Spark2Flame

We have all had times I’m sure that we just didn’t “get” something. Everyone around us is laughing and carrying on, but we’re left out as we try to figure out what’s happening and what’s so funny. Some people walk away and don’t think a lot about it, but others may pretend like they know and laugh along like it was the funniest thing ever. Only thing was, they didn’t actually experience it.

It’s really sad, but it seems that a lot of Christians and a lot of worshippers live this way. We go through the motions, pretend something is happening, but nothing really changes inside us. God wants us to experience Him, and He wants to reveal Himself to us in powerful, incomprehensible ways. When we pretend we’re only hurting ourselves, and we probably aren’t fooling as many people as we think we are. We certainly aren’t fooling God.

I remember once I was helping on a project for a huge worship conference. People had submitted recordings of songs that they wanted considered for use at this event. I was one of several who were listening and evaluating, and these songs ranged from home demos to studio-recorded projects. This was not the only one so I’m not trying to pick on the person, but there was one that I listened to and could just tell, “they don’t get what they’re singing about.” They had a lovely letter of recommendation with the recording along with a list of accomplishments. The vocal quality sounded fine, but there was no revelation behind the words. The song was trying to be majestic and powerful, but just couldn’t make it happen. What this person was singing about was not a living reality to them.

Now, I realize that we don’t and can’t always understand fully all that we sing about, preach about, talk about; but there needs to be some revelation, some truth, behind what we are doing. If we sing about the throne room, the Lamb of God, the throngs of worshippers in heaven—we have to “get” it or it comes across as disingenuous and dare I say, silly. I know that kind of worship doesn’t grab God and it probably won’t minister to the masses either. We are to worship in both spirit and in truth.

I’m happy about the fact that after a worship service, people will think I wrote all the songs (even when I maybe only wrote one or two). Not because I want them to think I’m a great songwriter, but because I was passionate enough about what I was singing that they felt it had come from me. I’ve literally had people very excited come to me and say, “I heard your song on the radio!” Then I explain to them that Chris Tomlin wrote that song, and yes, it is very good.

I don’t care if you’re singing about amazing grace or romantic love—you can tell when someone gets it. I think the greatest musical artists don’t have to be the greatest songwriters. They just have to pick songs that they can really own and express, that come from a deep place in them.

The songs I choose for a worship service, the things I choose to talk about, the things I choose to write about—I don’t want to just pretend I know about them or that I have experienced them if I haven’t. No matter what level we experience a facet of His character or personality, there is always deeper and always more. I want to experience more! I want to grow and flourish and be completely authentic. It’s a season of revelation so begin to cry out to God for these things.

The way has been made for us through Jesus’ blood and victory on the cross. To live in make-believe now is like playing house at 35 years old. “You be the mommy, I’ll be the daddy…” At some point you just have to go and get the real thing!

He never wants us to settle for pretending or superficiality, and thankfully on the other side, we don’t have to strive for anything either. Our Father loves us and longs to show us things that are beyond what we’ve known or understood. We can relax and let His presence unfold great mysteries as we worship and seek Him.

Are you ready to “be” there? Let’s go together.

Yes, it has ended... with a bit of a thud, you might say. The two actual entries I got were great (Clay, saying you'll add some later doesn't count as an entry). All that said, we do have a winner and since both entries were from people in Juneau and hence, they are the winners, I just saved myself a buttload on postage. Hooray, me! Okay, I'm done whining... probably.

Drum roll, please...

1st place: Donkey Do (Country and Western) submitted by AJ

• I can't say I know exactly what that means, but I laugh every time I read it

2nd place: Cold Socks (Heavy Metal) submitted by Andrea S (yep, my wife)

• Way to go, baby! I guarantee she came up with this because her feet were cold.

Since there were only two entries, we'll hold on to the 3rd prize and continue with the list of band names:

3. Predictably Human

4. Ironside Saints

5. Tree Blossom

6. Wood Chuck Chucks (there's a throw-up joke waiting to happen there)

7. Wizards of Smart (yeah, I just submitted that one- prog rock category)

8. Rabeye Steak (I think it's Ribeye, but Rabbi Steak would make a great Christian death metal band)

9. Character Assassination (indie punk- another of my gems)

10. Contest Didn't Meet Expectations and I'm a Little Disappointed (yeah, the name's a little long, but I predict they'll be huge in Japan!)

