Baroni Bloggin’

Mine is a wonderful life. I travel to places that the people who have invited me want me to be there and want me to sing songs that I have written and share what is on my heart and my mind. With the exception of three years as a staff worship pastor, I have traveled and ministered now for 23 years!

I am in Jonesboro, AR- tonight at “The Rock”, tomorrow and Sunday at Trinity Church. I am looking forward to the weekend- about to leave the motel for the worship night.

In the past few days I have been reminded of the excitement Ive experienced when God revealed things to me from His Spirit and Word- wonderful things like the beauty, freedom and power of grace, the fact that the very Life of God is in us through Christ by the Holy Spirit, and that God is a Faithful Father. He is after me to give me grace to apprehend that for which He has apprehended me! (You may want to read that again!)

By the way, started writing a new song last night “There is a song inside of you my friend… so come on and sing it… come on and bring it!”

May His Word and Spirit be fresh to you and to me- we live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God!

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding- in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6)

“…Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:5)

These verses speak volumes to us about how to live life. I used to think the first verse from Proverbs was an admonition to unbelievers- thus I concluded that since I did that once, (trusted the Lord for salvation), I didn’t need to pay attention to the verse anymore. I erroneously concluded that I automatically trusted in the Lord without leaning to my own mind.

Now, however, I see that it is very easy for believers to live in our own strength, walking out the plans of our own minds and think that we are flowing in God’s purposes- hence the loving warnings of the scripture to consciously put on “the mind of Christ” and not live merely in the natural but to be naturally supernatural.

It is safer to step out of the boat on a Word from God than it is to keep rowing through the storm with the oars of our own strength and plans.

It is God’s creative Word that sustains, directs and provides for us.

“I beseech you therefore brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice… and be not conformed to this world’s mold, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni
P.S. Coming soon, my first book: “The Jazz Preacher”!

When Jesus first appeared as an adult in the gospel according to Mark 1:15, He said:
“The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.”

Borrowing a bit from my friend Dudley Hall, (check him out at www.sclm.org), I paraphrase:

“You have been living in an earthly realm with a certain set of expectations and paradigms. I tell you that I am bringing a new way to live, a new way to look at life. I am God, the King come to earth -and I have brought my kingdom with me. Get ready to have your mind changed, your whole way of life changed- this is great news!”

The message that Jesus preached (and embodied) was the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Most believers have settled for assuming that the gospel of Salvation (Jesus was God come to earth as a man, suffered died and was buried, rose again on the third day for the forgiveness of our sins) is the same thing as the gospel of the Kingdom.

As vital as the gospel of Salvation is, (and make no mistake, it is vital- without the crucifixion and resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ we would have no means for a real relationship with God), it is just a part of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Jesus said, “I am come that you might have life and that more abundantly.” The gospel of the Kingdom is not just forgiveness of sins and a ticket to heaven, it permeates the whole of life.

The word “gospel” means good news. Good news to the Wall Street tycoon and the orphan in Calcutta, to the star NFL athlete, the successful lawyer and the huddled refugees of Sudan.

What is that good news?

That we have a Father Who gave life to us. We have a destiny- a purpose. We are valuable and precious to God. We can walk in peace in this life- living above circumstances. Through the cross of Jesus we can be free to get to know God- to get to know ourselves.
Through Jesus we are set free to be who we were origially created by God to be!
We can learn to love others and love ourselves and even love our enemies.

All of this is impossible without God- but the good news of the Kingdom that will affect every sphere of life on earth is that we are not without God. Emmanuel has come. He lives in us by His Holy Spirit. We are the dwelling place of the Most High God!

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is filling the earth through His people!
Seek first the Kingdom of God…

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

…and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God brooded over the darkness… (paraphrase Gen.1:2)

In the beginning of creation God started with Himself and… nothing.

Some translations say darkness was upon the face of the deep. Some say that the earth was without form and void, barren, chaos.
…and the Spirit of God hovered, moved, brooded over the barrenness,

nothingness,

chaos,

emptiness.

Then God said: “Let there be light- and there was light.”

In the story of creation in the book of Genesis (beginnings), there is a wonderful picture of God Who is a community in Himself. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit have always existed in a perfect relationship of love, intimacy, harmony and humility.

See the wondrous cooperation of the Trinity in the first 3 verses of Genesis:

The Spirit of God was brooding over the darkness, waiting…
Waiting for The Father to speak. To send His Word, The Son.

So the Father sends the Son to the Spirit Who applies the Word to the darkness and the darkness gives way to the Light.
Chaos gives way to Divine Order.
Barrenness gives way to the fruitfulness of the Creator.

Isaiah 54 says “Rejoice O barren, you who have not had children. Sing for joy, for more shall be the children of the barren than those of the married wife.” This speaks to our refusal to trust in our own sufficiency and our dependence on God who creates out of nothing.

