When we become a child of God, we cannot sit and be satisfied.. It just doesnt happen. When you get that thirst to dive into the WORD and the revelations come and come and you realize that according  to John 1 that not only did Jesus come down to earth to do a very very special ministry, but you realize that HE IS THE SON OF GOD FOR REAL! But thats not all. You realize also from that one chapter that not only is HE the Son of God but that He is The Creator! That one got to me.. The Father gave the son the ability to create... hence, not only did HE create the earth, the trees, the waters, the animals, but HE CREATED US!!! Therefore if He created us then we are, for real, of The Lord. When we finally accept that and become Born-Again we all come to the knowledge of God. and God, Jesus Christ is always on the job. Creating, solving, pushing so that we can grow.

That is where I am going with this little blog. Growing .... Please give a listen to Barry Winslow's song on James Banfield's Top Ten Songs .. The Song is called, "GROWING" What is Jesus doing when HE does that to us? Is HE NOT MAKING US RAISE THE BAR"? ... We should be doing the same with the music that we do for Him. That take the extra umpff and ask ourselves is that as good as we can do? This is why I began James Banfield's Top Ten Songs of the Week. To show to the IGA membership those who took that extra step and to themselves and to the Lord, "Raised the Bar" of their music. For instance; Angela Dittmar. Her song on the Top ten list "You Bothered With Me". Is an excellent song. What it does is make you realize that our God is a personal God. He works within us as individuals. Angela did  an outstanding job in conveying that message through the song "You Bothered With Me". Give it a listen and you will see.  Its personal....  it doesnt have 24 tracks all loaded up with strings, harmonies, trumpets, keyboard, guitar, flute,drums, kettle drumms.. no .. it is simple and personal. with just enough music to carry it through.

So, let me give you all some encouragement and when you put down a new song and you are ready to record it and lay down the tracks.. Ask the Lord (AS most do now) to help you to "Raise The Bar" just a little bit more.

Blessings to you all,

James Banfield