My Heart for Sharing Worship Music with the Nations

I've had this website going for quite a few years, and I've made it a priority to share as much worship music for free download as I can get my hands on. I post my devotional worship sets from the IHOP Prayer Room every time I get the opportunity, and sometimes I'll post other worship leader's audio with permission. Doing this takes time, money for hosting, and some effort, but I have heard so much feedback from people all around the world who have been blessed by being able to download long-play worship sessions, burn them to cd's, make playlists, share with their friends. The most precious letters I've received are from missionaries and people in countries restricted to Christian activities and people who are unable to gather together with other Christians in congressional worship. For these, the ability to download and own worship music in the music library is vital.

Some worship leaders may be worried about their spontaneously composed un-copyrighted music being "stolen", or potentially losing money from people not buying their actual albums. I have found both of those to NOT be the case. I do have a "real" studio-recorded album, and I've chosen to not give it away for free. I don't feel condemned about charging a industry-competitive price for my album. it wasn't free for me to make, even though I did receive financial help to make it. Duplication and distribution costs exist, and that's just the way things are. But providing free downloads of my live worship recordings have allowed people to get to know my worship before paying for it, and have provided worship content for those who actually can't afford to purchase an album.

It has always been on my heart to encourage other worship leaders at IHOP and other places to provide free downloads of their long-play worship sessions. As a worship leader, there are fears associated with it, some of which I've mentioned. Others are based on insecurities about having your raw, un-produced music archived for the world to hear. And those are real fears. I've posted worship sessions that I personally can't listen to because I think my voice sounds awful, or I hate that I make goofs on the piano (which I do every single time.) Or maybe I flubbed my words somewhere in the middle of it. But that's just life, and I've come to realize that in my priestly ministry before the Lord - ministering to His heart, ministering to His people, I just can't afford to get hung up on that kind of stuff. I can either do a set at IHOP that exists live, and in an archived environment on the website (that I'm blessed to say I had a part in pioneering), but drops into oblivion in 2 weeks, or I could share on my website where thousands of people can download it and potentially be blessed, and enter into greater relationship with Jesus over and over again. That's so worth it to me.

Petition

So I'm putting this petition out there, and I'd like to hear from you. As a worshipper or worship leader. I've encouraged every single worship leader to make their own website like mine, but in reality, that can be too difficult and time consuming for someone who isn't as tech-savvy as I am. I thought about hosting mp3's here on this website, which I can do - but I know some people may be concerned that I would be personally benefitting from posting that kind of content, which I'd probably be concerned about if I were them - or maybe they think I write stuff they don't want to be associated with....

Addressing Concerns

To address these concerns, I'm going to put together a unique website, which I'll let you know more about. I'm going to manage it myself, but it's not going to have pictures of my dogs at the top, or girly flowers, or personal stuff. It's going to be something generic like "Worship Music Library." It's not going to be IHOP-specific, but I am going to personally petition every worship leader at IHOP to give me a "yes" or "no" regarding putting up the live worship recordings they provide. I'm also going to ask some other awesome worship leaders that I know to contribute. I'll put up links on their worship content to a website they run, or an album they have so if you were blessed by a free download, you can buy their album, but's it's not going to be about crazy advertising or money generation, it's going to be about exalting Jesus, ministering to His heart, and His people.

I Need Your Help

This is where I need your help. Please "sign the petition" by putting your name in the comments section so that I can show other worship leaders just how helpful this would be, and how much interest there is in it. Also include comments like the worship leaders you'd like to hear, or how you've been blessed by downloading live spontaneous worship.



If you're a worship leader with content to contribute your music, I want to personally hear from you. Check out this contact form.

For His glory,

Just a quick note here - if you follow me on Twitter, or are friends on Facebook, you may notice my hinting around about a new working location. Well it's true - I've started a new job this week in downtown Kansas City with a digital marketing agency (I won't say which one). This is a big move for me. Not only am I not working for non-profit for the first time in almost 10 years (minus two very brief stints in a furniture store and a shipping logistics company), but I'm getting out of my pajamas on a daily basis, leaving my puppies, and driving 30 minutes in traffic.

