O Taste and See

TRUTH

2012-01-13T15:34:00.001-05:00

Amos 5:21-24 from The Message

I can't stand your religious meetings.
I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?

Do you know what I want?
I want justice-oceans of it.
I want fairness-rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want.

WHEN SANCTIFICATION SUCKS

2011-12-19T23:26:00.001-05:00

So, for the last 7 days our little girl, Callie has been stuck in the hospital due to E.Coli found in her blood. She will be here a total of 14 days...and yes, through Christmas:(. My wife hasn't really left the hospital, I've been here everyday and multiple nights, our 2 year old has had to come up daily for visits only to cry as she leaves mommy once again, and Callie is attached to a line pumping medicine into her veins, that allows us to move about 1 foot.

I don't know if you have kids, or if you've been through medical stuff with your kids, but there honestly is nothing worse for me. Seeing doctors and nurses hold your little girl down to put IV's in and do spinal taps and whatever other tests is terrible! Honestly, I really struggle with anger in the moment. And no one probably hates it more than Callie herself, as she fought and screamed to break loose from the sharp jabs and cold hands...

I hate it, but I let it happen. Callie hates it, but the outcome is hopefully good. Through the terrible affair, Callie received a line directly to her blood, where the infection could be killed at the source!

You catching the parallel? As my wife and I were trying to process all this the first day, my mother-in-law painted a good picture.

Our life with God is much the same. Sometimes, we go through some of the hardest, most painful, uncomfortable circumstances. Like Callie, we hate it and fight to get away from it...but it's no use! And if that wasn't painful enough, God, the one in charge, let's it happen.

This whole experience is giving me a good perspective on God. Though He may let the trial, or painful circumstance, or chastening happen, he doesn't stand by saying, "Boy you deserved this" or "yep that'll teach you." God loves me! God is my Father! Just as it hurts me to see Callie go through these things, it hurts God when His children suffer! But, just as I let the doctors work on Callie, God lets "work" happen on me, because the outcome is good!

1 Thessalonians 4:3 says:
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from..."

The passage above goes on with a laundry list of worldly sins that we are to abstain from. Each listed, are the very "infections" that caused us to once walk in darkness and still tempt our eyes, flesh, and pride. As God seeks to make us more Holy through His divine process of sanctification, he has to allow "surgery" to happen. It can hurt His children, make them mad, cause them to ask why, and all the while God feels that pain, but let's it happen for He knows the outcome is a killed "infection" and a better person.

Concluding, like my daughter is in the process of being physically "sanctified," I think I'm in the process of being spiritually sanctified. Not sure from what yet, and honestly, it sucks bad! But I'm thankful that I have a Father who looks on my struggling with love, and who knows what's best for His child concerning the outcome. I'm thankful that He loves me to much to leave me where I'm at, and that he's willing to love me when I'm angry, hurting, or questioning, because He knows what's best. I know that God is for me, even when it hurts.

God is good!

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011!

2011-12-09T19:34:00.001-05:00

Silent Night from HBCGranger on Vimeo.

FAMILY

2011-11-10T16:36:00.001-05:00

Got some family pics taken recently. To be honest, with a sick little girl and a new baby, this session was one of the biggest tests ever of my salvation;) Working on the old patience:/

But, the few pics I've seen this far turned out great! More to come.

WELCOME CALLIE

2011-10-10T16:26:00.001-04:00

Callie Grace Klutinoty

Welcome to our world little girl. You are beautiful and precious to me already! I am excited to watch you grow. I am excited to see your personality form. I am in awe of how God has formed you and already know the hairs on your head.

Your name means "Most Beautiful." Paired with your middle name, it makes "most beautiful Grace." Your mother and I have come to know what the most beautiful grace in the world truly is. That Grace is described in God's book. Your mother and I have been saved by that Grace! Saved from what? My prayer is that you yourself will come to know at a young age what you too need saved from. We can get into that later, and for now you can just be my little girl:)

You have an incredible big sister. You two will be great friends! She is funny, and already loves you lots. Your mother and I pray daily for you both, and are excited to see how the Lord will use you for his glory!

I am not perfect. Your mom is closer than me, but she's not either. We will mess up. We will fail at times. But I promise, we will always be there for you, we will seek God, who is perfect, in raising you, and we will not give up on pursuing you with truth, that God might reveal His most beautiful grace, that only He has for you. We can't wait for the day that your prayer is Psalm 6:5-6:

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I love you Callie! May The LORD bless you, keep you, make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Callie Grace Klutinoty.
Born October 8,2011 at 7:59pm.
Weight: 6lbs. 5oz. Length: 19in.

WAITING AND THANKFUL

2011-10-06T10:57:00.000-04:00

My wife is pregnant.

My wife is 4 days past her due date.

My patience is lessening. Her patience is lessening.

I mean...COME ON ALREADY!!!!

It's crazy how life can feel like it's on hold during a time of waiting for your new child to arrive. Like, being a Pastor at a church, there are a lot of things throughout the week to be responsible for, but when the baby decides to come I drop everything; SO....do I not plan a lot this week, which I didn't, but the baby hasn't come yet; SO...do I start getting stuff done for next week, but what if the baby doesn't come then...AND what if the baby comes right before something really important, like Sunday morning; AND WHAT IF THE BABY JUST NEVER COMES!!!

Haha...See what my brain has been like lately?

But, above all of those anxieties and thoughts, I am thankful for the hope that I have in Jesus. I am thankful that His ways are not my ways. I am thankful that the Lord knows my new child, what he/she needs, and when the perfect timing to send her into our world is, far better than I do.

Also, waiting for baby #2 has made me thankful for baby #1. It has been an incredible (almost) two years with my little girl, Reese. And lately, I have grown to love her more and more as I see her personality more and more. She is hilarious! She is such a beautiful, energetic, personable little girl, and I cannot wait to see how she will be used for the glory of the Lord someday!

It is hard to imagine having another kid, and loving it as much as I love Reese. I mean she is all I know, and she's had all my wife and my attention for the past 2 years! But, I'm confident that the Lord is only giving us another blessing that will only make our family better, grow us closer together, and make us more of a force for the Kingdom of God!

As I wait, I am thankful for what God has given me in baby #1. He could not have been better to us! My prayer for Reese is that the Lord would truly break into her life at a young age, open her eyes to her sinful, rotten, prideful self, break her of that sin, lavish His love upon her, and allow her sweet personality to not just come from an outward appearance, but to stem from an inward love for Jesus.

God is faithful. God is God. God is good.

ABOUT A MILE: NEW SONG

2011-10-03T14:01:00.000-04:00

New song from my 3 younger brothers. They are awesome. Big things are ahead for them...like in the works right now! Pumped for them. Proud of them. You should listen to them:)

Check out their website
Check out their Facebook
Follow them on Twitter
Check them out on YouTube

COURAGEOUS

2011-10-02T17:47:00.001-04:00

My church bought out an entire showing of the new movie Courageous on Saturday. Together, my wife, me, and 167 other Harvest peeps gathered to watch and support this new film that is in theaters everywhere.

Let me tell you a little about it:)

First, let me say, I don't like "Christian" movies. I find them cheesy and mediocre. I come across negative when I talk or joke about past "christian" films. But I really do appreciate the hearts behind these films; particularly the ones coming out of Sherwood Pictures (like Courageous and Fireproof).

So...I joked and jested a little about this movie, and parts of it seemed like a drawn out spiritual soap-opera, but overall it was a movie worth your time. Here's why:

#1.
I am a Father. A father of 1 beautiful little girl, and a second child of unknown gender any moment/day now. This movie highlights Fathers and challenges them to quit being sissies who "do enough" for their kids. It is a call for men to be men, and to courageously stand up and lead their children. But not just lead them! Lead them in the ways of the Lord. It models holding high standards for your kids, taking time to do hard things to win the hearts of your kids, and setting an example for your kids through integrity, leadership, and godliness.

#2.
I am a husband to an awesome wife. I am a provider for an awesome family. I've been blessed with a job I love and that keeps me busy. This movie challenged me not to take my family for granted when I'm wiped out. Go the extra mile to always say goodnight and pray with my daughter before bed. Talk and listen with my wife rather than just veg out in front of the TV. Always take the time to spiritually LEAD my family towards Christ.

#3.
When I hear about a "Christian movie" I usually judge it early thinking it will have someone who believes in God and a scene in church, so that deems it "Christian." I was really pleased to hear the real elements of the Gospel in this nation wide theatrical movie! I'm talking the: you are a guilty sinner, underserving of God's grace, but He as a merciful, righteous judge gave his son Jesus Christ to die in your place and if you repent and believe you will be saved Gospel! AMEN! (I let an "amen" fly in the movie, and my wife told me to shut up). Cheesy or not I'll support that:)

#4.
Not only did it target fathers, but I would say men in general. I appreciated the conviction caught by the main character and how he asked his friends to hold him accountable. And they ended up having him hold them accountable. Men need other men, but not to be drinking buddies and family relief! Iron sharpens iron. Don't be too pansy to talk to your brothers about spiritual life and spiritual leadership...thats what I got anyway.

#5.
This movie made me thankful for my Dad. Within this movie I saw a lot of the good things modeled in my Dad as I've grown up. He took the time to show me he loved me. He made time for me. He modeled Christianity and the Gospel, and didn't force it down my throat, which led me to want what he had rather than run from it. In the movie, a character is asked to lie at his job about inventory...I remember my dad facing those situations at His job, and because of His conviction for Christ, he had integrity and stood for truth. My Dad loves Jesus with all His heart, soul, and mind first, and then his family, and that has spoken loudly in my own life. God absolutely used my Dad to pursue my own heart, and for that I am forever grateful.

#6.
Finally, despite my mockery, they really did do a good job on this movie. Good story line, some action, some laughter, some tears, and the acting was even pretty good. Everyone in this movie is a part of a church, and they did a fantastic job on this film. Plus, it's way better and more uplifting than the garbage movies the world finds entertaining. Go see it. Support it. Take an unsaved friend that a door might be opened to share the Gospel with them.

P.S. And all I can do since seeing the movie is shout the line from Casting Crown's theme song, "WE WERE MEANT TO BE COURAGEOUS..." :/

TRUTH

2011-09-25T22:46:00.001-04:00

Great message today at My church! Sadly it is a message that a lot of churches leave out. It was not really pleasing to hear and because of our sinful nature, probably hard to hear. But it needs to be heard!

In the message my Pastor, Trent Griffith, made reference to a popular TV "preacher" who begins his sermons by having the people hold their Bibles in the air, all together saying, "This is my Bible! I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have...etc." Then the preacher seems to always deliver an ear tickling, motivational message to those in His mega-"church.".

Well, the Bible does say what I am and what I have...According to Romans 3 it says I am worthless!!! It says I am an enemy of God! It says I have no desire for God, but for that of evil! It says that I am a condemned person on my way to hell...apart from the justification of Christ!

As human beings we have nothing going for us. We need change, but we don't desire change. "BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ."(Eph.2:8-9). "But God" may be two of the greatest words in all of scripture, but they have nothing to do with a spark of goodness us! They have everything to do with the merciful, loving, perfect grace of God towards worthless sinners, who don't even desire His help!

In the roots of the Gospel is the depravity of mankind. But change starts when Christ justifies us once and for all, declaring us free from the bondage of our sin which He paid for through His own son, Jesus. When God changes our legal standing with Him through justification on earth, he begins a life long changing through sanctification, until we meet Him in glory.

"Change your conduct, or change your name!" Bearing the name of Jesus takes change..."As you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him," (Col.2:6). May we realize our worthlessness, and our desperate need for change, that God might begin His work on us.

Take some time and listen to this message!
Morphology Week 2: Justification (Romans 3)

WORSHIP OUT OF THE BOX

2011-09-22T12:12:00.002-04:00

We had a really cool night last night at Harvest Youth. AND God had to teach me something again through my attitude.

So one of my youth leaders came up with the idea of doing a night called "worship out of the box," where basically, rather than the leaders doing everything for the students, the students prepared the entire evening, then presented the service to one another. Let me explain. The entire goal of this challenge was to give the students a real understanding of the importance of handling God's Word and the humbling opportunity to lead God's people. Every element of a service should be done with intentionality, creative thought, and Christ-centered faithfulness.

So before I get into the details, let me share where the night started with me. I planned things out for the week. Thought I was ready to roll. Went in to gather the last few tools to pull off the night, and realized the sound system was not set up and our sound guy was out of town for the evening. I started to set it up, but quickly got frustrated as time was up and kids were arriving. My attitude went a little south. My only thinking was how lame the night was going to be now. But, the time came to gather the students up and explain what they would do for the evening, so regardless of my attitude, I had to roll with it.

So we broke students up into five groups. One group had to create a creative worship space, one group plan a time of worship, one group plan communion, one group plan the message based on our theme verse Matthew 5:14-16, and one group was in charge of planning some upcoming events to present to the students. Each group had 45 minutes to get creative, plan out there part, and get ready to serve one another through the service.

As this was happening, I oversaw the worship group a little, ran around to make sure people were cool, and sort of mumbled under my breath with a bad attitude. 45 minutes came to an end and we came together for the service.

We walk in to an incredible worship space. Cross-centered, incredibly creative space! The team in charge of worship began to lead, opening with Psalm 96. I've never heard the students sing so loud! Together we worshiped in the presence of God. Out of the singing, the communion group stood up to set up communion. They did so beautifully with explanation, scripture, and prayer. Then the worship team began to play as students pondered the cross. The communion was set up in the back of the room with one light shining on it and benches for prayer all around. Before long the entire room was scattered with students praying out loud as they communed with Christ, and focused on the body and blood of Christ.

Tears. In my eyes. Heart overwhelmed.

So we got back together and the "message group" shared a time in the Word. It was good. They didn't preach fire and brimstone, but they related the passage of being a light in darkness in a biblical, applicational way to their peers. Then, they had a time for students to share ways that they have found they can be a difference, and a light in their schools, jobs, etc...Incredible to hear the maturity of various students who are doing it. So many are actually standing out for Christ. And finally, we ended with the final group sharing some upcoming service opportunities and events that will help our youth group "Be the Difference."

God smacked me in my big, dumb head last night. Sometimes, I put way to much thought and value in the logistics, planning, and elements of things, when none of that contains the Holy Spirit. God met with us last night because his children were doing their best with what they had. Each student there jumped all over their task, and performed their task to the glory of God, and God honored it. Why would I ever want to base the success of a worship service on my fallible efforts toward detail and planning. God moves where He wants to move, and God moves at the humble, self-sacrificing, Christ-centered efforts of His children. Praise God.

I thank God for correcting me last night. And I thanked the Youth for teaching me that meeting with the Lord goes way beyond me. I thanked them for their creative passion and desire to worship their Lord.

God is good. God is God. I am not.

HAPPENINGS

2011-09-21T14:59:00.000-04:00

Lots going on lately. LOTS! But being busy in ministry is really such a blessing. Sometimes is a test of your joy, and patience, and time management, and whatever else, but to know that the Lord gives opportunity where their is faithfulness is humbling.

This morning I've found myself planning 3 worship sets for a ladies retreat this weekend for the Harvest Women's Ministry. In the past 2 weeks, I've gotten opportunities to lead worship several times each week outside of Sunday mornings. I'm challenged this morning as I've been thinking through these different avenues for reaching the feet of Jesus, and pouring over scriptures in my mind that assist in the different worship times approaching this weekend...I'm reminded of what a high, humbling opportunity leading people in the worship of Jesus is. It is not something to be taken lightly for sure. However, I would be completely lying if I said I've had times where I haven't devoted much prayer, time, or thought to the preparation of a worship time. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is far bigger than my measly efforts to plan a time of worship, but that is beside the point. If in my leadership, worship becomes just a group of songs slapped together, people will follow. However, if a heart of genuine humility, biblical faithfulness, consistent prayer, and intentional adoration of my Lord are what I am regularly seeking, people will follow. I thank God for counting me faithful to use me in such a way! And I thank Him for reminding me today of my personal responsibility to Him, before I try to lead others to Him.

We've started a new series at Harvest called Morphology. The next 8-10 weeks will be focused on the transformation of the believer. Before the foundations of the world God knew His children, called His children, Justified His children, and will continue to sanctify His children until the day of glorification (Romans 8:29-30). We can be confident that, what the Lord has started in us, He will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).

I'm excited for this series because the church is full of believers from all walks of life. Some have walked with Christ for 50 years, others 10, and others not even a year. But, no matter where any of us are, we have not arrived. We don't know everything. We aren't perfect. We need change! And change takes humility and desire. I am praying that throughout this series, the Lord will begin to transform myself by the renewing of my mind (Rom. 12:2), and my church family.

The great graphics pictured above were made by a friend, Matt Nelson. Check out His stuff!

And join us in this series by subscribing to our iTunes podcast, or listen on our website!

PICNIC/BAPTISM 2011

2011-08-29T10:13:00.000-04:00

Life change is evident. Disciples are being made. Jesus is Lord!

Watch this short video recapping last Sunday as 11 disciples of Jesus publicly declare their faith through baptism at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger! It really was an awesome day! The 11 who shared and took the "plunge" in baptism articulated their testimonies very powerfully. It always fills my heart to hear how the Lord began to break into the lives of His children. These 11, beautifully articulated where they were before Christ, the point at which they surrendered, and the process the Lord has began in their walks as disciples. God is good! Celebrate with me!

WHAT A DAY!

2011-08-22T15:36:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was awesome! I love my church! God is moving in my church, He is packing out the gym each week, and I know it can only be Him because hard truth is being communicated from the pulpit, sin is being challenged, and the Gospel is being presented! Praise God!

Our Sunday morning gathering yesterday was full of energy, truth, and Jesus and my heart was so full at the end of the hour and a half with my church family. Pastor Trent delivered an awesome message for our current series called "STAND," from the story of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abed-Nego from Daniel 3. Listen HERE if you'd like.

