Summer vacation has come to an end and school is back in full swing. Even though it may seem far away, Christmas will be at our door before we know it. And I’m looking forward to the celebration! For many, the celebration of Christmas centers around shopping, overspending on an abundance of gifts, maxing out credit cards and being completely stressed out. Instead of falling into this materialistic celebration so deeply that we miss Jesus, let’s celebrate the birth of our Savior. Let’s celebrate Jesus and celebrate our salvation through Him.

We’re planning ahead for our celebration, just as you would plan ahead for a very important event. As we look forward and plan, I’m going to show you how to get your whole church involved in this special birthday celebration. We’re going to make the most of each Sunday in December. We’re going to get musicians, artists, actors, dancers and more involved. I have suggestions for children and adults, solos to trios to choir songs.

If you’d like to include drama in the Christmas celebration we have dramas available for this season. We’re going to plan full music services, drama and music services and church-wide celebrations. So let’s get started and lay some ground work.

If you’re interested in using drama in your celebration the first thing you need to do is get a drama team started. Identify those in your church that have a theatrical side – in other words, they can actually “act” and they enjoy being on the stage. Put together a team and begin planning and praying together. Christmas is a great time to use drama in the church service.
We have four Christmas Plays available for you to check out.

Over the next few weeks we will be discussing each play individually and I will tell you how to make the most of each of these dramas. Decide what you want your drama team to do and get to work. I’ll guide you through the hoops as we go.

There is a wealth of Christmas music available to check out to fit into your Christmas service.

My Top Picks for this Week

Hallelujah (Light Has Come) by BarlowGirl which is a great trio with beautiful harmonies.
I Believe by Natalie Grant -  a powerful solo!

I encourage you to join with us and take the challenge to celebrate Christmas differently this year. Focus your celebration on Jesus. Celebrate this great salvation that we have through Him. We’ll have the best Christmas ever!

My Daddy is with Jesus. He is in the presence of his Savior. Even as I write those words, I’m struck again with deep emotion. Not just grief, even though that has been very real, but also with such joy. It’s what we, as believers, are living every day of our lives for – to one day be in the presence of our Savior. So knowing that daddy is with Jesus fills me with overflowing joy.

I learned so much about faith and godly character through my daddy’s life but watching him die taught me even more. I was with him when he died, holding his hand as he slipped away to Jesus. He knew where he was going and he longed to be with his Savior. In his last few days we sang together constantly. When he couldn’t sing he would just listen with a smile on his face.  He witnessed to every nurse that tended to him and he encouraged his grandchildren to live for Jesus. He made sure we would take care of Mama – his wife of 68 years. Then he fell asleep and in his sleep his Savior called his name.

My dear friends, I share all of this with you because I learned so much in those last few days. I want to encourage you with what my daddy taught me. Daddy lived his life for one purpose: to hear his Savior say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” He often told me that he wanted to hear that when he stood before the Lord and he lived his life with that purpose.

I was listening to some music earlier today and came across a song titled Well Done, Well Done by Kim Hopper. What a beautiful song! What a great reminder to live your life in such a way that you’re ready to see Jesus.  Live according to Ephesians 4 which says, “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

Daddy also taught me to sing to Jesus, on good days and bad days, whether you feel like praising or not. Two of his favorite songs were Blessed Assurance and It Is Well With My Soul, both Traditional. We sang those songs over and over in his last few days; and what an encouragement the words of these songs are.

Daddy reminded me that this life is temporary.  After he died and I was overcome with grief, the Lord gently reminded me of a truth that my daddy lived out. It’s in 2Corinthians 4:18, “So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” We live so much of our lives as if “the temporary” is the most important but it’s not. What is unseen is what we’re living for. My daddy would want me to remind you of that truth. This life is temporary. Live for the eternal.

I’ve been listening to a great song by Carrie Underwood – Temporary Home. That sums it all up. Don’t get bogged down in the “temporary” or the “seen” – live for the “unseen” or the eternal.  Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. And sing for Jesus. Sing privately before the Lord and sing publicly when He gives the opportunity. Sing praises when you feel like and even when you don’t.

Check out these songs and be reminded of what Daddy taught me – live to one day hear, “Well done.”

Make the most of your journey!

