Launch Pad Photo and Music Update

As we near our year-end goals of preparing to take the musical and worship stylings of Launch Pad out into the world, we reach certain milestones.

One such milestone is the band photo that we recently uploaded to our Facebook and MySpace pages. This is the band in its current line-up. Check out the picture at either (or both) locations:

Launch Pad on Facebook

Launch Pad on MySpace

We've got four songs in some stage of recording. They are Has Beens, Little Miss Sunshine, I'm So Glad and All. All of the songs are produced by Paul and Lori, who are also the primary songwriters for all four tracks. Together, these songs do a pretty good job of representing the band's sound and make-up and illustrate the fine lines we walk between rocking out, telling it like it is, addressing pain and healing and worshiping God.

It's our hope to have this music up at both locations before the end of the year. Even if we can't get them all done and up by then, we hope to at least get some of them up by the end of the year and then get the rest up as we complete them. Mostly, they just need Ed's guitar tracks, a few new vocal tracks by Lori, possibly a new vocal track on Has Beens by Paul, and some additional re-mix/polishing. Please keep checking back for more news and information.

Merry Christmas and God bless!

And Thanks!

Where Have We Been?

Wondering where we've been? Well, late summer, Lori and I decided that, in order to take the Launch Pad mission out beyond the walls of the Underground, we'd need to record a few demos of some of our songs. So we've been focussing on that. In the meantime, we've also set up a few social network points of contact. We've got a Facebook page now and we've got a MySpace page. We believe that both pages will help us push the boundaries of what God has planned for our music, which seems to be equal parts worship and telling it like it is.

The demos are coming along nicely. We've recorded four songs: Has Beens, Little Miss Sunshine, I'm So Glad and All. Only thing missing is Ed's guitar, which we hope to add very shortly. When they're ready, they'll go up on the Facebook and MySpace pages and we'll put a little note up here announcing it as well.

So go on out to our Facebook and MySpace pages and "befriend" or "befan" us. It's the best way to follow what's going on and stay in touch. And we can use your support too.

Launch Pad on Facebook

Launch Pad on MySpace

Next Launch Pad Gathering: July 18

Join us on Saturday night, July 18 for a night of worship in a true "underground" movement!

We're very excited to have the full band this time out. The music has never sounded so good and we know the worship time will be anointed.

921 Olive Ave. Long Beach, CA.

8:30 pm.

Alley-side entrance.

Next Launch Pad Gathering: June 20

Join us for a brief time of study and extended worship on Saturday night, June 20 at 8:30 pm.

We're in the Downtown / East Village Arts area of Long Beach and we'd love to have you come worship with us.

More information.

The Real Purpose of The Church

by Paul and Lori Carhart

This message was originally given by Paul Carhart at the Launch Pad gathering on May 16, 2009 and was followed by an extended worship time.

What is The Church?

When I refer to The Church, I’m not talking about a building somewhere with a steeple. I’m not talking about specific denominations. I’m talking about the whole of all Christian believers. All Christians, regardless of denomination and doctrine. That is The Church.

Why do people go to church?

1) Activities
2) Fellowship or social gathering… maybe even gossip.
(I’ll speak more on the evils of gossip another time)
3) Teaching… morality
4) Feel better about yourself

Why SHOULD people go to church?

1) Learn more about God
2) Experience the presence of God
3) Experience the blessings of God (Another word: Miracles)
(Blessings and miracles are a result of God pouring out His Spirit on those who love and worship Him in spirit and in truth)

If you're not getting at least one of these things from church, you might as well sleep in. Many believers have decided to do just that and have abandoned going to church altogether.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25

I want to take a quick moment to point out here that the “assembling together” spoken of here in the book of Hebrews is the early church. It was not in the form it takes now in Western society (and subsequent satellite missionary offshoots). It was a gathering of believers, usually under Roman persecution that took place, most often, within someone’s home. There were no such things as cathedrals, pews, podiums, Powerpoint presentations, worship teams and all of the trappings that we have come to know as part of the traditional church setting. I’m sure there was singing and the reading of scripture, all meant to, as the scripture says, “exhort one another.” But the idea of the traditional church setting as being sacred is not scriptural and can be, in fact, a harmful box to put God into. Instruction is very important and the Word of God should be used. Worship is also an important aspect of the early church. But just as the disciples gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the modern church structure doesn’t have to be in place for God to move. In fact, it can indeed be hindering and can be used to quench the Holy Spirit.

So what is worshiping God?

Maybe we should take a look at a few things it isn't.

1) Is it ten minutes of music before preaching?
2) Is it American Idol or some sort of concert?
3) Is it competition?
4) Is it misplaced or misdirected…
- toward man?
- toward money?
- toward material possessions?

The very first of God's commandments given to Moses is "You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3

We can try to pinpoint what worship is, but we might be selling ourselves short unless we define it in this way:

Worshiping God is to bask in His presence. What it boils down to is that to worship God is to fulfill the purpose for which man was created.

