Downhere - "Cathedral Made of People"

I recently received a new CD that I'm very excited about. The group is called Downhere and I want to share with you the lyrics of "Cathedral Made of People." This isn't a new band since they have been around for 7 years. However, I think this album may be the one that allows them to "break out" from obscurity.

For more info & to here the album you can go to www.downhere.com

CATHEDRAL MADE OF PEOPLE

"If they shut down the churches
Where would you go?
If they melted all the stain-glass windows
Replaced every sanctuary with a condo
Where would you go?
Where would you go?"

CHORUS:
"We are a cathedral made of people
In a kingdom that the eye can't see
We're a house, we are the bride
Where God's Spirit lives inside
And nothing ever could stand against her."

"If they burned every Bible
What would you know?
If they tore your marked-up pages
How would you grow?
And declared your devotion to be criminal
What would you know?
What would you know?"

BRIDGE

"When they throw you in prison
What will you do?
When they hate you for the things
That you know are true
They can tear down this temple
But they can't touch you"

CHORUS:
We are a cathedral made of people
In a kingdom that they eye can't see
We're a house, we are the bride
Where God's Spirit lives inside
And nothing ever could stand against her"

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I see this group becoming one of the great bands in Christian music. Their lyrics are solid, their music is distinct, and their message is clear. I encourage each of you to check out DOWNHERE. If you were a fan of DC talk you will love their sound!

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Side note for all you PBC people: Ron & Sarah are at the hospital!!! Last time I talked to Ron they were resting. Please consider this when trying to contact them and pray that God will give Sarah grace through delivery. We are trusting Him for a safe deliver and a healthy baby.

Distractions

Matthew 6:33 "Seek 1st the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you."

I spoke this past Sunday on "Dealing with Distractions." There is no doubt that today's generation of believers can be even more distracted than those of the past. We have so much more "stuff" that pulls us away from living with God's kingdom in mind. If you look at Matthew 6 you will find that the distractions described as "these things" are common to our everyday life. Food, Drink, and Clothing are all important necessities of life, but God's Word promises that if we will focus ourselves on His kingdom and His righteousness in our lives that He will provide the necessities.

To put it simply: Our job is to take care of God's business while His job is to take care of ours.

The best plan to accomplish this purpose is to wake up everyday and ask God: How can I join You in kingdom work today? I really is that simple. Then we go out into our day sensitive to the events and people around us. Who asked me about my faith? Who asked about our church? Who needed to talk about important issues in their lives? In each of these examples we should be moved to act, listen, speak, and even pray with others since it could mean that God is accomplishing His kingdom work through us.

If we take this approach we will also cease to walk away from conversations saying, "I wish that I would have ____________________" Allow your schedule to be open to the interruptions of the Holy Spirit. God may use you today to bring someone into the kingdom, encourage another believer, or open doors for other opportunities.

I challenge each of us (try it for a week!) to seek God's kingdom 1st in all things. Just wait and see the opportunities that He provides. You will also see God provide the needs in your own life as well. He has promised and He is faithful.

One other note: Stop trying to control the things you cannot control. Allow God to be God in your life. You simply enter each day as a servant.

Be Blessed!

Is This Effective Change?

Proverbs 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..."

Today I'm calling into question the authenticity of our president's faith. That's right...I'm saying it out loud. As a follower of Christ I am not ashamed of the Gospel as Paul stated because I know that it is the power of God unto salvation. Jesus also told us that if we denied Him before man then He would deny us before His Father. With all that being said, how does our president go around the globe proclaiming that we aren't a Christian nation (while trying to defend his own "faith") then only paying lip service to the National Day of Prayer?

I'm sure that my questions will upset a few people out there but folks I don't like the idea of the leader of our nation not having the humility to bow before God in prayer even though he is willing to bow before Muslim kings. The sheer arrogance of this whole things is astounding. If we do not honor prayer during these times when should we do it?

Now Obama did issue a proclamation yesterday, but really folks it's only because he is legally bound to do it (IMO). I'm sure there would be some who would say that we shouldn't spend the money to have such elaborate services as George W. Bush did when he was president, but I think if we did away with some of the White House parties there would be plenty of resources to gather people together and acknowledge God's sovereignty. I'm sure that humility is something that is hard to come by in Washington these days. We see the truth of that everyday. But what is our nation coming to when the President can't take the time to organize a prayer gathering?

