Great

I was thinking this past Sunday night about the worship that we had at Fellowship Church that morning and how God really showed up and showed out. I love it when that happens. One of the things that hit me as I was reflecting on the service was when we sing How Great is our God are we really grasping How Great He really is. Great is such a small word when it comes to God. I think of the things he has done in my life over the past two years and where he is leading me and that is great but the funny thing is He is so much greater. Truly there is no word in the English language or any other language that can describe how great God is. I think that is incredible. All we have is the word "great". So when we sing How Great is our God or How Great Thou Art we are only beginning to scratch the surface of how to describe our King and maker. We often try to confine God to what we want Him to be and we try to handle the things we can control on our own. I use a box as an example. We tend to let God handle the things outside the box or the things we have no control over, and we try or attempt to handle the things inside the box or the things we think we control. Try letting God come inside your box and see just how "GREAT" He is. If He is not in full control of your life He is not in control, and partial obedience is still disobedience.
Also some things that are coming up, Christmas Eve we will be having two services one at 4:30 and one at 6:00. You will not want to miss these services so bring your family and a friend. Backing up a little this Friday I will be leading worship at Celebrate Recovery in Cornelia so if you are in the area come by for some good music and good teaching. Lastly the year is winding down and I believe God has some "great" things in store for 2009 be praying for direction in the year to come.

MC

Perspective

Lately I have been listening to a pastor's sermons on perspective and seeing our life in the same way other people may see our life. Click here to read some definitions on what perspective means. We live in a country that has been more blessed than any other country on the planet and right now where we stand we are in the worst time this country has ever seen. The stock market is horrible, the housing market stinks, the big 3 can't afford to operate, and so on. How we perceive who or what we are changes the way act. So many people in today's economy are being shattered by what they have lost in recent days. We have all felt the crunch of what is going on in this country. I have said since this craziness started that this could possibly be the greatest time in this country's history. The reason I say this is because it will retrain Americans how to spend money and not blow it on anything and everything they can get their hands on. My wife and I went through a financial class at our church called Financial Peace University a few months ago and it changed our perspective on our finances. We live in the wealthiest country in the world and we are daily complaining about what we don't have and it is driving me crazy. I challenge someone in the country to go to Somalia and talk to someone there about being poor. Most people in this country live off of less than $1 a day. The average American lives off of $96 a day. Something has to change and I don't think this "financial crisis" that we are in is by accident. We have to change and that starts with looking at yourself and changing.
Another way we lose perspective is with the people we are around the most; spouses, children, friends, coworkers. We look at these people and when they do something that is not such a great decision we always look at them as if they were the dumbest person on earth. I'm guilty of this, sometimes I don't understand why people just can't get it. But the funny thing is if you ask my wife she will tell you the same thing about me. We have to change the way we view other people.
Lastly one of the points the pastor made when he was preaching his messages that I think a lot of people who volunteer at churches view themselves as "just a volunteer". I think so many times volunteers don't understand how valuable they are to each church they volunteer at. How these people perceive themselves will change the way they volunteer. Instead of just being a volunteer look at yourself as "a connector to the current to the power of Christ". If we change our perspective it will change our life.

MC

Blog, Blog, Blog

Well I'm still here I never went anywhere. Just been really busy with work, church, and school. Have I ever mentioned I hate writing papers they really suck. Anyway, this past week has been exciting, except for the writing part. I got to go worship last Friday night with a friend of mine leading and it was awesome. I love watching people worship and being able to worship with them. Saturday my wife took our daughters to get their picture made with Santa so I could write and football got in the way(again) and it's funny UGA wasn't even playing. I did get some done before I was called to come hang with the family. That night we went to a surprise party for a friend which ended up not being a surprise which was really funny. It was fun to hang out and fellowship with some close friends. Then Sunday comes. Did I mention I love to worship. Sunday morning was "off the hook". I have the privilege of leading worship at a church that is breaking barriers in the county I live in. I thank God for leadership that has a vision and it willing to do anything to reach that goal. Did I mention I love to worship and how much fun it is to worship with a team of worshippers that get it. Here is an example. Saturday I sent them an email telling them I wanted to change a song on the "set list". The last time we did this song it was no less than a nightmare everything that could go wrong went wrong. I asked them to come a little early to work on the song and they were all there before I was. It's exciting to see other people excited about leading people. Thanks guys you are awesome. Oh yeah the service was ridiculous we had 6 adults and 2 children baptized. That makes over 50 people baptized since March, God is incredible and I cant' wait to see what He is going to do next.
This week is Thanksgiving and I will be going to visit my parents for the week in Albany, GA. It will be fun to be able to see the fam and hang with them for the week. I will also get to see some old friends that I grew up with too. Also Saturday is the GA/GT game and my dad and grandfather both attending GT back in the day and me being a GA fan it should be a good time of trash talking.
If you are in the Albany area Sunday I will be leading worship at Plantation Parkway in Albany. So come check it out and come prepared to worship and seek the face of God. Alright that's all I've got to continue writing papers.

