tag:andypark.ca,2005:/blogs/andy-park?p=45ANDY PARK2024-01-01T15:19:15-08:00Andy Parkfalsetag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/73268802024-01-01T15:19:15-08:002024-03-26T09:08:01-07:00The Gift of Innocence<p><span lang="EN-US">What do you think of when you hear the word “innocence”? Is it a word you would use to describe yourself? More likely, that word makes you think of a newborn baby or maybe a little puppy dog. “How could I possibly be seen as innocent”? Because we know we’ve stumbled many times, we struggle to grasp the idea that we are declared innocent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">But through the cross, we are declared innocent by God. Paul writes: “And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, </span><i><span lang="EN-US">restored to innocence again</span></i><span lang="EN-US">!”</span><a class="no-pjax" href="#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[i]</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> “And in love he chose us before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an </span><i><span lang="EN-US">unstained innocence</span></i><span lang="EN-US">.”</span><a class="no-pjax" href="#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[ii]</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> When we lose sight of our innocence, we become spiritually blind to our blessings. We forget that the blood of Jesus </span><i><span lang="EN-US">continually </span></i><span lang="EN-US">cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:6).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Because of a historic over-emphasis on “original sin” in Western Christianity, I have found that many believers are more conscious of their imperfections than the innocence and righteousness that God has gifted to us. There is too much focus on our sin, and not enough realization of all that God has accomplished on our behalf. I’m not being soft on sin. I’m saying that a life of “Christ-consciousness” is much better than a life of “sin-consciousness.” Being Christ-conscious leads me towards walking in righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Instead of being depressed that you still make mistakes, how about focusing on “original goodness,”</span><a class="no-pjax" href="#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[iii]</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> the cross, and Christ, who is your holiness? Don’t worry about what happened with Adam and Eve! God made you good, and declared you holy, righteous and innocent through his cross! Enjoy God, enjoy life, and enjoy every good gift he gives you. Don’t mope around depressed because you had an impure thought. Confess it and move on.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Let’s review who we are in Christ. We are </span><i><span lang="EN-US">united</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> with Christ, one spirit with him. “…</span><span style="color:black;"><span lang="EN-US">whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit” 1 Cor 6:27 (NIV). </span></span><span lang="EN-US"> Since you are </span><i><span lang="EN-US">united</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> with Christ, shouldn’t you feel good about yourself? Paul writes: “</span><span style="color:black;"><span lang="EN-US">God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin</span></span><a class="no-pjax" href="#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span style="color:black;"><span lang="EN-US">[iv]</span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p><br> </p><div style="mso-element:endnote-list;">
<hr>
<div style="mso-element:endnote;" id="edn1"><p><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[i]</span></a><span lang="EN-US">Colossians 1:20 TPT</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote;" id="edn2"><p><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[ii]</span></a><span lang="EN-US">Ephesians 1:4 TPT</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote;" id="edn3"><p><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[iii]</span></a><span lang="EN-US">(see Genesis 1)</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote;" id="edn4"><p><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[iv]</span></a><span style="color:black;"><span lang="EN-US"> 1 Cor 1:30 NLT</span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
</div>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/73197182023-12-15T08:20:53-08:002023-12-15T08:20:54-08:00Home with You and Near Death Experiences<p><span>My new song </span><i><span>Home with You </span></i><span>highlights the hope of heaven as a way of enduring earthly trials. Heaven will be our home. We get a taste of that home right now because Jesus makes his home in us and we make our home in him.</span><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span>[1]</span></a><span> In times of struggle, pain and disappointment, getting a glimpse of heaven really helps me. The main way I taste heaven is through prayer, meditation, worship and reading. Once in a while I’m super encouraged about the reality of heaven by reading about NDE’s (Near Death Experiences).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span> Over the past forty years, much research has been done on NDE’s by many authors. Many or most of the researchers are non-Christian. Some of them become Christians just by being exposed to these stories. There are thousands of accounts of people who encounter some combination of these things: they are overwhelmed by very realistic experiences with Jesus and the incomparable amazing beauty of heaven. Many of them are escorted and encouraged by angels in their NDE. People from all countries, all ethnicities, and all religious persuasions have NDE’s. Many people from non-Christian backgrounds encounter Jesus in NDE’s. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>Aside from the obvious things like praying and reading the Bible, I can think of no better way to encourage about the reality of heaven than to share with you these stories! Here are some amazing quotes from people who have had NDE’s and DBE’s (death bed experiences).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Here is an excerpt from Nancy Rynes’ book </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Awakenings from the Light: 12 Life Lessons from a Near Death Experience</span></i><span lang="EN-US">. Nancy was in a terrible accident—while cycling, she was struck by a distracted driver of a big SUV. Her body was dragged 50 feet before the driver stopped the car. She tells about her beautiful and life-changing heavenly experience while in surgery. As the anesthesiologist administered the drugs for her surgery, her body went into an unconscious state. This is what happened:</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“I abruptly found myself standing in a spectacular landscape unlike any I’d ever experienced. Warm breezes drifted across my skin. Beautiful vistas of meadows and distant mountains surrounded me. And a pervasive, loving presence overwhelmed me in its intensity.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“Surrounding me was a landscape of gently rolling hills, flower-filled grassy meadows, towering deciduous trees in full leaf, trees taller and more grand than any here on Earth, and a sense of a light mist floating through as if it were a humid summer morning. The sky gleamed a very light, pearly blue, similar to what you might see at the ocean’s shore, with wispy clouds and a very bright but somewhat diffuse light…</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“My surroundings captured most of my attention. Below the surface forms and colors of everything in the landscape, I somehow also saw or sensed vibrating energy. I’m not sure how to describe it. It seemed I could see the surface of a leaf, for example, yet also see below it to an energy, a vibration of love or compassion or kindness that made the leaf take on a subsurface radiance. Everything had this radiance: trees, grass, sky, flowers, and clouds. Colors seemed intensified by this radiance. The feeling of love flowed through everything and heightened this radiance. Through it all I sensed and somehow physically felt an incredibly profound feeling of peace, rightness, goodness, and love flowing through my body. I cried, literally wept, at how beautiful it all was…</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">In her book, Nancy tells the story of her recovery, her struggles after surgery, and the 12 themes that became her guiding principles for life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Here are a variety of much shorter quotes taken from the book</span></p><p><i><span lang="EN-US">NDE of a man dying from pneumonia:</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“Jesus was really there. Jesus was there. He was kind, warm, gentle, loving, and he cared about me. He received me. He is REAL. I always believed in Him before...but now I can promise that he is REAL.</span></p><p><i><span lang="EN-US">NDE of a U.S. Navy Sailor during a near-fatal choking:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“When I spoke with Jesus and felt his love radiating to me I knew once and for all that all I had been taught in Sunday school and church was absolutely true. No doubt now.” –<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><i><span lang="EN-US">Anonymous quote:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“When I got to the other end I actually saw Christ! He was smiling and standing with His arms open like He was going to hug me…. His hands still carried the marks of the cross…and there was Christ and he was standing with a very white robe…. And as I got closer and closer I tried to detect everything in order to convince myself that this was indeed Christ waiting on me. And I looked at his hands and there were the scars where the nails had gone through.” </span></p><p><i><span lang="EN-US">Six-year-old having her tonsils removed:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“I look up and I say: “Jesus!” and He comes down and grabs my hand…Jesus was magnificent! I felt such serenity and peace!...He said to me: ‘Don’t worry, baby, everything is going to be all right. I’ll always be with you.”</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Many people report that these encounters are </span><i><span lang="EN-US">more real</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> than their day to day existence on earth. Thank God for the way he sends signs of the glory of heaven to all of humanity!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br> </p><div style="mso-element:footnote-list;">
<hr>
<div style="mso-element:footnote;" id="ftn1"><p><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span>[1]</span></a> See John 14<o:p></o:p></p></div>
</div>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/73085212023-11-23T12:42:10-08:002023-11-23T12:44:38-08:00Experiencing the Mystery of Christ<p><span style="color:#000000;"><span>The song “Mystery of Christ” is about our union with God, who is Love. Jesus said: “Unto you it is given </span><i><span>to know the mysteries</span></i><span> of the kingdom of God…” (Luke 8:10a KJV). The union of the Trinity is a mystery, and so is every believer’s union with Christ. “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of </span><i><span>this mystery </span></i><span>[the Greek word </span><i><span>mysterion</span></i><span>]</span><i><span>, which is Christ in you</span></i><span>, the hope of glory”</span></span><a class="no-pjax" href="#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span style="color:#000000;"><span>[i]</span></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span>. The mystery of the ages is living inside us, his Spirit co-mingling with ours. </span>The real, eternal part of you is your spirit.<span> </span>Your spirit is joined to the Holy Spirit.<span> </span>To the Corinthians, Paul writes:<span> “But he who unites himself with the Lord </span><i><span>is one with him in spirit</span></i><span>.”</span></span><a class="no-pjax" href="#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span style="color:#000000;"><span>[ii]</span></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span> In this verse, the Greek verb </span><i><span>kallaó</span></i><span> means “to unite, to knit or weld together,” “to mingle,” or “to join together,” and “to make two into one.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#000000;">Paul writes to the church in Colossae:<span> </span>“There is a divine mystery—a secret surprise that has been concealed from the world for generations, but now it’s being revealed, unfolded and manifested for every holy believer to experience. Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory!” Col. 1:26-27 TPT.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span lang="EN-HK">“For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:3</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span lang="EN-HK">Many of us have read this so many times that we pass over it quickly. We might think we really know it when we really have only begun to scratch the surface of its full meaning. “Your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” The real you is hidden—you have to dig deep to understand the full wonderful truth about who you are. </span></span><span style="color:black;"><span lang="EN-HK"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p> </p><p><br> </p><div style="mso-element:endnote-list;">
<hr>
<div style="mso-element:endnote;" id="edn1"><p><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[i]</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Col. 1:27</span><ins cite="mailto:Andrew%20Park" datetime="2010-09-04T09:00"><span lang="EN-US">, NIV</span></ins><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote;" id="edn2"><p><a class="no-pjax" href="#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span lang="EN-US">[ii]</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> 1 Cor. 6:17</span><ins cite="mailto:Andrew%20Park" datetime="2010-09-04T08:46"><span lang="EN-US">, NIV</span></ins><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
</div>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/72981792023-11-03T08:19:17-07:002023-11-15T06:14:07-08:00Feast on Heaven<p><span>God wants to carry us by the wind of Ruach, the Holy Spirit, into an experience of heavenly realities. Paul wrote: “…</span><span style="color:#5F6368;"><i><span><strong>feast</strong></span></i></span><span style="color:#4D5156;"><span> on all the </span></span><span style="color:#5F6368;"><i><span><strong>treasures</strong></span></i></span><span style="color:#4D5156;"><span> of the </span></span><span style="color:#5F6368;"><i><span><strong>heavenly</strong></span></i></span><span style="color:#4D5156;"><span> realm and fill your thoughts with </span></span><span style="color:#5F6368;"><i><span><strong>heavenly</strong></span></i></span><span style="color:#4D5156;"><span> realities.” (Col. 3:2)</span></span><span> If it’s a </span><i><span>feast</span></i><span>, then it sounds real and delicious and experiential. And it sounds like I can consume a lot of it, just like at a feast of good food among friends!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>Jesus spread this message: “The kingdom of heaven is near you.” He told his disciples: </span><span lang="EN-US">“And as you go, preach this message: ‘Heaven’s kingdom realm is accessible, close enough to touch.’” Matthew 10:7 TPT</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>Heaven is inside of us and all around us. The Father and Jesus are one; together they make their home in us (John 14). In a sense, we never have to reach for God, because Trinity dwells in us. If Trinity lives in us, that’s like heaven living in us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>Paul said it like this: “</span><span style="color:#3D3D3D;"><span>God…made us alive together with Christ</span></span><span>…</span><span style="color:#3D3D3D;"><span>and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ.” Eph 2:5,6<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#3D3D3D;">He didn’t say <i>someday </i>you will be in heaven.<span> </span>He locates us in heaven <i>now</i>.<span> </span>So, you could say that we are multi-dimensional beings.<span> </span>We are on earth and in heaven at the same time.<span> </span>Sounds like the kind of life Jesus lived.<span> </span>And he wants us to have access to all the of heaven’s blessings now. <span> </span>This is what Paul prays for all his churches to <i>experience.<span> </span></i>He doesn’t just pray for them to intellectually know they are near Christ.<span> </span>He prays for them to <i>experience this reality.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p><span style="color:#3D3D3D;">This past tense accomplishment of our location in heaven is echoed by the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews: “But you <i>have come</i> to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering…” Heb 12:22<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="color:#3D3D3D;">How does his work out practically?<span> </span>It makes prayer a different experience.<span> </span>Awareness of our oneness with Christ changes the way we see ourselves. <span> </span>If we are one with him, we don’t need to get closer to him.<span> </span>He is part of us.<span> </span>A good prayer is: “unveil heaven in us” or<span> </span>“Open our eyes to see that we are seated with you.”<span> </span>Or, “thank you for joining us to yourself and pouring on us all the blessings of heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="color:#3D3D3D;">Knowing God is mysterious and therefore is in some ways a paradoxical experience.<span> </span>I don’t fault anyone for wanting to feel closer to God.<span> </span>I want to <i>feel </i>close to him all the time.<span> </span>But I’ve found in recent years that it makes a big difference to see myself as <i>already </i>joined to him.<span> </span>It makes a big difference to locate myself in heaven.<span> </span>It leads to a deeper experience of God if I agree with what he says about me and my permanent connection to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="color:#3D3D3D;">It’s one of those spiritual principles that works like this:<span> </span>“believe it and then you can receive it.”<span> </span>If you don’t believe what God says about <i>who</i> you and and <i>where</i> you are, you won’t receive all the good stuff he has for you.<span> </span>No striving is necessary, just a calm affirmation of truth.<span> </span>“Thank you, Lord that I am with you in heaven now.<span> </span>I turn to you now to hear from you and be with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/72865552023-10-11T21:16:15-07:002024-03-26T09:08:01-07:00Looking Back…and Forward<p><span><strong><o:p></o:p></strong>Recently I was interviewed by David Welker, a long-time Vineyard pastor in Ohio, USA. (You can access this video on this right side of this website page). David asked me some questions about my history in the Anaheim Vineyard and in the whole Vineyard movement. Looking back on my life always brings up a lot of gratitude and amazement for all the good times. It reminds me that everything in life is a gift—even the things we work hard to accomplish. As Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>In this interview we talk about all kinds of things, including how God inspires us to write songs, and a few specific stories of the magic (Holy Spirit) of song-gifts. We discussed how God enables us to work with one another even though we are all imperfect human beings. It’s essential that our faith is in God, not in one another. Our of our trust in God, we are faithful to love and forgive one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>Also in the past month, I spent a weekend at the Mountain Vineyard in Washington State. My long-time friend JimmyJohn Morris is the pastor there. We reminisced about stories from the early 90’s—the great expectation we had to meet with God when we gathered at worship conferences. Tony, a lifer at the Mountain Vineyard (and a really good drummer in the worship band) reminded me that it was 1988 when I first visited that church. A mere 35 years ago!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>After all these years, I am looking forward to whatever is coming next. I believe God is going to bring as season of awe and wonder to the worldwide church in the years to come. Bring it on, Lord! <o:p></o:p></span></p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/71921182023-04-17T16:53:26-07:002023-06-09T22:15:46-07:00Love and Unity Will Convince the World<p><span>Jesus showed us what love really is. Washing one another’s feet, and even laying down your life for your friend. Jesus taught his band of disciples from diverse backgrounds to love one another despite their predisposed prejudice.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>He told the story of the “Samaritan hero” – two words that would never be used together in the language of a 1<sup>st</sup> century Jew. This hero rescued a half-dead Jewish man and paid his medical expenses, even though his culture taught him to reject all Jews. Jesus taught us to love our enemies.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>These days, there might be more conflict than ever, between every imaginable sector of society. We are divided because of religion, nationality, race, views on politics, gender, and a thousand other things.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>I’ve noticed that every one of us “likes it like we like it.” We have very strong views on the </span><i><span>right </span></i><span>way to do things. And sometimes we are not willing to give an inch to someone with a different view. We </span><i><span>know we’re right.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Paul encourages us: </span><span lang="EN-US">“So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with unbounded joy. Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Wow. Seeing others as </span><i><span lang="EN-US">more important than ourselves? </span></i><span lang="EN-US">If God is asking us to do that, it must be possible. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Jesus prayed for us to live in the same kind of unity we see between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living that way will convince people that the Father really did send Jesus to be the Savior of the world.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are <strong>joined together as one</strong>. I pray for them to become one with us <strong>so that the world will recognize that you sent me</strong>.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/71518412023-02-10T08:06:18-08:002023-02-10T08:06:18-08:00Jesus, Be My Vision<p><strong>Be Thou My Vision</strong></p><p>Around the year 386 AD, a boy named Patrick (or Padrig) was born in England to wealthy parents. <span style="color:#414141;">When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland.</span> <span style="color:#414141;">Years later, he escaped and returned home to his family in England. Eventually, Patrick went back to Ireland to share the love and message of Christ.</span></p><p><span style="color:#414141;">Patrick let his light shine even when the government resisted him. On Easter Sunday in the year 433, Patrick defied the orders of the local Irish king, who was a devout supporter of the Druid religion. During the Druid festival at Easter, this king showed his support of the Druids by prohibiting anyone from lighting a flame or candle. </span></p><p><span style="color:#414141;">To show his devotion to Christ, on Easter morning, Patrick climbed to the tallest hill in the area, called Slane hill. He lit a huge fire. As the locals woke up, they could all see Patrick's defiance of the king. Patrick was sending a message—God’s light shines in darkness, and He deserves praise. </span></p><p><span style="color:#414141;">Years later, an unknown composer wrote a melody to honor of Patrick's heroic act on that Easter day and hundreds of years later, lyrics were written by an Irish woman named Eleanor Hull. This became </span>the song <i>Be Thou My Vision</i>. This song is one of the most-loved hymns of all time.</p><p><span style="color:#414141;"><strong>Patrick’s over-arching vision. </strong>When we look at the life of Patrick in general, it’s clear that he had a vision to honor Christ in all things. Loving and honoring Christ was his defining vision. The huge fire burning on top of Slane Hill powerfully represents Patrick’s vision of Christ. </span></p><p><span style="color:#414141;">The word “vision” is used in many ways in our times. </span>Much of what I’ve done in my life has begun with visions of different kinds<span style="color:#414141;">. </span>I receive visions from the Lord in which I see things in my mind’s eye. Sometimes it’s a hazy vision and sometimes it’s very clear. The way the vision appears isn’t important. God can communicate visions to us through pictures, thoughts, and feelings.</p><p><strong>Sometimes, visions predict the future.</strong> Sometimes, they are a more general description of a pathway God wants you to take. Sometimes, they are a warning of some difficulty in your future. That recently happened to me – I saw a picture of a stormy sea, and God said, “there are some rough waters up ahead.” I wondered what that meant. Not too long after that, a member of my family went through a very rough time in a key relationship. </p><p>Sometimes, visions are mysterious, and sometimes they are clear and straight forward.</p><p>I make a record of the different visions God gives me, and occasionally I look through my files to be reminded of all the things God has spoken. Sometimes it takes many years for visions to come to pass. I’m sure that some of the visions I’ve received may never come to pass, because my spiritual seeing is imperfect.</p><p>Another application of the word <i>vision </i>is the idea of your <i>vision statement for your life</i><strong>.</strong> This is about your key values, which lead to setting priorities and specific goals.</p><p>Partly because I am a creative person, and mostly because I want to follow the Lord, visions play a big part in my life. <i>Through many mistakes,</i></p><p><i>I‘ve learned some lessons about seeing, interpreting and walking out visions.</i></p><p>Sometimes I have IDEAS that I think are <strong>God’s vision</strong> for me, and they just turn out to be <i>my idea.</i> Creative people have many ideas and some of them are bad! I’ve had a lot of those! Making mistakes is how we learn. It’s part of the learning process. It’s one way that God refines our character.</p><p>When we attempt things that don’t work out, we’re in good company with many people in history – like Abe Lincoln who had a long string of political failures before being elected president of the United States.</p><p>WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT the song BE THOU MY VISION…</p><p>The VISION is not a plan of action or a goal in business or ministry…The VISION is a PERSON—the person of CHRIST. Sprinkled throughout this song are allusions to an INTIMATE friendship with the Lord.</p><p>Jesus modeled this for us. He had ONE OVER-ARCHING VISION. Stay close to his Father. Jesus only wanted to please his Father. Only spoke what he heard from his Father. It was all about his CONNECTION to his Father. He lived in COMMUNITY with the Father and Holy Spirit.</p><p>Jesus was always “SEEING” what his Father was doing. He listened closely. He spent time alone to listen to his Father.</p><p><span style="color:black;">He said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Jesus was watching and listening.</span><br><span style="color:black;">He also said, “I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.” Jn 12:49 “The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives <strong>i</strong>n me does his work through me.” Jn 14:10</span></p><p>Paul had a very similar life. Above all, his supreme goal was to know Christ. This leads to love as the highest goal. Here is what he wrote to the church in Philippi:</p><p><span style="color:black;"><strong>7 </strong>But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. <strong>8 </strong>What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. Phil 3:7-8</span></p><p>Paul worked very hard. His hard work flowed out of his continual praying and God’s super-human energy in him.</p><p><span style="color:black;">SOMETIMES WE LET THE SECONDARY VISIONS TAKE OVER</span></p><p>What happens when our vision is inspired and directed by a PROJECT instead of knowing and following the PERSON of Christ? Then, our SUCCESS is defined by our own set of goals. It’s good to set goals, but if we lose sight of the PERSON of CHRIST, things go sideways. WE STOP listening to and watching what the Father is doing. We get too wrapped up in our own activity.</p><p>We will constantly need to be RE-DIRECTED by our PRIMARY PERSON because we WILL get off track, guaranteed.</p><p>If we are so committed to accomplishing a certain vision that it becomes more important than our loyalty to God, we won’t be actively listening to God for his direction and wisdom. We will be cutting off the flow between us and him. Any “vision” that eclipses our view of God becomes an idol. Our idols always disappoint us! </p><p>The first question about vision is this: Is JESUS your vision? Our PREDOMINANT vision is of Jesus. In the hymn <i><u>Be Thou My Vision</u></i>, the DEFINING VISION IS THE DIVINE PERSON. </p><p><strong>Verse 1 of </strong><span style="color:#202124;">Be Thou my vision</span></p><p><span style="color:#202124;"><strong>Be Thou my vision</strong>, O Lord of my heart <strong>Modernized: <u>YOU, JESUS</u>, be my vision</strong></span><br><span style="color:#202124;">Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art</span><br><span style="color:#202124;">Thou <strong>my best thought</strong>, by day or by night</span><br><span style="color:#202124;">Waking or sleeping, <strong>Thy presence my light</strong></span></p><p>“Naught be all else to me save that thou art.” That’s old, archaic English which means - <strong>let nothing else matter to me except you,</strong> or <strong>Nothing else is anywhere near as important as you.</strong> </p><p>It’s a good idea to say to God, <strong>“If my vision is just all about me and my ideas, Lord, tell me!” </strong> <strong>“God, adjust my vision.” </strong>God will use a heart like that – constantly open to re-direction, and getting input from God and others. Do this, and God will speak to you. </p><p><strong>A good prayer to pray: “Your will, not mine be done.”</strong></p><p><strong>Sometimes God lets us fail just so we can grow</strong></p><p>How about Paul? Describing his challenges, he said <strong>“we felt like we were going to die</strong>…But the reason for it was <i>so we could learn to trust God</i>”</p><p><strong>“We felt the sentence of death hanging over us”</strong></p><p>(I think he <strong>felt a spirit of death</strong> hanging around - he was stoned a few times, remember, and left for dead; he was probably raised from the dead when his friends gathered around him).</p><p>This was the <strong>same kind of spiritual opposition that Patrick faced</strong> when he went to Ireland to share God’s love.</p><p>This <strong>song is a pursuit of Intimacy with God </strong>– </p><p><strong>Meditating on the Lord and inviting his presence day and night…</strong></p><p><u>Thou my best Thought</u>, by day or by night,</p><p>Waking or sleeping, <u>Thy presence</u> my light. [You have <strong>access to the MIND of Christ</strong>]</p><p>I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; <i>(I’m with you and you are with me; I am yours and you are mine, I dwell in you, you dwell in me)</i></p><p>Thou my great Father, I Thy true child; (<i>intimacy between Father & son/daughter)</i></p><p>Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one. (<i>Christ in me—in union)</i></p><p><strong>We all have battles to fight in life…some of Patrick’s were a literal fight for his life</strong></p><p><strong>Verse 3: </strong></p><p>Christ himself IS our armor….the sword of the spirit, the word of truth, the peace of the gospel…the faith OF Christ working in us—his empowering of our faith </p><p><span style="color:#0F2C3B;"><i><u>Be Thou my </u><strong><u>Dignity</u></strong><u>, Thou my </u><strong><u>Deligh</u></strong><u>t</u>–we experience dignity by receiving<strong> God’s love</strong></i></span></p><p><span style="color:#1A1A1A;">God appreciates us. God lavishes his love on us. As we DELIGHT in HIM and GAZE on him, he <strong>BESTOWS a feeling of DIGNITY ON US</strong>. We know we are ADOPTED children of the HIGH KING. We EXPERIENCE his love, we know we are highly valued by him. THIS IS HOW YOU <strong>ENDURE SEASONS</strong> OF FEELING LIKE YOU’RE <strong>DYING</strong>.</span></p><p>THIS IS HOW we can stay strong in him, encouraged by him “Heart of my own heart, <strong>whatever may befall—whatever happens, </strong><u>Still be my Vision</u>, O Ruler of all.” </p><p><span style="color:#202124;"><strong>Verse 4:</strong> Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise</span></p><p><span style="color:#202124;"><strong>Two things that derail our vision are the <u>pursuit of wealth</u> and <u>living for the praise of people</u>, or fame. </strong>WE DON’T GET A GREAT REWARD FROM THOSE…</span></p><p><span style="color:black;">“Because I <strong><u>set</u></strong> you, </span><span style="color:#222222;">Yahweh, always close to me, my confidence will never be weakened, for I experience your wraparound presence every moment.”</span><span style="color:black;"> </span><span style="color:#222222;"><strong>Psalm 16:8 TPT </strong></span><span style="color:black;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#222222;">Ps 16:8. The <strong>Hebr word </strong><i><strong>shava [English - set]</strong> carries </i>the sense of <strong>being equal or similar</strong>. David was not saying he was equal to Yahweh, but that </span><span style="color:black;">he thought the way God thought. David had made his heart and mind to be identical with the heart and mind of God. </span><span style="color:#222222;">It was the heart and mind of God that had first place in David’s heart and thoughts. </span></p><p><strong>To MAKE CHRIST YOUR VISION:</strong></p><p>KNOW the person, be GAZING ON THE person. Be WAITING FOR HIM. </p><p>He doesn’t show up until we wait for him. Cultivate slowness in your soul. Slow down and enjoy him, be with him. Wait for him. LISTEN for him. Then you get the <strong>CONVERSATIONAL</strong> relationship with JESUS established. At that point, the <strong>PROJECTS</strong> can be discussed.</p><p>If you don’t get that FIRST question in the proper place of priority, everything else will go wrong. <strong>Here is the way to set goals:</strong> “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”</p><p><span style="color:black;"><strong>Dive into God with all your heart.</strong> Seek him diligently and he will show you whichever visions that he knows you need to hear. Don’t let the voices of naysayers belittle you. Be like Patrick. </span><span style="color:#414141;">While Patrick was enslaved in Ireland as a teenager, <strong>he missed many valuable years of education</strong>. So, his <strong>academic studies were cut short.</strong> HE WAS <strong>embarrassed </strong>by his lack of education in Latin. But he <strong>didn’t let that stop him</strong> from moving back to that island to bring the love and message of Christ.</span><span style="color:#202124;"> </span></p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/71394372023-01-17T16:15:29-08:002023-01-17T16:15:30-08:00The Pace of Grace<p>Episode 4 of GOING DEEP AND HIGH</p>
<p>The Pace of Grace </p>
<p>I come across to people as pretty laid back, but I actually have a very intense side to me. I like to get things done! I like my job, I like to work, I like to set goals and then work efficiently towards those goals. And sometimes I push too hard! So, God and my friends have to tell me to slow down. </p>
<p>In 2006 I was involved in helping lead a new church plant. September 15, 2006 I was praying in the morning, asking the Lord for a word of encouragement. Immediately I felt God was saying “you’re trying too hard” and then I saw in my mind’s eye a picture of a foot letting up on the gas pedal of a car. God was saying, “slow down, don’t drive so fast!—let up on the gas!” </p>
<p>This was two days before the first Sunday morning meeting of the new church plant I was helping to lead. God knows that in my eagerness I sometimes put too much pressure on myself and on others; I expect too much progress too quickly and I tend towards impatience. My work ethic sometimes gets the best of me. I just need to chill out, and trust God that I will get things done when they need to be done. </p>
<p>Dallas Willard was an influential teacher in my life. One time, John Ortberg asked Dallas for some advice. John was about to begin a new job as president of a Bible school in addition to being a senior pastor of a large church. Willard’s advice to John was, “as long as you don’t hurry you way through these jobs, you’ll be fine.” (He meant hurrying in an agitated, anxious way). How can you possibly NOT be in a hurry when you have two high-level jobs? </p>
<p>To answer that question, let’s back up a minute and remind ourselves about the big picture. What is our task on earth? We are containers of God, living in union with Christ. We are fully dependent on him. That means we carefully consider which responsibilities we should commit to. If God has given you TWO jobs, he will enable you do them without worrying. Don’t worry; instead, pray. Pray things like this: “God, I believe you led me to take on both of these tasks. And I know that I cannot do it on my own strength. I choose to cease striving. I focus on your adequacy, not my own weakness.” </p>
<p>We need to follow Paul’s example. Boast in your weakness! Celebrate it! That is the turning point to looking to God for help. If we follow that path, we can work from a place of rest. When we forget that CHRIST is empowering us, we slide back into the illusion that we are separate from him. Then we get freaked out when things go wrong, and we act independently of God instead of from that place of peace that is always located right inside us! </p>
<p>Jesus said: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt. 11 NIV </p>
<p>The analogy of a YOKE that Jesus uses is an image from plowing a field with two oxen side by side. Jesus us saying, YOKE yourself to me – we will pull together. </p>
<p>It seems like a contradiction in terms to say that we can REST while PULLING a plow. How can a burden be light to carry? Here is how the author Norman Grubb answers that question: </p>
<p>“If we are pulling the plow of our life’s problems, relying on our own resources, that is strain, for we haven’t got what it takes to meet that need.” If, in our pressures, we turn inwardly as containers to Him who is “the all” within, and boldly reckon on Him to handle things, then it is rest in the midst of the activities—the habit of recognition.” Norman Grubb </p>
<p>The Message version of this passage says: “I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” </p>
<p>This reminds me of the importance of musical band members all staying locked into the same rhythm and tempo. Help me walk at the pace of grace. </p>
<p>Sometimes I feel like God is asking me, “are you forcing the completion of this task too soon?” you need to stay in in the groove of the rhythm! </p>
<p>Richard Foster explains the dynamic of resting while working: “We learn over time and experience how to bring the reality of resting in God into the confusion and busyness of daily life. We learn to work resting. We learn to live on two levels at once. On the one level we carry on the ordinary task of our day. But on a deeper level we live out of inward promptings and whispered words of wisdom.” </p>
<p>How about if you are the mother of small children, which means you have a 24/7 job description? My wife, Linda, is the mother of our 8 children. She home-schooled them for much of their school years. My wife, Linda shared with me her understanding of the story of Mary and Martha – Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet and Martha getting anxious about al the work that had to be done. Linda says, “Martha forgot that she was loved. It wasn’t an over-activity problem. I have to be a Martha – I have to get a lot of stuff done. But I can still find Jesus even when I’m busy.” She got help from God to do her task of home schooling 8 kids. </p>
<p>Paul said, “I worked harder than all the other apostles, but it was the grace of God in me doing it.” 1 co 15:10 </p>
<p>I take three things from that statement of Paul: </p>
<p>We learn to work resting. That is a skill we learn over years of practicing the presence of God. <br>And, we learn to recognize when we’ve taken on too much responsibility. We need to adjust our work load or our expectations of what we can get done in a day. <br>There are two types of time discussed in the Bible. Kairos time describes taking the opportunities afforded by each moment. This involves asking God, “what are you doing now and what should I be doing now?” The concept of Kairos time has its origins in the practice of Greek archery, representing the moment when the archer finds the perfect opening to shoot his arrow and hit his target. That’s a habit we develop through years of practice. I regularly ask God – “what should I be doing now?” </p>
<p>The other type of time is CHRONOS – this is a view of time as a tyrannical slave-driver. We need to resist being slaves of time, but clue into God’s timing. We need to get out from under the tyranny of time. We need to stay in step with his “unforced rhythms of grace.” </p>
<p>PRAYER: </p>
<p>God we open ourselves to you now, we thank you for the reality of Kairos time </p>
<p>God, we surrender the throne of our lives to you. </p>
<p>We choose to live under Kairos time. Lord, teach us to do this. </p>
<p>Lord, you said we should make LOVE our highest goal. We say yes to that. </p>
<p>We want to be all about loving you and serving people. </p>
<p>We wait for your directions and your peace. </p>
<p>We say no to worry and frantically rushing through our hours and days. </p>
<p>We repent from independently making decisions outside of our relationship with you. </p>
<p>Thank you, Lord for the safety of staying connected to you. </p>
<p>Help us become experts at recognizing your constant union with us and your ability to take care of every situation.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/71394322023-01-17T16:06:55-08:002023-01-17T16:06:55-08:00The Fountain Within You<p>Episode 3 of GOING DEEP AND HIGH</p>
<p>I have just released a new song called “Bubble Up.” What’s that about? What is this bubble up, is this a new drink? No! It’s the Holy Spirit, of course. Jesus said those who believe in him would be like a gushing fountain of life! </p>
<p>That truth is what inspired my song, “Bubble Up.” It’s a song with a happy, childlike kind of feel to it. which is fitting because it takes the faith and humility of a child to lean into the amazing truth that we are containers of a never-ending flow of living water. </p>
<p>Your perception of yourself is a game-changer. How you see yourself determines what you do in this present moment, and how you relate to others and to God. What we BELIEVE about who we are makes a huge difference in daily life. What you take takes you. According to your faith, so shall it be. (It’s not just your faith, it’s the faith of Christ working through you). </p>
<p>The context of this great saying of Jesus was the last day of an annual worship festival in Jerusalem. Jesus stood and said in a loud voice to a crowd of people, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” </p>
<p>The result of drinking this living water is: “…rivers of living water will flow from your innermost being.” In other words, the fruit of the Holy Spirit will pour out of you – peace, joy, patience, gentleness, kindness, words of wisdom and knowledge. </p>
