Wow..it has been way to long since I have blogged. I feel like my schedule has bombarded me with...I don't even know. But it has been crazy. Mom and dad just left today! What a great time! Lots of fun! It's always good to be with family! It's healing!
Anyway, this is a quick update, but I have a few thoughts on my mind, so I will be back to blogging again soon. Hope you all have a blessed day! Talk to you all soon!
Blessings,
Ben
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
It Won't Be Like This For Long!
It won't be like this for long. At least that's what Darius Rucker says. I know, I know...my posts so far have been lyrics from songs. But if you're like me, and quite honestly, if you're human at all, music is a part of your life! It moves you and it keeps you moving. It influences your emotions and makes you happy, sad, laugh, cry, or maybe even mad. (Although if a song makes you mad you may want to consider removing it from your Itunes library.) But honestly, step back for a moment and think about the music you listen to and how it affects your life....or rather, the individual moments that make up your life. Because that's what life is, a bunch of little moments put together. And we start to live life more abundantly when we realize that! Every moment becomes more important and with that "importance" comes a true love for life and the things of God!
We all know that life, along with its beauty and all the great things it brings, comes with some of the "not so good" as well. Whatevere moment you're in now, consider the words in the title of this post! I'm not saying that if you're doing great right now and things are looking up for you then watch out cuz bad things are right around the corner! NO! NOT AT ALL!
If you haven't heard that song by Darius Rucker yet, now would be a good time to listen to it so you can understand where I'm coming from and where I'm taking this!
Think about all of the moments in your life when you were down, hurt, broken, and you thought things would never get better. Maybe you lost hope, love, the trust of a friend...I know I have, at some point in my life, "lost" all of those things and more. Or so I thought anyway. You see, even in those broken moments God is still at work! "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deut. 31:8 Before your moment showed up, God was there! And when you were in the middle of it, He was there! And when you walked out on the other side of it, He was there! The whole time God's hand and provision was right in the midst of your pain, doubt, fear. James says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, becuase you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 1:2-4 Another version says, "...for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow..." I'm sorry, but when you're having a rough go at life and you read this passage, it kind of makes you wanna say, "Yeah right!" I've already asked for forgiveness for saying that. But honestly, either I'm crazy, or you're lying to yourself if you don't think that. Life is full of surprises, curves, bumps in the road...whatever you want to call them. But it's in the middle of those moments that God is testing our faith and re-molding us into the men and women He created us to be. He's rebuilding our dreams, tearing down walls that are in our way and His way to work in and through us, and healing any sickness we may have.
Sometimes we even have an Abraham moment. In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham. We all know the story...Abraham is told to take his son Isaac to Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Abraham obeys, but before he sacrifices Isaac an angel appears to him and tells him to not lay a hand on his son. This was God's test of Abraham's faith. So, what's the point? Sometimes the walls and dreams we love and are really passionate about get in the way of God or take his place. And in order for His plan for our life to come to fruition those things need to be place on the alter to see where our real love and passion lies. God knew Abraham feared Him because He was willing to sacrifice his one and only son who God had promised him. Though Abraham didn't understand why God was asking him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he obeyed God's command! And look what happened! AMAZING! That won't happen every time we lose something like that. But maybe sometimes it will! Sometimes our passions, dreams, people we love and care about, friends...sometimes those things can get in the way of what God is trying to do in our lives! Or sometimes they can even take the place of God in our life. Either way, we have broken the number 1 commandment! And God is asking the question, "Ben, where is your heart? Who is your true love? What do you love and desire above all else? Is it ME?" We have all heard that voice. But how we respond to that voice is what will make or break that moment!
So next time you're in one of life's moments that isn't exactly picture perfect...STOP! BE QUIET! and MAKE A CONNECTION! (Doug Fields ReFuel) A connection with the God who created the universe, who created you and knows you better than you know yourself! The God who has promised you a future and a hope! The God who will never fail you or abandon you! Remember, our messiness leads to holiness. It's in our craziest and, sometimes worst and weakest moments that God does the biggest works! Let these words be your prayer..
We all know that life, along with its beauty and all the great things it brings, comes with some of the "not so good" as well. Whatevere moment you're in now, consider the words in the title of this post! I'm not saying that if you're doing great right now and things are looking up for you then watch out cuz bad things are right around the corner! NO! NOT AT ALL!
