5,000 Tweets

In honor of my 5,000th tweet, I give you "5000 Tweets".



I couldn't have said it better myself.

3:16 THURSDAY::::week two

3:16 Thursdays is a series of blog posts focusing on the 3:16 passages throughout the Bible that have really stuck out to me in my studies from Genesis to Revelation.

Exodus 3:16(niv)

Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.

This is God speaking to Moses in the burning bush. He's giving Moses the big news of rescuing the children of Israel from Pharaoh. Moses is clearly considered about how the people will receive this news and is feeling insecure. God wants His people to know that He sees their troubles and that He cares. We still worship the same God who cares in our troubles.

Word Wednesday .::138

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Acts 13:36-39 The Message

^36-39"David, of course, having completed the work God set out for him, has been in the grave, dust and ashes, a long time now. But the One God raised up—no dust and ashes for him! I want you to know, my very dear friends, that it is on account of this resurrected Jesus that the forgiveness of your sins can be promised. He accomplishes, in those who believe, everything that the Law of Moses could never make good on. But everyone who believes in this raised-up Jesus is declared good and right and whole before God.

The gospel. The story we need preach with our lives louder than our words. Great stuff.


What's your Word?

Sunday Setlist 03.27.11

Setlist with itunes links:

Open the Eyes of My Heart
Alleluia (Our Praise is)
Everything
May Your Kingdom Come

Flow Sheet from Planning Center

Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Album Review - Home

Home by Luke Parker

I often like to chill and read books or study the Bible, while listening to music. The music I like to listen to during those times is usually a little softer & meditative. I recently received an album by Luke Parker, and it definitely fits into that kind of vibe.

Luke is a worship songwriter based in Auckland, New Zealand. Home debuted in New Zealand at #1 on the itunes inspirational charts. It was produced and recorded by Nic Manders (Brooke Fraser, Parachute Band). Speaking of the Parachute Band, if you check out my review of their latest album, you'll see a couple of Luke's songs on there: "So Much More" and "Sweet Surrender".

Luke says, "These songs were written in the hope that they would help people connect with God in a real and meaningful way." He also says, "At its heart, the album is about intimacy with our creator."

Intimacy is definitely an appropriate word for this album, not only for the types of songs he writes, but also in the way in which their performed. Great job, Luke!

Click here for Itunes to purchase "Home" today.

3:16 THURSDAY::::week one

3:16 Thursdays is a series of blog posts focusing on the 3:16 passages throughout the Bible that have really stuck out to me in my studies from Genesis to Revelation.

Genesis 3:16(niv)

To the woman he said,
“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.”

The key thing to remember here is that this is a command after sin entered the world. We really don't fully understand or know the utopia that Adam and Eve experienced before they chose to sin, but we do know the consequences after. You can clearly look around and see pain in child birth and you can see man's desire to rule over women. You can also see the unhealthy lengths that women go to for their desire for man's affection.

Word Wednesday .::137

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Acts 7 The Message

¹Then the Chief Priest said, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

^54-56At that point they went wild, a rioting mob of catcalls and whistles and invective. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, "Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God's side!"

CLICK HERE to read the whole chapter.

This is truly an amazing chapter in the Bible. We see Stephen, who is the first Christian martyr, using his last breaths to glorify God and exemplify Christ-likeness. When the Chief Priest asks him to explain himself, we see him articulating the history of scripture. We see him echo the heart of some of Jesus' last words, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." We also see Jesus STANDING at God's side, instead of sitting. One author said that he like to think of it as Jesus giving Stephen a standing ovation as he exits life in the most noble way. Please take time and click the link above and read the whole chapter. It's amazing!


What's your Word?

Happy 5th Birthday, Twitter!

It's Twitter's 5th birthday today.

Click here to read an article on it.

I'm very glad Twitter was born.

My Twitter birthday is October 25th, 2008.

Click here to get your own Twitter Birth Certificate...not kidding.

So...what's your twitter birth date?

