really shifting in the spiritual realm.  Totally weird, but I’ve felt it to be true!  Besides, no one will make fun of you if it doesn’t work, and if it does…you just might be on a new path to freedom.

A great prayer to follow this up could be; “God, please help me to trust.”  He really wants to help you take those big leaps of faith where real life begins.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Last year’s ASCENT was awesome. 12 of us camped in the Yosemite valley and climbed Half Dome! Here’s a re-cap:

“Just a quick word to say thanks again for setting up the trip! I know you and Heidi did a lot of work setting it up and making it run smooth! It turned out fantastic!” - Ken

“Wow, is all I can say. God’s handiwork, his power, and his blessing us with the reminders in creation is humbling to say the least.” - Gregg

See the full story HERE

My wife and I decided to host these retreats, targeted for everyone and anyone that would be interested; singles, couples, pastors, musicians, artists, families…just a fun way to get away and experience something new, together.

:: THE TRAVERSE 2009 ::

THIS YEAR WE’RE TAKING IT TO THE GROUND for a 2-day hiking retreat in the picturesque Marin Headlands above San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. We’ve made it a little more accessible this time with easy to moderate hiking trails along coastal wilderness and actual beds and amenities at the Marin Headlands Hostel

THE DATES ARE SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2009

THERE ONLY 14 SPOTS AVAILABLE, and they are first come/first served starting now! The cost includes accommodates for 2 nights (plus meals for Friday and Saturday) and is only $150. To reserve your spot simply hit our Pay Pal button on the site, send in a check to our address below, or call me with your credit card number at 949-294-7039.

Justin Fox Ministries / 3007 Donnybrook Ln. Costa Mesa, CA 92626

:: SCHEDULE ::

Thursday the 24th - 7pm check-in / 8pm Beginning Gathering :: Worship, Experience, Community

Friday the 25th - 8am Breakfast and pack lunch / 9am leave for day hike / 6pm Dinner / 7pm Middle Gathering

Saturday the 26th - 9am Breakfast / Communion / Community …10:30am everyone heads home…

KJ is a youth pastor, author, and deep thinker out here in Colorado.  We’ve been having a blast hanging out and ministering together.  We also got to fly-fish along the dramatic Poudre River.  We had no idea what we were doing, but it was fun!  I can’t wait to share some thoughts about church, worship, and ministry that have been blossoming on this trip - big stuff.  Maybe I’ll write more after the sunburn heals…

PIZZA AND WINGS!!!!

…but I’m getting ahead of myself…

Today started out with the big drive back to Rochester…another long period of time with no CD player and miles and miles of quiet scenery. As I focused in on a time of intentional prayer, I tried to listen for God to speak (instead of me doing all the talking), and guess what? He talks like a New Yorker! I was having all these ideas running through my head, and I asked him, “Are these ideas from you?”. It was like he replied, “Yah, of course they’re from me! What are youzz, some kinda wizeguynow?” Anyway, I wish he would’ve said more, but that’s all I got.

One of the ideas I was thinking of was that these diary entries this week seem a little too “goody-goody-halo-wearing”, if you know what I mean. I am having a relatively good week spiritually and morally, but that’s not always been the case (and maybe the accountability of this blogging is helping me). The truth is; I am a broken, stumbling, imperfect person…often further off the mark than I realize most of the time. I read an interview with one of my touring heros; David Wilcox where he said being on the road is like “running in sand”. It can be like training. You can use the time on the road for spiritual, moral, mental, and physical discipline. Treat it like a running-in-sand exercise so that when you get back, onto solid ground, everything is easier. I read that about 5 years ago and never forgot it. David, if you’re reading this (I just found out he’s actually following ME on Twitter), thank you!

I really try now to live like a monk on the road…like an impoverished missionary in harsh conditions or something! My two temptations that I fall for most are TV (VH1, MTV) and shopping (clothes, sunglasses, shoes). I’d splurge because I was lonely, bored, whatever, but I’m learning; those things are not good for me. One of my problems is worrying. I doubt that God loves me about every 52 seconds, even though I stand up on a stage and passionately express God’s great love…oh, the irony! I need all the help I can get in fighting off worry and doubt, among a host of other things, and TV and the Mall just get me off track and make me sick - full of the world’s empty, hollow sweetness, like a big bag of Halloween candy for lunch…the LAST thing you want when you’re alone and far from home. So I’m learning…and it’s getting easier.