If you haven't heard that song by Darius Rucker yet, now would be a good time to listen to it so you can understand where I'm coming from and where I'm taking this!
Think about all of the moments in your life when you were down, hurt, broken, and you thought things would never get better. Maybe you lost hope, love, the trust of a friend...I know I have, at some point in my life, "lost" all of those things and more. Or so I thought anyway. You see, even in those broken moments God is still at work! "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deut. 31:8 Before your moment showed up, God was there! And when you were in the middle of it, He was there! And when you walked out on the other side of it, He was there! The whole time God's hand and provision was right in the midst of your pain, doubt, fear. James says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, becuase you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 1:2-4 Another version says, "...for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow..." I'm sorry, but when you're having a rough go at life and you read this passage, it kind of makes you wanna say, "Yeah right!" I've already asked for forgiveness for saying that. But honestly, either I'm crazy, or you're lying to yourself if you don't think that. Life is full of surprises, curves, bumps in the road...whatever you want to call them. But it's in the middle of those moments that God is testing our faith and re-molding us into the men and women He created us to be. He's rebuilding our dreams, tearing down walls that are in our way and His way to work in and through us, and healing any sickness we may have.
Sometimes we even have an Abraham moment. In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham. We all know the story...Abraham is told to take his son Isaac to Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Abraham obeys, but before he sacrifices Isaac an angel appears to him and tells him to not lay a hand on his son. This was God's test of Abraham's faith. So, what's the point? Sometimes the walls and dreams we love and are really passionate about get in the way of God or take his place. And in order for His plan for our life to come to fruition those things need to be place on the alter to see where our real love and passion lies. God knew Abraham feared Him because He was willing to sacrifice his one and only son who God had promised him. Though Abraham didn't understand why God was asking him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he obeyed God's command! And look what happened! AMAZING! That won't happen every time we lose something like that. But maybe sometimes it will! Sometimes our passions, dreams, people we love and care about, friends...sometimes those things can get in the way of what God is trying to do in our lives! Or sometimes they can even take the place of God in our life. Either way, we have broken the number 1 commandment! And God is asking the question, "Ben, where is your heart? Who is your true love? What do you love and desire above all else? Is it ME?" We have all heard that voice. But how we respond to that voice is what will make or break that moment!
So back to the title...It Won't Be Like This For Long. It won't! PERIOD! God is the same...always! Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Next Week, Next Year, Ten Years! Always! His hand is at work EVERY DAY in our lives! And yes, as humans, we often fail to see that because WE'RE having a bad day. First of all...it's NOT about you! So get off your high horse and remember that this is God's story! NOT yours! We were created by Him, for Him! Second...things will get better! Life is full of deserts, valleys and mountains. And again, it's how we respond in those moments that can make or break it.
Proverbs 3:5-12 in The Message says, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own...But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction. It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this."
From the bottom of your heart trust God. Just like you would pursue your dream or chase after someone you love, TRUST GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART! Chase Him with all that you are! I was driving home tonight and my Ipod was playing Hillsong "With Everything." Every time I hear that song I have to worship! That song, apart from being my favorite worship song, is extremely powerful! I cry every time I listen to it...because that's how I want to pursue God! That's how I want my relationship with Him to be! I want to worship Him with EVERYTHING I am, EVERYTHING I have. EVERYTHING! Not just some of me, but all of me! This song is my cry, my prayer, for myself! For You!! When you listen to that song, listen to the words. Then play it again and make it your cry...your prayer to God!So next time you're in one of life's moments that isn't exactly picture perfect...STOP! BE QUIET! and MAKE A CONNECTION! (Doug Fields ReFuel) A connection with the God who created the universe, who created you and knows you better than you know yourself! The God who has promised you a future and a hope! The God who will never fail you or abandon you! Remember, our messiness leads to holiness. It's in our craziest and, sometimes worst and weakest moments that God does the biggest works! Let these words be your prayer..
Open our hearts,
To see the things
That make Your heart cry,
To be the church
The You would desire.
Light to be seen.
Break down our pride,
And all the walls
We've built up inside,
Our earthly crowns
And all our desires,
We lay at Your feet.
So let hope rise,
And darkness tremble
In Your holy light,
And every eye will see
Jesus, our God,
Great and mighty to be praised.
God of all days,
Glorious in all of Your ways.
Your majesty, the wonder and grace,
In the light of Your name.