In the middle of the message my good buddy Jimmy Finch and myself sang "Burn Us Up," by Shane and Shane. The band completely slayed the song:) and more importantly, it left a powerful point within the message..Here is the song we did:

So after a powerful challenge and message, we saved our corporate worship for the end, and together our church shook the walls of the gym at North Point Elementary School for the name of Jesus! And more than just an amped up service where people sing loud, the Lord has truly been moving at Harvest in Granger and the people are overflowing with the joy that is Christ in their lives! It's exciting to see!

THEN, thankfully the day didn't end. We headed out to LifeAction Camp in Buchanan, MI for our 3rd annual church picnic and baptism. We worshiped the Lord together, ate together, laughed together, and heard 11 incredible testimonies for Jesus and watched them publicly declare Jesus as Lord of their lives in baptism. God is so faithful, and I thank him for using me, and allowing me to be a part of what he is doing at my church!

Elder's serving ice cream...

STAND

2011-08-10T11:46:00.001-04:00

This past Sunday, we started a new series at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger. The series is called "STAND" and it is a call to stand up for the name of Jesus in high school, or the workplace, or among friends, or in situations that can either dishonor God or honor Him. We are nearing the end of our year of ministry, which was themed "Christ at the Core." As a church we are seeing Christ be put back at the center of our lives, in all that we say and do. Now, we finish the "ministry year" with a call to make that truth known outside of the walls of Sunday morning, and into our daily lives.

Pastor Trent called the church this past Sunday in week 1 to:
STAND UP. STAND OUT. AND STAND FIRM.

People who take a STAND for Jesus:

*Will refuse to need the validation of the world, and will choose to be identified with the people of God.
*Will refuse the expectation of a cost free life, and will choose to love Jesus more than their own life.
*Will refuse the temporary pleasures of sin, and will choose the eternal treasure of pleasing Jesus.

Listen to week one's message here:
STAND: WEEK 1

HE WON'T STOP LOVING YOU

2011-08-10T11:24:00.000-04:00

My 3 bros, and their band About A Mile, are pursuing great things. I'm totally encouraged at what the Lord is doing in their personal lives spiritually, and always blown away by their musical ability and writing.

Recently they got the opportunity to go to Nashville and write with Ian Eskelin and Tony Woods. The guys in Nashville see some great potential in the band and Ian produced/recorded a three-song EP with my bros. Here is one of those songs...It is awesome!

HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD

2011-08-09T11:38:00.000-04:00

Hey all. Sorry I haven't written in a while. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

BUT, I wanted to share briefly about the humbling honor I had to preach the Word at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger a week ago! I got up early that Sunday morning and was pretty emotional all morning as I prepared my heart, and worshiped the Lord. Why? Because I was blown away thinking about the steps of life that God has brought me through. He has been so faithful in using me in ways I never thought I could be used; and that morning I was trusted in the handling of His Holy Word. And not only that, but the handling of His Word in delivering to His chosen people...I am totally insufficient of such a task, but I praise God for the opportunity and for what He laid on my heart to share.

1 Timothy 1:12- And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful putting me into the ministry.

LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE FROM ROMANS 12:1-2 HERE:
Give It Up!

BRENT THOMAS: HARVEST ROCHESTER

2011-07-09T08:44:00.000-04:00

The past 7 months have been incredible for me to work with this young man. His heart for the Lord is passionate, His desire to follow the Lord is intentional, and His faith to GO is bold! I will miss Him, but I rejoice in all that I've seen the Lord do in His life over the past 2 years, and for the privilege of having him intern at Harvest Granger. I'm looking forward to hearing stories of worshipers being made in Rochester, Minnesota as God uses Brent Thomas!

"NEVER ONCE" CREATIVE

2011-06-29T02:25:00.000-04:00

We taught Matt Redman's new single, "Never Once" this past Sunday in church. We did it as a special song, and added a little video of people in our church declaring God's faithfulness. It was our first attempt at adding a video in the middle of a song, and it went really well!

We did the song just as the recording through the bridge, and at the end of the bridge, right before it goes into the final big chorus, the band backed way off, playing the bridge chord progression softly. At the end of the statements in the video the band began to build, and right when the final words, "Never Once," were stated in the video, we cranked into a big final Chorus. We hit it and everyone was on there feet right out of the video. It was a great way of making the lyrics of the song personal to our church, and took the lyrics of the song one step further. It was great to give different people in our church the opportunity to be apart of this worship element.

Again, the video was our first attempt at making something that our band would play behind. Our video man wrote a specific script, so we just had everyone say some of the lines, and pieced it together. The next one we will get a little more emotion from those stating, just to create that energy a little better as the band builds. Other than that it was a good attempt. Here's the video. We put music behind this just for the feel, but the original has no music behind it.

WHAT ARE YOU SUBMITTING TO?

2011-06-25T05:50:00.003-04:00

As humans, we are naturally creatures of habit. It is pretty plain to see that as humans we easily adapt our lifestyles to habits, rituals, and routines that make up day to day living. But why do we choose the routines that we do? What makes us habitually set aside time for specific things throughout each day? Could it be where our worship lyes? I believe so. As creatures of habit, who naturally worship, we make time to elevate that which we give worth to. Daily we submit ourselves to things like technology, TV shows, sports, "Hollywood drama," etc...the list goes on.

As followers of Jesus, and hopefully transformed worshipers, we face the challenge of living, breathing, and acting on behalf of Christ rather than the world. No doubt it's a challenge, for though we love Jesus, we live in a distracting world, and have a self-centered nature; BUT we choose to submit ourselves to that which we give worth to...that which we worship!

Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to You therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable unto God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is perfect and acceptable and good.

What if we submitted ourselves to the Word of God, everyday, not just as a "devotional," but as the divine story that God has written for our lives? I'm guilty of this, but sometimes God's Word is so easily lumped in with all the routines of ones day, when it should be the governing script for every move that we make! To do this it takes not only a transformation and renewing of our self-centered minds, but also a daily work to submit ourselves to God...which is our spiritual worship! Imagine if we all worked as hard at elevating spiritual disciplines in our life as we do at setting aside time to watch American Idol or Dancing With The Stars or read Facebook...etc.

When worship begins to expand outside of Sunday mornings into the rituals and routines of our everyday lives, more naturally will we submit to spiritual disciplines! When we submit ourselves to being worshipers, who are living out God's story, we will find that repentance, devotion, communion, forgiveness, adoration of Christ, and things alike will begin to shape our daily thoughts, habits, and routines. Paul says in 1 Cor. 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever You do, do it all to the glory of God." So yes we can eat, take a nap, and even watch a TV show, but the issue lies where we submit ourselves! Are we elevating that "hobby" as what we submit to, or are we approaching it through a transformed life, fully submitted to the truths of God's Word. There is a difference, and the latter will help us view things as a worshiper of Christ and not of the world! May we consciously strive to be worshipers who submit ourselves to God's Holy Word, for it is the script to our story, and holds the steps we must take as our lives reflect the glory of a Holy God!

P.S. post stems from a great conversation with my good friend and fellow worship Pastor, Ryan Flanigan. He challenges me. You should read His blog:)

NEW SONG: WE SING

2011-06-24T08:51:00.002-04:00

We taught this song last week in our church. People seemed to really grab a hold of it and proclaim. We are doing it again this Sunday as a congregational song.

A few months ago, Brent Thomas brought the idea, melody, and verse/chorus to this song over to my house. Together, we rejoiced in the life and energy that God has brought to our church, and wrote this song as a response. The basis for the song is that as we become a worshiping church, we want to be mindful of the call that God has placed on our lives; To GO where He sends us, letting his love, mercy, and justice rule through us...the Church!

The song has a lot of energy. Our band did a great job putting it together, and we are hoping this song is one that the worshipers at Harvest can take ownership of, and proclaim in faith together! Here's an acoustic version...Enjoy:)

............................................................................
VERSE 1:
We're bowing down, You lift us up
This faithfulness overflows our cup
You are the Lord, Of all our lives
We give our all to You Christ

CHORUS:
We sing, with fervent hearts of praise
To the one who raised us all.
And we shout, the song of the redeemed
Our lives will answer Your call

VERSE 2:
We long for You, You quench our thirst
This Holy Fount, brings life to the cursed
We celebrate! Your Holy Name!
Your Saving power we proclaim

BRIDGE:
Where You send us we will go
Let Your love and mercy show
May Your justice conquer through the church

TWENTY-SOMETHINGS

2011-06-21T10:37:00.004-04:00

The 20somethings ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger is flourishing. I have never been a part of a group of young adults that are so serious about their faith in Jesus Christ, and who seek to live a life set-apart for Jesus, making the Gospel known. Every Monday evening for about 2 hours this group gathers and together we discuss God's Word, seek the Lord in prayer, and uphold one another in intentional accountability. Last night there were 28 crammed in my wife and my small apartment, and it was awesome. When God's Word is held with importance, and a gathering happens for His glory, it doesn't matter where the location! I praise God that each week, I am fueled by this group and together we are being challenged in our faith, looking in-depth at passages in the Bible, and gaining a real sense of "brotherly love" for one another, under the banner of Christ!

After we have time discussing God's Word, we split up into girls and guys for accountability and prayer. Among the men there has become an incredible openness with one another, where our struggles can be brought up and we know we will be surrounded with prayer. As young men, we seek to live lives of purity, boldness, and as Christ lived, giving all the glory to God! I praise God for the men in this group and the prayer that I know is offered up on my behalf.

It is exciting to see the Lord bringing new people to this group, and my constant prayer is that the 20somethings of Harvest Granger would not just be another ministry or another Bible study, but that it would be a movement for the Gospel in this community. In many ways, this group for me, describes the church. We care for one another, we devote ourselves to God's Word, we meet needs within the group, we worship the Lord together...etc. I pray that as this continues, more young adults would come to know Jesus Christ and that what is accomplished on Monday evenings, would go so far beyond the boundaries of my apartment.

HOPE

2011-06-15T11:04:00.001-04:00

Every other Wednesday for the past 6 months I've had the privilege of leading worship for the residents at Hope Ministries in downtown South Bend. Hope is a Christ-centered, Gospel-saturated rehabilitation center for those who have gone down some hard paths of addiction, crime, and others alike. Hope's mission statement is:

Hope ministries seeks to transform hearts, minds, and lives by engaging families in a Christ-centered, grace-based process of examining their current realities, envisioning their future possibilities, and enabling action to achieve their desired future.

The Gospel is present, Christ is presented at the center of all things, and a spirit of HOPE is so evident every time I'm there. There is a lot of joy in the room and I'm always blown away as I watch some of the words we sing wash over the residents as we worship. I recently taught the song "Always," to them, and man do they sing it loud! The lyrics say:

Troubles surround me, Chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, My help is on the way

O My God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Those lyrics are full of the only Hope that matters, and my heart is full every time I hear my Hope friends declaring it. I don't know the hearts of everyone there, but I can see an honest searching, and a crying out to the Lord for help. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, and I'm thankful that the leaders at Hope are creating a place where the Spirit of the Lord can dwell through Christ-Centered worship, Gospel-centered teaching, and the love of Christ!

HEAR. SPEAK. DO.

2011-06-14T21:03:00.002-04:00

So I recently picked up the book, "Sun Stand Still," by Steven Furtick; Pastor of Elevation Church in North Carolina. It has been a great read. the sub-title for the book is, "what happens when you dare to ask God for the impossible." The whole premise of the book is take from Joshua 10, where Joshua asks the Lord for more daylight in order for his army to have victory. Though an impossible thought, God made the sun stand still, giving Joshua and his people daylight to attack, conquer, and be victorious. God is capable of whatever He wills and pleases. This book is a challenge to have audacious faith in our circumstances, vision, and everyday walk.

Chapter 10 has really stuck out to me. It's titled, "Hear. Speak. Do." Furtick speaks of God's Word, and the importance of the Holy Words of God playing into our faith. Furtick writes:

*Hearing the Word initiates faith
*Speaking the Word activates faith
*Doing the Word demonstrates faith

God's Word is vital if we are to live a life centered on Christ! God's Word is vital for our Faith! Romans 10:17 states, "FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God!" But its not enough to hear! Joshua 1:8 says, "Do not let this book of the Law depart from your MOUTH, meditate on it day and night." We must know it, and SPEAK it to activate our faith. And finally, James 2:17 shows that "Faith without works is dead!" We hear the Word, we speak the Word, and we must DO the word!

Watch this video below. Pastor Furtick has a Christ-centered vision, a passion for the lost, and utmost reverence for God and what God has called Him to. I never want to go and lead worship, or preach a sermon, or whatever, without taking the time to prepare myself with the truth of God's Word, seeking Him alone for approval, boldness, and strength!

R&R

2011-06-04T21:39:00.001-04:00

My family and I enjoyed a great week in Outer Banks North Carolina last week. It was a great time to relax, refresh, and focus my mind and heart on the Lord. I am thankful for co-workers and a Sr. Pastor who supported me in unplugging for a couple Sundays and focusing on family, fun, and personal love for the Lord. It was definitely a great week.

Some highlights this year were:

*Having uninterrupted time with my wife and little girl!

*Spending time with my brothers, sister, and mom and dad

*Getting to hang out for a week with my Grama and Pap. Miss those days!

*Sitting on the beach for hours and hours every day. Hot sun, great waves, family and friends...can't beat it.

*There were about 30 people in all. Each night after dinner the husband (or my bro one night) of the family in charge of dinner gave a devotion. So we took some time to worship through singing, and spent a time in the Word together. It was a really great time to pause and reflect on God's glory in such a beautiful setting.

Ultimately, God is good. It is good to relax. It is good to pause. And now, I am getting reconnected. I really did miss my church family. I am so excited to lead in the morning and worship with the worshipers at Harvest Granger! Nothing better than lifting high the name of Jesus!

WHY I'M A WORSHIP PASTOR

2011-05-15T21:25:00.003-04:00

Here is the story of God's calling on my life.

O Taste and See from HBCGranger on Vimeo.

GLORY TO GOD ALONE!

2011-05-15T14:25:00.000-04:00

Churches are being planted. Lives are responding to the Gospel. God is being passionately worshiped by sinners who He has stopped dead in their tracks and turned towards Him! I praise God for the opportunity to be a part of all that God is doing at Harvest Bible Chapel's around the world. It's not for the name of Harvest, or any organization; but it is for the fame of Jesus Christ alone! I get to rejoice everyday at the momentum and life change that is happening at Harvest in Granger, and this awesome video moved me to tears seeing the big picture of God working through His church. Enjoy!

Harvest U 2011 from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

HARVEST U 2011 RECAP

2011-05-14T18:06:00.000-04:00

So this past week I spent three days down at Harvest University at Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin, IL, being poured into, and fellowshipping with worship leaders from all over the world, and people from my church. It was a great week.

Different years, I have gotten different things, as this was my 3rd year at Harvest U. This year was a little different for me. Ultimately, I was overwhelmed by God's faithfulness this year. On Monday morning I got to the conference early, connected with some people, then went to the first Main session. I found a seat, not with any of my group, but just went to meet with the Lord. Well, that entire worship time I was a wreck. I could not stop the tears for the entire service, as I looked around and saw passionate worshipers engaged by truth. The entire worship time, all I could think of is 6 years ago, coming to a conference at that very church and accepting God's call on my life to worship ministry. Now, six years later, God has placed me in a growing, Christ-centered church, Harvest Bible Chapel Granger. God has grown my heart for worship, and my heart for His church, and everyday I get the opportunity to see God move in the lives of His people. What a faithful God we serve! I was blown away this week.

A humbling scene about Harvest U, is seeing thousands worship together, literally from all over the world. 70 Harvest's were represented and 14 different countries were represented! Praise God! Under the banner of Christ, every tribe, every nation, and every tongue worships the one, living God. The video below was put together and the band played live to it, but it is an incredible declaration of the nations...that all glory, honor, wisdom, and power would be the Lord's alone forever!

All Glory - International from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

GREAT DAY!

2011-05-08T23:54:00.003-04:00

Great morning with my church family in Granger.

Pastor Trent delivered a powerful message on the truth and treasure of heaven. A fire was really ignited in my heart this morning. One thing Pastor Trent said was, Heaven exists for the unhindered worship of God by His completely perfected creation. Much of my passion and calling longs to see the church become the kind of worshipers God is seeking. I long to see the church produce passionate, contagious worshipers who are centered on Jesus alone. I long for the worship in heaven to be present on earth. I know that because of sin, that can't be until God chooses to establish a new heaven and new earth, but my passion in being a Worship Pastor is to hopefully lead people in biblically faithful worship, that moves towards the unhindered worship of heaven. The time is now, and God is seeking those that will worship Him in spirit and truth. So we CAN make strides towards the Christ-centered, perfect worship of heaven! How so? By cutting off our sin. By humbling ourselves. By fixing our eyes on Christ alone.

Heaven does not exist to make much of you. Heaven exists to make much of God in unhindered worship. I cannot wait for heaven! It is hard to be a worshiper on earth. Finally in heaven, there will be nothing to distract us from the glory of God.

So that was my morning! Then, I headed out to Elgin, IL to spend the next 31/2 days at Harvest Bible Chapel's mother-ship, at Harvest University. Tonight we had a night of prayer and praise. It was an intentional time of seeking the Lord in prayer in the areas of:

His Reigning
Our Renewal
Specific Requests
Rejoicing

We split up in groups for prayer time in between worshiping the Lord in song. I prayed with people I've never met. I prayed with people from Scotland, Romania, and all over America. But there was a common bond between the brothers I prayed with. There was a boldness in prayer, and a firm believing in the power of prayer. Though we'd never met, it was obvious we had all things in common under the call of Christ.

