Empire Nation : Thought for the week

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Sam Glazebrook’s final thought...

It's been nearly 4 years since my beginnings with EN, which started with a late night phone call from Ed asking if I wanted to drum in the band, which I'd vaguely heard of. From the first long, cold practice in a small church hall in Reading, to playing to big crowds in various events and countries, we knew God was in it and has been blessing us and pushing us forward in ways we could never achieve alone.

It hasn't been easy - the distance between band members has always required a lot of travelling, and there have been times of love, as well as times where all of our patience has worn thin, but either way, the boys have become quite a family to me, ever forgiving and accommodating of my constant fidgeting, forgetting (and eating). For example forgetting my passport halfway to the airport to fly to Sweden! 

Now it's time for me to move on. God is ushering me in new directions, which requires me to step out of my comfort zone, and walk alone for a while. This is a challenge both relationally and spiritually for me as I continue to seek out God's path for my life - but it's really exciting! I've had an ace time writing songs, shooting music videos, playing gigs, and worshipping as part of EN, & this isn't 'goodbye', more of a 'see you around'. I'll be getting on a plane to California in September, to see what doors God has for me to open over there. It's something I feel God has been leading me into over the last few years - & now is the time to do it (if you live in California, drop me an email)

I have all the faith that God is going to do amazing things through EN, and I can't wait to see that happen. Keep a look out for the new music video (released Easter 2013), which may be the last one you'll see my face in!

God bless and see you on the road!

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#28 Constantly Pruned, Constantly Blessed

We recently finished our summer touring season, travelling some 3000 miles around the UK. There were many challenges and many blessings, but in both we have been trying to help other grow in the right direction; to become more fruitful.

In John 15 it talks about pruning yourself to stay fruitful… This is something we’ve been focusing on lately. If you’re like us, then you’ll want to be constantly blessed by God, but we often expect this to happen without us doing anything.

Here’s the deal, if you want to be constantly blessed by God, you’ll need to constantly prune yourself. Now we’re not talking limbs or fingers, but habits, thoughts and attitudes etc. So just like when you prune a plant it re-grows stronger and more vibrantly; by keeping yourself in check, your spirit will to flourish.     When you Humble, God will exalt. When you pray, God will honour. When you give up, God will give.

Have a little think about today… what habits, thoughts or attitudes do you need to start pruning? Grab the spiritual secateurs (Prayer) and start chopping. Let your spirit flourish.

John 15 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.  3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

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#27 Why do you go to church?

We recently found this blog that challenged our reasons behind going to church. It brings up a lot of questions, so we wanted to share it...

Shaun Groves writes:

"I’m often asked to speak to worship leaders and their volunteers. I’ll sing or speak in a church’s services and then spend the afternoon – or at least lunch – with the musicians of the church.

I’m often asked what my church’s music is like. And the answer seems to surprise. It makes sense that a musician would go to a church with excellent music right?

The music was so bad the first Sunday we visited the church we’re part of today, that the then worship leader stopped twice to start over. And that’s why we came back.

300 people up early, gathered in a cinderblock elementary school cafeteria, sitting on cold metal folding chairs. Not because they loved the music, but because of love.

For each other.

For God.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with great music. We’re told in scripture to make music with excellence. Once. We’re told this once. Only once. So it’s not the top priority for me as a church member, or a leader of the musicians at our church today.

And this informs everything we do.

We ask musicians to commit for only six months at a time, no matter how good they are, because we don’t want them to burn out – because we love them more than excellence.

We ask musicians to spend time with God daily in prayer, scripture, meditation and silence and offer resources that teach them how – because communion with God is more important than excellence.

We ask musicians to be at church even when they’re not on stage – because church is a community we love, not a gig.

We practice so that we can be free to think about Who it is we’re singing and playing for, so that we can worship with our church family without anxiety or distraction – because participation is more important than facilitation.

Take away the lights. Reduce the sound system to two speakers on sticks. Swap the seats for folding chairs and the sanctuary for a cafeteria that smells faintly of burritos. Miss notes. Flub chords. Would you stay?

Why are you part of the community you call church?"

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#26 Joel Vs Poverty

This week we'd simply like to share with you the amazing and compelling story of six year old Joel Saunders. This is what 'Here I am, send me..' really looks like...

Read here: http://martinsaunders.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/run-joel-run/

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#25 Live a Life of Worship

Recently I've been thinking a lot about worship, and being a worship leader. Up untill recently, maybe in some ways seeing worship leading as an act, the guy up the front of church with an acoustic guitar singing songs as an act of worship to God. But I've been looking into the concept of 'worship' and have discovered something more challenging than simply making music on a Sunday...

To be a worship leader, and to lead worship you must live a life of worship. In your every action, word, thought and deed; worship should be the motivation. I don't know about you, but this isn't always the case in our lives. It's definitely a goal and something to work towards. 

Matt Redman speaks on this subject in his book, The Unquenchable Worshipper  (well worth a read) saying, 'Unstoppable worshippers are bold evangelists, lifting up the name of Jesus everywhere they get a chance. Their offerings of worship are just as vibrant outside the church as they are inside...' 

