Taking a Stand for SSQ

Taking a Stand for SSQ

After a wonderful night in Nashville with Ernie, Ryan, Tim and Doug, I was on a concert high that no one could bring me down from. The next day, I was approached by someone who asked me how SSQ was in Nashville. I said, "Amazing, as always!" I know he had to have sensed my excitement. Suddenly, he started shaking his head and pointed right at me and said, "I have no time for that Garbage." I couldn't believe my ears!

With my heart completely broken over what he said, I knew then and there that I was going to have show people what it is that I love about these guys. Of Course, the guy who told me that sang in a quartet and when he got on stage, he said they weren't going to get up there and "dance a jig," obviously another jab at EHSS. And then, to top it all off, they sang "Oh, What A Savior" and tried to get him to pull a high one on "Then I'll join...." but, alas, he was defnitely no Ernie Haase.

Well, I was so apalled I texted my SSQ Partner-In-Crime and told her that someone had just totally dissed the guys. I told her a serious blog post was coming and I was going to do some biblical research and make a post about this. You know, it is interesting how even people in our own christian community judge other brothers and sisters in the waythat they do. That is very, very hypocrital. In Matthew 7:1 the bible says "Judge Not, that you be not judged."

Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block in your brothers way. Romans 14:13

We need to be very careful what we say about God's servants. God has called each and every one of his people to do a special service for him. We must be careful not to put down God's work. Talk about judging.....

Other people say that the dancing is not reverant to the Lord, and I will agree, there is a time to dance. But, I have seen these guys stand completely still in total reverance to the Lord while singing songs like 'Reason Enough' and 'I then Shall Live.' Most only see the one or two songs that SSQ dances on and they just completely write them off. Well, listen here, in my bible, it tells how people praised the Lord for things done in their lives by dancing. So how then, can we say that christians don't dance, by golly, they do!

Look at this verses:

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. Psalm 149:3

Praise his name with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute.
Psalm 150:4

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come home,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound. Luke 15:25

David, wearing a linen ephod danced before the Lord with all his might. 2 Samuel 6:14-23.

Obviously, the bible does not speak against dancing as a form of worship and allowing it to accompany worship and praise. Although, today, dancing has often become 'wordly' but that does not mean that it still can't be done in fun with praise to our savior.

What really upsets me is that the people who want to put SSQ down, don't even know these guys and don't even give them a chance. They are one Southern Gospel Group that will come out during and after the shows to talk to you. They will take time for each and every person, young and old. They even cheer you on when you are running for your life trying to save a seat for you and your friends at a general admission concert (Thanks for having my back, Doug!).

These people have never seen Doug with his hands in the air and tears streaming down his face because he is being moved by the holy spirit. They have not seen Ryan with his head bowed and eyes closed in adoration of our Lord. They have never seen Tim and the emotion that comes over his face when he sings the line '...but today he walks beside me, for he knows what is ahead.' They have never seen the emotion that takes over Ernie as he sings 'Walk with me, Walk with me, Lest mine eyes no longer see....' or when he breaks into 'Then I'll join that chorus, in that great city!.' There is so much more to these wonderful guys than what meets the eye. Look at the looks on their faces in the picture below:

To SSQ: You guys are the best. You are all annoited byGod and called to do what you do. You all are so special to me and you hold a special place deep in my heart.

I felt led to type this blog. It doesn't just apply to SSQ. I just make a plea, I ask you, be careful judging people. You are not supposed to do it. Never put down someone because you do not like what they do, its not in your taste. Remember Romans 14:13. Don't let your words be the stumbling block between God and the many, many souls that he can win.

Love them ALL like Jesus,

DJ

Special Thank You goes to Jennifer. Thanks for the help. 

The Word is Alive

In light of the new song that I posted on the blog, I would like to give you a little insight into our bible study at church last night. With the transition of trying to find a new pastor for our church, we have had the same guy teaching our bible study for several weeks. I have enjoyed his studies and really get a lot out of them. 

Last nights message was on the word. God's word and why it is so important to us. That really got me to thinking, Why is God's word so important to me? Is this something that we think about often, well, probably not. But, it is important. In Psalms 119:105 it says: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 

The word is important to us because it divides the soul from the body. It reveals to us that which we are and that which we need to be. It is God Breathed, Innerant, Infallible, and is useful for teaching and doctrine. It shows us of God's unfailing love and his Amazing Grace. 

Think of the words to the song that is playing on my music player this week:

The Word is alive and it cuts like a sword through the darkness

with a message of life to the hopeless and afraid, breathing life into all who believe.

The word is alive and the world and its glories will fade but his truth it will not pass away

it remains yesterday and forever the same, the word is alive. 

