Andre's Worship Blog

Where? Part 2

2011-09-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ah, Sorry to have taken so long to get part 2 but have been busy. Here we go.....
So the audition....
For the audition I had to work up a any four songs I wanted to perform and four songs from a list the Army sent me and one patriotic song. I was informed that the Band Liaison would be in the area and could come to my home for the audition. So I worked up some songs and made my choices from the list. The audition was scheduled for around 7pm on a Tuesday night. The liaison arrived and we began the audition. I worked though the songs I prepared. Once we were finished it was a relief to hear him say….” I wish everyone played like you”. I didn’t have to finish the audition. I only played bits and pieces of different styles for him to show I had some versatility. After receiving a passing grade on my audition Rae and I had to pray over the situation to be sure this was the direction the Lord was leading. This was the hardest decision I have had to make in my life. How many times have we all said that……lol…. Guess what? In case you don’t know you will have to say it again, and again, and again! Get the picture? We felt it was what God wanted us to do and decided to move forward with the Army Band pursuit. I had to setup a medical visit for a physical and take my entry test. I passed both and was now placed on a List of Merit to be selected for the Army Band. The List of Merit is a list of all who have passed the enlistment requirements and you are selected by vacancy. You can be on the list for up to a year. The army Band makes selections on the 15th of every month. So now I had to wait. I’m sure you all enjoy waiting like I do. It’s so easy to do. Knowing your future is on hold is such a peaceful feeling. I’m making a joke. Anyway….a week before the 15th I received a call from my liaison saying the Army was bringing the age limit back to 35 as of May First so I only had one chance to get selected. That was encouraging. I’ve been waiting to hear my chances just got smaller. But Honestly, it was encouraging. I had been praying for God that I couldn’t wait anymore. We had some serious financial issues and I couldn’t put them off for a year. My prayer was make this happen fast or move me on. Then the 15th rolled around and I was selected. It was a huge relief to me. I must say that through this whole time I felt really rejected. Like there was nothing I could do right. I felt like I wasn’t valued. Like I had nothing to offer. It was a low point in my life. Not only that but I was trying to take care of my family and felt I couldn’t do that either. If any of you feel or have felt that way I want you to know I feel your pain. BUT GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE! God has never let me down. I have felt He wasn’t listening. We are always on His mind. He has a plan for our lives. His plan does not always line up with our plan. His directions take us different places than we may want to go. I can say with all certainty that His plan and direction are far better than our own. I have on this journey, now after finishing Basic Combat Training and looking back, see the hand of God in everything I went through. He was with me every step of the way. He has done things through this experience that would have never happened if I had not been obedient and stepped in the direction of His leading. He has begun a healing process in my marriage. He has change the way my wife and I see each other. We truly respect and honor each other now, I have a love for her I cannot explain. God has restored respect for me to my children. He has used me to encourage other soldiers as I endure training and keep up with the young people. God has changed the way I see Him. He is faithful and loving, His grace is so huge. It leaves me in total awe. When you walk in faith your faith grows. Your faith is a mirror image of your relationship with God. I’m not saying your faith will make everything perfect, and you rich, and all that stuff. I’m saying it makes you a child of God. A vessel God can use to change the world by the people that are around you. We are all here for a purpose. We are all here to let the people God has placed in your life know what it’s like to serve a loving, caring, gracious God. I want to tell you that Jesus is worth all you can give. Trust in Jesus and let your faith lead you on an amazing journey.

Where? part 1

2011-08-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 11:7 (MSG)
8 By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going.

I have made a decision to go but I don't know where I'm going. Ever felt that way? I have and I feel that way right now. I have made a decision that seems completely crazy in the natural ( to some). I have recently Joined the US Army. I know, I know.......I've heard the questions. How old are you? Do you have to go through basic training? Will you get deployed? What does your wife think? Have you lost your mind? It may seem crazy but I believe it is the next part of my journey.
I had a very good friend of mine tell me "your like Abraham, going somewhere you don't know" Thanks Mrs. Mary! lol..... She is correct in a sense. Not that I am comparing myself, or she of me, to one of the patriarchs of our faith, but I am on a similar journey.
I will do my best to explain my situation.

I was talking with a friend and we were talking about the afterlife. He was telling me about this program he watched about different people who had death experiences. These stories were from believers of different religions or persuasions and non-believers. We talked about what we thought and what we believed about the after life. It caused a thought in my head. Scary, I know, but here it is. What about the here and now? What do I believe about now. Right Now!

