Worship Together with Shawn Thomas
Lifestyle • Music • Spirituality/Belief
Welcome to "Good News!" - Monday, October 31, 2022 (Happy Halloween!)
Digital Print Edition
October 31, 2022
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Good News on Worship Together

NOTE - "Good News" will appear on the Worship Together feed as a digital publication for the next several weeks as Shawn sets up his new home base in South Carolina.  The weekly video broadcasts will resume soon.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.



Family Decorates Front Lawn with a New Halloween Scene Every Day in October

Halloween Scene

(Courtesy The Week - Catherine Garcia)

Every October, this Texas family and a cast of skeleton characters put on a show that delights neighbors and passerby. It started in October 2020, when Steven and Danielle Dinote and their kids A.J. and Anthony bought several skeletons at a Halloween store in San Antonio. Wanting to have some fun during the first Halloween of the pandemic, they started arranging the skeletons in the front yard, with A.J. putting one against the lawnmower and Danielle making it look like another was walking a skeleton dog. The family turned this into a competition to see who could make the best scene, changing it every day. Neighbors who walked by would often stop and say "it was the highlight of their day," Danielle told Today Parents. The family decided to make this an annual event, and neighbors soon dubbed their home "The Skeleton House." It takes between 30 minutes and an hour to set up each scene, which include props like clothing, wigs, and instruments. So far this month, the skeletons have played Twister, gone camping, and golfed. Being able to tap into their creative sides brings joy to the Dinote family, and they work together to make each scene come alive. "We made a rollercoaster for the skeletons last year we named One Flag," Steven said. "I spray painted PVC pipes for tracks and made cars from cardboard boxes. My son decided the roller coaster needed restraints which we made from pool noodles."

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Dwayne Johnson Surprises ‘Real-life Hero’ and Brings Him on TV to Honor His Services

Dwayne Johnson

(Courtesy Good News Network - Andy Corbley)

An opportunity to meet Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, but charity superhero Yuri Williams got so much more than just a handshake when The Rock decided he wanted to do something special for him.

Soon to hit the silver screen as a superhero himself, The Rock surprised Yuri on live TV, brought him back to the Good Morning America studio to give him special tickets to see the premier of Johnson’s new movie, “Black Adam,” raise awareness for Yuri’s work, and add another suit to his costume collection.

Williams is just one man, but he’s many heroes—Deadpool, Spiderman, and The Mandalorian are all costumes he puts on to put a smile on the faces of the people in need of one, whether they be the homeless, sick children, elderly, or veterans.

GNN reported last year that his place at the at the forefront of fun has helped his charity, A Future Superhero and Friends, organize toy drives, blood drives, school supply giveaways, youth art fairs, and so much more, and they’ve done it in all fifty states.

Much of his work is taken up by visiting children with special needs, or who suffer from serious illnesses.

“Yuri’s literally like the first person to put a smile on A.J.’s face,” said mom Katrina Morgan, whose son has cleft lip.

After struggling with depression during, and after his mother’s passing from cancer in 2009, Yuri decided the best way to recover was to channel his pain into relieving others’.

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Police Officers Go Beyond Call Of Duty To Help Grieving Woman

Police Officers Go Beyond the Call

(Courtesy Sunny Skyz News)

Police officers in Nebraska went above and beyond the call of duty when a grieving woman needed extra help.

What started as a rescue call ended with an act of kindness thanks to a pair of La Vista police officers.

Officer John Danderand said they arrived at Karen Ressegieu's home where they found her husband unresponsive. After multiple rounds of CPR, medics declared her husband deceased.

"She had a lot going on, she had some neighbors stopping by trying to figure things out, get information from her. And she had mentioned about three times that she had to get a cake frosted, they were supposed to attend a funeral that morning," Danderand said.

The officers frosted the cake for Ressegieu and then delivered it.

Sgt. Kraig Gomon snapped a couple of pictures to serve as a memory down the line. They captured a part of the job that goes on behind the scenes.

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Pet Stories! - Pit Bull Saves Chihuahua Puppy From Drowning In Pool

Good News Pet Stories

(Courtesy Sunny Skyz News)

Security camera footage in São Paulo captured the horrifying moment a chihuahua puppy fell into a pool and could not get out on her own.

A 5 -year-old pit bull named Athena heard the commotion and immediately jumped into action to save her.

The puppy she saved is only 3 months old.

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO



The "Good News" Digital Print Edition is a Worship Together publication.
A Ministry of "Aaron's Revival Project."
WorshipTogether.site | AaronsRevivalProject.com

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Live chatted 03/27/2024
Take 5 Worship Break - 3-27-24 - "Resurrection Song"

Welcome to "Take 5" where we take just a few minutes in the middle of our week to pause and worship God. Thanks for joining us and being a part. Please feel free to comment and share in the LIVE CHAT starting right at noon.

