http://sixstringministry.com/news.html Sam Dougherty: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sun, 20 May 2012 01:11:02 -0700 http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#34
Isn’t it amazing how some of our Christian brothers and sisters prioritize tradition over ministry? To be more concerned with personal comfort and familiarity rather than reach out to the lost soul. This is truly a selfish and prideful stand to take. You have to wonder what Jesus would think of this attitude. I once heard a Pastor say that he did everything short of sinning to attract the unsaved to his church so that they could hear the message of the gospel. This is an old issue and through out history there has been discussions, arguments, division and even war against change. Is it really change to do everything you can without compromising the gospel to reach the lost?
Jesus was an extreme radical to everyone in the days he walked this earth in the physical realm. The Pharisees struggled for years to figure out what to do with this rebel. Everything they knew, the way they lived, the way they worshiped God, their stature, reputation and fancy displays of religiosity were all put to task. Jesus shook up their comfortable and predictable world. All of the rules and guidelines they had developed beyond the law over the years were soon to tumble into a pile of useless relics. In order to grasp onto the ways of the past they took drastic measures and denied the one who fulfilled their future. Jesus came to reconnect with his beloved people. Jesus went into the streets and the world of the lost and misguided. Jesus shook the world that His father created by its very foundation. Jesus was more concerned with the heart of the “pre-Christian” than the rituals of the religious. He spoke to their heart and made them feel welcome to enter into fellowship with him. Jesus spoke the truth at a relevant level to whomever He spoke. He communicated in a way they could understand clearly that He is the only way, light and truth. Jesus didn’t put on a ceremonial robe, or sing a traditional chant, or speak in ways the gentile couldn’t comprehend. Jesus was relevant to the people he came to save.
So, where are we? Are we relevant? Do we approach those who need to know Christ with our fancy Christianese language? Do we sing to them in a context that has been forgotten for centuries? Do we approach them in suits and dresses that would never be seen outside of a wedding or funeral?
The lost are lonely and desperate. The broken are weary and tired. The hurt are in such pain. Everyone needs a savior. Nobody needs a Pharisee. Remember the traditions of the past and embrace the unimaginable depth, width and height of who our God is. Expand the walls of the church to engulf the lost. Keep a keen eye on Christ and see all with his heart. Whatever it takes to reach the lost, do it. What ever is relevant enable it. Use relationship, love, media, music, events, missions, service, outreach and anything else that is not sin to bring in the lost.

Any thoughts of your own? Post em in the guest book]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#34 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0700 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#33
How many times can I go through this? Today in worship three people prayed over me and I still didn’t feel a thing. I thought I was living a fairly good life. I accepted Christ into my life already and for months or maybe years now I have totally lost that connection with him. How could this happen? I have been told I have something in my life that is holding me back. There is sin somewhere in my life that is separating me from God. I don’t know what it is. God please help me! I miss You and I’m so lost with out You.
God replies in a soothing voice, “Shhh, child it’s ok. I’m right here next to you. This is where I love to be and I never left you.”
That is exactly what God is saying to you. God communicates with us in two ways and until we understand this aspect of who he is we will never understand that soothing voice that tells us “I’m right here next to you”.
The first way he communicates with us is through the manifestation of his presence. A time when God actually enters into the temporal world where we feel, see and experience physically the presence of God in our lives. This is an experience we all need and crave. To reconnect emotionally and physically with the one who created us. During this time we are reassured of his presence with us and it makes us more confident in knowing that he is here with us.
When I was 24 I moved back in with my dad and took over the basement of his house. My dad was recently divorced and I needed a place to stay. Those days were incredible. I reconnected with my dad on a level of relationship we had never had before. Mutual trust and respect. I love to hunt and it was bow season for whitetail. My Dad worked 3rd shift at the factory and would usually get home around nine or so in the morning after stopping at the pub for a couple drinks to help him wind down. This particular day I was out hunting and came back into the house later in the morning. My dad was not home yet so I decided to take a nap and see if he was up to getting some lunch when he got home. I had just fallen asleep when our neighbor, who was my dads best friend, came barging through the door and said, “Sammy get up, I think your dads been in an accident.” I jumped up and got into the van with him as we drove into town where the accident had occurred. I knew as soon as I saw the mangled mess of a vehicle wrapped around the telephone pole that there was no way he could have survived. I was in a bit of shock I suppose. I didn’t start crying or anything. I just clammed up and said take me home. It was just two years earlier when my sister was killed in a car accident at only 20 years old. I learned from that tragedy how to shut everything down and put on a mask to cover it. This time I really felt alone. I wanted to go back out to my tree stand and sort out the fact that my dad had indeed died in that accident. My neighbor would not let me be alone and had me come over to his house. After a short time many friends and a few family members came to try and comfort me. It was so surreal. I felt completely detached and alone. I was empty and I needed to reconnect with what ever was left of a person left in me. Suddenly I noticed my mother’s car pulling in the long drive to the house. Immediately everything around me disappeared and all I saw was my mother getting out of the car searching for me. I ran to her and she held me in her arms as if I were that small child she had comforted so many times. I felt the safety, connection and release that I needed so badly at the time.