I believe in purpose. I don't believe in coincidence or happen-stance. I believe in Providence. I believe that we are all here for a purpose and all of those we encounter are part of that purpose. Every relationship be it shallow or deep has a bearing on our future. There are people we meet and the become reacquainted with years later. Things some said can make a impact on decisions and thoughts that we make through out the rest of our lives. It truly is amazing and incomprehensible how humanity effects humanity.

The God who controls the universe is also involved in our everyday lives. He is with us through every circumstance of life. I believe He is in every situation. I believe we just have to recognize what is going on around us.

Two years ago my life began to change in a way I was not prepared for. I had started my own business and it was growing. I started part time and after 3 years I was ready to move to full time status. If things would continue in the path of growth of the previous years everything would be great. I was on my way to being "successful". All the pieces fit. It was a no-brain er. I moved into full time and things were going great for the first 6 months of the year. Then all of a sudden the bottom fell out. The phone stopped ringing. Everything I was doing as far a advertising and getting business just didn't work anymore. Nothing I tried made a difference. Things got real bad fast. I had to move out of my office. I had to lessen my insurance. Had to cancel my health insurance. Had to cut back my cell phone plan. It was a hard thing to swallow. I started looking for other employment. All I could get was a part time job. It wasn't much but it was something.

During this time I found a video on YouTube of a military band playing jazz standards. I wasn't sure who they were but learned it was one of the US Army bands. I tried to learn more about the band. Who they were and what they did. I had never heard of a military band doing popular music. I thought it was all marching and ceremonial music. There wasn't much info I could find so I sent off for an information packet on the band. I thought is was great to serve our country and soldier through music. I got the packet in the mail about a week later read through it and put it away. I talked to my wife about it and she said "you are not joining the army"! I really wasn't thinking about joining at the time. I figured any moment business will pick up and I'll be back on track.

It didn't happen. Months went by and we were just getting by. At the time I was coordinating my third Convoy of Hope Outreach and was looking for other job opportunities. I know God has called me into ministry and was even pursing different church positions. Trying to find a worship leader or coordinator job in a church. At this time I received a call from an Army recruiter. He was asking me about my interest in the bands. He said I don't know much about it but he would get a Band Liaison to call me with more information. He did and explained the process. The first thing I had to do was pass an audition. I went home and talked to my wife. At this time I only had one other option. I was called to interview for a job that would have been great to get. I had worked in this establishment before doing the job but as a contractor. I thought I had a great chance of getting the job. I knew everyone there. I was familiar with what they did.
I didn't get the job. I was truly devastated. I didn't know what to do.

My wife and I talked and felt we had to walk through the door that was presented by the Army Band. I scheduled an audition. After all if I didn't pass the audition I couldn't join. The next few weeks was spent trying to schedule the audition. I was nervous about the audition. It has been one of the few times in my life I have ever been nervous about performing. Maybe because there was so much pressure from my situation.

You see I couldn't see where I was going. It didn't seem to be a choice that was in the picture. The picture I was painting. I was so sure I was headed for church ministry. After all I have been preaching and leading worship for the past 15 years. God had given me all these talents for a reason right? To serve Him right? Yes, but He never said exactly how to me. I was looking for what made sense as far as ministry is concerned. Not seeing that my life and the way I live is the ministry I am called to. I will have to make a part two to finish this story. There is still a lot to tell. This just gets to the beginning.

Part two coming soon!

Beating "them" with It.

2011-07-22T06:32:00.001-07:00

My wife and I were talking the other day about a post and news story we read on facebook about the arrest of homosexuals in another country. You may be familiar with the story. I won't name the country or groups responsible. This story sparked a question that is very complicated, at least to me and my very limited brain power. We serve a God who Loves us ALL. Our color or personal preferances are indifferent to Him. There is one thing that matters to Him and that is mentioned in the story below.

John 4

7 A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?"8 (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)

9 The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."

11 The woman said, "Sir, you don't even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this 'living water'?12 Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?"

13 Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.14 Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst-not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."

15 The woman said, "Sir, give me this water so I won't ever get thirsty, won't ever have to come back to this well again!"

16 He said, "Go call your husband and then come back."

17 "I have no husband," she said.18 You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough."

19 "Oh, so you're a prophet!20 Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?"

