Are you serving today?

[reverbbb]

I went to a Paul Baloche workshop for P&W (remember this pronunciation: Oh my gosh, it's Paul Baloche). It was amazing. If every he brings this workshop to within 100 miles of you, you should seriously consider going and take a group of folks with you. He also sells DVDs that parallel many of the things that he teaches in the workshop.

The one I attended, included one of the DVDs as the package deal for $25. We got to attend a Friday night concert, the main workshop discussion, then a choice of three break-out sessions. The break-out sessions were "Songwriting & song selecting for inspiration", "Drums" and "Guitar". I went to the guitar worshop with Paul's current touring guitarist - Ben Gowell. Ben passed out a small booklet of all sorts of guitar licks, scales, techniques, chord srtuctures and even our favorite - equipment.

The reason for this post:

Paul mentioned that he constantly has folks telling him that they feel like they are not able to properly worship when they play on the P&W team. Paul gave this parity - Would you want your resturant waitress to take your food order and then go have diner herself and made you wait for your dinner (serving herself and not you)? His point was that when we serve on a P&W team, we are to "serve" others and not expect to be fed ourselves during that time. We need to find our own time to be fed. We are servants of the Lord and our job is to feed others through song and message. Put another way, as a congregation member, we would feel wierd watching our pastor learn the Word on the pulpit right before our eyes. His job is to feed us, not be fed whilst he is preaching.

This was a revelation for me. I now have a better picture of my role as a musician on the praise team. I am to do my very best and concentrate on what I am doing, so that others are not distracted by my self-indulgence (and my errors).

I do realize that there are many times when we can get emotionally wrapped up in the moment. I have heard of some musicians breaking out in tears and jubilation. All the better. But at that moment, your role is to share that jubilation with others and draw them into the presence of the Lord. Our moods are very contagious and are worn on our sleeves whether we like it or not.

How do you feel about this point of view?

[stephen]

Thanks Roger, I'm gonna look into Pauls workshop and see if he is coming out my way, it sounds like you got a lot out of it!

[reverbbb]

Paul's Calender (http://www.gospelcom.net/baloche/paul/calendar.html)

Workshop DVDs (http://shop3.gospelcom.net/epages/baloche.storefront/421ab60b017be7c5271d45579e7b06b8/Catalog/1006)

[ptrallan01]

I feel a bit conflicted by this. I am a pastor and musician. I HATE to have to figure out a song on the fly on a Sunday morning that I could have rehearsed if that silly old woman I married would just tell me in advance what it was she wanted to do :mrgreen: (my wife is our choir/p&w leader) :banghead

Yet, I often find myself throwing away my prepared sermon to move with the spirit in my preaching. I have even been told by many in my congregation to NEVER use notes because my sermons are so bad and boring when I do that they can't stand it. (surprisingly neither can I)!

Because of this EVERY minute in the sanctuary becomes a "work" moment for me and there is no time for me to "worship together" with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have to find a way to worship while I work or I will burn out and be defeated. This does not mean that I can just go off and do my own thing but at some point my focus has to be more on being in contact with God just for the sake of being in contact with God more than for the teaching, preaching or praising to draw others in.

I understand well the viewpoint that we, those of us in "pulpit" ministry or worship leaders, need to be feeding the flock but the undershepherd(s) must eat also. When and where do we find time to do that?

I remember a time about two years ago preaching a particularly strident and direct message about sin and one of the ladies in the congregation saying, "Ouch you just stepped on my toe." and turning to her and telling her that I was stepping on my own toes as well. Sometimes my preaching is preaching to me too! Sometimes the shepherd and the sheep need the same food!

Oh well, just a small church pastor's perspective.

Love

Peter

[Teleguy]

I appreciate Paul's view very much!

I find it very difficult to get too far into Worship while I am trying to do my job as a sideman. I must concentrate on the music, visual cues from the leader, and keeping the groove in the back line tight.

