Women in Worship by Debbi Barnett Worship Leader May 14, 2007

It is very interesting that in my becoming a worship leader and studying these meetings, there is a longing to connect with what happened there. The message was plain and simple as it told the gospel. People were saved and changed, as were the people they witnessed to.

Getting back to the books many of them were torn or very used it was as if the owner’s sweaty palms had just sat the books down. Later I was told that back in the day of the old tent meetings every Christian carried two books to church, the Bible and a songbook.

WOW! I held in my hand a piece of history of the church. These books dated back to 1930’s to the 70’s I could see how the songs of that time kept the church going, how the songs had kept the church in remembrance of a life giving Savior. There Is Power In The Blood, All That Fills My Soul Is Jesus, the songs went on and on some that I knew and some I didn’t. Then I started to read the words and I realized that some of our songs have been watered down and that they did not tell the story.

I kept looking through the box and I found two or three dozen “Psalters” (something we don’t see much of today) A sweet saint took a bunch of scriptures and put music to them. My heart pounded so I began crying again praying at the same time for God to give me contemporary beats to put the Psalms to. I kept hearing Paul say “ encourage one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs” Man I was in a zone for real!

In reality as Dee-Dee sat across from me she probably thought I was a “nut case” after I cried over all the books. I was so grateful that they were in my hands and that God had found me faithful enough to possess these books now.

Here’s the rest of this story - these books belonged to Dee-Dee’s Momma who is well in her 90’s. In her day she was a traveling evangelist and held many tent meetings in small towns. She and (now deceased husband) planted many churches and have seen many healings and miracles take place. She was the preacher in the family; she told me that the call of God burned so in her she could not keep it quiet. She just wanted to see people get filled with the Holy Spirit and live for God. So she just kept preaching and praying following the fire that burned within her.

She is at church every Wednesday and Sunday sitting about middle way back in my church. She sits sometime and she stands when she has a little strength praising and worshiping God to the Contemporary music that my team plays every week. She tells me she prays for me and I believe her, she is the strongest Christian I know though her body is fragile due to her age. She is the most beautiful woman I know inside and out we affectionately call her Mother Davis.

It was her “meeting” books that were passed down to me; it was as if a mantle was passed to me directly from her. You see she connected me with that era she was the link God used gracefully. As I watch her worship God with us, pray for us, and asked what else she can do for God. I want to keep the fire going too! Here’s a thought Mom Davis is apart of an older generation, who sang older songs, hymns, etc. How do we tie the generational gaps for members in our congregations? For within me burns the fire of God that I can’t put out. I got to sing about it, write about it, and tell someone about it. I got to tell somebody that there is a God that sits on a throne that had a Son whom He sent to redeem us from hell’s fire. That there is hope and that there is not one person who doesn’t matter to God.

Worship Leader, worshiper, preacher, teacher, pastor, whomever you are you are nothing without that flame burning in your heart. That flame has a name and His name is Jesus. If you have any other agenda on your heart except a burning desire to exalt Him. In Jesus name repent ask the Holy Spirit to show you the way. Keep the flame burning by knowing and telling the old, old story about Jesus. About His life, His death and His resurrection power. Be creative with your tent meetings. Keep the flame burning!

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Awesome! Hi Debbie, i dont even know where to begin as i have read your through article. i was a muslim before and am only a year and half old in my walk with God and i wouldn't even know the hymns or the treasures that you could possibly have found in those ...more Submitted by: Mariziah Location: Nairobi, Kenya Heritage of Worship What a wonderful reminder of a heritage of worship. I too have some old books from my grandmother from the early 20th century that are such a precious reminder of the types of songs and worship style so common. How sad we too often feel our music ha...more Submitted by: Pat Location: Lebanon, OR Oh Debbie! I'm so happy for you and so thrilled along with you! I too remember those tent meeting days and the wonderful songs of redemption and glory.My fire's burning red hot, brighter than it was yesterday. It seems to grow with every passing day. I un...more Submitted by: Sylvia Location:

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