<p>In a hot, arid climate like Israel, Jesus’ metaphor of the believer as an ever-flowing fountain was powerful. Water was a scarce and precious resource. Jesus’ audience must have been puzzled when Jesus’ said to THEM a gushing fountain flowing from YOU! Reminds me of when Jesus said to a crowd of 10,000 or so, “YOU are the light of the world.” Jesus saw the POTENTIAL in people. He saw the GOD-GIVEN goodness that all of us carry. </p>
<p>They were probably thinking, “man, I am so thirsty right now!” How can I possibly be a conduit for gushing spiritual water? This is one of those “for those who have ears to hear” moments in Jesus’ earthly ministry. He was talking about an UNSEEN and ETERNAL REALITY. Remember, the unseen world is more powerful than things you can see with your eyes. </p>
<p>The imagery of good things from God bubbling up out of us is found in many scriptures: </p>
<p>Wisdom is a deep well of understanding opened up within you as a fountain of life for others…” Proverbs 16:22 </p>
<p>“Words of wisdom are like a fresh, flowing brook— like deep waters that spring forth from within, bubbling up inside the one with understanding.” Proverbs 18:4 TPT </p>
<p>“A man of deep understanding will give good advice, drawing it out from the well within.” Proverbs 20:5 TPT </p>
<p>As you give praise and thanks to God, the bubble up begins: </p>
<p>“Our hearts bubble over as we celebrate the fame of your marvelous beauty, bringing bliss to our hearts. We shout with ecstatic joy over your breakthrough for us.” Psalms 145:7 TPT </p>
<p>Throughout the Bible, metaphors such as rivers, fountains, water wells, and oceans, are used to describe God’s love and power. And here, Jesus makes it specific – YOU are the conduit of that beautiful refreshing stream. </p>
<p>Paul reiterates Jesus’ teaching when he said: “You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.” That means both the individual and the gathered body. </p>
<p>Here is how that verse is translated in the Passion Translation: “Don’t you realize that together you have become God’s inner sanctuary and that the Spirit of God makes his permanent home in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 TPT </p>
<p>The old temple, the physical Old Testament building, is no longer the place where the Holy Spirit lives. Now, the address of the Holy Spirit is YOU. You are the architecture of God’s dwelling on the earth! </p>
<p>When you need help, where do you find God? Where is the Holy Spirit? Is he “out there somewhere?” He is everywhere. Most importantly, he is inside of you as a constant resource. </p>
<p>When you need God to help you do something, do you have to wait until you can feel the Holy Spirit before you do something challenging? Or do you connect with him as God-in-you, God-joined-to-you, God-one-with-you? You don’t have to wait! He is permanently in you and part of you, gloriously entangled with your human spirit. </p>
<p>(Of course there are many times we wait on the Lord, and listen). I’m talking here about a basic way of seeing yourself. </p>
<p>Don’t default to seeing yourself like a paper cup with a few ounces of living water inside. We’re selling ourselves short to think like that! You are not a cup with a tiny bit of HS living water in you. You are not connected to a stream that sometimes runs dry. You are IN the river. God is the river. And you are a tributary of that river! </p>
<p>The Holy Spirit is never weak within us. We of course often feel weak. Do like Paul, rejoice in your weakness. It’s just a pointer to his strength. As we align our view of ourselves with God’s view, we cultivate spiritual fruitfulness. As we drink voraciously from God’s well of goodness, the reality of his life becomes more and more visible to us and to others. </p>
<p>The prayer “Holy Spirit Come” is an important prayer—an ancient prayer originating in the early centuries of the church. This prayer rises from an understanding that God will at times send a special empowering of his Spirit. I see this prayer as one side of a coin, the other side being the importance of being aware of the constantly abiding Holy Spirit. </p>
<p>If we see ourselves as people who contain a reservoir of living water, we will live with faith and expectancy. We will be less anxious. We won’t feel a pressure to perform because we’re already joined to Christ. We will have a natural boldness like Peter did when he encountered a lame man on his way to a prayer meeting at the temple (Acts 3). Peter didn’t have to invite the Holy Spirit to come. He was walking in the Spirit and knew when the time was right to speak a word of faith to the lame man to rise and walk. </p>
<p>Let’s make this practical </p>
<p>I encourage you to make a habit of remembering who you are. You are a reservoir of Holy Spirit. So, when your anxiety begins to rise, calm yourself and affirm the truth of God’s presence in you. Say to yourself and God, “I am a temple of the Holy Spirit.” “I have access to the mind of Christ.” “I have the prince of peace living in me.” </p>
<p>We need to be constantly “wading into the waters” of the Holy Spirit. I love the Passion Translation version of this verse: “Remain fully immersed in this God-shaped new person from above. You are created in the image and likeness of God.” Eph 4:24 Mirror Study Bible </p>
<p>How do you stay immersed? One way is to pray in tongues, another is to consume a lot of living water through good teaching, another way is to worship. Worshiping God opens up a door to heaven: “When I’m near you, my heart and my soul will sing and worship with my joyful songs of you, my true source and spring of life!” Ps 84:7 </p>
<p>Remember to keep thanking God for the fountain of life that is always flowing through you!</p>
<p> </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/71338472023-01-06T08:37:00-08:002023-01-17T16:05:23-08:00Christ in You<p><em><span class="font_large">This is episode 2 of GOING DEEP AND HIGH</span></em></p>
<p>Who do you think you are? That’s a very important question. The more you know God, the more you know yourself. As we go deep with God, we understand our identity at a deep level. </p>
<p>If someone asks you “Who do you think you are?” The first thing that comes to mind is probably – your occupation, married or single, etc. That’s all good. Let’s talk about the multi-dimensional you for a minute. You are a human-being and you are a spirit person. You exist in the earthly realm and you exist in the spiritual realm. Those two realms intersect. </p>
<p>Here are some scriptures on your identity as a spirit-being: Jesus said to Nicodemus in their discussion on being born again: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Jesus said to the Samaritan woman he met at the well, “God is Spirit.” God, who is Spirit, gave birth to you, who are a spirit person. The eternal part of you is your spirit. </p>
<p>The writer to the Hebrews says “we have flesh-fathers, but that God is father of our spirits,” in other words our real, eternal selves (Hebrews 12:9). Paul defines our “self” as spirit when he says, “who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?” </p>
<p>There is a joining of two spiritual beings: Christ and you. Jesus explains it like this: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” The vine and the branch is one plant, one organism. It shares the same properties. The branch is not exactly the same as the vine, but it’s inseparably connected to the vine and is constantly benefiting from the life that comes through the vine (John 15). The branch can only bear fruit by receiving constant nourishment from the Vine. </p>
<p>Another picture of this intertwining of our spirit and the Holy Spirit is in Jesus’ last talk to his disciples before going to the cross: “On that day [when Jesus is no longer with them] you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14 </p>
<p>This is a mystical and “fourth-dimension truth!” Don’t try to figure that out with mere human brain power. That’s another way of describing what Paul says: “Set your mind on things unseen.” </p>
<p>So tell me, how far are you from God? He is there in the center of your chest—in your spirit. Did you know that “Christian” means Christ-one. A spiritual son or daughter inherits the characteristics of the Father. </p>
<p>Not only is he CLOSE to you, He is ONE with you. The eternal God of glory has chosen to join himself with you. How could you possibly be any more in the inner circle of love than that? </p>
<p>Just let that reality sink in, slowly for the rest of your life. You can experience the glory of that reality. Paul calls it, “Christ in you the hope of glory.” And it’s not a ‘maybe’ kind of hope, it’s a deep assurance. </p>
<p>Another way Paul says it is this: “ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Gal, 2:20. That’s a mystical statement, and it is clearly something Paul has personally EXPERIENCED. Paul has GONE DEEP AND HIGH with God. And we see a very LONG and WIDE impact from his life. </p>
<p>Here’s a practical application of that truth. How far do you have to reach for him to find him? You don’t really have to REACH. Just sit there. For some people, the language of “turning inward” is helpful. Do you think it’s too good to be true that God would join himself to you? If your mind needs more convincing, just read the New Testament. </p>
<p>Here is another very practical application. How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say, “I’m just trying to get closer to God.” There’s nothing wrong with that. But it implies that God is sometimes far from us. Not true! </p>
<p>I suggest using language that lines up with reality as we read about it in the Bible. As you become more and more convinced of this reality (and you will if you are persistent over time), it will change your behavior. It will make you a more peaceful person. Because if you are joined to Christ, who can hurt you? </p>
<p>If you lean into and live into your unity with Christ, you WILL find the strength to listen attentively to that irritating person at your place of work. You WILL find the patience to pick up your toddlers toys for the fourth time in one day. </p>
<p>Finally, Christ in you IS your wisdom, your righteousness and your holiness. So, feel good about yourself. Accept his acceptance of you. </p>
<p>The awareness of your oneness with Christ makes you confident. You’ll be confident in who you are in God, and who you are in all of life. The awareness of your oneness with Christ makes you courageous. You will have the courage to attempt things that you know you can’t do in your own strength. </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/71316052023-01-02T12:32:54-08:002023-01-02T12:32:54-08:00Going Deep and High Introduction<p>This is the first of a series called GOING DEEP AND HIGH. My goal in this series is to impart to others what God has given me in forty-seven years of knowing him. I thought the first four decades of experiencing God were wonderful, and they were. The past four years have been remarkable. </p>
<p>I’ve experienced open access to God and to heavenly realities in a way I’ve never known before. And I am more settled and secure and content in living the day-to-day Christian life than ever before. And I continue to mature in my ability to love people. Paul says, “make love your highest goal.” The older you get, the more wisdom and experience you have to pass along. I am very energized about sharing what I’ve learned with anyone who is interested. </p>
<p>Here are some of the topics I’ll be looking at. There are two large categories. The first is Understanding and Experiencing Spiritual Realities and the second is Applying these concepts to the challenges of daily life. </p>
<p>Spiritual realities such as who God is, who you are, and what heaven is all about are more permanent and enduring realities than your current occupation, your income, or the problems you are facing right now. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he said to pray this: “Let your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” </p>
<p>What’s happening in heaven? Who is there, and what are they experiencing? Of course, the Father, son and Holy Spirit are there, and they are everywhere. But YOU are also there. You are seated in the heavenly places if you are in Christ. “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” (Ephensians 2:6). That’s one of those sentences you read in Paul’s writing that you skim over and say, “Mmmm. Sounds good.” To really live into that truth is absolutely life-changing. You are a co-inheritor of all that Christ has inherited. We are co-heirs with Christ. This is what Paul teaches. </p>
<p>So you, as a spirit-being, are in heaven, yet you are here on earth. So, you are in two places at once. You might say, you are a multi-dimensional person. That’s what the Bible teaches. One of the key spiritual realities we need to understand is that we are first and foremost spirit people. We are humans, but the eternal part of us, the part of us that has first contact with God is our spirit. </p>
<p>Here is a quote from Dallas Willard: “You are a never-ceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God's great universe. You are spiritual in substance. You are never going to stop existing -- there's nothing you can do about that so get used to it.” </p>
<p>So, since you are seated next to Jesus in the heavenly places, how far away is God from you? In fact, your human spirit is intertwined with the Holy Spirit. You are one with him! “Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” (1 Cor 6:17) It’s the same thing Jesus said using different language. Jesus said “I am the Vine, you are the branches.” “I make my home in you, and you make your home in me.” Jn 14 </p>
<p>I believe that by-in-large, the church hasn’t really understood or applied these kinds of truths. For example, I think most Christians think of God as “out there somewhere” rather than permanently dwelling in themselves. Since God is inside of you, how hard is it to hear his voice? He is actually a part of your being. You are not God, but you do “partake in the divine nature,” as Peter wrote in his letter. Understanding and living in these deep truths is a lifetime pursuit. This is the mystery of Christ in us. </p>
<p>If your spirit is ONE with Christ, how does that make you feel about yourself? How do you think God sees you? A major teaching of Jesus and Paul that has enormous implications for moment by moment living is that Christ is our life. Paul makes the amazing statement “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). The old us is dead. “We” no longer live. The new “us” is Christ in us. Christ + us. Not two, but not one, either. The new you is you and the Cosmic Christ. Cosmic simply means universal. He has existed for eternity-past and he fills the universe. </p>
<p>Let’s make this practical right away. If you are sitting in bumper to bumper traffic and you feel your anger start to rise (like I have hundreds of times), what do you do? I find that it DOES NOT work to say to myself, “Don’t get angry!” What works for me is (1) surrender, and set your intention on your spirit rather than trying to analyze everything around you and argue with what is happening (2) Recognize who you are. Who are you? You are joined to Christ. Christ is your super-power. You hitch a ride on his righteous ways. You are sitting in the back seat. You remind myself what is true. You don’t grit my teeth and try to “become good.” You recognize that you contain the Good One. The way you see yourself changes the outcome of your behavior. This is faith in action. </p>
<p>In summary, because spiritual reality is more powerful and eternal than physical reality, we can access who we are and who God is in the Spirit, and reign over our physical circumstances. Reigning with God is something that begins now. Co-reigning with Christ is one of the things we inherit. We begin by reigning over our emotions and the way we behave towards the people around us, like our own family members. </p>
<p>It's all very supernatural and very natural at the same time! </p>
<p>That’s a taste of things to come in my series GOING DEEP AND HIGH. Going deep and high with God leads to going long and wide—you will have a long, fruitful life as you allow Christ to live his life through you.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/69548962022-04-22T13:13:07-07:002022-12-18T09:07:24-08:00Jesus, Our Oasis<p>I love this translation of the famous words of Jesus in the book of Matthew: “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.” (TPT, Matt 11:28). In most versions of the Bible, we read, “…and you will find rest for your souls.” The word oasis is defined as “Something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc.” </p>
<p>I remember an image from some movie I saw in childhood in which a heat-scorched man, dying of thirst, sees an oasis in the distance. He starts walking towards it, only to see it disappear as he draws near. His hope for rescue was shattered. </p>
<p>In Jesus, we have a continual, abiding-on-the-inside Oasis. When we reach to him, he will not disappear like a desert mirage. We can draw from his refreshing at any moment. We can dip into this inner well to help us let go of our anxiety, stress and anger. </p>
<p>The next thing Jesus says after the “oasis” line is, “Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.” I am in a season of learning a deeper meaning of the word “rest.” Only from a place of rest can we walk in unhindered dialogue with the Lord. </p>
<p>The waters of our soul and spirit mix with his living water. When we are weary, we are rejuvenated by his fountain of life within us. He said that “rivers of living water would flow from our belly.” (John 7). Let the river of life fill every part of your emotions, soul, mind and body! Drink deeply.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/68630662022-01-08T15:24:40-08:002022-05-31T04:28:10-07:00LET THERE BE LIGHT IN 2022<p>At the end of 2021 I was asking God what he wanted to say to me about 2022. He highlighted some themes from the book of Revelation, chapter 22. Jesus is presented in that chapter as the light of heaven: “Night will be no more. They will never need the light of the sun or a lamp, because the Lord God will shine on them.” We read in 1 John: “God is light.” </p>
<p>Over the past few years I have thought about the parallels between the light of the sun and God’s light. From my house I can see a majestic mountain range. I’m amazed at the vastly different perspectives I see depending on how the light is shining on that mountain range. The many ways light plays off the white majestic clouds is a glorious thing. It’s a picture of heaven. The colors of God in the sky come alive in the light. The combination of many shades of white and grey, piercing blue and the striking pinks, oranges and reds at sunrise and sunset tell the story of a creative God. He planted in each one of us an appreciation for beauty that is like his own. </p>
<p>Around once every five years, we get a big dump of snow here in Vancouver that sticks around for awhile. This is one of those winters. The brightness of the sun’s light reflecting off the snow is astounding. On December 30th, as I was pondering this theme of light, I saw an amazing sight. Long after dark, I could clearly see a purplish-blue sky instead of normal blackness! The reflective nature of snow opened up my perspective to see color in the heavens. That’s what God’s light does. Even when we’re surrounded by darkness, God can open our eyes to see his glory in creation, and to appreciate the good people and things that surround us. </p>
<p>God’s light to reveal wisdom and knowledge is always available. But, because of this word I received, I’m expecting an increase of my “seeing ability” this year. I’m pressing in to see more, learn more and reach for the new things God is opening up. </p>
<p>Another fascinating application of light in the Bible is that God is not the only light-bearer. Paul says to his church members, “you are light in the Lord,” and “you are children of the light and children of the day.” Our nature is now “joined to Christ.” So it shouldn't surprise us that <em>we…are…light</em>. (see 1 Cor. 6:17). </p>
<p>Jesus said, “I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.” And he also said to the crowd gathered on a hill, most of whom were hungry and struggling, “You are the light of the world!” I can picture someone from the crowd hearing what Jesus said, turning to their friend and asking, “Is he talking about us? <em>We</em> are the light of the world?” </p>
<p>Jesus sees our true nature as being full of spiritual light. We must train ourselves to see our identity in the same way. My emotional state goes up and down, especially in the winter when it’s mostly cloudy and wet. So, I declare over myself the truth, “I am a son of light. I share the nature of Him who is pure light.” Jesus is THE light, and we are sons and daughters of light. We are offspring of God and we bear his image. (1 Thess. 5:5) </p>
<p>I hope you see new truths and gain much more access to God’s light 2022!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/67459542021-09-14T14:23:28-07:002022-02-28T15:40:44-08:00The Beauty of Unity - WE LIVE IN YOU<p>One of the most beautiful God-mysteries is the interwoven life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—The Holy Trinity. This is the only perfectly functional family! They live in a continual outpouring of mutual love, trust, honor and friendship. They support one another and defer to one another. </p>
<p>Another amazing mystery that mirrors the Trinity is the connectedness of the entire Body of Christ, the church. We belong to one another. We participate in the one life of Christ together. We are not complete without one another. We grow and mature as we connect to the mystically joined network of believers around us. God made us to be social-spiritual beings. </p>
