For me, as a drummer, worship is something I long to be a part of. What is more significant than worship music? I haven’t anything. What I love is that worship is so free. Spirit-led. It’s taking gifts from God and allowing the Holy Spirit to move in a group to bring praise. That’s all.
“Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets. “
-1 Chronicles 13:8
I have been able to witness a few Spirit-led people in worship.
MorningStar Ministries ( http://www.morningstarministries.org/ )
Anyone from there. They understand worship because they know it is about dedicated, un-divided devotion to worshipping our Saviour.
John Mark McMillan / All The Bright Lights (http://thejohnmark.com/ )
He understands what it is to bring God praise. Period. It is all about allowing the Holy Spirit to move. Seeing him live, as well as his backing band open was a unique experience. All The Bright Lights truly worshipped. Minimal lyrics, yet so worshipful.
Jonathan David Helser (http://www.jonathanhelser.com/jonathanhelser/Home.html )
I saw him lead worship at MorningStar, and it was so pure. He worships & he is so submissive to the Spirit. I suggest you buy his albums as soon as possible.
Rob Walden ( http://www.mycalvarymusic.net/ )
He played drums at the “AL!VE” conference I attended in December through Campus Outreach. I had never witness someone understand his role in worship until I was able to see him play drums with the Josh Ridings Band. Check out his group, MyCalvary.
I say all this to say that worship is so freeing. We make it so structured. We make it so predictable. We need to allow the HS to lead us to worship. Feel the freedom in worship. God intends for us to worship Him however we are led to. Don’t let anyone tell you to be restrained what is in the norms. Embrace your identity in Christ and embrace the unparalleled love He has for us.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Proverbs 31:30 (Not Just A Girl's Verse)
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
This post is going to be broken into two audiences.
Fellas:
I just want to share with you how real this verse is. If you write this off as, “Oh, that’s just one of those verses all the Christian girls I know like…” and don’t give it a second thought, then I’d encourage you to study it. If it is one thing I have experienced, it is this: “beauty” and charm are a dime a dozen. So, there has to be that “other” factor. Because if everyone is beautiful and charming, what makes someone worth giving any recognition to? A woman who follows the Lord, and knows what is worthy and good in life is rare. If the purpose of being married is to be glorifying Christ, then it only makes sense to want to be with someone who is seeking Him, and wants to encourage you to do the same. I’ll end this with one last thing; wait on Him, and seek Him more, and you will see what He finds beautiful.
Ladies:
I know you have heard this verse (probably a million times). But don’t become calloused to it. It is true! If a girl’s heart is caught up in Jesus, then I’d say the transitive property would prove that if Jesus is attractive, then so is the girl is who is caught up in Jesus. Make sense? As with the rest of the Bible, this verse is really important, and be encouraged knowing it is true. And all I have to say is, keep seeking Him, and keep following. Because Jesus is beautiful. And He makes all of His followers beautiful.
I had learned this awhile ago, but I never put it in a blog. I learned by experience, spending time with Jesus, and His Word.
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
This post is going to be broken into two audiences.
Fellas:
I just want to share with you how real this verse is. If you write this off as, “Oh, that’s just one of those verses all the Christian girls I know like…” and don’t give it a second thought, then I’d encourage you to study it. If it is one thing I have experienced, it is this: “beauty” and charm are a dime a dozen. So, there has to be that “other” factor. Because if everyone is beautiful and charming, what makes someone worth giving any recognition to? A woman who follows the Lord, and knows what is worthy and good in life is rare. If the purpose of being married is to be glorifying Christ, then it only makes sense to want to be with someone who is seeking Him, and wants to encourage you to do the same. I’ll end this with one last thing; wait on Him, and seek Him more, and you will see what He finds beautiful.
Ladies:
I know you have heard this verse (probably a million times). But don’t become calloused to it. It is true! If a girl’s heart is caught up in Jesus, then I’d say the transitive property would prove that if Jesus is attractive, then so is the girl is who is caught up in Jesus. Make sense? As with the rest of the Bible, this verse is really important, and be encouraged knowing it is true. And all I have to say is, keep seeking Him, and keep following. Because Jesus is beautiful. And He makes all of His followers beautiful.
I had learned this awhile ago, but I never put it in a blog. I learned by experience, spending time with Jesus, and His Word.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The HS
The HS. The Holy Ghost. The Spirit. I have become so fascinated by the Holy Spirit. The very fact that Jesus Christ lives inside of us amazes me. If there is any way to explain that properly, I think every believer fails at it. I mean, how awesome is our God to come into our lives? Literally.
