Carnal Worship

1 Peter 1:13-16King James Version (KJV)

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

One thing heavy on my heart this week is the concept of what I call "carnal worship." We as Christians are to strive for holiness because we serve a holy God. Everything we do in this life as a Christian should ultimately glorify God, and we die daily to self as we separate ourselves from the world and unto our holy, righteous heavenly Father. Christian rock bands that perform in front of a congregation or group of people in the name of worship often make a disgrace of God's holiness.  Not every worship team does, but many of you know what I'm talking about.  

As I try to sing the words, I cannot participate because I feel in my spirit that I am sinning against God.  I feel like I am compromising my testimony to even be in that place.  Yes, being in a church or worship service and feeling that I am displeasing God...there is definitely something wrong with this picture!  And as I look around at those in the congregation, many don't look like they are singing unto the Lord, either, but feeling something in their body as evidenced by the way they are moving it.  

Romans 12:1-2King James Version (KJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Why does today's Christian culture let the world system dominate so-called "worship music"? Call it what you want, but I am deeply grieved by it. It almost brings me to tears when I hear it; it's a real problem that I fear few recognize.  I look at these groups singing words that do not match their body movements or music, or even the setting.  There is a disconnect.  These are people who truly love the Lord in most cases. So what I don't understand is why they are trying to appeal to the flesh with words that are supposed to appeal to the spirit?

An even greater mystery to me is why there is not an outcry by godly leaders or even godly people in the congregation against it? There are a few, but not nearly enough.  This was a no-brainer when I was a teenager.  This kind of music was rejected by mainstream Christianity, and never would have imagined it ever being let in to the church or any kind of worshipful setting.  Are people afraid to speak up, or are they numb to the world's influence?  In my case, I was a guest, so did not say anything.  

Titus 2:11-13King James Version (KJV)

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

I am very anxious for my book, "Choosing Music Wisely: Revolutionizing Christian Music in the 21st Century" to be finalized. It's in the layout stage, should be done hopefully in a month or so. I am optimistic that it will make sense to those who read it, and is my prayer that Christians everywhere will take it to heart and revolutionize today's Christian music to something that reflects Christ and not this fallen world system.  

Don't be afraid to speak up, Christian.  If you are in a church that has music that you feel is contrary to the Spirit of God, and you know in your spirit it is wrong, humbly approach the worship leader and/or pastor after praying about the situation, and asking for wisdom and guidance from the Lord.  A Spirit-led leader and pastor will take your concerns seriously and pray upon it.  And I am sure there are some songs they are doing right, so perhaps you can point those ones out. The verses listed in this blog are only a few, but are powerful.  Let God's Word speak for itself.  We each need to search our hearts daily to make sure we are not abiding in ungodliness and worldly lusts, but by the Spirit of God...in everything we do and allow into our hearts and minds.  If enough people speak up it will result in change, and we will revolutionize Christian music into an art that draws us away from the world and unto the Lord.

Mastering Motherhood October 1, 2015

I will be speaking at Mastering Motherhood in Madison, CT on October 1, 2015 at 9:15 am.  I will have my books and CD's available for purchase as well, as always at a discounted price. I hope you can come! I look forward to sharing what the Lord has place on my heart about moms.  All moms and grandmothers are welcome, including nannies.  You don't have to be affiliated with any particular church - just come and be blessed!

Oklahoma City trip - recording "Sold Out! for God, Family & Country" album

I'll tell you what.  God is moving in our midst.  There is no doubt about it.  I know God is working in our state of Connecticut.  How about your state or country? Do you sense God's presence?  If you do, do you know where it's coming from? The Holy Spirit as He is allowed to work in the hearts and lives of believers.  I'm an undone servant of God; He uses us, the unworthy vessels that we are, and molds us and makes us new, and it's such an honor to be used by God.

I was so delighted to be in OKC last week, recording a very special album called, "SOLD OUT! for God, Family & Country."  You know, I have struggles just like many others, but God teaches through those things so that we can grow and encourage others who are also struggling.  What we can stand on and depend on is not our own feelings or emotions, but on God Himself and His presence, His promises, and His power.

This album has words that are powerful because they are based on the Word of God.  There are deep spiritual truths that are brought to light through the medium of music.  When I write my songs, I don't sit at a piano and start playing a tune and then make words fit that tune.  On the contrary, I study the Word of God, read good Christian books and literature, and if the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart through it, then I write a poem.  I then sit down at the keyboard and read the words and allow a tune to come into my head.  Once it starts, usually within a minute or two, I start writing the note names above the words.  Then it's time to chord it out on the keyboard.  Next, I play an accompaniment on the keyboard and record it onto a CD.  I get a friend to record me singing to the piano accompaniment, and then after signing a contract with Tate Music Group, I send the demo to them.  Tate Music Group creates professional accompaniment tracks, and sends them to me to practice.  I get a week or two to do this, and then it's time to come to OKC and record an album! I've also recorded locally at Horizon Music Group in West Haven, CT.  It's so much fun to work on a project such as this, and seeing those messages the Lord put on my heart turning into beautiful, fun, inspiring songs.

While I was there I was able to do a photo shoot, music video, record my vocals, and get a wonderful tour of Tate Publishing, Tate Music Group, and their printing and shipping dept.  It's a strong, thriving and growing company. I got to talk personally with the President and CEO, and was able to thank him for having this company, and the mission to print and publish the words that the Lord puts on our hearts to write, whether through book, ebook, audio book, or CD.  They have hard and soft covers for the books.

Here are a few pictures from our trip. My daughter Amanda went with me, and we had a blast!

My album of songs.

Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group are in Mustang, OK, SW of OKC.

We visited the OKC Bombing memorial. Very sad.

It was fun seeing a piece of the historic Rt. 66.

OKC makes me happy because for me it represents what I love to do the most: write books and songs for the Lord.

Tate Publishing: where my dreams come true!

 They were so welcoming!

My awesome Marketing Rep, Cody Crawford.

My recording booth. Very nice.

 Josh Sohn (left) is the Producer who recorded my vocals, and Don Johnson (right) is the Executive Producer who made the background accompaniments.

Part of the studio.

I got to sign my name on the famous wall of Tate Music Group artists. This is only a tiny part of the several walls that have signatures!

We went to Edmond and Arcadia on the old historic Rt. 66, and went to Pops, where they have every possible soda flavor imaginable!

This lights up colors at night!

 Doing my photo shoot and music video at the State Capitol of Oklahoma, the Heartland of America!

Pops was also at the Will Rogers World Airport!

Beautiful shot, isn't it? We were landing in Detroit at sunset. This was another plane landing at almost the same time as us.

The Detroit airport, with a really cool fountain!

A special thanks to those who were praying for the success of this trip; recording went very well!  Please continue to pray for the success of this album to touch  many hearts and lives for the Lord Jesus Christ.  God bless you!