Okay that's it! Winners can pick up a copy of Divine Appointments at the church bookstore or you can click the link to purchase it for yourself. It really is a tremendous resource!

My family and I are going on a vacation starting tomorrow. Yes, they're taking me- don't act so shocked. There will still be posts though so keep the conversation going (or get it started, however you want to look at it!). Blessings to you all!

I don’t know about you, but I feel bombarded sometimes. In fact, I've felt this way many days recently. I have so many thoughts running through my head, so many questions that need an answer (from me and from others), and technology that begs for my attention over and over. Email, facebook, twitter, blogs, news sites, myspace—it’s all great, but it starts to overwhelm you.

Do you have a place where you can get away from it all? Are you like Dorothy where “there’s no place like home” or is home just another place you’re bombarded with the same or different things? It can be difficult, but we each need to take a break from time to time. The clutter can choke out God’s voice and direction for us and it certainly chokes out our worship.

I am so excited about all God is doing right now in my life and church, but God spoke something last week to me that I needed desperately to hear: “Don’t forsake what got you here.” As I said, I’m excited and I see God at work in the things I’m doing, but in picking up these extra things I can neglect the core of God’s work. I know I am to be devoted to worship and prayer even in the midst of doing everything else, but somehow it’s the first thing that suffers. It’s not that it doesn’t happen—it’s just not as rich as it should be.

A few years ago, I realized that the hours and hours I spent as a teenager worshipping, writing music, prophesying in my living room, etc. had caused a breakthrough in me that had carried me even to this point. In some ways that is still true. I was terrified to be in front of people. Leading worship or speaking was not only difficult, I had a physical reaction because of my fear and intimidation. It was devoted times of worship and prayer that broke something in me.

I’m not saying I can control everything now. If I get filled with condemnation when I have a rogue thought in my prayer time, that’s not right and not what God is after. There are things that I can shut off that I don’t though. I always say that if Jesus had to retreat to places of prayer then we better follow the example.

The noise is meant to keep us focused on everything else instead of what will bring the change and impact we’re after. God wants to meet with us, reveal Himself, and touch other lives through us. Sometimes the noise seems unstoppable, but He is bigger, greater, and stronger than anything or obstacle in our way.

I once had a powerful time with God at Starbucks very early in the morning. When I walked in, music by The Police was blaring over the speakers and I thought to myself, “I’m going to the terrace, God can’t speak over all of this.” Immediately, I heard Him say, “I speak over much more than this every day.”

If you’re in the noise of situations, emotions, thoughts, or whatever and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to change—you can be encouraged. He can still speak. He can still transform. And He can still reveal Himself if we simply open our hearts and invite Him to take His rightful place.

Do you feel the same bombardment as I do today (or have you felt it recently)? Talk about it in the comments and what you do when you feel that way. At least I can take solace in the reality that He is in control and always working and moving.

If you haven't posted your great band names/ideas yet, then go and do it now to be eligible. Friday is the last day and so far there are not a lot of entries. Okay technically, there's only one, and as great as Kay/AJ's suggestions are, one entry does not a contest make. But you can help change all that!

I know you're out there somewhere, but you've been too "busy" to put something there. Well, it's time to break out your brilliance and leave your suggestions in the comments by clicking the link below. Also, tell your friends.

See the original post.

This spontaneous worship comes from the Spark2Flame worship retreat we had here in Juneau in August. It is definitely a rough cut, but it is also passionate! I hope you hear what God is saying and sing along with His declarations and heart.

You can use this worship to pray and meditate with and enjoy His presence. He is a great God!

• Listen to streaming worship
  
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I certainly didn’t intend for it to happen, but I find it staring me in the face recently. I can blame it on my kids or any number of circumstances, but it doesn’t change the fact I have become an overemphasizer. I’m pretty sure I know why I do it, but it keeps proving completely ineffective and I am growing more frustrated with the results. Here’s a typical situation as an example:

I start yelling from upstairs, “Kids! Get your coat and shoes on! We’ve got to go to school. Hurry up!”

Five minutes go by: “Kids, do you have your coat and shoes on? *pause for inevitable answer* Well, get them on now! It’s almost time to go—we’re going to be late! Hurry up!”