Wrapping up the time tonight, the 500 or so early arrivals to Harvest U crammed to the front of the sanctuary, and we all prayed aloud at the same time, prayers of Rejoicing! I love the Lord and His people! I'm excited to see the Lord move in the next 3 days! It has been a great day!

REST AND REFRESH

2011-05-08T00:53:00.000-04:00

It is about 1AM Sunday morning. I can't sleep. I never like it when I can't sleep on Saturday night's, since I get up early to lead worship. But, as long as I'm up, I might as well spend a little time with you all in blog land.

Tomorrow after church, I will be heading to Harvest University. I am really looking forward to this 3 day conference, focused on equipping church workers and volunteers. Plus it is great to see friends from all over the country and other countries that I don't often get to see and hang out with. Aside from seeing friends, I'm praying this will be an incredibly refreshing few days that will fill me up for the cause of Christ!

Some exciting things about this year:
1. Pastor Jeff Miller, and good friend of mine, will be officially graduating Tuesday night from the Training Center. Excited for how the Lord will use him at Harvest Pittsburgh!

2. Harvest Granger is taking 28 people to the conference to be filled, refreshed, and equipped! God is moving huge in Granger, and it is exciting to get some of the core out to the mother ship.

3. I get the humbling opportunity to lead worship this year for a session! In 2005 I officially accepted the call to ministry at a conference at "Big Harvest." Six years later God has made me Worship Pastor of Harvest Granger, and now I have the opportunity to lead in what He's called me to at the place he first called me! God is Faithful! I am humbled!

Harvest University: An Invitation from James MacDonald from Harvest Bible Fellowship on Vimeo.

THE COMMISSIONING

2011-05-01T14:59:00.010-04:00

Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

I've been reading and thinking a lot this week about the days after Jesus rose from the dead; the time where He appeared to His disciples and the people, until he ascended into heaven. In the former post, I hit on the first and proper response to the resurrection, as seen in Luke 24: Worship.

But it didn't stop there. Jesus, with authority from the God of universe, commissioned His followers to GO! Not simply to go, but to go and make disciples; make learners of the Gospel! We don't simply tell of His resurrection, but we go teaching people and pouring into people the ways of Jesus Christ, and the truth that is in Him alone!

We sang a song in church today, "God of Justice," by Tim Hughes. I love the song, and it was powerful within our congregation this morning. The song speaks of our commission to go, and challenges us to be people of compassion, for God has freely given to us, so why would we not freely give to others. But the key to compassion, in light of the Great Commission, is for the Gospel to be the forefront. We don't feed the hungry to simply quench their physical hunger; but that we might present the spiritual food that satisfies for all eternity. Compassion without the Gospel is pointless. The Great Commission means we GO taking the Gospel, modeling Christ's compassion for the lost.

Let us follow Christ's commission to GO with compassion for the sake of the Gospel! Below is the version of the song we sang this morning. I pray is challenges to you, and "moves you into action."

GOD AT WORK: MAX SCHULTZ

2011-04-27T21:32:00.002-04:00

This is a story of an incredible follower of Christ in my church. His story and life has ministered greatly to me. He has an incredible understanding of what it means to live is Christ, to die is gain. We showed this video during our final week of our "Christ at the Core" series, and it turned people attention towards Jesus so beautifully. I pray that His story will bless your life.

THE ONLY PROPER RESPONSE

2011-04-26T21:27:00.001-04:00

Sunday morning, Easter Sunday, my feet hit the ground early, pumped and ready to go. I had family visiting, and that usually means walking and maneuvering space in my small town house is extremely limited. So I got ready for church, and left about an hour early. I went and grabbed some coffee and just began to read through some of the resurrection accounts from the Gospels.

Luke chapter 24 grabbed my attention, as well as stirred up my heart for worship that morning. After Jesus appears to His disciples and all the people, He led the people far out to Bethany. Then, Luke 24:51-53 says:

While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Jesus' first departure brought sorrow, grief, doubt, frustration, cowardliness, and the list goes on. But being the true, one and only God that He is, Jesus rose from the dead! He astonished the disciples, he shocked the soldiers, He turned doubters into believers; Out of sorrow came Joy; Out of cowardliness came boldness; And out of doubters came worshipers!

Jesus' second departure brought about the only proper response...WORSHIP! As Jesus ascended into heaven, those that saw Him alive, knew He was God. And at the sight of the living, breathing God, every knee bows and every tongue confesses "Jesus Is Lord!" They worshiped Him as He ascended, then in JOY ran back to Jerusalem, and day after day worshiped God in the temple! They were in awe!

Why should it be any different for us today? Scripture has more than proved itself. God's mercies and grace are more than evident. Without a doubt, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, rose from the dead and is living and reigning that we might have life. The only proper response to this is Worship. May we daily respond properly to the righteousness bestowed on us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Stop. Think. Notice. Worship!

PASSION WEEKEND REVIEW

2011-04-26T15:29:00.003-04:00

We had an incredible weekend as a church! Good Friday was all about the death of Jesus. There was nothing hinting towards the resurrection; nothing showing the hope that was to come...The night was heavy, dark, and convicting as we looked at the depth of our sin, and the extent of what Jesus endured because of it. The band for the evening consisted of 5 male worship leaders, all singing different vocal parts, playing 2 acoustic guitars, a piano, a bass, and a cajon. The songs focused on the cross, and Christ's death...The songs had a minor feel to them. Isaiah 53 was the roadmap throughout the worship set. There was a heavy, unresolved tension left in the room when the service ended in silence and prayer.

But out of mourning comes celebration. Out of ashes comes beauty. Out of Christ's defeat come Christ's Victory!

Easter Sunday was simply a HUGE celebration. As a church we celebrated that death could not defeat our God! The grave could not contain our God! HE IS ALIVE! I was particularly excited this year to do Matt Maher's "Christ Is Risen." We rearranged it and added a 20 person choir to it, which made for an epic declaration of Jesus! At the end of the service, we let out our loudest celebration, the HE IS ALIVE! There were signs, shakers, air-horns, a vuvuzela, and a record number of people at Harvest Granger shouting in celebration! It was an incredible weekend!

Greater than any song sung, or any number of people that came through, are those that responded to the Gospel on Easter Sunday. Our staff and team are currently pursuing those who responded to the Gospel for the first time! We are praying that Easter 2011 will be there Greatest Day in History, and that it would mark the change in their lives to the glory of God!

To God be the Glory!

WHAT'S GOING ON?

2011-04-15T10:27:00.002-04:00

Hey all, it has been a little since my last post. I miss sitting down and communicating my thoughts through blogging, but there has been a lot of excitement (and busy-ness) going on in preparation for Easter and celebrating our Risen King! So after that I look forward to getting back in the habit of blogging.

So what has been going on? Let me tell you:)

We hired a new Associate Pastor at Harvest Granger! He is the man. He has never missed a Sunday since the church was started! He drove down to VA to move me to IN! He has an incredible heart for Jesus and His church! He rocks socks with sandals better than anyone I know! He roasts his own coffee and it's amazing! He is such a blessing to me and the church! He is Jeff Whitlow.

This Sunday evening, Palm Sunday, we will be celebrating the life in Christ of several at Harvest Granger! The Lord is building His church, and Sunday night we will corporately celebrate as they publicly declare Jesus as Lord through baptism!

Really excited about our Good Friday service! It will be creative as well as intentional as we focus on the heavy meaning of the day. We are seeking to leave people with an unresolved urgency for the resurrection of Jesus. If your in the area, join us at 52277 Hickory Rd., Granger! Starts at 7:00!

Finally, Easter Sunday we will celebrate that the grave could not contain the Lord of all. We are preparing a choir. It will be an epic celebration! And we are praying that many will come who do not know Jesus personally, and trusting the Lord that Easter 2011 could become the Greatest Day In History for those who will accept Christ as Lord!

So that is whats been going on, along with a growing youth group, and some great fellowship among brothers and sisters in the 20somethings. Always a Joy to be serving the Lord! I hope you all have an incredible Easter and are able to focus on the true meaning, which is the most exciting thing we could ever celebrate! And remember, once we know Christ, we must make Him known; so invite some unsaved people to church with you; be ready to share the Gospel at any moment! Christ Is Risen!!!

THE ELEPHANT ROOM

2011-04-01T11:57:00.002-04:00

I had a fantastic day yesterday at "The Elephant Room," a one day conference where 7 influential, Gospel-loving Pastors discussed and spoke openly about different issues within the church. I got the opportunity to go to the live site, as this event was simulcasted all around the US and Canada, which was incredible to sit just a few feet from the action. It was a good day for me to do something out of the normal, have good fellowship, laugh a lot, and gain some things to chew on. Here are some of my thoughts.

THE PASTORS
-Mark Driscoll- Mark is one of the quickest, funniest, and knowledgeable guys I've ever seen interact. He doesn't even try! Both Humor and Theology spew from His mind! I really admire His love for His family. As much as he loves His church, and pours time into His ministry, He clearly makes sure he is investing in his wife and kids first.

-Perry Noble-I haven't really heard of Noble until this event. He is a sarcastic guy, who says some "shocking" things, and fights for His stance on things, with Biblical backing. I admired that he took notes the entire day. He clearly wants to seek everything out and holds even his own views with humility.

-David Platt-One of the most humble guys I've seen interact, with one of the biggest hearts for the lost. Platt is brilliant in his Bible knowledge, critical in his thinking, and longs to see the Gospel be the center focus of compassion in the world.

-Matt Chandler-Quick-witted, sharp, and biblically thorough! The man is just solid!

-Greg Laurie-Wisdom. Laurie speaks with biblical wisdom and experiential wisdom.

-Steven Furtick-I was really impressed. 30yrs. old, and extremely passionate in evangelism. He pushed back a lot on some of His stereotypes from certain youtube clips, etc. with biblically thought-through responses, and left us all thinking. I really admired his ability to cast vision, and see it carried out...LEADERSHIP mixed w/ PASSION and CREATIVITY.

-James MacDonald-Spot on! Definitely not afraid to mix it up and fight out different topics, but extremely humble in accepting others arguments. MacDonald doesn't get off the trail of the Gospel. The Gospel is the centre focus of His thinking, which showed in His points. Plus, only he could pull something like this off. Brilliant.

Honestly, it's hard to sum all these guys up because they are all partners in the Gospel, seeking to achieve the exact same goal. Above are some of my observations, but in the end they are all friends who hold God's Word high, seek truth, and love Jesus.

There was really too much information for me to even try to put it down on here, but I was challenged in my ministry to:
1. Continually grow in my knowledge of the Bible. Memorize it.
2. Love and shepherd my family first. All the men above have biblical families or are making that a top priority as they raise their children and love their wife. W/out a God-fearing, Gospel loving family, my ministry fails, and biblically I don't have the right to be in ministry.
3. Prayerfully seek the Lord, and carefully seek the scriptures on every view, stance, and move I make.
4. Cast vision and be passionate about it that it might be carried out.
5. Hold my views and accept others views with humility. Sure I have biblical opinions, but so do others. Even the things I didn't agree with yesterday, had extremely biblical backing that I had never thought of and need to think of. Seek out the scriptures.
6. Agree to disagree, in love, for the sake of the Gospel. Everyone there held the same Primary Doctrines regarding salvation, as well as the same mission for the lost. AND they all agreed that anyone who taught anything outside of those Primary Doctrines were "wolf in sheeps clothing," and should be "shot." The secondary issues like money, music, and methodology were all carefully, prayerfully, and biblically thought through, but with different beliefs. That's okay. Sure challenge one another, and let God's Word be the measure, but lovingly and graciously agree to disagree.

BOAST IN THE LORD

2011-03-30T11:06:00.000-04:00

JEREMIAH 9:23-24
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

Above is such a powerful passage, as well as reminder. As I'm reading through Jeremiah, I came across these verses and have been sitting on them the past couple days. I've heard them before, and even remember memorizing them at one point, but through this plain and forward command I am reminded once again that it's never about me, and it's all about the LORD!

I would say it is pretty natural for humans to easily find themselves stuck in a "worship problem." What I mean is it is easy to fall into the sin of pride, which turns our worship to ourselves, or our possessions rather than the living God. Man naturally boasts in his wisdom, or riches, or might....or possessions, accomplishments, etc...BUT as clearly stated above, we are commanded not to boast in ourselves, but only in the knowledge of the LORD!

To boast is defined as: "glorifying ones self in speech; talking in a self-admiring way." When we have truly tasted and see the goodness and mercy of God, and our minds begin to open up to His steadfast love, justice, and righteousness we see our depravity in light of His greatness...When our eyes are open to that, there is no reason to boast in ourselves, but to turn our attention to the LORD of the universe!

Finally, the Lord doesn't care about man's wisdom, might, or riches. The Lord delights in steadfast love, justice, and righteousness, of which He does perfectly and calls us to model. May we put our boast in the LORD alone, who holds that which will never pass away!

FINDING REST IN GOD'S WORD

2011-03-29T11:35:00.000-04:00

Life moves fast right? Life is often GO, GO, GO, so everything in our life revolves around GO, GO, GO.

I've found this to be true even in my personal devotion life at times. Let's face it, if we've grown up in a "church" environment or currently spend time in a church we've all heard how vital it is to be in the Word everyday, and how crucial it is to spend personal time in scripture. Totally true, but when life is on the GO, and there are places to be, people to see, our devotion life can easily conform to the GO, GO, GO mentality of life...

I don't know about you, but that doesn't do me much good.?

So, lately I've been approaching scriptures differently, as I explained in this earlier post about my reading through Isaiah. While it has felt fulfilling to come away from God's Word with fresh insight, God's Word really is become a source of rest for me. Sure life moves on, but lately I have been running to the Word for rest a midst the business. Rather than reading scripture because that's what a good "Christian" does, I am seeing a restful need for God's Holy Words. It is becoming a source of hiding in the midst of all that is going on, and it is so refreshing.

I came across this verse the other morning in Jeremiah 6:16 which says, "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls." "Ancient Paths" can best be defined as "past truth revealed." To the people in Jerusalem, Jeremiah was saying, "look at all God has done through past generations..etc." For us today, the past truth revealed is God's Holy Word. When we look to His Word, and walk in faith-driven obedience we find our rest! God has given us His Word not so we can read it out of duty, but that we might find delight in it, and run to it to find rest in Him!

How is your time in God's Word? Do you find yourself skimming through it each day out of duty, or do you run to it as a resting place?

HERE FOR YOU

2011-03-24T11:31:00.007-04:00

I've really had a great time worshiping the Lord through the new songs on the Passion 2011 album, "Here For You." Particularly phrases like "waiting on you Lord" and how our God is "faithful to the end" have helped me to just sit in rest lately as I worship...if that makes sense? I've just been listening, and pondering the great God that we serve and these songs have helped me do so.

Particularly, the first song "Here For You" I have listened to over and over again. And as I've been thinking through the lyrics, I think it is an incredible declaration of the church gathering for God alone. The song was written for the Passion 2011 conference, and I believe the people that went to that conference were going for God, to worship God, and to welcome God's presence. Read through the lyrics:

Let our praise, be your welcome
Let our songs, be your sign
We are here for You, We are here for You.
Let your breath come from heaven
Fill our hearts with your life
We are here for You, We are here for You.

To You our hearts are open, Nothing here is hidden
You are our one desire
You alone are Holy, Only You are Worthy
God let your fire fall down

Let our shout, be your anthem
Your renown fill the sky
We are here for You, We are here for You
Let your Word move in power
Let what's dead come to life
We are here for You, We are here for You

To You our hearts are open, Nothing here is hidden
You are our one desire
You alone are Holy, Only You are Worthy
God let your fire fall down

We welcome You with praise
We welcome You with praise
Almighty God of Love, Be welcomed in this place
Let every heart adore
Let every soul awake
Almighty God of Love, Be welcomed in this place

Great lyrics right? And with the music and building anthem-ish melody it is even more powerful. A few phrases stick out to me, as I think about this song in a local church setting, and more importantly worship leadership within the local church. I love the first line of the chorus, "To You our hearts are open, nothing here is hidden, You are our one desire..."That is such a powerful statement, as well as a dangerous statement. In that statement, a church gathers with completely open hearts to the Lord, hiding nothing, openly repenting of sin that Jesus might be the only reason for gathering. Imagine if that was the attitude that congregations held as they gathered every Sunday for worship! I know there are times where I've gathered for worship, and that statement wasn't true in my heart, and I would venture to say that church is often full of people with "hidden" sin.

So in no way am I knocking this song; I love it. This song challenges me to prepare myself for every opportunity to worship with the people of God. AND as a worship pastor, to hopefully help lead people to a point of repentance in their worship, so that together, in all honesty we can truly sing, "To you our hearts are open, nothing here is hidden, You are our one desire!" What a powerful statement to lead a congregation in, knowing that as a church we truly mean it! To get there takes brokenness, confrontation, repentance...but that is what the Lord desires first! My prayer is that as countless congregations begin to sing this song, that it would be so much more than lyrics to a catchy melody. I pray that it would be sung in spirit and truth, that the Lord might inhabit man's praise as they sing.

GOD AT WORK: RICH AND PRISCILLA

2011-03-08T19:40:00.000-05:00

Another awesome story of God's saving power about a couple in our church. Rejoicing in the convictions, and obedience that this couple heeded before getting married a few weeks ago. God is good!

PERSONAL DEVOTION: ISAIAH

2011-03-05T16:55:00.002-05:00

We all know how vital it is to be in God's Word, and constantly in scripture we see warnings and commands to "meditate on it day and night." It is absolutely a hard routine for me to find. Ideally, if I could spend an hour in the Word before everyone is out of bed, that is great, but that definitely does not always happen. So when that doesn't happen I have to be intentional about spending REAL time in the scriptures in the day or I miss out or just read out of duty rather than delight.

