Creative Expressions Night - Back to Blogging in 2016

Well hello again!  Yes it has been quite some time since I have been behind the keyboard adding a blog post... but I have been encouraged to take up the reigns again!  I actually came across a couple of inspiring blogs lately (both are listed on those that I watch to the left**) and I have also just grabbed ahold of this latest one to encourage journalling.   http://www.createwritenow.com/websites-about-journaling  

Soooooooooo I am going to rededicate myself to putting pen to paper, fingers to key board and brush to hand.  Yes, I know that doesn't look just like journalling, however, God convinced me long ago that a picture is worth a thousand words and that He can teach and talk and create along with me with whatever tool I am using!! 

Last week, the Northgate Worship Arts team gathered together for fellowship, a team building exercise and a Creative Expressions Night.  It was a great evening and it definitely stretched my boundaries.  One of the activities was a Song Hook brainstorming list and then gathering in groups of three to actually write a hook or the first touch to a song.  Janah decided to select one of the song hooks from my list (yeah lol!) Now I am not normally considered a musician (except for two short stints learning Piano and Base Clarinet as a kid) but rather a worshipper, prayer team and creative arts person... so this definitely kind of stretched me... but I do like songs and I do like words... so as I was brainstorming a song hook, the phrase "One Glory, His Glory" popped into my head... Thank You Holy Spirit!!

It was a start.  One of my favourite verses is Isaiah 60. The picture of "His Glory" rising upon all the earth and even upon the DEEP Darkness has touched my heart often! Anyway, this formed the ground work and we built it up from there.  Crystal suggested changing "His" to "Your" to make it more personal and then the three of us just started to add bits and suggestions until we actually had a pretty sweet chorus put together! It is still a work in progress and at some point I may actually post it on this blog... Fortunately, both Janah and Crystal are incredible worshippers with a musical gifting so we have a good chance on this one!  

Of course, the other teams also came up with some pretty amazing song hooks... and one even had a rap from the up-and comers "Busta Latte" as well... It is definitely going to be interesting to see how this little exercise develops over the next month or so!  Anyway, it was a good way to start out the year and I am looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2016!!  

Deliberations from Deb's Den!


P.S. If you also would like to focus on God's words in Isaiah 60 please read on...

Isaiah 60New King James Version (NKJV)

The Gentiles Bless Zion

60 Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
5 Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land,
The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba shall come;
They shall bring gold and incense,
And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you,
The rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar,
And I will glorify the house of My glory.

8 “Who are these who fly like a cloud,
And like doves to their roosts?
9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me;
And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
To bring your sons from afar,
Their silver and their gold with them,
To the name of the Lord your God,
And to the Holy One of Israel,
Because He has glorified you.

10 “The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls,
And their kings shall minister to you;
For in My wrath I struck you,
But in My favor I have had mercy on you.
11 Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day or night,
That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
And their kings in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,
And those nations shall be utterly ruined.

13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together,
To beautify the place of My sanctuary;
And I will make the place of My feet glorious.
14 Also the sons of those who afflicted you
Shall come bowing to you,
And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet;
And they shall call you The City of the Lord,
Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
So that no one went through you,
I will make you an eternal excellence,
A joy of many generations.
16 You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles,
And milk the breast of kings;
You shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior
And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

17 “Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
Instead of iron I will bring silver,
Instead of wood, bronze,
And instead of stones, iron.
I will also make your officers peace,
And your magistrates righteousness.
18 Violence shall no longer be heard in your land,
Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders;
But you shall call your walls Salvation,
And your gates Praise.

God the Glory of His People

19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day,
Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;
But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,
And your God your glory.
20 Your sun shall no longer go down,
Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;
For the Lord will be your everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
21 Also your people shall all be righteous;
They shall inherit the land forever,
The branch of My planting,
The work of My hands,
That I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand,
And a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.”

Deliberations from Deb's Den

Incredible New Christmas Songs... Inspired!

Where's the line to see Jesus - Becky Kelley

A Baby Changes Everything - Faith Hill

Christmas in Heaven by Sarah Scheider

Utilizing My Creative Giftings To The Glory of God!

