God's Goodness And Faithfulness
I don't know your story, but when I said yes to following Christ at the age of fifteen, I said a devout YES to following Jesus, whatever that meant. I was desperate for a sense of HOME in my heart. I was already living out of home at this stage and had become lonely and quite complicated in my young and fragile self. I was looking for acceptance with no strings, and I was SO looking for some peace. I had NO idea about the benefits of accepting Jesus, the joy, the strength, and I certainly did not know about the Holy Spirit who comes as help and comforter. SALVATION to me was, and is enough.. everything Christ did and is doing in me continues to take me by surprise. So you can see, I am EVER grateful for that Friday night when JOHN3:16 - 22 was preached, and the light of Christ drew me home. A worshipper was released from prison that day.. a prison of self, of disappointment, and of shame. And this worshipper lives in response to His great love, my life poured out as a thank you.
The reason I tell you this story is by way of testimony, of stirring up the grateful heart within which was built to give praise and honour. Psalm 78 says to us to tell our story, to speak of His faithfulness and wonders across the fabric of our everyday lives. As complicated as life may become...there is ALWAYS a way to bring forth that TRUTH of His kindness toward us, And this is one of the reasons I love the power of worship, as we sing the song of God that declares His goodness and faithfulness, His immense magnificence coming to meet us where we are at. And it may make some of you uncomfortable, BUT, when you are leading or singing, writing or creating from this place.. WOW, that sense of being abandoned to His will is highly contagious when it is authentic.
To all of you who are involved in leading, writing, playing, pastoring, or organizing any part of our congregational times of worship.. I encourage you today to do whatever you are doing from a constant platform of gratefulness. Maybe you too have to take some time to write down and remember how far you've come since Christ made His home in your heart. The miracles, the words He's whispered deep into your soul, the breakthroughs...Lets always REMEMBER.. lets TELL the story of His goodness, and lets worship the ONE who saved us! There is nothing worse than being led or instructed in worship by people who are going through the motions....c'mon...It's a new day, there is an urgency in the air, the world is desperate to hear about this amazing ONE TRUE GOD. ! Lets lift up His name, bring our finest, and spend our 24/7 lives saying a deliberate and genuine THANKYOU.
WOW.. I start blogging, and I feel like we are all just hanging out at my kitchen bench, having a good long natter about King Jesus... what a privilege. Love you...
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Thank you Darlene for all you do for Gods Kingdom and for all the glory you give to God! I have sent you a copy of my books today, and I really hope you enjoy them! Your book The Kiss of Heaven, inspires me and I just cannot describe in one word how awesome our God is, there are so many beautiful words in this world but not one can sum up the awe of our God's goodness and faithfulnes, we worship a God so full of grace, for me and I know for you He did more than enough when He sent His only Son to perish for our sins - and yet He still keeps giving of Himself and so abundantly. May your life always be filled with the Fruitfulness of our awesome God. Bless you, Paula Betzold X
Paula,
March 26, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Yes and AMEN Darlene!!! Everyday of my life I am so thankful for the day that Jesus reached into the depths of my heart at the age of 15 and gloriously set me free. I'm now "30 something" and everyday I'm overwhelmed by God's pressence and love for me. Yes God is faithful and YES He is so good! From this Texas gal I want to tell you "yeehaw" and thanks sista for sharing your love for Jesus and voice.
Leanna,
June 13, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Thank you for the outflow of gratefulness from your passionate heart! It just create ripples to anyone who read it with a grateful heart to our Lord Jesus!
Ronnie Ding,
March 24, 2010
I'M GLAD TODAY
I made it a resolution this year to get in touch with you and here I am doing just that.
I'm grateful to God who makes me able to think and do things and get them done.
I've seen most of your worship videos and heard most of your songs
I'm over-awed
I'm simply broken
I look forward to being able to sing before God in expressing my heart to him in worship and praise.
God willcontinue to be your strength
OMISILE IDOWU,
March 24, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
As for me,coming from a place of rejection and so much unrest,to think of the KING OF KINGS seeing me before i was even formed in my mother's womb and geuinely and deliberately say I will let my glory be trampled by mere men so that Lawrence can find joy,peace,life and light in Me just TOTALLY blows my mind! My life poured out as a THANK YOU, as you nobly say it,is the reasonable service i can commitedly reciprocate for what HE's done for me.To know that HE even thinks about me in HIS DEEP THOUGHTS(Ps92vs5,Ps139vs17) shows me HEis into me and it just fills my heart with so much gratefulness! Greatly anticipating your ministry in Zimbabwe, Praise the LORD!
Lawrence,
March 23, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Amen!
Thank you Darlene for your obedience, love for our Lord and Savior!
