Mathematics

I am no math lover, but check this out:

1 x 8 + 1= 9
12 x 8 + 2= 98
123 x 8 + 3= 987
1234 x 8 + 4= 9876
12345 x 8 + 5= 98765
123456 x 8 + 6= 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7= 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8= 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9= 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

And look at this symmetry: 

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

   
Now, take a look at this...101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:  What Equals 100%? 

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%... 

How about ACHIEVING 101%? What equals 100%in life? Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions: 

If: 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then: 

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K 

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And: 

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E 

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But: 

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E 

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you: 

L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101% 

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top! 

I found this here:

http://www.bangkokchristchurch.net/The%20Beauty%20of%20Mathematics.htm

A Few Good Worship Quotes

 - Max Lucado Jr

"Worship is the thank you that can't be silenced"

A. W. Tozer -
"Without worship, we go about miserable." 

Manley Beasley -
"'A glimpse of God will save you.
To gaze at Him will sanctify you." 

Richard Foster

"As worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience.
Holy obedience saves worship from becoming an opiate, 

an escape from the pressing needs of modern life." 

Jack Hayford -
"Worship changes the worshiper into the image of the One worshiped" 

C.S. Lewis -
"It is in the process of being worshipped
that God communicates His presence to men." 

Ralph Mahoney -
"Whenever His people gather and worship Him,
God promises He will make His
presence known in their midst.
On the other hand, where God's people consistently
neglect true spiritual worship,
His manifest presence is rarely experienced." 

Paul E. Billheimer -
"Surely that which occupies the total time and energies of heaven
must be a fitting pattern for earth." 

  

Worshiping is to...

- Quicken the conscience by the Holiness of God

- Feed the mind on the truth of God  

- Purge the imagination by the reality of God  

- Devote the heart to the love of God

  - Devote the will to the purpose of God

Some more worship quotes: HERE

All Decked Out

Check out this wee girl - she has everything she needs to worship the Lord: her bottle and her tutu...

...and then there were these (mostly) young boys who played drums using Home Depot 5 gallon buckets. They were awesome and set up their band especially to show me their handiwork:

Awesome kids!

Prophetic Art

Last night at the Worship Symposium, The Lord was moving on hearts to be healed and changed. Disappointments were left at the altar and hope was restored. AS this was going on, I looked over at the paintings that two artists were completing on the corner of the stage - the first one was this beautiful heart that showed us what was happening in our broken and contrite hearts:

Then the Lord challenged us to lift our voices with the shout and roar that comes from Zion:

Joel 3:6 The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem;

The heavens and earth will shake;

But the LORD will be a shelter for His people,

And the strength of the children of Israel.

Again, I looked over at the second artist, and saw this glorious "Lion of Judah."

This painting had started off as a mass of color - I thought it was going to be an abstract painting...but this roaring lion emerged. Wow! Bondages were broken as we all roared and saw the Lord arising in His strength and power over our lives.

That is what "prophetic art" is all about. It is songs, music, dance, painting mime, etc. that takes us to the Lord. It helps us to see His face and hear His voice. Prophetic art takes us through the art and on to the Lord - we don't stop and put our full focus on the art - the art is a catalyst for seeing something of the Lord's character and person. Prophetic art makes art part of a journey and not the destination in itself.

A song, dance or painting will not change us, but when these arts lead us to the sight and sound of God's voice, then they are prophetic. The goal in worship is to see the face of God and to hear His voice so that we can minister to Him and honor Him. When this happens, we will be changed. Staying the same is not an option at that point.

You can tell if you have worshiped or simply sung songs, etc. Transformation is the outcome of all worship that is in spirit and truth.

Worship Symposium 2011

We are currently in Pasadena, CA at the Worship Symposium - Praise 2011.

The worship this morning was fabulous - a team for the local IHOP ministry lead for a while, and we just sat around the throne of God for a couple of hours - just gazing at His beauty. What else could we be doing on a Friday morning?

Here is a photo of some folks worshiping - we are in a large Nazarene Church - wonderful facility.

Well...well...looky here

Lately, I have been digging up Scriptures that call us to look at God. I have often meditated on Psalm 17:15, but had never looked it up in the Message Bible. I must say - this is quite a gem! This is the glory of God - right here:

Ps. 17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;

I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.(NKJV)

And me? I plan on looking you full in the face.

When I get up,

I'll see your full stature and live heaven on earth.

(The Message)

Praise Him Today

Here is one of the many lists found in my book, "Praise Him."

