...lessons from 31.

...hay, that's reminds me of that Dave Matthews song...

Week #21 in the books...

...Starting to feel like one of those parents who still counts their kids age in months when their like 5...'oh ya, little Timmie's 67 months old today...'

maybe we're gettin' somewhere...

maybe we're not where we use to be...

...lessons from sunday.

I don't look like that picture...

'Cause if I did, I'd need a reality check. Serious.

...planting a church is hard, lonely work. But if we don't do it for (G)lory than we do it for (g)lory. The reason is bigger then us. It's for the teaching and equipping the saints for the work of the Kingdom...in other words we do it so people will learn to love Jesus more and help those around them realize that they love Jesus too.

That's what keeps us going, week-in and week-out. (Without starting to look like that)

...havin' a band behind you is a REALLY good thing...

Ya'know, two weeks in and I'm realizing how much easier life is when you have good people backing you up....it's nice to play on your own every once in a while, but what a difference it makes in the immersivness of the music...not to mention the impact and the Worship that can happen when people feel immersed in the music.

...our church is 'growing'...

...two reasons.

1. People are starting to call this church home. Didn't think about that when we started this thing. It's cool to watch people start to invest in this thing we do.

2.People are starting to grow...watchin' people gain confidence and trust in their faith and themselves is really fun...to sit back and appreciate how people are starting to develope in their faith and understanding of the Gospel message in their lives.

...Worship is good...

The more I shake the dust off this life of worship, the more I re-discover the joy that comes with it the more I want to infect people with what Worship can be.

It's learning that worship isn't just singing, it's praying, playing, participating, propagating(!), and prognosticating...

...so press on, friend, to that which you were called to do and make the most of every opportunity you have...

You only have one today.

M.

...we're ready for ya

Had band practice yesterday.

Practiced for the Lord. Practiced for you. Practiced for the musicality of it. Practiced to play together.

...and we're ready for you.

But'ya know what? We need your help.

We need you to pray.

We need you to pray that we will surrender to the Spirit's guidance. That we would be good stuarts of these gifts. That we would be proper shepherds into worship, into the throne-room of God.

That our lives would demonstrate a spirit of worship. That our vulnerability would be evident to all. That people would be drawn to vulnerability themselves. That we would be engulfed in a cloud of God as we play, minster and press after the spirits movements.

Pray for us as we craft our worship environment. That our humanity wouldn't inhibit the work of the spirit. That we could demonstrate what a life of worship looks like.

More than this, pray for yourselves. As you get ready to go to church pray that the Lord would prepare you to worship, to be vulnerable. To be broken by Him. Pray that church would change you. That you would be affected through your week. That it would be evident to those around you. Like an infection.

Pray for the churches around the city you live in. Pray that God would presence Himself there in a mighty way. That people would come to him like iron fillings to a magnet. Pray that people would find joy, hope, healing, water, light and forgiveness at church. Pray for the healing of our Church. Pray that we would repent of our misdeeds. That the Lord would correct our path.

Most of all, listen. Listen for the voice of God. Listen in the still moments and the loud ones. Listen to the sound of the car engine and the hum of your computer as you read this.

We're ready for you...

God's ready for us.

Question is, are we ready for Him?

M.

we got snow...

I think everybody in the GTA's been waiting for snow since New Years....

Now we have a LITTLE bit of snow now.

If you look way back in this picture, there's a cloud of snow blowing across the field....sucks. Wouldn't want to be walking in that.

Makes me think about living in Toronto. Those hallowed halls of glass and steel make for some pretty awesome wind tunnels for whatever weather feels like blowing in off the lake.

Had some pretty resistant weather myself lately. How 'bout you?

Winter sucks for that. So does church planting.

...Pushing against the spiritual wind that blows against you as you do something you know you're suppose to do. It's not easy. Not something that should be undertaken lightly.

See, we have this wee-baby church that's exploding. And as more people come we sit in the hot tub (yes, that's where we chair our staff meetings...) and we contemplate what's going on, how things are working, what's next, and try to remember people's names. And all the while we are amazed at what's happening in our midst.

It's a little exhilarating, a little terrifying, and a lot glorious.

But it comes at a cost. Spiritual resistance. We leave behind those things we treasure, jobs, dreams that are stable, for things that are unstable; security, success (whatever that means). We gamble with our own histories because we believe this is what we're called to do.

Problem is when we leave security behind and we pick up insecurity (for the sake of the Gospel) we take on a ton of other stuff. Stress, anxiety, hope (which can bode both ways), fear, doubt.

This resistance can go two ways. It can either be the ice you slip on, sending you skidding backwards, or it can be the grit you push against, driving you harder against the wind so you get somewhere.

We're gon'a choose the grit.

So if you're facing spiritual resistance right now, put your face into the wind, plant your feet firmly on the ground, realize that the ice under your feet is actually grit and get to the place where you're suppose to go...May not get easier for a while, but you'll get stronger to push against the wind and the ice. And you're feet will get more acclimatized toward pushing against the wind.

