It was an amazing time… an outpouring of God’s healing, love and peace!

Joining me for this trip was Doug Wollman (Keyboards), Barry Edwards (Electric Guitar), Mark Royalty (Acoustic Bass) and Steve Mildren (Media). Each gifted by God and their talents were felt as we worshiped God together with those in attendance at the Oglala Re*Creation & Worship Center.

As of late, I’ve been moving more and more into Prophetic Worship… and, this last Sunday was the very first time I sang prophetically over those of the church. This move of God was so precious and tender and that’s about all I remember. It’s somewhat of a blur… but, apparently Barry recorded some of the moments coming forth and that will be a blessing to hear. Maybe an MP3 could be available soon?

One interesting moment occurred after the service. The team and I took some time to have some lunch and fellowship at a local Casino. Of course I don’t gamble… we went there for the food and it was wonderfully good! It’s the place to go and we ran into one of the members of the church in Oglala. His name is Gerald and he wanted me to know that when I started sing prophetically over a person who is dealing with an issue upon their left foot… it was him. He shared with us that he was hurting so badly he couldn’t walk properly. As I sang this healing… God touched him and he was now walking normally. He showed us his foot where the damage was and how he was now walking normally.

Gerald’s testimony was unexpected! It also was an encouragement to us all as well! It’s nothing I did… God moved and I was merely a vessel of communication for Gerald’s healing.

It was a dynamic & extremely powerful time for us all!!! I am deeply convinced that there is so much more to come! I am not the same person I was a year ago! God is doing something deep and rich within my heart and life… and, within our ministry as well! Pressing in… pressing on!

Please share your thoughts… I am eager to hear your responses.

Thank you kindly!

Living the life of an itinerant musician for Jesus has it’s challenges… life away from my home, booking ministry dates (the hardest part of what I do), financial ups and downs, etc. Yet through it all I am still energized and excited for today and tomorrow. In other words… I have so much to look forward to!

Much of this optimism is a result of God using our ministry in dynamic ways. There have been nights when the prayer lines kept coming and coming and I didn’t leave a venue until midnight… praying with each and every person that came forward. This is something new… a recent avenue of ministry for us and I am honored and extremely excited to stand in prayer with those that come forward. Music is an important part of what I do… but, I am discovering it’s not the only thing we bring to the table. It’s exciting to say the least!

I’ve also refocused our ministry efforts towards worship and my concerts have become more of a worship event. There have been times when I’ve scrapped my set list and just sang prophetically… meaning whatever came to my heart at the time both musically and lyrically. What an amazing times they are… as I get lost in God’s presence and embrace. The many emails and Facebook messages after such events have been so encouraging as many were ministered to by God’s presence and embrace as well. In short… those times have been precious and in ways I am having difficulty articulating. God is sooooooooo good to us all as we whole-heartedly submit ourselves to Him!

Lastly… once a month I lead a Harp & Bowl set at Destiny Foursquare Church. This takes place every Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm. My sets are generally scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month… but there are times when I serve in place of others. Last night was one of those times (I led in place for my dear Doug Wollman who wasn’t feeling very well) and as we worshipped, read scripture and prayed through Psalm One last night… I could feel God’s embrace. Sometimes it’s so tangible… it moves me to tears. To know God’s presence in such a manner is something I desire more and more. His nearness is such a blessing! This has become the norm for my Harp & Bowl sets and I feel myself growing closer to God and hope those that attend these gatherings are ministered to as well!

All in all… it’s been an interesting year and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us all!

One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple. – Psalm 27:4

This has become my deepest hearts cry…

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” – Psalm 27:8

This has become my sincere heart response to God…

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD! – Psalm 27:14

Lord… I am waiting, only You can satisfy…

In closing… please allow me to say that I am so privileged to do what I do in ministry. I am FAR from wealthy… yet, I am the richest man in ALL the world!!!

I am pressing onward… I still have miles to go as Jill and I commit ourselves to serve others!

I’ll never fully understand this amazing gift we call life. It is filled with heartache, struggle, uncertainty and loss. Yet at the same time… it is filled with so much love and hope.

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12 (New King James Version)

Even though I don’t understand it all… I am trusting in the ONE who does!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2 (New King James Version)

This song… written many years ago, recorded and produced by Layton Howerton & Roy Salmond further articulates this hope we have in Christ. Shortly before his passing, my dad shared with me that I didn’t need to worry about his eternal destination anymore… he had asked Jesus into his heart. Knowing this has been a source of great joy and blessing and whenever I see a plane flying, or a kite dancing upon the wind… I know my dad is with that great cloud of witnesses rejoicing over our ever growing faith in God… as he flies.

