Whole lotta shakin going on

Way too long since last post, I know.

no, not me, Daniel, Hannah and some friends...

Last week at Walk on Water Church we had an amazing woman from Alaska named nancy Haney speak.  She shared a prophecy concerning a shaking that is coming in the near future.  I remember seven years ago when Kim Clement (I think it was Kim) prophesied the same kind of message before Katrina hit New Orleans.  Anyway, with the way this world is heading, I think we should all keep our heads up and our eyes on the horizon.

A young man in a local high school tragically took his own life the other day.  Several things come to mind as I pray about this situation.  First, the family and friends of this young man, as they deal with their loss.  My friend and colleague, who teaches across the hall from where this happened was out of work Friday, and many others interconnected with the young man that I know....

Second, the school as a whole.  I taught in this area for many years and I can't imagine the raw emotion of the students, staff and administration as they attempt to go on with the school day today.  God Bless them.

What is our responsibility as the Remnant?  To stand in the gap, to jump into the breach, to be restorers of the wall, to pray, pray, pray.  In a world where movie theaters and busy city streets can suddenly turn into scenes of horrible violence and understandable fear, we cry out for Your Mercy Lord.

As the song so ably says (thank you Building 429)

All I know is I'm not home yet, this is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong

This weeks set list at Walk on Water

We Cry Out by Jesus Culture
Made to Worship by Chris Tomlin
Treasure by Healing Flow
Where I Belong by Building 429
We are Hungry by Jesus Culture

This blog is connected to the Sunday Set List on theworshipcommunity.com where worship leaders all around the world share the music that they are experiencing.  Check it out. here is the linkhttp://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-214/

in the flow....
Jack

Winning the Battle of the Mind

Sometimes we just get a little too wrapped up in our work, huh?



Evangelist Rebecca Wheeler brought this timely word this week at Walk on Water Church.  We spend way too much time believing all the junk that is poured through our noggins and not nearly enough time considering the truth of God's Word.

Let's try this out for a minute.  Lie #1  Women have no business in the pulpit.  Rebecca Wheeler can just bring it.  No question.  Our Pastor, Angie Burgess can hold her own with just about anyone.  Where do people get these ideas?

Lie #2  Rock and Roll is the devil and has no place in a house of worship.  Hang on to your red back hymnals, folks, but there is some annointed rockin music that lifts up the Name of Jesus.  As one who was saved, not at a church service but at a concert of Contemporary Christian Music, I can say that, personally, withour music that spoke to me, I would be lost and probably dead.

When we forget that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, when we try to explain a supernatural God in terms of our finite minds, we fall so short.  The Bible tells us to "Magnify the Lord".  He's a big, big God.

This week's set list:

Come, Now is the Time  (a classic)
Breath of God (Healing Flow)
Healer (Planetshakers)
Where I Belong (Building 429)
I Lift My Hands (Chris Tomlin)

Let's step back this week and see things from His perspective.  He's a Big God.

This blog is linked to the Worship Community's "Sunday Set Lists" where you can see what others on the Worship world are singing.  Visit their site at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-202/

Bridges, revisited

When last we talked, we were exploring the subject of building bridges.  This week we will be building more, beginning on Saturday Night.  This is an outreach we call "Rockin the Track".  The Racers for Christ ministry has invited us to do a concert at the Atlanta Dragway, which will begin around 5 in the Campground.  Look for the big tent near the top of the hill.  This is a unique opportunity as we will have thousands of people in ear reach of us, and it is street ministry at it's best.  With a little help from the Holy Spirit and a few hundred watts from out PA we can reach thousands more who are trapped in the usual parking lot traffic jam.  The idea is to draw a crowd, give away food, and share the love of Jesus.  I could picture the Lord in a situation like this, hanging out with real people and showing that He cares.  Come and join us.

Sunday Morning we will be joining Walk on Water Church and our Pastors, Perry and Angie Burgess as we travel to McDonough Georgia to worship together with Pastor James Scott and his church, Shabbach. This is an exciting, Prophetic, Charismatic, Contemporary Church which happens to be primarily made up of African-Americans.  The cool thing, without sounding patronizing or cliche, is that two somewhat diverse congregations coming together to worship doesn't happen that often, and the fellowship and kinship we feel is special.  I don't know exactly what God has in mind, and this is the fourth time we have worshipped together, but I do know that God's heart is after people who can lay down differences and enjoy the brotherhood that is truly a snapshot of what eternity will be like, as we worship at the feet of the Throne.  Come and be a part of what I think will be a mindblowing experience.  Shabbach meets at 500 Industrial Boulevard, McDonough GA 30253.

I hear Praise reports from around the state and the country that God is moving in a new and powerful way.  I challenge you to jump into the water, let God do a new thing in you as well.  There is so much more to this relationship with Him than we have ever experienced.  I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

in the flow.....

Jack

Bridges

Natchez Trace Bridge, near Nashville

In a world where bridges get too easily burned, where politics are divisive and Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week, when excuses are far too easy and patronizing phrases are thrown around for the throwers benefit, comes my Pastor, Perry Burgess.

This is a man who, even though he had no idea from where the funding was going to come, spent a great deal of personal energy and wealth to feed and house the homeless people of Athens for the last several years, only to be unceremoniously shown the door himself a year ago and his homeless outreach essentially homeless itself.