Here is one passage from Luke that really amazed me:
"Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
-Luke 17:20-21(New King James Version)
A Sufjan Stevens line:
“You gave Your Ghost,
To be alone with me”
-from “To Be Alone With You” (Seven Swans)
Another verse:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
-John 14:16-17 (New International Version, ©2010)
I am just amazed by the Joy, Peace, Hope, Confidence, Comfort, Love we gain from Christ. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus,
I want to worship everyday in Your presence. I pray Your Spirit would fall on me heavier each time, and I pray that I can see Your face more each time I pray. I praise You for not only dying for my sin, resurrecting for me to have a relationship with You, but also for giving me Your Holy Spirit to feel and experience You.
And, I have to add a John Mark McMillan quote to end this post…
“Make my chest a place where Your Heart can rest”
- from “Who Can See”
Here is one passage from Luke that really amazed me:
"Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
-Luke 17:20-21(New King James Version)
A Sufjan Stevens line:
“You gave Your Ghost,
To be alone with me”
-from “To Be Alone With You” (Seven Swans)
Another verse:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
-John 14:16-17 (New International Version, ©2010)
I am just amazed by the Joy, Peace, Hope, Confidence, Comfort, Love we gain from Christ. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus,
I want to worship everyday in Your presence. I pray Your Spirit would fall on me heavier each time, and I pray that I can see Your face more each time I pray. I praise You for not only dying for my sin, resurrecting for me to have a relationship with You, but also for giving me Your Holy Spirit to feel and experience You.
And, I have to add a John Mark McMillan quote to end this post…
“Make my chest a place where Your Heart can rest”
- from “Who Can See”
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Joseph Was Faithful
I think it is all too often that we look at all of Mary’s courage and faithfulness to God to be the earthly vessel that would give birth to Jesus, but we overlook Joseph. He is not mentioned too many times in the Gospels, and his appearances are small at best.
Joseph had already married Mary, and committed himself to her:
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.”
-Matthew 1:18
Can anyone imagine how tough of a situation that must have been? To have your new wife be pregnant, and know that you are not the father? How difficult that must have been.
And this question definitely ran through Joseph’s mind.
“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. “
-Matthew 1:19
The first part of the verse is that Joseph was “faithful to the law” (NIV 2010); “a just man” (KJV); “an honorable man” (GOD’s WORD Translation); “a righteous man” (NASB); “a good man” (New Century Version). Joseph followed the Lord, and kept His commands. Joseph was concerned with the law that is written, the same law that would have had his wife, Mary stoned to death for her 'illegitimate' pregnancy.
The second part of this verse that depicts Joseph’s heart is the line;
“ …and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace..”. Joseph did not want Mary to face the scorn, humiliation, the literal stoning that Mary would undertake for her pregnancy. Joseph showed Mary love by wishing to keep God’s commandments and still caring for her.
God would appear to Joseph in a dream, and would tell Joseph His plans for Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and mankind. After this, Joseph acted on what God told him:
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
-Matthew 1:24-25
This is so great, because it just shows how willing Joseph was to follow God no matter what obstacles were set before him.
I think that Joseph showed exactly what it means to be a good husband in just a few verses. Joseph showed that a husband must be a righteous man who follows the Lord in all situations, and that same man must also love his wife to do his best to keep her from danger, and to think for her.
Joseph had already married Mary, and committed himself to her:
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.”
-Matthew 1:18
Can anyone imagine how tough of a situation that must have been? To have your new wife be pregnant, and know that you are not the father? How difficult that must have been.
And this question definitely ran through Joseph’s mind.
“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. “
-Matthew 1:19
The first part of the verse is that Joseph was “faithful to the law” (NIV 2010); “a just man” (KJV); “an honorable man” (GOD’s WORD Translation); “a righteous man” (NASB); “a good man” (New Century Version). Joseph followed the Lord, and kept His commands. Joseph was concerned with the law that is written, the same law that would have had his wife, Mary stoned to death for her 'illegitimate' pregnancy.
The second part of this verse that depicts Joseph’s heart is the line;
“ …and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace..”. Joseph did not want Mary to face the scorn, humiliation, the literal stoning that Mary would undertake for her pregnancy. Joseph showed Mary love by wishing to keep God’s commandments and still caring for her.
God would appear to Joseph in a dream, and would tell Joseph His plans for Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and mankind. After this, Joseph acted on what God told him:
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
-Matthew 1:24-25
This is so great, because it just shows how willing Joseph was to follow God no matter what obstacles were set before him.
I think that Joseph showed exactly what it means to be a good husband in just a few verses. Joseph showed that a husband must be a righteous man who follows the Lord in all situations, and that same man must also love his wife to do his best to keep her from danger, and to think for her.
