Calling all Musicians and worshipers

I am a musician. I play the drums and guitar. I LOVE the drums and make due on the guitar. Music has a consistent place in my life. But there is music and then there is WORSHIP music. Worship music is music that I thrive on.

This post is to call all musicians that are on church worship teams around the globe to re-think how you play your instrument.

Is it for show?

Is it for the a self-serving purpose?

Why are you on stage?

What I love about when I play is the fact that I can mess up and realize that no matter what, God is pleased. I play for HIM. Not for man. I don't seek praise from others. In fact, I really don't like when people praise what I do whether on stage or off. I prefer to know how it affects you not that I did good.

I found an article on a church's web site, Way of the LORD, that says what I feel...

"It’s not just a song service and the worship team is not a performance group. We are called to lead the congregation into the throne room."

Remember... It's NOT about you. If you make it about you then you will never thrive.

-BK

The hands of a leader

Scripture:

Exodus 17

Observation:

Aaron and Hur held the hands of Moses up so the fight against the Amalekites could prove victorious for the Israelites.

Application:

Oh how I LONG to be able to do this. This is my calling. To be an armor bearer. To hold up the arms of the leaders above me. I am getting the chance to do this on a small level now. I know for me this is exciting when I am able to take the pressures off of those that lead, as I know what it is like to be under a lot of pressure with so much responsibility.

Prayer:

Lord help me to recognize those times when I can raise the hands of my leaders up!

Maybe the Democrats FINALLY get it!

Ok, so this is not your typical post from me... Well maybe it is, but read it. You may be as pissed at the democrats as i am...

Here is how they think... Since the election for Massachusetts Senator race didn't go as they hoped, they are now re-thinking their strategy. One representative said this:

Take From FOX News online (Link at the bottom)

Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., a fierce advocate for health care reform, also said it might be time to take a time-out on health care reform and focus on jobs.

"It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to take a step back and say we're going to pivot, do a jobs thing, and try to include some health care things as a part of that," he said. "If we were struggling and making the bill worse with a 60-vote Senate majority, I don't see how we make it better with 59."

This story can be found here

Can this be true?! A democrat in power re-thinking strategy to focus on where America is hurting the MOST?! I am very angry with this. Why the hell have they been so focused on Health Care and not on job creation? The "stimulus" packages didn't help all that much, but it still got us further into debt....

If you vote democrat I urge you to reconsider next election period. The dems are not looking at our unemployment rate. They are looking at health care. How is health care going to help families that can't pay for it? (BTW it's not actually FREE Health care)

Tower of Bable

Scripture:

Genesis 11:1-9

Observation:

Confusion and chaos

Application:

I am confused... I know the story about the tower of Babel, but why? Why would God go and confuse all of the people and scatter them? I don't know why. It seems to me that God would want His people to work together. Live as one. In unity. Instead, he allowed discord to happen. Created it.

The more that I think about it, doesn't God know all? Maybe it would create havoc to have everyone together in one place. Maybe God would be forgotten. Maybe he saw that once the people worked together as one, they would no longer feel the need for God. That there would be no need for a relationship with Him because they have everything they needed.

Prayer:

God, thank you for knowing more than I. For knowing that we will hurt ourselves in the long run and you want to prevent that... Thank you.

Death, destruction, pain, suffering and praise...

Scripture:

Revelation Chapters 5-9

Observation:

Plagues, trumpets, scrolls, bowls, death and destruction

Application:

I looked at the reading today and didn't even need to read the entire thing. I know the section well. It's about the end of days when God will pour out his judgment and wrath on the unrepentant. There is, however, one section that I do love to read. It is Revelation 7:9-17

It talks about those that will come out of the great tribulation period and will be in the presence of God and serve Him... in verse 14 it says this;

"These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
¹⁶Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Oh for that day when He will accomplish this with us! This gives me hope. plus, it shows me that what ever I am going through now will totally be worth the reward.

Prayer:

Father, Your name be praised!!

Hurting people and Christmas

Christmas time is a joy-filled time when we can all get together and enjoy the company of people and food. It is also a time where we can reflect on the year and on the things that we enjoy. It's also a time of hurt for some. December has always been bitter sweet for me, since moving to the west coast.

There have been many deaths around this time of the year. This week I experienced this again. In a weird progression a dear friend of our had a death in her life that made our hearts break for her loss. Yesterday one of my housekeepers came in and told us she has to go to Mexico as her father died yesterday. Elena, my head housekeeper, and I laid hands on and prayed for her. She then cried and let Elena hold and comfort her. Then last night we received the news that a beloved volunteer and friend of our at work passed away. Kym gave her all to the Lord. She had her own mail box in with the pastors, our only volunteer that had one.

