Come on let's TWIST again!
TWIST Conference (The Word In Song Together) was an awesome experience =) We looked at passages from 1 Cor 12 and 13… that reminded us that we as God’s people make up Christ’s body, and each part has distinct role to play… all gifts, be it be teaching, healing, administration, music etc are equal… and are to be used for the edification of the church or God’s people! Our diversity should not be a source of division but instead, it should unite us as we need each other’s gifts, just as the ear needs the eye, the hands etc (1 Cor 12-31)“God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it that there may be no division in the body but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together. If one member is honoured, all rejoice together.” – 1 Cor 12:24-26.
For the musicians who serve in music in church, remember that it is an important ministry but do not fall into the trap that we start to perceive music to be more important than it really is! Don’t be carried away by the attention it brings, the lavish praise from the mouths of men, the self-adoration of being an accomplished musician! All gifts serve the same Lord, all gifts are of the Spirit… it’s a fine balance we always need to put in perspective =) Also do not be lulled into thinking that we can only serve God as musicians because we are first Christian before anything else… as followers of Christ, we give up everything, take up our cross and follow Him, placing God first, not only in music, but also permeating throughout our lives, in our work, in our families, in our relationships with one another! I was also reminded that the gifts we have been given would eventually pass away, as these are gifts that are useful only in this fallen world. However, when Christ returns and the new heaven and earth comes, only 3 will remain:
Faith – which represents our continual dependence on God,
Hope – for we have the surety of eternity with Christ and
Love – the greatest of the three, as this is the essence of God, the very being of who He is!
Can you imagine? There will be no need for my musical abilities then! Wow… this reality astounded me! It is a NEW heaven and earth that will come… its beauty and workings beyond my wildest imagination… but till that day comes, we need to pursue the way of love, not that between a man and woman, but a love that puts another first, a love that unconditionally seeks the betterment of others, even when it’s unnoticed. A love that builds up, a love that always protects, trusts, perseveres, a love that always hopes. A love that delights in service, the love that Christ showed to each one of us through His death on the cross =)
For the musos… are you playing for the love of music? Or are you playing music in love for the people of God? It has to be the latter, for if we have not love, we are nothing… even the most beautiful song we play or sing, will be a mere clanging cymbal to God and He will be covering His ears!! Recognise the power of music, for it provides God’s people the opportunity to corporately sing of His goodness, so that unbelievers in our midst may hear the message… and for those that find themselves part of the congregation weekly… your participation and verbal confession through song builds up the body of Christ for you too are part of His body! Your folded arms and disinterested disposition isn’t isolated! Yet your hearty singing and enthusiasm is a great encouragement to the people around you as well as the song leaders and musos who serve you in this ministry! How amazing is this other person centredness thing! =) With those (many) words of wisdom… we went about our workshops, trying to pick up tips and practical skills in music...
What struck me throughout the event, more than just in immense talent that was EVERYWHERE… was the humility and Christ centredness of the workshop leaders… these people like Nicky Chriswell, Mark Peterson, Bryson Smith, Phillip Percival are professionals in their own right, yet they were the most humble people ever. They totally de-mystified music! And instructed and encouraged us in their various fields of expertise… What was so funny was that they themselves had so many ‘No-Good’ slipups but they were so relaxed about it, “it doesn’t matter, happens to the best of us… come let’s try that again…” and they just laugh and carry on… it was incredible… they really walked the talk… music was not on a pedestal for this bunch =) neither was the incredible musical talents that God has given to them =)
I made many new friends in the conference, and I am grateful for their other-person centeredness and how they served me… This wonderful girl Sunshine offered to share her bass guitar with me cos I didn’t have one to fiddle with as we were supposed to bring our own instruments for the workshop… she brought me to meet her friends so we all could lunch together… another bunch of folks from East Sydney Community Christian Church that I met during the band workshop took care of me throughout the rest of the conference… took me out for dinner as that was the first time i set foot in the Ashfield area… they included me in their sharing sessions, and I had company throughout, even during the song writing workshop, morning teas… and even drove me home for both of the days… how wonderful is that? I never expected anything like that… I am indeed blessed! God does provide =)
Lord please help me love your people with a love that you first showed us, with the gifts that you so graciously gave me… Lord help me keep my eyes on things eternal, and put my hope in heavenly things… I thank you for your faithfulness and may I sing of your greatness all of my days =) Amen!
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Cor 13:11-12)
Hope – for we have the surety of eternity with Christ and
Love – the greatest of the three, as this is the essence of God, the very being of who He is!
Can you imagine? There will be no need for my musical abilities then! Wow… this reality astounded me! It is a NEW heaven and earth that will come… its beauty and workings beyond my wildest imagination… but till that day comes, we need to pursue the way of love, not that between a man and woman, but a love that puts another first, a love that unconditionally seeks the betterment of others, even when it’s unnoticed. A love that builds up, a love that always protects, trusts, perseveres, a love that always hopes. A love that delights in service, the love that Christ showed to each one of us through His death on the cross =)
For the musos… are you playing for the love of music? Or are you playing music in love for the people of God? It has to be the latter, for if we have not love, we are nothing… even the most beautiful song we play or sing, will be a mere clanging cymbal to God and He will be covering His ears!! Recognise the power of music, for it provides God’s people the opportunity to corporately sing of His goodness, so that unbelievers in our midst may hear the message… and for those that find themselves part of the congregation weekly… your participation and verbal confession through song builds up the body of Christ for you too are part of His body! Your folded arms and disinterested disposition isn’t isolated! Yet your hearty singing and enthusiasm is a great encouragement to the people around you as well as the song leaders and musos who serve you in this ministry! How amazing is this other person centredness thing! =) With those (many) words of wisdom… we went about our workshops, trying to pick up tips and practical skills in music...
What struck me throughout the event, more than just in immense talent that was EVERYWHERE… was the humility and Christ centredness of the workshop leaders… these people like Nicky Chriswell, Mark Peterson, Bryson Smith, Phillip Percival are professionals in their own right, yet they were the most humble people ever. They totally de-mystified music! And instructed and encouraged us in their various fields of expertise… What was so funny was that they themselves had so many ‘No-Good’ slipups but they were so relaxed about it, “it doesn’t matter, happens to the best of us… come let’s try that again…” and they just laugh and carry on… it was incredible… they really walked the talk… music was not on a pedestal for this bunch =) neither was the incredible musical talents that God has given to them =)
I made many new friends in the conference, and I am grateful for their other-person centeredness and how they served me… This wonderful girl Sunshine offered to share her bass guitar with me cos I didn’t have one to fiddle with as we were supposed to bring our own instruments for the workshop… she brought me to meet her friends so we all could lunch together… another bunch of folks from East Sydney Community Christian Church that I met during the band workshop took care of me throughout the rest of the conference… took me out for dinner as that was the first time i set foot in the Ashfield area… they included me in their sharing sessions, and I had company throughout, even during the song writing workshop, morning teas… and even drove me home for both of the days… how wonderful is that? I never expected anything like that… I am indeed blessed! God does provide =)
Lord please help me love your people with a love that you first showed us, with the gifts that you so graciously gave me… Lord help me keep my eyes on things eternal, and put my hope in heavenly things… I thank you for your faithfulness and may I sing of your greatness all of my days =) Amen!
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Cor 13:11-12)
posted by Shing @ 11:07 PM
1 Comments:
hey babes! that sounded like an awesome time! :) praise God.. really happy that you made new christian friends & all - He really does provide, eh? hope that helps you settle in better! :)
youre in my thots girl... *hugs*
Post a Comment
<< Home