There are 2 things that we must remember as we vote, and as we live out the days following the election.  First, as we vote, we MUST “acknowledge Him in all our ways.”  It’s so easy to make this CRITICAL decision based on rhetoric and/or our personal understanding of the candidates.  But we MUST see things the way He sees them.  We must “be led by the Spirit of God.”  This decision has to be made with “our” people in mind, the Body of Christ!

Secondly, as my previous post stated, God is our source.  So whatever happens from today on (and He knows EVERYTHING that will happen) surrender your life into His hands.  Declare that you will not trust in man or man’s systems/economy, but in the Kingdom of God.  Now’s not the time to try to figure things out ourselves, to stop Tithing (please, don’t make your situation worse by doing this while throwing a “monkey wrench” in His very plan to sustain you).  Let’s live out the Word, “trusting in the Lord with all our heart, while not leaning to our own understanding!”

If we choose to make ANY decision that’s not Spirit led (remember, we are spirit beings living in a body) and that is not purposefully trying to be pleasing to Him, we’ve missed the essence of who we are; His Disciples; His Servants; His Children!

Be Blessed,

J2

When thinking about this post, I wanted to write about us, as Believers, having the opportunity to prove His Word to be true.  Not just quoting scriptures, but as circumstances arise (and they will…. Scripture says that no weapon formed against us (you) shall prosper.  It didn’t say that it would not form) we now have the opportunity to see Him perform His Word; to see the manifestation of His Word.  I wanted to talk about how we, with full assurance of Faith, have the opportunity to have peace in the middle of all the crisis in this world, showing the world His Way; His Presence; His Love; His Provision.  That they may see the Kingdom of God on Earth through us!  I wanted to stress a point in Rom 12:1-2 where we’re to give ourselves totally to Him.  That’s the least we can do.  And not forgetting the 2nd verse, where it talks about us not conforming to the world (its ways of doing things; its superficial customs… I love how the Message Bible Reads “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking) but us being transformed by renewing our minds…. So that we can PROVE.. Prove to ourselves and the world the good, acceptable and perfect will of God! The phrase - The proof is in the pudding - came to me.

So I thought “Where did that phrase come from?  What does it mean?”  Word Detective and other etymology sites pointed out that the phrase originated as “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” It means that the true value or quality of something can only be judged when it’s put to use. The meaning is often summed up as “results are what count.” That really struck me….

Immediately, in my Spirit, was the thought that when economic times are on the upswing; when the “world system” is going well, it’s hard to tell if we, as Christians, have been living according to Kingdom Principles and are getting results from that or are we just getting the worlds results.  We are in a time now where Believers should be rejoicing.  If we TRULY believe that He supplies all of our needs, according to His Riches (not according to the economy), and that He gives us the desires of our hearts, and that He will not withhold any good thing from us (I could give you scripture after scripture talking about His Provision for His Children), we would be excited about the opportunity of Jehovah Jireh providing for His Children, and we being an example of God’s Provision!

Are you there?  Have you allowed Him to be your source, or have you been using the worlds system to get by all these years.  Examine yourself and ask Him to reveal where, in your life, you’ve trusted man instead of God.  Ask Him to show you where you’ve depended on this worlds system and not the Kingdom.

We are in the greatest day of the Kingdom.  Will you allow Him to be Glorified in and through you?

I’ll make this one shorter than the last 

Just as Day 1 started, Day 2 had an atmosphere inviting all to come and sit at His Feet.  And that we did, pouring our love on Him and being in total awe of His Presence!  Here’s a side note: I’ll never 4get years ago, how Benny Hinn talked about his healing services.  He gushed excitedly saying that when you have people coming together, expecting God… What do you think He’s going to do.  That’s how I felt @ the conference.

