Blessed by Worship

I'm not a crier, but I have to be honest-worship this Sunday brought tears to my eyes.  Not because of conviction (though maybe I needed that, too), but because of companionship.

Frankly, "worship music" isn't really my thing.  I don't like loud music and crowded concert spaces.  I have a lot of it on my computer, but I rarely listen to it.  No fault to the musicians, but that's just not how I like to connect with God.

That aside, I love, love LOVE worship at my church.  We play a lot of the same "popular" songs, and even though we have some GREAT musicians, let's face it, the sound isn't the most amazing you'll ever hear (it's ok I can say this, I'm part of the band, too!).  I think the difference is the relationship.  I know all of you.  I've seen you walk through hard stuff and still come out strong.  I know that when you sing "My life is yours" that you mean it, and I can say amen with you.

At Hosanna I was completely overwhelmed with how much I love being in a community that is "One in heart and mind."  I'm so blessed by the strength and sincerity of those who lead worship at King of Love.  I wish I had a recording to take with me.  I would listen it (even a crappy one) every day in Cairo.  I know the passion in your voices is lived out in your lives and it encourages me more than I can say.

Thank you!

Time. Life. Cairo.

Two weeks will mark a year since the saddest, hardest day of my life.

Since the passing of my uncle, one thing that has changed in me is my perspective on life.  Some people say "Life is short, live every day as if it were your last."  Life isn't what's short, though.  Life, true life, is eternal, forever.  Time is what is short.  Time for choice.  In Life there will be no time and no choice only eternity.  Now we have time and choice.  Now we can choose God or the world.  Those who do not choose God will never have Life, only Death.  That is why time is so important.  Even though I have chosen God, there are still times when I choose the world in a small way.  When I make selfish choices and neglect love.  Every time I choose the world, I invest in something that will die.  Every time I choose God (in a small way) I invest in something that will grown and last forever.  Something I can lay at His feet for His glory.  I only have a little time, and then I will have true Life.

That's why, even though my world is different without Uncle Chuck, I don't despair, because the time I have without him is short.  The Life I will share with him is forever.

That's why I'm not afraid to go wherever God sends me, because the time I have to endure suffering and sacrifice is short.  The Life that I have be before the Lord is forever.  I want to come before Him with full hands, to many crowns at His feet.  I want to help others make the choice while they still have time, so that in the end, they can have Life.