O great Creator of being, grant us one more hour to perform our art and perfect our lives.
02324 – One More Hour
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02091 – Everything Came Full Circle
I was with the national tour of "Les Miserables" and we were performing in Salt Lake City. At the time, we were doing the poster sales for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. If someone donated $50, they would receive a poster signed by the entire cast. After one...
01262 – God is the Subject of Worship
Because God is the subject of worship, we must back up a step to recall that, before liturgy can involve the work of the people who offer their praise, it begins with the presence of God graciously inviting that response. It seems to me that some of the worship wars...
01168 – What is the Purpose of a Choir?
What is the purpose of a choir? It's not to perform difficult music before a silent and intimidated (or irritated) congregation. It's not there to impress the faithful. It's there to encourage the faithful to find their voices to praise God in his holiness. It is...
00855 – Participate in Singing
Singing is a spiritual activity best experienced in community. The documented benefits are as significant as those in yoga, a healthy diet, and prayer. Our culture, however, has commodified singing and turned it into a perfected idol that is performed by the few and...
00835 – How Shall Musicians Image God?
We image God in the music we make and perform. When the program is hit-or-miss, we show forth a God who lacks purpose and direction;…when our performance of music lacks vitality or artistic grace, we portray God as inert; when our musical choices revolve around taste...
00831 – Unlocked the Music of Your Heart Yet?
Has it happened yet? Has the music of your skill and practice unlocked the music of your heart? We’ve all had moments when the music of our heart has seeped out and been a part of a performance. But have you been able to access that music and use it in praise and...
00830 – Holy Shoddy
Holy Shoddy is still shoddy!
00815 – Performance vs. Ministry
Years ago, while presenting a piano program to senior citizens, I suggested that we have “request time.” A dear woman sitting close to the front asked to hear “Amazing Grace.” Being certain that I could impress her I sat down at the piano and played a rather...
00720 – Worship is Drawing Close to God
In the end, worship can never be a performance, something you’re pretending or putting on. It’s got to be an overflow of your heart… Worship is about getting personal with God, drawing close to God. from Heart of Worship