Working on our set list.

New Wine is leading worship this Sunday. We have to really practice this week because we want to have a great worship. Yeah, we also want to have a fun time, and make sure the congregation has a fun time as well. We want to have more upbeat songs than we usually do, which is two or three. I want to see people clapping, singing, and yes, even dancing. We need to have a joyful experience, shouldn't we have that at church? So tonight... band meeting. Time to pick out some joyful songs, and learn, at least, one new song. After all that joy and praise, it'll be time to let go and worship. Those times, when we do the "slow songs", is always nice. It's because we are sincerely worshiping God. But this weekend, I want to have fun! Who's with me?!

What has New Wine praise and worship been up to?

We just had a great weekend. We were supposed to play/lead praise and worship for an event at another church. We were going to play outside, in the parking lot, then "the Cross and the Switchblade" would be played inside. Rain prevented the band from doing our thing, but people got to come in out of the rain and watch the movie and receive Jesus. That's what we wanted, success.
On Sunday, the pastor was out of town, so we got to do a little bit of a more "extended set". We debuted "sing, sing, sing" by Chris Tomlin, I thought we did a great job. We then did "You are good" and "We have overcome", both by Israel Houghton/Lakewood church. Then "I am forgiven" by Ricardo Sanchez, I think it was the best we ever did that song, the timing and dynamics were on, and we could hear Jojo's solo perfectly. "Here I am to worship" and the awesome "Mighty to save" ended the main praise and worship set. For the offering, we did "sing, sing, sing" again, why not? Since we were in charge it was a great way to have people learn the new song. After that, before Les Ivy came up to preach, we did "Waiting here for you" by Christy Knockles. Awesome, beautiful song that always brings the presence of the Holy Spirit. Then for the altar call, we did "Amazing grace (Chains are gone)". I noticed that people get a little confused with this one. The new chorus throws them off. I heard this at a Chris Tomlin concert and at a Willow Creek service, when you just listen, the message is powerful. It's a great song for altar calls," My chains are gone, I've been set free". I cried the first time I heard this, because I know what he was saying.
Well, we lead every other week, so we'll be ready. We are supposed to be playing at a block party on the 27th. I hope everything works out, it will be fun! Until next time. God bless you.

How to fast

There is a story in 2 Chronicles 20 about king Jehoshaphat. Enemies were coming to attack the kingdom of Judah, his kingdom. Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast for the whole kingdom. I'm sure everyone didn't do it, but he and the faithful did. They were going to ask God what to do, they wanted to make sure that they were in a very spiritual state. Then Jehoshaphat says this," If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us."He is telling God that if he just sits there and accepts what ever happens, he will still call out on God. But God tells him this," Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you." God is telling them, you do your part, go out and stand firm for what you believe, and He will take care of the rest. And He did. Jehoshaphat knew that he had to do his part though. There is a story in Ezra where the people of God are returning from exile to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. It's a dangerous journey, but this is what Ezra does," There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions." Fasting is a way of humbling yourself before God. 2 Chronicle 7:14 says," if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." All we need to do is humble ourselves, and ask. This is a part of worship too. Fasting isn't an everyday thing, obviously, but it's used when you want some super-duper supernatural results.
And how are we supposed to fast? Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-18," When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." I've seen lots of people fast. I know, the way Jesus describes it, you're not supposed to know. Even if they try to do it the way Jesus says to, if they see food, they are like a vampire who sees a cross. "Oh no! Keep that away from me!" Then I read Isaiah 58," Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." Devoting time to fasting and prayer isn't for getting other peoples attention, it's for getting God's attention. No one needs to know what's going on but Him. The reason that I am writing this is 1) To teach what I have learned from the bible on this subject, because 2) Texas Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed a day of humbling yourself in fasting and prayer. I think that is very cool. He will be having an event in Houston, and Pastor Joel Osteen, from Houston, will be having an event here in Chicago. We (New Wine praise and worship) will not be attending either event, but we will "take up our positions" and agree with these men of God that the Lord will indeed heal our land. He is the God of this city!!

Refuge in times of trouble

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
In the days of knights and kings, when there was a threat of trouble, the people would run to the castle, or fortress. They would be safe behind the walls. In the same way, whenever we have a threat of trouble in our lives, we should run to God who is our fortress. We are safe in His arms. Nothing can penetrate his love for us. That is why every morning, not just when we go to church, we need to sing of His strength, and of His love. They are both great. There is no one, or nothing stronger than our God. And there is no greater love than the love He has for us. He loves us so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to die and redeem our sins. So, every morning, while you are brushing your teeth, or making breakfast, sing to God. Thank him for His strength, and thank Him for His love. If you are going through something, run to Him, He will love you and protect you.

Praise Him in the prison cell.

Acts 16:25-26 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching the gospel of Jesus. While in the prison, they weren't crying and writing letters to mom. First, they prayed, then they sang songs to God. Then the doors were opened and their chains were loosened. What an awesome experience that must have been. I think that what ever negative situation we may be in, we need to humble ourselves and pray. Then, even though we may still be in that situation, we need to sing praises to God. Like the three who were going to be thrown into the fire said," My God will deliver us. Even if He doesn't, we will still not bow down to your idols!" If God doesn't fling those doors open right away, keep on praising any way. Don't bow down to the devil, he wants you to lose your trust in God. Don't do it! You will see God's hand upon you, and those chains will begin to loosen.

Bring an offering

1 Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
We have been learning about how to worship God, specifically in a worship service setting. We began with a verse in Psalms that is really the same as this verse, only that the line about bringing an offering was left out. King David probably wrote this. He must have left out the line to make it fit the rhythm of the psalm, which is a song. Anyway, this his how you worship God. Give him the glory due his name, praise Him. Worship Him in the beauty of his holiness. And, bring an offering. We believe in tithing, which is giving 10% of all you earn, to the church. I believe that is what we are supposed to do. I understand, though, that we can't expect someone who doesn't fully understand tithing, to do so. But, this verse says to bring an offering. Offer something to God. When you go to visit someone, you expect to be treated with hospitality. It is also polite for you, the guest, to bring something. It could be something simple, like a card, or a pie, or flowers, something. Likewise, when coming to church, you are expecting to be treated hospitably. If you are a guest, you should still bring something. If you are not ready to tithe, don't tithe. Try to bring something though. Why not start with a dollar, or a quarter? Next time bring a little more. Continue doing this until you feel a part of the church, then give how the Holy Spirit suggests to you. You don't have to bring money either. Oh, I hope the church leaders don't read this! Bring a can of food. Bring a towel, or some soap. The offering is used to keep the church running. These other items would have been bought with the money anyway, why not bring them if you have them?
This week we learned how to worship. Now you are ready to worship God to the fullest. And now you can be blessed to the fullest. God bless you.

O clap your hands!

Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
I've been highlighting the importance of music and musicians in praise and worship, mostly because I am a musician. This verse is telling all the people," If you don't have an instrument, you can still make music by clapping your hands." And if you can't sing, then just shout unto to God, He loves to hear your voice. And boy are there a lot of people who can't sing, or clap on time. But you know what? We are all worshiping God, and He is cherishing every note. I remember, when I was a kid, there was a lady in our church with one arm. She would clap her hand on her thigh. There is no excuse to not try your best when it comes to worshiping God. Whatever you have, use it.