I did not go searching for this job, it found me. I was not intending to leave my position at the International House of Prayer. My boss and friend Jono Hall is really truly amazing, and my work for the ministry has consistently been very challenging and yet fulfilling at the same time. Honestly, this transition has happened so fast, I haven't really had the opportunity to process it all, but I do know that it's okay - that it's the right time for a change. I am proud to have been able to have been a part of so many amazing technological projects from the first website, to the launching of 24/7 streaming, website improvements, and the development of an iPhone and iPad app (and Androids, I promise it really is soon! Maybe even Windows 7, are y'all out there?) that I feel really fulfilled a piece of the prophetic words about this worship movement. (Bob Jones' word about people in rice fields participating with a live prayer meeting - that's happening with the apps and mobile streaming!), development of a "super player" and finally, my long-time dream of an IHOP teaching library. It's coming people!

Now I'm excited about working for a professional company, gaining more experience, broadening my perspective on digital marketing and sharpening and refining my web development skills. I am so thankful for an encouraging husband, and am looking forward to building for our future together (eventually we'd like some little J.May's running around). As a family, we've established a goal to live debt-free and living within our means by limiting our expenses and giving extravagantly, and we've got some catch-up to do to get there. I'm also looking forward to releasing another devotional album. Speaking of devotionals, I'll be leading a 2pm devotional set in the Prayer Room this coming Saturday if you're in the area. I'm also excited to enhance this blog and it's resource collection, and up my writing schedule.

I will still be maintaining and enhancing the IHOP apps in the future. Android audio-only streaming is currently being tested, and looks promising for Android 2.2 and above. Video streaming is ready to go, and I anticipate a soon release. I'll still be working closely with the IHOP team, but I won't be working in the full-time capacity that I have in the past. I appreciate your prayers for me and my husband as we walk through this transition, and will take any encouragement you've got. Anytime you quit a vocational ministry job, whether for a brief time or the long-term, that Mary/Martha stuff rares its head. I'm sure there will be some reflections on that in upcoming blog posts, but I wanted to give you, my friends, a brief life update.

Blessings,

I am so blessed to have some amazing friends that make awesome music! I don't share IHOP's Forerunner Music releases, because I figure you guys already know all about them, but I wanted to share about some of my friends that you may not be as familiar with:

William Matthews - Hope's Anthem

I think of William as one of my best friends that I live far away from. In many ways we are kindred [free] spirits, in other ways we are total opposites! Right now, I'm missing the times we sat around the dinner table debating some spiritual concept until we both get so frazzled we have to stop and have pie. He's the kind of friend that will tell you the truth you need to hear, but don't wanna, and everyone else is chicken to tell you. I love this guy, he embraces life, is lot's of fun, and carries that prophetic songbird anointing that I'm a personal fan of.

I've been waiting a long time for him to release his own album after years of singing, worship leading and songwriting at Morningstar Ministries, the International House of Prayer, and now at home at Bethel Church in Redding. Hope's Anthem comes on the heels of having two songs on Bethel's wonderful worship album, Be Lifted High. Hope's Anthem explores a lot of musical territory, and does so comfortably from r&b and pop to the edges of country. And worship leaders - many of his songs on this album will find a home in Sunday services with corporate worship. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Available on iTunes or take a listen below.

William Matthews - Hope's Anthem by Bethel Music

Michael Ketterer - Love/War/Solar System

Honestly, I don't personally know Michael - it's one of those "friend of a friend" scenarios, but when our friend, Brandon Hampton asked my husband to listen to his music and write some stuff, we got a little preview listen.

