Lessons From Levi (Faith)

Posted: January 26, 2012 in Lessons From Levi
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Levi doesn’t want to crawl down steps. He wants to step down steps like a big boy. You know what’s wrong with that? First, his balance isn’t good enough. Second, his leg is as tall as one step is. That makes for interesting foot planting while the other foot is practically kicking his butt as he steps.

I think he knows the risk involved with being bold enough to try making such large steps at such a young age. He holds on to me or my leg as he does it. He’s successful and has yet to fall. Partly because he’s hanging on. Also because he’s just bold enough to try things so daring.

Shouldn’t we have that same boldness. It’s called faith; being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Levi sees the step being made successful and has hope he can do it, obviously through me his father. Our Heavenly Father has the same desires in us, that we would make steps of faith and become successful in the things we do in His name through Him.

Remember when Joshua told the priests they needed to walk into the FLOODED river Jordan to make the waters part. They could have easily asked why don’t the waters part then we’ll walk. But that’s not the way God works. He wants to see our faith (certain of things unseen and sure of our hope) then he acts. He’s not going to fail. He has the power to do, we just have to have the faith to be faithful in His doing.

What did James say? “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

Tomorrow, you may need to make a big step. This year may see you in a place to make a big step. Be faithful. Hold on to God and make a step. It may kick you in the butt in the process but you’ll succeed.

*Levi is my 2-year-old and I

Lessons From Levi (In His Image)

Posted: January 24, 2012 in devotion, Lessons From Levi
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You are definitely your Father’s son. Have you ever heard that? I have. Well more so about Levi. When he was born, I was told numerous times that I couldn’t deny being the father. I still get that quite often. Folks kid me by saying “Poor child, he looks too much like his daddy.” I get it. It’s just terrible because he will have women flocking to him and falling over him because of his knock out looks and glaring eyes. He smiles with his eyes.

I love the fact that in reality, Levi is a great mix of Carrie and I. One day you can look at him and see Carrie all through his mannerisms. The next day, his facial expressions are a chip off the ole block.

It reminds me of how we should be in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We should be the image of the invisible God because we were made in His image. We should act like Him. Love like Him. Show grace like Him. Have mercy like Him, and be Him to those who don’t know Him. When others see us, they should see God.

You’ve heard the old saying that sometimes the only time people will experience God is when you are in their life. It should be true. Too many folks out there don’t know Jesus so they don’t know the real man of grace. We should be showing them that truth.

People should be saying of us, “You are your Father’s son/daughter. There is no denying it.”

*Levi is my 2-year-old and I'm learning life lessons watching him grow

Lessons from Levi

Posted: January 23, 2012 in devotion
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For the next few weeks, I want to fill you in on some things I’ve been learning from my two-year old. But first let me tell you kids were never something I looked forward to. I really never liked being around them. They’re nasty, rude, a handful, annoying, time-consuming, resource hogs, and just plain icky.

That was before Levi.

Now they’re nasty, rude, a handful, annoying, time-consuming, resource hogs, icky but they’re also fun, enjoyable, teach me new things, cuddly, insatiable to be around, and magnetic. I can’t get enough of Levi. When I see other kids, I want to hug him, kiss him and tickle him. I just love showing him new things watching his eyes light up and that big teethy smile. It truly is awesome.

So I have been writing a few blog posts to share with you what Levi has been teaching me about God and life and I think you’ll enjoy them as well. So I will be posting twice a week for a few weeks  lessons I’m learning from Levi.

21 Days of Fasting

Posted: January 22, 2012 in devotion, fasting
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7 Steps to Fasting

This website from Campus Crusade for Christ gives some great tidbits on how to be successful with your fast.If you’re part of Xtreme, we’ve already been at it for one week. Way to go guys. Two more weeks. You can do this.

If you’ve slipped during your fast, that’s ok.  Fasting is a heart issue and as long as your heart is right, it’s ok if we slip. Just don’t make a habit of being lackadaisical. Work hard and continue to pray and ask the Holy Spirit for help during those tough times of temptation. Pick yourself up and get back at it.

Here’s some good reading to help you through the next two weeks. Remember why you’re fasting. It’s not a diet program. It’s not a habit breaking program. It isn’t a Christian game. It’s to deny yourself so that God sees you’re serious enough to answer your prayers.

1.22.12 Worship Rewind

Posted: January 22, 2012 in Sunday Setlist, worship
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  • Unchanging – Chris Tomlin
  • You Never Let Go – Matt Redman
  • Sing To The King – Candi Pearson
  • Beautiful King – Jonathan Lee

We had a great day today. My team pulled a prank on me this morning. Last week I mentioned that folks were calling me trendy because I was wearing a scarf. So my team all put scarves on for the first song. It had me laughing so hard inside that I could hardly pay attention.

After the welcome, I read Hebrews 13:5-6 encouraging the church that He never leaves us nor forsakes us solidifying this thought by singing You Never Let Go. We took some time to let the song Sing To The King breathe by adding more music to the moment. Worked our way straight into Beautiful King.

