iman serna

Overcome

By now, most of us have probably forgotten what had happened at New Life Church in Colorado.

With life happening, gas prices soaring, presidential elections and what not...I bet the story of what this church and it's former pastor, Ted Haggard, had gone through is now merely an after thought.

As if THAT wasn't enough New Life Church experienced another devastating blow. 2 of their congregants were shot dead at a service!

But GOD...IS...FAITHFUL!

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Please watch the story behind this song...this anthem entitled "Overcome". Let your hopes be renewed. Let your hearts be blessed. Let your praises ring out to the One True God!

[STORY]

[SONG]

"Overcome"
by Jon Egan

Verse 1
Seated above enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die poured out for all mankind

Verse 2
God's only Son perfect and spotless One
He never sinned but suffered as if He did

Verse 3
Power in hand speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out light in this broken land

(PRE-CHORUS)
All authority
Every victory is Yours
All authority
Every victory is Yours

Chorus

Savior worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise
For You overcame
Jesus awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your Name
For You overcame

(BRIDGE)
We will overcome
By the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony
Everyone overcome

______________________________

Let us continue to pray for this body of believers.
Let us continue to lift up the body of Christ, as a WHOLE, in prayer.
Let us continue to join our voices with all the saints in praise to our King.

"Healer" by Mike Guglielmucci

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

My Healer, You're my Healer

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

It's been in the news...

It's been talked about...

It's been blogged about...

Everyone has their opinion...this is mine.

The Word, is the Word...is the Word. Truth coming from a liar's mouth makes it no less than what it is...it's still the truth. King David was a thief, an adulterer, a murderer...a liar. Yet his words are still touching and changing people's lives to this very day. Why? Because the Truth is the Truth is the TRUTH.

God's words will NOT return back to Him empty.

My good friend Nick, a talented and gifted worship leader and song writer, posted this on his blog...I couldn't agree more.

Just tonight I read an article from theworshipcommunity.com called "When Vessels Break (Mike Gulielmucci and Healer)" that Karen pointed out to me. What caught my attention was the verse that the writer used in his article...it was perfect!

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, …

Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV)

I love how “The Message” translation covers verses 18-19:

 18 So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I’m going to keep that celebration going 19 because I know how it’s going to turn out.

Don't be persuaded by the glitz and the glam or be discouraged by the dirt and the grime. Search your heart...make it personal between you and God. God listens to YOUR HEART and not to your mouth singing a version of someone else's song.

Pray for Mike Guglielmucci and his family. Pray for the people that have been negatively affected by this. Pray for wisdom and understanding.

The song "Healer" will ALWAYS have a very special place in my heart.

Worship Leader

I know that Los from Ragamuffinsoul.com posted a pretty sobering letter to himself ("Dear Worship Dude")as a worship leader. It's content is something that everyone who leads worship should read and seriously think about.

Here's a NOT so serious post about worship leaders. stuffchristianslike.com or SCL, as the cool kids call it nowadays, is a blog that I've been stalking for the past few months. It's meant to be funny but in all honesty...it kinda stings at times because of the ugly truths that mirror what we "christians" think, say or do.

Enjoy this entry about "the metrosexual worship leader".

#269. Understanding how metrosexual your worship leader is. (A handy guide)

There are really only two reasons I wanted to write this post:

1. The first post was just an appetizer.
I wrote about this subject a few months ago when 12 people were reading the site but I just barely touched on it. I didn't do it justice and people have reminded me that there is more to be said on this pivotal subject. So this is like the Timbaland Remix.

2. No one has quantified this phenomenon
There are some things in life that are concrete and true. For instance, it is a fact that "You're all I want for Christmas" by Mariah Carey and "Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC are fantastic songs. No argument there. But when you tell someone about your church, there's not a standard system to describe the degree of metrosexuality your worship leader possesses. Wouldn't it be awesome to say, "You'll love my church and the music. Our worship leader scored a 78 on the SCL Metro Test."

Don't answer that last question. It was rhetorical. As a service to churches around the world, here is an easy rating system by which to analyze to what degree your worship leader is a metrosexual.

1. Has a faux hawk hair style = +1

2. Has more product in his hair than your wife = +1

3. Has Rob Bell, black rimmed glasses = +1

4. They are not prescription, but just for effect = +2

5. Attends the Catalyst Conference = +3

6. Performs at the Catalyst Conference = +10

7. Owns Puma, Vans or Diesel sneakers = +2 per each pair

8. Wears jeans on stage = +1

9. Wears designer jeans on stage = +2

10. Wears Wrangler or Rustler jeans on stage = -3

11. Has a goatee = +2

12. Wears one of those Castro revolution looking hats = +2

13. Drinks coffee on stage = +1

14. Drinks some kind of coffee you did not know existed = +2

15. Brings a French Press on stage and makes his own coffee during service = +5

16. Has a handlebar mustache = -3

17. Good at Frisbee but hates getting all "sweaty" = +1

18. Has a haircut that covers one of his eyes while singing = +1

19. Owns a white belt = +2

20. Owns suspenders = -3

21. Wears a scarf with a t-shirt = +1

22. Wears a winter knit hat even in the summer = +2

23. You think he covered a My Chemical Romance song last week = +3

24. Drives an Audi or VW, silver of course = +2

25. Uses the words, "postmodern, relevant" or "emergent" nonstop = +2

26. Cringes a little when people say the "H word." (Hymnal) = +3

27. Has ever said some form of the phrase, "That song is so 1990s" = +1

28. Owns a Grizzly Adams red and black flannel shirt = -2

29. Named his kid after a color or a number = +2

30. References Norwegian punk bands you've never heard of = +2

31. Wears a tie = -1

32. Wears a tie as a belt = +2

33. Looks as if he might exfoliate = +2

34. Has a man bag or European Carry All = +2

35. Brings said bag on stage with him = +2

36. Has a tattoo = +2

37. Has a visible tattoo = +4

38. Wife accompanies him on stage and plays tambourine = -4

39. Was formerly in a punk new wave band = +2

40. Knows the names of all the people on the scripted MTV show, "the Hills" = +3

41. Refuses to drink anything but Vitamin Water = +2

42. Your wife ever says, "he needs a barrette for his hair." = +2

43. Has a nickname with "the" in it, as in "the edge," = +2

44. Owns every Nooma video = +2

45. Has a soul patch = +3

46. Won't play barefoot on stage until he gets a pedicure = +2

47. Refers to California as "the left coast" = +2

48. Currently subscribes to Dwell or Details magazine = +2

49. Owns a pair of lady jeans = +2

50. Twitters you from his iPhone = +2

51. His toddler dresses cooler than you = +2

52. He wears graphic t-shirts over button down, long sleeve shirts = +2

53. Ever says "we got a hot mic here" = -4

54. Shops at the Gap = 0

55. Shops at Urban Outfitters = +2

I scored one of the worship leaders at North Point and he did pretty well. At some point I will do a lady version, but for right now, I feel like a 55 item list of analyzing worship leaders is enough to earn me a new batch of "you are weird" emails, and at the end of the day, that's all I can ask for.

What does your worship leader score?