Over the past few months, I took a different approach to personal devotion. I decided to read Isaiah, but not to try to get through a chapter a day. Some chapters I read over and over again, some I read commentaries on, some I just thought about for a few days...etc. I just took it one step at a time, and over the course of the last few months I finished the book of Isaiah and it was a very fresh perspective for me. I can say I spent more time "meditating" on God's Word rather than just reading it, and through that, the Lord challenged me, convicted me, and gave me an incredible sense of anticipation for his Holy Mountain that will one day be established in His glory! So throughout my reading in many of the margins, I jotted down phrases to challenge myself in reference to some of the verses, and I thought I would share them with you.

1. IF we are willing and obedient to the LORD regarding our sins, we will be washed white as snow.(Is.1:18-20)

2. When subject to the Lord's breaking, there is an outcome of righteousness. (Is.1:21-28)

3. One day all will be humbled; but only the repentant will live in forgiveness. (2:9-11)

4. Only the Lord's fame will last! (2:17)

5. In the midst of God's Holiness, our deepest sins are revealed. (6:5)

6. The Lord's light is powerful over darkness and mighty to save. (9:2)

7. The Pride of Satan (Is. 14:12-14). God humbles the prideful...severely.

8. On the Lord's Holy Mountain we will reside; death swallowed up, tears wiped away. The Lord's hand will rest on His people! (25:6-12)

9. Man's plans fail when they are not God's. (28:18)

10. God hates Hypocrisy. (29:13-14)

11. If we wait on the Lord, His justice, mercy, and grace we will receive! (30:18)

12. God's hold on His children is new each morning. He meets us where we are. (33:2)

13. No struggles...No Sin...Just joyful, unending, perfect worship! (35:5-10)

14. In oppression, depression, weariness, and strife, the LORD is our safety! (38:14)

15. When all around us fades, the Word of God remains true forever! (40:8)

16. Every star is accounted for and named by our God! (40:26)

17. Our help from the Lord must evoke a response of worship...(41:14-20)

18. The truth of Christ's coming, death, and fullness of God demands a response of Worship.(42:10-17)

19. God created me, wants me, named me, helps me, loves me, is with me, is using me...Why should I Fear? (43:1-7)

20. God supplies all we need for one purpose: declaring His praise and reflecting His glory!(43:20-21)

21. There is no other God, nor way to salvation. He is the ONLY answer to our sin. (45:22)

22. Bow now or be made to bow later. (45:23)

23. The Lord loves those who declare His eternal and sovereign nature. (48:12-14)

24. When we heed the commands of the Lord, we find great gain! (48:17-18)

25. God allowed, even willed His Son to be brutally murdered, that He might forever adopt me as His own precious Child! (53:10-11)

26. The Lord's anger last a moment compared to His everlasting love and compassion, which is the end result for all His children! (54:7-8)

27. God's Word will not return to Him empty. It will accomplish all he purposed it and will achieve that which He sent it to do! (55:11)

28. Those in Christ will leave this earth in JOY, led forth in peace, and all the earth will rejoice! (55:12-13)

29. Fasting from the Lord's perspective: not for us, but that others might come to know the glory of God (58:6-7)

30. God saw that He was the only one who could make a way out of sin. (59:15-16)

31. Worship is remembering. (63:7)

32. NOT saved by works, but created to joyfully do good works in Jesus' name. (64:5)

33. Eternal life will be our home, victory our song, and Jesus our Holy Father and King! (65:20-25)

34. Worship is anticipation. (65:20-25)

35. To tremble at God's Word is to revere it with an eagerness to obey.(66:2&5)

36. On the Holy Mountain, Day and night, all will worship the Lord1 (66: 23)

WORSHIPER OF THE WEEK: ENOCH

2011-03-02T15:08:00.003-05:00

Have you ever read scripture and wished there was more detail? Sometimes I read a story in the Bible, and certain stories don't have tons of detail. I guess those are the stories I'll have to ask God about one day, if that's possible.

Anyways, I recently taught a message to the youth on Enoch. Enoch was the man who never died. While everyone on earth lived long lives, had kids, then died, God saw fit to simply take Enoch straight up to heaven. Knowing that I was excited to dig into this story, but all the Bible gives us is Genesis 5:21-23:

"When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 200 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him."

The key phrase in these verses is, "he was not." If you read the surrounding verses describing the lineage of that time, for every person named, His age is given, then it says, "...and he died." Enoch's says "he was not!" Enoch did not die!!! God just took him up to heaven!?! That is an incredible thought, but why?

Though we don't have much detail here, it is always important to take scripture for what it says. And it says, "Enoch walked with God." If you break down the word "walk" in the original text it describes an intimate relationship. And if you notice the verses say that Enoch walked with God twice...in his young age and at his oldest He had an intimate relationship with the most high God. Enoch was a worshiper! Through His entire life He was dedicated to YahWeh, the God of the universe. He lived life to the fullest in the eyes of the Lord. He lived by faith. Hebrews 11:5 says:

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he would not experience death; He could not be found because God had taken Him away. For before he was taken, He was commended as one who pleased God.

The challenge here is that we would live as worshipers of Christ, as long as we are on this earth. An intimate relationship with God means we must let him in on our deepest, darkest secrets and surrender them to His Lordship. Will God choose to take us straight to heaven without death? Probably not unless He returns, but I want people to look back on my life and say, "He walked with God." There is no greater honor in life than to be commended as one who pleased God. Let us strive to live life to the fullest in the eyes of our Most High God, just as Enoch did!

UNREASONABLE FAITH

2011-02-26T21:24:00.002-05:00

I've really been in awe of God's faithfulness lately, as well as just focusing on that aspect of God as it's been evident all around lately. With the youth, God's faithfulness recently came up as I taught on Noah and the seemingly unreasonable call God put on His life. But through Noah's faithfulness, God's perfect faithfulness was seen (Genesis 6-7).

I can't help, but think about the story of my wife and I moving here to Granger, IN to start this church plant. It's really a crazy story. We were happy in VA, wanted a full time job and to move back "home" to Pittsburgh PA where our families were. In our minds we were giving God two options; move us back to PA or keep us in VA with our friends and comforts. That's when God opened the opportunity in Indiana...where we knew no one, and knew nothing.

So after some phone conversations, Harvest Bible Chapel flew Nicole and I into Chicago and we met Pastor Trent of Harvest Granger, and spent a long weekend in Indiana, interviewing for a position totally not on our agenda. After leading worship the Sunday morning there, we made the drive to the airport and Pastor Trent said:

1. We would love to have you come be our Worship Pastor
2. We will take you as soon as possible
3. We have ZERO money to pay you!!!!!!!

The first two points got us excited, since we were getting over the whole Indiana thing, but the third point left us a little confused. So we said our goodbyes and got on the plane back to VA and all the while, we felt a strange pulling and peace in our hearts that we were to take this job in IN. We prayed on the plane and talked, and pretty much made up our minds that God would provide and I could find a side job to help get some money.

So I called Trent a couple days later to say we'd accept, and He says, "a first time comer was in church when you led, heard you, knew of our need for a worship Pastor, and gave a substantial amount of money to provide a part-time salary right away for you." As you could imagine I was blown away! So long story short, we moved to IN and God provided us with full-time status shortly after, and free housing for the first 6 months.

I write of this story because, by God's grace he aloud Nicole and I to step out in faith with this move. It was hard. It was certainly not our plans, and the thought that God would call us away from all we knew and all that brought us comfort seemed unreasonable, but in faith we went. NOW his faithfulness is shining through, as there is not really any place I'd rather be. I am seeing the Lord move in the lives of people at Harvest Granger like never before. I am seeing passionate worshipers come alive with the joy of their salvation, and God's faithfulness is at the center of it all.

God's Faithfulness will always be proven greater, when we step out in faith for an unreasonable calling.

Sharing this story is in no way meant to toot my own horn, but simply to say that the greatness and faithfulness of God only becomes more attainable when we heed to His calling on our lives! He is the only one that deserves praise and glory, for He makes the sinful man righteous, counts him as faithful, and chooses to use him to show His glory. God is looking for faithful men and women in a faithless world. Don't miss out on God's perfect faithfulness, by ignoring God's call.

IF OUR GOD IS FOR US...

2011-02-20T02:13:00.000-05:00

It's 2AM. It's 2AM Sunday morning. I'll be getting up shortly to get ready for church to lead worship. For some reason the Lord woke me up tonight and I cannot get back to sleep. Read my bible a little, prayed some...then I found these pics from Harvest's first night in the new facility last week. The Lord met with us in a big way, as people publicly confessed sin, and shouted songs of praise to our God for over 2 hours! "If Our God is For Us, Who Could Ever Stop Us!"
Thought I'd share a few pics with you :)

Above, Men gather around a new brother in Christ!!!

FIRST THINGS FIRST

2011-02-17T11:31:00.000-05:00

PSALM 51:16-17:
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God You will not despise.

This past Sunday we had a service all centered around our sin as human beings. The main points of the service were brokenness and surrender, hopefully leading people to be convicted, humbled, and saddened by the sin in their lives, running towards repentance. It was a heavy morning and I know I was convicted of so many things in my life that I need to seek the Lord on, repent, and seek to live those areas out according to God's Word.

Anyways, I got up Sunday morning and opened to Psalm 51, David's prayer of repentance, to help me seek the Lord that morning in surrender. As I've been thinking about the verses posted above, I am convicted. So many times, we get to church on Sunday mornings and no matter where we are at, referencing our sin, we jump right into a Joyous celebration of songs and Sunday morning activities. Don't get me wrong, all of that is great, but not if we simply check our sin at the door and put on our "Sunday morning best." "God WILL NOT delight in sacrifice and WILL NOT be pleased with a burnt offering..." or a song, or prayer, or Sunday morning message if His people are not first broken and surrendered before Him.

So, obviously Sunday mornings will carry on all around the world, and hopefully in a way that allows people to be confronted with their sin, repent, and worship...BUT outside of that hour and a half or however long on Sunday morning, this is a challenge to myself, and to you; Let's prepare our hearts for worship on Sunday mornings. Let's get real about our sin before joining the celebration of worship. Sure, dealing with sin is no fun, and brokenness in Christ seems painful, but if we humble ourselves, He will lift us up! When we deal with our sin, God who is rich in mercy, again and again extends his grace to us, giving us yet another reason to worship, praise, and celebrate Him in spirit and truth.

PERFECT FAITHFULNESS

2011-02-15T15:18:00.002-05:00

So I've been waiting to update you on this, but the Lord has miraculously provided a building for Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger, IN!!! Another body of believers in the area known as Cornerstone Community Church recently began seeking the Lord for their future. After approaching our church, realizing they needed a pastor and we had a pastor, and we needed a building and they had a building, together we all began to seek the Lord. A few weeks ago, Cornerstone Community became Harvest Bible Chapel of Granger IN! By the grace of God Harvest has been given a facility, and about 15 acres of land for future growth! We are currently seeking the Lord on moving Harvest's growing congregation to this facility, and searching out the measures needed to do so. No time line is in place, and we are all seeking wisdom and guidance in the process.

This past Sunday evening we did, however, have a celebration service at Harvest on Hickory Rd. that turned into an incredible night! We planned for an hour service, but it turned into over 2 hours of worshiping the Lord and hearing people publicly confess sin in their lives and how Christ has saved them that they might give Him the glory!!! My heart was seriously so full Sunday night! I have been so humbled lately as I am seeing life-change unfold before my eyes within my church. Disciples are being made, a fire is being ignited, and people are becoming passionate worshipers! On a long drive the other morning, tears of joy were flowing as I thought about God's saving power and perfect faithfulness that is so evident right now at Harvest.

So yes, the building is a picture of God's faithfulness, but WAY more importantly, God's faithfulness in the lives he is changing blows the building out of the water! God is faithful and mighty to save and I am praising Him for a front row seat right now.

I hope you can rejoice with me and be encouraged that God really does care! He is perfectly faithful in everything, even when we get impatient. He is waiting for His perfect timing to show His love and mercy. All we can do is stay true to the Gospel, live it and share it that life-change might happen in others!

THIS GUY...

2011-02-07T13:26:00.002-05:00

PSALM 96:2-4

...Tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praise!

I am really excited about the life and excitement centered on Jesus that is happening at Harvest Granger as of late. There is Christ-centered worship happening, growth of disciples, people being challenged with the Word of God, and people coming to know Jesus Christ through the power of the Gospel! IT is so exciting!!!

One goal for 2011 and the worship ministry at Harvest Granger, as we approach being only 2 years old, is to capture what God is doing specifically in the lives of people in our church, in order to create a joyful, response of worship within the body of Christ because of the saving power of the Gospel among our brothers and sisters. In the fast pace of our culture and how "church" is often done, it is easy to get in the habit of going to church Sunday after Sunday and never hearing or seeing what God is doing within the lives of the people. I'm excited to be getting to the point where we can start to capture video of God at Work in peoples lives, in order that the body might rejoice with one another, as well as see His saving power in our church...thus evoking a response of worship!

This Guy, Brent Thomas, has been changed by the power of Jesus Christ, has a growing passion for the Gospel, and is leaning into a calling towards full-time ministry! It has been a huge blessing in my life to see God challenge him and grow him over the past year and a half...Brent has musical gifting, as well as some great creativity and drive towards capturing these God at Work stories.

Yesterday in church, we showed Brent's God at Work story. It has blessed me greatly, and I already have gotten some great response from people relating to his story and recalling the saving grace of God in their lives! Take a few minutes to watch God's Story of Brent Thomas!

THE GOSPEL FOR THE SAVED

2011-01-31T12:40:00.001-05:00

Sitting at Starbucks this morning working through some small group questions based on the sermon from this past Sunday at Harvest Granger, my heart is convicted once again by the Gospel. The Gospel-centered life is something I've become passionate about, and I feel like I've written towards that a lot on this blog, but as I'm convicted and reminded of the importance of the Gospel in the life of the BELIEVER, I get excited. The question that sparked my thinking this morning was:

Have you ever thought the gospel was primarily for unbelievers who need to be saved rather than the truth in which believers continually live according to Christ? How does believing deeper of the gospel produce growth in a Christian?

Well, the answer to the first part of that question, is yes; absolutely there was a time where I thought the gospel was simply what got people saved. In fact, I was convicted of this whole topic about a year and a half ago talking with my good friend Ryan Flanigan, when he said, "If we asked our church congregations today to define the Gospel, I don't know that many could really even articulate its true definition." This got me thinking, and I praise God for the convictions He began to work in my life concerning re-preaching the Gospel to myself daily, and letting it be the ultimate drive for living in Christ.

Thinking through the second part of that question, I believe the Gospel is the doorway to every holy and perfect attribute of God that we use to ascribe worth in worship. The Gospel makes worshipers. The daily re-believing of the Gospel for the saved opens our eyes to more of who our God is! Paul declares in Galatians 6:14, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." The Gospel gets us out of the way, and puts Christ in our place. For the believer, the Gospel crushes pride and sin, and turns our attention to the only one worthy of our boasting...JESUS!

This is an ever-improving conviction in my life; one in which I fail at time and time again, but I rejoice in the Gospel, that looked at my sin and failures, and rather than leaving me in my helpless state, sent the the perfect remedy to die in MY place, giving me a way to new life and grace to stand firm on. That is worth remembering and re-believing daily!!!

For more on the Gospel in Worship, read my previous posts:
~Worship Through the Gospel
~Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing

BE DISCERNING

2011-01-27T11:34:00.002-05:00

As we continue to walk verse by verse through the book of Colossians at my church, we recently came across verse 8 of chapter 2, which says,

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

As Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, he was challenging the people to be discerning as false teachers were throwing around philosophies based on human tradition and teachings that held no value pertaining to life in Christ. Not only does Paul call these teachings empty deceit, but the human traditions could most likely be traced back to the influences of demonic forces, resulting in pagan teachings and false religion. Verse eight is Paul's warning to the church, that though these teachers were persuasive, and sounded like they knew what they were talking about, the church should not shift from the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For some reason in my mind, every time I am in a big book store, or even a "Christian" bookstore, looking at the walls of books this verse pops into my head. I praise God for brilliant minds and men of God in our day who write great books pertaining to the Bible, Christianity, life, and the never ending list of topics. However, it is vital to remember that the books that fill "christian inspiration" sections and the books that fill the shelves at "christian" bookstores were and are written by men and not God. Discernment for studying and growth in the faith is key! Does the author's writing, thoughts, and teaching line up with the truth in scripture? There is only ONE book that holds no fault, has been preserved through the ages, and stands true "for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2Tim.3:16)..."the BIBLE. Man's thoughts, philosophies, and views can be persuasive and can easily take us down the wrong path for living, and off the path that is "according to Christ," if they do not line up with the Bible.

So this is simply a challenge to you and a reminder for myself to be discerning and to view every book, teaching, philosophy, and thought through the lens of scripture. How does this pertain to worship? When we get off the truth of the Gospel and our minds are filled with philosophies that are false truth according to scripture, our eyes can be jaded to the true object of our worship. Matthew 15:9 says, "in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." The pharisees of the day thought they were worshiping, but they were missing the true object of worship because they were blinded by the philosophies of man. We must be discerning and guard ourselves from doing the same.

TO COMPLAIN OR TO WORSHIP???

2011-01-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

I was convicted the other day. I was up early, driving to where I needed to be, noticing the temperature in my car said -1degrees, and I HATED IT!!! It was so cold!!! So as I arrived where I needed to be, as fast as I could I jumped out of the car, ran into the building, and began to try to warm myself up. As I came upon my good friend, I continued to acknowledge how stinking cold it was and how I could not stand this winter weather...My friend said, "Oh but God is at work out there," and he continued to explain how on his way there that cold morning, he couldn't help but notice the work of our Creator God all around. He noticed God at work in the cold smoke that rose off the snow covered objects, and the barren trees covered in ice and snow, and the ice sickles that hung from buildings....My friend was noticing God at work and responding in worship! I was to busy being cold, hurrying, and missing God's initiation to worship Him.