Molly

I had to go to the dentist today! I say that with an exclamation point because I hate going to the dentist. I don’t hate my dentist – he’s actually a great friend; but I hate going to have work done – especially if it involves the drill. A few days ago, while I was eating, a large piece of one of my jaw teeth broke off. Obviously I had to get the repair work done. My dentist said that the fillings that I got when I was a teenager have about reached their life expectancy and the filled teeth have weakened over the years. I thanked him for that word of encouragement.  The natural advice to follow was to be careful about what I eat – don’t bite down on hard candy or large pieces of ice; be careful and wise, unless I want to have more broken teeth.

This reminds me of a verse in the New Testament that gives us some “be careful” advice for living. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Be thoughtful and prayerful about how you live, being led by the Spirit, making wise decisions. The next part of the verse calls us to “make the most of every opportunity.” The Lord spoke to me about this very thing recently – making the most of every opportunity. He reminded me that if I’m asking Him to lead me through my days and weeks then I need to pay attention to the opportunities that are put before me. I have tried to put this into practice and I’ve been amazed at the blessings that have followed.

Recently the worship team I work with was asked to lead worship at an event at another church. This event was on a Sunday – which is already quite a full day. After talking with our team, we decided that God had given this opportunity and we wanted to make the most of it. I’m so glad we did; it was such a blessing to us and one we could have missed because of busy schedules.

Let me encourage you to make the most of the opportunities God brings to you. If God’s given you a musical talent, be careful to use it for Him. Look for creative ways to get involved. When you’re given the opportunity to sing, sing for the Lord. Maybe the children’s ministry needs someone to sing with the children; or maybe you can visit with someone who is homebound and sing worship songs with them. Be careful not to overlook or neglect these opportunities that God sends your way.

There’s a great song titled Every Move I Make – Wow Worship that speaks of this truth. The accompaniment track has a variety of keys that fit a low to a high range.

If we walk in the Spirit, making the most of every opportunity that God brings our way, then we can sing “every move I make I make in you. You make me move Jesus.” Just as my dental advice was to “be careful”, let’s be very careful how we live, not as unwise but as wise – making the most of every opportunity.

Make the most of your journey!

Molly

“I’d like to be a part of the worship team” or “I have a song that I’d like to sing in church.”

Those are requests I’ve heard over and over in the many years I’ve been a worship leader. These requests, at times, have brought me great joy and also, at times, have made me want to run and hide. I’m amazed at how many people want to be involved in the music ministry but aren’t really gifted musically. One of my least favorite things to do is tell someone they can’t sing – and over the years some of them really could not sing!

When I first began working with the worship team in my church, my pastor gave me some wonderful advice. He said to always look for musicians who, not only, are gifted musically but also have a heart for worship. Both are important.  In the Body of Christ, God gives each of us gifts and opportunities to exercise those gifts. Some are called to serve in the ministry of music and others are not.

In I Chronicles 25, musicians were being chosen to serve in the temple, leading worship. Verse 7 says that those who were chosen were “trained and skilled in music for the Lord.” Psalm 33:3 also speaks to musicians and says, “Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” Those who were trained and skilled musically were given the responsibility of leading worship. Based on this direction from God’s Word and following the advice of my pastor, I established some requirements for being a part of the music ministry in the church in which I serve.

1. You must be a believer. I ask for a personal testimony to be written down and shared with the group.
2. You must be living what you believe. It’s very important that those who stand on the stage and lead in worship truly be walking in fellowship with the Lord – living out what they believe, not just on Sunday, but Monday through Saturday also. If I’m looking for someone who has a heart for worship, this will be evident in the way they live their lives.
3. Present a musical audition – for singers, a vocal audition and for the band, an instrumental audition. This audition includes some solo work and then along with the worship team. Remember that I Chronicles 25:7 said those chosen were “trained and skilled.” That’s what I look for.

I continually ask the Lord to bring to us the people that He wants involved in the music ministry. So when someone approaches me about being involved, I begin seeking the Lord for guidance. Sometimes the musical skill still needs to grow but the heart is there – and the heart is what the Lord is looking at.

So if you’re in charge of lining up singers in your church take this three step process to heart. It may give you guidance the next time someone approaches you with the request, “I’d like to sing in church.”

Make the most of your journey!

Molly

Do you believe that God is orchestrating the events of your life?

I have a friend who recently asked her daughter that question. She had auditioned for a part in a community theater musical and when the cast list was posted her name was not on it. She was very disappointed and upset. My friend told her daughter, “If you really believe that God is orchestrating the events of your life then you can know that this wasn’t His plan for you right now.”

