Day Three

This is the most important time of my life.

I know my last blog was super long, so I'll try to include the highlights.

We start the day in worship. There's nothing like it. 300 worshipers freely expressing through song, dance, flags, waving arms, jumping- there's such freedom here!

Then we have a speaker. Today it was Jeremy Riddle, who wrote the song "Sweetly Broken"; he spoke about writing worship songs. His main message was that the songs should bring the least musical, most struggling person into His presence. In otherwords simple, but not over-used words, and not theologically incorrect. He said the goal of worship is, "Revealing the nature of God in song and giving a united voice by which the community of saints express their hearts back to God in responce of this revelation. He and others talk about the vertical and horizontal aspects of worship (something the Lord taught me about a year ago, but he totally confirmed it)

Yesterday a man named Andrew who was instumental in the Jesus Movement in Aneheim Vineard and other minsties I can't rememer, talked about the goal being entering into His presence. This was Bill Johnson's point when he spoke the first day. Andrew told these crazy stories about visions and angels and miricles, all to illustrate that once the glory of His presence is sought, everything else falls into place, comes, arrives, happends.

I decided after over four confirmations that I should take Monday Weds dance, Fri songwriting, and Tues keybords. The dance thing was surprizing. I was inspired by a speaker who said we must seek His presence, and become who we are in Him. I felt like, wow, I don't really feel comfortable in my own skin. Before I came when I was talking to the Lord about what I would be learning, He said, "To love yourself" (amoung other things)

Dance was just the right choice. Summer, our teacher, is bold, pushes us out of our comfort zone, sensative to His voice, wise, fun, and very sure of herself. She knows she is beautiful, and His. She inspires us to allow that inner self, that gift of God in us, to be birthed and shine for His glory, and for the world to see.

Other amazing things have happened, too many to name, but really I am hearing from the Lord in a more realtional way, and experiencing freedom little by little. There's still a long way to go.Yesterday I felt funky, very frustrated, and couldn't rest. Then the girl accross the street came over and prophetically sang over me with guitar. God spoke through her is such a freeing way. And, alot of things God has showed me about worhsip and Himself are being confirmed here. It's like we speak the same language. Most people see visions, and hear words from God on a regular basis, are bold about their faith and testmonies, pray and lay hands on eachother all the time, prophesy over whoever God tells them to, etc. But its not weird, not like people bein out of line, it's very symphonic and not out of tune.

Thanks for all your prayers. My next hope is to really come into His presnece in worship and the times I spend alone with Him. I know whatever I do in ministry or artistry in the future will come out of this foundational, transforming, forming time.

Blessings