Our 1:30pm session was a songwriting class, which included Israel, Da’dra and Steve Crawford of Anointed, David & Nicole Binion, and a few others, including a writer that writes for Hillsong (By the way, click on Hillsong site and watch the intro… WOW!).  His session was very informative….  Toward the end of the session, I was looking forward to going to MuzicNet’s School of Music’s Removing the Mystery From Music Theory class.   The speakers were about to make their exit, when from the side door none other than Andrae Crouch appears!  If you’re not familiar with him, just google him and see that he’s one of the greatest songwriters to ever live.  Notable tunes.. My Tribute (To God Be The Glory), The Blood Will Never Loose It’s Power, Take Me Back… I’ll just stop there.  Needless to say, the place erupted!  Pastor Crouch strolled over to the piano and started playing the classics.  It was FABULOUS!  He then prayed for everyone in attendance and also a special prayer for Israel for a double (he said double, triple, quadruple) portion of his anointing to rest on Israel.  My Bishop, Bishop Garlington, has taught us that just as the Word of God is not just for one person, a Prophetic Word many times is not just for one person.  So I opened my heart to receive it all!!  (I’m greedy 

People didn’t know what to do once that session was over.  We were all in a semi state of shock.  Alan and Aaron Franklin had a hard “act” to follow.  But these guys did a wonderful job, breaking down music theory and making it practical to the everyday church musician (I even learned a bunch.  I say that because I was a Director @ one of their Music Schools for years and thought I’d squeezed all the info out of them that they had!  Boy, was I wrong  :)  Their session ended with a standing ovation!

Once again, the night session was very nice.  There we more songs recorded (most of the same songs from the previous night, so we knew the songs).  Bishop Garlington ministered as well as a few others.  Also, Pastor Andrae ministered for some time.

WooooooooooooooW… There is no way I could write everything down.  Just a wonderful day!

J2

Here I am blogging again, this time about my recent trip to Grace Church of Humble TX for Israel Houghton’s Conference: A Deeper Level ‘08 … The Deep of Grace.  This post is part one because I’m going to try to write about each day there.

Let me just start by saying that I have never been to a conference like this one.  I attended his 1st conference last year, & it was the best I’d been to.. until…. One thing that I noticed, which was such a blessing, is that Israel surrounds himself with like-minded individuals, with the common goal of bringing Him Glory.  There were no “big-wigs” there, though the resume’s of the participants we stellar.( I have to mention Kevin Singleton here… I love this guy… He has such a heart to help people.  He’s written many songs that you’d recognize, traveled all over the world but is as humble a guy you’ll ever meet.  It seems that he “purposefully” tries to help others; promote others.  Isn’t that how we all should be?)  We were all brothers and sisters, pursuing the Heart of God TOGETHER!  I stress together because we’ve all been places when the presenters act as if they’ve made it in whatever field they’re teaching/talking about.  But at this conference, it seemed that everyone (I know everyone is so all inclusive, but you get my drift) that went after Him MET HIM, in all of His Holiness, and was compelled to be transformed.  (quick sidebar… My Senior Pastor Jerry McQuay just preached this past Sunday using Romans 12:2.  The part where it says “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….”   Transformed is from the word “metamorfu” (probably misspelled)…. meaning changing from one being/creature to another… Not like “Jon” trying to get better.. But there being no longer Jon, but Christ!  Like a caterpillar “transforming into” to a butterfly…..)

Israel opened the session by playing videos from his many albums and it eneded up going into the video of “To Worship You I Live (Away).”  People started to sing.  Israel and his team then took over from the video and continued the flow… We were off!!!! Then he exhorted about a.) Not waiting for anything or anybody… Go after God now and receive everything we needed in the 1st session b.) Worshipping and going after God right then just like we wished our congregations would go after Him.  Needless to say, we WENT AFTER GOD!  Later, someone else exhorted telling all to lay down their “big-wig” statuses that they had back in their perspective towns/churches.  We sang, cried, laughed, received exhortation, and had our own “carpet-ministry” from about 9:30am til about 1pm.  And as it is in His Presence, we didn’t realize that all that time had passed.