Fast forward to the present time. On Sunday, March 18, our fellowship, Walk on Water Church hosted another fellowship, Shabbat, and their Pastor, James Scott in a joint service. The peoples greeted each other as long lost friends, worshipped together with enthusiasm and unity of heart, pushed into the Presence of the Lord and then feasted not only on the Word of God but also on a huge array of food wonderfully made by some of this areas finest cooks.

Pastor Scott brought a great word, "Wait on the Lord" and encouraged all to not get ahead of God. This young man is a hooked up, family man, visionary, with obvious oratorical and prophetic gifts, with a word for this nation and this world. It's not a black thing, it's not a white thing, it's a God thing. Yes, if you haven't figured this out already, Pastor Scott is a black man with a black church. Pastor Burgess and Pastor Scott have come to realize that God has drawn them together for a reason, and plan on meeting again two more times (at least): April 15 in Commerce and May 6th in McDonough.

I highly encourage anyone who is the least bit curious, if the Lord has tweeked your consciousness, or if you just want to experience what was and could again be one of the most awesome Worship experiences of your life.....come. There are bridges to be built.

in the flow.....

Jack

Thank you Mr. President

Now, before you think I fell of the conservative wagon and became a democrat, let me just say the thanks go to Washington and Lincoln, and the inventors of Presidents Day, makers of the 4 day weekend without a trip to Hallmark to get a card.

As we watch gas prices jump dramatically and head for $5 a gallon, and wars and rumors of wars, and the US economy in tatters and many good God fearing people losing their jobs, houses, and ways of life, the best the Republican Party can do is tear each other down over social issues, faith, and their ability/inability to handle their personal lives. Good men run out of the race over such petty things and the choices left less than appealing.

This is the greatest county on earth, for crying out loud. Is this the best we can do to pick a leader? We put more real thought into picking the American Idol. There, I said it.

The big problem....2012, the end of the world (as we know it?).....time zipping by and we look like we could be headed toward Book of Revelation type stuff in the Middle East. What should we do, Randy Jackson? Where is the answer, Steven Tyler? Help us, Jennifer Lopez!

I thank God for friends that challenge me in my walk with the Lord, for colleagues and clients who feel free to talk about their faith, most of all for a Godly wife and kids who are secure in who they are and where they are heading. I've been in the studio this week working on a tune I wrote called Gotta Have Faith, a Southern Rock tune that reminds us...

Gotta hang on when the going gets tough

Gotta stay strong when it doesn't look good

Gotta keep trying when I don't have enough

Gotta know that He'll do what He said He would

Gotta have Faith

©2012 Healing Flow Music ASCAP

The CD is here!

After a lot of work, and three years of writing, producing, and editing, we are proud to present for your amusement and edification, our first CD, self titled Healing Flow.

All of the music on this project is original, birthed out of the Spirit and from the inspiration and experiences that the Lord has brought us through. There are many people to thank, people who have been a part of the praise team as we evolved into who we are today, people like my son Christopher and his lovely wife Angie; (who sings on several tracks) Angie's mother Cathy Miller (who sings on several tracks), many other singers and musicians who have been a part of what we do such as Pete Hedrick, Cindy Jones, Keith Franks, Phillip Council, Steve Murray, Carla Miller, James Luthi, Chris Carithers, Phillip Parsons, and many more through the years.

Healing Flow was "birthed" many years ago, prophesied by Sion Alford and the team from Living Word Fellowship Church and Pastor Heyward Miller, and many of the songs we have written came from inspiration and encouragement of many years of "Fresh Fire" and the great people we met there like Sion, Selena, Mike and their great team, Israel Houghton, Clint Brown, Kent Henry, and others. Many churches were instrumental along the way, like Harvest Chapel, First Love Outreach Center, Redemption Outreach, and Community Church.

We owe a great debt of love to our Pastors, Perry and Angie Burgess and our home church, Walk on Water World Outreach Church for supporting, encouraging, inspiring, and loving us into the praise and worship team that we are. Healing Flow is Jack, Frances, and Daniel Balthazor; Cathy and Hannah Roesch, and Kenny Voyles.

A big thanks goes out to the "Big Bison" my brother Lindsey Williams, the man who mixed and mastered this project and whose talents in producing and playing can be heard throughout the CD. We have learned so much in the last three years and we love you and Susan and your family.

Tracks on the CD include:

Treasure, Cover Me, Praise is What We Do, Psalm 5, Healing Flow, Coming Rain, Breath of God, Path of Life, and Praise Your Name. All tunes were written by Jack and Daniel Balthazor and are published and copywrited through Healing Flow Music (ASCAP).

CD's are available right now through Jack and Frances Balthazor and will soon be available online, (as soon as we can get all that arranged) or come see us at WOW Church at 217 Sandy Creek Road in Commerce on Sunday Mornings at 11:00 a.m.

in the flow...

Jack

tis the season.....

I got the opportunity to meet an extraordinary man the other day. Despite some obvious physical setbacks and a very uncertain future, This man Bob was able to join us in singing some of the songs of the season. He and his wife Evelyn had decorated their house to the hilt, with a Christmas tree in every room and snow villages, lights and decor second to none.

I'm glad we took the time to go and meet this wonderful couple and receive the blessing that we did. Too often we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and think ourselves too busy to give, and I mean in the truest sense of the word.

I'm convinced that if we listen hard enough we can hear the still small voice calling us to "lay down our lives...." No, not necessarily a physical gesture but maybe putting the brakes on for a few minutes, laying aside our schedules and agendas and thinking of others and discovering that we truly will receive far more in return.

Merry Christmas

in the flow....

Jack