End of 2007

What can be said about 2007...

...new album...
...new friends....
...reunion of friends...
...my beautiful wife...
...perseverance through trials...
...joy in the Lord...
...my girls getting older...
...Gospel for Asia...
...dress code...
...travel business...
...new songs...
...tears...
...Deuteronomy 8...
...new guitar chords...
...two dynamic worship conferences...
...encouragement...
...disappointment...
...trip to Cuba...
...guitar lessons...
...new worship leaders...
...humbled...
...experimenting with effects...
...Gutierrez Brothers DVD...
...Dental bills...
...one year closer to the Lord's return...
...GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!

I'm sure there's more, but what can follow the faithfulness of God!

It's done...

The album is done!
I sent it off to manufacturing today. So happy 'bout that!

It will be released Dec. 16th worldwide (through the Calvary Downey Foyer, that is...)

"Closer" is the 5th, 6th, 8th....however many albums that have come from CCD, this is the next one. We are very excited about it...especially it being done!

Please, pray that the manufacturing stays on schedule, that it magnifies Jesus alone, and that He just makes it sound good.

Checkout www.downeysong.com/closer for updates and downloads.

BE FREE TO WORSHIP

“…be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” James 1:22

James was advising believers to act on what they had learned and not just be listeners without action. He told them to consider the difference between listening and obeying. It is simply this, if we become complacent with what we hear about God and His truth nothing in us will ever change but if we activate what we hear we’ll begin to see change and eventually become more like Christ.

So, what are we saying as a worship team? Consider the following thoughts…

BE obedient to the truth you hear and know
BE wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove
BE a worshipper – honor God in everything you do
BE diligent (don’t slack off or get complacent and lazy)
BE confident in what God has given you to do
BE respectful of others (kind of considerate)
BE loving, caring and compassionate with each other
BE joyful
BE unified as a team – LEAD the people into worship or they’ll just sit there and stare!
BE skillful and develop your craft
BE a receiver and giver of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace…)
BE a servant to all (if you won’t serve, you won’t lead)
BE REAL – recognize the difference between acting like a “Christian” and being a active follower of Christ’s teachings. It’ll take a life-time!

When we recognize God’s grace on our pathetic condition we are stimulated to extend grace to your friends, fellow believers and those who don’t know Jesus. He is reaching out to everyone with open arms – are we doing the same? Get into this frame of thinking. Remember, the more we give honor to God the more He reveals Himself to us. The more He reveals Himself to us the more we become aware of our deep need for Him and why we gave honor to Him in the first place. It’s a wonderful cycle of prayer.

REMEMBER TO BE PRAY-ERS TOGETHER AS A TEAM and remember to include the sound technicians in all of your team meetings. We’re a weird lot and need extra care and nourishment!

PRAY for a deeper unity within your worship team. Remember, the worship team is a “body of believers” and amazingly similar to a small church with all those wonderful spiritual gifts at your disposal. You not only play an instrument but as well a spiritual role on the team.

PRAY for the ability to forgive and then forget – that’s what God does. If you haven’t found a reason yet you most certainly will in the future.

PRAY blessings on each other and encourage each other in their talents and gifts. You’ll find the blessings returned to you.

PRAY for freedom to worship with your whole being.

Dan & Jamie Collins
Worship Life 2006

Spiritual Worship - Part 3

...

C. The Bible makes worship a very physical thing. To begin, the Hebrew words for “worship” and “bless” are primary roots which respectively, and basically mean “to prostrate” and “to kneel” (shawkhaw; bawrak). The word constantly translated “thanksgiving” (todaw) in literal Hebrew neans, :an extension of the hand; adoration; especially a choir of worshippers.” The word “rejoice” with another of the verbs “bless” means “to brighten, as the face; and “to be happy” (sawmakh, awshar); while “praise” is a combination of all these: singing, forthright expression, and extended hands.

Taken from Worship Life 2006 Conference

Spiritual Worship - Part 2

...

B. Worship is not the product of the mind, but neither is it against the redeemed mind(Romans 12:2 comes very much into focus here, also, I Cor. 2:14). The Lord wants us to worship “in truth” and “with the understanding” (Psalm 47:7, John 4:23, 24). But to argue in the interest of rigid silence is to misunderstand. We must never allow our intellect to cause us to resist the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:51) Is it not a stiff-necked people who neither bow in humility nor look up in praiseful faith? Is not an uncircumcised heart one veiled into blindness by the “flesh” that shields it from whole openness before God?

(to be continued)

Taken from Worship Life 2006 Conference

Spiritual Worship - Part 1

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies – presenting all your members and faculties – as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is you reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.” (Amplified N.T.)

“…present your bodies…which is your spiritual worship.” RSV (Revised Standard Version.)

