Sunday, June 26

• 2s 5		In Your City	2 attachments

• 1s 5		Welcome

• 23m 9s 35		Sermon

• 11:02.50a 5		Word Of God Speak [C]  Emmy Hilliard Offering

• 11:35a 5		Ancient Skies	3 attachments

• 11:40a 5		Prepare The Way [D]	2 attachments

• 11:45a 5		Cielo	1 attachment

• 11:50a 2:30		Scripture  John 1

• 11:52.30a 5		Our God	2 attachments

• 11:57.30a 4:15		How Great Is Our God

• 12:01.45p 2:25		Our God Reigns (Forever His Truth Shall Reign) [A]	2 attachments

Creation Hymn

The text from one of my favorite songs we sang in Ouachita Singers. Our students will get to sing it this summer at PraiseWorks!

Creation Hymn
Words by Bryan Chapell

His praise appears in all I see,
The stars declare His hands to be;
Creation speaks in sky and sea and shore,
Proclaiming forth their sovereign Maker, "Lord."

High mountains rising to the sky,
Bow down before their Author's eye;
Sea depths now echoing the land's refrain,
Their vast expanse too small to hold His name; He is Lord.

But though I see, my heart cries out,
"So great a God, cares He for me?"

Yes, He who rules the hosts above,
Surrendered, yet, His life in Love,
Embraced me on a mountain full of pain,
Released me from an ocean's debt of shame; He is Lord.

Yes, now I see, my heart cries out,
"So great a God, He cares for me! He cares for Me!"

And, thus, a new creation made,
I see Him more and more each day;
With all the wonders that His hands have laid,
I rise to glory in the Son, and say, "He's my Lord!"
"He's my Lord!"

Gospel Music

I have a friend named Sean Michel who recently took his band to Chile to share the gospel in that earthquake torn country. Here is a really cool article in the ABN covering the trip with an interview with Sean and Jay Newman. Check it out if you have a couple of minutes.



Some other friends of ours from Epoch Church in Downtown Little Rock just got back from Haiti. Check out their blog telling the story of their trip.

It is really cool to see Almighty God using Arkansas Baptists to share the good news of the gospel.

I'm No Movie Critic

The good thing about old televisions is that it forces you to watch shows, and movies with entertaining, and engaging story lines. Great graphics, and HD cameras get lost in the fuzz of tv's built in the 20th century. So, I finished Avatar last night on my 12 year old television. I think they stole the story line from Disney's, Pocahontas, who stole their story line from history books, who get their story lines from their authors' imaginations. Anyway, it was engaging enough to keep me watching (though I split it into two nights). But, I think I should have seen it in HD/3D. Probably would have been spectacular. I did kinda' like the scenes where all the blue-people were sitting around the tree doing their chants. It reminded me of corporate worship...albeit pagan, corporate worship
 
I think if I get a new tv, I'm going to keep this one and make every movie or tv show I watch, pass the 20th Century Tube TV Test. We'll call it the TCTTV Test. If it isn't interesting there, then I won't waist the screen-life of my new, overpriced, HiDef tv that I'm thinking about buying. If you have any brand suggestions that would be nice. 

Now, if Fellowship of the Ring were ever in 3D, I'd pay money to see it. Could you imagine what that demon of the deep that killed Gandalf would look like in 3D? Holy smokes!

Now, I'm no movie critic, so I apologize for this post to people who are. I don't really watch many movies, though I fall asleep in a lot. I am however thinking about becoming a food critic. I fear that is something I could become pretty passionate about! And, I never fall asleep in the middle of a meal.

What We Sang Yesterday

We were kinda' focusing on God being the Healer yesterday. We had a time of prayer over our sick before we sang Healing Is In Your Hands. I think it was a good time of surrender to the One who is able to deliver. So, here it goes:

Our God Saves
You Alone Can Rescue
Compassion Hymn
Praise The Lord, Hallelujah
Healing Is In Your Hands
Your Name [which we tagged the bridge of Exalted (Yahweh) to]

Purchase these songs on iTunes.

To Worship Leaders

The other day I was fortunate enough to attend SongDiscovery in the Round in Nashville, TN, a songwriting conference for worship leaders. I didn't know exactly what to expect. The line up of artists and speakers was incredible, so I knew that whatever it was like it'd be good. Jennie Lee Riddle (the lady that penned Revelation Song) was one of the teachers. I was in her workshop on writing songs for the church. She told us that our calling as song writers is to serve the church, the Bride of Christ. I'm sure most of us in the room had walked in thinking something different about ourselves from that. She made the statement that, "the Bride of Christ is not a walking billboard for our creativity." This laid me low. She wasn't only talking about the songs we write for our church's to sing. She was talking about everything we lead our congregations to say and do. As worship leaders we're putting words in their mouths. Those words better be good, and true. Glenn Packiam asked us the question in one of the early sessions, "if your church based their theology on the songs you sing on Sunday morning, what would that theology look like?" The fact is, most of us do base our theology on the songs we sing. Do you see the weight of responsibility on our shoulders? We're not playing games, trying to pick songs that elicit the greatest response, or worse, our desired response. We're giving the the church the words to sing to the God who has redeemed them, and called them by name. Kyrie eleison.

