i wish i had ruby red slippers...
...because i haven't been home since Friday morning. Why?! Because my job keeps me here! We had a jr. high retreat this weekend and we slept in the building. It was a lot of fun and they really liked it. It was over yesterday, so why have i still not gone home?! Because in all my genius planning i failed to realize that I also was preaching this same weekend. So last night I had to finish my sermon, organize my notes, and build the power point (all on top of getting worship ready). When one o'clock came around, it seemed more sensible to just stay the night at church again since all my stuff was here anyways.

The band did awesome this weekend, and we incorporated new lighting and visuals in our worship sets for the retreat. People talked about how cool everything looked and how good everything sounded and how much fun everything was. In fact, we knew that the band was hitting home runs because people were applauding. That feels good doesn't it? You know you did good, and people know it, and God knows it, and people want to show appreciation for you and your gifts so they say "thank you" by clapping their hands. It sure makes worship times much more exciting for everyone. That applause sure feels good. After it was all over, I started packing all of the stuff away. A post performing ritual also known as 'tear down.' I spent the better part of 1.5 hours by myself cleaning the stage and gym. I had some country music playing in the background (Allison Krauss and Union Station) and there was a cool part of the song that touched me. It was an istrumental piece that was just awesome and the music hit my core being...and i worshipped. I almost teared up, and i am not sure why, but i worshipped...i worshipped in spirit. I went ahead, winding up cords and putting away mic stands and instrument cables. It was a much different experience than being up in front in the spotlight hearing the crowd's applause. After it was all said and done, I was serving; but not by leading others in songs, and I was worshipping; but not to the tune of the latest David Crowder. It was just me, the bright tones of a dobro, an armful of mic cables, and God; and this time, He was applauding.

That lasted until one of the jr. highers came up to me to tell me about how many tape players he owns and how much he likes Huey Lewis. :)