This post is part of a blog initiative for Leadership Journal’s Conversations. This is a new site and I was invited with some others to contribute to the conversation.

There have been plenty of intense times of spiritual battle. I remember one encounter that was especially powerful. It is not often that specific prayers of spiritual battle are verified after the fact. Most of the time I have prayed against the devil, for protection of people, and when I was scared of the dark. My most intense time of spiritual warfare stands out because it was more than my own experience.  Others were sharing it. And, they were thousands of miles away.

I traveled to Chicago with my wife to interview with a church ministry in regards to a worship pastor position they were soon filling. Besides meeting hospitable midwesterners, experiencing fireflies, and eating authentic bratwurst, not much else from this trip was memorable. This season in my life included several interviews like this one.

I tossed and turned in bed. At first I thought it was the bratwurst influencing this deep pressure and emotional turmoil I felt. It soon became clear to me that I was supposed to get up and pray. A friend from my small group Bible study came to mind. It was as if I could almost see him in my mind.

There were no words heard in my mind, but I knew that my friend at that exact moment was in a spiritual battle and God chose to include me in the fight. I took note of that moment on the clock. With my wife sleeping in our hotel room bed near me, I got up and silently prayed. The few moments of prayer passed and I went back to sleep.

There was a moment when I wondered if it all was really the bratwurst. So, talking to my friend about the experience took some nerve. I asked him what happened at the actual time I woke and prayed for him. The timezone difference made it clear he was not in bed. His response amazed me.

My friend frequented a bookstore coffee shop in Northern California. He purposed to talk to people about his faith. He sat at a table and began a conversation with a man. My friend described something odd happening to him. He could not speak. Some force would not allow him to talk to this man. He said he knew it was a spiritual attack. From Chicago, I fought with my buddy in California.

The reality of spiritual warfare became much more real to both of us. In our small group Bible study, a friend experienced ritual sacrifices on a his property. In my circle of friends, marriages were under attack, and families were struggling as well. I received a gift to be included in the heavenly intervention of my friend’s attempt to share his faith. Looking for a fight? Spiritual warfare can find us, sometimes.

What is your most intense spiritual warfare experience?

Is religion really a bad word? I wrote about that in an article last year. (Why saying “I’m Not Religious” is a Cop Out!)  This video poem, “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” is powerful, creative and resonates deeply. I applaud the artistry. But, I think there is just something about semantics asking for more thought and discussion, which any good art should allow. I wrote this in June last year:

Religion is not cutting or whipping one’s self, living silently in a monastery, singing emotionally in a worship service. It is not the Inquisition, the wars of the Crusades, the failings of a Pope or local church pastor. It is not complicated and requiring of academic prowess or hours of serving in a church ministry program. In fact, it is not something a seminary owns rights or that one particular church can claim as their original thought.

What is it, then?

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

Being for Jesus does not mean I have to be against true religion. What does “religion” really mean? I think semantics are important. Hypocrisy gives religion a bad name. It feels great to rally when something emotionally feels right, but if we actually spend time to think beyond emotions perhaps a deeper truth is there. Critics are needed, and so are questions.

Here is my question in relation to this video: Can’t we be FOR something, and not AGAINST something?

A wedding planner in Cana some 2,000 years ago pretty much had a plan to keep in budget. Serve the good wine first, then when people have are too happy to notice, serve something less. Jesus attended this wedding, but decided to turn a significant amount of water into wine. The wedding planner said this about Jesus making good wine, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:11, ESV) Jesus is the kind of man who wants quality, even when no one will notice.

One anecdote about the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ father tells us a moment when the father told his son how important it is to make the back of something look as good as the front. Just because some people do not notice it does not mean we should cut corners. The wedding planner in Cana may have been one of the few to notice the “good wine” as were the disciples and the servants.

We can see the humanity of Jesus in the miraculous. He displayed his character trait as one who would not settle for “poor wine” even in his miracles. This is why when we read the words of Jesus, we have well constructed stories and parables. His intentionality, detail and quality are not only for his purpose, but also because the fully human side of him shows traits of the highest form of humanity. Perfect humanism is reflected in the divine in this case, I believe. And, we should be powerfully challenged and inspired.

The “good wine” also shows us the abundance of God’s grace. God will pour out expensive, life-giving wine even if it only be for the benefit of a few. The disciples of Jesus benefited by the faith being strengthened. The guests who already had their fill of wine, may have been unaware of this event. But, the disciples saw it all. And, they received the moment of wonder both in the miracle and perhaps in partaking of the good wine. When we are close to Jesus, the power of his character reveals things that strengthen our faith while practically providing something very tangible like “good wine”. The life of Jesus was poured out for many and offered to all. The “good wine” in this story reflects that fact. God offers grace to all. Some, unfortunately, never notice.