Once in a while when it's an easy passage, or when us instruments drop out for an unaccompianed few bars of singing, or say the piano is carrying an old hymn by itself, I can snatch a brief moment of Worship (but with one eye open), and even sing along briefly. But it's the exception!

'Course, I never could chew gum and walk at the same time either! :innocent

[kewlpack]

Col 3:23-24
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Even though we can't stop and meditate when we preach/teach/play we are nevertheless offering up a fragrant aroma of praise by the very service of our hands.

Our focus is on helping "the machine" work smoothly so that everyone can connect as a body... our efforts are as much praise and exultation as the one who sings along. God said so. The fingers touch and feel as the muscles move them into proximity and position. It is a concert of harmonious cooperation.

Take heart in that. :angel

[stephen]

I feel a bit conflicted by this.

I hear ya! But, (ya all new there was a but comin), I see where Mr Baloche is coming from: When I worship out in the congregation, not up on the stage with my guitar strapped on, I dont care if I hit the right note or not, when I'm singing, cause I just want to Praise Him and Worship Him, even if the tears are running down my face, my voice is quavering, etc. Yet, my P&W Leader has told us "Remember, your not just playing, you are Worshiping the Lord!" Huh? Sounds like a conflict right?

I do beleive there is a balance, and Teleguy touched on that. I concentrate on my playing, but I pick those moments when I can lift up my hands and Praise Him, or when I can sing during the easier parts of the song, or when our instruments go quiet, and everyone is 'acapela' (sp?).

Now, having said all that, what about "Well, when do I get a chance to Praise and Worship?" Very valid question. I beleive my pastor answered it for me at a mens "Iron Sharpening Iron" seminar that our pastor held for all the men in ministry. He said:

"If you are called of God to serve in a ministry, it is important, no it is imperative for you to spend time every day in your devotions. And devotions is not just a quick verse and a quick prayer so as to say, 'there, I did it', cause thats gettin too legalistic, and void of worshipping in Spirit and Truth."

"You need to spend some time in His Word. it doesnt have to be over 5-10 minutes unless you feel lead to devote more time to your devotions (this excludes your other bible study time, etc.). But the key is, that you read His Word, and you ponder His Word, in your mind and in your heart, not just read it real quick and go 'Whew, glad thats done!'."

"Another part of your devotions is Praising and Worshiping your King! Jesus wants to hear your Praise and Worship! He wants you to experience the bonding, and the closeness of His Love, while you Praise and Worship Him! You know, we can rob God of this, but what is really sad, were not only robbing from God, were robbing from ourselves, in that we are wasting and squandering an opportunity to draw closer to The One that gives us breath, and has redeemed us from all of our sins, by laying His Perfect Life down for us, while we were in the depths of our sins"

That lesson hit me square between the eyes, like a ton of bricks! Well, I went from part time devotionals, to every day devotionals! And I saw it open up in Praise and Worship differently: I was able to devote time in practice, and most of my time while in service, to performing to the best of my abilities, the songs of Praise and Worship, and not feel like I am missing out, because I have been lifting up my Praise and Worship to my King. This allows me to play with every bit of my talent, to be attentive to what is going on (the small nuances), and to strive to make my playing as accurate as possible, so as not to lead with an undiscernable sound.

Oh, there have been times, that The Spirit says, "Hang on boys, I'm takin charge", and those times have been, undescribably euphoric times of Worship. And at least as far as I am concerned for me, I probably would have missed it, if I wasnt paying attention to the small nuances, and playing to the best of my talents!

Now this is not to say your playing "reserved": I give my all. I dont do any Pete Townsend wind mills, or pluck the strings with my teeth, but I play my guitar! Many times I have come off the stage sweaty, cause I am giving it my all! I rock and sway and tap/stomp my foot, and when I can, I sing some of the verses (sadly, most of the time I'm like a guy who cant chew gum and walk at the same time, when it comes to singing and playing my guitar).

So thats my 2 cents worth, though Your Mileage May Vary!