I'm going to be totally honest: my first response was to wrinkle my nose and say, "Is this guy black or white? Is this gospel, worship, electronica or pop? I'm so confused!" But like all my very favorites albums, the more I listened, the more it grew and grew and grew on me. Like my all-time favorite, Kevin Prosch's Palanquin. When I first heard that album 10 some-odd years ago, I hated it. I worked in a bookstore warehouse, and my boss Josh Farmer would play that thing on repeat! Then suddenly, I LOVED it, and have loved it ever since. I think Michael's music will be like that too. If you need more of a teaser, check out this music video:

United Pursuit Presents: Michael Ketterer from United Pursuit on Vimeo.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, my husband J.May is featured on two songs, and not that I'm partial or anything, but they are awesome! Check out Love/War/Solar System on iTunes, and stay tuned for a possible tour - then maybe I'll get to meet him in person and be friends (and not tell him how I wasn't sure about his music at first). Check it out on iTunes.

Bryan & Katie Torwalt - Here On Earth

I met Bryan in Canada a few years ago with my friend Kayle Mumby, and he was one of those people that you like instantly and have a connection with. That seems to be the case with a lot of my Canadian friends, unfortunately they're so dang far away!

Bryan was always talking about his gal Katie (I still haven't met Katie in person, which is a bummer, but now her and Bryan are out in California and are friends with lots of my friends, so it's bound to happen), but when I saw a bootleg video of them leading worship at a Shawn Bolz conference, I was absolutely entranced. Katie has an AMAZING voice, but that's not all, she's incredibly anointed! Both of them are. It's like a Holy Spirit party in my living room just listening to them and their album is on my soaking "lay on the floor and talk to Jesus" playlist (Yes, I really have one). If you don't believe me, turn on this video and see why for yourself and check out their album on iTunes.

I recently finished a [written] interview with All About Worship [.com] on worship leading at IHOP, being married to a rapper, and my new album. You can read it here. I'm not going to lie, it took me forever to finish, and I rewrote everything about 3 times. It's one thing to write a post on my own blog where I feel known and loved, with hundreds of wordy posts that give context to who I am and what I'm blabbing about, it's something else to write an "interview" to an audience that probably hasn't heard of me at all. Being able reread and edit, while still trying to sound like it's something I'd actually say if we were having a conversation was a little difficult. Being sincere is one of my life values, and as I was working on this, I was reminded why.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; That you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10

Sincere.

I want to be sincere in everything that I do. Another word I substitute for that is "authentic." I want everything that I do and say to be filled with authenticity - something that's real to me. Not just conjured or made-up, or what I feel like I'm supposed to say, feel, and express. I want to be real, yo. I think this is something that many people in my generation hold as a value. They've become disillusioned with parents, mentors, pastors or leaders in the body of Christ for putting on a facade and pretending. They're tired of being sold a party line or a bill of goods. They're looking for sincerity, for reality and it's become our rallying cry. But in the quest for reality, we've missed the second part...

Without offense.

Have you ever heard someone say something offensive, then shrug it off saying, "I'm just being real!" I love how this verse follows with the prayer that we would be without offense until the day of Christ. That in our quest for sincerity, we would not sacrifice the bond of brotherly love and preference toward another. It's a balancing act for sure, and it is especially hard for me, maybe not in writing - but definitely in person.

You see, I have a problem with my words. I don't know when it started - it's as if it's always been there, even as a small child. But when I feel backed up against a corner, or feel strongly about something, I have a tendency to whip out my sword, and trust me, it's not the Bible. This secret weapon is the word of my mouth. And let me tell you, when the verbal sparring starts, somebody's getting slashed and it is not me. Many times, I have been so absorbed with the "truth" being said, that I've had zero regard to the delicacy or diplomacy of my delivery. I am hopelessly black and white, and for years, I felt like somehow this justified my behavior. Combine an analytical mind, a little discernment, and a sharp tongue, and you've got a pretty ruthless combination. This little habit of mine can stay under wraps for a while, but would eventually manifest itself in my job, ministry, friendship, and then...yep, you knew it was coming, my marriage.

