The Beauty Of Hands Lifted Up

Just for a moment, before reading any further, just simply stop and stare at this picture. Beautiful isnt it? These hands are the hands of inmates at a prison we recently ministered at.
I look at this and think to myself, these hands, who knows where they have been, who knows what they have done, these hands possibly have stolen things, maybe abused someone, these hands may have possibly pulled a trigger of a gun. There is One who knows these hands. There is One who has seen all the things these hands have done.

Now, for a second, look at your hands. Hold them up as you look at them. Where have they been? What have they done? See, there is no difference really. For all of us, have at some time done things, said things, that we have since repented of and found the beauty of His love in forgiveness. But the one thing that does make a difference is the hands that are lifted up in the mighty Name of Jesus, in worship of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Psalmist said, "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your Name" (Psalm 63:3-4). Did you hear the word "lovingkindness"? Did that one word stand out to you?

The upward reach of worshiping hands is a confession that God is above us. That He is in charge. That He is in control. Its our confession of Who He is. With those hands lifted up we are giving to God our praise and our love. Its our being, as children, reaching out to our "Loving Father." This is because His lovingkindness IS BETTER than life! Paul tells us, "pray everywhere, lifting up "HOLY" hands" (1 Tim 2:8). These hands, though they may have been dirty from the past, are and can, be made holy hands, by the love and forgiveness of our Father.
These hands are lifted because there is a deep heart desire of more of His Holy Spirit, more of His love, more of His presence.

It is moving to be able to stand on a platform, singing the praises of God, or teaching His Word, and look up and see this very picture. I often remember the cover design for a Bob Dylan album "Saved." Hands lifted to the One hand reaching back to lift us all up. Its truly beautiful. Its freedom in its highest sense. Its our hearts "chasing" after God's heart.

Be thankful. Be moved to the highest and most beautiful way of worship given to mankind. The opportunity to lift "Holy" hands in His Name. Because His lovingkindness is truly better than life.

Opportunity in High School

Its been since last November, that we had an opportunity to do a program in high school. We had the door open for a program at Mineola High School Mineola, Texas, a "drug prevention" program, but even more a "use the talents you have" program. We are very thankful for Principal Rocky Stevens for giving us this time to spend and share with all the young people at Mineola High School.

Even though we are an evangelical outreach ministry, we are always open for oppottunities to share something that inspires and encourages and uplifts. The main thought for this special program was more, "Use Your Talents." I have been in and around music pretty much all my life, I have found that every angle of emotion can be shared in simple song. But in return I have found it a waiste that so many have wonderful, incredible talents, be it music, art, dance, theatre the list is long, and the problem is "no use" of what has been given. The old PSA ad said, "A mind is a terrible thing to waiste." So is our giftings!

In this program, yes, we did hit on drug prevention, yes we shared its effects on life in general. But as I love to put it. "Get high" on what you have within you. Have you ever noticed that communication is incredible through the arts? Have you ever noticed that there seems to be no language gap, in areas like music? The gift of whats within, can and many times has been what we can use to do things that is way beyond our imagination.

To touch a heart with a song, to move someone with emotion through that gift, causes things that many times just cant be done alone. I have have found when music is positive, when the message is of good foundation, there is healing. At one time, I became very interested in a medical practice called "Music Therapy." It is a practice that helps heal the person through music. Many have been brought into this healing simply with a song that they may have grown up on. Maybe the healing was through tears in a media play that touched the soul. We have a great tool, totally within our reach. We "ALL" have been gifted with something that can bless and touch someone. So let me ask you, are you using your gift? Are you touching lives through what you have within you?

In music terms, if I can us this, I have a t-shirt with Homer Simpson on it, playing a guitar. Homer is doing his best Pete Townsend arm swing. The words around him say: "Live Long, Play Hard!!!" Dont bury your gift! Use it! Dont abuse it! See things that can be done, things that may be way beyond your thinking. Live long, play hard, touch a soul, never know, they just may blow your mind as to where and what they do and become, and you can know you had a part.

Songs From The Heart

As a singer, songwriter, musician for the Lord, I desire greatly with each and every song to "spill" my heart into what I am saying, or want to say to the Lord, or about Him. I use the word "spill" because within the musician there is a cup that fills and spills out the vision, the heart songs from, to and about the throne of God and His loving presence.

The old hymn says "I sing because I am happy! I sing because I am Free!" This holds very true, but also "I sing because I am filled with His Spirit!" I am filled with such overflow that I cannot contain it, it MUST come out and be shared. Often, I have shared in various services and meetings, that when I go into record new music, usually it is my prayer, "Lord, show me something new, unique, different." Scripture tells us that we are unique, different, that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness (1 Peter 2:9). One translation says it this way, "But you are a chosen people, a holy nation, "God's special possession," that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

I am His possesion! I really like that! It is because of this, I do desire to "spill" out what is in my heart, the praises of Him who has called me out of darkness and into His wonderful light! I find that it is indeed wonderful, because that light illuminates and permeates my whole being. That light sears deep into my soul, causing me to see clearly His love for me, then in turn it is my desire to write, record that song that stirs from deep within. That is what, I, as a musician, want more than anything, first to minister to the Lord with my song and heart, then cause you to be brought into the song, so that "Your Song" will sing from your heart.

Many times it is in the form of an instrumental song, but even then, the heart to cause you to see, maybe experience His love, His light, His presence, is still written into the notes of the song, and are from the depths of the heart and soul as well. One song in particular, that I have played many times in many services, "The Masters Love" is a song sweet to the soul, but also paints the picture that the fact is, we are always in the shadow of His cross. Even when we may feel like we are alone, He is always there, and in that shadow "Victory" is always ours, because of what was done on the cross at Calvary, we were "brought" deep into His heart and love, and the Song of the Heart, simply stirs up from there and is given through every note.

All in all, allow that song to sing from your heart! Let loose the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light come forth! Raise your voice, raise your hands, and let it be known, Jesus Christ is Lord of lords, King of kings, forever worshipped and forever praised!