Christ wants us to be one church, yet the liturgical differences can sometimes exclude those from another denomination. For example, nonCatholics, whether Christians or not, are not (in my experience) invited to partake of communion during mass. In contrast, I have found many Protestant denominations to be more welcoming, inviting all believers to partake.
Some churches deal with the music issue by holding multiple services. The church I grew up in has a traditional service with hymns and a contemporary service with "praise songs". Some hymns do nothing for me, others move me to the point of tears. Same with classical music and contemporary stuff. The lyrics and/or music to some praise songs are so repetitive and bland it's hard not to fall asleep while singing them. IMHO, I think the churches who move just to contemporary music and never sing the traditional responses and hymns are throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
More on Chapter 7: Love this verse: "The heavens declare the glory of God," or as I am more familiar with it in Haydn, "The heavens are telling the glory of God." :-)
"None of us have given God the full glory he deserves from our lives. This is the worst sin and the biggest mistake we can make." (55) Am I dreaming, or isn't there a place in the Bible where it talks about no one sin being worse than another?
And my first answer, from my journal, to "Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory? -- wherever possible! :-)
Am really enjoying the Mark Salzman audio book I mentioned elsewhere. The character of the nun, Sister John of the Cross, is so humble and is always seeking God -- a good role model.
Re: BTW... & more on Chapter 7
Some churches deal with the music issue by holding multiple services. The church I grew up in has a traditional service with hymns and a contemporary service with "praise songs". Some hymns do nothing for me, others move me to the point of tears. Same with classical music and contemporary stuff. The lyrics and/or music to some praise songs are so repetitive and bland it's hard not to fall asleep while singing them. IMHO, I think the churches who move just to contemporary music and never sing the traditional responses and hymns are throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
More on Chapter 7:
Love this verse: "The heavens declare the glory of God," or as I am more familiar with it in Haydn, "The heavens are telling the glory of God." :-)
"None of us have given God the full glory he deserves from our lives. This is the worst sin and the biggest mistake we can make." (55) Am I dreaming, or isn't there a place in the Bible where it talks about no one sin being worse than another?
And my first answer, from my journal, to "Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory? -- wherever possible! :-)
Am really enjoying the Mark Salzman audio book I mentioned elsewhere. The character of the nun, Sister John of the Cross, is so humble and is always seeking God -- a good role model.