Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for your support this past year! We are looking forward to an even better year in 2007. Enjoy every minute of time spent with your families and friends this holiday season. Remember to hug your loved ones and tell them you love them. We wish you every happiness and joy this Christmas and we pray your New Year is filled with the love and blessings of God.
Notes From My Church
PLACE: Lakewood Church-Houston, Tx
Joel Osteen, Pastor
DATE: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
THE MUSIC: The worship service was led by Cindy Ratcliffe, Steve Crawford and Da’dra Greathouse. The chemistry between these three worship leaders seems to get better with each service. Among the songs sung this week were “Come in From the Outsideâ€, “Free For All” and “You Are Good”. Also sung was a favorite of mine, “Mighty To Saveâ€. During the performance of this song, I could not help but wonder if the world really believed that God was mighty enough to save us. Do we really believe that He can move mountains and the He is the author of our salvation? I love the vamp of this beautiful song!! It sounds simply awesome when the entire congregation and choir is singing it together. It is:
We’re singing for the glory of the Risen King.
Other songs were “Hallelujah”, “Emmanuel”, “I’m Still Standing”, and “Angels We Have Heard on High”. “Angels We Have Heard on High” is on Lakewood’s Christmas CD with the Houston Symphony. I absolutely love this song. The arrangement is beautiful, the voices inspiring and the addition of the Children’s Choir a touching moment.
THE MESSAGE: Scripture reference: Romans 4:20
Pastor Joel spoke on giving birth to the promises God placed in your heart. He said that we should take care to water our seed so that it could continue to grow. Your seed is watered by giving God praise. The battle is in our mind and we should not dwell on the negative. When the negative comes to mind we should turn it around into a positive thought.
Pastor Joel talked about not having to keep praying for something once we have prayed for it. He said we should start thanking God for answering our prayers. Something like: “Father, I thank you that you heard me the first time I prayed and I believe that what I prayed for will come to pass.” He gave the example of Abraham. God gave Abraham a promise that Sarah would have a child and Abraham did not waver in his belief. He believed that the promise would come to pass.
He told a great story of when his father, the late John Osteen, was believing for two cows for a dinner for foreign guests. He felt strongly that he would somehow get two cows and he held fast to his vision. As the time grew nearer for the conference and the cows were nowhere to be seen, he gave in to his doubts and purchased the cows instead. The conference went on as planned and his father had a dream afterwards. In his dream, he saw in the distance a snake with with two distinct lumps in it. He said God told his father, “Because of your unbelief, you let the enemy steal your cows.”
Pastor Joel said it is never too late to water your seed. Don’t allow others to talk you out of your dreams. They don’t know what God has put in your heart. God does not abort dreams, we do. Hold fast to your dreams and promises. Don’t ask, can God? Turn it around and say, God can and He will.
THE ATMOSPHERE: If you are ever in the Houston area, try to come to a service. I try to convey the atmosphere of the church in the column, but it is nothing like experiencing it first hand. The building is beautiful on the inside and outside, the bookstore is wonderfully decorated for the Christmas holidays and the sanctuary is gorgeous. With all that said, my favorite part of Lakewood is the feeling of hope, faith and love you feel from the moment you enter and long after you leave.
……..and that is what happened in my church this week. You can always watch live and archived services at http://www.lakewood.cc/ or http://www.joelosteen.com/.
What was it like in your church this week? The entire universe is filled with God’s love and grace. We would love to hear about your church service. Post a comment or e-mail me at dominique@1800gospel.com and tell us all about the music, the message and the atmosphere at your church.
Dominique
Search Tags:Fab Five!!-A Breakthrough is Coming Your Way
My family and I are constantly listening to gospel music. My kids fall asleep listening to Praise 92.1 and gospel music is always playing in our car. I would like to share with you my top 5 songs for this week. And the top five for this week are…………
1. Norman Hutchins -“A Move of God is On The Way”-So many of us are waiting for a breakthrough in our lives for something. It may be a job, restored health, better relationships, our children or financial freedom but whatever it is God knows all about it and He understands. The songs this week will encourage you to hold on for the breakthrough you are praying for. Keep holding on and be grateful for your right now blessings!
I think “A Move of God is On The Way” says it all. Below are a couple of the lyrics:
I feel a breakthrough coming your way,
It’s a mighty move of God,
It’s gonna change your day.
With signs and wonders, miracles to perform,
God is gonna bless you for just holding on.
You’ve been expecting a change in your life,
Looking for your midnight to turn to sunshine.
It’s gonna happen, you wait and see,
All things are possible to them that believe.
2. Smokie Norful-“I Understand”- Smokie was on the Fab Five!! last week also. His current album is a beautiful one-it would make a great Christmas gift for someone who needs to be encouraged. I love this song because of the honesty of the lyrics and of course the great song styling by Smokie.
Sometimes we wonder if God hears us and if He really understands the struggles we go through. Smokie’s lyrics reminds us that, yes, God does hear and He understands. I really don’t want this list to be about reading lyrics, but I just have to share a stanza from this song.
Sometimes I feel like giving up
It seems like my best just ain’t good enough
Lord if you hear me, I’m calling you
Do you see, do you care all about what I’m going through
And then He says, one more day, one more step
See I’m preparing you for myself
And when you can’t hear my voice, please trust my plan
I’m the Lord, I see and yes I understand .
3. Michelle Williams-“Heard A Word”-I love the line in the song that says, “I heard a word, saying, Girl, you’ll be fine.” This song is on the debut gospel CD by Destiny Child member Michelle Williams. Her distinctive voice and the simple lyrics makes this song unforgettable.
4. Maurette Brown Clark-“Breaking of Day”-One thing I love about gospel music is that it is always relevant and not subject to the rules that secular music is hostage to. You can hear old songs as well as new songs on the radio and they are both just as popular with audiences. I love this song because it talks about pressing your way into what God has for you.
5. Youth For Christ-“The Struggle is Over”-This last long sums everything up. The struggle really is over. God hears and He understands, our breakthrough is on the way and whatever the outcome we will be fine. Trust God with the details of your life. Make your plans but know that God will direct your steps.
And those are my favorites for this week! Christmas is just around the corner. What better present for someone than a gospel CD? It is a gift that will keep on giving because it encourages the spirit. Go to Amazon.com or your local music store and pick out a CD that will encourage someone for years to come.
Bless someone with the good news that is always in great Gospel music!! Don’t forget to visit us daily or sign up to receive our feed. We would love to hear what you think about this blog. E-mail us at customerservice@1800gospel.com.
Dominique
gospel music, smokie norful, youth for christ, michelle williams
Making Plans
