A lot of us have great ideas and great suggestions, but when faced against opposition, we tend to fall.We get scared, we get embarassed, we don’t think we are good enough, we don’t think it’s possible – and the list goes on and on.

Starting a new segment to this blog called #praytogether and it could be possibly something great – as long as I (we) am (are) passionate about it.

Sometimes passion leads to an intense reponse…

If you can’t see the video, then click here.

For some reason this song catches my attention. It’s off the new United Album:: Across the Earth. Fantastic song and I’ve been singing it in my head all week. Check it out!

If you can’t see the video, then click here.

VERSE 1:
The future comes alive
You speak Your word and I
Im running into Your hope
Because Ive seen Your light
You bring my world to life
Im coming after Your love

PRE CHORUS:
Im not shaken
Im not letting go

CHORUS:
And everything comes alive
In my life as we lift You higher
Let Your freedom arise
In our lives as we lift You up
Sing it out
Sing it out
Your freedom is here

VERSE 2:
So take the limits off
No matter what the cost
Im running after Your call
And I will run this race
See You face to face
So let Your power overflow

BRIDGE:
I will not fear
I will not hide Your love
Your love
All of my life
I cannot deny Your love
Your love

Tabs and Chords We Used:

Chords: http://www.tabcrawler.com/search.php?show=viewfile&id=1758668&letter=H&artist=Hillsongs&tabname=Freedom+Is+Here&tabtype=chords

Tabs: http://guitarpraise.blogspot.com/2009/04/freedom-is-here.html

We Created Our Own Loop for the Beginning of the Song

I wonder what it would be like to have people you don’t know…..may never know….may never even meet… praying for you. To know that somewhere in this (or your) state, in this (or your) country, in this world – someone is lifting you up. It’s kind of a humbling thought. It’s apart of this “togetherness” as one body.

I want this post to be a place where we can lift each other up. Pray for one another. Dish out things that need to be prayed for. Maybe something you have been holding back. Maybe something you have been holding in. Maybe something that you have been holding on to. Something that’s tearing you apart that you just want to be lifted up.

Maybe your going through a tough financial place and you need prayer.

Maybe you are going through divorce/relationship problems and you need prayer.

Maybe it’s something that you are afraid to tell someone and you need prayer.

Maybe it’s a need for a job.

Maybe it’s a tough decision you are trying to make.

Maybe it’s a need for strength.

Maybe it’s a need for a miracle.

Maybe it’s a need for God to intervene in your life.

Maybe….

Dish out something that you want to be lifted up! That you are thankful for. That you simply just want to celebrate.

God provided.

God supplied.

God answered.

God showed up.

Here’s what I’m asking:: Comment your prayer concerns/praises/etc. below. Pray for each other. Pray together.

Everyday Thursday we will meet together. Here. At this post. All day. And pray. We will pray via twitter (or if you don’t have twitter, still pray along!) with the hashtag #praytogether. Expand this presence among the twitter community. This can be unbelievably powerful.

-0r-

Reply to peoples comments by saying that your are praying for them.

The possibilities are endless.

Pick out prayer concerns that you read. It can be 1, 2, 3, 4….however many you want. And we are going to pray. Together. Don’t just pick the first ones you see but seek out ones that stick out to you. The list will grow as people begin to add concerns and praises to the comment section. You can re-post these to twitter using #praytogether. You can re-post these on your blog.

This could turn into a global awakening towards prayer.

This could be an incredible experience if we just take time to lift one another.

Imagine what God can do if we simply call upon him.

So start the prayers….NOW….and we will see you Thursdays!

One of the weirdest parts of living in todays culture is the amount of community that is created via online. One of the best communities that I’ve seen displayed online through a blog is at Carlos Whittakers blog at www.ragamuffinsoul.com. If you get a chance, swing by there and check it out. It’s awesome what is going on over there.