Another five minutes later: “It’s time to go now, why do you not have your coat and shoes on! Now we’ll be late—you are going to be tardy to school, your teachers will wonder where you are, you won’t know how to do your schoolwork, you’ll cause a distraction to the kid next to you who will get so thrown off that he will go down a lifelong path into slackerdom instead of inventing a power plant that turns shed cat hair into energy (enough to power three continents), which would stabilize world markets and produce enough funds to set up a non-profit organization to feed all the homeless in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico and give them jobs in said power plant. Why don’t you listen to me?”

The last is, of course, a rhetorical question that is less a question and more of a statement of exasperation. It is usually followed by one of two responses:

a) “we didn’t hear you” or
b) “so-and-so didn’t do it yet”

After hearing this for the 9-billionth time (there I go again), I am usually looking for the nearest pointy object to jam into my eye balls.

I knew the overemphasizing was becoming a problem in our household when my 5 year-old son has told my wife that he doesn’t move until someone yells that we are late. That’s the key word that tells him it's time to move! It drives me crazy, but I know I am partially to blame. When everything is critical, do-or-die, now-or-never—the hype becomes meaningless.

We see it all over our culture. There is so much demand for our attention with advertising, 24-hour news, “must see” TV, on and on. Even PBS keeps telling my kids to visit their “local library today!” It’s just too much!

The result is that we find it hard to get excited about anything. We look for some sort of sign of whether this is really true or not, but we tend to either dismantle it thoroughly or dismiss it all together. We get cynical and distrustful.

If we aren’t careful we treat God the same way, but God is not some advertiser trying to get you to buy a cheap food dehydrator or even some dad trying to get his kids to school. As a means of encouragement, don’t let that cynicism creep into your faith and walk with God. If you already have, repent and choose to walk differently. God has spoken that this is a new season, a season of revelation.

He wants to show us great things, but we have to believe and step out in trust. God is not an overemphasizer, trying to hype us up and talk us into something. He’s patient, kind, and waiting for us to respond.

Now it's your turn—when have you been stung by the hype bug? Have you become cynical in general? Are you an overemphasizer with your family, friends, etc? You know confession is good for you and admitting the problem is the first step to recovery. Free yourself in the comments!

At the heart of everything I do, I want to call people (that includes myself) into a passionate, growing relationship with Jesus. The song, “How Deeply We Need You,” came directly out of a sermon I preached a few years ago. I tried then and continue to struggle now to put into words that which is inexpressible and indescribable: our need for Him.

We can all fall into the trap of pretending or acting like what we think Christians should act like, especially when we know someone is looking. We begin to think that if anyone sees an imperfection, failure, or blemish that we have lost our “witness.” That just doesn't flow with the Bible though. If we look into the scriptures, we'll see that the strongest witness we could have is our need for God. When we wear that need on our sleeves instead of our "trying to be good enough" or self-righteousness, people will be drawn to us because we are just like them. We don’t have it all figured out; we just know Someone who does.

We hinder or cap our effectiveness when we quit being real people with real problems who need the real God. Consequently, when the Church prefers pretending rather than genuine relationship, we go into hiding. If we didn't, everyone would see us for the fakes we are.

The reality though is that people who are searching don’t have an interest in our displays of holiness and piety; in fact, it may reinforce to them that they are not good enough to be a Christian and need to get everything in order first. Authentic passion and desperation draw people in because they can see something beyond rules, regulations, and religion. They can identify with a screwed up person who needs something bigger than himself.

The song is meant to acknowledge all that we genuinely need whether it be revival, healing, anointing, restoration, or anything else. I can’t deny those are important and worth pursuing, but if it doesn’t stem from a desperate pursuit of God then we will ultimately turn any gift that He gives us into something that will gratify or promote ourselves instead of His glory.


Sometimes we get it in our heads that we just need money or we just need a new job. We just need a more loving spouse or a more supportive pastor. If we only look at the temporary circumstances that surround us, that may be very persuasive and believable. Jesus told Martha though that “only one thing is needed.” She was upset that her sister, Mary, wasn’t helping in the kitchen. Mary just sat there at Jesus’ feet, listening and worshipping. Jesus reinforced to Martha that what she was so worried about was a temporary concern, the heart of what was needed was the revelation and word of God. Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better and it wouldn’t be taken away from her. Did Jesus not love Martha? Of course He did! Did Jesus respond to the hunger of Mary? Obviously so.

