A Legacy of LOVE

Tonight we went around the room at my grandparents house and told what we were thankful for. At first I was a little skeptical, and I wasn’t sure what would come from it (jokes? corniness?). But once we started it went to a pretty serious level. It was really cool hearing all the things my family was thankful for. Once we were done, my grandpa walked in the room to get to his chair (which I learned you’re not supposed to sit in! haha). But when he got in the room someone asked him what he was thankful for…

Now you have to understand something about papa Paul… He is 76 and he has had alzheimer’s disease for the past 10 years. The past 6 or 7 months he has gotten really bad and I honestly don’t think he knows who I am anymore. So when they asked him, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. So there was the usual pause as he looked off into space and we weren’t quite sure that he had fully comprehended the question… And then he spoke up.

As tears filled up his eyes he said, “I’m thankful for, well, I’m thankful for Jesus Christ. I’m thankful for what he did for me and how he has saved me.” He then found himself at a loss for words and simply said, “Jesus, He’s a good guy.” Then he went on to talk about God and the blessings He has poured out on him and his family. And how every day it brings tears to his eyes to see how good God is to him.

Silence fell over the room…

Not a dry eye in the place.

We watched as this man who is losing his memory displayed his intimate love for his Savior. He may not fully comprehend what is happening around him, but there is no doubt that he is passionately in love with God. Oh to be in love with God to the point that it brings tears to your eyes at the mention of His name.

We closed it up by singing Amazing Grace together, and watched as my grandpa closed his eyes in worship.

What a legacy I come from.

Are you in love with our God who is crazy in love with you? Does it show in your life? When is the last time you stopped to thank Him for all he has done for you?

Things I Learned From Hillsong pt. 4

1. It’s not about one person

2. People will volunteer when they are on mission, making a difference

3. Don’t be scared of quiet moments

4. DON’T BE ASHAMED TO GET A LITTLE CRAZY SOMETIMES

While Hillsong was leading us in worship, they acted crazy. They jumped around, they danced, they ran. It was not chaotic, distracting movements, it was simply their way of saying, “My God is so great, and I can’t help but get undignified for Him.”

So often we think we have to act civilized and be structured, especially when we are on the stage. There are times when we just have to let loose, get a little crazy for our God. The more we get to know God, the more we HAVE to worship Him and this may just require getting a little crazy.

ELIMINATE THE CONCERNS FOR OTHER PEOPLES’ OPINIONS OF YOU AND LET LOOSE FOR GOD.

Things I Learned From Hillsong pt. 3

1. It’s not about one person

2. People will volunteer when they are on mission, making a difference

3. DON’T BE SCARED OF QUIET MOMENTS

So often we feel the need to cram as much as we can into the time we have with people, as if they don’t have enough business in their days already. We fill their minds with so much content and have something continuously going in front of them because we don’t want them to get bored and, honestly… we fear the awkward silence that comes from being still.

When Hillsong was leading worship, there were plenty of moments of just silence or swells in the music. They didn’t see the need to be continually presenting something in front of us. Instead, they took time to stop and let God do HIS talking. And those moments were some of my favorites. It gave me the time to tell God what I, personally, wanted to tell him. It definitely wasn’t just words on a screen. It was my heart.

I want to challenge you to embrace the silence. Don’t feel the need to keep cramming more entertainment in front of people and let GOD do some talking. Cause let’s be honest… there are several people that will come through your doors that have not spent any alone time with God that week, letting him speak to them. And maybe just what they need is to hear God whisper in the silence. Are we too prideful to think that God can’t do his talking without us or without any noise?

DISCLAIMER: I know God speaks through teaching, music, etc… I just also know that there is a time to “be still and know that (HE) is God.” Psalm 46:10. Why not do so corporately as well as alone? This was His declaration to the Nations so I see no need to make it just a private matter.

GET RID OF THE NOISE. BE STILL AND KNOW.

Things I Learned From Hillsong pt. 2

1. It’s not about one person

2. People will volunteer when they are on mission, making a difference

I got to talk to one of the Lifechurch.tv worship leaders the night of the Hillsong United worship experience after they got to have lunch with the band. He informed me that only 3 of the people in the band are on staff at Hillsong. The rest were volunteers. The crazy part… there were 9 people in the band… not to mention all of the people running sound and media!

When people have the opportunity to change lives, they jump on board. It’s not about the money, it’s not about the fame and glory, it’s about changing lives. It’s about investing in a cause that makes a difference in peoples’ lives and the world. 

People WANT their life to count for something. They WANT to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They WANT to sacrifice for something that matters.

Are you having trouble finding volunteers? Are you having trouble getting people to jump on board and join your vision?

My question for you is… Are you asking people to join you in a cause that is making a difference? Are you giving them the opportunity to change lives or change the world? Or are you just filling roles and going through the motions of ministry?

BE ON MISSION. BE PART OF A CAUSE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND PEOPLE WILL JOIN YOU ON  YOUR MISSION.

Things I Learned From Hillsong pt. 1

I recently got to go to hear Hillsong United in Tulsa. As I observed and worshiped with them there were 4 things that really hit me. This week I am going to expand on those thoughts.

1. It’s not about one person

When Hillsong United leads worship it’s really hard to tell who the main leader in the band is. They rotate  through who is leading the song and who speaks or prays. As I watched them work I started thinking of how that makes perfect sense. So often it’s all about who is leading worship or who is speaking. The focus is on the people who are only the tools of GOD. There is only ONE who matters. Only ONE who the focus should be on. That is our GOD. HE is the only WHO that matters in those moments. When it becomes about the who and not the WHO, we have lost the point of it entirely.

Now I understand that great leadership must be in place. All I’m trying to say is that when the leadership gets the glory they are robbing the rightful ONE of HIS glory. The focus should be less on an individual and more on our GOD who enables us to lead. You don’t have the chance to give glory to anyone on the Hillsong team because they realize it’s not about them, it’s all about GOD so it doesn’t matter who is leading worship or speaking.

LEAD GREAT AND GIVE ALL THE GLORY TO GOD. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU.

Confession and Prayer

James 5:16

    Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

We will mess up. Even when we are striving after God with everything we have, there will be times when we fail. The key to being healed is 2-part:

      1. Confess our sins to one another

      2. Pray for each other

This is how we can experience freedom from guilt and shame. They go hand in hand. Don’t try one without the other.

Do you want to be HEALED?!

My Goal Through This Blog

The purpose of this blog is to get my thoughts into writing. I plan to write about what God is showing me and how my life and leadership are being developed. This is going to be a fun ride!!