Several times recently I’ve been reminded of this truth in my own life. There’s a verse that God brought to my attention the other day that I want to share with you. It’s Acts 17:26 which says, “ From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Talk about orchestrating events! God has determined the time set for you and I to live and the exact place where we should live. He orchestrates the events of our lives. He leads and guides His children in His plans as He closes doors that He does not want us to go through and opens others for us to clearly walk through. What an encouragement!

We can apply this truth, not only to the big events in our lives but also to the moments of everyday. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.”

After a recent Sunday morning service, where the Holy Spirit had moved hearts in a mighty way, a friend asked me if the pastor and I had talked before the service and planned the music to go along with the message. I told him no – that was completely the orchestration of the Holy Spirit. I prayerfully chose the music for the service earlier in the week, asking the Lord to guide my mind and heart to the right music for this upcoming worship service. The Lord had plans for that service, the Holy Spirit breathed into those songs as we worshiped and He worked in a might way. God had orchestrated the events.

Seek the Lord. Ask Him to give you God-directed days and keep you in tune with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He, who is familiar with all our ways, goes with us wherever we go, hemming us in behind and before, guiding us with His hand. He guides us in His plans, orchestrating the events of our lives, whether it’s big events like where you live, where you work, and what you will accomplish, or everyday decisions such as choosing the song you’ll sing in an upcoming worship service. Praise the Lord!

If you’d like to sing about this truth, there’s a sweet song, Where He Leads Me by Twila Paris. If we truly believe that our loving Father is orchestrating the events of our lives then we can follow His leading with reckless abandonment because we know we can trust Him.

Make the most of your journey!

Molly

I’m a huge fan of journaling. When I have my devotion time with the Lord each morning I take a few minutes to write in my journal. I love to look back and read what I’ve written about God’s faithfulness in my life.

Recently, I did that and I was blessed and encouraged as I read what I had written during a difficult time. It was a few years ago – about the time that the recession hit the US and my husband, like so many others, lost his job. Now this is a man who not only has worked since he was about 13 years old but he’s always had a couple of job offers in his pocket. He went into work and found out that big cuts were being made and his job was one of those cuts. He immediately began looking for another job but there was nothing to be found. He spent each day and week that followed out looking for another job. This went on for months. It was scary and exciting. We didn’t know how we were going to pay our bills. The money we had in savings covered our bills for awhile but soon it was all gone. The exciting part about this story is that God took over our finances and every bill was paid on time. Each month as bills came due, money came in. There was always enough to cover every expense and it was always a surprise as to where the money came from.

During that time, we began to fervently pray together – daily getting on our knees together and earnestly seeking the Lord, asking for daily provisions and for a job for my husband. What a blessed time it was! Not only did God provide for our daily needs but He also opened the door for a wonderful new job for my husband. He taught us much about His faithfulness to us, His ability to provide for all of our needs, and His blessing over those who truly seek Him.

Psalm 105 encourages us to tell others about the wonderful things that God has done for us because it will encourage others to continue to seek the Lord in all circumstances. Deuteronomy 4:9 says “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” When God does something in your life new, share it with someone – especially your children and grandchildren. You can help them to grow in their faith as they hear what God has taught you personally. Start journaling and when God answers a prayer or teaches you something new, write it down. Later you’ll be encouraged as you read over and are reminded of God’s faithfulness in your life over the years.

Make the most of your journey!

Molly

I recently had a friend ask me how I choose songs for a worship service. I spend a lot of time listening to and looking through music so I knew how to answer that question. I do have particular things I look for in choosing songs for the services and I’d like to share those with you.

Each week when I sit down to plan the music for the upcoming worship services, I ask the Lord to guide my heart and put on my mind the songs for that week. I often ask, “Lord what would You like for us to sing to You when we gather together this week?”  He graciously answers and I’m always amazed at how the songs fit together and the sweet worship that we experience.

The songs that I choose from are songs that have met certain criteria I use in choosing songs for the worship services. I always ask myself two questions when I’m looking at a new song. The first is: Do the lyrics line up with Scripture? Don’t choose a song based solely on how it sounds or on how new and current it is. Check out the lyrics to make sure that they are doctrinally sound. If they’re not, choose another song. Some of the current praise and worship songs sound cool and catchy but have lofty phrases in them. If you’re not quite sure what the phrasing even means then go on to another song. There are plenty of great songs out there that do line up with Scripture and honor the Lord.

