stuff and sunday

I know the Waffle House is dirty and bad for you and all that stuff. I just want to point out that I noticed they don't deep fry anything. That's all. Don't waste our time with responses.

I usually have no trouble keep my pants on. Sunday was weird about that.

Once place I do not want to work ever is in the office of a high school. Many deer, many headlights. Chaos. I'd constantly be screaming, "Are you an idiot? I just answered that!"

So the thing about Sunday morning is this:
We had a normal, great first part of the service with plenty of stuff to praise to. Typical, good, nice. Then for the communion and post-communion time, the band whittled down to just Jessi and Jason (doesn't update...don't bother clicking). Jessi on keys, Jason on super sweet electric. The mix was nice, there was plenty of bass in the keyboard, etc. But that isn't what really did it for me. If you've never heard Jessi sing, you've allowed yourself to be cheated. I don't know how to describe it except to say it is most lovely. For the service plan, I had Jessi let me know what songs she wanted to do, and then she and Jason worked together on keys and stuff. Jason improvised with her, and Jessi led the songs.
She picked "O Praise Him" (Crowder / Passion) and "Holy Is The Lord" (Tomlin / Passion). Really interesting choices, because both of those songs were in the top 10 for HCC in 2006 AND 2007. Normally, we perform them as they were conceived - straightforward, upbeat (sometimes with a very nice Coldplay Politik intro) nice and loud - loud and proud - that is just the kind of songs they are. They are like anthem songs or something.
Anyway, imagine them slowed down, loved on, and performed with an amazing solo voice, understated, fat, warm cushy keyboard and expertly-played electric guitar "sounds." It was like Sara M started loving Jesus and coming to church. And mean that with the highest of compliments.
The feeling in the room was electric. I could see how moved people were. Hearing the very familiar words sung in a completely different, beautiful style was just awesome. I couldn't believe I was in the middle of this experience. So soothing, so comforting, so honoring and loving to Jesus. Simply amazing.

One of the coolest things there is about being an elder is getting to pray for people when they are experiencing the prompting of the Spirit to come back for prayer. We allow a pretty good amount of space for this in our services. The environment that Jessi and Jason were helping to create for all of us to encounter God was just such a blessing.

I think our music is pretty consistently good, but I'm slightly biased. This was special. Really special. It was one of those things we could never create again, and in fact there is no need to try. It was special for the very time of its created purpose. It was meant for then. Tomorrow brings new adventures...not just recreated ones of the past. God has new things for us .

OK, so there you go. That's it.

passion

I met Louie Giglio today at a pretty small gathering.

He was really nice, and it was great to get to meet him.

Passion does some really great stuff. Check it out sometime.

G

tuesday

photo by amy allen

wrapping up the weekend

I'm going to try to share more with you all this week. I do have stuff to say.

I had the greatest nap today - my favorite kind - on my bed, on top of the covers until I woke up chilled. Then slipped into the covers and that is the best kind of nap to me. It was glorious. Glorious.

I used to hate Sunday nights. My work life was ridiculous, stressful and almost unbearable. Every Sunday night I would feel the stress building up for what I had to face that week. It was hard to admit until I was away from it and no longer felt like I was going to die every Sunday night.

Admitting to you my anger deal (last post) must have helped me. I was able to get much more calm even without circumstances changing. There is something to this admitting it stuff.

Well, like I said, I have stuff to share and I'll start trying to do so immediately.

Later,
G