Planetshakers... not for the timid.

[thejesusfish90]

I've been to Shakers a couple of times in the past but I probably wouldn't go now because I've changed my mind on a lot of things theology wise.

I have to say that they do get some great speakers from overseas. Guys like Glen Berteau, Benny Perez and Chris Hill are simply amazing to listen to. I will probably go and see Chris Hill speak when he is at the City church.

In the past I would have defended that sort of worship to the hilt, I was brought up AOG all the way and never questioned anything. While I have nothing against the style of music (or how loud it is, even if I have to wear earplugs now) what I don't really agree with anymore is the majority of lyrics that are used, which is what I think Rachael mentioned at the beginning.

What I worry about is that most of the lyrics are us-centred eg. I love you, I can feel you, rain down on me, touch me....me me me I I I etc. rather than God-centred. I think there are times and places for both but recently there is a lot more me me me I I I than God is....God you are etc.

I only came to realise this over the past 18 months, during which I have and continue to suffer from depression. I would come to church and have to sing these songs about I love you, I can feel you in my life etc. etc. etc. when I didn't feel anything like that. I would have much preferred to sing about who God was because he is unchanging.....not like my emotional state.

And I think that in the end is my greatest worry, that the overuse of us-centred lyrics and the over-emphasis on things like Planetshakers (I am not saying it shouldn't have any emphasis) are breeding Christians that are equating experience with spirituality......who need to 'feel' something, or to be 'touched' in order to validate their relationship with God. Because of the theology that I grew up with, I felt so guilty during the time that I had depression (but was undiagnosed) because I couldn't 'feel' God and I thought that meant there was something wrong with me or I was less spiritual or something like that.

As Earthsuit so delicately put it:
"Youth camp junkies don't get enough to make the buzz last"
-Schizophreniac

Just to balance this out, I should add that when I have been to Planetshakers, I have encountered God in an incredible way, one year my curved spine was healed.....I was just on my own and it was really beautiful - I threw out my insoles (my spine was stuffing my feet up) and have never looked back. To me it felt like God was looking out for me

I can Very much relate to you 1 girl Army... thankyou for sharing your views.... I think its important to mix the I's in with the you's.... whenever we sing this on line in a song "In all I do I honour you"... I cringe, because If I said it I woulkd be lying, I dont honour god in everyway in my life, although I'd like to, Im am not perfect yet.... I think though there needs to be some element of personal committment though, but there also needs to be plenty of aknowledgement of god, and even coperal worship, so chuck in some we's....

YBIC

Chris

 

[theywhosowintears]

The Bible says that David got so excited when he danced that his clothes FELL OFF and he kept on dancing naked before God!!!!

There was a woman who saw him she criticised him, for being on fire for God. Do you know what God did?...He cursed her and she became infertile, she could not produce childrenand was without a child till her dying day.

The story is in 2 SAMUEL 6: 16 onwards.


I would like to say this: when God sees His people worshiping Him He will be there, I have been to Planetshakers in Brisbane and Adelaide, I have heard the praise and worship I have heard the word of God spoken to my generation of young people in a dynamic way that touched their lives. I have worshiped and praised God I have cried before the Lord and I have come away from Planetshakers with my life completely changed witha new heart of flesh that is softened towards God.

21So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. 22And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor."


It is all about Attitude. maybe some people came to mosh but if you went looking for God and not looking at other people He could touch your life.

I know this sounds harsh and if you cannot accept it that is your choice but seek God even when things don't appear right to you and He will touch you through (or even) in spite of what is happening around you!

Peace

 

[Bevlina]

But ... David brought the ARK from Obed-Edom to the City of David at that time.
I think I'd be too timid to go to Planet Shakers. It sounds too noisy with today's loud speakers and equipment.

 

[theywhosowintears]

Thank you for sharing that, Racheal Hopefully the day conferences will indeed be more spiritually edifying than what you've described to us. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing, but for someone who's looking for something to build their faith and be challenged, it doesn't seem like anything more than going to see Third Day for example.

I saw some of my friends get saved and become Christians I saw people filled with the Holy Spirit, I saw lives changed. I heard Preaching that said what the lyrics in some of the songs might not have said. I Also heard a sermon that explained teh 9 different ways to praise God. The different ways to worship what they are specifically and what they were used for. with your hands you can clap as an offering you can lift your hands in suplication you can shout, you can tell the great things God has done, you can kneel, you can do al sorts of things for different reasons.

I heard some of the most amazing sermons that were full of biblical truth and were anointed to reach people where they were. I heard that God loves ME! I heard that he knows my sin and still loves me! I heard that He wants me to change! I heard that He wants to hold me and love me and make me anew. I heard that He wants me to share Him with everyone I meet. I heard that I must share Him that I must live a life that is pure before Him. I have to run to Him and not from Him!

Believe me if you saw me and my friends before we went and after it was plain to see that God used Planetshakers to touch our lives.

If you arn't willing to jump up and down before God then are you ready for Him to touch your life. Praise is about making your body give God PRAISE!

