Advent 101: What it is, Who it’s for, & How to Celebrate it

AdventThe word wasn’t even in the periphery of my vocabulary growing up. Even after I began following Jesus, it seemed like a code word – something people “in the know” tossed around as though they all were in on the secret: “Advent”.

Many Christians don’t talk about it at all. The day after Thanksgiving they kick into Christmas-mode & ride the Christmas train up through New Years Eve. Often those who do speak of Advent talk about it as an assumption. If you get up the nerve to ask about it, you tend to get the “you-seriously-don’t-know?” look. [Read more…]

NEXT: Christmas Worship 2015

 

Screen shot 2015-11-23 at 10.31.45 PMWith Christmas fast approaching, I’d like to pitch a few last-minute options for those of you who still have a few question marks in their Holiday set-lists. Though these might not all be quite as “indie” as I usually shoot for, they are all quality new songs worth considering. [Read more…]

How to Wait

HowToWaitI’m sure you’ve been there. Keenly aware that “the next” is right over the horizon, but you recognize that all of your strivings can’t make anything happen. It can turn into a place of great frustration – even bitterness – if we let it. The good news is this: you don’t have to let it!

Over the years I’ve discovered a few practical steps that have helped me maintain focus during those seasons that it would have been easy to let discouragement sink in: [Read more…]

REVIEW: Stephen Miller – “Liberating King”

LiberatingKingARTIST: Stephen Miller
RELEASE: Liberating King
LABEL: Independent

I admire Stephen Miller. Having reviewed his book (Worship Leaders we are not Rock Stars) just a few months back, I was looking forward to hearing this new CD. Stephen’s commitment to solid Biblical truth, balanced in equal measure with passion, & creativity shine bright on his latest release. [Read more…]

Worship Pastors pastor Worshipers

icecreamIt’s easy as worship leaders to clock-in on Sunday mornings, and pour all of our effort into the “performance”; pulling for an impassioned & expertly played set of epic corporate anthems & ballads, familiar to all in attendance, & sung at the top of our lungs. And there’s nothing – in & of itself – wrong with that: God deserves our best. [Read more…]