I went into this conference excited, but tired from getting ready for it. I knew that God would do great things and that his Spirit would be moving, but I had no idea as to how much this would be true.
I had the unique opportunity to be one of the drivers that drove around the artists and the speakers back and forth from the hotel to the church. I was selected to do that job, but I had no idea how blessed I would feel for serving in that capacity.
One of the awesome things was how open and encouraging the people from Integrity were. The conversations I had the opportunity to interact in were such a blessing. The wisdom and insight that the artists and speakers have are truly a gift from God, and that was at our finger tips.
That wisdom and insight was spoken into my own life, and I am grateful for that opportunity.
God is good and he uses people in all sorts of ways. I hope that whether you were a conference attendee, or whether you were serving in some capacity to help the conference run smoothly, that God spoke to you through the artists and speakers in the way that you needed.
Let us continue to thank God for his provision in our life!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Why should I ?
Why should I bother going to some conference on leading Worship? I'm a horn player. We don't lead worship, we just play our instruments and try to stay out of the way. I was very confused as to why Aaron wanted me to attend this conference. I went out of respect to him as a leader of my church. I had to drag myself there on Thursday. I got there to find out there was only one class on using horns in worship and that was on Friday. Oh, great! Why am I here? My heart was hardening, my ears were closing and Satan was smiling.
Then the first speaker said, "You must have a servants heart to lead." A theme that was repeated many times over the next two days. I went from confused to convicted. I opened my ears and closed my mouth and asked God to do a work in me. I met other believers who long for what we have here. I met worship leaders who have 8 members of their team and NO instrumentalists. I prayed with worship leaders who are going home with a renewed spirit and a refreshed outlook, knowing that when they get home, only they will have changed. They will be facing trials to try and bring their new knowledge to their home church. I felt the blessings of God, "pouring out like hot honey" and I felt closer to Him than I had in a long time.
I don't know how to move forward with this. I felt God telling me, I am not using His gifts enough for His glory. I need to a part of a song writing community group. Dedicated to lifting Him up, in New Song. We don't have one, so I guess I need to start one. I don't have a clue how it would work but I think that's up to Him.
Aaron, thank you for encouraging me to attend this conference. God has begun a new work in me.
Steve
Then the first speaker said, "You must have a servants heart to lead." A theme that was repeated many times over the next two days. I went from confused to convicted. I opened my ears and closed my mouth and asked God to do a work in me. I met other believers who long for what we have here. I met worship leaders who have 8 members of their team and NO instrumentalists. I prayed with worship leaders who are going home with a renewed spirit and a refreshed outlook, knowing that when they get home, only they will have changed. They will be facing trials to try and bring their new knowledge to their home church. I felt the blessings of God, "pouring out like hot honey" and I felt closer to Him than I had in a long time.
I don't know how to move forward with this. I felt God telling me, I am not using His gifts enough for His glory. I need to a part of a song writing community group. Dedicated to lifting Him up, in New Song. We don't have one, so I guess I need to start one. I don't have a clue how it would work but I think that's up to Him.
Aaron, thank you for encouraging me to attend this conference. God has begun a new work in me.
Steve
BUSINESS AS USUAL'? i don't think so
Aaron, thanks for taking the initiative to begin this dialogue -- we want to hear perspectives from everyone.
what a PRIVILEGE to host amazing people with rich gifts that imparted fresh life to us. this was a major highlight to me. observing the humility, passion, and excellence exuded -- all to God's Glory -- was a rare inspiration to me. Pillars in the worship world such as Don Moen, Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche, Carl & Leann Albrecht.....to name only a few.....who have served with faithfulness and longevity drawing from the deep well of salvation. that's where the power comes from. that same power which raised Jesus from the dead is available to anyone that falls on His mercy & grace. that's us!
our pursuit to serve God is not just a job. it is a calling. an appointment, we're commissioned by God. chosen. i was reminded to honor that call. not take it for granted. fan the flame. pursue the qualities that take us from mere musicians to vessles of Almighty God.
Dr. Pete Sanchez challenged me in this direction. Reminding us that discipline is a key in developing into a 'vessel of honor'. not pursuing fads, fame or fair-weather commitments....but going deep with an aim to know God. pursue Jesus. live in the power of the Holy Spirit. this is the substance that we need. the world needs. not a counterfeit, superficial presentation of a temporal gift or opinion.
If you know & sense that your life lacks power and passion, i encourage you to check with Exalt to borrow or buy this session by Dr. Sanchez on the natural & spiritual disciplines of an effective 'minister' in worship. i'm not just talking about 'the worship leaders'. but any and all facets of exalt ministry -- or ANY ministry. the more we all see ourselves as leaders under God's reign, the more powerful and effective our praise, worship and lives will become.
finally, in response to Aaron's post re: what Christ – obediently absorbing every drop of the wrath of God – has taken for us:
JESUS, OUR PROPITIATION
SINGLE KEY TO TRUE SALVATION
RELEASING US FROM EVERY CURSE ON EARTH
WE'VE BECOME HIS DESTINATION
NOT BY MIGHT OR MEDITATION
BUT LOVE FOR MAN & WOMAN, BOY & GIRL
LET'S RESPOND TO HIS INVITATION
BECOME HIS HOME IN THE MIDST OF CREATION
BE THE LIGHT HE WANTS TO SHOW THE WORLD
BE THE HOPE TO EVERY NATION
PEACE BEYOND IMAGINATION
WE WORSHIP, REFLECT HIS GLORY & HIS WORTH
.....just food for thought. reminding us that this is way beyond us. we join, together, to become part of His huge purposes for all generations.
