Deeper Level [Paperback]

Israel Houghton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2007

Grammy Award–winning artist and worship leader Israel Houghton and his band, New Breed, invite you to venture with them to A Deeper Level. In preparation for their latest CD release, A Deeper Level (Integrity Music), Israel and his fellow musicians went on a forty–day fast in an attempt to draw closer to the heart of God. What they experienced has been life changing. Now they invite you to go deeper, too.

More than just singing songs and going to church, Israel’s desire is to help you explore what it means to truly live a lifestyle of worship each and every day. Valuable as individual inspiration or as journey to explore as a group, A Deeper Level will help you to:

• take an inventory of your relationships, your calling, and your walk with God
• see the blessings that come through struggle and trial
• experience the power of learning to trust in God
• develop a God–inspired vision for your life
• understand the connection between worship and establishing justice in the world
• be better able to engage in worshipping God anywhere, at any time
• and much more!

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Jeremiah 43:19) God is moving and calling His people to A Deeper Level that will stir the soul and take your worship life to a new and different dimension. He beckons you to dive in...and go deep!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Houghton and the New Breed Band ministry set aside a forty-day time period in which each person would conduct a media fast, healthier lifestyle and deeper prayer. The latter would mean more listening and perceiving rather than talking about one's desires or needs. The results have been outstanding for each member and the band as a sacred body. Naturally the gap was filled with awareness of relationships needing forgiveness, an invitation to commune with God both with and without the Bible, a relinquishment of self-directed or useless busyness, a clarity about what foods or activities are actually essential to life, a union with God in place of ego-driven performance, an emphasis on spiritual character rather than visible talent, seeing the blessings in whatever comes one's way, and so much more. Each band member comments on what he or she has experienced and song lyrics written during this time are included, as well as a companion study guide for the reader's journey in experiencing a similar blessing that is only the beginning of worshiping at a deeper level. (Review by Viviane Crystal, 2007) --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Israel Houghton has garnered acclaim as one of Christian and Gospel music's foremost worship leaders, songwriters, recording artists, and producers. Engaged in full–time ministry since 1989, Israel has touched the hearts of millions across the globe through his anointed, God–inspired music.

In 1995, Israel and his wife, Meleasa Houghton, founded New Breed Ministries, an organization comprised of noted musicians and singers who serve within their respective churches and together serve the Church at large.
With a desire to draw people of all races, ages, and cultures together through worship, Israel and New Breed began melding sounds and songs to create music that breaks down barriers and defies categorization. Not an easy task, but it seems effortless for Israel who laughingly describes himself as "a black kid who grew up in a white family in a Hispanic neighborhood."

Together with the vocalists and musicians of New Breed, Israel uses his own multi–cultural upbringing as a reference point. "It's not a white sound or black sound, it's a Kingdom sound," explains the songwriter and producer.

Although their popularity had been growing steadily since the group's inception, they were catapulted into the limelight during 2005 with the release of their gold–certified CD, Live From Another Level. They followed this success with two others––the release of Alive in South Africa in late 2005, and A Timeless Christmas released in the fall of 2006. The accolades continued to flow including multiple Dove Awards and Stellar Awards, a Soul Train Award, and a Grammy Award. The group has also made numerous appearances at high–visibility events including the The Stellar Awards and The Dove Awards presentation shows, as well as BET's Lift Every Voice and Celebration of Gospel, TBN's Praise The Lord, and CBN's The 700 Club to name a few.

All the while, this dedicated group of ministers continues to tour extensively and to serve at their local churches. But, even with such busy schedules, Israel and New Breed have recorded two more CDs—Sound of the New Breed: Freedom, a studio album currently in stores, and A Deeper Level, a live CD that released in September '07.

Israel Houghton continues to serve as a worship leader at Houston's Lakewood Church. He and Meleasa make their home near Houston with their three young children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Whitaker House (August 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883688042
• ISBN-13: 978-0883688045
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #953,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get Spiritually Real!, August 26, 2007

By 

Viviane Crystal (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Deeper Level (Paperback)

Israel Houghton challenges you to deeply explore and live your spirituality - today! Worship leader of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church and Grammy Award-winning artist, Houghton quickly describes how fame and fortune are NOT the answer to a successful, vibrantly alive ministry. Indeed, that path begins IS a consecration of one's life, which means that the sacred penetrate every facet of one's mental, emotional, and physical experience. This is not a book for dabblers or observers!

Houghton and the New Breed Band ministry set aside a forty-day time period in which each person would conduct a media fast, healthier lifestyle and deeper prayer. The latter would mean more listening and perceiving rather than talking about one's desires or needs.

The results have been outstanding for each member and the band as a sacred body. Naturally the gap was filled with awareness of relationships needing forgiveness, an invitation to commune with God both with and without the Bible, a relinquishment of self-directed or useless busyness, a clarity about what foods or activities are actually essential to life, a union with God in place of ego-driven performance, an emphasis on spiritual character rather than visible talent, seeing the blessings in whatever comes one's way, and so much more. Each band member comments on what he or she has experienced and song lyrics written during this time are included, as well as a companion study guide for the reader's journey in experiencing a similar blessing that is only the beginning of worshipping at a deeper level.

World visions and dreams begin at home and then grow large, in that order! A Deeper Level is MUST READING for every Christian or spiritual being serious about the anointing that is one's divine birthright!

This is a must have book to live and share, in that order! One of the best spiritual books this reviewer has read in a very long while!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on August 26, 2007

5.0 out of 5 stars great devotional book, September 4, 2011

By 

M. Billups - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Deeper Level (Paperback)

The book is in great condition. It made my reading it enjoyable. It is a must read for anyone who is on a journey to go deeper with the Lord.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, August 26, 2011

By 

JazzEJ - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Deeper Level (Paperback)

Reading this book has truly helped my relationship with God grow to a deeper level! Israel speaks to you as if you two were chillin' in a coffee shop just talking. He's so real and transparent with his life that you can truly relate your experiences with his. If you want to experience God on another level and just wrap in closer with The King, get this book and be ready for a journey that will only enrich your worship life. Great read!