The One with Corporate Worship

Worshiping through song. It's such an incredible thing. You come together with hundreds of Christ followers from all over the country and together you raise your voices in song, your hands in praise as one body. Even though most people filling the pews have never met, never been in the same church, never lived in community with one another, we share connection through the knowledge of these songs we call "worship songs" and through our passion for Christ. 

It is in an incredible thing that hundreds of people who live across the country from each other can know the same song. And not only that, but worship the same God. THAT is the binding factor. And it is incredibly encouraging. As much as I love worshiping alongside my church friends each week, there is something powerful in those moments when you realize it's not just you, not just your church. There are millions around the world who believe and know that Jesus is the holy one of God. 

You are not alone. 

The One Where She Fell In a Hole, Et Cetera

Top Ten things I'm pondering on this beautiful late summer morning...

1) Where in the world did my lovely red 1 tsp and 1 Tbsp measuring spoons disappear to months ago??! It is a mystery. I thought for sure I'd find them in the move. But no. They are MIA forever. Lucky for me, I have 2 extra measuring spoon sets. One of which is passed on from my grandma--the metal kind with pretty, colorful handles. *love*

2) I fell in a hole yesterday morning. No joke. There was a piece of garbage in a rut on our front lawn. I stepped over to pick it up and plummeted to the bottom of a crevice in the earth's surface. Ok, a bit of an exaggeration, but this hole (covered mostly by overgrown grass) was at least a foot deep and about 2 feet WIDER than I anticipated. Kevin laughed at me.

3) How do friendships start? And how do they stick? I was thinking about this yesterday too. 

4) Somewhere along the way I became a coffee drinker. HOW did this happen?! I'm not a daily-drinker by any means. BUT I can drink Kevin's strong coffee concoctions and smile. 

5) I thought I would be grossed out when he ordered a Starbucks Venti iced coffee with a shot of hazelnut and room for milk. Blech. But no. It was amazing. We shared this drink with happiness on our faces.  

6) But nothing beats the indulgence of a Hazelnut Frappuccino with REAL Whipped Cream and Caramel drizzled on top. Help me, now. 

7) Why is it so hard for me to compile reasons I would be good for such and such a job? I'm realizing how I don't think very highly of my skills and I tend to downplay my talents in everyday life. But when it comes to competing for a job, you're supposed to play yourself up, right? It's going to take serious practice for me.  

8) I'm still waiting. Wondering. What does God have for me? The options seem endless now, but I'm learning lessons through the journey, the waiting process, the patience testing. Thanking God for giving me peace (when normally I'd be freaking.) 

9) It's been a four Sundays in a new church. A month since I've last participated in leading the worship service, week after week, year after year. It's been good to stand with the congregation and worship without distractions of "What note am I playing next?" or "What was that transition again??" or "Should I be singing a different harmony right now?" But I think I'm ready. Ready to be used for what God created me for--leading in worship. Excited after planning with the worship teams last night.   

10) I hope this batch of 100% Whole Wheat bread turns out even better than the last. Rising high above the edge of the pan. Just asking to be eaten. (recipe soon!)

What are you pondering today?

---linked up with OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday

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The One the Night of Worship

Sunday evening was an incredible time of worship and prayer hosted by the youth group. We invited all of the adults in the church to attend this unique event with us, and we were blessed by their participation. 

This Night of Worship was a dream of mine. To spend an hour or more with a group of Jesus followers, pouring our hearts out to Him, kneeling before God's throne, connecting with Him through prayer, allowing ourselves to be led by His voice to worship in ways we couldn't conjure up on our own. 

We spent a month or more preparing for this evening. Choosing the right conglomeration of songs is so incredibly difficult. God moves in my spirit and speaks to me deeply through music, thus making the "narrowing-down" task a challenging one. This was going to be a new experience for almost everyone in attendance. A full hour+ of worship and prayer is not a typical Sunday morning church format. But I was certain that God would work in their hearts--if they let Him. 

Though the numbers were lower than I had hoped, those who came out for this worship time were incredibly responsive, completely open to the Spirit of God. Leading worship is a blessed experience with overwhelming responsibility. Allowing myself to be moved away from my plan, my environment, and into God's Throne Room is not always easy. But I thank the Lord for releasing me from myself and ushering me into his presence. 

The musicians' hands played what He lead us to play. 

The vocalists sang with a depth and beauty that only God could impart. 

The leaders were given words from on High. 

The participants were moved to experience Him in all new ways, together. 

It was such a beautiful evening. 

And they're already asking for more. 

Amen. Thank you, Jesus.

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The One with the List of Soak Songs & GIVEAWAY

Many of you have been intrigued with the concept of the worship soak discipline and have asked about the list of songs I chose to share with my teen girls. 

