Four Sundays in the Life

My family just returned home from church. Now that would be a relatively normal thing in our home on any given Sunday. Being Christ-followers, we go to worship with other Christ-followers...its what we do. But the month of April has been different for us. For the first time in almost two years, I have had the privilege to be a lead worshiper. Now for those unfamiliar with church lingo, this means that I got to worship (something I really enjoy) and got to lead others in this grace-filled privilege. After serving as a church musician and worship pastor for over twenty years, I have been in a season of receiving ministry rather than giving. I am thankful to God for every step of the journey that has brought me to the point of being ready to give again...although this time not from the crusty, rusty bottom of the tank of "me" but from the overflow of my life IN Christ.

To share with you WHERE we have been...

We started the month with the sweet folks from First Baptist, Forsyth, Missouri . If you are like me, you have never heard of Forsyth, MO...but you have probably heard of Branson, MO. Home of variety shows, buffets, Silver Dollar City, and all manner of family entertainment. Branson is across Lake Tanneycomo from Forsyth. We were blessed to be with FBC for worship and their 2nd Annual Global Impact Celebration. It was a blessing to take some vacation time, some family time, and also to live some "days in the life" of a worship pastor. Here are some pictures from our adventure!








Last week, I was blessed to lead worship for a group of men that I meet with every week to walk in accountability and to fight for wholeness and purity as men of God. Twice a year, we go away on retreat and spend time with the Lord and with one another. This year was my first retreat with the responsibility as worship coordinator. It was sweet to work with some AMAZING musicians and lead worshipers during the weekend. For me, it was a defining weekend as a worship musician. God spoke to me clearly in understanding the way He has gifted me and to what He has called me. I love my Papa!

Today, we rounded out the month with the precious folks at Living Hope Baptist Church in Hiram, GA. A friend of mine has been serving as transitional pastor for the past nine months. He called on me when he needed a supply worship leader. Today was a special day as the congregation as they affirmed Randy as their new pastor. It was a privilege to worship with them on this special day. It was good for me to spend time with Randy and Donna and to visit concerning his passion for the future of that congregation...they are sure to be blessed if they catch even only a portion of Randy's vision for Hiram and Paulding County!

I told Rita on the way home that for the past four Sundays, I felt as if "Kevin" was leading in worship, not some projected persona or who I believed people wanted me to be. Now I am a BIG promoter of the congregation in worship...I want to bring as many people along with me as possible...but I have had an unbelievable time this month just spending time in worship...from a child to his Papa. Did I mention...I love my Papa!

The Hammer Holds

We’re back from Branson! I will write with pictures and updates a little later, but with hours on the road, I logged some major iPod time. One song that God pressed into my spirit was a Bebo Norman song, “The Hammer Holds.” If you know me, then you will understand why this song rings in my spirit…

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for Thee, the hammer holds

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now?
And the question still remains, what am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for Thee, the hammer holds

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for Thee, the hammer holds

This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds.