So, this weekend was fantastic. I enjoyed myself so very much in Orlando. Hillsong was awesome, just as I had anticipated. Not only are they excellent musicians, but they carry with them God’s anointing to lead others into worship. It was great to see Jared E., to catch up and goof off. Plus, I was able to meet two other great people with whom I had a nice and funny time as well. The plane rides were good. The trip down was rather uneventful. I read. I talked to my seat-partner. So, it was relaxing. The trip home was not as enjoyable. Waking up at 4am to catch a 6am flight is never the best way to begin the day. So, I made that flight, no problem. Then, that flight was late by like 20 minutes, and I had only a few minutes to catch my connecting flight from Dulles to State College. Needless to say, I was sprinting to make it there. The people I stayed with were so hospitable and always were making sure I was most comfortable. It was such a blessing to stay with one of Jared’s friend’s family, and also to stay with Shawn’s (the drummer on my worship team) brother’s family. Pretty much, it was a pre-Thanksgiving break.
I thought about many things there, too. It was a good time to do that kind of thing. I was really challenged to become more skilled at my giftings. While I know gifts come from God, I think it is our responsible to refine those gifts, so that we can not only give our best back to Him (the one who created us!), but also so that we can become more comfortable in stepping out to use them. Of course, we must always, always be led by the Holy Spirit, but we must also prepare, so that if the Holy Spirit does lead us one way, we can be ready and prepared to go. I feel as though I can become lax in my giftings and in God’s calling and use the “well, the Holy Spirit will take care of it” card. In fact, balance is needed in this area.
During the first night, I was challenged about the importance of always boasting of Christ in all we do. One of the worship leaders, Brooke Fraser (a great “secular” musician as well…you should check her out), in the middle of the worship leaders stopped everything and rather firmly told everyone to put their cameras and phones away. Even though I didn’t have my camera out, I still felt challenged because I realized often I forget or lose focus of worship being more than music, lyrics, and beats. Rather, it is so much more. And I felt compelled in my heart to always become less and boast of Christ’s greatness. It’s never about the music. It’s never about people. It’s never about being perfect. It’s about the heart, about what is inside. Sometimes we need to put our “spiritual cameras” away, and look beyond what we can see with our natural, physical eyes, and really worship from our hearts.
One last quick thing. I was also convicted in area of prayer, as well. I feel as though it is deeply underestimated. Even though scriptures directly teach us to pray without ceasing, on all occasions, and even both in spirit and in truth. If we don’t pray, we’re out of communication with the very who empowers us to live and walk in freedom, victory, and in our giftings. It seems silly not to develop and deeper walk of prayer with Him, whatever that means. It may mean intercession. It may mean finding a quiet place with Him everyday, or it may mean asking for a special prayer language. Whatever the case, or however each person believes, it doesn’t down play the power prayer has in our lives.
Basically, all I know is God is faithful and so good. And, it’s so beatiful that He can take a broken, crooked people and make us clean. And, He even goes beyond that, and He uses us to further His kingdom. He’s a great God, and so deserving of all we are, always.

Well, just some little thoughts. I need to eat dinner. I think I am going to cook some hamburgers. I did no school work today, which is disappointing. oh well. I love you all. Bye.

Cheers,
Anthony J