Anxious?

"Be anxious for nothing..."  Wow, what a challenge that is.  Is that even possible?  Well, like most, I have not mastered this directive.  I mean, seriously, with everything coming at us in our lives and in our world, how can we live this out?  There's just so many things we have to carry.  Just think, gas prices are rising, bills are do, jobs & future plans are uncertain, raising kids is difficult and scary, relationships are struggling, and the list goes on.  So, how am I to live an anxiety-free life?  Paul responds by saying this, "...but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)  This directive is all about our heart condition and response.  Do we trust God more than our circumstances & issues?  Are we holding on to our fears & anxiety or are we surrendering & entrusting them into God's hands?  Are we full of thanksgiving & gratefulness, or are we whiners & complainers?  God is promising us His peace, which is far beyond our understanding, if we will live out this challenge.  If we don't, our hearts & minds will be consumed & overwhelmed by things contrary to what God has for us.  So, if you want to live a joyous life, Philippians 4:8 has this to say: "Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things."

"WWYD"

I watched an episode of "What Would You Do" on Dateline tonight.  I always find the situations quite interesting and challenging.  I always wonder if I would do or say anything in those situations.  One of the situations was particularly interesting.  They had a mixed couple (white girl, black guy) meeting with their parents in a restaurant to tell them they were getting married (all of which are actors).  The parents on both sides were not happy at all and were publicly opposed to their decision.  It was interesting to see the different approaches and comments from people in the restaurant who were bothered by the parents comments.  My favorite comment by one of the parents was: "You're too young and you're too young.  And not to state the obvious elephant in the room, but you're too white and you're too black for you to be together."  I know those thoughts & feelings still exist today, which is a bit sad, but I understand it.  One of the men who stepped in actually said he would react the same if it were his child, but at the same time told the couple they should be together if they truly loved each other.  It is a challenging thought.  So many people take a stand on issues that don't directly affect them, but the real test is when they must confront the issue personally.  Even though I'm in a inter-racial, cross cultural marriage, I ask myself how I'd feel if faced with this issue.  I'm sure that sounds crazy, but until faced with that situation, I can only ponder what I would do. 

The Two Pillars

Over the past few years there are 2 key ingredients that have come to transform the way I approach worship ministry and my life.  I view these things as the "pillars" of living lives of worship.  They are the "Presence" of God and "Excellence" in whatever we do.
I emphasize these two things with the worship team (band & vocals) frequently.  My stance is this: "If all we have is excellence and no presence, we're just another skilled band.  And if all we have is presence and no excellence, we're a group of people who pursue God and make noise for Him.  As Christ followers, 'Presence & Excellence' are inseparable.  We're ineffective for the Kingdom if these aren't active in our lives at home, work place, in worship, etc."  (Just to be clear, Excellence is not perfection, but Excellence is perfected by Presence.  We are not perfect, but we can be excellent in whatever we do and when accompanied by the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit it is made perfect.) 
A really great example of all this is David (read 1 Samuel 16:14-23; 17:32-50).  I made a few observations from these passages.
1. David, an excellent musician carried the presence of God and was used to bless the king.
2. King Saul said David was too young and inexperienced to fight Goliath, but David was an experienced, excellent shepherd who had killed lions & bears.  David knew that God would make him victorious.
3. David didn't use the armor & sword of the king, but used his staff & slingshot to defeat Goliath.  God used him where he was most proficient.
4. When David fought Goliath, his faith & assurance was not in his own skill/proficiency, but in the Lord.  But God was able to use David because he was proficient/excellent with a sling.  God's presence perfected his excellent skills.
Father, help us all to live in Your presence and live lives of excellence for Your glory and honor.  Amen

Discipline

Wow, could this be any harder?  I find that this has to be one of the most difficult areas in my life to master.  Whether it is praying, reading my Bible, practicing guitar or working out, the art of discipline can be frustrating.  They say "you do want you want to do", but that is easier said than done.  Recently though, I started working out with some guys doing "Insanity" (it is truly INSANE, check it out) and have found that the accountability has helped me stay disciplined.  Though our group has dwindled from 5 to 2, it helps me to know someone is waiting on me, someone is depending on me.  I want to encourage you, if you struggle with being disciplined in any area of your life, partner with someone who can help you stay accountable.  It is working for me, maybe it will work for you.

Who's In Your Network?

 

While in prayer one day I was dealing with some fear issues and I felt God ask me "who's in your network?"  Huh, what's Verizon have to do with anything?  Pretty much immediately God reminded me of a great story in the Old Testament (2 Kings 6:8-23).  

Elisha was surrounded by the Syrian army when his servant began to fear and asked, "What are we going to do?"  Elisha said, "Do not fear, those that are with us are more than those who are with them."  He had to have been thinking, "what is this guy (Elisha) on?  There's 2 of us and thousands of them."  Elisha then prayed that God would open the servants eyes to see what he could see.  In that moment, the servant saw an army of fire in the heavens surrounding Elisha.  

God wants us to know that He's in our network!  He's got our back and we don't need to fear. Remember, "If God is for us, then who can be against us". 

The Volcano Within

While praying one day I saw both a dormant & erupting volcano. I began to ponder what it meant. Dormant volcanoes have great potential deep inside, but it usually takes a shift in the atmosphere, a great shaking to wake it up. Unless that "shaking" happens, it will not be able to release the power that exists within.
We as Christians have that power & potential inside us through the Holy Spirit, but unless something shifts in the atmosphere that power/potential will not be released. What is the key? Prayer. When we pray, the atmosphere begins to change and a great shaking begins to happen in the Spirit causing the volcano in us to wake up. The pressure builds & builds until finally "KABOOM". When that happens, nothing can stop it. Spiritually speaking, the enemy has to evacuate if it doesn't want to be destroyed. If we will pray, I mean really pray, the Spirit of God will burst forth through our lives like nothing we've ever seen or imagined and when that happens, watch out. So, start to pray and wake up the volcano within!

Communication In Worship

Leading worship can be somewhat tricky. It carries a lot of responsibility.  I have been in multiple venues of worship and have made some observations regarding how we communicate and the misconceptions many have. Many think, "Well, since I'm a worship leader and I have a mic, I should share what I'm feeling and help motivate the people to worship." Though there are times for this, this couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm not saying we don't ever share anything, but more often than not, our good intentions become a hindrance and distraction to peoples worship experience, especially when we over do it. The goal is to facilitate a worship experience with God.  The most powerful experiences that I've had in worship had a few notable similarities. 1. The presence of the Holy Spirit; 2. Excellence in musicianship; 3. Minimal (if any) talking/sharing during the worship set.  Be careful to not take liberties because you have a mic. If you are going to share, prepare ahead of time (if it's worth saying, it's worth preparing for), discern the moment and let your words be few.
Suggestions: A short passage of scripture (on screen); a quick thought (in transition or in the midst of a song); a simple direction (lift you hands to God, give a shout, etc).