It is one thing to turn water into wine. It is even more to turn it into “good wine” that even a seasoned wedding planner recognizes as quality. When we pray and God intervenes in our personal lives he does things like this. His answers, when we look a bit deeper, prove more than providing a practical outcome for us. There always seems to be, in my experience, a “good wine”-quality about it. Jesus “kept the good wine until now” rather than let frugality prevail. He holds nothing back.

When we love Jesus back or show love to others, do we make “good wine”? Do we cut corners?

I am posting the lyrics of the song that inspired the “DRINK THE DIVINE” EP worship project. Sunday night the funding campaign ends. If I had about a dozen more contributors, I will be able to cross the threshold.  Please consider pledging. Supporting gets you a perk, allows the project to complete and supports charity (Doma International).

Drink The Divine
by Rich Kirkpatrick

I thirst in the dessert no food to sustain
I pray for revival a mountain top change
For this journey to lead me, from valley to hill
To count all as lost and eat my soul’s fill
My soul’s fill

Drink the divine, end your starvation take in the pure wine
Drink the divine, a mystical union with Jesus the Vine

Its not just commitment, or the good that I do
Or knowledge of theories that make my life true
Its you and you Jesus I need to embrace
Rejecting my ways and accepting your grace
Your grace

Drink the divine, end your starvation take in the pure wine
Drink the divine, a mystical union with Jesus the Vine

Religion’s elixir will waste us away
But the life blood of Jesus empowers today!

We drink from his cup and we eat of his bread
He said “it is finished” the Old Man is dead

Drink the divine, end your starvation take in the pure wine
Drink the divine, a mystical union with Jesus the Vine

© 2011 Rich Kirkpatrick/Tehilla Music

I thought of writing a book review but ended up with a song inspired by a book. “Grace found me” is a phrase quoted from the book All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir which is the memoir of beloved author and speaker Brennan Manning. We think we can earn God’s love, God’s favor. We can’t. Even at our best, most religious selves we fall short. We all do. And, at our worst, God’s hand reaches out for us. All we have to do is reach for it. His hand will find our hand. 

As some of you know, I am working on a worship recording called Drink The Divine. This worship project is about grace–the cross section of our belief in it and our experience of it. This is why I believe in giving away the proceeds to help a very worthy cause, Doma International. There are many who need an arm reached out to them. As we in our well-equipped and tuned church facilities cry out in song and prayer, our hand should be held out to the least of these. We are all ragamuffins, anyway.

Fundamentally, I believe that drinking the divine of Jesus includes how we in our human, earthy and real selves live out love to others. It is not an “either or”…it is a “both and” way of loving. Love God, and love people. Follow Jesus. Express your worship to Jesus. These we should not separate.

If you believe in this as I do and desire to support, please do so. There are only a few days left and your contribution will get you a small perk, sure. But, it will give a lot more. However, only you can help make that happen.

God bless and peace in the New Year to you and yours!

Here are the song lyrics to “Grace Found Me”.

Verse 1:
In the dark of doubt
I’m closer to good news
For it takes a broken heart
To finally hear the truth
A prodigal I am
Reaching for the Father’s hand

Chorus:
Grace, grace, you found me
From my shame I am set free
Grace, grace, you saved me
From blindness now my eyes see
Grace

Verse 2:
God’s favor is not earned
My efforts fall in vain
Yes, I have a broken heart
And I’m the one to blame
A prodigal I am
Reaching for the Father’s hand

Grace…

© 2011 Rich Kirkpatrick/Tehilla Music

Merry Christmas! My blog is closing as far as new content the next days, although I will be here to answer any comments.

I cannot wait to reconnect in some IRL (in real life) interactions over the next few days or so. I thank you my readers, lurkers and friends for being a part of the community online.

Here is a picture of my family. I send a blessing to you on your celebration of the Advent of Jesus. The Incarnation of Jesus is the greatest miracle. Without it, there is no Son of Man. There is no cross and resurrection.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

Luke 14:18-19 (NLT)

 

This is a repost from September 2009 in my Leadership Series.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:1-11 ESV)

Really, sometimes I wonder if we who lead in any capacity get it at all. Jesus came to serve and lay down His life for His Father’s mission. We want perks for minimal sacrifice! Here is list of five things that you will get instead of your parade:

1. Legacy: whether its a good one or bad one is not the question. What you do will impact and last beyond you. You can be an inspiration, pleasant memory or the fart caught up in a whirlwind.
2. Pushback: even those who are on your side from time to time will press against you. Then, there are those who are competing against your very mission in life. Count on being pushed back–whether friendly fire or not it will come.
3. Loneliness: there will be some decisions, seasons and issues that you have to be the last man (or woman) standing on. Its not lonely at the top, its lonely at the sewer where real leadership happens.
4. Fatigue: I need not say too much here. Its tiring when you are thinking through, praying through leadership of people. Do not think you can coast or be comfortable. Managing fatigue is a major responsibility of leadership.
5. Reward: you may not get your parade this side of heaven nor deserve one. But, what we suffer with Christ as we live His mission will indeed give us reward. You may get reward this side of heaven, actually. But, that is not gonna help you. It may hurt you if you ever feel entitled to it.

Do you have any additions or comments about this list?

Today I am releasing all over the world a new single called “Wonder of Worship” which is a techno-influenced commentary on how we express and approach worship in the Christian church today. I sat on this song for a while, then I found inspiration with the help of some talented young musicians who soon will be helping me produce a new EP.

This week you will be able to iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and so forth. But, today you can name your own price, including FREE on the link below!

The idea is we have sense of entitlement and then wonder why our expression of worship is lacking at times. We enter church like a restaurant and look to order our preference, rather than accept the challenge of giving of ourselves. We consume an experience, rather than make the praise of God something glorious.

I think you are gonna be challenged and have fun at the same time. Check it out.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly – Jesus (John 10:10)

Randy Miller died a year ago. I was reminded of this by his widow on Facebook this past weekend. It got me thinking about how rare it is to know a person who actually lives life. Although Randy’s life was cut short, he lived every minute of it. I first met him in 2003 when he and his family walked into our church in Redding, California. His wife helped me encourage this concrete contractor to play drums on our worship team. 

He had not played drums for a while at this point, but never was there a moment in our worship team we did not enjoy his playing and the positive attitude that went with it. It did not take long for him to feel comfortable and begin to actually lead the rest of us. Every stick he broke, which were many, inspired the rest of us to put another ounce of passion in our playing. Each time we did, he upped the ante. Hickory trees were felled because of this man’s passion!

He loved his family, deeply. Every time we hung out he was expressing his love for his wife and kids and his work. I knew I was not as good as he was, but he did not ever make me feel shame. He just inspired me to be better. And, he still does. His love for God was what drove all of this love of life. He savored it. He knew its value. So, when he got cancer he dealt with that like everything else.

He in the last years of life went from concrete contractor playing on his worship team to being in a rock band playing on MTV in Times Square New York. Randy got to see and do things few of us would dare. And, he kept his love for God and his family in all of this. The news hit him and his family hard about his illness. He still went on, practicing when no one knew he could have the strength for it. He kept playing and his skill was that of a seasoned professional by now. He still broke the sticks, he just did it a bit fancier.

On one of the final tours he was on with The Myriad, my wife and I hung out with him after a set in the green room. This man had two heart catheters to take chemo, yet that night played like a guy in his 20s. His bandmates were sweating. But, he did not miss a beat, and was not even short of breath. Inspiring.

At his passing, many felt the loss. Of course his family that he loved so deeply felt it more than we all can know. It is a sign of his inspiration to live life that his widow is living hers. That inspires me, too. I know they must have talked about all of that. He loved in how he left.

An abundant life is a life lived. Randy captured that. I sure hope I can learn from him. I keep one of his broken sticks to remind me. Thanks Randy!

When Joel Klampert said I had to come to the New Jersey Shore and help with The Forge Conference, I immediately knew it would be something unique. Joel is unique. I had never met a worship leader from Rhode Island like him! (Actually, he is also the only worship leader I knew from there.) And, the vision of this conference to serve the smaller local church and challenge out-of-box thinking resonated with me and the seasons I have spent in church planting. The diversity of backgrounds from liturgical, charismatic, Messianic, baptist to modern worship stretched the pallet and enriched the environment like no other conference on worship I have ever attended.

Here are some highlights from my perspective:

• I was led in worship by and jammed in the late night worship with a dulcimer player and worship leader Dan Wilt and was moved deeply by Jeremy Dunn and Dan Wilt’s liturgical-yet-modern time of worship.
• Facilitated the WorshipMythbusters.com podcast live with an amazing panel on the topic: The Myth of the Happy Clappy. It seemed this and the other open forum panel encouraged me to continue and hone what I do with my podcast and other teaching settings about worship.
• Taught a WorshipMythbusters.com session in an 1880s chapel where the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness” was first sung. The religious history of Pilgrim Way, the Victorian architecture, the helpful staff of Ocean Grove all were appreciated and made for a terrific setting.
• John Voelz’s talk about indigenous worship hit a chord with me. He and the other Key Note guys were on fire!
• My daughter and I with Joel Klampert and Shannon Lewis lead worship together in a very meaningful session where all the attendees were prayed over and sent out.
• I LOVE people from New England. Their accent and sarcasm is almost as good as some of us from the Left Coast.
• Yes, my daughter Emilie was with me and that made the travel and the conference just that much more meaningful.
• The attendees: The top highlight was how encouraged I was by meeting, chatting and praying with worship leaders as we swapped stories.