<p>And we are so enriched by connecting to our worldwide family! Around 3 years ago I wrote the song, <em><strong>We Live in You</strong></em>, which is about our unity with God and one another. The song had an African feel to it. As I imagined arranging this song, I heard African drums in my head. I don’t know many folks in Vancouver that play African drums, so I never played the song! </p>
<p>Years later, I heard an interview with Edgar King, a Vineyard pastor from Kenya. Edgar has been a worship leader for many years, beginning as a youth in the Vineyard church pastored by his father. I asked Edgar to sing on <em><strong>We Live in You</strong></em> and invite some of his team members. Edgar invited Joan Nzuki and George Ochieng’ Oula to sing on the track. They sound great! </p>
<p>Edgar is fluent in both English and Swahili, so we recorded the song using both languages. This bi-lingual song reflects the worship style in Edgar’s multi-ethnic church. Their congregation is quite diverse, so they sing songs in various languages to make everyone feel welcome and connected. </p>
<p>This reminds me of my many visits to Latin America, where I have enjoyed singing in Spanish. I have learned so much from my Latino brothers and sisters. I have shared my experiences of worship in those countries, but it’s always a mutual give-and-take situation. My life of worship has been deeply enriched by hanging out with my Latino spiritual family. </p>
<p>When we venture out beyond our own native culture and share life with people of different nations, we see life, God and ourselves with new eyes. </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/65181822021-01-11T10:10:43-08:002021-10-17T12:50:27-07:00THE KISS OF GOD<p>Here is the first verse of my song The Power is in the Kiss: </p>
<p>The power is not in a top down ultimatum </p>
<p>It’s not in the angry raising of your fist </p>
<p>The power is not in your well defended position </p>
<p>Real power, purest power is in the kiss </p>
<p>In many arenas of society in the past year we have seen a lot of what I describe as the “wrong kind of power” in this first verse: “top down ultimatums, angry raising of your fist, well defended position… calling down heaven’s fire on the ones we think are lower than ourselves.” These actions and attitudes flow from a belief that “I am right, I have the power, and I am going to exert my power to get my way, even if it means I will dominate you and show violence in doing so.” </p>
<p>In his book, “A More Christlike God,” Bradley Jersak describes the way Christ rules: “…Christ rules through love rather than coercion—through persuasion rather than force—through revelation rather than domination.” </p>
<p>Jersak goes on to explain that consent rather than coercion is how the Father and the Son relate to one another. “Consent is the divine act of love between Father and Son. Some have said that as the Father kisses the Son, the Holy Spirit is the kiss. The Son shows his love for God the Father by continually consenting—obeying, surrendering, yielding—to his Father’s will (and God’s will is love!).” </p>
<p>Jesus showed us a very different kind of power than we see in some of our modern-day politics. He showed us and upside down kind of cruciform power – going to the cross. He showed is kenotic power – emptying himself of his rights to exercise authority as God (Philippians 2). Kenosis means to “empty yourself of self will.” </p>
<p>The kenotic and cruciform power of Jesus is described in the bridge of “The Power is in the Kiss:” </p>
<p>It’s the power of love reaching across the great divide </p>
<p>Embracing the lonely ones on the other side </p>
<p>It’s the power of the peaceful dove </p>
<p>The power of an open door </p>
<p>The power of an outstretched hand </p>
<p>Giving help to the weak and poor </p>
<p>The power of real surrender, it’s the power of letting go </p>
<p>It’s the weakness of an earthen vessel, </p>
<p>Filled with power, purest power from above </p>
<p>In marriage and in all relationships, surrendering our power, or letting other people have their way is often the right choice. Another way of saying that is from 1 Cor 13: “Love is not insisting on your own way.” This is how I approach my relationship with Linda, my wife. It’s also the way I try to behave in my interactions with friends, co-workers and strangers in the marketplace. </p>
<p>Though we don’t automatically allow ourselves to be run over or abused, at the very least we are called to show love and respect at all times to all people. Paul writes to Titus, “…be peaceable and considerate, and always…gentle toward everyone.” (Titus 3:2)</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/64604242020-10-21T08:45:20-07:002020-10-23T09:27:48-07:00Meditations Series – Celebrating 45 Years Walking with Jesus<p>I’ve travelled a rich journey of knowing God through the last several decades. To be exact, it’s 45 years since I started walking with the Lord in my first year of university studies. I had never imagined that God could be so real, so involved in my life, and so willing to reveal himself to me. </p>
<p>To celebrate these first 45 years of my walk with Jesus, I am writing a series of 45 Meditations on all sorts of subjects that have been key lessons for me along this road. Some topics offer advice on how to deal with specific challenging situations of life, and some are big-picture topics that form the spiritual foundations we walk on. </p>
<p>You can see several episodes of this series on the 45 Meditations page on this website. All of the Meditations are posted on my Youtube page @ Andy Park.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/63748622020-07-03T09:28:06-07:002022-05-16T02:43:01-07:00My Great Reward<p>Abraham is one of my favorite Bible characters. He walked a very long journey of faith. God made very great promises to him: 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing… all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” </p>
<p>As great as those promises were, they were NOT Abraham’s “great reward.” His great reward was the person of God – walking with and being a friend of God. Abraham enjoyed many earthly blessings. He had a beautiful wife (Gen 12:11), many servants and was wealthy: “Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold” (Gen. 13:2). “Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels” (Gen. 12:16). </p>
<p>Abraham’s life is a very important example for all of us. God promised him, “descendants … as numerous as the stars in the sky.” Though God may generously bless us in many ways on the earth, none of those promises are our ultimate treasure. HE is our ultimate treasure. </p>
<p>If I get too focussed on the promises of things God is planning for me, I become very disappointed. Accomplishing goals or attaining possession or even having special relationships will ultimately disappoint us if they are our ultimate treasure. If we make idols of earthly blessings, in the long run they will fail to satisfy us. </p>
<p>I encourage you to enjoy friendship with God today and every day. Don’t forget that God is at your side, in your heart, above you and below you and behind you and before you. In a way, it’s not so much what you do in life as Who you do it with that counts.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/63318042020-05-27T06:21:55-07:002020-05-27T06:36:41-07:00God is Stirring the Waters<p>In John 5, we read the story of the man who was sick for 38 years, and was waiting for his healing. He was lying among the hundreds of sick who were gathered at this pool in Bethesda. Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well. He said that he wasn’t able to be the first one into the pool when the angel began to stir the waters. The first one in always got healed. </p>
<p>Jesus healed him on the spot. No angel was necessary, no jumping in the pool was necessary. The man didn’t even answer Jesus with a strong, “YES, I want to be healed!” Instead, he brought his lament to Jesus – he wasn’t quick enough to jump in the pool first. Jesus showed mercy to this man who had been crippled for decades. </p>
<p>By healing him on the spot, Jesus was saying, “I’m here, and I’m all you need. You don’t have to wait for an angel. There is no lack of healing available. Healing isn’t reserved for the clever and able ones who manage to get into the front of the line.” </p>
<p>In the past year, God has been “stirring the waters” big time in my life. Did you know that the average adult human body is 50-65% water, averaging around 57-60%? The natural things speak of the invisible. Jesus said we would have living water gushing out of us if we come to him and drink. The river of God never stops flowing. </p>
<p>I hear so many stories from around the world of God stirring the waters in peoples’ lives. In the John 5 healing story, no angel was present. But in these days, angelic visitations are not occasional. They are constant.</p>
<p>I believe the veil between our earthly existence and stepping into the kingdom of heaven is thinner than ever. People who persistently push through this veil will experience more and more of God’s love, healing, glory and empowering for daily life. </p>
<p>The first week of June will mark the beginning of my new video series called The Pool of Healing. The word translated “healing” in the new Testament is sozo. This word describes much more than physical healing. It describes deliverance from evil, salvation of our souls, restoration of our minds, emotions and social relationships. Sozo brings about a general state of well-being, and it prepares us to be conduits of living water to others. </p>
<p>My video series will include stories, songs, prophetic words, and sharing what I’ve learned about walking with Jesus over the past four decades. You can check it out on my youtube channel.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/62581792020-03-22T09:01:27-07:002020-03-22T09:08:41-07:00Unlock Love with Your Eyes and Words<p>Unlock Love, post #3</p>
<p>Unlocking love can’t happen unless we are seeing God everywhere and acknowledging him with words. By opening the gates of our eyes, emotions, ears and minds to God-reality, and marvelling at the miracles all around us, we get in flow of his love. </p>
<p>The writer of Psalm 36 was surround by haters. He starts by giving a lurid description of rebellious, conceited, evil-doing, self-centered liars. But the transition between verse 1-4 and 5-10 is striking. He does a 180 degree turn. He turns his attention to the ‘meteoric’ love of God! </p>
<p>How does he keep from spiralling down into a pit of negative emotion? It’s not by repenting with sackcloth and ashes. How does he get his mind off those who are attacking him? He thinks about the ‘astronomic’ faithfulness of the Lord. How does he stay out of self-pity and self-centeredness? He thinks about God’s tender care and kindness that leaves no one forgotten. </p>
<p>How does he get out of bemoaning the ubiquitous ‘virus’ of people who ignore God and are constant doing evil? He marvels at the ‘oceanic’ justice of God. This is a great example of gratitude and worship DISPLACING all the bad feelings and thoughts. It’s impossible to be stuck in a “woe-is-me” mindset if we’re standing in awe of Love Divine. </p>
<p>If we look at life from our seat in the heavens (Eph 2:6), we see reality from God’s point of view and speak into existence a positive vibe. </p>
<p>When I go on a walk to pray and sing, I see God everywhere. I feel him in the fresh, cool wind. I see his glory in the sun, the trees and blue sky. I see amazing glorious clouds and say, “that’s the glory of God!” (the spiritual reality behind the physical reality). </p>
<p>As you go about your daily chores, say things like: </p>
<p>“O God, how extravagant is your cherishing love!” </p>
<p>“Your great faithfulness is infinite.” </p>
<p>“You’re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light.”</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/62547762020-03-19T06:43:22-07:002020-03-19T06:43:22-07:00The Corona Virus is a Crown that will Not Last <p>The Coronavirus gets its name from the word ‘corona’ which means crown in Latin and in Spanish. Coronavirus has a series of crown-like spikes on its surface, which is the reason for the name. </p>
<p>Names are significant. In the midst of a lot of panic and fear over the Coronavirus, how can we be encouraged by the biblical symbol of the crown? The metaphor of the crown is used in many ways in the Bible. </p>
<p>While most of the uses of “crown” in the Bible refer to the exalted status of God and kings, and the crown worn by every believer who runs the race of faith, there are also negative uses of the word. Locusts wear crowns (Rev 9), as do the beast and dragon in Revelation (Rev 12, 13). This speaks of a destructive power. </p>
<p>The Coronavirus is a bad kind of crown. But there is good news… The Coronavirus WILL NOT LAST. It will fade away. Before we know it, we will be remembering it as a thing of the past… “Remember that crazy virus?” </p>
<p>The Apostle Paul made a big deal out of difference between temporary and eternal crowns. He writes about the imperishable crown that goes to the Christian who completes the race in contrast to crowns won by athletes, which will fade with time. The unfading crown of life, joy and righteousness will last forever. Peter writes: “when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4 </p>
<p>While we take practical steps to avoid catching or spreading the Coronavirus, we ought to think about the crown that will last. The crown of glory we receive as we run the race of faith WILL LAST FOREVER. </p>
<p>But we don’t have to WAIT to wear crowns from God. In Christ, we are already wearing the crowns of love, compassion, joy and righteousness. </p>
<p>“To experience the blessing of his character and activity on one's behalf is said to be a crown. So his lovingkindness and mercy can be a crown (Psalm 103:4) as can mere relationship with him (Isaiah 28:5).” (Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary). </p>
<p>I encourage you to enjoy your position as a treasured member of God’s family and rejoice in your lasting crown!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/62535332020-03-18T07:00:40-07:002022-05-09T02:46:49-07:00Do you think God is patient with you?<p>Unlock Love, post #2 </p>
<p>“Love is patient…” This is the first descriptor of love Paul gives us in the famous “love chapter” from his letter to the Corinthians. If God is love, and love is patient, then God is patient with you and I. He is way more patient with us than we are with ourselves. Sometimes I think, “I can’t believe I’m still struggling in this area of my thought life.” But God says, “Cheer up! Just keep going, keep growing, keep letting me love you.” (I guess that must be from the gospel of Andrew). 😉 </p>
<p>Yahweh was always this gracious. He “passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Meditate on this and it will help you have a good day! </p>
<p>“Love endures all things.” God happily endures with us through our struggles and failures. Put those two attributes of love together and you have, “God patiently endures with us.” God is not against us, he is for us. He doesn’t want you to go around in a cloud of frustration because you stumbled and made a mistake. And, it’s not just something he does to us; he endures with us. He is inside of us, alongside of us, above and below us, and ONE with us. He empathizes with us when we struggle. He rejoices with us when we overcome. He abides with us when we genuinely want to walk in his love-agenda. </p>
<p>To unlock love in our lives, we must open the gates of our minds and emotions to receive his love! If we are going to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves,” we have to start by loving ourselves. Then we’ll be cheerful, feel good about ourselves and be able to live with a buoyant spirit. We can withstand opposition and a multitude of problems when we know God’s unwavering love. </p>
<p>Jesus asked the Father, “that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them (1).” The same love the Father has for Jesus is poured out on us! </p>
<p>Have a love-filled day.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/62479702020-03-13T09:00:56-07:002020-03-13T09:00:56-07:00Angel Ambassadors<p>I love this picture of the angel over the city for several reasons. It depicts angels as being real, powerful, and very concerned about our cities and the people that live in them. The sweet, fluffy angels you see on Hallmark greeting cards present angels as an endearing Christmas-time myth rather than as powerful emissaries of God. </p>
<p>Why is there skepticism about angels being real and active on earth? Because we live in the scientific age, which has programmed us to doubt the existence of other-worldly beings. Last time I checked, the whole of Christianity is founded on other-worldly stuff! </p>
<p>A survey of angelic appearances in the Bible show us they function as messengers, guides, comforters and protectors. There are also warrior angels. They often show up at times of birth and death, and in moments of danger and crisis. A few examples: the angel at the tomb of Jesus who encouraged the two women who came looking for Jesus. The angel who appeared to Zechariah to tell him his wife would bear a son in her old age. </p>
<p>How about Cornelieus? “He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10). </p>
<p>And of course, the angel who let Peter out of prison (Acts 12): “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” This one makes me smile because I regularly encounter being zapped with a small electric shock by an angel to wake me up at night. It’s God’s means of inviting me into a night-watch conversation with him. (I’m not saying this is what he does with everyone – I have no idea how many people experience electric zaps. I suspect I’m not the only one). </p>
<p>The way I see it, you receive what you believe. If you believe in Jesus, you get salvation. If you believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are available to you. If you believe that angels still function today as they did in Bible times, then you will benefit from their encouragement, presence and guidance. But if you reject any one of these things, you will not receive the blessing they bring. </p>
<p>In the past year I have had many encounters with angels. It is now a regular part of my life. Prior to that, I would occasionally be aware of the presence of an angel as I was worshiping, and one time I had an open vision of an angel on the platform of Anaheim Vineyard while Todd Hunter was leading a ministry time (somewhere around the year 1990). </p>
<p>But after listening to some teaching and stories from people who regularly encounter angels, I asked God to bring that into my life if he desired. In a matter of hours, I received a visitation from an angel. </p>
<p>It would be ridiculous to worship an angel, but very sensible to treat them as friends. Many people in the Bible had conversations with angels. The messages I receive from angels are not unlike hearing directly from God. It isn’t an audible voice, but a strong impression, and sometimes very specific. You know that the thoughts you are receiving and not originating in your own mind. And you are aware of the presence of another being in the room besides yourself. </p>
<p>The advice I’ve received is to welcome and honor angels. Just a simple, “I welcome you and honor you.” It’s not unlike welcoming the Holy Spirit. Another thing you can try is asking God to introduce you to your personal angel if he so desires. You can also ask the Lord to reveal the name of the angel that is assigned to you. God dispatches the angels for different purposes in all kinds of times and places. Don’t worry about getting obsessed with angels. If you get too angel-happy, they probably will not show up because they don’t like to be worshipped. They know that kind of honor is reserved only for God. Just remember they are one means by which God helps and strengthens us (see Bible). </p>
<p>In my limited experience, it is very clear that there are different types of angels who have different responsibilities, realms of authority and assignments from God. Angels such as Gabriel are at the top of the angel hierarchy. They carry a huge amount of power and the scope of their work is global. But most of the angels that I regularly encounter are the kind that are sent to minister to each one of us on a regular basis. </p>
<p>I receive great comfort and encouragement from the presence and words of angels. I know that the beginning of experiencing angels was my repeated prayer, “God I want more of you. Please show me more of yourself and show me what to do.” I want and need every kind of help God wants to give me because life is challenging! Why would we refuse an obvious and proven means of God’s blessing such as angelic beings?</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/62438052020-03-10T07:18:52-07:002020-03-10T07:38:20-07:00Sailing Free<p>This Saturday, March 14, I will release a new song called “Sailing Free.” As a kid, I had the good fortune of enjoying the sport of sailing. My Dad restored and built a few boats that we sailed in the ocean harbors of southern California. Moving under the power of God’s wind in a small boat can be wonderfully peaceful, and sometimes exhilarating and risky. </p>
<p>There is something magical and mystical about the ocean – it’s a huge body of water that contains all kinds of beautiful and bizarre creatures. It’s bursting with life that contains the DNA of the Creator. It’s easy for me to feel God’s presence around the ocean. </p>
<p>Life is kind of like sailing – when conditions are just right, it can be really peaceful or fun. But you can’t count on good weather all the time. When the wind is too strong, or non-existent, sailing isn’t so much fun. If the ocean waves are too rough, or the air is too cold, you don’t want to be on the water. In life as in sailing, we learn to follow Jesus’ example. He knew how to rest and stay calm in a small boat amidst howling wind and crashing waves. </p>