With everything,
With everything,
We will shout for your glory.
With everything,
With everything,
We will shout forth your praise.
Our hearts will cry
Be glorified,
Be lifted high,
Above all names.
For You our King,
With everything,
We will shout forth your praise.
To see the things
That make Your heart cry,
To be the church
The You would desire.
Light to be seen.
Break down our pride,
And all the walls
We've built up inside,
Our earthly crowns
And all our desires,
We lay at Your feet.
So let hope rise,
And darkness tremble
In Your holy light,
And every eye will see
Jesus, our God,
Great and mighty to be praised.
God of all days,
Glorious in all of Your ways.
Your majesty, the wonder and grace,
In the light of Your name.
With everything,
With everything,
We will shout for your glory.
With everything,
With everything,
We will shout forth your praise.
Our hearts will cry
Be glorified,
Be lifted high,
Above all names.
For You our King,
With everything,
We will shout forth your praise.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Savior, You Can Move the Mountains
So my brothers and I just got into Keystone today...and WOW! We always come out here every summer for a family vacation, but we have never been here during the winter and it looks like a completely different place. But it is SO beautiful! There's something about being in the mountains, especially when they're covered with snow, that makes you really think about the hand of God! It's beautiful!
Anyway...there's not really any words to explain the beauty of God's creation. It leaves you awestruck! And it's not just being in the mountains or by the ocean, you can see it in Nashville and Iowa and all across the country! Next time you're out driving to work, walking to class, out for a walk, or out with your friends, take a moment and look around and just sit in silence and awe of the One who created it ALL! Everything! Amazing!
Here are a couple pics from today....if I can get my videos to upload I'll put those on here as well!
Talk to you guys soon!
God Bless!
Ben
Anyway...there's not really any words to explain the beauty of God's creation. It leaves you awestruck! And it's not just being in the mountains or by the ocean, you can see it in Nashville and Iowa and all across the country! Next time you're out driving to work, walking to class, out for a walk, or out with your friends, take a moment and look around and just sit in silence and awe of the One who created it ALL! Everything! Amazing!
Here are a couple pics from today....if I can get my videos to upload I'll put those on here as well!
Talk to you guys soon!
God Bless!
Ben
Saturday, February 14, 2009
As Marc Broussard says, "You better be ready, to Rocksteady!"
Hey everyone. I've been contemplating starting my own blog for a while now and finally decided to take the plunge. So let me explain the title a little bit..."Keeping the Beat...Rocksteady." Two things: 1) I'm a drummer and keeping the beat is critical to holding a group together! You have to be Rock solid/steady! 2) Along with holding a solid beat in music, our heartbeat in life should be for the Lord! We need to be RockSteady in our faith! Proverbs 7 1-5 says, "Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart." (The Message)
Something about the thought of sharing my thoughts on music, Worship, the Word, Prayer, and Real Life excites me. I always love hearing what God is doing in other people's lives and seeing Him move in huge ways through music and Worship!
Being a musician (some wouldn't consider a drummer a musician...boo) and songwriter, it's my passion to lead people in the presence of the Living God with music! Music is such a powerful tool and speaks to us no matter where we are in life or what we're doing at that moment. I'm going to be sharing the things I learn through worship and writing, along with my thoughts on production, creativity, and drum gear (since I'm a drummer and all!)!
Over the last 2 months, through personal trials and tough times, I have found my passion for the Word of God has grown immensely! It's amazing how God speaks to us the most in our weakest moments! God uses His words through the Bible to speak to us....we just have to have a willing heart, open mind, and a humble spirit!
Finally...far too often we go through each day, week, month...without talking about Real Life. Every once in a while we need to slow down from our busy, non-stop lives and take a deep breath and breathe in the presence of God! 'Life' happens everyday and is full of the good and bad and everything in-between. The first place we turn by default is to our friends and family..which isn't always bad. After scripture tells us as the body of Christ we are to come alongside each other. But in that, we can't forget to go to the Lord in prayer. There is NO substitute for prayer! So we'll have fun topics about things that we all can relate to! :)
I'm going to do my best to update/post at least once a week. Hopefully it will be more often. With that said, I look forward to walking and growing with you all on this journey and sharing the things I learn along the way! Feel free to comment on anything posted as I want this to be a community we can all share ideas, thoughts, and help each other grow UNITED as one body!
Blessings,
Ben
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