For me it was gradual. I grew up with the have to go idea in my head. Then I left and seldom darkened a church door for years. That was not a good time in my life. But God kept pulling and putting good people in my path. And I know there were many faithful prayer warriors standing in the gap for me. I was drawn to the Word and when the Spirit started bringing the Word to life for me I couldn't get enough. It was like I was driven to make up for all the time I missed. I honestly can't remember a time in years when I didn't look forward to church, whether it is regular service or a singing practice or a small group meeting. I just can't get enough of being around other Christians. I guess that's a good thing since that's who I'll have to spend eterniity with. See you in a couple of weeks.

It was as a teenager that music connected with me to bring me before God's throne in worship. I began to view my singing as a participation with God rather rather than just filling in notes from the pew. I believe that the idea came because of a group of folks that were singing at the Tulsa Workshop in 1976. I had never heard such wonderful harmony. I was already a "singer" but was without much desire to "sing my song." When I heard the song in their heart, I connected. That group was Acapella (or their precursors).
The praise and harmony workshop a couple of weekends ago in our home congregation (Bypass Church of Christ in Idabel, OK.) has again renewed my commitment to singing. The connection has been powerful for many in our congregation. As we prayed and prepared for the workshop and then participated, we have enjoyed the fruits and we have grown in our singing. As one of the worship leaders, I have seen that the ideas we heard, when put into practice, have made a huge difference in people's perception of what is going on in our assembly times. We swell, we exult, we quieten our spirits, we listen to God and His Spirit, we love it.

I am looking forward to Ashdown in August!

I am in that transition right now. There's something just more alive in my heart, something that has finally vibrantly connected with God and wants nothing more than to radiate out the joy and peace and blessing I now feel. It's hard; it takes a lot of energy to give all you've got to God. But when the Spirit is moving inside of you the way it is moving inside of me right now, it's hard not to want to go to church and give it everything you have.

Great comments! Thanks for sharing! - KL