We had a powerful worship service last night that could have only been God's doing. Late last week I felt like God had given me direction to lead a song that we had never practiced. I asked the choir director if I could fit it in at the beginning of the service right after we got everything connected. He was trusting and said sure.

Before the service got underway, I quickly went over the song with the keyboardist and other guitarist. I had not idea how things would turn out, but is asked the Spirit to lead. Through a series of last second decisions, the new song got bumped to the end of the lineup. Now there was even more pressure to not break the flow of worship leading into the message spoken.

From the very beginning, it was on! We sang an upbeat hymn followed by a couple songs in Spanish and a swinging gospel tune. The worship was more alive than I've seen since I've been here. I've been playing in front of people since I was fifteen, so I'm usually not nervous, but tonight I had to lead a song we had never played as a group following up and continuing a great atmosphere of worship. I was shaking inside.

I Peter 5:6 says. "Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time." I just handed it over to the Spirit and went with it. With my eyes closed, my hands strumming, and my voice singing, I noticed others joining in. How was this happening if I hadn't done this song before? Only by the Spirit. I really hope that the choir can usher in this kind of worship more often. I'm so glad God has blessed us to be able to lead others to praise him.

Tonight was my first practice playing guitar with the worship team here. After meeting people and getting my hearings on the unit, I told the guy who leads the choir that I have experience leading worship and, if he wanted a guitarist, to let me know.

Like at San Saba, I didn't want to play unless they really need someone. I am content to be out in the crowd praising without any pressure. The choir leader, Porkchop, told me to go ahead and request to be put on the team. Because they already had a guitarist and two keyboardists, I pretty much dismissed it.

During the next week, a friend of mine, Lelan, said Porkchop wanted me to join and asked if I had dropped the request yet. Nope, I hadn't dropped it off and wouldn't until there was a need for me. Yesterday I was met by both Porkchop and Lelan, who runs the sound board, and asked if I had put in the request. No. Come to practice tomorrow anyway. Alright. I guess they really want me in there.

I showed up tonight not knowing what they expected me to do since they already had a guitarist, so I asked. Just grab a guitar and put rhythm in. They went off into songs I didn't know and I stood lost with a guitar in my hands. I gradually picked out notes and started picking along on the guitar. I am a self-taught guitar player and know very little music theory, so it's tough for me to fit in unless I know what's going on. This first practice was rough for me but Porkchop said I'll be great and to give it some time.