I love that reminder that I got that morning! That is why I love Psalm 34:8 and named this blog after it, "O taste and see that the Lord is good..." The constant in that scripture is GOD IS GOOD! That never changes and God never fails to show His goodness. The call to believers is to stop and notice His goodness and to respond in worship.

So, this morning I got up early, had to be somewhere, it was cold, but as I drove I noticed the intricacy and the creativity of the giant ice sickles, and the snow covered trees, and the white snow. Most would say that's just how winter looks, works, and acts, but I know my God was at work and is sovereign over all His creation! This morning, I praise Him, for allowing me to stop and notice and respond in Worship to His perfect and creative work all around!

Don't miss a chance to worship the Lord! Everything around us gives us a chance to respond! Let's not miss it by complaining!!!

SERVICE REVIEW: 1/9/2011

2011-01-11T21:18:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday, we pulled some last minute changes to the order of service and I feel it ended up being an extremely fresh morning of worship. Due to a TON of snowfall in the area, we weren't really sure who the Lord would bring to Church Sunday morning, and simply with some events going on in the life of our church, we felt it was a perfect Sunday to do things differently. The order of service was as follows:

CORPORATE SINGING:
Hosanna (Praise is Rising)
One Way
Always- new song by Kristian Stanfill
**Prayer in Silence; intentionally had no music behind the prayer...in order to listen to God. Out of "Always" we bowed our heads, I quoted "I look to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth..." Continuing in the truth that our God is for us and in the trials, He does not waver...shifting us to the Holiness of God, his worthiness, and a complete vertical response to Christ!
Revelation Song

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW CORPORATE SONG:
Hallelujah What a Savior(Praise to the One)- AWESOME hymn re-write! Everyone caught on quickly and we invited them to stand and join.

DEVOTIONAL STYLE MESSAGE: The adoption of MAN into GOD the Father's Care

CORPORATE PRAYER:
People broke up into groups of about 7-12 and prayed out loud:
1. Personal Prayers based off what we are called to in 1 Timothy 6:11
2. Prayers for our church from Colossians 2:9-10, that Christ would be the Head of any growth and steps

RESPONSE:
God of This City
Our God

I believe people were stretched out of their comfort zones this past Sunday, but I believe the LORD met with us in a fresh way, as He promises to in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Even a midst the moving of chairs and getting in groups, the worship of God resonated throughout the gym as His people prayed humble prayers for their own spiritual walk and for that of their church body. Corporate prayer is something we are clearly called to in scripture, but it lacks in the way we so often do "church" today. Sure we pray, but prayer has easily become more of a transition in our services, rather than an earnest seeking of invocation, repentance, intercession, illumination and all that going before a Holy God can be for the body of Christ!

Constance Cherry writes in her book The Worship Architect, "...Not only is corporate prayer not the reason for dull worship; it is perhaps the one thing that can renew our worship when done in a vital manner." We NEED prayer. We NEED to pray in our churches...together! I am so thankful to be at a church that "believes firmly in the power of prayer," and this past Sunday excited me to see the Lord work as His people prayed and sought His face corporately.

What do you think? If you were there what were your thoughts? OR how can we make corporate prayer a priority in the church as we worship the Lord in a way that is biblically faithful?

ONE PURPOSE

2011-01-05T10:45:00.002-05:00

ISAIAH 43:20-21
"...for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise."

I read this incredible verse this morning and have spent some time just meditating on it and on my life. Thought I would share some of my thoughts that are helping me respond in worship this morning.

My God supplies all I need for one purpose: To declare His Praise and Reflect His Glory!

Read the verse above again!!! It holds value! We have been CHOSEN by God, formed for Him alone, and HE provides water where there is no water...not so we can simply survive; not simply for our own comfort and peace; BUT THAT WE MIGHT DECLARE HIS PRAISE!!! The real truth is our God supplies life where there is no life. He's called us His precious children, when we were His enemies. Why would God choose to redeem that which rejects Him, runs from Him, and crucified Him??? Because it makes Him all the more Glorious!!!

May we never forget, as worshipers of Jesus Christ, our chief calling and goal in life:
1CORINTHIANS 10:31- SO WHETHER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD!!! For He made a way where there was no way...He's given life to the dead...He supplies all our needs that we might make much of Him!!!

NEW SONG: LORD WE EXALT YOU

2011-01-03T23:05:00.001-05:00

Here's a new worship song I'm working on. It is a simple acknowledgement of the grace in which we stand, and the blood that has ransomed us for the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we exult in the hope of the glory of God." The incredible love of the Father, the ONE way made through Christ's death, and the free gift of grace in which we can be firmly planted should only lead to one thing...glorifying God, and exalting His name.

Hope you can worship through it.

Lord We Exalt You from Micah Klutinoty on Vimeo.

VERSE:

Abounding in Mercy, abounding in love

Is our heavenly Father, who gave us His Son

To ‘bring Salvation and life through the cross

Lord You made a way for us

That we might freely come

CHORUS:

It’s by your grace we stand

It’s by your blood we ransomed

Glory to You Lord

We Exalt You

VERSE:

From the humblest of humble, to the greatest of greats

Lord You’ve been exalted, to the highest place

Now Ruling and Reigning, as Lord over all

You made a way for us

That we might freely come

BRIDGE:

Let every heart, every tongue; raise a shout join as one

Lord we exalt You, Lord we exalt You

Let every knee hit the ground; Bow before Jesus NOW

Lord we exalt You, Lord we exalt You

NEW YEAR...NEW OPPORTUNITY

2011-01-03T13:03:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! I had some great time over the holidays with family and friends, and now I'm excited to get back in the groove of life!

Today, Monday, marks a new day, a new week, a new year, and ultimately a new opportunity to reflect the glory of God in our lives. We were created for the glory of God, and as God has called us into His kingdom as His children, our daily mission should be one of reflecting the Glory of God! As we live in the joy of our salvation may we point people to JESUS, and respond to the works of our Creator that are all around us!

I have had a great time studying the book of Isaiah and the past week I've been digging into chapters 40-43. Here are some verses to encourage you in the New Year:

Isaiah 41:10-
Fear Not, for I am with You;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help You,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 42:6-
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations.

Isaiah 43:1-2-
...Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume You.

I've been encouraged with these verses over the past week, especially in light of some of the things God is convicting me of in my life. Isn't it comforting to know that no matter where we find ourselves at this point in time, we do not have to fear!?! Sure the hard moments will come, and the frustrating convictions will carry on, but God, who is steadfast in love, rich in mercy, and mighty to save has called us, holds us, and protects us!!! That gives me incredible hope in the light of my sinful nature.

The sermon at Harvest this past Sunday was coincidentally on Isaiah 43. It encouraged me greatly and you can listen HERE if you'd like. But the main points were: God created me, God wants me, God named me, God helps me, God loves me, God is with me, and God is using me....WHY SHOULD I FEAR?

God is good and I rejoice in the life I have in Him! I give thanks for his mercy in giving me a new day, new week, new year, and new opportunity to reflect His glory in my life! To LIVE is Christ, to die is gain! No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, or where God may have you at this point in your life, be encouraged and I pray you find reason to rejoice in the Glory of God this New Year.

INCREDIBLE EVENING

2010-12-20T16:01:00.002-05:00

WOW! Last night at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger IN, was an incredible night of corporate worship and celebration of Jesus Christ! Seriously the Lord moved, and it may have been the most Joyful, Christ-centered Christmas services I've ever been too. My hopes and prayers for the evening was that we could create an environment where people could come and really lift their voices LOUDLY in the name of Jesus...both remembering that He came, and anticipating His coming again! Well, the Lord moved and the gym where we hold our services was filled with the praises of God's people, and I choked back tears of Joy the whole time!!! GOOD NIGHT!

It was a first for us shutting off all of the gym halogen lights and trying to create a little more of a warm atmosphere...Things turned out really well and it was cool to worship in that setting for a change. Also, it was a first putting a small 12 person choir up there with the band and that blew me away. My thought was just to have some worshipers facing the congregation so that their voices could be heard, prompting others to join...Not only did it accomplish that, the choir sang some great harmonies, and added a lot of energy to the room! This will begin to become more of a regular at Harvest!

The order of Service went as follows:

Opening Song: He Has Come For Us (What Child Is This)

VIDEO:

Right out of the video we jumped into a soft "caroling" feel of:

O Come All Ye Faithful-

band builded through the song, until the big ending where we proclaimed,"We'll praise Your name forever!"

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

My Soul Magnifies the Lord (Band in; Big and Energetic)

O Holy Night

Emmanuel-

Ended focusing the congregation on the thought of God himself coming dwell among sinners, finishing by singing the chorus with no instruments...

TESTIMONY TIME: We wanted to hear from people about why their soul magnifies the Lord! Trent led a time with soft piano music playing, and people stood to proclaim God's greatness in their lives this Christmas season.

CONVERSATION/GOSPEL: Our Sr. Pastor and his Wife Andrea sat on stools and took some time to talk about Christmas in their growing up years, as well as their current family days...It was relational setting up for the congregation that no matter where anyone found themselves this Christmas season, without Jesus Christ, the meaning to Christmas, and ultimately life is missed. The Gospel was presented, and people were challenged to take hold of the light of the World...

RESPONSE TIME:

You Are the Light-

Powerful song in our church! Left the people in their seats to think, but they were up in no time declaring with Us...

Born that We May Have Life-

Great, fun song! Off the Chris Tomlin Christmas album, its just a song of rejoicing, and we rejoiced at the close of last night! Great way to end the service!

Well, I have been blessed to be a part of Harvest in Granger, and there is incredible life happening there that can only produce worship in my life! God is so faithful and good! I think my heart grew 10 sizes worshiping with the body of Christ last night, and that is the best thing that will happen this Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

THE GRACE OF GOD IN JESUS

2010-12-07T14:19:00.002-05:00

GALATIANS 4:4-5
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

We've been singing a song the the past few weeks at Harvest from Chris Tomlin's Christmas album, "Glory In the Highest." The song is called Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground), and its whole focus is God coming to earth to dwell with us, bringing us hope, appointed to die that we might have life, and the song declares "Praise His Name, Emmanuel!" The second verse has had me thinking and pondering the miracle of Jesus' birth in the manger many years ago. The verse says:

What fear we felt, in the silent age
Four-Hundred years can He be found
But broken by a Baby's cry
Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

So the Old Testament ends with the book of Malachi, and the world entered a period of 400 years where God was silent! There was no inspired Word from the Lord! Sure, today we are really in a "silent age," where we haven't heard inspired Words from God in over 400 years, but between the Old and New Testament was PRE-JESUS! God's presence and direction for the people of Israel throughout the Old Testament is what got them through life...Then for that to all of a sudden disappear! You could imagine a sense of fear and hopelessness among the people in that time!

BUT, God had it all under control. Just as the verse above says, "when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son..." God had the appointed time, place, and way to send the antidote to the sins of all the world, and He did so that night in Bethlehem, in a manger, as a small baby broke the silence!

What I have been thinking and wondering about, letting it lead me to worship Christ, is the fact that God could have left us in the silence. He could have chose to never speak again, leaving us hopeless, lost, and on the way to destruction...And that would have been giving us what we deserve. But He didn't and as Galatians 4:5 continues to say, "God sent forth His son...That we might receive adoption as Sons!" God didn't leave His creation in silence, but He gave His creation a permanent and perfect way to Him...WHAT GRACE!?!

So just as in those silent years, God was still at work, preparing the perfect appointment to send His Son to the earth, as we live in the legacy of Christ today, relying on His Word, God is at work, preparing a place for all His children, and when the time is right, He's coming again!!!

Why would God not leave a people who's rejected Him time and time again in silence? And why would He come to earth as a man, to give us hope, and life eternal? I DON'T KNOW! But I'm letting the wonder of those questions, and the unknown lead me to worship Him this Christmas! ALL GLORY AND FAME GO TO JESUS OUR KING!

I pray these thoughts and questions moved you as much as it did me as I wrote it! Think about the grace you've received verses what could have been if God chose not to speak ever again!

REMEMBER, ANTICIPATE, RESPOND...

2010-12-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

Much of Christmas is about remembering...right? More than any other time of the year, the church focuses on the baby that changed everything. The coming of emmanuel, God incarnate who left His perfect throne on high to come and dwell on earth. Jesus, born of a virgin, born in a humble manger, who shepherds came to worship...etc. It is really an incredible story and worth our remembering! For that very baby grew, walked the earth as fully God and fully man, leaving a lifestyle for us to follow, and eventually took the sins of the world upon His shoulders as He was nailed to a cross, dying in our rightful place, then rose from the dead making a way for us to have eternal life! Certainly a story worth remembering this Christmas season!

Well, just as that story is worth remembering, and just as Christmas has a lot to do with remembering, this time of year is also about anticipation! The great story of our God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, is by no means over. The story of Jesus lives on as He is ruling and reigning and daily glorifying himself through creation and through His Church! Just as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others were told by the angel that a Savior was coming who is Christ the Lord, we know through God's Holy Word that the same Savior is coming again to call those in the faith home to eternity! The story is by no means over! John 14:1-3 tells us, that He is preparing a place for Us and that He will come again! That is worth anticipating, and that should bring JOY to any follower of Christ in the Christmas season!

Finally, we must respond! Worship is a response to truth! Remembering the humble love of Jesus' coming as a baby should evoke a response of worship, and the anticipation of His second coming should stir up a response of worship! COME LET US ADORE HIM!!! When Christ is the focus of the Christmas season, and we have a balance of remembering and anticipating, this season will be most profitable in the worship of our King Jesus!!! In the culture we live in, this season is fast! Get up the tree, get up the decorations, buy a ton of gifts...etc. May we not miss the incredible ongoing story of Jesus this Christmas, and let us respond by worshiping the real reason for this season...JESUS CHRIST!!!

Go Tell It!!!

2010-12-01T18:14:00.002-05:00

This Saturday, December 4th, I'm playing some Christmas tunes at Hope Missions open house in South Bend. I play from like 6:30pm-7:00pm.

Hope Rescue Mission is an outreach center that is doing great things in the city of South Bend. Our church is beginning to partner with them, and this is an opportunity to see their facility and spend some time supporting them. If your free and in the area stop on out!

Address:
432 S. Lafayette Blvd. in downtown South Bend
www.hopesb.org

AND...here's a little arrangement I'm working on for Saturday evening of, "Go Tell It On the Mountain." Enjoy:)

Go Tell It On The Mountain from Micah Klutinoty on Vimeo.

'TIS THE SEASON...

2010-11-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

ISAIAH 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore...

I'm not going to lie, getting into the Christmas spirit is a little hard for me sometimes...I'm not a big lights and tree guy, and especially not crazy excited about buying a ton of gifts that I fail to budget for every year, even though I say I'm going too...Christmas music kind of gets on my nerves...I have a little bit of GRINCH in me to say the least.

However, as my understanding and passion for the Gospel of Christ continually takes shape in my life, the more I realize this is an exciting time of year. Reading a prophecy like the one above from Isaiah and knowing with all my heart that it has been fulfilled gets me in the Christmas spirit more than anything! What an incredible God we serve!

With the understanding of the baby Jesus being 100% God in the flesh, and the fact that He came to walk the earth, leave a legacy to follow, die in our rightful place, and rise and reign that we might have eternal life, we can understand the grace we've received in all we do...Thus giving glory to God this holiday season as we decorate with our family, give generously, listen to repetitive Christmas music, etc...

May Christ be the center of this Christmas season! Come let us adore Him! Of HIS government there will be no end! Tis the season to REJOICE!!!

DECK THE HALLS

2010-11-28T23:16:00.001-05:00

I love my family! Had a great evening getting a Christmas tree and decorating for the holidays!

Deck the Halls from Micah Klutinoty on Vimeo.

WORSHIP TIME IN GRANGER

2010-11-23T16:21:00.000-05:00

Parts of me can't wait for all the fancy technology and video shooting capabilities, and cool, up-to-date stuff that many churches have...But other parts when I think about who our God is and the exciting times of worship we are having each week in an Elementary School Gym, I tend not to really care!

God is good. We threw a camera up a few weeks ago, just because we had a decent camera in the trunk of our sound techs trunk. Thought I would share it with you...For being a year and a half old, God has brought some great musicians our way. This particular week, we didn't have an electric guitar (so you can tell its missing in a few BIG spots) but the name of Jesus is still lifted high.

Let me just tell you, a year and a half ago, this congregation did not sing like this...they sing LOUD!!! The video only does it a little bit of justice, but I praise God that He hears our cries of praise and rejoicing from this gymnasium every week, and I rejoice in the LIFE that is taking place week to week at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger!

The set in the service was:
Glory to God- FEE
Our God- Tomlin
I Surrender All- Traditional Hymn
-Not to often do I address the congregation for more than a sentence or two...but I thank God for the platform to do so when the Lord lays something on my heart, and a Pastor who encourages it. This Sunday the Lord was challenging me with Surrender of all things, responding to the message from the prior week, on the Peace we have through the Blood of Christ. Not only did this challenge me, but I had some awesome feedback from people in the congregation this day...God knows what each church body needs to hear at the perfect time!
God You Are My God- Ingram, Mabury, Noland, Seller

Hope you can worship with us, if your watching...Sound quality isn't too bad for being through the camera mic...On the big musical drums sound a little muddy, but not to shabby;)

Harvest Bible Chapel, Granger - 10.31.10 from HBCGranger on Vimeo.

WHAT I'M RESPONDING TOO...

2010-11-02T12:50:00.001-04:00

So I feel like I had a major busy week this past week...My wife and I planned a big Fall Festival for our church as an outreach event, our daughter was sick all week, we got very little sleep, we had a birthday party for Reese yesterday, and that was all on top of normal weekly routines and life. However, God has been great through it all and is always faithful to deliver. AND, tomorrow Nicole, myself, and Reese will be heading down to Austin, Texas for a week to hang with good friends and have some good family, fun time.

Anyways, I was thinking this morning about the title of this blog, "O Taste and See: Finding Christ in All Things, Responding in Worship." God has been good in my life and there are plenty of things around me each day that lead me to worship Him. Let me give you some before we take off for a week;)

1. I'm finding Christ in my personal time as of late, as I read through the book of Isaiah. God always gives us what he wants us to hear at the perfect time and as I prayed and sought the Lord about what to personally read in His word, He put Isaiah on my heart, and their is so much life to it right now! It's giving me anticipation for His return...Praise God! Through his word I respond in Worship!

2. I'm finding Christ in my little girl Reese! It is so crazy to me that she is 1 whole year old as of November 1st!!! That went so fast and it is incredible to have seen how she's grown in just a year. Almost walking, starting to say words, and so fun to be around! I can't wait to continue to watch her grow, and to pour into her the gospel of Jesus! Through Reese I'm responding in Worship!

3. I'm finding Christ in my wife. Proverbs says, "The man who finds a wife, finds a treasure."By God's grace I found the treasure. I get so encouraged when I see her heart for the Lord and her desire to raise our daughter in the truth of Jesus. I see her desire to grow in the gospel and to be the gospel to our children and to the poor, and I love her passion. Through my wife I'm responding in Worship!

4. I'm finding Christ in my church. God is moving greatly at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger, IN! Seriously, I love Sunday mornings, and I love small group meetings and getting the body together for service and fellowship. There is so much excitement for worship each week, and accountability is present, and growth is evident! I praise God for what is taking place! Through my church I'm responding in Worship.

5. I'm finding Christ in my friends. You may have heard me mention the 20somethings at Harvest, but I lead a group called 20somethings on Monday evenings. A solid group of people come to Nicole and my place every Monday night and we discuss the sermons, or go through a book, have prayer time, break up for accountability time...etc. These are my friends and I'm always so encouraged by them. If I've had a rough week, this group picks me up. We hold each other to high standards, we pray for each other, we help each other, and we act as the church toward each other! Through the 20somethings I'm responding in Worship!

Needless to say, God is Good!!! It says so in scripture, and it challenges us to "Taste and see..." WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE HIS GOODNESS!!! It's all around! Well, those are just a few of the many things I'm responding in worship to currently. One thing to come is the Texas barbecue I will soon partake in...I HEAR IT'S INCREDIBLE! And I will surely taste, and respond in worship to our great God, Jesus Christ....haha! What are you responding in worship to?

Have a great week!

THE FAMOUS ONE

2010-10-29T23:14:00.000-04:00

"So man is humbled, and each one is bought low, do not forgive them."~Isaiah 2:9

"The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day."~Isaiah 2:11

As I continue reading Isaiah during my personal time with the Lord, the verses above and many like them continue to stick in my mind. It is obvious that one day, in the Lord's sovereign timing, He will humble the pride of man, and he will destroy the sin of the self-righteous. I can't help but think that the Lord's humbling is better described as complete humiliation! Most importantly, in that day, the Lord alone will be exalted! The Lord's fame alone will last!!!

I rejoice in the grace that has made the Lord's fame known to me, opening my eyes to the only object worthy of worship. I don't know about you, but I want to pursue humility NOW! C.J. Mahaney says, "I am a prideful man seeking humility by the grace of God." I'm right there with him. I am no doubt, a prideful man. I want to be right; I want to stand out in what I do; the depravity in me wants all the fame! However, by the grace of God, I've come to know the everlasting fame of Jesus Christ, pushing me to make much of Jesus and not myself. Not I, but Christ!

" But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."~Isaiah 66:2

"He has told you O man what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."~Micah 6:8

It's no doubt that God is looking for humble people. It's also obvious that pride and any "fame" that is not for the glory of the Lord will one day set off his anger. Really, the pursuit for humility is an incredible challenge that will lead us purely to worship! Through the pursuit for humility we see the lasting fame of the Lord through His grace, rather than His anger. James 4:6 says, "...God gives grace to the humble." When we embrace humility NOW, through grace God opens our eyes to His holy, perfect, and lasting fame...the only fame worthy of our worship.

May we pursue humility by grace, realize NOW that Jesus' fame alone will last, and respond in worship!

KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING

2010-10-28T17:03:00.001-04:00

Paul writes in Galatians 6:14, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Paul got the main thing! Paul got the gospel! Paul understood that "to live is Christ..." That apart from Jesus Christ and the "peace made by the blood of His cross,"(Col. 1:20) who are we? NOTHING!!!

So as a worship pastor in a church, it is vital that I keep the main thing, the Gospel, the main thing. Am I winning people to good music, or to emotionalism and experientialism, or are people faced with the Gospel in worship? It's only through Jesus Christ, and the cross where he died for OUR sins, that we can truly worship. True worshipers see their life without Christ, run to the blood of the cross, and in surrender offer up adoration to the triune God!

We live in such a programatic culture today. Just look at our churches! Their are women's programs, men's programs, worship programs, kids programs, evangelism programs, Sunday mornings, plus many more, and all of them meet and go at a certain time weekly. That's great! But if the Gospel is not the main thing in each of them, what good are they? It is vital that all we do concerning ministry confronts people with the preeminence of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful to hear my wife come home from her Thursday morning women's Bible Study on parenting, pumped and convicted to better live the gospel out to our daughter as she is home with her daily! Her women's Bible Study keeps the main thing the main thing! And there is fruit from it, as worshipers are being made who boast in the cross of Jesus alone and focus their parenting on the foundation of Christ! PRAISE GOD!

EPHESIANS 2:19-22~ You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Jesus is the cornerstone of the church. When a program is not built on the one foundation of Jesus Christ, it is meaningless. When our worship is not rooted in the foundation of Jesus Christ, IT IS MEANINGLESS!!! "If Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of worship, we will speak his name, designate regular worship time as belonging to him, and allow his person and work to form the content of our worship," (C.M. Cherry in "The Worship Architect"). Jesus must be the priority of all our programs, for He is the priority of our worship!

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS

2010-10-26T18:52:00.008-04:00

For in Him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.~Colossians 1:19-20

Sunday was a great, refreshing day at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger. As we have been journeying verse by verse in Colossians, the verses above led us to contemplate the cross and the bloodshed on the cross that has brought us peace with God. With the recognition that the cross is not really a pretty picture, but rather a gory, display of torture and bloody death, we focused on the price paid for our sins. Recognizing that we need the cross of Christ in our lives, we put a BIG, rugged cross in the middle of the gym where we worship the Lord. Sunday we focused on the Cross and ultimately the name above all names, JESUS!

The service looked like this:

Nothing But The Blood- (A) Matt Redman
In Jesus Name- (B) One Sonic Society
Started the service upbeat, energetic, familiar, and focused on the blood of Jesus and the fact that by Jesus' death and resurrection, "It has all been done!"

WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

MESSAGE INTRO- Pastor Trent read the text from Colossians 1:19-20 and focused the congregation on the blood of Jesus that has brought us peace.

Oh Crimson Flow- (D) by Christ for the Nations. Reflective song...hymn feel with a refrain. Congregation remained seated, contemplating the cross.

MESSAGE- Listen HERE!

COMMUNION- This was cool. We actually had communion set up at the cross, so the congregation, section by section funneled to the front of the auditorium, and up the center aisle to the cross, where they participated in communion. It was a powerful picture after a powerful message. During communion, I played and sang, "Thank You Jesus For the Cross" and some other familiar songs on acoustic. As people got back to their seats, some stood and sang along, some sat and prayed...It was a time of worship, reflecting on Christ's sacrifice.

HYMN SING- We ended the service looking at the cross, thinking about the cross, and worshiping through familiar hymns about the cross. We did a medley of hymns:

At the Cross At the Cross-G
The Old Rugged Cross- G
Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross- G
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross- D

We did about a verse and a chorus of each song. We arranged them to flow one into another pretty seamlessly. Musically it was simply an acoustic guitar, piano, and 3 part vocals as the whole congregation belted out the familiar hymns. For "When I Survey" the band slowly came in until we hit "The Wonderful Cross" chorus LOUD AND PROUD! Sang the chorus of "The Wonderful Cross" twice and ended the service on a big note, cheering for the life we have in Christ!

It was a cool way to change up the order, to sing some oldies but goodies, and it was a convicting day picturing the blood of the cross shed for us! God is Good!

A DEEPER SIDE OF LOVE

2010-10-22T09:47:00.002-04:00

I like to write songs...particularly worship songs. This is not a worship song, but more of a fun song. Maybe if your having a rough day, this will brighten it....I was playing through some songs yesterday and thought I'd share this one.

In life, pain and bad circumstances will undoubtedly come, but Christ has everlasting arms that are far stronger than anything we face. In Jesus, we can know a love that is perfect and true, and greater than our hardships. Enjoy:)

Deeper Side of Love from Micah Klutinoty on Vimeo.

NEW PASTORS, NEW HARVESTS!!!

2010-10-20T16:14:00.001-04:00

Good morning and lunch hanging with the Training Center Pastor's at Harvest Bible Chapel. It is always exciting to see what God is doing through the Harvest Bible Fellowship, encouraging to hang with people with the same passions and heart for ministry, and it's awesome to see those who God is raising up to Pastor new Harvests! The group above pictures seven Pastor's in training, along with Rick Donald and Kent Shaw who lead the class at Harvest Bible Fellowship (standing on both ends of the back row.)

The seven guys in training seem like really cool guys who the Lord will use. Not all sure of there planting location, some likely spots will be Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, Bloomington IN, Pittsburgh PA, Australia, and wherever else the Lord may lead. I'm pumped to see the Lord work through these future Harvest Pastors!

THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD

2010-10-19T15:21:00.002-04:00

I've been studying and taking my time to read through Isaiah recently, and throughout the beginning of the book a few things have stuck out to me. The phrase, "Lord your anger lasts a moment, but your favor lasts a lifetime," has popped into my head a lot. Looking through Isaiah its evident that in the latter days God's anger will be poured out...All man will be "humbled and brought low"(2:9), the Lord will "turn his hand against" the unfaithful (1:25), and He will "hide His eyes," from those whose hands are held out (1:15). But, praise God, in that day "the LORD alone will be exalted"(2:11), and the righteous will prevail in the reigning justice of Christ! The Lord's favor will last for all eternity on those He's called his own!

Isaiah 2 begins to talk about how the mountain of the Lord will be established. It says in verse 2 that "all the nations shall flow to it." The universal church, all those called by Christ, will flow to one place! Verse 3 says that many will come and say:

Come let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
To the house of the God of Jacob
That he may teach us his ways
And that we may walk in his paths.

Out of the mountain of the Lord will flow the LAW, the Gospel, and disputes and war will be no more (2:4)! In the light of the LORD, justice will reign and peace will remain! What an incredible day and thought it is!

So as I've been thinking about this call of believers, on their way to the mountain of the Lord, I am led to think about right now. While this time has not come to pass yet, we live in a world that is fitting the descriptions that sets off the Lord's anger seen in Isaiah. And perhaps the saving grace I have been freely granted is a call to live a life in pursuit of the mountain of the LORD. While each day gets closer to the LORD establishing his house, in my imperfections I have been granted access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul declares, "to live is Christ..." I want to live my life as Christ did...existing to give glory and honor to His Father, taking with Him whomever He could as He approached his call home.

So the thinking in my mind is clear (though it may not sound clear):
As the establishing of the LORDS mountain approaches I can strive to daily:
1. Make much of Christ in my life, until I can do so perfectly, where sin will be no more!
2. Live my life centered on the Gospel, openly and boldly proclaiming its truth to the lost!
3. Live with joyful anticipation of the incredible worship service that will one day take place with the Church of Christ!

So that is what I've been thinking about lately and trying to hash out in my mine. Hopefully, it gives you hope and excitement for eternity with Jesus, and causes you to pursue that glorious day now! I have a new song brewing on this subject that I'm excited about, so stay tuned!

SERVICE REVIEW: 10/17/2010

2010-10-18T14:43:00.001-04:00

It was another great morning worshiping with the people of God at Harvest Bible Chapel! I truly believe that through prayer and a consistent focus on keeping the Gospel the center of all we do at Harvest, we are beginning to see people become worshipers of God who desire hard truth in their lives, and who long to be true disciples of Christ! It is exciting to continually, week to week, see this unravel in peoples lives! Easily one of my favorite few hours of my week!

The Order of service for this week looked like this:

Sing to the King (E)- Big intro, with exciting call to worship. Repeated verse 2, and when the lyrics say "For Satan in vanquished and Jesus is King," band held the note while everyone clapped and shouted and cheered....then went in for 1 more chorus.
The Solid Rock (E)- Charlie Hall's version of the hymn...
Your Name (A)
All Glory (E)
-PASTORAL PRAYER- out of All Glory, the music sat, and Pastor Trent came and focused the congregation on our Holy God, who truly does deserve all the glory, honor, wisdom, strength, and power!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

In Jesus Name (B)- Introduced One Sonic Society's new song,"In Jesus Name." I highly recommend this song for congregational use! The band sounded big on it, it is so singable and easy to grasp the melody, and it's truth is worth declaring. The people were on there feet by verse 2, and several told me how much the song spoke to them concerning their current situation...They said it helped them worship in the midst of their hardship and focus them on putting their trust in Jesus Name alone! One woman said it was the exact truth she needed to hear, as she lost her job 2 days prior! God is Good!

MESSAGE- Colossians 1: 17-18--The preeminence of Christ! Making Him first place in our lives. Having Christ at the Core of my life means His priorities become my priorities. Convicting stuff...Listen HERE!

Closing Song- Center (E)

COLOSSIANS 1:17-18
AND HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH; THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, THAT IN EVERYTHING HE MIGHT BE PREEMINENT!

WALK IN THE LIGHT

2010-10-07T12:19:00.002-04:00

Colossians 1:12-14- ...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins!

I love this passage and as we have been going through the book of Colossians at my church, I've been thinking more and more on it. Just think about what that verse is saying...You (and I) without Christ, are part of the domain of darkness. No matter how good we think we are, or how "good" we have been, we were all part of the domain of darkness. But, by the grace of Christ alone, he qualified us, pulling us out of the domain of darkness, freely putting us in the kingdom of Jesus, where we are forgiven! INCREDIBLE!

So we've been pulled out of darkness and placed in light! Not only are we placed in light, but Matthew 5:14 says, "YOU are the light of the world! A city on a hill cannot be hidden!" Jesus calls you and me the "light of the world," which must mean there is darkness needing light! ABSOLUTELY! We live in a world where darkness entertains...just look at what is in movies today, and reading material...etc. Our world is entertained by the domain of darkness, so we as "light;" those called out of darkness, ought not participate in the domain of darkness, but rather shine the light of Christ where we were freely rescued from! Said on Sunday by Pastor Trent Griffith, "Christians GLOW in the dark!" How do we glow? By standing for truth in the midst of a false world; by not being entertained by what the world deems as entertaining; by sharing the qualifying grace of Jesus in the midst of darkness!

Listen to Sunday's message at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger HERE!

And here is a portion of a message from Mark Driscoll just talking about some of the most popular books for entertainment today...Check it out, think, and be discerning as you walk as light!

"MY KING IS COMING" is COMING!!!

2010-10-05T12:11:00.001-04:00

Whether you are a worship leader or a worshiper of Jesus Christ, I can promise you, you will want to buy this album on October 12, 2010! With all biased opinion out the window, THIS ALBUM IS AWESOME! I literally have not taken it out of my car stereo in weeks, and I know you will love the new worship songs Joshua Seller has put together in your church, and in your personal life of worship!

Josh Seller is a great friend, and more than that, He loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, and mind! His heart for the Lord is greatly seen in "My King Is Coming," and there is an excitement and anticipation of Christ's return, along with a reverence for the Holiness of the God we serve in it as well. The production on this album is phenomenal, as far as song flow, big drums, guitar hooks, etc. And from a worship aspect, these are songs you will want to sing in your church!

I've been excited that I had the opportunity to co-write a song on this album along with Josh. The song is called "To The One (Worthy)" and it's a song of desire to be with the Lord; where all I've gained will finally fade away in the light of HIS glory! And finally I will be able to bow with the saints and declare with the angels, "Holy, Holy, Holy! Worthy is the Lamb that once was slain to receive all glory, power, and praise!"

BUY THIS ALBUM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12 ON ITUNES!!! (if you don't have an iTunes account, comment on this post and I'll help get it too you!)

Check out Joshua's website for more info- http://joshuaseller.com/

BUY HIS SINGLE "CAME TO SAVE" NOW HERE!

CHURCH 101

2010-09-29T16:00:00.000-04:00

Tonight I will begin to lead a series for the youth at Harvest Granger entitled, "Church 101: the purpose and principles of the local church." If your like me, and many of the youth, you were raised in a Christian home where going to church was the normal thing at least once a week, along with other church events and Bible studies. So when church is the norm, it can be easy to take for granted the purpose for church and the principles a church stands on. Often the parents get the teaching on the Doctrine and missions of a church, and the kids are just along for the ride.

I have been blessed to minister to and hang out with some great students at Harvest, and I believe many of them have a genuine relationship with the Lord. I pray that this series will help them understand the doctrine our church stands on, the importance of having a testimony for their salvation, and how they can worship, walk, and work for Christ in the context of a local body of believers! Pray for us!