Other forms of community are established on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Wordpress, Blogspot, etc. We have this internet 2.0 connection with each other that is unexplainable.I’ve seen people come to Freedom because they met someone via twitter that went to Freedom and they were invited over the internet.We have received messages on MySpace of people that found out from MySpace (which is never used anymore!) and have become involved within the life of Freedom Church. We have created Facebook Groups and Pages that have brought people to our church. It is incredible that you can create that type of community online.

That’s what I want to create here. Community. Where people can talk with each other. Express ideas. Give insight. Express opinion. Ask questions. Explore life. Together. Connect.

But even more, a community where we can take delight in God. Where we can pray for each other. Tell others what God is doing in Your life. Tell others what God is doing in your church. Tell others what God is doing in your city. In your state. In your country. In your world. You get my drift? – It’s about spreading His Kingdom, not ours.

Creating Community….

Expanding the body of Christ…

Do you want to be apart of it?

Life is definitely better together.

We here are Freedom Church our excited to announce our first ever student conference, geared towards students grades 6-12. Engage 2009 is promising to be a day that you are sure to never forget. This is more than just a conference – but a catalyst for change for the students today. A change for Christ. That He would begin to conquer our schools. Our community. Our churches. Our homes. Our state. Our nation. Our lives.

This year at Engage we will be talking through the “Power of Prayer” and the impacts it can have on our lives. If we just took a few minutes to pray each day. Boldly. Unashamed. Humbly. Powerfully. What could happen if we just asked God to intervene in our lives and our situations.

This is not an ordinary, boring, conference that many people think of. We will be providing different elements of worship, creativity, and message. Check out these guys for some of the music that will be provided:: Freedom Live, Elite, Brandon Haley, and more! The speakers at this years event will be Pastor JR Lee, Megan Strange, and Tyler Orr.

I am inviting you to join us this year at Engage 2009. Ticket price is absolutely FREE with a $5 lunch charge the day of the Conference.

You can find out more info about Engage 2009 here.

I am looking forward to seeing you at Engage 09 and am praying for you!

Had a few people recently ask what gear I use on Sundays at Freedom as well as when we travel around as a band. Here is a short overview of what I use. Nothing too extensive, but enough to get the job done.

Quick Background
I usually do a combination of things when we play. I either play lead guitar, am leading a song vocally, or doing simple rhythm. I co-lead with Blake Goss, the worship pastor at Freedom, as well as share the stage with other incredible musicians/singers on a weekly basis.

Now For The Gear
Guitars: Fender Stratocaster (Electric), Alvarez AD625C (Acoustic), and I have a Fender American Telecaster (on the way)
Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Pedals: Line 6 DL4, Boss DD-5 (with tempo pedal), FullTone Full-Drive 2 Mofset, Boss TU-2 Tuner

In the process of making some more purchases to ramp up my gear, but this is working for me now.

What gear do you currently use on Sundays, traveling, etc?

Okay worship leaders, you can play along too…

Currently, what is the number 1 song that your church is playing that is resonating with you?

You love it. Sing it. Constantly. In Your head. ALL DAY LONG.

Comment below on what song is totally consuming you right now that your church is doing.

We all have something that just completely sucks the life right out of us. Or in other words, straight up kills our time.

Some examples are such:: blogging, twittering (or tweeting), eating, video games, internet, television, etc.

These things often get in the way of what we need to be doing in life:: loving, living, creating relationships (real ones, not internet ones), investing in others, learning from others, exercising, etc.

For me, it’s less internet  usage and more creating relationships with others.

What something that you could use less of and more of?

Comment below!

In the process of changing things up a little bit.

Got bored of the old layout.

Check it here.

Incredible day at Freedom Church this week! We saw 38 people baptized and we all joined in the celebration! I always love baptisms at Freedom because they are treated like a celebration with people clapping, cheering, screaming, yelling – just plain out excited!

Also loved the song line-up this week. The 9:30 crowd absolutely brought the energy!

Let It Resound – Freedom Live
Awakening- Freedom Live
To Know Your Name (In A Valley by the Sea Version) – Hillsong United
Breathe – Anberlin
With Everything – Hillsong United
You Are Here (The Same Power) – Hillsong

Killer week and I’m pumped to kick-off the Rebel series next week!