(P.S. You’d think these photos might have been taken in NJ, but actually they were taken while we were visiting friends in the Keys. Our friend, Billy Butler, grabbed my camera while we all quietly watched from the car, and took these beautiful photographs!!!)
We’re working on a human video to “Lighthouse” by Anthem Lights…
With our A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team…
Powerful song!
I’ll walk you through my choreography!!
We’re thinking of adding lights for each lighthouse
(cell phone, flashlight, etc.),
a big light behind Jesus,
a fog machine for the ship scene,
and perhaps a black light!)
“Many of the songs on the record
speak about being the light of Christ in this world,
to how essential His light is in this dark world.
“Lighthouse”
is a metaphor for we are in this world.
Ours is a brave task:
“Climb to the highest point,
scream in your loudest voice,
there’s a lifeline waiting for you…
Strike up the brightest fire,
fan the flames and let it burn,
let it burn…
the world is waiting.”
It’s up to us to be the lighthouse,
to tell hurting people that they’re not alone
and there is more for them”
–ALAN-Anthem Lights–
Scene 1: Have 4-6 kids form the front of a ship by kneeling at an angle, so there’s a point, and linking arms, have them rock and shake when the waters get rough, and have the ship “sail” (move) closer to rocks
Have 1 kid be the captain of the ship, loading his gear on board, and then standing inside ship, steering, reacting to danger, and seeing the lighthouse as a place of refuge & rescue
Have several kids kneeling with head & legs tucked in to form rocks in the water
Have kids on their backs with arms & legs moving, like pedaling a bicycle, to be rough waves in the water
Have 1 kid stand with hands touching over their head as a Lighthouse, add light, if desired, have them turn as the light would on a lighthouse
Have 1-2 kids kneeling with their palms together on their foreheads as the fins of sharks in the water
Like ships bound for shipwreck
Most people just simply drift along
And miss their destination without knowing anything is wrong
No direction and without a care
Feels so good and then you’re lost out there
Don’t you remember how it felt ’til someone showed you the way
Chorus: Have Jesus come out to tell everyone to be a Lighthouse
It’s up to you, it’s up to me
To be the lighthouse
They should know they’re not alone
So shine so they can see the lighthouse
And find their way back home
Scene 2: Have everyone leave their position…and reposition as a church setting
Have 1 kid be the preacher, waving a Bible
Have 2-3 kids kneel as church pews
Have 2-3 kids sit on the backs of kneeling kids to face the preacher, who is preaching passionately
The seated “congregation” while “numb” at first, gets the message, and praises the Lord in agreement
Have 1 kid off to the side be the Lighthouse that the preacher is talking about
Tragically we’ve forgotten
The reason we’re even here at all
Worst still, we remember it’s just that we feel so comfortable
Do we notice, do we even care
All the people that are lost out there
Don’t you remember how it felt ’til someone showed you the way
Chorus: Have Jesus come out to tell everyone to be a Lighthouse
It’s up to you, it’s up to me
To be the lighthouse
They should know they’re not alone
So shine so they can see the lighthouse
And find their way back home
Scene 3: Have your 2 strongest kids kneel next to each other, so your lightest kid can climb up on them, as if climbing up rocks, then act as if they’re screaming in their loudest voice
Transition to make a line of kids, pull as in a tug-of-war to make a Lifeline, preacher will pull them in
Have kids come together in a U-shape. and wave arms over their head as the flames of a fire
Have kids separate, and all become a separate Lighthouse,with hands touching over their head to look like a Lighthouse, add light, if desired, have them turn as the light would on a lighthouse
Have Jesus, come from the back, to touch and light each Lighthouse with His Presence, when He touches them they raise their hands higher, so we can see they are burning brighter with His Light to reach others
So climb to the highest point
Scream in your loudest voice
There’s a lifeline waiting for you
Strike up the brightest fire
Fan the flames and let it burn
Just let it burn, the world is waiting
Chorus: Have Jesus come out to tell everyone in the audience to also be a Lighthouse
It’s up to you, it’s up to me
They should know they’re not alone
So shine so they can see the lighthouse
And find their way
It’s up to you, it’s up to me
To be the lighthouse
They should know they’re not alone
Scene 4 (Ending): Have 2-3 kids wandering as lost, see the Lighthouses, and because of a Lighthouse, they are directed home to Jesus…then they kneel & praise Him
So shine so they can see the lighthouse
And find their way back home
Try the drama with your kids/teens!!!
