A Worshipful Heart

1 Corinthians 13 for Worship Leaders

My apologies to Eugene Peterson for tweaking his beautiful translation of 1 Corinthians 13 (from The Message) , but I thought all of us worship leaders could benefit from thinking about what our true calling is in light of this passage of scripture. Last night when I led worship, I realized that my truest calling is not to sing, play, create, lead, have a vision, or write songs. While God may call and gift me to do all these things, when we get down to the basics, my truest calling is to proclaim the truth, hope, love and salvation of Jesus Christ while I love God and love others. Using all of my gifts, without love, is just a clanging cymbal......

So here it is, 1 Corinthians 13 for worship leaders............

If I speak with human eloquence and sing and play my instrument with angelic ecstasy and have an incredible vision but don't love the congregation I’m called to serve, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

Read the rest of the article at The Worship Community....

Why the Whole World Stops (a southerner's perspective on snow!)

A picture that captures one of those rarest of times in Alabama.....a true snow day! 

I've lived in the south all my life. Arab, Guntersville, Summerville, Oakman, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville  - all towns not known for winter snowfall, but rather for frequent tornadoes and amazing summer heat and humidity. When it does snow, we get absolutely giddy, like school children. Everything grinds to a halt. And, when it snows, we are often misunderstood by newcomers to the area. 

You can take it to the bank.....every time snow is forecast in Alabama, you'll hear the same derogatory remarks about Alabamians who "don't know how to drive in the snow". (Duh!!!) and whining about "how come everything closes?". If you're one of these that has not learned yet to appreciate the true treasure of a snow day in Alabama, then read on. You're in for an education. We will "southernize" you yet! :)

First of all, you have entirely missed the point. Totally and entirely. This not really about logic.....

Snow days are few and far between for us way down south. A good snowfall comes much less often than Christmas and is almost as highly anticipated. Most of us have only ice skated in indoor rinks, been snow-skiing somewhere else, do not own snow boots or good gloves, and have never built a full size snowman  or enjoyed the many hours of sledding and snowball fights that are normal every winter for those in colder climates.

All of that to say that EVERY TIME IT SNOWS it is still a magical novelty for us. 

And, bless our sweet little southern hearts, our hope does indeed spring eternal. We want so desperately to believe that the weather man just might be right this time. (We have every right to have grown bitter and disillusioned over the years!) We long and pray for snow! So we stock  up on that milk and bread, and we hope against all hope that school and work will indeed be cancelled. 

All so we can - once every decade - enjoy enough snowfall to actually get out and play in it!

You see, in Alabama, we ALL turn into little children when snow is in the forecast.

And, my dear northern friends, you've never seen determination until you've seen a group of southerners play in 1/2 inch of snow!

So next time you feel the need to make fun of us for our reaction to snow, be patient and rejoice with us. Just remember that we all are hoping so hard to see a few flakes, so we can enjoy that rarest of treats in Alabama, a true snow day. 

 

(And as for not being able to drive in the snow, well of course we can't. We've hardly ever done it! We only average .4 inches of snow/ice a year. Why would we know how to drive in the snow???) 

 

Near to the Broken

Last night I had the privilege of leading worship with my friend Sheila at the Downtown Rescue Mission. We led for the "Recovery Service", which meant that every member of that little congregation was an addict of some sort who had reached a place in their life where they'd made the choice (or been forced) to face the truth of their addiction and enter this recovery program. They were all required to be there, so it was a different kind of service. A service that probably - in all honesty - no one had wanted to find themselves at.

We walked around before the service began, introducing ourselves and meeting those we'd be serving that night. Young, old, male, female and even some of their children, professional, blue collar, interested and disinterested in knowing their Creator. All had come because they had one thing in common - they were addicts and they knew it. There was a humble spirit about most of those in attendance. This was not a group of good looking success stories. This was a group of seeming failures........

As I stood up in front of these new friends and led them in worship, some singing and some sitting quietly, I realized that they knew something that we often try to deny and hide. They knew they were broken. They had quit hiding their sin and confessed their sin - for whatever reason. They had hit bottom and could only look up. 

And so we sang. Most did not know the songs. I urged them to pray the words (we provided song sheets) even if they did not know the songs. Some stood a little defiantly and mockingly, daring me to say something that might crack their tough shell. Some looked earnestly at their song sheets, mouthing the words to the best of their ability. Some stood with head bowed, as if in prayer. One or two even lifted a hand in worship. There were a few tears. 

To be honest, and that's what I'm trying to do, it was not the most exciting and "successful" time of worship I've ever led. 

It was one of the most challenging. 

And as I sang over this group of broken men and women, I realized afresh how very important worship is. When we lead worship we declare the truth, the life, the love, the hope, the salvation of Jesus Christ. We speak truth and light and it pushes back the darkness. We remind people of THE TRUTH, THE WAY, THE LIFE. 

And so as we sang, we reminded these humble and troubled souls that Jesus loves them, that He is patient and merciful, that his grace is amazing, that God is awesome and mighty and holy, that Jesus died for our sins, that He has already defeated sin, death, despair, hell and the grave. We reminded this group of addicts that Jesus is our Redeemer and our Deliverer. We sang LIFE over souls that were near death. We practiced Psalm 34: 1-2, "I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart."