Marriage has a peculiar way of revealing the heart like, um instantly, and it just isn't nice to verbally decimate your spouse. Most people don't respond well to verbal attack, and especially not my husband! He even has a special word for it, but I won't tell you what it is. Needless to say, I've had lots of practice in the past year on loving and honoring with my words, while sincerely communicating how I feel and what I think, and it has been the gift of the Lord! He knew what was lying dormant in my heart and that it needed to get dealt with. I've got a few posts up my sleeve on how the Lord uses covenant marriage relationships to prune/sharpen/reveal/expose/undo/reshape/redeem/restore - but I'll save those till later. I do want to share some of the keys the Lord gave me in the process:

1. Take Some Time

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19

Do you remember in You've Got Mail (cause who hasn't seen that movie right?) where Kathleen Kelly [Meg Ryan] wants to say exactly what she thinks in the moment but can't seem to find the words, and Joe Fox [Tom Hanks] explains that he can and does, but lives to regret it? Well I am Joe Fox. Many times, stuff comes flying out of my mouth that I just wish I could take back. But I'm learning (just learning, not mastered) that before I let the Queen of Snarky come out of her hidey hole, to take a few minutes to breathe, and relax before firing off that email or breaking out my verbal machete. Quick to listen, slow to speak. Deep breath. It really helps me.

2. Have Graceful Speech, Seasoned with Salt

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6

For a while, I think I interpreted this Scripture like I could just throw some salt in there, and if it got in some wounds, well that was too bad. I don't think that's what it means. But it also doesn't mean having an answer is wrong - it doesn't say "Mum's the word" and we should be quite and demure all the time. Jesus had a lot to say, but he had grace upon his lips, and we should too. So many times I pray that my words would be filled with "grace and flavor" instead of a "harsh and hurtful" M.O.

3. Speak the Truth in Love

...speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15

I mentioned that I'm pretty black and white right? I have been in situations where something needed to be said to an individual: maybe they were manifesting glaring, obvious, harmful issues or behavior, or a situation was biblically, morally, ethically what-have-you wrong. And whether they were non-confrontational, or didn't want to commit to the pastoral follow-through, for whatever reason, "leadership" in the situation never confronted the individual and the result was irreparable harm to their personal life and walk with the Lord. Those are the places in my heart that I have the most difficult time walking in forgiveness towards leaders. Oh how it pains me.

There are times as a leader, in whatever capacity, or in relationship that you will need to speak the truth to your friend, your spouse, or your flock. It may be difficult and uncomfortable, but it is your God-given responsibility and cannot be shirked by being "slow to speak." That's an inappropriate application. Whether it's speaking the truth against deceitful teaching as this verse is referring, or speaking the truth to deceitful lifestyle or heart posture, this is something we're mandated to walk out. But it's truth in love and boy does that make all the difference. Walking in love isn't something that you can just decide one day to do, it takes prayerful pursuit to walk out more and more.

Called as a messenger, struggling with the delivery?

Maybe you're like me. Feel called to be a messenger, long to be authentic and sincere, but struggle at the "without offense" part. Or maybe you've spent so much time trying to avoid offending others that you've lost the authority and uniqueness of your own voice. It's important to remember that God has called us to be both sincere and without offense. There's no place for either robot yes-men, or renegade verbal assassins.

I've started a YouTube Channel to upload some clips from prayer room set to. Here's a preview. And here's my channel if you want to subscribe. There's only 3 right now, but I'm working on posting more.



I'm also looking for bookstores to submit my album to. If your church or ministry has a bookstore or upcoming conference and would like to consider stocking my cd, please us the contact form (link in the right sidebar) to send me a message about it.

I'm thankful for the following churches and ministries that are currently selling my cd. First Assembly DeLand in DeLand Florida, The Ramp in Hamilton, Alabama, and the Forerunner Bookstore in Kansas City.

If you're interested in buying a physical copy of my album, please use the Forerunner Bookstore, or if you're interested in quantities of 10 or more, contact me.