He gives beauty for ashes, gets glory from dust
Makes a garment of praise from the armor of rust
Turns bondage to dancing, through weakness makes strong
Turns the wail of the mourner to the victory song *

I have good news for you. If there are barren places in your life, if you feel afraid or maybe you feel numb, or there are situations filled with chaos or darkness, The Spirit of God is brooding (like a mother hen over her eggs) over that darkness. God has sent His Word to you and will even give you the grace of faith to respond like Mary did “Lord, Let it be done to me according to Your Word.”

Light arises in the darkness and the desert will blossom as a rose, for Your Maker is your husband.

Do you feel The Brooding?

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

*(”Glorify the Lord” written by David Baroni, from the CD “In This Holy Place”)

A wise person accepts the discipline of the Lord. In fact, to be corrected by our Heavenly Father is a sure sign that we are His sons and daughters. Holy Spirit-inspired conviction is a gift from God to help us to continue to be conformed to the image of Christ.

When a word from the Lord exposes the wrong motives, disobedience, pride and self-sufficiency in my heart, the proper, healthy response from me is to humbly ask for forgiveness and cleansing. Then, with an attitude of thankfulness for the Love of God that refuses to let me live for very long in violation of Kingdom principles, I arise, “wash my face”, and continue walking in the Life of Jesus.

What if my child did something wrong, say purposefully poured her milk on the floor after I had instructed her not to? (This is assuming one of my daughters was about 6 years old- that was a while ago .

When I pointed out that her behavior was unacceptable, she may respond to correction by crying profusely and saying honestly, “I’m sorry Daddy.”

Of course, being a loving (though imperfect) father, I would accept her apology and that would be the end of the matter, unless…

She refused to let it end. What if she kept crying over and over again: “I’m sorry Daddy, oh I am so sorry, please forgive me Daddy, I’m sorry…?” What must my child think of me, to not accept my forgiveness?

To me, the above scenario illustrates the difference between conviction and repentance, and condemnation and a religious reaction to correction.

Tim Hughes wrote a wonderful song “Here I Am To Worship”.
In the middle of the song are the lines: “I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross…”

I was in a worship conference several years ago when the worship leader was leading that song. He led us to repeat the above lines, I’m sure he was wanting the realization of God’s great love to sink in.
So we sang it. And sang it again… and again… and again…

After staying on that part of the song for a very long time, I went from being grateful to being alarmed. It seemed like conviction and thankfulness began to change into condemnation and a kind of religious flagellation. I could almost see us with the whips, beating ourselves on our backs in a vain display of false piety.

I was in the congregation so I began to walk around the back of the auditorium singing a different line. To the same tune of “I’ll never know how much it cost” I was singing:

“And now I am complete in You to walk in all You’ve called me to… So here I am to worship”.

True humility is having an accurate perception of Who God is (and of course, that is an ever- increasing revelation), and an accurate perception of who I am. It’s not about false piety or condemnation, but receiving grace to respond to God’s conviction and to walk as a son or daughter of the Most High God.

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

Well, it’s that time again.

Rita and I have packed our trusty mini-van and we are heading out today to Dallas!

Every year at this time for the past 12 or so, we have been a part of a wonderful week of ministering to the Lord, making new friends, seeing old friends, good worship and the Word at the Worship Institute at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel.

This year the guest worship leaders are Tim Hughes (Wednesday), Tommy Walker (Thursday) and Martha Munizzi (Friday).

Guest speakers include my pastor- Steve Fry, my dear friend Bob Sorge and Howard Rachinski, the founder and president of CCLI.

I am doing 2 Master Intensive Classes on Tuesday: “The Prophetic Song” and “Keyboard Improvisation”. To check it all out you can go to www.worshipinstitute.com and click on Transcend !.0

Most of all, I believe that we are going to gather and “rejoice with trembling”. We will be reminded that we don’t worship the worship, that worship music and all the resources thereof are not “THESOURCE”, just resource in our walk with Jesus Christ.

Pray for me and Rita and our daughter Bethany, who will join us next week. Pray for the attendees- some coming from as far away as Kuwait! Pray for the WorshipInstitute staff.

Thank you for your support of our work and worship!
Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

P.S. Don’t forget to order my new CD release “The Songwriter Sessions” and get your free download Song of the Month!
July 1st we will post a new song “Beautiful Blood’.

“Godrest and Godspeed”.

I add this signature to almost every letter or email.

The order of the words are important. Godrest

“He that has entered into His rest has ceased from his own works, even as God did from His.”

As I travel around the globe and around the United States I get to meet people from many different denominational backgrounds. One thing I have noticed (and of course it is also evident in my own life), is that a lot of God’s people are just plain tired.

It’s not just because the world has gotten more demanding, bill collectors are louder in their cries to be paid, we need to learn restraint in our consumption, etc. etc.; those things may be true, but the weariness goes a whole lot deeper than that.

We have a “soul-weariness” because we have been trying to do the will and work of God in our own strength. As my friend Steve Fry says, we must learn to do Father’s work His way.

Watchman Nee, in his masterpiece “The Normal Christian Life” puts it this way: “Only Jesus Christ has ever lived the normal Christian life and only He can.” So let’s stop trying to live for God and let Him live His Life in us!