ABOUT A MILE

2010-09-23T15:29:00.001-04:00

Three of my brothers just got off the Extreme Tour, a music tour consisting of about 6 bands and skaters who travel all over America. On the tour they play anywhere from big block parties to churches to skateparks and wherever people volunteer to host. Levi, Adam, and Luke were on the tour for 3 full months, starting at Creation Festival in Pennsylvania and ending in California.

On their way back to PA they stopped to hang with me here in Indiana a few days. It was really great to hang with them and hear all the stories of the tour. It sounds like the Lord really worked in their lives, humbled them, and used them over the past 3 months.

About A Mile is incredibly talented...both musically and in songwriting. Check them out on iTunes...Buy it and support them. Also, check out their Myspace for videos, shows, and updates.

SERVICE REVIEW: 9/19/2010

2010-09-19T15:52:00.001-04:00

GOD IS ALIVE IN GRANGER AND HIS PEOPLE ARE EXCITED!!!

I am just pumped about what the Lord is doing in the congregation at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger! Today was another incredible time worshiping the Lord and hearing from His Word. There is an excitement in the building that you can feel when you walk in..."Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty," and people are excited about their freedom in Christ!

The service today was as follows:

Call to Worship: Upbeat....band vamped on 'G.' Congregation stood and I opened with Psalm 36:5-6 "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep..."

Forever- G/A

Everlasting God- A

Our God- A

God You Are My God- B

*With prompting people declared names of our God aloud...acoustic and synth...

God of the Ages- B- began with the bridge, "Who can compare, who can compare, to You..." started with just acoustic and built it into a big chorus and then one quiet chorus.

*Pastor Trent came and continued to focus the congregations hearts on our great God through prayer...

Announcements

Song: The Highest And The Greatest- A- Song by Tim Hughes...congregation quickly stood and joined to lift up the Lord of All. (can't keep 'em in their seats!)

Message- Colossians 1:1-2

Close- Your Grace Is Enough- G

It was a good day! Nothing better than lifting high the name of Jesus with fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus! PRAISE GOD!

WEEK OF PRAYER

2010-09-19T15:13:00.003-04:00

Every night this past week at Harvest, from 7-8pm, people met to pray. Every group, every night used Isaiah 64 as an outline as they prayed to the Lord. There was time of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and specific prayer for our church! Prayer is an incredible thing! The fact that God hears His people is amazing to me...It humbles me, and leads me to worship Him!

On Wednesday night I had the privilege of leading one of these prayer meetings with the youth at Harvest. The students did incredible! For a full hour they poured their hearts out to the Lord...They worshiped and adored the Lord with their words, they were transparent in their confessions, and honest in their concerns. They offered up thanks to the Lord for the church, and for how He had impacted their lives. It was so uplifting for me to hear their generation pray to our God! It is exciting for me to see the hearts of these students for the Lord!

God is Good!

HARVEST ST. VINCENT

2010-09-14T12:04:00.000-04:00

I received an email this morning with this video attached from the Harvest Bible Fellowship international department. It is always so encouraging to see what God is doing around the world through Harvest church plants.

Harvest St. Vincent launched just a week ago and the Lord has provided them with a building, a passionate Pastor, and the Word of God to preach to those in need of His grace! Check out the video from their first Sunday. Few things I noticed:

1. Their Pastor's awesome accent! He seems like he would fire me up!
2. Worship music had a nice reggae feel to it...Jammin' Mun!
3. They are standing firm on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and lifting high His name! Praise God!

HBC St.Vincent Launch from HBF Church Plants on Vimeo.

SERVICE REVIEW: 9/12/2010

2010-09-12T21:56:00.004-04:00

Today was INCREDIBLE!!! The Joy of the Lord was in the auditorium, the congregation, the servants, our Sr. Pastor, and myself! We had an incredible celebration through music and the word of God today...people were shouting and singing and clapping and rejoicing in the name of Jesus Christ! It was so exciting as we kicked off a new ministry season at Harvest Bible Chapel! God was gracious to meet with us and came to us in worship and His Word this morning!

The theme for the new year, as well as our series title is "Christ at the Core." Everything revolves around what is at the core of one's life. With this series, we will spend the next 15 to 20 weeks walking through verse by verse of Colossians; keeping the focus chapter 1:16, "...that in all things he may have the preeminence!" Jesus is the first, the last, the center, the head, the supreme, the highest, the greatest, and no one or thing can compare to Him! As sinners saved by grace, we need Christ at the Core of our lives. He holds everything together.

And we aren't simply suggesting that we need Christ at the core in this series...If you notice the tagline, "NOW BRING IT," it is not enough to say we are Christians. Paul states in Colossians 2:6, "As you have received Christ Jesus, SO WALK IN HIM." The truth is, if we say we have the hope of the gospel, we must keep Christ the center of all that we do! We exist simply for the glory of God...To make much of Christ!

The order of worship today looked like this:

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)
You Are Good (Israel Houghton)
Mighty to Save
The Greatness of Our God
*Scripture: Revelation 5:8-10
Revelation Song

Announcements

*Scripture Reading- 5 different readers alternated, reading the entire first chapter of Colossians (band played lightly behind, and the people cheered at the end of the chapter!)
*Special- "God Of the Ages" by Travis Doucette. (Song written right out of Colossians, congregations stood right away to sing aloud the Christ centered lyrics!)

Message

Closing song: Center

It was such a powerful morning in worship! God is doing awesome things at Harvest and He is giving the people a great joy in their salvation! It was so uplifting to see people getting on their knees, and hearing people shouting names of Christ aloud! The name of Jesus is being lifted high and it is humbling and exciting to be a part of!

God Is Good!

SO GRATEFUL FOR MY TEAM

2010-09-11T20:37:00.000-04:00

We had a pig roast tonight with the servants from Harvest Granger's worship team and their families! It was a good night of fellowship with some of my favorite people! Above shows our group (some absent from the picture) who serve every week in leading people in worshiping Jesus Christ...whether it's technically, musically, vocally, or through preaching, we all have an equal role in lifting high the name of Jesus! The worship ministry at my church would not be the same without these incredible servants who dedicate so much time to learning songs, making videos and graphics, showing up early on Sunday mornings, running word projection, and so much more! I am so grateful for their families as well who give them up on Thursday evenings for rehearsal and show up early on Sunday mornings. God has blessed us at Harvest not only with talented musicians and tech team members, but with worshipers who are passionately seeking Him with their lives! God is faithful and God is good!

Existing to help our people experience the sufficiency and express the supremacy of Christ in all things...

PSALM 40: DAVID THE WORSHIP LEADER

2010-09-09T23:58:00.000-04:00

Psalm 40:3- He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalm 40:5- You have multiplied, O LORD my God, Your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

Psalm 40:8-10- I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. I have told the good news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know O Lord. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

The truth is, a true worshiper can't contain the joy, life, and love for the LORD! I have read through Psalm chapter 40 a few times the last two days and what stands out to me is that David's heart of worship leads him to the proclamation of God. The verses above show David's relationship with the Lord, which leads Him to proclaim the wonders of God to all those He can. David was a worship leader! He helped people see the greatness of God...He publicly proclaimed the wonders of our God!

The salvation we've obtained is far too great to hide! Not only should our life in Christ lead us to worship, it should cause us to lead worship! If you have the joy of salvation, do not hide the good news from those around you. Declare the salvation that you've obtained in order to make worshipers of Christ! Recall God's steadfast love and faithfulness to other believers that they might lift high the name of Jesus! As David, let's understand the price paid for our salvation, rejoice in the Lord always, and infectiously spread the worship of Jesus Christ!

Psalm 40:16- But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great Is the Lord!"

NEW CHURCH WEBSITE!!!

2010-09-08T12:22:00.013-04:00

We have a new website up and running at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger!!! Check it out by clicking HERE! I'm excited for this resource and pray it will give site visitors a reason to visit Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger, IN! There will be finishing touches being added to the site, but it's in good enough shape for you to look around!

The new website is updated and will continue to be updated with ministries and events that are going on at Harvest! We are also connected socially to facebook and twitter, so follow us, befriend us, and be the first to hear the latest news. We are also on Vimeo, where you can access any and all the videos we've used at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger! Check them out! All three social networks can be accessed on the new website in the top right hand corner. Just click these icons:

We are doing our best to get the word out that Jesus Christ is the only way to life, and all of life is created by Him and for Him! Again, check things out at www.harvestgranger.org!

CAN'T SLEEP

2010-09-08T00:37:00.002-04:00

My wife and Reese are sound asleep, and I'm wide awake. Thought I'd hash out some of my thoughts through blog-land tonight...

I'm excited the past few days about things at my church starting to roll again. Honestly, the summer was great, and a different kind of busy, between camps and vacation, but I've missed my church family. We kicked off youth this past week and I am pumped to get the kids back in the Word this year! Also, this Sunday is our big ministry year kickoff, and lots of thought, time, and preparation has gone into this years ministry season! God is sending some new talent to our worship team, which is an answer to prayer...It is exciting to see God at work!

What has God been doing in my own life? I am just thankful right now! Coming out of the summer I noticed my attitude wasn't really where it needed to be. I was just getting frustrated about stuff, that rooted from my own bad attitude. I'm reading James MacDonald's "Lord, Change My Attitude," right now, and just in the first two chapters I got a swift kick that I needed! There is way too much to be thankful for in this life! God has blessed me with an incredible family, a job that I love, a church family, and so much more! Even on my worst days, God is faithful and has blessed me far beyond my inconveniences. Anyways, God is faithful, and if you want a good read that will challenge you, pick up "Lord Change My Attitude."

This morning as I read through Psalm 37, verses 23 and 24 jumped out at me and have been on my mind today. "The steps of a man are established by the Lord; when he delights in his way; though he fall he shall not be cast headlong for the LORD upholds his hand." These verses are reassuring to me, as well as a challenge. I'm reassured to know that the Lord of the universe has got me...I'm challenged to be a joyful person no matter what life may bring. For me to have JOY is for me to have SECURITY! Sure times can be tough, but if I delight in the tough times, the Lord carries out His plan for me(which is far better than my own plan!)

We serve an awesome God! I strive to see God's faithfulness everyday and be led to worship Him. I pray you can delight in the Lord wherever you are right now, and experience His faithfulness in your life! Let us worship the Lord for He is worthy, anticipating His faithfulness in our lives!!!

SERVICE REVIEW: 9/5/2010

2010-09-05T17:05:00.002-04:00

It was a good morning at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger this Labor Day weekend. Though we were missing some regular attenders due to end of summer plans, we had a lot of new people in the congregation filling their spots...

Today from a worship music standpoint, we changed things up a little with an acoustic set. I always like doing this every now and then. It is a nice change of pace, and it is awesome to hear the congregation singing over the music! The set for today was:

O Worship the King
Holy
I Stand Amazed
Amazed
Revelation Song

Special: The Greatness of Our God

On a different "worship" note, my Pastor came across an artist who will be traveling with a Life Action ministry team this year, named Gabel. She is traveling as a painter. Honestly, this was a first for Pastor Trent and I, but during the entire service today, Gabel worshiped the Lord as she painted. Pastor Trent delivered a message from Matthew 6:19-24, about storing up our treasures in heaven. Gabel portrayed a man in the midst of his possessions trying to decide what his heart belonged too...The truth is that when Christ gets us, He gets all our possessions. Our heart can only have one master!

Too be honest, I like creativity, but I've never really gotten to excited about dramas, paintings, and things like it during worship services. But, Gabel did a great job today and it was a cool way to show that we can worship the Lord in so many ways...Our gifts and abilities, when used for the Lord can be incredibly worshipful! The most important thing, when using elements like this in a worship service, is to be sure the creative element enhances the message and doesn't take away from it! If a creative element distracts it is not good, but if it portrays the text of a message and causes people to see God's Word in a new way, it is a great thing.

I think this was a great trial run for a first time adding something like this to our service. It gave me some more confidence for future creativity within our services in Granger. Gabel is a great artist and it is awesome to see her gifts being used to bring God glory!

CELEBRATING JESUS AS LORD!!!

2010-08-29T14:23:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday at Harvest we celebrated with the church as we ended the summer with a picnic and 20 people publicly declaring Jesus as Lord through baptism! It was a great day of fellowship and worship, all in the name of Christ.

I am excited about what God is doing at my church and am excited about what He will continue to do. Below is a video summarizing the celebration we had last Sunday! Watch and celebrate with us!

Harvest Bible Chapel, Granger - Baptism 2010 from HBCGranger on Vimeo.

WORSHIP THROUGH THE GOSPEL

2010-08-28T22:33:00.003-04:00

At Harvest Bible Chapel we recently finished a series called "Simply Saved," and last Sunday we celebrated with the whole church as 20 believers publicly declared Jesus as their LORD and their dedication to the Gospel of Christ through baptism! As I thought this week through the events of the past weeks at Harvest and the strong presentation of Gospel from week to week, I began to think about what the Gospel means for worshipers of the living God.

As I prayed through the worship service that will take place tomorrow morning, and asked the Lord what to communicate, I began to look through the list of songs we do at Harvest. I pulled up the words to the song, "Thank You Jesus For the Cross," by Andi Rozier (becoming a favorite of mine, due to the saturation of the gospel within it! BUY IT HERE). I've read through the lyrics to this song over and over again this week, and thought about the Gospel, which we've been defining as, "JESUS DIED ON A CROSS, IN MY PLACE, AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MY SIN," and I couldn't help but think about what does the Gospel mean for me as a worshiper of Christ?

"YOU AND I WERE MADE TO WORSHIP..."

The statement above I'm sure all of us have heard, and I agree with that statement. We were created in the image of God, and for the glory of God. Worship, or giving worth, to something comes natural to us as humans. However, when sin entered the world, due to our rebellion, our eyes were blinded to WHO we were created to worship...God the Father! We as sinful humans worship many things on this earth...money, time, possession, and the list goes on and on...

THE GOSPEL IS THE EYE-OPENER FOR THOSE WHO WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH! The Gospel is the entire reason that we as the children of God can worship HE who we're made to worship! The more we understand our hopelessness apart from Christ; our filthiness apart from the blood; and our debt apart from the Cross, the more our eyes are open to worship the LIVING God and creator!

As one who is desperately striving to be a worshiper that God seeks, I encourage you, preach the Gospel to yourself daily. Focus your life daily on the fact that Jesus died on a cross, in your place, as a substitute for your sin! That'll preach!!! And for those who understand the life they've been freely given, will be led to worship the one who freely gave...Jesus Christ!

2 COR. 5:21-For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN!?!

2010-08-18T12:45:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! It has for sure been a while since I've posted on the blog. For most of you, you probably checked the blog for a while and then gave up on it. My prayer is, now that summer is over, to get back to regularly blogging and sharing what the Lord is doing in my life, my family, and my church. I hope you will continue to follow "O Taste and See," and I pray that it will minister to you!

Anyways, where have I been? It's been both a relaxing and busy summer. God gave me some great opportunities this summer. I was able to lead worship for a week long family camp, as well as play in a youth band for a week long youth camp. Though tiring, it has been such a blessing to serve the Lord with the gifts and talents he blessed me with. There were some great times in worship over the summer at both camps!

Apart from that, I had some great time with my wife and Reese this summer! We grew more in love as a family and are learning more and more everyday how to be parents (as we chase Reese all over the place). We spent a week on vacation in Myrtle Beach, which was such a blessing and refreshing time. Nicole and I were able to celebrate 3 years of marriage, and are thankful for the time God has given us thus far together, and look forward to serving Him together on this earth.

Now...I'm getting back in the groove of things at Harvest Bible Chapel in Granger. We've had some sweet times over the summer on Sunday's, doing two series called "God Is Good" (verse by verse in Nehemiah) and "Simply Saved: the ABC's of Salvation." I am praying for the Lord to continue to work and am excited to serve Him as we approach a new ministry season to kickoff in a few weeks!

I hope you all had a great summer as well! It's good to be back to the blog world...See you soon!

Micah

MY GOD...(PART 2)

2010-06-02T12:22:00.000-04:00

So in the previous post I talked about the statement "God You are My God," and how that simple statement holds so much depth to it and it is such a humbling statement. Well, I've thought on that statement more, and more, and then a little more, and it is incredible.

I came across this verse:

"BUT AS IT IS, THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY, THAT IS, A HEAVENLY ONE. THEREFORE GOD IS NOT ASHAMED TO BE CALLED THEIR GOD, FOR HE HAS PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY." HEBREWS 11:16

That verse has been on my mind for a few weeks now and is incredible to me. Not only do I sing and say the words "God, You are My God," to the creator of the universe, but He is unashamed to be called my God. The one who is before all things and will remain for all eternity is unashamed of me, a worthless sinner! That takes the simple statement to a whole other level for me!

Who is God not ashamed of? He is not ashamed of those who desire to be with Him above all else! He wants to be the God of those who desire the beauty of His presence, the splendor of His majesty, and the greatness of His name!

I've been convicted of this. I don't want to coast in life as a "Christian," but I want to desire heaven and freedom from temptation and sin so much that God is unashamed of me! I want the attitude of David when he said, "One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and inquire in his temple,"(Psalm 27:4).

We serve an incredible God who made a way through Jesus Christ, that we might be with Him forever! When being with Him is our chief desire, God is not ashamed to be called OUR GOD!

MY GOD...

2010-05-10T16:35:00.003-04:00

"YOU LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS, THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU WILL REMAIN; THEY WILL ALL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT. YOU WILL CHANGE THEM LIKE A ROBE, AND THEY WILL PASS AWAY, BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS HAVE NO END!" PSALM 102:25-27

I have been in God's Word all day, praying and planning and studying and I am just privileged and humbled to be able to call the God described above, "MY GOD." We recently began singing a song at Harvest Bible Chapel, in which the chorus simply states:

GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD
GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS
GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD
VICTORIOUS, VICTORIOUS (Words and music by J. Ingram, P. Mabury, R. Noland)

It's dumbfounding to me that not only is God, uncontainable and unfathomable, and he always remains, even when all that was created fades away, but that He cared enough about me to make a way, through His Son that I can confidently say, "God, You are My God!" What a humbling thought! That thought has moved me into worship today and I long to know more of His greatness!

