“The great doctrine of the second advent has in a
sense fallen into disrepute because of . . . this tendency on the part
of some to be more interested in the how and the when of the second coming rather than in the fact of the second coming.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones
13 End Times Errors to Avoid | The Gospel Coalition
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 12:09 AM
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Upcoming Christian Music Releases [May 2016]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 11:14 PM
with No comments
This
is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of May 2016. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have
received special permission to post these dates here.
Continue reading »
|
|
|
| Friday, May 27, 2016 | |
| - Cana's Voice - This Changes Everything - Stowtown Records - Provident - Various - BoomBox Kids Volume 1 - Daywind - New Day |
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [April 2016]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 11:16 PM
with No comments
This
is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of April 2016. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have
received special permission to post these dates here.
Updated March 26, 2016 0:40 AM. All dates subject to change without notice.
Continue reading »
Updated March 26, 2016 0:40 AM. All dates subject to change without notice.
| Friday, April 1, 2016 | |
| - Decyfer Down - The Other Side of Darkness - Fuel Music - New Day - Jamie Slocum - Safe - Curb Records - Word |
|
|
|
| Friday, April 29, 2016 | |
| - Jeremy Vanderloop - No Death - Indie - LoveCollide - TBD - Indie - William Mathews - TBD - Bethel Music - All About Worship - My Pursuit |
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [March 2016]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 6:10 AM
with No comments
This
is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of March 2016. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have
received special permission to post these dates here.
Updated February 19, 2016 11:21 PM. All dates subject to change without notice.
Continue reading »
Updated February 19, 2016 11:21 PM. All dates subject to change without notice.
|
|
|
| Friday, March 25, 2016 | |
| - Consumed By Fire - Giving Over - InPop Records - Capitol - V. Rose - Young Dangerous Heart - InPop Records - Capitol - The Afters - Live On Forever - Fair Trade Services - Provident - William Murphy - The Overcomers Record - RCA Inspiration - Provident - Jonathan David & Melissa Helser - Beautiful Surrender - Bethel Music - Provident |
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [February 2016]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 2:16 AM
with No comments
This
is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of February 2016. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have
received special permission to post these dates here.
Updated January 22, 2016 4:10 PM. All dates subject to change without notice.
Continue reading »
Updated January 22, 2016 4:10 PM. All dates subject to change without notice.
|
|
|
| Friday, February 26, 2016 | |
| - Hillsong Young & Free - Youth Revival - Hillsong - Captiol - The Rocket Summer - Zoetic - Indie - K Sparks - Seasons Theme - Indie - Karen Peck & New River - 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition - Daywind - New Day - Christon Gray - The Glory Album - RCA Inspiration - Provident - Greater Vision - 25: Silver Edition - Daywind - New Day - Covenant Worship - Take Heart - Integrity Music - David C. Cook - Vineyard UK - Great Big God Box Set - Vineyard UK - Greater Vision - Silver Edition: 25 Years, 25 Songs - Various - Lions In Suits - RM Music |
Derek Prince Books are Now Available at House Of Praise!
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Posted on 3:17 PM
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Derek Prince
(1915-2003), founder of Derek Prince Ministries International, was
educated at Eton College and Cambridge University; he also studied at
the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His way of explaining the Bible in a
clear, simple way has helped millions build a foundation of faith. Exclusively distributed by House of Praise in the Philippines, Derek Prince’s books of more than 50 titles can now be purchased at House of Praise and Worship Generation outlets nationwide!