I'm so thankful to everyone who have purchased the cd from the Forerunner Bookstore (they sold out and have reordered!), or from the digital methods iTunes or Amazon. I've currently sold 165 cd's to bookstores and friends. Unfortunately, I don't have an accurate numbers for the digital downloads at this time, but on February 14, when the album debuted on iTunes, it was #98 on the Gospel charts. I'm pretty excited about #98. Thank you all for your support.

Maybe it's because I grew up in an evangelical, non-denominational, charismatic, rhyming worship songs, sanctuary-with-basketball-goals type of church, but I love me some liturgy. This Christmas Eve, my husband and I went to a midnight mass at small-town West Virginia Anglican church, and we've decided it will become a yearly tradition for us. Something about a quaint old sanctuary, candle-lit ambiance, organist and choir playing ancient hymns, and a sermon called a Homily that just seems a more appropriate way to honor the incarnation of Jesus than the "Christmas Cantada" I'm used to.  I love the antiphonal prayers, Scripture reading, kneeling, standing, sitting, kneeling, standing combo, and every time I say the Apostle's Creed, I am moved to remember the tenants of this faith I hold so dear. 

    I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth;
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell.
    The third day he rose again from the dead.
    He ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
    From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
   I believe in the Holy Ghost,
    the holy Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.
   

In a small chapel, filled with penitent candlelit faces, I am usually moved to tears. On Christmas Eve, J.May, my husband, leaned over and whispered, "Are you okay?" With tears were streaming down my face, I totally missed the cue from the little choir-robed girl to go up to the front to receive communion. And once you miss the line, you're out of luck. I thought to myself, "We probably looked like those heathens that aren't baptized and can't take communion."  Part of me wanted to clarify to everyone after the service, "No really, we do know how to take communion, and we're allowed." But I didn't. We quietly and revently made our way back to our car, holding hands, thinking about the incarnate Christ, and it was beautiful.

I remember at a Onething conference in Calgary, Alberta, Luke Wood sang that Rich Mullins song 'Creed.' A friend of mine came to me afterward saying, "You know, I didn't really ever think about what specifically makes me a Christian, but it really is all those things in that song."

Now I'm not religious about this, but I also very much like the Book of Common Prayer, and enjoy readings and prayers from it. (If you're really looking for a copy, I'd recommend a used bookstore.) Maybe with all the hubub and commotion in the modern world, there's something in me that longs to see some sort of a return to solemnity, doctrine, and substance.  This blog is probably chalk full of those kind of musings.

Since it is evening for me now, here's an excerpt from the Book of Common Prayer which is also available online. You have to admit, this is some goodness!

 

 I will bless the Lord, who giveth me counsel; my heart
teacheth me, night after night. I have set the Lord always
before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall.

Psalm 16:7,8

V.    O Lord, show thy mercy upon us;
R.    And grant us thy salvation.
V.    Endue thy ministers with righteousness;
R.    And make thy chosen people joyful.
V.    Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R.    For only in thee can we live in safety.
V.    Lord, keep this nation under thy care;
R.    And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

V.    Let thy way be known upon earth;
R.    Thy saving health among all nations.
V.    Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.    Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.    Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.    And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day
is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and
awaken hope, that we may know thee as thou art revealed in
Scripture and the breaking of bread.  Grant this for the sake
of thy love.    Amen.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants
do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all men.
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we beseech thee,
give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful;
and that we show forth thy praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to thy service,
and by walking before thee
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, world without end.     Amen.

 

Christians have become so fearful of anything that appears 'religious' or 'traditional,' that we have so often thrown the baby right out with the bathwater.  Have you ever been to a more traditional service and felt the presence of the Lord? What was it like? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

Here's My Cup, my long-awaited (by my husband) recording project is set to release on iTunes and Amazon mp3 on Valentine's Day - Monday, February 14, 2011. What a great day right? It's the perfect day for an album like this, which is really about letting Jesus love on you. If you're more into a actual CD, do not fear, they are following just days later so you won't have to wait too long. I did spent a lot of time designing it, and I think you'll like it.