MC

Don't let too much living get in the way of living

Many times I find myself not knowing where the day went. For instance today once church was over we went out to eat got home I intended on doing some writing and then all of the sudden I was watching the Falcons get hosed on a call by the ref. then it was time to take Breelyn to a fall festival. Then those popular words, "man where did the day go" Sometimes we need to slow down a little bit and relax and assess what we are spending our time on, and do things that glorify the Lord(disclaimer: there is nothing wrong with watching football, I love doing it ecspecially UGA). God is in control and that will never change. I find myself procrastinating on some of the things that I should not procrastinate on for instance, my school work, because I have told myself that I work better under pressure. When actually I don't do my best work because I'm just doing it to get finished. I say all this because many times we let other things get in the way of our relationship with Christ. Our job, spouse, kids, shopping, hunting, sports, and even ministry can get in the way. Those things can become what we worship. Simply put we worship what is at the center of our life. Many times I have examined my life and I have to remind my soul to praise just as David did in the Psalms. Don't let little things get in the way from worshipping your Savior. After all that's what we were created to do.

MC

We learn through every situation

This week has been a very difficult week for me. As many of you know my grandmother passed away last weekend and death is never easy even if you know when it is coming. Wednesday as I sat at her funeral and listened to my cousin speak of her life I realized she exemplified the love that Jesus shows his children. Love was my grandmother's middle name(not really, but hypothetically). One story was told of how some of my cousin's friends were not able to go home for the holiday's one year and my grandmother welcomed them in just as if they were part of the family, presents and all. The greatest part is it did not matter if you were black, white, brown, purple, yellow, republican, or democrat, she accepted you as you were even if she did not agree with you. That's incredible. I think back to a time when I was traveling with a buddy of mine through the mid-West and we stopped in to see her and stay a couple of days at her house well because it was free. It was the only time in my life that I was there without my parents and I think of that time as my most cherished memory of her. I was able to sing her some songs and to just brighten her day. I will never forget the look on her face seeing her grandson sing to her. I can only image the feeling that Christ gets when his children are genuinely singing their hearts out to Him. Wow take a chance and just thank the Lord for the opportunity we have to sing and worship Him. I never got the chance to know my grandmother that well because she lived in Illinois, but I do know she raised a wonderful woman in my mom and she loved like no other. My dad and I were talking that we have to work and intentionally make an effort to love people the way Christ does, but not my grandmother it came naturally to her. So my challenge to you is to love like no other no matter what the person looks like or what their ethnicity is. After all that's what Christ does for us.
Thanks
MC

Hookers and Robbers

That may sound like a weird thing to have as a blog post but hold on you will understand in a minute. This week has been a super challenge and I'm looking forward to the last 3 days of it. Monday I started school and sat through 9 hours of class which was how do I put it "fun"(not really). Tuesday was awesome our worship band from church took the hour drive south the Buckhead Church and went to 7|22. We went to see Charlie Hall who is one of my favorite worship leaders and just released a new CD. Then last night at church we started Finacial Peace University with Dave Ramsey which is I think could revolutionize our church finacially. I'm looking forward to tonight with our men in our small group to really open up and knock out some problems we might be going through we will see.