List of titles (with prices):
Laying The Foundation-P85
The Nine Gifts Of The Holy Spirit-P60
God's Last Word-P85
The Roman Pilgrimage-P85
The Two Harvests-P85
How To Pass From Curse To Blessing-P115
Transmitting God's Power-P60
Founded On The Rock-P60
Authority & Power Of God's Word-P85
Life's Bitter Pool-P85
Will You Intercede?-P85
Who Cares For Orphans, Widows-P115
Through The Psalms-P325
Declaring God's Word-P535
Rediscovering God's Church-P295
Foundations For Life-P505
Husband's & Fathers-P205
Life-Changing Spiritual Power-P415
Living As Salt & Light-P295
Living In God's Abundance-P295
The Key To The Middle East-P235
God's Word Heals-P295
Prophetic Guide To The End Times-P235
Empowered For Life-P325
Power In The Name-P175
The Promise Of Provision-P205
Sound Judgement-P115
The Gifts Of The Spirit-P235
God Is A Matchmaker-P235
Blessing Or Curse: You Can Choose-P295
Faith To Live By-P205
Transformed For Life-P325
Secrets Of A Prayer Warrior-P175
Self-Study Bible Course-P205
Set Apart For God-P175
Shaping History Through Prayer And Fasting-P205
They Shall Expel Demons-P235
Your Matter To God-P140
By Grace Alone-P235
You Shall Receive Power-P205
Entering The Presence Of God-P175
War In The Heavenlies-P295
The End Of Life's Journey-P325
Bought With Blood-P235
Called To Conquer-P205
Pulling Down Strongholds-P115
Resurrection Of The Body-P85
Spiritual Warfare-P135
Testing-P85
Thanksgiving Praise & Worship-P205
The Three Most Powerful Words-P85
The Holy Spirit In You-P140
If You Want God's Best-P85
God's Plan For Your Money-P115
The Grace Of Yielding-P235
The Harvest Just Ahead-P60
Through Repentance To Faith-P60
Immersion In The Spirit-P85
God's Remedy For Rejection-P140
The Divine Exchange-P85
The Doctrines of Baptism-P85
Complete Salvation-P115
Burial By Baptism-P60
At The End Of Time-P85
Baptism In The Holy Spirit-P115
Expelling Demons-PP60
Objective For Living-P85
Final Judgement-P85
Fasting Successfully-P115
Faith & Works-PP60
Pages From My Life's Book-P85
Partners For Life-P85
List of House of Praise and Worship Generation outlets:

Upcoming Christian Music Releases [January 2016]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 8:58 PM
with No comments
This is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of January 2016. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have received special permission to post these dates here.
Updated January 5, 2016 4:13 PM. All dates subject to change without notice.
|
|
| Friday, January 29, 2016 | |
| - Various - WOW Gospel 2016 CD/DVD - WOW - Provident - Passion - Salvation's Tide Is Rising - Sixsteprecords - Capitol - Lacey Sturm - Life Screams - Fuel Music - New Day - Guy Penrod - Live Hymns & Worship - Spring House - Capitol - Michael English - Live At Daywind Studios - Daywind - New Day |
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [December 2015]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 2:26 PM
with No comments
This is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of December. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have received special permission to post these dates here.
Updated November 26, 2015 5:37 PM. All dates subject to change without notice.
|
|
| Friday, December 18, 2015 | |
| - Stu G - Have You Heard - Fuel Music - Cory Paul - Today, Tomorrow, Forever - Collision Records |
The Sky is Falling: Is Jesus Christ's Return Imminent? by Pastor Larry Stockstill
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 10:34 PM
with 1 comment
There is huge energy behind the apocalyptic movement right now. With four blood moons, ISIS, and Iran’s nuclear deal there is a feeling of imminent disaster in the air. How is a fellow to live? What should be our posture at a moment in history where it seems entirely possible Christ could return?
I have developed a philosophy of the end-times that has kept me on track:
- Stay Ready (holiness)
⇒ Neither Jesus,
Daniel, Paul, nor John gave us a definite moment when He would return. I
think He did that on purpose so that we would have to stay ready!
⇒ The
parable of the ten virgins shows us that you either “have your oil or
you don’t.” The bridegroom came at midnight, a very odd time for a
wedding! Jesus said that He would return “at an hour when we think not…”
⇒ “Watch” was the only word He gave us. That means to keep your life pure, your relationships in order, your ministry in action and your joy full.
