Lord, fix my eyes on you today. Help me

Lord, fix my eyes on you today. Help me to stay away from those things that will cause me to stray from You. Let me love You more!

2010
10/21
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
Write comment

Walks In The Rain

So I should probably be working on an English paper that’s due this Friday right now, but I’m a little busy keeping this blog updated.

Figures.
So the other day, I was reading on Misty Edward’s Facebook wall how she likes going for walks in the rain because she loves to hear “Heaven’s symphony play her name in melodious thunder.” Well quite honestly, I was curious to know what she meant. I’ve always respected her relationship with God, so I knew that I had to try it. Just once.
But now I’m hooked.
I absolutely love walking in the rain while praying now. It’s such an awesome experience to pray and seek God’s attributes in nature as I feel the water flow down my face. I can’t really compare it to anything else I’ve ever done. I’m hoping to open the door to God’s divine favor in my life by showing Him that I mean business. For real.
I look at those prominent figures of the Bible, and how they were constantly proving they meant business to God by spending time seeking after Him, so I figured I should do the same. I mean, It’s hard sometimes to keep leading worship when I can’t seem to see the immediate fruits of my labor. Occasionally, I’ll even wonder if doing all that work of planning a set, making copies, and practicing music is really worth it. So as I continue to walk in the rain and seek after my True Love, I pray that He’ll look down from Heaven and say, “Well done.”
2010
09/30
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Personal Testimonies
Reflections
1 comment

Keeping Silent

It’s extremely hard for me to be confrontational. I’m just not very good at it. It’s almost like sometimes I won’t even try to correct someone, or give my opinion in hopes to avoid a conflict.

This is a dangerous mindset to have, especially in today’s highly opinionated society. Generally speaking: if you don’t know the facts on an issue, then chances are you won’t be entirely convicted by it, and you’ll be blown around like the seeds of a dandelion by all the hot air blowing round about you.
That’s why recently, I’ve found it easier to stay quiet around people, and let everyone else give their opinion before I put in my two-cents. That way, I can take the time to establish my opinions or gather my facts before looking like someone who is ignorant about something. The hard truth? I don’t know everything. Which is why during many of the discussions my class holds during Philosophy, I stay quiet. It’s not that I don’t have an opinion about the topic at hand, but I would rather someone think that I’m keeping my thoughts to myself, rather than having to improvise a bunch of statements that might not necessarily be my true convictions on it.
Good thing the Good Book backs me up on this. Proverbs says that even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent. Now Mama didn’t raise no fool, so if I apply this principle to my life, how much can I find myself in the shoes of a wise man?
Is it hard for you to keep silent sometimes? Why?
2010
09/21
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Personal Testimonies
Write comment

Salt, Coffee, and Lady GaGa

Hello. My name is Taylor and I used to be addicted to Lady GaGa.

Ok, well, not exactly addicted, but I used to listen some of her songs every once in a while. Along with a HUGE variety of other secular and mainstream artists.
The other day, I went out for some coffee with Pastor Blake to discuss the worship set for an approaching Wednesday night. However, we soon found ourselves talking about different kinds of music and soon after that, about the kind of music we should/shouldn’t listen to.
Now before you go off thinking that he’s one of those pastors that believes that rock music is the devil, let me explain: he talked about a pile of pepper.
Imagine you have a pile of pepper in the middle of a table.
Occasionally (not often, but sometimes) you place a grain of salt in the pile. Maybe not everyday, but perhaps once a week, or every few days.
Pretty soon, it will be impossible to distinguish between the pepper and the salt. Impossible.
Now just think: if we profess to be Christs’ followers, but jam out to certain music, or watch certain movies, what does that say about our walk with Him?
Can those grains of salt mix so thoroughly with our pile of pepper, that soon it will be impossible to see Christ in us?
2010
09/16
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Leadership Tips
Personal Testimonies
1 comment

What Is Worship To You? (part three)

A few weeks ago, as I was planning a worship set for Driven, I starting thinking about the whole idea of worship. Questions such as, “What is worship to you?”, and “Why should I even do it?” soon crowded inside my head. Then I started thinking about a book I had read about four months ago entitled, “Exploring Worship“. In the book, Bob Sorge (the author) suggests that worship can be described by these actions. My goal in this article is to describe worship with the help of a CUP. CUP, (not an actual cup, but an acronym) being comfort, unlimited blessings, and protection.

My first point, is that worship opens the doors to divine comforting. It’s no secret that none of us live perfect lives, so everyone can use a little comfort sometime in our lives. Paul and Silas could relate to that. These guys we’re sharing the love of Jesus, when all of a sudden they get thrown in prison. The slammer. The rock. I’d say they could use a little comfort right about then. So the two started singing praises to God and worshiping His name, when all of a sudden, the prison gates flew open. To make a long story short, they we’re released, and a prison guard came to salvation. The men found comfort in their time of need when they gave everything to God, and surrendered all control to him. A friend of mine, Erin Cox, said to me once, “Worship is when you get intimate with God fully, and you block out everything from the day, and everything from the world.”
Second, worship gives us unlimited access to God’s blessings. When I think of my dream life, I start off with a nice car. After thinking about my 1968 Shelby GT, I then start dreaming up this three story mansion, and then finish up with tons of sweet tech gadgets to fill my time up with. Well guess what: King Solomon already stole my dream. That’s right. He’s a dream stealer. This guy had a heart after God, (much like his father, David) and so therefore, when God asked Solomon what he wanted from Him, this guy said wisdom. So because Solomon was humble enough before God, and didn’t ask for extravagant things that might have made him look like a god to his people, he was given tremendous wealth.
Finally, my third point is that worship allows God’s protection to run rampant in our lives. I’m sure we’ve all heard about Joshua and the walls of Jericho. In Joshua Chapter 6, we see just how powerful, and effective our praise can be. But there has to be some deep, spiritual system they must have done. Let’s look: The priests blew the horn, the people marched, and they all offered Jericho as a Holy Offering to God. That’s it. No secret meetings, no fancy techniques, just worship to God. If they pulled down walls with their worship, imagine what God-centered worship can do in your life.
2010
09/09
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
series
1 comment

