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	<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:42:39 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>June 2010:  Draw Near to God, by Howard Rachinski</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=309</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=309#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:42:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=309</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We all know that our nation is rolling and pitching through a great economic storm. These troubled [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We all know that our nation is rolling and pitching through a great economic storm. These troubled waters have stressed and exhausted us all – businesses, ministries, employment, investments, resources.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Our recent CCLI church survey confirmed that church budgets have been hit hard by this economic crisis. Church income is down an average of 10–15%, with many churches experiencing an income downturn as high as 50%.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Additionally, this current economic crisis has specifically impacted church music departments – transitioning music responsibilities from full-time to part-time staff, and even to a voluntary basis with staff cutbacks.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Understandably, church budgeting demands tighter financial stewardship regarding “discretionary spending” – including conference attendance.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">During this “season,” I was reminded of Psalms 73:28,<em> “But it is good for me to <strong>draw near to God</strong>: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works.”</em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Another way to say this is: <strong>There is benefit, betterment, favor and pleasantness when we approach and get close to His exceeding Supremacy and Majesty. For we have appointed and applied our hope, our shelter and our refuge in His Allness and His Awesomeness. And, we can inscribe, enumerate, recount and celebrate His ministry, His assets and His productivity</strong>.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Wow!!!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Although the Psalmist Asaph was tempted to question God’s goodness and provision in times of uncertainty, he discovered a “secret” about surviving and even thriving – <strong>he must get close to God</strong>!!!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The prophet Habakkuk also went through similar anguish of thought when he uttered these words in Habakkuk 3:17-19: </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em>“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls &#8212; <strong>Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.</strong> The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer&#8217;s feet, and <strong>He will make me walk on my high hills</strong>.”</em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In spite of the circumstances, the pain and the hardship, Habakkuk expressed joyful exuberance because he knew the “secret” – <strong>he must get to the place of His Presence </strong>(the “high hills”).</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In spite of our natural inclination to withdraw and cut back during this economic crisis, let me propose something:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">What if we deliberately reject the fear of our times and sow a seed to our survival and our wellness?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Trust me, the following is not a marketing gimmick. I’m not trying to promote or manipulate anyone. But, hear me – I know of no better way to stand in the economy of Heaven that than to attend a worship conference - where we can do just what His Word encourages us to do – <strong>Draw near to God</strong>.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">If you are of the same mind, and if something is stirring in your heart about this, I would strongly recommend that you consider sowing such a seed by attending the <em><strong>Heartland Worship Institute </strong></em>at Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on July 7-9.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">This institute is dedicated to encountering, experiencing and embracing the Presence of God in a real way. Pastors Gary &amp; Rose Brothers – along with long time WorshipInstitute friends Brent &amp; Sharon Anderson – are hosting this great gathering. I know they, as well as the other speakers and worship leaders, are passionate about God’s Presence.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">For more information, please go to: </span><a style="line-height: 20px; color: #659fc4; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend4.com/t/r/l/ntllyy/jylybyh/r" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend4.com/t/r/l/ntllyy/jylybyh/r"><span style="color: #0000ff;">www.capefirst.org/heartland</span></a><span style="color: #0000ff;"> </span><span style="color: #000000;">or call 573-334-4421.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">I’m going to be there. I desperately need to encounter, experience and embrace the Presence of God during this season…I really do hope to see YOU there.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Please join Bob Sorge, Morris Chapman, Steve Fry, Antonia Lawrence, Kent Henry, Jeff Deyo, and all the WorshipInstitute leadership team, as we all “<strong>Draw near to God</strong>.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Finally, I want to ask you to let us know what financial trials you and/or your church may be facing. And, what are you hearing from God about how to navigate through those trials?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The Bible tells us to encourage one another. So, if we can hear some sounds – from you – of what our Lord is saying in this time, we’ll send them out to the whole mailing list.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">God bless you, dear ones, in your place of service this day.</span></p>
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		<title>April 2010: Purpose or Presence?, by Steve Fry</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=307</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=307#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:42:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=307</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I really appreciate Rick Warren as a pastor, writer, and very visible Christian leader. His personal integrity [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">I really appreciate Rick Warren as a pastor, writer, and very visible Christian leader. His personal integrity and gifts for ministry are clear. Pastor Warren has helped to move our focus beyond &#8220;ME&#8221; to the outward, global, eternal view of our mission. Thank God for Rick Warren.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">His mega-selling book, &#8220;The Purpose-Driven Life,&#8221; has touched millions of lives and framed so much of ministry today. As a pastor, I know that has been a helpful emphasis. Purpose is, after all, a critical focus. If we don&#8217;t know why we are here, then we will never hit the mark God intended for us. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">But, as a pastor, I also know that many who have pursued the purpose driven-model are now asking, &#8220;Is that all there is?&#8221; That is a valid and very important question.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">From &#8220;Why&#8221; to &#8220;Who&#8221;</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">The &#8220;purpose&#8221; issue is essentially a question: &#8220;Why am I here?&#8221; But, in fact, that question would not be asked unless sin had entered the world. Once man rebelled, he was separated from the source of purpose. The &#8220;why&#8221; question is a &#8220;post-fall&#8221; question. It is only asked because we have fallen from our place of perfect fellowship with God.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">So, yes, &#8220;why&#8221; is an important question, but it is not the primary issue. When Adam was in perfect relationship with God, he had no need to inquire into purpose. Because he knew the Presence of his Father-God, the purpose issue was already settled. There was no need to ask &#8220;why?&#8221; Essentially, Adam changed his mind about who God was and, therefore, who Adam was. Adam decided that God could not be trusted.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">Therefore, Adam rejected the Fatherhood of God and introduced &#8220;performance&#8221; thinking into that relationship and into the world.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">When we begin with the purpose question, we are expecting &#8220;purpose&#8221; to fill up and define our identity. In other words, we try to figure out who we are by figuring out why we are here. So, we embark on performing our way into acceptance and identity But, the identity question was meant to be resolved by simply knowing God. Being filled up with His Presence.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">Here&#8217;s another feature of the &#8220;why&#8221; question. It orders how we relate to other people.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">The Lord spoke to the leadership team of WorshipInstitute.com </span><span style="color: #333333;">one year ago this month. We saw that &#8220;when purpose precedes relationship, the result is agenda.&#8221; In other words, if we relate to one another because of purpose, then we always have expectations of performance toward one another. But, when relationship precedes purpose, we find our collective calling into His great purpose.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">&#8220;In the beginning, God&#8230;&#8221;</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">God is always the starting point. His Presence is the entire purpose. To know and enjoy Him is the reason we live.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">The great Ern Baxter once said that &#8220;God is the top button. If you get that right, all the other buttons will line up with the right holes. But, if you get the first one wrong, nothing else will be right.&#8221;</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">The first line of the Bible &#8212; &#8220;In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth&#8221; &#8212; is one of the most exquisite lines ever written. It is the core of all good theology; it tells us the main thing we need to know: </span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>God is the beginning of creation.</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">Our sense of who we are does not come from discovering our purpose, but discovering the character and nature of God. We can only find the right path by becoming lost in that wonder. Then from that place of fellowship, the purpose question is framed properly as obedience to the God Whom I love and follow.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">We live in the midst of a self focused generation. I think that is because we have started at the #2 question rather than the #1 question. In fact, one of the reasons worship is so important is not just that we have an encounter with God, but that we change our starting point from &#8220;ME&#8221; to &#8220;Him.&#8221;</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">To be presence-shaped &#8212; rather than purpose-driven &#8212; leads us into the right issue: the preeminent aim of knowing God. If any other ministry or issue takes the place of that aim, then that ministry runs the risk of becoming a replacement of God&#8217;s presence. Community, missions, and justice – none of these righteous impulses were meant to replace the chief end of knowing and enjoying God.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">And, yes, Rick Warren would agree with that!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">Thank you</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">I hope this devotional thought is helpful to you. If it is (or isn&#8217;t!) we would love to hear from you.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">All of us on the leadership team &#8212; Howard Rachinski, Glen Roachelle, Ed Chinn and I &#8212; deeply appreciate each of you. Always know that you have value to us simply because of who you are. We are honored that you support this ministry, attend our events, and stand so firm in your love for this ministry. But, we love you because we are all children of our Father. That is why we look forward to every encounter with you.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">Thank you for all you are. Please let us know if we can serve you in any way. And, we really hope to see many of you at the <a style="line-height: 20px; color: #659fc4; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend1.com/t/r/l/outnh/jylybyh/r" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend1.com/t/r/l/outnh/jylybyh/r"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Northeast Worship Institute </span></a>in the Philadelphia area, April 22-24. </span></p>
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			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?feed=rss2&amp;p=307</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>December 2009: Living Out His Fullness</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=298</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=298#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:40:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=298</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Dear Friends,
We simply cannot approach the great joy and meaning of Christmas without fresh contemplation of the [...]]]></description>
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<p><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;"></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Dear Friends,</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We simply cannot approach the great joy and meaning of Christmas without fresh contemplation of the One Whom we worship.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And, we cannot gaze at Him without realizing the overwhelming beauty of our inheritance as His children. David spoke for all of us when he wrote, </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in; padding-left: 30px;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” </span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ps 16:5-6 NKJV</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: #3366ff; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Fullness of Him </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The New Testament (especially Paul’s writing) contains numerous references to the “fullness” of Christ. One of the most incomprehensible realities in all of life is the majestic fullness of our Lord. He is overwhelmingly and eternally complete. </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As the great preacher, Ern Baxter, once said: </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in; padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: navy; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">&#8220;There</span><span style="color: #000000;"> is nothing in Him that should be out of Him. Nothing out of Him that should be in Him. He remembers nothing because He&#8217;s forgotten nothing. He learns nothing because there is nothing He does not know. </span></span></em></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in; padding-left: 30px;"><span><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“He does not need to know because He holds all truth simultaneously. He is the God of the Eternal Now. He can look at human history from the beginning or the end or the middle - for all things are known to Him&#8230; He is the cosmic King.” </span></em></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">T</span>hat </span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus – the magnificent Perfection, the absolute King, the complete representation of the Father – is the One Whom we worship in all our times and places (including Christmas). </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But, too often, Christians celebrate Christmas from an individual perspective. In other words, many assume: <em><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Jesus was born into the world in order to save me, make me insanely happy, and take me to Heaven when I die. The King came for ME!”</span></em></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That view not only miniaturizes His magnificence, but also leads to the absurdity that He desperately needs our gifts, skills, training, technologies, etc. It is one thing to <em><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">offer</span></em> what we are and have upon the altar. It is quite another to insist that the great “cosmic King” stands in <em><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">need</span></em> of them. </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: #3366ff; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Living Out His Fullness… </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Paul returned to the theme of fullness in Christ in his letter to the Colossians:</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in; padding-left: 30px;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.