The word is alive and it is God's word and it will stand forever. Check out the following scriptures given to us from the bible study on Wednesday night:

Hebrews 4:12

1 Peter 1:25

Matthew 24:35

Matthew 5:18

2 Timothy 3:16

2 Peter 1:21

*Scriptures in Red Denote those spoken by Jesus

*Song owned by Casting Crowns Copyright 2007 Reunion Records

A Look into the Word - Psalm 1

Hello All:

I just wanted to share with you some scripture that has jumped out at me tonight. I am looking in the book of Psalms, the first chapter. Have a look:

1. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. This is an interesting verse. David is begins to talk of the ways of loving the lord. Not to be entwined with people who put the Lord down or do not acknowledge his divine ways and amazing love. The man who loves the Lord and tries to tell others about him is the one that is truly blessed.

2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. The true "blessed" man delights in the "law" (i.e. WORD) of the Lord. Someone who finds peace and loves being in the word of God and learning more about him. We need to love the Lord, Love his word and have it on our minds every nanosecond of our lives. It needs to become part of us. His word is alive. It is like a two-edged sword and it is ready for everything. We must meditate on it.

3. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yeilds its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Like in the last verse, this shows that the more that we delight in the Lord and his ways, the more fruitful we become. We must stand firm in the Lord and not allow those who ridicule God or those who say things against God to influence our thoughts and actions. We must stand firm and be "planted" in what we believe. By doing so, we are able to produce fruit in the light of the Lord. We must use our roots and soak up the word so that the fruits that we bear will be pleasing to God and help further is earthly kingdom.

4. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. A chaff was the outside of grain that must be pulled off in order to get to the fruit. It is very light and carried by the slightest breeze. And so is the life of the wicked. It is faithless and has no hope. They like it this way. However, the word says that they will be blown away. They will not last. Only God's word and those who delight in it are able to continue. We must remain prosperous and continue to do God's work.

5. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. The wicked have no chance of making it in God's earthly kingdom. They will not be able to be with the righteous when that day comes. Thank God we have our sins washed away with the blood of his son and we can delight in him and stay in his will.

6. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
By staying the word of God and doing what his will is for our lives we can know that the things that we do to further God's kingdom are endorsed by God. Delight in the Lord. That is the key.

With a little prayer, a little reading and trust in God, he will show you what his plan for your life is. Just trust in him to lead the way.

Love them Like Jesus,

DJ

Christ & the Cell-Adhesion Molecule Laminin

You know, there are many many instances when I just love to sit back and look at the greatness of God and how wonderful he really is. This video talks of how wonderful the Lord is. The guy in the video is Louie Giglio and he travels with Chris Tomlin on tour. In this video he talks of an

amazing discovery that he made. He found out that our bodies are actually HELD TOGETHER with a Cell-Adhesion Molecule called Laminin. Laminin is actually in the shape of a CROSS! Can you believe it? The stuff that actually holds the human body together is shaped like the cross that

our Lord and Savior acutally died on! Its amazing! Look at it:

There it is folks, Laminin. It is in the shape of a cross and it was made by our Lord and Savior. How great is our God? Oh folks, he is awesome.

You see, the bible says:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. "

Colossians 1:15-17

There you have it folks, all things are held together by the Lord and Laminin. He created it. Let a scientist try and knock this one!

Left one Out

I was checked on one of my mistakes. I realized that I had left one graduation picture out. Got ya there Lisa!

Signature Sound - Nashvile, TN

Ok, This is what happens when you have an excited SSQ fan, a mac computer with a built in camera, and two tickets to an upcoming concert......

......He gets a little excited. This whole experience has been a whirlwind it seems like. I met these guys at a very difficult time in my life. When God wasn't my center focus. He was there,

but he wasn't what my life was totally about. The message in EHSS's songs provoked me to study and pray more and I have since then become music minister of my church and became closer to God than I have ever been. 

I have met some fantastic people through the Message Board and made some life-long bonds I know. I am looking forward to seeing Jen, Lindsey and Ms. Linda in Nashville. Even though it is general admission and we will have to wait in line, I am ready for it and I would do it for these guys. Can't wait and I know it is going to be awesome! I want to leave you all with a verse that a dear friend of mine brought to light when he preached last wednesday night. It says: Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech,  in life, in love in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12. Christ is always at work. Are you ready to accept the challenge?

I am starting a little music player on the site. I am going to put one song on it each week. The one song that is on it will be the song that I am listening to that week. The song that is on there this week I will talk about below.

Please watch this video here. This song is wonderful. I know many of my readers are not CCM fans but this song is a good one. You really need to see it. Love Them Like Jesus.

Praising Him, 

DJ

Graduation | May 16, 2008

Well We made it! Class of 2008 is out of school and ready to take the world by storm. Dresden High School held its Graduation Ceremony on May 16, 2008 at 7PM in the gym. We had a huge crowd and, yes, I sang. I was terrified but the whole song went off seamlessly and I was very satisfied! I will work on trying to get that video on here.

I want to say to my classmates, thanks for all the laughs and memories throughout the last four years! You guys are the best and will always hold a special place in my heart! Love you guys!