Facebook Badge
25 September 2009
A GOOD REASON FOR CONFIDENCE
A GOOD REASON FOR CONFIDENCE
Do you want to be confident about serving in the worship ministry?
If you do, then you're going to have to decide if you'll be more confident from doing the same things other people do, even if it doesn't bring consistent results, or by understanding how worship ministry works and taking action based on that.
I understand how powerful the temptation to follow the lead of others, even if they don't get results. Social proof is a powerful force, subtly telling us to keep the status quo and not to rock the boat. And if you are new to the worship ministry, it can be very daunting to try what many other people aren't doing.
But if you want to be confident about serving in the worship ministry, and want your confidence to be based on understanding how it works and what to do, then get your copy of The Invisible Worship Musician package. It's a powerful resource comprising of The Invisible Worship Musician e-book, private email lessons and case studies of actual worship situations, created to help YOU understand and serve effectively in the worship ministry.
THE PEACE HOUSE
GIVING PEACE TO OUR GENERATION THROUGH WORSHIP
GROWING AS A WORSHIP DRUMMER
Here's another article for you. Hope you like it!
How do you improve yourself as a worship drummer? The supportive nature of your instrument means that growing in skill and maturity is less a question of developing more riffs and chops and more that of learning how to choose the right notes for a song.
The root problem for worship drummers is this: they are usually not engaging with the songs that are being used for the worship. With this in mind, here are the three steps that will enable you as a drummer to engage more deeply with the worship songs, and help the congregation you serve to do likewise.
1) Get your rudiments right.
Many drummers playing for church are self-taught. This means their rudiments usually leave much to be desired. But you will need them in order to express the music within you and engage with the music.
So give the basics serious attention. If you can afford the time and expense get at least a few formal lessons in drum basics. Learn your single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles and double paradiddles; learn them well. Find a few four-way independence exercises and practice them diligently.
If time and money are an issue at the moment, seek out the free online drum lessons that abound on the Internet. Whatever you do, make sure you can express yourself through the instrument and get a good sound, or you may end up dragging the rest of the musicians down.
2) Learn a chord instrument.
If you want to play the drums with understanding and engage with a song, you need to think about how to use the drums to emphasize the important chord changes. For example, the crash cymbals very appropriate for bringing out the linking chords of a song. But it is hard to do that if you have no idea what is happening in the chords of the song.
So spend some time learning a chord instrument, maybe guitar or contemporary piano. When you can sense the chord movements within a song, you are better able to use the drums to support and emphasize these chord changes in a meaningful way.
3) Sing as you play.
It never fails to amaze me how few drummers actually sing as they play, even church drummers. But it is one of the simplest ways to grasp the feeling of a song and engage with it.
It also helps you choose the right notes to play on the drums. The singing will often give you strong hints on what rhythm patterns to use for a particular song. They will also tell you when to use fills and when to hold back.
And that is pretty much the area most church drummers miss it. They are as involved with the music as a drum machine would be, which is not at all. Or they play too much and become a distraction to the worship of the congregation. All these can be dealt with by just simply singing along with the song while playing and listening to how everything fits together.
Conclusion: These three steps are not flashy or glamorous. But they are very helpful to you because they force you to engage on a deeper level with the songs used in church. You will find that you then greatly enhance the worship experience of the church you serve, and glorify God in the eyes of his people.
THE PEACE HOUSE
GIVING PEACE TO OUR GENERATION THROUGH WORSHIP
How do you improve yourself as a worship drummer? The supportive nature of your instrument means that growing in skill and maturity is less a question of developing more riffs and chops and more that of learning how to choose the right notes for a song.
The root problem for worship drummers is this: they are usually not engaging with the songs that are being used for the worship. With this in mind, here are the three steps that will enable you as a drummer to engage more deeply with the worship songs, and help the congregation you serve to do likewise.
1) Get your rudiments right.
Many drummers playing for church are self-taught. This means their rudiments usually leave much to be desired. But you will need them in order to express the music within you and engage with the music.
So give the basics serious attention. If you can afford the time and expense get at least a few formal lessons in drum basics. Learn your single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles and double paradiddles; learn them well. Find a few four-way independence exercises and practice them diligently.
If time and money are an issue at the moment, seek out the free online drum lessons that abound on the Internet. Whatever you do, make sure you can express yourself through the instrument and get a good sound, or you may end up dragging the rest of the musicians down.
2) Learn a chord instrument.
If you want to play the drums with understanding and engage with a song, you need to think about how to use the drums to emphasize the important chord changes. For example, the crash cymbals very appropriate for bringing out the linking chords of a song. But it is hard to do that if you have no idea what is happening in the chords of the song.
So spend some time learning a chord instrument, maybe guitar or contemporary piano. When you can sense the chord movements within a song, you are better able to use the drums to support and emphasize these chord changes in a meaningful way.
3) Sing as you play.
It never fails to amaze me how few drummers actually sing as they play, even church drummers. But it is one of the simplest ways to grasp the feeling of a song and engage with it.
It also helps you choose the right notes to play on the drums. The singing will often give you strong hints on what rhythm patterns to use for a particular song. They will also tell you when to use fills and when to hold back.
And that is pretty much the area most church drummers miss it. They are as involved with the music as a drum machine would be, which is not at all. Or they play too much and become a distraction to the worship of the congregation. All these can be dealt with by just simply singing along with the song while playing and listening to how everything fits together.
Conclusion: These three steps are not flashy or glamorous. But they are very helpful to you because they force you to engage on a deeper level with the songs used in church. You will find that you then greatly enhance the worship experience of the church you serve, and glorify God in the eyes of his people.
THE PEACE HOUSE
GIVING PEACE TO OUR GENERATION THROUGH WORSHIP
09 September 2009
Four Pillars of Confidence in Worship Ministry
4 pillars u should know
Many worship ministers, even those who have served for some time in the worship ministry, feel unsure about their effectiveness in serving the people of God. This often causes them to either be defensive when feedback is given to them, or easily taken in by the latest fads in worship ministry, any thing that promises to quiet the nagging sense of insecurity and inadequacy within their hearts.
All that is needless pain. There are four necessary pillars for confidence in worship ministry. Make sure these pillars are in place in your own life and in the lives of the other people in your church worship ministry, and the confidence and boldness will naturally follow.
1) Know that God welcomes his people to approach him in worship.
Many believers still live as if their sins are not forgiven through the work of Jesus on the cross. They feel unsure about the worship ministry because they doubt that God has truly accepted them in Christ and that they have freedom to approach God in prayer and worship anytime.
If you are one of them, I strongly urge you to meditate on the forgiveness of God revealed in the Bible. The first two chapters of Ephesians are really helpful, and so is the entire book of Hebrews because it talks about the confidence we can have because Jesus is the great high priest.
2) Understand the craft of worship ministry.
Leading worship is not the church equivalent of a lead singer, it is so much more. Worship music is not just any style of contemporary music that the church people like. It is a genre of music by itself, with it's own rules, guidelines and principles.
Seek training and teaching on these principles and ideas. It is unreasonable to expect anyone to serve confidently in the worship ministry unless they truly understand the craft of worship ministry. And if they don't understand the craft, they will often blame the congregation for not responding to their worship ministry efforts, rather than consider if they not been doing things in the most effective way.
3) See the work of God in that particular congregation.
Many people subconsciously try to fit their congregation into the mold created by 'worship' albums and CDs. They see those CDs as a genuine reflection of what worship is supposed to be like, rather than an artificially contrived event organized for the sake of producing a recording. And then they get frustrated if their church worship does not match up.
If you are struggling with the wrong expectations created by those 'worship' albums, realize this: God has his own purpose and plan for your church and it will be expressed in the worship. If you are a worship leader for your church or small group, you will discover this purpose as you pay attention to the songs that the people respond well to during a particular season.
Once you have discerned the purpose of the season, it becomes so much easier to choose the right songs that minister to the congregation at that point of time. And when you see the results and understand it comes from discerning God's specific purpose for your group, confidence will naturally follow.
4) See the work of God in your own personal life.
Many people in the worship ministry secretly wonder if they are the right people for the ministry. It is easy to forget that God has began a good work in us, one he fully intends to carry on to completion (Phil 1:6) and that he works out ALL things for our good (Romans 8:28).
When you can see the work of God in your own personal life, it becomes easy to trust that God has orchestrated events to put you in the worship ministry because in God's eyes you are the best suited for that role. And, like the other necessary pillars of confidence, will enhance your confidence in serving in the worship ministry.
Conclusion: if you are serving in the worship ministry, these four pillars give you a structure and direction for your attention and efforts. And if you are in a position of leadership, put in effort to build these four pillars of confidence in the lives of the other people serving in the worship ministry as well. Serve our Lord with confidence!
Many worship ministers, even those who have served for some time in the worship ministry, feel unsure about their effectiveness in serving the people of God. This often causes them to either be defensive when feedback is given to them, or easily taken in by the latest fads in worship ministry, any thing that promises to quiet the nagging sense of insecurity and inadequacy within their hearts.
All that is needless pain. There are four necessary pillars for confidence in worship ministry. Make sure these pillars are in place in your own life and in the lives of the other people in your church worship ministry, and the confidence and boldness will naturally follow.
1) Know that God welcomes his people to approach him in worship.
Many believers still live as if their sins are not forgiven through the work of Jesus on the cross. They feel unsure about the worship ministry because they doubt that God has truly accepted them in Christ and that they have freedom to approach God in prayer and worship anytime.
If you are one of them, I strongly urge you to meditate on the forgiveness of God revealed in the Bible. The first two chapters of Ephesians are really helpful, and so is the entire book of Hebrews because it talks about the confidence we can have because Jesus is the great high priest.
2) Understand the craft of worship ministry.
Leading worship is not the church equivalent of a lead singer, it is so much more. Worship music is not just any style of contemporary music that the church people like. It is a genre of music by itself, with it's own rules, guidelines and principles.
Seek training and teaching on these principles and ideas. It is unreasonable to expect anyone to serve confidently in the worship ministry unless they truly understand the craft of worship ministry. And if they don't understand the craft, they will often blame the congregation for not responding to their worship ministry efforts, rather than consider if they not been doing things in the most effective way.
3) See the work of God in that particular congregation.
Many people subconsciously try to fit their congregation into the mold created by 'worship' albums and CDs. They see those CDs as a genuine reflection of what worship is supposed to be like, rather than an artificially contrived event organized for the sake of producing a recording. And then they get frustrated if their church worship does not match up.
If you are struggling with the wrong expectations created by those 'worship' albums, realize this: God has his own purpose and plan for your church and it will be expressed in the worship. If you are a worship leader for your church or small group, you will discover this purpose as you pay attention to the songs that the people respond well to during a particular season.
Once you have discerned the purpose of the season, it becomes so much easier to choose the right songs that minister to the congregation at that point of time. And when you see the results and understand it comes from discerning God's specific purpose for your group, confidence will naturally follow.
4) See the work of God in your own personal life.
Many people in the worship ministry secretly wonder if they are the right people for the ministry. It is easy to forget that God has began a good work in us, one he fully intends to carry on to completion (Phil 1:6) and that he works out ALL things for our good (Romans 8:28).
When you can see the work of God in your own personal life, it becomes easy to trust that God has orchestrated events to put you in the worship ministry because in God's eyes you are the best suited for that role. And, like the other necessary pillars of confidence, will enhance your confidence in serving in the worship ministry.
Conclusion: if you are serving in the worship ministry, these four pillars give you a structure and direction for your attention and efforts. And if you are in a position of leadership, put in effort to build these four pillars of confidence in the lives of the other people serving in the worship ministry as well. Serve our Lord with confidence!
SOME SECRET OF WORSHIP MINISTERY
Hi,
I have a confession to make. You ready?
I love to lead worship. Really.
And I find it easy. I don't struggle or agonize over choosing songs, arranging them, or even singing well. I just lead worship, and the people respond to God and are blessed.
Yeah, I know it isn't always like that for other people. I was brought up to think that being in worship ministry was a heavy responsibility and entailed lots of hard prayer, travailing in the Spirit kind of stuff. That there wasn't any easy to follow guidelines, in fact, if you looked for those people think you were moving in the flesh, rather than the spirit.
Heard those before?
But over time I uncovered the secrets of worship ministry. And these secrets allowed me to excel as a worship leader and as a worship musician, WITHOUT all the spiritual striving and labor.
More importantly, they are simple. You can take them and use them, even if you
1) don't have a 'lead singer' kind of voice
2) don't have fantastic instrument skills
So if YOU want to serve God in worship ministry, whether as a Worship Leader or as a worship musician, and you want to know
1) What to do
2) How to do it; AND
3) Why
head over to this website right now, and find out more about the secrets of worship ministry
PRAISES BASIL
I have a confession to make. You ready?
I love to lead worship. Really.
And I find it easy. I don't struggle or agonize over choosing songs, arranging them, or even singing well. I just lead worship, and the people respond to God and are blessed.
Yeah, I know it isn't always like that for other people. I was brought up to think that being in worship ministry was a heavy responsibility and entailed lots of hard prayer, travailing in the Spirit kind of stuff. That there wasn't any easy to follow guidelines, in fact, if you looked for those people think you were moving in the flesh, rather than the spirit.
Heard those before?
But over time I uncovered the secrets of worship ministry. And these secrets allowed me to excel as a worship leader and as a worship musician, WITHOUT all the spiritual striving and labor.
More importantly, they are simple. You can take them and use them, even if you
1) don't have a 'lead singer' kind of voice
2) don't have fantastic instrument skills
So if YOU want to serve God in worship ministry, whether as a Worship Leader or as a worship musician, and you want to know
1) What to do
2) How to do it; AND
3) Why
head over to this website right now, and find out more about the secrets of worship ministry
PRAISES BASIL
DEVELOPE YOURSELF AS A SOLOIST
Lead singer or soloist
Hi, peace house!
What is the difference between a lead singer in church and a worship leader? If you want to be effective in worship ministry, you MUST be very clear about the difference between the two. Because they are two entirely different ways of doing things, many people get confused when they try to act like a lead singer but expect the results of a worship leader, and vice versa. The rules, practices and priority of one does not necessarily apply to the other.
On the surface, worship leaders and lead singers look the same. They stand in front of a group of people, they sing, often with the backing of a band of musicians, but the similarity ends here. The difference between a lead singer and a worship leader is this: a lead singer does what he or she does for the sake of the singing. A worship leader does everything for the sake of the worship experience of the people of God.
What are the specific differences between a lead singer and a worship leader?
1) How they choose songs.
A lead singer chooses songs largely based on what would suit his or her voice, personal preferences in music, and maybe what the congregation would like to hear. A worship leader chooses songs that would make it easy for the congregation to sing their praises to God. This means a good mix of songs familiar to the people, as well as consistently introducing new and appropriate worship songs, and at a pace comfortable for the congregation.
2) What key they pitch the songs in.
A lead singer would pitch the songs in keys that would best feature his or her voice. A worship leader will pitch the worship songs in keys that are comfortable for the congregation, so that they are not croaking uncomfortably or screeching painfully during most of the songs.
This is very important. The usual singing range of a congregation varies based on its size and whether the group is predominantly male or female. To lead worship effectively you MUST be aware of such factors and take them into account as you plan the worship set. And any lead singer who is unable to sing worship songs in keys that are appropriate for the congregation is unable to lead worship well, no matter how skilled or sincere this person is.
3) How they structure the songs.
A lead singer structures a song based on creating entertainment value, what would make the audience go "wow!" A worship leader arranges a song to create momentum and to allow the people of God to sing a song long enough to let the lyrics go from their heads to their hearts. When it comes to song structures, a worship leader will NOT try anything distracting, such as abrupt key changes in the middle of the song. The effective worship leader knows that such antics catch the congregation off-guard, distract them, and it will take time for them to refocus on singing their praises to God.
4) How they lead the congregation.
A lead singer is more interested in creating a smooth show. He or she will at best direct the musicians with hand signals; directing and leading the congregation is not a priority. A worship leader will direct the congregation as well as the musicians. He or she is not that concerned about whether the singing sounds like what people hear from the worship CDs or albums. The emphasis is on whether the people of God have been unified in their praises.
Conclusion:
There is nothing wrong with being either a lead singer or a worship leader. The Body of Christ has different kinds of service, but the same Lord (1 Cor 12:5). Problems and misunderstandings arise, however, when people mistake one for another, or think that a skilled lead singer will automatically know how to lead worship, or a worship leader has to be as technically competent as a lead singer in order to serve powerfully in worship ministry.
So whatever you do, do not try to perform both roles at the same time. That will guarantee you will be effective in neither! Be clear about what role is needed from you, what role you are able to perform, then fulfil that role to the best of your ability and to the glory of God!
Be blessed, peace house!
PEACE HOUSE MASS CHOIR
MD
Hi, peace house!
What is the difference between a lead singer in church and a worship leader? If you want to be effective in worship ministry, you MUST be very clear about the difference between the two. Because they are two entirely different ways of doing things, many people get confused when they try to act like a lead singer but expect the results of a worship leader, and vice versa. The rules, practices and priority of one does not necessarily apply to the other.
On the surface, worship leaders and lead singers look the same. They stand in front of a group of people, they sing, often with the backing of a band of musicians, but the similarity ends here. The difference between a lead singer and a worship leader is this: a lead singer does what he or she does for the sake of the singing. A worship leader does everything for the sake of the worship experience of the people of God.
What are the specific differences between a lead singer and a worship leader?
