~ Oct. 25, 2009
Where You Go I'll Go

I'm one of the worship vocalists at Journey Church in Bradenton, FL. I know that God uses music to prepare the hearts of His people to hear His Words. He loves when His people lavish Him with praise and thanksgiving for what He's done and worship Him for who He is. We all have different musical tastes but to me, when it comes to worship music the lyrics are what matter most.

Today we sang a very powerful song, I have heard it occasionally over the last year or so but this was our first time leading the congregation in the singing of this song. The words to this song are so powerful and true, transparent and honest that-to truly sing it from your heart you must surrender yourself totally to the will of God. The song is "Where You Go I'll Go" by Brian and Jenn Johnson.
Here are the lyrics.
Chorus:
Where you go I'll go
What you say I'll say, God
What you pray I'll pray
 What you pray I'll pray

Verse:
Jesus only did what he saw You do
He would only say what he heard You speak
He would only move when he felt You lead
Following your heart following Your spirit

Pre chorus:
How could I expect to walk without You
When every move that Jesus made was in surrender
I will not begin to live without You
For You alone are worthy and You are always good

Bridge:
Though the world sees and soon forgets
We will not forget who You are and what You’ve done for us
What You've done for us


Since many of you may not know this powerful song, I'm including a link to a video of Kim Walker and Jesus Culture leading this song in a worship service. I hope this blesses and challenges you as it has me. Please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

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~ Apr. 29, 2009
Learn to Study the Bible-Book Review

I like to mix it up when I am studying my Bible. If you were to look in my study journal you would see that I use several different methods of studying the Bible. I recently came across a book that teaches 40 different Bible study methods. That book is "Learn to Study the Bible" by Pastor Andy Deane. Deane, a youth pastor, was trying to teach a group of middle schoolers how to study God's Word. Unfortunately, instead of inspiring them to dig into the Bible, they were left confused and frustrated. That incident was the springboard for Deane's research into different Bible study methods and the result is this book.

Some of the 40 different methods included in "Learn to Study the Bible" are:

• The Timothy Method
• One at a Time
• Verse by Verse Charting
• Chapter Overview
• Biblical Topics
• Word Studies
• 30 Days Each
• Heart Monitor

Each chapter contains step-by-step directions for a different method. I suggest you try each method at least once. Some methods will click better with you than others, make note of them in your book so that you can use them again in the future. After the "how-to" section of each chapter there is a handwritten example of journal pages written using that particular method. This is an awesome bonus especially for visual learners who will see how to set up their journal pages.

"Learn to Study the Bible" is a very good tool for advancing your study of God's Word. You can get your copy of the book from Learn to Study the Bible (40 Bible Study Methods).
The book costs only $13.99 plus shipping, you can break that down to only $0.35 a Bible study method!

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~ Sep. 28, 2008
Fireproof

We don't go to the movies often.  I love movies...I just can't afford to see first-run movies at $8.25 a ticket, $5.00 for a soda and $5.00 for popcorn.  Most movies we watch are on dvd or Directv pay-per-view (which is usually cheaper than renting).  In 2008 we have been to the movies theatre twice and the drive-in once and I know I'll be at the theatre one more time this year. 

Friday night we went and saw Fireproof.  You MUST see this movie and take with you every married, engaged, or dating couple you know.  This movie opened in a limited release and we were blessed to have one of the 800 theatres in our area.  This movie was made by the same people who made Flywheel and Facing the Giants.  Both very powerful movies.  Fireproof is made by a church in Albany, GA. 

It doesn't matter how long you have been married or how good your marriage is...you will see yourself somewhere in this movie.  This is a true look at marriage and commitment to the sacered vows that are taken during the marriage covenant. It is action packed, the lead character is a firefighter.  Is has drama, romance and comedy.  But most of all it has a message, THE message.  The message of true love.  Love that can only come from Jesus Christ and the message that we, no matter how hard we try, cannot truly love another person until we have experienced the true love found only in Salvation.  The couple in the movie is a very typical American couple, dealing with normal relationship issues, and contemplating divorce. 

This movie is a personal ministry outreach made simple.  Do you know a couple who is struggling?  Do you know a couple who is engaged? Do you have a hard time sharing your faith with your co-workers?  Invite them to this movie...then afterwards go out for coffee or dessert and discuss the movie.  You can go to fireproofthemovie.com/resources and download the 10 Great Dates flier that actually has discussion questions.  There are also resources at fireproofmymarriage.com.

If you are still saying, "Cindy, our marriage is fine, we don't need to go." Then let me put some other ideas in your head.
1.  Going to the theatre to see this movie is like voting for this movie-when a movie has a good opening it stays in theatres longer and opens in more communities-your vote for this movie could save someone else's marriage.
2.  Seeing this movies tells Hollywood that there is an audience for God honoring movies.
3.  It is very rare to find a movie that holds up the sanctity of marriage.  That alone is worth the price of admission.
4.  This movie is like a blueprint for forgiveness.
5.  This movie shows that with God, any obstacle in your life can be overcome.

Ok, so if you still aren't going to go then please consider doing one or all of the following:
a. Tell others about this move (or at least link them to this blog post)
b. Pay for a couple you know to see the movie
c. Offer to babysit for free so a couple can see this movie

P.S.
Back in a high school drama class I had a teacher tell us that as actors, we should give honor to everyone involved in any production-stage or screen.  Read the entire playbill, watch and read the credits.  I have done that every show I have seen since.  While reading the credits to Fireproof, I noticed things I have never seen before.  The title of "Prayer Coordinator", Thanks to all of the Sunday school classes and small groups of Sherwood Baptist Church who provided the on-set catering.  Thanks to each inidvidual who provided babysitting for the cast and crew's children.  And also thanks to God.

Go see Fireproof and support those working so hard to share the message of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world.

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