Jesus is speaking to a someone He shouldn't be. In the Jewish culture it was not acceptable to speak with Samaritans. Jesus begins the coversation with this person. "How bout a drink?" It sets this woman on her heels. "Are you talking to me?" What a response. She knew He was, by culture, forbidden to speak to her. Jesus did anyway not condeming her but being honest with her.

Here is where things get complicated. I believe there are things I don't believe are right because I believe in God's word and what it says. I don't believe immorality is what God wants. Immorality covers a lot of bases. Adultry, lying, stealing, prejudice, homosexuality, and the list goes on. Passing condemnation along is not Godly. There is an answer. Jesus knows that the battle is for our souls and there is one remedy for that. HIM! The Bible and Jesus mean nothing to those who don't believe.

We are saved by Grace through Faith. You can only have Faith if you believe. Faith is Belief. Belief in a Holy God and His Son that He sent to die for us because we can't make it on our own. Let's look at the remaining scriptures.

John 4
21 "Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem.22 You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews.

23 But the time is coming-it has, in fact, come-when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.24 God is sheer being itself-Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

25 The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story."

26 "I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further."

I love this part of the story because it relates to me. I remember where I was 15 years ago. How I was immoral. An Adulturer, a lier, a thief, a selfish self seeking monster. I was addicted to what ever I thought could make me "feel good". A searcher for the answers to why. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't stop doing what I did. I tried to stop cheating and drinking and lying and stealing. I gave it everything that I could. I changed jobs, quit playing in bands, stopped buying alchol and cigaretts. And I changed for a little while but not long.

You see I didn't change until I believed verse 26."I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further." It was then I realized what I was and what HE IS. He loves me enough to reveal Himself to me. He loved me enough to die for me. He loves me enough to Forgive me for who I am...and who I was. I am not perfect. I am far from it. I strive everyday to be moral(for lack of a better word). To be an example of God's Forgiveness in a broken and fallen world. You see I believe the word tells us to love as Christ Loves us. The Word also says
John 15:13
13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.

Ephesians 5
2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Jesus Loves not selfishly. The Love of God is that He Gave Himself for us. He made Himself uncomfortable so that through His Suffering we could be comforted. He is the Truth the Life and the Way. Jesus gives Grace. We need to be more like Him. There is no greater form of worship. Let's look at the next two verses.

27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn't believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it.

28 The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people,29 "Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?"30 And they went out to see for themselves.

The character I love most about Jesus is His confidence in His Message. He knew the ones closest to Himself would be in shock of what He was doing. It didn't stop Him from extending love to "that kind of woman". Jesus is not held back with fear because of what "we" might think. Or what "our" opinion is. Just in case you didn't know, or don't remember, people use to think of you as unworthy of Love. They wrote you off the minute you went down the wrong path, did the wrong thing, had an opinion that didn't line up with theirs, your hair was too long , too short, you didn't wear the right clothes, you parents were bad, you were a different color, you came from the wrong side of the tracks, you didn't talk like them, and the list goes on. Jesus always understood the answer is accepting Him. None of us change without Him. He is the strength and power that truly changes lives.
In verse 28 it says she got the hint. She understood what the disciples were saying without words. It says she left confused. Here was Jesus talking about who He was and the disciples were showing what He wasn't. I think that is mostly the representation we give off as christians. We talk about how Jesus changed our lives and the power He gives us to live each day, But show an intolorrant and exclusivisity to the club. I am not saying that we give in to our convictions. I am saying that we shouldn't convict others by them.

The most powerful statement is in the end of that verse. The message Jesus presented still took root in the woman's life and she spread the message. It says that others went to see for themselves.

We have to have faith in Jesus. That we as His people can bring others into an experience with Him and all that He is. We have to believe that our God is Mighty To Save. The answer we all seek in life is found in who He is. Until we have a relationship and know Jesus, His word and rules are irrelevant to our lives because we don't believe. The time is now as Jesus says in verse 23. They way has been made for us all to worship our God. Thanks and all Glory to you Jesus our Messiah!

What I Want

2011-05-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 4
1 Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.2 Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

The past 2 years have been a crazy time for my family and I. I felt helpless as I watched my finances slowly disappear. The business that I started 6 years ago began to dry up. No matter what I did or how hard I tried I could do nothing to change it. Then my computer equipment began to fail. I lost 4 hard drives of information causing me to start from scratch on numerous projects now putting me behind time wise as well. My wife's job was still there but no raise or bonus for 3 years took it's toll. I was applying for jobs and sent out at least 60 applications and resumes. I finally got a part time job working 3 days a week. It felt like everything was slipping away. The house we built 2 years ago was now such a financial stress we could no longer afford to keep it.

