e*sf Final Project

As I have heard Dan Wilt talk many times about lighting a candle each morning as a physical act to acknowledge devotion to God, and God’s devotion to us, I began to think that I too need a daily reminder, a moment when I center my attention and focus solely on Father God. I wrote this prayer to do just that. It is simple enough to memorize and recite on a regular basis, as a firm place to begin and end the day.

The idea to do a video was actually a bit of an accident. This is not media I normally use, but I have been learning iMovie while working on some random projects over the past week, so it is the medium I’ve been focused on.

I kept thinking about that candle…and then it came to me. I was inspired!

I used the video camera in my phone to shoot the lighting of the candle, then gathered photos of my own, as well as from my sister who is a photographer, and from a friend who did a photo shoot with me recently for my website. The song by Michael Gungor has been replaying in my head consistently over the past few weeks and has become my prayer, “You have me, You have me, You have my heart completely.”

This is my expression of devotion to God. This is “The Prayer of an Elemental Life.”

e*sf Week 4

Essentials in Spiritual Formation Week 4 Discussion Q&A

Question:
This third week we looked at “Water,” and have turned our reflection to the aspect of “community,” and it’s importance in becoming like Christ across the challenging pathway of a lifetime.

Drawing insights from Jesus’ life, what are the “Water” habits that you feel like you are currently strong in, and which are those areas that you feel weak? What strengthened you from your readings/media this week? Share your ideas on “the communal life” that have worked well for you, and draw wisdom in your areas of weakness from others’ posts.


Answer:
I lean toward being an introvert, which is often a surprise to people when they find out because I am very expressive as an artist and as a leader. In all honesty, however, I recharge alone, or with one or two of my closest friends.

I will work a crowd if necessary, and will be quite comfortable doing so. I have many opportunities where I lead worship and speak publicly to groups of people, but time spent with a trusted friend or two, with whom I have equity and trust, is critical.

Recently, I was given some information that was very difficult to hear. I was at the beginning of a 4-hour drive alone in my car when this information connected me to places of deep grief and loss that had happened over the past 2 years. I know my tendency in these situations is to tuck in and indulge the grief, to let my thoughts run wild, perhaps making things worse than they truly are. Often our imagined truth is far more painful than actual truth. Taking our thoughts captive as the Bible says is not always easy to do when left to our own devices. (1)

I have learned in these times to reach out to one of a few trusted people in my inner circle of friends, with whom I have great trust and equity. I called one of them and let it all hang out, so to speak. It was met with loving words and encouragement, along with hope to keep moving forward.

This is a communal life. I need to know that I have those in my life I can fall on in times of distress and know they will catch me with no judgment, yet will also speak truth to me in love.

1) 2 Corinthians 10:5

e*sf Week 3

Essentials in Spiritual Formation Week 3 Discussion Q&A

Question:
This third week we looked at “Fire,” and have been reflecting on our need for a constant empowering from the Holy Spirit to live a substantial life that impacts the world all around us. Disciples of Jesus, across history, have recognized their need for the Spirit of God to do more in and through them than they could ever do in their own strength.

Considering Jesus’ life, what are the “Fire” habits that you feel like you are currently strong in, and which are those areas that you feel weak? What strengthened you from your readings/media this week? Share your ideas on “the empowered life” that have worked well for you, and draw wisdom in your areas of weakness from others’ posts.

Answer:
This week’s topic has reminded me of an illustration of a car coasting downhill. Because of gravity and momentum, the car can go for a while on it’s own, but once the hill levels, unless there is fuel in the tank, it will eventually coast to a halt. I believe the element of fire/power is critical to keep us moving forward.

NT Wright said in “Simply Christian” that, “Without God’s Spirit, there is nothing we can do to count for God’s Kingdom.” (1) I believe this is the place I must start: reliance on the Holy Spirit. Without His presence and power, there is no point. Our own efforts will only take us so far.

In “The Elemental Life,” Dan Wilt offers suggestions for living an empowered life. One is to establish a core prayer circle. Another is to “Choose to place yourself in obedience situations that feel somewhat uncomfortable, but into which you have been invited by God.” (2)

God invited me earlier this year to begin a nonprofit ministry for worship development. (www.simply-worship.org). Much of what I have been learning here with worshiptraining.com has poured directly into the vision and mission of this ministry.

This is my destiny and it drives me with great passion, but my own energies, ideas and efforts will only take it so far. I must balance my passion with complete dependence on His power to enable me to pull it off. What He has called me to is beyond my ability, but not beyond His.