Going back to Tuesday night at 7|22. Wow what a challenging night. We first heard some new worship tunes by Charlie Hall and was blown away by God meeting us there and being able to worship a risen savior. Then Dan Kimball, who wrote the book They Like Jesus but Not the Church, stirred up a new sense to invest in people's life who are not walking with the Lord. Flat out people need Jesus and people like Jesus they just don't like the people that say they follow Jesus. We have got to quit being self righteous, arrogant Christian who thinks our poop doesn't stink and start showing them Jesus. After all the only people Jesus condemned was the religous leaders. On Charlie's new CD there is a song called Hookers and Robbers. It is a story of Charlie inviting in his words "the hardest, harshest, and pained people" into his home for a "lively celebration". He tells them the story of a man who can "set them free break their chains all they have to do is come and listen". Christ came to the world to set prisoners free, free from the bondage of sin (Luke 4:18). So to wrap up this post what can you do to invest in someone's life that may not know Jesus and bring them to the kingdom.

Thanks
MC

Stewardship

Recently my pastor just completed a series on Stewardship. Soon we will be starting financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey and the Lord has really been working on my heart about this issue. Wikipedia defines stewardship as "personal responsibility for taking care of another person's property or financial affairs or in religious orders taking care of finances". I think stewardship goes beyond the realm of just finances(although that is a major part of it). Stewardship also deals with anything that has been given to you by God. Which by the way is everything you have. How you use your money, time, raise your kids, treat your spouse, work ethic, etc. is all classified under stewardship. A couple of weeks ago I heard a story of a 17 year old taking every dollar he had to his name, all the money he had gotten from birthdays, working a part time job, or any other, and he gave it to his local church anonymously. The only reason he gave was he felt the Lord was telling him to. No pressure from anyone to give 10% or a preacher presenting a sermon on giving, just because God told him to. WOW now that is giving big. The total was a little over $1000.00 that may not seem like much to a lot of people, but in today's society of xbox and playstation he chose not to purchase that but to sow his seed into the Kingdom. I have been praying for that teenager since I heard of that story that God would do amazing things in his life. I want to issue a challenge to everyone to "Give Big" this month. This doesn't necessarily have to be a dollar figure. For some it may be, but for others it might be serving in some capacity or going out of your way to help someone who needs help. The Bible says in Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Remember to Give Big and I promise God won't disappoint.

MC

Hold on

DISCLAIMER: Hold on if you watch this it's about 60 minutes long and you better start praying now for the words you are about to hear. So strap on your seatbelt and push play.

Father's Day

First off Happy Father's Day to everyone man that is blessed to have children. The Lord has blessed me with two beautiful daughters that I love and cherish with all my heart. The Bible say children are a gift from God. I became a father a little over 4 years ago and since that time I have learned how great of father I have. Ephesians says to be imitators of Christ and as I look back on my life I can say that my earthly father has done nothing but shown me the love of my Heavenly Father. Everyday that passes I thank God that I was raised in a God fearing home that sought to please God over anything else in our family. I know this sound like we have a perfect family and believe me we definitely have our flaws that we need to correct, but my sister and I were fortunate enough in this day and time to have both parents to be there for us at all times. One of the major things I have learned since becoming a father is the love the my Heavenly Father has for me and the rest of His children. When my kids don't act the way they should I now understand the disappointment my parents felt when I screwed up but there is nothing my girls could ever do to separate them from the love of their mother and I. It is the same way when we sin God is disappointed with His children just like we are disappointed with our own children. Romans 8:39 says nothing can separate us from the love of God. So one this father's day 2008 remember to thank God for your dad and thank your dad for being who he is in your life so that you can learn from his good and bad attributes.