<p>The song Sailing Free describes the nearness of God’s peaceful presence, despite rough weather. When I’m hit in the face by life’s waves, I try to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, and lovely. I try to let go of the illusion that I can control life’s twists and turns, and just rest in Jesus’ boat. Recently I’ve had a series of visions featuring Jesus and I in a boat. He is in the middle seat, rowing and I’m in the back seat, locking eyes with him. That’s one of the keys to sailing free—keeping eye contact with Jesus. </p>
<p>To abide in peace, I make declarations over myself about what is true – that God is always with me, loving me and helping me. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians that “whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” In our spirit, we are one with Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. You and I are permanently connected to the God of peace. His peace is always accessible. </p>
<p>Life’s storms can be intimidating. But God will never give you the spirit of fear. The Holy Spirit gives you power, love, and self-control. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you.” (TPT) </p>
<p>To find peace, try declaring heaven’s promises over yourself. You can bring the peace of heaven into your present reality. Bring tomorrow’s promise of heaven into today: </p>
<p>“We will see his face, there will be no more night </p>
<p>For the Lord our God will give us light </p>
<p>He will wipe the tears away from every eye </p>
<p>He is making all things new, all things new.” (Rev. 22) </p>
<p>Each of us has a “river of destiny.” He is sovereign over our unique situations. Jesus is fully able to get us where we need to go. We don’t get there by wildly thrashing with our oars. We get there by letting the power of his wind move us in the right direction. We trust that he is Lord over the weather conditions – God sets the pace. We move at the pace of his grace. Keep your eyes locked onto Jesus’ face. May his peace be with you!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/62385182020-03-05T11:18:20-08:002020-03-05T11:18:20-08:00We are Children of Love<p>Unlock Love - Article #1 </p>
<p>This is the beginning of a series of articles I will be posting under the umbrella of “Unlock Love.” It’s a phrase that God spoke to me, telling me to emphasize that theme. It’s no surprise that our loves should be permeated with God’s love. We should always be tapping into the continuous flow of God’s love coming into us, and letting that love flow out of us. </p>
<p>Jesus quoted the 1st and 2nd commandments, “Love the Lord your God…and love your neighbor as yourself.” Paul echoes Jesus’ words by writing to the church in Corinth, “Make love your highest goal,” and “do everything in love.” </p>
<p>There are many pathways of thinking, habits, and spiritual strongholds that block the flow of love. A few of these are the way we see God, see ourselves, and see other people. In this series of articles, I will share my experiences of removing the barriers to love. </p>
<p>Let’s start with our identity as children of Love. Where did we come from? We were made in Love’s image. God IS love. We were made by love, in love and for love. We are joined to Jesus, who is love: “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit” (1 Cor 6:17). We are one with Love. That’s our true identity. There is no separation between the branch and the vine (John 15). The love that is inherent to the nature of God flows through us as we abide, remain and live into in his love. </p>
<p>“Children of love” is a re-phrasing of Paul’s words, “you are children of light” and “you are light in the Lord.” Scripture teaches that God is light. For Paul to say, “YOU are light” is an amazing statement. His light is alive in us – the full potential of creative, energetic God-light. Paul is saying, “this is who you are.” </p>
<p>So, when we’ve lost our temper or carried a bad attitude for awhile, all it takes is a simple re-alignment to get things right. We repent and remind ourselves who we really are – ones who are not envious, boastful, or proud. We are alive in the Spirit because “Christ in us, the hope of glory” is our powerhouse companion! </p>
<p>I like to pray this type of prayer, and make this declaration, taken from the “love chapter” in 1 Corinthians: “I am joined to Jesus, who is kind, patient, unselfish and believes the best about others. I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in these qualities of love. I am one with him. I choose to surrender to his thoughts and impulses, enabling me to freely love as I have been loved. </p>
<p>It’s hard work becoming a constant conduit of God’s love to others – but it’s not a heavy burden. If we are struggling under the weight of condemnation, labeling ourselves as dismal failures, we’ll never climb out that depressing hole. But, if we immerse our mind and spirit in the never ending flow of God’s love, we’ll get in sync with his loving ways. And we will love our neighbor as we love ourselves! </p>
<p>Do yourself a favor – love and forgive yourself. Give yourself as much grace as Jesus does – it’s unending. It’s a lot easier to love others when you know you are loved unconditionally.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/62094732020-02-09T11:34:41-08:002020-02-09T11:34:41-08:00Moses, his Fears, and His Staff<p>“Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead.” 20 So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.” Exodus 4:19-20 </p>
<p>Moses had to go back to the place of his failure. He had to trust God to protect him. He had to walk into the environment in which he was almost murdered by the previous Pharaoh, the place from which he fled into the wilderness. </p>
<p>His staff was a simple piece of wood, a tool he used every day in his daily, menial work of caring for animals. God directed him to use the tool that was earthly, ready at hand and completely unremarkable. God turned it into a conduit for revealing his authority, presence and favor. </p>
<p>What tool is ready at your hand? A guitar? A cell phone that you can use to share God-ideas online? The ability to speak or write or lead or serve? What skill do you use on almost a daily basis? Caring for children or adults or needy? What knowledge do you have from years of experience that God wants to embody and empower to be a tool for revealing his loving encouragement? </p>
<p>What is the “Egypt” you have to walk back into? What fears do you face every day as you say a simple ‘yes’ to God’s invitation? It’s not about your abilities, it’s about “I AM THAT I AM” being with you. </p>
<p>On a natural level, Moses had plenty of reasons to lack confidence. He wasn’t an articulate speaker. He had murdered a man when he was still part of the royal household. He was a very reluctant leader. </p>
<p>God called him to do something way beyond his own little world of caring for flocks. He called him to deliver people out of slavery to a cruel dictator. It wasn’t about the wow factor of doing miracles. The miracles were a tool to bring freedom and God’s blessing to an oppressed people.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/58326612019-07-22T12:34:06-07:002019-12-05T06:33:45-08:00Ride the Wave <p>There have been thousands of “waves” of the Holy Spirit throughout church history. Here’s one example: in the country of Wales, between 1762 and 1862 there were at least 15 outstanding revivals (see “Revival Comes to Wales” by Eifion Evans). </p>
<p>I grew up in Southern California, and did some surfing. I never surfed enough to became a good surfer. But I did learn some of the fundamentals of the sport. There are many parallels between catching a wave on a surfboard and catching a wave of the Holy Spirit. </p>
<p><strong>What do you do when you surf a wave? </strong></p>
<p><strong>1. Watch for it. </strong> While we are never without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, it’s good to always be looking for incoming waves. When you see people being touched and hear stories from near and far about extraordinary things God is doing, you are seeing incoming waves that might reach your own shores. This raises your faith level, and spurs you on to seek the Lord diligently, to pray and listen and respond to him. </p>
<p><strong>2. Get yourself in a position to catch it.</strong> Being in the right place at the right time is supremely important in surfing waves. You learn it by doing it. Simply go where there are waves and you pick up the knack for being in the right place. Things of the Spirit are “more easily caught than taught.” So hang around people and places that are receiving and giving away the Holy Spirit’s blessings. Several years ago I was in Hawaii on a ministry trip (poor me, someone has to do it). I got a couple of brief surfing opportunities with my son, Ben. While I was paddling to catch a wave, one of the local surfer women shouted out, “go, go, go!” She could see I needed to pick up the pace to catch the wave. We need friends around us to cheer us on towards our spiritual goal. </p>
<p><strong>3. To catch the wave.</strong> You have to build up speed to catch the wave, which means you have to paddle hard. I relate this to having good spiritual habits. You learn to pray by praying. Just as surfers build up strong upper body muscles through lots of paddling, we build up spiritual muscles through frequent practice. Mother Teresa said, “Prayer is a 2-way conversation. God speaks, we listen. We speak, God listens.” The Holy Spirit is our constant inner teacher. We tap into what he is saying by maintaining a posture of prayer. It’s not easy to catch a wave in surfing, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. (I think it’s much easier to receive the Holy Spirit than to catch a beach wave!) </p>
<p><strong>4. When you’re on the wave, you move in response to the wave. </strong> You “do what the wave is doing.” Keep listening. Abide in him. Get your instructions from him. Do what he says. In Paul’s teaching on discerning spiritual things, he says, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2). If we have access to the mind of Christ, that means he can potentially be feeding us his thoughts non-stop. Because we aren’t perfect receptors for his thoughts, we miss a lot of stuff. Nevertheless, he is always ready to lead and guide. (Every analogy has weaknesses. In a sense, we are always on a wave of the Holy Spirit because he is connected to our own human spirit. See 1 Cor. 6:17, 2 Peter 1:4). In surfing, you “feel” your way along the wave. Not unlike moving with the Holy Spirit. </p>
<p><strong>5. The power comes from the wave, not from us.</strong> If we abide in him, we will bear much fruit by virtue of our connection with his love, wisdom and power. This is liberating. We never have to produce the power, and we never take the credit, because he is the source of every blessing. </p>
<p>Good waves come in sets of 6 or 8, then there’s a lull, then another set rolls in. Watch and wait for the right times to surf. If there are no waves, go have a barbeque on the beach! At all times, love one another, serve the needy, and do the “main and plain” things that every Christian should do. </p>
<p><strong>6. Riding a beach wave is unlike any other feeling I’ve had. </strong> It’s definitely a euphoric experience. I think it’s even more fun than skiing or snowboarding – being smoothly carried along by a very powerful force. For me, these euphoric feelings in surfing have been few and fleeting. The Holy Spirit’s presence in us is much more constant and dependable than a beach wave. He is always with us. We don’t focus on euphoria, we focus on him, and sometimes he gives us a taste of heaven, and helps us to help others experience the same wonderful freedom. </p>
<p><strong>7. Disclaimer. </strong> Maybe the biggest weakness of this analogy between surfing and responding to the Holy Spirit is that surfing is and individual sport and immersion into the Holy Spirit is best done in relationship with others. </p>
<p><strong>8. Watch for waves! </strong> Paddle hard! Trust the wave-Maker. Be connected to a community of comrade-Holy Spirit-surfers.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/58076022019-06-28T11:35:19-07:002019-06-28T11:35:19-07:00Holy Disruption<p>Historically, we see that God brings renewal and positive change when people intentionally seek him. But people don’t usually decide one day all on their own initiative, “I’m going to really go for God.” Usually, there is a catalytic moment, an eye-opening experience, or a disruption of our contentment with the status quo. </p>
<p>God brings disruption to light a fire under us. </p>
<p>God disrupts normal life by his delightful appearance, his penetrating words, and at times through great difficulty. Through disruptions, we see that what we thought was “normal spirituality” is probably less than all God has for us in our pilgrimage of faith. </p>
<p>These disruptions are often not specifically sought after or expected. They are often difficult, but they are also heavenly. God satisfies the hunger in our hearts when we follow his path of disruption. God-disruptions produce godliness and fruitfulness if we humbly respond, giving God a chance to unwrap his gifts to us. </p>
<p>Examples of biblical disruptions: </p>
<p>Jesus encountering Paul on the road to Damascus. “Is that you, Jesus?!” <br>God encountering Moses through the burning bush, “God, you’ve got the wrong guy.” <br>The prophet Samuel anointing David as the next king. Teenager becomes giant-slayer. <br>Matthew, sitting in his tax-collectors booth, received an invitation from Jesus: “Follow me.” Jesus’ radical inclusion of a “scum-of-the-earth” tax collector is scandalous and wonderful. <br>The Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost and empowered the disciples, which turned the world upside down. <br>Jesus offers the Samaritan woman “Living Water.” She tells the whole neighborhood this good news. </p>
<p>We can be disrupted when we: </p>
<p>Read a book, hear a sermon or a song – God grabs our heart, opens our eyes to a reality we know is right but couldn’t previously see. <br>We see a passage of scripture like, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” and decide to take it seriously. (Col. 4:2) <br>We see burning passion for God in someone’s life and it produces the right kind of jealousy in our hearts. We want the blessings of God that we see in those around us. We are provoked to follow the path of disruption – to break out of previous habits and really dive into the pursuit of God. </p>
<p>Jesus said some radical things, like “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” (Matt. 10:37) </p>
<p>Jesus absolutely didn’t want us to stop loving our family, but he calls us to love him with everything we have, everything that’s in us: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” Most people would describe that as fanaticism. For Jesus, and Paul, and hundreds of thousands of disciples through the ages, it’s the normal Christian life. That’s where real adventure is. </p>
<p>Don’t hear legalism in what I’m saying. It’s finding the Pearl of Great Price. God disrupts our routines and our low expectations in order to begin a new chapter of experiencing his love and giving his love away.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/57927072019-06-15T08:07:02-07:002019-06-15T08:07:36-07:00Fires from Heaven<p>In the Bible, God’s activity among us is sometimes compared to fire. What does the fiery Holy Spirit do? He purifies, refines, ignites, makes alive, imparts passion and zeal for God, and his coming is accompanied by spiritual gifts and boldness. John the Baptist said that Jesus would “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt 3:11). </p>
<p>The Holy Spirit baptizes all of us with fire. He brings his fiery love into our midst as we worship. He dwells in us as a burning presence. When two disciples broke bread with the risen Jesus, they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). Each one of us is individually a temple of the Holy Spirit, and the collective body of Christ is another kind of temple of the Holy Spirit. We are exposed to a larger, more powerful fire when we gather as the church. </p>
<p>How do we steward the presence of the Holy Spirit in all arenas of life? </p>
<p>1. We respond to him as individuals. Each of us is joined to him. “He (or she) who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him” (1 Cor 6:17). His presence in us is a flame that is never extinguished. We pray and listen to him everyday, and we do our best to respond to his words and his voice inside us in all kinds of practical ways. </p>
<p>2. We “keep the home fires burning.” I picture a family hearth in a simple, medieval home. The fire had many purposes. It kept the house warm, provided hot water for cleaning, and was used to cook food. It was also the gathering place for family fellowship. Most of us don’t gather around literal fires in our homes, but we gather in response to the love-fire of the Holy Spirit in all of us. We have to be attentive to the “home fire,” continuing to stoke it with fresh fuel to keep the fire alive. For us, this means fanning the flame of God’s love in our own hearts and being attentive to relationships in our family and with our roommates. </p>
<p>3. We welcome the fire of the Holy Spirit in our church gatherings. Much of the time, the Holy Spirit’s effect on us is simply to warm our hearts towards him and towards one another. At other times, he reveals the holiness of his fire, leading us to repentance (Hebrews 4:28-29). We give place to the unpredictable move of the Holy Spirit, allowing his fire to kindle and ignite us however he wants. </p>
<p>4. We gather with Christians from all kinds of other churches. Throughout church history we see seasons of God’s fiery visitation, which draws together people from all kinds of churches, and those who aren’t churchgoers. The fire spreads into the community, into every neighborhood and coffee shop where people will welcome his burning love. The fiery love of God propels us to help and serve people everywhere. </p>
<p>Will we let him burn in us?</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/57711702019-05-28T12:24:06-07:002020-01-23T01:04:11-08:00Hungry for God<p>How do we become hungry for God? I think it’s partly God’s gift, and partly our choice. Recently God has made it very easy for me to pray because he has visited me with amazing power and regularity. I am swimming in a sea of revelation. I see it as mostly God’s doing. God is taking some big steps towards me these days, and I am trying to keep stepping towards him. The result is wonderful and also challenging. He is calling me to make a career of seeking him. But that’s where the action is. I feel like this is a season of great opportunity for anyone who will step towards him.</p>
<p>I find that it’s very easy to become satiated and satisfied with all kinds of things and activities that are NOT God. Many of those things are good. But if I fill myself up with entertainment, recreation and taking care of my possessions, I have a very shallow life. So, we have to put aside the good stuff to get the best—God himself. </p>
<p>I think when Jesus said, “I am the bread of Life, come to me and drink” and “I am the living water, come to me and drink,” it was the real deal. We can actually get sustenance and the satisfaction of an intimate relationship with the God who is love. But there are so many inferior substitutes available in this era of great wealth and super advance technology. </p>
<p>“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Doing God’s will feeds us. We know our lives have meaning when we do God’s work. That is very fulfilling. </p>
<p>Our hunger can be satisfied with nearness to God, just as the Psalmist who wrote these words: I will praise you as long as I live, <br>and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you (Psalm 63:4,5).</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/55455562018-12-08T09:35:27-08:002018-12-08T09:35:27-08:00Post #10: Living in Humility<p><strong><span class="font_large">A life-changing conversation between mother and son </span></strong></p>
<p>When he was 10 years old, David Eisenhower was vey excited about joining his older brothers to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. But his parents wouldn’t let him go. They thought he was too young. David threw a terrible temper tantrum. He begged his parents for the chance to join his brothers. In a rage, he screamed and cried and beat his hands against a tree. </p>
<p>His father spanked him and sent him to bed. Later on, his mother came to comfort her son, taking him into her lap and gently rocking him. After a time of quiet, she quoted Proverbs 16:32: “He that conquers his own soul is greater than he who takes a city.” She explained to him how dangerous it was to hold bitterness in your heart towards others. Hanging onto anger will damage and imprison you. </p>
<p>Sixty-six years later, when he was seventy-six, Eisenhower wrote, “I have always looked back on that conversation as one of the most valuable moments of my life. To my youthful mind, it seemed to me that she talked for hours, but I suppose the affair was ended in fifteen or twenty minutes. At least she got me to acknowledge that I was wrong and I felt enough ease in my mind to fall off to sleep.”[i] </p>
<p>Here is another example of foot-washing. In this case, we see the long lasting impact of sitting quietly with a person and speaking kind words. Ida Eisenhower was doing what all faithful mothers do. She was consoling and counseling her young boy. She couldn’t have known she was shaping the character of a boy who would become President of the United States. She couldn’t have known that this 20-minute conversation would always be remembered by her son as one of his most life-changing moments. The slow, steady, humble work of showing compassion to a weeping child has long-term benefits that we can’t see in the moment of crisis. This was another “secret place” moment of showing love to a hurting child. God sees every kind word, every minute and hour you’ve spent in compassionate caring. God sees that kind of faithfulness and rewards it—even if it takes a long time. Through the centuries, mothers have had huge influence in shaping the character of their children and students, some of whom become leaders and influencers. Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” </p>
