Thursday, February 15, 2007

This morning as I work on some things for this weekend and for the upcoming ZOE conference, I am listening to a cassette tape. Yes, friends, a cassette tape. Cassettes are soon to be the 8 track tapes of my childhood (extinct). It's Passion Live from probably around 1997 or so. Songs like "We Fall Down", "You Are My King", "You Alone", "In the Secret" (before Sonic Flood!) with the crowd singing loudly, "I WANT TO KNOW YOU..."etc. I can remember when I first heard some of those songs. I was so moved. Christy Nockels' voice is so pure, so haunting. It was what first introduced me to many of those songs.

I was taken back to simpler days sitting in an office in a 50 year old building (the old Otter Creek). I remember playing through the chord charts thinking that we should really be singing these great songs. I was in the beginning of a ministry at Otter Creek. Most people were either really excited about the future or really afraid. Few were ambivalent. ZOE was just beginning. We were meeting each Saturday morning to pray about what the Lord would have us do. We were considering holding a conference on worship in Nashville that fall.

Ten years later I sit in an office in a much larger building planning worship for a growing church, and working on one of our regional conferences on worship coming in 2 weeks in TX. We've been talking through plans for our 11th Nashville Worship Conference coming next fall. Looking back over 10+ years of ZOE, we've been talking about how things have changed and in some ways we'll be going back to our roots next fall. I was just struck this morning at the goodness of God over the last decade.

The song playing right now is "Show Your Power". It simply says, "Show Your power, O Lord our God! " We prayed that prayer then and we've really seen His power. I'm grateful for those songs that helped shape me. I'm grateful for songs that have come along since. Songs like "Blessed Be Your Name" and "Still" that have given voice to emotions and struggles along the journey.

Some days I wake up and fight doubts and cynicism. Some days I feel overcome by the faithfulness of God that surrounds me. I was convicted today that a life of faith is full of seasons. They are woven together to make a beautiful tapestry that displays the fullness of God's character in our lives...roads marked with suffering AND streams of abundance.

I'll leave you with these words we sang on the ZOE project called "Ancient Future" back in 2004.

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch Him amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.

I can't remember a joy or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only and trusting His hand.
All I have need of His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song,
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows NO END!
All I have need of His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.
words and music by Sara Groves

5 comments:

Christy said...

That song you wrote out at the end is one of my favorites:) You have done so much for so many--Thank you!!

Beaner said...

Zoe "Seasons"

Zoe "Tapestry"

Sound like good themes to me! I love the fullness that a year with 4 seasons brings (even though I'm getting sick of Winter right now!)

LOVE Sara Groves!!! That song rocks!

SG said...

Hi Friend!
Just this week I listened to a recording of that song on my computer sent to me at the begining of my pregnancy with sweet little Ella Kate. I was really nervous at the beginning of that pregnancy. Having three miscarriages does that to you. Listening to those words again as I held my precious 7 month old baby girl, I was completely overwhelmed with God's faithfulness. AND I'm very grateful to the sweet friend from back in the day who sent it to me! Can't wait to see what God has instore for you and 5Zoe in the next ten years.

Phil said...

I remember when you first came to OC. You were the personal choice of Sheryl and me, probably because of your passion and you were close to age. I can't imagine what it was like to step into the shoes of Buddy, especially with him sitting on the front row every Sunday. As kind and gentle and caring as he was, I'm sure it was still intimidating.

The funny thing to me is remembering that you ran the sound for mine and Sheryl's wedding (well, pushed play on the CD). I would never have imagined back then that I would end up running sound for you.

I'm glad you're at OC and willing to share the struggles and joys of the last 10 years. Only 27 more to go to match Buddy. ;-)

Amy S. Grant said...

Thank you for all you do through Zoe worship. You are really making an impact. Here's to the next ten years!