And one day you'll realize the wind doesn't blow so hard any more. Then you'll realize that you're further than you thought, 'cause the wind eased off and you kept pushin' hard. Then you'll realize that you've been running with all you've got for a while, 'cause you've had little resistance and strong legs.

Then you'll run like you've never run before, 'cause your so strong from comin' though the storm.

Lets face the storm, my friends.

M.

...Escalators

Escalators.

This is some people's worst nightmare. They stand at the top of an escalator and make like they're about to jump out of a plane or something...or they step, and then back up, 'cause, oh! they missed that step. Count out 1...2...3...4. GO! and FINALLY, they make it on by the skin of their teeth...

...some people just don't take 'em. Avoid 'em completely.

There are people who will deliberately go out of their way, walking LONG distances just to take the stairs, elevator or ramp...

Crazy you say?

Maybe you are one of those people. Can't stand the sight of'em. Strike terror into your heart.

(you say...WHERE's he going with this one??)

Perhaps you're the other way 'round. Walking, or running strait on an escalator. In complete abandon of the inherent 'risks' that the other group very obviously sees...

Maybe you're the type that run's up the opposite way, judging the movement of the escalator you go...

Crazy you say?

Could I safely assume you're inclined toward one of these two groups? Cautious, almost to a fault or running strait for the thing, full tilt.

If you're the believin' type you might be asked to do some crazy things, start an international relief organization for africa, write a book, become a musician, become a missionary, plant a church. It's like running toward the escalator and jumping on with all you've got.

There is no such thing as slow...when God tells you to go you GO. 'cause, he know's what's good for you. And He knows what the risks are. And He knows the benefits. And He knows the reward.

So stop edging toward the first step and then backing away 'cause you think it's gon'a eat you. The escalator's gon'a keep movin' weather you're on it or not.

M.

...stayin' honest.

This blog is keepin' me honest.

Makes me think differently about what it is to be a Christian, worshiper, and worship leader.

Makes me accountable to more than just me (and my lovely wife).

Makes me explain what I'm thinking about worship.

My process as a person changes by your reading this.

See, we had our first band practice yesterday and I was thinking about you. How you'd react to the new sound. What you'd think about all the musicians on the stage. If you'd 'like' it. If you 'wouldn't'. If you'd worship to it. If you'd find it distracting.

At the end of the day, I know the Spirit is behind it. It's all about the Glory of God. And I know the Spirit will push you through it.

So here's to a new way of doing worship at The Well.

Lookin' forward to it.

M.

Singin' a new song

We're gon'a be introducing a new song tomorrow at The Well...

It's taken out of Psalm 29.

Here's the entire text:

Psalm 29

The Voice of the LORD in the Storm.

A Psalm of David.

¹^(A)Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
²Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD ^(B)in holy array.
³The ^(C)voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
The God of glory ^(D)thunders,
The LORD is over ^(E)many waters.
⁴The voice of the LORD is ^(F)powerful,
The voice of the LORD is majestic.
⁵The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;

Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces ^(G)the cedars of Lebanon.
⁶He makes Lebanon ^(H)skip like a calf,
And ^(I)Sirion like a young wild ox.
⁷The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.
⁸The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the wilderness of ^(J)Kadesh.
⁹The voice of the LORD makes ^(K)the deer to calve
And strips the forests bare;
And ^(L)in His temple everything says, "Glory!"
¹⁰The LORD sat as King at the ^(M)flood;
Yes, the LORD sits as ^(N)King forever.

¹¹The LORD will give ^(O)strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with ^(P)peace.

If you're planning on coming tomorrow, or even if you're not, read this text over a few times. It's designed to bring HOPE for the soul.

And if you wern't planning to come, why don'cha...

'cause this is what you're in for...

M.

No hearing aids required

I'm not a very good listener. I'm trying to become one. But I'm not. Fact is, I'd more likely talk over someone rather then listen to them.

Maybe I need a hearing aid ...A thing you stick in your ear to make outside noises louder so's you can hear what's going on.

Typically it's older people who need hearing aids, 'cause they've lost some of their range of hearing . I need one so I can hear what people are saying.

I've been thinkin' about this 'cause I burst my ear drum a few weeks ago. I've had to listen a lot closer to people, 'cause my one ear has been pretty much out of commission and I think I've finally realized what people want.

People just wan'a be heard. Just wan'a have someone that they can talk to, not talk at but someone who will receive their concerns and dreams. And a hearing aid would make me listen to people.

So you might be asking yourself, 'where does worship come into this?'

My answer?

'What about listening to God?'

Maybe all of us need a hearing aid.

M.

Chairs, prayers and other mysteries of life.

