Company Keepers July 2006

Company Keepers
Dance Ministry Monthly

July 2006 Vol. 2 No. 7

In This Issue

Why We Worship
(The Inner Man)

Who Do You Trust?

Poetry in Motion: Lord

Event Calendar

The Balance of Excellence

Dance Ministry Resource

Excellence:
The Quality of Being Excellent
in the Kingdom

Why We Worship (The Inner Man)
by Sherry Traylor

WORSHIP is communication from man to God.

Worship can only be one's own experience in order to get a full understanding. It’s a two way street.
Giving and receiving, it involves communion and fellowship. (Psalms 99:5) Worship is a lifestyle.

    WORDS FOR WORSHIP- GREEK

    PROSKUNEO (4352) - to worship, to kiss (like a dog licking its master's hand), to prostrate oneself in homage.
                                         [John 4:23 and Revelation 7:11]

    LATREUO (3000) - to serve, minister, worship. Phillipians 3:3 and Luke 2:37


WORSHIP involves a right attitude.

Remember- The fruit of the Spirit! (Galatians 5:22-23)

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, Oh God, thou will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)

What Is Worship Dance?
1. A form of worship unto the Lord in movement.
2. An expression of our gratitude and devotion by demonstration.
3. An interpretation of the Word as you get you assignment from the Holy Spirit.
4. Another step in visibly displaying the worthiness of God.

Ask yourself these questions…

What holds you back from worshipping God by using your gift with your whole heart?

What are different ways to worship God in Dance?

There are numerous places for Dance in worship: Processionals, special dances, prophetic dance, dance presentations
and most of all- dancing with your praise team on Sunday mornings! Dance is a universal language. You can
successfully communicate with it to every nation. Your options are wide open as long as you communicate purely, with a
pure heart. The message and the means must be pure. As believers, that should come as no surprise to us.

How can you increase the intimacy in your worship today?

* Sherry Traylor (dancecampzoe@zcf.org) attends Zoe Christian Fellowship of Whittier, CA where she serves as Dance Director over several ministries. Sherry
has served the Lord in dance for over 20 years. Sherry has been blessed to facilitate dance conferences, and is in the process of writing a book on the ministry of
dance. Sherry offers free dance technique classes at Zoe on Saturdays at 11:00am in Room 53.

It may be difficult sometimes to lead a group of ministers in a dance ministry with all the different personalities, opinions
and issues that come along with the responsibilities of being a leader. Even if it’s just you and you alone, there are
challenges that you face where difficulty may set in and you need to seek God for a solution. Have you ever felt like you
were all alone and no one understands what it’s like to be in your shoes, dealing with all that is involved in leadership?
What do you do? What do you say? How is it that there’s such a pull on you as a leader to usher this ministry to the next
level? The expectations continue to escalate and there seems to be no end in sight. What is a leader to do with all that
he or she has to face on a consistent basis?

It's one thing to be a part of the problem, but a true leader seeks positive solutions in every challenge. It takes time to
get to that point in your life, because we get hurt, disappointed and sometimes attacked by those closest to us. But, that
is why I love the words to this song where songwriter says, "I’ve learned… to trust in Jesus." It’s a learned behavior that
does not arrive overnight. But once you have experienced it for yourself and you get to know Him as your true and
personal Savior, Teacher, Deliverer, Comforter, Friend, Father, Doctor, Lawyer and Guide, there’s no end to what He
can do for you!

Trust in God…

Dancers- He’s there for you… every STEP of the way!

The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not
to thine own understanding and in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall
direct your path.” When the dust settles and at the end of the day, you must trust
in God with ALL of your heart and lean not on your own understanding- which
means, when things are not going the way you think they should and situations
seem like they are all out of control, don’t “go on what you know...” trust God.
As soon as you put out one fire, another one begins and you can’t see light at the
end of the tunnel… trust God. You have dates coming up-- You’re not getting
complete cooperation from those you’re working with and it all falls in your hands...
trust God! He will give you the direction you need and bring order to your
situation.

Acknowledge Him in all your ways… This seems to be a challenge for most of us.
The root word for acknowledge is know. In order to trust God, you must first know
Him for yourself. How do you trust someone you don’t know? It’s imperative that
we build a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The ultimate person to trust in
any given situation is Jesus. When things don’t go the way you think they should,
or if people are not conducting themselves in a professional manner (or whatever
the case may be), don’t go to your brother or sister and talk about the one that’s
giving you the most trouble. Instead, “trust” God and acknowledge Him and He will
give you the direction you need to move forward in that situation.

