REV. 12:11 BLOG

A blog for Christian Artists primarily.

For everyone who has commented on the new song “Worthy” I thank you. I really appreciate the kindness and the input from fellow musicians and music lovers. Much was said about good production and I agree it’s better than my average. But there still two guitar tracks that have to be re-done and I have a friend that is providing back vocal ideas (since I have no clue what could work in that area). But enough of the tech stuff for now.

As for the lyrics, all of you know that I am a Christian and the singing the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ is my joy and privilege. I have always found it more difficult to write a praise song for the Lord than to write simple love songs or even the bluesy feel sorry for myself songs. That’s kind of strange, but think about it; what words can express the greatness of The Creator of all things and the glory of His only begotten Son Christ Jesus?

I read something the apostle Paul said, “I decided to know nothing among you but Christ crucified and risen.” There is a lot of wisdom in that statement when we consider all the “denominational propaganda” that is being preached these days. I say that all good and right doctrine comes through the cross, which is the Gospel. If we would live and talk about that one thing then everything else will fall into line and there would be no argument.

So I took that idea and began to apply it to the writing of this piece. This was after about 20 revisions of the original writing by my wife Teresa. We revised it together, I made some changes, she read and edited, and we talked about it, then I would make more changes etc. It did NOT “evolve!” I hate that idea, but it grew as we learned some simple truths. Basically it was like chipping away at a sculpture with the Lord guiding the blind sculptor’s hands.

We hear a great deal about how good people are and they make it sound as if God is obligated to save man kind. No, He sent Jesus His only begotten Son because He loves his creation and we are unable to save ourselves from the obvious end that rebellion from the Creator leads to. We are not worthy of His holiness or goodness, but His one true Son is. It is because He paid the penalty of our sins upon the cross and rose again to life that we can trust in His faithfulness and His holiness and be re-united with the Creator. This is life and peace forever.

There is a line in the first part of the song, “It was hard to accept anyone would die for me.” This is true for me and I’ll be willing to bet true for all people. If you really consider the absolute greatness of God Almighty, why would he provide salvation for any of us who are so bent on being our own god? The only answer that makes any sense is pure and absolute love and kindness.

The Lord Jesus and God the father only are worthy of all the glory, honor, power, and praise! Be thankful in your hearts for His steadfast love.

Peace!
Ken

Susie Jennings called us “Gideon’s Army.” At first I thought it was a good pep rally slogan, but as the time drew closer for Christmas gift 2008, I began to realize that it was more truth than slogan.

We had a difficult time drawing volunteers and most of them came to register the day of the event. That meant that many were unprepared and did not know what to expect. It also meant that in the midst of ministering and keeping everything organized, we had to give instruction upon instruction. And like Gideon, I was afraid and constantly laying the fleece on the lawn!

I wish all of Christianity would work together the way all the volunteers did that day. Not only did they help those in need and restore some hope for some of them, they were a testimony to the whole country of what a Christian is supposed to be. They set themselves aside and sacrificed their time and bodies for the work of God. This is what it means to be Christ-like, I think. After all, what did our Lord do? He set aside the glory he had with the Father and died on the cross for us. This is also what the "Foot-Washing" ministry represents: humility and sacrifice for others for His glory and praise.

You can read the rest of the blog at:

http://beckhouse.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/christmas-gift-2008-a-quick-testimonial/

Merry Christmas to all of you!
Ken

I represent the “Operation Care Dallas Christmas Gift 2008” event, coming Saturday, December 13. “Christmas Gift to the homeless” is a ministry that provides a day of free services to the homeless in Dallas and the surrounding areas.

During this event, the homeless receive not only medical attention and counseling, but also much more. My wife Teresa and I are the coordinators of the “foot washing” area where volunteers wash the feet of the homeless providing new shoes, socks, conversation, and prayer. Our testimony of last year’s event can be found and copied from my personal website www.thebeckhouse.org to share with your congregation.

In 2007, over 200 churches and other volunteers served around 8,000 homeless. In 2008, we expect about 10,000 homeless men, women, and children to come and be ministered to by Christians from all over the Metroplex and from other states.

I am writing to make churches and ministries aware of our need for volunteers and donations of tennis shoes and work boots. And to invite you and your congregation to the “2008 Launching.”

One way to meet the needs and fulfill a successful ministry is to ask each individual or family to help us by purchasing one pair of tennis shoes or work boots to donate for the homeless.

If every Christian would do this one thing, there would be enough shoes and socks for all the homeless. An adequate pair of tennis shoes or work boots can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Burkes outlet, and many other places for a reasonable price.

This is a good opportunity for youth groups as well, and they can also volunteer as a group for the event. Each young person can place a picture of themselves with a note, personal prayer, or Gospel tract inside the shoes. I saw the effect of this last year, what an awesome thing for a child to be prayed for by someone in need for a simple act of kindness!

