Laced With Grace

This past month I had the opportunity to chat with Carol Moxley, bass-player of the Texas-based worship band “Church Chix”. Carol was one of the first bloggers I met when I started blogging almost 5 years ago – so there is a special bond . Find out at the end of the interview how you can get a copy of the CD (not available for sale (yet) at regular retail locations)…

1. Carol, I know you have been playing bass for a very long time. How long have you been playing together as a group known as “Church Chix“?

Iris, we’re humbled by your interest in Church Chix and we thank you for this opportunity to share our ministry with your readers here at Laced With Grace.

About six years ago, Toni and I played our guitars for our church’s women’s retreat. At that time we shared a common dream of a ladies’ praise/worship band that would be available to women’s ministries in need of music for retreats and other events. We didn’t know it at the time, but two other women musicians at our church also shared a similar dream with each other. We later found out a singer at our church also had the same calling on her heart and her college roommate (a violinist from another church) was looking for a praise team with which to use her musicianship. Later, we came across a female drummer from a nearby town with the same calling. The story of how it all came together is one of those things that is so bizarre and unexpected you know only God could have managed to make it happen. And he did! Rebecca and I are the only original members remaining – Toni joined a little later, the others after that – but looking back, we see how and why he lead the various members in and out of the group along the way. He is sovereign!

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Whenever I read Isaiah 6:1-8 I am deeply moved.

I’m there, it’s me, it’s not Isaiah. I can see the train of His robe filling the temple. It flows on for what looks like forever for the temple is large in size. I see the angels attending to Him. I can hear voices crying out, “Holy! Holy! Holy! I can hear the rush of the angel’s wings as he flies swiftly towards me carrying the hot coal. I can feel the floor trembling beneath me and I’m in fear being in His very presence. I can feel the heat coming off the burning coal as it is placed upon my lips. My heart is overwhelmed by the pronouncement that my iniquities have been taken away and my sins are forgiven.

And then the unthinkable happens. The Lord God Almighty Himself speaks. Looking directly into my eyes with blazing light emanating from His eyes into mine, He asks “Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?” Without hesitation I reply, “Here am I. Send me!”

His power transfers into me, fills my very being and I’m forever filled with His passion for the world He has created. He sends me out, filled with His Spirit. I’m merely His willing vessel to accomplish His will.

He desires to send more workers out to share His passion.  Are you willing to R.S.V.P. to His Holy Calling?

Responsibility ~ Are you willing to take ownership and act on what you know to be right? Are you willing to confess your sin and live a righteous life before the Lord so He can use you?

Sacrifice ~ Giving up what you love for something you love even more. Do you love Him more than anything or anyone else? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Vision ~ Are you communicating with passion what you see, feel, and hear? Are you focused? Do you see the vision He has set before you? He has called you, therefore He has given you a vision, a mission.

Partner ~ You can’t always go yourself, but you can partner with those of us who are there on the front lines every day. You can pray. We need your prayers. It’s the protection and the under girding we desperately need. You can give. Even the smallest of gifts is powerful when it is given out of obedience and in Jesus name. Choose a missionary and stand in the gap with/for them.  It’s your choice.

How will you R.S.V.P. to God?

Father, I am undone, a woman of unclean lips. Please cleanse me and make me a worthy messenger. I desire to answer your call.  Yes, Lord!  Here am I, send me!

Marsha’s Musings

Wherever we go, or whatever we watch, whether TV, movies, the Internet or standing in line at the checkout in the grocery store, we see what the “world” views as “super stars” – people to emulate. It seems that every day there is some “star”, athlete, or even politician admitting or caught in uncompromising situation. These are the individuals that the world is trying to get our children as well as ourselves to emulate even worship.

Even in the Christian realm we must be careful not to put the Christian artist, authors, or even pastors in position of worship over God. The created is flawed in this sinful world. But the Creator is not flawed, He is Truth. People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own self-centered personal beliefs. We need to be careful- even watchful that we do not trade the truth about God for a lie. Today, more than ever, we need to know what the foundation is for our beliefs. The influences of TV, music, movies and even the media often presents sinful life-styles and objectionable values that we often find ourselves bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally contrary to the Bible. We need to be careful of what influences us to form our opinions. The Bible is the only standard of truth so we must evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings.

This world desires us to worship the things that God has created instead of the Creator Himself! Even though some of the created may seem good, we must be careful of crossing the line from admiration to adoration. The created can disappoint us, ever fail us, but the Creator will never fail- He is forever faithful and just. He is our standard of Truth. Our God, is always worthy of our praise and adoration. Let us always give honor and glory to One who is worthy of all praise! Amen!