[ptrallan01]

I feel conflicted because for seven years I have been the only preacher most of the time. For a long time I was the male voice in the choir. I went for 156 Sundays without a day off until I burned out got sick, quit my day job and got some rest. Now I am back to work, take a sunday off every three months so that I can WORSHIP WITH OTHERS. When you are the pastor in a small church you work everytime you walk in the door. There is truth that part of every day MUST be spent in individual study and worship but there is also the coming together for worship with others where you are not responsible for what is happening to feed and recharge your soul. I get to do that very rarely so I HAVE to worship while I do other things at the same time. Not the situation I want but as we grow the demands on me are changing and I am better situated to spend time in worship with the balance of believers in our congregation. I now have a very good associate minister and stronger congregational support and as a matter of fact my weekend off is this weekend so I will be able to rest in worship on sunday!! :angel

Love

Peter

[kewlpack]

Peter I had a very similar situation for about 2 years '95-'97 and then house church till summer of '99. Was responsible for everything that was planned and done. It wears you out!

[reverbbb]

Peter:

I think that your scenario is a special case. Not very many of us preach and P&W every Sunday. You are a special person that can do that. I'm glad to hear that you are getting to take some time off these days.

This subject comes up frequently, according to Paul Baloche. I posted this subject for discussion and perspctive. I think that Paul's analogoies are right on for me. This may not be the case for all. We either have to decide that Paul's comparisons as a servant is what we needed to know, or we need to seek out the answer that puts our mind to rest. For some, there are no answers and they become discouraged and wind up quitting the P&W team due to the mental conflict.

I offer this discussion as just one possibility to help put our minds at peace with our role as a servant on a P&W team.

[Pearly Gator]

I cannot limit my worship readiness to just the practice hour before the service starts. It takes a daily effort, every day for a week, to prepare for community worship.

2 Chronicles 5:11-14, "And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God."

We are acting as that kind of musician priests. We must be sanctified, free of sin and clothed with the armor of God. We prepare the way for God to fill the sanctuary, and every heart, with His glory.

Gary

[kewlpack]

Good notes PG. Daily devotion is where the meat is. :angel

[Ascension]

2Chron 5/11-14when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God."
Pearly Gator that was the result of what happened back in 1 Chron-25. David together with the commanders of the army ,set apart some of the sons of Asaph,Herman ,and Jeduthun for the ministry of PROPHESYING,accompanied by harps,lyres and cymbals. All were from the Priestly ranks and the tribe of Juda,all were trained and skilled at there task and all were able to prophesy in song or with there instrument.Worship wasn`t something they did for 30 minuits on Sunday but defines the verry essisence of who and what they they are .To be a true worshiper will cost you .Every time I step into a worship setting I abandon everything to the King it makes no difference if I am on stage in front of thousands or in my bedroom studio by myself with an accoustic guitar or just in the pew. Anything else is Sin and is missing the mark .I don`t need another conference I just need to abandon myself to HIM and die to my self to seek His face and not his hand .To flow with and in Him and not some pre-planed program. Most of the time we just get lost in him while some structure is essential too much and it becomes dry dead ritual.Look at my post about prophetic flow worship then lets talk :angel

[seagullplayer]

A few months ago a neighbor Church started a Saturday night contemporary Service. Me and the wife have visited there a few times, it really does give us a chance to just Worship. Not having to sweat the details of the Service. I spoke to the Pastor after our first visit, and told him it was so nice to just be "in a Service". He winked at me and said he understood fully.

You know the Priest's in the Temple where on a rotation. See the story of Zechariah in the first chapter of Luke for referance.

Luke 1:8 (New Living Translation)

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.

[kewlpack]

Good stuff guys. Carry on! :angel

[stephen]

Good stuff guys. Carry on! :angel

Yeah, I second that! :biggrin:

[Crunchyriff]

You know the Priest's in the Temple where on a rotation. See the story of Zechariah in the first chapter of Luke for referance.



