tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230191412024-03-07T01:16:52.092-05:00247Think Blog...random thoughts on living a 24/7 life of worship...kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-64887128716543476692007-06-13T14:57:00.000-05:002007-06-13T15:00:29.816-05:00Making the SwitchI've been working on a new blog page for a few months now and I've decided to finally make the switch. It's got a few more bells and whistles than my current blogger one. So...in another week I will no longer be posting here. Instead, I'll be moving to my new address <a href="http://my247think.vox.com">here</a>. Check it out and enjoy the new and improved 247Think Blog!!!kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-58872166124709730512007-06-12T13:34:00.000-05:002007-06-12T14:38:55.418-05:00Blogging HiatusIt has been almost three weeks since I last blogged and I have to say it's been a nice break. Sometimes I really struggle with what to blog and I don't want to blog just for the sake of doing it. The past three weeks have been a nice reflection time. Here's what's been going on...<br /><br />-My family and I enjoyed a week long trip to Disney World with my parents. Great time of fun! I'm constantly amazed at how Disney engages you from the time you enter into the place. Some highlights for me were:<br /><ul><li>riding Small World with my two year old and watching him take it all in...the wonder and joy in his eyes made the whole trip worth it!</li><li>riding Thunder Mountain with my four year old...it was his first time on it and he screamed and screamed and screamed! That was fun!</li><li>watching my seven year old scurry around picking up little Mickey Mouse head confetti pieces...he has done this every time we've been to WDW since he was three.</li><li>and lastly, seeing my grandparents whom I haven't seen in a few years. I hope I'm doing that good when I'm 80!</li></ul>-I've been seeing the TV ads for Apple's new <a href="http://apple.com/iphone">iPhone</a>. Man I want one!!!<br />-I finally watched the season finale of <a href="http://nbc.com/heroes">Heroes</a> the other day. Wow! If you're not watching this show, you're missing out!<br />-Sunday night's Dunk'd at the River was so cool. I never get tired of seeing people declare their faith in Christ. After all, <span style="font-weight: bold;">it's why we do what we do!!!</span><br />-Laurie and I went out on our first date in a while last night. Good stuff! I can't believe we actually went to a restaurant and sat a table for two. That never happens when you have a family of six!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">-</span>We went and saw <a href="http://oceans13.warnerbros.com/">Oceans 13</a> on our date...very entertaining. We are huge fans of the Oceans movies. They're just fun to watch.<br /><br />So what's on the horizon? Lots and lots of stuff! I'm so pumped to see what God has in store for the next few months. I just feel like big things are up ahead!kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-676548496823352002007-05-24T18:45:00.000-05:002008-12-10T22:50:47.497-05:00Getting awayTomorrow my family and I leave for a much needed vacation. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I am so pumped!</span> One week with no cell phone, no computer, no nothing...except for my beautiful bride and my kids. Good stuff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAbD8WXtAWCiY8RkedJmFGoZQr_hrGu92CZDpjb9lG98l4ZigDkwMZrVrHxL_lvh1k3Sysp0BUOl0s1g7jWblZI5U88UxNkNc5GUKwuhmYf80gxXIldYnbptLcLGVKwJOpY9yoQ/s1600-h/audience+of+one+book.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAbD8WXtAWCiY8RkedJmFGoZQr_hrGu92CZDpjb9lG98l4ZigDkwMZrVrHxL_lvh1k3Sysp0BUOl0s1g7jWblZI5U88UxNkNc5GUKwuhmYf80gxXIldYnbptLcLGVKwJOpY9yoQ/s400/audience+of+one+book.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068281927407004546" border="0" /></a>So I'll be checking out of the blogosphere for the next week. I do want to get something out of my head that I've been sitting on this week though. I've been reading a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Audience-One-Worshiping-Everything-Worship/dp/0830737049">For the Audience of One</a> by Mike Pilavachi. What an <span style="font-weight: bold;">amazing</span> book! But one thought I want to throw out for you to chew on for the next week is this: <span style="font-weight: bold;">worship is to be a reflection of life.</span><br /><br />Here's what I mean...too often in our worship we put on our "best", regardless of how real or authentic it is, because we think that's what we're supposed to do. Or, quite frankly <span style="font-weight: bold;">we just don't want to be real.</span> But think on this...if we don't present ourselves to God, our whole, messed up selves, we make worship about anything <span style="font-weight: bold;">but</span> God. God doesn't want your Sunday best. The bible makes it clear that our best are filthy rags to God. So why even try to impress Him?<br /><br />God wants us to bring everything we are to Him. Then, and only then, will He reveal Himself to us so that we can respond with adoration and praise.kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-91458102645170311832007-05-22T10:56:00.000-05:002007-05-22T13:55:37.499-05:00Facedown - the afterglowJust finished meeting with the Facedown team to debrief Sunday. Wow! What an amazing evening!!! My gauge for whether Facedown was good or not is if we met with God, I believe with all my heart that we did...in a major way.<br /><br />I've heard some great feedback from those of you that were there. Some say, as some always say after Facedown, is that it was the best ever. I do believe it was amazing! The coolest thing for me was to see people humbly come to the cross and fall facedown. That's what it's all about...forgetting about our surroundings and bringing ourselves- our whole, imperfect selves- to the feet of Jesus.