Lord
by Tabra Mobley

July 15th
Judah First Fellowships For Dance Ministry Leaders
Launch Out 2006
“Family Fun In The Son”
Catalina Island Boat Trip (Full day at the beach)
$45.00 Adults/$20.00 Children (includes taxes/tips)
Contact: Minister Stine McDonald
e-mail: stepsbygod@sbcglobal.net
Phone: (323) 401-8628

July 22nd
2006 Youth Explosion
Host: DV8 Ministries/New Dawn Christian Village
Featuring Movement Ministries:
JAMM, Stepping Stones & More!
FREE Admission! Ages 13-18 only
The Sanctuary at New Dawn Christian Village
Frank D. Lanterman High School
2328 St James Place - Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.dv8youth.org
Phone: (213) 670-0123

Conferences & Workshops

The Balance
of
Excellence
by Minister Lynn Bullock

Balance: Mental and emotional stability.

Excellence: The quality of being very good.
(Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary)

There is a wonderful song of the Lord that has been released by Valley
Kingdom Ministries choir Shekinah Glory on their latest CD simply entitled
“Yes.” During the past year I have witnessed countless Christians fall on
their faces and cry before the throne of God as they declare that they will
say “Yes” to all that He is requiring of them. I have seen some Christians
bow in repentance as they acknowledge that they have fallen short of all
that the Lord has required of them. It is a powerful song that causes
tremendous reflection as well as worship. I have witnessed countless Men of
Valor and Daughters of Zion re-dedicate themselves to the work of the Lord
because of this song. I too, have been personally blessed by this song.

Daughters of Divine Destiny

There is a lackadaisical attitude towards our excellent praise unto our God, a “just enough” attitude for the world to see.
The Christian faith seems to say, “Well, that’s good enough.” Lackadaisical means lacking life, spirit, or zest. Can you
imagine this? Scripture says LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:9 KJV) How do we
have the absolute audacity to do anything with less than an attitude of superiority for God?

How is it possible that our Lord whose very name is excellent and everything we are to do is supposed to bring praise to
Him is ending up barely reaching the radar of ok? Our belief lies in part to how society defines people, especially
women, who exhibit a confidence in doing everything with a spirit of excellence. Not so nice things are said such as “she
thinks she’s better than everybody,” “She’s a Miss Know-it-All,” "She’s always trying to be better than everybody else.”
But what does the holy word of our God tell us we should be? One of the definitions of excellent is first-class. Like riding
first-class on an airplane, you’re at the very front (the head & not the tail), have the best food, silverware, movies, seats,
everything. EXCELLENT is not better than anyone else or trying to make them feel as if you’re superior to them, but
excellent in all we DO to bring praise to God. Not praise to self nor others, only GOD!!! If God, His very name being
excellent and we are created in the image and likeness of Him, how and why are we being less than what He Himself
called us to be?

When we operate with a spirit of excellence in EVERYTHING, it will naturally bring about confidence, not conceit, not self-
righteousness or haughtiness. This confidence El Elyon will make sure will be in a humble and willing individual;
because He knows you’re doing everything you can to bring praises unto Him so the world will know Him. The world will
see our fruit, our light, our joy, how we stand during times of trials and tribulations, through pain and sorrow, how we
operate in EVERYTHING and they will want to emulate that? Let’s be honest, when we see someone who we think has it
going on, seemingly in excellence, isn’t there a part of us that says, “Yeah, I would love to be like that?”

There are many scriptures that attest to our role as worshippers, the sacred artists throughout the world (dancers,
singers, psalmists, musicians, spoken word, step, pageantry, etc.) and our praise to the excellent God we serve.

Please note the following scriptures:

LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens (Psalm 8:1)

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven
(Psalm 148:13)

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness (Psalm 150:2)

Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this [is] known in all the earth (Isaiah 12:5)

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things (Proverbs 8:6)

It is imperative we read and understand scriptures, learning the law of the knowledge of God, and without a shadow of a
doubt, know His will for our lives (If you know His will and approve of what is superior (excellent) because you are
instructed by the law…Romans 2:18 NIV): Speaking excellent, acting excellent, having an excellent spirit, and simply
excellent as a state of being.

Again, note the following scriptures which affirm this:

The righteous [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them (Proverbs 12:26)

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit (Proverbs 17:27).

Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge (Proverbs 22:20)

If we decree to operate in this manner to the best of our ability in everything we do, scripture tells us we will be excellent:
In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] excellent and
comely for them that are escaped of Israel (Isaiah 4:2)

Who is the branch of the Lord? Christ.

