Practical time. Yep, this will be short and sweet but it changed the way I view people and how I now develop teams that can actively work together no matter their background, age or race. How? Here’s how:

John 13:34 - A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Whaaaat? It’s that simple? Oh yeah. That simple. Let me explain.

When I first started playing on worship teams, I was all about the production, the glitz, and the glamour. Now, I’m not saying any of that is bad, because it all can be quite good, if the motives are right. My biggest problem was that I didn’t care about anyone else on that stage, or in the congregation. My focus was on myself. That sounds vain and narcissistic for sure, and it was, but I soon learned that without knowing the people around me, the people that the above scripture was commanding me to love, I would never change.

Fortunately, I had a pastor in my life who knew the power of community and the power of this scripture.  As a worship team we were already spending a lot of time together (four services a week plus a practice night), yet we didn’t really know much about each other. Weird right? You can spend hours and hours with others and not know them at all. How much do you really know about your team? At times we can become so involved with our personal lives, we forget about those around us. THAT is not Kingdom.

The change started out easy for our team. Every once in a while instead of our practice nights, we would all go out for coffee. It was a simple gesture but it was super effective. We began to talk to each other, find out about job situations and families, likes and dislikes. Then, wouldn’t you know it? We began to like each other, prefer each other, LOVE each other. Now, it didn’t happen overnight. Not even in a month. But little by little we saw our lives begin to intertwine together. We had dinners, birthdays and special events together. And the more we began to care for each other, the more powerful our services became. Our worship began to come alive! God began to pour Himself out through our congregation and our community.

I know there is power in loving one another and it’s proven itself over and over in my life, in any circumstance. Maybe it’s something we always hear, but never consider? Perhaps making this lesson a season in your worship team could turn the tides for whatever breakthrough you are needing today.

The wonderful thing is, once it begins showing itself through your worship team it will naturally begin to reach into your congregations and communities.

Let love be the power that unifies your team today.

Who are you really?

I had a moment recently when I had to ask myself what God was telling ME to do. Me! Not what He was telling others to do, or telling others to tell me to do, but what was He telling ME to do. And, once He told me, would I be willing to go through with it? Would I have that moment of obedience and run as hard and fast toward it as I could? I mean, who am I really? What if I do it wrong? Was that really Him talking to lil ol’ me? Hmmmm, maybe I should just walk out what I’ve been told and hope this whole “God’s Kingdom” thing works out in the end…

It’s a tough realization that could easily send you into a spiritual spiral, but don’t lose heart. This is ALL a good thing. I think it was best revealed to me when I realized the difference between sonship and servanthood.

Servants (or slaves) are always concerned about what they should be doing for their master. Naturally. But there are questions that come along with it, like whether they are doing what they are supposed to? Are they being validated by whoever is in charge? Did they make a mistake and now there’ll be punishment? FOR THE LOVE OF MARY, WILL I EVER GET A MICROPHONE?? Ok, that last one just slipped out. My bad. Now, I’m not saying serving is a bad thing. No way. There are countless verses in scripture about serving, but this kind of  thinking can cause our responses to be different in regards to the master.

Sonship is different. Especially Kingdom sonship. You see, sons and daughters can also serve, and they should, but it’s with a different mindset. A son or daughter has a legacy, an inheritance. They always feel free to chase their dreams and passions knowing what they possess and how it reflects on their family. They internally become the thing they know they are and they always want the best for this Kingdom and its people. They are always in constant communication with their father at any time. They have full confidence to run as hard as they can toward their goal, and in turn, the Father always backs them up! They can choose to pursue and they have the full backing of their heritage. No asking permission to run faster or harder than anyone else. They just do. With confidence.

Our heavenly Father generally knows what’s best for His kids. So, there may be some steering here and there. But know that true sons and daughters will always be honorable and become who they are meant to be. Whether they become doctors, lawyers, car salesmen, missionaries or pastors, the Father will always be pleased as long as we continue to stay in relationship with Him and His Kingdom. So we don’t have to fear the consequences of chasing too hard or too fast. Sons and daughters don’t get that luxury.

This is important to us as we walk out our relationship with the Father. What Father wouldn’t want his kids to be all they can be, and more importantly, become all they SHOULD be.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith ~ Galatians 3:26

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If you are a Christian, then you are called to use your gifts at church in a volunteer role or perhaps professionally. Choosing the roles that best fit your personality and interests can lead to serving God and the church more effectively. Your job satisfaction will also increase as you serve people out of your strengths.  John Holland created a theory that can help you to have more job and ministry success and satisfaction. Holland identified six personality themes: Realistic, Investigative,...

Over the past decade, plant scientists have quietly transformed the way we think of trees, forests and plants. They discovered that trees communicate through vast underground networks, that plants learn and remember. If plants are intelligent beings, how should we relate to them? Do they have a place in our moral universe? Should they have rights?

Human identity cannot be separated from our nonhuman kin. From forest ecology to the human microbiome, emerging research suggests that being human is a complicated journey made possible only by the good graces of our many companions. In partnership with the Center for Humans and Nature and with support from the Kalliopeia Foundation, To The Best Of Our Knowledge is exploring this theme of "kinship" in a special radio series.

Original Air Date: December 19, 2020

Guests:

Robin Wall Kimmerer — Matt Hall — Monica Gagliano — Brooke Hecht

Interviews In This Hour:

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Comparison. We all do it. Even if we don’t want to - and fight it as best we can - it’s an easy trap to fall into.

James & Dustin talk through the dangers of comparing yourselves to others, especially in worship! What questions should you ask yourself to make sure we our not just walking out our own agendas, but God's?

Listen in!

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The Worship Podcast is powered by All About Worship in partnership with WeAreWorship. This episode also features Song Capture.

Subscribe to the podcast:
theworshippodcast.com
linktr.ee/theworshippodcast 

You can also connect with The Worship Podcast on social media:
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That’s right - it was so good we decided to hit it again! Plus, we got some awesome feedback from some of our listeners, so here we go again, the Comparison Game: Part Deuce!

-----------------

The Worship Podcast is powered by All About Worship in partnership with WeAreWorship. This episode also features Song Capture.

Subscribe to the podcast:
theworshippodcast.com
linktr.ee/theworshippodcast 

You can also connect with The Worship Podcast on social media:
The Worship Podcast on Facebook
The Worship Podcast on Instagram
The Worship Podcast on Twitter

The Rainscreen Association in North America announced that Brian Nelson of Knight Wall Systems will be presenting on rocket science and understanding the modern cladding support system at the RAiNA Conference in Chicago on Nov. 7.

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What should a safety manager look for in seasonal safety footwear?

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As a manufacturer headquartered in an island nation, Panasonic is keenly aware of the burden that is placed on the environment and the responsibility that every individual and corporation must assume in stewarding its health and preservation.

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