Signs someone is jealous of you.

Re-reading the story of the prodigal son. The brother that stayed with his dad became jealous. Jealousy, is a poison. Over the next 7 days I will be sharing thoughts in how to recognize if someone you work with a dear friend or family member is jealous of you.

#1.Signs Your Friend May Be Jealous

Your friend finds ways to spend less and less time with you as your practice, your hard work, and sacrifice starts to manifest into the life you’ve always wanted. 

"This next sentence is huge"

To them, your happiness is a constant reminder of their unhappiness and, as a result, they’d rather stay away. 

Sometimes its disguised as being “really busy” or they’ll just slowly disappear. A friend who is not jealous will want to celebrate with you, a jealous one skips the party every time.

Signs someone is Jealous of you #2

Sometimes a friend is just jealous of you or uncomfortable with how brightly your light is shining and they ask you to tone it down or dim your light…asking you to be less of you.  You’ll hear this often expressed with terms like “you’re too much  (insert personal quality trait here).” It doesn’t matter whether it’s a romantic relationship or a friendship, someone who really loves you would never ask you to be less of who you are but rather, they want the real you—turned up to 11.

Leading your ministry into tomorrow

Leading Your Ministry Into Tomorrow

"Conductors cannot conduct their orchestra without turning their back on the crowd. It's not always easy for futuring leaders to turn their back on the crowd. It is, however the right thing to do."

I would like for Music Pastor's, Worship Leaders or aspiring Worship Leaders. Or people who have just been in music ministry for a long time to ask your self these questions.

1. When was the last time you attended a conference ( worship Music etc.) yourself? Im not referring to the last time you were the keynote speaker, or sang. But the time you went to learn and absorb for yourself.

2. What was the last good book you read?

3. When was the last time you read a book?

4. When was the last time you asked yourself tough questions about change and growth?

5. When was the last time you asked yourself, "What thinking do I need to change?"

6. What is there about me that is hindering the growth of my ministry?

If leaders (True leaders) ask themselves these questions, they can raise the ceiling. For some, the possibilities may be exciting, but for others, the risks seems too great, so the ceiling stays put. Leading change requires someone to stand at the front to challenge and cheer on others. Leaders are the risk takers, and they can make life within the ministry challenging and exciting. They lead in change when they themselves begin to grow. If Leaders refuse or neglect personal growth, what kind of example are they setting for people in the church? 

In Summary, change readiness means that leaders must.
1. Prepare for change
2. Promote Change
3. Lead change

These are reasons for a lot of music pastors or worship leaders who have never been able to grow there ministry effectively and efficiently. Most who have read this and are offended will immediately take a super spiritual attitude and out look on this. Of course! because they are not concerned with people.... isn't that what ministry is all about? Servant-hood.... people? Of course, but when we make it personal its more about what I want and I like and what I need... notice in that one sentence I used the word I 3 times wow. Makes me think...

Well this is my lesson for today.

In addition I had a thought today during my reading time. God never called us to have the most amazing worship services nor was it a mandate. But he did call of us to reach people. Tell them about the love of Christ and see souls won. IT'S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE!

Salvation+Intentionality+training+community= Life Change

Character and Maturity

Character. Our destiny in Christ is our character - who we are in Christ. Hopefully each one of us will have character growth the rest of our lives.

This is the first of two areas that God wants excellence in.

Our spiritual maturity and our artistic maturity go hand and hand. We need both. Lacking maturity in either area distracts those we're trying to minister to and prevents the Lord from working through us. Our character carries more weight though, because it affects more than just our ministry. It also affects our relationship with God, our family, our jobs, our witness - everything in our life.
Right along side character is integrity.

Rory Noland has a great definition. "Character is who we are, while integrity is obedience to God."