THE PATTERN OF WORSHIP:

A. In spite of our resistance and reluctance to make the commitment to such, God clearly expects worship to be whole-hearted. (Jer. 29:13; Acts 8:37; Ps. 9:1; 111:1; 138:1; 119:2, 10, 34, 58, 69, 145.) Whole-heartedness in anything we do involves the total being. It is wholly irrational to expect whole-heartedness not to be physical, as to expect it not to be intelligent.

(to be continued)

Taken from Worship Life 2006 Conference

Sobering Warning...

2 Chronicles 19:1-3 -
Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.”

Although Jehoshaphat had "prepared [his] heart to seek God," the wrath of the Lord was upon him because he helped the wicked and loved those who hate the Lord speaking of Ahab, king of Israel (2 Chr 18), and Ahaziah, king of Israel (2 Chr 20:35).

It is foolish for us to think we can fellowship with the wicked and the Lord at the same time. This was just very sobering for me. We are called to be in the world to be a light and a witness, but we are to tread lightly, to not be of the world. The question is, "have I allied myself with the wicked or those that hate the Lord?" Is it worth the wrath of God coming upon me?

The Silence Breaks...

After a whole month of nothing, here is another entry....YEAH!!!

NEW SONG:
"Let All That I Am" from Psalm 103:1-5

Verse
He forgives my sin
And heals my diseases
He redeems me from death
And crowns me with love and mercies

Pre-Chorus
He fills my life with good things
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s

Chorus
Let all that I am praise the Lord
With my whole heart, I will praise his name
Let all that I am praise the Lord
May I never forget the good things he does for me

Our Goal...

12 And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. 13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words:

“He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!”

At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.

2 Chronicles 5:12-14

Vision (...in process...)

In 1 Chronicles 22-29, we read of David, unable to build a house for the Lord, doing extensive planning and preparation for Solomon to build the Temple. David had this thing organized from the materials to the musicians to the gatekeepers. Out of love and reverence, David thoroughly thought out each step and process, each instrument and design. He gave His best. He deliberately set things in motion for the worship and work of the Temple. He worshiped God!

God is challenging me through these passages...am I giving my best? Am I being cavalier in my preparation to worship? Am I pursuing excellence in the gifts God has given me? Am I worshiping?

I believe these are needful questions, and I look forward to communicating to you what God shows me.

One in Christ,

Update from CC Peru

Dear Pastor Jason,

We heard creation groaning last week in the 8.0 earthquake that hit the coast of central Peru. Tragically, hundreds lost their lives, thousands are wounded, and thousands more are homeless. The Lord has presented us with a wonderful opportunity to serve Him at such a time as this.
Nearly each day since the August 15th quake, we have sent busloads of volunteers to help in the work of evangelism and the relief effort. We have been concentrating in two hard hit areas: Cañete, where pastor Jaime Inga oversees a Calvary Chapel outreach, and Pisco, further south. Both regions are spiritually dark areas.
God has been faithfully providing for us to minister to the physical needs of many victims. We have delivered much needed tents, food, water, blankets, clothing and medicines. We have also been able to meet spiritual needs through works of compassion, music, mimes, puppets, and the free distribution of Bibles. Dozens from the church and Bible College have worked extremely long days, and have shared many touching reports.
Our hearts have been warmed by the phone calls and letters of concern many have expressed, and also from those wanting to help. Several church teams have already come to work with us, and several more have expressed interest in helping in the weeks and months ahead to help the people rebuild their lives. Leo Maestre, my assistant pastor, is helping to organize the relief effort, and he can be reached at the following special email: ccbc_peru_earthquakerelief@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your prayers at this time. We are extremely busy with our new semester beginning tomorrow, and a packed house of students, interns, staff and missionaries. We need God's wisdom, and super-human strength that the Spirit promises! It is reassuring to know you are interceding for us before the Throne of Grace.

Meet You There!

John Bonner

Prayer Request...

A letter carrier in the city of Torrance was mauled by a pit-bull on Monday of this week. His name is Moon Choi and is in critical condition. He was bit in the face, neck, ribs, and legs. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Pray for me as well since I have now taken over his route. The dog has since been put down but the owner has two others.

Thanks,
Victor Skillings (by Jason Klein)

Pray for Peru

Please pray for the thousands of people injured and affected by the 8.0 earthquake that struck near Lima, Peru last Wednesday evening, including John Bonner and his family, Director of the CC Bible College in Lima. I met him when I went to Cuba last Feb., and he was such a sweet blessing on that trip. I have heard nothing from him, the telecom lines are probably interrupted as well. So please pray for these people. One In Christ,

Gentle Reminders...

Hey guys and gals,
I just wanted to remind everyone of the sound check times for each service.