A while back, I created this album teaser below - this was made before the album was done and is a little rough, but the finished product is much more, well, finished. This does give you an idea of what the album will be like. It's 50 minutes of long-play devotional worship, a few tracks are 10-minutes long with violin, flute, and a band, and such. I even pray on the album. It's no Laura Woodley Osman Prayer, and I was so so nervous in the studio prayer, but I did it! Hopefully now it will just become more and more second nature.

It's a scary thing to go out on a limb like this, releasing an album after years and years of waiting. I can't believe it's almost out! After giving my music away for a while, I hope you won't mind if I put a price tag on this one to cover some costs, and hopefully create a little cushion for the next album. This project wouldn't be financially possible for me at all were it not for David and Joy Z - an amazing couple came to a devo of mine in the prayer room during the 10-year anniversary. The Lord spoke to them about funding my first cd. And it was such a God thing, I can't even express to you the scope of it. They are the real deal, and have covered me in prayer, and called forth destiny in my heart.

Ah but this is getting long-winded, and I never intended for that to be the case, so check out this preview, share with friends that may be blessed by this sort of thing, and I hope to see you on iTunes on Valentine's Day and let Jesus sing over you of His love and affection.

On a Mobile Device? Click Here to Play the album teaser.

A few nights ago, I was playing my piano and singing and worshiping when suddenly it hit me: the aching, sobbing, heartbreak of longing. I started crying, "What if I never get there in God. What if my lifestyle, my job, the way I spend my time, my house, my spouse, my dogs, my apathy, lethargy and laziness, the weakness of my frame, the cares of this life, and all the things that could, get in the way of my pursuit of the Lord!"

My husband found me there in a puddle over my piano and held me while I sobbed.

Days later, the overwhelming emotions of the moment are gone, but the constant desire to be near to the Lord remains along with lingering questions about how to go about that, and fears that it may never happen.

I am going to be 26 in a month, and I remember like yesterday when I moved to the House of Prayer almost nine years ago. I was a wide-eyed 17-year-old looking upon that time of my life as the commencement of my pursuit for the knowledge of God. I remember vividly our prayer room "day of consecration" in our internship. My friend Abbie and I sat beside each other for 12 hours, and at the end of our day, we were crying and still weren't ready to leave. It was a precious time where every sermon contained some nugget of revelation that I was eager to receive, when all I wanted was to be like Mary of Bethany wasting my life at the feet of Jesus. When I imagined myself 10 years later, it was such a glorious thing because surely I would be so close to the Lord.

The years have been good, but they've also been hard. I've learned a lot of things, and much of it has been the hard way. I've learned that a ministry didn't save me, Jesus did, therefore I live for Him alone. I've learned that people make mistakes, and the mercy I don't give is the mercy I don't get (thank you Kevin Prosch). I've learned that just because I have a particular gifting, or personality, everyone else doesn't have to suffer because of it. I discovered that I didn't miss out on anything by pursuing Jesus instead of college, or my career, relationships or influence. I didn't miss a blessed thing.

I've gone through financial debt, depression, health problems, broken heart, being completely misunderstood, making an ass of myself, and feeling totally disqualified from the call of God. I've also experienced healing, restoration, deliverance, supernatural encounters, favor and provision.

I have learned so much about the end times (Escatalogy) and the theology of Jesus (Christology), I've gained immense practical ministry experience, led worship for countless hours in corporate worship settings with full band, and by myself in prophetic spontaneous worship, I've prayed for people and have seen them healed of physical ailments and delivered from real demons. I've had dreams, and seen them play out on the news, and I've given specific words that have come to pass. And I know countless others just like me. And the frightening reality is that dozens who have experienced the very same thing now find themselves in a stagnant form of religion denying the power of God that is available. And I really really really don't want that to be me.

