Month: August 2012

Why I Heart Hillsong United

  
This is my favorite band. Period. Birthed from Hillsong Church, which has blessed the world with powerful anthems of praise to God, United evolved from a youth group band into this thunder in the desert today, raising a voice to share the truth of Jesus.

“Life with God is fun, it’s an adventure,” says Joel Houston, leader of United. The lively Australian band has produced 13 albums in their 15 years of existence. They have continued to create music that drives hearts to know the truth of Jesus and enjoy a relationship with Him. “…our prayer and passion is that you are empowered to live life with God, encouraged to stay on the course and excited about all that He has for your future.“*

I was first exposed to United on the  Hillsong TV program. I really didn’t care for them. Then when I became a volunteer on the hope sharing ship ministry, OM Ships, I couldn’t escape from them. They were playing everywhere. Eventually, I started to take a regard to listen to their lyrics. There I found the treasure in their music. Almost every song has some link, root or connotation to Jesus and or His Word.  Through their worship in music, I saw an urge for understanding in the words of a God-praising song.                                                      

 ‘So often we hear the Word, sing it and yet not really understand what it truly means for us,” commented band member Mia Fieldes,  “To me, understanding makes all the difference.”**

I strongly feel that United is attempting to express the truth of Jesus in a creative style that would effectively connect and impact this generation.

I know it has impacted me.

By listening them, I am continually refreshed in my love for Jesus. For me, it’s like a person heart crazy about someone puts a favorite love song to gravitate their minds to their affection for that person. Jesus is our True Lover. His compassion runs nails deep and scarred written. Whenever we mediate on Him, there should be a pull of excitement, a rush of thrill and anticipation. Life with God is fun, it’s an adventure.

Where some see just lights and noise, I see an all out expression of crazy love for Someone Who totally deserves it. More and more, hearts for God grow cold; so I think in this expanding desert of lovelessness, we could use some thunder. What everyone can take from this is that Jesus loves us extravagantly, and we should be excited in loving Him.

…And at least YouTube some of their songs for a taste see. Here are some favorites to sample: “Saviour King”, “From the Inside Out”, “Desperate People”, “Take Heart”, “Came to My Rescue”, “One Way Jesus”, “Here Now”…(I could go on you know).

 Thanks United! Keep Telling the World Jesus lives!

 

 

*Joel Houston, About Hillsong United, http://www.hillsongunited.com/about

**Mia Fieldes, Song Story: Saviour King, http://hillsongcollected.com/creative/song-story-saviour-king

To Be Fed with Fire

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“I alone am left; and they seek to take my life”, cried the fear dreaded prophet.*

The infamous King Ahab reported to his wife everything the Prophet Elijah had done, including the massacre of the prophets of their false god Baal. Queen Jezebel called for the head of God’s servant, and now Elijah fled for dear life.

Under a lone broom bush is where he had made this cry.

While God actually had seven thousand men who still pledge allegiance to Him, Elijah felt left all alone.

Prior to this week of camp, I found myself in that mood swing. Then came Ryan. Ryan was a volunteer of a team who came from overseas to help run the day camp.

Tonight we shared our most cherished moments from camp. I shared about my first impression with Ryan.

Ryan galloped to me after I had finish sharing with my group. His smile was radiant and he brought a warm welcome with his cool, sweaty hands.

As we converse, I was being fed with fire. He struck me with his burning love for Jesus. It was natural and it was contagious. It felt like we had to be talking about the new Batman movie and not about God. But we were and we were both excited.

Awe threw me over when Ryan revealed that we we’re almost the same age (I am year older). I leaped in my spirit: “Wow, someone (near) my age and he shares my passion to serve Jesus!”

That’s when it hit me like an avalanche. Maybe the same way Elijah’s heart swelled with relief when he heard God’s report of the seven thousand faithful men who were with the prophet.

I’m not alone.

Sometimes it’s not a sermon that can reignite in us a refreshed zeal for Christ: sometimes, we just need to be fed with a fire from an active brother or sister in God’s family.

*1 Kings 19:10 NKJV

“I Want to Use YOU”

God says to all of us, “I want to use you.” But life has a way of making that profound statement into a weary lullaby. Good thing there are days God schedules in our lives to wake us up.

I had one today.

Volunteering for a week-long kids’ summer camp, I was suddenly thrust into a group of young teens. I was asked to speak to them. I did not prepare anything to share. These are the days were you enjoy Jesus’ welcome for us to run to His throne and cry for help. I really need help.

Instantly, the Bible became alive. Verses like Matthew 10:19 bellow: “do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak.”

My faith took a sudden leap into total trust in the Almighty.

The teens in front of me seemingly dissolved into a gathering of attentive viewers, and I had something to say.

My earlier anxieties faded away while I made a prayer of invitation and three young hands pledged to start a relationship with Christ.

While the camp conducted its formal closing for the day, a thoughtful sentence came to me by a still, small voice almost as if Jesus had whispered in my ear.

“I want to use you.” 

I think I’m awake now. Thanks Jesus.