1) How they choose songs.
A lead singer chooses songs largely based on what would suit his or her voice, personal preferences in music, and maybe what the congregation would like to hear. A worship leader chooses songs that would make it easy for the congregation to sing their praises to God. This means a good mix of songs familiar to the people, as well as consistently introducing new and appropriate worship songs, and at a pace comfortable for the congregation.
2) What key they pitch the songs in.
A lead singer would pitch the songs in keys that would best feature his or her voice. A worship leader will pitch the worship songs in keys that are comfortable for the congregation, so that they are not croaking uncomfortably or screeching painfully during most of the songs.
This is very important. The usual singing range of a congregation varies based on its size and whether the group is predominantly male or female. To lead worship effectively you MUST be aware of such factors and take them into account as you plan the worship set. And any lead singer who is unable to sing worship songs in keys that are appropriate for the congregation is unable to lead worship well, no matter how skilled or sincere this person is.
3) How they structure the songs.
A lead singer structures a song based on creating entertainment value, what would make the audience go "wow!" A worship leader arranges a song to create momentum and to allow the people of God to sing a song long enough to let the lyrics go from their heads to their hearts. When it comes to song structures, a worship leader will NOT try anything distracting, such as abrupt key changes in the middle of the song. The effective worship leader knows that such antics catch the congregation off-guard, distract them, and it will take time for them to refocus on singing their praises to God.
4) How they lead the congregation.
A lead singer is more interested in creating a smooth show. He or she will at best direct the musicians with hand signals; directing and leading the congregation is not a priority. A worship leader will direct the congregation as well as the musicians. He or she is not that concerned about whether the singing sounds like what people hear from the worship CDs or albums. The emphasis is on whether the people of God have been unified in their praises.
Conclusion:
There is nothing wrong with being either a lead singer or a worship leader. The Body of Christ has different kinds of service, but the same Lord (1 Cor 12:5). Problems and misunderstandings arise, however, when people mistake one for another, or think that a skilled lead singer will automatically know how to lead worship, or a worship leader has to be as technically competent as a lead singer in order to serve powerfully in worship ministry.
So whatever you do, do not try to perform both roles at the same time. That will guarantee you will be effective in neither! Be clear about what role is needed from you, what role you are able to perform, then fulfil that role to the best of your ability and to the glory of God!
Be blessed, peace house!
PEACE HOUSE MASS CHOIR
MD
DEVELOPE YOURSELF AS A SOLOIST
Lead singer or soloist
Hi, peace house!
What is the difference between a lead singer in church and a worship leader? If you want to be effective in worship ministry, you MUST be very clear about the difference between the two. Because they are two entirely different ways of doing things, many people get confused when they try to act like a lead singer but expect the results of a worship leader, and vice versa. The rules, practices and priority of one does not necessarily apply to the other.
On the surface, worship leaders and lead singers look the same. They stand in front of a group of people, they sing, often with the backing of a band of musicians, but the similarity ends here. The difference between a lead singer and a worship leader is this: a lead singer does what he or she does for the sake of the singing. A worship leader does everything for the sake of the worship experience of the people of God.
What are the specific differences between a lead singer and a worship leader?
1) How they choose songs.
A lead singer chooses songs largely based on what would suit his or her voice, personal preferences in music, and maybe what the congregation would like to hear. A worship leader chooses songs that would make it easy for the congregation to sing their praises to God. This means a good mix of songs familiar to the people, as well as consistently introducing new and appropriate worship songs, and at a pace comfortable for the congregation.
2) What key they pitch the songs in.
A lead singer would pitch the songs in keys that would best feature his or her voice. A worship leader will pitch the worship songs in keys that are comfortable for the congregation, so that they are not croaking uncomfortably or screeching painfully during most of the songs.
This is very important. The usual singing range of a congregation varies based on its size and whether the group is predominantly male or female. To lead worship effectively you MUST be aware of such factors and take them into account as you plan the worship set. And any lead singer who is unable to sing worship songs in keys that are appropriate for the congregation is unable to lead worship well, no matter how skilled or sincere this person is.
3) How they structure the songs.
A lead singer structures a song based on creating entertainment value, what would make the audience go "wow!" A worship leader arranges a song to create momentum and to allow the people of God to sing a song long enough to let the lyrics go from their heads to their hearts. When it comes to song structures, a worship leader will NOT try anything distracting, such as abrupt key changes in the middle of the song. The effective worship leader knows that such antics catch the congregation off-guard, distract them, and it will take time for them to refocus on singing their praises to God.
4) How they lead the congregation.
A lead singer is more interested in creating a smooth show. He or she will at best direct the musicians with hand signals; directing and leading the congregation is not a priority. A worship leader will direct the congregation as well as the musicians. He or she is not that concerned about whether the singing sounds like what people hear from the worship CDs or albums. The emphasis is on whether the people of God have been unified in their praises.
Conclusion:
There is nothing wrong with being either a lead singer or a worship leader. The Body of Christ has different kinds of service, but the same Lord (1 Cor 12:5). Problems and misunderstandings arise, however, when people mistake one for another, or think that a skilled lead singer will automatically know how to lead worship, or a worship leader has to be as technically competent as a lead singer in order to serve powerfully in worship ministry.
So whatever you do, do not try to perform both roles at the same time. That will guarantee you will be effective in neither! Be clear about what role is needed from you, what role you are able to perform, then fulfil that role to the best of your ability and to the glory of God!
Be blessed, peace house!
PEACE HOUSE MASS CHOIR
MD
Hi, peace house!
What is the difference between a lead singer in church and a worship leader? If you want to be effective in worship ministry, you MUST be very clear about the difference between the two. Because they are two entirely different ways of doing things, many people get confused when they try to act like a lead singer but expect the results of a worship leader, and vice versa. The rules, practices and priority of one does not necessarily apply to the other.
On the surface, worship leaders and lead singers look the same. They stand in front of a group of people, they sing, often with the backing of a band of musicians, but the similarity ends here. The difference between a lead singer and a worship leader is this: a lead singer does what he or she does for the sake of the singing. A worship leader does everything for the sake of the worship experience of the people of God.
What are the specific differences between a lead singer and a worship leader?
1) How they choose songs.
A lead singer chooses songs largely based on what would suit his or her voice, personal preferences in music, and maybe what the congregation would like to hear. A worship leader chooses songs that would make it easy for the congregation to sing their praises to God. This means a good mix of songs familiar to the people, as well as consistently introducing new and appropriate worship songs, and at a pace comfortable for the congregation.
2) What key they pitch the songs in.
A lead singer would pitch the songs in keys that would best feature his or her voice. A worship leader will pitch the worship songs in keys that are comfortable for the congregation, so that they are not croaking uncomfortably or screeching painfully during most of the songs.
This is very important. The usual singing range of a congregation varies based on its size and whether the group is predominantly male or female. To lead worship effectively you MUST be aware of such factors and take them into account as you plan the worship set. And any lead singer who is unable to sing worship songs in keys that are appropriate for the congregation is unable to lead worship well, no matter how skilled or sincere this person is.
3) How they structure the songs.
A lead singer structures a song based on creating entertainment value, what would make the audience go "wow!" A worship leader arranges a song to create momentum and to allow the people of God to sing a song long enough to let the lyrics go from their heads to their hearts. When it comes to song structures, a worship leader will NOT try anything distracting, such as abrupt key changes in the middle of the song. The effective worship leader knows that such antics catch the congregation off-guard, distract them, and it will take time for them to refocus on singing their praises to God.
4) How they lead the congregation.
A lead singer is more interested in creating a smooth show. He or she will at best direct the musicians with hand signals; directing and leading the congregation is not a priority. A worship leader will direct the congregation as well as the musicians. He or she is not that concerned about whether the singing sounds like what people hear from the worship CDs or albums. The emphasis is on whether the people of God have been unified in their praises.
Conclusion:
There is nothing wrong with being either a lead singer or a worship leader. The Body of Christ has different kinds of service, but the same Lord (1 Cor 12:5). Problems and misunderstandings arise, however, when people mistake one for another, or think that a skilled lead singer will automatically know how to lead worship, or a worship leader has to be as technically competent as a lead singer in order to serve powerfully in worship ministry.
So whatever you do, do not try to perform both roles at the same time. That will guarantee you will be effective in neither! Be clear about what role is needed from you, what role you are able to perform, then fulfil that role to the best of your ability and to the glory of God!
Be blessed, peace house!
PEACE HOUSE MASS CHOIR
MD
09 August 2009
08 August 2009
06 August 2009
Stage fright in worship ministry
Stage Fright in Worship Ministry
I did a performance thing one Friday.
Those you who have been with me for some time or listened to me teach know that I firmly believe that worship is meant for the congregation to participate in, not for a few people to perform in. Over the years I have focused more and more on worship ministry, rather than performing, and thus have gotten better and better at worship leading rather than performing.
And so the moment before I went up on stage for the Living Faith Church "Honor the Servers" event to perform two worship songs I wrote myself, I had stage fright again.
Yeah, even after all these years.
What I was told later was that I did well, so that means that the methods I use to conquer stage fright work. Thought of sharing them with you in this article.
The MOST important thing you MUST know: ALL stage fright is based on two factors: 1) that people are all focusing on you; and 2) the feeling that you are losing control. So the secret to overcoming stage fright is dealing with these two factors.
So in a worship context, you need to shift people's attention away from you and to God AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Firstly, because that's your job as a worship minister, and second, because that takes away from you pressure that you don't have to undergo in order to get the job done.
If you are a worship leader, get the people to start singing or to do something together as a congregation as soon as possible. In general, praying and exhorting the congregation before worship is quite unnecessary, in my opinion. It adds to the pressure on you (which you don't want) and delays the start of worship (which THEY don't want) and means that you have to put in even more work to generate the momentum in worship later once they do get started.
So if you can do it, do it well and yet generate the momentum later once you start the worship, great! Personally, even after all these years of leading worship, I don't do all that kind of stuff.
Now, if you are a worship musician or your mouth volunteered you for something before your rational mind kicked in (as happened in MY case), your struggle will be more of the second factor, the feeling that you are losing control.
How can you deal with that situation? First, have a familiar preparation routine. That can range from a familiar song intro style you use or even something as simple as washing your hands and drying them exactly the same way every time. This tells your subconscious that you ARE in control.
For me I'd either keep moving (if I have to do something that doesn't involve me talking) or pray for a relevant joke to use (Lots of people present that evening enjoyed my joke about my voice inspiring thanksgiving). When the people started laughing I knew I was still very much in control.
The keep moving method is one I don't really use these days, because people in church tend to freak out when they see me do stretching exercises ("Is he doing Tai Chi? Is that YOGA???"), but you can easily find other ideas you can adapt and use in YOUR situation.
There were some points I slipped up. For example, I had a mike in front of me during my singing, so to keep myself from going cross-eyed looking at the mike I just closed my eyes while singing (and played some chords wrong). But overall I did OK. Sometimes it's a question of how you choose to see the whole experience.
As I mentioned before, the worship songs were those I wrote, so I could see the whole experience in two ways. I could choose to see the experience of performing my own worship songs as being judged. Composing something is very personal because you put a lot of who you are as a person into it, and it's very easy to interpret people rejecting it as rejecting who you are as a person.
Or I could see it in this way: because it's MY song nobody else knows it. Therefore no one else will know if I get it wrong. A lot less pressure, right? I chose to see it this way...
Of course all these ideas are not meant to replace proper preparation. The two songs I used are songs I wrote from Scripture passages very dear to me (from the book of Psalms, surprised?) and for two weeks before I was using those two songs in my daily devotionals and discovering what songs could be effectively linked with those two songs. (Hey, once a worship leader, always a worship leader).
But sometimes even after we've prepared a lot we still get the jitters. That's where the ideas here come in useful. Try them out and let me know what you think?
05 August 2009
DANCE AS LANGUAGE OF FAITH
Dance as a Language of Faith
Kathleen Kline-Chesson is campus chaplain of the University of Maryland’s United Campus Ministry in College Park, Maryland, and a dancer, director and choreographer. This article appeared in the Christian Century, March 22-29, 1989. Copyright by the Christian Century Foundation and used by permission. Current articles and subscription information can be found at www.christiancentury.org. This material was prepared for Religion Online by Ted & Winnie Brock.
A well-intentioned minister once asked if I would interpret a passage of Scripture in the form of dance for Sunday morning worship. He was searching for a way to "liven up" his sometimes "austere and predictable" worship services. He suggested that I invite some of the children to participate, for the members of his congregation enjoyed seeing the children active in worship. He did caution that their bodies should not show "too much leg or breast." Although he himself appreciated the beauty of the human body, he explained, his congregation might not be so understanding.
While I was gratified by his request and believed that he genuinely hoped to enrich his congregation’s worship experience, I also realized that much education was required if dance was to be taken seriously as a valid and vital liturgical resource.
Dance in worship is not a new concept. Humans have always communicated their religious questions and expressions in the language of gesture and dance. According to Adelaide Ortegel, author of A Dancing People, dance as "a total act of worship and prayer" helps human beings grasp their relationship with God. While the forms may have changed, dance still serves to unite people to one another and to God, whom we experience largely through nonverbal forms of communication. Unfortunately, dance as a language of worship has been largely forgotten.
Creatures with bodies as well as minds and souls were the crowning glory of God’s creation described in Genesis. Christ also appeared in a bodily form, suffered bodily pain and death, and was bodily resurrected. Though we celebrate the Word becoming flesh, modem Christians tend to emphasize verbal rather than physical expressions of faith and worship.
The Hebrews did not make such a division between body and spirit. Dancing before God was an experience of both revelation and response; an intense and vital expression of love, praise, thanksgiving, mystery, fear and even anger. Scripture records Miriam’s dance of thanksgiving before the Israelites as they were delivered at the Sea of Reeds (Exod. 15:20-21) and David’s dance of ecstasy before the ark (II Sam. 6:14) The Psalms, written to accompany acts of worship in the temple, offer many examples of dance and liturgical movement. To dance was to praise God with the fullest expression of joy. To kneel and bow down was to show reverence and obedience. In The Liturgy as Dance Carolyn Deitering writes, "Processions, prostrations, encircling of the altar or Torah, bowing, lifting the hands in prayer, swaying and dancing were all embraced as human actions which assisted the community’s prayer to Yahweh."
Yet gesture and movement were eventually utilized by the clergy and by nuns and priests in convents and monasteries, where because of the rule of silence they could most ably express themselves through gesture and movement. Monks, while holding hands, would chant and sing, moving through a symbolic "maze of life" in the monastery or sanctuary. They would then dance circle dances before the altar, symbolizing the mystical union with the dead, with God and with Christ.
When public worship moved from the house church to the large basilicas to accommodate the growing numbers of Christians, worship settings became much more grandiose and formal. The people became passive observers rather than participants in worship, and movement and gesture became the sole property of the priests.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Roman Church formalized all liturgy and defined every gesture and movement for the priest. As a. response to former "liturgical chaos, heresies and abuses," explains Deitering, the church produced a liturgy which, despite its formal nature, was described by some as a "kind of ritual dance." This set liturgy brought to an end the possibility for liturgical variance and creativity. By the 18th century religious dances were scarce, and they almost completely faded in the Enlightenment, with the exception of certain religious sects like the Shakers for whom religious dance was central.
"We are about to come full circle with the liturgy as dance and with the art of movement which might serve the dance," observes Deitering. "The liturgy as dance has gone from activity to spectacle, and is now returning to community activity." The art of movement is being challenged to "return to its roots." The challenge comes, in part, from a spiritual hunger which involves the senses as well as the rational mind.
Liturgical dance today entails more than gestures or movements offered by the priest or minister. A choir of dancers, or soloists, trained and rehearsed in a language of liturgical movement, gives form to symbols and expressions, and serves as a vehicle through which God’s presence may be apprehended. Worshipers accustomed to oral and mental involvement in worship will have to develop the capacity not only to look and see, but to receive the dance kinesthetically. The dance as liturgy must be presented so as to invite and involve the congregation, serving as a window through which, according to liturgist Jeffrey Rowthorn, "one thing is seen, but something else is understood." How does dance actually transform movement into Christian meaning? It may be helpful to take a closer look at the component parts of liturgical dance: the liturgy .and the dance.
For Christians, the liturgy is both a personal encounter with God and a corporate experience. It is the activity of the Holy Spirit which makes a "crowd into a community," unifying the diverse strands of the worshiping body. According to Evelyn Underhill in Worship, the personal and social dimensions of the liturgy must cooperate at all times lest worship decline from "religion to magic and from a living worship to a ceremonial routine." Worship is an active not a passive experience, and one’s participation in the liturgy determines the outcome.
Dance is the use of specific movements and gestures by the body, movements often suggesting rhythms, ideas and feelings and often accompanied by music or words. Deitering describes dance as "the sole art which by its very being claims the power to unify body, mind, spirit, and emotions." The dancer’s ability to shape movements into patterns, symbols and images allows the dance to be an expressive, interpretive and reflective art.
For dance to become liturgical dance -- for it to call God into the midst of a celebration, for it to enliven and embody a particular scriptural message, and for it to help create and enrich a worshiping atmosphere -- it needs to be carefully crafted to fit the context of the entire liturgy, so people can respond without being distracted either by the bodies or the abruptness of the movements. We become merely observers of a performance when a liturgical dance is added to the middle of a service without regard for context or continuity. The dance then functions more as a novelty, an entertainment.