We don’t live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from His mouth. Temptations are overcome by His word. Obstacles and challenges are met as we trust Him. Faith is exercised as believe Him despite the odds. Orphanages are built, churches are planted, lives are transformed, cities turned upside-down—all because someone got desperate enough for God to express His heart and victory. He is revival. He is impact. He is healing. He is provision.

Jesus said it was the sick who need a physician not the well. In other words, if you don’t need Him (or think you need Him), He won’t come around. Those who seek Him will find Him.

We need to settle in our hearts that we need Him and remind ourselves day after day after day. Psalm 40:1-4 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”

There are a lot things vying to be false gods these days, but as we wait and trust in Him, that new song of our gratitude and need for Him will cause many to see God and trust Him.

That the world may know / that the blind would see
You are Jesus Christ / Blessed Prince of Peace
May this city kneel at Your holy feet
As Lord, we see how inexpressibly
Lord, we know how indescribably
Lord, we cry, “how deeply we need You”

• Listen to How Deeply We Need You
• Get the Chord Sheet
• Buy this song online

Let's start out on a new adventure. I want to start having contests (probably monthly) that will put some great resources in your hands and should be ginormous fun in the process.

This month I'd like to compile a list of band names you think would be great. That means you made them up (at least you don't know if they exist or not) or maybe you came across the idea somewhere else at one point or another and it stuck with you. I will tell you, the more humorous or off-the-wall, the better. Just leave your ideas in the comments to this post with the band name and what type of music they might do (and why you think it's a good band name if you want). They could be Christian acapella groups or 80's hair bands, 70's funk ensembles or Creed cover bands—it's up to you and the possibilities are endless!

The most creative will be crowned the winners. Just post your ideas on or before Friday, November 21 to be eligible (no purchase necessary, see participating stores for details... wow, that flowed out a little too naturally).

What I'll be giving away is a book called Divine Appointments. I read it a couple years ago and it's so great at conveying the message that every believer—everyday people—can make a real difference and bring impact every single day. It's an easy read and would be great for small groups or something like that too. The top 3 will all receive a book as well as everyone reading this blog getting to enjoy your immense creativity (if we have a lot of people contribute, we may open it to a vote which would be fun).

If you need a primer, go to the Vicious Band Names blog, check out this entry over at Stuff Christians Like, or read some Dave Barry columns (great band names are strewn throughout). Get your friends to participate too and we'll have a lot of fun! Also if something doesn't make sense above, leave me a question in the comments and I'll answer it as soon as possible.

Here are my humble entries to get you started,

• Monkey Lunchbox -an eclectic mix of electronica and bluegrass
• Sloppy Agape -an all girl, Christian grunge band

Okay, enough stalling. Whatcha got?

P.S. This is an addition to the original post. Doing a great job! I wanted to make sure everyone knew that you can add one and be eligible or you can submit 10, 15, or 23.

You don't have to submit a whole 10 though. I'll choose from everyone's to make the final top ten. Thanks!

Check it out! I've got a new podcast for November up and ready to go. Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments.

• Download it!

• Stream it!

Does God ever surprise you? I don’t mean a jump-out-of-the-bathroom-and-make-you-wet-your-pants surprise, although if you have a story like that I definitely want to hear it. The surprise was a new revelation of God’s patience and care for me. As in all our meaningful relationships, we grow with each other. In this case, God obviously is not growing but my knowledge and appreciation for Him is.

Here’s how it went down. The other night I found myself pondering a situation where I thought I had messed up or let everyone down or looked stupid or maybe all of the above. What happened really was not a big deal and more importantly, there was nothing I could do to change it at that point. Yesterday, I wrote about leaving people-pleasing behind on my other blog and I think this situation was reflective of this. I was obsessing about something that had happened in the midst of our service Sunday and couldn’t seem to stop even though I tried. The more I thought about it and what I could have done differently, I saw myself as a weak and oblivious goober who didn’t know what to do with himself. The more I thought about it, the more I and the situation became a caricature of what had really happened.

It was at this point that God surprised me. I heard Him say clearly, “You be you and I’ll be Me.” In that moment, my whole perspective changed. I was trying to take the place of God. I thought I could determine what was going on or what impact I was having when nothing could have been further from the truth. I felt such a freedom after I heard God say that, and it reassured me again that God was not angry, disappointed, or upset at my supposed incompetence. I know I should know it already, but I still struggle with it: all I can be is me. The cool thing is that He created me and loves what He created. I can be me and not worry about the outcomes and impact as long as I set my heart on obeying Him and His word.