Boy you beat me to that! the Levites were comprised of "shifts" or "teams", and were in constant rotation. When they were done, they went to their homes and families, until they were "on" again.

God knew exactly what we needed!

Unfortunately, many modern Levites are taken advantage of, and allow themselves to be; because this VERY important OT policy has been ignored by many.

For me as a musician and singer, I've got to keep in mind the "servants heart".

It's not about what I WANT: It's about what's required of me by my Lord.
As long as I am giving my all- whether in the congregation, or on the platform, is all that matters.

I also have to temper this with the simple fact that just because I have a gift, does NOT mean I have to meet EVERY musical need. That's what others are for. 'Obligation' belongs to the body, not just a select few.

In short, God has a way of meeting me wherever I am.

[MrMike]

At my church, we have another guitar player, and he and I have set up a "2 weeks on, 2 weeks off" rotation. It's great.

[SAguitar]

Good stuff here! I have been involved in worship now for about 14 years, and it was only about 3 years ago that my worship pastor chose to teach us that lesson. Since I was a professional musician for years before that, I don't have to work too hard to concentrate on holding my end together, but I still try to nail my parts as well as I can. Like y'all have said, in the acapella parts, or in parts where I'm not playing (and we have a large band so less is more, you don't have to play all the time) I actively worship. But when I really get to worship on stage is when I get to take a solo that doesn't need too many notes, then I can offer each one of them to our Lord.

What I've been trying to sell to the younger ones we're raising up on our team is that we are actively involved in leading others to the Throne, and you've got to show some of the excitement and anticipation that you feel about that in the presentation of your music. I know several players who play well, but their body language, and the emotion on their faces says that they are waiting for a bus.

[Wally]

This is one of the better subjects to come up so far on the board - I haven't posted up to this point because it really got me to thinking and I wanted to do some studying first. This subject got me thinking about several different things for me, so I may make several posts or maybe even start some new related threads....

First, I'd like to offer a different perspective form a "non-singer" - I can't sing. I'm not being modest, I really can't sing. My singing doesn't just disturb those around me, it disturbs me. :biggrin: So for me, as a non singer who plays guitar, I don't feel like I am able to properly worship unless I am playing guitar. When I am in the congregation, I sing along in my head and worship, but it isn't the same as playing along. Bottom line, it is a blessing for me to be able to play guitar during the worship service on Sunday morning. I will be moving soon, so my opportunity for playing during Sunday morning services will go away soon, at least temporarily and I am already dreading it.

I do understand what people are getting at when they say they aren't able to properly worship when they are involved in leading worship. I think the rotation of musicians is good, and I also think it is a good idea for folks who are regularly involved in some aspect of leading worship to worship with another congregation on occasion. I used to have a pastor that would occasionally go sit in the congregation at one of the neighboring churches and it struck me as a good idea, as ministers rarely have the opportunity to be "ministered to".

I do think however, that we should be able to worship while leading worship - if we can't what is preventing us? My guess is that most times it is lack of preparation or last minute changes that cause us to lose focus. I'm not completely opposed to spontaneity, but I think that proper planning and practice go a long way towards facilitating the proper worship of the entire congregation, including those leading. Think about it - can we really lead others in worship if we are not engaged in worship ourselves? Another obstacle might possibly be too much focus on our "performance" - I think our attitude is more imprtant than perfection. Not implying that we shouldn't try to do our best, just that we shouldn't focus on it to the point of being distracted from our main goal of leading the congregation in worship.

I have tried to not worry so much about whether I am being heard or not. It is hard not too, but I finally realized that the Lord hears me, even if anyone else doesn't, and I am playing for Him anyway. I also realized that one of the main reasons for my playing is so the singers can lead the singing, and if they can hear me I have contributed whether anyone else hears me or not. I would rather go unheard than to be too loud and draw attention to myself.

[Wally]

What I've been trying to sell to the younger ones we're raising up on our team is that we are actively involved in leading others to the Throne, and you've got to show some of the excitement and anticipation that you feel about that in the presentation of your music. I know several players who play well, but their body language, and the emotion on their faces says that they are waiting for a bus.