On October 19, 2008 we will have the “Christmas Gift 2008 lunching” event where the coordinators of each ministry area will establish comities and delegate responsibilities to be carried out in preparation of the main event in December.

We invite you to volunteer online and come to this launching and be a part of something that has unified Christians from all over the Metroplex and beyond. This also we ask of everyone who will attend; that each person brings at least one new pair of shoes for the homeless.

information is available on www.operationcare.org site.

Individual and group volunteers should pre-register online to help us have a smooth operation. Receipts for donations can be provided for tax purposes, and more information can be obtained from Operation Care Dallas regarding tax exemptions.

There are many needs and jobs to be done in this ministry, and there is a place for service for everyone from evangelists to prayer warriors. Please join us in serving the Lord Jesus in obedience by meeting the needs of the poor.

In Christ Jesus, God bless you and your ministries!
“Freely you have received so freely give.”

I have elected to make my mp3 tracks available for purchase. I have done this in order to help a ministry to the homeless that I have recently become involved with.

All sales will be donated to "Operation Care Dallas" ministry to the homeless, I keep nothing for myself. You can learn more from my website http://thebeckhouse.org or directly at http://operationcaredallas.org

Help us help the homeless as we bring them food, clothing, and the Gospel.
Ken

I learned to play guitar by trying to match better guitarists. I would go into music stores or pawn shops and play around with different guitars and when I heard a good guitarist playing I would watch intently and try to learn what he was doing and how he was doing it. Some of those guys were very willing to teach me on the spot some were pompous and high-minded.

Through the years there were many times I was in a situation that the better artist intimidated me especially those who wanted to show how great they were at the craft. For a young man with a low self-esteem this would cause doubt and self-condemnation. Recently I was in a pawnshop with my brother and there was a young man there who started trying to play along with me. He was not as advanced as we are so he soon put the guitar up and went away.

When someone who endeavors to achieve a skill, be it art, business, sports, or even preaching there is always going to be someone who does it better. It is easy to get intimidated because of our human pride. We as Christian people should always guard against such a thing and keep our perspective from God our Father’s viewpoint.

How do we do that? In everything we have a choice of either right or wrong, good or bad, wise or foolish etc. Usually our first inclination is to say, “I’ll never be able to do that; I am so useless.” Haven’t we all had those “woe is me” moments? But what we ought to say is, “How can I increase my skill to be that good, what are they doing that I need to do?” We need to always seek to glorify God and not expect men to glorify us.

We can choose to be intimidated and quit or we can choose to be inspired and gain. I chose to be inspired most of the time although there were times I was intimidated, this is simply fear of inadequacy. What I found was those who intimidated me were afraid that I was better than they were at the skill! That’s right, they were intimidated! Why? Because of heart, passion, perseverance, the courage to try.

What does the Bible teach us about this? This is courage; “When you have done all you can to stand, stand then” One line out of a verse but a fine principle of what courage really is. Jesus said, “The student cannot be better than his master” now this is obvious but we wouldn’t really consider it unless we heard it spoken. “Take my yoke upon you for my burden is light,” our Lord said about being disciples. Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ” and then Proverbs, "Get wisdom, get knowledge, and in all of your getting get understanding."

All of these simple thoughts relate to how to learn and grow in skill to mastery, and the attitude we should have in doing it. It takes courage to accept rebuke when mistakes are made and it takes courage to be tested in what you have learned. We should always choose to be inspired by those who are more advanced in knowledge and skill, no matter what the skill, because to be intimidated is fear and that kind of fear can hinder us from doing great things!

As masters of a craft, we should be ready to coach those who want to learn and we must always remember that someone is watching us. I am pretty sure that kid in the pawnshop is trying to do what he saw me do, that’s encouraging to me. Perhaps I’ll see him again and and have the opportunity to teach him about the Lord Jesus.

To many of you this is very elementary but everyone needs to remember what they went through to get where they are. No matter what your position or function in the body, God has you where you are for His reasons. Some of us are like white blood cells that attack the infection and begin the healing process.

I wrote “Emerald Coast Sunrise” after we moved from Pensacola Florida to Texas. We left our home church and the ministry we had there, a house near the water that we loved, and my wife’s family to come and help my father and relieve him from the stress he was under after losing his older brother.

This was all done solely on faith. We were not sure if the choice we were making was right and spent six months in prayer about it before we made a final decision. My father went into the hospital and we realized that I was the only son immediately available to go and support him. We prayed once more and placed it all in the hands of Jesus and asked for wisdom and guidance.

Immediately we began to see the Lord work and immediately we had no stress about moving and no fear of what would happen. We believed that God had sent us to minister to someone be it my father or someone else, or perhaps to be ministered to. Since that day we have been blessed with too many things to list here and above all of that we have learned that trusting God on faith is paramount in any situation.

