The Kingdom of God is like...

Mark 4:26-29 reads:

Then Jesus said, "God's kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time!

And before that was the parable of the sower, and in verses 18-19, I read Jesus' explanation:

"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."

My mind went to my anxiety about leading worship at St. Paul's - knowing I need to lead more songs that are in the tradition of the [black Baptist] church [per the pastor's request]. I feel pretty inadequate to do that in general, and even more this week when I must lead from the piano since I just had my appendix removed this week. But I'm irritated because VERY FEW people show up for rehearsal and because I can't get any information about where the church is going from the pastor ["we're in transition" is all I get]. Today, I also am preparing a list to lead at Grandview UMC next week when we get back from vacation. And I need to help with Camp Hill Church of God's list for this week and next. All the while my heart just wants honest, intense, prophetic worship to be alive in the hearts of all the worshippers I'm influencing. It's a tall order, no doubt ["but God said, 'are you not well able?!'"].

So how does this tie in with the scriptures? When preparing to lead worship, just scatter seed, Dave, and expect the Kingdom to grow on its own. By no means let anxiety make you unfruitful.

Yes, Lord. I trust You. Help me walk in Your way!

Living connected to my heart

How does leading worship and loving my wife and living my calling look differently when I live connected to my heart and open about my heart. Super-human [read: supernatural human] No more shut down, desire denying, cerebral existence. God-guided, heart-led, emotionally-felt LIFE. Ahh.

Leading worship: When I connect to my heart, I connect with God - because He lives in my heart. I'm intimate, purposeful, Kingdom-minded.

Loving my wife: I can't really connect to someone's heart if I'm not connected to my own. My relationship will go nowhere until we live connected to [sensitive to, pursuing of, guarding of] each other's hearts.

Living my calling: It's the energy. ABOVE ALL...guard your heart. What does it look like to "guard" it? It doesn't look like stuffing it. It certainly isn't ignoring it. So, listening to it, expressing it, leading it and letting it lead you.

I delight in You

So I was worshipping this morning and I began to sing "I delight in You, I delight in You, I delight in You." And I felt the LORD ask "why?" It felt just like when Heather asks me the same thing...why do you like me?

I started to sing about how I would do anything He asked...because He is trustworthy. About how I never have to worry about His heart drifting from mine...because He is faithful. Now I think about why I delight in Him and I think how we've walked together for a long time and closely...because He is a great friend. And how His love is pure, undefiled, inalterable. There's no high like the Most High. [I still want to write that song!]

Interestingly, nothing about His holiness, justice, beauty, worth, or power came to mind. What does that say?

You can't just follow your heart. You have to lead it!

hmmm. from fireproof.

I Will Swing

Where were the God moments? Where was Living Praise? Did praise happen? Could praise happen? What if it did? Were opportunities missed? Was praise just beneath the surface? Could it be a flood?

Maybe it’s just dammed?

Maybe if the dam burst we would drown in it. Do we dare pick up a sledgehammer and start swinging? It could be difficult. It could wear at you. This could be hard labor. I don’t know if I have the back for it. And I think I like my water in smaller doses. I like the sound of the drip.

But there is cracking in my lips and they bleed when I smile. My hands are dry to the touch. So dry I can’t feel them anymore.

[ ]

Pick it up? It is needed? It is what is necessary?

[ ]

I want to drown. I want a different air than what I’ve been breathing. I will swing. I will swing with all my might. I will swing until there is the sound of breaking.

I will swing. Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over…

[from PRAISE HABIT by David Crowder, pg. 19]

Big Ears

and I'm not referring to US President Obama, though every time I see him will serve as a reminder of this rev...Listen to the Holy Spirit of God in new ways, to hear new things. Like the relatively prominent acoustic guitar part in the song Hungry that I've never heard before. I won't be able to listen to the song without hearing it. It reminds me to listen with new ears. Today, I lead worship at St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church for the first time and I want to listen in new ways. I'm pumped! Help me LORD...

My Top Five Values are…

1. Sold-out lover of God, Make Him famous, Feel Him close as my skin
2. Human relational connection
3. Intimate family relationships
4. Music-drenched everything
5. Debt-free giver

I wrote these in my FIVE book from Starbucks and today I printed them and posted them on my office wall. Abundant crops, LORD!