Talent in Worship

When you think of talent, most times you think of success and unconditional greatness. However in John Maxwell’s book, “Talent Is Never Enough”, we find that talent is a great treasure to posses but it is only the beginning of a successful life or profession. There are far more attributes that we should posses and build on, that will cause us to be a “talent plus person”. When individuals fail to see that talent is not enough, they fail miserably at most things in life. As I read this great book by Maxwell, there are several things I observed.
In life, we find that one thing, sport or profession that we are comfortable in or excel at and we consider that talent. Most times we think that practice is not needed, focus is not required and working with others only gets in the way. We tell ourselves that we are good enough and initiative, preparation and perseverance are not needed, but only talent. There are others that we see around us at times and think that they are the most talented people we have ever met, and that must be what has propelled them to greatness. But if talent is all that they posses or all they depend on, the notoriety and fame they may seem to have will be short lived, and crumble at the same pace as it was attained. Maxwell suggests that ingredients such as Teamwork, character, preparation and passion are necessary to multiply, protect position and energize your talent, and I have found that he is correct. As I reflect back on these leadership laws and proverbs, the resounding call to consistently learn is clear. When we fail to do right, we fail to protect our talent. When we fail to prepare, we fail to position our talent and when we fail to learn we fail to grow our talent. Through reading this retrospective book, I am reminded that talent is awesome when used in the correct parameters and conduits that these other characteristics provide. So many routine things in day to day life such as relationships, are overlooked and brushed aside for the purpose of relying too much on what we at times think too highly of, our own talent. We overlook teamwork, so the glory of success is ours alone. We overlook practice because we already feel that we are good enough, when the result proves us otherwise. We try and play the victim, yet we are actually the facilitator of our own demise, all because we stopped becoming better, thinking we were satisfied where we were.
There is more than reading this book to discover that there are so many more ways to enable your personal growth but you must take chapters three and eight to heart and muster the courage to place initiative in growing in whatever area your core values and passion will drive you. Having the knowledge and putting it into practice are two different things. Sometimes, I think we know but we fail to act, causing us to become like a new car and losing our value after we drive off the lot of comfort. What is it that cause so many of us to decide that we are through or burn out earlier in life than what we dreamed? I think the answer is simple, yet hard to admit, dependency! What do we depend on so much that could hurt us or slow us down? Talent! There are times we don’t even realize the enormity of the impact we could have in our profession, church, or life because we are so focused on the parts we can see, instead of developing the potential that you can’t. There is a great quote in the book that bears repeating, “Some people are like an ice berg; you only see the top 15% but what you cant see underneath the water is so much bigger”. We don’t take the time to master ourselves but instead we allow circumstances and even our abilities master us. One story that caught my attention was the tale of the great golfer Bob Jones. Jones had problems with his temper, and was even known to throw clubs on occasion. Obviously his character was scared and known throughout his social circles, yet so was his talent. He was advised several times through his teen years to take charge of his temper, or he would never succeed at the game he was gifted to play. Jones, relied heavily on his gift until one day it sunk in. With perseverance and focus, he eventually broke his temper and became known as one of the best professional golfers not to mention one with great character. One English scholar remarked of Bob Jones, “Bob was fourteen when he mastered the game of golf but he was twenty one when he mastered himself.”
Coming to the conclusion that one’s talent is not enough is sometimes a long process. It does not happen overnight, and sometimes needs prodding, but when reality is clear, and you find that you must make some changes, then talent is not seen as the only virtue but only a building block, on which God wants to build and grow you for His kingdom and glory. When talent stands alone, without any other stones, then that is how your life will stay…incomplete!

Change is not a campaign slogan, its a promise of God!

As I watch the news this afternoon, I see the campaign slogan "Change". My question is, what is this candidates definition of change? The word of God tells us that we are promised change, but only when God is made Lord of our life and he takes the old away and gives us the new. Change does not happen when a new party takes over our political system. It does not happen when a new person assumes the role of president. Change does not happen because we do something different. Change does happen when we allow Jesus Christ to be in charge and lead us in the right direction. When we read more of God's word and follow it closely. When we spend time talking with God, trusting Him and imitating Him. That is when change comes. There will never be a better picture of unity than God's people standing together to proclaim the gospel to the entire world! My prayer is that we will in this upcoming election, that America will not vote based on promises of change that is promised to America but for change that has already taken place in a candidates life.

