Anthem, "One Life"

It's all still a blur, but here are some quick highlights from this Anthem:

1. God seemed to show up in a big way

2. Both services were full...good thing we did two.

3. The technology demons went to work, so the recording didn't work at the 7 o'clock service. Why is this a highlight? Read on...

4. We had the prayer rooms intercede for the 9 o'clock service and sure enough, the recording started working again. God seemed to lay it on the heart of our recording engineer (Todd Wallace) at the end as we were singing, "Let Your anthem ring" that this Anthem was meant to ring beyond the walls of that auditorium.

5. At the end of the 9, the crowd clearly wanted more. So, we played one song, then another, then another... the crowd was going nuts. It's like God said, "The party is not over yet." When we finally stopped playing altogether and I said, "The end." In protest, the crowd started singing "Take the Day" accapella. It was a sort of worship protest. "We want more and we don't need your stupid instruments, sound system and lyrics (oh wait, they did need our lyrics...the verses were pretty pathetic until they got to the chorus). It was classic. People would've still been there if we would've let them.

6. I may or may not have crowd surfed during this "God is awesome encore." It may or may not have happened during the breakdown on "To Know You More" ("Glorify Your son, Your kingdom come!")

These Selahs were epic. Both of them spontaneously came together during practice. I think we'll have to turn them into full songs on the next album. We've already got some songs in the queue.

I can't tell you how amazing it is to see the fulfillment of a vision before your very eyes. During one of the songs, I had a _______ (charismatics- please insert "vision", cessationists- please insert "thought come to mind"). It was a picture as clear as day of my dad standing before his sunday school class playing his omnichord. This is the cheesiest instrument you'll ever see. But dad would stand up and lead his sunday school class in worship.

There I stood on his shoulders, leading the next generation.

"I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly, I do not seal my lips as you know, Oh Lord."

- Ps. 40

Oh God, allow the next generation to stand on our shoulders, going further with the gospel, reaching more people, loving you with more passion, praying more fervently, and seeing your kingdom come with more power.

Barukh sheim k'vod malkhuto l'olam va'ed.

Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.