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On Mission

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Yesterday was my first day! I feel incredibly blessed to be on mission in Austin as a worship resident. These past couple weeks, God has provided the support needed to begin the residency! Let me just say I am floored by the generosity of family and friends who are supporting us! You guys are enabling me and my family to grow in this gifting and vision the Lord has placed on my heart. It it so incredibly humbling and encouraging!

As you know something I find a lot of joy in sharing is Sawyer's love for all things music. Here he is jamming out on the keys!

I know what you're thinking: "is Sam the worship resident, or Sawyer??" I will eventually post a recording or video of myself, but let's face it, Sawyer is far more entertaining! And just so you know, he is actually singing the last line of the bridge in the Austin Stone Worship song: Jesus True and Only.

Again, I want to express my gratitude for all of the support that has been freely given. You guys are a true example of the early church that Paul talks about in second Corinthians:

"For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us."  II Corinthians 8:3-5

If you didn't get a chance to check out the mini-documentary I put together explaining what led me into this worship residency, you can check it out now! 

 

 

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Sawyer The Drummer

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This is my son, His name is Sawyer. He is 2-years-old and he loves playing the drums. It is incredible to see this little guy singing worship tunes at the top of his lungs, all while attempting a roto tom fill on his little drum set. Check out this video! You will laugh more than once, I promise! Sawyer is singing "This Glorious Grace" from the newest Austin Stone Worship record.

I am having a dad moment. I am super proud of this little guy. There is an indelible link between my life and his. As I am pursuing worship leading as a vocation, I see more and more every day the far-reaching influence I have on my son. I love worship through music. He loves it too. Maybe more. Just watch the video!

Beyond the delight of seeing my son take joy in music lies a deeper revelation. Becoming a husband and father has changed my perspective on life, and influenced how I perceive the role of leadership in the Church.

The call to pursue worship as a vocation has been a scary one, much like getting married, having kids, and the gravity involved in being the leader of a family. Much like marriage and fatherhood, I know there will be much required of me as I pursue a leadership position in the Church. I can say without a doubt that my wife Dusty, my two-year-old Sawyer, and my little girl Jahnabell, have prepared me for this leadership role. The leadership role I'm stepping into will require much, and the role of dad and husband has prepared me in a profound way. I have discovered that the only possible way for me to lead and serve my family well is to follow the model Paul taught in Ephesians 5. Paul begins in verse one explaining how we should, like children, model our lives after His:

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

This passage parallels what I see happening in my own life and the life of my son. Sawyer imitates me as we should imitate Christ, and in order for me to be a loving father, as Christ is to us, I must love my family as "Christ loved the church".

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25

This directive is an incredibly dramatic calling considering how Christ gave himself up for the Church. Paul calls us to lead our families with Christ's love. The love that He demonstrated with his death on the cross that took away the sins of man. I am discovering more every day how marriage and fatherhood is a gift from the Lord in more ways than one.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"  Psalm 127:3-5