Blake Goss

This morning I realized something really cool about the book of psalms. I may be an idiot for not already knowing this, but David was not the only author of the psalms. Actually, out of the 150 psalms David is only recorded as writing 73. Some other authors consist of “the sons of Korah,” who were temple musicians and a dude named Asaph, who was one of David’s chief musicians (aka band member). This may not seem that significant to you, but what it means to me as a worship leader is that David’s leadership in worship was contagious to those around him. Not only was he writing and singing praises to God, but those under his leadership were echoing those same praises. It’s my desire that those in our band, and really in our whole church, would see our passion for worship and in result let their lives praise God. Another cool thing is that when you read Asaph’s psalms you see the same wording and truths as that of David’s. At Freedom our culture is contagious. Any time JR uses a phrase or a truth spoken to him by God, you will begin to hear the staff and even the church begin saying the exact same thing. I think the word that sums this whole thing up is influence. David was a man of influence to those around him. Let’s strive for our worship to influence those around us.

This series continues to hit the heart of the people of Freedom. So far JR has spoken about regret (past), insecurity (present), and next week will be fear (future). These topics are all things that every single one of us struggle with no matter where we are in our walk. The worship was awesome yesterday. During “How Great Is Our God” the whole church just let go. From the stage it looked like a sea of hands reaching up to worship God. It was an amazing experience.

April 27:

• Happy Day- Tim Hughes
• Take It All- Hillsong United
• Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson
• How Great Is Our God- Tomlin
• Beautiful Jesus- Kristian Stanfill

We dropped the big announcement this sunday. Freedom Generation! Beginning next sunday we are starting a launch team for the students of Acworth. They will meet twice a month and will kickoff in August. This generation is a HUGE part of the 90,000 who are far from God and we are pumped about how God is going to draw them closer to Himself through Freedom Generation. It’s gonna rock.

There’s big talk about the announcement that’s coming this sunday. I guess you’ll have to be there to find out what it is. One thing I’ll say is that this is definitely a huge step in the life of Freedom Church that God is going to use to take us to the next level. We love growing and we love growing rapidly. 

“I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but You give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise Your name forever.”     -Psalm 44:6-8

I am so grateful for the victories we have already seen at Freedom and in Acworth. God has blessed us with an amazing pastor and communicator. He has also blessed us with an amazing band, volunteers, and cool looking stuff that could easily be mistaken for the reason people are attracted to Freedom. Just like David says that he doesn’t place his trust in his sword, we do not place our trust in a great band or any of these other things. This psalm reminds me that none of that is the reason for the victory that is taking place in lives at Freedom. I will boast about my God all day long because I am humbled to just be a part of the movement of God through Freedom and Acworth. We will praise His name forever because He brings the victory.

1. Friday morning the FreedomLive Band got to lead worship at North Cobb Christian School. The students there were unbelievably passionate and it was an honor to lead them in worship.
2. Friday night we headed out to play for a disciple now in Greensboro, GA. It was really cool because we lead worship on a pier at Lake Oconee. You could hear the worship echoing across the lake.
3. Sunday morning was great! There were a bunch of people who were first time guests and gave their lives to Christ. I was overwhelmed by God’s greatness! Freedom attracts the widest variety of people and I wouldn’t want it any other way. 
4. Sunday afternoon I took the greatest 4 hour nap to try and catch up on sleep. I was only awake for 2 hours before going back to bed for the night.

North Cobb Christian School is in Acworth and is the school that I graduated from. There were a lot of significant things that happened at that school in my personal life. For one, I met my amazing wife Emily and the rest was history. She was the hot cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. In addition to that I surrendered to the worship ministry while I went to school at NCCS.  It was there that I heard God’s calling to be a worship leader and ultimately one of the reasons I’m at Freedom. This week has been cool because JR has been speaking at the schools “spiritual emphasis week.” The Freedom Live band is playing on Friday and I’m excited about the opportunity to lead worship at the school that shaped me in so many ways. It was really cool to be there today and see at least 6 students give their life to Christ after JR’s message. I love seeing how God continues to move there and can’t wait to be part of that tomorrow.

• Our Victory- Freedom Live
• Sing- Bluetree (on passion album by Tomlin)
• Hosanna- Hillsong United 
• Whatever It Takes- Lifehouse

Right now I’m in a tiny town in south georgia playing at a disciple now event. Ocilla, Georgia is near Valdosta and just so you know how small this town is….they told us today that it literally only has 2 traffic lights. Some of the guys from the Freedom band are with me and it’s been cool to spend time hanging out with them. Zach said that seeing all the cows and pastures on the trip down was therapeutic for him. If you know Zach then that comment will not surprise you at all, but nevertheless, hilarious!

The last couple days have been nice and relaxing. I’ve had time to get away with my wife and spend time with JR, Todd, and their families at a lake house. We’ve spent most of our time “fishing.” You can hardly call it fishing cause all we’ve really been doing is casting and reeling. JR found a fishing book at the house and enlightened us on how to be successful fisherman. We then went out with worms, minnows, and the best lures around. Nothing! My wife Emily walks out and asks to use my fishing pole while I put a worm on hers. Within two minutes she catches a fish.