God bless,
Shawn

00:08:09
Live chatted 03/20/2024
Take 5 Worship Break - 3-20-24 - "Thy Word"

Welcome to "Take 5" where we take just a few minutes in the middle of our week to pause and worship God. Thanks for joining us and being a part. Please feel free to comment and share in the LIVE CHAT starting right at noon.

God bless,
Shawn

00:04:17
Live chatted 03/13/2024
Take 5 Worship Break - 3-13-24 - "For the Beauty of the Earth"

Welcome to "Take 5" where we take just a few minutes in the middle of our week to pause and worship God. Thanks for joining us and being a part. Please feel free to comment and share in the LIVE CHAT starting right at noon.

God bless,
Shawn

00:03:02
WT Podcast, "Songs and Expressions" (Part 3) - "Clapping in Church"

[Click Play Below]
Worship Together Podcast
Episode 15: "Songs and Expressions" (Part 3) - "Clapping in Church"

To listen to the first episode in this series, "Worship Songs VS Contemporary Christian Music" (Part 1), click here:
https://worshiptogether.locals.com/post/5064010/wt-podcast-songs-and-expressions-part-1-worship-songs-vs-contemporary-christian-music

To listen to last week's episode, "Worship Song Snob!" (Part 2), click here:
https://worshiptogether.locals.com/post/5129726/wt-podcast-songs-and-expressions-part-2-worship-song-snob

Check out all of our Podcast episodes as well as our other content and programming at https://www.WorshipTogether.site.

WT Podcast, "Songs and Expressions" (Part 3) - "Clapping in Church"
WT Podcast, "Songs and Expressions" (Part 2) - "Worship Song Snob!"

[Click Play Below]
Worship Together Podcast
Episode 14: "Songs and Expressions" (Part 2) - "Worship Song Snob!"

To listen to last week's episode, "Worship Songs VS Contemporary Christian Music" (Part 1), click here:
https://worshiptogether.locals.com/post/5064010/wt-podcast-songs-and-expressions-part-1-worship-songs-vs-contemporary-christian-music

Join us next week for Part 3 of "Songs and Expressions" with, "Clapping in Church" - available beginning at noon(EST) on Fridays.

WT Podcast, "Songs and Expressions" (Part 2) - "Worship Song Snob!"
WT Podcast, "Songs and Expressions" (Part 1) - "Worship Songs VS Contemporary Christian Music"

[Click Play Below]
Worship Together Podcast
Episode 13: "Songs and Expressions" (Part 1) - "Worship Songs VS Contemporary Christian Music"

Join us next week for Part 2 of "Songs and Expressions" with, "Worship Song Snob!" - available beginning at noon(EST) on Fridays.

WT Podcast, "Songs and Expressions" (Part 1) - "Worship Songs VS Contemporary Christian Music"
MUSIC VIDEO for "Gethsemane (Theme from Passion and Resurrection)"

This is the theme song from the upcoming short film, "Passion and Resurrection" which will be released exclusively on the Worship Together platform this Good Friday, March 29th.

The song, "Gethsemane" also releases Friday, March 29th on all digital outlets platforms.

Don't forget to tune in right here on Friday any time after 6pm to watch "Passion and Resurrection."

Trailer for the upcoming short film, "Passion and Resurrection"

NEW TRAILER for
"PASSION AND RESURRECTION"
[A visual, dramatic, and musical interpretation of the scriptural accounts leading up to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection]
March 29th - Good Friday

The first short-film production by Worship Together will be available for streaming and download beginning any time after 6pm on Good Friday, March 29th. Anyone can view the film (even those not on the Worship Together Platform) for $9.99 - OR - Annual Subscribers will have instant access for free. This small contribution will help support the continuing programs, content, and ministry of Worship Together.

Brand new single!
Coinciding with the release of the short-film, a brand new recording will also be released on March 29th on all digital platforms. "Gethsemane (Theme from Passion and Resurrection)" is an original song that appears in the film.

Much gratitude goes out to Kris Saracelli ( Kris Saracelli) and Brian Ladd ( Brian Ladd ) for lending their talents to this project.

...

Coming on March 29th - Good Friday

"PASSION AND RESURRECTION"
[A visual, dramatic, and musical interpretation of the scriptural accounts leading up to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection]

The first short-film production by Worship Together will be available for streaming and download beginning any time after 6pm on Good Friday, March 29th. Anyone can view the film (even those not on the Worship Together Platform) for $9.99 - OR - Annual Subscribers will have instant access for free. This small contribution will help support the continuing programs, content, and ministry of Worship Together.

Brand new single!
Coinciding with the release of the short-film, a brand new recording will also be released on March 29th on all digital platforms. "Gethsemane (Theme from Passion and Resurrection)" is an original song that appears in the film.

