Worship Like Jesus

Spirit-Led Worship (Part 5) - Flowing With A Band

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:16:00 +0000

Flowing As A Band

Leadership must be very clear - who’s directing the band during spontaneous moments?

Arrange the players on the stage so that everyone can see one another

The typical rock band setup with a “front man” is limiting
Consider how an orchestra is arranged on stage

Hand signals help communication

Repeat, half-time, double time, end the song, go to a certain part (chorus, bridge), to the top/beginning, etc.
Especially make sure the drummer can see

Having a consistent band lineup allows the members to learn each other - how they play and how they communicate

Where team members are interchanged often, a more structured approach is probably necessary.

Spirit-Led Worship (Part 4) - Practical Suggestions

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:11:00 +0000

Part 4 on Spirit-Led Worship

Biblical and Practical Suggestions

Play and sing with other spirit-led worshipers

Prophetic worship is better caught than taught

Extend existing songs

Repeat the chorus, return the bridge and play through the last ⅓ of the song again, etc.
In a Burn or prayer room context (where you are trying to fill the time), parts of the songs can be repeated A LOT.
This can actually help people start to think about what they are singing and why. It moves from just singing into worship.
This also helps if there are no lyrics displayed. It takes people a while to catch on to a song, even a catchy chorus.

Spontaneous Worship

Worship leader and/or singer(s) worshiping from their heart in a free-flow style
The Psalms instruct us to sing a new song (Psalm 33:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149: 1)
Moses and Miriam sang spontaneous songs after being delivered from Egypt (Exodus 15). Likewise, we respond to Jesus’ salvation by singing a spontaneous song (Isaiah 42:10).
Simeon respond to Christ’s birth with a spontaneous song (Luke 2:29-32).
There are seven Hebrew words for praise. One word, tehillah, has implications of spontaneous song
--And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise [tehillah] unto our God (Psalm 40:3)
--Tehillah is used each time the word praise appears with 'new song."
--Psalm 22:3 says God is enthroned on our praises [tehillah] which helps us understand why God’s presence comes in a particularly strong way when we sing spontaneously.

This can be done during instrumental breaks or a repetitious part
Many times this happens at the end of a song as the band worship leader is vamping on a certain chord progression
Singers can all sing together at the same time to encourage the congregation to join in with the team
Spontaneous, repeated choruses can develop and be sung in unity by all

Prophetic Oracle/Singing

Communicating God’s heart through song.
Prophetic songs in Scripture include David’s messianic prophecies in the Psalms (2, 8, 16, 22, 34, 45, etc.), Song of Solomon, Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55), Zacharias’ prophecy (Luke 1:67-79), etc.
Most biblical prophecies were actually sung.Music helps facilitate prophecy, because it helps us to engage with God in our spirit/heart.
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 2 Kings 3:15
“...I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with understanding.” I Corinthians 14:15 (context is discussing tongues and prophecy)

Similar to spontaneous singing, except usually only one singer at a time
Singer sings over the congregation from God’s perspective as the Holy Spirit speaks to the singer

Antiphonal Singing

Multiple singers singing in an alternating way - can be spontaneous worship, singing prayers or prophetic singing.
“And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD“ Ezra 3:11
And the heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers across from them, to praise and give thanks, group alternating with group, according to the command of David the man of God. Nehemiah 12:2
Example: one singer sings prophetically and one responds worshipfully
Singer 1: “My beloved I desire you to draw near to me”
Singer 2: “I will draw near, oh God”

Worship with the Word (Singing Scripture)

Musician plays and repeats a simple chord progression
Singer(s) sing the Scripture by
1) singing the exact wording of the verses
2) singing the same idea in fresh language
3) expounding upon the verses’ theme
4) singing prayers based on the Scripture (intercessory worship - see Revelation 5:8)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16
Spontaneous choruses can develop based on the Scripture
The Psalms and other devotional passages are great to use for this
Gives us deeper revelation of God’s word, helps us remember the Scripture, and helps us to engage our hearts with God through His written word

Selahs (Instrumental Interlude)

Biblical instruction to play instruments before God - I Chronicles 15:16, Psalm 150, etc.
And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. I Samuel 16:23
Can happen as a chord progression from the previous song is repeated
One band member can take the lead and the rest of the band can join in

Prophetic Instrumentation

Instrumentalists communicating God’s heart on a spirit-level.
The musicians in David’s tabernacle were trained to prophesy on their instruments (I Chronicles 25).
A certain sound, lick, progression, riff, melody “speaks” to the gathering
The difference is that instrumental worship is a musicians expressing His love and worship to God with music, whereas prophetic music expresses God’s heart to the congregation (hard to differentiate).
Can also be vocalists singing melodies without lyrics - “oh oh oh”

As you begin to flow with the Holy Spirit, it will be difficult to determine whether it is spontaneous worship, singing a prayer, prophetic worship, etc. THAT IS OK! Separating these different ideas just helps us to think about ways to engage with the Holy Spirit in a spontaneous way.

