Who Is Lifting Up Your Arms?

– April 25, 2008Posted in:

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Greetings Blog-friends!

So GMA Week is now over. I never did really explain what GMA is – I know tons of you are reading from other nations, so apologies for that lack of explanation! : ) It’s an American thing and I didn’t know anything about it until I moved here. Its a week long convention where everyone involved in Christian Music gathers in Nashville at The Rennaissance Hotel and Convention Center and holds tons of meetings, interviews, radio and TV broadcasts, and then finishes it all up on the final night with the Dove Awards – a televised award show for whichever artists and songs have won awards that year. Apologies again to my international friends, for speaking about this mysterious "GMA" week without explaining it! : ) So thats where Ive been the past week…

One of the biggest highlights of it was that one of my favorite friends and mentors, Melody Green was in town. This is she and I in the photo above. She and I met several years ago, and ever since our first coffee together I knew God had gifted me with any amazing friend, and with someone who would speak much wisdom into my life. She was married to Keith Green until his tragic death, and has continued since his passing away to be a key voice for God to our generation. We had several great hang times the past week, and I walked away feeling like I had been strengthened and encouraged in my passion to keep serving Jesus!

It reminds me of Exodus 17, where Moses was in the thick of a battle campaign, but was feeling weary. For some reason, God would give him victory when he lifted up his arms. But his arms got tired. When his arms fell down, the enemy would start winning the warfare. You can read all about it in Exodus 17 and get the full story! But when Moses’ arms got tired, God sent him two helpers/strengtheners/encouragers. Aaron stood on one side of him, and Hur on the other. They took one arm each and lifted up his hands. That way, the army won the battle and Moses strength returned to him.

Melody is one of the many precious people God has placed in my life to "lift up my arms" – to come along side me and strengthen and encourage me in the thick of ministry and Kingdom activity! So my question today is:

"Do you have people like that in your life, who come along side you and "lift up your arms" where you need encouragement and input? If not, would you consider seeking them out?"

We can do nothing alone…we are the Body of Christ and it takes all the members working together to move the Body forward.

I’m off to Carlos’s church tomorrow http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com Exciting!

Love,
vicky

Related Posts - these might also be of interest:

GMA Week, Day 1!

http://www.martinjanssen.com Martin

Hey Vicky, great to see you know Melody as a friend and mentor. I was spurred in my faith after reading her book about Keith and when I found the dvd about his life even more. So I had to do something and that something was sharing that story with more people. I had put that documentary on YouTube last year and it has over 60.000 views now. Many people have also been encouraged this way. The responses are overwhelming! I even got in contact with someone who used to live with Keith in the first year of his ministry.

You can check the video’s here if you like: http://youtube.com/watch?v=G6hOyx8LF4I

Say hi to Melody from me, and thank her for being so kind that I could share her and Keith’s story this way. :)

My ‘armlifters’ have been a couple of persons through the years who come and go as time passes. I can picture their faces and although I cannot point out precisely what they did to lift my arms, I know they did and it got me to where i am today. I’m thankful for them that God placed them on my way.
jon duran

Hey Vicky,

This is really bizarre, but during GMA week, I think it was on Tuesday, I read Exodus 17 in my morning devotion. That chapter really stuck with me the rest of the week, and then to hear you be reminded of the same chapter during the same week is kind of crazy. Maybe the Lord wants to remind His people to continually have their hands lifted to Him in prayer during the ongoing spiritual battles?

Lord Bless,

jon
http://www.JonathanPaulMusic.com Jonathan

It’s funny you bring this up. On the airplane yesterday, I was just reading a short piece by Rich Mullins where he referenced the famous “island” quote by John Donne, (and also couldn’t help remembering and smiling about the reference to the same quote in the beginning of “About a Boy”).

In answer to your question, family has always been a great source of encouragement and feedback for me; I’m back with (most of) them in Michigan right now, and it’s great.

On top of that, I’ve been blessed with some pretty awesome friends that encourage me and help keep me in line. :o)

Also, I’ve sought out mentoring by men who are further along the path than myself and who I look up to. I’m grateful when this blossoms into friendship where we are both able to give and take from the relationship.

Hope you have a great time with Carlos and Heather and the rest of the Buckhead crew. Some years back, I helped lead praise and worship for a while with Brian and Mandy Miller (who are now doing music at Buckhead if I’m not mistaken). Buckhead seems like a funny name to me… I can’t help but picture part of a dead animal mounted on a wall. I wonder how the church got its name!
Emma

Thanks for the explanation. I know what you are talking about now! Hope you had a fab week.

I definately have people that lift up my arms. They would have to be all my youth workers and ex-youth workers. They helpped me so much when I moved from primary school to seccondary and still do now I’m soon to be leaving completely. Glad you have someone like that too. Your music keeps us uplifted also.

With love
xxx
Rebecca

Hey Vicky ,
yes I do my parents are some of them and my mentor is another one.
Linz

my bandmates are always there for me.
http://www.myspace.com/nathanarnoldmusic Nathan

I have had several “arm lifters” during my life. My parents are and family are amazing arm lifters (and butt kickers when I’m not even trying to hold my arms up).

I have the supreme blessing of having one of the most amazing men on the planet as one of my arm lifters. His name is Randy, and he is now a pastor in South Bend, IN. If you read my post about a week ago, he is the father of the young woman who died in tragic car accident in Colorado on April 15. How amazing is Randy? When I finally got the opportunity to hug him and tell him how much I loved him and was praying for him at his daughters funeral he encouraged ME! And he did again later at the reception.

He is a man of intense prayer and encouragement. I can honestly say I would not be here today without him.
Lucy Geale

interesting question, yeh i have people who come along side me and keep my arms lifted. some of them are people who i have know my whole life, and some are newer people whom god has brought along recently. its great to be able to build up relationships with people who all have the same heart of seeing gods kingdom come.

i also think that arm-lifters dont have to be people we know. i am continually encourages to keep praising through pain when i hear your music and other christian artists music. it has been a great way that god has taught me things.

thanks for explaining GMA, feel more in the know!! glad it was fun :)

lucy x x x
Carina

Hey Vicky,

thanks for the explanation about the GMA. I have never heart about that before… Hope, you enjoyed the week :-)

I have some people that lift up my arms. The most important one is my future husband who gives me always sooo much support and encouragement when I need it.
Then my parents and some very good friends.
http://www.hbgusa.com v. russo

Hi, Vicki:

I have a book I’d love to send you for possible review and reactions. Please contact me!

Thanks,

V. Russo
valerie.russo@hbgusa.com
http://www.hbgusa.com v. russo

Hi, Vicki:

I’d like to send you a book I’m currently working on for your reviews and thoughts.

Thanks,

V. Russo
valerie.russo@hbgusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/propheticguitarist Jessica

God has used you thru your music and your blogs and such to be an encouragement to me… :)

my family… oh my gosh… we are all very close… and they always have my back :D

and God has sent a few friends to me over the years that have really been a blessing in my life…

interesting tho… a few months back… at church one of our pastors had a word for me… and he lifted my arms up and said that I would have an anointing like Moses to lead… and that God would send people to me to hold my arms up… and some other stuff…

but i just thought it was cool that you posted this… made me rememeber that word :)

Who Is Lifting Up Your Arms?

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