Father, as we are hurting today we thank you for everything that you do. For all that you have given. For all that you are. We are so grateful that Kym is with you today. Tell her that she is loved and missed. Thank you again. Let us grow closer with these things. AMEN.

BK

Selfishly Impure...

Scripture:

Hebrews 12, 13; Jude

Observation:

Conviction

Application:

As much as I would love to be truly transparent about this reading I am afraid I can't. What I can say is that I need to be transparent with God about these areas that I deal with. Pride, selfishness and purity.

I am prideful. I have thoughts, as I am sure that you do too, that make me want to hide from myself. My head is so full of prideful thoughts sometimes that I want to scream. I consistently have to ask myself if I am doing it for me or for God... I think this is partly to do with the fact that I do not handle words of affirmation well. I don't like the "Your doing a great job." or "You are totally awesome we picked the right person" or "You are a great drummer". I don't feel right when people say these things that I don't really know why.

I am Selfish. I have this desire to make me #1... ALL THE TIME. I don't express it verbally, but it's in my actions. Maybe I need to make sure I take that weekly Sabbath that I so desperately need... Then again is "Me Time" biblical? I know God time is and time for others... but is "Me Time" biblical? Sounds like more selfishness... Ugh... "Nothing's fine, I'm torn" (SixPence, none the richer)

I am not pure. Need I say more? My thoughts, my actions, my mouth... Marriage doesn't heal the past. Marriage doesn't get rid of the things that you thought it would. No second thoughts about it... Just need the accountability I once had...

Prayer:

Father, where do I begin?

This Devotion gave me a headache... Some of you know what that means...

Putting emotions under the bus

Why is it so hard when you are in the heat of things to think clearly? You say things that other's that are involved either love because they totally agree with you about something or they totally hate you for it...

I can tell when I have grown... Bit by bit i handle situations differently than the previous one. In the end, it is all a learning curve... I wishi it was easier... But is't not.

Destroy thy flesh!

Scripture:

Job 19:25

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth...

Observation:

Jesus is alive and well and is coming back.

Application:

There is an old song called My Redeemer Lives. If you have been raised in the church you know it. If you haven't been raised in the church, but have attended a funeral you have probably heard it. It's one of those songs that I have sang over and over again and it has never really phased me. On my way to work this morning I was driving in silence when this song randomly popped into my head. I started to sing it and actually got those "Jesus Chills" that I get whenever I feel the presence of God. Part of the song goes;

Though my flesh it be destroyed
Yet with my eyes I will see God

For I know that my redeemer lives
And I will stand with Him on that day

This last week was a really stressful and fast week, up to today. Last night I was able to have dinner with a friend and really talk about things in life and get to know each other on a level that we have not known yet. It was a fruitful meal and the time spent was well worth it. It seemed to bring a relief to all of the things this last week brought and kind of start fresh for today.

In that, I believe God put this song on my heart to let me know that, through everything that goes on and the fact that my flesh, the world and every material thing that I have will ultimately do me no good in the end, I WILL SEE GOD. Through the hardships that I sail and all of the things that the enemy throws my way to trip me up, I will stand with God on that day when I see Him.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for quickening to me this verse/song that shows me the truth and that everything is good in your sight. That you are everlasting and we will see you on that final day and stand in your presence and realize, YOU are the one we have waited for.

Thank You

A day of Thanks?

Scripture:
Psalms 118:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever...

Observation:
What more can you observe than the ultimate truth about God? HE IS GOOD!!!

Application:
God is good... All the time, and all the time? God is good! It's a mantra that we say at Easthill and probably all over the world. What is there not to like about God? If you read about Him you will find He is good and so much more! Here is a snippet of what the Word says;

Shane Barnard - Psalm 145 Lyrics

Great is the Lord

So worthy of praise

Great is the Lord

One generation will

Commend Your kingdom

To one another

They will speak of

You And I will meditate

On Your wonder

And they, they will speak

Of Your glorious splendor

Of Your majesty

Everyday I'll praise

Thee Forever and ever

Everyday I will praise

Everyday I will praise

For You open Your hand

And satisfy desires of all things

My God, the King

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

Who call on Him

In truth He is near to them

He is hears their cry

And saves them, He saves them!

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

Every day I will praise

Every day I will praise

For You open Your hand

And satisfy desires of all things

For You open Your hand

And satisfy desires of all things

My God, the King Lord,

You are gracious Y

ou are slow to anger

Abounding in love

You are good to us [x4]

Prayer:

Father, May we NEVER cease to praise and give you thanks!