Our nation needs prayer in many ways more now than ever. We have an economy that is teetering, decisions to make in the war on terrorism (yes - we are still fighting that one), a nuclear Iran - North Korea - and possible Taliban that we are going to have to deal with, as well as the safety and future of this country. Oh, what shall we liken this generation to?

I'm not asking our president to go out and wave the Christian flag but I do hope that he would at least give more than lip service to the Creator who endowed us with the rights we possess in this country.

May God have mercy on us and may He forgive our arrogance. May we acknowledge His sovereignty and petition for His grace. Amen.

Love Your Enemy

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?...And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?...love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:32-36

As I read these verses this morning I couldn't help but think of how our faith in Christ would really stand out if we were willing to live by such a simple yet challenging rule. Love those who are unloveable...Do good unto those who never (and may never) do good unto you...show mercy to the unmerciful...the reward: sons of the Most High.

Think about it - Jesus came unto His own and they didn't receive Him. He showed love, compassion, and mercy to the very same people who would crucify Him. While being nailed to the cross He said, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they do." And yet we go on loving those who love us back, doing good to those who will return the favor, and only lending to those who will most assuredly pay us back in the end.

Can we give without reservations and expectations? Are we willing to be spent in order to assure eternal life for someone even if we may never see the results with our own eyes? Will we ever be so totally obsessed with God that we can sit at the table that He has prepared for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23)? These are some hard questions. However, if we would be willing to part with our worldly value system and begin to see even our enemies through the eyes of God, maybe just maybe we will be able to lead someone to Christ.

Jennifer was flipping through the channels yesterday evening and Dr. Phil was talking with several different families. I listned in horror as I heard a lady telling a child that she was always angry with her and didn't have any positive feeling for her, etc. I'm not sure the situation but it sounded like an extedned family type deal. What blew me away was the unwillingness of this woman to be able to look beyond her own feelings. This lady was so caught up in herself that she couldn't reach out to this teenager with any affection. It was sad. But what I saw in this lady is too often par for the course. Can we reach out with a hand of love even if it means pulling back a nub? Jesus did!

Make an effort today to love the unloveable. Do good to those who have never deserved it. Be merciful just as God has shown mercy to us. You can be assured that your faith will stand out.

God's Facebook Status

Just last week I joined the masses on Facebook. That's right, I crumbled to the pressure. I really didn't want to have to keep up with "one more thing" but too many people (friends in ministry in particular) asked me to join. So - "I'm out there Jerry and I'm lovin' every minute of it!"

What I find so interesting is the appeal of facebook. What is it that draws people to connect in this way versus email or other forms of communication? Does it have something to do with seeing a picture of the person you are speaking with? Probably so.

I was also thinking about the need people have to connect with others. We seek out relationship with individuals from our past and the present. We like to fellowship and share life with others. Some people are now friends with folks from high school that they weren't friends with "back in the day." My...how things change.

If God were on facebook his relationship status would be "seeking a relationship." When God created Adam & Eve the Bible says that he would come down to fellowship with them. Until sin entered the world it wasn't uncommon for God to "hang out" with His creation. But sin changed everything. It changed God's approach toward us but just as dramatic it changed our approach to God. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit from the tree of knowledge they realized they were naked and made coverings for themselves. Then when God came down for fellowship they ran and hid. From that very moment until now people have been running from God rather than running to Him.

He is still seeking relationship. That my friends is what the cross is all about. God took care of our sin problem by allowing Jesus Christ to be crucified as payment for our sin. We were separated from God by sin. Jesus' blood is the only things that can remove sin from our lives. His perfect sacrifice payed for our atonement so that we could once again fellowship with our Creator.

I wonder: Is God still seeking a relationship with you? Have you accepted Jesus' death on the cross for you sins and made Him Lord and Savior of your life? Or are you still running/hiding from God?

If God showed up on your facebook page would His status still say "seeking relationship" or would it read "in relationship"? That part is up to you! Turn your life over to Jesus. He is mighty to save!