“A Change In Perspective”

And Tammy Trent Exclusive

What do you know about God? What do you think you know about God? What if some of what you think you know is not true? What if most of what you thought you knew about this Deity ended up being incorrect?

I'm not proposing there is no God. There certainly is enough evidence in the physical world as well as philosophical thought that would point to the existence of a “higher being”. The real question is, “can we know Him?”

What we know of God comes from the Bible and our own experience with Him. But honestly, the Bible only gives us a mere glimpse of who He is. There is a lot of mystery about Him – many things we don't know, either by His choice or our own ignorance. And whenever we run into something that doesn't make sense or has gaps in the information, we fill in the blanks as best we can. And so we come up with a God that fulfills what we have created in our minds. Many of these thoughts are not necessarily incorrect. They are the product of life experience, knowledge and reason. But can we really know a God that has so much mystery about Him?

Throughout history, many very spiritual men and women (much more than I) have known God to various depths. We see from their writings their struggle to know the Infinite as finite beings. So as a mere average kind of guy, what can I expect in my relationship with God? As my father is fond of saying, the older I get and the more I know about God, the less I seem to understand. That's encouraging.

Here's the reality. The God of the universe, the One who has created everything, understands and sees everything, wants to be known by us. At least to the extent that our tiny human brains can handle. Think about that. God wants you to know Him. His character. His ways. His personality. His heart.

So why is it so hard to know Him from our perspective? I don't know. Sin most likely. We are separated from Him in this thing called sin that is part of the human condition. I have found however, that even being the proficient sinner that I am, I can know God more and more in an intimate way each day as I live my life. It's not through Bible study alone, though that is part of it. It's not through prayer alone, though that is part of it too. It is through daily experiencing life with God in a way that goes beyond any relationship I have. It combines all my senses and abilities as a human being in a way that entwines my soul with my Creator.

I read about a particular aspect of God's character and throughout my day I talk to God in a conversational way about it. I look for that character trait in different places in nature, in people, in myself. By the end of the day I have experienced a relationship with God that goes beyond just a simple “quiet time”. I have experienced Him in a real way that touches me in a way that impacts and changes me for eternity. I get to “know” God a little bit better than I did before.

I would challenge all of us to change our perspective in regard to our relationship with God. Instead of looking at it as something we “do”, we need to look at it as something that “is”. Stop “doing” quiet times and read His word because you want to know Him. Make your entire day a “quiet time” because you want to experience God in a soul satisfying way. Stop praying because you need something and start having a constant conversation with Him because you like talking to Him. Think of it as having the best friend you've ever had with you to hang out, talk, share with, dream with and experience life with 24/7. It really changes how you look at a relationship with God.

Jeff Orr is the founding Executive Director of Innové Ministries ( http://www.innoveministries.com ). He is a performing artist, writer, speaker, producer and arranger. His latest release, “Hanging By A Thread” is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/orrjeff .

Here's my pick for the Artist of the Month: Tammy Trent

Tammy Trent

Style: Christian/Pop

Web Sites:   http://www.myspace.com/tammytrent

http://www.tammytrent.com

Tammy, just days ago, finished putting the final touches on her new project with Producers, BERNIE HERMS, DOUG BEIDEN, BRIAN STECKLER & STEPHEN MARSHALL. They will be mastering June 4th and the new album titled STRONGER will hit stores everywhere July 29th 2008.

Tammy's story is one of despair and unexpected grace. In September 2001 she and her husband of eleven years, Trent (from whom her stage name comes from), spent a few days in Jamaica - part mission trip, part vacation. On September 10th, Trent went free-diving in the Blue Lagoon and never returned. Tammy spent the rest of the day with rescue divers trying to locate her husband with no success. She woke up the next morning in the home of strangers to discover that the whole world had gone mad. As she waited for news of her husband, she watched the news as two planes plowed into the Twin Towers in New York City - later that day she had to identify the body of her husband. No one in her family could get to her as all flights were grounded and canceled. She was held captive in Jamaica for ten more days waiting to return to her family. Tammy's story of God's grace in the midst of such pain, fear and loss touches everyone she ministers to. It is one thing to call the Lord shepherd - it is another to be carried by Him when you can no longer stand. Tammy is constantly amazed by our Lord's commitment to us in the worst moments of our lives. You can read more about this amazing love story turned tragic in her book "Learning to Breathe Again -choosing life and finding hope after a shattering loss", which is available in bookstores across the country.

Tammy (Grand Rapids, Michigan native, self taught drummer and High School Basketball Star- you go girl!) signed her first major CCM record deal in 1995 working with amazing producers; Fred Hammond, Bernie Herms, Doug Beiden, Tedd T, Mark Hammond, Todd Collins and others through the years. She has followed that calling on her life with great passion ever since. With the national release of 4 CD's (her 5th project STRONGER releases July 29th 2008) that have garnered three number 1 hits ("My Irreplaceable" "Your love is 4 Always" & "It's all about You") and a handful of top ten hits, including her signature songs "Welcome Home" (check out the video on her profile) & "Run to the Cross", Tammy continues to sing her way through to the hearts of thousands.

Her life is real. Her music is real. Her words are real and her God is real. You see it in everything she does. Why? How? Because she knows what it's like to have the wind knocked out of you and yet to feel the very breath of God bringing you back to life again. An evening spent with Tammy is like one big living room, just hanging out with your friends. That is her gift to the world. Letting you in, making you feel comfortable and then sharing her God, her faith and her hope in one of the most authentic, tender and humorous ways. Tammy has remained single to this day by choice. In fact, she has chosen not to date at all. She says she has been a woman who knew love deeply and at this time in her life, because of that deep love, she doesn't feel a void in that area of her life. Tammy has spent the last 5 years on the platform allowing others to see how the Lord is putting her life back together again. You might say, she has now married adventure and is sooo complete.

The Women Of Faith Conferences and The REVOLVE Tour kept Tammy busy for about 4 years traveling around the country, so with that kind of amazing exposure you'll find Singer/Songwriter/Author and Speaker Tammy Trent, will a full touring schedule now. June 2005 also marked the National release of her second book, "Beyond The Sorrow", published by J Countryman, which follows in the footsteps of her best-selling book "Learning to Breathe Again" by W Publishing. You can purchase any of Tammy's books or music at a Christian Bookstore near you or by going to her website today.