<br /><br />There's no better place to be.kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com89tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-49495198304604766052007-05-18T14:12:00.000-05:002007-05-18T14:15:17.895-05:00Day 10: HungryI know I had this posted a few weeks ago, but it really speaks to my heart so much. I hope it does the same for you...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oMAD5NFfWyc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oMAD5NFfWyc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Lord Jesus, we are hungry for more of You. Fill us with Your Spirit. Amen.kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-80805744075830347572007-05-17T10:19:00.002-05:002007-05-17T10:26:20.755-05:00Day 9: The small things<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here's an excerpt from a post Louie Giglio made on his <a href="http://268blog.blogspot.com/">blog</a> a few months ago that is a tremendous reminder for all of us. Enjoy...<br /><br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;">We shouldn't be surprised to know that God is a part of every aspect of our lives. He's not too busy (He doesn't sleep), uninterested (He's here with us), high and mighty (He's a servant-King), overloaded (He knows the names of all the stars) or ambivalent (He gave His best for us) to be connected to the small stuff. While He is a "big picture God," He's "intimately acquainted with</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > all</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> our ways." Psalm 139:3.<br /><br />God is specific (check out all the genealogies and lists in the Bible). He is into microscopic things. He first split the atom. And there is no detail in your life today too small for Him to know and care about.<br /><br />Father, it's amazing that You see and know us all. Teach us today to pray about the smallest things. For Jesus' sake, who was the specific answer to hundreds of promises (details), Amen.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >All this said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the details of this pattern. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Then David said to his son Solomon, Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished." 1 Chronicles 28:19-20</span></blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-84540124790612953612007-05-16T07:42:00.000-05:002007-05-16T07:47:58.934-05:00Day 8: The Coming HopeJust a short entry today...<br /><br />I read in 1 Thessalonians 4 yesterday about the return of Jesus. Paul tells of how the dead in Christ will rise to meet Jesus in the sky and then those that are left, those that are alive, will go up to join them. And the last verse, verse 18, says "Therefore encourage one another with these words." That really got me thinking. What an incredible day that will be when Jesus returns to take us home. I cannot fathom it, to be honest. But here's what else God showed me...your current circumstances are so small in the grand scheme of things. They are just a blip on the radar when you force yourself to step back and look at the big picture.<br /><br />I know there is a lot of pain, stress, and uncertainty out there. But hear this: the coming Hope, Jesus Christ, will return one day to take us to our true home with Him and our Father God. That's something to celebrate!kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-60495841559344655392007-05-15T07:29:00.000-05:002007-05-15T07:56:30.865-05:00Day 7: Seeking God<span style="font-weight: bold;">Facedown is only 5 days away!!! </span> I cannot wait. This edition is going to be awesome. <br /><br />Something I will say that has been ringing in my ears lately is a story Steve told the staff after a recent trip. A pastor friend was telling him that they had an Easter service years ago that they spent a lot of time and energy preparing for. It was an outdoor event that they had rented top of the line sound and lighting equipment for. They spent tons of time praying that God would hold off the rain and for lots of people to show up, but, he admitted, they didn't spend time praying for God to show up. <span style="font-weight: bold;">That is my biggest fear for Facedown...that we would be so focused on making Sunday night happen that we forget about God</span>. He is the only reason we do this. I ask that you would join me in praying for Sunday asking that God would fill every inch of the high school campus with His Spirit.<br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">You will seek me and find me when you seek Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)</span>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-67307945219865390252007-05-14T08:39:00.000-05:002007-05-14T09:06:55.577-05:00Day 6: The Sound of SilenceI've been reflecting a lot on silence and what its importance is in our relationship with God. Silence is not a discipline we practice much in our society today, with all of the distractions coming at us. With our iPods, cell phones, computers, televisions, and many other things, we have made it very hard for ourselves to escape the noise of life. Even children's toys make noise...very irritating noise at that! Often my kids have come to me with toys that aren't designed to make noise asking me to fix it because it's broken!<br /><br />So why is it so important? Why should we practice it? Here's a post I did last year on this very topic...<br /><blockquote><br />Something that is very important, but takes a lot of practice, is being still in God's presence. It’s very unnatural for us as humans in today’s society to be quiet and still for more than half a second. We are busy creatures with busy schedules.<br /><br />Practicing stillness is learning how to listen to God. So many times we go to God and talk His ear off, telling Him how we see life. How often do we ask Him how HE sees life? Believe me, I’m the worst on this! I’m ashamed at the number of times I go through the “drive-thru” with God. I place my order and then go on with my day. How I wish I would take the time to listen to Him.