- Stay Busy (harvest)
⇒ Jesus said,
“Blessed is that servant whom His master will find so doing when He
comes” (Luke 12: 37). It’s HARVEST time right now when it is estimated
that over one million souls EVERY WEEK are being born again around the
world.
⇒ Never
retire. You may change your pace but you cannot change your “race”! God
has a track laid out before you and you must RUN until you reach the
finish line. Lester Sumrall, the great apostle, crossed the Atlantic
ocean three times in one month (in economy class)…when he was 84 years
old.
⇒ “Harvest” is a mentality, not a position. Every day I should ask the Lord, “Who can I save from an eternal hell today? Who can I sow a seed of love in today? Who can I turn from darkness to light today?” Five billion people on this planet don’t know Christ…37 lines that would stretch around the whole world at the equator. Stay busy!
- Stay Calm (hope)
⇒ Fear is rampant
today. Should I cash out all my savings, sit on a pot of gold, and store
up millennium food? Should I gather enough ammunition to stave off the
U.S. army from my compound? Should I immigrate to some other country
where it is “safe?”
⇒ STAY
CALM. Jesus said, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up
and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke
21:28). Paul said, “That you may not grieve as others who have no hope”
(1 Thess 4: 13).
⇒ Yes, it is possible that the Antichrist himself is alive at this moment. Yes, it is possible that earth’s history will end in the next two decades (or two centuries). The important thing, however, is that I keep my eyes fixed on the eternal prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
⇒ I personally do not believe man will colonize Mars (or Christ would return to two planets!). I do not believe Israel will be destroyed. I personally do not believe Christians will endure the wrath of God. I do not believe an errant asteroid will destroy all life on this planet.
Would you care to comment on this question: “Based upon what you see happening in the world today, how do you now live your life?”
"...Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" -Revelation 22:20
ABOUT PASTOR LARRY STOCKSTILL:
Pastor Larry Stockstill is a pastor for over thirty years. His church, Bethany Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is 52 years old and has been pastored by his father, himself, and now his son.
SOURCE
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [November 2015]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 12:18 AM
with No comments
This
is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of November. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have received special permission to post these dates here.
All dates subject to change without notice.
Continue reading »
All dates subject to change without notice.
| Friday, November 6, 2015 | |
| - Family Force 5 - Time Still Stands - Word Label Group - Word - Sara Groves - Floodplain - Fair Trade Services - Provident - Deitrick Haddon - Masterpiece - entertainmentOne - Mark Trammell Quartet - Rewind - New Day - Duawne Starling - Deeper Faith - New Day - Various - Vital Christmas: Dance Of Joy - New Day - Various - Christmas Goes Gospel: Volume 2 - Rendezvous Music |
|
|
| Friday, November 27, 2015 | |
| - Michael Bahn - Rejoice - Spring Music |
9 Ways to Break Generational Curses
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 12:57 AM
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You don't have to let sin and shame cripple you. These steps can help you discover freedom from your past.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness. LEARN MORE!
SOURCE
Continue reading »
- RECOGNIZE THE CURSE. In order to get set free and stay free, you have to admit you have a problem. That sounds simple, but we live in a day and age of denial. No matter what has happened to us in our lives, each of us are responsible for the choices and decisions we make. If you really want to be free, you will accept that responsibility.
- BREAK THE CURSE. As we apply God's Word and power to our lives, and as we choose to walk in righteousness and obedience to God, the chains of bondage will be broken. There are three steps to breaking a generational curse:
- (1) Give your life to Jesus; the blood of Jesus removes our sin; (2) Fight the battle with spiritual weapons (such as the Word of God and the armor of God); and (3) Regain control over the power of your will. When Jesus shed His blood, he bought back our willpower. Through the blood of Jesus, we can say no.
- REVERSE THE CURSE. There are three keys you can use to reverse the curse and live in victory: (1) Recognize your enemy. We battle not with flesh and blood. Our enemy is Satan, and the battle is spiritual. (2) Forgive people who have hurt you. (3) Treat causes, not symptoms (for example, insecurity, jealousy or fear).
