Joe & Becky Cruse

I want to take this opportunity to express congratulations to those 2009 graduates of Institute for the Arts, as well as those receiving 1st and 2nd year certificates.

It was a great year and the graduation ceremony was the icing on the cake. We were privileged to have one of the leading worship leaders of our day, Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, worship leader for Joel Osteen Ministries, as our keynote speaker. As Cindy spoke, I felt a deep sense of eternal destiny being deposited into the students as well as parents, alumni, and instructors in attendance.

As the overseers of this ministry, Joe and I are always so encouraged during this time of the year. Habakkuk 2:2-3 tells us, “And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day”.

To watch those graduates lead worship together for the last time, to hear the performance choir raise the anthems of heaven and to see the wonder of future ministries in students’ eyes, is very rewarding. Yes, the vision speaks. It speaks with a clarion call. It not only speaks, it shouts. It shouts to all from a very grass roots place that we are fulfilling God’s mandate. The Lord said to us, “(Joe-Becky), I love you and if you want to travel and lead worship around the world, that is okay with me. But what I would rather you do–is to take what I have put in you and put it into the hands and hearts of the next generation!”

And that my friends, is what we have done and will continue to do as long as we have breath! John, Violet, Chris, Raphael, James, Lily, Joe–this one is for you! Run now–it’s your turn!

Rather than a lengthy blog this week, I want to encourage you to download the sermon podcast from this past Sunday (May 17) by clicking on the podcast icon on this website.

In keeping with The Blessing series, Ps Joe shared an awesome message entitled, The Blessing Refreshes or Living Stress-free in a Stressful World. I was so blessed (and refreshed) as were many in the congregation–a sure reminder of what Jesus purchased for us and what the Holy Spirit has put on the inside of us.

One of the key scriptures he used was Acts 3:19 (AMP) which says, “So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of [a]reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord.

Friends, I know that the presence of the Lord is the place to be to avoid stress and burnout and I know for us, that is how we have made it through all these years. Living in the place of praise and worship has kept us in God’s presence. Abiding in the secret place is the key. (Psalms 91–Message)

Do something good for yourself today, download the podcast, sit back and be refreshed!

Much love–PB

Well, I just finished watching tonights episode of American Idol and for the first time, I have to admit that I actually voted. I must admit though, I am not sure I voted with the right motive. I actually voted for someone in hopes that another someone would not win. Now, how crazy is that? It certainly is easy to get caught up in the frenzy of public opinion and start to take sides, after all, watching the show week after week, you just get sucked right in.

So now it’s time to write this blog and now I start to ask myself–what was that all about? And who will care or even remember this season’s winner this time next year? After all, most of the finalists are just “flashes in the pan” (as we used to say!) And while I’m on the subject, how often have we heard the late Elvis Presley referred to as “the king”?

I tell you the truth, there is but one true “Idol”, the darling Son of heaven, Jesus Christ, and in the age to come, He is and truly shall be King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Exodus 20:4 says, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Folks, let’s keep things in perspective. No, I’m not saying you can’t watch TV, but I am saying that Jesus, the One we adore deserves all the praise, all the honor, and all the glory. As long as we give Him the praise He so richly deserves and recognize He is the One who gives us life, breath and talent, we take the focus off of the earthly things (or people) and put it on the real “HEAVEN IDOL”.

Let me close with this reminder: “Therefore God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.(Phil. 2:9-11 NIV)

Till next time–PB

Quite often, I have church members and staff who send me thoughts and words the Lord gives them. I am always so blessed and love to make them available for others to benefit from. This weeks posting comes from Ps Jess and Jenn Tomac, our Student Ministries Pastors for the ministry. Enjoy!

I desired to write and encourage you all today. We often speak of Melchizedek and the tithe that Abram gave him (Genesis 14). But what did Abram do with the spoils from the battle? Abram gave it ALL to the king of Sodom saying, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich” (Genesis 14:22-23)

What happened next? Immediately following Abrams “resolve” Genesis chapter 15 records “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I AM YOUR SHIELD, YOUR EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.”

Abram gave it all refusing and fleeing from the appearance that man was his source. THEN the word of the Lord came to him. “I am your. . .” Hmmm! This is radical resolve, with action, causing radical results.

The story doesn’t end here, although that would be completely encouraging to us. It goes on to say that God gave Abram a promise. To outline the extent of this promise He took Abram outside to look at the stars, the impossible task. “Look now toward heaven and count the stars if you are able to number them…so shall your descendents be.” (Gen. 15:5) It says that, “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen. 15:6)

Now how many times do you suppose Abram looked up at the stars after this point and said “hey God where are those “stars”?

For a person who gives it all, God gives a promise and a reward. He seems to outline the promise with the impossible task, counting the stars. If we will believe, it will be credited to our account. We are required to be people of radical resolve, a people who know and believe their God.

Look at the result. “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16) Abraham’s reward was much bigger than just an immediate family.

I want to encourage you in a season where you might not be able to always see YOUR “stars”. Believe the Lord!

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)