The second question I ask when choosing a new song is: Are the lyrics of this song focused on God and/or my response to lyrics of this type of song. There are so many great songs available now and Him?  If the focus of the song is on the attributes of God, His character or His infinite worth then it’s a song worth using in a worship service. If the song speaks of “me” or “my needs”, it should focus on our amazing God who meets those needs and our proper response to Him.

When we gather together to worship the Lord corporately we want to focus our hearts and minds on Him through the worship music that we sing and the preaching of God’s Word. If we sing songs that dwell on “me” and “I” then we’re changing the focus to ourselves instead of the Lord.

So check the so many gifted Christian writers continually writing songs that honor the Lord. Whether you’re a worship leader choosing songs for the services or a singer choosing a song for your next solo, ask yourselves these questions as you choose the music: Do the lyrics to this song line up with Scripture and does this song focus on God or me? But most of all, spend some time in prayer asking, ”Lord, what would You like for me to sing”?

Make the most of your journey!

Molly

There are many things that those in church ministry have in common. If we could all sit together in a room, we’d all have similar stories to share of experiences we’ve had; serving in the church is a wonderful blessing and a high calling.

I think one thing we all may be hesitant to share, but is something we all have in common, is the tendency to get too busy as we serve. Church ministry can become a 24/7 job if we’re not careful. Whether you’re in the music ministry or another ministry in the church, you must guard against any busyness that interferes with your relationship with the Lord.  Don’t ever let the busyness of ministry become your relationship with the Lord.

Jesus addressed this in Luke 10. Beginning in verse 38, it says that Jesus and his disciples went to the home of Martha and Mary. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to what He had to say. Martha was busy preparing a meal for Jesus and verse 40 says “Martha was distracted by all the preparations.” Can anyone relate to this? How often are we, in ministry, distracted by all the preparations? We’re busy getting all the details covered for the church service, making sure the songs are learned, all the parts are covered, and that everyone knows when to do what and where. All these details are in service to the Lord. Think about it, Martha was cooking a meal for Jesus. That would require her attention for her to present a delicious meal before Him. What an honorable service to cook for Jesus! But even in her service to her Lord, Jesus called her out. He was right there in her midst and she was so busy doing things for Him that she couldn’t just enjoy being with Him. That’s where the busyness of ministry gets in the way. Jesus told her, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better.”

You see, service is important and necessary, but don’t let the busyness rob you of a close walk with God. Don’t let your ministry replace the time that you spend sitting at His feet, enjoying His presence and listening to Him speak to you through His Word. The truth is, the more time you sit in His presence the more effective you’ll be in ministry.

There’s a great song titled Be Still and Know by Steven Curtis Chapman that speaks of this, sitting in His presence. Check it out and take the time to sit before the Lord. Don’t be distracted by all the preparations and details before you. God will empower you to do all you need to do when you choose what is better – sitting at His feet.

Father’s Day is right around the corner and I have been thinking about my own sweet Daddy. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with my Mama and Daddy and celebrate my Mama’s 87th birthday with them. As I’ve said before, my parents have been married for 67 years and are still completely in love. There’s much to be learned from them as I watch them continue to live for the Lord and strive to run the race well to the end.

While we were together this time Daddy prayed the sweetest prayer, thanking the Lord for this wonderful lady he’d spent his life with and praying for God’s continued blessings over her life; and then, as he always does, he prayed for each of his children, their spouses and grandchildren, all by name. There’s nothing like hearing my elderly father pray – it often brings me to tears. My memories of my childhood are full of my daddy’s prayers. We prayed together daily as a family and my parents would pray with me individually at bedtime. Mama and Daddy always prayed for us and with us. To this day they are my strongest prayer warriors and the first ones I call if I need prayer.

When I was about 8 years old my parents brought a poster into my bedroom that Mama had painted for me with this verse on it: 1Samuel 12:23 “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” It was signed “love Mama and Daddy.”  They hung it in my room as a reminder that they were committed to praying for me and they were committed to teaching me to live for the Lord.  To this day they’ve stayed true to that commitment.