- RELEASE THE POWER OF LOVE. To become people whose lives are transformed by the love of God, we must not only get rid of what holds us captive and keeps us in bondage, but we must also be filled up with love--for God, for self and for others. Unconditional love will release blessing. To know more of the love of God in your life, love those who have hurt you, those who have opposed you and those who have sinned against you.
- DEVELOP A GODLY ATTITUDE. A good attitude does not make everything go perfectly all the time. Matthew 5:45 tells us that God sends the rain on the just and the unjust. But our attitude determines whether the rain will water the seeds of our harvest or wash those seeds away. Get serious about where you are going with God by getting your attitude lined up with His Word, having faith and trusting in Him.
- ALIGN YOUR WORDS WITH GOD'S WORDS. Your words give evidence of your faith, and they should reflect God's good purposes for you. Exchange your negative words for positive words, exchange your negative thoughts for positive thoughts, and exchange your negative actions for positive actions.
- ACCEPT GOD'S ACCEPTANCE. Jesus didn't come to condemn us or punish us. He came to give us hope that our lives really can be different. We don't have to live under the burdens of pain, hurt, shame or sorrow. All the power in heaven is available to you to set you free from every chain that binds you. Corrie ten Boom said, "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."
- WALK IN OBEDIENCE. In order to break free from the curses and walk in freedom, you must learn to walk in obedience to God's ways. We don't have to be perfect or without mistakes, but our hearts need to be surrendered and pliable toward God. We need to be moving forward in the things of God every day of our lives. Today's decisions determine our tomorrows. There is a miracle on the other side of your obedience.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness. LEARN MORE!
SOURCE
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [October 2015]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 2:00 AM
with No comments
This
is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of October. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have received special permission to post these dates here.
All dates subject to change without notice.
Continue reading »
All dates subject to change without notice.
| Friday, October 2, 2015 | |
| - Manafest - Reborn - Fuel Music - New Day - Capital Kings - II (Two) - Gotee Records - Provident - Jordan Feliz - Beloved EP - Centricity Music - Capitol - Gateway Worship - Walls CD/DVD - Fair Trade Services - Provident - Paul Baloche - Christmas Worship II - Integrity - New Day - Tribute - Live At Daywind Studios - New Day - Jim Brady Trio - Live At Daywind Studios - New Day - The Perrys - Sing - StowTown Records - Provident - Ernie Haase and Signature Sound - Happy People Deluxe Edt - StowTown Records - Provident - James Jackson & Atlanta Praise - Nothing But High Praise - EMI Gospel - Capitol - Monolog - Transparency - Indie |
|
|
|
| Friday, October 30, 2015 | |
| - Myron Butler and Levi - On Purpose - EMI Gospel - Capitol - Travis Greene - TBD - RCA Inspirational - Provident - John Tibbs - Dead Man Walking EP - Fair Trade Services - Provident |
5 Worship Leader Nightmares
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 12:25 PM
with 4 comments
5 Worship Leader Nightmares by Worship Set Ideas
The number one fear in the world is public speaking. But singing in front of people is even scarier than that. So it makes sense that worship leaders have real fears. And those fears frequently come true.
So in an attempt at a bit of catharsis, I thought it would be helpful to identify those fears, and maybe poke fun at them a bit. We’ve all had things like this happen to us. After they happen, move on. It’s not the end of the world.
We do our best to learn the words. We’re responsible enough to not
rely on confidence monitors or lyric sheets. But sometimes the worst
happens and we blank. It’s happened to the best of worship leaders.
This translates to digital pianos perfectly too. Ever started a song
and realized your whole keyboard was transposed one half step up?
We’ve been waiting all week, maybe even all month, to introduce this
one amazing song. The band knocks it out of the park. But all you get in
return is blank stares or even your pastor saying something like, “Well
that song didn’t work out so well.”