No set styles or movement patterns have yet evolved to form a standard dance liturgy. It seems as if everyone -- trained and untrained -- is trying one out. This experimentation is commendable insofar as it increases the pool of creative energy and talent and engages people in the worship of God. But if liturgical dance is not prepared thoughtfully and offered prayerfully, it can foster a negative impression that lasts for years.
Though I am a professionally trained modern dancer and an ordained minister, I have made many mistakes in seeking a place for dance in worship. Through these mistakes I have learned that liturgical dance works best when the minister, music minister and dance minister collaborate to form the liturgy. It is imperative that adequate time be allowed for creative planning and rehearsing. The congregation must be educated -- through the bulletin, workshops, sermons -- about liturgical dance. Ministers can introduce dance in worship by using gestures to indicate standing or sitting. They can bow, kneel, lift the Bible in acclamation and move down the aisles. They may also ask the congregation to join hands in prayer, greet each other in peace .with a hug or handshake and even raise their arms at appropriate moments. They may also emphasize the biblical imagery that suggests movement and physical expression in the worship of God.
Liturgical dances are most authentic and worshipful when the dancers have worked together for a significant period of time before dancing in an actual service. This develops a necessary rapport between the dancers in both faith and movement. When they are spiritually and physically prepared for worship, they can abandon themselves to the spirit of the movement rather than worry about technique and steps. If there is a variance of technical ability among the dancers, one must choreograph the dance for the least experienced, to preserve the integrity of the movement and its meaning.
The size and shape of the worship space should also be considered carefully. If little space is available, simple gestural dances with limited movement may be the most appropriate. Moving to the social hall of the church for a fuller liturgical dance service may be another option. When the congregation must strain to see, frustration will overcome any inspiration it might receive from the dance.
Transitions between the danced liturgy and the spoken or sung liturgy can be artfully woven into the service. Thought must be given to where the dancers sit, how they move from sitting to dancing, and vice versa. Usually dancers should be visible throughout the service so entrances and exits are not distracting. They will often kneel or bow toward the altar before and after a dance is offered to maintain a context of prayer.
Costumes should be simple and uniform. I usually ask dancers to wear leotards and matching skirts with a transparent veil which falls over the chest and waist. This way the body is veiled, yet the shape is still visible. Men wear loose pants and a leotard top and a uniform veiling.
Specific types of dances and movement styles lend themselves to different parts of the liturgy. Processional dances lead the choirs and minister up the aisles and set the tone and atmosphere for worship. Often the dancers, by way of candles, banners, tambourines, and the use of liturgical color and symbols (bread, wine, gifts) , can announce the worship themes. The movements presented by the dancers can help these themes come alive.
For instance, the Passion themes in Isaiah 52-58 about the obedient servant of God who suffers willfully and willingly for our healing and salvation present Christians with a series of paradoxes which are difficult to grasp: the honored one is despised and rejected, the innocent is charged with guilt, the healer is wounded, and the one who offers life is killed. Movements offered by a dancer can help a congregation grasp these paradoxes.
As a part of a sequence of movement, pause and stillness, a dancer begins by kneeling, with back to the congregation. Slowly he or she rises as if being pulled up by the wrists, which are twisted, hands in tight fists. The dancer stands as if hanging on a cross, turns slowly to face the congregation with a tired and pained expression. A crown of thorns resting on the altar cross gives the illusion of resting on the dancer’s head. The dancer lifts the head, straightens the body, and stretches arms forward to the congregation, palms up. The dancer then walks forward, reaching out as if to say, "For you!"
Prayer dances offer another vehicle of worship. They are used to focus the congregation and draw its members into prayer, or following a prayer. Before a prayer, I often have dancers turn and face the altar in silence, lift their arms high in outreach to God and close them in a prayer position while lowering both head and arms. The dancers then remain silent and in prayer during the reading of the prayer. Movement danced in silence can extend the prayer.
Reflective or interpretive dances are meditations and involve thoughtful exegesis of a Scripture or other meditative material. The purpose of the dance is to draw the members of the congregation into reflection concerning the meaning of the message. The dance sometimes accompanies the reading or follows it, with music or in silence. Often I begin the dance before the reading so the congregation can fully focus on the movements and their meaning before hearing the reading. The dance continues through the reading and ends in silence following the reading: Reflective dances of this nature can also be offered as a sermon or a sermon accompaniment (created collaboratively)
Celebration dances express joy and thanksgiving before God and before the community of believers. They often accompany the prelude and postlude and sometimes involve the congregation in simple movement responses. I have used a celebration dance to lead the congregation out of the sanctuary to a meal prepared in the social hall or to an Advent carol sing.
Liturgical dance is an invitational art. It invites us to respond to God with out whole being; it helps us move beyond verbal expressions to a fuller experience and expression of our relationship with God. Liturgical dances are choreographed to bring life and form to the joys, visions and struggles of a searching heart. When the dances are danced with the sincerity and confidence and spiritual discernment that worship requires, the Christian message is brought to life.
PHMC…
Kathleen Kline-Chesson is campus chaplain of the University of Maryland’s United Campus Ministry in College Park, Maryland, and a dancer, director and choreographer. This article appeared in the Christian Century, March 22-29, 1989. Copyright by the Christian Century Foundation and used by permission. Current articles and subscription information can be found at www.christiancentury.org. This material was prepared for Religion Online by Ted & Winnie Brock.
A well-intentioned minister once asked if I would interpret a passage of Scripture in the form of dance for Sunday morning worship. He was searching for a way to "liven up" his sometimes "austere and predictable" worship services. He suggested that I invite some of the children to participate, for the members of his congregation enjoyed seeing the children active in worship. He did caution that their bodies should not show "too much leg or breast." Although he himself appreciated the beauty of the human body, he explained, his congregation might not be so understanding.
While I was gratified by his request and believed that he genuinely hoped to enrich his congregation’s worship experience, I also realized that much education was required if dance was to be taken seriously as a valid and vital liturgical resource.
Dance in worship is not a new concept. Humans have always communicated their religious questions and expressions in the language of gesture and dance. According to Adelaide Ortegel, author of A Dancing People, dance as "a total act of worship and prayer" helps human beings grasp their relationship with God. While the forms may have changed, dance still serves to unite people to one another and to God, whom we experience largely through nonverbal forms of communication. Unfortunately, dance as a language of worship has been largely forgotten.
Creatures with bodies as well as minds and souls were the crowning glory of God’s creation described in Genesis. Christ also appeared in a bodily form, suffered bodily pain and death, and was bodily resurrected. Though we celebrate the Word becoming flesh, modem Christians tend to emphasize verbal rather than physical expressions of faith and worship.
The Hebrews did not make such a division between body and spirit. Dancing before God was an experience of both revelation and response; an intense and vital expression of love, praise, thanksgiving, mystery, fear and even anger. Scripture records Miriam’s dance of thanksgiving before the Israelites as they were delivered at the Sea of Reeds (Exod. 15:20-21) and David’s dance of ecstasy before the ark (II Sam. 6:14) The Psalms, written to accompany acts of worship in the temple, offer many examples of dance and liturgical movement. To dance was to praise God with the fullest expression of joy. To kneel and bow down was to show reverence and obedience. In The Liturgy as Dance Carolyn Deitering writes, "Processions, prostrations, encircling of the altar or Torah, bowing, lifting the hands in prayer, swaying and dancing were all embraced as human actions which assisted the community’s prayer to Yahweh."
Yet gesture and movement were eventually utilized by the clergy and by nuns and priests in convents and monasteries, where because of the rule of silence they could most ably express themselves through gesture and movement. Monks, while holding hands, would chant and sing, moving through a symbolic "maze of life" in the monastery or sanctuary. They would then dance circle dances before the altar, symbolizing the mystical union with the dead, with God and with Christ.
When public worship moved from the house church to the large basilicas to accommodate the growing numbers of Christians, worship settings became much more grandiose and formal. The people became passive observers rather than participants in worship, and movement and gesture became the sole property of the priests.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Roman Church formalized all liturgy and defined every gesture and movement for the priest. As a. response to former "liturgical chaos, heresies and abuses," explains Deitering, the church produced a liturgy which, despite its formal nature, was described by some as a "kind of ritual dance." This set liturgy brought to an end the possibility for liturgical variance and creativity. By the 18th century religious dances were scarce, and they almost completely faded in the Enlightenment, with the exception of certain religious sects like the Shakers for whom religious dance was central.
"We are about to come full circle with the liturgy as dance and with the art of movement which might serve the dance," observes Deitering. "The liturgy as dance has gone from activity to spectacle, and is now returning to community activity." The art of movement is being challenged to "return to its roots." The challenge comes, in part, from a spiritual hunger which involves the senses as well as the rational mind.
Liturgical dance today entails more than gestures or movements offered by the priest or minister. A choir of dancers, or soloists, trained and rehearsed in a language of liturgical movement, gives form to symbols and expressions, and serves as a vehicle through which God’s presence may be apprehended. Worshipers accustomed to oral and mental involvement in worship will have to develop the capacity not only to look and see, but to receive the dance kinesthetically. The dance as liturgy must be presented so as to invite and involve the congregation, serving as a window through which, according to liturgist Jeffrey Rowthorn, "one thing is seen, but something else is understood." How does dance actually transform movement into Christian meaning? It may be helpful to take a closer look at the component parts of liturgical dance: the liturgy .and the dance.
For Christians, the liturgy is both a personal encounter with God and a corporate experience. It is the activity of the Holy Spirit which makes a "crowd into a community," unifying the diverse strands of the worshiping body. According to Evelyn Underhill in Worship, the personal and social dimensions of the liturgy must cooperate at all times lest worship decline from "religion to magic and from a living worship to a ceremonial routine." Worship is an active not a passive experience, and one’s participation in the liturgy determines the outcome.
Dance is the use of specific movements and gestures by the body, movements often suggesting rhythms, ideas and feelings and often accompanied by music or words. Deitering describes dance as "the sole art which by its very being claims the power to unify body, mind, spirit, and emotions." The dancer’s ability to shape movements into patterns, symbols and images allows the dance to be an expressive, interpretive and reflective art.
For dance to become liturgical dance -- for it to call God into the midst of a celebration, for it to enliven and embody a particular scriptural message, and for it to help create and enrich a worshiping atmosphere -- it needs to be carefully crafted to fit the context of the entire liturgy, so people can respond without being distracted either by the bodies or the abruptness of the movements. We become merely observers of a performance when a liturgical dance is added to the middle of a service without regard for context or continuity. The dance then functions more as a novelty, an entertainment.
No set styles or movement patterns have yet evolved to form a standard dance liturgy. It seems as if everyone -- trained and untrained -- is trying one out. This experimentation is commendable insofar as it increases the pool of creative energy and talent and engages people in the worship of God. But if liturgical dance is not prepared thoughtfully and offered prayerfully, it can foster a negative impression that lasts for years.
Though I am a professionally trained modern dancer and an ordained minister, I have made many mistakes in seeking a place for dance in worship. Through these mistakes I have learned that liturgical dance works best when the minister, music minister and dance minister collaborate to form the liturgy. It is imperative that adequate time be allowed for creative planning and rehearsing. The congregation must be educated -- through the bulletin, workshops, sermons -- about liturgical dance. Ministers can introduce dance in worship by using gestures to indicate standing or sitting. They can bow, kneel, lift the Bible in acclamation and move down the aisles. They may also ask the congregation to join hands in prayer, greet each other in peace .with a hug or handshake and even raise their arms at appropriate moments. They may also emphasize the biblical imagery that suggests movement and physical expression in the worship of God.
Liturgical dances are most authentic and worshipful when the dancers have worked together for a significant period of time before dancing in an actual service. This develops a necessary rapport between the dancers in both faith and movement. When they are spiritually and physically prepared for worship, they can abandon themselves to the spirit of the movement rather than worry about technique and steps. If there is a variance of technical ability among the dancers, one must choreograph the dance for the least experienced, to preserve the integrity of the movement and its meaning.
The size and shape of the worship space should also be considered carefully. If little space is available, simple gestural dances with limited movement may be the most appropriate. Moving to the social hall of the church for a fuller liturgical dance service may be another option. When the congregation must strain to see, frustration will overcome any inspiration it might receive from the dance.
Transitions between the danced liturgy and the spoken or sung liturgy can be artfully woven into the service. Thought must be given to where the dancers sit, how they move from sitting to dancing, and vice versa. Usually dancers should be visible throughout the service so entrances and exits are not distracting. They will often kneel or bow toward the altar before and after a dance is offered to maintain a context of prayer.
Costumes should be simple and uniform. I usually ask dancers to wear leotards and matching skirts with a transparent veil which falls over the chest and waist. This way the body is veiled, yet the shape is still visible. Men wear loose pants and a leotard top and a uniform veiling.
Specific types of dances and movement styles lend themselves to different parts of the liturgy. Processional dances lead the choirs and minister up the aisles and set the tone and atmosphere for worship. Often the dancers, by way of candles, banners, tambourines, and the use of liturgical color and symbols (bread, wine, gifts) , can announce the worship themes. The movements presented by the dancers can help these themes come alive.
For instance, the Passion themes in Isaiah 52-58 about the obedient servant of God who suffers willfully and willingly for our healing and salvation present Christians with a series of paradoxes which are difficult to grasp: the honored one is despised and rejected, the innocent is charged with guilt, the healer is wounded, and the one who offers life is killed. Movements offered by a dancer can help a congregation grasp these paradoxes.
As a part of a sequence of movement, pause and stillness, a dancer begins by kneeling, with back to the congregation. Slowly he or she rises as if being pulled up by the wrists, which are twisted, hands in tight fists. The dancer stands as if hanging on a cross, turns slowly to face the congregation with a tired and pained expression. A crown of thorns resting on the altar cross gives the illusion of resting on the dancer’s head. The dancer lifts the head, straightens the body, and stretches arms forward to the congregation, palms up. The dancer then walks forward, reaching out as if to say, "For you!"
Prayer dances offer another vehicle of worship. They are used to focus the congregation and draw its members into prayer, or following a prayer. Before a prayer, I often have dancers turn and face the altar in silence, lift their arms high in outreach to God and close them in a prayer position while lowering both head and arms. The dancers then remain silent and in prayer during the reading of the prayer. Movement danced in silence can extend the prayer.
Reflective or interpretive dances are meditations and involve thoughtful exegesis of a Scripture or other meditative material. The purpose of the dance is to draw the members of the congregation into reflection concerning the meaning of the message. The dance sometimes accompanies the reading or follows it, with music or in silence. Often I begin the dance before the reading so the congregation can fully focus on the movements and their meaning before hearing the reading. The dance continues through the reading and ends in silence following the reading: Reflective dances of this nature can also be offered as a sermon or a sermon accompaniment (created collaboratively)
Celebration dances express joy and thanksgiving before God and before the community of believers. They often accompany the prelude and postlude and sometimes involve the congregation in simple movement responses. I have used a celebration dance to lead the congregation out of the sanctuary to a meal prepared in the social hall or to an Advent carol sing.
Liturgical dance is an invitational art. It invites us to respond to God with out whole being; it helps us move beyond verbal expressions to a fuller experience and expression of our relationship with God. Liturgical dances are choreographed to bring life and form to the joys, visions and struggles of a searching heart. When the dances are danced with the sincerity and confidence and spiritual discernment that worship requires, the Christian message is brought to life.
PHMC…
DANCE AS ART OF WORSHIP
How to use dance in the Church
Dance in the Bible
Biblical use of colour
Dealing with objections to dance
Culture in the Church
Safety matters
Costumes
Makeup and finishing touches
Make Your Own
How to make flags
How to make ribbons and streamers
How to make worship cloths
How God has led me in my dance ministry
Choreography Site
International Prophetic Worship and Intercessors Congress
PHMC
Dance in the Bible
Biblical use of colour
Dealing with objections to dance
Culture in the Church
Safety matters
Costumes
Makeup and finishing touches
Make Your Own
How to make flags
How to make ribbons and streamers
How to make worship cloths
How God has led me in my dance ministry
Choreography Site
International Prophetic Worship and Intercessors Congress
PHMC
QUOTES/ WORSHIP VISSION
WORSHIP VISSION
71 QUOTES FOR LIFE
1. WORTHWHILE MAN
"It is easy enough to be happy When life goes along like a song But the man worthwhile is the man who can smile When everything goes wrong"
2. ANYONE CAN
Anyone can make mistakes That is why a pencil has an eraser
Anyone can blossom a smile That is why teeth are white
Anyone can give a handshake That is why there are five fingers
Anyone can think high That is why the head is on the top
Anyone can share a bit of their tea That is why cup has a saucer
Anyone can walk alone That is why the shadow goes with him.
3. WHEN ALL IS LOST
When all is lost, and all forgotten Do not weep any more!! For that is when God is closest To your mortal game.
4. ON HOARDING WEALTH
Riches are intended for the comfort of life, but the purpose of life should not be the hoarding of riches only, A wise man was asked, "Who is fortunate and who is unfortunate?". He replied:
'That man was fortunate who spent and gave away whereas he was unfortunate who died and left behind. Pray not for that good for nothing man who did nothing, for he passed his life in hoarding riches and did not spend them'.
5. LOST CUSTOMERS
The Canadian Manufacturers Association found in a survey that out of every 100 customers lost,
* 1 was lost because of death
* 3 were lost when their favorite salesman left the company
* 5 left to buy from a friend or relative
* 9 left because they found they could buy at lower prices else where.