MC

No One Ever Said This Would Be Easy

This week I had the opportunity to get away and spend the week at the beach with my wife and daughters. It also gave me time to talk to God more than in a usual work week. I had the chance to read a lot. Also had the chance to lead a spontaneous worship set at a local Christian ministry on the beach which was pretty awesome. One thing I have learned this week is that be a Christian is not easy. It takes work and you have to consciously remind yourselves to walk hand in hand with God. That is why Paul said in 1 Corinthians daily I have to die to myself. As Christians it is easy to fall in with the crowd and just roll with the changes and the punches as they come. A good analogy one day we were at the local water park and my 4 year old and I were in the lazy river and she kept wanting to swim against the current and my response was "that's crazy it's too hard and we will get tired we have to go with the flow that's why the call it a 'lazy river'". Many people I know including myself fall into this trap and end up just going with the flow of life and take it as it comes. As a Christian you have to swim against the current of life and work to show that you are a Christian. You probably know Phil. 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". So when you think the chips are not in your favor and you don't think you have the strength to swim against the current just remember the cross and the price Jesus paid for our ransom. This week I used 2 Cor. 13:5 as my verse for the week which says "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith". This week I learned many things in my life would be considered "lukewarm". I urge you to examine yourself and ask God to reveal things in your life that need to be "burned away". Just remember Col. 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things".

MC

This isn't a competition

If you know me you may think that is a crazy title for a blog post for someone who is so competitive. If you don't know me to give you a glimpse into how competitive I am I hate to lose a lot more than I like to win. Yesterday morning I came across a video on the Internet that just floored me. It was a pastor that did not agree with the methodology of another church and just totally bashed this church from the pulpit. When I first saw this I wanted to email this pastor and tell him what I really thought about him, but I decided that would probably only fuel his fire and in his mind justify what he is doing. What I don't understand is the reason why this pastor is worried about how another church is operating. Ministry is not an easy business(ask any pastor). I know at my church none of our pastors have time to worry about what another church is preaching or songs they are playing Sunday morning. Nor will any pastor answer to God about what another pastor did or didn't do on Sunday mornings. We have got to stop worrying about other churches and start worrying about souls going to hell. Whether you are progressive church that has lights, lasers, and smoke on Sunday morning or a church that has an organ and a hymn book the mission is the same. We need to unite as Christians and quit trying to steal church members from other churches. After all if they are already in church they have heard that Christ died for them and they are responsible for their own salvation. Let's take to the people in our communities that haven't heard about Jesus. Paul fought this same thing in
1 Corinthians 1:10-17:
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

The church today is divided just as it was in Corinth. No one died for the sins of the lost but Jesus Christ, not Billy Graham, not your pastor, not your worship leader. So we need to quit worrying about the church up the street and their way of portraying the Gospel. We need to come together as the church body and work toward one common goal- Keeping people out of HELL!

Mickey

What is a worship leader

What does the term worship leader mean to you? Think about it for a second. Ok you got it. I bet your answer was the person who leads the songs in a church. Which that answer is true that is probably the actual definition of it and what we most commonly associate with the term "worship leader". I think you could classify a worship leader as anyone who leads people into an attitude or act of worship. That doesn't necessarily have to be the person who is singing on stage. I know at my church I feel the most important people are the people that you see as soon as you arrive(parking lot attendants, greeters, coffee makers, ushers we call them guest services). They make the job of the people on stage easy. Matthew 20:28 says Christ came to serve and not be served and pay the the ransom for many. The old saying you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Too many times I feel we focus so much on just the service that we sometimes might leave a bad impression because someone could not find a parking spot or a chair/pew to sit in. Leading worship could mean you have to serve in one of these areas or it could mean you clean or put out chairs or just be available (on call might be a good term). I thank God for the people who serve in this capacity and if you are not serving in your church find your place ask God to reveal where you need to serve and "just do it"(thanks Nike).

Mickey

10:45-12:15 Christian

It's really funny when I talk to people about church and when I tell them I'm a worship leader how their demeanor changes and it's like they need to act differently. For instance I was talking with someone about "the church" and how I think as a whole we have diverted people from what it really means to be a Christ follower. The person I was talking to took it as if I was bashing the church. I had to explain myself a little better and when I mentioned I was a worship leader they asked me "how can you say that the church is not doing there job if people are getting saved". I told the problem is the church is developing 10:45-12:15 Christians(that's the time of our church service, so fill in what ever time you go to church). What I meant by that is people that are proclaiming the name of Jesus as their Savior are not living like Christ saved them from hell. They are living like hell and then proclaiming the Jesus to forgive them. I have to admit I have been one of those people. There was a time in my life where if you wanted to find me you needed to look at the nearest beer store and you would find me, but yet I would still tell anyone and everyone that I'm a Christian young man. I heard a testimony this past Sunday and the one line that has stuck with me is "good 'ole boys go to hell". How many people are going to die and stand before the Lord and He will say "depart from me I never knew you" and it will be too late. Don't wait until it is too late. Get it nailed down today. Paul said "daily he had to die to himself". It's a daily process taken "one step at a time". My prayer is that "church goers" will understand and strive to be 24:7 Christ follower. Read Amos 5:21-24