Well, I'll have to humbly disagree a little with that, as I am one of those guys you are describing :biggrin: I understand what you are saying, but it is unfortunately not so easy for some of us - when I am playing I am focused on my playing and looking at my chord charts/music, and it just isn't natural or easy for me to look like I'm having fun - I am, but it doesn't always come across in my body language. The thing is, it shouldn't matter - because if I am doing my job, the congregation should be focused on the Lord, not on me.

Again, I'm not trying to start an argument, just offering (in love) the perspective of one of the guys that looks like he is waiting for the bus :mrgreen:

[seagullplayer]

What I've been trying to sell to the younger ones we're raising up on our team is that we are actively involved in leading others to the Throne, and you've got to show some of the excitement and anticipation that you feel about that in the presentation of your music. I know several players who play well, but their body language, and the emotion on their faces says that they are waiting for a bus.

Well, I'll have to humbly disagree a little with that, as I am one of those guys you are describing :biggrin: I understand what you are saying, but it is unfortunately not so easy for some of us - when I am playing I am focused on my playing and looking at my chord charts/music, and it just isn't natural or easy for me to look like I'm having fun - I am, but it doesn't always come across in my body language. The thing is, it shouldn't matter - because if I am doing my job, the congregation should be focused on the Lord, not on me.

Again, I'm not trying to start an argument, just offering (in love) the perspective of one of the guys that looks like he is waiting for the bus :mrgreen:

Never underestimate the power of a smile. Christians are not the only people in the pews looking at you. :-)

[Wally]

The reason for this post:

Paul mentioned that he constantly has folks telling him that they feel like they are not able to properly worship when they play on the P&W team.

How do you feel about this point of view?

One of the first things I thought of when I initially read this thread was "what is proper worship?" A second question was "if someone says this, what is their definition of worship?" I would not be able to relate to the statement unless we both had the same understanding of "proper worship".

Wayne Grudem, in his "Systematic Theology", defines worship as "the activity of glorifying God in His presence with our voices and hearts." He goes on to say "In this definition we note that worship is an act of glorifying God. Yet all aspects of our lives are supposed to glorify God, so this definition specifies that worship is something we do especially when we come into God's presence, when we are conscious of adoration of Him in our hearts, and when we praise Him with our voices and speak about Him so other's may hear... In fact, the primary reason God called us into the assembly of the church is that as a corporate assembly we might worship Him." Later on he say's "Because God is worthy of worship and seeks to be worshipped, everything in our worship services should be designed and carried out not to call attention to ourselves, but to call attention to God and to cause people to think about Him".

I wish I could post the entire chapter of this book, as it offers some great insight into the act of worship. Based on the definitions I posted above, which I tend to agree with, I would have to think that someone who says they can't properly worship while leading worship may have something else in mind or think that they have to act a certain way (emotionally) to be "properly worshipping".

One of the things that Dr. Grudem mentions in the footnotes of his Systematic Theology is that he personally finds a worship leader who talks to the congregation between songs usually distracts his attention away from the Lord and onto himself, and his atttude of worship is greatly diminished. I agree with that too, but I suspect that I am in the minority opinion on that one :lol:

[kewlpack]

Good points Wally. I would find myself close to those same kinds of ideas on the matter when it all gets boiled down.

I get cranky when I don't have a chance to practice with a group and we are going to do some playing in front of people. I get nervous and anxious... and that gets in the way of worship. :banghead

Good stuff. :angel

[ptrallan01]

Good stuff man!!!!

Worship is adoration of God and it comes from the inside out!

I can worship God in my playing and preaching by giving it all I have for His glory but EXPERIENCING worship and the reinvigoration that it brings sometimes requires doing nothing but basking in HIS presence!

We had a situation several years ago when we began praise and worship where the praise singers were telling the congregation how to behave, stand, wave your arms, get excited. I finally told them not to say another word to the congregation. People will do what you tell them for that one song and then sit down or put there hands down or whatever. That isn't worship.