Much gratitude goes out to Kris Saracelli ( @Ksaracelli ) and Brian Ladd ( @Bkladd66 ) for lending their talents to this project.

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February 28, 2024
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How to Hear the Voice of God

How do I hear from the Lord? I think that's a question every believer asks at some point in their faith walk. And it's an important one! At the end of the day, the answer simple: listen. But that's probably not very helpful. And simple doesn't always mean easy.

Even when people talk about hearing the voice of God they talk about a “still, small voice.” How do you hear that?! I have a hard time hearing people who are speaking at a regular volume (too much loud music!), how am I supposed to hear God when I can’t see the expression on His face or watch His body language to help? It can be tough, and I certainly don’t get it right all the time, but it’s worth practicing. 

Below are 3 experiments to help you hear the voice of God. They're simple practices, but will be very powerful if you commit to them. 

When you try these, do so as Jesus instructs in Matthew 6:6: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." He will be true to His word. 

 

Experiment #1 Ask the Lord a Question in the Morning

This first experiment is intriguing because it’s designed to keep you engaged in prayer all day, listening for God to say something. Try it one day. Pray in the morning and ask the Lord a question. Ask Him to speak to you throughout the day. Hang on a few minutes after you ask though – He may very well answer right then and you might need a new question. 

If you do this experiment, start with something simple. Not because God doesn’t answer the major, life altering question you really want to ask, but because you’re learning to hear His voice. While you’re learning, it will help to start small and learn to trust that it is indeed His voice you’re hearing. 

Here are a couple ideas of questions to ask:

“Lord, what is something you’re proud of me for?” 
“Who have you put in my path for me to minister to today?”
I’ve even heard of folks asking God which pair of their shoes He likes the best!

Really, when you’re starting out the question isn’t all that important - it’s learning to listen for the answer.

 

Experiment #2 Try Prayer Journaling

This is a very similar idea to Experiment #1, you’ll probably want to have a question in mind. 

Begin by journaling your prayers. Write as if you’re writing a letter to God. Then when you’re finished, ask your question. Here’s where it gets interesting: After you place the question mark at the end of the sentence, put a set of quotation marks. That’s an act of faith, telling God you trust that He will speak. THEN write everything down that comes up in your heart and mind. Don’t pick and choose. Don’t assume it’s not God. Just write. You’ll be surprised at what comes up. When you are – that very well might be the Lord. 

 

Experiment #3 Silence and Solitude

The third experiment is probably one you’re more familiar with. You’re probably familiar with the concept at least: Silence and Solitude.

Carve out time to sit in silence with no distractions. Ask God to meet you there. For me, I usually need to go somewhere to do this. There are too many distractions in my house: my guitar, my phone, my tv, laundry, dishes, etc. When possible, I like to get to a river or a lake. I think something about that setting makes me feel like I’m living Psalm 23. I have to leave my phone in the car too. The only thing I really ever take is a journal, pen, and bible. Sometimes not even that. There, in the stillness and silence I pray, for me it’s usually out loud for a while. Then I wait and I hope to hear from the Lord. 

When I can’t get away, I often take lap or two around my neighborhood. I get weird looks sometimes because a neighbor will walk out of their house while I’m praying out loud, but besides that it works out pretty well. I’ve learned the secret to silence and solitude though, is silence. Sometimes I think we don’t hear God because we don’t shut up long enough to. 

 

I understand that different denominations and traditions have different views on hearing from God. I also understand it’s a concept way too big to cover in a blog post. That’s why I’m just sharing a few ideas. No matter your view, I encourage you to try. It will never hurt to try to understand how our Heavenly Father communicates with His children. I called the three ideas above “experiments” because God speaks to different people in different ways. For me, it’s typically in the silence and in studying His Word (by the way, take everything you think you hear back to scripture!), but I know for many others it’s journaling. For others it’s questions. Don’t over think it. I believe God will honor your desire to hear from Him. 

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February 06, 2024
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A Tool for Personal Prayer and Worship

I recently read of a prayer tool called Examen. Have you heard of it? The concept is one that was familiar to me, but I never knew it had a name or that people have been praying this way for hundreds of years! I love this way of praying because it leads you to worship. It’s all about reflection. It’s all about remembering. And much of worship begins with remembering. 

Here’s a basic overview of Examen

Often prayed at night, Examen is, as you might imagine, an examination of yourself. It’s a way of replaying your day with the Lord: the day’s events, interactions with others, conversations with your spouse, attitudes you had, actions you took, everything you can think of. Intentionally praying through every detail of your day can help you to see where the Lord showed up, where you missed His voice, and what you need to praise Him for. 

If that sounds complicated, don’t worry. It’s not. In his book, How to Pray, Pete Grieg lays out a four-part roadmap to follow: Replay, Rejoice, Repent, Reboot.