</span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Col 2:9-10 NKJV</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Or, as Eugene Peterson translates that passage in “The Message:” </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in; padding-left: 30px;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don&#8217;t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too…</span></em></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For almost two years, we at WORSHIPINSTITUTE.COM have been grappling with the issue of His fullness. Every time we look at Him, He is larger than our last view. His mountainous majesty keeps unfolding before our eyes. Our part keeps getting smaller.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We are like men climbing a mountain range. Every vista, every “summit” reveals a larger and higher landscape of Christ than we ever imagined.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yet so much of Christian culture – even “worship” culture – seems to continually discover ever-larger <em><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">human</span></em> strengths and ways we can “help” Him. As a result, we have developed complicated and human-centered approaches to the Lord. Now, too much of what we call “worship” has become a <span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">career-promoting, celebrity-obsessed, market-driven, technology-rich</span></span> “show biz” model. </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What kind of message do we represent? Do we now preach a “Christian humanism?” Do we enforce and expand cultural accommodation? Or do we proclaim and live a radical re-alignment to the fullness of His Kingship?</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: #3366ff; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">…Within the Glorious Community</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Finally, we return to the 16th Psalm:</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in; padding-left: 30px;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">… &#8220;Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee.&#8221; As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.</span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Ps 16:2-3 NASB</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">David knew that he brought nothing to His Lord’s royal greatness. He knew that God was abundantly sufficient. Anchored in that view, David also proclaimed his deep affection for that community of saints who were convinced of the same thing.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We know what David meant. </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We rejoice in that community of worshipers who are satisfied with nothing less – <em><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and desire nothing more </span></em>– than the Presence. We look forward to every opportunity to join those who consistently press beyond the flashy, the new, the improved, and the clever. </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We are honored to be your friends. And, we so desire to see your face in 2010. (Please view the Future Events tab of this website to see what is planned for the year – other events may be added.)</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Each of the four of us overflow with thanksgiving to our Lord for His great kindness and generosity toward us and our families, all of you, and within the great sweep of His dominion. </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We sincerely thank you for your friendship to this ministry and to us personally. </span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Have a blessed and merry season of celebrating the Incarnation, and may you find new dimensions of the joy of relationship in His family.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In Him,</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">Howard Rachinski, Steve Fry, Glen Roachelle, Ed Chinn</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">WI.com Leadership Team</span></span></em></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">P. S.  In our last newsletter, we told you about the health and financial crises faced by our brother, David Lawrence. Due to your generosity, we were able to completely cover his health care premiums for the next 9 months! On behalf of David, we thank you for your kindness and generosity.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This is the last ministry letter of 2009. We are grateful that some of you give a year-end gift to support our ministry. We will always work to steward your gift and your trust.</span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You may click </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: #818181; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/kjiytk/jylybyh/r" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/kjiytk/jylybyh/r"><span title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/kjiytk/jylybyh/r">here</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> to support the work of WorshipInstitute.com. Adding the letters &#8221; </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: blue; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">-DL</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> &#8221; after the offering amount will alert us that the gift is for David Lawrence.</span></p>
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		<title>November 2009:  Seek and Find, by Ed Chinn</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=291</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=291#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:47:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[

Let me ask you a very serious question. When Jesus said, “Seek and you will find,” do [...]]]></description>
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<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Let me ask you a very serious question. When Jesus said, “Seek and you will find,” do you think He meant to just be a seeker? Or, did he mean that we should seek until we find?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Today, we are immersed in a “seeker” culture. That is why I was recently struck with something Dick Staub wrote (<a style="line-height: 20px; color: #659fc4; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend5.com/t/r/l/hdkduh/jylybyh/r" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend5.com/t/r/l/hdkduh/jylybyh/r"><span style="color: #333333;">http://www.the-tidings.com/2009/073109/staub.htm</span></a>):<br />
</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><em><span style="color: #008080;">    </span><span style="color: #000080;"> &#8220;If a search engine repeatedly yields unsatisfactory results, we try different key words or use a different search engine entirely… Motivated seekers are not satisfied with seeking and not finding.</span></em></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em>     &#8220;It&#8217;s not unlike America&#8217;s spiritual journey. National surveys repeatedly identify a large portion of Americans who describe themselves as spiritual seekers. In the decade I&#8217;ve been watching this phenomenon, the percentage has stayed firmly in the 82-percent range.</em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em>     &#8220;Which leads to an obvious question. If everybody is searching, how come nobody is finding? Why would a culture accustomed to successful searches be satisfied with always turning up empty?&#8221; </em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>Why, how, and to what (or Whom) are you Connected?</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">One of Staub’s conclusions about seeking and finding is that our culture tends to honor the idea of &#8220;search,&#8221; but devalues &#8220;finding.&#8221; We seek, but do not want to find.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">I agree with him. But I also wonder if something else may be a factor. Have we been secretly “reprogrammed” by our culture to seek our own pleasure?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In January of 2008, I attended a retreat of worship leaders. One morning, because of the host hotel’s problems with their Internet provider, I struggled relentlessly – yes, even heroically – for an hour to get connected.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Suddenly I had an overwhelming sense of God in the room and this simple question: &#8220;Would you struggle this long to find connection with <em>Me</em>?&#8221;</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">It was time for a painful admission: “No.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Of course, I had my quiet and safe “devotional time.” But, I wouldn’t struggle for an hour to find connection with the living God.