The praise singers kept telling me that the people were wrong not to be excited. I finally said look you guys are the problem. You are supposed to be leading worship, if your focus is on the people then it is in the wrong place! Focus on God, focus on His glory, His majesty, His honor. Don't worry about the people. If your attention is properly placed theirs will follow. They all (4 women) got quiet and the next Sunday things were different and God has been honored ever since.

The experience and the practice sometimes get separated for those of us who are working on Sunday morning, and it is work! Some of us are not as experienced in ministering others may not be as experienced in technical(music/sermon prep/sound management/ushering). We must all make allowances for each other and provide opportunities for each other to enjoy God!!!

I love this place and I love you guys. Thanks for a wonderful release.

Peter

[Pearly Gator]

Never underestimate the power of a smile. Christians are not the only people in the pews looking at you. :-)

Amen! Preach it!!

Which leads me to 'distraction.' An important point is 'focus'. If you are on the platform, say during greeting time, don't lose focus. When the leader is reading an announcement look at him/her.. Don't tell the bass player a joke, mess with your chart or noodle on your geetar. Focus and look where the congregation should be focused, be it pastor, announcer or soloist. What do we communicate when we don't play? I'm thinking out loud to myself, too! :angel I'd sure like to see a video of one of my worship services. It would reveal a lot. :oops:

PG

[reverbbb]

Gary:

We would certainly love to see a video as well. But with 77+ members now, how could this be done fairly and at the least amount of cost and time involved?

Focus is important for sure.

Distraction-free is part of the equation too. Our church is extremely casual. So casual in fact, that many people in the church will wear shorts and sandals to church in the summer. I am one of those such folks. But about two~three years ago, I realized that my extremely casual dress attire "could" be a distraction. I needed to be comfortable, but not to the point of having people (especially visitors) looking at me and wondering if God would approve of the way I was dressed. Of coarse the answer is that God himself does not care how or even if I am dressed at all. But I don't think that He would not want me to distract others from their Worship because of the way I dressed. Therefore, I still dress casual, but no longer wear shorts and show off my white tornados covered with hair :yikes .

So, part of being focused is also being aware of how you present yourself in front of others. Whether that be the way you dress, Worship, laugh, sing or play guitar.

I just had to add a little bit of this commentary for some reason - though it is beginning to slightly migrate from the original topic of being servents.

[Wally]

SeagullPlayer - I agree, I just find it hard to do anything other than concentrate when playing - "waiting for the bus" might not be such a good descrtiption for my appearance - I probably look more like I am defusing a bomb :oops: :lol: I do try to smile a lot when I am not playing, however (although smiling in general is not a natural act for me :oops: )

Kewlpack - thanks! The nervousness/anxiousness you describe is the biggest distraction for me.

Peter - Thanks! As usual, you were able to expess some of the things I was trying to say more clearly!

Pearly Gator - I agree! (but I'm not sure I want to see a video of myself... :innocent )

Reverbb - good points! I wear jeans and a polo shirt to the chapel service I attend as it is very casual too; this is as casual as I go, since at my last church I was a Deacon and required to wear a suit/tie if I was participating in the main service... Sunday night (the only time we used guitars in the service, and then not every Sunday) was more casual.

Hope I didn't steer the thread off topic!

[SAguitar]

Great Stuff, Maynard! Worship, and especially being allowed to lead in worship is one of the most amazing facets of our faith. To me, the other one would be prayer, but that is a another topic.

Our church is a fairly casual church, and even our worship leader and our teaching pastor find it OK to wear jeans during service. Not always, but when they want to, they do. We do draw the line at wearing shorts and tank tops on the platform because we don't want to be a distraction at all.

But we do encourage our singers, and musicians to try to show Joy when they are leading in worship. We've even done seminars on stage presence for our team, and for Worship Northwest. Please don't take this wrong, we don't want anyone being false or superficial during worship because anyone in the congregation can see right through that. But what makes the Lord more attractive to those that don't know him, a group of musicians and singers who look either serious or bland, or a group who are obviously radiating Joy, and physically participating in celebrating His Love and Grace?