I thought this would be a great way to start off the day/week

Jn. 1:14               Praise Him for His unfailing love

Ps. 16:11             Praise Him for His unceasing joy

2Cor. 3:18           Praise Him for His unveiling glory

Jude 1:3              Praise Him for His unchanging truth

Num. 14:21         Praise Him for His undying covenant

Ps. 96:9              Praise Him for His unsettling splendor

Rom. 10:21         Praise Him for His unyielding patience

Song 8:6             Praise Him for His unrelenting affection

Ps. 117:2            Praise Him for His unassuming kindness

Ps. 21:1-7           Praise Him for His unwavering blessings

Heb. 6:17-18      Praise Him for His uncompromising promises

Eph. 1:5             Praise Him for His unbending will to do us good

International Worship Symposium

The International Worship Symposium is coming up this next weekend.


When: Friday and Saturday August 5th - 6th

Where: This year’s conference is being held at PASADENA FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE located at 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107. 

Contact: into@worshipsymposium.com

Top Songs

These are the top 21 songs as reported to CCLI in June 2011. I am interested to see what songs are being sung throughout the body of Christ. I am not interested in lists like this for the "competition" factor - I simply want to see what styles are working for congregations, and what themes are helpful in worship:

1. Mighty To Save (Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan)
2. How Great Is Our God (Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash)
3. Blessed Be Your Name (Beth Redman, Matt Redman)
4. Everlasting God (Brenton Brown, Ken Riley)
5. Revelation Song (Jennie Lee Riddle)
6. Here I Am To Worship (Tim Hughes)
7. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, John Newton)
8. Open The Eyes Of My Heart (Paul Baloche)
9. Your Grace Is Enough (Matt Maher)
10. Jesus Messiah (Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash)
11. In Christ Alone (Stuart Townend, Keith Getty)
12. Holy Is The Lord (Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio)
13. Forever (Chris Tomlin)
14. Shout To The Lord (Darlene Zschech)
15. Come Now Is The Time To Worship (Brian Doerksen)
16. Our God (Matt Redman, Chris TOmlin, Jonas Myrin, Jesse Reeves) * new
17. You Are My King (Billy Foote)
18. Lord I Lift Your Name On High (Rick Founds)
19. From The Inside Out (Joel Houston)
20. Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) (Paul Baloche}, Brenton Brown)
21. How He Loves (John Mark McMillan) * new

This is an interesting list - a great mix of old and new songs. Thank you CCLI!

Five Secrets To Seeing God

Here we go again - a second look at Psalm 27:4

One [thing] I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.

• "One thing have I desired" - bring your desire for God into focus. Reduce it to the most important thing. The word "desire" does not simply mean "to ask" but it means to make a careful request - even to "beg."

• "That will I seek" - this word means to "seek until you find," or to demand. Don't give up until you find the face of God.

• "That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life" - it takes time to create a dwelling, or to make a place into your home. Make His presence Your home, and become comfortable with His house. Claim it as your own. This word "dwell" means to "sit down, abide or stay."

• "To behold the beauty of the Lord" - means "to see with your whole being." Look with spiritual eyes, but also look with your understanding. Take time to look at the Lord carefully. He wants us to see Him (John 17:24).

• "...And to inquire in His temple." - This word means to cling to the thing you are looking at. There is a sense in this word that we are expecting a response from the Lord. We are asking Him for a response to our looking.

One Thing

Here is a verse that I have been meditating on for so many years - Today I got to speak about Seeing God and this was one of the key verses:

Ps. 27:4

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.

So few are able to bring all their desires and enjoyments of life down to "one thing."

David's great desire in this verse is to look at God and learn from Him. He knows how to wait in the presence of God and to gaze on His utter loveliness. But he doesn't stop there - David expects to receive something from the Lord. He wants to learn something of God's secrets - right here...right now.

May we all examine our hearts and let the unnecessary things fall away so that we might run after the "one thing" that will cause us to be changed into HIs likeness:

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
         I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Grains of Sand

Psalm 139:17-18

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
         How great is the sum of them!
  If I should count them, they would be more in number
than the sand;
         When I awake, I am still with You. 

I came across some close-up pictures of sand recently (on the Internet). How amazing to see that each grain is so different and beautiful. 

Now, open your mind to the thoughts of God. See if He will share His wonders with you today. There are more things for Him to show us than there are grains of sand on every beach, in every nation on this planet...and on every planet in the universe. In other words, His thoughts are limitless and incredibly beautiful. We have not even scratched the surface of the delightful things He wants to show us. Begin with David and turn your eyes to the beauty of the Lord:

Psalm 27:4

One thing I have desired of the Lord,
         That will I seek:
         That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
         All the days of my life,
         To behold the beauty of the Lord,
         And to inquire in His temple.

Here are some photos of individual grains of sand - see if you can find two the same:

Jesus is the "I AM"

Jesus said He is the I AM (John 8:58) 'Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”'

Here are 7 occasions where Jesus says He is the "I AM"

with a predicate:

1. The Bread of Life - John 6.35-58

2. The Light of the World - John 8.12-19; 9.4-5

3. The Good Shepherd - John 10.1-18

4. (John 10:7, 9 NIV)  Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate (door) for the sheep.

5. The Resurrection and the Life - John 11.17-27

6. The Way, the Truth and the Life - John 14.1-14

7. The True Vine - John 15.1-17 

Who do you say that He is?

OK...So What's Wrong With My Poll?

I love polls...I have never been contacted by Rasmussen, or any of those professional pollsters, but I have a secret desire to contribute to the daily debates of our times by offering my views on all and sundry topics.

So here I go - offering a poll on my wee blog, and no one seems interested in participating.

What's wrong - it is in the wrong pace? You don't like the question? None of the answers suit you? What is it?

Let me know your thoughts and I will make adjustments accordingly...because I love polls!

Worship Arts Conference - Charlotte

15th ANNUAL SUMMER

WORSHIP DANCE/ARTS CONFERENCE

JULY 25^TH – 29^TH, 2011

See You There!!!!

A verse for today

Isaiah 42:10 ...Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth... 

The Amplified Bible says that this song of praise is a song that has never been heard before in the heathen world! No matter how creative or talented the composers, musicians, and singers, there is no way that any one of them will be able to match the aesthetic beauty of the new song that come from the presence of God. One sound of heaven, touched by the glory of God, will surpass every other musical endeavor yet attempted on this earth. 

Today - sing songs of deliverance and healing over Norway.

Pray for Norway

Our hearts are broken for Norway today as two related terrorist attacks have occurred there.

Please join us in prayer for this great nation.

We are scheduled to go there for 2 months from August to September this year. God is doing wonderful things in the Church of Norway and he enemy is obviously upset. We are praying for the Believers to rise up with God's love, comfort and grace to minister over the nation.

How do we get into the Presence of God?

I asked a friend (John Holborn from Southern California) what were the secrets of the "worship success" in his church. Here is his answer - I thought it was worth sharing:

Why are we getting into the heavenly atmosphere?

1. No religious spirits allowed. If you want to be religious- there are plenty of places that can accommodate you.

2. Surround yourself with hungry young people- if they are not hungry- convince them that they are starving.

3. Top notch cracker-jack musicians, who know how to flow, play and sing out. Boldness, no wall flowers here- 

4. A pastor who gets it- worship, dance, creativity, and fosters deep relationship and community with his/her people- friendliness.

5. A worship leader who gets it- if we are not pulling the congregation into the experience then go get another worship leader. This is not a gig, look at how hot I am- how do you like my hot little riffs- no. The leader knows their team and is responsible for a vibrant exciting encounter- when things get worshipful- change the gears- don't go through your whole set- stay with where the anointing is- if it is not on the next song- go back to where you left it. Loiter in the pools of anointing- non linear approach. 

6. Sure helps to have a bowed stringed instrument- you can sustain the notes- and draw the bow to create a pallet of expression. Or at least a keyboard player who can manipulate the instrument with pads inducing a worshipful feel. Most players use two or three of the hundreds preset combinations. The really talented ones like Steve Swanson- have a laptop filled with pads and sounds- and use an interface to export them to the sound board.

7. Song selection is important - I spend hours on iTunes listening to demos.

Our goal is to create the atmosphere for encounter - people get saved and healed in this stuff. Of course this is LA. Yet I know only a handful of churches that even come close, let alone are in it - we want the presence badly, and very hard (in rest) to obtain it.



Thanks John for sharing this with us - I know that we are hungry (starving) for more of God. These are some great thoughts.

Authentic Worship - 2

Just a few more thoughts to continue from yesterday:

• Control. Unfortunately this is a common problem with pastors or worship leaders who are very concerned about issues such as time, emotionalism, making everything perfect (there is a difference between being perfect and being excellent.) Some people simply do not want God to “talk” in church. The easiest way to “control” such things is to do everything yourself and exclude the whole body…and sometimes the Lord.

The worship service can be “over-programmed” where we dictate when, and how the Lord is able to speak. Some worship leaders come to the worship service with an agenda and are determined to go in that direction no matter what happens.

While it is certainly not wrong to have your service well planned and thought out, there must be sections of the service where we allow the Lord to manifest His presence and words.

• Tradition. Often we are bound to the way things have always been done and are unable to break free of traditions that the Lord might be drawing us into as a church body. (Tradition: the living faith of the dead; Traditionalism: the dead faith of the living.)

It is easy to sink into the same old patterns where we don't embrace any changes. I know God does not change (James 1:17) but we need to constantly be changing and become more and more like Him. That means we cannot "rest" solely in the liturgies and order of service that make us set in our ways - we must be open to the living flow of God in the meetings.

Authentic Worship Part 1: HERE