From the Outside Looking In

So...I've spent the last 2 weekends doing something I love. Realized it's been 5 years since I did this for my "real job" and honestly, I miss it. I was privileged to lead worship the past 2 weekends in the absence of Jay. I truly feel honored to even be asked to do this on an occasional basis.

Here is what I've realized over the last 3 weeks:

** God is so worthy of our worship...not just on Sunday (okay, I knew this before)
** I have never played/sung with such talented musicians since coming to Sunset. I'm spoiled now...we can never leave I guess!
** I have an amazing husband who know what makes me tick and supports me in anything worship related
** It's a bummer I had to miss the Women's Retreat this weekend
** It's also a bummer I had to turn down my invite to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl...had to lead this weekend at Sunset (oh wait..that really didn't happen)
** I could sing "My Desire" every day of the week for a year and not get sick of it
** I don't miss having to be at church and be "on" every weekend (for 5 years straight)
** I miss playing piano and singing together
** I like leading...it doesn't make me nervous (I really hope this isn't a control issue...I just truly enjoy leading people into worship)
** It's much easier to sing & play with people who you've developed relationships with
** It's so much harder to be the real worship pastor... I didn't have to deal with the day to day stuff...
** I find it very hard to read the congregation...there are things I thought were powerful and those that flopped...seems like every time I get positive feedback on the things that I thought flopped...just goes to show you never know what part of any service is reaching individual people
** Bob Thomas is a professional...he should be on tour
** Travis thinks I could only sing the national anthem for the Portland City Rollers (roller derby)..Thanks Trav, I feel the love
** One2One is a powerful group of talented people who forgo their own desires and wishes to sing as a group and worship together. They are just good folk!
** I crave feedback...I always want to be getting better and better at worship leading (I even like the bad stuff)
** The tech arts staff & volunteers are an amazing bunch...it would all fall apart w/o them
** Maybe someday when my kids are grown I can go back to this as a profession, but for now I like helping out where I'm needed and standing in the gap if I can
** I am honored to just stand in the presence of our Holy God...can't believe I get to help others do the same!

Kind of a jumbled list, but it was fun to sit down and rehash what I had taken from the past 2 weeks.

"There's not much I can do to repay all You've done, so I give my hands to use...This is my desire, this is my return. This is my desire, to be used by You"