This is the single best moment in leading worship. The song builds to
a crescendo, you back away from the mic, and the congregation explodes
in singing. But what if they don’t sing?
Maybe this is my personal fear from having led church at a smaller
church with horrible acoustics. One unauthorized tambourine in the hands
of rhythmless charismatic can seriously kill your buzz.
Have you had any of these happen to you? What are your worst nightmares as a worship leader?
SOURCE
Continue reading »
The number one fear in the world is public speaking. But singing in front of people is even scarier than that. So it makes sense that worship leaders have real fears. And those fears frequently come true.
So in an attempt at a bit of catharsis, I thought it would be helpful to identify those fears, and maybe poke fun at them a bit. We’ve all had things like this happen to us. After they happen, move on. It’s not the end of the world.
Bonus nightmare…this:
Have you had any of these happen to you? What are your worst nightmares as a worship leader?
SOURCE
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [September 2015]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 6:00 AM
with No comments
This
is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of September. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have received special permission to post these dates here.
All dates subject to change without notice.
Continue reading »
All dates subject to change without notice.
| Friday, September 4, 2015 | |
| - The City Harmonic - We Are - Integrity Music - New Day - The Church of Eleven22 - Before All Things - Indie - Nehemiah - Remember (Mixtape) - Indie |
|
|
| Friday, September 25, 2015 | |
| - Various - WOW Hits 2016 - WOW - Capitol - Kari Jobe - Majestic (Revisited) - Sparrow Records - Capitol - CCM United - We Will Stand CD/DVD - Spring House - Capitol - All Things New - The Good News - BEC Recordings - New Day - Amanda Cook - Brave New World - Bethel Music - Provident - The Collingsworth Family - That Day Is Coming - StowTown Records - Provident - John P. Kee - Level Next - Capitol Gospel - Capitol |
5 Habits: What Classical Music Can Teach Us About Pursuing God
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 2:24 AM
with 2 comments
Author: Misty Tolle of Worship Leader.com
Worship leaders are musicians, so it makes sense to translate some lessons from our high art into something transformative for our lives on a whole. Here are 5 of them.
1. Follow a Master
Musicians know that in order to get to the top of our game we need a master teacher to show us the way. Every week we subject ourselves to their critiques and wisdom. We deliberately become imitators of our teachers; breathing where they breathe and sounding like they sound.
Two weeks ago, my husband came with me to hear one of my students play in a recital. He looked at me while she played and whispered incredulously, “I hear you in her!”
Paul said multiple times in the scriptures, “Be followers of me, even as I follow Christ.” Here, he uses the Greek mimeomai or mimetes which means “to mimic” or “imitate.” How much quicker would we grow spiritually if we became imitators of Godly men and women who know far more than us? What would our lives look like even a year from now if we began to spend time weekly letting these everyday teachers pour into our lives?
2. Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off, and Do It Fast!
The hardest moment in a musical performance is the instant right after you really mess up. Sports psychologists know that athletes experience this same challenge. In those moments just following that huge flub that EVERYONE heard, your mental dialogue can be pretty destructive. Your mind will say things like, “Just give up, you’ve already wrecked it, and what’s the use in continuing?” Great musicians know that the best thing they can do in that moment is immediately FORGET what just happened by focusing all the attention on what is coming next. As we hone in on the present and focus our energy on that next phrase, we find ourselves creating the music we were meant to make.
The brilliant writer Paul said it this way, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” That means when we aren’t perfect, we deliberately chose to forget and press forward. It means we don’t give ourselves the luxury of stopping for that ever-familiar and prolonged personal flogging that we are so adept at giving ourselves. There’s no time for that. We are in the middle of things. Instead, we press on.
3. Work in Small Increments
It’s a lie that all great musicians practice 6 hours a day. ‘But wait’, you say! ‘We’ve all heard of the “10,000-Hour Rule”, claiming that the key to success in any field is a matter of practicing a task for a total of about 10,000 hours.’ So if we aren’t practicing all day, how do we get there?