I was saved and now love the Lord so much!, and my life changed and I just started a worship ministry....thanks to my Lord saving you! I was saved listening to your songs!
God bless you!!!!!
Lilia Gallagher
Lilia ,
March 23, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Hi,
Thanks for encouraging us in giving our praise and worship to our Lord Jesus Christ. We will continue serving Him heartily. Jesus deserves all the praise and glory.
- God Shining Glory Family Church, Pampanga
Philippines
Alma Mercado,
March 23, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Hi Darlene,
I love the experience of Christ and giving the gift of worship. I am a worship leader in Australia and also in the Fiji Islands, and truely!!!!! I love the awesome presence we encounter in the Spirit, and the dying of our natural self to will and testament of Jesus.
Jesus, lives in our hearts, and His Spirit guides our natural walk; even when we make a mistake; God bends down, picks us up and puts things in motion for His purpose. We worship Him and thank Him for his Mercy, Grace and Faithfulness, even when we are not.
What a God he is; because He always cares for us and so should we care about our God and this Gift of eternal life- spread it!
Lawrence
Lawrence,
March 22, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Darlyne, I am so full of joy... I really thank God for the gift of salvation and i agree with you the whol world needs to know of this Love- Christ. He indeed is Lord. I celebrate the gift of God in you and i love you so much and pray we meet someday!!! Love you!
Bukola
Bukola Morris,
March 14, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
I really do appreciate your testimony, Darlene. Salvation is really amazing something only God can do, like you we all need to remember where we were on our way to where we are going, not to dwell in our past, but rather to be thankful for how far God has taken and will be taking us. I am a church leader myself but there's not one day that I'm not thankful to the Lord for choosing to save me, to love me, to rescue me on that fateful day 24 years ago. Thank you Lord and thanks again for the reminder, Darlene.
TITI,
March 12, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
I really am thankful to the LORD for making ways for his people to be able and show this world, how truly grateful his love is. I am also really thankful for you and your ministry, Darlene!! You have no idea how great of a blessing youve been towards my life, and for other people near me also. I pray that God may continue giving you a fresh and new annointing each day, so that you may be continuosly blessed by the Lord and his word. I've always thought this about you...'' I am so sure that the Lord cant wait to meet you in heaven when he comes back again to greatly reward what you are doing''! Be blessed and go from strenght to strenght in Jesus name!
Abraham,
March 26, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
GODS GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS HAS GOTTEN ME THROUGH SO MANY VALLEYS AND OVER SO MANY MOUNTAINS. AND JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE IS LIVING WATER SPRINGING FROM LIFE'S FOUNTAIN. SOMETIMES IT MAY SEEM LIKE YOUR NEVER GONNA MAKE TO THE OTHER SIDE AND YOUR JUST GONNA DIE WHEN YOU GET THERE,BUT LOW AND BEHOLD WHO SHOWS UP WITH A BLESSING YOU CAN HARDLY CONTAIN--THE LIVING SAVIOR JESUS! GODS WORD PROMISES THAT HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US.THANK GOD FOR WORSHIPERS LIKE SISTER DARLENE AND ALL THOSE ASSOCIATED IN GODS KINGDOM WORK FOR THE CAUSE.I PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE HIS HAND IN ALL YOU ENDEAVOR--GOD BLESS!
yolanda,
March 26, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Awesome.
I will live and not die to declare the LORD's awesome deeds.
Its so true - the world is thirsty... the seed of our words will one day bear fruit. you just reminded me of my campus days it took a flyer "invite" that invited me to a gathering... i ignored it, it kept on coming, class mates spoke of the LORD, desire was stirred - until oneday the Power of GOD arrested me to come and taste and see that HE IS truelly good.
Ever since i have known the Hand of GOD.... i have lived in HIS goodness for my existance - HIS awesome LOVE for the way that i take.
faithfull god
Looking forward to seeing you at conference - be greatly blessed as you live a life that's puored out - a complete Thank you ( receive Strength from Father)
im encouraged - im stirred!
