Living Above the Sun Ministries

Late last night I was reading through Deuteronomy in the Bible. I would say if there is one book to really zero in on to learn how to live a successful, disciplined, and structured life, it’s Deuteronomy. A common theme and phrase repeated over and over throughout the book is “…teach this to your children and grandchildren…” We tend to take grace today, and toss the rest of it out the window! Jesus’ death fulfilled Levitical law of sacrifice, but His death didn’t nullify the Old Testament or the outline for living right and the things that God directly said, "pass this down generation after generation." God has always just wanted obedience more than sacrifice. Moreover, all the New Testament points back and references the Old Testament. Paul’s words are nothing new on the block. His messages in the Pauline letters can be traced back to ideas Moses said….it all came from GOD, the inspiration to scripture. Jesus Himself confesses He was the Word from the beginning. A section of...

  Those who know me personally know that I have been writing music since the age of twelve.  Music has been a HUGE part of my life.  To date I have written close to 100 songs, maybe not a lot to boast in for a 20 year span, but nonetheless these are lyrics that tell a story.  It is even okay with me if no one else likes my music and lyrics their purpose served to bring me close to God and know His heart for me, and me express myself.   My songwriting skills have gotten better overtime, and recently I have joined in with The Getty's Hymn Writers Collective in learning to be a better songwriter.  Through their Sing! Global ministry I have been able to take part in being mentored and have access to content that I couldn't have even dreamed of even a few years ago.  I've been so grateful for the fresh drink this has been in my song writing "career" to be challenged, and given ideas to think on and develop.   Maybe we can all agree that there...

  But when all is said and done, God ’s Temple on the mountain, Firmly fixed, will dominate all mountains,      towering above surrounding hills. People will stream to it      and many nations set out for it, Saying, “Come, let’s climb  God ’s mountain.      Let’s go to the Temple of Jacob’s God. He will teach us how to live.      We’ll know how to live God’s way.” True teaching will issue from Zion,      God ’s revelation from Jerusalem. He’ll establish justice in the rabble of nations      and settle disputes in faraway places. God -of-the-Angel-Armies says so,      and he means what he says. -Micah 4:1-4 The Message There is a sweet old hymn called, "I'm Pressing on The Upward Way" my favorite verse says,  "I want to live above the world, though Satan's darts at me are hurled, for faith has caught a joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground. Lord, lift me up...

Can you write a hymn of praise at this moment, an instant falling from your lips?  Your heart is so full that there is no effort needed to expand your lungs and empty them of praise.  Maybe right now you are in lament, and all the words that can fall are in forms of tears asking God to be merciful.  There is a powerful song and lyric that contrasts each other when a heart of praise and joy collides with sorrow and tears.  It is where hope is born. Whatever praise collides with in our lives, hope is there.   I began my work week with a panic attack, thankfully a co-worker was there to calm me down.  By the end of the work week, I was praising more than I was panicking.  When life feels like a choppy sea, quiet yourself and sing praises to God!  My personal Psalm of praise looked like this in a text to a friend: "I'll finally get this closing binder finished that I've been working on, the last of the documents come today, Praise the Lord! ...