Hi Friend,

I've got '2 for the price of 1' in this week's song from the 20/20 project (writing 20 songs in 20 weeks).

Firstly, thank you for your patience, I normally try to get my new song up early in the week but today has been my earliest opportunity.

This time I have uploaded 2 slightly different versions of today's song. The tempo is the same but the chords and melody differ slightly in each one. I'd love to hear what you think works and what doesn't.

check it out here: http://blog.andyrogersmusic.com

Secondly, here's a thought about how God encourages us.

Recently I was struggling with doubt about the validity of writing songs, doing worship and making music. It wasn't a real deep struggle, I've been well taught and have often experienced the importance of worship and the impact that it can have on peoples lives. But sometimes on an intellectual level it appears that there are more worthy/practical activities to focus attention on.

As I was subconsciously mulling this over I stumbled across the following email on my hard drive that I got shortly after the Engage24 album was released:
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Hey Andy,

I have to share with you what a blessing that album has been to me. My mom just recently passed away from a bout with cancer. She had been anti-God (if you just live a good life everyone will eventually end up in heaven) for her 70 years.

I always wanted my mom to be saved, and I would ask God for that off and on for the last 30 years.

One night I was in the studio listening to and playing along with this c.d. after having left the hospital and my mom. It was about 10:00p.m. I was playing with "lord you are my righteousness" and I began to cry (I never do that) and cry out for my mom's salvation.

About 10 minutes later I got a call from the doctor saying mom had gone toxic and was going back to i.c.u. I went to the hospital to be with her. She was in a coma until about 4:00a.m. When she snapped out we were able to talk about Jesus and she prayed to receive him as her savior.

She only lasted a couple of weeks after that. She wanted to be home when she died so we took her to her home. In the evenings when I would be with her in the final days we would play your music for her and you would look into her eyes and see such a peace.

Thank you for your gifts and allowing Jesus to work through you in such a wonderful way.

Regards,


(name & email address supplied)
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It made me realise that when we're called to do what we do (regardless of whether it's worship etc or not) then God really goes the extra mile to encourage us to stay on track.

It's always good to pray what Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesians 1:17-19 all those years ago:

I ask-ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory-to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him-endless energy, boundless strength! (The Message)

Knowing and doing what you are called to do energizes your life!

Cheers - Andy
P.S. Check out the Engage24 album offer at www.andyrogersmusic.com/music