You Are My Joy

20 July, 2010

Mick Christianity , , , , , 1 Comment

This is a worship song I wrote.  Enjoy.  Use.  Share.

The Measure of Success

1 July, 2010

Mick Christianity , , , , 1 Comment

I read this blog by Jimi Williams on worshiptogether.com.  I thought it was great and want to share it with all of you.

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As worship leaders, we often ask the question “How do we measure success?”. This question is more easily answered by a retail store or a mechanic than by a ministry leader. It can be hard to get your arms around the metrics that should be used to measure success. Is it how many people show up on Sunday morning? Is it how many people have their arms raised in worship or say “good job” when you are done?

Certainly both of these things can point in a general direction of success, but they leave out the possibility that God may be using you to bring about some other good. From the Old Testament, would you say Elijah’s ministry was successful? He was hated by many and spent part of his life hiding from people who wanted him dead. But he was God’s voice to a wayward nation. Successful? Maybe. Obedient? Definately. So perhaps the better question to ask  is “Am I being obedient to the will of God?”

To unpack this question, ask yourself the following:

  • Am I faithfully doing what God has gifted me to do?
  • Am I living my life according to the Bible by loving God, loving others and avoiding sin?
  • Am I willing to do the right things, even if they cause me discomfort?
  • Would I still be willing to serve God in the same way if no one ever said “thanks” or “good job”?

In the end, I believe God values obedience more than success. So should we.

Mighty to Save

29 June, 2010

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Mighty to Save is such a great song.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Not only is the chorus just an anthem to God, but the lyrics have such depth.  Take the first line, for example:

“Everyone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing.”

Everyone needs the love of God.  Why?  Because we are all sinners.  Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Just because we are here at church this morning doesn’t mean that we are any better than the person who is still sleeping as I speak.  We are all sinners.

So we’re faced with this problem.  All of man has sinned, and therefore does not deserve to go to heaven.  I don’t know about you, but the thought of not going to heaven is something I’d rather not think about.  This is a serious issue, and we don’t even have the ability to fix it.

And that is exactly why we take communion.  It’s to remind us that even though we can’t do anything about this sin problem, God has given us a way out, a scape goat if you will.  Jesus Christ, God’s only son, died by means of a Roman Crucifixion so that we no longer have to face punishment for our sin.  We don’t even deserve this, but it’s because of God’s grace that we can be forgiven.

“Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior.”

The Savior that we sing about is Jesus Christ.

We Have So Much

4 March, 2010

Mick Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Yesterday, a friend and fellow band mate of mine shared her recent experience while on a mission trip to Guatemala.  One of the things she talked about, as well as almost any other person who has gone a short-term missions trip, was the fact that the people they visit have so little.  More importantly, we have so much that we don’t need.

I know I’m guilty of taking things for granted all the time.  Right now I’m drinking coffee and had about 15 mugs to choose from.  The water used to brew the coffee came from our sink. Most people in this world don’t even have running water.  My socks are clean. I’m wearing glasses to help with my vision. I’m listening to Eric Clapton on a surround stereo. I’m warm even though it’s 25°F outside.

Yesterday I took some time to thank God for things.  Here’s my prayer:

  • Thank you for me family.
  • Thank you for great parents.
  • Thank you for great in-laws.
  • Thank you for coffee.
  • Thank you for my guitars.
  • Thank you for my friends at Crossroads.
  • Thank you for fireplaces.
  • Thank you for the internet and how it can aid ministry in so many ways.
  • Thank you for my journal.
  • Thank you for my record player.
  • Thank you for community.
  • Thank you for Girl Scout Cookies; particularly Samoas.
  • Thank you for Converse All-Stars.
  • Thank you for the blues.
  • Thank you for my musical ability.
  • Thank you for my car.
  • Thank you for the house we are in.

This is a short list compared to what it could be.  It would be easy to go Energizer Bunny on this list.
What do you take for granted?  Take some time a thank God for the things you have today.

We Have the Best Dad In The Whole World

4 May, 2009

Mick Miscellaneous , , , , Leave a comment

Watch 5 minutes… I dare you to.

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