Sunday Morning: Band & Vocals - 7:15am start

Sunday Night: Band - 4:15pm start, Vocals - 4:30pm

Wednesday Night: Band - 5:15pm start, Vocals - 5:45pm

Please note that the times above are when you are to be in position ready to rehearse, not arriving or walking through the door. You need to arrive early enough to be ready by those times.

Some of you have had a problems being on time. We want to have time to go over the set, but also a new song if needed. Often when one or two get there late it really hinders the progress we can make on a song or the set. We want to always be growing in our gifts, not just trying to maintain something. The Lord deserves our very best, and He knows our hearts' intents and motives. If you do not agree with this reminder, please pray, then speak to me about your concerns.

I appreciate all of you and your time, and pray that we will be united in worshiping our King.
One In Christ.

Let's do this at the Church Baptism!!!

what a scare...

...we had Saturday in the Studio! Steven and I came in to record the last of his drum work for the new album, and our hard drive recorder began locking up, randomly rebooting, and crying out, "I got a Planet Earth Module." (Inside joke) But seriously, we got scared, and began trying to get everything backed up. Yes, we did pray early on, and in His timing He gave us direction and we were able to get it working again. We then recorded another song. I am a little scared because we are not sure what caused the problem, and if (or when) it might occur again. So please pray for those little tech gremlins to get lost...the cyber-tech ones too!

Thank you & our next bonfire.

Hello, CCD Worship Family,

First I'd like to thank all those who came out for our Bonfire in July. It was so beneficial for the unity of our team and a blessing to my family to see you make the effort.

Second, I have two items that were left at the beach; (a) a light blue, XS, Champion sweatshirt & (b) a yellow towel with a nice colored trim. They will be in Jason's office on Sunday.

Finally, I wanted to give you the date for our next Bonfire. We will be in the same place (Bolsa Chica State Beach), same times (3pm-10pm) Friday, Aug. 24th. Please save that date and I will get back to you with more details.

In His Love,

Staisha for Pastor Jason

Tonight was one of those nights when rehearsal goes real bad, but then the Lord blesses and anoints the service. I love those nights! There is great comfort in knowing, and being reminded, that we can do nothing apart from Him.

Prayer Request...

Please pray for us as we are needing to make a decision about our van - whether to fix it or replace it. We really don't have the money to replace it, but we know a couple people who can maybe help. We just want God's will, and if he wants us to persevere with our van, then He will sustain it. So please pray for this. Thanks

On the funny side...
The latest thing to go out on the van is the driver-side power window. I have rigged it with a 2x4 to stay up. But yesterday I went to Starbucks to get a drink for Staish and whined when I realized I had to pull the 2x4 out to order, pay, and get her drink. Wawawa..... kind of humbling, but just rel funny. Maybe you had to be there.

something new...

Give Me Jesus

Though I may be in chains
May be confused, may be distressed
Though sicknesses seem to prevail
In spite of my prayers, in spite of my tears
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus

Though all my prayers seem to fall
Well short of reaching the glorious throne
Though aimlessly I seem to float
Through water uncharted and dangers below
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus

There’s nothing more, there’s nothing more
There’s nothing more, give me Jesus
Copyright 2007 Ancient Path Music

Prayer Request...

I ask you all to please pray for the next album. We need to start basic tracks this week, and we are still figuring out arrangements. But most importantly, we want the Lord alone to be glorified through this project. SO please pray for us.

The Need For Fellowship...

I have been sensing a growing disconnect or rift in the worship team. The only way to describe it is disunity. We do not seem to share the same mind. However, even more than philosophy or doctrine, which we are all so wonderfully and needfully instructed in by our pastor, I believe this is related to simply not fellowshipping together. We come in for sound check, often late, rehearse, then scurry about finishing final preparations for service, getting coffee, or getting kids to class. We flock to those we are comfortable with and segment off.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. - Acts 2:42

The Lord has been faithful, for His Name's sake, to place His anointing upon us during worship so that we present Him an offering of praise as one voice/instrument. Nevertheless, we lack the togetherness and cohesiveness of friendship, the genuine concern and respect for one another that comes from spending time together.

I pray that everyone will make it a priority to
1) be early for rehearsals and sound checks to allow for sharing and talking,
2) make the Worship Fellowships & BBQs mandatory events for yourself, and
3) commit to praying for each other.

This a heavy insight for me as well, as I have modeled this for you all. However, it should not be so. May we all endeavor to give our Great Savior our best, and we can not give Him our best divided. (Ephesians 5:9-21, Philippians 2:1-21, 1 John 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:9-13)

Spiritual Battle...

I received this and thought it was a good exhortation for all of us.

Well, the other night when we were playing, I had somekind of vision. It was awsome. I don't know what it was but let me tell you brother, I saw you wearing a really shiny armor. Sort of like the ones the romans used when they go to war. Well, as we were playing, I was really feeling the Holy Spirit in my heart. I closed my eyes and I saw that. Then I was feeling like God was telling me that you are leading all of us into a spiritual battle sort of speak.