I share this story to encourage you to continue to faithfully pray for your children and teach them God’s Word. You may think you’re having no impact on their lives or you’re seeing no spiritual growth in their lives. Let me assure you – your prayers are making a huge impact! You may not see the results now but God will honor those prayers. There are a couple of great songs that I recommend you check out. They are great options for songs to sing for Father’s Day. A Mother’s and Father’s prayer by John Michael Montgomery, and A Parent’s Prayer by Steven Curtis Chapman. Check them out. Become praying parents; daddies, pray for your children and with your children. Gather them around God’s Word each day and teach them. They’ll be blessed to be able to say, without a doubt, “My daddy prays for me.”

Have you ever thought how the Body of Christ works together much like musical notes? In both cases, individual parts work together to create something beautiful. Just as individual notes blend together to create harmonies and chords, believers are to work together to honor the Lord Jesus.

Last Sunday while seated at the piano, I looked around the stage at each person on the worship team. To my left was the small orchestra that I work with each Sunday, right in front of me was a drummer, guitarists and a bass player and to my right was a team of singers. I was so blessed to see each one working together, skillfully playing their instruments or singing, all lifting praise up to the Lord. Then I began to think about all the other people working back in the nursery and children’s church, the greeters and ushers, the elders and the deacons, those in the back room praying for the service, the Sunday School teachers and youth pastors – everyone working together, using their gifts to serve. God has given each of us gifts to be used to edify one another, to serve one another, all for His honor.

Just as musical notes blend together to make beautiful harmonies and chords, believers work together to edify the Body and to share the love of Christ with the lost. I love how God has given each of us individual gifts to use in His service. Some are very public gifts such as teaching, preaching and leading; and some are “behind the scenes” gifts such as serving, showing mercy and giving. No matter the gift, the purpose is to edify the Body through the exercise of these gifts and to show the world the love of Jesus.

If you’re part of a worship team you’ve experienced working together to create a beautiful song – each person singing their individual part, working in perfect harmony. So the Body of Christ functions. We are called to serve as Jesus served, working together in perfect harmony. We are to be His arms reaching out to those in need and His feet to go tell others about Him. We’re to be His mouth and we’re to have His heart of love for the lost. And just as I looked out over my worship team and saw a group of people working together, exercising their gifts to serve the Lord, so we are to work together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Casting Crowns has a song – If We are the Body that speaks about this, calling us to be Jesus’ arms and feet and to reach out to those around us. Check it out. And the next time you’re singing with your team, listen to the chords and harmonies working together and remember the beauty of the Body of Christ working together in perfect harmony, for His honor and glory.

Make the most of your journey!

Molly

Have you ever heard the saying, “Witness all the time and if necessary use words”? Well I saw that saying lived through my husband and I want to share the story with you. He was out in the parking lot at our church when a man came by that needed some help. This man had come upon very hard times like so many in this economy. He had lost his job a while back and had no source of income. He had no means of transportation other than walking and he was hungry. He hadn’t had food in a few days and he was asking for some help.  It was a brisk cold fall day and this man had been walking the streets in a worn thin t-shirt and pants. My husband asked him if he owned a jacket and he answered “no.”Without hesitating, my husband took off his nice warm jacket and put it around the man’s shoulders, giving it to him. He then gave the man a ride and got him some groceries. This poor man was overwhelmed by the kindness that had been shown to him. And I experienced a mighty powerful message preached without any words being used.

Since then, they’ve built a friendship and this man has been coming to church. You see sometimes it’s necessary to witness through our actions first and then with our words. The Bible calls us to love with word and deed. Philippians 2:4 says “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.” It’s easier to say “I’ll be praying for you” or “Don’t worry, God will provide” than it is to act – to take the coat off of your back to offer to someone in need or maybe to give sacrificially instead of out of our plenty. In Matthew 25 Jesus has something to say about helping someone, giving food to the hungry or the poor, visiting the sick or those in prison; He says “whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” The flip-side of that is in verse 45 where Jesus says,”…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Powerful, convicting words!

Audio Adrenaline has a great song – Hands and Feet that talks about being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need, to the “least of these.”  Let’s be careful that we don’t get so caught up in our own pursuits or get so busy in our church ministry that we overlook the poor and needy that God puts in our path. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the ones He wants you to see and reach out to –“the least of these” as unto Jesus. You will be blessed, they will be blessed and those watching will see a mighty powerful sermon preached without using any words.

Make the most of your journey!