Mickey

What's in your Heart

This past week has been an eventful week. I took part in a wild wedding on Saturday that I can't describe in words because it does not do it justice. Then Sunday I led worship at my dad's church in Albany, GA. and although most of the songs were too low for me to sing I think God showed up and as always He did awesome. Monday it was back to work and that night our church had a softball game and unfortunately we lost in extra innings but more importantly we lost our composure when some calls did not go our way. I know competition and the heat of battle is a tough place to keep your cool and it is hard not to react in the flesh and lash out at someone when something does not go our way. Most people don't look at a simple softball game as a platform to show Jesus to someone, but I feel as a Christ follower we are to show the love and compassion of Jesus no matter where we are. The Bible says in Matthew that the things of the heart are wicked and that's what comes out of the mouth. So I have to ask what's in our heart. Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life". Everything in our life comes from our heart and if we are putting garbage in our heart garbage will come out of our mouth. As Christ followers we are going to face trials. James 1:2-3 "Consider is pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Our faith is tested everyday how will you react when the trials come.

Mickey

What a Story

This evening when I got home from work I was briefly watching ESPN and heard a story that absolutely blew me away. A girl from Western Oregon University softball team hit her 1st ever home run and missed first base when going back to 1st she blew her knee out and two girls from the opposing team carried her around the bases for the home run to count. The most amazing thing is that the home run won the game and that is the only way for the home run to count as a home run and the other team(Central Washington University) was eliminated from the playoffs. Wow that is amazing. What an incredible act of sportsmanship. I can't help but think about how as Christ followers we can learn from this. Much like the Good Samaritan we are to love our opponents or our enemies because that is what the Bible commands us to do, to love one another. It does not matter their race, gender, background, sexual origin or anything else. If we claim that Jesus lives inside of us we are called to show each and every person Jesus by the way we act. I pray that I can learn from these two girls that were willing to sacrifice a win for their team to help someone who was in need. To read the whole story and understand it better the link is right here http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/01/earlyshow/main4061276.shtml

Mickey

All In

Hey there it's been about a week so I figured I would get back to this blogging thing. It's about 10 o'clock and I'm the only one still stirring around the house which allows me the opportunity to talk to God. Last week at my church we started a Bible study and the title of the study is called "All In". I've been thinking about this all week, and asking myself am I "all in". The answer to that is no. I think of times when I'm at work, or hanging out with my family when the actions that I'm portraying is not some one who is "all in". I regularly come across the verse in the Bible that says to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. I saw a illustration used this week referring to that verse that blew me away. It was a three legged table and it could not stand up without all three legs. As Christ followers we can not afford to have 2 out 3(I guess Meatloaf was wrong). It is impossible to love God with just our heart and our soul and not give Him our mind. If we want God to great things in us and in the people around us we have to totally surrender everything to Him. I was reading another blog this evening and he mentioned Isaiah 43:18-19 which says:

18 Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

I believe we are in the midst of God raising up new generation to lead people and there are greater things to come. It will take Christ followers loving God with everything they have and being "All In" to go places we would normally not voluntarily go. God is making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. I pray that I'm ready when God moves I'm right there with Him and led by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Thanks for reading
Mickey

P.S. Anyone who will be in the Albany, GA area, I will be leading worship this Sunday May 4 @ Plantation Parkway Church hope to see you there. Service starts at 10:45