Fight For The Broken World

We sing the refrain from this song in our church a lot. I would imagine most of our church members have never heard the whole thing. That's ok. We normally tag it onto a song about the greatness of God, which always works well, and it's always a pretty joyous occasion. When we listen to it here though, we see the other side of the coin. Our God reigns over everything. In the midst of the AIDS crisis, abortion, hunger, and other Social Justice issues, He Reigns. The line, "as we fight for this broken world on our knees," is two part. 1st, it obviously is an exhortation to pray for the brokenness in the world. 2nd, I think it should encourage believers, as the Lord requires of us in Micah 6:8, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

I think we walk humbly on our knees.



Our God Reigns is written by Martin Smith of Delirious? and is performed here by Delirious?.

Home Improvement Update

I called my good friend Josh who is a professional painter. After talking to him I decided, "Hey, why not get Josh to paint my trim!" So I am! It'll have to wait until after Christmas which is slightly dissapointing to Rebecca, but probably less dissapointing than our trim's appearance would have been after I was through with it!

Home Improvement

Owning my own home is nice. I'm glad I have that freedom at this time in life. It can be stressful. Here is the current situation. I'm painting the trim in my living room and need to finish it this weekend so that Rebecca can decorate for the most wonderful time of the year (aka. Jesus' birthday). First I have to decide what the current trim color is. Then figure out if it is latex or oil based. Then actually try and paint it. What in the world am I doing. I'm a worship leader, not a painter. Anyone have any advice on how to paint. Anyone know anyone who would paint my trim for free? That would be more than awesome.

Veterans Day

For all of our veterans and families. For all of the wounded soldiers. For the families of fallen soldiers. For the folks at Ft. Hood.

LOGOS

Logos Bible Software is celebrating the launch of their new online Bible by giving away 72 ultra-premium print Bibles at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The Bible giveaway is being held at Bible.Logos.com and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check out Logos and see how it can revolutionize your Bible study.

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

The Song Kick

Occasionally I get on these song writing kicks. They last about a month and I write about 15 songs (2 of them might be presentable) and then it just goes away. So, I try to take advantage of the inspirational deluge. I have no idea what sparks the momentum. It would be easy to blame it on the Holy Spirit but I'm sure it has something to do with my current circumstance as well. A lot of times sermons will give me ideas. Sometimes a pastor will make a point and it will strike a chord in me and I'll start scribbling on an offering envelope. I usually miss the rest of the message so I try to make sure those songs are worth while.

Last night the praise band from church played at a Halloween extravaganza for one of our off-campus ministries. We dredged up a song I wrote this past week called "Your Light Has Come". It is my first attempt at writing a song for Advent. It is taken from these two passages...

John 17:1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, 2 for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him. 3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent — Jesus Christ. 4 I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD shines over you. 2 For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the LORD will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance. 4 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. 5 Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and rejoice...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So...here it is - Your Light Has Come

We are confident in this:
That eternal life is knowing You,
The only true God.
We are confident in this:
That eternal life is knowing You,
And the Son that You have sent.

We rejoice! Your children rejoice!
For Your Light has come,
The Light of Christ has come!

Though the darkness covers us,
It cannot overcome the Light, As You shine over us,
In Your glory.
We will lift our eyes to You,
To Your radiance O Lord, And glorify
The only God who reigns!

We rejoice! Your children rejoice!
For Your Light has come,
The Light of Christ has come!

The Son gives You glory,
So we give You glory,
And nations will come to Your Light,
And kings to You brightness!

We are radiant, Emmanuel! Hallelujah!

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I will put up a recording soon on myspace. May the God Who Is With Us grant you peace from on high!

Grace and Peace,
Joel

The Healer of the Broken

God of Mercy, we need you now,
Hold us up with Your power,
Holy Spirit, comfort us,
As we cry to You.

Let Your grieving children come,
To Your glory and be filled,
With peace, peace,
That passes understanding.

You're the Healer of the broken,
You're the Healer of the broken,
You're the Healer of the broken,
So we'll rest in You.

God of Hope, we trust in You,
Rescue us, O Christ,
Let the wounded ones arise,
And shout Your praise.

How long, how wide,
And how high,
Is the deep, deep Love of Jesus?

You've rescued us, and redeemed us,
With the blood of Your Son,
You have called us to be Your people,
So hold us up, hold us up,
Hold us up with You Love.

Ephesians 3

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

I wrote this the other day as I was preparing for a service in which our church will dedicate a child that passed away earlier this year. The God of creation has shown His power mightily in our congregation over the past year. He has corrected actions, healed hurts, reconciled relationships, given guidance and provided in ways we could never have imagined. We have seen first hand that the Lord's promises are true. Still, we must pray for peace in the midst of things we cannot understand. I love verse 21 of Ephesians 3: "to Him be the glory in the church..." Lord we pray this in our generation!

Grace and Peace,
Joel

P.S. You can listen to a scratch recording of this at http://www.myspace.com/joelwinters