The Blog of Matt MacDonald

One of the biggest challenges I find as a worship leader (as I’m sure most do) is staying fresh. “This is the zillion-eth time i’ve sung this song, how do I connect with God again…” Here’s the answer I heard given at a conference I was at, and I cling to it.

Your singing truth. The great thing about truth, is that it never changes, and never gets old. What I really mean when I say “I’m having a hard time keeping this fresh” is “i’m having a hard time emotionally connecting with this song.” The truth of the song never changes. When we sing “Lord you are good, and your mercy endures forever….” it doesn’t lose it’s meaning, it just feels redundant.

ANSWER: Engage with each song first on a truth level, and second on an emotional level. When we sing songs declaring truth, it’s just ourselves that get in the way. I know that sounds easier than it really is, and I find it still to be one of the most difficult things while leading, but it helps me to focus on what I need to accomplish each week….engaging personally with the living God so that I can lead others into His presence.

I am so thankful that I serve a God that values and stands on TRUTH. Check this.

Romans 15: 7-8
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[a]on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs

3 John 1:3-4
It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Psalm 40:10
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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Well, the surgery is over, and I am still a visually-stable member of society. It’s amazing how something so nerve-racking can be such a ‘non-issue’ a mere 24 hours later. I still have some mild discomfort, but all in all, I am pretty much back to normal.

On another note. If you have plans on Sunday night….change them. You need to go to Sunday Nite Praise @ Harvest Oakville. Cool Story. 3 of my unsaved staff at Able Pools are going…thank-you Lord. Pray that it goes well. Pray that lives are changed for eternity. For more information check out HBC Oakville’s site HERE or go to my friend Joshua Seller’s blog HERE.

Busy weekend this weekend. Lots to be thankful for. God is so good to me, and for that I praise His AWESOME name.

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Today I had my pre-opp consultation for laser-eye surgery. To say that I am not nervous would just be untrue, so instead I’ll be blunt….I’m freak’n nervous!

As I drove home from the appointment, I was talking to my friend on the phone about it. He didn’t know that I was getting it done, so he was a little surprised. He said “I’m a little taken back by the whole thing, I mean you could go blind!”

Knowing that it is a legitimate fear helps a bit, but knowing (according to the booklet I received) that there is greater than three-times a chance of me dying from getting struck by lightening than going blind aids my insecurities.

That said, the surgery is 10am on Thursday morning. Pray that I remain calm, and trust in the Lord through the whole process. Lord Willing this time next week I will be pain free and have perfect vision.

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