Artistic Expression in World Evangelization
When an entire village of Bolivian Indian ranch workers came to the Lord awhile ago, some missionary friends of mine were faced with very big questions. What do we do with this entire village of people that now know the Lord as Savior? In what ways do they worship? How do we teach them to study the Bible when most of them don’t read? And when they have no Bible-base music in their own heart-expressions, what do we suggest they...
Four Window Wonders (Proverbs 30:18-19)
Other than two Aspirin, last night murdered me I awoke, grabbed some tea Stepped into the study, ready to write Sitting, I teared up, glancing out About our backyard, about the fields Then it all whisked away Washed away my ribboned eyes from blue to white from night to light In that wash of purity In that veil of tears I lost grip of my desk My pen fell from my hand I left Though I didn’t mean to leave I left...
Diamonds and Coal
Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful King, descending upon the world with great political force—one of great sadness and tragedy, at that. Not only did he use his power to besiege God’s city of Jerusalem(1)–bringing back its treasures and people to be dedicated to his “gods,”(2) even as God granted him favor and power amidst his arrogance(3)— Nebuchadnezzar still tried to seek prosperity and prowess apart from the Lord’s...
Psalm 19
-A Psalm of David for the Director of all music. Stars. They spin and wink, Dazzling caretakers White and blue & light, poised in heaven Marking seasons, days, yearns They and galaxies after them Broadcast God’s gravity. Open skies, broken clouds Sunsets, sunrises Voice His handiwork Sunset, sunrise, sunset and awakens Exhibit His knowledge No dialect resides or hides from that voice The white noise of God. A sound seeping...
The babble of Shinar (Genesis 10-11:9)
The 3 sons of the righteous one became many peoples, populating and filling the earth under the blessing they had received. Commonality was found by the one language and speech which unified the people through the mutuality of culture. The people made the move east and settled in the plains of Shinar, thus far being obedient by fruitfully expanding in accordance with the ordinance of God. But using bricks for stone and tar for mortar,...
Psalm 7
[an Evasion of David from Cush to the Lord] O despot, harborage I dock in you Stall them, aid my break-out of this pursuit For if they catch me, who can salvage me? They will surely ribbon out my flesh. Dear God! If I have painted evil’s hue, These hands of mine stained red, in vain pollute. If war’s now waged ‘tween peaceful friends and me Or I have now unjustly robbed my foe Then let each one soon snatch me, stamp...
How Jesus Uses Art
Have you ever thought of Jesus as an artist? Think about the rhythm of the Creation account at the beginning of Genesis. The God of the entire universe bent down over the dust of the earth (raw material), scooped it up as a potter takes clay, and began to form and shape it. He then breathed his message of truth, life, and the way into the lungs of Adam, and God’s very own masterpiece came to life. Not only is humanity a work of...
A Review of Psalms Vol. 1
In an effort to musically reimagine some of the Bible’s darker Psalms, Garden City and friends have brought us Psalms of the Forgotten, a 10-song album comprising Psalms 3, 6, 10, 22, 31, 55, 77, 77, 79, and 88. It’s a collection of mostly rock tunes that succeed at highlighting the most hopeful tones amid the Psalmist’s dire circumstances. As the leader of a project setting all 150 Psalms to music in their entirety,...
Washed Clean (Genesis 6:13-9:29)
The Lord lamented the corruption so present widespread across the earth, He was determined to have people set apart pursuing righteousness a people after His own heart, there was only one, Noah. Instructed to build an ark a container to contain the mighty power of the Lord and the waters which would baptise the earth cleansing from its surface the stains of a people bent on wickedness, for a second time creation paid the price for...
Psalms for Good Friday | Our Song in the Night
GOD WRITES SONGS OF HOPE Garden City released Psalms Vol. 1 in 2016 Download it Now! Psalms Vol. 2 to be released in April of 2017 Psalm 77 | My Song in the Night http://worshipministrycatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Psalm-77_My-Song-in-the-Night.mp3 Many churches from all denominations across the globe are entering into the season of Lent to prepare for Easter. Whether you observe LENT or not, it’s a season to prepare...
Seven Evangelism Environments Artists Create
Given the objective Truth of the Gospel never changes, the PROCESS of evangelism is much more about helping people encounter Christ than it is explaining Christ—and ARTISTS are some of the most powerful God-designed servants God uses to create the environments wherein people experience the God-desired fruit of evangelism—people reconciled to God through the work of Christ. In fact when we emphasize explaining over encountering God’s...
Psalms for Lent | Arise Oh God
GOD WRITES SONGS OF JUSTICE Garden City released Psalms Vol. 1 in 2016 Download it Now! Psalms Vol. 2 to be released in April of 2017 Psalm 74 | Arise Oh God http://worshipministrycatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Psalm-74_Arise-Oh-God.mp3 Many churches from all denominations across the globe are entering into the season of Lent to prepare for Easter. Whether you observe LENT or not, it’s a season to prepare afresh to...
Psalm 6
High King, I know you’re pissed, but PLEASE don’t yell… Don’t punish me wrathfully, they already did! HAVE MERCY! I’m fainting, I’m fading my Lord; My bones are broken! Heal, or I’ll die! My soul groans in agony, “How long, O Lord?” Turn back for me, King, to deliver me clean Rescue my life by your conquering Love I can’t remember you, if I should die How will anyone bring...
Psalms for Lent | Cast Down Your Burdens
GOD WRITES SONGS TO RELIEVE BURDENS Garden City released Psalms Vol. 1 in 2016 Download it Now! Psalms Vol. 2 to be released in April of 2017 Psalm 55 | Cast Down Your Burdens http://worshipministrycatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Psalm-55_Cast-Down-Your-Burdens.mp3 Many churches from all denominations across the globe are entering into the season of Lent to prepare for Easter. Whether you observe LENT or not, it’s a...
Psalm 5
A painter once gave his ear to his love give Yours to my words O Lord. Grant me the chance to sigh Listen for my helpless calling, crying “My King! My God!” To You I speak this eve pre-noon, I wake, I see the sun Lord, You overhear me, my first sound I stir. My voice unveils my needs To You. And there I linger, eager, serene expecting… You really don’t enjoy evil, do you? Wicked live nowhere near you,...
Listening
One of the most valuable (yet most difficult to practice) skills I have developed as a writer is to listen. The act of listening is hard. It takes a lot of self-control. It means squelching the arguments and justifications that jump readily to mind when someone is dissecting or critiquing my work. This is because listening requires the most strenuous of all virtues: humility. Humility says, “This thing I have created is very dear to...