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">For almost two years now, the Lord has been de-programming my codes and wiring. He has been reducing my “stuff,” my abilities, my visibility, and my pride and self-reliance. As he has peeled it away, the connection with Him has become clearer.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">During the same period, many of my friends have lost much more – “things” like careers, homes, health, savings, and reputations. And, even their families. Some have entered that state which A. W. Tozer called, “The blessedness of possessing nothing.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Could those losses be, in fact, blessings from a kind and generous God? Is He pulling us past ourselves and our stuff so that we can find Him again?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>David Lawrence   </strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Some of you may think I’m changing the subject here. I am not.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">I have become aware of something I did not know when I started this letter to you - something which clearly fits the subject and burden of this letter.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Let’s consider another “seeking” question. When you find Him, do you turn His inevitable blessing on yourself or on others? Do I follow my consumerist culture and become a pond – hoarding His blessings on my own property? Or, am I a river – allowing the water to pass through my property to others?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Let’s get specific.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Many of you know and love David Lawrence. He has served as a faculty member and on the worship team at many INTERNATIONAL WORSHIP INSTITUTEs.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">You may not know that David is battling cancer. To make his situation worse, David recently lost his job counseling troubled children. His employer did not want to lose him, but David lacked the credentials that the government required in order to continue funding. So they had no choice.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">However, recognizing his dire need for health care, the organization will graciously carry David for nine months on their health care program. His only cost will be $143.53 per month.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">WorshipInstitute.com is going to give all we can to help cover the cost of David’s health care for the next 9 months (approximately $1,300.00).</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Will you join with us in helping?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We at WorshipInstitute.com will pass every dime you send on to David. And, yes, we hope the amount that comes in will exceed the need for healthcare and go toward helping to support David as he finds another job.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Could this be a time to look beyond ourselves – to lose “me” – in order to serve others? Is this a time to walk in the reality of Isaiah 58? Please read it carefully and prayerfully as you consider our brother David.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">I hope this letter is an encouragement to you as you seek after, and walk with, the Lord. And, I ask you to please consider this very current and crucial opportunity to express the word.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">If you can give toward David’s health care, please click <a style="line-height: 20px; color: #659fc4; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend5.com/t/r/l/hdkduh/jylybyh/y" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend5.com/t/r/l/hdkduh/jylybyh/y"><span style="color: #0000ff;">here</span></a>.  Adding the letters <span style="color: #000000;">&#8221; -</span><strong><span style="color: #003366;">DL </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">&#8220;<strong> </strong></span>after the offering amount in the appropriate box, will alert us that the gift is for David.  </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">If we can serve you in any way, please let us know. When you write, we always pass your comments on to the whole team – Steve Fry, Howard Rachinski, Glen Roachelle, and myself. Your perspectives are very helpful to us as we process through the Lord’s direction and your need for “connection.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">May the Lord bless you in this Thanksgiving season.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Sincerely, </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Ed Chinn</span></p>
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		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=282</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=282#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:11:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Future Events]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[HEARTLAND WORSHIP INSTITUTE:  July 7-9
     • The very first “Heartland Worship Institute” will convene at Cape First [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><em>HEARTLAND WORSHIP INSTITUTE:  July 7-9</em></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">     • The very first “Heartland Worship Institute” will convene at Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. July 7 – 9, 2010.  Click <a href="http://www.capefirst.org/heartland/">here</a> to view the website for more information.</span></p>
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		<title>October 2009: God is Easy to Live With, by Steve Fry</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=280</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=280#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:08:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=280</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The first dog that Nancy and I owned was a sheltie named Bonnie. As she got older, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The first dog that Nancy and I owned was a sheltie named Bonnie. As she got older, we noticed that she became very heavy, could no longer walk very well, and couldn’t run at all. The vet told us more than once that her weight gain was a dietary issue. So, we kept feeding her less and less – and she got heavier still. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Finally, a second opinion revealed that Bonnie was carrying a 15-pound tumor in her stomach all that time. And we were slowly starving her to death!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We Christians are often like our little Bonnie – we seem to be growing but continue to lose energy and the ability to run. Over the years, I’ve seen several churches that appeared healthy, but, in fact, were just going through the motions, functioning with little power, little authenticity, and very little joy. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Obviously, a serious theft was in process, even as they tried so hard and faithfully to “do church.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">What Steals From You? </span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In 1999, shockwaves ripped through the international economic community when it was discovered that a “virus” had infected programs in computer networks throughout the world. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Viruses were not new, but this one was different. Spawned by a hacker, who dubbed his little creation “Melissa,” this macro-virus – some called it “a worm” – spread at lightening speed, disrupting commerce from New York to Tokyo in just a matter of days. It was perhaps the first universally shared alarm among the millions of Internet newbies at that time, wreaking havoc in sophisticated systems, and costing companies and government agencies billions of dollars. “Melissa” became an infamous sensation. One tiny bug created by one insignificant individual in the secrecy of his New Jersey apartment - and global panic!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">It was almost inconceivable at that time – something so small and invisible could spread so much damage so quickly. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">But you know, that’s the way the enemy works too. He creates little worms that spread through human hearts or even church systems and corrupt them. Those worms can destroy power, effectiveness, joy, memory, vision, commitment, unity, and relationships. The damage can be profound.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Just like a computer or physical virus, those little worms steal capacities and energies which are designed for, and dedicated to, a purpose. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Our purpose on earth could be, and has been, stated in various ways. The Westminster Catechism simply declares: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">So, what steals from that purpose? Anything or anyone preventing (or distrating) us from glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. That can be anything which worms its way into our eternal purpose. Some of the worms – wealth, security, career, education, friends – are actually good. But, when they invade our purpose, they become a theft of our God-designed capacities and energies.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>God is Easy to Live With</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The great A. W. Tozer wrote a completely delightful essay called “God is Easy to Live With.” If you do not own it, please find it and read it often.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In that essay, Tozer acknowledged that “perverted notions of God” can spread poison and destroy freedom. That’s a good description of a virus. But, Tozer went on to say, </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><em>“The fellowship of God is delightful beyond all telling. He communes with His redeemed ones in an easy, uninhibited fellowship that is restful and healing to the soul… He is not hard to please… He expects of us only what He has Himself first supplied. He is quick to mark every simple effort to please Him, and just as quick to overlook imperfections when He knows we meant to do His will.” </em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Oh my friends, when you sense a theft in your life and the resulting loss of energy and freedom, run to God, open-handed, totally vulnerable to Him and responsive to His invitation. Yield to His Spirit. He will quickly clean and heal you of the virus which corrupts and steals. You will find that He is, indeed, “easy to live with.” And, you can enjoy Him forever.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">On behalf of the leadership team, I thank you for your faithful friendship.  Many of you stand with us in prayer, financial support, service, and joining us in worship times and places across America.  We really do love and appreciate you and your heart for the Lord.  Your financial gifts make a large difference in our ministry.  If you would like to make a donation, please click <a style="line-height: 20px; color: #659fc4; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend4.com/t/r/l/hrjjdr/jylybyh/r" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend4.com/t/r/l/hrjjdr/jylybyh/r"><span style="color: #0000ff;">here</span></a>.  Thank you so much.   </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">God bless you, dear friends. Please let us know how you are doing and if we can serve you in any way.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Sincerely, </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Steve Fry</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">P.S.  Please mark your calendar… We hope to see you at these 2010 events: </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">       • We will be joining with Calvary Full Gospel Church for the SIXTH “Northeast Worship Institute” in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. April 22 – 24, 2010.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">       • The very first “Heartland Worship Institute” will convene at Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. July 7 – 9, 2010. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">As other gatherings are confirmed, we will advise you of them. We sincerely hope to see you at one of these (or other) crossroads in 2010.<br />
</span></p>
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		<title>September 2009:  Dullness to Discernment, by Glen Roachelle</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=277</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=277#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:05:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=277</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Lord said, &#8220;Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em>The Lord said, &#8220;Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.&#8221; Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12</em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">So, the magnificent and majestic God of the universe spoke to Elijah in a quiet whisper.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">One of the clearest things I’ve learned in my years of ministry is that the Lord’s words most often come to us in whispers, not the “great and powerful.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Human wisdom would easily conclude that the great and awesome God must speak in hurricanes, earthquakes and raging fires. If we allow ourselves to be trained by that “wisdom” of this age, then the fast-paces, loud sounds, bright lights, anger, violence, and the sensuous will dull our senses.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Could that be why so many have difficulty hearing the Lord’s <em>whispers</em>?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">One of the biggest problems with the human wisdom kind of conditioning is that it trains us to plunge headlong into desperate and grueling labors. That’s because it moves us from trust in God to reliance on ourselves. Have you noticed that too many work too long, too hard and for too little? Sadly, that is true even of Christians.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Do you think it may be time to unplug from that kind of training?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In this letter, I want to help you unhook from the fast and the frantic in order find the gentle whispers and “unforced rhythms of grace.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">From Dullness to Discernment</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The writer to the Hebrews wrote about having our senses sharpened or trained to know the difference between the holy and the profane:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em>“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Heb. 5:11-14 </em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Apparently, we can live in discernment or dullness. When we choose to drink from the conflict and anxiety of our society, we get drawn into confusion. And, that hurts us and dulls our spiritual senses.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">I think immaturity and impatience – the demand for quick answers and “High-Definition direction” – has dulled our senses and made us like babes. Like babies, we need instant gratification. We reach for the milk of toddlers instead of the slow-cooked nutrition of rulers and conquerors.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Like our Lord, we have to learn obedience by the things we suffer (Hebrews 5:8). Hardship and testing bring our senses to a place that we can learn discernment. But, if we thrash around in frustration, we will miss what He says, wear ourselves out, and become angry in the process.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">I believe we are in a season of spiritual dullness – it truly is a season, and we can escape it if we reject the mold that society is pressing us into.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Step away from the loud, the violent, the flashy, and the sensuous. Breathe His Presence. Dwell in His words:<em> “In quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15) </em></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">My friends, we cannot afford to resort to trusting in our own strength. That always drops us into realms and roles that are over our head! And, that leads to anger and blame. That’s why so many are so angry at society, religion, the government, the media, etc.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Just step away from all that; rely on our Lord’s care and His unfolding purpose for us. Turn your attention – especially in difficult times – to the sweet, unforced rhythms of grace that come by the Holy Spirit.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Stop. Listen. Wait for the Lord </span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">This current age will always try to stampede your heart into action – action that is frantic, unnecessary, and unhealthy. Furthermore, that action is calculated to take us away from hardship. But, hardship is His school of discernment!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We can endure hardship for now so we will not become entangled in the snares of the enemy. We can choose to wait <strong><em>for </em></strong>the Lord.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Listen for Him to whisper in kindness and provision.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">This message is especially true in this time of rising fear and desperation. Keep your eye on Him, drink His life-giving Word, and be patient in your education in suffering and hardship.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Please let any of us know if we can serve or help you in any way. For the discerning, difficulty will pull us together, not tear us apart. All of us on the leadership team are here for you. If you need to talk, please let us know. Or, if your church needs specific ministry, we invite you to call or write.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Sincerely,</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Glen Roachelle</span></p>