<br /><br />The awesome thing is that when we start listening to Him, He does an extraordinary thing…He reveals Himself to us. The scripture says “Be still and know that I am God.” We begin to encounter the Creator of the universe as He gives us a peak at how great and phenomenal He is. And that is where worship starts…it starts with revelation from God. Then we can’t help but respond with all out praise and adoration.<br /><br />God- teach us how to be still before You so that we can see You in all Your glory. Teach us how to listen to Your voice. Reveal Your glory to us so that we can respond with highest praise and honor! Amen.</blockquote>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-39142635011664127782007-05-11T05:51:00.000-05:002007-05-11T06:49:15.170-05:00Day 5: Living outHave you ever been somewhere that was so cool that you had to tell people about it? Last year our family went to the new children's museum in Columbia, called <a href="http://www.edventure.org/home.asp"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Edventure</span></a>. Our family had such a good time in such a cool place that we immediately became evangelists for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Edventure</span>. We told all of our friends and family what a great place it is to take their kids. Think about that place for you. Where is it? How did you feel when you were there? And who did you tell about it?<br /><br />That's what goes on with worship. You enter the presence of God and He reveals His glory to you. You discover it's the best thing you've ever experienced. But why is it, as Christians, that we keep it quiet? I'm very guilty of this. I'll encounter God in a big way and get all excited, but then I just keep it to myself. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />When we worship God, our worship should overflow into our lives. </span>It is something that should go with us every day of the week, every minute of the day. Which leads to a cool thing...worship reciprocates. It starts with God and ends with God. The revelation often begins in our personal relationship with Him, which leads us to hunger even more for that relationship.<br /><br />So Facedown is a little more than a week away!!!! I will see you on Monday as we continue our journey together!kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-37044402239535614492007-05-10T07:13:00.000-05:002007-05-10T12:57:25.557-05:00Day 4: Inside OutEvery Thursday for the past month I've been meeting with our Facedown Team. I am so pumped every week to meet with these guys and gals to dream and discuss what God is leading us to do. It's going to be absolutely amazing! You won't want to miss this edition!!!!<br /><br />This week we've been talking through the progression of worship, that it all starts with God revealing Himself and His glory to us, and then we respond in our hearts through emotion. So today, we're going to look at how that worship goes from the inside out.<br /><br />Have you ever wondered why people raise their hands in worship? What about seeing those few dedicate souls who like to jump up and down, screaming at the top of their lungs? And there are those who like to fall to their knees...what's up with that? These, and others, are <span style="font-weight: bold;">the outward expression of what is happening on the inside.</span> I'd like to take each of these and try to explain what each means...<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Raising hands.</span> This is the most common expression of worship. To be honest, raising my hands means a few different things to me. First, it's a sign of respect. Sometimes it will hit me what an amazing God we serve and creates in me a since of awe and wonder that I raise my hands and say, "God, You are great and powerful and I am completely amazed by You." Other times I just want to reach out and touch Him. The song we've done recently called "The Hand That Holds The World" by Starfield even says "I want to stand before the King, join in the song that heaven sings, I want to hold the hand that holds the world." It's a longing to be with our King. And lastly, when I raise my hands in worship, I'm submitting to Him and His reign over me.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Making noise. </span>What's with all this noise stuff? You hear us sing about it and talk about it, but do you know why? There are numerous places in the bible, especially in the psalms, that tell us to make a joyful noise. You see, shouting and yelling is the overflow of a joyful heart. You're excited. You're pumped up! And it's all in celebration and adoration for Jesus Christ, our risen King!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dancing.</span> Now, before you write this off completely, it is biblical! If you don't believe me, go to <a href="http://biblegateway.com/">Bible Gateway</a> and do a word search on "dancing". You'll see about 10 different references. Just like making noise, it's joyful, it's celebrative. I know there are many out there that are like me. Born with two left feet and you wouldn't even dream of being caught dancing. But you can jump up and down, right? I dare you to let loose sometime without a care in the world as you worship Almighty God with reckless abandon.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kneeling.</span> This is a drastic change from the expressions above. It's pensive. It's meditative. It's stopping for a moment to really think about what God has done for you and how much you love Him.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Falling facedown.</span> This is a worship expression that is far more rare than dancing, in my opinion. In the book Facedown, Matt Redman describes it as this:<br /></li></ul><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">Facedown worship is the overflow of a heart humbled and amazed by the glory of God. Facedown worship always begins as a posture of the heart. It's people so desperate for the increase of Christ that they find themselves decreasing to the ground in an act of reverent submission. When a soul is so captivated by the Almighty, to bend low in true and total surrender seems the only appropriate response.