God loves all kinds of music. You don't, I dont but God loves every kind of music from hip hop to Slash to Punk to anything you can think of...if people use it as a way to lift up His name He loves it!

Peace.

 

[theywhosowintears]

But ... David brought the ARK from Obed-Edom to the City of David at that time.
I think I'd be too timid to go to Planet Shakers. It sounds too noisy with today's loud speakers and equipment.

You would be more timid being with thousands of Christians who were loving worshiping God then in front of the object that held the Glory of God when you know that you haven't got Jesus to save you from God striking you DEAD? God is so powerful that if we saw Him we would DIE! *that is mind blowing!!!*


...before David bought the Ark home he got mad at God he was scared of God cause God struck a man dead for trying to touch what was Holy, for thinking God needed a mans help. David ran from Gods presence and only when he heard Obed Edom was being blessed did he come back, humble himself and then do it right with priests carrying Gods presence and not some stupid donkey and a a cart! He did it Gods way and then he was blessed (and no one died) Like Cain and Abel... they both offered what they had but Cain did it his way and Abel did it Gods way!

PEACE.

PS: Can you imagine David being quite well he danced so hard that he lost his clothes? NO WAY He was screaming like a crazy person!!! Oh yeah!

 

[gibbo]

What I worry about is that most of the lyrics are us-centred eg. I love you, I can feel you, rain down on me, touch me....me me me I I I etc. rather than God-centred. I think there are times and places for both but recently there is a lot more me me me I I I than God is....God you are etc.

That's true, Rain Down is about wanting to get closer to god asking him for his presence. But there are other songs like, Big: "My god is big, so strong, so mighty. There's nothing my god can not do! My god is good, he's so good to me." Unto You: Unto you, be all glory and prase, how my heart seeks your face, as i'm waiting on you" Overwhelmed:"And forever i will sing, of you amazing grace" I want to see jusus "Glory, glory, glory to the risen lord"

Trust me the Planetshakers team have only one focus and thats god.
It's not just in the songs but in every aspect of what they do.

 

[gibbo]

It is all about Attitude.

That so true. I've found if you go to planetshakers with an open mind and a open heart god can touch you in ways you never would've thought possible. If you go to planetshakers with ideas that the music will be to loud or someone said it's all hype or it's not of god ofcource your gonna have a rotten time.
The only thing better then going to planetshakers with a open heart is an expecting heart. If you rock up saying i really want a move from god tonight and belive just watch and see what happens.

 

[theywhosowintears]

That so true. I've found if you go to planetshakers with an open mind and a open heart god can touch you in ways you never would've thought possible. If you go to planetshakers with ideas that the music will be to loud or someone said it's all hype or it's not of god ofcource your gonna have a rotten time.
The only thing better then going to planetshakers with a open heart is an expecting heart. If you rock up saying i really want a move from god tonight and belive just watch and see what happens.

PREACH!!!

you quoted me!! Awesome, love your work! Although I was getting sick of jumping after a while... the worship was amazing wasn't it??? and when you hear the speakers talk about things in your own life thta you need to deal with it makes God come alive in you, you cant pretend they are talking to someone else! Woo I wanna go again!

 

[Bevlina]

You would be more timid being with thousands of Christians who were loving worshiping God then in front of the object that held the Glory of God when you know that you haven't got Jesus to save you from God striking you DEAD? God is so powerful that if we saw Him we would DIE! *that is mind blowing!!!*

HUH? Please explain.

PS: Can you imagine David being quite well he danced so hard that he lost his clothes? NO WAY He was screaming like a crazy person!!! Oh yeah!

Of course he was! He had seen the Ark Of The Covenant brought to his city.
He was also a very humble man too who sought God in a cave.

 

[Leee]

what are we actually doing here??...trying to get other ppl to think the way we think...

are ppl getting frustrated??...over these discussions...

I love what planetshakers and Hillsong do, in this world...i dunno why ppl are so spiteful over them...i've been in conversation where my friend actually screamed at me coz of how much she hates hillsong or planetshakers...and im thinking why are u so worked up for...this is probably why you cant see the bigger picture of Churches...and i knew we had to stop talking...so i was like "wah u really hate hillsong aye?"...hahaha..so we ended in a good note...

but its no one's fault to believe what they believe...we can either argue with each other...

or argue that the devil...is winning by letting Christians argue among themselves...this is why there are so many denomination...coz we all think we're right!...but in fact we're ALL right, if we Believe that Jesus is Lord and that the Bible is True

 

[KristianJ]

If you arn't willing to jump up and down before God then are you ready for Him to touch your life. Praise is about making your body give God PRAISE!

Yes, I am ready...the way I look at praise is giving God all the glory for who He is and the many wonderful things that He has done for you, me and every person who breathes on this earth. To me it doesn't matter how you praise God. If you want to jump up and down and feel that is the best way for you to praise Him, then that's great. But for others they are not comfortable with that. God does indeed us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to Him as our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1), but I don't see that as merely being active (ie. raising your hands, jumping up and down) while a song is singing. It's so much more than that. God can touch my life while I am in the most serene of places simply sitting or laying down resting. He can touch my life while I'm witnessing to the person who I live next door to who is not familiar with Jesus. He can touch my life in any way that He pleases, and I will open up my life to enable Him to have His way in me. Let us embrace the fact that we worship our Father in diverse manners.