thanks for doing this with us.
peace...............liz
what a PRIVILEGE to host amazing people with rich gifts that imparted fresh life to us. this was a major highlight to me. observing the humility, passion, and excellence exuded -- all to God's Glory -- was a rare inspiration to me. Pillars in the worship world such as Don Moen, Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche, Carl & Leann Albrecht.....to name only a few.....who have served with faithfulness and longevity drawing from the deep well of salvation. that's where the power comes from. that same power which raised Jesus from the dead is available to anyone that falls on His mercy & grace. that's us!
our pursuit to serve God is not just a job. it is a calling. an appointment, we're commissioned by God. chosen. i was reminded to honor that call. not take it for granted. fan the flame. pursue the qualities that take us from mere musicians to vessles of Almighty God.
Dr. Pete Sanchez challenged me in this direction. Reminding us that discipline is a key in developing into a 'vessel of honor'. not pursuing fads, fame or fair-weather commitments....but going deep with an aim to know God. pursue Jesus. live in the power of the Holy Spirit. this is the substance that we need. the world needs. not a counterfeit, superficial presentation of a temporal gift or opinion.
If you know & sense that your life lacks power and passion, i encourage you to check with Exalt to borrow or buy this session by Dr. Sanchez on the natural & spiritual disciplines of an effective 'minister' in worship. i'm not just talking about 'the worship leaders'. but any and all facets of exalt ministry -- or ANY ministry. the more we all see ourselves as leaders under God's reign, the more powerful and effective our praise, worship and lives will become.
finally, in response to Aaron's post re: what Christ – obediently absorbing every drop of the wrath of God – has taken for us:
JESUS, OUR PROPITIATION
SINGLE KEY TO TRUE SALVATION
RELEASING US FROM EVERY CURSE ON EARTH
WE'VE BECOME HIS DESTINATION
NOT BY MIGHT OR MEDITATION
BUT LOVE FOR MAN & WOMAN, BOY & GIRL
LET'S RESPOND TO HIS INVITATION
BECOME HIS HOME IN THE MIDST OF CREATION
BE THE LIGHT HE WANTS TO SHOW THE WORLD
BE THE HOPE TO EVERY NATION
PEACE BEYOND IMAGINATION
WE WORSHIP, REFLECT HIS GLORY & HIS WORTH
.....just food for thought. reminding us that this is way beyond us. we join, together, to become part of His huge purposes for all generations.
thanks for doing this with us.
peace...............liz
None Left To Drink
We just hosted a worship conference here last week called Journey to the Heart of Worship. The folks at Integrity Music put the conference on and did an amazing job. Seeing so many people (myself included) being taught, challenged, convicted and inspired inside the walls of our building was an amazing experience.
In one session, Pastor Bob Kauflin from Baltimore, MD reminded us all of the importance of writing and singing songs about Christ's finished work on the cross. Singing about the existence of the cross is fine, but to actually verbalize it's significance on so many levels is a powerful doctrinal statement that will transform our praise.
Hebrews 10 tells us that on the cross Jesus drank every last drop from the cup of God's wrath. There is none left to drink. The completeness of Jesus' sacrifice and satisfaction of God's wrath is overwhelming. Scholars call this propitiation. When is the last time you can remember singing about propitiation?
Here is the second stanza from the hymn Before The Throne of God Above written by Charitie Lees Bancroft that brings poetic power to the concept of propitiation:
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
To sing these words brings the gravity and reality of God's infinite Justice and infinite Mercy crashing down on my consciousness. I am ruined. I am broken of my own pride and self-reliance. I did not climb Calvary's hill. Jesus did. I am no longer preoccupied with trivial earthly forms like musical style. It is then that I begin to worship my Lord for who He is and what He has done.
Today, I would like to encourage you all to read Hebrews 10 and then go to the iTunes Store or wherever and find a recording of 'Before The Throne of God Above'. Listen to it intently while you are alone and prepare to be ruined by God's love for you.
Blessings,
Aaron
In one session, Pastor Bob Kauflin from Baltimore, MD reminded us all of the importance of writing and singing songs about Christ's finished work on the cross. Singing about the existence of the cross is fine, but to actually verbalize it's significance on so many levels is a powerful doctrinal statement that will transform our praise.
Hebrews 10 tells us that on the cross Jesus drank every last drop from the cup of God's wrath. There is none left to drink. The completeness of Jesus' sacrifice and satisfaction of God's wrath is overwhelming. Scholars call this propitiation. When is the last time you can remember singing about propitiation?
Here is the second stanza from the hymn Before The Throne of God Above written by Charitie Lees Bancroft that brings poetic power to the concept of propitiation:
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
To sing these words brings the gravity and reality of God's infinite Justice and infinite Mercy crashing down on my consciousness. I am ruined. I am broken of my own pride and self-reliance. I did not climb Calvary's hill. Jesus did. I am no longer preoccupied with trivial earthly forms like musical style. It is then that I begin to worship my Lord for who He is and what He has done.
Today, I would like to encourage you all to read Hebrews 10 and then go to the iTunes Store or wherever and find a recording of 'Before The Throne of God Above'. Listen to it intently while you are alone and prepare to be ruined by God's love for you.
Blessings,
Aaron
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