</blockquote>The thing about each of these expressions is that you cannot care what the people around you are doing or what they think of you. You get to the point where you are so intensely focused on God that nothing else matters. If you've never let go in any of these ways, maybe it's time to show an undying passion for Christ, even at the risk of looking and feeling foolish. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Doesn't He deserve at least that?<br /><br /></span>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-17804500738591124242007-05-09T05:39:00.000-05:002007-05-09T06:54:32.272-05:00Day 3: Responding with emotionYesterday we looked at how worship starts with God. We can't worship God without God first revealing Himself and His glory to us. So then what? Just like with any thing in life, you feel emotion inside before you do anything else. When your child takes their first steps, you are overcome with pride on the inside before you congratulate them with hugs and kisses. When someone you love gives you something that you've wanted for a long time, you feel love well up inside you. These are just two examples of a wide range of human emotion. My point is that, before you respond to anything externally, you have to respond to internally.<br /><br />Here's what I'm trying to say...emotion is a very important part of being human. God made us to be emotional creatures. <span style="font-weight: bold;">How we respond to God's revelation is very much emotional. </span>I know there has been a school of thought for years that you must remove all emotion in your relationship with God. I say that is tragic! How would a marriage be without feeling love? How would a celebration be without feeling joy? It's the same thing in our relationships with God. If we remove our emotions and approach it purely intellectually, we risk exchanging the life-changing power of God for a bunch of facts...kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-86377570838900697542007-05-08T07:05:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:33:03.271-05:00Day 2: It starts with GodThere is a very basic yet very profound definition of worship that I stumbled upon a few years ago. I've actually used it on this blog before. That definition is this: <span style="font-weight: bold;">worship is our response to God's revelation.</span> It's that simple. However, there is a lot of stuff packed into that seven word phrase.<br /><br />Let's look today at where it all starts. If you have your bible (man, I've always wanted to say that!) turn to Colossians 1. For those of you who don't have your bible, the words are on the screen. (Alright, now I'm just getting carried away!) Here are verses 15-20:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>He (that is Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all 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.</blockquote></span><br />Here's my interpretation of this passage. God was before all things and He created all things. He holds everything together, literally. So, logic tells me, that <span style="font-weight: bold;">nothing</span> is possible without God. <span style="font-weight: bold;">We can't even worship God without God.</span> Look at the Facedown passage in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=leviticus%209:23-24;&version=31;">Leviticus 9:23-24</a>. God showed His glory and the people responded. Another place to check out is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2017:1-8;&version=31;">Matthew 17:1-8</a>. Here Jesus showed three of His disciples (Peter, James and John) a glimpse of His glory and they ended up facedown. There are many, many more examples of God revealing Himself and people responding with facedown worship.<br /><br />You want to know something cool? <span style="font-weight: bold;">God wants to show us His glory.</span> He actually thinks about us, even though we are such small, insignificant parts of His creation (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%208:3-4;&version=47;">Psalm 8:3,4</a>). It absolutely blows my mind that God knows the number of hair on my head (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2012:7;&version=31;">Luke 12:7</a>) and every other detail of my life. He cares deeply about me and you. That's our God!<br /><br />There is one thing I want to say in closing. God doesn't reveal Himself only on Sunday mornings at church. Actually, I've found that God doesn't reveal Himself nearly as profoundly on Sundays as He does in my daily life, especially in my time alone with Him. <span style="font-weight: bold;">If you're depending on Sunday services to see God, you are missing out in a big, big way!</span> If you're not really involved right now in a daily quiet time, I would encourage you to try it out these next two weeks as we prepare for Facedown. Pick a short book in the new testament to start with (I recommend Colossians, James, Galatians, or Ephesians) and read through a chapter a day. If you need to read them again, do it. Take your time. Pretend you're eating the best steak dinner you've ever had...savor every single bite! And pray. Here's a simple guide to prayer that I learned years ago: <span style="font-weight: bold;">ACTS. Adoration. Confession. Thanksgiving. Supplication.</span> Adoration is giving God praise for who He is. Confession is, as Hebews 12:1 says, throwing off everything that hinders you and the sin that so easily entangles your steps. Thanksgiving is thanking God for the blessings He has poured out in your life. And finally, supplication is presenting your requests to God. This is your chance to pray for stuff in your life, as well as others. It's that simple, but very powerful. So I hope you'll accept my challenge over these next two weeks and see what happens.