The recording during the night was FANTASTIC!  Israel himself didn’t record, but a few of the New Breed members mixed with some new blood to form Sound of New Breed (could be wrong of exact name).  They were led by Daniel Johnson.  You’ll remember him from the end of the song If Not For Your Grace on the last album.  This guy is ri-DI-cu-LOUS!  His vocal range, control, versatility, texture, and passion carried the night!  In other words, the boy is BAD!!!!

And to bring it all home, MY BISHOP… Bishop Joseph Garlington preached an awesome message which met us where we were and “pulled” us into a new place (I will be blogging about his messages later 

If you didn’t know I LOOOOOVE Bishop Garlington and quickly found out why I like Israel so much.  Bishop is Israel’s spiritual father (I found that out some time early last year).  So Israel is my long lost brother 

Day 2 was full of surprises…… Look out 4 part 2!!!!

Be Blessed,

J2

This video is, unfortunately, where most of us are.  What are you gonna do about it?

There is a fine line between trying to be “cost efficient,” in investing our time and resources, to being LAZY.  There are many ways we as Christians conform to this world.  I believe one of the ways is that we try to do as least as we possibly can to get the best results we can.  Notice that most every new advance in technology is to put us in a position to work less, to exhert less energy, and/or to do things faster (Imagine if the billions of dollars spent of developing these gadgets and buying these things were given to those who need it…. hmmm).  Most new business opportunities catch the eyes of potential clients by calling it the “Lazy way to financial freedom” or “Little to no effort,” etc.

We’ve adopted this attitude and brought it into “Christiandom.”  “What is the least I can do?  I spend most of my time praying for me and mine (The little time I pray).  I, purposely, reach out to others; every now and then.”   We may not verbalize these things but is this how we live?  When we do help others in and outside the church, do we give everything we have, or is it just enough?  I’m reminded that when God gave, He gave EXTRAVAGANTLY!  He gave His only Son.  When Jesus was here, he always gave EXTRAVAGANTLY, and the Kingdom is all about “Above and Beyond,” “Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,(Notice the same scripture says to what degree you give to others, it will be given back…)” and our life is an “Abundant” life!

Monitor your life for a week.  Observe the things you do and how you do them.  See where your time is spent.  Are you “asking, seeking, and knocking?” Are you like Paul, pressing toward the goal…..? Let’s be like Him.  In everything we do (making sure what we’re doing is 4 Him), let’s do it EXTRAVAGANTLY!

True Worship!

* Wherever there is an A2 you can play F#m. A2 Sounds deeper, but
which ever you want.

Friend of God

Verse

E                               C#m
Who am I that you are mindful of me?
A2*             E
That you hear me, when I call.
E                                  C#m
Is it true that you are thinking of me?
A2*
How you love me!
D2
It's amazing!!!

Chorus

E
I am a friend of God!!!
C#m
I am a friend of God!!!
A2*
I am a friend of God,
B             E
He calls me friend!!!

Bridge

E          C#m
God Almighty, Lord of Glory
A2*                E
You have called me friend!!!
(Repeat as many times as you want)

Artist: Israel Houghton

I like the intro on this one….

Here’s a version with Hillsong…..

This is in the key of C. Often done is C#.

VERSE 1:
Am   G F
Here I am
C/E                     F
Humbled by Your majesty
C/E                           G/B E/G#
Covered by Your grace so free
Am   G F
Here I am
C/E                      F
Knowing I'm a sinful man
C/E                              G/B E/G#
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

PRE-CHORUS:
Am  G/B  C
Now I've found
Am G/B C
The greatest love of all is mine
D/F#
Since You laid down Your live
F
The greatest sacrifice

CHORUS:
C    G   Am7  F
Majesty, majesty
C                          G
Your grace has found me just as I am
Am                        F
Empty handed but alive in Your hands
C    G   Am7  F
Majesty, majesty
C                          G
Forever I am changed by Your love
Am                 F
In the presence of Your majesty

VERSE 2:
Here I am
Humbled by the love that You give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand
Knowing that I'm Your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

Artist: Delirious
Copyright Credits: Written By: Martin Smith & Stuart Garrard Copyright: © 2003 Curious Music