What I'm most worried about isn't sin necessarily. I've been in sin before, I'll probably (although hopefully not) be there again, but whatever that sin was, it always ate at me. My conscience troubled me into repentance. Willful disobedience to the Lord is just really a very unpleasant experience. No, what I am more worried about is the complacency of the mundane. For me, the great difficulty is faithfulness - no more than just faithfulness, more like taking ground in the day-to-day.  When you're living out your life, most of the time it just doesn't seem that glorious. Most of the time, I feel like my life consists of working, laundry, cooking, cleaning, trying to remember something I wanted to do or was supposed to do, more cleaning, working on the house, letting dogs outside, and back inside. When I do get a chance to read my Bible, pray deliberately, and worship, much of the time I feel like I'm fighting with my brain to get some space back to devote to the Lord, and trying not to simultaneously make my grocery list.  I want to be watchful that the complacency of the mundane doesn't drown out my passion for the Lord!

There are many scriptures that deal specifically with this issue, I will just list a few that bring my attention to the reality that many people will become jaded with life, their love for Jesus will grow cold, they will worry and be consumed with anxiety, and the pursuit of wealth.

• "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap" Luke 21:34
• "Because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold."  Matthew 24:12
• "The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." Matthew 13:22

and like I said, I really really really don't want that to be me. (Part of me wants to detour briefly to the subject about how the Humanity of Jesus gives so much dignity to our own often mundane human experience, but I'm going to save that one for another blog post.) For now, I'll leave you with this message from Dana Candler from a few weeks ago about Renewing our Pursuit for the Knowledge of God, which is what I'm doing right now too.  I'm not giving up on that desire of fellowship and abiding with the Lord, and neither should you.

I don't talk a lot about my work on this blog, but I did want to share a little bit about one of my latest projects. Yesterday we released the official International House of Prayer iPhone/iPod Touch application. As of yet, there's hasn't been a whole lot of hooplah around it because we're still trying to get it updated with all the doodads we want to have on there and make some crucial updates (ahem, spelling). We worked with a great company who prayed with me every time we had a conference call, and despite general fatigue from looking at lines of xml and transcoding lots of videos and audio, I am pretty excited, and I encourage you to download it. And a perk: It's free. Android and iPad soon to follow.

Update: It just dawned on my that this may be the only blog post about this app, so let's talk some credits: Gedy Rivera, designer extraordinaire at IHOP-KC and LifeTree Creative designed the amazing icon and loading screen. Most photos in the app are from Shelley Paulson, App interface by the Church App peeps, and streaming of the prayer room made possible by the amazing media team at IHOP-KC.



Less promotionally, (I don't want to be posting "do this" and "download that" unless my husband has a new song, then it's a shameless plug), I LOVE being able to resource people with things that will authentically serve their walk with the Lord. I've never been a big fan of promos and hype, I have a rep for brutal honesty (which I'm learning through repeated and painful discipline from the Lord to season with grace), but I would love to be able to work with ministries that are producing content that really serves people in their walk with the Lord and help them present their content in a way that is accessible, convenient and free. It makes my insides all tingly.

So in light of that, I'm compiling a list of "Groups of People I'd Enjoy Making Another App For" or "People Who Already have Apps that You May not Know About" or "Free Downloads and Teachings and Stuff that I Actually Listen to Regularly" (Can you tell I'm tired and not very eloquent right now?)

**Disclaimer: I do work for IHOP-KC, but all the thoughts and musings and recommendations on my blog are mine and mine alone. I may listen to speakers that others IHOPers don't like at all.

(I'm not saying that I do, but it's possible.)

I may listen to people who have wacky theology on some issues, or people who may fall into sin tomorrow

(I think that's all of us).

Most people at IHOP-KC don't know I have a blog or care. If I recommend something, it's not IHOP-KC recommending it.

