Everyone worships every day.

I've begun this new blog as I begin work on a new book about worship. It is meant to offer what I am learning and thinking about as I share this journey with friends.

Worship is something that everyone does, whether they know it or not. Worship is composed of the rituals that people do everyday, whether they are conscious or non-conscious of them, as they gather with with friends and family, share meals together, give to others from resources that were given to us, do deeds that match our words, offer moments of intentional -- and sometimes unintentional -- prayers to God, sing songs of thanks and encouragement -- and sometimes correction for those around us, and as we leave good words as we part from friends -- even if they are only "good-"bye.

Christian worship is focused on God and includes those who God loves (which, by the way, includes everybody -- even those we may not like.) Christian worship is distinctive in that it is led by God's Spirit who influences this worship -- again in both conscious and non-concious ways.

So, if worship is something that everyone does in some form or another everyday, perhaps we should give our attention to how this worship affects us, others, and God.