Because I realize my own inadequacies and my need of Him, I have a formal prayer shield of trusted friends who take prayer seriously. They cover and fight for me in the heavenly realms. I rely on them to hold my arms up and speak life and encouragement into me when I get overwhelmed and tired. They help fan the flame!

1) NT Wright, “Simply Christian,” Harper One, 2006, P 122
2) Dan Wilt, “The Elemental Life” eBook, www.worshiptraining.com, P 25

e*sf Week 2

Essentials in Spiritual Formation Week 2 Discussion Q&A

Question:
Building now on our readings and reflection, we looked this week at “Wind,” and the strange idea that personal inspiration may have more to do with our spiritual development (and even discipleship) than we ever thought before.

Looking at Jesus’ life, what are the “Wind” habits that you feel like you are currently strong in, and which are those areas that you feel weak? What strengthened you from your readings/media this week? Share your ideas on “the inspired life” that have worked well for you, and draw wisdom in your areas of weakness from others’ posts.

Answer:
There is much to be said about “self care.” Denying ourselves to the point of losing who we are for the sake of everyone and everything around us is no longer a virtue, but a liability. We are created in the image of God, and each of us is uniquely designed to do what God called us uniquely to do. The Church has been quite effective in highlighting the depravity of man, but what about the beauty, purpose and unique expressions of the image of God that is man?

I believe as we come to know our true selves, and walk out of the grounded places that we talked about in Week 1, we will be more in tune to what makes our spirit soar, and more apt to let ourselves enjoy it. If we do not live from the places that do not move, we will not be moved by the things that *should* move us.

There is nothing more inspiring than to step into your destiny and finding the thing that you were uniquely created to do. I am thankful that, although the journey has been extremely painful at times, God has set me on course to realize mine. The thing I dreamed of doing is becoming a reality before my eyes. When I talk about it, my heart beats stronger and faster. I can’t not do it. This is inspiring.

Other expressions of wind in my life are: time with my closest friends, new music, big windows, mountain trails, the ocean, sunsets and creating thresholds and language for worship.

e*sf Week 1

Essentials in Spiritual Formation Week 1 Discussion Q&A

Spiritual Formation Week 1 Discussion Question:

Question:
Starting with the idea of Earth: A Grounded Life, we started with the “end in mind” – seeing who we are becoming in Christ, and then considering the elements that “ground us” along our journey.

Looking at Jesus’ life, what are the “Earth” habits that you feel like you are currently strong in, and which are those areas that you feel weak? What strengthened you from your readings/media this week? Share your ideas on “the grounded life” that have worked well for you, and draw wisdom in your areas of weakness from others’ posts.

Answer:
“You can’t shoot a cannon from a canoe.” (1) What a powerful visual, and incredibly true. We often approach our lives and our calling without giving proper weight and care to the things that will enable us to stand firmly and be people of substance who don’t simply ‘look good,’ but who actually ‘are good.’ (2)

Ignatius of Loyola pulls no punches when he says that the first reason we find our souls to be in desolation (darkness, turmoil, restlessness, subject to temptation, apathy, loss of hope and love) is because we have been “negligent in our Spiritual Exercises.” (3) We must give proper care to our interior life or we will fall.

The inner life is where issues of character, authenticity, integrity and all the fruits of the spirit lie, but they don’t just develop naturally. There must be intention. Corrie Ten Boom referred to this when she said, "The tree on the mountain takes whatever the weather brings. If it has any choice at all, it is in putting down roots as deeply as possible." (4)

Strength: As a worship leader, my default for time with God lies in personal times of worship. I am also intentional about cultivating relationships that speak life into me, as well as hold me accountable. I am also intentional about times of solitude, yet as an introvert, I fight unhealthy isolation.

Weakness: I have developed a morning habit of going immediately to Facebook to find out what I missed overnight. My challenge and choice now is to break that habit and instead, have my first waking thought draw me to the heart of the Father through devotional readings, scripture and prayer.


1) Dan Wilt, Essentials in Spiritual Formation: The Elemental Life (www.worshiptraining.com) 6.
2) ibid. 12.
3) Rich.ard Foster, Devotional Classics Revised (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2005) 194-195.
4)Ten Boom, Corrie, “Each New Day” (1981) Fleming H Revell Co.

e*g Week 4

Essentials Green Week 4 Discussion Q&A

Question:
What spiritual formation idea or quote most moved you this week? How will you seek to apply to your daily life as a Christian and as a leader?

