Why I praise...

I never understood the importance of praise until about 10 years ago. No offense to any SB's out there, but I grew up in the Southern Baptist Church where musicians and artists were not, and as far as I can tell, still aren't appreciated. (David Crowder excluded) The handful of times I was allowed to sit in on worship with my kit was shall we say "eye opening".

I never felt like I fit in with all the hymns and the closed mindedness of my family and fellow SB'ists towards any other type of worship or expression. Hymns did not and for the most part still don't "take me to his throne." Because of this I did not understand worship. Worship was the 20 minute cushion I had to make it to church to hear the message. Why did I need to sing songs that meant nothing to me? How did these allow me to praise my God? I just could not connect.

I spent most of late teens and twenties with my back turned to my Savior. If the church had no use for artists, did God have a use for me? Did he not wire me this way? Did he not create me as an artist? Surely there was a place for me in the world. God put me here for a reason. There had to be more to church than the sermons. There had to be something that elevated my walk, something that brought God to life. 

I started looking for a church home in 99'. I darkened many a church door. I finally found a church that had more than sermons. People were excited that I was an artist. And then something clicked about praise. There were musicians that were excellent at what they did and it was contemporary. I was put to use immediately even though I had not really played kit for 5 years. I realized very quickly, Praise was important, and it was the single most important act that would elevate every area of my relationship with Christ.

Praise has become and is the single most important part of my faith walk. It allows me intimate time with the Lord. It ministers to my soul. It helps me to pour out. It helps me cleanse and it reminds me of what an awesome God I serve.

I know that part of my calling as a musician and artist is to use these gifts to praise the Lord my God. It's changed everything. I realize how much I missed out on as a teen by coming late to praise. And I learned, it's ultimately not about me.

So now, I make up for it almost weekly by helping lead others to "the throne room of God". I believe as a result, I have not only been called to use my gifts in many ways in and out of the church, but that God will continue to bless my work as long as He stays the focus.

So, if you ask me, why do I praise, I will tell you, It allows me to be intimate and experience God. What more could I ask for?