There is a great hymn whose first line goes like this: “I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.” This week we have decided to take those words literally. We are going to follow Jesus on the journey of his last week on earth; the most important, impacting week that was … Continue reading The Week That Changed the World: Thursday

There is a great hymn whose first line goes like this: “I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.” This week we have decided to take those words literally. We are going to follow Jesus on the journey of his last week on earth; the most important, impacting week that was … Continue reading The Week That Changed the World: Wednesday

There is a great hymn whose first line goes like this: “I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.” This week we have decided to take those words literally. We are going to follow Jesus on the journey of his last week on earth; the most important, impacting week that was … Continue reading The Week That Changed the World: Tuesday

There is a great hymn whose first line goes like this: “I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.” This week we have decided to take those words literally. We are going to follow Jesus on the journey of his last week on earth; the most important, impacting week that was … Continue reading The Week That Changed the World: Monday

There is an expression I’ve been saying a lot lately. In fact, I’ve been using it so much I’m afraid it will be inscribed on my tombstone by my surviving family: “It is what it is.” I suppose it’s better than some of my other popular Doug-sayings like “Now that’s what I’m talking about!” or … Continue reading It Is What It Is

I’m a musician by trade and profession and, even though my blog is called “Whole Life Worship,” I’ve not written much of anything about what most people believe is what worship is about: music. There’s a reason for this. It’s a reaction to how our contemporary Christian culture has made worship all about the music … Continue reading The Power of a Song

You’re probably thinking, “You forgot a word, Doug. It’s ‘Thank God it’s Friday.” Actually, it’s intentional. I know the popular phrase (and the restaurant bearing that name). I want us to think of Friday, not as a benchmark that we made it through another work week, but as a day where we can recollect the … Continue reading Thank God Friday

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 A Breath to Pray

Many Christians think that worship of God is something we have to “make happen.” Whether it is corporate worship or personal worship time, it’s so easy to believe that we or someone (like the Pastor or Worship Leader) has to “get the ball rolling.” And while it’s true that worship requires effort on our part, … Continue reading Responding to God

In Mark 9:30-37 we see a very subtle but powerful vignette about Jesus and his disciples. It is an object lesson on intimacy and transparency. Jesus, now knowing full well that his path will lead him to a brutal and humiliating death but with the promise of resurrection, pulls his disciples away to a secret … Continue reading Intimacy and Transparency with Jesus