(There. I'm sure someone will appreciate that.)**

Neville Johnson. I love Neville. I feel like my spirit has received more discipling through his messages than anyone I have ever listened to, and I would LOVE to be able to work with a team to redo his website and develop an online resource library and app. I post many of his messages in my "Teaching" category because his stuff is very hard to find online and people NEED to hear him. I almost saw him speak live for the first time this summer in Alberta, but last minute, he was unable to come. He does currently have a podcast, so check him out.

Chuck Missler. I'm a nerd, I'm not going to lie, and sometimes I just need to hear a 45-message series on the Book of Genesis dissecting every Hebrew word in the book, or something about Quantum Physics and the creation of the world. And when I'm there, there's nobody like Chuck. The guy can make a meaningful salvation message out of the genealogy of Noah. I would LOVE to see him with a comprehensive resource website, easy to find downloads of his incredible charts, actually the guy needs a study bible too. He's also does currently have an extensive podcast.

David Pawson Is there anything he doesn't have wisdom about? So many great messages, but the website, eek, and with an online mp3 store with messages at over 2£'s a pop, I am just dying to see him with a free resource library. The truth of the matter is in this day and age, young people are NOT going to pay for messages in mp3 content anymore and older people really don't know how it works. Please make a resource library Mr. Pawson!

John Piper. I really can't even make this list without mentioning Piper's Desiring God website. It is the "I Ching" of resource websites (I'm sure using that comparison is going to get me on his bad list, but I couldn't say the "Bible" of resource websites either! Somebody find me a good metaphor..) His site is what all speakers should aspire to. He gives his books away as free PDF downloads, his sermon archive is neatly organized and easily accessible in video and audio. It really is beautiful. I really can't imagine anything much better. Yes I can, having ALL these speakers in Desiring God. That would be AWESOME, my dream. But they aren't all Calvinists. (Can I get an "Amen"?)

Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church in Seattle is like John Piper's trendy nephew. They have an amazing and free resource library, and a great iPhone App that really inspired us at IHOP-KC.

John Sheasby has really rocked my world. I want to tell everybody I know about his stuff - I've posted a few mp3's, but he's graciously provided a lot more for FREE download on his website. Like Neville, I've had to listen to some of John's messages 3 and 4 times in a row to really digest it. I think his website is doing a great job of combining physical teaching product in a store setting for the older generation, and free mp3 downloads for us youngins. I'd like to see him with a weekly Video Blog, kind of a "From Me to You" sort exhortation, what he's studying, what the Lord is saying thing.

Bill Johnson at Bethel Church in Redding, California is in regular rotation - I love the Sermon of the Week, and have been so encouraged time and time again. They also have a iBethelTV website that I've heard is cool, but they lost me with the login and subscription plan, but if you're an avid Bethelite, the subscription plan also gives a hefty discount on conference registration, which is nice.

This list is not meant to be comprehensive, or an advertisement, it's just the list of speakers I listen to the most. There is of course Mike Bickle who has an awesome resource website, and Rick Joyner and Morningstar Ministries that are doing lots of videos as well. I've listened to some awesome Ray Hughes messages from Morningstar. I also love Bobby Conner, whose website looks like its under construction to add more free downloads - Yeah! And there's my friend Shawn Bolz who has a nice podcast, but Shawn, if you're reading this, you need more mp3 downloads on your website

On the Podcast Trend In my "professional" opinion, the Podcast format of disseminating content must be supplemented by individual mp3 message downloads. If you subscribe to a podcast, you're inundated with media that you don't really know if you want to listen to. It's like trying to drink from a fire hose. If you can easily find and download the message you've heard about from a friend, there's a much better chance that message will be listened to with focus and absorbed.

Last but DEFINITELY not least, the mother load, SermonIndex.net with over 17,000 sermons from the greats like Ravenhill, Tozer, Corrie Ten Boom, Jackie Pullinger, Art Katz, and just about everyone else you could think of.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope that you are blessed with some new resources to grow in your walk with the Lord.