Baroni Bloggin’

I am so glad that God is not afraid to get down and dirty with us. Jesus is Emmanuel- God with us. Jesus was not born in a royal palace, but a humble animal stall. There is a part of being human that is messy, sometimes we bring it on ourselves by wrong choices we make, other times it is just part of living in this world.

Religion tries to deny or ignore the messy part of humanity, Jesus affirms us in our humanity and identifies with us. He was is and will always be God, and now, because of the incarnation, He is also forever human!

I am here in Vienna Austria and having a wonderful time at Vienna Christian Center. Tomorrow begins a European Pastors retreat and I will be leading worship. Please pray that these men and women of God will be refreshed and encourage, re-fired and inspired this week.

Watch for a new song of the Month coming in December: “Here in Your Throneroom.”

The title of this piece is taken from a song “Within the Heart Of God”. In particular, the lyrics:

(We are)
“Favored, Blessed and Broken
Chosen and Redeemed
Accepted and Beloved
Humbled, yet Esteemed”

Those two words, “humbled” and “esteemed” are like precious treasures in perfect balance on the scales. In my life, I have usually over-emphasized one or the other, to my detriment.

On the one hand, true humility (an accurate assessment of who God is and who we are), is so easily replaced by false humility, a mealy-mouth religiousity complete with pious sounding empty platitudes, giving lip-service to God while demeaning one’s own dignity.

It sounds like this:
“That was a wonderful song!”
“Oh, it wasn’t me, it was the Lord.”

To which the astute complimenter may reply: “Why, that’s funny- I could have sworn it was you up there singing!” (A humble reponse could be simply: “Thank you!”.)

The other word- “Esteemed”- when taken out of balance, smacks of humanism, or a western exalting of the individual at the expense of everyone else.

Religion, however, has caused the practitioner to despise and fear our humanity. We so easily forget that Jesus, though always God, became a man, and indeed will forever be the “Son of Man”.

Much like humility, esteem is valuing something or someone according to intrinsic worth.

Indeed, only by seeing ourselves as God sees us through Christ can we rightly know that we are highly esteemed by the Creator of the universe.

Being reminded that it is only by grace will help us to esteem ourselves properly, with humility and thanksgiving.

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

As the sun is reborn
and a beautiful morning
Reminds me of your faithfulness to me
Through the long lonely night
When the darkness hid the light
You gave me grace to trust and now I see
Even when it’s hard to believe
Even when our hope seems all gone
There has never been a night without a dawn

Faithful God, Unfailing Love
Forever You are worthy of our praise
Faithful God Unfailing Love
We can always trust the wisdom of Your ways
Faithful God

David Baroni/ Wayne Tate/ Integrity’s Praise! Music/ BMI CCLI

Thanks to Pat Marzella for this photo

Sometimes I forget to let God love me…

Sometimes I forget that I don’t have to work to win His approval…

The Lord spoke this to me several months ago and I want to share it with you:

I want to show you how I see you

For I will show you Who I Am and who you are

David Baroni/ 2005 Kingdomsongs Inc./BMI-CCLI

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

Here I am in Newark New Jersey. Just finished a good weekend at Hallelujah Christian Fellowship.
The people were so warm and encouraging… I love to sing with people that obviously love God, and people that listen with their hearts!

This is the end of quite a busy season of travel and I am grateful for it all- from Denver, Colorado to Charleston, South Carolina to Columbus, Georgia and now Newark… whew!

I am also ready for a bit of rest and some good family time.

This year has been adventurous and productive. Our new web site has been so well received, we have released 3 projects (”Captured By Your Presence”, “This is the Mission” and “Favorite Hymns Instrumental”- posted singles and soundtrax for downloading, took trips to Europe and the Ukraine, celebrated a wedding anniversary (26 and counting!), and said goodbye to two family members- my oldest brother Neil who died last year, and Rita’s father, Bob Phillips who passed away in January.

In the midst of losses and celebrations, milestones and stepping stones, repairing car brakes and getting tires changed- life happens.

I have discovered that life is best when it is lived. Gratitude, to me, makes the difference between just existing- (surviving- I’m too good at that) and really living.

So I am tired and happy with much to be thankful for.

Godrest and Godspeed!
David Baroni

The mid-term elections in America are over… there is a shake up and big changes in leadership in the House and Senate. Now the Democrat leadership gets a chance to take the lead in wrestling with huge issues. I hope that civil discourse will prevail, and that knee-jerk political partisanship will give way to a mutual respect and finding common ground and moving forward.

As a dual citizen (of the Kingdom of God and America), I “rendered unto Caesar”- I voted and was engaged (mostly as a student and observer) in the political process. Some of the votes went my way, some didn’t. I realize that the nations face tremendous challenges and that in many ways these are sobering times.

I also realize that God holds the kings hearts in His hands, He exalts one and puts down another… He performs all things after the council of His will. He is not one bit nervous about the affairs of earthly governments. He cares… that all would come to walk in His ways!

This is an exciting time for the people of God… The citizens of earth are desperate for answers, for acceptance, for intimacy- to be known and loved. By the grace of God, we can be a living demonstration of the God of Love and Justice.

God desires for all to know Him as Father. The King has come and in the words of Dudley Hall, “He’s brought His Kingdom with him!”

When Jesus introduces His ministry in Mark 1:14, He says: “The time is at hand and the kingdom of God is here. Repent (change your mind, your direction- open your heart to a radical new way of life) and believe the gospel” (which is still good news!)

We don’t need religion, “churchianity”, legalism, the angry condemnation that some call “defending the truth”… We need the Life and Love that Jesus Christ is.

Some may trust in donkeys, some may trust in elephants, but we will trust in the Name of Our God!

Friends,

The “Song of the Month” free MP3 download and leadsheet for November is one of my favorite worship songs called “Back Where I’ve Always Been”.

You can download it by going to the Free song section at the online store at www.davidbaroni.com

Also, Here is a link for my FingerPaintings: Christmas CD. (click on text below)

David Baroni