Allow me to put it this way. Small chunks of time invested daily or every other day over a lifetime add up to great things. In the life of a musician, we find ourselves practicing during commercials, warming up on our car-rides to the gig, and interspersing musical calisthenics between other necessities like folding laundry and cooking dinner. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done.
In Galatians, the Bible says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” There are times when we just don’t feel like praying or spending that time meditating on The Word and if anyone were to look at our crazy schedules, they would agree with us that we don’t have the time. If we commit to doing it anyway, by finding and utilizing those in-between moments to their fullest effect, there are promises attached to our hard work. Just take it in small increments, like great musicians do and see how the time adds up to something life changing.
4. Have a Routine
Great musicians don’t practice long, we practice smart. We carefully develop daily routines and stick to them religiously. These routines keep the muscles agile, the reflexes honed, and the small motor skills necessary for high performance at-the-ready. My routine lasts about 45 minutes a day. It takes me from high to low, from loud to soft, from fast to slow and so on. It is built to be demanding. If I do it daily, I know that no matter what music is put in front of me and no matter what demands are placed on me this week, I can meet them.
The Bible says it this way, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…” We’ve all heard this verse taught before, but the whole point of this is to do the work prior to the challenging moment. Wouldn’t this be better than finding ourselves in a mess and then rushing around trying to fashion a solution out of a toothpick and a piece of twine like MacGyver? So what would a thorough daily routine look like in your spiritual walk? What muscles need to be flexed everyday in order to meet the challenges that will inevitably come your way?
5. Find Your Tribe
Music is an innately social endeavor. When you make music together you challenge each other, encourage each other, laugh together, and struggle together. When one person is having a hard day, the other musicians rally around and play even more fervently. Let me tell you that after years of being a musician, there is something about making music together that is far more magical, far more interesting, and far more satisfying than doing it alone. Great musicians make it a point to surround themselves with others and make opportunities to play together. And musicians who quit often do because they don’t enjoy doing it alone and they haven’t found others to play with.
The Bible says it this way: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” We need spiritual friends so we can make of this life something artful, something beautiful, something profound. We musicians often have to seek those other players out, so if you don’t have these spiritual peers in your life, go looking for them! I guarantee you will find that companionship ups your game and enhances your enjoyment of the journey.
Learn more at My Life as a Listener: mistytolle.wordpress.com.
SOURCE: www.WorshipLeader.com
Worship leaders are musicians, so it makes sense to translate some lessons from our high art into something transformative for our lives on a whole. Here are 5 of them.
1. Follow a Master
Musicians know that in order to get to the top of our game we need a master teacher to show us the way. Every week we subject ourselves to their critiques and wisdom. We deliberately become imitators of our teachers; breathing where they breathe and sounding like they sound.
Two weeks ago, my husband came with me to hear one of my students play in a recital. He looked at me while she played and whispered incredulously, “I hear you in her!”
Paul said multiple times in the scriptures, “Be followers of me, even as I follow Christ.” Here, he uses the Greek mimeomai or mimetes which means “to mimic” or “imitate.” How much quicker would we grow spiritually if we became imitators of Godly men and women who know far more than us? What would our lives look like even a year from now if we began to spend time weekly letting these everyday teachers pour into our lives?
2. Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off, and Do It Fast!
The hardest moment in a musical performance is the instant right after you really mess up. Sports psychologists know that athletes experience this same challenge. In those moments just following that huge flub that EVERYONE heard, your mental dialogue can be pretty destructive. Your mind will say things like, “Just give up, you’ve already wrecked it, and what’s the use in continuing?” Great musicians know that the best thing they can do in that moment is immediately FORGET what just happened by focusing all the attention on what is coming next. As we hone in on the present and focus our energy on that next phrase, we find ourselves creating the music we were meant to make.
The brilliant writer Paul said it this way, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” That means when we aren’t perfect, we deliberately chose to forget and press forward. It means we don’t give ourselves the luxury of stopping for that ever-familiar and prolonged personal flogging that we are so adept at giving ourselves. There’s no time for that. We are in the middle of things. Instead, we press on.