I was so caught up in the fact that I was alone that I had forgotten that there was still somebody waiting to hold me and help me get back on my feet again. You see, even when she wasn’t physically present my mothers love was still there. A constant, relentless love. A love that only wants to comfort and encourage me. When she was not physically there it was impossible for me to realize that. Many friends had tried to comfort me before she drove up that drive, but none could satisfy that need for me to connect again to my mother. To not feel alone.

We strive to reconnect in the same way with God. It is in our nature from the first time we separated with the fatal decision at the Garden of Eden. At that time God created us to fellowship with him and worship him. It was a connection that was temporal and spiritual. We actually walked in continual fellowship with Him. Today the same can be true. Although we were separated at the beginning, Jesus reconnected us with his death conquering sin. When we made that decision to serve the Lord and ask Him into our hearts, he opened up the opportunity of connecting again. Everything else that keeps us from experiencing this connection is self inflicted. Our choice of what we do and how we react to situations is entirely up to us.
Salvation is always first, but there are three specific things that help us get to the point of instant worship, instant recognition that he is here. You must find God; figure out what our definition of and who he is to us, Learn how to loosen the grasp on all the things of this world that distract us from experiencing him or his presence.

First we have to find God. That seems like the question of the ages. People have climbed the highest mountains and searched the depths of the ocean and still missed the boat. God is in everything and everywhere. His creative touch has influenced everything we see.

We must figure out who God is to us. Our personal vision and idea of who God is shapes everything we do. Based on the truths in scripture and related through your experience with him.

Survival depends on accessing God. At any time, any place finding him and experiencing the peace and joy that comes only through Christ.]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#33 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#32
I know for a fact that we have all been there. As a Christian we have this engrained desire and need to meet with God and bathe in Christ's presence. A time to cleanse us of all of the junk that dragged us down through the week. A feeling of desperation that if we do not have this experience of connection we will never make it through the week to come or situations we face.

What if you were able to connect and enter into a time of worship in no less than one minute? What if that connection with God was merely a switch that you could instantly turn on and recognize the presence of God in your life? A continual reset button to get you back on track with God continually through out the day. What if worship on your day of Sabbath was an extra helping of His Spirit heaped onto the blessings and times of experiencing His majesty the week before.

What if you trained yourself to reach the point to where you go from zero to worship in merely 10 seconds? Sound impossible? It’s not. It is an incredible place of worship we can experience if we learn more about Gods character and practice some simple disciplines throughout our walk. A place where our perception of God and who He is removes the distance out of our connection with Him.

This is the begining of a new perception of God and how close He really is to you in your life. Where no matter what you are experiencing, where you are at, or what you are doing God is there. You become so close that you merely need to pause and hear His calming voice say, "I love you and I am right here next to you."