The Importance of Christmas
I think for the longest time, I was certain that Christmas was in fact about Jesus Christ, and not the world. And I still know this to be true…but in such a more deep, and beautiful way. Simply remembering the “reason for the season” is not enough. Jesus Christ’s birth was so important, and crucial to understanding Him and His relationship to us. Our Supreme, Holy, Majestic, Amazing, Perfect, Sinless, Indescribable Lord did not come to us on the highest mountain upon a throne that we could not see Him…He came just like it says in Luke.
From the angel who appeared to the shepherds:
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
- Luke 2:10-12
So. This is all to say that the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth wrapped in cloths, in a manger, and born to poor parents, simply for the purpose of having a relationship (and saving us from eternal damnation) with us??
How awesome of a God do we serve? When I reflected on this, it did not seem to far off from Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (and yes, Judas Iscariot’s feet too!).
All He wants to do is know us! And we must never forget that Jesus would give Himself to us on the cross thirty three years later as blameless and unblemished offering for all of our sinful souls.
Merry Christmas.
From the angel who appeared to the shepherds:
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
- Luke 2:10-12
So. This is all to say that the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth wrapped in cloths, in a manger, and born to poor parents, simply for the purpose of having a relationship (and saving us from eternal damnation) with us??
How awesome of a God do we serve? When I reflected on this, it did not seem to far off from Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (and yes, Judas Iscariot’s feet too!).
All He wants to do is know us! And we must never forget that Jesus would give Himself to us on the cross thirty three years later as blameless and unblemished offering for all of our sinful souls.
Merry Christmas.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Being Transformed By The Renewing Of My Mind (Romans 12:2)
This year has been quite challenging. I apologize for not keeping you posted on how I have been. A lot has happened. A lot! I am going through challenges and trials; I’m certain. God is challenging me to grow in Him, and grow to strengthen others. Jesus Himself prayed for me. (How awesome is that?):
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."- Luke 22:31-32
He is growing me and changing me. It is quite the process. I am consistently learning and re-learning that ALL I have is Christ. Him and Him only. It gives us peace, but I dislike being so stubborn.
Let me catch you up on some epic things that have happened this year:
- I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. And in my upper room experience, Jesus Himself hugged me! It was so amazing. We serve an intimate and wonderful God! It seems as though there may be a secret, but not really. Here was my prayer, I simply pleaded, “Give me more of You, Jesus!”. That was it :)
- God has really blessed me this year. He has given me a leadership position and a true blessing with Wingate Wide Prayer. He has used me to lead that, and I don’t deserve it. I am such an awful servant. We serve a generous and merciful God. What a blessing. I have seen people cry, and be moved by the Spirit, and I have seen people’s walks develop at these meetings. God is so great.
- He has blessed me with amazing brothers in Christ this year. So wonderful. They are my best mates. I love them dearly. They share my connection with the Father, and they love me. I am so very thankful for them. Thanks be to God for them!
- I am growing in who Christ wants me to be. He has developed me to become more and more selfless, sacrificial, and generous. I am so thankful. I want to be just like Him when I grow up.
- I’m learning that I am unashamed of the gospel. It is so wonderful, how could I ever say that’s not all there is to life?? It IS Life. I love Jesus. He is my life. That’s all.
- I love my fellas on my floor. Being an RA isn’t easy, but I want them to see the love of Christ in me, and to learn how amazing He is!
- I am extending this which has been on my heart recently: To those I love, I love you. That means through the thick and thin; I have your back. I want to be that way. I don’t want to let you down..Ever. I want to be there for you.
- I am continuing to learn that I desire and want to love someone as much as Christ has loved the Church (do my best anyway). I want to give the love He has given me to someone else. Relentless, passionate, beautiful, and patient love.
- God used people to prophesy over me. He wants me to become a leader. A leader that is relatable to King David. I want to continue this new found humility that I have felt, and be the leader Christ wants me to be.
Lord Jesus,
I am so thankful for all that You have given me. I need You. I need You to fight for me, and fight my battles. I can’t do it alone. For in Deuteronomy 3:22, You said, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you”. I need You. Build me to be the leader that You have destined to be. Let my life be a sacrifice to You for all that You have done. Grow in me Your sacrificial, selfless, and abundant love so that I can put that into practice. Forgive me for my sins, forgive me for being myself. Create in me a clean and pure heart! I want to be pure. I want to ascend the ‘hill of the Lord’. I want to be holy. I want to be righteous. I want to be Your son. Let me love others as You have loved me. I thank You for dying my death, for letting me become righteous. Above all, thank You for being You. For being THE God!
Amen.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."- Luke 22:31-32
He is growing me and changing me. It is quite the process. I am consistently learning and re-learning that ALL I have is Christ. Him and Him only. It gives us peace, but I dislike being so stubborn.