So many thoughts were running through my mind. I couldn't tell what road to follow. Depression began to take control. The worry took all of my energy. I would pray and cry out to God. I would plead for Him to show me direction. I would remember all the words spoken over my life. All the promises He gives in His Word. I was trying to make things fit. For example; I was called into ministry, so God must want me to pursue that. I would apply for different worship leader positions with no avail. I was trying everything I knew to do. I would look for jobs that fit all my talents and experience but nothing was happening.

I found myself at the bottom of a continuously deepening pit. The bills were still coming, life was still in full force, kids needed dental attention, car needs fixing, etc.........
Most of you may be familiar with the situation I found myself in. All I wanted to do was provide for my family and that seemed an impossible task.
I say all these things to let you know I'm not Superman. Just because I am a worship leader and function in traditional ministry, I struggle like everyone else. In my struggle I felt less than adequate before God. I felt like I was singing songs just to sing songs. I was encouraging others in worship but felt so unworthy to do so. My thoughts would beat me down and I would feel exhausted.

Things began to change for me in a strange way. I say that because God began working through a situation that made no logical sense. I felt God had opened a door but it didn't line up with what I was looking for. I find it funny that I was asking God for direction because I couldn't see, but had a picture of what I was looking for. I didn't know what to do, but at the same time knew what I should do. I don't know if that is making sense, of how clueless I was. I thought I knew what I was looking for but didn't have a clue. I refused to see what God had before me because it didn't look right (what ever that is).

I began to just walk through the doors I believed were open. At the time there were 3. As i pursued the doors only one stayed open. Every step through that door moved almost without effort. Things would happen one after the other. It was a near effortless process. Also in following the door that was open confirmation would happen. After making the decision to accept what God presented everything began to fall in line.

As stated in 1 Peter 4 v 1 Jesus suffered everything. I was reminded this Easter season how much Jesus suffered. I saw how much of a human he was. How mush He loved those around Him and us in the distant future. I saw His tears, His heart break, His body broken, His blood spilled, and in that how He had to endure everyday hardship. I'm sure he was thirsty, hungry, made fun of, looking for work. I'm sure He wondered why about so many things. I know He was God, but He was also flesh. I began to see how He thought what God thought. His thoughts kept Him on task to fulfil the plan the Father had for Him. How He let His thoughts go as to not be tyrannized by His own conceptions.

I would like to share this thought with you. Do you already have in mind what God wants you to be and become? Do you know exactly what it looks like? Do you think God moves in traditional boundaries? Do you think that ministry is working at a church, for a church in the examples we have before us such as pastors, worship leaders, youth pastors, children's pastors etc.....? I want to challenge what you may discern as ministry. Jesus didn't show up the way the religious leaders at the time expected. He didn't do things the way the wanted Him to. Jesus wasn't bound by His sufferings or habits. He wasn't controlled by His thoughts and expectations. Jesus fulfilled His purpose by not looking for His own way. He sought the Father's way. May we all be so bold as to be different and unconventional.

Strategic Plans

2010-08-11T13:12:00.001-07:00

Sometimes while I am out cutting my grass, I can calm my mind. I find a place of peace even in the 100 degree plus summer heat. It is a place of simplicity. A place of rest in my mind, soul and emotions. In these times I hear the Lord speak so clearly to me. I was in such a mood yesterday.
I have been on a quest in my life to simplify and focus on what the Lord has called me to. I am pruning away much of the things that take my time and energy. I have also begun to seek outside influences to give me direction and constructive criticism to help me develop. I am determined to be the best I can be in service to the Lord. Not to be arrogant but to give the Lord what He deserves.
My morning began with the word "Strategic". I spent the day pondering the word.
In defining the word Websters online dictionary states :of great importance within an integrated whole or to a planned effect . I then went to 2 Samuel 5. Here we find David becoming king over all Israel. Verse 6 is where we will start.