Sunday Setlist 03.20.11

I did not lead today. I taught a new members class and our youth pastor led worship in the main service. Very thankful to have a solid back up!

Setlist with itunes links:

Blessed Be Your Name
All We Need
Your Grace is Enough
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

Flow Sheet from Planning Center

Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Want or Need: CABLE TV

In an ever-growing materialistic society, it's becoming more difficult to distinguish the difference between what we really want and what we really need. It's time for you to weigh in on this discussion. It's real simple...is it a want or a need?

CABLE TV


WANT or NEED?

Word Wednesday .::136

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

John 20:30-31 The Message

^30-31Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

As I read this, I paused and thanked God for His Word. It's so precious and so taken for granted, sometimes by yours truly.


What's your Word?

Sunday Setlist 03.13.11

Setlist with itunes links:

Everything Glorious
All We Need
I Need Thee Every Hour
Enough

Flow Sheet from Planning Center

Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Word Wednesday .::135

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

John 7:47-49 The Message

^47-49The Pharisees said, "Are you carried away like the rest of the rabble? You don't see any of the leaders believing in him, do you? Or any from the Pharisees? It's only this crowd, ignorant of God's Law, that is taken in by him—and damned."

I think Pharisees are still walking around. I see them all the time.


What's your Word?

Sunday Setlist 03.06.11

Setlist with itunes links:

I Will Boast
God of Wonders
The Earth is Yours
Holy is the Lord

Flow Sheet from Planning Center

Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Word Wednesday .::134

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Luke 24:33 The Message

^45-49He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

My prayer is that I continue to get goose bumps every time I read this. This has the hope and reality for "total life-change" for the world. Let's be witnesses of this and proclaim it!


What's your Word?

Album Review - Songs 4 Worship ULTIMATE

Songs 4 Worship ULTIMATE by Various Artists

If you could name the most popular and used songs in the church in the last 5-10 years, what would they be? Chances are, most of us would have very similar lists. I truly believe that there have been and always will be songs that God will use in the Church abroad. When I listened to Songs 4 Worship ULTIMATE, I think I heard about every one of those songs I would list, with just a few exceptions.
I must confess that I don't listen to a lot of Christian radio, because it's not really my cup of tea and because I get tired of music really quick. I need a vast variety. That being said, if you do like Christian radio, this would be the "ultimate" album for you. This has a lot of the same recordings of these well known worship tunes and a brand new song from Darlene Zschech, writer of "Shout to the Lord."

'Songs 4 Worship Ultimate' Track Listing:
01 Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
02 Mighty To Save - Laura Story
03 Open The Eyes Of My Heart - Paul Baloche
04 Shout To The Lord - Natalie Grant
05 Word Of God Speak - MercyMe
06 Above All - Michael W. Smith
07 How He Loves - John Mark McMillan
08 In Christ Alone - Travis Cottrell
09 I Am Free - New Life Worship
10 Friend Of God - Israel Houghton
11 Revelation Song - Phillips, Craig & Dean
12 Days Of Elijah - Robin Mark
13 Here I Am To Worship - Eoghen Heaslip
14 My Savior Lives - New Life Worship
15 Your Grace Is Enough - Jared Anderson
16 Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) - Paul Baloche
17 Holy Is The Lord - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
18 How Great Is Our God - Promise Keepers
19 Mercy - Casting Crowns
20 Today Is The Day - Lincoln Brewster
21 Your Name - Phil Wickham and Paul Baloche
22 Healer - Kari Jobe
23 Hungry - Kathryn Scott
24 Beloved - Tenth Avenue North
25 Refiner's Fire - Brian Doerksen
26 When I See Your Face - Darlene Zschech
27 We Still Believe - Kathryn Scott

As a bonus, if you buy this in stores, you'll be able to get a bonus DVD that has music videos and worship presentations videos for churches, small groups, etc. I really applaud Integrity for this compilation. It truly is an "ultimate" collection of songs that have completely rocked the Church. Great job!

Click here for Itunes or here for Amazon and see what I'm talking about.