Let me catch you up on some epic things that have happened this year:
- I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. And in my upper room experience, Jesus Himself hugged me! It was so amazing. We serve an intimate and wonderful God! It seems as though there may be a secret, but not really. Here was my prayer, I simply pleaded, “Give me more of You, Jesus!”. That was it :)
- God has really blessed me this year. He has given me a leadership position and a true blessing with Wingate Wide Prayer. He has used me to lead that, and I don’t deserve it. I am such an awful servant. We serve a generous and merciful God. What a blessing. I have seen people cry, and be moved by the Spirit, and I have seen people’s walks develop at these meetings. God is so great.
- He has blessed me with amazing brothers in Christ this year. So wonderful. They are my best mates. I love them dearly. They share my connection with the Father, and they love me. I am so very thankful for them. Thanks be to God for them!
- I am growing in who Christ wants me to be. He has developed me to become more and more selfless, sacrificial, and generous. I am so thankful. I want to be just like Him when I grow up.
- I’m learning that I am unashamed of the gospel. It is so wonderful, how could I ever say that’s not all there is to life?? It IS Life. I love Jesus. He is my life. That’s all.
- I love my fellas on my floor. Being an RA isn’t easy, but I want them to see the love of Christ in me, and to learn how amazing He is!
- I am extending this which has been on my heart recently: To those I love, I love you. That means through the thick and thin; I have your back. I want to be that way. I don’t want to let you down..Ever. I want to be there for you.
- I am continuing to learn that I desire and want to love someone as much as Christ has loved the Church (do my best anyway). I want to give the love He has given me to someone else. Relentless, passionate, beautiful, and patient love.
- God used people to prophesy over me. He wants me to become a leader. A leader that is relatable to King David. I want to continue this new found humility that I have felt, and be the leader Christ wants me to be.
Lord Jesus,
I am so thankful for all that You have given me. I need You. I need You to fight for me, and fight my battles. I can’t do it alone. For in Deuteronomy 3:22, You said, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you”. I need You. Build me to be the leader that You have destined to be. Let my life be a sacrifice to You for all that You have done. Grow in me Your sacrificial, selfless, and abundant love so that I can put that into practice. Forgive me for my sins, forgive me for being myself. Create in me a clean and pure heart! I want to be pure. I want to ascend the ‘hill of the Lord’. I want to be holy. I want to be righteous. I want to be Your son. Let me love others as You have loved me. I thank You for dying my death, for letting me become righteous. Above all, thank You for being You. For being THE God!
Amen.
Monday, September 20, 2010
God Is So Good
It's been forever since I blogged last. I have been so busy with all kinds of things. I have just seen Jesus in so many ways this past month. It's crazy. I feel like I have experienced Him in ways that I have not seen before. I have wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ, go to a church I love, been able to share the good news, live with freshman, and feel the Holy Spirit.. Life is good. I can surely say to you that there is a huge revival taking place at Wingate. It is far from complete, but the Spirit is just raining down on campus. I love Jesus, and I love His love.
It's so awesome how much God has provided this semester already. I have made new friends, and gained new brothers and sisters. Siblings in Christ who love me, and want me to grow. I have a job that allows me to be there for kids on my floor, and allows me to point them to Jesus.
God just wants to pour all the love He has out to us, and He wants you to be with Him. He provides. He has already provided us with Jesus Christ. And He wants to give us more?! How great is our God?
I simply want to point my eyes to the One who has given us everything, and the One who will never forsake us! I wish to be perpetually on fire for Him.
Great words to ponder:
"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
- Romans 4:25
I think people find it hard to understand why I love the Lord..But, we must remember that He made the unworthy into the worthy! We were condemned by our sin, but now, because of Jesus' blood, we are righteous in the eyes of God.
God loved us when we hated Him. We hated Him because were living in sin that He detests.
The grace, and love of God can only be best demonstrated by the dire circumstances we were in because of sin.
It's so awesome how much God has provided this semester already. I have made new friends, and gained new brothers and sisters. Siblings in Christ who love me, and want me to grow. I have a job that allows me to be there for kids on my floor, and allows me to point them to Jesus.
God just wants to pour all the love He has out to us, and He wants you to be with Him. He provides. He has already provided us with Jesus Christ. And He wants to give us more?! How great is our God?
I simply want to point my eyes to the One who has given us everything, and the One who will never forsake us! I wish to be perpetually on fire for Him.
Great words to ponder:
"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
- Romans 4:25
I think people find it hard to understand why I love the Lord..But, we must remember that He made the unworthy into the worthy! We were condemned by our sin, but now, because of Jesus' blood, we are righteous in the eyes of God.
God loved us when we hated Him. We hated Him because were living in sin that He detests.
The grace, and love of God can only be best demonstrated by the dire circumstances we were in because of sin.
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