It may sound cheap and contrived on the surface, but face it, we're in the business of selling Eternal Life Insurance, and if we can entice someone to become interested in Jesus, then we won't spare any effort to assist in that.

Granted we have some on our team that physically exhibit Joy less than others, and we don't devalue their servanthood. But if we have some who can testify with their whole being about Jesus' Love, then let 'er rip! :cool:

[tom grossheider]

I've been asked to "lead worship" this Sunday, we'll probably have about 1000 people I think. Normally I'm just a guitar player sometimes bass player, but helping to create an environment where Jesus is praised and glorified is not an easy task, well beyong my natural skills. Glad that God give supernatural gifts to accomplish His will through willing hearts! This will be a tough weekend after the death of the soldier son of some close friends and church members. I hope to not say too much and distract from the Audience of One, but I also want to be able to turn thoughts toward Him without myself being noticed. I covet your prayers for this Sunday my brothers and sisters.

[SAguitar]

I'm happy to pray for you, Tom. Step up to the plate, and go for it. It is a wonderful thing to feel the Lord working through you.
Be Blessed,
Stan

[Pearly Gator]

{snip} This will be a tough weekend after the death of the soldier son of some close friends and church members. I hope to not say too much and distract from the Audience of One, but I also want to be able to turn thoughts toward Him without myself being noticed. I covet your prayers for this Sunday my brothers and sisters.

Amazing Grace (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/writePage.cfm?myType=music&bandid=220244&bandnamesave=thepsalmist) would be appropriate for such a weekend.

Lord, together we pray for our brother Tom who will be leading worship this weekend. Hearts may be heavy but You are our burden bearer and the lifter of our souls. Through the worship and through the sermon, do a mighty work in the hearts of all who gather to worship You. We ask this in Jesus' Name, becasue He said we could. Amen.

[Crunchyriff]

AMEN!!

[SAguitar]

AMEN, and AMEN.

[Teleguy]

I stand in agreement.

[tom grossheider]

Thank you all for your prayers. It was a wonderful time of worship. The music flowed beautifully, the band members did very well and played with servants hearts. Thanks for the advice of "stepping up to the plate", I really needed that. I've been shy to a fault for many years, very unsure of my gifts but as God has allowed me to grow I have more confidence in Him and in my ability to follow Him. Now I've been asked to do this for Easter Sunday.... Let God be praised! God lets me be in church every Sunday to worship Him with my brothers and sisters, and then lets me play my guitar too! I can't think of a more exciting thing to do on earth than that. There will be music in heaven, but will there be instruments? I can hardly wait to get there.

[Pearly Gator]

There will be music in heaven, but will there be instruments? I can hardly wait to get there.

Psalms 43:3-4, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God."

Yep, there will be instruments. The ancients called them harps but we know that multi-stringed instruments are really guitars. :angel

Revelation 14:2, "And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:"

Revelation 15:2, "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God."

Praise God

[kewlpack]

Yep, there will be instruments. The ancients called them harps but we know that multi-stringed instruments are really guitars. :angel
Gabriel wielding a Polka Dot Flying V and Michael trading monster licks with him on a R8 Sunburst!

:angel :angel

LOL

Hey Stephen we need some guitar smilies!!!!

[Teleguy]

So, do ya s'pose there'll be "Cross-harping?" :cool:

[Wally]

Remember that old Righteous Bros. song about "rock and toll heaven"....

I was listening to Kieth Green and Rich Mullins this past wekend, and at some point I thought of that song, and the thought of Rich Mullins and Kieth Green leading worship backed by a band that included SRV brought a smile to my face :lol:

[SAguitar]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Pearly Gator]

Kieth Green and Rich Mullins

Two of my favorite songwriters. I'm looking forward to meeting them.

PG