Here is a small sampling of my artwork and designs over the years…. Enjoy and let    the LORD be praised for His creative giftings within each of us.
All designs © Deborah Strandberg 2009
  

   

 

   

        

“Run for the Roses” He Rose!!

I was praying for a Young Woman of God last weekend and the LORD gave me a special word for her… to “Run for the Roses.”  At first I was hesitant, thinking that this phrase was just about running a race for a crown that will pass…. for a corruptible prize. (1 Cor 9:23-26)   Since then, however, the LORD has brought clarity to His words for this young woman to  “Run for the Roses.” 

First the LORD reminded me of  the old Dan Fogelberg song “Run for the Roses” honouring  unique thoroughbreds like Secretariat  who have won the  Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.  (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes) So I decided to look up the lyrics to “Run for the Roses” and the actual song on Youtube.

"Run for the Roses" by Dan Fogelberg

I then received a vision of the Resurrected Jesus wearing a Winners Wreath of Roses around His neck.   Jesus is our prize and Jesus has won The Race that we were required to run.  For us  “IT IS FINISHED!”  Through Him, we have received the Incorruptible Crown… the Triple Crown of Eternal Glory (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)!  Ultimately, those in Christ have already “Run for the Roses” and won.… because “He Rose.”

Lyrics to “Run for the Roses” by Dan Fogelberg

Born in the valley
And raised in the trees
Of Western Kentucky
On wobbly knees
With mama beside you
To help you along
You'll soon be a growing up strong.

All the long, lazy mornings
In pastures of green
The sun on your withers
The wind in your mane
Could never prepare you
For what lies ahead
The run for the roses so red --

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance
It's high time you joined
In the dance --

From sire to sire
It's born in the blood
The fire of a mare
And the strength of a stud
It's breeding and it's training
And it's something unknown
That drives you and carries
You home.

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance
It's high time you joined
In the dance --

(And for your added enjoyment, I have added another old favourite  Dan Fogelberg singing this song for his father “Leader of the Band.” It is yet another flash from the past!)

Preparing to CRY OUT for our Nation at TheCRY Vancouver… August 15th

I received a promotions package for TheCRY Vancouver last week.  Since then, the desire has been steadily increasing and growing in my Spirit to see the people of British Columbia and especially those of us  here on the West Coast and Vancouver Island take a STAND for Righteousness in the Name of Jesus! 

Standing - TheCRY Vancouver * August 15, 2009

So yesterday I opened up GOD.TV on my computer and selected the On Demand Section.  The LORD lead me to choose TheCRY St. John’s.  I have had it on all day… listening and watching, joining in their CRY, praying and battling worshipfully for this nation.   

I joined with them as they prayed as ONE Nation… joining with Jesus in His prayer that we would be ONE with the Father, just and the Father and He are ONE.  All the diverse cultures in Canada coming together as ONE under God!

I joined with them as they prayed for marriage in our Nation as God intended.  One man and one woman… MARRIED FOR LIFE!!

I joined with them as they prayed for the deliverance of those caught in Human Trafficking here in our nation and beyond.

I joined with them as they prayed SILENTLY for those who do not have a voice…. For the babies who have had their CRY and their lives cut short through abortion.  To give a voice to the voiceless.

On August 15th, we have an opportunity to STAND for OUR NATION in prayer and worship, to STAND for a GENERATION  yet unborn through prayer and worship, to STAND for THE WORLD as Canada fully walks in Her GOD-GIVEN DESTINY to bring HEALING TO THE NATIONS!

Join with me as we go to Vancouver and join in TheCRY Vancouver 2009.  For more information go to www.thecry.ca

Join in TheCRY

for Canada!

The Glory Cloud of His Presence – Aglow Part 2

I have been trying to sum up in my heart what the LORD imparted to me during this NI Aglow Retreat.  His Presence and His Favour was definitely with us and I could see His divine appointments as well.