What Is Worship To You? (part two)

For the second part of this three-part series, “What Is Worship To You?“, I couldn’t think of a better way to express what worship is, then finding out some interesting things from someone who loves worship almost as much as I do. So tonight I was able to snag an interview from Art Dantzler, a local worship leader at Summerville Family Worship Center.

Art Dantzler was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and has lived around that area for all of his life. He attended Summerville High School, and currently works at Southeastern Trucking. He has been “leading people into worship” at SFWC for about two years, but has been playing guitar with them for quite a bit longer. Here’s a little bit about Art that you may not have known:
1.) What is worship to you?
- “Worship, is allowing the Temple of God to be in a state of being completely filled by Him.”
2.) When did you first start leading worship?
– “I started leading worship about two years ago at Summerville Family Worship Center.”
3.) What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?
– “Forgetting the words to songs.”

4.) What’s your favorite bible verse?
– “Proverbs 3:5, which says “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”.”

5.) Tell us the hardest thing about leading worship.
– “Definitely working with people.”

6.) What’s you’re favorite thing about leading worship?
- “It’s when the Holy Spirit takes over our program, and God takes over our songs.”


7.) Let’s talk about something you’ve learned this past year about leading worship.
– Well, I’ve learned that’s it’s not about me. The more we try to put ourselves into our worship, the more God has to humble us. And you have to stay connected with God, otherwise, when you get up on stage to play, it’s not always good.”

8.) What would you say to encourage rising worship leaders?
– Study, pray, and be one with God. Then, He can lead you into a new level of worship.”
9.) Do you have a favorite worship song to lead?
- “I guess it’s “Everlasting God“, because it talks about our strength rising with God’s help.”
2010
09/01
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
series
what is worship to you
1 comment

What Is Worship To You? (part one)

I NEED EVERYONE’S HELP!


Check out this video on YouTube and post a comment below it.

Here’s the link.


I’ll be posting the second part to this three part series this coming Thursday (September 2). The Third, and final part will be posted next Thursday (September 9).

Thanks everyone for your support!
2010
08/30
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
series
worship
Write comment

You May Say I’m A Dreamer…

Integrity
n. A concept that has to do with perceived consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcome.

So last night I had a dream.

I was working in a restaurant, and all the tables are scattered around the room. My goal was to put all the chairs back at their tables. There were tables that sat four chairs, and those who sat six. So I put all the chairs back at their appropriate tables, with the exception of one. For some reason I couldn’t find out where to put the last chair.

I put it up against the wall, and right next to it stood a man who started making fun of me for some reason. I ignored him, but somehow, I knew that he would tell my boss that I cussed him out. I remember feeling so scared that my boss would believe him over me, so I started worrying. And right about here is where I started to hear the phrase “Your integrity is going to be tested”.

In the meantime, someone eventually showed me where the last chair was supposed to go, so don’t worry too much about that.
I’ve been praying that when this test of integrity comes, that I won’t fail. I don’t know when it will come, but when it does I’ll be sure to keep you guys posted!
2010
08/18
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
dreams
1 comment

Stunting Worship By Leaving Out Smells?

I just ran across an interesting article online.

In the article, the author suggests that maybe we’re stunting our spiritual growth by leaving some things out of our worship. I believe that on some levels, he is correct, and maybe excluding certain things from our modern worship has affected our intimacy with God.
Personally, I am a huge “atmospheric worshiper”. My favorite prayer times are those sprinkled with dimmed lights, music playing in the background, and my arms thrown open to God in total surrender. No, I don’t think my worship is hindered when the lights are all turned on fully, nor do I think that God doesn’t hear me when there is no music behind my prayers. But I’m sure everyone has their own preference when it comes to stuff like that.
If you agree or even disagree with his idea, I would love to hear your take on it. Post a comment below!
2010
08/17
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
Write comment

Senior Picture Revelation

Today I took my senior pictures.

O. M. G.
It seems like just yesterday, I was standing outside on the brick wall waiting for my mom to come pick me up from the car riders lane in 6th grade. But when I look back at all of my school years up to this point, I can safely say that I don’t have any regrets. I know that each individual experience that I’ve had in my life has been sent from God to shape me into the man I am today. There’s no bad grade, scary consequence, or even stupid choice that I would hit the “re-do” button for. He knew I would make them, receive them, and choose them even before I did.
And I’m grateful.
I wonder what He’s got in store for me next…
2010
08/16
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
revelations
Write comment
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.