In other words, it is doing what God says in His Word and as the Spirit directs. What kind of integrity standards would you expect (or hope!) from a deacon, elder, or our pastor? Now apply those standards to yourself! I'm not suggesting legalism, but we should expect as much righteousness, holiness, spiritual sensitivity, and obedience out of ourselves as we do from any other Christian. The good news is that God will develop our character (if we let Him). The bad news is that it happens when we go through testing and tribulation! The circumstances don't make the man, they reveal him. The Lord tests the righteous. I've surprised myself many times when I thought I had matured in an area of my character, but then the Lord revealed my immaturity through a circumstance. But, every time He works on me, I grow. So don't resist the correction from the Lord, submit to it even if it hurts!
So where do you stand?  Begin seeking the Lord on areas He wants you to grow and submit to Him. He knows where you stand more than you do and He also knows where He wants to take you. This is a life-long process! Make it a habit! Christ already did the hard work and God will show you the way. All He needs is your willing heart and obedience.

"God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called."

Worship Leader & Leader

If you’re like most, you’ve spent most of your time perfecting the musical gifts that God has given you. As you’ve done that, you’ve been promoted and now find yourself leading not just worship, but the congregation and the music team as well. The good news is that leadership skills can be learned, and God’s Word has much to say about how to lead.

As a worship leader myself, one of my favorite leadership verses is found in Titus 2:15 - Thus speak, exhort, reprove with all impressiveness. Let no one make light of your authority 

Paul was writing to one of his young leaders when he wrote those words, and they hold some important principles as you work to become the worship leader and leader God wants you to be. 

Let’s look these principles.
1) Speak – Communicate your goals with the choir, orchestra, ensemble and music team. But you can’t communicate your goals for the worship ministry if you have none. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish this year. How many new songs will you introduce? What instruments do you want to add to the team? Who do you want to train to fill in for you when you’re absent?

Then get input and vision from your pastor. Find out what upcoming ministry topics and try to introduce songs that will flow with the pastor’s direction. From all this, develop some clear goals and spell them out for your team. Then let your team members share with you what their goals are. Discover who has a goal to lead worship, to write new songs for the congregation, or to lead the choir. This will take you to the second principle found in Titus 2:15. . . 

2) Exhort - In his book The One Minute Manager, Kenneth Blanchard stressed the need to catch employees doing something good and to encourage them. The same holds true for the worship leader. Exhort your team by encouraging them profusely and regularly. Ed Cole has taught that words either build up or tear down; there is no in between.

I’ve found that fear and intimidation hold back many musicians as well as congregational
worshipers. Help them work through that fear so they can minister effectively. Paul told Timothy to stir up the gifts within you ( 2 Timothy 1:6). As leaders, that’s part of our job. Leaders are only leaders because people follow them. And people tend to follow those who encourage them, making room for them and their gifts. If we encourage them, we forfeit some of our leadership. If we’re afraid to get involved and exhort, then we’re also going to avoid the final principle Paul shared with Titus. . . 

3) Reprove-- You probably lead some gifted people. But lack of integrity or faithfulness will in the long run undermine their gifts. We need to reprove those we work with without fear of losing them. If we build meaningful relationships with them, this process will be much easier because they will know for certain that we love them.

Once a young man on my worship team was a great keyboard player, though habitually late. I had to make a decision: Would I look the other way and hope he would improve? Or would I get involved and reprove him? I chose the latter option and sat down with him for a heart-to-heart talk. Then I bought him a watch, set it fifteen minutes fast and asked him to follow it. He clearly understood that his continued tardiness was hampering our effectiveness and would ultimately cost him a place on the team. This young man improved so much that when he met a special young lady some time later, she shared with us that one of the things she appreciated most about him was his punctuality! Today he leads a band of his own. Worship leadership is complete when those we work with are changed.

I challenge you to follow the example Paul laid out for Titus: speak, exhort and reprove. Improve your people skills as you lead God’s people into His presence. As you do, your gifts and your skills will work together to make you an effective worship leader and leader for the Kingdom of God.

Creative Arts Team Health

Creating a healthy creative arts environment.

Growth, the very essence of change and transformation, is about pushing back “what is” – and making room for “what can be”. The dynamic tension between “what is” and “what can be” fill the environment in which we work, serve and live everyday. Healthy relationships operate from mutual support and concern for others. (John 13:34, 35) (Philippians 2:4) When we engage with others to remove barriers to growth and discipleship we miraculously feel more inspired and full of life.

Healthy cultures, music ministries, and families build rituals into there everyday lives that encourage spiritual growth, maturity.  (1Thessalonians 5:11) as I reflected on some of  the work I have done and am doing doing with music ministries, the conditions for health and lack of health in there ministry, and its team members became apparent. When the culture felt territorial, or toxic, there were signs that I could now clearly identify. For example, in unhealthy cultures:

1. Team members failed to communicate about challenges until it’s to late –  they fail to get the assistance from there leadership or others around.

2. Teams members lack sensitivity toward one another – they react territorially, blame others for problems, and produce unhealthy, toxic environments.

3. Team members turn inward and become egocentric, creating positive beliefs about themselves and negative beliefs and assumptions about others, which turns their environment into one of fear and reactivity.

 On the other hand, when a Music Ministry’s culture was healthy, I would see the opposite set of behaviors showing up among the team members for example.

 1. Team members send out signals when they are in trouble and feel safe to do so. (Due to a safe environment and healthy atmosphere) Therefore gain help of there leadership and others around them in time of need.

2. Team Members have incredible sensitivity toward one another – and therefore work side by side to hold each other accountable, giving mutual support to one another’s maturity development and spiritual growth.

3. Team members did not allow themselves to turn inward, to become overly egocentric or to fixate on past success, all of which only serves to sap them of energy for growth. Instead, they learn from the past, let it go, and focus on embracing a future in which they can depend on God and one another.

God is not impressed with our talent.

Amos 5:21-24

(21) “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. (22) Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. (23) Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. (24) But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Lately I have been working in my home studio on some of my songs polishing them up, arranging them, even doing some tracking. At some point I decided to stop and do a quick bible study and see what God says about our songs and what He thinks about them. So I decided to read Amos 5:21, 24… and WOW! This is what I got from it.

When I read these scriptures it became a reminder to me how I should view my songs. God is interested in changed lives more than beautiful songs. If you do not love justice and righteouness, dont bother with your music and worship. God will absolutely hate our songs and fanciful services.

Many at times, including myself get caught up with the presentation of music more than the presence of God. God is more interested that we are changed by His Word. God is not merely interested in good music and songs. Our lives must be changed before we can be a good worshipper.

Prayer:

Father, I pray You help me to love justice and righteousness. I pray You will change my life so that my songs will be acceptable to You.

Commit To YOUR Team

1 Chron 16: 37-43

So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required; and Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight brethren, including Obed-Edom the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, to be gatekeepers; and Zadok the priest and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place that was at Gibeon, to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the Law of the Lord which He commanded Israel; and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, because His mercy endures forever; and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud the trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers. Then all the people departed, every man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.

Warning: This could be hazardous to your ego. This Blog is for people serving in Creative Arts Ministry every where.

*singers

*musicians

*lighting

*cameras

*video

 Asaph and his brothers ministered before the ark regularly as every day’s work required (V37).

It looks like they were very serious about their worship. They treated it like daily work. Many of us take our secular jobs very seriously and rightfully so.

We are at work every day. When we are sick, we call the office to inform them of our medical leave. We apply for leave whenever we need to be away from the office. ETC.

If you are serving on your Creative Arts Team let it be our hearts desire that we treat our commitment to worship and what we do for our worship team as our every day’s work.

 Prayer: Father I commit myself to be of service to You. Help me to serve in the worship ministry and treat it like my every day’s work.

WARNING: if you feel like this blog is not for you, it probably is!

Eze 28:1-19

Theologians all agree that this verse is referring to Lucifer himself, the archangel who fell from grace. Some people think Satan is an ugly creature because he is always typified as ugly in cartoon pictures. But contrary to this thinking, the bible shows us that he is indeed a very beautiful creation. In particular, he was created with timbrels (percussion) and pipes (wind).

He was not only beautiful but gifted in music. Many believe he was created with music as was the archangel whose task was to worship God and fill His throne with praises.

But why did lucifer fall?

The answer is given in verse 1 and 17.

His heart was lifted up. Pride caused his fall.

Let us all do a spiritual check on ourself today.

Does your musical talent make you proud?

Do you have a sense of entitlement?

Are you competitive?

Do you think your better than the musicians next to you?

Do you have difficulty submitting to your leaders?

Be careful of pride. It could hold you back from becoming all you could be, or worse it could be your down fall as it was Lucifers. 

I read this quote sometime ago, and thought is was great.

"Pride in control is confidence, pride out of control is arrogance.

Father I repent of any pride in my life. I thank You forgiving me musical talent. I acknowledge that all my abilities come from You. I commit to use my talents for Your glory alone.

Evangelism & Praise go Hand in Hand!

Why Evangelism & Praise go Hand in Hand!

Scripture Reading Acts 16:25-34

Paul and Silas were thrown into prison after they were severely beaten, but they did not allow these difficulties to discourage their spirit. In verse 25, we see them praying and singing hymns. As they were praising, they would have never believed that by that same night, one family would have given their lives to Jesus.

During my time in San Antonio, I remember a specific service where we had 3 guys sitting in the same pew with their eyes blood shot read, I am assuming from partying the night before. These guys were obviously from the streets and looked like characters out of a inner city gang violence movie. So much so one of the guys had a tattoo of an exploit tattooed on his balled shaven head. The word started with an F I wil leave the rest to your imagination.

As I lead worship these guys just stared me down watching and observing everything going on. Fast forward 3 weeks later they were still coming and by this time they were closing their eyes during worship and even at times I'd see a tear roll down the cheek of one of the guys. I Even saw them raise their hands to waist level with there palms facing up.

At the end info the service I sought out the guys and hugged them and said "I've been watching you guys for 3 weeks and I'm glad you are here"

they replied, with such excitement and gratitude that they did not even know they were using exploits when they were speaking. They were so excited! When speaking to the guys they used words like goose bumps, chills, emotions. I realized at that moment they did not have the "Christian" terminology to describe what God was doing, one of the guys even said, "I feel like I have hope." Wow!

Praise and worship has a powerful effect on unbelievers. They have an opportunity to see the power of God in our praises.

Ps40:3 says “Many will see it and fear”. Sometimes, worship leaders do the total opposite for Evangelistic Services. They tone down the praises for fear it will stumble the unbelievers.

Why should we do that?

Keep praising as we normally do and let God do the rest. A worship service is a good place for evangelism.

Expect souls to be saved every Sunday.

Where Are You Now?

Some time ago I read a book entitled “Follow me” by Greg L. Hawkins and Cally Parkinson. This book talks about discipleship, and spiritual growth. It covers the basics that every believer should know, where they should be in their walk with God and what they should be striving for. The book was very good. In this book the authors mention a Spiritual Continuum and where we as believers should be. The four areas listed were:

Exploring Christ (New Believer)

Growing in Christ

Close to Christ

and ultimately what they call in the book a Christ Centered Life (Self Feeder).

The book in essence shows and breaks down where each believer is by identifying some spiritual growth habits in each believer which brings me to the title of my Blog en- titled "Where Are You Now"?

One of the hardest things I find in ministry is trying to measure or gauge where an individual is in their walk with God. How do I measure your spiritual growth? How do you measure mine?

I remember watching a TV show and at times it will still come on from time to time called “Where are they now?” Ever wonder what happened to your favorite stars? Some had long careers before fading into oblivion, while others seemed like they didn’t get their full 15 minutes. I thought this related well to this blog, be- cause over the 9 1/2 years of being the music pastor at Westover Hills, a certain individual comes to mind. He got involved in the music ministry but as time went by, because he did not gauge his own heart, and did not have a Christ centered life, and didn’t seek to become a self feeder, he left the church.

I remember seeing him lifting his hands and singing. He was faith- ful at the time to the DUTIES of ministry, but I ask my- self now “Where Are They Now?

I have recently received news of this same individual who will remain nameless. He is currently not serving the Lord, going through divorce and is completely living the opposite of what God calls us as believers to live. I pose this rhetorical question to you. How does this happen? Where did we go wrong? Where did they go wrong? What could we have done better?

My heart’s desire is to see us grow as worshippers. Like the song we sing, “Going to Another Level”, we are consistently moving up the continuum to have a Christ centered life and always seeking to grow more and to learn about the Word of God and His ways. It’s not just about doing ministry but making sure that our heart is where it should be.

In conclusion, this is not rhetorical, I challenge you to check your heart and ask yourself-where am I now?

David said, "search my heart o God". David was asking God, "where am I now"?

What Tense Are You Leading Your Team?

In what Tense are you leading your team past, present, or future?

Remember it’s always easier to move people from past tense to present tense rather than moving people from past tense to future tense.

How do I do it you ask?

Begin by moving the past tense people to the present, then begin moving present tense people to future.

Warning, people CANNOT make the quantum leap from past tense to future tense. Its up to you the leader, to get them talking present tense so you can help guide them to the future. In addition a creative arts team will ALWAYS have either growing pains or dieing pains you the leader will choose. Growing pains always feel better than dieing pains!!!

Keep Growing!!!!

Worship And Healing

Godly and Skillfully Played Music Can Bring Healing?

Scripture Reading 1 Sam 16: 14-23

This portion of scripture clearly shows us the power of an anointed person playing Godly music…. skillfully, and how it can bring healing.

When ever David played his music, Saul was healed from the effect of the distressing spirit. We must never underestimate the power of anointed music/worship.

Music can be used at altar calls and evangelistic services to bring healing and response from the congregation. Remember you are not just filling in time, air and space with singing in the choir or playing in the orchestra and band. You have the ability to be a conduit of healing for someone with your worship / music. Make a choice to touch and change lives with your worship today. 

Make Worship A Daily Experience

Exodus 30: 7-10

7) "Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense EVERY morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. 8) And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before The Lord through out your generations. 9) You shall not offer strange incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering; nor shall you pour a drink offering on it. 10) And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it through out the generations. It is most holy to the Lord."

The incense here speaks of prayer and worship. Worship must be a daily experience. You cannot live life six days away from God's presence and suddenly appear on Sunday service and expect your worship to take off. The bible says Aaron burned sweet incense and tends to the lamps every morning. (V7) Are you ministering to God and worshipping Him daily on your instrument? With your voice? Are you carefully crafting your worship / music daily?

Aaron also made sure that no strange incense were offered. Guard your heart, remember pure and polluted water cannot come from the same source. What is your source? Where is it coming from?

God, help me to come to you daily in worship. I pray that my worship will always be pure and undefiled. Keep me away from things or relationships that will draw me away from your presence. 

Be a Dreamer

Genesis 37:
Joseph told his dream to the wrong people at the wrong time.

In his naivity, he thought his brothers would rejoice with him when he shared his dreams with them. Instead, it caused their jealousy to turn to hatred of him and the favor of the father on his life.

Many times in my own life, I have been too quick to share what God is showing me about the future with others.

The truth is not everyone is called to share your dreams.

There are circumstances and life issues people deal with that get in the way of their ability to 'rejoice with those who rejoice'. Just because you are there for other people does not mean they are capable of being there for you.

Wisdom teaches us to wait and be careful about our conversation and 'the pearls of our hearts'. I would even tell you to guard your dream and protect the words being spoken over it. I want life spoken into my life and future. God is always faithful to raise up armor bearers and encouragers to share in what He wants to bring to pass in your life.

We must also wait for His timing. Sometimes in our own personalities, we run ahead of His timing and that is why we have a tendency to tell the wrong people what He is speaking to us. But His timing is perfect and when we wait for Him to open the doors and make the way clear we will see the people He has already put in position to be a part of the fulfillment of the vision He has given you.

Understanding Levels of Conflict.

Conflict Management!

This has been probably one of the most valuable things I've ever learned. Serving in ministry for over 17 years now, I have come in contact with many different personalities, types and my fair share of conflict. This has helped me manage conflict in a healthy manner.

There are basically 3 levels of conflict.

1.Methods

2.Goals.

3.Values

Methods: are the most common arena of conflict.

(songs we sing, Use click track or no click track, carpet colors, News letter layout, Part Cd’s,..should they be sung or plunked out with a piano, the way we handle a situation, etc.)

I'll add PROCESSES.

Goals: are less common, but the battles can be more intense.

(what type of out-reach we do. Ministry structures, Leadership structure, Orchestra growth, Choir growth, Youth choir, children’s choir,)

Values: are the most intense levels of conflict.

(doctrine, Integrity issues, character etc.)The “higher” the level of conflict, the more difficult to resolve.

Method disagreements are more of a pain as they are more common, but in many cases people can get through it….. but if God has called you to a place where you are in agreement with the “Values” of the leader God is placing you under, you need to work to understand and support that leader. You may differ on goals.  There may be some intense method issues you disagree with. But you MUST leave those conflicts at the method or goal level.

 Hope this helps!!!

7 Things We Should Do To Empower Our Teams

You need to be at your best when things go their worst.

We have all had a bad Sunday. Someone one got sick, the sound system was feeding back if you so much as breathed near a microphone. This is not the time to point fingers at your sound tech, or throw a fit when your soloist sends you a text message saying they had to go visit their kid at college. Your team is watching you, and your reaction will set the tone for the outcome. Sometimes the best solution is to pause for prayer as a team, and default to the simplest solution. Example: Turn off the sound system and gather your team around a piano to pray for the Services you are preparing for. Fix the sound system later.

1.Set expectations, early and often.

For example, if you have weekly rehearsals and an attendance policy, then it is up to you to communicate that and continue to hold people accountable to it. Plan wisely – it’s easier to set realistic expectations than hold people accountable to super human standards.

2.Lead your team spiritually first, musically second.

If you aren’t praying as a team, then the purpose for gathering each week may need examination. Are you building “a” kingdom, or THE Kingdom? Start with prayer before rehearsals and Services. Encourage growth. Better yet, plan a music ministry retreat day. Remember, you can’t lead people where you haven’t been yourself. Jesus is the foundation of your ministry, and your walk with Him overflows into who you are as a worship pastor, or leader.

3.Don’t waste people’s time!

The single most effective way to frustrate people and lead them to leave the music ministry (or any ministry) is wasting their time. If you want skilled and talented people to serve in the ministry then make sure you are prepared and ready in advance to lead them through the rehearsal and services. If you as the leader show up late, under prepared, or waist time during rehearsal, you will soon find that your volunteers seem less committed and distant. It’s because they found a better way to spend the time you were wasting.

4.Give your team the tools they need to be successful.

Some teams work monthly off of Planning Center Online, some work week to week. Give your musicians and choir members enough time to prepare the music on their own at home. Tools like Part cds or Planning Center allow you to send plans, charts, and links to music so your team can spend time practicing during the week.

5.There is a difference between practice and rehearsal.

Practice is what you do individually to prepare for rehearsal or Service by going over charts and being ready with your parts. Examplify what you desire from your team. If you are the director or leader, then you need to learn your material and additionally be prepared to help your team work through theirs. It’s easier to teach material if you have it down cold. Rehearsal should be time spent Re-hearsing the music.

6. Be specific and generous in praise, and be even more specific and generous with corrections.

If the alto section nails a great harmony part during rehearsal or service, take 5 seconds afterwards to affirm them in front of the team. If your keyboard player shows up completely prepared and ready to rehearse, thank him out loud so it affirms that behavior for the entire team. Corrections are harder, and require more delicate handling. If the guitarist is consistently missing a progression, you need to address it to make sure that they understand specifically what needs to be played. It is up to you as the leader to make sure you are able to either demonstrate or sing the part you need them to play.

Talent Is Never Enough

By John Maxwell

I read this book sometime ago and have rediscovered it. I think it's great. Pretty basic... it has helped me dial in my focus and attention. Here are few good take aways, I hope it helps.

The Power of Focus!

Focus can bring tremendous power. Without it, you will often feel drained and unable to accomplish much. With it, you will find that your talents and abilities gain direction and intentionality. And those qualities pay off by producing results.

Here are some facts you need to know about focus.

1. Focus Does Not Come Naturally to Most People!
We live in a culture with almost infinite choices and opportunities, and because of that, most people find themselves pulled in dozens of directions. What’s worse is that people often find themselves expending much of their time and energy on things they don’t really care about.

2. Focus Increases Your Energy
If you desire to achieve something, you first need to know what your target is. That’s true even when it comes to personal development. If you lack focus, you will be all over the place. Attempting everything, like attempting nothing, will suck the life out of you. It will sap you of your energy and new opportunities. And whatever moment you have going for you. In contrast, focus gives you energy.

3. Focus Lifts You
Focus always has an impact. Just by striving to become better than you are, you become elevated even if you don’t accomplish what you desire, and even if others don’t step aside for you. You can’t shoot for the stars and remain unaffected by the effort.

4. Focus Expand your Life
“What you focus on expands” That may seem ironic, but it’s true. Have you noticed that if you consider buying a particular car, you begin seeing them everywhere? Narrowing your view widens your perspective. On the other hand, if you actually try to expand your view, instead of taking more in, it simply wears you out. If you want to expand your capacity then focus.

5. Focus Must Be Intentionally Sustained
People do not naturally remain focused. Just as a light naturally loses it’s focus and gets diffused, so does a person’s attention. It takes a lot of effort, but it pays off significantly.

Blind Leading the Blind?

1.Leaders who can’t see it, probably won’t find it: Leaders without vision will fail. Leaders who lack vision cannot inspire teams, motivate performance, or create sustainable value. Poor vision, tunnel vision, vision that is fickle, or a non-existent vision will cause leaders to fail. A leader’s job is to align the organization around a clear and achievable vision. This cannot occur when the blind lead the blind.

From an article I read from Forbes Magazine.

Guard Your Heart

Is what you want, what God wants?

 “Guard your heart above all else,

for it determines the course of your life.”

Proverbs 4:23  NLT

 What do you want? Be careful with the answer to that question. It is not “What do you think you are supposed to want?” The answer may be found in what you think about when you are free to think about anything. Do you picture yourself on the big stage as the headliner? Do you dream of what you will purchase with the money you will be paid after you are successful? Do you fantasize about releasing multiple projects that dominate the radio airwaves or touring extensively? What do you want?

It is difficult for Christian musicians to keep focused because of all the trappings of the music industry. What is a goal to secular musicians is just a tool for Christian music ministers. We want to see people get saved. We want lives changed. We want to bring people closer to Jesus. Money, radio airplay, big shows, publicity, touring etc. are tools to help us connect with people.

Guarding our heart requires us to continually remind ourselves that we are in the music ministry for people. We can easily fall into the temptation of seeking fame in the name of finding significance in ministry. But God knows our true heart, our true motivations. Are we in ministry because above all else we love people? When we dream do we dream of packed altar calls?

Our focus on bringing people closer to Jesus will change the course of our life. It may cost us fame and fortune. We may never play the big stage. We may never even be able to make a living from our music. We could end up playing in obscure places like prisons, nursing homes, or homeless shelters. But, if we guard our hearts we will get what we want.

Prayer:

Father, pierce my heart with a desire to bring people closer to You. Cause me to love people more than the music.