<p>What if David Eisenhower had turned out to have an unproductive, unremarkable life? What if he had spurned all of Ida’s wisdom and guidance? Would that have changed the value of Ida’s tender care for him? No. If you’ve loved, you’ve succeeded. If you “make love your highest goal,” as the Apostle Paul says, you’ve done well. We can’t control how the recipients of our love will respond. </p>
<p>[i] David Brooks, The Road to Character, Random House, New York, 2015, Page 52.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/55373562018-12-03T11:26:32-08:002021-03-28T16:48:12-07:00Post #9: Change in God's Pocket<p><strong><span class="font_large">Change in God’s pocket </span></strong></p>
<p>Rich Nathan, pastor of the Vineyard Church in Columbus, Ohio, shared in a sermon, “John Wimber used to say that we need to be loose change in the pocket of the Lord that he can spend any way he sees fit. If you want to spend me right where I am, spend me, Lord. If you want to spend me overseas, spend me there, dear God. If you want to spend me in this ministry or this job or this non-profit or working with kids or elderly people or whatever, do so.” Have you ever said, “God, I give you the absolute right in this season of my life.” You may be a young person and single or you may be a retiree or an empty nester.”</p>
<p>I heard John use this term “change in God’s pocket” many times in sermons. It’s a picture that sticks with me. In our culture, people feel entitled to all kinds of privileges. In God’s great plan, he can do with us whatever he wants to. </p>
<p>“Come to Latin America” </p>
<p>Earlier this year I was in Mazatlan, Mexico, teaching and leading worship at a Vineyard church that reaches out to many groups of poor people in the greater Mazatlan area. One of the last nights, I was leading worship in a training meeting for local Mexican church members. </p>
<p>The meeting wasn’t well attended. I have to admit it’s hard to fly thousands of miles to a place, and sometimes only a small group of people show up to the meetings. But it’s worth it (vale le pena). It’s all about partnering with local churches who are pouring out their lives to reach needy people. </p>
<p>Though the meeting was small, on this occasion I was really enjoying leading worship in Spanish. When the worship set was finished, I turned away from the microphone to walk offstage and I spontaneously started singing, “I’m change in your pocket, you can spend me however you want to.” </p>
<p>On another trip to Latin America this year, God spoke to me clearly, reaffirming a previous word. I was leading worship and teaching at a Vineyard church in Santiago, Chile. After the meeting, I sat down on the front row and the Holy Spirit came on me powerfully, so I sat quietly and waited. God said to me very clearly, two times: “Keep coming to Latin America.” </p>
<p>This was part of God’s answer to a prayer I frequently pray: “God, what do you want me to do next?” Just to be clear, there’s nothing more spiritual about going to a different continent than there is in helping people in our own neighborhoods. It just happens to be part of what I do. What has he called you to do?</p>
<p> </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/55305732018-11-28T09:13:53-08:002018-11-28T09:13:53-08:00Post #8: Living in Humility<p><strong><span class="font_large">A Teenage Girl Says Yes to God </span></strong></p>
<p>Pretend for a moment that you are the main character in this unimaginable situation. You are a 13-year old girl, engaged to be married. A huge angel shows up to announce that you’re going to get pregnant by the Holy Spirit. This gigantic shining angelic being is staring you in the face and you feel overwhelmed. </p>
<p>Yes, you know the story. Put yourself in Mary’s shoes for a moment. “The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.”[i] This is the angel Gabriel we’re talking about. When Gabriel appeared to Daniel around 600 years before Christ, Daniel was so terrified, he fell facedown on the ground. He was sick for days after his experience with the angel.[ii] Aside from being very afraid, what were Mary’s thoughts? “OK, what do you want from me? I’ve never seen an angel before and I’m scared.” </p>
<p>The frightening angel continues, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’[iii] God “has a surprise” for Mary—that was the understatement of the century. </p>
<p>There are different kinds of surprises in life. Like, “your house just burned down!” or your boss says, “I’m sorry but this is your last day.” I wonder if in the first few moments of this encounter, Mary saw Gabriel’s visit as a bad surprise. We don’t know what she thought. </p>
<p>Perhaps Mary was thinking, “What this angel just told me has nothing to do with what my mother taught me about pregnancy!” No woman in history had ever become “pregnant by the Holy Spirit.” Did Mary say to herself, “Do I really have a choice in the matter?” There’s no way we can know exactly what she though or felt. But you have to wonder… </p>
<p>Mary was a regular teenage girl </p>
<p>When we hear this story at Christmas time, we frame it kind of like a fairy tale. Because we know the end of the story, we think, “of course, Mary did the right thing.” </p>
<p>We say, “O yeah, the virgin birth, how amazing!” But this miracle was completely unprecedented. Maybe Mary wondered, “are you a good angel or…?” We can’t possibly understand or experience the shock and angst this teenager felt. </p>
<p>Mary said to the angel, “How could I get pregnant if I’ve never slept with a man?”[iv] When the angel explained she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, I wonder if it made her feel any better. Mary was a typical young teenager in ancient Israel. She probably spent very little time outside of her own home and neighborhood. It was customary that women weren’t allowed to talk to men unless their father was present. </p>
<p>In first century Palestine, women were seen as second class citizens. (Jesus would soon be turning that tradition upside down.) In Mary’s time, women simply did what men in authority told them to do. “Well behaved” women really didn’t have a choice—do what the man tells you to do, or in this case, do what the giant man-angel tells you. </p>
<p>Whatever her first reactions were, by the end of the conversation with this male angel, she said, “OK, let God’s will be done with me.” She was convinced that this messenger was truly from God. She must have been thinking, “I don’t know exactly what I’m getting myself into, but here I go. My gut tells me this is right.” </p>
<p>Isn’t that what hearing from God is like? This is how Peter and John just knew it was right when Jesus said to them, “come, follow me.” There’s no other explanation for why they immediately left their jobs to follow Jesus, the preacher-healer. It’s the same reason that Matthew left his job immediately when Jesus invited him to “come, follow me.” </p>
<p>[i] Luke 1:28, Common English Version </p>
<p>[ii] Daniel 8:27 </p>
<p>[iii] Luke 1:32 </p>
<p>[iv] Luke 1:34, The Message</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/55240572018-11-22T06:40:10-08:002018-11-22T06:51:25-08:00Post #7: Living in Humility<p><strong><span class="font_large">Humility in the Desert </span></strong></p>
<p>Jesus is the forerunner for all believers—the Father led him into the desert to test and try him. When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God descended “like a dove” on him. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” </p>
<p>In the very next verse, we read: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” At the baptism, the Father essentially tells Jesus: “I am so proud of you!” Though Jesus had not yet done any public ministry, the Father affirms how pleased he is with his son. The very next thing the Father does is to take Jesus to the desert to test him! This is what our Father does with all of us. He refines our faith and character through trials and temptations. He teaches us to surrender our power. </p>
<p>Jesus’ desert experience is a model for us. The context is this: God loves you and is inviting you to go deeper with him. When he takes you to the desert, it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong! He is testing your character. In the desert, who we are is revealed. He refines us. We go deeper in trusting him. We humble ourselves to learn whatever it is he’s trying to teach us. He gives us grace to endure difficulty and become more like him. </p>
<p>Why does he humble us? So we can know him better, rely on him more, and make less mistakes in the future. The journey to the promised land always goes through the desert. God purposely humbles us to teach us his ways. Every person who sincerely follows Jesus should get ready to embrace humbling experiences. It’s part of God’s game plan. </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/55180542018-11-17T11:40:27-08:002018-11-17T11:40:27-08:00Post #6: Living in Humility<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Humility Brings Rewards </strong></span></p>
<p>If you’re smart, you’ll learn humility. If you want your relationship with God to flourish, you’ll walk humbly. If you want satisfying relationships with your family, friends and work mates, you’ll develop a humble heart. If you want the best long-term rewards available, you’ll always be learning from Jesus’ example of humility. </p>
<p>Humility is a safeguard against unnecessary failure and disappointment. We will make mistakes and be disappointed, but we can minimize that by learning the Jesus way. Humility makes us ready to learn from anyone, anywhere, anytime. </p>
<p>Without humility, you can’t be a lifelong learner. To be an apprentice of Jesus we must constantly have the humility of a child who is eager to learn. A teachable heart opens the door to God’s grace. </p>
<p>Scripture teaches that we catch God’s attention by walking in humility. Despite the trials we may undergo, walking in humility brings a huge reward: </p>
<p>God rewards the humble with wisdom.[i] </p>
<p>God saves and shows favor to the humble.[ii] </p>
<p>God guides and sustains the humble.[iii] </p>
<p>He crowns the humble with victory [iv] </p>
<p>He hears the prayers of the humble.[v] </p>
<p>Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.[vi] </p>
<p>The God of all grace is all about helping us, enabling us, and blessing us. The idea of grace in the Bible describes the whole of God’s activity towards his children. It’s available in unlimited measure to those who choose a humble path. </p>
<p>[i] Psalm 18:27 </p>
<p>[ii] Proverbs 3:34 </p>
<p>[iii] Psalm 25:9 Psalm 147:6 </p>
<p>[iv] Psalm 149:4 </p>
<p>[v] Daniel 10:12 </p>
<p>[vi] Proverbs 22: 4</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/55114512018-11-13T11:32:13-08:002018-11-13T11:32:13-08:00Post #5: Living in Humility<p><strong><span class="font_large">Seek Jesus, Find Humility </span></strong> </p>
<p>It’s not that humility should be the focus of our life’s pursuit. Jesus is our focus. At the core of Jesus’ nature is humility. </p>
<p>Jesus humbled himself to the very lowest place and as a result was exalted to the very highest place. In Jesus, a very important spiritual principle is demonstrated: those who humble themselves will be lifted up—honored or exalted. Jesus followed the Father’s plan, and was rewarded with the very highest honor of any human in history. </p>
<p>Jesus shows us the definition of humility – saying “yes” to his loving Father’s plan. He cooperated with his Father, saying “not my will, but yours be done.” </p>
<p>To be a disciple of someone is to copy everything they do. It’s to absorb and become everything they are. Being apprenticed to Jesus means taking on his character. Because humility is central to the character of Jesus, by seeking him, you enroll in his school of humility. </p>
<p>When a new position becomes available in your company and you see yourself as highly qualified for that position, but someone else gets promoted, God is taking you to humility school. </p>
<p>When you passionately argue your point with a friend but in the end you see she is right and you are wrong, you’re learning humility. </p>
<p>When your role at work is discontinued and it seems like God has pulled the carpet out from under you, you feel like asking “Have I done something wrong?” Not necessarily. It means: It’s time to grow!! God is saying, “I’m pruning you, purifying you, getting you ready for the next step.” </p>
<p>You are God’s child and you’re also his student. What a privilege—to follow in his footsteps, humbly serving just as he did. This is the key to life, happiness and fulfillment. </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/55036132018-11-07T12:27:18-08:002018-11-07T12:27:18-08:00Post #4: Living in Humility<p><span class="font_large">Humility is Good Soil</span></p>
<p>Andrew Murray said, “Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure.” Murray, a pastor and writer from the late-18th and early-19th centuries in South Africa, is one of the many voices from history who lifts up the importance of humility. </p>
<p>When I plant flowers in a pot or a tree in the ground, I make sure I am using healthy soil. Without a nutritious environment, the plant won’t grow. </p>
<p>In becoming a student of Jesus, we nurture “good soil” in our hearts. In this good soil, the graces can thrive: obedience to God, and all the attributes of divine love. The fruit of the Holy Spirit thrives in the soil of humility. Humility creates an environment in which Christ-like qualities can thrive and grow. </p>
<p>Humility is the soil in which gratitude grows. </p>
<p>Humility acknowledges God as the giver of every good gift. </p>
<p>Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” </p>
<p>Without humility, you can’t be thankful when life beats you up. </p>
<p>Without humility, I can’t forgive when I’m insulted or disrespected. </p>
<p>Without humility, I can’t volunteer my time to serve someone who has no way of paying me back. </p>
<p>Without humility, I can’t shut up and listen to my wife’s side of an argument. </p>
<p>Without humility, I can’t graciously bend with the changing seasons and responsibilities of my life. </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/54983572018-11-03T11:35:50-07:002018-11-03T11:38:08-07:00What does a humble life look like? <p><span class="font_large">Moses, Part 2</span></p>
<p>Moses shepherded a very large group of unruly, complaining people. He put up with their forgetfulness of God’s many miraculous interventions. When there wasn’t good water to drink or good food to eat, they complained. Most of the time, Moses was patient with his grumbling flock. On a few occasions, Moses got angry with his people. But he never deserted them. He faithfully and humbly served them. </p>
<p>Even when his brother and sister turned against him by publicly complaining against him for marrying a Cushite wife, he showed compassion. Moses was merciful to Aaron and Miriam, asking the Lord to heal them of leprosy. </p>
<p>Moses’ humility was first expressed in surrender, and later expressed in using his authority to release God’s saving power through signs and wonders. The order of those two things is key. First surrender, then come works of power. </p>
<p>When Moses said yes to God’s call to set the Hebrew people free, amazing miracles happened and millions of people’s lives were radically changed for the better. God poured out his grace. </p>
<p>But, even after the Red Sea miracle, it seems that Moses had no illusions about the limitations of his own power. He carried a sobering responsibility—leading a small nation to freedom. He knew it was way above any human’s ability level. He knew his only choice was to depend on God’s help. </p>
<p>Jesus shows us the definition of humility – saying “yes” to his loving Father’s plan. He cooperated with his Father, saying “not my will, but yours be done.” </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/54907012018-10-29T09:29:41-07:002018-10-29T09:29:41-07:00Post #2: What does a humble life look like? (Moses, Part 1) <p>Perhaps Moses embodies humility more ways than any other biblical figure. God seemed to think so. We read in the book of Numbers: “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” Num. 12:3 </p>
<p>Moses’ life is a great is example of the practical working out of humility in all areas of life. Humility shaped Moses’ attitudes, his ambitions, the way he related to God and the way he dealt with people. </p>
<p>Moses was unassuming, and un-ambitious. Born to a Hebrew slave woman, he found himself growing up in a palace—Pharaoh’s royal household. </p>
<p>At first, he was very reluctant to respond to God’s call to confront the Pharaoh for his brutal treatment of the Hebrew slaves: “Who am I to do such a thing?” Moses began with no confidence and no desire to take on this monumental task of freeing his people from the clutches of the evil king. Finally, he accepted God’s invitation to be a liberator. We see his transformation into a very capable leader. His courageous and compassionate action doesn’t fit the silly caricature of humility that many people imagine. </p>
<p>Moses was called by God to do something he did not choose. He did the job he didn’t want to do because asked him to do it. I can imagine Moses’ self-talk when God spoke to him through the burning bush: “This is crazy. The last thing in the world I want to do is risk my life by confronting the King of the Egyptians. Why can’t I keep doing my simple job as a shepherd?” Humility is cooperating with God.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/54859842018-10-25T11:24:39-07:002018-10-26T10:11:55-07:00Post #1: Living in Humility <p><span class="font_large">Humility is the chief of the graces </span></p>
<p>Humility is a broad reaching orientation to all of life, towards God and people. Throughout history, many leading authors have identified humility as the most core virtue of following Jesus: </p>
<p>The 19th century South African author and pastor, Andrew Murray, said: “The chief glory of heaven, the true heavenly-mindedness, the chief of the graces, is humility.” </p>
<p>There isn’t a single area of life in which humility isn’t required. To get through every single day in right relationship with God and people, I must take a humble posture before the Lord and others. </p>
<p>Sometimes the humble are mistreated. More often, there are immediate rewards—we are treated kindly by people when we consider them to be more important than ourselves. </p>
<p>Augustine wrote in the 4th century, "Should you ask me what is the first thing in religion, I should reply, ’The first, second, and third thing therein.... no…all, is humility… If humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless.”</p>
<p><strong>The above post is a brief excerpt from the introduction of my upcoming book, “Living in Humility…Following the Humble King.” To receive the entire introductory chapter free, please sign up for my mailing list on the front page of andypark.ca.</strong></p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/54736552018-10-17T08:34:55-07:002018-10-17T09:00:29-07:00Worship Team Coach<p>In September I finished four months of leading worship at Southside Churches in Burnaby and Surrey, B.C. I really enjoyed it! I am always enriched by visiting and co-working with churches in other denominations than my own. We have so much in common, and I learn from the various traditions of each church. </p>
<p>My role was to work with the worship teams, and equip them in different ways. We rehearsed the bands, worshipped together and talked about the heart and purpose of worship. A small group of songwriters spent four evenings together to review, critique and re-write our songs. Some excellent songs came out of that time. </p>
<p>Now I am venturing into more opportunities to work as a Worship Team Coach. My training programs are tailor-made for each church, according to their unique needs. I am available for 1 week intensive training programs anywhere in North America, and all sorts of training programs in the Vancouver, BC area.</p>
<p>To see more details on this, go to my “training and resources” page.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/49879912017-12-21T09:08:15-08:002017-12-21T09:08:15-08:00“God is Love” Song Story<p>I am inspired to write songs for many reasons. One way I catch a vision for a new song begins with seeing a need. I sometimes do music for a dinner outreach to needy people. It’s one expression of Nightshift, near where l live in Surrey (nightshiftministries.org). </p>
<p>As we play and sing, looking out over the crowd, you see a lot of abused folks who came from broken homes and have struggled to survive on every level – emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually. Many of them did not have a safe family of origin. Home wasn’t a place they wanted to be. </p>
<p>Seeing this group—a mix of the working poor, wandering teenagers, addicts, sex-trade workers and homeless—inspired me to write, “God is Love.” </p>
<p>God is Love </p>
<p>Have you been struck down, have you been bruised </p>
<p>In danger and so afraid? </p>
<p>Have you been slandered, hurt and abused </p>
<p>And you barely have the strength to pray? </p>
<p>There is a home, there is a shelter, </p>
<p>There is a hiding place </p>
<p>Jesus is here, his healing is near you today </p>
<p>Chorus </p>
<p>God is love, pouring like a waterfall over you </p>
<p>Taking all your pain, taking all your bitterness away </p>
<p>God is love, crashing like a breaker over you </p>
<p>Darkness and death can no longer hold on to you </p>
<p>Verse 2 </p>
<p>He’s your defender, he’s your protector, </p>
<p>Run to the shadow of his wings </p>
<p>Rest like a baby, in his tender mercy, </p>
<p>There is healing in his wings </p>
<p>He is your home, he is your shelter, </p>
<p>He is your hiding place </p>
<p>Jesus is here, his healing is near you today </p>
<p>Bridge </p>
<p>This is the kingdom, this is the life, </p>
<p>It’s what you’ve been waiting for </p>
<p>This is the freedom, this is the love, </p>