Spirit-Led Worship (Part 3) - Spirit-Led Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Part 3 on Spirit-Led Worship

Spirit-Led Planning

Being spirit-led does not mean no planning, and planning does not mean the Holy Spirit can not be involved

The key is to invite the Holy Spirit into your planning, and allow Him to change/alter your plans throughout the entire process, even at the last minute

Ask Him to give you themes, songs and ideas - use a journal to write them down

If He doesn’t speak specific songs, assume there is freedom to chose
Trust your heart in God’s presence. If you are in prayer/worship and a song pops into your head, it’s probably the Holy Spirit
God will allow a certain song to connect with you personally as a way to lead you in what songs to sing

Spend time worshiping with the songs and see how the Spirit leads

You may discover other songs to which you can transition easily.
You may develop spontaneous choruses that can be repeated during the gathering

Practice spontaneity and prophetic worship at your band practices. Do not wait until you are in front of others. If you do not practice, you either won’t do it or it will be rough.

Arrange your songs more loosely.

Arrange the beginning and ending
Plan to have moments that will linger - a guitar solo, a bridge/chorus
Plan to have parts that will repeat indefinitely until the worship leader cues the band to move on to the next part.

Plan for spontaneity in a realistic way.

This is especially important when time is a factor (churches with multiple services).
If you usually do 4 songs, maybe do 3 songs and plan on some extended and/or spontaneous worship. Give the Spirit some room to move!
Example: Most songs are 4-5 minutes. Friday nights at the Boiler Room usually have 1½ hours of worship. Instead of 18 5-minutes songs, we usually plan for around 8 songs. This is about 15minutes per song, because I know that we regularly extend the songs, stop and share a word/Scripture, have extended musical interludes/jams, and sing prophetic songs.

Spirit-Led Worship (Part 2) - Musical Foundations

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +0000

Part 2 on Spirit-Led Worship

Musical Foundations

Playing by ear

Allows us to more easily follow one another in spontaneous moments
Recognizing progressions, intervals, harmonies
Simply put on music and try to learn to play it

Music theory

Nashville number system
Rhythm, keys, scales, chord theory, harmony

Multiple instruments

Being able to recognize a guitar or bass playing a “G” or “C”
Watch the keyboard player’s left hand to learn the root notes

Various styles

Rock, pop, jazz, gospel, metal, classical, blues, etc.

Songwriting

Spontaneous worship is essentially writing a song
Helps to understand the interplay of chords, melody, lyrics, harmony, phrasing and rhythm
Learn what melodies and scales work with what chord progressions

Excellence on your primary instrument

God can only sing/play through us to the extent that we have prepared ourselves in excellence.
If God wants you to play something that is beyond your ability, then you have limited yourself.
Good stewardship of the gifts and talents He has given you (Matthew 25:14-29)

Memorize songs

Allows us to focus on hearing God’s voice and being led by the Spirit
Allows us to watch and communicate with the band during spontaneous moments, instead of staring at a chord chart

Spirit-Led Worship (Part 1) - Spiritual Foundations

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:56:00 +0000

Right before the Boiler Room took a break for the holidays, I hosted a Spirit-Led Worship Workshop. Originally I planned this for the band guys that I usually play music with but also invited others in the community who might be interested. This was a time to discuss being led by the Holy Spirit in worship, something that happens often with 6:22, but that is rarely discussed outside of the worship time. What exactly IS happening? Is it biblical? How do you do it? etc.

About a dozen worship leaders, musicians and singers gathered on December 17th for about 3 hours of food, discussions and prayer. A few attendees drove from Jacksonville and Washington to join us! I will post the notes from this workshop in a series of blog posts. Hopefully they will be helpful to you! Audio was also recorded, which includes additional commentary and other people's input as well. Hopefully I can get that posted too.

The first section of notes is on spiritual foundations, and the first point about intimate relationship with God is without a doubt the most important thing. I can not overstate how vital it is to really know and love God for yourself!

Spiritual Foundations

Intimate relationship with God

Eternal life is why Jesus died (John 3:16) and eternal life starts NOW by knowing God!

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

First and greatest commandment is loving God (Matthew 22:36-37)

Being rooted in the reality of God’s love for us (Ephesians 3:17-20) will free us from fear that would hinder stepping out in faith/spontaneity (I John 4:18).
Without relationship, trying to be “spirit-led” will amount to new religious formulas, and copying those who are sincerely prophetic. Playing Jason Upton songs does not amount to being spirit-led. God has a unique and personal way for you to relate to him, specific things to speak to you, and creative ways to use you in leading worship.
Many of the practical things that we will discuss happen naturally as worship leaders develop deeper intimacy with God. Do NOT miss this point. First things first.

