Logan, Jayson and Brenton as the "Three Kings" during Christmas program. They were right on!

We had a really cool practice this past Wednesday. Every once in a while, after the dust settles from the holidays and life cools down a bit, we have a chance to dig in and learn some new tunes. We had a chance to do just that on Wednesday and the moment of creativity we had during the song "Faithful" was awesome. At first, the guys didn't like it and wanted a recording to hear how it "really" sounded. I said no...we need to make this "ours". As soon as you let go and let the music flow from your very core..amazing things begin to happen. The same goes for your walk with Christ. As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up for you. Oswald Chambers is a great author and I have been reading his book again for my quiet times, other than my Beth More study witht the ladies Tuesday morning study. I just wanted something more to read. He says: as you begin to live your life of faith, you will actually waive your own rights and let God make the choice for you. However, God sometimes will allow me to get into a time of testing and tough times in order for me to realize that I waive my own rights and allow God to work freely through me. This is so tough for me as I want to control my feelings emotions and actions. He says that whenever my right becomes the guiding factor in my life, it dulls my spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but choices which are not quite good enough. hmmm...I'm thinking that many of us might not be growing spiritually because we continue to choose on the basis of our rights instead of depending on our awesome God to make the choices for us. Oh man! I want so badly to learn to walk with Jesus according to the standard which is: I will ALWAYS have my eyes fixed on Jesus for direction. I KNOW that I don't always live like that. I would like to think that I do...hmmm...then something comes up that hurts so bad. It rattles my emotions and shakes the very core of who I am. I know the right thing to do is fix my eyes on Jesus...but I often times fix my eyes on myself and my own feelings. Not sure that is the right thing to do.

How does this relate to the band thing? hmm...i think it just got me thinking of how awesome it is when we all fix our eyes on the common goal of creating God's music. It becomes God's ART! I want God's art in my life. Do you? hmmm...just some random thoughts of mine.

Our Next Worship Praise Team last week

In the history of the Bible, true men of faith have been willing to lay down their life before God. I am thinking specifically of Stephen in the New Testament. My mom used to tell us the story of his great faith and unwavering love for God's Son. He was unafraid to declare it to his friends and those who were hostile towards the Christians of that day. He ultimately lay ed down his life for His Savior when the people were relentless in their criticism and violence. They picked up stones and threw them at him until he was so badly bruised and beaten that he died. It says in scripture that his soul went immediately up to Heaven. He is spoken very highly of in the history of Christian saints. He is the epitome of Christian boldness . His fearless approach to obedience is amazing.

Making the first move...someone must make the first move, someone must be willing to lay down his life and be willing to do what must be done. Is there possibly something that God is wanting me to do? In every movement in the Bible, no matter how big or small, someone was willing to go first. Isn't the essence of spiritual leadership someone who is willing to follow God first and closest? Sometimes, I feel as if I am a small child who is afraid to walk through a dark hallway. I remember saying to my bigger brother: "You go first. No, you go first!" and so on. (ps...big bro, if you are reading this, I usually went first!!!)

This past weekend, while at Spring Hill with the High school kids, the speaker was giving an example of playing the game of basketball. He was big and gawky for his age and pretty much uncoordinated as well. Chosen for the 7th grade bball team basically for his size alone, he was content to sit on the bench during the games...you know? less pressure, but still part of the team. By his 9th grade year, he was getting dressed for the first game of the season & noticed the board where the names of the starters were written. He saw his name last on the list. He was blown away in disbelief and went and asked the coach what in the world he was thinking! The coach simply stated: "You're starting. It is up to you whether you get your head in the game and actually play and contribute to the team. I see immense potential in you."

This simple story really struck me. Many times I show up, but don't actually get my butt off the sidelines & PLAY! Stephen was NOT a "sideliner" He was in the game! Am I in the game? Am I leading others to Jesus? Are You? Am I a contributer to the team? Am I leading and willing to follow God first and closest so others can see Jesus in me? hmmm...just some random thoughts of mine. What do you think?

I'm out of the office this weekend! I will be going with the High School kids from WCC to Spring Hill as a sponsor. Please pray that I won't break any bones and theat I will be good with the girls. It's a priveledge to share in this opportunity and I'm looking forward to it! woohoo! Tubing Hills here I come!

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Serve the Lord with gladness come before His presence with singing! Even though I turn 40 next week!!!

yikes!

So...I was reading today about Gideon. God called him to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. They were being controlled by a nation that was both evil and powerful warriors. He called Israel to Battle and they had NO idea how they would ever win! Over and over again throughout history, God has called His people to do battle with the enemy with no hope in sight for success. He was calling His people out of their comfort zones and into the realm of uncertainty. It must have been so scary! I believe this is what faith is about! It is trusting in God's sovereignty. It is trusting in the very character of God, being certain, without a doubt of Who God is and following Him into the unknown. This relationship of clarity and uncertainty id demonstrated in the life of Gideon. Do you remember? He was initially not convinced in the power of God. Not just once, but twice, he put his infamous fleece out. He was asking for a sign that God would be on his side. Each time, God responded to him lovingly and graciously assuring him that He would be with him. God called Gideon a mighty warrior when He first addressed him. He was with him all along the way at first and was intricately involved in the planning of the war. He asked him to decrease his army of ten thousand to 300 and gave him the test to give his men. I think this part is so cool! "...the ones who lap the water with their tongues like a dog, they get to go home. Keep the ones who bring the water to their mouth with their hands..." I'm sure Gideon must have been totally freaked out by this. The Midianites were known all over the place for their oppression! They spared NO living thing when they won a battle! They would even ruin all the crops and animals! Facing such an enemy must have been very overwhelming and then to be stripped down to three hundred men! Yet God gave him the victory. God convinced him that he truly was the warrior created to deliver the Israelites. I think when god is involved...things get really creative! Our environment, attitude and actions become changed to that of our Creator. Is "uncertainty" the environment in which God invites us to be creative? I believe all of us have a calling to live our lives in such a way that we are moving forward with God's creative plan for "battle". (giving our life away) Erwin McManus writes that "faith is all about character, trusting in the character of God, being certain in Who God is and following Him into the unknown." Am I doing that right now? What does God have for me in 2008? Am I willing to be a "Gideon" at this church? in life? Am I willing to lead God's people in uncertain times, into uncertainty? hmmmm...

FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR AND THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN...