5 Questions With Matt Redman

Welcome to 5 Questions With.....

Today's guest is Matt Redman. Matt is a worship leader/songwriter/author who has won numerous Dove Awards including Worship Song of the Year. Matt's best known songs include "Heart of Worship", "Let Everything That Has Breath", "Once Again", "Undignified", "Better Is One Day", and "Blessed Be Your Name". Matt recently moved to Atlanta, GA to plant a new church and has a new baby on the way. Matt recently appeared on the CompassionArt CD as well as authored a chapter in the book, The Art of Compassion.

And now without further delay, on to the questions:

Hi Matt,

Question 1: What one word would describe your current relationship with God?

Grace.

Question 2: Why CompassionArt? What drew you to the project?

I loved the fact it was a group of friends doing something together, and that the music was going to be mixed with mission.

Question 3: How has being involved in this project affected you?

It's been great to look outwards together, but to be honest it was like getting a songwriting class for free too! I remember the first session I was put with Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. I learned a lot!

Question 4: What charity did you pick for this project?

Compassion UK - they do a fantastic child sponsorship programme.

Question 5: What is next for you?

I have a new album out called "We Shall Not Be Shaken". It has the theme of God's steadfastness running though it. I feel like that's a much needed message for these times when so many people's lives have been shaken, whether that's the economy or whatever.

Thanks you very much Matt.

Cheers!

There you have it. I would encourage you to check out Matt's website and to check out his, as well as the other artists work, at the CompassionArt website. For more info on the charity Matt picked, click here. I would also encourage you to order Matt's new CD today.

To see past 5 Question guests, check out the rotating interview links on the sidebar.

Blame God - It's Apparently All His Fault

While reading about the recent bus accident involving MercyMe I came across one article that postulated: Why did God allow this to happen?

I have heard that question, and variations thereof, a lot over the last few weeks.

"If God is real, why doesn't He heal me?"
"Why does God allow suffering?"
"Why would a compassionate God destroy the whole earth in a flood?"
"Why didn't He stop it?"
"Doesn't He care?"

People are quick to blame and fault God. A tornado, a hurricane, a flood are all called "Acts of God" even by people who don't believe in God! Apparently the Creator of the universe is at fault for all the ill in the world.

I guess people missed that part of Genesis where sin came into the world because of Adam and Eve.

Of course Job and his friends seemed to say and ask some of the same things. David asks those tough questions as well. David talks quite a bit about how the wicked prosper, the good suffer, etc.

We tend to judge God by our human standards of right, wrong and morality. We blame God when others are at fault. We get angry when God doesn't perform for us like a genie in a bottle. We want God to act like we would act in a situation.

NEWS FLASH: WE ARE NOT GOD!

When Job stood before God he became speechless. He humbled himself before the God of the universe. When Moses met God he was physically and visibly changed. His face shone to the point where he had to cover his face. Peter suffered foot and mouth disease when he offered to build shelters when Jesus was transfigured!

God does not have to answer to us. His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

It's ok to ask questions. It's ok to wonder. God knows our pain. He hurts with us. However, if God doesn't move when and how we want, we need to remember He is still God! He has a plan we cannot see.

I want to encourage you, if you have doubts express them to God and then leave them at His feet. Worship Him. Love Him. Trust Him!

Christians and Sex!

Sex is wonderful. I believe Christians can and should have an active and vibrant sex life. We live in a sex-drenched society and yet, many believers still shy away from this topic. What is it about sex that frightens believers?

The Song of Solomon is a perfect example. This is one of the most amorous books in the Bible. The passion displayed in this book was cutting edge for it's time. The couple refers to their love for each other; they describe what appeals to them about each others bodies and their longing for one another. This is a perfect example of what married love should be like.

Yet, the first churches I attended as a teen, talked about Solomon's spiritual allusions to Christ's love for the church. Now I'm not saying that's not there, but as a teen I really needed to hear that God wants married love to be, in a word, EXCITING. Instead sex was the taboo word! Never talk about it, ignore it, suppress it, deny it!

Yeah-- that doesn't work for teens. Instead, I believe we should address it. In proper settings our teens need to know that sex is incredible within the confines of marriage. Outside those confines it IS messy. People get hurt, mistakes get made, sin happens.

Sex sells. Let's sell it to believers. I believe the Song of Solomon is there for a reason. To tell believers SEX IS OK! Romance, Passion and Sex were created by God.

Of course there is more to marriage than sex. Romance should happen throughout the day. Giving gifts, a touch, a spoken word, mowing the lawn, and doing dishes can all say "I love you" to your spouse. Consider one another, love one another and let God be glorified! As Dr. Kevin Leman says, "sex begins in the kitchen."

Jesus and Politics!

In the heat of the moment it is hard to think clearly. Therefore I am writing this post on politics and religion now. Some think politics and religion don't mix. I am not writing this to inflame but to encourage us all to put our focus first and foremost where it should be: On Jesus Christ.

First of all, I believe we should let our Christianity influence our voting. As believers we should pray about each election and cast our votes accordingly. We are also called to pray for our leaders and those in authority over us. 2 Tim. 2:1-2 says, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." Verses 3 and 4 says why: "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Instead of constantly criticizing whatever party is in power we should first pray for them! Yes we can speak out against injustice and evil practices. We should stand up for those less fortunate. However, in that, we should model Christ. Would Jesus speak in anger or love? Would He send emails proclaiming certain leaders evil and stand with picket signs and protesters in front of buildings? Would He argue over birth certificates and which countries are being invaded and why?

I believe He would quietly and effectively get to the heart of the matter. Through direct questions Jesus always spoke directly to the heart. He spoke to the need, the thirst.

Jesus was not a politician. He had ample opportunity in Israel to speak against and for political systems when He was on the earth. Instead He went about His Father's business.

I have no problem with Christians participating in the political forum or running for office. However there will be no perfect system on this earth. History is littered with "Christian" governments. It was these very governments which brought us the Crusades, the Inquisitions, etc.

You cannot legislate morality. If you could than the 10 commandments would have been enough! Instead the 10 commandments showed us our need for a Saviour. Everyone in government can become a Christian but unless the people seek God for themselves you will still have sin running rampant across the nation. As a matter of fact you may have it running rampant in the "Christian" government as well.

2 Chronicles 7:14 is often quoted in re. to Christians in politics. Reading this Scripture in context, though, I find that God spoke to Solomon and the people during the temple dedication and said if His people humbled themselves He would heal their land. This was a specific promise to Israel. It was not a promise that if we elect Christian politicians than all would be right in the world. You can say it typifies God's character and you would be right. To say anything else though is a gross misuse of Scriptures.

If we would put as much energy into cementing our own relationship with God and sharing His truth of salvation with others as we did in attacking and promoting political parties THEN we could truly make a difference.

Matthew 6:33 says to seek first God's Kingdom and His righteousness.

Run the race. Work out your salvation daily. Focus on Him and His truth!

5 Questions with Darlene Zschech

Welcome to 5 Questions With.....

Today's guest is Darlene Zschech. Darlene is a worship leader/pastor who spearheaded the worship coming from Hillsong Church and has written some awesome praise and worship songs including her best known song "Shout to the Lord". Darlene has been nominated for numerous Dove Awards and has written a few books on worship. Zschech also founded Hope Rwanda in 2005 with her husband Mark. Darlene recently appeared on the CompassionArt CD as well as authored a chapter in the book, The Art of Compassion.

And now without further delay, on to the questions:

Hi Darlene,

Question 1: What one word would describe your current relationship with God?

Hungry.

Question 2: Why CompassionArt? What drew you to the project?

To use our gifts to lift the lives of others, while having the privilege to write with some of my favourite people on the planet, was just a heaven-breathed opportunity.

Question 3: How has being involved in this project affected you?

I am affected deeply on many fronts....from the power of friendship to challenging theological ideals as we learned from each other, through to the heart of God for all people.

Question 4: What charity did you pick for this project?

Hope Rwanda - www.hoperwanda.org Our primary objective is to assist developing nations reduce poverty, achieve sustainable development, and to bring spiritual strength and social justice to every segment of society.

Question 5: What is next for you?

More! More of all that is in my heart....family, church, missions, worship, teaching. Just to serve God with all I am.

Thanks you very much Darlene.

There you have it. I would encourage you to check out Darlene's website and to check out her, as well as the other artists work, at the CompassionArt website. For more info on the charity Darlene and her husband founded, Hope Rwanda, click here.

To see past 5 Question guests, check out the rotating interview links on the sidebar.

Laughter Anyone? - Just A Thought #35

Do you ever laugh? Not just a slight chuckle or an amused smile, but a hearty, deep down, slap your knee belly laugh, with tears streaming down your face? A laugh that makes your side hurt?
If so, do you ever notice how good you feel afterward?

Doctors do. Numerous medical studies have shown that laughter is truly good medicine. Doctors and scientists have found that laughter helps your respiratory system, reduces stress, strengthens your heart, lowers your blood pressure and even improves circulation.

It would seem those in the medical field have discovered what God knew all along:

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

So if the Doctor says it's good for you and THE Doctor (God) says it's good for you, why do so many of His children walk around with sour faces? I remember sitting in church once in TN and people were singing "the joy of the Lord is my strength", and you would have thought they were at a funeral. In fact one preacher told me to slip into a funeral message half way through the service and see if anyone noticed. If not, he said to bury them and move on...

Yes, we experience hard times. Life can be rough. Yet God also included this little passage in Ecclesiastes:

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" Ecclesiastes 3:4

There is a time to laugh. We need to experience His Joy more. Yes, Christians can have fun...I know that may shock some of you, it's OK...you'll live. Christians can have fun and not only that, they can have wholesome fun! We can laugh, tell jokes and smile. It won't kill us and it may just make an impact on the world around us.

Remember Jesus...you found him at feasts, weddings, etc...I bet He laughed to!

Imagine that.