Who is the fruit of the earth? We, the Church, the saints. Matthew Henry says, “The success of the gospel is the
fruit of the branch of the Lord.” Who is responsible for the success of the gospel, the good news of Jesus the Christ?
YOU!!!

Who will become excellent? Us, you, me!!! Yeah, God!

Let’s take this word study to the next level – go a bit deeper for sacred artists who wish to become more excellent.
Let’s look at the below examples of the word excellent used as a verb, noun, and adjective from the Greek.

Used as a verb from the Greek huperecho: the surpassingness (Moule). The phrase could be translated "the
surpassing thing, which consists in the knowledge of Christ Jesus," attested to in Phil 3:8. Yes, everything else is
worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else,
counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ (NLT).

Used as a noun from the Greek huperoche is translated "excellency (of speech)" in 1 Corinthians 2:1.

A scripture that comes to mind regarding speech in the Old Testament is Proverbs 17:7- "Excellent speech becometh
not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince."

Used as an adjective from the Greek megaloprepes which signifies "magnificent, majestic, that which is becoming to a
great man" (from megas, "great," and prepo, "to be fitting or becoming"), in 2 Peter 1:17, "excellent." For He received
from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased." (2 Peter 1:17 NKJV)

Inheritors of the Most High, if you sincerely desire your ministry to go to another dimension, bringing praise and glory to
God, you must make excellence a priority. It can’t be sometimes, it must be all the time in everything. If you have
entirely too many things going on at once, cut something out. Min. Lynn Bullock talks about balance in her article. If you
say YES, no excuses! See Numbers 30:2. We wholeheartedly agree with her and know we don’t want to be known as
liars. Wouldn’t you rather have two ministry members operating in excellence than 200 who can’t get it together? Do you
want to be known as a person who can't take one minute to return a phone call or send an email regarding the ministry?
Shall the congregation see you minister in garments wrinkled and unkempt? Do you want your leaders to say you won't
do ministry assignments or come to Bible Study, but when it comes time to dance, you're the first person there, and on
time at that? Do you want your husband complaining that the dance is getting more time than him? Do you want your
children to be known to their teachers and classmates as failures because you're so busy doing ministry but can't find
the ministry time for your first ministry? God first, family second. HELLO? Be mindful of what is called busy and how busy
you are doing Kingdom work/ministry.

We found a good definition of BUSY:

Our suggestion this month is to take inventory of how excellent you’re operating in every area of your life. Write
EVERTHING down that you’re currently involved in and doing for the Kingdom, your family, job, ministry, etc, and use
the scriptures to see if you’re measuring up to what EXCELLENCE is. Ask God, what can I do so that I can bring praise
and glory to your name, not shame? Not additional things added to your plate, it’s not your works, but how you work.

As ministry leaders and mentors that travel nationally and internationally, we use the measuring stick of ministry
members, speakers, Pastors, guest, etc., to measure how we operate in excellence, along with Christ. After every
ministry engagement, workshop, conference, teaching, Bible Study, etc., we have a meeting to constructively discuss
the good and the bad; but most importantly, what can we do to make the next time better.

We beseech you brethren, make EXCELLENCE your way of life. Let men speak well of you. We know if you earnestly
desire the greater gifts, Christ will show you a still more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31).

May we pursue Yeshua in a most excellent way; serving to ignite His passion & purpose!

Shalom,
LaVetta

B- Busy

U- Under

S- Satan's

Y- Yoke

LaVetta Celise Williams, Dancing Before the King Ministries, teaches & ministers at conferences, workshops, etc on liturgical dance as Destined to Dance. She
is a member of Destiny World Church & the former Dance Director, member of the Nat’l Liturgical Dance Network (one of the founders of the GA Chapter), GA
Dance Commission Sacred Dance Guild & Int’l Christian Dance Fellowship. LaVetta is currently enrolled in the Gathering of the Eagles Leadership Institute to
become a licensed minister of dance. She is a mentor to 9 ministries in California, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, & Texas. She is available to
speak, teach and minister on the Biblical aspect of praise & worship, dance, flags/banners and all that it entails. Contact her at destinedtodance@hotmail.com.

We want to "keep company" with you...

To post conferences, workshops,
or special announcements:
E-mail: companykeepers@rainreinreign.com

For Dance Concerts & Events:
Please submit dates for
August & September 2006 only.

All submissions must be received by
July 25th
for inclusion in the August Edition.