Who Are You Chasing? New pedals?
Bethel’s vibe? Happiness? A bigger worship team?

We’re hosting a work team of young missionaries of the Mennonite flavor.

As you make your way down our lane, several wooden signs are hanging from the tall cypress trees, each with a phrase from Psalm 23.

My college friend Shad recently posted a video on Facebook to rally the troops.

Yesterday, when I needed it most, I found a scriptural encouragement on old Mission Challenge letterhead while cleaning out a storage room on the farm where we live.

I never know what messages you are hearing from others, from yourself, from the voice of the deceiver.

I love words! They unlock meaning if you study them out. A word recently blew up in my face.

I was pushing a wheelbarrow across the discipleship training school base next door on my way to pick up some dirt for our garden.

Long trials require exceptional resilience, a healthy perspective, and an ability to stick with it. But we never thought we were in a sprint, did we?

Maybe we feel disoriented because God is trying to reorient us.

As churches, we’ve been forced to rethink virtually everything about our weekly gathering rhythms.

Lucas. Now you know how to say Luke in Spanish. Well, only if you pronounce it Spanishy.

But do we know what to do when a messenger from God shows up when we’re just doing our weekly service?

“You tend to feel in control of your life when our wills are in harmony.” - God (via Sarah Young)

Control. Remember that feeling?

I was leading worship, and I felt like the congregation could take it or leave it. 💔

I got off the airplane when we first entered Costa Rica, and the customs official asked me, “¿A que te dedicas?” “Músico,” I’d answer.

We made it! To a whole new decade.

But do you have hope?

What am I taking to heart?

Maybe you’re a worship leader who is caught in the unrelenting cycle of leading weekly worship gatherings while managing songs, arrangements, schedules, teams, relationships, and life.

You feel the need for... 

• A deep walk with God (Intimate, Consecrated, Scripture-soaked)

• A deep love for people (Shepherd, Launcher, Encourager, Leader)

• A deep understanding of music (Listener, Craftsman, Fluent)

I was leading Sunday morning worship at this church. I greeted the assembled worshipers and… got back a very wimpy response. I felt like I was looking at a room of corpses.

So I had this experience where I realized that I had been lulled to sleep. Maybe you can relate to this, because I had forgotten that God is actually steadfast. He’s actually good. He’s actually all-powerful. He’s actually able to do what He said He would do.

Doesn’t this just have a great ring to it? Campfire. Eating together. Relaxed worship. Late-night talks. Teaching tailored to your team. Friendships deepened. A break from your routine. God speaking...