What I mean is, all the musicians were at the very front of the army leading the entire church in to battle. At first, I didn't know what this meant. I prayed and asked the Lord to reveal to me what this vision was. You know how Pastor Jeff says not to let our emotions or flesh get in to things, so I asked God to please reveal to me if it was just emotions or if it was something He wanted me to see. Then I felt in my heart that what God was showing me, was that I needed to pray a lot for you. Why? because you are the prime target for the enemy in the battle. I realized as we led the entire church in worship, that the enemy knows that there is victory in worship. That you and us are his prime targets. That he would do what ever it took to take us out of the picture in what ever way the enemy knows. So I started praying for you brother. Another time I woke up at three AM and couldnt go back to sleep, so i started praying for you, Ralph, Charles, Paul, David, and all the other brothers and sisters in the worship team. It's hard to explain everything in writing.

brother, just remember, that we need to keep ourselves fortified with the shield of the Word in our Hearts and in prayer for one another. I know that this is what God was showing me and I hope that you gather inspiration and strength from these words. I know that the enemy will come to attack you and us in many ways but if we pray for one another, we will be protected by that Shield that you wore in my vision. Awsome heh!

Praise God Jason, When you feel down, or when you are being bombarded brother, just ask for prayer, we will uphold your arms "up high" in prayer so that we can win victory through our Worship of the Lord and bless the church more and more each time.

Sunday Night Set for 7/22

BLESSED BE YOUR NAME.....A
SHOUT TO THE LORD.....A
NONE WOULD COMPARE.....C
THE HOLINESS OF JESUS......D
THINK ABOUT HIS LOVE.....D
ALL WHO ARE THIRSTY.....D-E
YOU ARE MY KING......D

Conference Wrap-up

Give me Jesus was the theme. The messages were on The new Jerusalem & The Throne, What makes a ministry glorious, The role of the Worship Leader with the Senior Pastor, Openness to Receiving from the Lord, The Premminence of Christ (actually missed this one), and Intimacy with the Lord.

The worship teams all seemed to have this focus. There was really only one time I felt what was being done was inappropriate. I was really blessed by song selection and, for the most part, the intention to disappear.

The Lord brought me to tears through conviction and forgiveness. Micah 7:18-20:

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.

He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities.
You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham,

Which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

This passage was the last verse quoted at the conference, and it was also quoted by Pastor Jeff this past Sunday. I belief this is quite intentional by the Holy Spirit. Many of us have a real hard time letting go of things we have done even though we have repented. However, if we don't let go, we limit the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives to free us from our iniquity, to sanctify us, and set us apart for His purpose. It was truly a rich time.

Good Times

Ezra 3 & Haggai 2 - Ezra's Temple is greater than Solomon's temple because Jesus entered Ezra's temple. The worship ministry of one guy and a guitar is greater than that of a mega church if Jesus visits that ministry.

Worship Conference starts tomorrow

The conference starts tomorrow and we are leading worship at 1pm. There is definitely part of me that has wanted to lead worship at a worship conference. That concerns me a little...Why have I wanted to?

I think we have to repeatedly revisit our motives for being involved in worship ministry. Since worship is for Him alone, whether I am leading or joining in as one of the congregation, I am still singing to Him. And he likes it! It brings Him joy!

However, He will not share His glory. So if there is any part of me that wants to lead for "me," then Jesus will not be glorified in that.

Lord, help us to be only consumed with You. When we lead tomorrow, may we simply honor You. May we sing to You as though You are the only one in the room. As we seek to glorify You, may You work through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to minister to every heart there in a unique way, individually.

Redemption Song

Let the redeemed say, let the redeemed say
Let the redeemed say, "Praise the Lord!"

Let the redeemed cry, let the redeemed cry
Let the redeemed cry, "Praise the Lord!"

By Your blood I am one of them
By Your blood I am born again

My heart's bursting with a song
Of joy amazing, when I think of where I was
Before I heard the song of my redemption
Now I sing, "Holy, Holy is the Lord!"

Redemption song runs through my veins
To bring a peace to this life of pain
To bring a hope where none was found
To melt a way all my frozen ground
Redemption song brought me to Your throne
To seek Your face, seek You alone
My everything, my all in all
Is found when I worship You, my God
Copyright 2007 Ancient Path Music

First Entry

This is my first entry in the CCD Worship Blog. It is my desire that this will help facilitate the ministry by allowing me to post ideas and thoughts, what the Lord is doing in my life, as well as upcoming events and news. I want this to glorify God and no one else. As soon as it seems to not fulfill this purpose, then we will delete it. We don't want to waste any effort on vain things.