Rejoice

There is much to celebrate today! It is one of those days when something we have waited for and prayed for has become a reality. It is only by the grace, mercy, and Life of God. The Lord does great and mighty things in and through His people. I don't know why I am so quick to forget this. But I'm always excited when He reminds me about it.

jw

Sing to Jesus

I'm a pretty big fan of the phenomenon known as Fernando Ortega. If there were a song written by a human that was perfect, this might be it. The music is beautiful, but it isn't quite as beautiful as the text. Together though, the text and music are awesome.




Come and see
Look on this mystery
The Lord of the universe
Nailed to a tree
Christ our God
Spilling His holy blood
Bowing in anguish
His sacred head

Sing to Jesus
Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts
He is our great Redeemer
Sing to Jesus
Honor His name
Sing of His faithfulness
Pouring His life out unto death

Come you weary
And He will give you rest
Come you who mourn
Lay on His breast
Christ who died
Risen in paradise
Giver of mercy
Giver of life

Sing to Jesus
His is the throne
Now and forever
He is the King of heaven
Sing to Jesus we are His own
Now and forever
Sing for the love our God has shown

Render to Ceasar

I'm on my way to pay the man. I'm trying to take a spiritual approach to taxes this year. I have to, otherwise I'd get depressed. Remember that Jesus commanded us to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. Mark 12:17. I may marvel at the amount of money that is taken from our already shallow pockets, but it doesn't matter. God gets what is His first.

God doesn't need anything, but, He requires everything.

Grace and Peace,
Joel

I Believe...

Aslan is on the move!

Love

I just wanna take the time to say that I absolutely love my wife. She's absolutely beautiful and wonderful and I can't imagine what my life would be like without her. I thank the Lord for her. She's my partner, my friend, my counselor. She also has a fantastic sense of humor.

Grace and Peace,

Joel

Let the Worshipers Arise

This weekend I was able to take the students in our youth choir (The Proclaimers) to an event called PraizFest. It was hosted by Geyer Springs, First Baptist Church in Little Rock. I had the opportunity to lead worship during an early morning session on Saturday. 8:30am. Normally I would not be very excited about such an opportunity. Most people don't really care about anything that early in the morning. The difference this weekend is that the room was full of students eager to be there and to lift up their voices in praise. Some things are difficult. Leading a room full of hungry teens to the throne of God is easy. You see, they wanted to be there. They paid their money, fought the storm (we had an ice storm), stayed up all night, got up early and came to worship God! I suppose they are unique anyway because not every student would give up a whole weekend to a weekend of youth choir. But over 600 showed up for this event.

What is it about worshiping early in the morning that seems so fresh and free? If you can get yourself out of bed it can be a wonderful event! Since God never sleeps I do not imagine the time of our worship is much of a concern to Him. Here is what I think is significant about the whole thing. Sacrifice. It is not easy to get up early. It is definitely not easy to get geared up to thrust yourself into a time of worship. It costs you something. It is not comfortable. God requires a sacrifice from us. That offering, that sacrifice is ourselves. We must let go of our desires and wants. This is the example Jesus has set for us. "Give up yourselves," He cries. "Come and follow me. Don't worry about the cost, for great is your reward!"

It will be worth it all
When we see Jesus
Life's trials will seem so small
When we see Christ
One glimpse of His dear face
All sorrow will erase
So bravely run the race
'Til we see Christ ~ Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Christ is our Reward, so, do not lose heart. Join in the song. Look to Christ and see what He is doing. He is glorifying the Father. He's our leader. Let us follow.

Grace and Peace,
Joel

Your Light Has Come

Okay, I put a rough recording of 'Your Light Has Come' up on www.myspace.com/joelwinters. The purpose of this is so you can hear the melody. It is not so you will be in awe of my mad recording skills!


To further comment on the song and the passage in Isaiah: This idea of being radiant is uplifting and exciting. "Raise your eyes and look around: they all gather and come to you; your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried on the hip. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and rejoice..." (Is. 60:4-5a) This radiance takes place when God is with us. Emmanuel! We are becoming like Him because we are created in His likeness. When He dwells in and among us and we in Him we become more like Him! We are radiant, Emmanuel!

Grace and Peace,
Joel