<p>It’s what he has made you for</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/49631592017-12-05T07:46:56-08:002017-12-05T07:46:56-08:00City of Light<p><strong><em>City of Light</em></strong> is the first track on the <strong><em>Bring Your Healing Love</em></strong> EP. It’s a reggae tune that I’ve played a lot at Nightshift, a ministry in my city that serves a nightly meal to people in need. The theme of the song is taken from the book of Revelation, which describes heaven as a shining city: “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” </p>
<p>We can experience some the blessings of heaven now – unity among people of all backgrounds, peace, inclusiveness, helping and sharing with one another and celebration. Seeing a picture of heaven makes us long for the “full meal deal” and it should also make us pray for and work towards bringing heaven now, </p>
<p>JKA Smith, in his book, <em>You are What You Love</em>, describes well this concept: “Christian worship should tell a story that makes us want to set sail for the immense sea that is the Triune God, birthing in us a longing for “a better country—a heavenly one” that is kingdom come (Heb. 11: 16). The biblical vision of shalom—of a world where the Lamb is our light, where swords are beaten into ploughshares, where abundance is enjoyed by all, where people from every tribe and tongue and nation sing the same song of praise, where justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an everlasting stream.”</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/49344192017-11-15T17:24:52-08:002022-05-10T11:12:13-07:00Bring Your Healing Love - New EP Available Now!<p>It is with great joy that I introduce my new 4-song EP called <em>Bring Your Healing Love</em>. And it is available right here at andypark.ca/store. Sometime in early December it will also be available on itunes and many other music sites. </p>
<p>I enjoyed working on this project last summer and I am happy with the end result. Some wonderful musical contributions were made by a variety of friends. The song featured on the above video is called <em>Glory be to the Father</em>. </p>
<p>The lyrics of this tune are taken partly from the Episcopal (Anglican) liturgy that I grew up with in Los Angeles. </p>
<p>There’s an interesting variety of Celtic rock, reggae, world music and folk rock on this short project. Hope you like it!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/49168872017-11-02T14:07:29-07:002017-11-02T14:07:29-07:00On the Road Again<p>Here are a few highlights of worship events from this fall in India, Langley, BC, Penticton, BC and St Louis, Missouri. </p>
<p>A conference in Dehradun, India at the Vineyard church pastored by Sunny and Vika Gilbert. This Vineyard was planted 20 years ago and is a fruitful sending church. Lots of wonderful people and a great time with folks from many different churches in the region. </p>
<p>Meetings in Delhi, India’s capitol city, hosted by Aradhna Vineyard. This church is pastored by Emmanuel and Joyce Qureshi, a wonderful couple who were born and raised in India, moved to the U.S. for around 3 decades, and then moved back to Delhi to plant a Vineyard church when they were 60 years old. It is a fruitful Vineyard with a wonderful 2nd congregation in a low-income neighborhood. Lots of children from Hindu backgrounds are attending their services and equipping center. </p>
<p>A worship weekend at Penticton Vineyard in B.C. This 31-year old Vineyard is full of great people. Really enjoyed hanging out with their worship teams. God visited us in a special way in those meetings. Always great to see Hart and Louise Loewen. </p>
<p>A worship conference at Hope Vineyard in St. Louis, Missouri. What fun to be back together with many of the band members from my Anaheim Vineyard days. John and Audra Wyrosdick, David and Laurie Klein and Leo Song and I had a great time worshiping together and hanging out. Some people were healed of physical ailments on Friday night. I enjoyed staying with Robert and Kim Stovall, the pastors. </p>
<p>In the 2nd half of November I’ll be in Denmark and Sweden for more worship events…Vineyards in Copenhagen and Gothenburg, a worship school in Umeå and a Nordic Vineyard worship leaders retreat. Looking forward to it!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/47524222017-06-21T08:07:38-07:002017-06-21T08:18:08-07:00The Joy of a Songwriting Circle<p>Mallory Gliko was one of eight participants in our Spring 2017 songwriting circle. Her lovely song, “In Your Presence is just one example of all the good songs that were shared in our meetings. (See video of this song on right of this page). Our circle members were from five different Vineyard churches in the greater Vancouver area, plus our friend from Kelowna, Mark Stokes (via facetime). </p>
<p>We had a great time, sharing our songs, encouraging one another, critiquing songs, laughing and eating popcorn! </p>
<p>It was fun to see the songs evolve through our 7 sessions. It’s a very practical way to learn about songwriting – you hear input on the strong and weak points of your song, and how your song could be improved. Songwriting “rules” and theory become more clear as you listen to feedback from all the group members. People really progressed in their songwriting ability through these few months. By the end of the course, several good songs were revised, re-revised and completed. </p>
<p>It has been said, “most songs are not written, they are re-written.” Songwriting circles are a great tool for improving your songwriting skills!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/46208722017-03-08T07:28:22-08:002017-03-08T07:28:22-08:00Harvest Vineyard Prayer and Worship Summit<p>Last weekend I led worship sessions at the Harvest Vineyard Prayer and Worship Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. One of the first things that struck me at this event was the angelic presence in the sanctuary. Sometimes I know in my gut that angels are present. Months of prayer offered up by the Harvest Vineyard beforehand made me feel like I was walking into an open, free space of connection with God. </p>
<p>This tremendous grace was present for me not just in the meetings but while I was alone—to hear from God and prepare for the meetings. It began a few weeks before I came to the event. That kind of thing happens because people have been doing the consistent plowing up of the spiritual ground, planting the seed through prayer and a lifestyle of worship and service. </p>
<p>I love how they employ the arts: their worship dance team is very unique and sensitive and really enhances the connection with God in the room. Another prophetic use of the arts was Rik Berry’s painting during worship. Rik is a Vineyard pastor and professional artist who skillfully brings forward God-themes through his work—done right before our eyes on the worship platform. </p>
<p>The Harvest Vineyard has a high value on regularly setting aside long times for corporate worship where they can open the door for anything God wants to say or do. (Once per month, they do an evening of extended worship and prayer with their community). They have a high value on going right to the holy of holies, listening to God and responding to his agenda, while holding their plans lightly. This has been a core value in the Vineyard from the beginning, but it’s easy to slip away from actually doing it in week-to-week church life. </p>
<p>There was a prophetic word about “The Northern Gateway.” It seems to me that Harvest / Edmonton Vineyard could be a gateway through which God wants to bring something precious to the rest of Vineyard Canada and probably to many other churches, both inside and outside of the Vineyard. They have a culture of prayer and worship that I think is rare in the Vineyard movement. </p>
<p>They are humble people who have been reaching out to the needy in their community for over 25 years, and this year was their 15th annual prayer and worship summit. There is no substitute for being a community that loves God and loves others, patiently building Kingdom—momentum over the long haul.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/45707222017-01-31T11:24:16-08:002017-01-31T11:24:16-08:00I Love to Write Songs<p>I have been enjoying writing songs for over forty years. I started when I was seventeen years old, right after I met the Lord. Never dreamed that I’d write so many songs and sing them in so many places. <br> <br>I write songs for many reasons: for my own “musical journaling,” for congregational worship, to bring encouraging messages through song both to the church and the pre-Christian audience. <br> <br>In my upcoming video tutorials, I’ll share a lot of my experience and pass along wisdom from many other songwriters and authors. <br>Series 2 (coming out in Spring 2017) will include live video interviews with many other songwriters. <br> <br>Series 1 of my Songwriting Workshops includes these topics: <br> <br>Seven Reasons to Write Songs <br>The Gift of Songwriting <br>Ten Inspiration Situations <br>The Discipline of Songwriting <br>Flee Perfectionism <br>Dodging the Fame Game <br>The Anatomy of a Song Review <br> <br>I hope you can take away some helpful thoughts from this series!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/45187222016-12-20T09:04:01-08:002016-12-20T09:04:01-08:00God Takes Notice<p>Yesterday evening, my band mates and I had a great time leading worship at the nightly meal at Nightshift Street Ministries in Surrey. It was cold, but bearable – right around the freezing mark. First time I can remember playing the guitar with a half-glove on my right hand. We did a mix of worship music and secular songs with a good message, like “Lean on Me” (Bill Withers), “Peace, Love and Understanding” (Elvis Costello) and “Yahweh” (U2). I add to the mix some prayers and short words of encouragement between songs. Basically, we’re doing church for people who are too broken to come to a typical church. <br> <br>There were around 50 people having dinner and maybe a dozen volunteers serving food, talking with folks and praying for them. <br> <br>At the end, when I was packing up and walking to my car, a fellow followed me to my car. In that setting—a mix of street folks and working poor, you always wonder what kind of encounter you’re going to have when one of the guests approaches you. <br> <br>“Alberta Jim” introduced himself as an artist who was staying in the homeless shelter across the street. He was a “normie”—not an addict, and not destitute. He owns a home in northern Alberta, but while staying in Surrey to be treated for Leukemia, he is staying in the homeless shelter. <br> <br>Last summer, he heard our band for the first time from across the street. He said with a glimmer in his eye, “that’s not a stereo…I gotta check this out.” Anyway, he said our music “changed his life.” He was very grateful for our playing. He also attends a weekly art class at Nightshift and says that hanging around Nightshift has taught him to be “more humble.” There’s nothing quite like it when the Holy Spirit reaches into people’s hearts through the magic of live worship music. <br> <br>The Lord is gracious and compassionate…the Lord is good to all that he has made. The Lord is good to people like Alberta Jim. To those of who you serve the needy and lead worship in humble situations, never forget that God takes notice when you serve people like “Alberta Jim.”</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/43942432016-09-28T10:05:35-07:002016-09-28T10:05:35-07:00Jesus' Star is Still Shining<p>I know Christmas seems like a long ways off, but I am excited about this new worship project called Still Shining. The star that led the wise men to Jesus’ birthplace is still shining, still leading us to Jesus. Every Advent season, I am drawn into worship by the miracle of God coming to earth as a baby. The wonder of God’s incarnation never gets old. <br> <br>The title track for this album came to me during Christmas season, 2014. Most songs I write never get recorded, but I knew I wanted to record Still Shining someday. The project started to take shape in May of this year, and quickly gained momentum. This project is about worshiping Jesus, and using a variety of moods to do it – joy, celebration, adoration, and quiet meditation through instrumental worship hymns. It was tons of fun to collaborate with many friends on this project! The album will be released in October.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/43320242016-08-18T20:32:13-07:002016-08-18T20:32:13-07:00Hats Off to Music Teachers<p>Today I’d like to give credit and thanks to the music teachers of his world. In particular, I want to recognize and thank Tim Olsen, an accomplished and versatile guitarist who has given guitar lessons to all eight of my children. Next month is the first September in around 18 years that Tim won't be teaching at least one of the members of the Park family. We are getting to the end of the line! (Well, not really. Our youngest is only 14). <br> <br>Because of Tim's skill as an instructor and mentor, he has helped launch thousands of people into the joy of guitar playing. All eight of my kids have played in worship teams with me. Tim’s hard work is a big reason my kids have done well. Most of them are above average guitar players and have done a lot of performing. Five of my boys have also transferred their guitar experience to the bass guitar, which has given them another way of serving on worship teams. <br> <br>Behind the scenes of any stage or platform, the week-by-week, year-by-year work of their music teachers is a big reason we can play music publicly and skillfully. A local piano teacher named Dennis Enns is another example of a high quality music teacher - Dennis has taught piano to at least three of our kids. <br> <br>Tim has a gift of lifting up and encouraging his students, so essential for succeeding as a teacher. I think his kindness and affirmation is one main reasons that three of my kids are now teaching music, either part time or full time. <br> <br>Just yesterday, a young man named Mike was playing with me on the worship team in Chilliwack, BC. I found out that my son, Zachary, gave him voice lessons. Mike said that his Thursday afternoon voice lesson with Zac were the best part of his week! In those lessons, Zac pulled out of Mike the latent potential that was ready to be developed. Mike said he never envisioned himself as a lead vocalist. Zac helped him to see that his voice was a unique gift. According to Mike, MANY voice students at his school moved up a few skill levels because of Zac's influence. As a result, Mike is now beginning to lead worship in his local church. <br> <br>Maybe you don't work as a music teacher, but you teach your kids. My wife has championed our kids' education, not just in music, but in learning to worship the Lord. All of us can influence others in some way. It is done with simple words of encouragement and passing on our skills by playing music with people, chatting with them, answering their questions and passing along our skills.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/43166922016-08-09T10:08:30-07:002016-08-09T10:08:30-07:00The Discipline of Creativity<p>On April 18 of this year, I was praying during the night about my work of recording and developing training courses for guitar and worship leading. I felt God say to me, "bring in the summer harvest." A very specific metaphor. <br> <br>A few hours later I read my daily online Bible devotional and came across this passage: “A child who gathers crops in summer is wise. But a child who sleeps at harvest time brings shame.” Proverbs 10:5. <br> <br>God was sending me a clear message. But I didn’t really know the shape of it until a few months later, when I starting the hard work and discipline of creating. To make a long story short, I’m recording a collection of Christmas worship songs, including some originals and some re-writes and instrumental versions of classic Christmas hymns. <br> <br>The initial burst of creative energy is the easy part. It’s quite another thing to persevere in a day-by-day discipline of secluding myself to create, arrange, write, learn more about my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and work with other musicians in remote parts of North America. If you’re like me, the technical side of recording doesn’t come easily. <br> <br>Probably the biggest hurdle is refusing to believe, “I could never do that.” Don’t think that way. Put in the time and you can learn it. The digital tools available these days for music creation are amazing and you can get started for very little money invested. But it will take time. <br> <br>John Wimber said, “songwriting is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.” Sometimes it really does feel like that. You have to dig deep and long to find the diamonds. But it’s worth the sweat! <br> <br>The harvest is there, but you have to put in a lot of hours to bring it in. I’ve heard enough stories about farmers to know this is true. My wife comes from a family of farmers from Missouri. They worked LONG hours to operate and maintain the farm. They had a prosperous farm because they worked hard. <br> <br>I approach my creative tasks like a regular job. I do it whether or not I feel like doing it. Whether you have only a few hours per week or several hours per day for creative activity, I encourage you to work hard at it, don’t give up! Most of the fruit won’t just drop in your lap (though sometimes it will).</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/43027982016-07-30T15:48:22-07:002016-07-30T15:48:22-07:00Take A Rest<p>Just got back from five days at Gabriola Island with some family at a friends’ rustic cabin. Their spot in the forest is only a few minutes from one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. Cedar and Arbutus trees line the coastline. Sandstone rock formations in all shapes cover the shore. Whitecaps are mirrored by puffy clouds overhead. <br> <br>It’s Peaceful. Serene. The constant susurrating motion of the waves on the shore mesmerizes and calms. In the background a long line of coastal mountains hover over the expanse of sea water in front of us. The sun sets in a fiery orange-red ball on the watery horizon. <br> <br>At the cabin we are surrounded by The Gift of Green – the many hues of God’s green creation: grasses, wild shrubs and trees, topped with a light blue sky-covering. Colorful accents of wild flowers dot the landscape. <br> <br>For most of these five days, my cell phone was far away from me, thank God. We are not driven or held accountable to chronos time here. No frantic rushing. We enjoyed the freedom of kairos time. Kairos is defined as an undetermined period of time in which something special happens. Jesus, Paul and Brother Lawrence operated in the kairos view of time. They saw every moment as a chance to enjoy and glorify God. <br> <br>In times of rest, there is ample time to think and be thankful. To consider what really matters in life. To let the tension drain out of your body. To catch up on Sabbath rest. To take opportunities to enjoy the sunset, share tasty food and reminisce about days gone by. To share memories with loved ones. <br> <br>This summer, make sure to take time to unplug from the demands of work and a thousand other things. Whether it’s on an island for a week or in your own apartment or backyard for a weekend ‘stay-cation,’ find a way to slow way down and get out of your normal routine. If possible, spend some time surrounded by nature and get away from your online devices. You’ll be refreshed, revitalized and get fuelled up for the journey ahead!</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/42734302016-07-11T10:49:59-07:002016-07-11T10:49:59-07:00Christmas in July<p>For the past few months I’ve really been enjoying the process of writing, arranging and recording a collection of Christmas songs. It all started with one song that I started in December 2014, a tune called Still Shining. By the time December 2015 rolled around, I liked it enough that I wanted to record it. So I started with that one and I like the results. <br> <br>Early this year I felt God was saying to me, “get ready to do a recording.” I thought…”hmmm I wonder how that will happen since I have no budget to do a recording?” <br> <br>This is where a crisis became an opportunity. Well, not really a crisis, but a problem. You might say that life is a series of problems we face day by day. We do our best, with God’s help, to solve these problems one at a time. <br> <br>The opportunity I’m talking about is becoming skilled in actually recording my own songs. For decades I’ve done recordings in other people’s studios. I’ve paid experienced producers, arrangers and engineers to make my recordings happen. But right now, I have almost no money in the budget to make a recording. <br> <br>I am not a techy kind of guy. I learn how to use computer programs only when I’m forced into it. That’s how I got started doing this Christmas recording. As I’ve forced myself to learn how to use the digital tools for recording that are available for very little money, a whole new world of music is opening up to me. In the past, my recording experiences have all been rushed. “Time is money.” But when you can arrange, and re-arrange a song and let it mature over many sessions and edits, you can get it where it needs to be. <br> <br>In the past week I have written and recorded a 4-part orchestral strings arrangement that sounds legitimate because the strings are sampled instruments, not a cheesy sounding substitute. There are digital drumming tools (also real sampled drum sounds) available that sound great. <br> <br>So, I’m doing most of it myself, but I’m also getting some skilled friends to help me. (In another post I’ll describe that process). <br> <br>The whole thing requires lots of learning, perseverance and patience. But, guess what? In this day and age, even a non-techy guy like me can do it. Two main reasons: (1) the digital recording tools available at low cost and (2) free instruction on youtube on just about every question you have about recording. <br> <br>Learning is fun. Music is fun. Learning to arrange and record music at your own pace in your own home is really fun.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/42283412016-06-13T16:37:49-07:002016-06-13T16:37:49-07:00Worship and Mission: Interdependent and Essential <p>A few weeks ago I spent some time at the YWAM base in Lakeside, Montana. I love the commitment to both Worship and Mission that is so evident in this community. They love to draw near to God to know him better and better. And they are fiercely committed to sharing the wealth of God’s goodness with their neighbors and the nations. <br> <br>Here are a few things I know about worship and mission: </p>
