show and tell.

You remember the days when you'd bring your little baby bunny rabbit to school to show the class, and then you'd tell them a little bit about it...

The only way you could fail first grade "show and tell" is if you failed to show anything, or if you failed to say anything.

Jesus has commanded you to show the gospel (Matt. 5:16, 1 Pet 2:12) and tell the gospel (Acts 10:42, Rom 10:15). His mission mandates both. You fail in joining his mission if you live without words or if you yell without action.

Show. AND. Tell.

Read more...

all glory be to Christ.

This New Years we started a new tradition, singing "All Glory Be To Christ" as the clock strikes midnight.

The tune is set to the traditional New Years song, "Auld Lang Syne," but the words communicate someone infinitely more glorious:

Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive 

To you who boast tomorrow's gain
Tell me, what is your life?
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ 

All glory be to Christ our King
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ 

His will be done, His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of Love 

Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ 

All glory be to Christ our King
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ 

When on that day the great I AM
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new 

Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall e'er His people be
All glory be to Christ 

All glory be to Christ our King
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ

If anything good happens to you this year, it is because Jesus was gracious to you, therefore, "All glory be to Christ."

If you meet any of your "new year's resolutions" this year, it is because Jesus helped you, therefore,  "All glory be to Christ."

All glory be to Christ.


Read more...

why (not) me?

The tragedies of late have continued to take to blows: another friend of mine was killed in a car wreck tonight. And oh, how heavy our hearts this season!

When tragedy strikes people, so frequently we hear the question "Why me?"

More and more, though, my heart seems to scream at me in the midst of this mess and say: "Taylor, why not you?" Why were you spared when you drove on ice? Why did you get out of the mall ten minutes before gunshots? Why did you live through your elementary school years?

I do not yet know the answer to either question, but at the end of the matter, I am more aware that this life is but a breath: dust and ashes. I am more convinced that I am at the mercy of a God that is sovereign, ruling, in command of all the affairs of the universe. I am more persuaded to trust that he is good and that he is working all things for good.

That is my only hope.

Read more...

winter youth celebration.

I am so pumped to lead worship for the Winter Youth Celebration in Portland this year!

The central idea of the conference is to unleash high schoolers on mission.

As a worship leader, I'm always thinking:
How can I help the message?
How can I sing the message?
How can I preach as I sing?
How can I respond to what was just preached as I sing?

The answer to those questions generally determines the songs that I'll select before and after the message.

In this case, they determine the songs for a conference.

One of the songs we will sing together is a song begging God to rescue the world in the HERE and NOW and begging him to help us.

Check it. Learn it.

Here and Now.
Read more...

great things. great god.

"Let angels sing for
     sinners repenting,
     prodigals restored,
     backsliders reclaimed,
     Satan's captives released,
     blind eyes opened,
     broken hearts bound up,
     the despondent cheered,
     the self-righteous stripped,
     the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
     the ignorant enlightened,
     and saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God."

- Valley of Vision, p.9 "The Great God"

What do you pray for?

Little things?
Simple things?
Meaningless things?

I hear myself praying for food. For a good day. For productivity. For energy. For happiness.

What of it?!

I now choose to ask great things of a great God.


Read more...