* 14 quit buying because of unadjusted complaints
* 68 quit buying because the employees of the company were indifferent and showed a lack of interest in the customer.
6. BE A LEADER, NOT A BOSS
Bosses drive their people
Leaders coach them
Bosses inspire fear
Leaders enthusiasm
Bosses say "Get here on time"
Leaders get there ahead of time
Bosses fix the blame for the breakdown.
Leaders fix the breakdown
Bosses say "Go", Leaders say, "Let's Go"
Bosses use people Leaders develop them.
7. MY HEART GOT THERE FIRST
It was a winter season. The temperature was below zero. A well clad gentleman was coming down from the Himalayas to the plains. He met an old man, almost bare bodied, making his way towards a high Himalayan shrine. "Old man" said the gentleman well protected from cold,"How can you walk up in this cold? what is your secret?". "You see" replied the old man cheerfully,"My heart got there first without bothering about the weather. It is easy for the rest of me to follow it".
8. ONE THOUGHT
One thought I have in my hold So deep it is and broad And equal to my every need It is the thought of God At night my gladness is my prayer I drop my daily load. And every care is left there Upon the thought of God
.9. THAT IS FOR YOU
At a party, a young wife advised her husband, "For the third time you have gone back for ice-Cream. Don't you feel shy? "Why should I? " he answered "I keep telling them it is for you."
10. THERE ARE THREE SIDES
The Chinese have a famous saying."To every question there are three sides; my side, your side and the right side.
11. EXCESS BAGGAGE- SHORTERN TRIP
You body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess baggage, the shorter the trip.
Arnold H. Glasgow
12. TWO CLASSES
Society is based on two classes. Those who have more dinners than appetite and those who have more appetite than dinners.
- Nicholas Chamfort.
13. A HUMAN'S GREATNESS
A human is as great as the dream he/she dreams As great as the value he/she redeems and the happiness he/she shares. A human is as great as the truth he/she speaks As great as the help he/she gives As great as the destiny he/she seeks As great as the life he/she lives.
14. MIDDLE AGED PERSON
A man asked his friend, "When does a person become middle aged?"
The friend replied "When he stops growing upwards and starts growing sideways".
15. DOES GOD USE OUR BATHROOM?
Child : "Mummy , does God use our bathroom?
Mummy : "No, my son, why do you ask?
Child : Then why does daddy beat on the door and shout "Oh god, are you still in there?"
16. HE IS RICHER?
"Our income should be like our shoes: If too small,they will gall and pinch us: but if too large, they will cause us to stumble and to trip. But wealth, after all, is a relative thing since he that has little, and wants less, is richer than he that has much, but wants more"
- Lord Chesterfield
17. THE BEST
The best King is thinking
The best wealth is health
The best cure is Nature cure.
The best culture is agriculture.
The best 'ism' is patriotism
The best city is simplicity
The best fare is welfare
The best ship is friendship
The best love is True-love
The best day is today.
Saco. V.H. Stephen
18. FIRST ENGLISH CHURCH BUILT IN INDIA
St Mary's Church inside Fort St George in Chennai is historically one of the most important buildings in India. It is the first English Church built in India. Robert Clive, an extraordinary English man who never lost a battle, was married to Margaret Makelyne in the Church 1753.
18 A. FROM HEAD TO FOOT
The name of the parts of the human body are used in a figurative sense in the following Passage :
M. Ramesh is the Head of a college in his town. He has to face many difficult situations. He cannot afford to turn a deaf ear or a blind eye to what happens on the campus. He should be capable of nosing trouble. On important occasions, he has to mouth past hands. He has many responsibilities to shoulder. Though he deals with the students with a stern hand, he has a soft heart. Often he has to stomach unpleasant things. In the morning he elbows his way into a crowded bus. In the evening he foots the distance home.
Prof S. Jagadisan
19. MANIACS
Bibliomaniac - A Person having a craze for collecting books.
Dipsomaniac - A person having a sickly desire for alcohol.
Theomaniac - A person who believes that he is God.
Pyromaniac - A person who has an irresistible desire to set fire.
Monomaniac - A person having an unreasonable interest in any particular thing, one idea or area of thought.
Megalomaniac - A person with a false impression that he is great and powerful.
Kleptomaniac - A person with an irresistible desire to steal.
Anglomaniac - A person having craze for anything English.
Xenomaniac - A person having an excessive attachment to foreign things.
20. I WILL DO SOMETHING
The best of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying not "What a lovely sermon", but "I will do something". St Francis De Sales.
21. PUTTING THE WATCHES TO THE EARS
Two priests, known for their long winding sermons were having a chat. One said, "It looks very bad when people start looking at their watches in the midst of the sermon. The other said, "That is tolerable, worse is when the listeners start putting their watches to the ears to check whether the watches have not stopped".
22. ONLY 4,000 DAYS TO EDUCATE AND DEVELOP GOOD NATURE
A man of science made the following calculation on human life expectancy. Seventy years of life yield 25,550 days. Remember that a period of twenty years is gone, almost before you begin to live. Reduce 7,300 days. Remainder -18,250 days.
Then the one item sleep reduces 6,080 days leaving 12,170 days. For recreation and occupation we will reduce 4,060 days. Remainder 8,110 days. Then reducing the time used in drinking, dressing, bathing etc, will leave you with not over 4,000 days in a long life in which you have to educate and develop good nature.
23. I NEED HIM
A free thinker saw an old lady saying her prayers with devotion. "Woman", he said, "You are wasting your time because the Lord does not need your prayers" "I know", replied the old lady very calmly and said, "But I need Him"
24. THREE TREASURES
1 have three treasures that I guard and cherish! The first is love, the second is contentment, the third is humility. Only the loving are courageous, only the contented are magnanimous, only the humble are capable of command.
Lao Tse
25. MORE LUCID THOUGHT
If there is righteousness in the heart there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony at home, there will be honesty in the business. If there is honesty in the business. There will be order in each nation. When there is order in each nation, there will be "Peace" in the world.
26. WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR HIM?
Do you aspire to worship Him in the temples?
Then learn, first, to worship Him in
the broken cottage. Learn to go out
into the highways and hedges. And
look for him in the ragged and the
naked, in the oppressed and the
heavy loaded, in those who have
lost hope and in those who are
struggling in the midst of poverty
and pain. Look for the Lord in them.
Frank Weston
27. WISDOM FROM KAHLIL GIBRAN
The fear of hell is hell itself, and the longing for paradise is paradise itself.
Oh, heart, if the ignorant say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower perishes, but the seeds remain. This is the law of God.
Man's values are in the few things he creates and not in the many possessions he amasses. They say if one understands himself, he understands all people. But I say to you, when one loves people, he learns something more about himself.
28. LORD GIVE ME THE GRACE TO CHANGE MYSELF
A wise, old middle - eastern mystic said this about himself. "I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was. "Lord, give me the energy to change the world'. As I approached middle age and realized that my life was half gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to. "Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come into contact with me. Just my family and friends. I shall be satisfied. Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how, foolish I have been. My one prayer now is "Lord, give me the grace to change myself". If I had prayed for this right from the start, I would not have wasted my life.
29. MISERY WILL OVERTAKE THE EVIL DOER
A foolish man learning that Buddha observed the principle of great love which commends the return of good for evil, came and abused him. Buddha was silent. When the man had finished his abuse, Buddha told him. "Son, if a man declined to accept a present made to him, to whom would it belong?" And the man answered, "In that case it would belong to the man who offered it.
"My son", said Buddha, "Though you have hurled abuses at me, I decline to accept them, and request you to keep them yourself".
Misery will overtake the evil doer without fail.
Human collects more than they need when the sparrow builds its nest in the wide forest, it builds, only on one branch of a tree. The deer when thirsty drinks from the river only as much as its stomach can contain. Man alone wants to grab and collect and hoard more than what he wants. We collect things because our needs are empty.
- Swami Chinmayananda
30. EACH ONE IS RIGHT
One upon a time some blind men came across an elephant. The elephant was gentle and patient. The blind men surrounded the elephant and held in their hands different parts of his body.
One said while holding the trunk of the elephant, "Surely the elephant is like a snake". "No, No" argued the other while holding the ear of the elephant, "The elephant is like a fan" You are wrong" shouted the third, holding the tail of the elephant, "the elephant is just like a broom".
"The elephant is like a wall" insisted the fourth, holding the elephants mid-section.
The fifth felt the foot of the elephant and declared, "you are all wrong! The elephant is just like a pillow."
And so they argued and argued for three days and three nights. But each was sure that he was the only one who was telling the truth.
Even so, the Truth is one, but it is described differently. Each one is right, because he describes the Truth from a different angle. When you know the Truth through inner vision, all controversies end.
31. ARE YOU GOD?
One cold evening a little boy of about six was standing in front of a stone window. The little boy had no shoes and his clothes were mere rags. A young woman passing by saw the little boy, took the child by hand and led him to the store. There she bought him a pair of new shoes and a complete suit of warm clothes.
They came back outside on to the street and the woman said to the child. "Now you can go home and have a very happy holiday". The little boy asked, "Madam, are you God?" She smiled at him and replied, "No son, I am just one of His children" The little boy then said, "I knew you had to be some relation"
-Dan dark.
32. MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD
Hoping to paint 'the most beautiful thing in the world' an artist asked three people what they thought it might be.
"Faith", replied the clergy man, "you will find it at every altar".
'Love', said a young bride, "Love builds poverty into riches, it sweetens tears; makes much of little. Without it there is no beauty".
"Peace is the most beautiful thing in the world" answered a weary soldier, "war is ugly. wherever you find peace, you find beauty"
"Faith, love, peace! how can I paint them!" wondered the artist.
Entering his home he saw the faith in the eyes of his children and love in the eyes of his wife. And in his home, he saw the peace that love and faith had built.
So he painted 'the most beautiful thing in the world'. And he called it "Home".
33. I ONLY WANTED TO BE WITH YOU
A doctor was busy in his study when his small son came in and stood silently by. The doctor, pre-occupied with his work, put his hand into his pocket, took out a coin and offered it to the boy, "I do not want any money daddy" the lad said.
After a few moments the doctor opened a drawer of his desk, took out a candy bar and offered this to his son. Again he was refused.
A little impatient, the busy doctor asked, "Well, what do you want?"
"I do not want anything. "The boy replied, "I only wanted to be with you".
34. "LOOKUP"
In the days of sailing ships, a young and inexperienced seamen was sent in a storm to remove a broken part from the mainmast. In spite of the raging wind, the youngster climbed up swiftly and did the job. When it was time to descend, he looked down and saw the vessel tossing and rolling in the ugly sea.
Suddenly his courage left him. He felt dizzy and faint. He called to the mate on the deck below "I am going to fall"! The mate shouted back "Do not look down, boy. Look up". The young seaman did as he was told and came down safely.
If more people would "look up" when everything seems to be going wrong, they would find that their lives would begin to "look up" too.
35. POSITIVE SPEECH - LEADS TO POSITIVE ACTION
Positive speech leads to positive action. Utter the following words clearly and decisively as soon as you wake up in the morning. Feel the enthusiasm and the life they bring you.
A - I am awake, alive and alert
B - I am benevolent, broad minded, bountiful.
C - I am cheerful, courageous and confident
D - I am determined, definite and decisive.
E - I am energetic, enthusiastic and enlivening
F - I am free, fearless and friendly.
G - I am grateful, generous and gracious
H - I am healthy, hopeful and happy
36. HE WHO CONQUERS THE MIND CONQUERS THE WORLD
A snake and a mouse happened to live in the same barn, full of haystacks. The farmer put in his hand to take out some hay and instantly the snake bit him. The mouse thrust its little head out at the same time. The farmer sighted him and muttered indifferently, "Ah, it's just a wee mouse" The next day, the mouse bit the farmers hand, while the snake peered out. Catching sight of the snake, the farmer screamed "My God, the snake bit me" and fainted with sheer terror.
It is our fear that creates terror. It is fear that emasculates and saps our courage. So he who conquers the mind conquers the world.
37. I HAVE LEARNT TO LIKE WHAT I GET
Traveler : What kind of weather are we going to have today?
Shepherd : The kind of weather I like"
Traveler : How do you know it will be the kind of weather you like?
Shepherd : "Having found out, sir, that I cannot always get what I like, I have learnt always to like what I get. So I am quite sure we will have the kind of weather I like".
Happiness and unhappiness are in the way we meet events,
not in the nature of those events themselves.
- Anthony De Mello
38. ANALYZE YOUR MIND AND REMOVE THE WOLF
Once upon a time, a light footed lamb, cautiously approached a murmuring stream in the forest. He was thirsty and drank from the stream with his ears erect, listening to every sound. Suddenly he heard an abrupt sound. He looked back. Whom could he see? It was that fierce faced wolf he often dreamt of in his frightening dream.
The wolf stared at the poor lamb and said, "How dare you make the water muddy! Now, how am I to drink from this stream?"
"Sir", replied the lamb, humbly, "water is flowing from you to me".
"Never mind, you rascal", shouted the wolf "Why did your father utter abusive words to me?" To this the poor lamb had no reply. The wolf then proceeded to jump upon the lamb and devour it.
There are many pretexts for carrying out a wicked design. One should analyses one's mind and remove the wolf from one's personality as soon as possible.
42. THREE THINGS
There are three things that if a man does not know, he cannot live long in this world; what is too much for him, what is too little for him and what is just for him.
43. THE SEVEN SINS
Politics without principle
Wealth without work
Pleasure without conscience
Knowledge without character
Commerce without morality
Science without humanity
Worship without sacrifice
- Mahatma Gandhi
44. DEVELOPMENT OR GROWTH
"Can you tell me who made you?" The pastor asked the small boy.
The youngster thought a moment. Then he looked up at the pastor and said, "God made part of me"
"What do you mean, part of you" asked the pastor
"Well" answered the boy, "God made me little. I grew the rest myself".
Growing the rest is a lifetime job for everyone".
45. HEAVEN & HELL
A man spoke with the Lord about heaven and hell "I will show you hell", said the Lord, and they went into a room which had a large pot of stew in the middle. The smell was delicious, but around the pot sat desperate people who were starving. All were holding spoons with very long handle which reached into the pot. But because the handle of the spoon was longer than their arms, it was impossible to get the stew into their mouths. Their suffering was terrible. "Now I'll show you heaven", said the Lord and they went into another room stood the first one. There was a similar pot of delicious stew and the people had the same long - handled spoons, but they were well nourished, talking and happy. At first the man did not understand. "It is simple", said the Lord. "You see they have learned to feed each other.
46. IT'S A BIBLE
A salesman went to a house selling a dictionary. 'I tell you" said the house wife to the sales man, "I don't want a dictionary. I already have one. There it is, lying over there on the table". "Lady, you can't fool me", retorted the salesman, "That's no dictionary, that's a Bible". "How can you be so sure about it?" asked the woman, her eyes opened wide in amazement. "That's easy" said the salesman,"By the dust on it".
47.BUT BY DEEDS
Not by birth does one become an outcaste, Not by birth does one become a Brahmana, By deeds one becomes an outcaste, By deeds one becomes a Brahmana,
- The Buddha
48.ATTITUDE TO WORK
Back in the middle ages, a dispatcher went out to determine how laborers felt about their work. He went to a building site in France.
He approached the first worker and asked, "What are you doing?"
"What, are you blind?" the worker snapped back. "I am cutting these impossible boulders with primitive tools and putting them together the way the boss tells me. I am sweating under the blazing sun. It's back-breaking work, and it's boring me to death".
The dispatcher quickly backed off and retreated to a second worker. He asked the same question, "What are you doing?"
The worker replied, "I am shaping these boulders into usable forms, which are then assembled according to the architect's plan. It's hard work and sometimes it get's repetitive, but I earn five francs week and that supports the wife and kids. It is a job. It could be worse, too".
Some what encouraged, the dispatcher went on to a third worker, "And what are you doing?" he asked.
"Why, can't you see?" said the worker as he lifted his arm to the sky. "I am building a cathedral".
Now that's the joy of working.
49. THE WOMAN WHO BUILT THE DAM
As I build this dam
I bury my life
The dawn breaks,
There is no flour in the grinding stone
I collect yesterday's husk for
today's meal.
The sun rises. And my spirit sinks
Hiding my baby under a basket
and biding my tears I go to build the dam.
The dam is ready, It feeds their sugarcane fields making the crop lush and juicy. But I walk miles through forests in search of a drop of drinking water.
I water the vegetation with drops of my sweat. As dry leaves fall and fill my parched yard.
Daya Pawar "Silent spring"
50. CACTUS & CATERPILLARS
I asked the Lord to give me a bunch of flowers but, the lord gave me cactus, ugly and full of thorns. I asked the Lord to give me lovely butterflies. But the Lord gave me hairy caterpillars, horrible and obscene. I was shocked, disappointed and grieved. After many days I saw the cactus burst into bloom. Those hairy caterpillars also turned into lovely butterflies, flying and dancing in the spring wind. How unfathomable God's purpose is.
51. DREAM OF THE WEEK
The grass dreams a dream in the soil. Then has sprouts, flowers and fruits. By autumn the leaves of grass fall. Then it is as if the dreams of the grass have gone. Yet the seeds dropped beside the old stalk dream the dream the following year.
One grass dies in one year, the next grass will die within the year. Grass after grass repeats the dream timelessly. The grass never gives up the dream. Does not consider it's dream only as it's own. The dream is dwelling in successive dreams. Dream the dream of the time; how they will be a million years later.
