Today was another Clayville Freakshow Sunday.
Matt was in Chicago so Brian spoke on how we view Jesus as a “Middle Class” Jesus… when he’s SO much more than that.
Our Sunday Setlist:
- Majestic – Lincoln Brewster
- O Worship The King – Chris Tomlin Version
- King of Glory – Chris Tomlin
- Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
- The Stand – Joel Houston
- Give Us Clean Hands – Charlie Hall
- Desert Song – Brooke Fraser
Today was a tough day to lead. My heart was heavy but I felt so free and connected to God. Freedom always costs something… and mine was Christ on the cross. I will never stop being humbled by how MY sins put Christ on that cross… but I am SO thankful. Today was one of those days.
Highlights: Doing MINISTRY with my husband. I really like it when he speaks… not that I don’t like Matt, but there’s something about living ministry side-by-side with my husband. God met me RIGHT where I was… which was in a pretty deep hole, but he STILL met me there. God is SO good. The practical stuff??? We had no technical difficulties. Any day we are technical-difficulty-free at a church plant is a good day 
Lowlights: Having to lead worship when I felt so low. Sometimes, Satan comes at me like a starving spider monkey… and I’m the banana… so I have no arms to defend myself. There’s my word picture for you. However, even in the “low” of it all, I could bless His name. After all, He calls us to worship just as we are… so I just led in that. Another low, attendance was pretty light today. But that was it.
So, there’s my confession today. I’m a Worship Pastor, and I do NOT have it all together. However, God is good all the time… even when I’m not good. Even when I want to stay in bed. Even when I don’t feel like I even deserve to call out His name.
But BLESSED BE YOUR NAME when I’m found in the dessert place, when I walk through the wilderness… BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!
When you’re in the dessert, do you find yourself calling out to God, or do you just wallow in it?
First of all, the blog rocks!!!
Kudos to “Ninja Josh”.
Sorry you were low today. I understand, as you have said, that these times are often the best places to be, but leading under it is heavy and humbling. I pray that god used your humility today to allow others to see your honesty and to see Him better.
Love that you and Brian are doing ministry together! Can’t wait to do ministry with you guys in TWO WEEKS!
Ministering together is very special – no matter the circumstance.
So while neither of you had exactly the ideal set-up for the day, I’m really glad to hear it was a good day
And…to answer the question (always gotta remember that bit)…I want to wallow, but the Holy Spirit doesn’t let me anymore. I love Him so much, but not near as much as He loves me.
There have been a few setlists this week that mentioned struggling and lower attendance. Must be a time to press into God’s kingdom and seek His face even more, eh? The Stand and Blessed Be the Lord are great songs to remind us how in control God is and how good we have it.
My wife and I were talking last night, and it kept hitting me how blessed we are, despite my grumbling and complaining. My business is off, but not like many others. I am blessed.
Thanks for reminding us that we are blessed.
You know, I like the honesty of your post. I really do. Because so many times because we have a title or position, especially “Worship Pastor”, we are seen as someone who shouldn’t have low days- but we do. But the thing I like about what you said- is that you worshipped anyway. That’s a gift- not everybody can do that. But I think once you realize the magnitude of what Christ did for us on the Cross- no bad day can compare? you know? Ah, I could ramble on but I won’t
Great songs- especially Blessed Be Your Name and Desert Song. I think it’s awesome that you lead from where you at- I find that many times, when i do that- it ministers to someone more than if i pretended that everything was great.
Brent, David, Windbag & Justin – thank you guys for your comments. It encouraged me a LOT just to read those. It’s always a blessing to know you’re not alone in things.
Thank you!
This Site is AWESOME! WOW!!!
I am so proud of you in your fight for freedom and truth! I love getting to know your heart for your husband, your children and the church! I look forward to rockin the stage with you some day all for his glory! I can’t wait to catch-up on all that He is doing in recent days! He makes beauty from ashes and for that I am so very thankful!
Trish
Plus Chinese people do great things! Including websites!
Cool site design! We did Blessed Be Your Name last week – love the song and how it speaks of the “real” life of complete and total worship of our awesome God. I just love looking into faces as we sing this song…knowing the place many are singing it from (they also know my life and where I’m at too!).
BTW, my tendency would be to “wallow” in the dessert, but the Holy Spirit and my wife won’t let me!
Trish… i love you. i’ll call you soon.
Dennis… Isn’t it amazing how that song never gets old! We all have crap in our lives. It’s good to know there’s someone bigger than all of our “mundane” issues.