A while back Pastor Scott shared a message at Northgate Foursquare.  It was on Exodus 33:1-18  where Moses is being asked to lead the Israelites to take the Promised Land.  At first God wasn’t going to go with them because they were a “stiff-necked people.” (Aren’t we all at times?)  Fortunately, “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”  Moses was able to intercede for His people.   "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" Finally God agreed to let His Presence go with them.

This message awakened something within me and I also began to intercede for my friends and family.  God gave me the promise that He would go with us ALL as well.

Then, on the Friday Evening, Diane Fink taught from the same scripture.  Yet another confirmation of God’s Goodness…“the Loving-kindness of God.”  It is His loving-kindness that brings us to a point of repentance unto salvation.  Rom 2:4 God allowed His Goodness… His Glory to pass before Moses (and now He offers it to us).  His Goodness is His VERY Best for us.  It is His beauty, His salvati0n, His welfare, His Joy, His Prosperity… It is His Glory.   “The Glory of the LORD will cover the earth” And, as Christians, we are to be the reflection of that Glory in the earth…  Pretty Awesome when you think about it!!

It is truly about HIS PRESENCE!!

More to come… :)

The Glory Cloud of His Presence… (Aglow Part 1) Our Island Prayer Journey

Why was I there?   Was I ready?  Was I there for His Presence; or was it for our Island Prayer Journey, or the anointed speaker, Diane Fink… or the awesome worship lead by Leah Robertson… or even just the fellowship?

Olivia challenged me this weekend.  She sooooo wanted to be in His Presence and experience the Glory of God!!  The time is NOW and she knew it!! 

We (Olivia, myself, Penny and Laurie) had our Island Prayer Journey planned for the drive down to the conference at Qualicum Beach and we were going to stop at several places along the coastline.  We prayed at Royston, Craigdarroch Beach, Buckley Bay, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Oyster River and Qualicum Bay among other small little hamlets...  to claim the FAVOUR of the LORD for that area.  Our trip was to bless others and to bless the land, but inadvertently, God poured out His blessings upon us!  The weather was glorious, the fellowship was awesome, the presence of God surrounded us and we saw eagles all over the place.

Olivia wanted to be READY and she wanted OTHERS to be ready along with her.  She had her oil lamp full!  She wanted God’s presence and she wanted to honour Him and Him alone!!  Fortunately for us, the love of God permeates all those around us and we all found our heart for the journey too.  He gave us his “Eagle Eye” from which to pray His prophetic prayers for the  various areas.  It was a powerful time of worshipping our creator in His glorious creation! 

If only we could live like this 24/7.  I know that I fall short way too often.  I desire that the scripture Psalm 84:2 would represent my live on a DAILY basis…  Not just every now and then.  I want my heart and my flesh to CRY for the LIVING GOD!!   I want to Live in His Glorious Presence EVERY DAY.

My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  (Psa 84:2 ASV)

How often do I let myself get to this point with my Beloved?   I wonder….

A Caterpillar Saved Thanks To Mikayla :)

I have such a sweet, compassionate daughter… she even cares for the beasts (bugs) of the field.   This morning as we were hopping in our vehicle, Mikayla bent down behind the car.  I was watching her in the rear-view mirror, and wondered at what she was doing.  Then I saw her stand up with something in the palm of her hand and walk over to our yard.  As I looked on, she gently placed a little caterpillar safely on the grass… far away from the path of our automobile tires!

Of course, this became a big joke on our journey to the bus, and I must admit that I had a little fun with the whole thing.  I described the moment that her little butterfly would flutter up to her one day and say “Thank You for being my saviour”.

Thinking back on it now,  I realize just how valuable that few seconds was.  It did save a life!  She HAD become this little caterpillar’s saviour! How precious to think that her silent decision could save a life that one day could turn into something significant… That fuzzy little creature now has the opportunity to grow from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.

It brings me back to a painting that the LORD and I had created while at the IGNITE Worship Arts Event.  God had given me a vision… a simple picture of a caterpillar on a stick.   

I was humbled as I first started to sketch it out, and then begin to put colour to the paper and I wondered as to His message of it.  I felt just as small and insignificant as that caterpillar.  Here I was surrounded by incredible paintings of Biblical proportions, but then God began to move me… He started to give me colours and He started to direct me where to place the paint brush.

