The Worship Arts Conservatory - May 2014 Course

Our May WAC class will be BS200: The Lifestyle of the Worshiper *

Course Duration: 5-30 May 2014

Course statement: In this course we investigate a series of biblical studies on the history and lifestyles of musicians and singers throughout Bible times. It is designed to challenge us by noting the standard that was required in every area of their lives, from musical abilities to personal devotion. Through this understanding, we desire personal challenge towards excellence in ministry, private devotion and personal holiness.

Relationship to the Worship Arts Degree Program:
BS200:The Lifestyle of the Worshipper is a second level course in Biblical Studies in the Associate of Worship Arts Degree Program. This curriculum is designed to develop an informed understanding of the practical ministerial and devotional lives of Old Testament ministers of worship and how this information relates to worship ministries today.

Recommended Texts:
Blomgren, David K., The Song of the Lord, Portland, OR; Bible Temple Publications, 1978
Hutchinson, Enoch, Music of the Bible, Austin, TX; Gould & Lincoln, 1864
Reynolds, Isham Emmanuel, Music and the Scriptures, Nashville, TN; Broadman Press, 1942
Sendry, Mildred and Alfred N., David’s Harp, New York, NY; Philosophical Library, 1969
Sendy, Alfred, Music in Ancient Israel, New York, NY; Philosophical Library, 1969

Please let me know if you'd like to enroll for the May course by clicking here

*BS200 carries on from BS250:Tabernacle of David although it is not required to have taken BS250 previously.

Worship & the Tabernacle of David

Our April course at The Worship Arts Conservatory will be BS250: Worship & the Tabernacle of David and will run from 2-23 April. I will work with due dates according to your needs for the Easter holiday so please don't let that deter you from taking this class.

Course statement:

In this course we will study the historical background and significance of David’s Tabernacle with particular emphasis on its music and worship elements. Through this course each student will gain insight and understanding of David’s Tabernacle and how it relates to the present-day worship movement of the Church.

Relationship to the Worship Arts Degree Program:

BS 250 is a second level course in Biblical Studies in the Associate of Worship Arts Degree Program. This curriculum will provide an overview of three significant worship structures in the Old Testament—Tabernacle of Moses, Tabernacle of David, and Solomon’s Temple—and how each of these illustrate dimensions of worship expressions and principles evidenced in the culture and life of the Church today. The student will also study the Davidic Covenant and its meaning and relevance to New Testament worship and spiritual sacrifice.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of lessons and assignments the student will:

• Understand the impact of the Old Testament Tabernacles and Temple upon the present-day Church through the contrast and comparison of each structure.

• Evaluate these structures with a critical understanding of the significance of established scriptural patterns and their meaning for the Believer.

• Reflect upon the Davidic Covenant and principles as these relate to the student’s personal and corporate worship life.

Course schedule, requirements and evaluation:

Week 1 April 2-8 BS 250 Tabernacle of David

Week 2 April 9-15 BS 250 Tabernacle of David

Week 3 April 16-23 BS 250 Tabernacle of David

Please email me and let me know if you'd like to enroll for April.

RA171:Biblical Basis for Art 2014

How would you describe the most provocative

earth-changing Person

in human history?

We'd love you to join us on Monday, March 3rd for RA171: Biblical Basis for Art at the Worship Arts Conservatory (www.worshiparts.org).

Course statement: This course examines the Biblical basis for Art as well as the history of music and the arts from the time of the early church until the present era, and its relevance for the 21st century Church. The curriculum is designed to provide an historical summary of the development of western art and culture as well as a theological perspective.

Relationship to the Worship Arts Degree Program: RA 171; “Biblical Basis for Art: Survey of Western Art” is a first level course in Religious Arts in the Associate of Worship Arts Degree Program. This course is designed to develop an informed understanding of the history of the arts and the critical issues relating to their God-given purpose in the Church of the 21st century.