And that’s the thing. What I was obsessing about was not my sinning (maybe I should spend a little more time obsessing about that instead). I thought something didn’t go exactly like it should have even though I was obeying in the midst of it. I hope I’m not being so vague that you’re missing the point, but if you deal with intense self-doubt or people-pleasing, you probably know exactly where I’m coming from.

I have to continually remind myself of 1 Corinthians 4:3-5,

“I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

Now, I’ve got the judging others down to a minimum. I genuinely don’t have a big problem with that, but that judging-myself-thing is where God is really working on me. Those verses just make so much sense though! I’m not qualified to judge anyone else’s heart or motivations so why would I be able to correctly judge my own? My heart is a deceitful mess that needs Jesus. I have believed in the past that certain things were beyond reach only to watch God redeem and restore and let me know, “this is what I created you for.”

I’ve said this many times, but the things I was terrified to do but felt God leading me into are the very things that I find so much fulfillment in now. The devil was wrong, I was wrong, and other people were wrong. God was right and knew what He was doing.

All I can be is me (you may want to pray for my wife and family), but God is not worried about it. I can be me and I’ll let Him be God. He’s much more equipped to handle such a complicated thing. Maybe I need to tell God again what I made my son say, “God, I’m a very smart person, but I don’t know everything.”

What about you—have you ever tried to take God’s place and suffered for it? Has something God said or showed you just surprised you? Tell us all about it below.

In case you were wondering, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this blog. I’m on a mission and I have a purpose (I promise that’s not just me trying to psych myself up before the big game). Before the new look and emphasis, Burn Frequency started as an idea and vision that is still very exciting to me. My calling is to be one who encourages and strengthens people. It was in my heart for a while to do something online in releasing messages and music because waiting for that big record contract seems kind of silly when so many are hungry and reaching out for a deeper walk with God. First and foremost, I am passionate about seeking the Living God and inviting others to that same passion. We each have to be faithful with what God has given us and that’s what I want to do here.

Our Christian walk doesn’t have to be boring and secondary to all our worldly pursuits. In His love and mercy, the God of the universe wants to reveal Himself to us. That’s mind-blowing and spectacular! At the same point, we all go through things that cause us to question and threaten to throw us into a tailspin. That’s when we need encouragement and words of life to combat the other voices and the fears. For that reason, I want this to be a community of believers and passionate seekers who share these goals and purpose. I may write one thing and you may share an experience that encourages someone in a completely different way. We all have something to contribute and we can all bring impact to someone else’s life.

Just so you can keep this in mind (and let me know if I’m not meeting it!), here is the purpose of Burn Frequency as I see it today,

• To inform and share
• To encourage
• To promote conversation about life, faith, and worship
• To entertain, have fun, and bring some humor
• To stir up a passion in me and you

Here are some of the regular or recurring ways I hope to do this,

• The Burn Frequency Podcast will continue to be a monthly message to encourage, inspire, and challenge us in our worship and faith
• I want to start having contests where I can give away great resources like books, CDs, DVDs, or anthing else that will be helpful and/or stir up that passion
• Songs I Wrote will strangely enough talk about songs written by famous residents of Kansas. Kidding, of course. This will talk about songs I myself have written, including the story behind it, spiritual insights, and a way to download the chord sheet so you can use it for your church if you like
• I want to make available Spontaneous and Prophetic Worship that you can download or stream that will be good for your prayer, reading, and meditation times
• Like it or Leave it will simply be a feature to name a topic, talk about it, then invite comments and/or ask for your thoughts and favorites
• I also hope to put out a “Get to Know” feature once a month that will contain either a written or audio interview with musicians, leaders, pastors, authors, or who knows else
• All throughout, Devotional Articles will continue in efforts to challenge and strengthen us to live sold out, no-holds-barred lives for Jesus. Wow, I had an instant mental flash of the Power Team (click the link, they really are still around).

There you have it. It doesn’t get much more exciting than that! I can’t wait to hear more from you in these next days and months and I look forward to the conversation in both the “serious” and the “frivolous” (I use the quotes because I believe those designations are not in God’s heart—a merry heart doeth good like a medicine, anyone? Oh yeah, I broke out the King James for ya).

Let me know what you think! How are we doing on the purpose so far? Where are we woefully underwhelming you? And since I am the only one posting as of now, I guess I’m using the royal “we.” Seriously, what do you think?