I checked back into the hotel here in the afternoon and headed to a school where the PA and chairs are getting set for tomorrow’s church gatherings. The Oasis Christian Fellowship band is rockin’ the house! I get to lead a few congregational songs with them, so we ran through them in rehearsal, and everyone is sounding great. Glen is doing a killer job leading the worship team and laying down some heavy guitar! After that, is was PIZZA AND WINGS TIME, BABY!!! I think I ate 42 wings. I’m serious, they are the best out here…it’s magic! They even combine the two with “Buffalo Wing Pizza”, which is, of course, awesome.

I’ve been hearing rumors that Lou Graham goes to this church, and that he might be there tomorrow…to critique my singing! HA! He is definitely a huge influence on me. “Juke Box Hero” and the Foreigner 4 album stoked the fire in me to perform and write songs. He’s a LEGEND! I hope I get to meet him.

Well, if Jesus doesn’t come back tonight…then tomorrow we ROCK!!!

I’m honored to be stepping into this new year with all of you!

I feel like I’ve re-learned a few great lessons from God this past year, and I’m praying to continue to grow in the season ahead…

I’m thankful for the support, love, and friendship in my life.  IT’S HUGE!!!  All of your emails, comments, ideas, and encouragement out there on the road mean so much.  Thank you!

Let’s continue to trust God in ADVENTUROUS ways this year!  Take the risks He leads you in!  May His dream for us become more and more true each day…

The Bible says to “give thanks in ALL things” in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  So, I guess that means all…things.

Many of us have great challenges in our lives this season, and it sounds crazy to actually thank God for those challenges, disappointments, heartaches…

but that’s the way to life, freedom, and even joy

and JOY is just around the corner…

Let’s begin the celebration of Christ’s great rescue
                                             His humble birth
                                                       the wonder of His grace
                           His power to turn everything upside down
                   mourning into dancing

and let’s begin with THANKSGIVING

We’ve recently been talking in our church about how God is able to use all of us in His creative, surprising, redemptive plan, even with our shortcomings and limitations.  We’re reminded of Moses questioning God’s judgment in asking him to lead the people out of Egypt:  Moses had a few excuses for why he wasn’t the best qualified for the job, but God not only dismissed those excuses, He actually USED them, redeemed them, and made it all work in perfect beauty.  Have you ever felt like you have too many issues, problems, or weaknesses to play God’s divine role for you?  It’s not true!  We need to surrender those doubts to God…and see the magic unfold…lay down that old, ragged shepherd staff and watch it become a snake!  …or hopefully something more pleasant.

Oh yah, back to Elvis…

So, I’m backstage in a remote, fogged-in region of coastal Oregon a few weeks ago, and I have a conversation with one of the most interesting guys I’ve met in a long time.  He’s a 50ish year-old, Native American, short-term memory impaired, deaf in one ear ELVIS IMPERSONATOR…for JESUS!  He began to share his struggles…  He doesn’t play an instrument and can’t seem to find too many venues that appreciate his Karaoke Elvis songs.  Plus, when he does get to perform, he can’t remember the words, so he has to bury his head in a lyric sheet (I’m sure his eyesight’s not that great either), and since he can only barely hear out of one ear, the Karaoke music has to be played as loud as possible, distorting the PA and punishing audiences, while he strains his good ear toward the speakers…all the while crooning the Gospel-tinged Elvis classics in full sequins and cape.  “Do you have any advice for me?” he asks…

I was at a loss then and I still am.  I just encouraged him…while he quickly demonstrated a few of his moves.  I told him that God can do ANYTHING.  This guy didn’t want to quit on the dream, and he felt that God was still leading him, so I cheered him on!  I patted him on the back.  I prayed for him.  Who knows?  God used Moses.  God uses me.

God can use you, too.

I love this book by Donald Miller!  He wrote Blue Like Jazz of course, too, but this one’s just as amazing, I think!  Especially on the topic of God’s love for us….I haven’t read anything (besides the Bible) that has moved me more.  Here’s one of my favorite sections (page 110).

…what we really need is God.  What we really need is somebody who loves us so much we don’t worry about death, about our hair thinning, about other drivers pulling in front of us on the road, about whether people are poor or rich, good-looking or ugly, about whether we feel lonely or about whether or not we are wearing clothes.  We need this; we need this so we can love other people purely and not for selfish gain, we need this so we can see everybody as equals, we need this so our relationships can be sincere, we need this so we can lose all self-awareness and find ourselves for the first time, not by realizing some dream, but by being told who we are by the only Being who has the authority to know…