<br /><br />See you tomorrow!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-80977853077453378362007-05-07T06:02:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:33:30.358-05:00Journey to Facedown: Day 1Facedown is getting closer and closer...and <span style="font-weight: bold;">I am so PUMPED</span>! If you think that past editions were awesome, you haven't seen anything yet. God has inspired some really cool ideas that, in my opinion, will be unforgettable.<br /><br />Today starts a <span style="font-weight: bold;">journey to Facedown</span> that I hope will prepare all of our hearts to encounter God that Sunday night. This week, I want to look at the natural progression of worship. That progression is this: we see God, then we respond in our hearts to that revelation, which leads us to respond outwardly. I want to spend time on each one to help us fully understand what this thing called worship is. It's more than a song. It's more than an hour every Sunday. It's something that we carry into every minute of our lives. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Worship truly is a 24 - 7 lifestyle.</span><br /><br /><br />So I hope you'll join me each day over the next two weeks as we draw closer to Facedown!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-11902238783908436782007-05-03T10:39:00.000-05:002008-12-10T22:50:47.646-05:00It's Coming...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnte224c-FCRfTNyOS2Dk1AQ7E6JfjgAOpGMUHHiVxXWb_vZ8xmN_FM-YUby1VmpanWxpy-OsdlOU-M-129643B47wmTmyWfy70VLQE-9vN9OEoKIZ6Pm-152-MfqQaf486uOMA/s1600-h/Kneeling(1024x768).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnte224c-FCRfTNyOS2Dk1AQ7E6JfjgAOpGMUHHiVxXWb_vZ8xmN_FM-YUby1VmpanWxpy-OsdlOU-M-129643B47wmTmyWfy70VLQE-9vN9OEoKIZ6Pm-152-MfqQaf486uOMA/s400/Kneeling(1024x768).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060361232863277394" border="0" /></a><br />Facedown is almost here. I am so pumped! <span style="font-weight: bold;">This is one you will not to miss!!!</span> As I've done in the past, I will be starting a <span style="font-weight: bold;">journey to Facedown</span> on Monday. What is that you ask? For the days leading up to Facedown, I will post a daily thought to prepare our hearts to encounter God the evening of May 20. I encourage you to check in often!kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-19328471041098083712007-04-30T21:27:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:34:00.364-05:00Hungering and Thirsting for RighteousnessSteve spoke yesterday at <a href="http://truenorthchurch.com/">TrueNorth</a> about the beatitude of hungering and thirsting for righteousness. What a much needed topic! Anyway, it made me think of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians%203:1-2&version=31">Colossians 3:1-2</a>, which simply says that we should set our heart and mind on things that are above. This, to me, is the basis of hungering and thirsting. I love the song we sang yesterday called Center by <a href="http://charliehall.com/">Charlie Hall</a>. In it, we sing words inspired from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians%201:17;&version=47;">Colossians 1:17</a>, declaring that God holds everything together.<br /><br />Louie Giglio, founder and visionary of the <a href="http://268generation.com/">Passion Movement</a>, spoke on the human body at one time and the amazing things that are contained in us. He said that a molecular biologist told him to check out this fascinating thing called "laminen". Laminen is a substance in our body that literally acts as glue or stitching between our cells. Giglio said that when he saw a super zoomed in picture of laminen he was completely floored. It turns out, laminen is a cross-shaped structure. It puts new meaning to the verse above that says God holds everything together. Literally!<br /><br />What's the point? Everything...I mean EVERYTHING...starts with God. If our minds are not centered and focused on Him, if we aren't cross-eyed, then we will try to satisfy the hunger and thirst somewhere else...and we'll come up lacking. Something I shared a few weeks ago that I will reiterate here is that I have started praying and asking God to be the Lord of my day. Since that day, my relationship with God has been revitalized. I'm not saying I'm perfect now because I pray this prayer, but I am saying that, for this season in my life, those words have become very powerful and important for me.<br /><br />Being cross-eyed takes discipline. I have to be disciplined to go to be early so I can get up early and spend time in the presence of God. I have to make the decision to read my bible and pray. There are so many things that can distract me, but by humbling myself and seeking God, those distractions seem to fade away.<br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians%203:1-2&version=31"></a>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-91295581456513957292007-04-25T21:21:00.000-05:002007-04-25T21:47:32.677-05:00Human-Beings<span style="font-family: verdana;">Tonight at Jteam we discussed this past Sunday's message on "Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." One of the guys in the group mentioned a quote from Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Minneapolis, about an observation he's made about us as people. It seems, to Mr. Bell, that we have become more of human-doings than human-beings. Think about the contrast between the two. It's as simple as the difference between the two words "do" and "be". To do is to perform or produce</span>. <span style="font-family: verdana;"> It implies action. To be is to exist.<br /><br />It's so easy to get caught in the doing of life that we forget to just be. Sometimes we need to take the time to feel life again, rather than to do it. God says in Psalm 46:10 to "be still, and know that I am God." Honestly, I couldn't tell you the last time I was completely still and waited on God. It's a hard thing to do, but we must.