Inspiring Awe with Your Passions

26 Jan ’12 By 4 Comments

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Worshipping the Lord is a lifestyle.

Yes, music plays a key role, as does our response to it. Like it or not, the biggest book in the Bible is a compilation of song lyrics from an elite group of writers. Like a 4,000 year old version of ASCAP/CCLI.

But recognizing all the various ways we bring him glory is paramount in understanding the value of using our passions to bring him glory.

Glory is better defined as “things that summon awe” than the proverbial appearance of a mystic cloud of his presence (though there is Biblical precedent for the later).

Everything you see in this shot was constructed by extremely passionate people. To my knowledge, none of them are of a quality to perform a memorable singing solo, nor would they prefer the limelight to even attempt it.

But this stage set has inspired to many compliments – so much awe – that it’s assisted people in a very direct way of connecting with the beauty and majesty of God.

It’s awe-some.

Not awe-a-lot. That would be Jesus himself.

But our passions + “some awe” = a worship experience that points others to Jesus. That’s ultimately one of the greatest rolls you can play in life.

My heartfelt thanks to Megan Buckles for being Project Manager on this one; and to her husband Dave, as well as Zach, Trey, and Faith. Thank you for inspiring wonder in those who worship at New Life. ch:

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Backstage Right

8 Jan ’12 By 6 Comments

Most people at New Life never see backstage right. And for good reason. It’s ugly. It has a work bench, cables, staging area, racks, shelves, and more odds and ends than we know what to do with.

Yet backstage areas have always been my favorite. There’s a sense of raw anticipation about them. That great things are prepared in these wings. It’s where strings are changed, cables are repaired, cues are made, and prayers are offered that will never be heard elsewhere.

To the public it’s objectionable, but to the performing artist it’s home.

My dad always told me growing up that the most glamorous jobs to the public are actually 90% grunge and 10% glory.

The myth of overnight success is just that – a myth.

People with anything worth promoting have labored and strived and crafted and honed and cried for years.

The public sees the 10% and thinks it’s 100%. So be careful not to make the same mistake when comparing your present creative circumstances with your eventual goals. Anything worth doing is worth taking your time and doing it right. Because your 10% will come.

Here’s to all those wading through the mire of the 90%. Enjoy the journey while you can – it won’t last forever. ch:

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SOW Day 3

14 Jan ’10 By 2 Comments

cow awards

The School of Worship in Yverdon continued Wednesday with the completion of my first series on Born to be Glorious. It is always a challenging message, as often the Christian world teaches us to be humble. And that’s it. We never teach people what the reward for humility is: glory (1 Peter 5:5-6, James 4:10). To be awesome. To rock. Here on earth, not just in heaven. Thus allowing the most brilliant people in the world to be brilliant, the most creative people, creative, the most beautiful, beautiful. And as a result? The nations come to us (Isa. 55, 60). We must stop sabotaging God’s plan to attract the nations, and start being glorious again!

house of prayer

After lunch, everyone headed over to the House of Prayer, a beautiful home that YWAM purchased for the specific purpose of continual prayer and worship. Our 2-hour watch was powerful, and spent praying and prophesying over the city, the nation, and for the church & lost alike. In most settings, as a worship leader you need a few minutes to “find the river” and engage in worship; but here, it was like jumping in with the first notes. While the Holy Spirit doesn’t dwell in temples made by the hands of man, buildings do seem to have memories. And this building has been prayed in enough for it to remember the presence of the Lord.

Jennifer and I spent the evening with Sylvain & Lynn Freymond and family, the directors of YWAM here. They are very dear friends, and their hilltop home overlooking the Alps was just too beautiful. Of course, no visit to the countryside would be complete without seeing some cows, so we dropped in on Grandpa Jean-Marc to see his award winning cows (awards pictured at top). And the most peculiar thing? They are much larger than American cows.

Go figure. ch:

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