We will learn how God communicates with us, how we are designed to receive and respond to Him and how we can get closer and closer to attaining the break neck speed of zero to worship in 10 seconds anytime or anywhere in any situation. I'm very excited about this study and can't wait to share the rest with you.



In Christ,

Sam]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#32 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#31


Thats right, Wooly Bugger. Thats the coffee house I will perform at on the 27th of June. It's located in Charlevoix, MI and I'm performing on the same day I will be running a 1/2 marathon in that town. Hopefully I survive the run and have enough energy left for the show, I'm sure I will. Here is the link http://www.wbcoffee.com/about.phtml



There are a couple of other shows fast approaching. July 5th I will be performing at the drive in church again. I love everyone out there and highly recommend visiting. It is a unique experience that you will surely enjoy. Here is the link http://www.driveinbiblechurch.com/



This is very exciting. I will be at 4th Fridays with Rufus Harris again on July 24th. This place is a class act and worth making a weekend trip to experience it. Rufus and Denise have a passion for Christ that is unmatched, not to mention Rufus can rock the house! I listen to his CD all of the time. The link is http://www.thecamponline.org/4f.html

be sure to sign up for thier newsletter!



I am working on a show at an event in Battle Creek on July 25th. More info to come.



August is loaded too! Back to Rockford, Flint and Battle Creek. Check the website for more info.



God bless you all,

Sam]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#31 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#30
Keep it in prayer, this song is going to be the best one yet!]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#30 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#29 I know there are a lot of us out there with a full plate. It is hard to stay focused when so much is gonig on. I heard a message this weekend that really touched my heart. It reminded me to remember all of the people that have prayed for me, encouraged me, blessed me and all of the great things God has done throughout my life. Take time to give thanks for these gifts of prayer, blessings and help. Bless the people back that come to mind in prayer. Keep on the positive side of prayer in order to keep from getting dragged into the negative. Sometimes we spend too much time on the shoulda, woulda and coulda's. Take some time today and each day to remember the blessings and people that blessed.
I know I have to do this throughout the day. When the negative starts creeping in I put a stop to it immediately. I say "get out of here! I am a child of God!" Then I begin thanking God for the people (by name)that prayed for me and blessings I have. Give it a shot and see how it can change your life!

God bless you all,
Sam]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#29 Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#28 http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#28 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#27
posted by Sam on 03/09/2009]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#27 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#26 After a few moments and with new eyes of appreciation, I swallowed the emotion that nearly took over my composure. I took a quick breath and turned off the radio. I pulled back into the drive and as I rounded the next bend I saw a vision that caused me to break into tears. One by one I passed a line of vehicles with flags on their hoods. As I slowly passed I approached the hearse. Through the large windows of this hearse I could see Old Glory draped carefully over a coffin. That was it for me. The shame I felt for our country. My embarrassment of losing perspective. Forgetting what is really important. Here laid the body of someone who believed in the flag that now covered their casket. Soon the flag would be removed and the casket would be lowered. The flag they had fought for so bravely folded neatly and given away in a quick ceremony. Then the flag is replaced. Replaced with something much more important and at the root of everything they fought for. Now there would be a white cross over the coffin like the thousands of others that line the cemetery. The cross Jesus Christ to remind us of His sacrifice.
Tearfully, I began to pray and ask God to help me remember this one thing. I prayed that although I am passionate about our flag, that Jesus always reminds me of the cross. God remind me to keep you above all things in my life. Help me to set an example to others that shows them that we are all your children. We truly are one nation under God. That your cross, blood and grace are always covering this dying flesh as I serve you. That this living spirit will always praise You.
I am going to always remember this experience when the economy, politics or just life in general start to get me down. There is a bigger picture and bigger purpose, and we have a lot of work to do.]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#26 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#25
New links on God tube and Youtube. Learn the worship songs I have been writing. Check the links and my link page.]]> http://sixstringministry.com/news.html#25 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Six String Ministry - Sam Dougherty - Blog