I know this sounds harsh and if you cannot accept it that is your choice but seek God even when things don't appear right to you and He will touch you through (or even) in spite of what is happening around you!

It's not harsh - it's the truth Paul speaks of it so many times in his letters.

whenever we sing this on line in a song "In all I do I honour you"... I cringe, because If I said it I woulkd be lying, I dont honour god in everyway in my life, although I'd like to, Im am not perfect yet

I really like how you've raised this point, Chris - and I really do understand how you'd possibly feel awkward singing lyrics like that. However I'm reluctant to go any further because the thread's not really designed to handle what I could say here

 

[crashedman]

PS: Can you imagine David being quite well he danced so hard that he lost his clothes? NO WAY He was screaming like a crazy person!!! Oh yeah!

Re-read your Bible: he was actually wearing what they called an 'ephod' (or as we might call them a 'singlet'). And what happened when his wife started complaining? God punished her by making her sterile.


Crashedman

 

[crashedman]

Well, I wouldn't be jumping up and down praising the Lord if he's just run over my cat with a truck or he's taken a friend or loved one away. If he turns my family and friends against me, then I wouldn't be too pleased with him either.

What's God done for me lately? Well, maybe given me an iron will against accepting ciggies and pot from other people, and a sense of self-control where the loss of jobs, accommodation, friends, cars and a career is concerned.


Crashedman

 

[Bevlina]

what are we actually doing here??...trying to get other ppl to think the way we think...

are ppl getting frustrated??...over these discussions...

Nobody can get other people to think the way they do Leee. I have been a Christian for 52 years and read my Bible since 1962. That being so, I have seen many changes in the world.
From the time of Rock Music, the world began to change music wise. And, it comes as a surprise to me, and a little frustrating, to know rock music is being used in churches. I remember Elvis, Bill Haley & The Comets etc; and I saw this type of music hype people so kept away from it.

I love what planetshakers and Hillsong do, in this world...i dunno why ppl are so spiteful over them...i've been in conversation where my friend actually screamed at me coz of how much she hates hillsong or planetshakers...and im thinking why are u so worked up for...this is probably why you cant see the bigger picture of Churches...and i knew we had to stop talking...so i was like "wah u really hate hillsong aye?"...hahaha..so we ended in a good note...

I don't think people hate thinks like this, they merely question.

but its no one's fault to believe what they believe...we can either argue with each other...


or argue that the devil...

We argue with nobody, we question. Personally, I have my opinion. You have your's. I don't like loud rock music.I don't like hype, and don't think it's right for churches to be charging so much for CD's etc;

is winning by letting Christians argue among themselves...this is why there are so many denomination...coz we all think we're right!...but in fact we're ALL right, if we Believe that Jesus is Lord and that the Bible is True

No, we don't all think we are right. The only right way is through Christ ans by studying the Bible. And, to believe Jesus is Lord, you have to get that into the right context.
If you believe Jesus is Lord, which He is, you are His servant. He is our Master, our Lord. His Holy Spirit is out teacher, our comforter etc;
He leads us to do what is right. And, that takes no hype and screaming music. He leads us to do what is right in life, to become more spiritual, to become more humble and gracious. And He does that because Jesus is Lord.

 

[theywhosowintears]

Re-read your Bible: he was actually wearing what they called an 'ephod' (or as we might call them a 'singlet'). And what happened when his wife started complaining? God punished her by making her sterile.


Crashedman

20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, DISROBING in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow

 

[Bevlina]

:14
Then David danced before the lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod
15: So David and all his house of Israel brought UP THE ARK OF THE LORD with shouting and the sound of THE TRUMPET.

 

[theywhosowintears]

:14
Then David danced before the lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod
15: So David and all his house of Israel brought UP THE ARK OF THE LORD with shouting and the sound of THE TRUMPET.

after careful research into teh topic.... looking at a strongs concordance and various other sources he WAS wearing an ephod... However an ephod doesn't cover the parts that a man should be covering (an Ephod covers the shoulders and has a breats plate, often covered with gem and precious stones it is an outer garment and may incorporate "cape" ... plus a king shouldnt be dancing (only women do that!) the point is still valid but thanks for the correction.

Peace

 

[crashedman]

I'm not a king, but I'm not into dancing.



Crashedman

 

[Racheal]

He leads us to do what is right. And, that takes no hype and screaming music. He leads us to do what is right in life, to become more spiritual, to become more humble and gracious. And He does that because Jesus is Lord.

Bevlina that is so beautifully true... thankyou for sharing that with us

 

[Bevlina]

No probs about telling the truth Racheal. God is All Mighty. Far too Mighty for us to comprehend. We can worship Him anywhere, anytime. It doesn't need alot of hype to Praise God. Just plain awe and complete honest love.
And, that costs nothing. Worshipping in Spirit, and in truth - that is the way God loves to be worship. I believe the Bible tells us He seeks such to worship Him in that manner.