Answer:
Brian Doerksen’s video clip called, “Safety” resonated deeply with me. He talks about the importance of approaching worship from a place of wholeness and integrity. That it gives us a natural authority that allows the people we lead to have a sense of safety and trust.

He points out that, yes, in music there will be emotion, but rather than trying to hype it up or manufacture it, when we lead out of an authentic, fully surrendered walk with God, the emotion comes out of that real relationship. It is an overflow of what has been cultivated in our inner life.

I believe wholeheartedly that our worship needs to come from a place of integrity. The secret places must be surrendered before the Lord. Our worship must come from places of authenticity. We do not have to be perfect, but we do need to be honest and our hearts need to be pursuing the deeper waters with God no matter what.

This facet of spiritual formation resonates strongly with me. I know what it’s like to lead worship, and even lead it effectively, from places that lacked integrity. I also know what it’s like to have that catch up with me. I know the devastating consequences it brings.

Now, after pressing in and allowing God to shed His light on those areas and bring healing and wholeness, I understand fully the supreme value of being integrated before God and those I am called to serve. I would not trade the road I have walked for anything because it has given me perspective, and above all, a burning passion for a grounded, centered, integrated life

e*g Week 3

Essentials Green Week 3 Q&A

Question:
In what ways does your faith community currently embody the value of
Kingdom Expectation in your worship expressions? How are these
values reflected in your own life as a leader?

Answer:
I am thankful to be part of a church that passionately pursues the Kingdom of God. We believe that God delivers, heals and restores. Even more than believing He can, we expect that He will. Kingdom expectation is a core value and it is consistently modeled in all our ministries.

I resonate with Dan Wilt in his eBook when he says, “We may need to create different contexts in which different things can happen, to serve this mandate.” (1) Referring to the mandate we have to create places where God and man meet.

We have done this well with our healing prayer ministry, as well as with the variety of cell groups we offer. We also have a monthly unscripted, organic, Spirit-led worship circle called “Third Friday.” These all offer various connection points for people to encounter the Living God.

Twice a month, we open up our church for the community to come and receive prayer. As this ministry continues to grow, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of people who do not regularly attend our church. Some have come simply because they saw the sign for healing prayer.

Leading worship over our times of healing prayer is my primary ministry. I always begin the 90 minute set with songs that invite the presence of God, because with His presence comes His power. We want His power.

The healing prayer team volunteers meet 30 minutes early to worship and pray with expectancy for God’s Kingdom to come. It does come - powerfully, miraculously, palpably. We have had countless testimonies of God’s healing power during these times. I have one of my own....

1. Dan Wilt, M.Min. “Envisioning Encounter, Reclaiming Our Values in Worship” Essentials Green P 22

e*g Week 2

Essentials Green Week 2 Discussion Q&A

Question:
In what ways does your faith community currently embody the values of
1) Accessibility and 2) Cultural Relevance in your worship expressions?
How are these values reflected in your own life as a leader?


Answer:
About a year ago, God called me to create a personal worship leader vision statement. After some adjustments, I landed on the following:

“My vision as a lead worshipper is to submit myself fully to the leading of the Holy Spirit in creating an atmosphere for worship that is: 1. as free from distractions as possible; 2. with as many entry/access points as possible; 3. for as many people as possible to experience a personal and intimate exchange with God while corporately engaging God’s presence.”

Worship should be accessible because God is accessible. The worship moments that we facilitate, may not connect perfectly with everyone at every time, but, we certainly need to make every effort to connect effectively with the unique body we are called to serve.

I love the analogy that Dan Wilt used in the eBook about wheelchair accessible ramps (1). Yes, this is what we do - we build bridges, doorways and ramps, offering an invitation to EVERYONE to come “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (2). Catering to our likes and dislikes without regard to those we are called to serve creates chasms and builds dams.

One of the spiritual disciplines that Dr. Peter Fitch says is vital to the modern worship leader is “cross-carrying” (3). He says that there are times we need to carry a cross and sacrifice the things that make us comfortable because, “There will be more need for soul-cleansing in the people around you than there will be for you to artistically express yourself.” Profound!


1) Dan Wilt, M.Min., “Envisioning Encounter, Reclaiming Our Values in Worship” Essentials Green eBook, P. 14
2) Psalm 34:8
3) Dr. Peter Fitch, “Inside Living, Outside Giving”, Inside Worship Magazine, Vol. 53, June 2004, P. 44