As we sang, I felt the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in a deep way. No, the altar was not filled with people making decisions. The singing was not powerful. There wasn't much appearance of anything going on outwardly.

But God was there. His word tells us that He blesses those that are "poor in Spirit and recognize their need for Him". (Matthew 5:3) It also reminds us of the beautiful truth that "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

That's why I feel the special nearness of God when I lead worship at the Rescue Mission, or share Jesus with a Genocide survivor in Rwanda, or worship in a slum church in India. His word promises us that He is near to the broken - those who have had their fill of relying on themselves, those who have fully realized they cannot make it on their own, the hearts that are truly desperate for God to move because they have no where else to turn.......those that are already facedown on the ground in their despair crying, "Lord have your way, because our way does not work!". 

This is where I feel God is calling me as well - to also be near to the broken. To lift their faces, to declare hope and peace, to speak the name of Jesus, to cry with them, and to rejoice with them, to see the beauty of God at work within them.

There is something beautiful about those that have been broken and have turned to Jesus. There is a humility, and where hearts are humble there's space for God to really work, and shine. All of us is gone. All that's left is Him. 

 

 

Would You Like to Save a Buck?

I could also entitle this post "Why I Use Living Social and Groupon and How You Can Too!". But I felt that was a bit long and wordy so I thought I'd get right to the heart of the matter - and that is, for me, saving money.

When I quit my job over a year ago now (wow, I can't believe it's been that long!) I felt terribly guilty because my salary had gone to pay for many of our family's expenses. When I started the Give Worship Project (a non-profit) I knew I would not be drawing a salary for a while and that we would have a very tight budget as a result. (with three kids in college and all!) Phil and I discussed my getting a part time job of some sort but he was very opposed to my doing this just to make a little extra money. He wanted me to be able to travel and minister as God led me to and not be limited in that. He offered another solution to our financial quandry. Instead of my getting a job, he proposed that I really put effort into cutting back our expenses and getting our finances in tip top shape! 

At first I felt like this was ludicrous. No way could I replace any portion of my lost salary doing this! But over the last few months I've learned a few tricks on couponing from friends that have saved us tons of money, I've learned how to work a financial spreadsheet and stick to a budget well, and we've gone to a cash system. As a result we're handling this loss of income better than I ever believed we could. (Thank God!!!) 

Furthermore, I was THRILLED when a great new way to save money finally came to Huntsville. That's right. I'm talking about Living Social and Groupon, two web-based companies that offer a "Deal of the Day" and allow you to buy fun and practical things for 50-90% off! We've bought several deals and had no problems at all using them. I have to confess that I am now AN ADDICT. It's one of the first things I do every single morning - I reach for my iPhone and check the deal of the day. This has allowed me to plan special evenings out and other fun things that I would normally not be able to afford. And it's SO very easy!

So far we've bought half price meals at Mezza Luna, Shea's Express, Moe's Express and Smith House, cupcakes at Gigi's, massages  from day spas and a painting class at My Spirited Art - all for a fraction of the normal cost. Most of the vouchers are then good for several months so you don't have to use them right away! For example, yesterday was my birthday. I used one of the deals I had bought in early December to get a 1/2 price hot stone massage! It was a wonderful treat and one I was unlikely to have at the normal price. I have my deals loaded on my phone via the wonderful Living Social iPhone app and I just show the voucher at the business and that's all there is to it. I can even buy from my iPhone! 

And if three friends buy the deal of the day after you share it with them, you get it FREE! I got the Spirited Art class free and I can't wait to go paint with a group of girlfriends! 

So now you know what to do when I share the deal of the day on Facebook! Go buy it! It's easy, fun, supports local businesses and will SAVE YOU MONEY! 

 

 

On This, the Occasion of My 45th Birthday!

Yes, that's me. On my first birthday. Now you know I come by these chubby cheeks and this whole lotta hair very naturally! I was born the day before my Dad's 23rd birthday so we've always celebrated together - after all, I was the best birthday gift he ever received, right? :) 

Today is my birthday again - my 45th birthday. And for some reason this number has made me think. Perhaps it's the stage of life I'm in, or the fact that so much seems to be up in the air in my life right now, or that I've faced the truth that I am well and truly middle-aged, a term I detest. Whatever it is, I've felt so introspective and prayerful as I face this next year of my life.

Time is slipping away. Life is no longer spread before me full of limitless possibilities - as you reach middle age you begin to understand that you have a limited number of days on this earth. I am beginning to realize that I must quit waiting for life to happen to me and instead, I must begin choosing wisely and making some serious space in my life for what I want to see happen. I must quit simply  hoping and instead begin to take steps of action.

So that's how I'm starting 2011....and my own personal newest year of life. By taking some definitive steps toward realizing the deepest dreams and prayers of my heart. Towards becoming the woman of God I know my Savior longs to grow, mold and fashion. 

Happy birthday to me. This year I'm praying for the gifts of hope, growth, faith, joy, direction, holy surprises, contentment, wonder, awe, love, wisdom, laughter, grace, mercy, deep friendships and authentic community. I want God to surprise me with HIS best for my life in the coming  year. 

45 years. It's a little hard to believe.