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		<title>August 2009: A Song or a Sound?  by Howard Rachinski</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=263</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=263#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:41:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=263</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Many of you are my dear personal friends. I&#8217;ve met some of you through the company I [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;"></p>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
<p>Many of you are my dear personal friends. I&#8217;ve met some of you through the company I lead &#8212; CCLI. I&#8217;ve met others of you at worship conferences, including the long-running <em>International Worship Institute. </em><em><br />
</em><br />
And, yes, some of you are &#8220;friends&#8221; whom I&#8217;ve not yet met personally.</p>
<p>It has been my honor and deep delight to serve with Steve Fry, Glen Roachelle, and Ed Chinn as part of the leadership team for WorshipInstitute.com. In this, my first ministry letter to you, I want to open my heart about the current activity and vision of the ministry. I hope you will gain a new peek into what we see the Lord unfolding for all of us.</p>
<p>We recently concluded the <em>Unveiled Worship Institute </em>at North Church in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, under the direction of Pastor Lawrence Kennedy and Worship Pastor Brian Ming. This event, along with the recent <em>Northeast Worship Institute </em>at Calvary Full Gospel Church in Fairless Hills, PA, reflects a significant transition of the Worship Institute ministry. We have departed from the large, hotel-based, &#8220;international&#8221; worship institute and have moved to smaller, church-based, regional worship gatherings.</p>
<p>This transition is a direct result of strong and clear direction from the Lord last year to &#8220;put the Ark in the house of Obededom&#8221; (read the whole story in I Chronicles 13) - that is, the Worship Institute ministry and conferences should become &#8220;regionalized&#8221; - placed under the covering of local church ministry and oversight.</p>
<p>As the leadership of WorshipInstitute,com, this word was both challenging and uncertain&#8230; how could we maintain our stewardship responsibilities for the &#8220;DNA&#8221; of this ministry while releasing the administrative control of the conference to the local church authority? We did not know.  But we knew we had to act in faith on that which was not yet clearly seen. Furthermore, we had assurance that, just as Obededom was blessed for having the Ark reside in his house, so would all of us &#8212; including you &#8212; be blessed.</p>
<p>We believe we saw the fruit of our obedience at the <em>Unveiled Worship Institute</em>. Once again, we heard that unmistakable &#8220;sound&#8221; that attends true encounters with His Presence.</p>
<p><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>True worship is a sound more than a song</strong>.</span></p>
<p>We all love songs. They are mysterious creations, often capturing transcendent reality in a three-minute package. The great epics of faith &#8212; <em>A Mighty Fortress is Our God; Great is Thy Faithfulness, It is Well With My Soul </em>&#8211; carry us away into profound consideration of eternal truths. And some of the newer songs, like <em>How Great is Our God, Open the Eyes of My Heart, Revelation Song</em> and <em>Shout to the Lord </em>capture the heart groans of worshipers everywhere. Of course, these are great and very important songs.</p>
<p>But, there is a &#8220;sound&#8221; of worship which surpasses songs&#8230; an expression from Heaven that echoes throughout all creation. Isaiah described it this way when he saw the Lord high and lifted up (Isaiah 6) - &#8220;The angels cried, <em>&#8216;Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory&#8217;.</em>&#8221; The created beings are able to proclaim the awesomeness of His Character - He is Holy.</p>
<p>However, another expression uttered on earth echoes throughout His Kingdom. John described it this way when he was &#8220;in the spirit&#8221; (Revelation 5) - &#8220;Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands cried, <em>&#8216;Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.&#8217; </em>&#8221; The redeemed ones are able to proclaim the awesomeness of His Work - He is Worthy.</p>
<p>And when the expression of His Holiness intersects with the expression of His Worthiness, there is an incredible unfolding harmonics of &#8220;sound&#8221; that is so exquisite, so ultimate, so impeccable, so dynamic, so flawless, so precious, so consummate - it is the essence that reflects our eternal intimacy with Him - WORSHIP!!!</p>
<p>This is what we have begun to see, hear and feel again in the Regional Worship Institutes that have occurred this past year. Over and over again, we have heard conference attendees say they have never experienced such a dynamic encounter with His Presence as they had at the WI conferences. Over and over again, we have been urged by attendees to please continue this ministry.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">We have heard you&#8230; and Him. </span></strong><strong><br />
</strong><br />
We&#8217;ve heard your pleas. More importantly, we have heard the Lord. And, frankly, we are excited about our future together. We are excited that the &#8220;Ark is in the House.&#8221; In the months to come, we will be announcing new Regional Worship Institutes in new locations.</p>
<p>As we see these Regional Worship Institutes unfold, we must continue to purge ourselves of the clutter of showmanship, glitz, glitter and artist imagery that has so permeated the worship ministry. His calling upon us requires this purging. And our response to this calling requires this purging.</p>
<p>Stay tuned&#8230;we believe the best is STILL yet to come!!!</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">Will you help us build the road?</span></strong></p>
<p>We believe that we see a new way of fulfilling God&#8217;s ministry in God&#8217;s ways. If you have read these monthly update letters, you&#8217;ve certainly caught sight of that.</p>
<p>Someone once said, &#8220;It costs more to build a road than to travel on it.&#8221; On behalf of this ministry, I ask you to help us build a road leading to that future.</p>
<p>Specifically, I ask you to consider the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #339966;">Pray for this transition to a new local church-based platform for worship institutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #339966;">Let us know how you see this transition. Write to us with any concerns or questions you may have. Feedback is so valuable as leaders try to see and consider the whole family. You may see something which we do not.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #339966;">If you are a pastor and would be interested in hosting a regional worship event, please let us know.  </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #339966;">Consider giving a financial gift &#8212; one time or monthly &#8212; to this ministry. We really do trust the Lord. However, we also want our family to know where we are. We do have monthly expenses. Since we no longer distribute books and other products, we operate exclusively by the support of our friends.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 12pt 0in;">Thank you for considering this letter. If we can help you or answer any questions, please let us know. We will do anything we can for you and/or those you serve.</p>
<p>God bless you. We hope to see you at a regional worship event.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Howard Rachinski</p></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p></span></div>
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		<title>June 2009: View from the Ridge - Gazing into the Future of WI.com</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=256</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=256#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Monthly Ministry Letters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=256</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Would you please take a few minutes and join us in a “ridge moment?” 