Due Dates:

Lesson One (March 3-9, 2014) — Assignments must be posted by 9th March

Lesson Two (March 10-16, 2014) — Assignments must be posted by 16th March

Lesson Three (March 17-26, 2014) — Assignments must be posted by 26th March

Recommended Texts:

Tolstoy, Leo, What is Art?, Penguin Books, NY; 1995

Noland, Rory, The Heart of the Artist, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1999

Borchgrave, Helen de, A Journey into Christian Art, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN 1999

Fleming, William, Arts and Ideas, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., San Francisco, CA; 1974

Greer, Thomas H., A Brief History of Western Man, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., New York, NY; 1977

Hawksley, Lucinda, Cunningham, Antonia, Payne, Laura, Bradbury, Kirsten, Essential History of Art, Parragon Publishing, Bath, UK; 2000

Vasari, Giorgio, translated by Gaston deVere, The Great Masters, Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., Hong Kong; 1986

Wilson-Dickson, Andrew, The Story of Christian Music, Lion Publishing, Oxford, UK; 1996

Email for inquiries or to enroll: rjwalden@earthlink.net

Missionary Work in Mexico

My daughter, Meghann, has just finished her DTS with YWAM San Diego-Baja and is starting her Outreach Phase tomorrow. She will be preaching in Mexico City about "Identity" and sharing her testimony along with practical work that expresses the love of Jesus to people who have not encountered His life changing love. Megs and her two children, Shya (5 yrs) and Hunter (3 yrs) will be able to experience this together which I think is a wonderful blessing! I love that my grandchildren are carrying on the family call to the nations!

Here is an update in Meghann's own words:

"Buenos dias" from Tijuana! We are blessed to inform you that after 12 weeks of Discipleship Training School, we are ready for outreach! I have grown so much closer in relationship with the Lord through my class lessons. Its so amazing to be living in the freedom of the Lord! He has exchanged the unholiness I had in my heart for purity, He has showed me what true love is, as a Bride of Christ, through the intimacy of hearing His voice and quiet times. I have traded my orphan spirit for a Heavenly inheritance and living daily in the truth that I am a child of God! He has been my provider for all I need- whether it be spiritually or physically. I am completely in love with God and am whole in Him. One of the best things I've learned is that the mistakes I've made in the past don't determine my value, my true value is just simply in knowing God and His love! Having intimacy with Him and reading His Word daily is so transforming that my identity stays firm in Him and having that Fear is so healthy and is awesome!!!! I now have 8 weeks to bless others with what I've learned. The kids and I will be going to Mexico City for two weeks to serve a church through doing a Kid's Camp & teaching a sermon on "Identity" and will give my testimony in the Sunday service and be evangelizing locally as well. Then we'll be back in Tijuana for the remainder to help out with ministries here. I will be helping in the Women's Prison, tutor English & Math to the poor youth in Circulo Andante Ministry, and also be a part of the Zone Kids Ministry that reaches out to the kids of the Red Light district community in Tijuana with Bible stories & crafts & games at the local park. We ask that you please keep us in your prayers as we commit our lives to showing God's great love to those in need! Thank you for your support and God bless! :) 

Please prayerfully consider sponsoring Megs for her Outreach by clicking on this link: Support Megs

Please search for her name (Meghann Walden) and follow the link to donate.

Blessings from our family to yours!

Good Things To Pray Over Oneself

I have a friend in Columbus, Ohio who is a man of integrity. He is just one of those guys who has an unshakable faith that really challenges me.  His name is Scott Osborne. This is his list of prayer points to pray over himself and I've decided to do this, as well.  Please consider joining me and making this a prayer-focus for your life for this season.

Dear Lord…

1. Please reveal any unconfessed sin in my life. 
2. Please forgive me of my sins. 
3. Please show me the way to escape every temptation and help me to choose Your alternative every time.
4. Please give me victory in areas of my life where I am weak.
5. Please help me to guard my eyes and ears.
6. Please help me to take care of my body; to eat, rest, and exercise with the discipline that will produce health and stamina. Help me to avoid self-indulgences and excess.
7. Please teach me how to pray. 
8. Please give me a desire to pray. Help me to become a prayer warrior…a true intercessor. Please help me discipline myself to pray and help me to pray instantly as You direct. 
9. Please help me to know You better and help me do my part to know You.
10. Please help me to have a deepening love for You.
11. Please help me to love Your Word and to discipline myself to daily read and study Your Word. 
12. Please help me to always, and only, allow Your Word to be interpreted to me through Your Holy Spirit.
13. Please help me consecrate my life to You each day.* Help me to be different, not distracted by or conformed to the things of this world.
14. Please help me budget my time according to Your priorities for me.
15. Please help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit. Help me to hear You in every way You communicate with me. Please help me trust that I hear You and act on it by faith. Help me not to ignore You when I don’t want to hear You.
16. Please help me to stop living by habit and start relying upon You for guidance on a moment-by-moment basis.
17. Please help me be self-governed to obey what You tell me to do. Please help me show my love for You through my obedience.
18. Please help me walk in righteousness, patterning my thoughts and behaviors after the character of Jesus.
19. Please help me walk in Your purposes for my life. Help me aspire to be only what You want me to be, nothing more, and nothing less. 
20. Please help me to be humble, never forgetting that I am nothing apart from You. Help me walk in the reality that my confidence and worth come from Christ in me.
21. Please help me only to seek validation and approval from You.
22. Please help me to understand and embrace Your power and authority in my life.* Please show me how to access Your power and authority to do Your will.
23. Please give me Your burden for the people in my life.* Please show me how to pray for them according to Your will and not according to mine.
24. Please help me forgive offenses done to me and to my loved ones.
25. Please help me not to be critical or judgmental. Help me to see others through Your eyes.
26. Please give me divine wisdom,* knowledge, understanding, and discernment to affect the way I think, speak, and behave.
27. Please help me to hold my tongue and my actions until I believe I have Your guidance from above.  Only then do I want to speak and act.*
28. Please help me to talk less and to be a better listener. Help me digest and retain what I hear.
29. Please help me to be Your ambassador of love. Please show me how to consistently express Your love to others. May Your love inside me open the door for others to know You more.
30. Please help me allow your joy to consume me. May the joy of the Lord govern my thoughts and emotions. Help me convey genuine, internal joy to the world around me. 
31. Please help me not to cause others to stumble or miss You. 
32. Please give me a greater burden for the lost. Help me to have a sincere, Godly sorrow for those who are lost and dying. Please don’t allow me to overlook anyone with whom I have contact. Help me not to dismiss any person who needs to know You or needs a touch from You. Please show me how to reach the lost and give me Your favor with them.*
33. Please help me to be bold in sharing and declaring what I know about You.
34. Please help me to be trustworthy with the keys to Your kingdom. I understand that I have a responsibility to help unlock the kingdom for those who need to enter. I also understand that I have a responsibility to prevent abominable things from defiling Your kingdom.
35. Please help me to be a true worshipper.
36. May You be glorified in me.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Ps. 103:1-2, KJV). 

Blessed be the King who is eternal, imperishable, and invisible, the only God there is – let there be honor and glory to Him forever and ever (1 Tim. 1:17, CJB). 

Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen (Rev. 7:12).

* Inspired by Pastor Torry Gligora’s Prayer Challenge, April 23, 2006

* Please feel free to email me at rjwalden@earthlink.net for the scriptures that go along with each point.

Check out Scott's app called The App of Blessings here

40th Birthday for Norwegian Royalty

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess both turn 40 this year. The Postal service celebrates this anniversary with four different stamps. More information can be found on the website.

Click here for more info about Norwegian Royalty

Beautiful Babies!

This is a video from the preschool my grandchildren, Shya and Hunter, attend at the YWAM base in Baja, Mexico. Enjoy!