Press 1

Try to call the State or the Federal Government. Go ahead, try. You know what you’ll get? The “press 1″ system. You know it well. A recorded voice for the first 10 minutes of your call. “Press 1 if you’d like this. Press 2 if you’d like that”. I had to call recently, and it went all the way to “Press 8″.  I used to pretend I was a rotary phone, to get a real person quicker. They figured me out. Now its, “Press or SAY 1 now”. Rats. So, I wait, and when I finally get deep enough to be connected to a real live person, I get “Your call is important to us. All of our customer service representatives ae currently helping other customers. Please hold and your call will be answered by the next available representative, in the order it was received.” In other words, get in line pal. So, after another 10 minutes holding at this level, I finally got someone. My whole conversation with her took about 15 seconds. Really, it did. A 20 minute 15 second phone call. So Ken, what’s the connection here.  Real simple. Aren’t you so very glad of the fact, that when we stop at any moment, to pray, or worship, we have an immediate connection to God. There is no “Press 3 for wisdom”. He is there. If that doesn’t wag your tail, I don’t know what will. If you feel like you have to go through the “Press 1″ process to get connected to God, you need to know, it isn’t a disconnect on His end. You might very well be just making it a whole lot more complicated than it really is.

Shall we dance?

The time we spend in worship is undoubtedly an opportunity for us to express our love for God. But it is also a time when God expresses His love for us. Not that He needs to. How much more love do we need God to express, than through the sacrifice of Christ? Do we really need Him to say it again, show it again, some other way?  No, but He likes to.  And so He does, and often, when we are expressing ourselves to Him. And something very powerful happens in this. God’s expressed love for us, and our expressed love for Him, are placed side by side. And our love is revealed, even exposed, for it’s sincerity, or lack thereof. This is good. This is helpful. This is tough. God’s love for us  is unquestioned. Ours is always boiled for impurities. God loves us, faithfully. He has proven Himself. But we have proven ourselves often susceptible. There are false lovers who entice us, even in the midst of a worship service. While we are raising our hands. While we are singing grand lyrics out loud. Maybe we are dancing in the aisle, or crying out on our face at the altar. A false lover will be there, even then, to entice us.  They dance before us like the daughter of Herodias. Distracted thoughts. How we look and sound to others. How we feel about that person we just saw, or thought of.  “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. ” You are what you are thinking. You are, where your thoughts are. So, where are you? Even in the midst of an intense, powerful, passionate worship time, you can be lured away. In fact, it really isn’t that hard to do. We are, at times, pathetic (no offense). But God will watch, and wait, to see what we will do. He would like, actually, to dance with us. But the false lovers dance around us, examining us. Will we be faithful. Will we fight the good fight, in our minds. Will we be overcomers, of our human nature. Will our spirit bear witness with His Spirit. Make the connection. Turn away from the dancers. This is good. This is helpful. This is tough. But if we are to worship in spirit and in truth, this is a must. Honestly, I think we have the “spirit” part. It’s the “truth” part that we get hung up on. We give in too easy. We wander. We dabble. We linger. And then the time, the moment, is no more. We can have another moment, but we will never get that one back again. It’s gone, forever. So, God has proven His love for us. How can we prove ours? By fighting. By choosing to master our thoughts. By giving as a gift, not just once, but again and again, our attention.  This time of worship, when we commune with God, is a holy time. But it is also, if I can borrow a thought from Ted Dekker, a time of romance. The bride and her bridegroom, sharing a dance. Shall we?

What were you thinking!?

Many years back, I recall being at a concert by Mickey and Becky Moore. If you remember them, I’m sorry to tell you, you’re old. Get over it. Anyway, they did a song, and I cannot remember the title or most of the lyrics. What I do remember, is that it had lyrics that basically said, “me me me me me….” Maybe the inspiration for Matt Redman’s “it’s all about you Jesus” in his song, Heart of Worship. Maybe not. The point…..when we have set aside that time for worship. When we have done all the preparation. Practiced to near perfection. Prayed and believed that we might offer sincere praise. In the end, it all comes down to, what are you thinking about. Our minds are wonderful depositories of so many things. That’s the good news. That’s also the bad news. It is hard to focus on Him, during worship. Admit it. There are so many distractions. Things that have happened earlier that day. We might even wander to an event from childhood. We might see a stain on our shirt or a friend who is biting his nails or an instrument that is juuuuust not quite in tune. Whatever it is, our minds will capture it, analyze it, and spend precious seconds somewhere other than the throne room. All while still standing at your seat. It takes effort to focus. And to stay focused. To make this time about him, and not about whether my kid needs new shoes because I just noticed how bad they look, will take everything you’ve got. That is the sacrifice of praise. Not much of a sacrifice. We’re not giving up much, really. But we are giving up really the only thing we truly own. Our devoted attention. So make it about Him. Fight that fight.