Lifestyle of Worship

Submitting your life fully to Him as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
You can’t be “Spirit-led” if He is not your leader (Galatians 5:16-26).
Do all you do for God’s glory (Colosians 3:23).

Lifestyle of Prayer and Fasting (Matthew 6:5-18)

Personal and corporate prayer
Learning to hear God’s voice - journaling helps

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10:27

Fasting regularly (Matthew 9:15)

Intentional Bible Study and Meditation

Read through the whole Bible, preferably once a year (2 Timothy 3:16)
Take verses to pray through, sing through, meditate on, etc. (2 Tim. 2:7)
Youversion.com - Bible reading plans, mobile Bible app, etc.

Local church commitment

Provides accountability, humility, perspective, relationship, Bible teaching and spiritual authority (Hebrews 10:25, I Peter 5:5, I Timothy 5:17, Acts 2:42-47)

Ministering prophetically

Learning to relay God’s word to others prepares you to do the same when you are leading worship. (Acts 2:17, I Corinthians 12-14)
The book “You May All Prophesy” by Steve Thompson is a great resource

Personal praise & worship

Sing alone to Jesus as much as you sing to Him in front of others

Where Has God Set You?

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:27:00 +0000

This post is in some way a continuation of my previous post, Increase of His Government and 2012. Once again, I want to be faithful to speak what I believe God is speaking to me about next year. I keep hearing that God is "setting" us in place in 2012. We have a choice to let Him set us, or to fight Him and do what we want. We must agree with His will for our lives. This is a crucial element to seeing God's government manifested next year.

Two verses about being "set" keep coming up.

I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. I Corinthians 12:18

Are you where God has set you? Are your relationships, church involvement, job, hobbies and ministry God's will? Is He moving you into something new? Is He asking you to dig in deeper where you are?

It is God who sets us. We do not set ourselves. This is not a buffet. Christians are not consumers, we are ones consumed by the Consuming Fire. When we chose to follow Christ, we voluntarily lay down our rights, just as Jesus did on the cross. Our lives are not our own. God has a destiny and purpose for us! What is God's will for our lives? And are we willing to say yes to it? Are we afraid to really listen to Him because of what He may speak?

At the end of 2011 going into 2012, I believe it is crucial that we seek God for His word on where He is setting us in this next season. For many people, seasons are changing. His government will only be released and established through us to the extend that we are submitted to, depending on, and agreeing with God. Rebellious, hesitant and fearful areas of our hearts and lives will hinder God's destiny for us. NOW is the time to hear His voice and obey in faith WHATEVER He tells you to do.

God is setting us in two ways...

New mandates, assignments, relationships, churches. In a word... change.
A re-setting of where we already are. God is going to grace us with fresh enthusiasm, resolve and faithfulness in where He has already set us. Our roots will go down deeper.

Areas that I believe God is setting us...

Local Church Communities and Pastors/Leaders
Places of Service/Ministry (church or city-wide/para-church)
Relationships - including mentors, friendships and those we need to "pour into"
Jobs / Vocation / How we make money
Specific prayer/intercessory assignments and focuses

Get in the one right church and attend, serve, give money, honor the leadership and pray for it faithfully. God is moving some people into new local church communities, but for most people He is re-setting us more firmly into our congregations with a fresh commitment. This is huge.

God sets watchmen on the wall. This means He has specific ways He wants to "set" you in the areas of prayer and intercession. This could mean committing to a prayer time at the Boiler Room or attending your church's prayer meeting. It may mean simply committing between you and God to "cover" certain things in prayer on a daily or weekly basis, but I believe there is a personal and corporate element to how God "sets" us in prayer. Make sure you're praying with others somewhere!

Where do you need to minister and serve others? Whether it be a ministry within your local church, a city-wide effort like 6:22 or a personal assignment from God, you need to be engaged in ministry. Every believer is a minister.

Who has God set you "under" relationally? These are mentors who are further along in their walk than you - someone to give you wisdom, rebuke and encouragement. Who has God asked you to serve, disciple and pour into, like the Father has poured into you? Who has He asked you to befriend?

Where is your money coming from? God may be setting you in a new job or another side-job. Re-evaluate your vocation and let God provide for you as you work hard as unto Him!

I want to honestly acknowledge that for many of us this is going to be difficult, perhaps very difficult. For many people there will be significant sacrifices involved. Change is always hard, but the "re-setting" will be too (think about when a broken bone is reset). But it is totally worth any difficulty to be in the flow of what God is doing.

What do we forfeit if we fail to let God set us?

We hinder our intimacy with God by hardening our hearts.
We hinder the fruitfulness of our ministry to others. In other words, we give up God's destiny for our lives.

It is not worth it.

Please do not read this blog post and nod your head and move on. Take some time to pray. Pull out a journal and be ready to write what God speaks. Turn on some instrumental music and ask God to speak to you. Ask specific questions about your church, your relationships, your time, your hobbies, your prayer life. See what He says, write it down, make a plan and do it in 2012!

