The sun set on a Wednesday of much struggle. Inside a remote home on a remote hill several individuals worked feverishly. The sun said its last goodbye to the day as a processional of vehicles began to make their way up the long driveway. People filtered into the quiet home one at a time and before long the refreshing spirit of lively conversation poured high into the majestic walls of the beautifully scenic abode. Stories flittered off the tongues of friends who were anxious to engage in the glorious noise of fellowship. Then a voice called out into hum of people, “One minute warning.” Hastily, but without any great fret, people began to settle in the living room. The buzz of the individuals gave way to a gentle crescendo that swayed downward into a somewhat nervous silence. Then a question is asked, “Are you ready for us?” Then a response is given, “Yes.” It seemed as though the whole room took a deep breath and upon its release the sound of a guitar filled the stillness. Then something extraordinary happened……the Holy Spirit moved.
What a night it was. The much-anticipated recording event has now come and gone. There was no doubt that every individual gathered at Jim and Julie Durst’s home on Wednesday night had come to worship. There were some really powerful moments during the course of the evening. Usually after a big event I always feel somehow deflated a little. But such is not the case with this. If anything I feel charged. We got 12 songs down on digital. Make no mistake, that is a HUGE amount to accomplish in a mere two hours. It’s especially staggering when you consider that all those gathered had no real formal practice for the event. I don’t think you’d know that from the way some things happened. Several things were just so right that it sounded like we had practiced it just like that. But that’s the power of the God when He wants to make something happen. I believe we all showed up knowing nothing more than the fact that God wanted us to be there and that He would take care of the details. Wednesday was, in a word, perfect. I don’t mean that we all sang perfect or played perfect on everything (I know I made my share of mistakes even on the songs that were solid takes). What I mean by that is that God had obviously intended for each of us to be exactly where we were last night. That’s why it was perfect. God laid his hands on all of us and led us to the places where we needed to be last night.
I always love the stories behind things. I love stories anyway. Those of you who know me well know that I can turn a simple story about a trip to Wal-Mart into a ridiculously overdrawn tale of trial, tragedy and triumph. Wednesday is full of “behind the scenes” stories. The whole night almost didn’t happen. Chris said at one point that he had considered waiting for people in Jim’s driveway to cancel the whole affair. There were just so many things that tried to get in the way of this thing turning out. But God is a persistent being and He made a way for all of us. I feel strongly that the enemy was desperately trying to stop last night from happening. I felt it all day long. That’s something that I almost feel a little uncomfortable saying because I hate to jump to any hasty conclusion but once I got a few stories on my ears about what had happened to others over the course of that day it just became apparent to me that something was working against us yesterday. But God was working for us and that is why we prevailed and were able to lift up God’s glory in song for two hours.
I find it ironic, but also quite fitting, that we’re calling this project The Living Room: A Live Worship Recording. The irony is that we were, of course, recording this album in a literal living room. But what is fitting to me is that I feel very strongly that each of the voices and instruments you hear on this album were intensely involved in the life of the Holy Spirit. The room literally was alive with the Spirit. There was more than music and technology at work during these incredibly rich few hours. There was real life thriving in the room like a tangible and vibrantly organic entity. For a few hours we were able to put everything aside and focus our hearts eye on that which matters most…God. The focus was not on perfection, at least not our personal perfection, but rather the glorious perfection that we celebrate in the majesty of the king we serve. By doing this we became like overfilled canisters and God tore off our lids so we could release life into our worship. The scene before my eyes was enough to make the stoutest heart wither in humility and love. People were down on their knees worshiping. There were raised hands in the room. There were eyes lifted towards the heavens. But that’s not what I noticed about people. Anyone can get down on their knees or raise their hands but still have an empty heart. What I saw in those bended knees and lifted hands was a heart set ablaze in the life of the Spirit. I saw freedom. Genuine freedom. And life…glorious life raging like an inferno. We were living, really living, inside that room.
P.S. When you listen to the sample of Grace Poured Out listen hard to the voices in the background. You will hear some of the most wonderful sounds of your life. You’ll hear the sound of children, yes children, singing loud to their God. I’ve listened to that recording I don’t know how many times today just to hear the familiar voices of children that I know worshiping their God with reckless abandon. I can’t even hardly type it without getting a little choked up. All praise, glory and honor to you God for helping us learn how to better live for you.
I will be heading down to Jim and Julie's house this afternoon to begin getting the equipment set up for this evening's live worship recording. By the time 6:00 rolls around we will be ready to go. There has been much anticipation for this event. I know God will meet us in the living room tonight. I can't wait to worship with my Oasis family by praising God with many of our favorite "family" songs.
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