He is the One who makes us lie down in green pastures, He leads us beside the restful waters, He restores our soul (mind. will and emotions.)

That’s what I mean when I say Godrest.

From a place of rest then we can live with “Godspeed”-

In other words, what God commands, He gives grace for.
As the Psalmist David says: “Through my God I can run through a troop and leap over a wall. Through my God I will do valiantly, for it is He Who overcomes my enemy.”

Rather than ask God to bless what we are doing, we ask Him to show us what He is on His heart for His world and his people, and ask for grace to flow with His purposes! Seek first the Kingdom!

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

Rita and I spent Friday at a dear friend’s home whose husband was dying of cancer. We watched them say their goodbyes, talked about the funeral plans, and left in the evening to give them their last few hours together.

The phone call came at midnight, Rhonda told Rita that Jerry had just “gone home”.

Yesterday we went to 2 high school graduations, not our own children, but friends of the family. The ritual was familiar (I guess that’s part of what ritual is), and the time was special. Hugs all around, some tears (yes, even macho me.)

Today, my wife and I practiced a song we are singing in a wedding celebration next weekend.

All different events with one major thing in common: this is the stuff of life.

Traveling to the far corners of the world, meeting people that don’t look like me, smelling different smells, watching as other cultures worship God- that’s exciting and rewarding and tiring and wonderful and sometimes lonely.

Today, I celebrate the ordinary. The living, the graduating, the falling in love and marrying, and yes, the sad goodbye of death.
It’s all a part of this incredible gift we have been given by our Creator/Father/God.

The gift of life.

Be it sad and hard sometimes, joyous and exhilarating, peaceful or sometimes just ordinary, today is, in one sense, all we have.

I don’t want to just read or write about life, I won’t be content just to sing or speak or hear about it.

I want to live it!

Celebrating Today,

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

Columbus, Ga.

As I relax here in the hotel before ministering at Northside Chapel in the morning, I have been thinking about my travels of late.

Since late November, I have been to Austria, Italy, England twice, Greece, Nigeria, Kuwait and Ukraine. I have also re-connected with dear friends in Sonrora, California and had some other stateside adventures.

What a blessing to be with people like the Hopkins, Grays, Mannings and Hoggards in Europe, Gail Stathis and Brian van Deventer with EME in Greece, my friends Wale Adenuga, Kunle Fadahunsi, Pastors Francis, Shola and other new friends in Nigeria, the wonderful folks at Lighthouse church in Kuwait, and Jerry and Lyana Chalk and the dear folks in Ukraine.

I also appreciate the fact that my wife Rita joined me on many of the above-mentioned trips.
I’m also glad I didn’t wreck the dirt bike, riding the trails of the Sierra Nevada with my friend Pastor Craig Andrus. The last time I rode a motorcycle was 18 years ago with the same dude!

As Neil Diamond sang: “The road is long, with many a winding turn…” and it is so nice to be with the people of God along the way.

The International Worship Institute is coming up in Dallas. You can still register for this powerful event- just go to www.worshipinstitute.com.

Coming this July 3-6 at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel in Dallas TX the International Worship Institute presents:

TRANSCEND 1.0 !!

Featuring such worship leaders as Tim Hughes, Tommy Walker, Martha Munizzi, LaMar Boschman, Darrell Evans and others including yours truly, this is a wonderful week of worship and fellowship, impartation and instruction.

For more info and to register go to and click on Transcend 1.0

Also, check out the Master Classes-Keyboard Improvisation and Flow and Prophetic Song that I will be teaching on July 3rd.

Just returned from a wonderful, fruitful time in Kiev, Ukraine.

Dr. LaMar Boschman led a team of 18 people from the US, Latvia and Texas, (little joke there), in the 2nd annual International Worship Institute in Kiev. I served as the music director and led worship and taught classes on Songwriting for Worship, The Prophetic Song, and The Blessedness of Brokenness: The Release of the Spirit.

Hundreds of worship leaders, pastors and other leaders met for a powerful, Presence-filled three days in Kiev. One dear lady in tears told me through a translateor that she had traveled 14 hours one way to the conference as a gift from her Pastor, and was deeply impacted by the Spirit of God.

There are testimonies of physical healings, people coming to Christ for salvation, people hearing clearly (some for the first time) the Voice of God, and many were encouraged to continue in their calling to be worshippers and lovers of God.

Ukraine has just known “independence” as a nation for about 15 years. There is corruption in government, poverty and the residue of 75 years of an official atheistic policy. However, God has been making Himself known in powerful ways in this nation of passionate, beautiful people.

It is good to be back home, good to have a home to come back to, and especially, good to know the Lord and be energized by His Passion and Presence, and be given a desire to partner with Him to advance the Kingdom. Thank you to those that prayed for us on this trip.

Godrest and Godspeed,
David Baroni

P.S. It is encouraging to see so many people are downloading the Song of the Month for May:
“Fill This Place With Praise”. You can get the free MP3 and Songsheet at www.davidbaroni.com
Just click on the online store, then click on Free Download and follow the instructions. (Don’t forget to RIGHT click on the download button.)