I know you can do it!!
Any questions???
Let me know!
When we minister with this, I’ll blog some photos!!
John 8:12
“When Jesus spoke again to the people,
He said,
‘I Am the Light of the world.
Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the Light of Life.”
Psalm 43:3
“Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!”
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world.
A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Global Christian Ministry Forum International (GCMF Int’l) is a spiritually focused overseeing international presbytery consisting of national leaders from around the world. The presbytery provides oversight and guidance to GCMF national leaders, working in partnership for the cause of Christ. The mission of Global Christian Ministry Forum International is to link with national Christian leaders and network with them to establish effective ministry organizations in various parts of the world, whereby pastors and Christian leaders can be locally equipped, inspired, and motivated for their unique ministry.
Global Christian Ministry Forum International provides ministry credentials to qualified individuals. Ministry credentials are issued in conjunction with a national leaders’ recommendation coupled with accountability and oversight at the national level.
I’m a licensed minister with GCMF and
I’ve also spent many weeks over the years at Christian Retreat with
Kids-A-Fame Camp and
YEX Youth Camp!
Christian Retreat in Bradenton, FL, is certainly…
“an oasis of spiritual refreshment!”
They host conferences, retreats, camping, events, family church, and more…
The facility includes the conference center and church, with hotel style lodging, a cafeteria,
meeting rooms, a gymnasium, a youth center, and outdoor recreation.
As soon as you turn onto Glory Way Boulevard,
you sense the peace that permeates Christian Retreat
located on the banks of the beautiful Manatee River in East Manatee County.
Towering oaks dripping with Spanish moss shade the 110-acre property
that is home to year-round residents, overnight guests, and groups
who use the conference center to host events, meetings and camps.
The speakers at the morning and evening services were phenomenal…
Rev. Eugene Weaver, our GCMF President, Pastor Emmanuel Derry from Trinadad, Dr. Phil Derstine, Pastor of Christian Retreat Family Church, which was founded by his Father, Dr. Gerald Derstine.
The worship/choir music was anointed, also…
Led by Worship Pastor, Rick Giannico, of Glad Tidings Assembly
God has raised Pastor Rick up in this fellowship
and has equipped him to encourage others to fall in love with Jesus
and to make “Melodies from the heart unto the Lord”.
The Lord has blessed Pastor Rick with an ability to write songs, such as;
“‘Indebted”, “‘Lord Of Everything”, “Glory, Glory To The Lamb”‘, “Rescue Me” and several others.
The songs God gives him are specific for a time and season for the ministry of the church.
“In February 2013, we conducted our first crusade in Vero Beach, Florida,
and the Holy Spirit moved mightily.
Then, in September we had our second outreach in the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
There we saw some 20,000 in attendance,
and nearly 2000 people make a decision for Christ!
Now, we will continue across the nation,
Gospel crusade after Gospel crusade, from stadium to stadium.
This is not the day to join the choir of the despaired
but to ‘blow the trumpet of God in Zion.’
This day is the best day ever, because it is the day of salvation.
There will be a crop for God’s glory, not a flop.”
“Evangelism must always lead into the church.
This is a central truth I have practiced everywhere.
I, the evangelist, bring my nets and borrow the boats of the local churches.
Together we will cast our nets into the human ocean
and pull them in to be emptied on the beach.
My promise to you is not to take a single fish
but to leave them all with the local churches.
Then I will dry and mend my nets and move to the next place.”
“I am scanning the skies for men and women
who pray and weep for the salvation of America.
As Bill Bright used to say, ‘Let’s leave our logos and egos.’
Let’s rally at the foot of the Cross of Calvary
And preach the Gospel of salvation to the nation.