David Captures Jerusalem (New Living Translation)
6 David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. 7 But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.
David was beginning his reign as king and knew he had to unite the tribes. The Israelites were going through civil war fighting between the old regime and the up and coming regime. Jerusalem was right in the middle. David new that if he could take Jerusalem it would be the most strategic place to rule from. He knew he could make it the center of the kingdom. He also knew that the city was never conquered and if he could accomplish that it would greater solidify his rule. Also we find how confident the enemy was. Jerusalem was a place that was so well fortified that they believed no one could overcome them. David had a plan!

8 On the day of the attack, David said to his troops, “I hate those ‘lame’ and ‘blind’ Jebusites. Whoever attacks them should strike by going into the city through the water tunnel.” That is the origin of the saying, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.”
Here David lays out the strategy for taking Jerusalem. To go in a way no one had gone before. Some theologians believe this was the sewer. There was a tunnel that all the waste water would run down from the hill that Jerusalem was built upon. David gave them the order to attack. and they took the city.

9 So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward. 10 And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

The strategy was all about building the Lords Kingdom. Here we find that David became more powerful because the Lord was with Him. He was in the Lords Strategy. David was a part of bringing the purpose of God into maturity. As we press onward in our journey to serve the Lord we have to know that we have a strategic purpose. Our purpose is so much greater than we know. It is not left only to our personal achievements but also for us to achieve with those around us. We are the body of Christ! Each member with it's own purposes and together individual purposes become one master purpose in the kingdom of God. We believe our God is sovereign, there are no coincidences or happen stance. He is in control of all things. The people who are placed in your life are there by the sovereignty of God. Our friendships and acquaintances are there for a purpose.

As members of a worshiping community we work together to achieve corporate worship. Our expression of worship is meant to be seen or experienced with and by others. When the bible gives us a picture of worship in heaven it talks about all of heaven rejoicing. It mentions all of creation singing. We are placed here strategically to have strategic relationships to achieve the strategic end of the Masters Plan. The person next to you is part of this plan from the Lord. Lets focus on becoming the individual that can influence our surroundings. Let us be a Jerusalem that unites and binds those around us.

We Serve an Uncommon God

2010-08-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

I have often found myself in a predictable position where I seem to follow a ritual way of thinking. I have found myself traveling to work on a day off or waking the kids up to get to school on a Saturday. Maybe it's just me but I get stuck in routines.
I began a regiment of worshiping the Lord in the mornings many years ago. I would get away in my music room,play the keyboard and sing and pray to the Lord. As my life changed so did my worship time and as time went by I got in a routine of praying at night and my musical worship time began to fade into only when necessary. Not a place I want to be. This blog post is to encourage those of you who have let that time slip away to re instill that private time of worship.
My realization of treating God common came one morning in telling my wife Rae "I love you" as she was leaving for work. As I spoke those words I realized they were just words. A ritual had formed from the saying of "I love you" everyday. Not that I don't love my wife but the words "I love you" in that moment were words without depth.
In the book of Samuel we find the voice of God had dimmed. Time had passed were man had put God on the side. Not that they didn't believe in God but they didn't look to Him for answers.
1 Samuel 3 (New Living Translation)
The Lord Speaks to Samuel
1 Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

In verse 1 we find Samuel serving the Lord but assisting Eli. What Samuel knew of the Lord at this point was through the words and direction of Eli. The Lord was not a personal part of Samuel's life. Notice the Lord calls out to Samuel but Samuel doesn't know His voice.

2 One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle[a] near the Ark of God. 4 Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!”
“Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.
6 Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!”
Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”
7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

Samuel Runs to Eli thinking it is Eli who is calling. All Samuel knows it what is common to him. He knows he serves Eli and Eli serves the Lord. He has a relationship with God but through service to Eli not God Himself. Here in verse 8 and 9 we find something begin to happen.

Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

Eli realizes who is calling and explains it to Samuel. Now Samuel has an understanding of who is speaking. A relationship is beginning to develop.

10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. 12 I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end. 13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God[b] and he hasn’t disciplined them. 14 So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.”

Here an uncommon God address how common He has become in the eyes of Eli and His family. God say "I am about to do something shocking". There have been threats made and warnings given but no attention paid to them. Eli and his family are still caring on without regard to a Holy God. All the miracles and wonders God has preformed in the past are now just great stories. His voice becomes uncommon because He has become just god.

The God we serve is so much greater than we can imagine. All of His characteristics are uncommon. His Love for us knows no bounds. A common love will only extend itself so far. His Grace is endless. Common grace will only put up with so much and then shut down. His Forgiveness is limitless it counts no wrong. Common forgiveness only forgives if there is something worth gaining.

