Life vision

Transcribing
If you haven’t read part 1 of this post you should do that first here. 

Here’s how it works: as the team begins singing through a passage I have my computer open with a blank word document (you can use a pen and paper if you can write really fast and still have it be legible by the time you’re done – I canNOT do this : ). Write down every phrase that is spoken and sung by the worship team. For example if the team is singing through John1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

Experiencing the Word of God
Whether you’re sitting in a prayer room or sitting alone in your bedroom praying there are many options of things we can do to help facilitate prayer and help us stay focused on the Lord. Journaling, sitting in silence, listening to worship music, intercession, praying with other people, and the list goes on and on. I want to add an option that I have found incredibly helpful to facilitate prayer in my heart. 

Alyssa Canha (a singer/songwriter at IHOPKC) approached me several months ago and asked me to listen to a few of her songs and giving her my opinion on them, which eventually led to her asking me to producer her album. 

After several months of pre production, listening to the songs, working on arrangements, etc we went into the studio. I have to say that I was a bit spoiled producing this project because of the amazing caliber of musicians who were on this project, one of which being Jon Thurlow on keys. The project also features Cassie Campbell on acoustic guitar Jordan Vanderplate on electric and Joe Meyer on drums. Susanna Erwin and Krista Bowker both added to the mix with violin and flute on several songs. My wife Naomi and I also backed Alyssa up vocally on a few songs as well. 

Hey guys, I'm excited to have a guest blog post from my dad Mike Rizzo. My dad and mom have been in ministry as long as I can remember and have been on staff here at IHOP for over five years. Their main role for the past several years has been leading the marriage ministry; doing pre maritial, counseling people, and just investing into the lives of many young (and old) people here at IHOP. 

I’ve been struck with a fear
So Godly and Holy
Terrified of the cost
Of continually holding
All the things in my life
Which make You take second place
God take them away

Prophetic singing - Quality time
When I was growing up the spirit of prophecy and prophetic singing was kind of ambiguous and random. I would go to a conference and see something and think, “That was the spirit of prophecy.” Then I would go to another conference and see someone else doing something and think, “Oh wait, now that’s the spirit of prophecy.”

No matter what it might or might not look like the Lord can be using someone and speaking through them. You could be standing there stoic just barely singing and the spirit can be going forth in power, or you could be showing it externally - either way the Lord can be speaking through someone.

Leading prayerfully
How can I grow as a leader?
How can I better steward what the Lord has given me?
How can I better serve those that I lead?

Do you ever feel like your passion and zeal for the Lord or vision for your life is a million miles away and a distant memory from yesterday? Do you ever wonder why many times you can go to bed feeling completely fine but then wake up just a few hours later feeling completely uninspired about your relationship with the Lord and somewhat despaired or confused about life in general?

These kinds of feelings and emotions are tricky because many times these feelings come from an attack of the enemy, or maybe unrepentant sin, or because the Holy Spirit is gently tugging on our hearts saying, “Hey, it’s been a while since you’ve talked to me and that’s why you’re feeling this way!” However, there are also time’s when we just feel that way simply because that’s the way life is!!