the Hebrew Heart

I was just searching randomly for the Hebrew idea of 'heart' a few minutes ago and ran across this:

"[The Hebrews] also saw the heart as the seat of thought whereas we see the brain as the seat of thought. To the ancient Hebrews the heart was the mind including all thoughts including emotions. When we are told to love God with all our heart (Deut 6:5) it is not speaking of an emotional love but to keep our emotions and all our thoughts working for him."

- Jeff Benner

The author goes on to describe the way the word is illustrated: with a shepherd's staff and the floor plan of a tent dwelling. The heart is the place where authority is exercised over those that dwell within it. The thoughts and emotions are shepherded and taught to submit to the person whose heart it is. Next the Scriptures command us to point that disciplined heart toward God and his service.

Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We've been talking a lot about the Holy Spirit in church lately. Reading in Galatians Paul draws the contrast between the Law (which has only the power to punish) and the Spirit (who offers new power to actually change). Our hearts (our thoughts and emotions) are to be submitted to our own authority and then our own authority is to be submitted to God's ultimate authority. The Holy Spirit can give us the ability to do this.

Back in the Recording Studio!

So much has happened in the last year, it's unbelievable. I met a girl
and we got married (that's never ever happened to me). She's
incredibly fantastic and she likes me. She even likes spicy Indian
food as much as I do. We've been living in a construction zone for the
past couple of months as we make some improvements on the house. It's
still not finished, but at least the recording studio is back in one
piece.

I've got three projects that have been waiting for attention. Tonight
I'm working on Katie Heckel's next CD. She's leaving for Ghana, Africa
in May and will be gone for 15 months! This new CD will be sold to
raise support for her work there at Rafiki Orphanage. She'll be
stopping by Friday to lay down vocals.

Next, Matt King will be in the studio at the beginning of next week.
He's a killer songwriter and vocalist/guitarist. Then lastly I'd love
to finish up the collaborative worship album some friends and I
started in December. We got 13 songs pretty much recorded but not
mixed or fleshed out with final instrumentation.

I'm excited too because my wife, Katie, is a fantastic vocalist and
musician. So I'm looking forward to her help on these projects. I
better get back to work for now. These 3 CDs are supposed to be out
before June hits. Pray for us!

FCA Getaway

I'm in Jackson, MS at the moment leading worship for the weekend with
some good friends at the FCA Getaway Retreat. We're having a great
time goofing off, practicing the music, and getting to know each other
better. Matt King is a friend of mine who is a great worship leader
and songwriter. This is his gig and I'm tagging along on electric
guitar. That's especially fun for me since I don't get to play
electric in worship normally.

Of course, I forgot my guitar. My wife and I left the house, drove
down to visit my parents for a couple of days before heading to the
retreat. After driving two hours from home I realized that my guitar
was still in our living room feeling all sad and neglected. But Matt
King's friend Andrew brought his electric guitar even though he was
playing bass. So I was provided for. Also, Katie and I didn't know
till after we'd left that we needed sleeping bags and pillows for the
weekend. We thought of making another trip to borrow some but it turns
out at this camp in the middle of nowhere, MS we get put up in a cabin
with nice beds with sheets and pillows.

We're having a great time and the students are a blast. They are
singing and opening their hearts wide to respond to Jesus. We saw many
folks asking for help and making contact with the cross of Christ this
morning. Thankful to be here.

I now have a short window of opportunity to take a nap before dinner
and tonight's time of meeting in worship.