Saturday

Wow what can I say Saturday my friend and I Mark took towels and socks to the Passion ATL conference at the Gwinnett Center. I have to be honest this was my first time to go to the Gwinnett Center so I did not know really how to get there except for you get off on Sugarloaf Pkwy and turn right and it's somewhere down there. I drove right past it and did a U-turn and went up and parked near the front door. I walked up and the guy at the front looked at me and asked sorry if you don't have a wristband you can't come in. I told him I was not there for the conference just there to drop off towels and socks I had collected. He told me to bring them up and just drop them off, but to pull my truck up to the front door. So we did and started bringing in the towels and socks. After we unloaded all of them one of the lead registration people came to me and asked if we would like to stay and hang out for a little while. My immediate response was "Really" and "Yes, absolutely".
The day started with an incredibly challenging talk by Francis Chan about the "Holy Spirit". Also music in the morning was led by Charlie Hall which watch out for his new stuff he played a couple of new songs and they blew me away. After that we broke for lunch and went over to the mall and I got to eat with an old buddy from my high school who is a youth and college pastor in Valdosta, GA. and was attending the passion conference with some students. We made our way back over to the Gwinnett Center and got ready for the afternoon session. It started out with the David Crowder Band rockin' the house. Louie Giglio the founder of the passion movement then spoke about how God makes great thing happen out of bad situation. Which I will post a blog about that later. Then we broke for dinner and Mark told me he needed to get back home. So I drove him back home to his truck. On the way home I called my wife and asked her if she would be willing to come back down to Gwinnett with me to see the final session of the conference. In great wife fashion she said yes. We loaded up our 5 week old daughter and brought her to her 1st concert(if you want to call it that). I couldn't think of a better 1st concert to go to than to see Charlie Hall on a mini acoustic set and then Chris Tomlin. I must say kudos to all the college students there because that was the loudest I have ever heard a congregation in my life. I call it a congregation because they were not yelling for the band on stage they were getting after it for the Lord. Then we proceeded to just pray for our campus' and cities. I got to pray with total strangers and they prayed for their college kids and their church ministries. It was an awesome experience(of yeah my wife was taking care of our daughter out in the hallway because it was too loud in there for her). We had to leave a little bit early because Maddox(that's my daughter) was getting restless and was ready to get home. I was able to watch the final song on You Tube. So thank God for You Tube.
I say all this because the only reason I got to experience this was because of the awesome people of Fellowship Church. Fellowship Church was challenged to bring towels and socks to church and only had 4 days to do it. Well let me just say I am very proud to be able to be a part of such a great church and a group of people willing to help in a minutes notice. The people of Fellowship Church donated 42 bath towels and 161 pairs of socks in just 4 days that is amazing. Thank You to all who took part in this mission. If you happen to read Craig Lee's blog he said:

"Our Mission is just beginning, one day God will use Fellowship Church to make a big difference and I for one am glad to be part of it"

Hold on guys "We've only just begun"

Mickey

Guarding my Heart

This morning on the way to work I had a real God moment. I was listening to a sermon by Andy Stanley entitled "Guarding your Heart". He was mentioning a verse Proverbs 4:23. Well I decided I needed to mark that verse in my Bible. So I grabbed my Bible and started looking for that verse. I keep a pen in my Bible so I can write things in it when I need to, needless to say I went to get my pen out of my Bible and it was on the page with that verse. I immediately wondered if the Lord was trying to tell me something (other than not to look up verses while driving). I started praying and asking God to reveal to me what I needed to change about my heart. Another verse he used was Matthew 15:18-19. Basically summed up what's on the inside will come out. As Christ followers we can not just tame our behavior, we must change our heart so what comes out of our mouth is nothing but purity. Through out my life people have always told me "so many people are watching you that you don't even know". I find that statement just as true today as it was when I was an athlete. Not because I am a worship leader, but because I call myself a Christ follower. People are watching. In just a short period this morning while driving to work the Lord taught me if I clean up my heart my behavior will follow. Just like the Proverbs says that the heart is the wellspring of life. We need to guard what we put in our hearts because that is what will come out.