Yoshinei Miya.
52. LIVE IN FREEDOM
"Live, live in this world. This world is so marvelously beautiful. It is our world, our earth to live upon, but we do not live. We are narrow, we are separate, we are anxious, we are frightened human beings, and therefore we do not live, we have no relationship, we are isolated, despairing human beings. We do not know what it means to live in that ecstatic blissful sense.
I say one can live that way only when one knows how to be free from all the stupidities of one's life. To be free from them is only possible in becoming aware of one's relationship, not only with human beings, but with ideas, with nature, with everything".
53. ON EDUCATING WOMEN
Jawahar Lal Nehru : "Education of a boy is the education of one person, but education of a girl is the education of the entire family".
Chinese saying : If you want to plan for a year plant wheat, if you wish to plan for ten years grow trees. But if you want to plan for one hundred years educate your women.
54. LITTLE WORDS FOR HUMAN RELATIONS
The most important six words "I admit I made a mistake"
The most important five words "I am proud of you"
The most important four words "What is your opinion"
The most important three words "If you please"
The most important two words 'Thank You"
The most important one word "We" And the least important word, U.
55. THE SILVER LINING
After taking the children to school one rainy morning, I stopped at a fast food restaurant and ordered breakfast. Except for some un cleaned paper cups, boxes and potato chips littering the tables, there was no sign of other customers in the restaurant.
A young woman walked in with a boy, aged five or six. They had no sooner sat down to order than a man, slightly hunched and wearing a tottered coat, came in. He inched towards a littered table and slowly examined each of the boxes, looking for leftovers. When he picked up a cold french fry and put it to his mouth, the boy whispered to his mother, "Mum, that man is eating other's food".
"He is hungry and doesn't have any money, the mother whispered back.
"Can we buy him a burger? "No, I think he'll take only what others don't want", the mother replied.
When the waiters handed mother and son two take out bags and they approached the door to leave, the boy suddenly removed a burger from his bag and took a small bite from it. Then he ran back to where the man sat and placed it on the table before him.
Surprised, the vagrant looked gratefully at the boy as he turned and disappeared. As I left the restaurant, I saw that the blue sky was coming out from' under the leaden clouds.
56. FOOTPRINTS
Lives of great men all remind us: We can make our lives sublime And departing, leave behind us Foot prints on the sands of time.
57. WITHOUT YOU - GOD - I'M NOTHING
I am a spark, make me a Flame
I am a string, make me a Lute
I am an anthill, make me a Mountain
I ! am a drop, make me an Ocean
I am a feather, make me a Wing
I am a beggar, make me a King
For, without you, we can do nothing.
58. REPENTANCE
If there is no repentance, there can be no pardons. Some years ago a murderer was sentenced to death. The murderer's brother to whom the state was deeply indebted to for former service, besought the governor of the state for his brother's pardon. The pardon was granted, and the man visited his brother with the pardon in his pocket. "What would you do", he said to him "if you received a pardon". "The first thing I would do he answered, "is to track down the judge who sentenced me, and murder him; and the next thing I would do is to track down the chief witness and murder him".
The brother rose, and left the prison with the pardon in his pocket.
59. ON SERMON
"How late do you usually sleep on Sunday morning?"
"It all depends"
"On what?
"The length of the sermon"
60. I KNOW THE BIBLE
A small girl told her pastor that she knew everything in the Bible. The pastor was amused and remarked that she might know a few things, but not quite well. "Oh yes, 'was the quick reply, "I do know all that is in it".
Her mother, who had been listening rebuked the child for saying such a thing. The daughter was persistent and said, "But mother I do". There is grand mothers favorite picture, three dead leaves, a lock of Bobby's hair when he was a baby, a love letter from daddy, and a recipe for brown bread. That's all there is in the Bible".
61. NOT AFRAID OF POMPOUS RELIGION
About a hundred years ago, England was to send a very important Anglican Church dignitary as metropolitan of Calcutta. The Brahmin priests got wind of it. They were perturbed. This foreign religion might become a threat to their own tradition. They must investigate. So they sent one of their men to assess the situation. He wandered around the city till he came to the Bishop's residence. It was a vast sprawling, opulent mansion. As the man stood at the gate, the Bishop walked down the steps, arrayed in his magnificent robes. He stepped, into the waiting carriage drawn by two horses, with a position sitting at the rear. "Have no fear", one priest said "This is not a religion we need fear".
The priests were relieved, and rightly relieved, for the pomp and splendor of organized Christianity holds no appeal for any genuine seeker after truth.
62. ON CHRISTMAS
Christmas! But where is the spirit of Christmas in human hearts. Men and Women feast upon rich food amid bursts of laughter. There are not even the least sentiments of the eternal at the bottom of their hearts, neither the bright serenity of joy, nor the depth of devotion, what a great difference, in the religious feast of our country.
Rabindranath Tagore
63. PALM MONDAY
The donkey awakened. His mind savoring something pleasant, He arched his neck and walked around with mincing steps.
"That group of people by the well", he said. "I'll go and show myself to them".
They took no notice "Throw your garments down, he said crossly "Don't you know who I am?"
They stared at him in amazement. Someone threw a stone,
"Miserable infidels"! he muttered as he turned away in rage, "I'll go down to the market. Some good people are sure to be there. But it was the same.
"The palm branches! Where are the palm branches?" he shouted - "Have you forgotten?"
Dazed he returned to his mother "Foolish child", she said gently. "Without him you can do nothing".
64. A CHILD'S PRAYERS
Morning
I thank Thee Lord, for sleep and rest, For all the things that I love best, Now guide me through another day, And bless my work and bless my play, Lord, make me strong for noble ends, Protect and bless my loving friends, Of all humankind good Christians make, All this I ask for Jesus sake. Amen
Evening
Lord, send me sleep that I may live, The wrong I've done this day forgive, Bless every deed and thought and word, I've rightly done, or said, or heard, Bless relatives and friends always. Teach all the world to watch and pray, My thanks for all my blessings take, And hear my prayer for Jesus's sake Amen
65. STOPPING TO LISTEN
A man working in an ice plant amid the ice, and the sawdust in which it was stored, lost a valuable watch. His fellow workmen searched with him for more than two hours, but were unable to find it. They left the plant for lunch and returned to find a little boy with the watch in his hand. "How ever did you find it?" they inquired. He replied, "I just lay down in the sawdust and heard it' ticking. We, too, cannot find God by intensive, bustling search, but must be still, and (know that I am God).
66. LIVE IN PRESENT
Trust no future, however pleasant. Let the past bury it's dead! Act - act in the living present! Hearts within and God overhead.
N.W. Longfellow
67. HE'S SWIMMING-WITH GOD
The goldfish died after living in a bowl that was in the family lounge. The first time the baby sitter came over after the fish died, she immediately noticed the empty bowl, "Where's the fish? she asked Without hesitating, the family's three year old shot back, "Oh, he's swimming with God".
68. FOOT PRINTS IN THE SAND
By Mary Stevenson
written in 1936
One night I dreamed I was walking
Along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.
Other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that
During the low periods of my life when I was
Suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints,
So I said to the Lord, "You promised me,
Lord, that if I followed You,
You would walk with me always.
But I noticed that during the most trying periods
Of my life there have only been
One set of prints in the sand.
Why, When I have needed You most,
You have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints
Is when I carried you.
69. GOOD LUCK? BAD LUCK? WHO KNOWS?
There is a Chinese story of an old farmer who had an old horse for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills and when all the farmers neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later the horse returned with a head of wild horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who Knows?". Then when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was "Bad luck? Good luck? Who Knows?". Some weeks later the army marched into the village and conscripted every able - bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg they let him off. Now was that "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows? "
70. HE CHANGED ME
Bishop Emerson Colaw writes that during one Lenten season he went to see a drama that portrayed the life of Jesus. "The man Born to be King reached it's climax in the crucifixion scene. The three Marys entered and approached the Roman guards. Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoke to the Captain requesting permission to minister to the needs of her son. He roughly pushed her away. Then one of the other women came forward and sought permission, adding, "For old times sake". The captain refused her request also. Then with a sweeping motion of her hand she loosed her golden hair so that it could cascade down her back. "Mercellus", she asked, "have you ever seen hair like this" And then she thrust out a foot and asked, "And have feet ever danced for you like these feet?"
Incredulity was on his face. In amazement he said, "Mary Magdalene how you have changed!" Slowly, with dramatic emphasis, she turned so that her back was to the audience and she was facing Christ on the cross and slowly said, "Yes, Mercellus, I have changed, He changed me!".
71. "I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO LOVE ME" '
The story is told about a childless couple who wanted to adopt a little boy approximately six years old. They had visited several adoption agencies and finally found a child that was a match for their family. As they visited the child the wife said, "If you would come and live with us you could have your own private room, a nice yard with play equipment and all the toys and clothes you could ever want. Would you like to come and live with us? The little boy hesitated a moment and said, "No, I don't think so."
The couple was stunned. They felt that they had offered the child everything a child could want. The husband said to the boy, "We've offered you everything anyone could want. What more do you want? In words far beyond his years the child replied," I just
PHMC…
71 QUOTES FOR LIFE
1. WORTHWHILE MAN
"It is easy enough to be happy When life goes along like a song But the man worthwhile is the man who can smile When everything goes wrong"
2. ANYONE CAN
Anyone can make mistakes That is why a pencil has an eraser
Anyone can blossom a smile That is why teeth are white
Anyone can give a handshake That is why there are five fingers
Anyone can think high That is why the head is on the top
Anyone can share a bit of their tea That is why cup has a saucer
Anyone can walk alone That is why the shadow goes with him.
3. WHEN ALL IS LOST
When all is lost, and all forgotten Do not weep any more!! For that is when God is closest To your mortal game.
4. ON HOARDING WEALTH
Riches are intended for the comfort of life, but the purpose of life should not be the hoarding of riches only, A wise man was asked, "Who is fortunate and who is unfortunate?". He replied:
'That man was fortunate who spent and gave away whereas he was unfortunate who died and left behind. Pray not for that good for nothing man who did nothing, for he passed his life in hoarding riches and did not spend them'.
5. LOST CUSTOMERS
The Canadian Manufacturers Association found in a survey that out of every 100 customers lost,
* 1 was lost because of death
* 3 were lost when their favorite salesman left the company
* 5 left to buy from a friend or relative
* 9 left because they found they could buy at lower prices else where.
* 14 quit buying because of unadjusted complaints
* 68 quit buying because the employees of the company were indifferent and showed a lack of interest in the customer.
6. BE A LEADER, NOT A BOSS
Bosses drive their people
Leaders coach them
Bosses inspire fear
Leaders enthusiasm
Bosses say "Get here on time"
Leaders get there ahead of time
Bosses fix the blame for the breakdown.
Leaders fix the breakdown
Bosses say "Go", Leaders say, "Let's Go"
Bosses use people Leaders develop them.
7. MY HEART GOT THERE FIRST
It was a winter season. The temperature was below zero. A well clad gentleman was coming down from the Himalayas to the plains. He met an old man, almost bare bodied, making his way towards a high Himalayan shrine. "Old man" said the gentleman well protected from cold,"How can you walk up in this cold? what is your secret?". "You see" replied the old man cheerfully,"My heart got there first without bothering about the weather. It is easy for the rest of me to follow it".
8. ONE THOUGHT
One thought I have in my hold So deep it is and broad And equal to my every need It is the thought of God At night my gladness is my prayer I drop my daily load. And every care is left there Upon the thought of God
.9. THAT IS FOR YOU
At a party, a young wife advised her husband, "For the third time you have gone back for ice-Cream. Don't you feel shy? "Why should I? " he answered "I keep telling them it is for you."
10. THERE ARE THREE SIDES
The Chinese have a famous saying."To every question there are three sides; my side, your side and the right side.
11. EXCESS BAGGAGE- SHORTERN TRIP
You body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess baggage, the shorter the trip.
Arnold H. Glasgow
12. TWO CLASSES
Society is based on two classes. Those who have more dinners than appetite and those who have more appetite than dinners.
- Nicholas Chamfort.
13. A HUMAN'S GREATNESS
A human is as great as the dream he/she dreams As great as the value he/she redeems and the happiness he/she shares. A human is as great as the truth he/she speaks As great as the help he/she gives As great as the destiny he/she seeks As great as the life he/she lives.
14. MIDDLE AGED PERSON
A man asked his friend, "When does a person become middle aged?"
The friend replied "When he stops growing upwards and starts growing sideways".
15. DOES GOD USE OUR BATHROOM?
Child : "Mummy , does God use our bathroom?
Mummy : "No, my son, why do you ask?
Child : Then why does daddy beat on the door and shout "Oh god, are you still in there?"
16. HE IS RICHER?
"Our income should be like our shoes: If too small,they will gall and pinch us: but if too large, they will cause us to stumble and to trip. But wealth, after all, is a relative thing since he that has little, and wants less, is richer than he that has much, but wants more"
- Lord Chesterfield
17. THE BEST
The best King is thinking
The best wealth is health
The best cure is Nature cure.
The best culture is agriculture.
The best 'ism' is patriotism
The best city is simplicity
The best fare is welfare
The best ship is friendship
The best love is True-love
The best day is today.
Saco. V.H. Stephen
18. FIRST ENGLISH CHURCH BUILT IN INDIA
St Mary's Church inside Fort St George in Chennai is historically one of the most important buildings in India. It is the first English Church built in India. Robert Clive, an extraordinary English man who never lost a battle, was married to Margaret Makelyne in the Church 1753.
18 A. FROM HEAD TO FOOT
The name of the parts of the human body are used in a figurative sense in the following Passage :
M. Ramesh is the Head of a college in his town. He has to face many difficult situations. He cannot afford to turn a deaf ear or a blind eye to what happens on the campus. He should be capable of nosing trouble. On important occasions, he has to mouth past hands. He has many responsibilities to shoulder. Though he deals with the students with a stern hand, he has a soft heart. Often he has to stomach unpleasant things. In the morning he elbows his way into a crowded bus. In the evening he foots the distance home.
Prof S. Jagadisan
19. MANIACS
Bibliomaniac - A Person having a craze for collecting books.
Dipsomaniac - A person having a sickly desire for alcohol.
Theomaniac - A person who believes that he is God.
Pyromaniac - A person who has an irresistible desire to set fire.
Monomaniac - A person having an unreasonable interest in any particular thing, one idea or area of thought.
Megalomaniac - A person with a false impression that he is great and powerful.
Kleptomaniac - A person with an irresistible desire to steal.
Anglomaniac - A person having craze for anything English.
Xenomaniac - A person having an excessive attachment to foreign things.
20. I WILL DO SOMETHING
The best of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying not "What a lovely sermon", but "I will do something". St Francis De Sales.
21. PUTTING THE WATCHES TO THE EARS
Two priests, known for their long winding sermons were having a chat. One said, "It looks very bad when people start looking at their watches in the midst of the sermon. The other said, "That is tolerable, worse is when the listeners start putting their watches to the ears to check whether the watches have not stopped".
22. ONLY 4,000 DAYS TO EDUCATE AND DEVELOP GOOD NATURE
A man of science made the following calculation on human life expectancy. Seventy years of life yield 25,550 days. Remember that a period of twenty years is gone, almost before you begin to live. Reduce 7,300 days. Remainder -18,250 days.
Then the one item sleep reduces 6,080 days leaving 12,170 days. For recreation and occupation we will reduce 4,060 days. Remainder 8,110 days. Then reducing the time used in drinking, dressing, bathing etc, will leave you with not over 4,000 days in a long life in which you have to educate and develop good nature.
23. I NEED HIM
A free thinker saw an old lady saying her prayers with devotion. "Woman", he said, "You are wasting your time because the Lord does not need your prayers" "I know", replied the old lady very calmly and said, "But I need Him"
24. THREE TREASURES
1 have three treasures that I guard and cherish! The first is love, the second is contentment, the third is humility. Only the loving are courageous, only the contented are magnanimous, only the humble are capable of command.
Lao Tse
25. MORE LUCID THOUGHT
If there is righteousness in the heart there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony at home, there will be honesty in the business. If there is honesty in the business. There will be order in each nation. When there is order in each nation, there will be "Peace" in the world.
26. WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR HIM?
Do you aspire to worship Him in the temples?
Then learn, first, to worship Him in
the broken cottage. Learn to go out
into the highways and hedges. And
look for him in the ragged and the
naked, in the oppressed and the
heavy loaded, in those who have
lost hope and in those who are
struggling in the midst of poverty
and pain. Look for the Lord in them.
Frank Weston
27. WISDOM FROM KAHLIL GIBRAN
The fear of hell is hell itself, and the longing for paradise is paradise itself.
Oh, heart, if the ignorant say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower perishes, but the seeds remain. This is the law of God.
Man's values are in the few things he creates and not in the many possessions he amasses. They say if one understands himself, he understands all people. But I say to you, when one loves people, he learns something more about himself.
28. LORD GIVE ME THE GRACE TO CHANGE MYSELF
A wise, old middle - eastern mystic said this about himself. "I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was. "Lord, give me the energy to change the world'. As I approached middle age and realized that my life was half gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to. "Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come into contact with me. Just my family and friends. I shall be satisfied. Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how, foolish I have been. My one prayer now is "Lord, give me the grace to change myself". If I had prayed for this right from the start, I would not have wasted my life.