I picked my favorite songs from 5 different mixed cds I had been given throughout my college years by one of my spiritual mentors. 

These songs have spoken to me time and time again. 

Until Monday when I started googling the lyrics and connecting artists with song titles, these song were vaguely listed as "worship soak #1" and so on. 

I chose to leave the songs "anonymous" in my mind so they would only be connected with the beautiful discipline and my moments with Jesus. 

Now that I know who wrote which song, it's kind of ridiculous to see that two different artists dominated my list of favorites:

Rita Springer and Kim Walker. 

Aaaaaamazing. 

I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do! 

In FACT I just had a brilliant idea! 

To celebrate my 70th follower, I would like to send one of you your own copy of my worship soak collaboration. 

If you're interested in winning a copy, leave a comment for me (be sure to include contact info)! 

Feel free to spread the word about this giveaway--especially if there's someone in your life you know would appreciate it. 

May your worship be blessed! 

All I Need to Do is Worship--Rita Springer

I Asked You for Life--Kim Walker

Spontaneous Song #1-- Kim Walker

I Surrender--Kim Walker

Spontaneous Song #4--Kim Walker

He Reigns--Rita Springer

Holy Spirit Come--Rita Springer

Dwell--Casey Corum

Worth It All--Rita Springer

The One with the Worship Soak

Have you ever had an amazing bath? 

Or stepped into a perfectly heated, bubbling jacuzzi tub?

Or laid down on the most delightful bed you've ever experienced?

Those moments of soaking are truly delightful, aren't they?

The "ahhhhhhhhhhh" is irreplaceable. 

Stress leaves our bodies and our minds. 

All heaviness in our hearts and racing thoughts in our subconscious cease to exist. 

Being at peace is so essential to living a full life. 

Jesus called us to give Him our burdens. 

He invited us to be as little children and sit on His lap. 

He beckons us into our closets to experience quiet moments with Him. 

It is in those moments, that we can hear the voice of God most clearly. 

We cast aside all that hinders and experience His presence in unexpected ways. 

It is with that purpose in mind that I practice the spiritual discipline of worship soaking. 

One of my mentors in college burned me multiple cds with songs specifically designed for resting in Jesus' presence. 

The music is experiential, flowing. 

It quickly calms my mind and spirit and ushers me into God's presence. 

Last night at youth group, I was debating about bringing up this "unique" way of experiencing God. 

With so many new teens around, I was thinking it was too soon. 

But after delving into our deep small group discussion with my 12 girls (TWELVE! I had 3 a few months ago!), I felt God was telling me they were ready. 

This was the right time. 

So I explained what "worship soaking" is.

And they seemed excited and intrigued. 

I asked if any of them wanted me to burn them a cd.

All of them instantly raised their hands. 

Then I asked if any of them wanted to try out a time of worship soaking right then. 

They all did!

By the time I got back into the room with my ipod, they were spread out--comfy, relaxed, released. 

They spent the next 20 minutes in God's presence. 

When they opened their eyes, almost all of them had a glow on their faces and an awesome experience to share. 

It was SO cool.

This week, I'm burning cds for them and I've had a couple of them ask me for links to youtube to the songs they worshiped to last night. 

They are experiencing God in real ways that go with them into their day. 

I'm so blessed to be a part of His work. 

The One with the Worship Yoga

Yesterday morning, I headed downstairs for my morning workout. 

Nothing out of the ordinary. 

I got through my Jillian 30 Day Shred and decided I wanted to do a few minutes of yoga. 

I have gone through 3 or 4 different yoga dvds so I know the basics. 

After being inspired by Mandy at She Breathes Deeply to use yoga as a tool of worship, I wanted to experience it for myself.

(Side note: I love Mandy. We have quite a lot in common--namely our love of God, husband, and yoga.)

Mandy talks about the Holy Yoga program and she's mentioned putting some instructional videos on her blog--I can't wait)

I put in one of my favorite worship soaking cds by Rita Springer.

I started stretching and trying to develop my own flow of poses. 

Before I knew it I had gone through 4 songs and spent 40 minutes worshiping through yoga.

It was the most incredible experience. 

I sang, I listened, I closed my eyes, I prayed, I cried, I worshiped--

all while doing yoga--doing my body good. 

I look forward to making this a regular part of my lifestyle. 

Relaxing and refocusing--particularly on my Jesus--is such an important part of life to a person like me. 

I have the propensity to worry and stress, so much so that I often don't even know I'm stressed. 

But these emotions present themselves in physical ways in headaches and tension and tightness--none of which are ways to use my body to be a worthy temple for God. 

So yoga can stretch me--physically and emotionally and spiritually. 

It is a tool--a powerful tool--that God can use to allow me to connect with Him in every aspect of my being.