<br /><br />So here's a list of suggestions of how you can become a human-being again:<br />-Take a walk in nature and observe God's creation up close.<br />-Take time to listen to someone's story in order to get to know them better.<br />-Read a book that will challenge you to examine your life to see how you can improve yourself.<br />-Make it important to play. Let your hair down and have fun! Fun is a huge key to being!<br /><br />These are just a few things. Does anybody else have a suggestion?<br /></span>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-8331673110026857312007-04-20T08:16:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:34:15.342-05:00Facedown - May 20thYesterday I met with our <span style="font-weight: bold;">Facedown</span> creative team to continue dreaming and planning the next edition, which is <span style="font-weight: bold;">just a month away</span>. I am so pumped! God has already started inspiring us with some really cool things. You will not want to miss it.<br /><br />One of the things I love about Facedown is to watch <span style="font-weight: bold;">how God puts each edition together</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">how each one He makes completely unique</span>. I have people talk to me all the time and say "remember that one with the glowsticks?" or "remember the one where the singers were no where in sight?"<br /><br />Through it all, Facedown still has a very simple focus. Leviticus 9 says that the Israelites were at the foot of the mountain of God after they left Egypt. They were instructed precisely how to present the first offering to God and they followed it to the "T". And then, after Moses and Aaron had met with God in the Tent of Meeting, they came out, blessed the people and then the God showed up!<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"...and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">glory of the LORD appeared to all the people</span>. <span id="en-NIV-2978" class="sup"></span>Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown</span>." (Leviticus 9:23-24)</blockquote>Here is a basic definition of worship. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Worship is our response to the revelation of God.</span> You can see that in this verse. God shows up, the people respond. And they respond in two ways, which brings us to the two pillars of Facedown.<br /><br />First, they <span style="font-weight: bold;">shouted for joy</span>. They celebrated. They went crazy. Ever been to a football game and the home team scores a winning touchdown at the last second? The crowd goes wild, right? Well, that doesn't even compare to how the people of God responded in this Leviticus passage. Why? Because God accepted their offering. He found it acceptable. You know what? God has accepted an offering that blows theirs away. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus Christ.</span> He's our offering, once and for all. And we've done nothing to deserve it. Which brings us to the second response...<br /><br />Secondly, the people of Israel fell facedown. And get this...<span style="font-weight: bold;">it's for the exact same reason.</span> After their celebration, I imagine a moment when an <span style="font-weight: bold;">eerie silence</span> falls over the people. There's a light switch flipped or something that causes them to realize that God accepted their offering. He found <span style="font-weight: bold;">them</span> acceptable. And it's the same for <span style="font-weight: bold;">us</span>. But here's the difference. The only part we (humanity) had in presenting this offering is that we crucified God's Son. The Lamb of God spilled His blood to cover us and make us acceptable in God's sight. When we truly realize that, we can't help but fall on our faces in awe of God.<br /><br />In a few weeks, I will begin a daily journey to Facedown. I'll post thoughts to help prepare our hearts to meet with God as May 20 draws closer. I hope you'll join me!<br /><blockquote></blockquote>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-61040025942514480972007-04-17T12:57:00.000-05:002007-04-17T13:42:11.242-05:00HungryThis morning I popped in a song that I haven't listened to in quite a long time. It's a worship tune from the late '90s called <span style="font-style: italic;">We Are Hungry</span>. I was first introduced to the song from the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Passion: The Road to OneDay</span> album that came out in 1999. Anyway, as I listened to this song, I couldn't help but fall on my face. I began to cry out to God to make this song true in my heart as well as in our church...<span style="font-weight: bold;">to be hungry for God</span>.<br /><br />Through it all, I decided to make a little video to this song with pictures of worshipers from different events at <a href="http://truenorthchurch.com">TrueNorth</a>. So here it is...<br /><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oMAD5NFfWyc"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oMAD5NFfWyc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-47172367283839667762007-04-15T15:25:00.000-05:002008-12-10T22:50:47.755-05:00Prayer PowerThis past weekend Laurie went with some friends to Columbia, SC, to see <a href="http://lproof.org/">Beth Moore</a> speak. <span style="font-weight: bold;">18,000 women</span> in one place. That's a lot of estrogen. Anywho, she said it was an amazing time of worship and teaching. Here's a picture of the event...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMB5sRRikpXxVz18QpxczXga-QmQNBvYEb4gnuobYqB-ZOzp8eLykiKMQlKCQG8zT2CNLe7p2ONft5SR2bg9Wthe6befi-Rv4i_i4QNufkDvbK6LtRow67ZL0raRpkG11l74U6g/s1600-h/columblowres+(2).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMB5sRRikpXxVz18QpxczXga-QmQNBvYEb4gnuobYqB-ZOzp8eLykiKMQlKCQG8zT2CNLe7p2ONft5SR2bg9Wthe6befi-Rv4i_i4QNufkDvbK6LtRow67ZL0raRpkG11l74U6g/s400/columblowres+(2).