I realized something. I’ve never seen my back – in person. I mean I’ve seen some of my back in a mirror, but I haven’t ever seen, with my own eyes, my back. And yet it’s a large part of who I am. I guess that’s where we get the expression, “I’ve got your back!” … Continue reading Who’s Got Your Back?

The Worship Team that played/sang this weekend gathered for a quick 25 minute “team time.” The tech team also joined us. About 12 of us altogether. Our worship leader (not me) began by saying, “Think about what God has been teaching you lately.” Then after a pause, she said, “I’d like you to share what … Continue reading Whole Life Worship Community

The third movement in a symphony is usually a dance (minuet, waltz, scherzo, trio). In the Whole Life Worship paradigm, the third movement is also a “dance” – it is where we leverage the power of small community into the act of offering ourselves to God for transformation together. It is here where we bring … Continue reading Spiritual Friendship

For today’s blog, I want to share a little early morning “pep talk” from an Orthodox Archbishop, Anthony Bloom (taken from “Beginning to Pray,” pp. 75-77). It will get you going! “Awake in the morning and the first thing you do, thank God for it, even if you don’t feel particularly happy about the day … Continue reading A Whole Life Worship Pep Talk

One of my whole life worship friends, Diane, shared with me how worshiping the Lord helps her to abide. She writes: Finding time to worship everyday helps me to abide especially when the storms of life are raging around me. Christ is the eye of that storm. If I keep looking up at that circle … Continue reading Abiding through worship

Last night I woke up at 3am in a panic. Something just gripped my mind and heart as I was filled with anxiety. A small, still Voice told me, “Just breathe … and pray.” So I took deep breaths. I tried praying the Jesus prayer, but it was too long. All that could come out … Continue reading Breath Prayer

As we seek to worship God with our everyday ordinary lives, one of the biggest hurdles to meaningful connection is when we encounter those situations that overwhelm us: trials, conflicts, roadblocks, setbacks and the like. Usually, there are strong emotions that accompany these events, like fear, anger, anxiety, sorrow or discouragement. If you’re like me … Continue reading The Secret Power of Welcoming the “Un-welcomable”

Yesterday, I preached a sermon on "Worship in the Everyday Ordinary. It expands some of the thoughts I shared earlier this morning. Click here to stream the podcast. Enjoy!

Many Christians find it difficult to integrate their spirituality into daily life. Exercising spirituality in the interior world of Personal Worship Time is safe and comfortable. It is relatively easy to worship the Lord in the protective confines of solitude. However, it amazes me how quickly meaningful spiritual focus is lost once I encounter the … Continue reading Worship in the Everyday Ordinary

I use an approach called “Lectio Divina” when I have my Scripture time in Personal Worship. Lectio Divina (which means “Divine Reading”) was a spiritual discipline developed by St. Benedict in the 5th Century. Its application is varied, depending on the tradition, and I view it a principle than an exact methodology. The main thrust … Continue reading Hearing God through Scripture – Lectio Divina