As I watched before my eyes I saw a different image begin to appear. I could see it start to take shape, and as I stepped away to look at the painting from another direction, He showed me the outlines of an image that He had given me days before of a violin. The word was that “He was bringing forth a New Sound."  The colours of the rainbow brought back another Word that He had given me speaking of His Promises to His Bride.  I shared at this point on my painting recognizing that it was yet an unfinished work, expectantly wondering what He was going to do with it.

After lunch, the painting developed further as several of us spent the afternoon fellowshipping together. As I joined with Him in the dance of the painting, I could see the caterpillar developing into the beginnings of Peacock Feather Butterfly. I knew that I wanted to get a better picture of the feather wings, so I asked Jean Kelly to bring up some peacock feathers on her digital arts computer and continued to paint the feathers with the colours of the rainbow. He then lead me to develop the Peacock Feathers into a Dramatic Mask. He also pointed out another feather in the image and directed me to develop it into a Calligraphy Feather Pen.

Once I had finished, I sought the LORD as to the further meaning of the imagery. He showed me that in the beginning this was just a picture of a stick and a caterpillar.  Just as insignificant as Mikayla’s little caterpillar.

But the caterpillar represented the small beginnings of my/our Worship through the Arts.  As we joined together in UNITY during the IGNITE conference we were being legitimatized into the New Birth of the beautiful all-encompassing Worship Arts. A peacock feather butterfly mask symbolizing the Dramatic Arts and Digital Arts, the violin bringing out the Music, the rainbow ribbons flowing with the Dance and the praise flags, and the Feather Pen DIRECTING our path through the written Word in Prophetic Worship... through song, through poetry, through dramatic writings, through books and novels, and through other Prophetic Works.

He created a masterpiece through my hands and gave me His New Beginnings... a caterpillar transformed into a beautiful butterfly!  I praise Him with His creative giftings and in the process we take ground for the Kingdom of God. He has allowed me to come against destruction with the opposite force... with Creativity... and it is glorious!!

And today God allowed Mikayla to come against destruction with the opposite force… with compassion.  She saved that little caterpillar from death and God has used her to bring abundant life…. True it may only be the life of a small caterpillar, but one day it will become a beautiful butterfly touched with the colours of God’s rainbow… His promise of New Beginnings…. and it truly is GLORIOUS!

The enemy would like to kill, steal and destroy.  But God has come so that we might have life, and life more abundantly.  (John 10:10)

My Heart And My Flesh Cry Out For The Living God!

New Creation from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

Worship with your whole body! New Creation by Pace Hartfield...

"My soul longs and even faints for the courts of Jehovah; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."  (Psa 84:2)

I just came across this video clip on Rich Emery's blog and could feel my heart and my flesh crying out for the Living God.  This worship team (Pace Hatfield) is worshipping with their whole bodies and you just know that God is blessed by their heart of worship.  Their church was releasing a new album (Closer to the Start Album) and this was the launch party!  Pretty cool eh!  They got out the paints but left the canvas (or the box) behind.  This was really getting out of the box in worship!

I love the way they WORSHIP.  They worship with creativity!  They are using their heart and their flesh to worship the LIVING GOD!  They worship with authority!  You know that satan is cringing when people worship holding nothing back like this! And they worship with proximity.  They worship in the Here and Now.  In the place where people are NOW!  They worship wherever they themselves are in their walk with Jesus, but they will also wherever the lost are!  They are not afraid to be "a unique!"  They are not afraid to be in a different place, they are not afraid to be DIFFERENT!

Praise God and go for it!  Whatever He puts on your heart, break out of the box.  DREAM BIG DREAMS and don't be afraid to try something different!

12 Days of Christmas - Straight No Chaser Style....

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days of Christmas Acappella Style

These guys are great.  An all male Comedic
A-Cappella Group who go by the name of  "Straight No Chaser"

They have been around since 1996.  Check it out.  I am sure that you will totally enjoy them.