Incense ... Coming to a Town Near You

On Mondays our team goes through a few verses of Isaiah 53 ... one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. This morning was no exception. I gotta tell you, the team was incredible. We sing and play around the themes introduced in the passage, expounding on them by drawing in all kinds of correlating verses. It quickly turns into a musical Bible study, which is actually the point. Feeling the freedom to be creative musically and really explore Scripture at the same time is an unbeatable feeling.

Meanwhile, we are exalting God 24/7 within a city--the ramifications of that are astounding. How many cities in the Earth can say that this is their portion, their lot in life? At the moment only a handful can, but sit tight because it's coming to your city as well. And God is the one bringing it.

Malachi 1:11 says, "'My name will be great among the [Gentiles, meaning non-Jews], from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,' says the LORD Almighty." (NIV)

God, in His sovereignty and full of unbridled zeal, is intent on making His name great among the nations. He will do it to such an extent that intercession (incense) and worship (pure offerings) will rise to Him from every place. I love being amongst a group of people who are making that a reality right now. God will be exalted. Our city will be changed. "Because His name will be great among the nations."

Marathon Drumming

I have the distinct privilege of playing drums at the International House of Prayer, a ministry of "worship with intercession" that goes non-stop 24/7.

This week a friend (and incredible drummer), Shawn Blanc, is spending some extra time Cali ... -fornia, not Colombia. So, I am filling in for him. Over a three day period I am playing five worship sets at two hours each. That's a lot of chances to get blisters, let me tell ya. But I love playing, so I'll make it work somehow. Feet, don't fail me now.

Treat Yourself

Dove chocolates are really good. If you haven't tried them, you might want to put them on your pre-rapture list of things to do. It's one of the few things you can do without spending what's left of your savings (after forking out for gas, that is), and it still feels like you are treating yourself. Kinda like a good coffee or a slurpee on a hot day ... but please understand that coffee and partially frozen, colored sugar crystals are in different categories.

Hear His Voice

Do you ever have those moments where two pieces of information make that clicking sound in your head and, suddenly, life makes more sense because of it? I had one of those.

Amy and I take the girls to the park on a weekly basis. They love it and we love getting out of the house for a little while. Amy and I take turns while we're there: she'll run around with Kayla for a bit while I am with Maddie, then we'll switch.

This past week when I was watching Kayla, I noticed that I would let her choose where to go, but I would always be right behind her in case she needed any help or was headed toward danger (like rabid squirrels smoking grass on the monkey bars and taunting the younglings with their "if you dare" look ... you'd be suprised how often that happens in our neighborhood). Amy, on the other hand, would stay on the ground as Kayla explored the jungle gym. She would meet her at the bottom of the slides, hold her hand as she walked across the bridges, and block her from careening through a wide opening.

Click

I was acting as "the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard ... and you will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it..."

Amy showed another side of God's personality: "...You will not stray to the right or to the left ... and your foot will not strike a stone ... I will never leave you or forsake you..."

It was just interseting to me how God made us differently to reflect a different part of His character to our kids, and even to reveal it to our own hearts.

God is a good Father. I want Him to father me, Amy, and our girls. And I hope we hear His voice saying, "This is the way; if you walk in it, your foot will never strike a stone."

I know He speaks to us daily, I just really hope we hear what He is saying.

(Lame) Mowing Poem

I cut and I cut ... and I cut grass some more,
But the dandy-weeds laugh at my body -- so sore.
Why won't the dandy-weeds get chopped and die?
'Cuz my lawnmower blade's as soft as a fresh Wendy's fry.

Could it be true? Must I mow again?
Or does "controlled burn" mean anything but jail time with "Ken"?
This isn't so great, as most great things go;
It's about as lame as 16 candles atop old escargot.

Woe is me, woe to the tenth power, woe my aching back.
This 2.3 horsepower ain't worth a horse's "intestinal contribution".
But with music so old, cassette tapes so -- [stop wrinkling on me, you ancient machine!] -- divine,
My cassette player and I warble to the beat of 1999.

Uncertain

Thought for the day:

Everything uncertain is certainly a possibility.

Crib Snacks

Madeline is one year and a few months old. She likes to stand inside her crib. She apparently has a fancy for wood as well, as evidenced by the missing chunks from her crib. Anyone know how to remove an intestine splinter? I don't have plastic gloves.