Pressing In And Moving On

Having enjoyed so much the post What I’m Listening To, I have decided to write again about some new things that I am currently listening to. I am very committed to filling my mind and heart mainly with things that bring transformation to my life but I also enjoy some other things that are recreational. This fits the description of my Wordcast for it touches both sides of the human heart, spiritual and practical. So here is a list with more links, pictures and information concerning what I have been listening to. Doing graveyards I have about eight hours a night to listen to a variety of things. Here we go.

1) Luke Wood, IHOP, Video Of Luke Leading Worship

Luke Wood is a worship leader and the International House Of Prayer in Kansas City. Luke’s sound is mentioned as Americana, Folk, Classic Rock and Indie. I don’t know what category I personally would place him into unless I could chose all the above. One of the things like many of the worship leaders from IHOP I enjoy is their personal journey of going deep in God. Luke’s songs are sung from a deep place that he has went in his heart and personal life and that is reflected in his music. I have had the opportunity in the past to be in several services with Luke and each time have left feeling like I have had an encounter with Jesus. His music makes me think about things in a different way and even challenges my current thoughts on God, culture and life in general. This CD is actually his debut CD and he has a newer one out called ” The Sound Of War”. Out of the two I would recommend this one as a starting point and if you enjoy this one I would encourage you to pick up the newest one. This is a young man full of great songs, and many that have yet to be sung.

2) Mike Bickle,MIke Bickle’s Blog,Book Of Revelations Series, IHOP’S Youtube Page

For the past five years or so I have connected with the International House Of Prayer in Kansas City, Mo both in person and via the Internet. Mike Bickle is the director of IHOP-KC along with others that help oversee the mission base. For the past 35 years Mike has made decisions based on having oil in his lamp versus’ gaining influence in ministry. Although God has given him both, his passion is still growing in intimacy with Jesus through the Word and Worship. Mike has a myriad of sermon series that I would encourage you to listen to but the one I want to highlight here is his current series on the End Times. This is a 13 part series and he is currently still covering topics weekly concerning the end times and the final generation. Mikes views from the Bible are very different from that of cultural Christianity in the present day, but reflect the values of first century Christians. This series is moving and creates urgency for the hour in which we live. I would invite you to listen and enjoy not only this series but also some other teachings that have come out of IHOP-KC.

3) Justin Rizzo’s Website, Justin’s CD ” Found Faithful”,Video Of Justin Leading Worship

Justin Rizzo is another young worship leader at the International House Of Prayer and an intercessory missionary. Justin’s full time occupation along with hundreds of others at IHOP-KC is to stand before the Lord in worship and prayer. Justin has been called by some a Psalmist. He is a prolific songwriter and again, his songs are written from a deep place in God. I have also been in service with Justin and have enjoyed listening to him both in person and through the Prayer room. This CD “Found Faithful” includes some songs from a previous EP that him and Luke Wood released. Many of Justin’s songs have the theme of remaining faithful before the Lord through the seasons and hard times of life, both present and those that are to come. These songs are songs that you could sing in a Church service and also use in your private devotions. Justin has been a blessing to me and I trust you will enjoy him as well.

4) Brett Dennen, A Video Of Brett Dennen

Jennifer and I were on a Ministry trip one year ago when we ran into this red haired singer/songwriter. We both have been listening to him ever since. Brett has never really made it mainstream and that might be one of the reasons we really like him. Brett is challenging with his words in the songs that he writes, singing about a variety of topics, from war to unhappiness to foreign affairs and modern life. Not only is he fun to listen to but he makes me think about life in a way that I don’t in the normality of my life.

5) The Glossa Ordinaria On The Song Of Songs

About two weeks ago Jennifer surprised me with some really cool gifts and one of them was this book. Jennifer is so thoughtful when it comes to giving gifts. I stumbled upon this book completely by accident but what a blessing it has become. The book is written by Mary Dove and its called The Glossa Ordinaria On The Song Of Songs. This book is a collaboration of theologians and Bible scholars from centuries past. A Gloss is a Medieval way of looking at a topic in the Bible through a couple of different lenses. This book like I said is a collaboration of over 12 writers from history. These writers were first century writers that wrote with great clarity concerning the Song of Songs. This book is the first of several that I am going through,looking deeper into the book of the Song that is above all Songs.

6) Studies In The Sermon On The Mount, Martyn Lloyd-Jones

It was one and a half years ago that I began to look into the most important sermon that was ever preached by the Greatest Preacher. This sermon is what I call Christianity 101. Its called The Sermon On The Mount or as I like to refer to it as the SOTM. This book although I am only about a quarter of the way through has impacted me in a deep way, and sent me into a serious study of Matthew chapter five, six and seven. One of the things that I love about this author is that although he writes from a first century background with much history he was still alive in the 1900’s. I love that he was connected with the past but alive in the present. His writing is deep and heartfelt, you can tell that he was a man of passion for a right lifestyle before both God and man. This book would be a great introduction for anyone who is interested in looking into the SOTM. You might be surprised as I was when it comes in the mail. It has about 600 very full pages of information.