Musings on Sunday Nights

This past Sunday night service was awesome.

I especially loved what Pastor Maurice spoke about living in the realm of the curious. He referred to how Peter (while in the boat) called out to Jesus, saying, ‘if that’s you tell me to come to you’. And here I am, 1:30 a.m. a couple of days later and I’m reminded of that as I read Isaiah 65:1 “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!” to a nation that did not call on my name.”

I want to be more conscious of calling on Jesus for my every need, rather than hoping He will show up, because I know He’s already here, (walking by)waiting and wanting to move on my behalf.

Another really cool thing about Sunday’s evening’s service was how obvious it was that the Lord answered our (the worship team’s) prayers regarding worship. We had a sense that we went to a different atmosphere, which was what I prayed. Also I personally felt more bold in my leading and I thought Suzanne was more bold as well. I felt a heavy presence of the Holy Spirit leading us, it was awesome. And a few weeks ago when Emily led “How He Loves”, for the first time, I was totally blessed! It was so neat because I have heard that song so many times, but I felt like I had a whole new experience with it this time and saw a new aspect of God’s sweet love.
-Hope G.

Musings on Sunday Nights

-Hope G.

I’m really excited about the new acoustic night we are now doing for City Light worship. It’s nice to change things up a bit.

Last night was especially enjoyable because we had the ensemble join us, which meant even more people unified together in prayer before we went out to worship.

Prayer is what always make the difference.

I really felt God’s heart during worship last night through a yearning, that His heart is aching for us, to have more of ourselves offered up to Him.

The word also really hit me last night. One of the biggest things that stuck out to me was what Pastor Bojan said about conviction. It’s not something that should make you feel guilt, but it’s “when u realize your sin, yet feel energized and convicted that u are righteous despite it”. Ah what freedom and relief! It’s when we realize that because of God’s love “the blood of Jesus Christ perpetually cleanses us”. And it’s because of this realization (conviction) that we are able to walk in joy, peace and love!

My prayer is that we remember this truth so that we truly, deep in the depths of our hearts, not only choose to, but desire to please the Lord.
-Hope G.

-Suzanne H.

Extravagant Worship, I was unaware of what that meant until 2009.

As I sat in my rented room without a job, without “real” food, and without my love-

As I stood on a stage at Gramercy Theater singing about a joy, a prosperity, and a peace that I didn’t know at the time-

As I gave over and beyond and continually had nothing-

I EXPERIENCED what extravagant worship is.

It is a worship that keeps going, clings, and moves forward… taking things one day at a time.

This may sound like a lament filled blog entry- but the immense JOY that I have now makes it all worth while. The Lord brought me out.

I was complacent, lazy, and stuck in a certain lifestyle. I would just move through day in and day out not fighting for the things that I wanted. I was content to let things slide the way that they were, but I serve a God that knows that He has theBEST plans for me, and WAS NOT content to let me slide past them. He reached in, pulled me out, and placed me smack dab in the middle of my destiny. It hurt, but resetting broken limbs often does.

I worship a God who LOVES me, never lets me go, lets me cry in His lap, scream in His face, and fall at His feet.

He knows best, and though He didn’t cause the things that happened, He did work them together for His good.

Look’s the scriptures are right on- whodathunkit?!?!

People

It takes people. I was watching the video of “behind the scenes” of Undone and I just remember all of the people who were there to make a dream… my dream… a reality. Everyone from the band members who had already given so much of their time, to the guys setting up the screen trying to make it perfect, to the people sorting t-shirts into piles of proper sizes. When it came time to get releases for the 24 songs we were putting on the album, God sent Claribel and friends to the rescue who all have done this for a living, just to get clearances. Today a friend spent more than 15 hours just doing work getting the album on the market. I don’t know why I am always amazed how God always has the RIGHT person around when He wants something done. Where God guides… He provides!!!! Don’t be shocked… when you’re doing what HE tells you to do, He is responsible to help you take care of it!

What is Undone Worship?

Understanding the fact that we are all simply human, each with our own faults or sins (whether obvious or secret), It is so amazing to know that there is a something out there called grace. The Bible tells us that where sin abounds, Grace MUCH MORE abounds. The Bible also tells us that is the GRACE of God that brings man to repentance! Because of Gods grace, we are all comfortably undone… unfinished… not brought to an end or conclusion… works in progress

Worship set me free, and taught me how to love the God who loves me by His grace. I now understand that God not only loves us, but he likes us! Because of these revelations, we are free from the bondage of sin, while we are still being completed in Him.

Hello world!