The Holy Spirit will cooperate.
God is pouring out His Spirit
With glorious indifference to our differences!
He said, ‘I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh.’
And it seems to me He pours Himself into the mold of any vessel.
Please determine how you and your church
can participate in any of these upcoming crusades.”
“The primary truth about God is that He is the Deliverer, the Emancipator, and the Savior.
He is God only to the free.
Faith is a venture that turns life into an adventure.
Doubts get us nowhere.
They are mooring ropes.
Believing God means we cast off,
like ships designed for riding the high seas and going somewhere.
Faith inspires. Doubt paralyzes.
Faith says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’
Unbelief does nothing.
Faith in God is exciting.
I’m an incurable believer, and I don’t want to be cured!
God bless you!”
Rev. Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist
hwww.facebook.com/evangelistreinhardbonnkettps://
I walk the streets of London And notice in the faces passing by Something that makes me stop and listen My heart grows heavy with the cry
Where is the hope for London? You whisper and my heart begins to soar As I’m reminded Every street in London in Yours, oh yes, it is
I walk the dirt roads of Uganda I see the scars that war has left behind Hope like the sun is fading They’re waiting for a cure no one can find
And I hear children’s voices singing Of a God who heals and rescues and restores And I’m reminded That every child in Africa is Yours
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours From the stars in the sky To the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours You’re the Maker and Keeper Father and Ruler of everything, it’s all Yours
And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai I brush by the beggar’s hand and the wealthy man And everywhere I look I realize
That just like the streets of London For every man and woman, boy and girl All of creation This is our Father’s world
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours From the stars in the sky To the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours You’re the Maker and Keeper Father and Ruler of everything
It’s all Yours, God It’s all Yours, God It’s all Yours, God It’s all Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God All the honor is Yours, God The power is Yours, God The glory is Yours, God You’re the King of kings And Lord of lords
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours From the stars in the sky To the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours All the greatness and power The glory and splendor and majesty Everything is Yours, yeah, it’s all Yours
To believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in our life.
To know that nothing we do in life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made.
True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity.
This whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy.
The road is narrow and few will actually find it!
We can’t afford to just assume we’re one of the few on the narrow way.
Be totally in love with Christ.
Even Heaven would be a desolate place without Christ.
Don’t just let life happen.
Love and desire Christ, for when we love, we are free!
Let God change us.
We need to let Him in our life.
We need God to help us love God, and if we need His help to love Him, a perfect being, we definitely need His help to love other fault-filled humans.
Don’t hold back, be consumed with Christ.
We need to show a “Love” that is crazy to the world.
True love, a kind found nowhere else, but through Christ.
Don’t be lukewarm, be obsessed with Christ.
People obsessed with Christ…
Love people and are friends to all…
They’re crazy risk takers for Christ…
They’re humble…
They serve…
They give…
They think about eternity…
They’re engrossed and delighted with God’s Word…
They’re passionately in love with God…
They’re unguarded and open with Him…
They meditate, are nourished by, and are rooted in the Word…
They’re dedicated and faithful to Christ.
They know they’re a child and a friend of God.
Let’s evaluate our lives…
Is what we’re doing, what we want to be doing, when Christ returns????
Taken from: Crazy Love by Frances Chan
Lukewarm is completely useless…
Neither like hot water (as in a comfortable bath)…
Nor like cold water (as in a refreshing drink)…
Interpret “hot” and “cold” in light of the historical context of Laodicea…
It had no permanent supply of good water…
Efforts to pipe water to the city from nearby springs were successful…
But, it would arrive lukewarm…
Located close to both natural hot springs by Hierapolis…
Often used for medicinal purposes…
And a cold, pure stream by Colossae…
Both hot and cold water are desirable…
Both are useful for distinct purposes…
All believers can be used of God…
The spiritual state of this church…
More closely resembled the tepid, lukewarm water…
That eventually flowed into Laodicean pipes…
Neither hot nor cold…
It was putrid!