Feelings

A song that was the epitome of the “bad song” the “drippy” song. “Feelings, whoa whoa whoa feelings…” You’ve heard it. But without comment on the lyrics, (amazing aren’t they?) how about just the thought, feelings, and how it relates to worship. How many times (hundreds of times), have you thought in your head on a Sunday, “I really don’t feel like it today.” To misquote Tina Turner, “whats feelings got to do with it.” My answer…a lot. We have been taught that feelings are irrelevant in worship. It doesn’t matter, just worship anyway. I have a problem with that. Of course, God is worthy of our worship at all times, in spite of how we are feeling. But feelings irrelevant? Hogwash. (is that a swear word somewhere? I hope not) We are humans. And as such we have emotions. We feel good. We feel bad. We are happy. We are sad. We are in the mood to sing. We would rather be silent. It is who we are at that moment, and it is not irelevant. We do not ignore how we feel. In fact, it is in that miserable state of mind that we bring a sincere heart before God in worship. When we say, in the midst of a worship service, “God, I’m really in a rotten mood right now, and I don’t seem to be able to muster a song of praise.” You know what I think? I think that statement is more sincere, more genuine, more worshipful…than to sing a song you don’t really mean. Now there are times we need to focus and breakthrough. Just because you didn’t get your coffee that morning is no reason to sit around and mope. But when you are overwhelmed. When you are heavy burdened. When you grieve. The best thing you can do is to be honest. We worship God from our heart first, no matter what state it is in.  And I’m just crazy enough to believe that when we come “just as I am”, God will meet us. For every act of true worship, there is a divine response. So let’s worship in Spirit AND in truth.

Expectations

I was driving to work one morning a couple of months back. It was a snow day for the school kids. Lots of schools were closed that day actually. Since I was working outside, I made sure I had all my gear. The boots. The hat. The layers. Funny though, as I drove. The roads were pretty good. In fact, they were totally clear. No snow. No real wind to speak of. The forecast was for nasty stuff;  and so, all the closings. But anyone riding around that morning, who didn’t know what was expected, would think the schools were nuts to close. Anyone who didn’t know what to expect, would not be prepared. They’d get caught in it. But I was expecting it, and I was ready, and so were all the schools. So…. what is the forecast…..when you approach worship. Can you be caught unprepared, because it didn’t seem like anything was going to happen. I think we need to approach every corporate gathering for worship, with the full expectation that it’s going to get nasty…in a good kind of way. Strap on your boots folks, it’s about to hit. I think our approach and preparation is important. In fact, I might even say that it plays a role in what does transpire. If God sees that we are not expecting anything, and not preparing, can you see how that might communicate to Him that we don’t look for Him to show up? And on the other hand, if we are strapping on our boots, even though the roads are clear, can you see how God might say, “Well then, this to me is a clear invitation”. So, quite simply put, ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. Expect, and He will never disappoint.

Are we living what we sing

“…the only music minister to whom the Lord will say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant,” is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are saying”. Can you guess who said that? If you’ve been a Christian at least 25 years, and think “musician”, it wouldn’t take you long to figure out. Keith Green said that. That would be a typical comment of his. I have been reminiscing lately. Watching videos of Keith in concert. I never saw him play live, but boy, I wish I had. I remember in 1982, as a new Christian, hearing the grieving coming from others, at the news of Keith dying in the plane crash. I would say, “who’s Keith Green?”, and they would look at me like I  just arrived from Pluto. I would never say “Who’s Keith Green?” again. His life was an inspiration. Not just as a musician, but as a Christian. As a musician, wow. Have you ever really listened to him play the piano? I mean, his voice is so recognizable, and pitch perfect. But his piano…wow. So, he continues to inspire me, and I’m sure, others. If you know who he was, I encourage you to take some time to listen again. His music will push you; no, it will shove you. And for those who have no idea who I am talking about. Well, your life is incomplete if you haven’t taken a few minutes to find out. I’ve linked a video at the end of this message. Check it out. And if this doesn’t touch your heart in some way, the nurse in me wants to take your pulse. Thank you God for giving us the gift of Keith, for just a few short years. Give us others who will prove their lyrics, with their lives.