Don't believe me? Let's look at what the Bible says in the book of Genesis. Chapter 3, verse 8.

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden."

This is immediately after both Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit. But notice something about this passage:

"…they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden."

Notice that God walking in the garden was a common thing. So common, in fact, that both Adam and Eve were familiar with the sound. Could it be that mankind was created to walk with God? I submit that we were created for that primary purpose.

Beings who fulfill their purpose

Naturally, after Adam and Eve introduced sin into the world, the world is in a fallen state. Still, other than man, most other facets of creation fulfill the purpose they were created for.

What does Jesus say about birds?

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
from Matt 6:26

And flowers:

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;" from Matt 6:28

And…

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse," - Romans 1:20

Indeed all of creation fulfills its purpose.

But does man fulfill his/her purpose?

For the most part, no. Most people spend very little time walking with God. So how can we improve that? The closest we can come now is to worship God in spirit and in truth and to let the Holy Spirit move.

How can we worship God?

1) Worship through music

"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet
Praise Him with the lute and the harp
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes
Praise Him with loud cymbals
Praise Him with clashing cymbals" - Psalm 150: 3-5

It’s also worth noting here, that one of the reasons that music comes to the forefront as a means of worshiping God is that it is, scripturally, a form of worship practiced by angels at God’s throne (Revelation 5:8-14).

2) Worship through the arts (and other talents, gifts and abilities)

"So you shall speak who are gifted artisans who I have filled with the spirit of wisdom that that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest." - Exodus 38:3

3) Worship through kind acts and giving

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the lease of these My brethren, you did it to Me." - Matt 25:37-40

4) Worship as a lifestyle

"You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3

5) Corporate worship,

"Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: 'For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,' that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
- 2 Chr 5:13-14

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
- Matthew 18:19-20

Clearly, there’s power in coming together to worship God.

6) Just about anything you do when you put God first

The Key: Putting God First

"You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3

In Genesis, 4:1-16, we read the story of Cain and Abel. Both brought sacrifices to God but God was only pleased with Abel's sacrifice. I believe it was because Cain had an attitude problem, that God wasn't pleased. God wanted an animal sacrifice. Cain was a farmer and didn't have any animals. Rather than trade grain for a suitable animal (his brother would have probably been glad to trade with him), Cain simply offered whatever he wanted. In the end, he killed his brother out of jealousy, almost as if to prove how twisted his heart had always been.

My point is: the most important element you can bring is a right heart. Forgiveness of sins daily = a right heart.

"Now we know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." - John 9:31

Worship paves the way for a closer walk, which finally fulfills man's purpose.

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. - John 4:23

Conclusion

If more of mankind fulfilled its purpose, the body of Christ would be stronger and the Church as a whole (as in the body of believers in Christ currently upon the earth) would not be as diluted and powerless as it is today.

Next Launch Pad Gathering

Join us for a true "underground movement" at our next Launch Pad gathering on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 921 Olive Ave., Long Beach, CA.

8:30 pm. Enter through the side-alley entrance.

Short Bible study and extended worship time!

Next Launch Pad Gathering

by Paul and Lori Carhart

We will be gathering to worship again on February 21, 2009. For more info, visit the Launch Pad site.

Healing Scriptures

by Paul and Lori Carhart

The November Launch Pad gathering did not benefit from an actual message. Instead, we focussed on healing scriptures before going into our time of worship. Many of the healing scriptures we went over, originally compiled by the late Ray Hedgpeth (Lori's father), are listed below. Feel free to read them over your own ailments or those of your friends. This is not superstition or magic. This is the Word of God and there is power in speaking it.

And said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the lord your god and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the god who heals you. - Exodus 15:26

So you shall serve the lord your god and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. - Exodus 23:25

I will extol you, O Lord for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God I cried out to You and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave: You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. - Psalms 30:1-3

The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness: You will sustain him on his sickbed. I said, "Lord be merciful to me; heal my soul for I have sinned against you. - Psalms 41:3-4

No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. - Psalms 90:10

Bless the Lord, oh my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies - Psalms 103: 1-4

He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. - Psalms 107:20

The Thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and destroy. I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly. - John 10:10

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.") that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the gentiles in Christ. - Galatians 3:13-14

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, (faith), witout wavering, for He who promised is faithful - Hebrews 10:23

Have faith in God, for assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. - Mark 11:22-23

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you recieve them, and you will have them. - Mark 11:24

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Himi, and by His stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

For I will restore health to you and heal your wounds. - Jeremiah 30:17

He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickenss. - Matthew 8:7

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. - Deuteronomy 30:19

And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. - Deuteronomy 7:15

Beloved, I wish above all things that you may posper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. - 3John 1:2

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2John 1:7

Finally my bretheren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickeness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with the truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, adn the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. - Ephesians 6:10-17

Amen.