You know, sometimes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Would you please take a few minutes and join us in a “ridge moment?” </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">You know, sometimes our journey brings us to a mountain summit. From those ridges we can pause, look back, and gaze into the future. Inevitably those points evoke deep gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness throughout our journey. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We want to share some of what we see up ahead. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>Looking Back</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Most of you know that LaMar Boschman founded and led the ministry we now call WorshipInstitute.com. We freely acknowledge that LaMar, with Teresa’s full and fine support, helped to change and expand expressions of devotion to the Lord for many Christians and churches. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Over time, LaMar’s ministry fell into a malaise, a breakdown of personal maintenance as well as mission focus.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">However, true to an ancient pattern, just when disorder and sin seemed to trample, grace trumped everything (Romans 5:20). Through a strange confluence of factors – including personal sin, loss of a founding visionary, the 2008 IWI financial crisis, and global economic convulsions – the Lord is renewing something in our walk together. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Here is a summary of what we see for our future</span>:</p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>Disperse</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The 2008 IWI helped us to see the need to move our gatherings into smaller, local church-based settings. This was far more than a reaction to economic crisis. We really believe that the large singular event can too easily bring in dynamics, agendas, and financial interests that are foreign (even adverse) to the Presence and the simplicity of a Spirit-led gathering.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We believe the Lord is calling us to disperse, or decentralize the work. At the present time we have no plans to convene a large “international” worship institute. It is time to move out of large, neutral, and expensive venues (like hotels) and return to the smaller and more intimate &#8220;houses&#8221; of worship (such as a local church). </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">That is why, in 2009, we are only supporting two regional worship institutes – the Philadelphia area <strong><em>Northeast Worship Institute </em></strong>this past April and the July 8-10 </span><a style="font-size: 13px; color: #659fc4; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/r" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/r"><em title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/r"><strong title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/r"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Unveiled Worship Institute</span></strong></em></a><span style="color: #000000;"> in Dallas. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>Commission without Control </strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">By releasing local or regional Worship Institutes, we as a leadership team, are deliberately moving toward more of an advisory (rather than administrative) role. We believe the Lord is directing us to commission emerging leaders, but not manage them or the events.  We want to see local leaders take responsibility for church-based events, allowing the four of us to release and serve.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We will not “franchise” the institutes.  In other words, we will not establish standards on what and how things are done. Franchising does not engender a familial culture. We believe we should simply represent and impart the DNA of God’s entrustment to us. We will leave it to the Lord to carry that burden into the hearts of younger leaders.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">How they receive, care, and steward is between them and the Lord.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>Build Relationships</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Sometimes we forget the very organic and personal nature of biblical relationships. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">As a leadership team, we see and accept a responsibility to guard an entrustment. We believe the best way to do that will be to spend time with emerging leaders. Values are set in place through fellowship, not programs, strategies, or institutions. As our brother, Bob Sorge, has reminded us, “It’s not business; it’s personal.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Two guiding principles are essential to understand this:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">When purpose <em><strong>precedes</strong></em> relationship, it produces a bond that can remain agenda-based. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">When purpose <em><strong>follows</strong></em> relationship (in the pattern of our Lord and His disciples), it flows from a transcending call. </span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Therefore, we will make time for fellowship with those who want it. We will continue to convene an annual gathering (usually in January) where we can all gather, worship, fellowship, eat together, and minister to one another.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We also plan to invite certain emerging leaders (whom the Lord calls to our attention) to join us for certain occasions and purposes.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong>Faith for a new Generation</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Leadership is a temporary mantle. For that reason, continuity is always a major issue for those serious about the Lord’s entrustment.  Read </span><span style="color: #000000;">Ecclesiastes 2:18–19.  </span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In our counsel together, we considered the Genesis 48 drama of Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s sons. Joseph tried to control the flow of his father’s blessing into conformity with the tradition of blessing the firstborn (Genesis 48:17–19). But Jacob refused to go with that tradition.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We heard the Lord remind us that His blessing belongs to Him and He will direct it in accordance with the patterns and pleasures of His own will. Like Jacob, we have faith for a new generation and a new era. We will do our best to walk into that future by faith.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">As we now roll down from the ridge in community with so many others, we are confident that the future and its new generation of leaders rest firmly in His hand.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We will all be in Dallas, July 8–10, for the <a style="font-size: 13px; color: #659fc4; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/y" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/y"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Unveiled Worship Institute</span></a>. We hope to see you there.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">We’ve tried to reveal what the Lord says and shows to us. This letter represents further unfolding of His continuing word to us. We invite you to ask, affirm, or question anything about the future. To do so, just click</span> <a style="font-size: 13px; color: #659fc4; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" title="mailto:worshipinstitute@worshipinstitute.com?subject=Gazing%20into%20the%20future%20-%20Response&amp;body=To%20Howard%2C%20Steve%2C%20Glen%20%26%20Ed%3A%0D%0A%0D%0A" href="mailto:worshipinstitute@worshipinstitute.com?subject=Gazing%20into%20the%20future%20-%20Response&amp;body=To%20Howard%2C%20Steve%2C%20Glen%20%26%20Ed%3A%0D%0A%0D%0A"><span style="color: #0000ff;">reply</span></a>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Sincerely,</span> </p>