So if you have a heart for worship, and want to be/are a worship leader then think about what it really means to be a worshipper of Jesus, with your life and not just with your music... Challenge!

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#24 Snakes and Ladders...

We all go through seasons of change in our faith and sometimes our life’s circumstances can leave us unsettled. Too often we choose the default option of returning to a ‘safe zone’ with God, a place where we know He is because we’ve experienced him there before.

But God wants us to stretch our faith; seeking out new places with new experiences, moving away from our safe zones and into new territory. If you’re comfortable in life and with God, you’re probably in need of a shake up.

One of the most important gifts we can pray for is discernment. In order to lead a full life for God we need to be walking the path He’s laid out for us, so discerning that path amidst our life’s challenges becomes one of the most important tasks we can get right.

If you think you've already missed the path, don’t worry - God has a plan B and He has the ability to press our reset button. Like the game Snakes and Ladders... God can send us down the biggest snake in order for us to find the starting path.

Try it today, pray for discernment and start looking for the right ladder. You might be surprised by the surprises God has for you.  

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#22 TURN ON THE TAP

One of our main goals as a band is to help those that are less fortunate than us; for we are called to love the last, the least and the lost.

This year we have teamed up with Samaritan's Purse for the Turn On The Tap campaign. The goal is simple; to lift a further 250k people from water poverty in Africa this year. There are three ways you can help us:

1. Get involved in the Walk For Water Weekend (22nd - 24th June) and raise some money. Click here

__________

2. Buy our new album / TOTT deal. For just £16 you can get three albums, and a limited edition TOTT water bottle. Click here (It's really cool!)

__________

3. Donate £8 here which will give a child access to life-transforming clean water through a water filter, This locally-made concrete structure can provide clean water in the home for up to 15 years. (It's easy and it makes a difference)

This is something we're passionate about, and we'd love for you to join us!

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#21...You're Not Alone

To mark the release of our latest single You're Not Alone, we'd like to share what the song is about.

You're Not Alone is a metaphoric monologue from God to us, telling us that no-matter what we do; God is always there and he's unchanging. Have a read through the lyrics...

____________________________

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

It’s been a while since you’ve come my way

I’ve been waiting for a chance to see your face

Thinking about you, Longing to hold you

Give me the time to show you I know you

‘Cause I’ve been thinking about you, Longing to hold you

Give me the chance to show you I’m there

      You’re not alone, I’ve never left you,

      So give me the problem, I’ll walk beside you

      You can cut me down, you can shut me out,

      you can throw me to the flames

      But when all is said and done, I never change

So take what you want from me and make it new

And turn a part of me into a part of you

It’s golden and I’m hoping to show more of the truth

Coz I’ve been living without you, Longing to hold you

I’m gonna show you I never change

______________________________

Watch the video here

Download You're Not Alone here

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#19 The Comfort Zone

You’re most alive when you’re out of your comfort zone or pushing yourself to excel.  

Our lives can become very repetitive, we eat the same food, meet the same people, listen to the same music and watch the same TV shows, day in – day out. Our journey with God can fall into the same pattern... church on Sunday, maybe one or two weekly pick-me-ups... But when life’s too comfortable you run the risk of not really living at all.

Risk can come in many forms. Bear Grylls takes physical risks every day for his job – pushing his endurance levels to the limit. He has a ‘quiet faith’ that he describes as the backbone of everything he does; it gives him strength. His risk-taking out in the wild also fuels his faith; as he puts it: “You don’t meet many atheists in the death zone at the top of Everest.”

Pushing ourselves physically, emotionally or spiritually can be part of our worship and celebration of the life God’s given us. Just think how creative, wild and imaginative our God is... we can be too.

As a band we’re constantly trying to push ourselves and pursue our calling, it means taking risks, saying no to other commitments, sacrificing our time and our energy.

God's ready to take you out of your comfort zone - are you?

Check out Bear Grylls at Hillsong Church here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnku92yPvFQ&feature=related

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#16 Strive for this...

So this weeks thought has been left to Sammy D, so sit tight, eyes front and read on!

During a recent Sunday service we talked about ‘character’...our actions and attitude can greatly effect how people see us as Christians or simply as a person. For example, lets take a routine Empire Nation show, if we were to turn up late, expect people to unload all our gear, set it all up while we went to relax, were arrogant and thought we were the big deal; do you think we would be invited back? Probably not! Thankfully, that’s not how we roll.

God is interested in our character; how we treat others and the way we act around other people is far more important than our skills or abilities.

Strive for excellence, but not at the cost of relationship

We need to put this into practice, work on ourselves as much as we work on our skills. Be gracious, courteous and put others before yourselves... then, God will honour you and bless you in all you do.

SD

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#14 Let the fire fall

On Friday we released the first single (and video) from our up-coming album. We've had the song in the bag for over a year, so to finally release it brought a great sense of elation. 

For this weeks thought, we'd simply like to share what the song is about...

Fire Fall Down is based on 2 Timothy 1:6, "fan into flame the spiritual gifts that God has given you". It's about living in the moment for God; being open and willing for God to use us.

Please join with us in celebrating by re-posting the video or downloading the track (It's free). 

