I really had a  great  Father's Day,  2013 but it was a busy one! Started out singing  at the 9 AM service at the Lithopolis United Methodist Church.  This is an  amazing church  in a small town that has  managed to thrive.  LUMC has  two worship services, the  first,  a  traditional  service,  and  the  second,  a  more contemporary  service. Both  are  packed  out  in  a  beautiful sanctuary. Running  across town  to the  Bloom  Presbyterian Church for their  10:30 AM  service,  I got  to  sing  and  enjoy hearing my father  preach,  and spend time  with  my  mother. Following that, headed to Easton in Columbus for a service at GoodLife Church of Columbus, at 1:30 PM. In literally 5 hours time, I  got  to  see  first  hand, the  depth  and  breath  of  the kingdom of God in this area. An energetic Methodist tradition, the laid-back  Calvinists known as Presbyterians, and a black Pentecostal all-inclusive church. I saw Jesus at all three!!

Well, time for my annual trip to the mountain of Joyce Meyer, this  time appropriately  nestled in the  Cascades of Portland,  Oregon. She  was "on fire" all four sessions this  week! Preaching  and teaching from  her upcoming book,  "God Is Not  Mad At You,"  on  Thursday night, Joyce taught sin  was  not our  biggest  problem,  unbelief was.  Imploring the audience to simply take God at His word and BELIEVE HIM. Joyce also traced  the  roots  of our  false  belief  that  God is mad  at us.  Angry or demanding  parents, church  rules and  regulations,  and rejection from others all contribute  to our skewed  and flawed belief system.

Friday morning, Joyce expounded more on "What Our Attitude Should Be Toward Sin." A mature believer can face their sin, head on, and not be or feel condemned. A mature  believer understands that sin doesn't hurt God, it hurts us! God gives  us guide lines for our  benefit, not His, so we grow to know that  God's  way for us will only encourage us and benefit us in all areas of life!

Friday night,  Joyce  shared  the message, "A Performance Mentality." Joyce exhorted the  crowd  to "stop counting what you do wrong, stop counting what you do  right...just rest!" Matthew 11:28-30, the familiar passage, "Come unto me (Jesus) all who are weary and I will give you rest...etc" Just knowing  the truth and  love of  Christ, that  even  if you don't do everything right, God will still be there to work with you!"

On Saturday, Joyce  wrapped up  the meeting  with  the  message, "A Cure for the Insecure." Teaching us to move from our own insecurities and failures, into  trusting Christ who  will truly bring us confidence, joy and security. Again,  believing the  Word of God  and acting on it.  We have authority over the devil; God's grace IS sufficient everytime; I am the  righteousness  of God in  Christ and finally Jesus said, "He would never leave us or forsake us."

Ever since the  incredible album  "Shout To The Lord"  burst on to  the worship  scene in  the  early 90s,  I have  been a  huge fan of  Darlene Zscheck (pronounced  "check" )  and  Hillsong  Music  from  Australia! When I saw that she  and her  team would be  leading  worship  at the Joyce Meyer Conference  in Portland, OR.  I figured "Wow, this would be awesome!"  I was right!  Each of the four  sessions, Darlene hit the platform with  energetic praise  and worship,  that exalted  Jesus  and lifted up everyone into His presence! Doing mostly songs that she and the team wrote and recorded,  she also  tossed in some  Chris  Tomlin along  the  way.  Her  latest   CD,   "Revealing   Jesus"   provided   the sessions  most  powerful  moments  with  the  song  "Victors  Crown."
The refrain, "Every high thing must come down, every stronghold must be  broken"   nearly   blew  the   conference  doors   wide  open!!  The passion, poise and  anointing of Hillsong worship is undeniable, and it was truly amazing during the Joyce Meyer Conference. You could see off-stage that Joyce and husband Dave Meyer were wrapped up in the worship as well! My soul was stirred and my spirit refreshed!

While  in  Portland   OR.  for   the  Joyce   Meyer   Conference,  I  had Saturday night free so I attended the Broadway production of "Rock of Ages". A musical  set in Los Angeles  in the mid 80s that featured a lot of songs  from  the  era.  It's a rock 'n roll,  love story of sorts!  The live production, unlike  the movie  of the same name, had actors with great vocal  skills  able to  add  power  to songs.  Music  numbers  included, "Waiting for a Girl Like You,"  "I Want  to Know  What Love Is,"  "Don't Stop Believin'" and  Jon Bovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive". The  play was done well, but somehow I missed the 80s musically, so I only endured the show. The  target audience, 40 somethings,  loved it and  showed their appreciation through out the performance. It was set in the Keller Auditorium in downtown Portland, a newer  theater than the ones you find in Columbus or Cleveland.