Something we’ve been really focusing on and our team has been picking up on real well this year is transitions. I’ve been spending a little more thought on working our way from one song to another (more thought than normal) and Heather (keys) has stepped up her ability by providing some pads during low dynamic times. The last two weeks, transitions have really went well.

Last night we had our first Encounter Worship where we gathered for and hour and a half and spent time in God’s presence by singing and praying and reading His word corporately as well as individually. With no agenda but to meet God, it gives the band an opportunity to relax and work on trying new things with their instruments. It went really well. God was in the place last night. People were on their knees and praying, singing and getting before God. Since our church is going through the 21 Days of Fasting, it providing an immeasurable sense of intimacy before God to pray and seek Him.

If you’re in our area and you missed Encounter Worship, our next one will be Good Friday. You DO NOT want to miss that one.

Bowing Before God

Posted: January 18, 2012 in devotion, worship
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In today’s American culture we don’t bow. Showing humility towards someone else is just not the American way. I somewhat remember seeing some “iconic” figures in my Christian walk bow but those were the ones who most people considered sold out Christians while most aren’t or as my brother has put it; too religious.

Can I be a little transparent with you. I love to get on my face before God. Kneeling is not fun though. It hurts. But it’s supposed to isn’t it. Kneeling or lying prostrate before God is not supposed to be an enjoyable process. It’s not about our fun. It’s about our humbleness before our creator.

So what’s the big deal? Why don’t we bow if the bible says to. We can see throughout the whole bible where writers encourage or even command getting on your face humbly before God, the creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, the King of kings, Lord of lords. Oh that’s right, in America we don’t have kings or lords or in some cases a creator.

Let me tell you what bowing does for me.

  • It humbles me – Pride is the back-fall of most men I know. Giving ourselves in humbleness to others isn’t something that comes easy. By bowing, I learn to be humble and tell God He is greater than I am.
  • It reminds me – When I’m being tempted, it reminds me that I have prayed on my face and asked for strength in my weaknesses and that God will give me strength to overcome. Some call it a crutch but that’s pride. I believe in an omnipotent God who has the power to get me through all things so I may become more like Him.
  • It teaches me – Respect and submission is things God deserves and demands and by bowing before Him I learn to give respect and submit before Him. I may not be good at it at first but over time by getting on my face, I learn these things. Exodus 20:2-3
  • It connects me – Do you have problems praying and concentrating because of the noise around you? Yeah, me too, but when I get on my face, those things tend to disappear. Oh you fall asleep? Not when your knees are HURTING!

Before you say this is all about what bowing does for me, let me mention what does it do for God?

  • It glorifies Him
  • It honors Him
  • It worships Him
  • It respects Him
  • It puts Him in His rightful place as Lord and King

So I encourage you while you pray, bow. Bow at church. Bow at home. I probably wouldn’t bow in a public setting simple because you don’t want to be viewed as “one of those” but if God moves you, you might want to be obedient. But remember don’t be like the pharisees and do it to be seen.

Give it a chance. Bow on your knees or even lay out flat. One of the sweetest moments in worship on stage, I actually laid out flat and worshiped Him (I wasn’t leading). I know it sounds crazy but I don’t do it all the time. The Spirit was moving in a mighty way that day. We didn’t even have preaching. God just showed up in the music. Twelve received salvation that day. So don’t discount something like bowing because God desires it.

Here are some scripture to help you see the importance in bowing.

I Didn’t Even Know It

Posted: January 17, 2012 in devotion, worship
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When we lead worship, one of the things we like to be aware of is if God is moving. For years, I always suspected God was moving by the way people moved, sang, or acted. What I’ve learned over the years is people respond to God in so many different ways, that it’s hard to tell sometimes, when God is moving. I don’t lean away from the fact that if God IS moving, sitting still with absolutely no response besides staring at the worship leader as if nothing is happening in the room is not a proper response.

Sometimes, as a worship leader we really just don’t know what’s going on in the heart of people. God could be sending messages that has the person so tore up that they sit there in unbelief. God has many times spoken to me as I sat there under the influence of the Spirit in an atmosphere of worship allowing Him to flow through my heart as it wanders through the space ministering to the church.

Really, though… We just don’t know sometimes. And that’s ok. Many times later after everyone has gone home do I learn from our pastor or a quick facebook post or email that God had impacted someone in a major way. I just didn’t catch the vibe. I didn’t ever see it come across the ticker on their face. It may have been a subliminal moment. Whatever the case, I never picked up on it.

God moved.

I didn’t even know it.

God spoke.

I didn’t even know it.

God intervened.

I didn’t even know it.

God was there.

I didn’t even know it.

Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place-truly. And I didn’t even know it!”

the message – Genesis 28:16

Hallelujah, What A Savior

Posted: January 16, 2012 in Uncategorized
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I freely downloaded this band’s album the other day called Ascend The Hill. I listened to it and was set back by the amazing sound they had and how they pulled off updating the sound on a few hymns. This little gem I want to show you is a great version and I plan to do this at church soon.It’s the little things that make a song amazing. In this example, if you listen the lyrics say,

“When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

Notice the lyrics “We’ll sing anew” and in the recording it’s the only time there are numerous voices. I love that.I hope you enjoy as well.