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHN5kAoHlQY

Here's the free download: http://www.mediafire.com/en_fire_fall_down

FIRE FALL DOWN

God of all things, great and glorious king

We all sing let the fire fall down

I see lightning strike a generation,

When we all sing let the fire fall down, Let it fall

    Let the fire burn out, fire burn out of control

    Singing, here I am Lord send me

    Raining down, rain on me

    Fire burn out, fire burn out, here we go

On wings on fire, wings that take us higher

When we all sing let the fire fall down

Now we’re flying, glorifying Your name

As we all sing let the fire fall down

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#12 Let the music play...

Music is everywhere in modern western society today; it’s inescapable. It comes through our TV screens, computers, radios, iPhones, iPods, iPads, until we’ve got it coming out of our i-balls.

Music has the power to change our feelings in an instant, and is at once deeply personal and completely universal. A song can connect with an individual at the deepest level but also unite an entire nation.

But, as with so many things in life, music has huge potential for either good or evil, depending on how it’s used. It’s so easy to end up absorbing the messages that come through music all around us - So we need to be careful.

‘All good things come from above’ (James 1:17), and music is no exception. Great music should uplift our spirits and speak truth into hearts and minds. Not every song has to be directly praising God, but every song we listen to should reflect a part of God’s glory, whether it’s written by a Christian or not.

  ‘Music is an art form that transcends language’. Herbie Hancock

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#10 Dude, where's my church?

Last weekend Glazey and Ed were at their annual church weekend away, hosted in Newquay, overlooking the most famous surfing beach in the UK - Fistral.

Highlights of the weekend included late night fireball hockey on the beach, oh and Glazey actually pulling off the famous dance lift from the film 'Dirty Dancing' (he was the girl!). The speaker Greg Downes (London School of Theology), spoke on true conversion...not just ticking a box to say that you're signed up to believe, but being empowered to go out and change the world.

We often forget how privileged we are when it comes to church, as it's easier to pick out the problems. But church is a real blessing, and you'll only get out of it what you put in.

We're really lucky that there are so many great churches, leaders and movements across the UK. We hope that you are part of one, and encourage you to keep blessing others through your church.

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#9 Be a voice for 27 Million...

We're very excited that our good friends Lindz, Lucy and Jorge: aka LZ7, have joined forces with worship leader Matt Redman for their new single '27 Million'.

The song has been created for the A21 Campaign (Abolishing Injustice in the 21st Century), and aims to not only make people more aware of Human Trafficking, but to rise-up a generation and basically say "look this has got to stop".

It was released today and has already gone to number one on the Amazon charts. We reckon that if everyone joins in, it can get to number one in the music charts too; which in turn will help carry the issue through to the government level.

We love the heart and passion behind this movement, So let's all get on it asap, and stir up some UK chart goodness this weekend!

http://www.theA21campaign.org/

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#8 A pancake before saving the world...

This week, on Tuesday it's Pancake Day, which is awesome!* That also means that Wednesday is the start of Lent. This period leading up to Easter Sunday is traditionally a time of prayer and fasting. Over the last two thousand years, people have fasted from different things: meat, fish, dairy products, fruit, and now people often give up chocolate or their favourite junk food.

But Lent doesn’t just have to be a new diet plan, or a chance to secretly revive your New Year’s resolutions. The main idea is that whatever you do brings you closer to God.

So here's something different to try this year - The Tearfund Carbon Fast, a challenge to use the Lent period to change our lifestyles in a way that will impact others around the world.

It's fun, free, interesting and it can help change the world!

Check it out!

*especially for our drummer Sam Glazebrook, he eats...he just eats!  ;)

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#7 ...It costs how much?!

As a band we face the challenge of living at separate ends of the country. As you can imagine this can make things tricky, especially practicing. With our touring season about to kick off, we’re rehearsing as much as possible, but the crazy thing is that each practice is costing us around £150! Sounds nuts, doesn’t it.

We drive for hours, meet at a half way point, practice all day and then drive home again. It’s hard work, but at the end of each day we make a point to pray and remind ourselves why we’re doing this.

Sure, we could stay at home, watch TV and spend the money on clothes and cars.

But we’re called (like you), to live with total abandonment for God. 

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul says “Therefore my brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour is not in vain.

When life’s too comfortable you run the risk of not really living at all.

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#6 Guard This...

Back in autumn a fifth member joined our band, our awesome black VW Transporter, now affectionately known as Geoff Vader. He’s an essential part of the gang, and without him life on the road would be much more difficult.

Last week we accidentally left the side door ajar, and someone managed to break in. They didn’t try very hard, and only made off with our ‘disaster’ box (blanket, torch, spare food for Glazey etc.). I was in 'Jack Bauer' mode and found most of it dropped round the corner anyway.

We were very lucky, but it made us think how easy it is to let your guard down, even with something that is very precious to you. We care so much about the security of our material possessions, but do we pay the same attention and effort to watching over our hearts and minds? The Bible says that our hearts are the most important thing we can protect:

“Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.”

Proverbs 4:23, NIV

Your heart is the gateway to your relationships, your dreams, and your joy in life. What can you this week to keep it safe?