29. MISERY WILL OVERTAKE THE EVIL DOER
A foolish man learning that Buddha observed the principle of great love which commends the return of good for evil, came and abused him. Buddha was silent. When the man had finished his abuse, Buddha told him. "Son, if a man declined to accept a present made to him, to whom would it belong?" And the man answered, "In that case it would belong to the man who offered it.
"My son", said Buddha, "Though you have hurled abuses at me, I decline to accept them, and request you to keep them yourself".
Misery will overtake the evil doer without fail.
Human collects more than they need when the sparrow builds its nest in the wide forest, it builds, only on one branch of a tree. The deer when thirsty drinks from the river only as much as its stomach can contain. Man alone wants to grab and collect and hoard more than what he wants. We collect things because our needs are empty.
- Swami Chinmayananda
30. EACH ONE IS RIGHT
One upon a time some blind men came across an elephant. The elephant was gentle and patient. The blind men surrounded the elephant and held in their hands different parts of his body.
One said while holding the trunk of the elephant, "Surely the elephant is like a snake". "No, No" argued the other while holding the ear of the elephant, "The elephant is like a fan" You are wrong" shouted the third, holding the tail of the elephant, "the elephant is just like a broom".
"The elephant is like a wall" insisted the fourth, holding the elephants mid-section.
The fifth felt the foot of the elephant and declared, "you are all wrong! The elephant is just like a pillow."
And so they argued and argued for three days and three nights. But each was sure that he was the only one who was telling the truth.
Even so, the Truth is one, but it is described differently. Each one is right, because he describes the Truth from a different angle. When you know the Truth through inner vision, all controversies end.
31. ARE YOU GOD?
One cold evening a little boy of about six was standing in front of a stone window. The little boy had no shoes and his clothes were mere rags. A young woman passing by saw the little boy, took the child by hand and led him to the store. There she bought him a pair of new shoes and a complete suit of warm clothes.
They came back outside on to the street and the woman said to the child. "Now you can go home and have a very happy holiday". The little boy asked, "Madam, are you God?" She smiled at him and replied, "No son, I am just one of His children" The little boy then said, "I knew you had to be some relation"
-Dan dark.
32. MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD
Hoping to paint 'the most beautiful thing in the world' an artist asked three people what they thought it might be.
"Faith", replied the clergy man, "you will find it at every altar".
'Love', said a young bride, "Love builds poverty into riches, it sweetens tears; makes much of little. Without it there is no beauty".
"Peace is the most beautiful thing in the world" answered a weary soldier, "war is ugly. wherever you find peace, you find beauty"
"Faith, love, peace! how can I paint them!" wondered the artist.
Entering his home he saw the faith in the eyes of his children and love in the eyes of his wife. And in his home, he saw the peace that love and faith had built.
So he painted 'the most beautiful thing in the world'. And he called it "Home".
33. I ONLY WANTED TO BE WITH YOU
A doctor was busy in his study when his small son came in and stood silently by. The doctor, pre-occupied with his work, put his hand into his pocket, took out a coin and offered it to the boy, "I do not want any money daddy" the lad said.
After a few moments the doctor opened a drawer of his desk, took out a candy bar and offered this to his son. Again he was refused.
A little impatient, the busy doctor asked, "Well, what do you want?"
"I do not want anything. "The boy replied, "I only wanted to be with you".
34. "LOOKUP"
In the days of sailing ships, a young and inexperienced seamen was sent in a storm to remove a broken part from the mainmast. In spite of the raging wind, the youngster climbed up swiftly and did the job. When it was time to descend, he looked down and saw the vessel tossing and rolling in the ugly sea.
Suddenly his courage left him. He felt dizzy and faint. He called to the mate on the deck below "I am going to fall"! The mate shouted back "Do not look down, boy. Look up". The young seaman did as he was told and came down safely.
If more people would "look up" when everything seems to be going wrong, they would find that their lives would begin to "look up" too.
35. POSITIVE SPEECH - LEADS TO POSITIVE ACTION
Positive speech leads to positive action. Utter the following words clearly and decisively as soon as you wake up in the morning. Feel the enthusiasm and the life they bring you.
A - I am awake, alive and alert
B - I am benevolent, broad minded, bountiful.
C - I am cheerful, courageous and confident
D - I am determined, definite and decisive.
E - I am energetic, enthusiastic and enlivening
F - I am free, fearless and friendly.
G - I am grateful, generous and gracious
H - I am healthy, hopeful and happy
36. HE WHO CONQUERS THE MIND CONQUERS THE WORLD
A snake and a mouse happened to live in the same barn, full of haystacks. The farmer put in his hand to take out some hay and instantly the snake bit him. The mouse thrust its little head out at the same time. The farmer sighted him and muttered indifferently, "Ah, it's just a wee mouse" The next day, the mouse bit the farmers hand, while the snake peered out. Catching sight of the snake, the farmer screamed "My God, the snake bit me" and fainted with sheer terror.
It is our fear that creates terror. It is fear that emasculates and saps our courage. So he who conquers the mind conquers the world.
37. I HAVE LEARNT TO LIKE WHAT I GET
Traveler : What kind of weather are we going to have today?
Shepherd : The kind of weather I like"
Traveler : How do you know it will be the kind of weather you like?
Shepherd : "Having found out, sir, that I cannot always get what I like, I have learnt always to like what I get. So I am quite sure we will have the kind of weather I like".
Happiness and unhappiness are in the way we meet events,
not in the nature of those events themselves.
- Anthony De Mello
38. ANALYZE YOUR MIND AND REMOVE THE WOLF
Once upon a time, a light footed lamb, cautiously approached a murmuring stream in the forest. He was thirsty and drank from the stream with his ears erect, listening to every sound. Suddenly he heard an abrupt sound. He looked back. Whom could he see? It was that fierce faced wolf he often dreamt of in his frightening dream.
The wolf stared at the poor lamb and said, "How dare you make the water muddy! Now, how am I to drink from this stream?"
"Sir", replied the lamb, humbly, "water is flowing from you to me".
"Never mind, you rascal", shouted the wolf "Why did your father utter abusive words to me?" To this the poor lamb had no reply. The wolf then proceeded to jump upon the lamb and devour it.
There are many pretexts for carrying out a wicked design. One should analyses one's mind and remove the wolf from one's personality as soon as possible.
42. THREE THINGS
There are three things that if a man does not know, he cannot live long in this world; what is too much for him, what is too little for him and what is just for him.
43. THE SEVEN SINS
Politics without principle
Wealth without work
Pleasure without conscience
Knowledge without character
Commerce without morality
Science without humanity
Worship without sacrifice
- Mahatma Gandhi
44. DEVELOPMENT OR GROWTH
"Can you tell me who made you?" The pastor asked the small boy.
The youngster thought a moment. Then he looked up at the pastor and said, "God made part of me"
"What do you mean, part of you" asked the pastor
"Well" answered the boy, "God made me little. I grew the rest myself".
Growing the rest is a lifetime job for everyone".
45. HEAVEN & HELL
A man spoke with the Lord about heaven and hell "I will show you hell", said the Lord, and they went into a room which had a large pot of stew in the middle. The smell was delicious, but around the pot sat desperate people who were starving. All were holding spoons with very long handle which reached into the pot. But because the handle of the spoon was longer than their arms, it was impossible to get the stew into their mouths. Their suffering was terrible. "Now I'll show you heaven", said the Lord and they went into another room stood the first one. There was a similar pot of delicious stew and the people had the same long - handled spoons, but they were well nourished, talking and happy. At first the man did not understand. "It is simple", said the Lord. "You see they have learned to feed each other.
46. IT'S A BIBLE
A salesman went to a house selling a dictionary. 'I tell you" said the house wife to the sales man, "I don't want a dictionary. I already have one. There it is, lying over there on the table". "Lady, you can't fool me", retorted the salesman, "That's no dictionary, that's a Bible". "How can you be so sure about it?" asked the woman, her eyes opened wide in amazement. "That's easy" said the salesman,"By the dust on it".
47.BUT BY DEEDS
Not by birth does one become an outcaste, Not by birth does one become a Brahmana, By deeds one becomes an outcaste, By deeds one becomes a Brahmana,
- The Buddha
48.ATTITUDE TO WORK
Back in the middle ages, a dispatcher went out to determine how laborers felt about their work. He went to a building site in France.
He approached the first worker and asked, "What are you doing?"
"What, are you blind?" the worker snapped back. "I am cutting these impossible boulders with primitive tools and putting them together the way the boss tells me. I am sweating under the blazing sun. It's back-breaking work, and it's boring me to death".
The dispatcher quickly backed off and retreated to a second worker. He asked the same question, "What are you doing?"
The worker replied, "I am shaping these boulders into usable forms, which are then assembled according to the architect's plan. It's hard work and sometimes it get's repetitive, but I earn five francs week and that supports the wife and kids. It is a job. It could be worse, too".
Some what encouraged, the dispatcher went on to a third worker, "And what are you doing?" he asked.
"Why, can't you see?" said the worker as he lifted his arm to the sky. "I am building a cathedral".
Now that's the joy of working.
49. THE WOMAN WHO BUILT THE DAM
As I build this dam
I bury my life
The dawn breaks,
There is no flour in the grinding stone
I collect yesterday's husk for
today's meal.
The sun rises. And my spirit sinks
Hiding my baby under a basket
and biding my tears I go to build the dam.
The dam is ready, It feeds their sugarcane fields making the crop lush and juicy. But I walk miles through forests in search of a drop of drinking water.
I water the vegetation with drops of my sweat. As dry leaves fall and fill my parched yard.
Daya Pawar "Silent spring"
50. CACTUS & CATERPILLARS
I asked the Lord to give me a bunch of flowers but, the lord gave me cactus, ugly and full of thorns. I asked the Lord to give me lovely butterflies. But the Lord gave me hairy caterpillars, horrible and obscene. I was shocked, disappointed and grieved. After many days I saw the cactus burst into bloom. Those hairy caterpillars also turned into lovely butterflies, flying and dancing in the spring wind. How unfathomable God's purpose is.
51. DREAM OF THE WEEK
The grass dreams a dream in the soil. Then has sprouts, flowers and fruits. By autumn the leaves of grass fall. Then it is as if the dreams of the grass have gone. Yet the seeds dropped beside the old stalk dream the dream the following year.
One grass dies in one year, the next grass will die within the year. Grass after grass repeats the dream timelessly. The grass never gives up the dream. Does not consider it's dream only as it's own. The dream is dwelling in successive dreams. Dream the dream of the time; how they will be a million years later.
Yoshinei Miya.
52. LIVE IN FREEDOM
"Live, live in this world. This world is so marvelously beautiful. It is our world, our earth to live upon, but we do not live. We are narrow, we are separate, we are anxious, we are frightened human beings, and therefore we do not live, we have no relationship, we are isolated, despairing human beings. We do not know what it means to live in that ecstatic blissful sense.
I say one can live that way only when one knows how to be free from all the stupidities of one's life. To be free from them is only possible in becoming aware of one's relationship, not only with human beings, but with ideas, with nature, with everything".
53. ON EDUCATING WOMEN
Jawahar Lal Nehru : "Education of a boy is the education of one person, but education of a girl is the education of the entire family".
Chinese saying : If you want to plan for a year plant wheat, if you wish to plan for ten years grow trees. But if you want to plan for one hundred years educate your women.
54. LITTLE WORDS FOR HUMAN RELATIONS
The most important six words "I admit I made a mistake"
The most important five words "I am proud of you"
The most important four words "What is your opinion"
The most important three words "If you please"
The most important two words 'Thank You"
The most important one word "We" And the least important word, U.
55. THE SILVER LINING
After taking the children to school one rainy morning, I stopped at a fast food restaurant and ordered breakfast. Except for some un cleaned paper cups, boxes and potato chips littering the tables, there was no sign of other customers in the restaurant.
A young woman walked in with a boy, aged five or six. They had no sooner sat down to order than a man, slightly hunched and wearing a tottered coat, came in. He inched towards a littered table and slowly examined each of the boxes, looking for leftovers. When he picked up a cold french fry and put it to his mouth, the boy whispered to his mother, "Mum, that man is eating other's food".
"He is hungry and doesn't have any money, the mother whispered back.
"Can we buy him a burger? "No, I think he'll take only what others don't want", the mother replied.
When the waiters handed mother and son two take out bags and they approached the door to leave, the boy suddenly removed a burger from his bag and took a small bite from it. Then he ran back to where the man sat and placed it on the table before him.
Surprised, the vagrant looked gratefully at the boy as he turned and disappeared. As I left the restaurant, I saw that the blue sky was coming out from' under the leaden clouds.
56. FOOTPRINTS
Lives of great men all remind us: We can make our lives sublime And departing, leave behind us Foot prints on the sands of time.
57. WITHOUT YOU - GOD - I'M NOTHING
I am a spark, make me a Flame
I am a string, make me a Lute
I am an anthill, make me a Mountain
I ! am a drop, make me an Ocean
I am a feather, make me a Wing
I am a beggar, make me a King
For, without you, we can do nothing.
58. REPENTANCE
If there is no repentance, there can be no pardons. Some years ago a murderer was sentenced to death. The murderer's brother to whom the state was deeply indebted to for former service, besought the governor of the state for his brother's pardon. The pardon was granted, and the man visited his brother with the pardon in his pocket. "What would you do", he said to him "if you received a pardon". "The first thing I would do he answered, "is to track down the judge who sentenced me, and murder him; and the next thing I would do is to track down the chief witness and murder him".
The brother rose, and left the prison with the pardon in his pocket.
59. ON SERMON
"How late do you usually sleep on Sunday morning?"
"It all depends"
"On what?
"The length of the sermon"
60. I KNOW THE BIBLE
A small girl told her pastor that she knew everything in the Bible. The pastor was amused and remarked that she might know a few things, but not quite well. "Oh yes, 'was the quick reply, "I do know all that is in it".
Her mother, who had been listening rebuked the child for saying such a thing. The daughter was persistent and said, "But mother I do". There is grand mothers favorite picture, three dead leaves, a lock of Bobby's hair when he was a baby, a love letter from daddy, and a recipe for brown bread. That's all there is in the Bible".
61. NOT AFRAID OF POMPOUS RELIGION
About a hundred years ago, England was to send a very important Anglican Church dignitary as metropolitan of Calcutta. The Brahmin priests got wind of it. They were perturbed. This foreign religion might become a threat to their own tradition. They must investigate. So they sent one of their men to assess the situation. He wandered around the city till he came to the Bishop's residence. It was a vast sprawling, opulent mansion. As the man stood at the gate, the Bishop walked down the steps, arrayed in his magnificent robes. He stepped, into the waiting carriage drawn by two horses, with a position sitting at the rear. "Have no fear", one priest said "This is not a religion we need fear".
The priests were relieved, and rightly relieved, for the pomp and splendor of organized Christianity holds no appeal for any genuine seeker after truth.
62. ON CHRISTMAS
Christmas! But where is the spirit of Christmas in human hearts. Men and Women feast upon rich food amid bursts of laughter. There are not even the least sentiments of the eternal at the bottom of their hearts, neither the bright serenity of joy, nor the depth of devotion, what a great difference, in the religious feast of our country.
Rabindranath Tagore
63. PALM MONDAY
The donkey awakened. His mind savoring something pleasant, He arched his neck and walked around with mincing steps.
"That group of people by the well", he said. "I'll go and show myself to them".
They took no notice "Throw your garments down, he said crossly "Don't you know who I am?"
They stared at him in amazement. Someone threw a stone,
"Miserable infidels"! he muttered as he turned away in rage, "I'll go down to the market. Some good people are sure to be there. But it was the same.
"The palm branches! Where are the palm branches?" he shouted - "Have you forgotten?"
Dazed he returned to his mother "Foolish child", she said gently. "Without him you can do nothing".
64. A CHILD'S PRAYERS
Morning
I thank Thee Lord, for sleep and rest, For all the things that I love best, Now guide me through another day, And bless my work and bless my play, Lord, make me strong for noble ends, Protect and bless my loving friends, Of all humankind good Christians make, All this I ask for Jesus sake. Amen
Evening
Lord, send me sleep that I may live, The wrong I've done this day forgive, Bless every deed and thought and word, I've rightly done, or said, or heard, Bless relatives and friends always. Teach all the world to watch and pray, My thanks for all my blessings take, And hear my prayer for Jesus's sake Amen
65. STOPPING TO LISTEN
A man working in an ice plant amid the ice, and the sawdust in which it was stored, lost a valuable watch. His fellow workmen searched with him for more than two hours, but were unable to find it. They left the plant for lunch and returned to find a little boy with the watch in his hand. "How ever did you find it?" they inquired. He replied, "I just lay down in the sawdust and heard it' ticking. We, too, cannot find God by intensive, bustling search, but must be still, and (know that I am God).
66. LIVE IN PRESENT
Trust no future, however pleasant. Let the past bury it's dead! Act - act in the living present! Hearts within and God overhead.
N.W. Longfellow
67. HE'S SWIMMING-WITH GOD
The goldfish died after living in a bowl that was in the family lounge. The first time the baby sitter came over after the fish died, she immediately noticed the empty bowl, "Where's the fish? she asked Without hesitating, the family's three year old shot back, "Oh, he's swimming with God".
68. FOOT PRINTS IN THE SAND
By Mary Stevenson
written in 1936
One night I dreamed I was walking
Along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.
Other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that
During the low periods of my life when I was
Suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints,
So I said to the Lord, "You promised me,
Lord, that if I followed You,
You would walk with me always.
But I noticed that during the most trying periods
Of my life there have only been
One set of prints in the sand.
Why, When I have needed You most,
You have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints
Is when I carried you.
69. GOOD LUCK? BAD LUCK? WHO KNOWS?
There is a Chinese story of an old farmer who had an old horse for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills and when all the farmers neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later the horse returned with a head of wild horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who Knows?". Then when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was "Bad luck? Good luck? Who Knows?". Some weeks later the army marched into the village and conscripted every able - bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg they let him off. Now was that "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows? "
70. HE CHANGED ME
Bishop Emerson Colaw writes that during one Lenten season he went to see a drama that portrayed the life of Jesus. "The man Born to be King reached it's climax in the crucifixion scene. The three Marys entered and approached the Roman guards. Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoke to the Captain requesting permission to minister to the needs of her son. He roughly pushed her away. Then one of the other women came forward and sought permission, adding, "For old times sake". The captain refused her request also. Then with a sweeping motion of her hand she loosed her golden hair so that it could cascade down her back. "Mercellus", she asked, "have you ever seen hair like this" And then she thrust out a foot and asked, "And have feet ever danced for you like these feet?"
Incredulity was on his face. In amazement he said, "Mary Magdalene how you have changed!" Slowly, with dramatic emphasis, she turned so that her back was to the audience and she was facing Christ on the cross and slowly said, "Yes, Mercellus, I have changed, He changed me!".
71. "I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO LOVE ME" '
The story is told about a childless couple who wanted to adopt a little boy approximately six years old. They had visited several adoption agencies and finally found a child that was a match for their family. As they visited the child the wife said, "If you would come and live with us you could have your own private room, a nice yard with play equipment and all the toys and clothes you could ever want. Would you like to come and live with us? The little boy hesitated a moment and said, "No, I don't think so."
The couple was stunned. They felt that they had offered the child everything a child could want. The husband said to the boy, "We've offered you everything anyone could want. What more do you want? In words far beyond his years the child replied," I just
PHMC…
03 August 2009
LIST OF MASS CHOIR'S IN RUMUAHOLU
1. THE GREEN HILLS
2. PILLERS OF PRAISES
3. THE PEACE HOUSE MASS CHOIR
MANY MORE YET TO COME.
2. PILLERS OF PRAISES
3. THE PEACE HOUSE MASS CHOIR
MANY MORE YET TO COME.
31 July 2009
A MUST READ 4 MUSIC MINISTERS, CHOIR DIRECTORS!!! Leading worship...
worship leading...
compiled by PRAISES...
PHMC.
Many, many years ago, a good friend and I sat down and wrote down a bullet point list of things we had learned to do (and not do) when leading worship. The original bit of paper has long since been lost, sadly, but this page will hopefully encapsulate all the things we'd like to share with anyone else given the responsibility of leading people in worship of God.
There are plenty of other web pages devoted to leading worship, of course, but many either concentrate on the spiritual aspects or else go to town on learning guitar chords, etc. The following tips are simply practical things which have worked well for me.
Know your material! I don't just mean practice it a few times and reckon you can make it through the printed music without making mistakes. Learn the songs, words, tune and chords. And then practice/worship with them sufficiently that you can play the songs with your eyes closed (not that you're going to, necessarily - see below!).
As much of your concentration and effort as humanly possible needs to be on worshipping God and helping his people. Having to devote 30% to your fingers and 50% to reading off the next words and chords means that there's not a lot left!
Try to keep your eyes open as much as possible! Yes, this is easier said than done, it's very tempting in worship to close your eyes and blot out anything distracting you from worship of your Creator. But you're supposed to be leading worship, which means that you need to maintain communication with the congregation, eye-to-eye. Your aim should be to encourage them with your eyes, your words (of course), your inflections and (preferably, where appropriate) a big smile! You're leading them up the mountain of praise.
In more intimate worship, you'll still need your eyes open. Both to see what's happening (God moving/people restless/whatever) and to keep an eye on your pastor/leader.
Examine the lyrical content of your worship material carefully. No, not for doctrinal errors, don't worry, this isn't that sort of web site. Songs tend to fall into three categories: Man-to-man (e.g.'Let's praise Him', 'We are a chosen people'); Man-to-God (e.g. 'I exalt Thee', 'God of glory, we exalt Your name'); and God-to-Man (e.g. 'Listen to My voice').
I'm sorry if this seems a cliché, but you almost always have to get the above categories in the right order in a service. It's great to get to place where every person is reaching out to God, His Heart to our heart, but the whole environment can be totally ruined by a poor choice of song, perhaps slotting in a Man-to-Man song which forces people to detune from God and come back down to earth.
Make sure that you're up for it, spiritually. None of us lead perfect lives and there's always something that you'll need to sort out with God before you can help bring His people into the privileged place of worship. Never lead worship if you're feeling guilty or depressed or lacking confidence. Repent and pray and get right with God before you pick up your instrument, so that you can lead with a pure, confident and joyful heart. And if you can't resolve things, be honest with your worship team or pastor and step down until things are OK again.
Be passionate! I heard a quote recently - "It's not perfection God wants, it's passion. He already has and knows perfection." As you worship God, you'll feel emotion, drama and momentum. You're bound to. Don't be afraid to let some of it out.
I'm not advocating rehearsed shouts or harmonies or whoops, simply that you let your singing voice reflect what you feel inside when singing the words in question. Get excited! We're talking about Almighty God visiting your church, after all!
Keep things simple. Good advice in any walk of life, but especially in worship. The new multi-segment, syncopated song with four verses, each of which has a slightly different tune and cadence, may have sounded great on the CD, may have been OK in practice, but you can bet that the less musical congregation will struggle. And with all their attention on getting through the song, none of it will be on God. Which defeats the whole point.
So, keep your songs/hymns/arrangements as simple as possible. Remember that worship songs are simply vehicles for us to express truths to each other and appreciation to God. Just because a song includes a magical diminished seventh chord does not guarantee that the Holy Spirit will immediately be present. Sorry.
Finally, and maintaining the theme of keeping things simple, don't get too ambitious with your band unless there's a lot of time to rehearse properly. Every band member with an instrument to tune and arrangement/part to follow, every effects pedal or foldback monitor that's not working properly, all take away time from simply preparing to lead people to God. Which is what matters most.
I hope and pray these tips are useful to you in the coming days
phmc
compiled by PRAISES...
PHMC.
Many, many years ago, a good friend and I sat down and wrote down a bullet point list of things we had learned to do (and not do) when leading worship. The original bit of paper has long since been lost, sadly, but this page will hopefully encapsulate all the things we'd like to share with anyone else given the responsibility of leading people in worship of God.
There are plenty of other web pages devoted to leading worship, of course, but many either concentrate on the spiritual aspects or else go to town on learning guitar chords, etc. The following tips are simply practical things which have worked well for me.
Know your material! I don't just mean practice it a few times and reckon you can make it through the printed music without making mistakes. Learn the songs, words, tune and chords. And then practice/worship with them sufficiently that you can play the songs with your eyes closed (not that you're going to, necessarily - see below!).
As much of your concentration and effort as humanly possible needs to be on worshipping God and helping his people. Having to devote 30% to your fingers and 50% to reading off the next words and chords means that there's not a lot left!
Try to keep your eyes open as much as possible! Yes, this is easier said than done, it's very tempting in worship to close your eyes and blot out anything distracting you from worship of your Creator. But you're supposed to be leading worship, which means that you need to maintain communication with the congregation, eye-to-eye. Your aim should be to encourage them with your eyes, your words (of course), your inflections and (preferably, where appropriate) a big smile! You're leading them up the mountain of praise.
In more intimate worship, you'll still need your eyes open. Both to see what's happening (God moving/people restless/whatever) and to keep an eye on your pastor/leader.
Examine the lyrical content of your worship material carefully. No, not for doctrinal errors, don't worry, this isn't that sort of web site. Songs tend to fall into three categories: Man-to-man (e.g.'Let's praise Him', 'We are a chosen people'); Man-to-God (e.g. 'I exalt Thee', 'God of glory, we exalt Your name'); and God-to-Man (e.g. 'Listen to My voice').
I'm sorry if this seems a cliché, but you almost always have to get the above categories in the right order in a service. It's great to get to place where every person is reaching out to God, His Heart to our heart, but the whole environment can be totally ruined by a poor choice of song, perhaps slotting in a Man-to-Man song which forces people to detune from God and come back down to earth.
Make sure that you're up for it, spiritually. None of us lead perfect lives and there's always something that you'll need to sort out with God before you can help bring His people into the privileged place of worship. Never lead worship if you're feeling guilty or depressed or lacking confidence. Repent and pray and get right with God before you pick up your instrument, so that you can lead with a pure, confident and joyful heart. And if you can't resolve things, be honest with your worship team or pastor and step down until things are OK again.
Be passionate! I heard a quote recently - "It's not perfection God wants, it's passion. He already has and knows perfection." As you worship God, you'll feel emotion, drama and momentum. You're bound to. Don't be afraid to let some of it out.
I'm not advocating rehearsed shouts or harmonies or whoops, simply that you let your singing voice reflect what you feel inside when singing the words in question. Get excited! We're talking about Almighty God visiting your church, after all!
Keep things simple. Good advice in any walk of life, but especially in worship. The new multi-segment, syncopated song with four verses, each of which has a slightly different tune and cadence, may have sounded great on the CD, may have been OK in practice, but you can bet that the less musical congregation will struggle. And with all their attention on getting through the song, none of it will be on God. Which defeats the whole point.
So, keep your songs/hymns/arrangements as simple as possible. Remember that worship songs are simply vehicles for us to express truths to each other and appreciation to God. Just because a song includes a magical diminished seventh chord does not guarantee that the Holy Spirit will immediately be present. Sorry.
Finally, and maintaining the theme of keeping things simple, don't get too ambitious with your band unless there's a lot of time to rehearse properly. Every band member with an instrument to tune and arrangement/part to follow, every effects pedal or foldback monitor that's not working properly, all take away time from simply preparing to lead people to God. Which is what matters most.
I hope and pray these tips are useful to you in the coming days
phmc
A MUST READ 4 MUSIC MINISTERS, !!!leading worship
worship leading...
Many, many years ago, a good friend and I sat down and wrote down a bullet point list of things we had learned to do (and not do) when leading worship. The original bit of paper has long since been lost, sadly, but this page will hopefully encapsulate all the things we'd like to share with anyone else given the responsibility of leading people in worship of God.
There are plenty of other web pages devoted to leading worship, of course, but many either concentrate on the spiritual aspects or else go to town on learning guitar chords, etc. The following tips are simply practical things which have worked well for me.
Know your material! I don't just mean practice it a few times and reckon you can make it through the printed music without making mistakes. Learn the songs, words, tune and chords. And then practice/worship with them sufficiently that you can play the songs with your eyes closed (not that you're going to, necessarily - see below!).
As much of your concentration and effort as humanly possible needs to be on worshipping God and helping his people. Having to devote 30% to your fingers and 50% to reading off the next words and chords means that there's not a lot left!
Try to keep your eyes open as much as possible! Yes, this is easier said than done, it's very tempting in worship to close your eyes and blot out anything distracting you from worship of your Creator. But you're supposed to be leading worship, which means that you need to maintain communication with the congregation, eye-to-eye. Your aim should be to encourage them with your eyes, your words (of course), your inflections and (preferably, where appropriate) a big smile! You're leading them up the mountain of praise.
In more intimate worship, you'll still need your eyes open. Both to see what's happening (God moving/people restless/whatever) and to keep an eye on your pastor/leader.
Examine the lyrical content of your worship material carefully. No, not for doctrinal errors, don't worry, this isn't that sort of web site. Songs tend to fall into three categories: Man-to-man (e.g.'Let's praise Him', 'We are a chosen people'); Man-to-God (e.g. 'I exalt Thee', 'God of glory, we exalt Your name'); and God-to-Man (e.g. 'Listen to My voice').
I'm sorry if this seems a cliché, but you almost always have to get the above categories in the right order in a service. It's great to get to place where every person is reaching out to God, His Heart to our heart, but the whole environment can be totally ruined by a poor choice of song, perhaps slotting in a Man-to-Man song which forces people to detune from God and come back down to earth.
Make sure that you're up for it, spiritually. None of us lead perfect lives and there's always something that you'll need to sort out with God before you can help bring His people into the privileged place of worship. Never lead worship if you're feeling guilty or depressed or lacking confidence. Repent and pray and get right with God before you pick up your instrument, so that you can lead with a pure, confident and joyful heart. And if you can't resolve things, be honest with your worship team or pastor and step down until things are OK again.
Be passionate! I heard a quote recently - "It's not perfection God wants, it's passion. He already has and knows perfection." As you worship God, you'll feel emotion, drama and momentum. You're bound to. Don't be afraid to let some of it out.
I'm not advocating rehearsed shouts or harmonies or whoops, simply that you let your singing voice reflect what you feel inside when singing the words in question. Get excited! We're talking about Almighty God visiting your church, after all!
Keep things simple. Good advice in any walk of life, but especially in worship. The new multi-segment, syncopated song with four verses, each of which has a slightly different tune and cadence, may have sounded great on the CD, may have been OK in practice, but you can bet that the less musical congregation will struggle. And with all their attention on getting through the song, none of it will be on God. Which defeats the whole point.
So, keep your songs/hymns/arrangements as simple as possible. Remember that worship songs are simply vehicles for us to express truths to each other and appreciation to God. Just because a song includes a magical diminished seventh chord does not guarantee that the Holy Spirit will immediately be present. Sorry.
Finally, and maintaining the theme of keeping things simple, don't get too ambitious with your band unless there's a lot of time to rehearse properly. Every band member with an instrument to tune and arrangement/part to follow, every effects pedal or foldback monitor that's not working properly, all take away time from simply preparing to lead people to God. Which is what matters most.
I hope and pray these tips are useful to you in the coming days
phmc
Many, many years ago, a good friend and I sat down and wrote down a bullet point list of things we had learned to do (and not do) when leading worship. The original bit of paper has long since been lost, sadly, but this page will hopefully encapsulate all the things we'd like to share with anyone else given the responsibility of leading people in worship of God.
There are plenty of other web pages devoted to leading worship, of course, but many either concentrate on the spiritual aspects or else go to town on learning guitar chords, etc. The following tips are simply practical things which have worked well for me.
Know your material! I don't just mean practice it a few times and reckon you can make it through the printed music without making mistakes. Learn the songs, words, tune and chords. And then practice/worship with them sufficiently that you can play the songs with your eyes closed (not that you're going to, necessarily - see below!).
As much of your concentration and effort as humanly possible needs to be on worshipping God and helping his people. Having to devote 30% to your fingers and 50% to reading off the next words and chords means that there's not a lot left!
Try to keep your eyes open as much as possible! Yes, this is easier said than done, it's very tempting in worship to close your eyes and blot out anything distracting you from worship of your Creator. But you're supposed to be leading worship, which means that you need to maintain communication with the congregation, eye-to-eye. Your aim should be to encourage them with your eyes, your words (of course), your inflections and (preferably, where appropriate) a big smile! You're leading them up the mountain of praise.
In more intimate worship, you'll still need your eyes open. Both to see what's happening (God moving/people restless/whatever) and to keep an eye on your pastor/leader.
Examine the lyrical content of your worship material carefully. No, not for doctrinal errors, don't worry, this isn't that sort of web site. Songs tend to fall into three categories: Man-to-man (e.g.'Let's praise Him', 'We are a chosen people'); Man-to-God (e.g. 'I exalt Thee', 'God of glory, we exalt Your name'); and God-to-Man (e.g. 'Listen to My voice').
I'm sorry if this seems a cliché, but you almost always have to get the above categories in the right order in a service. It's great to get to place where every person is reaching out to God, His Heart to our heart, but the whole environment can be totally ruined by a poor choice of song, perhaps slotting in a Man-to-Man song which forces people to detune from God and come back down to earth.
Make sure that you're up for it, spiritually. None of us lead perfect lives and there's always something that you'll need to sort out with God before you can help bring His people into the privileged place of worship. Never lead worship if you're feeling guilty or depressed or lacking confidence. Repent and pray and get right with God before you pick up your instrument, so that you can lead with a pure, confident and joyful heart. And if you can't resolve things, be honest with your worship team or pastor and step down until things are OK again.
Be passionate! I heard a quote recently - "It's not perfection God wants, it's passion. He already has and knows perfection." As you worship God, you'll feel emotion, drama and momentum. You're bound to. Don't be afraid to let some of it out.
I'm not advocating rehearsed shouts or harmonies or whoops, simply that you let your singing voice reflect what you feel inside when singing the words in question. Get excited! We're talking about Almighty God visiting your church, after all!
Keep things simple. Good advice in any walk of life, but especially in worship. The new multi-segment, syncopated song with four verses, each of which has a slightly different tune and cadence, may have sounded great on the CD, may have been OK in practice, but you can bet that the less musical congregation will struggle. And with all their attention on getting through the song, none of it will be on God. Which defeats the whole point.
So, keep your songs/hymns/arrangements as simple as possible. Remember that worship songs are simply vehicles for us to express truths to each other and appreciation to God. Just because a song includes a magical diminished seventh chord does not guarantee that the Holy Spirit will immediately be present. Sorry.
Finally, and maintaining the theme of keeping things simple, don't get too ambitious with your band unless there's a lot of time to rehearse properly. Every band member with an instrument to tune and arrangement/part to follow, every effects pedal or foldback monitor that's not working properly, all take away time from simply preparing to lead people to God. Which is what matters most.
