I have an amazing God.
I have an amazing wife.
I have an amazing church.
I have an amazing small group.
I have amazing friends.
I have an amazing family.
I have an amazing job.
I have an amazing… LIFE!!!!
- Let Us Pray – Steven Curtis Chapman
- Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin
- I Call Your Name – Free Chapel
- Sweetly Broken – Jeremy Riddle
- My Redeemer Lives – Hillsong
Today’s message was about prayer in our January series ImpACT. We talked about how prayer can help us make an impact in our community. We started off with a song called Let Us Pray. During rehearsal some folks said this song was cheesy. So… we soaked up some 90′s Christian cheese with this one. There were some folks getting down today as we sang this song so I think some folks really liked that we did it. It wasn’t necessarily a “sing-a-long” song but I guess those who knew it sang along.
We had a neat little transition where Thomas (drummer) just stopped the song on the floor tom and I went straight into the intro of Let God Arise. We had some issues getting into the timing but it worked out in the mix since the chord progression just sits in “A” in the intro. By the time we were done, I was out of breath and made the comment that since we have a church full of military, I needed one of our soldiers to take me out on a ruck march to get me in shape. They ALL said they would oblige, lol.
After announcements, we began I Call Your Name and Thomas (drummer) thought he started it. He doesn’t though and threw me for a loop during the whole song. I ended up missing the first half of the verse singing through the second time because my mind wasn’t working. I also don’t think this song is working very well for our congregation. It’s a great song but it just doesn’t seem to be clicking. If you attend Xtreme and like this song, I would love to hear your thoughts.
I really had to get my mind back on things so I prayed before we started Sweetly Broken. By the time we were done with the song I felt the Spirit moving in my heart and wanted to just stay there for a moment so I played the chord progression and was “quiet” with my voice through a few bars. I then began to sing the chorus again a few times where we brought the dynamics up and rocked through the chorus one more time.
My Redeemer Lives was a good way to end out the set and we had a good time with it. Pastor brought a great message about reaching those far from God.
Today marked the last single service Sunday. Next week we go to two services. We had half our church show up to volunteer for spots and our leadership team is on it and ready for God to bring more folks to Xtreme. God has big plans through multiple churches in our town this year. I can’t wait to see what it will look like.
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
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
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
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.
