Yesterday, 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 … Continue reading Whole Life Worship Community

At our Ash Wednesday service, I led a Men’s Choir (10 guys, singing 4 part harmony) to a beautiful arrangement of Rory Noland’s song, “Humbly I Come” (if you’re interested in getting this song you can get it on iTunes – it is amazing). The journey leading up to the service was humbling, especially for … Continue reading Humbly I Come

Ash Wed was a great day for me. It provided for me a conscious pivot point to put the things of the “world” behind me and to set my eyes on the Cross before me. Like the old chorus: “I have decided to follow Jesus. The world behind me, the cross before me; no turning … Continue reading The World Behind Me, the Cross Before Me

Today is Ash Wednesday. In many churches throughout the world (including, and interestingly enough, in my Baptist church – we’re definitely not your typical Baptists), the observance of this day means receiving an Ashen Cross on the forehead. The ash - which comes from last year’s Palm Sunday branches – is given to congregants as … Continue reading The Ashen Cross

I think one of the most misunderstood and most overused practice in the season of Lent is the whole notion of “what are you going to give up for Lent?” For those from a liturgical background, this practice can become an “obligation,” where they do it primarily because it is expected of them. No one … Continue reading Giving Up for Lent

I never gave Lent much of a thought growing up. Even though I went to a Presbyterian Church, I don’t remember much happening around Lent. And then I became a member at a Baptist Church, which never even mentioned Lent (until recently). This year, I’m really looking forward to Lent (which begins this Wednesday). Yes, … Continue reading Lent and Whole Life Worship

I didn’t want to go to the gym this morning. And, frankly, if I hadn’t promised my wife that we were going, I probably would have blown it off. But we went and I got on the elliptical and started my workout. I decided not to push it and just let it “come to me.” … Continue reading Getting There is Half the Battle

One of the hardest years of my life was when I taught Junior High School music. It was a job I took while starting a network of house churches (I was bi-vocational). It was an answer to prayer, in that, it provided for our family. I was already a credentialed music teacher, having taught High … Continue reading Confined or Directed?

From time to time, I experience spiritual dryness; going through seasons where I struggle. But today, while going through my daily discipline of Scripture reading, I came across a passage that totally ministered to me. It was as if God had inspired that Scripture to speak to my particular situation for that particular moment! Now … Continue reading Bread or Band-Aid?

The other day I was having breakfast with my good friend, Felix – a fellow Whole Life Worshiper of Jesus. Felix has seen many spiritual doors open up with clients and associates (he’s both an amazing contractor and an accomplished jazz musician) who constantly ask him about his sunny disposition and cheerful outlook on life. … Continue reading Choosing this Day to Win!