DO NOT DELAY! God has some amazing things He wants to launch in 2012, and we have to get in place NOW. Let Him set us NOW so when the time comes for God to move, we are prepared.

Increase of His Government and 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:30:00 +0000

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7

This is a familiar passage for this time of year. I want to emphasize verse 7, which is less familiar for most people.

Many prophetic voices are talking about 2012 and the word "government" - not as in the White House or politic leaders, but as in the authority, kingdom and power of God manifested on the earth in all spheres of society. I want to be a faithful "watchman" and just help trumpet this word about government, which I believe is being emphasized by the Holy Spirit right now.

For a bit of foundation, we have to remember that we were made to steward the earth with God - to tend it, rule over it, and cultivate it. That was God's mandate to Adam and Eve in the garden. Their fall (and our subsequent fall) into sin was a forfeit of authority on earth to Satan. When Jesus came, died and resurrected He crushed the serpent (satan) under his heel, breaking the enemy's right to rule the earth. From that point, God's kingdom has been advancing on earth, restoring things to the way God intended. This is what Isaiah prophesied about when he says "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end."

Eventually, Jesus will return, begin the next age and fully manifest His kingdom on the earth as He will rule from Jerusalem. In the meantime, the kingdom of God is in us, and He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. As intercessors, we stand with Jesus in the tension between heaven and earth, bringing His will, kingdom, authority, love, healing, salvation, etc. to the world. This happens simply by ministering to God (praise, worship, prayer, fasting) and ministering to others (preaching the gospel, mercy deeds, healing/deliverance). If done correctly, this impacts every level of society, not just churches (look up the "7 mountains" prophecy). Education, business, government, family, entertainment, media, news, the arts will all be impacted as followers of Jesus are inevitably used by God to transform cities. Justice and peace are found as earth becomes more like heaven.

With this context of God's kingdom, I want to say that I believe 2012 is going to be a year where God's kingdom advances on the earth at an increased rate. Transformations will take place in our cities that will be significant. God's government will come through His Church in a powerful way. I will talk about some personal applications of this in a different blog post, but I want to dig deeper into this Isaiah 9:7.

The verse says that Jesus' kingdom and government are ruled from the "throne of David." I want to briefly touch on the implications of this. In Psalm 132 we see David's heart to create a permanent dwelling place for God's presence on the earth, specifically in Jerusalem. David's vision was fulfilled by his son Solomon in one regard and then by Jesus in fullness. Verse 13-18 talk about God's commitment to answer David's prayer, and God's promise that David's throne would be eternal (2 Samuel 7:13). These promises and prophecies are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the son of David, who rules from the throne of David and dwells on earth in His House of Prayer, the Church!

Isaiah says something similar to Isaiah 9:7 in chapter 16 verse 5.

In mercy the throne will be established;
And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David,
Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.

This is another Messianic prophecy that if fulfilled in Jesus. Yet this verse mentions where David's throne actually rests - it is in the tabernacle of David. What was the tabernacle of David? Historically it was the temporary resting place of the ark of the Covenant. For 30 years over 4000 full-time musicians and singers ministered day & night worship to Yahweh. The tabernacle was wide open for people to experience the presence of power of God. Amos prophesied that David's tabernacle would be restored (Amos 9:11-12) and James says that it was restored (Acts 15:16-17) as God began to pour out His Holy Spirit into all nations, not just Israel. The restored tabernacle of David is the worldwide company of us who are in Christ! Jesus' throne (authority) is established in and through us. Justice and righteousness flows through His Church into the earth, and His peace and government increase!

As we embrace David's values, who was a man after God's own heart, we also desire a dwelling place for God on the earth! God dwells in us individually. We are temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). But God also dwells among us corporately, as we are living stones being built into a collective Temple for God's glory to rest on the earth (I Peter 2:4-10). It is as we come together collectively in unity to minister to God as priests, that the "oil of anointing" flows from Jesus our High Priest (Psalm 133). God is enthroned on our praise (Psalm 22:3). David's tabernacle was a place of 24/7 praise and worship. Jesus said HIS house was a house of prayer, and that justice comes through day & night prayer (Luke 18:1-8). Do you see it coming together? It becomes clear that the government of God is established on the earth through a Church that worships and prays collectively day & night.

If God is going to establish His government in 2012 in a significant way, we have to be willing to involve ourselves in the biblical method that He uses to bring that government. It happens when we embrace our identity as children, a Bride and priests who can minister to God in intimate relationship through worship, prayer, fasting and intercession. "Nothing happens but by prayer" used to seem over-stated but I am beginning to believe that it is really true. Our best efforts to transform society will only bear fruit as we commit first to abide in Him. If you want to see God's kingdom come in 2012, then find somewhere to gather consistently with other believers to minister to God (more on that in my next post).

Wrong Worship (funny video)

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:59:00 +0000

Post-Hurricane Housing Situation

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:59:00 +0000

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene there are many people affected horribly. This post is not to complain, exaggerate our situation or diminish those who find themselves in much worse circumstances. I just know that many who this blog are interested in knowing how to specifically pray for us.

Last Friday afternoon as the storms moved in I signed papers for a house that we are buying! The closing date is set to mid-October, and our apartment lease is up at the end of September. We expected a few weeks of limbo, but did NOT expect to be moving out before September even arrived.

Our family stayed with my parents Friday and Saturday night, and we were very blessed to only lose power for a few hours. When we returned to our apartment Sunday morning we found significant water damage. The ceiling had taken on water and leaked into two rooms, and some large, old windows leaked water into the apartment. Our mattress and box-spring were ruined. A lot of Shepard's craft/art supplies were ruined. My iPod and its dock were ruined. The hardwood floors were discolored from water. The plaster ceiling was sagging, cracking and brown. The molding around the windows was separating from the walls. Some of the paint and plaster on the walls was bubbled up and cracking off.

Long story-short... we are moving out of apartment NOW. We were blessed with a free storage room and my parents' garage. We will keep all of our belongings in those and the 6:22 trailer. We have already been promised a free replacement bed! Thank you Jesus!

We are staying with my parents a few days, then staying in Farmville a few days (my mother-in-law's house will be empty for the weekend). We are unsure of our living situation after that. Our parents are being gracious and opening their doors to us.

We are in good spirits and thankful that we are not any worse off than we could be. However, it is frustrating to be essentially homeless, with all of our stuff packed away. We want our girls (especially Shiloh) to feel settled into a routine and "at home." Shiloh's already moved twice in her short life. Please pray that our home buying process works out, and that we can get into our own new home soon. Pray for peace/direction in whatever the next 45 days looks like for us. Thanks!

Two-Way Journaling and Hearing God

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:08:00 +0000

At the request of Derek Brown, I'm going to share a few thoughts on two-way journaling. I will credit most of these thoughts to the book 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice by Mark Virkler. It is a life-changing book and very recommended. It is very thorough, and this post will barely scratch the surface of the book's content.

The basic idea of two-way journaling is simply facilitating dialogue with God. You write your prayers and then you write what you believe God is speaking back to you.

This is done with the assumption that God still speaks to us directly (John 10:27). Obviously we know that we can not add to Scripture. Yet the point of Scriptures is to bring us into relationship with Jesus himself (John 5:39). God does not lie and will not contradict Scripture as He speaks to us (Numbers 23:19).

Two-way journaling is in the Bible very clearly in the Psalms, where there is a common alternation between what the worshiper speaks to God and what God speaks back (Psalm 2 comes to mind as an example).

The four keys from the book are...

Learning to become still (Psalm 46:10)
Looking for vision (Habakkuk 2:1)
Recognizing God's voice as flowing spontaneous thoughts (John 7:38)
Two-way journaling

The key to journaling in this way is to not filter what you write as you are writing. You need to allow the flow from the Holy Spirit to come naturally (tough for analytical, left-brainers like myself). Many times we dismiss God's voice because it doesn't make sense logically. Engaging in right-brain activities such as music, visualizing Christ speaking to you and speaking in tongues can help us "tune to flow" (a Mark Virkler phrase). Elisha understood this and requested a minstrel in 2 Kings 3:15 so that he could prophesy.

Side-note: If any of this activity sounds New-Age to you, I'd encourage you to read the book as he goes to great lengths to clarify the biblical activities and similar new-age counterfeit activities. In the case of two-way journaling, we are not allowing God to "control our hand" as New-agers do in automatic writing. We are allowing God to speak to our spirits and recording what He says.

The filtering comes AFTER journaling. This comes by comparing your journaling to Scripture (which will be easier if you are in already reading your Bible often) and sharing your journaling with trusted spiritual friends/leaders. These filters are especially helpful for new Christians or believers who are new to trying to hear God's voice.

Sabbatical Update: Part 5 - Raising Support

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:07:00 +0000

As most of you know, I had to spend the last half of my sabbatical raising support. In 2011, we have had a $1000+ decrease in monthly commitments through 6:22, mostly due to job losses. After meeting with 6:22’s other board members, they agreed that I needed to continue fundraising this fall in order to reach the $2500/month goal they have set for me. I currently have $1648 in monthly commitments (66%). Reaching this goal is the only way 6:22 can afford to pay me. Gary and Donnie are supportive in trying to pay my full pay check, but the reality is that about half of my paychecks this year have been less than planned because 6:22 simply did not have the money in the bank.

Please join me in prayer for the remaining support for 6:22 to be pledged very soon so I can spend more of my time leading young people in worship and prayer! I will keep you updated on the fundraising progress in my newsletters. You can also connect with me on Twitter (@matthewlilley), Google+ or Facebook for more frequent updates. Our family is ready to press forward in Greenville, even potentially buying a house soon! Please pray for us, and consider starting/increasing your monthly giving, or giving a one‐time gift to 6:22 this month. You can give online at 6:22's web site. Thank you!

Please send support to 6:22 Ministries, P.O. Box 1786, Greenville, NC 27835.
Please memo “Levite Fund #1”.
Contributions are solicited with the understanding that 6:22 Ministries has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.

Sabbatical Update: Part 4 - The Circus Tent

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:21:00 +0000

The Circus Tent was a 20-year (1968-1988) summer outreach on the Outer Banks that used the combination of live music and ice cream to attract all ages “to gather, to fellowship, to enjoy refreshments, entertainment, to question the relevance of Christianity to the searching mind.” The New Hermeneutics, the Circus Tent house band composed of an evolving lineup of 20-somethings, offered secular cover songs and original Christian music nearly every night. Thousands of lives were impacted, and hundreds received ministry. Many of the ministry began as attendees engaged with the band members after the music. It seems that every major move of God has its own soundtrack with new songs that God releases. The Circus Tent was established to attract teens and young adults, which it did, but they also found that all ages felt welcome. My mom shared that much of the ministry began with young people who then impacted the adults. Despite being organized and attended by adults, it seems that God tended to use young adults to minister to their peers or younger teens. The young energy was a catalyst for generations to be changed by God’s love. I believe reaching students and young people is a key to seeing community-wide impact and transformation.

I had the honor of talking to Reverand Hank Wilkinson, the Circus Tent’s founder and his son Scott, one of Hank’s primary assistants with the Tent. Rev. Wilkinson is now in his 80s and is frail, but his spirit still burns with passion for Jesus. He still records one-minute sermons for a gospel radio station! His eyes lit up talking about Jesus changing lives, saving souls, healing marriages and delivering hearts through the Circus Tent. Reverend Wilkinson was the pastor of three United Methodist Churches on the Outer Banks. One day, while standing on a hill in prayer, he “realized there was little we could do to get the vast number of visitors [to the beach] to the regular worship services.” God gave him the idea to combine an ice cream parlor with live music on the beach.

All revivals begin with prayer, just as the Circus Tent was birthed through Rev. Wilkinson’s hilltop prayer. The atmosphere of prayer would pervade the Tent, and after a few years they built a Prayer Garden beside the tent. This provided “an ideal place to counsel and pray with those who had been touched by the music and witness of the volunteers.” My mom recalled young people running out of the prayer garden yelling “I got it!” after being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Rev. Wilkinson recalled praying with a demonized woman and seeing her be delivered from a spirit of fear. The Prayer Garden itself was birthed through prayer when he knelt down in an overgrown area of weeds and asked God for a garden. He received an offer for someone to build a garden shortly thereafter.

Initially, when Rev. Wilkinson began to share the Circus Tent vision with others, most people (including those in his churches) thought he was crazy! This seems to be a typical response when someone embraces a God-sized vision. When God speaks to us, we have to pray and work in faith in God’s word, even if it does not seem to make sense.

As God began to move through the Circus Tent, nearly every church and denomination united together to see the vision fulfilled. Eventually over 500 volunteers were mobilized. This exemplifies another key ingredient to seeing widespread transformation: inter-denominational unity among churches in the body of Christ.

Comission My Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:36:00 +0000

6:22 met Friday night for the first time this semester. My favorite moment was when Divine Obsession was singing the bridge of the song below. I let some time of intercessory prayer for the high schools and colleges in Pitt County. Dozens of students were lifting their hands shouting "Open the heavens wide! Pour out Your Spirit on us!" I love it!

Great song. Check it out... (as a bonus, the worship leaders look really 90s)

Sabbatical Update: Part 3 - Digging the Wells

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:14:00 +0000

This summer I re-read Lou Engle’s book Digging the Wells of Revival. My heart was getting stirred to believe God again to do great things! The premise of the book is that when God moves through revival and awakenings there is a spiritual well that is dug. These wells are spiritually refreshing, communal, transferable, and tend to birth new ministries, missions, schools, and networks. Over time the revival dies out as the well becomes clogged. Just as Isaac and Jacob were able to redig the wells of Abraham, we can redig the spiritual wells of revival in our land! It is easier to redig a well than to dig a new one. The key is to discover the wells, our personal and collective spiritual inheritance, and dig with the tools of persevering intercessory prayer, fasting, honoring covenants, repentance, spiritual travail and sacrifice, while also realizing that the promises of God are ultimately for the next generation-our spiritual sons and daughters.

While in the middle of reading Lou Engle’s book, Scott Hobbs invited to lead worship for a Friday night worship night at his dad’s church, Liberty Christian Fellowship in Kitty Hawk, NC (the Outer Banks). While I was hesitant to lead worship on my sabbatical, I felt God nudge me to go. I knew I could connect the trip to revival research, too. Before leaving, I had a chance to talk to my mom who grew up on the Outer Banks with her mom and brother. I wanted to find out more about the Circus Tent ministry that impacted her relationship with God when she was a teenager. My grandmother actually attended Liberty Christian in the later years of her life- the exact church where I was invited to minister. God told me that when he wanted to “dig wells” that night at Liberty. I knew this was connected to the Circus Tent. After an awesome time of worship, I shared briefly my relation to my grandmother and how I believed God wanted to redig the well of the Circus Tent. Many folks in attendance were involved in the Circus Tent and were in agreement! I had a sense of discovering my familial and spiritual inheritance.

Sabbatical Update: Part 2 - Personal Revival

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:07:00 +0000

I anticipated spending time researching revival in a scholarly way. Reading books about people I have never met. Interviewing people. Analyzing and compiling date to come to logical conclusions. Determining a formula for revival. What I found is that God is a lot more fun, personal and interesting. I realized God is not as interested in teaching me about revival but in reviving my heart!

My personal revival journey began in (re)learning to hear God’s voice as I went through Mark Virkler’s book Four Keys to Hearing God’s Voice. I began two-way journaling with God-rediscovering dialogue and simple conversation with a Friend and Father. This helped set the tone of my whole sabbatical. God began to deal with false identities, reassure me of his love, and re-orient my approach to ministry. I realized I had allowed layers of “junk” to pile up in my heart. This was going to be harder than I thought! I needed a personal revival!

God began exposing lies I had believed about Him and idols had put before Him. A church life group lesson on idols began to show me how I was worshiping my own comfort and control. The next week I was invited to be trained in an inner-healing prayer ministry called Sozo at Covenant Church. I felt God leading me to go. Part of the training is receiving ministry in your own two-hour session. During this time, God exposed my prideful attachments to self-reliance (pulling away from dependence/relationship), self-hatred (beating myself up), an orphan spirit (wanting to fend for myself) and performance (trying to earn God’s affection). The Holy Spirit did a deep work in my heart! I also began realizing Unmasking Male Depression, and realized I was suffering from post-adrenal depression (common in pastors/ministers) because of handling stress incorrectly. Prayer, fasting, rest, healthier diet and exercise are helping my energy and joy become more stable. Shepard is helping me a lot with this! She has been very patient and supportive as I work through my “issues.” :)

...more to come!

Sabbatical Update: Part 1 - Season of Transition

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:04:00 +0000

I had ideas as to what God wanted to show me during my sabbatical and quickly realized He was going to work in my life quite differently than expected.

On a personal level, I believe our family and household experienced breakthroughs on multiple levels. This was a major season of transitions and completion. We cleaned our home of clutter and hosted a yard sale. I paid off all of my medical debts (from an accident in 2007) and tax debt (from 2008), and we are very close to being 100% debt-free. We began potty-training with Shiloh. We experienced reconciliation in a deep way with family and friends. These renewed relationships have released a lot of weight from our shoulders. We talked to a mortgage broker and hope to buy a house in the next few years. I got my bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. We attended weddings for four sets of friends, and played music at three of those. My brother got engaged to be married. I feel like God is tying up a lot of loose ends.

We have also enjoyed our church family at Greenville Christian Fellowship. Our life group has been going through Tim Keller’s Gospel and Life this summer, and we had a great July 4th cookout. I have been honored to fill-in on the GCF worship band on a few Sunday mornings. Unfortunately we missed out on a local summer missions outreach as our family passed around an infection for a few weeks!

Many things I had hoped to research never materialized. It quickly became clear that the sabbatical was for my family as much as me. My wife works tirelessly to raise our daughters and I hope my extended time at home provided some relief! Two girls under two years old makes it tough for either of us to get things done, sleep or spend time alone with God! However, a friend rents the basement of our apartment building, and he allowed me to use the basement as a “secret place” to go worship and pray. Thankfully I got an hour or more on most days to hang out alone with Jesus!

...more to come!

The Levites Returned to Work Their Fields

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:39:00 +0000

¹⁰ I also discovered that the Levites had not been given their prescribed portions of food, so they and the singers who were to conduct the worship services had all returned to work their fields. ¹¹ I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?” Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties. ¹² And once more all the people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple storerooms. -Nehemiah 10 [NLT]

I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me that this has happened in the Church today. There are those who are having to "work in the fields" because they have not been supported. "Working the fields" could mean working other jobs or simply having to spend most of their time raising money, instead of actually ministering.

There are some amazing missionaries, worship leaders and pastors who need our support more than ever. I talked to a missionary couple yesterday who is going into debt from lack of support. Many other missions agencies and missionaries I know are losing support right now (6:22/myself included).