The metaphor condemns Laodicea for not providing…
Spiritual healing (being hot)…
Or, spiritual refreshment (being cold) to those around them…
Revelation 3:15 is a condemnation of their lack of works and lack of witness.
They spread spiritual disease…
What disease?
They believed they were spiritually rich…
When in fact they had gone bankrupt…
They thought they could see…
But they were blind…
They thought they were healthy…
But they were corrupt….
They thought they were fully clothed…
But they were naked…
The difference was in their opinion of themselves…
vs reality…
They thought they were well off…
But they were starving to death…
They were spiritually content and self-satisfied…
Although actually they were wretched and pitiful…
In Revelation 3:17, they had the audacity to say…
“I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”
The problem with being lukewarm…
And the case against Laodicea…
Revolves around the idea of self-deception…
They were self-deluded…
The church at Laodicea was made up of Christians…
Who were trusting in themselves and their wealth…
Or, what they thought their wealth could buy them!
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, says,
Lukewarm…
Useless and self-deceived…
They thought they were of great value…
But were hypocritical…
Promoting themselves, as those who saw the truth…
When in fact they did not…
Actively covering their sins with a cloak of religious observance!
Lord…
Help us to be obsessed with You…
Show us where we’re lukewarm…
Give us the strength to deal with these areas…
Do whatever it takes…
For us to please You…
We need constant infilling of Your Presence…
A constant love relationship…
Constant prayer…
Constant worship…
Constant renewing of our minds…
With the Word of God…
We don’t want to be lukewarm:
A believer who isn’t a threat to satan’s kingdom,
A person who is unable to accomplish anything for the Lord,
Who no longer brings God glory,
Who no longer accomplishes His will,
Who no longer builds His kingdom.
Refresh!
Rekindle!
Our lukewarm hearts…
Restore!
Us to a heart perfect in its commitment to You!
Amen!!
Lukewarm is not enough…
Try Crazy Love!
Ahhh…
My new non-lukewarm refrigerator!!!!
Cold and Colder!!
To match my repaired non-lukewarm dryer…
Hot and Hotter!!
Forget lukewarm!
If a dryer’s not HOT…
Or, a refrigerator’s not COLD…
They’re useless…
And so are we!!
Amen!
Don’t sing these Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian!!!
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”
“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do
Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”
“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do
Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.
(Sunset photo taken at Ponce de Leon Park by my friend Marian!)
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
Foes are many…
Rise against you…
Hold your ground!
Don’t fear the wars or storms…
Your help is on the way!!
Our God will not delay…
He’s our refuge and strength…
Always!!!
His promise is true!
Our God will come through…
Always!!!
Trouble surrounds us…
Chaos abounds…
My soul will rest in You!!
Lift your eyes up…
Your help comes from the Lord!!
Always from You Lord…
Always!!
Psalm 124:8
“Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Where does your help come from???
Look to the Lord…
He’s always right here!!
With His Love…
His Promises…
His Strength…
His Help!!
Always!!
Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 9:9
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven
and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire
that separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other tongues
as the Spirit enabled them.”
Romans 8:2-6
“…because through Christ Jesus
the law of the Spirit who gives life has set youfree
from the law of sin and death.
For what the law was powerless to do
because it was weakened by the flesh,
God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh
to be a sin offering.
And so He condemned sin in the flesh,
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us,
who do not live according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:9
“You, however,
are not in the realm of the flesh
but are in the realm of the Spirit,
if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,
they do not belong to Christ.”
Interview with Joel Parisen:Newworldson
What has God been teaching you lately?
Joel: “How to not be a lip-service Christian. How to talk less and to let my life be my message, which is incredibly hard to do. How to not say one thing and be doing another. Some people struggle with surrender and trusting that God has a plan; that part’s been easy for me. My problem is knowing that in my partnership with Him, I have work to do too. It’s not all sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Behind the Song:
“We were coming to the end of a full day in the studio when I decided to sit down at the piano to unwind. I just started playing these chords when Mark came over and said, ‘We’re recording that tomorrow.’ And that was that. I wrote my lyrics and Josh wrote his right on the spot.
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