_I just had a FANTASTIC morning involved in a set piece "Born is the King (It's Christmas)" played at Abundant Life Church this morning. It was my first time playing (get this!) a xylophone ... and bells!

Here's the original:

Joy!!
This morning, I was reminded how our God is a God of joy. It's so awesome when that feeling floods me, and that happened during "Born is the King." So fun to see joy on the faces of people clapping along this morning.

I'm not talking about man-made joy based on how good our day was, how good our week was, or how good our spiritual performance was.... no, joy is the fruit of God's spirit.

Even though I had a spiritually rough night last night, somehow God's grace floods over me and my failures, and He gives joy anyway. Joy given just because He wants to. (That's grace.)

I'm counting my blessings. WOW! When I think of my Mom and her recent brain surgery and how well she's doing now, I feel so blessed! I'm living proof that God puts the lonely in families. I've made many good new muso and non-muso friends. Really, I don't deserve it, but this is grace!

Music music music!!
In other great news, I played keys at ALC Leeds tonight and keys at Friday's Edge (11-18 year olds). I had a blast and really feel that I've got new siblings in this band! I'm a (bit) older than most of the musos, but I feel like I fit!

God is doing amazing things in my heart, and in the church meetings I attend. Being on the receiving end is so strange. It's Christmas time and I'm the one getting gifts!

Wahoooo!