We are not wealthy but we have never gone hungry, our children are happier than they have ever been and have learned valuable lessons that show them the Bible is absolutely true. Personally, I hate Texas but this is where the Lord has put me and I have resolved to enjoy his presence more than hate the place of it. You know, “Be content in whatever state your in” says the Apostle Paul. So I say, “even if it is in Texas!”

“Emerald Coast Sunrise” reminds us of walking along the beach in Pensacola and watching the sunrise and the dolphins play in the waves. But it is a marker, A land mark if you will, of a great work that the Lord has done in our life. If I were to attach a verse of scripture to this I think it would have to be one that comes to mind whenever I am unsure about circumstance and situations:

Mar 4:39, And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

We had driven through one of the worst rainstorms we had ever had to drive in.

“Ever My Eyes Upon You” The story:

When the Lord showed me I could be a musician, he lead me out of the rock realm and gave me new understanding of his grace and reality.

In those days I would get up early and study and play my guitar for him alone in garden places and wilderness places as I could find them. Through situation and circumstance I made some mistakes, became self-condemning and spent several years trying to regain that childlike faith and joy I once had.

This song comes from my desperate plea for forgiveness, restoration, and understanding. It is my response that day to the Lord for his loving kindness, grace, and mercy. Now I understand what those words above really mean and the Lord has not ever let me forget that morning and the fear that not trusting him brings.

This song has ministered to my younger brother and some of my close friends and I have had the joy of seeing my little brother not only recommit his life to the Lord, but have also been allowed to watch the Lord change his heart and make him a man of God. This is confirmation to me from God himself!

We must depend on The Lord Jesus completely! Never give in to doubt. Seek his face and the teaching of his word daily, this is our strength, our wisdom, our light, and that the light we reflect as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, which is this world we live in.

Psalm 119: 9-11
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee, oh let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.

Without the word of God, we have no real direction but our own passions. And those passions along with all the emotions change in a moment every time things don't work the way we think they should. This is selfishness. But God's word never changes, God never changes, and his grace is sufficient for all of us. If I am forgiven and at peace, anyone can be!

Ken

A word about the music "Living Water" and the reason why I gave it that title. That piece has hit #4 on the acoustic chart here at Sound Click, even though I never expected to see any of my songs go that high on the charts. I must say Thank you Lord Jesus! I also must say thank you to all my friends and listeners here, all those who have added some of my music and songs to their stations. I am humbled that you find them useful and enjoyable, this also is the work of God.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit will well up in us and pour from us this Living Water, which comes from himself and is his Holy Spirit. And because of that we are a source of refreshment to many and at the end of the Bible he tells us, "let all those who thirst come" that is what this music represents.

The flutist is my daughter Stashia, she was 15 when we recorded that and she found a fantastic melody that I never expected and it flows like living water. Now, I say in my pages that my music is not about me but it is about Jesus Christ and the music is for his glory and his people.

When I decided to reopen this account I was not sure that I should bother continuing in music at least not to pursue a professional level. (I don't claim to be professional) but I have always wanted to use my talent for the Lord even when I was away from my Lord in many worldly ways.

I prayed and committed everything to Him and asked the Lord to show me what he would have me to do, I needed confirmation that I had the right motivation in my heart. I have always had issues with pride and desiring recognition and that one thing has always been in my way. This is why I am not as professional as I could have been. I want the grace of God in Christ Jesus to be seen, not me.

No sooner did I pray that prayer, my brother wanted to jam a little. Now we have been out of practice for more than a year, for me almost three years. But we played and I was shocked at our level of skill that flowed from our fingers. I immediately in my heart began praising God!

Since that day I have begun writing three new songs and have two older ones under revision on my PC. And I have a new collaboration friend in a style of music that I have never been involved with. Thank you Brotha T! God himself for my sake has used you!

Those who do not write or perform may not understand but our music is another part of our whole person, as important as our bones and flesh. Without it we are crippled in our souls. Ask any sincere artist and they will confirm that.

My thanks to God our father in Heaven, and to all my friends and listeners!
Ken

First, read Proverbs chapter one.

When you study, what you study, and wherever you study in the Bible, try to ask and answer these three questions:

1. What does this teach about God the Father?
2. How does this show the gospel (Christ Jesus)?
3. How can we apply this to ourselves to become better?

Remember: Proverbs are written for you to know

A. Wisdom
B. Instruction

So you will

C. Understand words of insight

So you may receive (accept and obey)

1. (1) Instruction in wise dealing
2. (2) Righteousness
3. (3) Justice
4. (4) Equity

And will give you

1. (5) Prudence
2. (6) Knowledge
3. (7) Discretion

Which will protect you.

Take time to search and know what these words mean.

Now read proverbs chapter nine. You will find these seven attributes throughout scripture especially in the words and actions of Jesus.

Imagine what would happen to our country if parents and teachers started teaching these things in the homes and schools again.
Many say they believe in Christ Jesus, but few actually take time to know what the Bible says and obey it. “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord”, that kind of fear moves us to action, that action is obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commands”. Something to think about isn’t it?