Mickey

Living a New Life

This week has been a rather tough week so far. We have had 2 deaths with in our church family. One was expected and one unexpected. I was able to attend the funeral of one and heard a very honest and sincere son say bye to his father and challenge everyone there to live there life for the Heavenly Father. It was very tear jerking to hear him recollect his child hood memories of his father. I couldn't help but think of my child hood and everything my father has done for me. The best was he invited everyone there to a personal relationship with Christ. Not missing the point of what this life is about, to honor and glorify the Name of Jesus. After the funeral I told him that was a very inspiring eulogy. He told that was the hardest thing he has ever done. I applaud him for being able to do that I don't know if I could.
I challenged a group of guys I'm very close to, to read and study Colossians 3:1-17. If you have the time you should read that now and really meditate on it.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%203&version=31

These verses challenge Christians to the way we should be living. When we accept Christ to be our Savior we put on new clothing throwing the old ones away. Unfortunately we bag up our dirty clothes carry them with us and put them back on from time to time. The Bible say we are to be imitators of Christ. Many Christians including myself live in the flesh and are not guided by the spirit. These verses urge us to put away our worldly desires and to clothe ourselves with the things of God. Salvation is for here and now. Christ did not come and die for our sins so we could go to heaven one day. If that were the case the moment we accept Christ we would go to heaven immediately. He died so we could abide in Him, and live our lives through Him. I hope everything I say and do has a huge arrow that points to the one who paid the price for my life. I'm finding out that one of the hardest things to do is find the words to express to someone who is walking down the wrong path. I want to slap them and tell them to get there act together and quit being stupid. But that's not how the Bible tells us to do it. I'm learning that if one of my brothers in Christ is messing up I have to come along side them in love and help them correct there sin. I need the same from my brothers and I'm thankful for the people in my life I can go to and they hold me accountable to Christ and my fellow Christ followers. God is good.

Mickey

Either you get it or you don't

Yesterday at my home church we were challenged with an awesome message. The passage was in John 11:17-44. This as many of you know is the story of Lazarus. One point that stood out to me was when "Jesus wept" (v. 35). Not only did he weep because of the death of His friend, but he wept because Mary and Martha and the people around did not "get it". The footnote in my bible says "he was troubled by their unbelief". Everything Jesus had been teaching them about healing was not been put to use. As the story goes on and Jesus tells them to roll the stone away and commands Lazarus to come out we were challenged to get rid of whatever stones stand in the way of our walk with Jesus.
Today I overheard two churchgoers talk about their service. The reason I bring this up is I heard them talking from everything about the music being too loud or too much, to what a woman was wearing when she got up and left early. I wonder how many "churchgoers" are like Mary, Martha and the people standing around Lazarus' tomb and we still don't "get it". They also mentioned that the service doesn't do anything for them "it might reach some people but not me". I just wanted to say to them were they preaching something not in the Bible or singing songs not about God. It is crazy to me how many of us feel this way. I think about how many times people in the church say things like this and Jesus still weeps because we don't "get it". It breaks my heart to hear christians talk like this, and it breaks my heart to know I have talked like this before. No where in the Bible does it give the order a service should be. Acts is a book we should model our walk by, the first churchservive, (Acts 2:42-47) shows the impact Jesus made on their hearts. Nothing within these verses mentioned the order of service or what anyone was wearing, or if the music sounded good, or if the coffee bar was fully stocked. They were "devoting themselves to what the apostle's were teaching". I am just as guilty as the next person when something does not go right on a Sunday morning. Many times you could look at me and say "he doesn't get it", the Lord is teaching me to deny myself take up His cross and follow Him. It's not easy, and I pray that you see Christ in me.

Mickey

Sorry if I rambled I was called to change diapers in the middle of typing so my thought pattern may have been interupted. The joys of having a newborn.