<p><img style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" src="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/ti/r/BC/31B/65A//signatures.gif" alt="Signatures" /></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; color: #000000; padding: 0px;">Howard Rachinski         Steve Fry              Glen Roachelle           Ed Chinn</p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #000000;">P.S. Although we have downsized our operations, we are still faced with monthly expenses. Keeping addresses current, managing the website, providing support for the regional events, and other actions do require funds. Would you consider making a donation to help with these costs? You may do that by clicking </span><a style="font-size: 13px; color: #659fc4; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/j" href="http://worshipinstitutecom.createsend3.com/t/r/l/illde/jylybyh/j"><span><span style="color: #0000ff;">here</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;">. Thank you so much for your consideration of these needs. </span></span></p>
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		<title>It&#8217;s Not Business, It&#8217;s Personal</title>
		<link>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=233</link>
		<comments>http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=233#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2009 15:55:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynnn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Book  Review]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.worshipinstitute.com/?p=233</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ 
 
 

 
 
Many Christian leaders believe that the imposition of &#8220;businessthink&#8221; is one of the biggest problems in the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.worshipinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sorge-book.bmp"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-234" title="Its Not Business - It's Personal" src="http://www.worshipinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sorge-book.bmp" alt="" /></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">Many Christian leaders believe that the imposition of &#8220;businessthink&#8221; is one of the biggest problems in the contemporary church. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">They understand that business models and practices have led to unbiblical assumptions about success, continuity, consumerism, and exploitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Today, many just assume that the Church <em><strong>is</strong></em> a business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">And, let’s face it: the church can be a great career opportunity.  Furthermore, the relational nature of the Church makes her a consummate marketing machine and an incredible ego-builder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The church can even be an incubator of illicit attachments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">All that was the context for Bob Sorge’s courageous, sobering, and historic message at the 2007 I<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">nternational Worship Institute.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><em>“It’s Not Business, It’s Personal</em>,” based on John 3:29, dealt with the chilling dimensions of exploitation and corruption within the modern church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">It also called us to a higher and cleaner attitude toward the Bride of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>In the same way that John was a friend to the Groom, not the Bride, our burning devotion and loyalty must be the Lord Himself, not His church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">Bob got very specific: our marketing and careerist impulses toward the Bride are inappropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She is not a business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She is the One being prepared for marriage to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  He</span> takes her very personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">Men squirmed that night as Bob discussed why ancient kings chose eunuchs for service to the queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They had been surgically qualified to tend to her every need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Nothing improper would ever move in them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">Now, thankfully, that message has appeared in book form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">It’s Not Business, It’s Personal</span></em><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"> (Oasis House, 2009) is a little stick of dynamite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Short (87 pages), lucid, and very accessible, this book can and should help to dismantle that unholy syncretism of business and ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">The best chapter in the book – the provocatively titled “Scoring With the Bride” – begins with this wrecking ball quote,</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">“One of the things Jesus will judge, in the last day, will be how His friends handled themselves around His Bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This is real important to Jesus, even now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>He’s wondering, ‘Are you serving her in a way that helps <em>Me</em>, or helps<em> you</em>?’ </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">“One of the most searching questions He’s ever asked me is this: ‘After she’s spent an evening with you, does My Bride come away from the meeting talking about you or Me?’”</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">Ouch.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">It’s Not Business, It’s Personal</span></em><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"> contains a crystal clear and serious word from the Lord for the whole church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Those who receive it will also see it as a merciful word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It could save your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">      </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">This book should be read by pastors, worship leaders and team members, ministry organization leaders, Christian business leaders, entrepreneurs, and others who seriously follow Christ and care about His church.<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #000000;">Copies may be purchased from</span> <a href="http://www.oasishouse.net/#http://www.oasishouse.net/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Times New Roman;">Oasis House</span></span></a>.</span></span></span></p>
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<p class="paragraph_style" style="text-align: right;"><span>- Ed Chinn</span></p>
<p class="paragraph_style" style="text-align: right;">May 19, 2009</p>
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