Music Recomendation

The new Gateway Church Worship album "Awaken The Earth", is awesome! If you like worship music, this CD is the one to listen to over and over. God has blessed this church to write some incredible worship music over the past 3 years. Songs like Revelation Song, You Are God and others seem to be the standard of excellence with this church. You can find it on itunes under gateway worship.

God and the Universe

What a great message by Pastor Trevor yesterday at the creek! Imagine how large our universe is, and how much greater our God is! Why do we sometimes give him praise in such small amounts when He is so big? I think it has something to do with the way we view Him. I heard it said once that our worship is a reflection of how we view God. If we really saw Him as our Savior and creator of the universe then I believe our worship would take on a new form. The way we worship sometimes, makes me think that we view God as a mere dignitary or CEO. The God I serve is not a life sized thing or title, He is the great I AM! He is the creator of the world and redeemer of all man kind from beginning to the end! As you worship Him, keep in mind that He is a big God who deserves Big praise, so as David said, let's make His praise LOUD!

Music: The Brooklyn Tabernacle

For those of you who like music, let me suggest the Brooklyn Tabernacles new CD, "I'll Say Yes". This is a great addition to any praise and worship or choral collection. The title track says it best when the question is asked of us by the Lord, "Will you be willing to serve me?" This album is both inspiring and eclectic, ranging from typical praise and worship such as "Holy Is The Lord" and Worthy Is The Lamb" to Choral ballads such as"How I Love The Name" and "Ill Say Yes". Another home run for Carol Cymbala and the BTC.

Childhood Games: The Name Game

I am so amazed that people who claim to be part of the body of Christ get caught up in so many childish games. You know the ones I am talking about. For example, "Follow The Leader", the game where different people in the church want to be in control and tell everybody else what to do. Or what about "Red Rover"? That's where people dare others to cross the line and just "try something". But my favorite is the "Blame Game". Yes, that's right, the game that church people play by blaming other people or churches for the problems that they have caused themselves. I have to admit, it intrigues me when people use slander, gossip and other tactics of the devil to carry out a "righteous call to spread the truth". Gods word tells me that we are to speak the truth in Love not be ticked off when things don't go my way and blame everybody and start calling names. I am thankful that the God I serve is a God of Love and compassion and he still cares about us even when we play our games. I really wonder sometimes if God is not calling the church to "GROW UP", and act like the one we are called to serve!

So whats your point?

Ok here it is. Recently I was watching Television and an ad came accoss the screen that stated the following..."Are you tired of Rock n Roll Music in church? Are you tired of casualy dressed preachers? Are you tired of preachers using everything but the origional KJV bible? Come try "XYZ" Church." As I read that and think about it even now, I am amazed at how biblicaly void those statements are! It seems that we have gotten out of the bussiness of reaching people with the gospel and gotten into the spiritual rut of trying to clean people up before we win them! Rock and Roll music is not what is killing churches, it is legalistic teaching that majors more on opinions than the word of God! When scripture states "How will they hear without a preacher?" it does not follow up with "Who will use the King James Version". And as far as dress code goes, if we want to get right down to it, a suit and tie is something that only the wealthy and Pharisees would have worn as they falsely worshiped in front of huge crowds so they could be seen. Please do not misunderstand, Suit and tie is great if that is what you worship in, but I have felt God just the same in khakis and a polo shirt. It's time in our culture that we stop beating people to death with our opinions and begin sharing our faith in confidence knowing that when we lift up Jesus and not out argument for or against something minor, that HE will draw people to himself. The church has become so good at slamming another church because of their "style". If we want to take a passionate stand for something, lets find those churches who have blatantly subverted the word of God and allowed the pastor to preach out of other books rather than the bible. Stand against those people who call themselves Christian but would vote and support a presidential candidate who would sign back into law, partial birth abortions. Find the truths in God's word and stand for those things, not against churches who are reaching others for the Kingdom of Christ! Do I use the KJV? Not usualy but I do study out of it from time to time. Do I like the contemporary music in church? Yes, as well as some of the songs of old that are great pillars of our worship! Do I dress casualy in church? I put clothes on that are fitting to wear in the presence of a king and I come to praise him, not admire wardrobes! What is my point? That majoring on issues in place of lost people, is pointless!