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053754480669922930" border="0" /></a><br />One of the things Laurie mentioned from this weekend was something Beth said about prayer. She made the comment that when we pray, things happen that wouldn't happen otherwise. Now, I know what you're thinking...but <span style="font-weight: bold;">when I pray nothing happens</span>. But according to Beth, that's wrong. There is something that is set into motion in the spiritual realm, a releasing of God's power and blessing, that otherwise would not happen if we didn't pray.<br /><br />I've been thinking about this. Why don't I pray more? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Is it because I'm too busy?</span> No, I'd say I'm too busy NOT to pray. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Is it because I don't set my priorities right?</span> Well, that's definitely part of it. But there's something bigger than that. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It's because I've lost faith in prayer.</span> I have a hard time admitting that, but I think all of us can relate to this in some fashion or another. Let me explain...there are many prayers that God answers that I will never see the physical outcome of. Part of that is because He will choose to answer with a "no". Another part is that there are requests that happen in someone else's life that I may not have day to day contact with. And yet another part is those requests that take many years to answer. I've known people who have prayed for someone to come to Christ for 10 or 20 years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prayer takes patience</span>, which is a virtue that isn't practiced a whole lot in our society these days. We have to learn to wait on God and trust that He hears us. We also need to realize that there is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">power in prayer </span>that is like no other power. <br /><br />Lord, help me to fully understand and realize the power that takes place through prayer.kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-1679736663037881942007-04-13T20:50:00.000-05:002008-12-10T22:50:50.257-05:00Photo BoothThis past December, we got Laurie a new <a href="http://www.apple.com/macbook/macbook.html">MacBook</a> for Christmas. (<span style="font-weight: bold;">Disclaimer</span>: I am of the belief that the only type of computers that exist are Macs. Anything else is strictly a figment of the imagination.) The MacBook has a built in camera in the computer monitor portion of the computer. It's really cool. <a href="http://apple.com/">Apple</a> even created a program to go with it called <a href="http://www.apple.com/imac/isight.html">Photo Booth</a>. It truly is a great invention that could bring hours of endless enjoyment and laughter. You can choose one of many effects to apply to a picture that will morph the image into quite a few different things.<br /><br />Recently, the kids and I had some fun with it...and here are the results:<br /><br />Here's me with some fun buck teeth...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEGavuJfI2UppML-fXRLlbIb232KnQClWSbEiQFWu8LyJPsvV8v1rY5y3r81-JLWD6lrbuHp-SHIlAnoj9YXFEgKBQJczrA4_Yliaz-yPnimjJJfsptaTPULEHEneNBfyE1jcRA/s1600-h/Photo+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEGavuJfI2UppML-fXRLlbIb232KnQClWSbEiQFWu8LyJPsvV8v1rY5y3r81-JLWD6lrbuHp-SHIlAnoj9YXFEgKBQJczrA4_Yliaz-yPnimjJJfsptaTPULEHEneNBfyE1jcRA/s320/Photo+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053111820418455074" border="0" /></a>...and then there's poor little Ella...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcmraqLED7HXRAc3xHVC36rMqy-hsyCOLjzR9V9cLo3g0fFHDdlX1H7WaFBYKnjXacOz4ul596lfLBWmPtwq9gwap2VcY3DDAF4t-K58RCo2SX1Hj32ih4AFRbcF9lomN9G04Dw/s1600-h/Photo+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcmraqLED7HXRAc3xHVC36rMqy-hsyCOLjzR9V9cLo3g0fFHDdlX1H7WaFBYKnjXacOz4ul596lfLBWmPtwq9gwap2VcY3DDAF4t-K58RCo2SX1Hj32ih4AFRbcF9lomN9G04Dw/s320/Photo+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053111824713422386" border="0" /></a>...Stephen's having fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwpJe-s82QNf5lusWMucMvhJZtEGR2ZPPuh6BhTC-_-kbX2LI4ghO1ocSHo9HlGjwPfikOw-8W57NABszy4fL0P6_IUrV1Fojkj9e_rTJ8j2Y4KPLKex5NysAGbLIm-rAsaullQ/s1600-h/Photo+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwpJe-s82QNf5lusWMucMvhJZtEGR2ZPPuh6BhTC-_-kbX2LI4ghO1ocSHo9HlGjwPfikOw-8W57NABszy4fL0P6_IUrV1Fojkj9e_rTJ8j2Y4KPLKex5NysAGbLIm-rAsaullQ/s320/Photo+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053111824713422402" border="0" /></a>I cannot look at this one without completely losing it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBOO3vgXmu8rsAdPjNAY9JEkt-01Xwsss3QP1BB07epjo2ByyNjCVppkUFg1bKJUaxbrSRwAWw5g5rkxWTkjzsue10QQkudVvYVqKWFS5tb_yuNAXfpDc96PT1zn8Y2nmXE0tnA/s1600-h/Photo+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBOO3vgXmu8rsAdPjNAY9JEkt-01Xwsss3QP1BB07epjo2ByyNjCVppkUFg1bKJUaxbrSRwAWw5g5rkxWTkjzsue10QQkudVvYVqKWFS5tb_yuNAXfpDc96PT1zn8Y2nmXE0tnA/s320/Photo+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053111824713422418" border="0" /></a>...and lastly, Zane the alien. Kind of freaky!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3i9hMBVU602ezb-77gklpUYQm5Cjh-kXwcZvFEknb9dGN0cDZUPADHk9yOXTB8gv3tTmitglEVIOq_EDe7n_Z9N9LSf4pqG-t9gmJI46GBU70Mjb_4ezTHaW-y8tcV27O6zmLQ/s1600-h/Photo+24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3i9hMBVU602ezb-77gklpUYQm5Cjh-kXwcZvFEknb9dGN0cDZUPADHk9yOXTB8gv3tTmitglEVIOq_EDe7n_Z9N9LSf4pqG-t9gmJI46GBU70Mjb_4ezTHaW-y8tcV27O6zmLQ/s320/Photo+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053111829008389730" border="0" /></a><br />So there's an example of endless entertainment in the Bradford household!kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-79089691459567224842007-04-12T22:58:00.000-05:002007-04-12T22:58:52.292-05:00Fearfully and Wonderfully Made<span style="font-weight: bold;">Alive</span>. I've been thinking about that word a lot this week. What does it really mean to be alive? The dictionary defines it simply as "<span style="font-weight: bold;">living; not dead</span>." Another definition I saw was one that reads "<span style="font-weight: bold;">continuing in existence</span>."