LIVE

1.15.12 Worship Rewind

Posted: January 15, 2012 in Sunday Setlist, worship
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  • Beautiful King – Jonathan Lee
  • Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
  • New Doxology – Gateway Worship
  • Rescue – Newsong

Today, I led worship for the first time this year. I had a week off last week and we were led by Aaron Long, a Spirit led worship leader. Today, I wore a scarf. That’s big news simply because I always made fun of the hipster worship leaders wearing scarfs and leading worship. But before you laugh at me for going back on myself, let me say, it was frickin’ cold this morning and I love my scarf because it keeps my neck warm, THAT’S IT!!! It’s not about some hip look for me. I think I’m getting too old to be hip now anyway, Lol

Aaron introduced our church to Beautiful King last week and I fell in love with the song. So I decided to make it part of our song list for this year. It’s a really great song. I kinda hesitated on it because of the lyric, “I live to sing to You”. At first I didn’t like those lyrics because we don’t live to sing to God, we live to worship Him. I wanted to change the lyrics to worship but in the long run, it’s just a minor detail that’s not theologically wrong, just could have been written better.

I also read Psalm 100 during the song Beautiful King. I think this caught some folks off guard but I wanted to get people ramped up about God this morning. So I had them Shout to the Lord. Yeah we really shouted. We need more of that in church. Get on FIE-YA!!!!

For Blessed Be Your Name, I brought in a drum loop with some reversed vox, I worked up on Garage Band on my iPad. I loved it but some of the guys in our band thought it sounded too much like the theme song to Flight of the Conchords. Don’t hurt me but I’ve never heard of them. But can I say that one dude looks a lot like Pastor Steven Furtick. Just sayin, lol.

Ok, so maybe it’s just me.

We had a packed house today and we had an amazing time in the Lord. Lot’s of new faces. I hope they stick around. It’s so great to meet soldiers fresh off the battlefield looking for a church home with their family. I love being able to minister to soldiers.

this year is ramping up to be AWESOME!!!!!

God Is Not a Sport’s Team

Posted: January 13, 2012 in devotion
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I’m guilty of it. I’ve asked the question among hundreds in an audience while leading worship,

“Why can’t we get excited about God like we do a sports team?”

I’m sure you’ve heard the exact same question. It’s a valid question in one aspect. I mean we do get pretty excited when our favorite team scores. I go crazy folks, I go crazy when the Cardinals hit a home run. You should have seen me watching game six of the 2011 World Series. No, that would have probably been as embarrassing as David’s wife was when he went dancing naked in the streets because the arc had been returned to Israel.

But in another aspect, it’s not a valid question. Because our favorite sports team is just that, a sports team. They’re not God even though we paint them to be. I mean they could be god, I guess (little g) but they’re not Yahweh! I assume we’re really trying to ask why can’t we have the same enthusiasm for God as we do our favorite sports team. That could be a valid question too. But let’s look at the reality of it.

The biggest sports fan:

  • They wear a hat, shirt, bracelets, necklace, earrings, and any other fashion accessory with the sport’s team logo on it.
  • Their house has tons of trinkets, and pictures and Fat Heads and decorations and the man cave could be considered for the team mascot’s lair.
  • They have emblems and stickers and flags all over their car and quite possibly the car is painted the team’s colors with seat covers and floorboard mats with the team colors and logo.
  • They know every stat for every team member past and present and unique information that only the true die-hard would even care to know.
  • They go to every game, they are the loudest and most obnoxious, and they keep up with live stats through each game.

Know anybody like that? Those are the ones who are going crazy at sport’s events. So you want Christians to be like that? What would that look like?

The biggest God fan:

  • They wear shirts, hats, bracelets, necklaces, or any other fashion accessory with a cross or fish on them.
  • Their house has trinkets, pictures, crucifixes even as far as having a real closet they go in to pray
  • They have stickers and emblems all over their car with seat covers and floor mats with crosses and fish on them
  • They can recite every famous passage of scripture, even the ones buried deep in Leviticus and Obadiah that no-one knows about.They know Greek and Hebrew thanks to Vine’s and wrote their own systematic theology
  • They go to church every Sunday, Sunday night, Tuesday night prayer service, Wednesday night bible study, Thursday night Pot Luck, and Saturday morning women’s/men’s breakfast.
  • They sing the loudest, know all the popular worship songs, and best hymns and makes sure everyone else knows they know them

Is that how you want a Christian to act? Personally, I don’t. I want Christians to be authentic. I want them to hurt when they hurt, not put on a facade. I want them to worship in spirit and truth, and not what others say worship looks like. I want them to speak of Jesus in public communication when led to and not because it’s the Christian thing to do. I don’t want a God fan, I want God followers.

The world sees authenticity by how you look. God sees authenticity by what you faithfully do. The world stereotypes, God accepts all types. The world says you gotta fit a mold, God says He molds you.

God is not a sports team. So I’m thinking we should lay off the pressure of treating Him like one. What do you think?

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