Leif's Blog

just sitting here...

Just sitting here in front of the stage in Lenexa, KS as John tunes the PA. I would be doing P90X with everyone else but I'm just getting over being sick. I think I had the 24 flu, so I'm going to make sure I get all better before I go extreme. Tonight is the first show back from our little break. We'll be out for 2 and a half weeks, headed to the west coast - my favorite part of America. I hope to meet more of you on this run. Don't be shy come say hi.

Leif Skartland

Drummer Girl

Bella the drummer! She was giving me some pointers in the studio.

Speaking Louder Live (drum video)

videos on tour

Im doing short little tour videos. Im posting them on Jeremy's blog and his youtube site. www.youtube.com/jeremycampmusic

If you're going to be at one of the shows let me know, I want to interview you. I don't check this everyday so facebook me at www.facebook.com/leifthedrummer or www.twitter.com/leifskartland

Leif

Speaking Louder Tour

Well, tonight is the first night of the Speaking Louder Tour! We can't wait to get started. We're about to soundcheck. We're in the Marina Civic Center in Panama City, FL, and wow what a nice building. Perfect way to start the tour. Typical Florida weather, so thank God it's inside! I'll be hanging out afterwards, I look forward to meet you. Come say hi. Make sure you follow me on twitter for I shall have contest, backstage photos and info, and "fun fact with Leif" time. 

www.twitter.com/leifskartland

Follow me on...

Follow me on Twitter go to:

www.twitter.com/leifskartland

I will be hosting contests for all my twitter followers. You can win some Jeremy Camp tickets, cds, merch... who knows, either way it'll be fun!

Leif's now on...

Hey ya'll you can follow me on facebook and get updates and photos of what's going on. Go to:

www.facebook.com/leifthedrummer

 I look forward to seeing you guys on Facebook. View my calendar on www.drumcastlive.com under "contact". Thanks y'all. Later Leif

Horizon's Devo I read today

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward."

Mark 3:1-3

Don't you just love the simplicity in Jesus' words to the man with the withered hand? All He said was "step forward." I bet it took a lot of guts for this man to stand up and step forward right in front of all those Pharisees and naysayers. This man wanted to be restored so badly, he didn't care what anybody else thought; he knew he was in the presence of God and he wanted to be healed.

And so it is in your life. Maybe you don't have a withered hand, but maybe you have a withered heart. Or a withered checkbook. Or a withered marriage. Whatever it is in your life that's been withered, Jesus is simply asking you to stand up and step forward. Bring all of those pressures and problems to Him. Forget the critics and the naysayers, and any past failures that the enemy keeps in the forefront of your mind. Just step forward and let Him do the work in your life.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).

God's blessings?

Doesn't it seem like we Americans can so easily associate God's blessings with riches, fame, and comfort? As if people in 3rd world countries then aren't as blessed or liked by God. I never really thought about the little boy in Africa who starved to death and how God was still faithful in his life; God still loves and thinks of him more than the sand of the sea. I don’t have a house to live in, food to eat, and clothes to wear because God loves me more than the little boy.

We aren't promised riches and comfort. God does say “to whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke 12:48), but I don’t think God has “blessed” us with all this stuff so that we could kick back, lounge around, and enjoy it all (all the time). I believe we are to give like no one else. Maybe that means for me to be more wise with my money and control my spending, so that in my own mind I can “afford” to give more. I remember growing up and thinking as soon as I get... or when I start making... or as soon as I get a little more... then I’ll be able to give. I’ve learned that that day will never come. You will always want just a little more, because it’s never enough. You have to make a conscious decision that now is the time to give. If you don’t have a heart change about this matter, then it’ll become a chore for you, and God wants a cheerful giver. He wants giving to become a natural response to our worship to Him. I believe we can never out give God. With that said, I think its important to listen to the Holy Spirit in all things. In our human state we can so easily make this a religious thing or a contest to see who can give more. This remind you of any Pharisees? Most of all I think you should listen to the Holy Spirit in this and not what others think or what you read in a blog. Honestly ask the Lord, how else can I serve you? How much more can I give? It’s too hard to hear Him unless you’re spending time with Him. He wants us in the moment, being sensitive to the Spirit, not focused on ourselves and what’s going on in your own story. 

How else can I make Jesus the main character in my story?

crazy love

A friend gave me this book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I've been learning so much from it. I highly recommend it! One chapter talks about lukewarm people and it has really convicted me. Lukewarm people give money to the church and tithe, when it's convenient, when they have extra, and when it doesn't change their life style. So often I can have lukewarm attributes: It's easy for me to stand up and follow Christ when it's convenient It's easy to follow Jesus when things are going so well It's easy to serve God with my heart, mind, and soul when I can control my life and only give up when I want and what I want. Jesus said "Take up your cross and follow Me." I think He meant in every area of our life. We no longer have control, when we serve, follow, and worship Him it needs to be on His terms, no matter our comfort level or success. And it's not at all in a bully way. He is so loving and knows what's best for us! Matthew 7:20-27 says: 20"So then, you will know them by their fruits.  21"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  22"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'  24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  25"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  26"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27"The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." So, that means some people are going to completely miss it! As Christians, and one who grew up in the church, we're taught to everyday have a devotion time - read your Bible and pray. Those are great things to do, but sometimes we can make them religious and more of a to do list. When in reality they are practical things that draw you closer to Him. God says "draw close to me and I will draw close to you." Following Christ (Christian) is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. There has to be a heart change because then when you completely love God you will long for Him naturally. You will pray and read your Bible to spend time with Him. Then it's not about what you do or don't do, but who you know and more importantly that He knows you. Not a religion, but a relationship.

check out the book on www.crazylovebook.com