My God remains! Each day I grow older, my God remains the same! In my days of weakness, my God is as strong as he will ever be! As my years come to an end, my God's years have NO end! God, YOU ARE MY GOD!

HARVEST LIBERIA

2010-04-26T13:49:00.001-04:00

At Harvest U this past week, they took some time to update us on what God is doing through Harvest Bible Chapel in both Romania and Africa. The video below brought tears to my eyes as a people far less fortunate than ourselves have found reason to rejoice and celebrate in the name of Jesus Christ! Pastor Moses, from the video below spoke at Harvest U, and He said, "if you want to know how to worship Jesus, you come to Liberia!" I believe Him! I want to go!

It is incredible to me to see the people in Liberia standing on the same pillars and philosophies and principles as I do at Harvest in Granger! The Lord is moving there and lives are being saved! The Lord is building His church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail!!!

Liberia's Harvest Bible Chapels, 2010 from HBF Church Plants on Vimeo.

PROUD TO BE PART OF HBC

2010-04-25T21:42:00.005-04:00

Harvest Bible Fellowship 2010 from HBF Church Plants on Vimeo.

HARVEST U 2010 REVIEW

2010-04-24T20:50:00.001-04:00

I had an awesome three days at Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin, IL this past week. So much incredible content was given, and most importantly, Christ was lifted high! The worship team and leaders did a great job at leading 1,000 fellow Harvest members from around the world in powerful Christ-centered worship. It was an awesome time!

The High-Impact Service Planning track hit the nail on the head. As Senior Pastor's and Worship Leaders were together, the emphasis on powerful planning was incredible. Pastor James MacDonald instructed leaders that we are to plan Earth-shattering, window-rattling, life-altering worship services all centered on the transcendency of God! Everything we do on a Sunday in a church service, needs to be about the our transcendent God....About our all-powerful, great, sovereign God. That needs to be the aim of every song, prayer, video, message, etc. "Transcendence TRUMPS Relevance..." What's popular or what's "hot," means nothing when it does not make Christ look greater! Pastor James showed his passion regarding this topic when someone asked, "Do you ever use secular songs in your services to get a point across?" The answer was a fiery "NO," because the Church is about God and His people! God is not interested in worldly relevance as an attraction for "church;" just His Word and His Truth being poured out by His Church!

Monday night was a great night for me as a worship leader. I had the opportunity to join about 35 worship leaders and friends from Harvest's all around for dinner. It was so great to meet several worship leaders with the same goals, philosophies, and passions as I, as well as catch up with some friends I don't see as often as I wish. Andi Rozier opened His home and served us some British food, "Bangers and Mash." Needless to say, I was a fan! I praise God for Andi Rozier and his leadership, his friendship, and his incredible humility that drives me towards the same. I was blessed by his teaching, hospitality, and heart for Christ this past week...

It was a great week and I praise God for the stand that Harvest takes on God's Word. We live in a world where many churches have been corrupted by worldly relevance, and while Harvest is not perfect, I appreciate the bold stance on the transcendency of God shaping every element and every opportunity at Harvest Bible Chapel's around the world. So blessed to be a part of it!

HARVEST U 2010

2010-04-18T22:54:00.007-04:00

Spending the next three days with many Harvest friends from all over the world! Harvest University is held each year at Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin, IL (aka. the Mothership.) Many Harvest leaders come together to worship, converse, and be encouraged in ministry. With several different tracks, most every area in the church is covered for training.

Here is the track that I will be sitting through, led by James MacDonald and Rory Noland:

HIGH IMPACT SERVICE:

Fixing Your Focus for Maximum Impact: From the opening song to the closing “Amen,”
what is your worship service driving toward? Is there a focused intentionality behind
every element of every service that aligns with the goal of an encounter with the living
God? And is every key leader on that page? From greeting, to worship, to announcements,
to preaching, to multi-media—in this track, Senior Pastors and worship leaders come
together and glean the practicals distilled from twenty years of Harvest ministry to
ignite an atmosphere of high impact at your weekend services.
WORKSHOPS
1—Preaching the Word Without Apology
2—Harvest Worship Philosophy
3—The Power of the Combo
4—Which is More Important: Preaching or Worship?
5—Planning a High Impact Service

I will fill you in on some valuable things and on all that went on. Other than that I will be hanging with friends, eating, and having some fun!

CONSIDER WHAT YOU HAVE!!!

2010-04-09T16:00:00.003-04:00

MATTHEW 13:44- The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

MATTHEW 13:45-46- The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

After teaching a lesson to the youth on these short parables, I have been thinking about them a lot this week. In Matthew 13 we see Jesus give several short parables to the people about the kingdom of heaven, and in these two, Jesus is portraying the value of the kingdom of heaven. Not only the value, but what our response should be to the value of obtaining the kingdom of heaven. Obviously, the point Jesus was trying to make was important, being that he says, "Again," and gives a second identical example.

What seems like two simple stories, I think the real point is easily looked over by Christians and people in our world. So a guy sold all that he had to get a pearl? But think about that! This man gave up everything...shelter, luxuries, security, and could've lost family just to obtain one pearl. And its not like he was planning to get rich off of that pearl, or the other man off of that treasure. The point of selling all they had was simply so they could have that one thing and nothing else. Obtaining that pearl, or that treasure, was more gain to them than anything they have or could have owned. The man who found the treasure had nothing but treasure in the middle of a field, but he was okay with that. The merchant had nothing, but a little pearl to walk around with, but the value of that pearl made it okay in his eyes.

Consider what you have!!! If you are someone who has been saved by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ, then you have obtained the kingdom of heaven. Do you consider the value of what you've obtained? Could you be content with nothing on earth, knowing that you have the kingdom of heaven? I've asked myself these questions the past couple days, and I long to have the attitude that the men in the parables had. God has granted me eternal life and given me His kingdom, yet how many times I get caught up in what's going on today or tomorrow, or what I'd like to buy next, rather than focusing on God's eternal kingdom...

I hope this stirs your mind a little. Because we know we are going to heaven, should we go and sell everything that we have...probably not (that's between you and God.) But, we can lessen our grip on the blessings we have on earth. We can understand that the nice things we have are great, but are meaningless in light of what Christ has given us! We can always give up more when we understand the great value of what we've obtained in the kingdom of heaven! A true worshiper realizes this value, and removes all earthly things from their thrones replacing them with Christ alone!

EASTER 2010!!!

2010-04-05T10:25:00.000-04:00

CHRIST IS RISEN!!!

Yesterday we gathered at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger and celebrated that statement with great excitement. I have been so excited about the Easter celebration and the Lord was extremely gracious in allowing it to be better than any of us at Harvest Granger could have planned. We had a full house, and a mood of JOY filled the building! And it was all in the name of Jesus Christ!

The service looked like this:

GOD IS ALIVE- FEE
HAPPY DAY- Tim Hughes
-Welcome and reason for gathering
WORTHY IS THE LAMB- Hillsong
STRONGER- Hillsong (huge ending right into:)
O PRAISE THE ONE!- Stanfill
STRONGER- (chorus)
-Prayer

"Just Jesus" series video

MESSAGE- Just Jesus week 1...

AT THE CROSS- Hillsong

CELEBRATION- This is a Harvest tradition. When the Pastor shouts HE......IS.....RISEN!!!! Everyone makes as much noise as they possibly can celebrating the resurrection. We made a lot of noise! Some brought signs, the band made noise, everyone shouted, everyone clapped, some had cowbells...for there is nothing greater to celebrate than the risen and reigning Jesus Christ!!!

HAPPY DAY- chorus really BIG right out of the celebration to send everyone out.

It was a great day and I praise God that the story is still going and Jesus Christ will soon return again to take me and His church home for eternity. Worthy is His name!!!

Easter 2010 was such a great way to begin our new series "Just Jesus: Everything You Need...I AM." All we could ever need is found is simply Jesus....only Jesus.....JUST JESUS! For the next 8 weeks we will look at the I AM statements of Christ and hopefully, see more and more that He is all that we need.

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

BRIAN JOHNSON: LOVE CAME DOWN

2010-04-01T13:40:00.002-04:00

This worship project is so worth the buy. Brian Johnson's "Love Came Down" is the newest project from Bethel Music. I've never heard of him until I recently saw the video below of the title track, and I loved the style and feel of the song so I bought the album.

The entire album is basically an eleven song worship set, recorded with simply piano, acoustic guitar, and cello (as seen in the video), plus a bunch of people worshiping throughout as they sing along. The album features an arrangement of the hymn "Here is Love," as well as a beautiful arrangement of "Oh Lord Your Beautiful..."(He uses the whole song and doesn't cut the "shine it all around" part:)

This is a great CD for me to just sit and reflect in...Probably won't use the songs in a Sunday congregational setting (some as reflective songs), but in a small group setting as depicted in the video or for personal worship in my car, office, or home, definitely...I like Brian's fresh interpretation of scripture in song...Track 6 "Show Me Your Face" is a cry to see the face of the Lord and tells of Moses on the mountain in Exodus 33:20-23. The work has great balance of what God did, and what God will do. It declares who our God is, and is missional. It remembers and anticipates. I like it and hope it leads you to worship Christ!

POWER UNDER CONTROL...

2010-03-31T07:58:00.002-04:00

Matthew 27:27-31-The the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

In our 20somethings gathering Monday night, we focused on the death of Jesus Christ, in order to focus this week on the price that was paid in our place, on our behalf. As a group we worshiped in song, prayer, scripture, and communion. It was an incredibly powerful and challenging night, as we began Passion Week, and approach the ultimate ending of Christ's resurrection.

After some time singing and praying on Monday, we watched "The Passion of the Christ," beginning with Jesus picking up his cross to begin the road to Golgotha, and ending with His death...The movie portrays the guards that led Jesus to the hill and nailed him to the cross pretty perfectly in light of the passage above. Watching the guards kick, beat, spit on, and hit Jesus, who was already beaten beyond recognizing, I tend to get pretty furious. Just watching the guards mock Jesus and show absolutely no mercy makes me extremely mad. But the most incredible part is that Jesus, who could have gotten mad and wiped everyone out, carried the cross willingly. The movie beautifully portrays Jesus crawling onto the cross himself...He didn't fight it, for He knew it was His Father's will and He obeyed.

Jesus shows a perfection of meekness in the way of the cross. In small group we defined meekness as power under control. Jesus could have wiped out every one of those people, and tore himself off the cross, but the true power lies in the taking of the brutal crucifixion and mockery and beating. And finally, what boggles my mind from the movie, is the visual of a beaten Jesus forgiving the very ones nailing Him to the cross.

Jesus had the power to obey His Father through that most agonizing and painful crucifixion. Perfection! Where I would have resisted, Jesus persisted. Where I would have gave up, Jesus pressed on. Where I would have hated, Jesus forgave....

PASSION WEEK

2010-03-29T12:33:00.006-04:00

Zechariah 9:9- Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your king is coming to you' righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The prophecy above was fulfilled on what we have come to know as Palm Sunday, which was celebrated yesterday around the world by the Church. The very Jesus who we dedicate our lives too and worship, rode into town "humble and mounted on a donkey." Palm Sunday marks Jesus's triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, where the very people who shouted "Hosanna in the Highest," would be shouting "Crucify Him," only a few days later, as He was beaten, bruised, and nailed to a cross to die...

This week, starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter, has become known as Passion Week to many in the church under Christ. As Christian's we know we can have "Passion Week" every week of our lives, if we are constantly focusing on the resurrection and life found in Jesus Christ, but it certainly is easy to get distracted with life and take for granted the incredible price that was paid.

Passion week or Holy week is found in the scriptures in Matthew 21-27, Mark 11-15, Luke 19-23, and John 12-19. I plan to read these accounts this week and saturate myself in the price that was paid for me. I want to encourage you to take the time to read one or two or all of these accounts as you prepare yourself for a celebration of Christ's resurrection this Sunday! If you call yourself a Christian, the events of passion week are the only thing allowing you to do so. It is by Christ's death in your place, and His glorious resurrection that a way has been made toward eternal life and peace with God! This is not to be taken lightly, so focus on Christ this week. Focus on His cross, sing of his cross, think on his excruciating, painful, embarrassing crucifixion that should have been yours, and go to your place of worship Easter Sunday exploding with joy, for death and the grave could not contain our King!!!

O PRAISE THE ONE WHO PAID MY DEBT AND RAISED THIS LIFE UP FROM THE DEAD!

JUST JESUS!!!

2010-03-28T17:06:00.005-04:00

In a culture that has made our Savior, Jesus Christ, into whatever best fits our needs, God's Word tells of the real Jesus, who humbled Himself, was born of a virgin, lived, was beaten, crucified, rose again, and who sits at the right hand of God the Father. It is only by the Jesus of the Bible that we have a way to the Father and to eternal life!

Beginning April 4th, 2010, Easter Sunday, we will begin an 8-week series at Harvest Bible Chapel, in the book of John where we will look at the real Jesus. As we go, each week we will answer the question "Who are YOU?" To answer this question we will look at the following statements made by Jesus himself:

I AM the bread of life (Jn. 6:35,48) I AM the light of the world (Jn. 8:12,9:5)
I AM the door (Jn. 10:7) I AM the good shepherd (Jn. 10:11-14)
I AM the resurrection and the life(Jn. 11:25) I AM the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6)
I AM the true vine (Jn. 15:1,5)

Check out this short video to inform you of this series...

HELPLESS, HUMBLED, LIFTED...

2010-03-26T11:28:00.009-04:00

Psalm 145:14- God upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

Psalm 146:8- The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

Psalm 147:6- The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.

Three consecutive chapters in the book of Psalm have a verse saying about the same thing; that God lifts up those who are bowed down. I've been thinking this morning about those verses. There is certainly no one like our God! Our God looks to the poor and not the rich; to the weak and not the mighty...etc.

When you think about someone who is bowed down, they are really in the most helpless form. There is not much one can do when he is bowed with his face to the ground, knees tucked in, and basically in the fetal position. But, I think that is right where God wants us. For one to get in that position they must realize they are helpless next to whatever they are facing. For example, I've heard people say, if your ever attacked by a bear you should curl up (or bow down) in the fetal position. Obviously one does this out of helplessness in the midst of the bear. Even greater than the strength of a bear is the power of God Almighty, who reigns in the heavens!

As humans, we must realize everyday that apart from Christ, we can do nothing, and fall with our face to the ground before our mighty God. When we give up control, we are humbled, and just as the scriptures say, the LORD lifts us up! That's the best part! God doesn't just say, bow before me! When we bow before Him, He picks us up and loves us. Who is like our God? None can even compare!!!

These verses are encouraging me, and I hope they encourage you, to give up control everyday of areas in my life that I tend to control. I'm mad I would ever try to do anything on my own. I want my first response to every situation to cause me to hit the dirt out of helplessness, leading me to humility and a decreasing of myself. According to God's Word, and the verses above, when this is done, Christ can increase and He will lift us up!

SING FROM YOUR HEART WITH YOUR MIND

2010-03-25T17:09:00.001-04:00

Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve...

Recently, after a Sunday message on worship, my Pastor, Trent Griffith, gave me this quote on a sheet of paper for in my office. The quote is from 1761, as said by John Wesley.

The past couple of days I have been in the car driving, some by myself, and some with a sleeping wife and daughter. As I drove the past few days, I worshiped the Lord as I often do during drives, but it was different this time. I didn't really sing along with the music coming out of the stereo...but I meditated on the words that were being sung. I thought deep and hard about specific phrases from different songs. Some songs I listened to over and over again, simply to think about the depth of what was being sung to our God.

An example that Trent gave in that particular sermon on worship had to do with a Birthday Card. He showed a birthday card that he received from his wife a while back and read its contents; something like, "I love you and you are so special to me....etc." We've all gotten cards like that...right? But Trent pointed out that those words were not the heart-felt words of his wife. Actually when you turned the card over, those words were written by some man...(then everyone laughed).

The point is, we often give pre-written, greeting cards to God as we "worship." We take the easy road and read other people's feelings about God...Now should we stop singing other people's songs and try to all write our own....NO WAY!!! God has gifted people with songwriting so that we can worship him that way, but let's not just sing those people's words because that's how things are done. Really wrap your heart and soul and mind around the qualities of God being described in worship music. On a Sunday, sing because the words on the screen are pouring from your own heart, because you have been meeting with God all week!!!

Singing is one of God's favorite forms of worship. We are told to sing all through the Psalms, and Zephaniah 3:17 even declares the God will sing over us, when we are in his midst one day! But singing when our hearts are not in it is meaningless. Ponder the words you are singing with your mind, so that you can let them overflow from your heart! Just as Wesley said, when you sing, "Have an eye to God in every word..."

HARVEST GRANGER BAPTISM!!!

2010-03-21T07:43:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday evening, Harvest Bible Chapel Granger had their first meeting in an actual church building. We rented out the auditorium at Grace Church and had a night of praise and baptism. It was an incredible night. The congregation sang loud and worshiped Christ. We heard several testimony of God's faithfulness since bringing people to Harvest. Finally, we heard from seven, some brand new salvations, who gave testimony and chose to display their commitment to Christ by getting baptized. It was an incredible night of celebrating! God is good!

Below is a video containing clips of the seven's testimonies, as well as footage of their representation of being "buried in the likeness of Christ, and raised to walk in newness of life!"

HARVEST BIBLE CHAPEL BAPTISM IN GRANGER from Corey Mann on Vimeo.