Nthabiseng Derbyshire,
March 23, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Thank God for you mighty woman of valour.Lady "D" your lifestyle inspires my everyday life. I know I can never be you but you are a real light to me. You are a tangible instrument that I don't think I can live without. Your testimony is powerful and living. It makes me cyr to think about God's goodness and faithfulness. There is a song which you sing "HOPE" Oh! how it pierces my heart to know and see his faithfulness in my life. Thank you mam for speaking to the souls in the globe about the goodness and faithfulness of God because you help us move on without getting tired. You and your family are always in my prayers. I just love you hey! Because your testimony has done more than I can say in my life. It's unexplainable. I started knowing about Hillsong when I was 19 at a college and I was at piont where I always committed suicides which failed. I did that three times and always waited to die but I just didn't. Until one of the students at the college gave me a copy of your tape of 'God Is In The House' in 1998. I listened to it and I realised that it actually taught me the Word of God. Thank you guys and pastor Brian for preachings and encouragements. And wow! Guys your ministry has really grown. Thank you
patricia,
March 19, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
HEY DARLENE I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE. OUR GOD IS A FAITHFUL AT ALL TIMES AND HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. UNDERSTANDING WHO GOD IS A PROCESS OF HOPE,FAITH AND LOVE.HIS LOVE REACHES TO THE HEAVENS AND HIS FAITHFULNESS REACHES TO THE SKY.THE POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD THAT WE SERVE IS GREATER THAN WE COULD EVER THINK OF.WE NEED TO STOP LIMITING GOD AND MAKING HIM SMALL IN OUR LIVES SO HE CAN REVEAL AND SHOW HIMSELF STRONG.OUR FAITHS MUST BE STRONG AND ROOTED IN THE LORD SO THAT WE MAY REAP WHAT HE HAS HELPED US HARVEST OR ESTABLISH THROUGH THE FAITH AND TRUST WE PUT IN HIM.DARLENE YOU ARE MY MENTOR AND I ALWAYS LOOK UP TO YOU.MY SPIRITUAL MOTHER GOD WILL CONTINUE TO USE YOU IN THE LIVES OF MANY.YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE EVIDENT OF THE WORK OF GOD.STAY BLESED
BOIPELO,
March 18, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Hi Ms. Darlene,
Thank you so much for sharing us with your life, passion, wisdom and music. I'm so blessed to see someone like you that's why I'm so excited to see you perform live here in the Philippines together with the Hillsong team. God is indeed great at all times because He granted my prayers to watch you live. Me and my friend (Aimee) cannot really wait on that day. I claimed that it will be a huge success and all of us will be blessed.
Again thank you Darlene! and may God abundantly bless you!
Cherry ,
March 12, 2010
Live by Gods words
Hello everyone, We all try to live by Gods words,for some it is easier than others. But if you are having trouble maybe you should just try and do the best you can. There is a song by Suzanne Vega Called "The Queen and the Soldier" in it is a line that says "I want to live an honest man, to get all I deserve and to give all I can" Now I know they are not Gods words, but wouldn't the world be a better place if we all did at least this much ?
Ian,
March 4, 2010
Re: Live by Gods words
Hi Ms. Darlene,
I thanked God so much for sharing your Life, Wisdom, Passion and Music with us. I'm so excited to see you and the Hillsong team to do a Concert for a Cause here in the Philippines. God is truly great for granting my dream to watch and see you live while singing the worship songs. I cannot wait ♥♥♥.
Thank you much, Darlene and may God continue and abundantly bless you!
Cherry,
March 10, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Oh you have no idea how much influence you have in my kife. Even though you live so far away. I love Jesus, I love his word, and I love you Darlene. Please keep doing what you are doing, you are doing GODS work, and boy how well you do it !!
As you can see I live in the UK, do you have any plans to tour the Uk or even Europe
Let me ask a everyone a question what do people think. Which is the best song you ever heard. Darlene sing "the Potter's Hand or Darlene singing "Here I am to worship ?? I am undisided.
Ian,
March 3, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Hey Darlene, thanks so much for your blog. God is good and faithful, thanks for reminding me to remember that every day. Reading your words made me feel like i was sitting in your kitchen listening to you even though I am so far away. Thanks for always inspiring me, and challenging me not to loose hope, and to keep pressing on in God. I thank God every day for you. Your life has mentored me, though you're not even aware of it. Be truly blessed!
Angeline Martin,
March 3, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
"As complicated as life may become...there is ALWAYS a way to bring forth that TRUTH of His kindness toward us...." Thank you so much for this blog, Darlene. This is just where I am right now - complicated life, but in all things we give thanks to God for his faithfulness, kindness and love. Thank you so much Darlene, for allowing God to channel His blessing through you to the nations! You are such an inspiration. God Bless.
Ivy,
March 4, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Thank you God for Darlene thank you Darlene, for your words. It is true there is nothing worse than listening to a someone trying to preach Gods word, but is in fact just going through the motions. They probably do more harm than good. The same could not be said of you. I say this as someone new to the church,and someone who before had no idea that the religion/church could be so wonderful, and could make my life so complete. I truely love the lord,something I could not say a year ago even in my own house amongst family & friends, but now I can say it to the whole world, and feel proud,and very very lucky.
Ian,
March 3, 2010
Re: God's Goodness And Faithfulness
Thanks Darlene for your passion and zeal for Jesus.
ANDREW,
May 8, 2010
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