Resolutions
This is the season we swear off things we have gotten tired of by the end of the year. Every year I say I will never oversee another Children's Choir, but here I am a few weeks and counting to the production date. Some of us have resolved to stop smoking, eat less, exercise more, start/finish projects and stay in touch with friends and family. (I'm sure you can add to this list!)
Every year around my birthday, Nov. 23, I assess the things I have done in my life. I never plan the process, but it just comes up internally as my birthday draws near. Funny how I noticed years ago I tend to get a little depressed about my life if it isn't moving forward. To prevent depression, I started setting goals for myself. I found I didn't complete the goals I had set for myself, and I would get more depressed. I resolved in my heart that as long as I kept moving ahead with my overall goals, I was on track. When it came to my spiritual walk, I knew to read my Bible and pray. It seemed I would fall short in following closely after God. I took for granted that I must press ahead on my worship journey.
For the past 5 years I make a point to take a trip to Dallas, Texas for the International Worship Institute. Each year the Institute has a theme, and one year's theme was "Worship Odyssey." The opening night was complete with the "Space Odyssey" music theme and we were on our way. The whole week was filled with travels and adventures.
That year I saw my worship life a little differently. I witnessed and embraced a different perspective - "The life of a worshiper is an odyssey not a journey." Journey being defined as a trip or expedition from one place to another. Odyssey being defined as a long series of travels and adventures. Doesn't the word odyssey describe our worship life better?
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This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.