<br /><br />Steve talked a lot about what it means to be alive this past Sunday. You can read a recap of it <a href="http://tncblog.com/2007/04/09/tnc-recap-040807/">here</a>. And then last night at JTeam, we watched a <a href="http://268blog.com/">Louie Giglio</a> message titled "Alive", which was a look at the intricacies of the human body. He spoke of how our bodies are made up of over 70 trillion cells. 70 trillion. That's a lot of zeros!<br /><br />So what I've learned through it all this week is that <span style="font-weight: bold;">God made me</span>, and in a incredibly amazing way. As Psalm 139:13-14 says, "For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am <span style="font-weight: bold;">fearfully</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">wonderfully</span> made." I guess what's so captivating for me with this is that God knows me intimately. He knows what foods I like, what music I'm in the mood to listen to, the amount of stress in my day...and He knows each of the 70 trillion cells in my body. That's amazing to me!<br /><br />I have to say that I want to be more than "not dead". I want to be ALIVE! I don't want it to be said of me that I'm just continuing in existence. I want to take life head on and <span style="font-weight: bold;">live for Jesus</span> with passion and excitement.<br /><br />Life is definitely more fun when you live it ALIVE..kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-41956274566939516462007-04-06T14:31:00.000-05:002007-04-06T14:31:55.667-05:00Easter ThoughtsWe had band practice last night for our Easter service. Wow! I am so pumped for Sunday to get here!!! I don't know what exactly it is...I just really believe God has a HUGE day in store for us. I can't wait to see what He does!<br /><br />There's a song we've introduced recently called "All Because of Jesus" by <a href="http://stevefee.com">Steve Fee</a> that's sticking in my mind right now as I think towards Easter. The chorus of this song says:<br /><br /><blockquote>It's all because of Jesus I'm alive<br />It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ<br />That covers me and raised this dead man's life<br />It's all because of Jesus I'm alive</blockquote><br /><br />It is all because of Jesus...I have hope because of Him. And life. And peace. Joy. Forgiveness. Grace. Salvation. Redemption. I could go on forever...and it's all because of Jesus. I'm humbled that He would shed His blood for me. I don't understand the love He has for me...it's truly baffling. The Son of God, leaving the Presence of God to come to earth...for us.<br /><br />On this Good Friday, let us remember that Jesus willingly took our sin on His back and was willingly nailed to the cross. Why? For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-74173967355879453592007-04-02T18:53:00.000-05:002007-04-02T19:19:11.481-05:00What if...?I was checking out the myspace page of my buddies <a href="http://mergesunday.com">Merge Sunday</a> and they had something that's got me thinking. The section talking about who they are says this:<br /><blockquote><br />Four passionate guys with hearts for worship and a passion for sharing that through their musical talent. mergeSUNDAY is a lifestyle. <span style="font-weight:bold;">What if everyone took the way they live on Sunday morning and made that a part of every day instead of saving it for that one special day of the week?</span> We were made to worship, and not just on Sunday mornings. God doesn't want the best of what we have; He wants ALL of it. Our bad days, our good days, our broken and bruised. All of it. Live every day like it's a Sunday.</blockquote><br /><br />What if we lived everyday of our lives with the same passion and energy for God that we save for special occasions, whether it's church or a Facedown-type event? I was talking to <a href="http://genejennings.com">Gene</a> today about worship and that worship is, at its simplest form, our relationship with God. It's how we respond to Him when He reveals Himself to us. Did you catch that? <span style="font-weight:bold;">It's our response to God's revelation of Himself.</span><br /><br />Have you ever wondered why people act they way they do when they sing a worship song or say the things they do in everyday conversation when talking about God? People raise their hands, shout at the top of their lungs, clap their hands, fall on their face, sit silently...and that's just a few things! I've heard people say that they are better then they deserve, or they are blessed. Why is that? I believe with all my heart that it is because they are feeling something inside that they have to get out through speech or action.<br /><br />I'm curious...<a href="http://247think.blogspot.com/2007/04/what-if.html">why do you respond to God the way you do?</a>kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23019141.post-19741778107288829622007-03-29T22:01:00.000-05:002007-03-29T22:10:05.416-05:00What Speaks to Your Heart?I'm just got curious about something after reading <a href="http://ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=1057">this guy's post</a> asking for response to the question "What worship song could you be fine NOT SINGING again for 5 years?" Well, I'd like to put a spin on it...<strong>what song is speaking into your life right now?</strong> <br /><br />So go ahead, click on that mysterious "comments" link and let me know what yours is. And let's say for purposes right now that I'm not just talking about worship stuff...it could be anything. Make sure you post the singer's name with the song. It's all you...kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876400898793085311noreply@blogger.com3