This past Saturday I had my first experience with being a part of a “Laundry Love” project (Click here for more info on Laundry Love).

Our Village (small church my wife and I lead with LoveCanton) went to a laundromat around the corner from our house to help provide free laundry to those in need of it.

My experience was much more profound than I was anticipating. I met people from all walks of life and had great conversations with them. I’m not even sure what to say at this point (and I’m still processing it), except that there is a connection between the poor, the gospel, and my heart.

Jesus loved the poor and talked about it quite frequently. As I drove away from the laundromat to prepare to lead worship this weekend, my heart was broken – some for the people I met, some for myself and my sometimes shallow view of what my “needs” and “hopes” are, but ultimately I felt a sense of humility come over me. Jesus constantly served and was among the poor. In addition, His taking on of flesh, the way He lived, and the way He died exemplify the way He became poor for us – true humility.

Somehow, this clashing of worlds impacted me deeply through this simple service project.

The priority of contact with the poor is greater now because I know that my service and connection to Jesus and the gospel is stronger as a result.

A basic need that I take for granted every day is water. Water to drink, cook with, wash clothes with, cars with, dishes with, boil for tea, pasta – the list goes on and on.

We don’t treat water like it’s gold here.

Some people do – especially water that’s clean enough to drink.

Contaminated water kills 3.3 million people every year.

When I felt convicted to do this Operation 25 mission this year, I knew I wanted to purchase a water filter through Compassion to fulfill Jesus’ call in Matthew 25 to give the thirsty a drink (click here for more on this).

Today, I was able to send $55 to Compassion to purchase this filter – it will provide safe drinking water for a child and his or her family for life.

Wow. Denying myself $55 to spend on some clothes, or maybe a new guitar pedal…and multiple people will have safe drinking water for life?

That seems ridiculous. And it is – both my obsession with spending on me, and how cheap it is to make such an impact.

Lord, make my heart more aware of the things people truly need and less consumeristic so I can help. Thank You for Your word and it’s conviction to the way I live. Amen.

If you were to read the Bible front to back, you would find several ways praise was expressed. Below are eight common ones broken down into three categories:*

Visible

• Kneeling
• Dancing
• Raising hands

Vocal

• Shouting
• Singing
• Speaking

Audible

• Playing an instrument
• Clapping

If I’m being honest, I don’t always feel like worshipping. Sometimes, I will choose to lift a hand to God or kneel before Him. Often times, my heart will follow my hands as I reach up towards my father; likewise, my heart is humbled as I kneel in His presence.

I’m providing this list here as a resource for you. Pick one or two of these and try them out this week (worship Him all week long – in your house, car, outside while doing yard work, etc.).

Respond to God for all that He is. He is Holy. He is Worthy.

*See Dwayne Moore’s Pure Praise (pp. 32-37) for more info on these expressions.

Romans 1:16 says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”

Even though this was one of the first verses I ever memorized, I still to this day am afraid when it comes to sharing my faith. Why? I don’t know. Jesus has saved me, given me hope, peace, and so much more.

Recently I’ve been convicted by this verse and have been praying for a chance to share my faith with a friend I’ve made over the past year or so. Last week, God opened up a door for me to share with my friend about what Jesus has done for me, my friend, and all of us. I gave him a Bible and prayed with him. I’m still praying for him.

Guess what? I had a difficult day that day, yet sharing my faith with my friend gave me so much joy – and it wasn’t that hard!

What are we afraid of? What are we ashamed of? Good news? Hope? Joy? Love?

Let us not be ashamed.

For more encouragement, check out this song.

Welcome to the new Ushered In.

Really, there’s not a whole lot new right now besides the fresh look. Technically, I’m using newer software now which will allow me to do more with this blog in the future, so I’m excited. Feel free to take a look around. Thanks for visiting…that alone is most humbling : )