Extravagant Worship

Luke 7:37-38
When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When I look at these verses I'm reminded of how glorious and wonderful a priviledge it is the worship Jesus. The ultimate sacrifice during that time an expensive jar of perfume to wash someone's feet. But this was not just anyone this was our Savior. What an act of worship. This passage reminded me of a song by Vicky Beaching called "Extravagant Worship":

"Doesn’t matter what people sayI forget their watching eyes I just want to bring to You My most costly, my most priceless, my most precious Sacrifice

I'm longing to bring Extravagant worship Total surrender Reckless abandon I pour out my love, pour out myself

Breaking open my thankful heart I release its praise perfume Here I’ll linger lifting to You Songs of wonder, songs of worship Songs of deepest gratitude"

I long for myself as well as people around me to show this kind of worship. I love the words reckless abandon, being a sports minded person it makes me think of football and having a wedge buster on the kickoff to go in with reckless abandon and break the wedge of people the other team has formed to protect the ball carrier. I looked up the extravagant in Webster's to come with the definition of exceeding the limits of reason, spending much more than necessary, or profuse, lavish. I believe we would see a drastic difference in our worship if we exceeded the limits of reason and showed some reckless abandon toward Jesus. I pray as you go through out the day you remember the woman pouring the perfume on Jesus' feet the price she paid to worship Jesus. What price are we paying?

Mickey

P.S. here is the link to the video from the previous blog that does not work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIji5P7Ti84

A Worship Experience

This is a blog by Casey Darnell about his experience leading worship on Easter Sunday 3/23

WOW

From the blog of Casey Darnell

Worship EXCUSES...whats yours?

While leading worship yesterday at Buckhead Church...one of the most powerful things happened. A moment in worship that has changed me forever.it was the 3rd service and me and the worship team were TIRED.Mainly because at this point we had been there since 6:30am...and it was now 6pm.When you lead worship on days like that, i want to be honest, its definitely a temptation to just do the last service mindlessly or "phone it in" so to speak.As in...let your tiredness get the best of you and maybe miss out on something God might be doing because you are more than ready to go home. But this was NOT THE CASE this past Easter Sunday.As that nights worship set kicked off...i noticed, somewhere into the 2nd song, that directly in front of me was a guy, that i found out after the service was named Jefferson, who it was obvious to see had severe cerebral palsy...but that was not the interesting part.....it was what i saw him doing and what was taking place that has CHANGED ME!!!Jefferson was...STANDING......this was possible for him because behind him was a guy named Matt....HOLDING HIM UP!!!During the entire 20 min or so worship set...one hand in the air at one point and the other holding on to Jefferson. Both of them making joyful noises at the top of their lungs.Their physical posture was expressing the posture of their hearts!and it was BEAUTIFUL!!!This says so much to me...things i am still processing and only able to speak about with tears in my eyes.....however.......What does this say to you? Have you had one of those days like we were having...one of those just exhausting days...maybe a day when things arent going your way...people have let you down...life has happened...or a day full of reasons to ignore the blessings in your life...to maybe forget for a moment of How GOOD GOD HAS BEEN to you...?How does this make you reflect about how you worship?When the excuses are plenty and the uncomfortableness of standing up to worship our Savior is keeping you from....worshiping...without analyzing...without critiquing...I pray when those times happen you will remember these pictures below and remember Jefferson...and remember where you were...that your chains are no more....and you are free....so free in fact you are able to STAND and worship...no fears or failures can stop you and you sing with every breath you are being GIVEN...

Matt & Jefferson are standing up right in front of me on the front row (im the one in the vest)

How can we not be changed by this...how can we stand still like so many were doing standing all around these 2 guys...It was so much easier for them...and it broke my heart to see so many just standing around in a way that seemed to leave them UN-affected by the worship time...And though i don’t want to judge the others, because I don’t know their stories...but man..it sure does make me think......while these 2 guys were having to WORK and PAY A PRICE to WORSHIP, what was the cost for everyone else? For you?For me?How will i respond next time?

"I will not offer anything to the Lord, that cost me nothing" - 2 Samuel 24:24

CASE

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIji5P7Ti84

posted by casey darnell

WOW
So many times I think we take our worship services for granted. I thank God for times like these to bring me as a worship leader back down to earth and realize this is all about Him. God is good.

MC

new blog

Well I've done it. I joined the world of blogging I don't know why because I really don't like reading blogs so why I think anyone will read this who knows. But I've come to realize this is where the world is headed "Blogs". So check back and I'll try to let you inside my head to what I'm think about at the exact time I'm sitting at the computer and writing.

MC