There is nothing common about our God. Our God became man and suffered for the sins of mankind. Gave His life by being ridiculed on the cross. He rose back to life in 3 days. He rose into heaven and intercedes still on our behalf. He gives His Spirit to guide, direct and comfort us. Calls us His children and gives us an eternal inheritance. Promises us a life with Him in a perfect Heaven.

In the next verses God makes Samuel and uncommon man because he serves an uncommon God.

15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Tabernacle as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said to him. 16 But Eli called out to him, “Samuel, my son.”
“Here I am,” Samuel replied.
17 “What did the Lord say to you? Tell me everything. And may God strike you and even kill you if you hide anything from me!” 18 So Samuel told Eli everything; he did not hold anything back. “It is the Lord’s will,” Eli replied. “Let him do what he thinks best.”
19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. 20 And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.

Samuel begins his ministry here. He begins Speaking for the Lord. Samuel becomes the mouth of God. He tells Eli what the Lord spoke. Verses 19-21 state what an uncommon man Samuel became. The Lord was with him in everything he did and said and everything Samuel said became reliable. Some translations state The Lord made sure that none of Samuel's words fell to the ground. What an uncommon man Samuel became.

We need to seek God for ourselves. We need to have an understanding of how uncommon He is. That He lives in us and is concerned about us. When we truly see how uncommon God is we will have no choice but to worship Him. We will have new eyes and hearts and our lives will be filled with passion and purpose. As Tommy Walker sings "only a God like you could be worthy of my praise and all my hope and faith." We serve and uncommon God. Let's worship Him accordingly!

Worship Leading a design of the Future

2010-07-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

I have often wondered where the pattern for our worship services appears in the bible. I have never noticed the term "worship leader" mentioned in scripture. I have wondered, How has this term and current format of how we use music as worship in our services biblical. I have recently began reading a great book on worship by A.W. Tozer in titled "What Ever Happened to Worship". I have only read the first chapter but in that the Lord began to show me what i have searched for. It begins in Revelation chapter 5.

Revelation 5 (New Living Translation)
The Lamb Opens the Scroll
1 Then I saw a scroll[a] in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,[b] has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit[c] of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign[d] on the earth.”

I believe Here is the example of our term "worship leader". The elders and the living beings begin to sing a new song. They give a voice and a method of expressing the worthiness of the Lamb of God. The overwhelming truth of the moment gives birth to a sound of worship in a musical manner. They use their harps and voices and begin singing, a heart felt revelation expressed in passion to our Lord Jesus Christ. It begins a progression of worship that is followed in verse 11.

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”

Here we find the progression of worship from the elders and the living creatures being passed on to the "Choir of Heaven". I believe this is the worship band, choir, singers. All the people who make up what we consider or "worship team". I also see how the revelation passed from the "leaders" the elders and living creatures express a little differently. Their words represent the vision the heavenly choir sees. The progression continues in the next verse.

13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

This is a great verse to me. The Whole of Heaven and earth. Every creature sings a revelation to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I see this as the "congregation" if you will. The whole worshiping in Truth to the revelation passed on from the elder and living beings, to the angelic hosts, down to every creature in heaven and on earth.

In Tozer's book he makes a statement which I find to be profound. He states "If you have trouble worshiping the Lord here on earth then I don't believe you are ready for heaven". In heaven we will worship the Lord for all eternity. We will truly see how marvelous and amazing the God we serve truly is. I am sure it will be the most amazing experience we as worshipers of God could ever have.

I don't believe worship is all about singing and music. I do believe that they are vehicles of expression the Lord has given us. There is something that moves us in music and inspires us to to participate. It is also an expression the Lord uses in Heaven.

14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

This last verse brings the experience full circle. As a worship leader when the congregation truly worships God it causes me to worship more. It magnifies His greatness in my own eyes. It intensifies how awesome He truly is. Here the elders and living creatures fall down and cry "Amen!" Jesus is worthy of our worship. Worship is giving our lives to the One who gave His life for us. Jesus has called us to follow and make a difference in the world around us.

From a quote I read once, "Let us tune into the worship service already in progress in Heaven". I believe what we know as worship leading is a future or prophetic action of what to expect in Heaven when we find ourselves before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All praise, glory and Honor to the Lamb who was slain!