3. Work in Small Increments
It’s a lie that all great musicians practice 6 hours a day. ‘But wait’, you say! ‘We’ve all heard of the “10,000-Hour Rule”, claiming that the key to success in any field is a matter of practicing a task for a total of about 10,000 hours.’ So if we aren’t practicing all day, how do we get there?
Allow me to put it this way. Small chunks of time invested daily or every other day over a lifetime add up to great things. In the life of a musician, we find ourselves practicing during commercials, warming up on our car-rides to the gig, and interspersing musical calisthenics between other necessities like folding laundry and cooking dinner. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done.
In Galatians, the Bible says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” There are times when we just don’t feel like praying or spending that time meditating on The Word and if anyone were to look at our crazy schedules, they would agree with us that we don’t have the time. If we commit to doing it anyway, by finding and utilizing those in-between moments to their fullest effect, there are promises attached to our hard work. Just take it in small increments, like great musicians do and see how the time adds up to something life changing.
4. Have a Routine
Great musicians don’t practice long, we practice smart. We carefully develop daily routines and stick to them religiously. These routines keep the muscles agile, the reflexes honed, and the small motor skills necessary for high performance at-the-ready. My routine lasts about 45 minutes a day. It takes me from high to low, from loud to soft, from fast to slow and so on. It is built to be demanding. If I do it daily, I know that no matter what music is put in front of me and no matter what demands are placed on me this week, I can meet them.
The Bible says it this way, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…” We’ve all heard this verse taught before, but the whole point of this is to do the work prior to the challenging moment. Wouldn’t this be better than finding ourselves in a mess and then rushing around trying to fashion a solution out of a toothpick and a piece of twine like MacGyver? So what would a thorough daily routine look like in your spiritual walk? What muscles need to be flexed everyday in order to meet the challenges that will inevitably come your way?
5. Find Your Tribe
Music is an innately social endeavor. When you make music together you challenge each other, encourage each other, laugh together, and struggle together. When one person is having a hard day, the other musicians rally around and play even more fervently. Let me tell you that after years of being a musician, there is something about making music together that is far more magical, far more interesting, and far more satisfying than doing it alone. Great musicians make it a point to surround themselves with others and make opportunities to play together. And musicians who quit often do because they don’t enjoy doing it alone and they haven’t found others to play with.
The Bible says it this way: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” We need spiritual friends so we can make of this life something artful, something beautiful, something profound. We musicians often have to seek those other players out, so if you don’t have these spiritual peers in your life, go looking for them! I guarantee you will find that companionship ups your game and enhances your enjoyment of the journey.
Learn more at My Life as a Listener: mistytolle.wordpress.com.
SOURCE: www.WorshipLeader.com
Darlene Zschech "Through The Valley"
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 2:28 AM
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Darlene Zschech shares her recent testimony from the National Worship Leader Conference.
More information: nwlconf.com.
SOURCE: www.WorshipLeader.com
Upcoming Christian Music Releases [August 2015]
Posted by KristiyaKnow
Posted on 7:25 AM
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This is the list of the upcoming Christian music releases for the month of August. Originally published at www.NewReleaseToday.com, I have received special permission to post these dates here.
All dates subject to change without notice.
Continue reading »
All dates subject to change without notice.
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| Friday, August 28, 2015 | |
| - Sidewalk Prophets - Something Different - Fervent Records - Word - Aaron Shust - Doxology - Centricity Music - Capitol - Ghost Ship - Costly - BEC Recordings - New Day - Jeremy Rosado - Heartbeat - Save the City Records - Capitol - Nichole Nordeman - The Unmaking - Sparrow Records - Capitol - Natasha Owens - Nothing But You EP - Indie - Various - Top 25 Hymns: The Old Rugged Cross (Green) - Maranatha Music - Capitol - Warr Acres - Future - DREAM Records - Capitol - For A Season - TBA - Indie |














