(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.
I’ve lost a lot of very special people over the last few years. I wrote this song for the ones who passed away in my life.
R.I.P my dear friends, well meet again..
-Sorry about the feedback I recorded on a mic :D-SONG LYRICS:
Dani and Lizzy – Dancing in the SkyVERSE 1:
What does it look like in heaven
is it peaceful and free like they say
does the sun shine bright forever
have your fears and your pain gone awayPRE HOOK:
cause Here on earth it feels like everything.. good is missing, since you left
here on earth everything is different, there is an emptinessHOOK:
I hope your dancing in the sky
I hope your singing with the angels choir
I hope the angels, know what they have
I bet it’s nice up in heaven since you arrivedVERSE 2:
Tell me, what do you do up in heaven
are you’re days filled with love and light
is there music? is there art and invention
tell me are you happy and more alive
PRE HOOK:
cause Here on earth it feels like everything.. good is missing, since you left
here on earth everything is different, there is an emptiness
HOOK:
I hope your dancing in the sky
I hope your singing with the angels choir
I hope the angels, know what they have
I bet it’s nice up in heaven since you arrived
I’ve lost a lot of very special people over the last few years. I wrote this song for the ones who passed away in my life.
R.I.P my dear friends, well meet again..
-Sorry about the feedback I recorded on a mic :D-SONG LYRICS:
Dani and Lizzy – Dancing in the SkyVERSE 1:
What does it look like in heaven
is it peaceful and free like they say
does the sun shine bright forever
have your fears and your pain gone awayPRE HOOK:
cause Here on earth it feels like everything.. good is missing, since you left
here on earth everything is different, there is an emptinessHOOK:
I hope your dancing in the sky
I hope your singing with the angels choir
I hope the angels, know what they have
I bet it’s nice up in heaven since you arrivedVERSE 2:
Tell me, what do you do up in heaven
are you’re days filled with love and light
is there music? is there art and invention
tell me are you happy and more alive
PRE HOOK:
cause Here on earth it feels like everything.. good is missing, since you left
here on earth everything is different, there is an emptiness
HOOK:
I hope your dancing in the sky
I hope your singing with the angels choir
I hope the angels, know what they have
I bet it’s nice up in heaven since you arrived
Kelley Mooney’s approved spiritual lyrical adaptation of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Be Blessed on this Resurrection Day!!
A crown of thorns placed on His head He knew that He would soon be dead He said did You forget Me Father, did You? They nailed Him to a wooden cross Soon all the world would feel the loss Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah
Hallelujah
He hung His head and prepared to die Then lifted His face up to the sky Said I am coming home now Father to You A reed which held His final sip Was gently lifted to His lips He drank His last and gave His soul to glory
Hallelujah
The soldier who had used his sword To pierce the body of our Lord Said truly this is Jesus Christ our Savior He looked with fear upon his sword Then turned to face his Christ and Lord Fell to his knees crying Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Took from His head the thorny crown And wrapped Him in a linen gown And laid Him down to rest inside the tomb The holes in His hands, His feet and side Now in our hearts we know He died To save us from ourselves, Oh, Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Three days went by, again they came To move the stone, to bless the slain With oil and spice anointing, Hallelujah But as they went to move the stone They saw that they were not alone But Jesus Christ has risen, Hallelujah
As I write this, I’m sitting in the makeup aisle of our local Target store. A friend recently texted me from a different makeup aisle and told me it felt like one of the most oppressive places in the world. I wanted to find out what he meant. And now that I’m sitting here, I’m beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:
Affordably gorgeous,
Infallible,
Flawless finish,
Brilliant strength,
Liquid power,
Go nude,
Age defying,
Instant age rewind,
Choose your dream,
Nearly naked, and
Natural beauty.
When you have a daughter you start to realize she’s just as strong as everyone else in the house—a force to be reckoned with, a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people won’t see her that way. They’ll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And they’ll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence.
But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a father’s words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep, unshakeable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.
A father’s words aren’t different words, but they are words with a radically different meaning:
Brilliant strength. May your strength be not in your fingernails but in your heart. May you discern in your center who you are, and then may you fearfully but tenaciously live it out in the world.
Choose your dream. But not from a department store shelf. Find the still-quiet place within you. A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world. And when you have chosen, may you faithfully pursue it, with integrity and with hope.
Naked. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.
Infallible. May you be constantly, infallibly aware that infallibility doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection, may it be in an infallible grace—for yourself, and for everyone around you.
Age defying. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.
Flawless finish. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.
Little One, you love everything pink and frilly and I will surely understand if someday makeup is important to you. But I pray three words will remain more important to you—the last three words you say every night, when I ask the question: “Where are you the most beautiful?” Three words so bright no concealer can cover them.
Where are you the most beautiful?
On the inside.
From my heart to yours,
Daddy
Like the last letter I wrote to my daughter, I wrote this first for her and the day I’ll eventually read it to her. But I also wrote it for every woman who needs to hear the words of a father. Women, no one else can define your beauty for you. But they’ll try.
My daughter is four years-old now. If her awakening to the makeup aisle comes at the typical age, I figure we have about five years to radically alter the arc of history and the subjugation-by-image of the female gender. We’ve got a lot of work to do. And it begins in the heart of each and every woman.
Audio: Click here to hear an audio version of this post
Next Post: “The Key to a Man’s Heart (and Why He Gets Road Rage)”
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Disclaimer: My writings represent a combination of my own personal opinions and my professional experiences, but they do not reflect professional advice. Interaction with me via the blog does not constitute a professional therapeutic relationship. For professional and customized advice, you should seek the services of a counselor who can dedicate the hours necessary to become more intimately familiar with your specific situation. I do not assume liability for any portion or content of material on the blog and accept no liability for damage or injury resulting from your decision to interact with the website.
Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist, practicing at Alliance Clinical Associates in Wheaton, IL. He is also a writer and blogs regularly about the redemption of our personal, relational, and communal lives. Kelly is married, has three children, and enjoys learning from them how to be a kid again. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
I just can’t believe Where my life was at All that I know is that my heart was broken And I don’t ever wanna go back
Ain’t no explanation How I saw the light He found me and set me free And it brought me back to life
Blame it on the transformation Changed down to the core His love is real And I can’t sit still ‘Cause my name’s not shamed no more
Great God Almighty, gonna change this Great God Almighty, He gonna change me
You gotta shake, shake, shake Like you’re changed, changed, changed Brand new looks so good on you So shake like you’ve been changed
Come on and shake, shake, shake like you changed Shake, shake, shake like you changed
Maybe He came to you When everything seemed fine Or maybe your world was upside down and hit you right between the eyes No matter when it happened At 7 or 95 Move your feet ’cause you are free And you’ve never been more alive
Great God Almighty, gonna change me Great God Almighty, He gonna change me Great God Almighty, gonna change me Great God Almighty, He gonna change me
Matthew 18:3
And He said:
“Truly I tell you,
unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
(Photos: Tikaya and Casey at a drama team outreach at True Faith Deliverance Temple)
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come:
The old has gone,
the new is here!”
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—
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
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