I'm convicted by this passage in Nehemiah. I believe, in spite of the economy, it is time for the Church to give generously and sacrificially to our leaders and workers. I also believe we need to give to those leaders who understand the emphasis the Holy Spirit is placing on prayer at this time. We don't need leaders who are busy creating self-serving churchianity programs, but missional leaders who are committed to ministering to God and then spreading the gospel through the Spirit's power.

I believe there are dozens and dozens of young people God is calling into full-time ministry right now. I am praying today for the Church to support them. It's going to take some adjustment in most church's budgets (let's pray for our church elders) and it's going to take more than 10% from believers' wallets (let's pray for our brothers and sisters).

All Sons and Daughters

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:10:00 +0000

I'm currently listening to the new Brokenness Aside EP from All Sons and Daughters, a worship team from Tennessee. Their music has a bit of indie/folk feel to it (think Gungor's album), and the vocal harmonies really grab your ears. Get it now on Amazon.

Here's a video of a song called Come To Save Us (which is actually not on the EP).

Come to Save Us from All Sons & Daughters on Vimeo.

William Matthews - Hope's Anthem

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:01:00 +0000

I met William Matthews years ago at a worship conference at Morningstar Church in Charlotte. One fond memory is a famous "laundry room" worship session where a dozen or so 20-something folks from Greenville, the Outer Banks and Charlotte met in the laundry room of William's apartment complex. God showed up in a powerful way! It was awesome! Later I recall running into William at IHOP-KC when I attended the Onething conference in 2007. William found his way to Bethel Church in Redding, CA and has two of the best tracks on Bethel's Be Lifted High album (which, by the way, is the best worship album I've heard in a long time-definitely the best of 2011 thus far). In less than a week William is releasing his first album through Bethel titled Hope's Anthem. You can hear the samples below or on the album site (which has a free download of an entire song). It's so awesome to see William's ministry taking off! I encourage you to buy his album next week.

William Matthews - Hope's Anthem by Bethel Music

Like a Lion (original raw video)

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:01:00 +0000

Not much stirs my heart like seeing a group of young kids worshiping together-singing, dancing and going hard after God. The video below stirs me and reminds of 6:22's early days back in the Agape building.

This is a video of the song "Like a Lion"-made popular by David Crowder but written by Daniel Bashta. According to an interview with Daniel on allaboutworship.com, David Crowder found the video and played the song at Passion. Daniel found out because his friends were at Passion and started texting him about it! Awesome. If you can't see the video below click here to watch.

New Song from Ben Crist (Glorious Unseen) at IHOP-KC

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:27:00 +0000

For those who don't know, Ben Crist, former leader singer for the Glorious Unseen, is now on staff at IHOP-KC. He recently sang a new song called "The Love of God" at one of their services. The video is below (click here if you can't see it below). I'm a big fan of Glorious Unseen's music, and love the song below. GU was the band that played the opening night of the Boiler Room in July 2009, so they hold a special place in my heart! I hope Ben is able to get some of these new songs recorded at some point.

Guitar, Amp and Effects Pedal For Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:46:00 +0000

Shepard and I are selling some equipment on Craigslist. Thought someone may be interested! Email me through the Craigslist ads if interested!

~~70s Vintage Guild Electric Guitar - $400~~--SOLD!!

Marshall AS50D Acoustic Guitar Amp -$250

Boss Super Chorus CH-1 Effects Pedal - $30

Set List Friday, May 27 (Will Reagan - Set A Fire)

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Sat, 28 May 2011 12:57:00 +0000

Holy Visitation (Charlie Hall)
Red Moon Rising (Matthew Lilley)
Hear Our Prayers (Glorious Unseen)
I Have Risen (Jonathan Helser)
Set A Fire (Will Reagan)

It was the first time we introduced "Set A Fire." Check out the video of this song below. It's from the new United Pursuit album "Live at the Banks House." The album was recorded in an "Enter The Worship Circle" style - acoustic, raw, percussive and communal. As you'll see in the video below, Set A Fire is one of those infectious choruses that you don't want to stop singing! We did a full-band version, and everyone immediately grabbed the song and did not want to stop singing! It was one of those times as a worship leader where you stop "leading" and just keep playing the chords and let people worship. I love it! Go buy the Live at the Banks House album now!

Live at The Banks House from United Pursuit on Vimeo.

Worship as Warfare

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:48:00 +0000

Friday night I did a brief talk about how worship can be spiritual warfare. Below is the (not very artsy) Powerpoint presentation that went with my mini-talk. Hope it's helpful!

6:22 Set List - Friday, May 13

noreply@blogger.com (Matthew Lilley) — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Open The Sky- Jonathan Helser
Furious - Jeremy Riddle / Bethel Live
Yahweh - Hillsong
Break Every Chain - Will Reagan / United Pursuit Band
I Will Not Be Silent - Jonathan Helser

We had two other songs on the list, but we did not have time to get to them! Here's a video of Will Reagan singing "Break Every Chain". We have sung this countless times at the Boiler Room. It's still not old (at least to me! haha).