Disliking Praise & Worship Music

I used to couldn't stand praise and worship music. I didn't particularly love going to church either for awhile. Then when the taste of church wasn't so bitter, I still didn't love P&W. I kept thinking the repitition was for brain washing. If I had my druthers, I'd be just late enough to miss everything except the sermon. That I could tolerate when I wasn't daydreaming. This was few years ago.

Wednesday night my heart almost burst being a part of praise and worship. Sometimes I can't sing because if I do I'll cry. This started on the mission field. This week I'm in Alton, Illinois in a small baptist church who are on the cusp of seeing God move powerfully through their people. They invited me up to their Global Impact Celebration. In a nutshell, it's the culmination of many months of work to get their folks "on mission." On Sunday night many will commit to serve, in their gift-set, where God is leading. I'm here to hopefully catch a few wanting to go to the ends of the earth. God has already orchestrated some strategic meetings for me with folks from other mission agencies all over the world. What a cool mosaic to be a part of.

They have loved me beyond description. The make us missionaries feel like a million bucks and it's been a refreshing time for me personally. Their pastor is like a dream. His heart is on fire for missions after 30 years in the pulpit. I thought that was impossible. (mostly kidding) They built a building and a Trust called them. The overseer of the Trust said they'd pay off their $1.6m debt if they'd take the money they'd raised for the building and apply it to missions. Hallelu-Jonga! It took them totally by surprise. God does indeed own the cattle on a thousand hills, and faithfully provides for His people.

This is how I've spent a bit of time in my "off-season." This church had me come speak a couple weeks ago, and I can't wait to see how the Lord uses the small to do BIG things. My heart had the same feeling worshipping there.