Final Reflections on ARISE

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

propecia — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:26:45 GMT

Incredible site!

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Larry M — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:13:47 GMT

I saw Sam's message tonight at church. We used it as the sermon, and will be using it tomorrow in all five services. Tonight was amazing. As a worship leader, I was a little apprehensive to have another worship leader be the teaching pastor or the evening via video, but this thing was amazing. Thanks so much for inspiring me and our church to worship tonight. This would be a GREAT way to kick off next year's conference. Please have our first main session be this talk, live. How inspiring! Larry - Louisville, KY

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Russell — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:50:06 GMT

My name's Russell, and l saw Sam's message today at my church. My pastor got up in front of our congregation and said "this morning, I was going to share a message from the book of Job, but this week, a video came to my attention that I want us all to see today." He then went on to say that a friend of his had heard about the video from this blog, and he watched it and was overwhelmed by it's simplicity and fresh delivery. He played it for us, and instead of worshipping together at the beginning of the service, we did it at the end. The band had seen the tape, and even locked into the intro of "Because of Your Love" that the band on the video starts playing, and we launched into that song. I am the lighting director, and I must say that I often detach myself a little from the service so that I can do my job well, but today, I had no choice but to set a scene and leave it as I stood in my lighting booth and worshipped with raised hands. To see our church (about 1,200) respond in worship in the loudest, most focused time of praise we've ever had together was a dream come true for me and so many. There's even word going around of trying to show this video periodically to keep us reminded of the power of responding to our God in Biblical praise! So, I wanted to come here and respond..... first, to say thanks to the person who posted the video here on this blog. second, thanks to Sam for giving the message. Third, thanks in advance to the Willow team - I'm hoping this will be a part of next year's conference. Thanks again, Russell - New York, NY

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

lamar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:43:25 GMT

My name is Lamar, and I'm John's brother (the guy that just posted above me). I'll confess that I was in tears at five different part of this message. The last two times were tears of joy. I appreciated the gentle conviction that was shared about "what we hold back", and that it was done without conjuring up guilt or shame, but rather leading us into an immediate opportunity to not hold back. Like my brother said, this would be an incredible beginning to the Arts Conference, setting the bar high for participation in praise. Thanks for listening. Lamar

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

John — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:38:05 GMT

Pam, Thanks for the response. I've been watching this thread clsoely to see what might come of it. After watching the video with some of the artists at my church (Lakewood Church, Houston TX), I was conviced that every church artist needs to see this as a refresher of the basics. As one commenter wrote, it helped to focus in on the "why" instead of the what. In an era where the medium has become the message, it was nice for the message to be the message for a change. This would be an amzing beginning to the next Arts Conference. Keep us updated, I'd like to come see this message in person. Pam, I appeciate that the comments on this blog are being read and heard. All I can say is this - watch the video and experience it for yourself. I'll never look at the raising of hands or the act of kneeling the same way again. John - Houston, TX

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Pam Howell — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:43:12 GMT

Hey all, this is Pam Howell, part of the arts team @ the WCA planning the confernce. Thank you so much for letting us know your thoughts, feelings & desires reagarding Sam speaking @ next year's conference. I promise you we are listening and weighing all the decision we have infront of us thoughtfully and carefully. You are welcome to keep writing about Sam but I wanted to let you know that you have been heard. I will be posting later this week asking who else you would like to hear from at the conference, I hope you will share some other suggestions.

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Jamie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:28:28 GMT

I am going to add to the pile of people who've already said this, but can we please have this as a part of next year's conference? Our worship team watched the video together, and we were smiling and crying all at the same time at the end it. What the guy who posted just before me said was very true - it took me out of the "what" and into the "why". PLEASE let us share this together in 2009! Jamie York - Pensacola, FL

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Grant Fishbook — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:51:19 GMT

I would love to add my voice to those who have been talking about Sam Middlebrook's message from Christ the King church in Bellingham, WA. Ever since that message, the people of CTK have embraced both worship and the arts to a higher level because now they are engaged with the multi-dimensional "why" instead of the mono-dimensional "what". I have witnessed firsthand the difference a simple biblical explanation can make in the life of a believer! I can't encourage you strongly enough to consider laying the foundation of "why" before you engage in the creativity of the "what". Beyond that, Sam practices what he preaches - I have the honor of watching him do it every day. This message has created a buzz in the internet world and I am so thankful that it is all for God's glory.

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Adam — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:48:39 GMT

Like some others that have posted here, I saw this message in my home church (Charleston, SC). about 300 adults watched it for our Sunday morning bible study. Two amazing things happened. First, the response after the message in musical praise was about as rowdy as we've ever been. Secondly (and most importantly), a discussion on why we hold back from God the things He has told us in His Word are the things that please Him was the topic of the rest of our day together. If this can happen in the midst of a bunch of adults at Sunday church services, I cannot imagine how much more amazing it would be to have this experience at an Arts Conference. Please let us know if this going to happen!

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Ike Graul — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:34:11 GMT

What an outpouring! I would recommend Sam to your program without reservation. His heart for God and others is bigger than what this video can relate. I'm confident that his contribution to your event will be Biblical and impactful.

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

McKenna J — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:24:06 GMT

I live in Rochester, NY, and I got to see this message at church on Sunday. As soon as the video ended, our worship team led some of the loudest, most celebratory praise I've ever experienced in my home church. What an overwhelming thing it would be to experience this at the Arts Conference! Getting lost in the wonder of praise reminded me all over again of WHY I have the gift of painting, it's to express the goodness and God and to respond to Him with my efforts. Thanks for posting the video, and please allow us the chance to share this together next year. BTW - what worship leader wouldn't want to lead worship at the Arts Conference after THAT message?

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Jenny Martin — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:33:12 GMT

Nancy, I hope you'll take all of these comments into consideration. I watched the video today in my women's Bible study at church. Our group leader brought her MacBook and we watched it and discussed it together. It was so powerful, so moving, so practical, and yet very inspiring. I'll be at next year's Arts Conference, and I am praying that this message will be as well. Thanks, Jenny Martin - Atlanta

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Laura — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:24:04 GMT

Like many others who have commented on this blog, I came to the Willow site this morning to get some fresh inspiration before I leave for the church campus to do worship ministry. I found everything I was looking for in the message video that was posted! Can we please, please, please have this presentation as a part of next year's Arts Conference? Thanks for listening, Laura - Pendleton, OR

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

trey johnson — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:56:56 GMT

I have had the chance to hear Sam speak at a worship conference as well, and I can tell you from experience what a great time of refreshing and inspiration it is. Please consider Sam to speak at the 2009 conference!

re: Final Reflections on ARISE

Trey Johnson — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:55:16 GMT

It would be a blessing to hear this message at an Arts Conference like Willow Creek. I've heard Sam speak before, and I watched the video as was again impressed with the ability he has to remind everyone of the simple truth with biblical basis. His passion for worship is infectious. Please consider having him as a part of the 2009 conference! ....Trey Johnson, Nashville