I hope and pray these tips are useful to you in the coming days
phmc
MTN FREE BROWSING ON MOBILE PHONE:2
MTN FREE BROWSING ON MOBILE PHONE:
They are two available codes that i have now,
1) use the normal setting earlier. Homepage:
wap.mtnonline.com.t9space.com/power/m/http/google.com
2) this code has a France server. Homepage: wap.mtnonline.com/lnk000/=www.google.com
Proxy address or IP: 081.93.186.116
Port: 80
MTN FREE BROWSING WITH SOLIBAY AND OPERAMINI MOD:
I also have two available codes for this now,
1) use this as server address: wap.mtnonline.com/lnk000/=80.232.117.10:80
2) use this server address: 10.199.212.8%2fast%3c0@80.232.117.10:80
ZAIN FREE BROWSING ON MOBILE PHONE:
They are two available codes:
1) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/px/url/303/google.com
2) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/url=www.google.com
ZAIN FREE BROWSING ON SOLIBAY AND OPERAMINI MOD
I have only on one available code:
1) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/px/url/303/80.232.117.10:80
ETISALAT FREE BROWSING ON MOBILE PHONE:
I have three available codes:
1) etisalat.ng.gprs@www.google.com
2) etisalat.wap.gprs/000/google.com
3) 10.71.170.5@www.google.com
FREE SMS ON MOBILE PHONE
1) login to http://www.mjoy.com and register for free unlimited text messages
2) visit http://www.bbnsms.com for five free sms a day
MTN FREE BROWSING ON COMPUTER USING YOUR-FREEDOM
I have four available codes but i will only disclose three codes:
1) wap.mtnonline.com%2f.m@ems03.your-freedom.de
2) loaded.mtnonline.com@ems11.your-freedom.de
3) 10.199.212.8%2f.80e@ems09.your-freedom.de
ZAIN FREE BROWSING ON COMPUTER USING YOUR-FREEDOM
I have three available codes but i will only disclose two codes:
1) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/px/url/303@ems19.your-freedom.de
2) ems10.your-freedom.de
ETISALAT FREE BROWSING ON COMPUTER USING YOUR-FREEDOM
I have three available codes but i will only disclose two codes:
1) emso6.your-freedom.de
2) 10.71.170.5@ems07.your-freedom.de
FREE DSTV ON COMPUTER
join http://www.preciousmoneyclub.webs.com and get the settings and software free!!!
FREE CALLS:
login to jaxtr.com then and register and invite those that you want to be calling for free to register after they have registered, then you can login and call the absolutely free!!!
FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS:
login to www.jaxtr.com, then put in you number in international format and select your country then put n your friend number in international format and select his or her country then click on get jaxtr number and the number will dial on her phone (it's a uk number) once she picks it, you are connected for your free international calls.
phmc
They are two available codes that i have now,
1) use the normal setting earlier. Homepage:
wap.mtnonline.com.t9space.com/power/m/http/google.com
2) this code has a France server. Homepage: wap.mtnonline.com/lnk000/=www.google.com
Proxy address or IP: 081.93.186.116
Port: 80
MTN FREE BROWSING WITH SOLIBAY AND OPERAMINI MOD:
I also have two available codes for this now,
1) use this as server address: wap.mtnonline.com/lnk000/=80.232.117.10:80
2) use this server address: 10.199.212.8%2fast%3c0@80.232.117.10:80
ZAIN FREE BROWSING ON MOBILE PHONE:
They are two available codes:
1) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/px/url/303/google.com
2) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/url=www.google.com
ZAIN FREE BROWSING ON SOLIBAY AND OPERAMINI MOD
I have only on one available code:
1) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/px/url/303/80.232.117.10:80
ETISALAT FREE BROWSING ON MOBILE PHONE:
I have three available codes:
1) etisalat.ng.gprs@www.google.com
2) etisalat.wap.gprs/000/google.com
3) 10.71.170.5@www.google.com
FREE SMS ON MOBILE PHONE
1) login to http://www.mjoy.com and register for free unlimited text messages
2) visit http://www.bbnsms.com for five free sms a day
MTN FREE BROWSING ON COMPUTER USING YOUR-FREEDOM
I have four available codes but i will only disclose three codes:
1) wap.mtnonline.com%2f.m@ems03.your-freedom.de
2) loaded.mtnonline.com@ems11.your-freedom.de
3) 10.199.212.8%2f.80e@ems09.your-freedom.de
ZAIN FREE BROWSING ON COMPUTER USING YOUR-FREEDOM
I have three available codes but i will only disclose two codes:
1) wap.ng.zain.com/globalen/px/url/303@ems19.your-freedom.de
2) ems10.your-freedom.de
ETISALAT FREE BROWSING ON COMPUTER USING YOUR-FREEDOM
I have three available codes but i will only disclose two codes:
1) emso6.your-freedom.de
2) 10.71.170.5@ems07.your-freedom.de
FREE DSTV ON COMPUTER
join http://www.preciousmoneyclub.webs.com and get the settings and software free!!!
FREE CALLS:
login to jaxtr.com then and register and invite those that you want to be calling for free to register after they have registered, then you can login and call the absolutely free!!!
FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS:
login to www.jaxtr.com, then put in you number in international format and select your country then put n your friend number in international format and select his or her country then click on get jaxtr number and the number will dial on her phone (it's a uk number) once she picks it, you are connected for your free international calls.
phmc
MTN FREE BROWSING UPDATED FOR PEACE HOUSE FANS
Hello Fans,
Just discovered a way you can use MTN to Browse absolutely free using you phone which will be there after interfaced with you system but note that it doesn't work for all phones it only works for sonyericsson and some nokia phones which must be less than the s60 series
and all chinese phones i believe you know what i mean,which have a browser.
this is all you have to do
got to your phone browse add this code to it if you can connect with with the website given below without charges the go surfing for free
http://wap.sonyericsson.com@www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com/
Browser you must use
Opera browser i use 7.1
on your browser configure your proxy as 10.199.212.2 and port 8080
on your URL type wap.sonyericsson.com@www...........
.....means any website of your interest
for sonyericsson phones the code is not neccessary it is already embedded in it.
Good Luck, Happy Surfing
PHMC
Just discovered a way you can use MTN to Browse absolutely free using you phone which will be there after interfaced with you system but note that it doesn't work for all phones it only works for sonyericsson and some nokia phones which must be less than the s60 series
and all chinese phones i believe you know what i mean,which have a browser.
this is all you have to do
got to your phone browse add this code to it if you can connect with with the website given below without charges the go surfing for free
http://wap.sonyericsson.com@www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com/
Browser you must use
Opera browser i use 7.1
on your browser configure your proxy as 10.199.212.2 and port 8080
on your URL type wap.sonyericsson.com@www...........
.....means any website of your interest
for sonyericsson phones the code is not neccessary it is already embedded in it.
Good Luck, Happy Surfing
PHMC
25 July 2009
WHAT DOES A WORSHIP LEADERS DO? PART 1
Worship Matters -- Bob proposes a definition for the role of a worship leader.
PDI Ministries - This year marks a quarter-century that I’ve been leading worship – in one form or another – and how things have changed! Twenty-five years ago the first release from Integrity’s Hosanna Music was almost a decade away, “worship artist” was an unknown concept, and brief Scripture choruses (repeated many, many times) were the hottest thing going. No one could have predicted how worship and music styles would become such a pervasive, and often divisive, issue in the church.
Today, in the midst of this “worship explosion,” we’re better off in many ways. We have an ever-increasing number of contemporary songs that express the truths of our faith in powerful and moving ways. Churches and church leaders are recognizing the importance of worshiping God in every aspect of life. Many people, especially teens and twenty-somethings, are flocking to Christian concerts and buying CDs that point them to worshiping the Savior rather than the singer.
All these changes have heightened the significance of the worship leader. While we used to think that anyone who knew how to play an acoustic guitar (and owned one) could do a great job leading worship, we’ve realized there are a few more questions to consider. What’s the difference between a song leader and a “lead worshiper"? Is the goal actually to “lead” or simply get out of the way and let God do His thing? Does a worship leader need to be a skilled musician?
I do not assume that everyone who reads this column is a worship leader – I know some of you aren’t. However, every Christian can benefit from understanding what our goals ought to be as we gather to exalt and give glory to God in public worship. Who knows – this series may even cause you to think about whether or not you SHOULD be a worship leader!
Churches have taken a wide variety of approaches to the role of the worship leader. Choir directors, accompanists, rock bands, soloists, and organists have all been included in that category. Regardless of the title, those who lead the singing and the worship of God play a prominent role in most Christian gatherings. At every meeting they have significant opportunities to teach, train, and encourage Christians in giving God the glory we were created to give Him.
The New Testament gives us little to go on to establish the specific job description of a worship leader. However, it’s apparent throughout Scripture that singing is important to God, and that it is usually led. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us that God has given gifts to certain leaders in the church for the maturing and building up of His people. Some of those gifts are pastoring, teaching, prophesying, and evangelizing. In a corporate worship leader we have a leadership role which combines aspects of these and other New Testament gifts in the context of music.
More specifically, I believe the role and goals of a worship leader can be described in this way: An effective worship leader is aided and led by the Holy Spirit, skillfully combines biblical truth with music to magnify the worth of God and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, thereby motivating the gathered church to join him in proclaiming and cherishing the truth about God and seeking to live all of life for the glory of God.
We’ll spend the next few lessons unpacking this definition, and gaining a clearer understanding of God’s purpose for the role of worship leader in the church today.
For His Glory,
By Bob Kauflin
Director of Worship Development, PDI Ministries
With minister Praises B.A
PHMC...
PDI Ministries - This year marks a quarter-century that I’ve been leading worship – in one form or another – and how things have changed! Twenty-five years ago the first release from Integrity’s Hosanna Music was almost a decade away, “worship artist” was an unknown concept, and brief Scripture choruses (repeated many, many times) were the hottest thing going. No one could have predicted how worship and music styles would become such a pervasive, and often divisive, issue in the church.
Today, in the midst of this “worship explosion,” we’re better off in many ways. We have an ever-increasing number of contemporary songs that express the truths of our faith in powerful and moving ways. Churches and church leaders are recognizing the importance of worshiping God in every aspect of life. Many people, especially teens and twenty-somethings, are flocking to Christian concerts and buying CDs that point them to worshiping the Savior rather than the singer.
All these changes have heightened the significance of the worship leader. While we used to think that anyone who knew how to play an acoustic guitar (and owned one) could do a great job leading worship, we’ve realized there are a few more questions to consider. What’s the difference between a song leader and a “lead worshiper"? Is the goal actually to “lead” or simply get out of the way and let God do His thing? Does a worship leader need to be a skilled musician?
I do not assume that everyone who reads this column is a worship leader – I know some of you aren’t. However, every Christian can benefit from understanding what our goals ought to be as we gather to exalt and give glory to God in public worship. Who knows – this series may even cause you to think about whether or not you SHOULD be a worship leader!
Churches have taken a wide variety of approaches to the role of the worship leader. Choir directors, accompanists, rock bands, soloists, and organists have all been included in that category. Regardless of the title, those who lead the singing and the worship of God play a prominent role in most Christian gatherings. At every meeting they have significant opportunities to teach, train, and encourage Christians in giving God the glory we were created to give Him.
The New Testament gives us little to go on to establish the specific job description of a worship leader. However, it’s apparent throughout Scripture that singing is important to God, and that it is usually led. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us that God has given gifts to certain leaders in the church for the maturing and building up of His people. Some of those gifts are pastoring, teaching, prophesying, and evangelizing. In a corporate worship leader we have a leadership role which combines aspects of these and other New Testament gifts in the context of music.
More specifically, I believe the role and goals of a worship leader can be described in this way: An effective worship leader is aided and led by the Holy Spirit, skillfully combines biblical truth with music to magnify the worth of God and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, thereby motivating the gathered church to join him in proclaiming and cherishing the truth about God and seeking to live all of life for the glory of God.
We’ll spend the next few lessons unpacking this definition, and gaining a clearer understanding of God’s purpose for the role of worship leader in the church today.
For His Glory,
By Bob Kauflin
Director of Worship Development, PDI Ministries
With minister Praises B.A
PHMC...
16 July 2009
AS A MUSIC MINISTER KNOW YOUR WORTH, AND RESPONSIBLITY
What we are ministers but this part of the world, we the minister are disdained….
Arise oh music minister in thy way…
So that we can eat the benefits thereof…
MINISTER OF MUSIC
Principal Function: (Review and revise or create your own statements.)
The Minister of Music is responsible to the Pastor for assisting the church in planning, conducting, and evaluating a comprehensive music ministry.
The Minister of Music is responsible to the local church body through the church personnel committee for employment requirements and responsibilities.
Working Relationships: (Review, choose and/or revise or create your own statements.)
The Minister of Music works with the Pastor and Minister of Education in planning and directing the music program and ministries of the local church.
The Minister of Music coordinates with all the church staff in planning, scheduling, and directing the music program and ministries of the local church.
Responsibilities: (Review, choose and/or revise or create your own statements.)
• Direct the planning, coordination, operation, and evaluation of a comprehensive Music Ministry.
• Coordinate the Church Music Ministry with the calendar and emphases of the church.
• Work with the Music Committee in determining music ministry goals, organization, leadership, facilities, finances and administrative process.
• Assist the pastor in planning worship services of the church and be responsible for the selection of the music.
• Be aware of weddings and funerals to be held in the church.
• Be available to counsel, arrange and provide music for special projects, ministries, and other church-related activities in cooperation with appropriate individuals or groups.
• Direct music groups and congregational singing.
• Be responsible for enlisting and training leaders for the Church Music Ministry in cooperation with the church nominating committee.
• Supervise the work of all music leaders in the Music Ministry.
• Work in cooperation with the appropriate persons, including the nominating committee, in selecting, enlisting, training, and advising song leaders, accompanists, and other musicians who serve in church program organizations.
• Coordinate the performance schedules of music groups and individuals in the functions of the church.
• Give direction to a Music Ministry plan of visitation and enlistment.
• Supervise maintenance of and additions to music library and equipment, including music materials, supplies, instruments and other music equipment for use in the church's program.
• Keep informed on current music methods, materials, promotion and administration, utilizing them where appropriate.
• Coordinate the training and use of instrumentalists and vocalists in groups or as individuals.
• In consultation with the Music Committee prepare an annual budget to be recommended to the Budget Planning Committee. Comply with all established church policies and procedures as well as all applicable federal and state laws.
• On occasion be available nights and weekends for music ministry events as well as to work with the pastor in making emergency pastoral care visits as needed.
• Comply with all established church policies and procedures as well as all applicable federal and state laws.
• Serve as Staff Advisor for church committees as assigned by the pastor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: (Review, choose and/or revise or create your own statements.)
Min. chamberlain Alikor
Music director
Peace house mass choir.
Arise oh music minister in thy way…
So that we can eat the benefits thereof…
MINISTER OF MUSIC
Principal Function: (Review and revise or create your own statements.)
The Minister of Music is responsible to the Pastor for assisting the church in planning, conducting, and evaluating a comprehensive music ministry.
The Minister of Music is responsible to the local church body through the church personnel committee for employment requirements and responsibilities.
Working Relationships: (Review, choose and/or revise or create your own statements.)
The Minister of Music works with the Pastor and Minister of Education in planning and directing the music program and ministries of the local church.
The Minister of Music coordinates with all the church staff in planning, scheduling, and directing the music program and ministries of the local church.
Responsibilities: (Review, choose and/or revise or create your own statements.)
• Direct the planning, coordination, operation, and evaluation of a comprehensive Music Ministry.
• Coordinate the Church Music Ministry with the calendar and emphases of the church.
• Work with the Music Committee in determining music ministry goals, organization, leadership, facilities, finances and administrative process.
• Assist the pastor in planning worship services of the church and be responsible for the selection of the music.
• Be aware of weddings and funerals to be held in the church.
• Be available to counsel, arrange and provide music for special projects, ministries, and other church-related activities in cooperation with appropriate individuals or groups.
• Direct music groups and congregational singing.
• Be responsible for enlisting and training leaders for the Church Music Ministry in cooperation with the church nominating committee.
• Supervise the work of all music leaders in the Music Ministry.
• Work in cooperation with the appropriate persons, including the nominating committee, in selecting, enlisting, training, and advising song leaders, accompanists, and other musicians who serve in church program organizations.
• Coordinate the performance schedules of music groups and individuals in the functions of the church.
• Give direction to a Music Ministry plan of visitation and enlistment.
• Supervise maintenance of and additions to music library and equipment, including music materials, supplies, instruments and other music equipment for use in the church's program.
• Keep informed on current music methods, materials, promotion and administration, utilizing them where appropriate.
• Coordinate the training and use of instrumentalists and vocalists in groups or as individuals.
• In consultation with the Music Committee prepare an annual budget to be recommended to the Budget Planning Committee. Comply with all established church policies and procedures as well as all applicable federal and state laws.
• On occasion be available nights and weekends for music ministry events as well as to work with the pastor in making emergency pastoral care visits as needed.
• Comply with all established church policies and procedures as well as all applicable federal and state laws.
• Serve as Staff Advisor for church committees as assigned by the pastor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: (Review, choose and/or revise or create your own statements.)
Min. chamberlain Alikor
Music director
Peace house mass choir.
09 July 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
