The Mind of Malloy

Bluetree...

Last night my church hosted a concert. Newsong was in with Bluetree, and Chynna and Vaughan.

I really wanted to see Bluetree. They wrote the song God of This City. They are incredible!! GoTC is just one of several great tunes that engage worshippers with Christ.

I had the op to meet Aaron, the lead singer. We talked for a few minutes. He began to share his heart for ministry. 15 or so minutes later, my friend Daniel and I are over there praying for him and his band and their desire to be used by God for His glory. It was great! I enjoyed their music so much, then to have the opportunity to talk with them and know that they are the real deal was cool.

Check them out here.

Hear the story of God of this City here.

People...

I love being involved in ministry. I can't imagine doing anything else. Some of my biggest dreams are ministry related.

However, there is one part of ministry that gets tough sometimes...people.

Don't get me wrong, I love people. I enjoy interacting with all kinds of people. I just get irritated at some of the things that people fuss about. I am constantly amazed at what people turn into a big deal. Even down in Florida, people would complain about the smallest of things. I had a guy once tell me that he didn't like the way I arranged a hymn. I didn't mind that he didn't like it, but really?! It's not like I knew he wouldn't like it and did it anyway. See where I'm going??

I hope and pray that our main desire will be to know Christ and make Him known.

Let that sink...

-G-

Valley of Vision...

I have been reading a book called Valley of Vision. This is a collection of Puritan prayers from years ago. Arthur Bennett is the author. This is one of the prayers...

Lord, High and Holy, meek and lowly

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;

hemmed in by the mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime, stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty,

thy glory in my valley.

Get the book here...

-G-

Do work, son...

How often do we try to do things the easy way?

Sometimes we waste more time and effort trying to get out easy.

Sometimes we gotta suck it up and put some effort out there to get where we wanna go.

Some people can be lazy followers!

-G-

Wow...

I ran across this picture here.

And we think we have some issues...

Nothing could be more horrifying for the girl and the families of these girls...

I started doing something years ago. 

Every time I put on a piece of clothing, I read the label and pray for that country. Just a short, simple prayer for that country. Lots of crazy stuff like this takes place all over the world to GOD'S CHILDREN and sometimes it goes unnoticed.

Pray for His people to return to Him.

-G-

It's inevitable...

So we all know the one thing that is constant...change. Some of you Sunday School heroes probably said Jesus. Well, you are right as well, but for this post, let's just agree on change. Change is always gonna happen. No matter who you are or what you do, change is gonna happen. I don't necessarily like change. I like things to be how I need them to be and that's that! But I still know that it is inevitable.

We are gonna be going through some changes here at North campus. Many of you will like it while some of you may not. It is not really change for me because it is going to be according to what God has already called me to do. Some people have deep ties to certain programs and ministries and that is certainly understandable, but methods must still change.

I was helping Miles, 4, the other day on the computer. Now when I was his age, I learned bible stories on a felt board. You can't even find one of those anymore. He is learning bible stories, but with a different method. As a parent, I would never say, "well if he can't learn it from a felt board then he shouldn't learn it", would I? of course not. So we as followers of Christ must realize that the way things were for us may not be the suitable way for others. Our mission is to know Christ and to make Him known. Let's do that. Let's embrace change. Don't be like the guy in this picture. Let's realize that it may be time to give it up and try something different!!

-G-

Another great Sunday...

This past Sunday was...different. We had to do a little switch-a-roo because we have a traveling pastor. Our Sr. Pastor preaches at 2 of the campuses on the same morning. It is actually not bad at all.  He preaches at the beginning of the second service followed by the worship through song. It is cool that people get to respond to the Word with music. If you think about it, it is really effective. Some people show up late, have things on their mind, etc. It may be hard for them to engage. But after they hear God's word, they are allowed to respond through an extended time of worship. I like it. As a worship leader, it's cool because we can lead and and not have to worry about time or other elements. Come join us!!

-G-

Vision...

So tonight I was able to lay out the vision for the worship ministry at HGBC North. I was nervous because of the task at hand. I am still overwhelmed that God ALLOWS me to do this. I feel very fortunate to to do my dream every day! I am really diggin seeing people engage with Jesus.

I'm used to my students down in the Fort going crazy in the front of the stage singing as loud as possible. Things are not quite that like that here, but I am seeing people connect in a very real, intimate way. That excites me.

So tonight was great. I shared the vision, Lead, Teach, Equip.

Lead worship...

Teach people true biblical worship...

Equip others to do the same...

This is what I'm hardwired to do. I stinkin love it! Tonight was the first time that I have shared that in a large group. I have shared it with individuals and small groups but never a crowd that large. The look on some of the faces was what I was hoping for. There is a different purpose and intentionality within our ministry.

Here's the set from tonight...I should probably learn the keys of the songs!

-G-

I'm not a hero...

So I've been leading worship for quite sometime now. Almost 14 years.

I won't ever claim to "know it all". I still can grow and learn.

I still use cheat sheets...

I still need the words as reminders...

I still need Jesus to take over...

The main thing is that I get out of the way so the Holy Spirit can work. 

He'll do it anyway...

But I never want to distract...

Just a little reminder that it's ok to use help when needed...

-G-

Community pt 2...

So every Wednesday morning our staff does a prayer time. I really enjoy this because you get to be a part of praying for others and seeing how God provides for them. This is a very "community" kind of thing. When we can pray for each other and think on others we begin to see people like Christ sees them. On Facebook, I just asked how I could pray. I was amazed at some of the comments. People that I have not seen in years are asking for God to do something in their lives. It is an honor to pray for those. I literally wrote them down in my prayer journal. 

We are on the road to community. Will you join??

-G-