Soul music

I think if you had a microscope. A really really (really) big microscope. And were able to look at the very core of our human DNA, I think you might find a clef symbol. Okay, I’m kind of kidding, but the point is, I think music is that deep. It’s basically in our DNA. We were made to breathe, eat, sleep and experience music. So, where’s the evidence? Scientific evidence is sometimes experiential. So, do you know anyone, and I mean anyone, who does not like some form of music? Neither do I. I recall being in India in 1995. One night while sleeping, I could hear outside a drum and some kind of bell, dancing together in rhythm. It could have been worship to one of a million gods in India. It could have been that the person or persons playing, simply liked the sound. It reminded me that even here in India, pretty much another planet from Albion NY, there was still music. Different, but then, not so different. I think it’s part of our DNA. That deep. And I think it’s a human thing. Sure it’s said “music soothes the savage beast”. Maybe there’s evidence of animals reacting to music in some way. But as humans, we need to hear music. When we’re not around the man-made stuff, we listen for it in the wind, or the waves, or the trees. Or we start to hum and then bust out into song. We can’t help it. We can’t escape it, and we don’t want to. It’s part of who we are. We are distinct from animals, in that we are living souls. And so, yup you guessed it, we have soul music. It’s that deep. That connected to our core. And if this is true, what do we do with music as part of our worship to God? From the beginning, the church has used music as a significant method of worship. Why? Because God is worthy of our worship, and our hearts cry out for a means to worship, and so we express our praise with as intimate a form as we know. With song. As it was once said, there is nothing in this world as similar to prayer, as music.  Prayer is personal. So is music. Prayer is expressive communication of thoughts and emotions. So is music. Prayer is connecting to God. Do you feel connected to God when you worship in song? Me too. There is also the negative connection. Prayer can be a simple recitation; impersonal. Music can also be that. Prayer can be over-rehearsed; a show. We have all experienced music that has ceased to be worship in song, and become a concert. Not that there’s anything wrong with concerts. But there is a difference, and we can usually distinguish the two. Because we are experts at music. We all are. And Christians know (why, I don’t know, we just do) when they are at a concert or a worship service. Anyway, if music is part of our DNA, and if music is an important means of expressing our worship to God, than we can truly say…that we were made to worship with song. I really believe that. And it has nothing, absolutely nothing, (nothing) to do with skill or ability. It is to us as breathing. We don’t discuss how someone breathes better than another (okay, don’t get smart with the “what about asthmatics?”). And might I go one step further. We are made in the image of God. We are God-like. So, what is God–like? Of the many things, I think God is a musician. He just uses different instruments. So, music is part of our DNA. It’s in our soul. It’s part of how we were made. It can be as personal as prayer, and it can be just as misused. So if all of this is true, think of the implications when we gather together to worship in song. Connecting at a personal, and at the same time, corporate level. Expressing from our souls. Concurrently with the angels of heaven, letting God have it. This is what I was made for.  I’m trying to do what should come natural. I was wondering; Are you doing what you were made to do?

2009 Kingdom Bound Talent competition

Here we go again. Last year we placed 2nd in the voting portion; 3rd over all. Not bad when you consider that some of the others are bands that are actually touring. Last year led to the invitation to Toronto and Nashville. Good stuff. This year? Who knows. But it’s out there. It’s available. Gotta do it.  Other opportuntities will come, as God directs. I got a call from Alpha and Omega bookstores. They do a coffeehouse, and want me to headline in July. Headline? Not sure what that means in a coffeehouse. But, if it’s a chance to play, you do it. If you’re reading this, and haven’t voted at the Kingdom Bound website, it’s likely too late. Maybe.  Winners of the voting portion are supposed to be notified by July 1st.  Same as last year, the top 5 vote getters are reviewed by a record company (this year it is Word Records). The top pick goes to the national competitition for a shot at a recording contract. last year, the Kingdom Bound winner took it all and now are “paid musicians”. Two words you don’t usually see together.  So, you do what you do, and let God make of it what he wills. I’m cool with that.

Toronto and Nashville

A few weeks ago I was contacted by an individual with a group called “band with a mission”. He said that he had listened to my song “At Your feet”, really liked it, and wanted to invite me to play at what he called a showcase, in Nashville. You get to perform a few of your original songs,before an audience of record label reps, talent agents, other musicians, etc. It gets you connected with folks who might be able to take you further into the music industry. You also get a review of your music. A more professional feedback. This band with a mission was involved in the break out for Rush of Fools, who are getting popular right now (You’ve likely heard their song “Undo” on the radio). Come to find out this group also does showcases in London and Toronto as well. He asked if Toronto would be easier, and after speaking to the guys, yes it was. So, we jumped in and said, yup, we’ll do it. Nashville would have been nice. It would have added a different flavor to the mix,. and maybe additional contacts. But, oh well. Then, in a followup email contact, I get this offer. Bring a band to Toronto to play, and I’ll give you a free spot in Nashville as a solo. Yikes. Can I do both. Ummm….yup. Let’s do both. So, plans are under way. We play as a band on January 12th in Toronto (actually Burlington Ontario) at a place called 24/7,  which best i can tell from my searching was once a nightclub, and is now a church, or maybe a parachurch organization. Not sure. Then on March 30th, I play in Nashville, at a place called Rocketown. This would be a youth outreach/club/coffee house. It was actually started by Michael W Smith around 1996, but he is not involved any longer best I can tell.  So…..things keep moving along. Slow at times. But this one startled me how quick it came together. Pray for all the planning and prep. Pray for the finances. But as it is rightly said, God pays for what He orders. So if He’s ordering this to happen, He’ll cut the check from His account. And we all know, He’s always good for it

Taking first in Toronto talent competition

In early November, I was informed that my song submission for a telent competition in Toronto took first place, in the Contemporary Christian category. It was an international competition with just about every music genre you could think of. My prize? Ummm, besides being able to say “I won”?…. not a thing. But, it’s a win, and another lesson in the process