REPLAY
Begin by replaying the day’s events in your head. Tell the Lord about your day. Ask Him to highlight things for you. What stands out? What events took place? What made you happy or sad or anxious or angry? Personally, I have to do this out loud or I’ll get lost in thought somewhere!

REJOICE
Spend time praising God for His goodness. Where are places He clearly showed up in your day? Were there random acts of kindness? Are you healthy? Did He answer a prayer you prayed weeks ago? Do you have a roof over your head? Praise God for the obvious and not-so-obvious things. Search for things to rejoice for!

REPENT
Let the kindness of the Lord lead you to repentance. Where did you misrepresent Christ? Where did you see a need and ignore it? Where did you just blatantly sin? If I’m honest, I skip the repentance piece of prayer more often than I should. It’s painful. But sin separates us from God. Repentance is a step in reuniting us to Him!

REBOOT
Make a decision to live for Christ more fully tomorrow. Ask for a greater sensitivity to His Spirit! Ask to see His movement and hear His voice more clearly tomorrow.  

That’s it. Reply, rejoice, repent, reboot. I said earlier that much of worship begins with remembering: remembering who God is, remembering His faithfulness, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. But worship requires something else, so I like to add a fifth step to Examen: RESPOND. We remember and then we respond. After seeing where God has shown up, respond in worship! Declare the goodness of God, your hope in Him, your thankfulness for His presence, etc. 

There are 550 references to remembering in scripture. Examen helps us to be intentional. It’s tool for prayer, but it’s also a tool for worship. A tool that helps us to remember the love, the goodness, the faithfulness, the sacrifice of God every single day! Try it this week!

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February 01, 2024
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Worship Leader - When was the last time you opened your bible?

“Somebody told me something the other day. I don’t know if it’s in the Bible, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was…” That’s a real statement I heard recently from a real pastor during a real sermon. Then he went on to state what he wasn’t sure was scripture or not. That’s crazy to me. 

Similarly, I knew a worship leader several years ago who after almost two years of leading together, I never once heard use scripture. She would say things that were based in scripture, or things that were true, but never things the bible actually said. That’s crazy to me too.

Of course, the first example is less common. Most pastors I know cite their sources, but the second example I find to be very common among worship leaders – they don’t always know the bible. Today, I want to challenge you to be different. 

I fear our churches are becoming more and more bible illiterate because our pastors and leaders are becoming more and more bible illiterate. As a worship leader it’s not only important that you spend time in worship, it’s also important that you spend time in the Word. We can’t lead our churches effectively if we don’t. We can’t lead worship effectively if we don’t. 

Don’t misunderstand. I don’t expect everyone to have a doctorate in biblical languages or anything like that. I certainly don’t. But we are not leading to the best of our ability if we are not using the tools God has given us to lead with - especially the Bible. 

Very practically, there are two areas the Word can help us as worship leaders: worship and leadership. (I bet you didn’t see those coming…)

 

In Worship

Scripture tells us the story of God and man - the history of God if you will. It opens our eyes to see the truly unfailing love that we sing and speak about so frequently. It shows us that God is unchanging. It gives us glimpses into His character, His goodness, His promises and more. It helps us to look beyond ourselves and even our lifetime to see why God is the only one worthy of our worship. 

Going to scripture allows us to not only worship God for what He’s doing in our generation, but also for what He did in the generations before us and what He’ll do in the generations beyond us. By going to scripture, we can continue the praise of the Israelites being set free (Moses’ Song in Exodus 15) and we can join with the angels singing holy, holy, holy through eternity (Revelation 4). 

Scripture opens our eyes to who God is and how He engages with His people, it gives us reasons to worship and it expands our knowledge of God. If we are missing out on the Word, we miss out on furthering our knowledge of God and that limits our worship. We can only worship Him to the extent that we know Him.

 

In Leadership

Our bibles contain thousands of years of insight, of wisdom. I don’t know about you, but as a leader wisdom is what I pray for most. 

Proverbs 2:1-6 says, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

King Solomon, the writer of the proverbs and known as the wisest man to have ever lived, thought it incredibly important that his sons seek wisdom.  So important in fact that he wrote them a book full of practical wisdom to learn from. We have access to the same book every day. If the wisest man to have ever lived thought it was worth writing, I think it’s worth reading.

Beyond the proverbs we find the stories of the leaders of God’s people. We find the teachings of Jesus. We find the ministry of Paul. All of which will make us better leaders. As Solomon said in verse 6, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Where better to get His wisdom than from His Word?

Wise leaders are leaders worth following. Wise leaders speak truth. Truth comes from knowing the Word of God. 


As worship leaders, we have a responsibility to our churches to lead with wisdom and understanding. We have a responsibility to know who the God is that we are leading our people to worship. We can’t do either of those things without spending time in scripture.

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