<p>As we worship authentically, we see God, and know his love. We get a taste of how good and beautiful he is and we overflow with gratitude. We realize that every good thing in our lives comes from him. </p>
<p>Knowing his love naturally leads to a desire to give away his love. To put it another way, we worship because we love and we love because we worship. </p>
<p>We can easily get sidetracked and distracted from the call to give away God’s love. The biblical model of receiving leads to giving can get muddled by a watered down, self-centered vision of worship. <br><br>This morning, my family sent off Jessica, my 24-year old daughter to go on a 9-month missions trip to Hong Kong and the Philippines. She has caught the heart of worship and mission! She is active in worship leading ministry and is now going overseas to help those who have been abused. <br> <br>Below are the lyrics to my song, Empowered. Jesus told his disciples: “I have given you authority…” It’s important for us to receive prayer for repeated fillings of the Holy Spirit. But it’s also possible to wait forever for an empowering that we already have. We’ll never feel 100% ready to “go and make disciples.” It’s a step of faith! Jesus has promised that he’s always with us. If we keep on worshiping and pressing into him, we’ll have the strength to keep on GO-ing and loving people in Jesus’ name. <br> <br>Empowered <br> <br>My beloved children, I’ve filled you with my Spirit <br>You are empowered to go <br>I’m strong when you feel weak <br>All you’ve got to do is trust me <br>You are empowered to go <br>The fields are white for harvest but the workers are few, <br>So I’m sending you <br> <br>To go and bear fruit in all that you do <br>For the kingdom of God is with you <br>The doors that I open, no one can shut <br>The kingdom of God is with you </p>
<p>I’ve given you authority to bring my liberty <br>To heal the sick in my name <br>In the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit <br>It’s time to take a step of faith <br>The fields are white for harvest but the workers are few, <br>So I’m sending you <br> <br>Go and make disciples of all of the nations <br>Baptizing them in my name <br>Teach my commandments and always remember <br>I am with you to the end of the age <br> <br>I will be with you, I will be with you</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/41088052016-03-28T09:02:35-07:002017-01-14T10:20:20-08:00Looks Like the Book of Acts<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/37515/6067dc56ff7dfe3132b9447fdf4b44909c686e59/original/andy-ben-jess-with-go-kids.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Just got back from a 17-day trip to St. Stephen’s Society in Hong Kong. Here is what I saw and absorbed and want to live: <br> <br>1. A Culture of extreme generosity. Everyone is generous to everyone else. They demonstrate the maxim: Give and it will be given to you. <br>2. Close community. Sharing life, friendship, laughter, breaking bread together day-by-day. <br>3. Helping the poor...lifting up the downtrodden…freeing the oppressed…welcoming the outcast. A few hundred people living with them in different properties around Hong Kong—from teenagers to the elderly. <br>4. A steady stream of people coming to Christ. Example: Their “Go Kids” program welcomed around 1,000 mostly non –Christian parents and toddlers on Good Friday, for worship, a chance to receive Christ and games for the kids. (see picture above with my son and daughter, Jessica and Ben)<br>5. Healings and deliverance from demonic oppression. <br>6. A very strong emphasis on worship and the Bible. <br>7. Slow steady growth of this ministry began by Jackie Pullinger 50 years ago, now with affiliate communities in several other nations. <br> <br>It really does look like the gospels and the book of Acts. <br> <br>How I will try to follow this example: <br>1. 1 day at a time <br>2. 1 person at a time <br>3. Don't let my life get too busy and cluttered with things that don’t really matter. <br> <br> </p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40781202016-03-08T09:46:42-08:002016-03-08T09:46:42-08:00Numb Fingers<p>Our fingers were numb before the set started. The temperature was 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit). Last night, our band set up the PA and our instruments outdoors at Nightshift (nightshiftministries.org). We played for an hour while people ate. This is a nightly dinner served for people in need. The volunteers mingled with the crowd, and prayed for some. </p>
<p>We’ve been playing at Nightshift a couple times per month since last summer. In the winter, it’s kind of crazy but it’s always fun. We bundle up in several layers and my guitar goes way out of tune because it’s so cold. Why is it fun? Because we love to play good music together and see people touched by God—mostly people who wouldn’t go inside a regular church. This is the closest thing to church they have. Most of them are too broken and wounded to have the courage to walk into a traditional church (even if it’s a church that would welcome them). <br><br>Another reason it’s fun is that we can play whatever we want to, and turn it up. It’s not the regular “church rules.” When you play outdoors during a meal, the boundaries of what’s appropriate are much larger. Outdoors, the sound disperses and you don’t have people complaining that it’s too loud. <br><br>Last night was typical – a handful of guys approached us to express their gratitude for our music, and our willingness to serve. They always tell us what a huge difference it makes that we’re there. It creates an entirely different atmosphere to have worship music (along with a few secular/Christian tunes) playing during the meal. We welcome the Holy Spirit to speak and heal and he does it. <br><br>This is where the action is. “The meat is in the streets,” as John Wimber used to say. It’s in giving that we receive. We started playing at Nightshift because it was an obvious opportunity to bless the poor with our gifts of music and worship. <br><br>God healed my arms in 2014 to show his love for me and to enable me to worship in places like Nightshift. Freely you’ve received, freely give.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40678662016-03-01T13:04:21-08:002016-03-01T13:04:21-08:00Out of the Mud and Up on a Rock<p>In March 2015 I was in Hong Kong to do a 12-day songwriting workshop with a dozen worship leaders there. One morning while I was there, I read Psalm 40 in my daily Bible reading. God spoke to me powerfully through that Psalm, which begins, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” I had been waiting a long time for a breakthrough. Finally, God was bringing it to me. <br> <br>"He brought me up out of the mud and dirt...he gave me a new song to sing (Psalm 40:2,3)." <br> <br>For me, "the mud and dirt" was a combination of things. I was feeling like I was going nowhere, I wasn't moving forward in ministry. There was a lull in my worship-leading ministry. I was leading worship in various churches, but I didn't have an overall plan or vision for what I should be doing. <br> <br>Four months before this, God began "lifting me out of the mud." Within one week in November of 2014, heaven opened up and God initiated a whole new chapter in my life. <br> <br>The first breakthrough was a physical healing. For 13 years I had suffered from a severe case of tendonitis in my hands and forearms. I was “trudging through the mud.” Playing the guitar for only 20 minutes was painful. Doing any household chore with my hands was painful. It was very discouraging. I played through the pain but it was hard to write songs and really enjoy worshiping. <br> <br>Then God healed me! The Holy Spirit came on me powerfully as a few family members prayed for me in church. Since this healing, I can play guitar and work with my hands for hours. I am not 100% free of pain, but my life is radically different because of this healing. <br> <br>The gushing of God's blessings continued with an outpouring of his presence, and an increase in hearing his voice. In two months I received dozens of powerful prophetic words from many people. Many people independently confirmed the same message: God was going to give me a fruitful season of creativity, songwriting, and imparting his kingdom and healing to many people. <br> <br>Since that time, I have written over 50 songs (some of them still in process), and have recorded about ten, including “I Waited Patiently,” an adaptation of Psalm 40 that I began to write in Hong Kong. Like the Psalm says, God gave me a new song to sing. <br><br>In my next blog post I will share the climax of this story: God continued to bless me as I freely gave what God had given me. It’s in giving that we receive.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40678402016-03-01T13:00:03-08:002016-03-01T13:00:03-08:00Your Family is Your Treasure<p>A friend of mine gave me this word some years ago: “Your family is your treasure.” It referred to my immediate family. I’ve often thought about it, and God has used it to keep my on the right path. Sometimes I get too busy with the work that I love, and forget my family that I love even more. </p>
<p>Last week I was in Cannon Beach for the annual gathering of worship leaders from the western U.S. (This year we were joined by several friends from other nations, as well). As always, it was a great time in God’s presence with old and new friends. After four decades in the Vineyard, I’ve had so many precious experiences with this family of God. When I see them, I’m reminded of God’s amazing goodness to me. What a privilege to be a part of this God-begotten community. </p>
<p>This week, I couldn’t help but think, this family is my treasure. I also thought about the counterfeit treasures that lure me, namely, finding affirmation through my music. It’s human nature to want and need love and affirmation. Where do we really get it? From our Father and our family. </p>
<p>What our hearts really long for is relationship with God and our family. But, in this world of American Idol and The Voice, we often look for fulfillment through receiving recognition for our gifts. But it’s just an illusion. Sure, we get strokes when we do our thing on stage, but it doesn’t last. We’re in for a huge let-down if we depend on the praises of people for our happiness. Our idols always disappoint us. </p>
<p>True friendship with God and our family members is such a beautiful thing—it’s completely unconditional. What we gain from friendship and fellowship is affirmation...being with people who enjoy being with us. We get the feeling, "I belong here! These people love me and like me! I don't have to strive or performfor acceptance. I don't have to prove anything." </p>
<p>So, remember what your true treasures are. Be content to be a friend of God and included in his household of sons and daughters. Cherish and savor the friendships God has given you.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40678362016-03-01T12:58:42-08:002016-03-01T12:58:42-08:00Back to Basics <p>Around a month ago, I led worship at a small Vineyard church in Vancouver, about a 30-minute drive from my home in Surrey. Before leaving for church, and while driving, I asked God to help me joyfully serve him and his people for one more Sunday morning. </p>
<p>Pulling up to the humble community center, it was raining and cold. While looking for a parking place I thought, "here we go again…time to put on my boots and start work.” No polished backing band, no sound technicians, and no stage monitors…just a bunch of humble people trying to love God and love one another. </p>
<p>And I’m there to do my part with music and prayer, maintaining an attitude of gratitude while I serve. This is what I signed up for over 40 years ago, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I use my gifts to serve because the humble King chose to serve me first. I don’t intend to quit anytime soon. </p>
<p>As I entered the lobby with my daughter, Jessica, I saw a well-dressed middle-aged man sharing with an older woman, sitting on the bench. They were both Chinese. Later, I was told by Dawn, the pastor of this church, that she led this granny to Jesus that morning before the church service. I’m happy to serve in small churches where people are coming to Christ. </p>
<p>The room was packed with a multi-ethnic group: First Nations, Asian, Indian and white, from newborns to elderly. These folks were mostly low-income folks. Re-united for their weekly gathering, they joyfully greeted one another. I thought to myself, “this is the kind of place Jesus likes to hang out.” </p>
<p>I was the guest worship leader, and as I have done hundreds of times, I helped set up a low-quality PA system. While I set up the PA, others were setting up large tables for a meal. This group of around 50 sat down for a communal breakfast.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40678352016-03-01T12:56:22-08:002016-03-01T12:56:22-08:00The Miracle of Birth <p>On January 31, around 7:00 pm, my daughter-in-law felt the beginning of labor pains. My wife, who is a licensed midwife here in British Columbia, quietly sprang into action, making preparations for the birth. For the past several months, the plan was for Shannon to give birth in our bedroom, for more space. </p>
<p>It was very exciting as Shannon’s birth pangs increased in intensity and many family members gathered to wait and offer support. My 2-year old granddaughter, Azélia, sat with my two daughters, along with several other women, mostly Parks. </p>
<p>Around midnight, I went to sleep in my downstairs office for a few hours, intermittently being woken to the sound of groaning from upstairs. At 2:30 am, I heard the sounds of pain turn to bursts of laughter. I thought, “This is a good sign!” So I went upstairs and heard the good news that Zebedee Park was now among us! </p>
<p>What a miracle to see little Zebedee: a perfectly formed baby boy, wide-eyed and calmly looking around the room. Holding him to my chest, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s gift to our family. There were complications with Shannon’s first birth, so this fast and healthy delivery was especially sweet. </p>
<p>I have a grandson! It doesn’t matter how many times I’m around a newborn—I’m in awe every time. Having a granddaughter was amazing, now our joy is doubled. Looking around the room at my daughters and daughters-in-law, I thought about the grandbabies in our future…with eight of our own children, I wonder what the final tally will eventually be?! </p>
<p>God keeps giving us blessings we don’t deserve and haven’t earned: that’s his grace. At times like this, I think about what is most important in life: loving the people that are close to me. The busy-ness of life is briefly suspended as we gather to cherish the precious moment of a new birth.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40678342016-03-01T12:54:41-08:002016-03-01T12:54:41-08:00The Joy of Playing Music <p>Wouldn’t it be great if the daily life of a worship leader included several hours per day of playing music? I wish it were true! Life is full of so many tasks and chores, from the musical side—organizing set lists and charts, to the family side—doing the dishes, driving kids to school and sports events, to maintaining a home and a car, etc. There are lots of barriers to carving out time to play, but it’s worth finding that little window of time even if we don’t feel like doing it. </p>
<p>I’ve been playing guitar for close well over four decades and piano for almost as long. I love playing music. It inspires me to make beautiful sounds, to get lost in the tactile experience of using my hands and voice to play and sing. It’s like a mini-vacation from the administrivia of daily life. On cold, rainy Vancouver days, playing music makes room for a shaft of heavenly light. </p>
<p>The other night, I was lying in bed, thinking, “How am I going to make it through this dreary winter weather?” Right there I made a decision that the next morning I would get my butt out into the “shed,” a small practice room in my backyard. It didn’t take long to get lost in the glory of God’s gift of music. I played for over two hours and it seemed like only 30 minutes. Yet, how many times have Iignored those windows of opportunity when they’ve appeared? I guess I’m a slow learner. </p>
<p>God made us to be sensory beings. God-breathed art ignites our love for him. Wefeel the power and mystery of music in the deepest place of our souls. “Let all that is within me praise the Lord!” </p>
<p>Aside from the obvious spiritual benefits of playing music as worship, here arefour benefits of playing music for any human being. (From an article called 18 Benefits of Playing an Instrument, by Michael Matthews, at Effectivemusicteaching.com).<br><br>Playing a musical instrument: </p>
<p>Fosters your self-expression and relieves stress. Playing whatever you want on your instrument is a great form of therapy. <br>Creates a sense of achievement. Making beautiful music that you and others enjoy brings a great sense of satisfaction. <br>Enhances your respiratory system. <br>Promotes happiness in your life and those around you. </p>
<p>If we count singing as "playing music," (and we should) then making music is accessible to everyone. Everyone can sing. In God's wisdom, he created music, a vehicle for touching heaven that’s accessible for everyone. The best way to experience something is to participate, not just spectate. Sing and play, wherever you can, whenever you can! “Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.” Psalm 33:2</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40678312016-03-01T12:48:21-08:002016-03-01T12:51:21-08:00SPONTANEOUS SINGING DURING WORSHIP? <p>Should worship leaders sing parts that aren’t the written words and melody? </p>
<p>That’s a good question. I remember when I was very critical of worship leaders who sang words, phrases and melodies that weren’t part of the written melody. Or, they sang their own artistic version of the written words and melody. It distracted me from worshiping. It seemed like the worship leader was “showing off.” I thought the leader’s job was to make worship easier, not harder. So, is there a place for extemporaneous singing? </p>
<p>Ed Stetzer, in his letter to his worship leader, requests that the melody of the song always be prominent to make it easy for the people to follow. He makes very good points in his article. Importantly, Stetzer is careful to state that the guidelines he is suggesting are for their specific local church. That’s a crucial distinction because every church has their own specific “worship culture.” </p>
<p>On one hand, many churches always stick to the melody, and have been “trained” through years of practice to follow only the melody. Most people in these churches would have a reaction similar to my early response to ad lib singing—“what’s that guy doing?” </p>
<p>Many other churches have a very different “normal” in worship singing. Through years of practice, the worship leaders, back up singers and congregation have all learned to sing melody, harmonies, and words that aren’t on the lyric screen. For them, the definition of freedom in worship is, “sing whatever you want.” <br>So, context is everything. I visit all kinds of different churches in my worship leading travels. Part of my job is to figure out, “what is the musical culture of this church?” before I lead. My job is to facilitate worship, so I don’t want to stretch people farther than they can go with new expressions of worship, or bore them with an overly pedestrian approach. The worldwide church is a big, beautiful, many-splendored thing. I try respect all parts of Jesus’ bride.</p>Andy Parktag:andypark.ca,2005:Post/40677992016-03-01T12:42:51-08:002016-03-01T12:51:47-08:00Touch Heaven Everyday <p>I can remember sitting in my room of the fraternity at UCLA as a college freshman. I was a new Christian. I was reading the Bible and it was like someone was sitting there talking to me. Up until then, my ‘story’ consisted of loving sports, playing guitar and being a good student so I could eventually get a good job. Then I became part of God’s story. The adventure was just beginning and it was exciting. </p>
<p>I grew up playing the guitar as recreation. Then it became truly re-creational. The creative Holy Spirit was renewing me through the creative act of making music. It was like going from black and white to full-color with surround-sound. A fourth dimension opened up. As I kid, I only wanted to play guitar. I wasn’t interested in singing. Then music became a vehicle for expressing adoration and being with a Person. I finally had a reason to sing. I was singing to a person. Through the gift of music, the Holy Spirit opened the eyes of my heart to see Jesus (John 15:26). The worship-life is all about knowing a Person. </p>
<p>My wife Linda describes her conversion: “Meeting Jesus was like coming to life; I was dead then I was alive; I was totally blind and not aware of being blind and suddenly I could see. Like a baby being born, moving from one world into another. I love singing about this transformation.” </p>
<p>In a sense, every time we worship God, we are re-living our conversion experience. We don’t always have a great epiphany, but when we reach for God’s kingdom that is near us, we touch heaven. For this reason, I try to worship through music at least a little bit everyday. I often don’t feel like doing it, but when I worship, I am always refreshed, even if only gently. I need to touch heaven everyday.</p>Andy Park