This question jumped out at me today as the new year dawns.

Much unconsecrated ground to still hand over.

Mary learned to live in this tension. And we too are often faced to walk with both truths hand in hand. 

Will we be found faithful?

“The greatest threat to devotion to Christ is service for Christ.”

Oswald Chambers

I don’t know many who haven’t experienced this warning from Oswald Chambers.

I know I have.

It’s likely I’m experiencing it now.

Saw a post the other day from @beyondsundayworship that resonates so deeply with me—the idea that corporate worship should be viewed more as a spiritual discipline than an “experience.”

I’d love to know how your church approaches teaching your congregation about their role as participants in worship rather than observers. It’s something I’ve taught through sporadically throughout my tenure at my church but I’m feeling the call to be more intentional with how I teach them in this season.

Drop a comment and let’s keep the conversation going.

Alright friends, this one isn’t mine, but it was too helpful not to re-share.

As someone who’s fairly obsessed with this whole “heart + craft” endeavor, this Biblical revelation helps us see the importance and beauty of Spirit-filled creativity. 

TL;DR The Spirit of God wants (and needs) to be the primary animator of our creativity. When He is, we create Kingdom culture and point people to heaven.

But I don’t feel like this is automatic. We can certainly create in ways that don’t invite the Spirit the table and therefore rob our creative work of its potency and purpose in the world. 

So what’s the litmus test for creativity soaked in the Spirit?

Was your creative work birthed in the waters of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

And was your creative work aiming to reveal the truths or nature of your Father?

Fruit doesn’t lie and lies won’t survive.

Let’s ensure we’re putting just as much time in welcoming the Spirit into our hearts as we are training our hands in the craft of music. By doing so we will unleash authentic and compelling praise the Lord deeply enjoys and our communities will grow closer to God as a result of.

Simply put, what we look at regularly trains us to want more of that. 

Whatever it is.

This is great for someone who lives at the feet of Jesus.

This is dangerous for those who are slaves to screens.

Jesus is obsessed with having your heart.

The reason is simple...

He knows that you are at your best when you're obsessed with Him.

A few things (at least for me, personally) really get in the way of this. But a particular scripture jumped out at me in my personal time in the Bible this week. It encouraged me and I hope it does the same for you.

If you don't look closely, the Bible may seem to have conflicting information.

Should we boldly ask God for anything we want?

Or should we, like Paul, learn the secret of being content whether well fed or hungry?

What is the true point of prayer anyway?

Read on...

A few years ago I discovered every time we read the Old Testament and come across the word, "praise", we are more than likely reading one of seven various words the Hebrew language uses to describe the demonstrative activity of giving honor, worth, and glory to God.

Sometimes our gift of music actually clouds our view of God.

Sometimes the preparations distract us.

God assuredly wants you to use your gifts to serve Him and His Bride, but it’s critical we assess the time and place to set those gifts aside and choose “what is better.”

“Hosanna” to “Crucify him” in just 5 days.

Was there a sudden change in the crowd or were their hearts blind from the start?

Palm Sunday warns us that followers of Jesus aren’t immune to self-seeking and misguided worship.

Our praise is blind when we only look at what God can do FOR US and neglect to see what God wants to do IN US.

Anyone else ever try to do some last minute “spiritual cramming” late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in an effort to “ready your heart” for the service?

I’m guilty too. But let’s look at that it really takes to experience the power of the Holy Spirit on a regular basis in your life and in your gatherings.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how deeply connected worship is to discipleship and Luke 6:43-45 I believe agrees. For anyone out there who serves on a praise team and is entering a season of burnout, apathy, or just a general feeling of lull, I encourage you to take a close hard look at the daily deposits in your storehouses of discipleship and take the brave step to address the issue at the very core.

Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes is a wildly important song for the Church right now.

But I think there’s a wrong way to sing it.

HOW we build our foundation on the rock is often misunderstood.

It starts with faith in Jesus. But it’s more….

As a worship leader or volunteer, one of the most important places for ministry will be the lobby (or patio) and not the stage. Don’t hide in the greenroom. Sit in the seats for the message. Book it to the lobby after service. Pack your gear later.

…and 5 other questions I’ve been asking myself lately before buying a new piece of gear. What would happen if we processed our spending and posting through the filter of discipleship?

What if you wrote a song for Jesus that you never released?

Read on to discover why this “waste” of an offering may be the very kind of worship the Father is seeking.

Being discoverable is perhaps one of the most essential ingredients to what the Bible really calls “worship.” But it doesn’t end there…

One of the best ways you can lead your church into worship is easier than you think.