Most of the time, when you sit on your butt, nothin' gets done. You're eaither watching TV or your on facebook or bloging(...) But there are times when you sit on your butt and something does get done. You write a paper, your butt is on a plane, or your havin' a beer with a friend talking about a new book idea or the plans to plant a church...

Then there are those times when you look at the chair and say, "ya know what, I'm not going to sit today. I'ma go and make life happen" and you walk out of the house, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and get somthin' done!

We made somethin' happen this week. We added a bunch of chairs to our weekly service. We did it because we had to. We did it because people are startin' to see God in our wee-baby church. We did it because people are responding to our active surrender to God. We did it so people could have a place to sit while the word is preached, worship happens, the sacraments are administered and community flourishes. THAT is church folks. No bones about it.

Really, church is about becoming more Godly. And really, becoming more Godly is about learning about God. And how do you learn about someone? Y'hang out with'em. Listening, looking and spending time with'em. Just like you hung out with your wife or husband when you first met.

I see that as worship. Sure, going to church can be worship. Singing songs can worship. But true worship is an awareness of God's activity in the world. It's a way of thinking, a way of walking, a way of breathing, reading, petting your dog, making dinner...it's a process of learning to hear God's voice in the the mundane, seeing God in the clouds and praying with every breath. (This book got me thinking this way)

So this week when you breath, pray for our little community. Ask God to have mercy on us as we push toward the dream that he's planted in us. Pray for your family. Pray that God would grow you into people that would be worthy ministers of the gospel (Check here if your not sure what that means). Pray for our city. Pray that God would open up the door for us to reach our city. Most of all listen for God, 'cause we don't do near enough of that now-a-daze....

Then, we can add more chairs...

M.

History and...

Dallan Forgaill.

Know who he is?

Neither'd I.

...a breif bio...

He was Irish.

He was a poet.

He was a renowned scholar.

He went blind from studying.

He was second in command only to the king.

When he was martyred (by beheading), they say the Lord restored his head to his body.

'Be thou my vision' is attributed to him.

Lived in the 6th century.

Interesting, hay?...not really.

Point is, the beginnings of 'be thou my vision' were written in the 6th century. THAT is crazy. Make me think, when we sing that song we're singing a song that's been sung for 1500 years!

The first people to sing it were monks in Ireland. Now we sing it.

Makes me think. Same thing's true about goin' to church. Under the spirit's guidance people've been going to church since day one. Whether you believe in this thing or not, our calendar shows that the world changed. That makes gathering together to mark the change important. Just like singing.

We're singin' on sunday...

...come and be a part of history.

M.

What happened Yesterday?

This is my view from 'back stage' 5 minutes before our morning service starts at The Well. It's the time when I sit and pray and think about you and think about how your feeling and how yo

ur week went. I listen to the murmur of people talking, the pre-service music, maybe a couple of kids screaming in the background. I take 2 or 3 minutes to collect my thoughts and get focused, only in that room, only at that time. Then Todd and I (and whoever happens to be there) pray for the service, the church, the city. It's one of my favorite moments of sunday.

Yesterday was the first time in a while (4 weeks) that I played alone (thanks DJM). Funny thing is, the stage didn't feel empty. You made the difference. Had feeling all week that it was going to be good. Knowing God was going to do something. Knowing something is growing that wasn't there before. Knowing that the people who show up are there 'cause they want to be.

And my hunch paid off.

Really. good. church.

'cause ya know, good church (and good worship) is like a bunch of kids dancing around the backyard. They don't care what they look like. Don't care who's looking. Don't care how loud they are.

There's usually a leader, but that's just the one who turns on the music...after that it's up to the other kids to go crazy

...and for what end? To GLORY in being alive.

And THAT, is what we're after...

Enjoy your week in GLORY.

M.

Finally Letting go...

Starting a new year. Starting to build on 4 months of successes (and failures) at THE WELL. Starting to feel the spirit building something there. Starting see the weight of what we've taken on. Starting to make in-roads in the community (and online) where we live...yep, starting a worship blog.

We threw around the idea a couple of months ago about starting a 'worship blog'. The idea of it being another venue (other then me standing on stage with my guitar) to learn about what worship is. So, before we get into it I need tell you some things.

1. I don't know everything about worship....Because i've been doing worship a while (since I was 12) and leading worship for a while (since 2003), I should know SOMETHING about it. And while I consider myself a worshiper first and musician second we all know that you can always learn more about something (and I'm on a real steep learning curve).

2. I'm not a master musician...I think this can be summed up a little in the previous statement 'I consider myself a worshiper first and a musician second'. While this is an area that's weak in my arsenal, I'm workin' on it...So bear with me while I try to become one.

The purpose of writing this thing is to give you insight in to my process as a worshiper and as a leader of worship...what I'm reading, what I'm writing about, experiencing, and learning about. In the process of doing this the goal is that you'll learn about how worship works in both a community and individual context.

Stay tuned...

M.