Over this last year I’ve been going through an amazing time of renewal. It’s been pointed out to me by some that the word ‘renewal’ is an overused word… but that’s the only way I can describe what God is doing in my heart and life. In short… I’ve been experiencing a rebirth to the importance of living a life of worship. Several things have brought this on and I won’t go into that right now… but suffice to say I’ve been going through a time of loss and brokenness. It’s been good on so many levels and even though it’s hard and painful… my relationship with God is the better for it! I can say it’s been a blessing!

Anyway… as this new, or renewed passion for my relationship with God has grown, so has my desire for music that reflects this ‘passion’ for God.

This has led me to the music of Jason Upton and I have to say… his music and ministry is a great gift to us all!!! I’ve downloaded and purchased almost every release Jason has recorded through the years and I value them dearly. His music has become the soundtrack for this season of renewal in my life!

I realize I am WAY behind the curve… meaning that you all are most likely MORE aware of Jason’s ministry than I am… but if not, please allow me to share this video with you as it has been a HUGE blessing and encouragement in my life. I hope it blesses you as well…

Well… just to be clear I haven’t stopped. I’m in a bit of a holding pattern. I blogged about this a couple months back… but maybe it bears repeating.

Anyway, I started recording “Spring Reflections” and got off to a wonderful start! Within a few weeks I had recorded 3 wonderful songs… “New Life,” “April Showers,” and “An Awakening.” All three songs presently are available on my latest release ‘Reflections‘ a collection of my favorite tracks from the Reflections series.

Sadly after I completed those 3 songs for Spring Reflections, I ran into a creative wall. I am still trying to compose some pieces here and there… but, I am still not satisfied. Hopefully I’ll be able to bust through that wall sometime soon! But… until then I started recorded my next vocal album which has a strong worship focus. So far that’s coming along quite nicely and I am looking forward to making that album available in January 2011.

While I am discussing my instrumental releases, please consider purchasing my albums at Amadeo Music. It’s a great place to learn more about my CD’s releases. Click the pic to the right to see more!

Plus… not only will you find my music there, BUT… you’ll also find amazing artists with equally amazing releases there as well.

So again… I haven’t quit, just hoping to compose some more songs to complete
“Spring Reflections” in the coming months ahead. For those that were wondering… thank you for your interest. Stay turned for release news in the future!

There was a nice guy (early 20′s) behind the counter and we bantered about the dogs in the car… Aubrey and Beau had come on the trip. As I took my change the guy said the normal thing we all hear… “thank you, have a nice day.”

I responded… “you have a nice day as well.”

He then noted… “I will try.”

He then added… “It would be foolish not to!”

I LIKED that and said… “Because everyday is a gift” and he responded… “Exactly!”

Today is a gift friends… have a good one! At least try… it would be foolish not to!

So… as the old saying goes, it’s ‘back the drawing board.’

I’m going to fire up the studio and try again tomorrow… praying for wisdom and a productive day.

Other than that… did some scheduling for my August and Fall travels today as well. Nothing on the books yet, but… have a few pastors considering some dates. Praying for God’s blessing there as well!

Today was a nice, relaxing day… although I reworked my set list as I plan and prepare to share in Powell, WY this week-end. Doing that kind of work is light… and doesn’t require a great deal of physical effort and I enjoy thinking things through… praying over a set of songs as I consider the next opportunity to share and minister God’s goodness, mercy and grace through music.

I also got to hang with my dear friend Brent… spending time over lunch as well as sharing about what God is accomplishing in and through our ministry. These are exciting times… new focus, yet… at the same time… returning to a deep, resonating call and mission in life… worship.

Speaking of worship…

As I consider the importance of living a life of worship… I am praying and asking God to give me new, and fresh ways to articulate His goodness, mercy & grace! New songs… fresh expressions… I am here Lord, I am ready and willing!

Of course I didn’t record today… planning to pick that up tomorrow as well as book ministry events in August, September and October.

Much to look forward to after a nice day of rest…

Last week-end I was in North Dakota and I had a blessed time spending time with my brother (in life) Mitch Bintliff… as well as meeting new friends at United Church of Christ. While I was there I started to develop a sinus issue and on the 5 hour drive home I got progressively worse. By the time I got home I was wiped out!

I am certain many ladies will agree with on this… when us guys get sick, we’re the biggest wimps in the world. I know… maybe I should just speak for myself, but… it’s true and I am the first admit that I am a wimp when I get sick. I spent a good portion of my days in bed this week. Although… last Tuesday night I did go to Harp & Bowl at my church Destiny Foursquare Church and I was in rough shape! But… as one of the leaders, I feel I need to be there as much as possible. Plus… I absolutely LOVE H&B at Destiny and I am blessed every time I am there, but… last Tuesday I was feeling rugged.

Anyway… I am on the mend and feeling much better with each passing day. I even rode my bike off and on in order to keep some level of fitness this week. Planning to ride again today.

I am behind on booking ministry events… so I haven’t been recording this week. I hope to get back on track within a couple days or so.

Hope you’re doing well too…