I didn't know God could be so good

At the beginning of this year, the Lord spoke to my heart and said "This will be a year where you find yourself constantly saying,  I didn't know God could be this good."

A few days later I was on an island in the middle of the Pacific ocean, lost in a moment of worship, with an incredible community called "Fire and Fragrance."   I love those moments in worship, when you transcend into that secret place of His heart.  The place where you are no longer singing, but the Father is singing over you.  Here are the lyrics I heard Him singing over my heart and the heart of a generation.

Look at the nations
I'm gonna do something
Great in your days
You wouldn't believe it
Even if I told you
Watch and be amazed

I want these dreams, Even more than you
Faith is when, you believe that I do

In these days, you will say, I didn't know God could be so good

Go ahead and try Me
You can ask
For anything you want
But I promise
That I am gonna
Give you more than you ever thought

In these days, you will say, I didn't know God could be so good

Earth Like Heaven- Song Story

In the Autumn of 2010 I was sitting at table in Dublin, Ireland, with some great fathers of the faith.  All these men could talk about was the kingdom of heaven coming to earth.  I felt like one of the hobbits in the presence of Gandalf and Aragorn.  A phrase kept swirling around the table that "We were created to bring the fruitfulness of the garden into the barrenness of the earth."  When we left the table a whisper of more was pulling on my heart and the hope of the age to come was calling me.  Later that evening we gathered with 300 fiery eyed missionaries, the same size as Gideon's army.  We wasted the entire evening worshiping God.  During the night we kept singing this spontaneous song over and over, "We won't be satisfied, till the earth looks just like heaven." I was ruined by that night of worship in Dublin and haven't been the same since.

A few months later we were sitting around my kitchen table telling our friend Elijah some of these stories from Dublin.  As Melissa was sharing a story, the spontaneous song from Dublin began to fill my heart again.  I immediately got up from the table and grabbed my guitar.  I suddenly found myself in one of those incredible moments as a song writer, when you transition beyond just writing a song and shift into receiving a song.  Within a few minutes this song effortlessly came and weeks later we recorded this song titled "Earth like Heaven."

Right now you can preview this song at www.jonathanhelser.com or you can pre order our new album "On the Shores" with "Earth Like Heaven." 

Here are the lyrics

Earth Like Heaven

The dust that we were made of, is calling us to free them
The earth that we were pulled from, its crying liberate us

We won’t be satisfied till the earth looks just like heaven

Like water cover the sea,
let the earth be filled with your glory
Till the prayers your prayed become reality
and the earth looks just like heaven

Wake up, Sons and Daughters,
we were made for so much more
Wake up, Sons and Daughters,
start singing creations waiting

Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
till the earth looks just like heaven

Wreckingball- Song Story

I love how kids are not very good at being religious.  A while ago my son Cadence and I were playing in the yard.  Completely out of the blue he says, "Dad, you need to write some new songs, because you other ones are getting old." After my ego got over the shock of being punched in the guts, I laughed and replied, "Well, why don't you ask God to give me some new songs." Without hesitation, Cadence says out loud, "God give daddy some new songs, he really needs some new ones." I really love the confidence that my son has that nothing is impossible.

Later that day, Cadence and I were hanging out in the house, he was playing with his new legos and I was playing with my toy; A Jerry Jones baritone electric guitar.  All of a sudden I felt the Lord say to me, "What does it look in the eyes of your Son for heaven to invade earth."  I love when God speaks one thought and suddenly a whole train of thoughts flash into your mind.  I first thought about the way my son, like most boys, loves explosions.  Then I thought about the time when Jesus said the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.  Then I started strumming a few chords on the guitar and this phrase just slipped out of my mouth, "Let heaven fall like a wrecking ball and crush every plan of enemy."  As I begin to sing those words, a melody begin to form and suddenly Cadence laid down his legos and we were singing the new song he had just asked God for.

"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance....." Psalm 149:6-7

Right now you can preview the track of "Wreckingball" at www.jonathanhelser.com or you can pre order our new album "On the Shores" with the track "WreckingBall" on it at www.jonathanhelser.com

New Songs

Over the next few weeks as we lead up to the release of "On the Shores" we will be putting two new songs at a time on our website music player.  This week you can check out "Wrecking Ball" and "Explode My Soul".  Enjoy!

January Support Update

     In the early days of "A Place for the Heart's" history, we had an old, wise prophet give us a visit.  As we showed him around the brand new ministry, we were longing for him to speak God's words over the land.  As the tour passed the prophets lips remained quiet. As his visit came to an end and we were saying our goodbyes, the prophet finally spoke up and  said in his wonderful British accent, "When the root goes deep, the fruit will be sweet"

     This year "A Place for the Heart" will be 27 years old, and the old prophets words are coming to pass.  These last few years I have had the privilege of traveling all over the globe, but the sweetest fruit of my life is what happens on this piece of land in Sophia.  This summer we will host our fifth "18 Inch Journey."  The number of students who come to this school is small,  but the fruit is huge.  This December we ended our third year of internships for "18 Inch Journey" students. The number of interns is even smaller than the students at the school, but the fruit is even greater. Our culture is always looking for big numbers to define success. What if heaven defines success by fruitfulness.  Could one of the most fruitful things that Jesus did while he walked the earth be the three years of relationship he poured into those twelve boys? 

     Roots are hidden from the eyes of men.  They sink themselves into the unseen and find their source in the secret place.  How I wish each of you could see what happens to the hearts of those who come to our schools and internships. Our roots have truly tapped into the deep places of a generations heart and they are being changed forever.  As we launch into our 27th year, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to those of you who have sown into this place. May the roots go deeper in the days ahead and the fruit become even sweeter....for this is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit.

If you would like to partner with us you can find out more by clicking here

New album coming so very soon!

We just confirmed the date for the CD release on February, 25th. Stephen Roach and a surprise guest will be opening the night. More details coming next week!

New Podcast: The Great Returning

We are the perfect picture of heaven and earth. We were made from the dust of the earth and we came alive when the kiss of God touched our lips and filled us with the breath of heaven.  The primary definition of worship in Greek and Hebrew is to bow down and touch the ground with reverence.  Worship is the great returning to our origin; dust on the lips of God. Worship is the place were heaven and earth become one.

Click here to download our new podcast "The Great Returning"