Grace Family,
Your response to yesterday's music has been overwhelming. I'll just repeat the song lyric in response: "All praise unto the Lamb who sits on the throne!" That being said, many many thanks to our awesome (all volunteer) choir, orchestra, and rhythm band, who pulled off a very difficult piece. And to Beth, who sings to the Lord with passion and conviction every time. And perhaps especially to Jim Umlauf and the worship zone elders, who plan and guide our worship services so faithfully and wisely, week in and week out, always seeking to better lead us to worship together, both in spirit and in truth. I'm unworthy to serve with such men.
Now, about the recording... Here's the deal: If the recording turns out decent, we'll make it available as soon as possible. But no promises, since we never know how a LIVE recording will end up sounding (and I'd prefer not to release something not good).
In the meantime, you can legally download the (very awesome) Prestonwood arrangement of "Unto the Lamb" that we did yesterday, right from iTunes. Here's a link.
Let me add a word of encouragement to you all, mainly regarding some comments made on Facebook yesterday: If you find yourself stirred to worship God through clapping, shouting, lifting hands, standing, bowing, or kneeling (among other things), and you are stirred as a response to truth about God (who he is, and what he does/has done), you probably shouldn't hold back. These are biblically appropriate expressions of worship, and honor God. They even edify others, I believe. Now, they can be misused, yes. And our emotions can surely be stirred by music without any regard for the content being sung or the One to whom we're singing. But that doesn't mean our emotions and outward expressions should be avoided. Worship is a heart issue, first and foremost. And a genuine heart response of worship to "the Lamb who sits on the throne" can be (and perhaps should be) expressed outwardly sometimes in the congregation. On a personal note, I still struggle here. I often hold back from lifting my hands or clapping, when my heart is leaping for joy in response to a particular truth in a song. But sanctification is gradual, right? Maybe I'm getting there... and hey, maybe we're slowly getting there together.
Thanks again for all the encouragement, and let's press in to worship God even more deeply and truly this week.
