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The Air I Breathe…

Article by Jason Whitehorn February 4, 2012 in Life Commentary, Worship with 0 Comments

For quite a few days, the blog has been silent. It’s probably appropriate and in proper relation to life – because I have been equally as silent. For about the past month I have dealt with a strange virus that has had me dealing with doctors, urgent care clinics, emergency rooms, and hospital visits and having no voice. My wife has been dealing with much of the same – so prayers for the family are readily accepted. I bring this strangity up for good reason. The more I sat here today after a long afternoon, evening, and night at the hospital – the more I have stumbled across a reality about my own illness…and how it relates to my own humility and servitude.

Next week – I hope to begin a series that will expose this humility in the hopes of helping others in a series called “The Air I Breathe”. Before we do – I want to ask that each of you look at an article I wrote back at Thanksgiving. It will become a strange forshadowing to this series…and a lesson that I needed to have heeded myself.

Take a look at the very short article here: “Breathe”

A Request from the founder…

Article by Jason Whitehorn December 15, 2011 in Life Commentary with 0 Comments

If my daughter – my own flesh and blood, was malnourished and didn’t have proper clothes for the winter…how many of you would rush to send me assistance to help her? I dare say if I pleaded loud enough…many of you would. My daughter would be fed, clothed, and showered with love from people she doesn’t even know.

I am glad that you feel that way…

I am glad that you could bring yourself to help my daughter…a girl you don’t even know…

…because I have a request…

If We Could All Be A Little Like Chris

Article by Jason Whitehorn October 31, 2011 in Life Commentary with 0 Comments

I wish you each had the opportunity to meet this man. Your life would be blessed exponentially by just one conversation with him. Chris Kent was a friend to many, an extraordinary bass player, husband, father, and a man of God.

You couldn’t miss Chris’ smile when you were around him. Perhaps that was because of Chris’ heart. He was always serving…and sharing his faith…even until his recent death from cancer. When we put on the Concert of The Decade two years ago, Chris’ servant heart went from being in the spotlight playing with Lorrie Morgan and, instead, went to servitude by checking coats from those in attendance.

The coming months and years afterwards were a roller-coaster ride. I’ve kept every single email and post from Chris chronicling his hospital visits, advances in treatments, treatment failures, pain, joys, and more…but there is one solid thing that was persistant throughout…

…his amazing faith.

We aren’t talking a faith that God was going to come through with a miracle and make all right…but a faith that insisted that all was right because he had God. This – an example of many that he wrote just a year ago.

And the cool thing is, I don’t have to worry about HOW. I’m not required to know all the workings of how God will work it out. I’m just required to trust and obey. Philippians 4:6-8 says, “…don’t worry about anything but pray about everything. The peace of God will guard your heart.” I’ve had a lot of folks ask me, “How can you smile going what you’re going through?” It’s those verses right there. Peace that passes understanding.

Chris regularly took the time to talk about his faith and offer to anyone who would hear the love of God and the plan of Salvation. Through his love and desire to simply obey…there are no telling how many lives have been touched today and how many friends he will be able to see in Heaven one day that will be able to say “you are the reason I am here.”

Wow…to be like Chris…

……….to be like Christ.

I thank you, my funky brother! I love you so much and can’t wait to see you in Heaven one day.

If Jesus Had A Twitter…

Article by Jason Whitehorn October 29, 2011 in Life Commentary with 2 Comments

How Should We Dress For Church?

Article by Jason Whitehorn October 27, 2011 in Life Commentary, Worship with 2 Comments

Recently, we asked the question “What best describes your attire on a given Sunday…and why?” The question was based on an interesting I had with another worship leader from out of state who raised questions about my practice of wearing jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts while leading my home church in worship. In his eyes, I should be leading in a suit and tie – in at least slacks and a polo. I asked my colleague where that conclusion was drawn from and provided scriptural references to him as well. While he provided no scriptural references of his own – he did implore me that we are to dress our best in respect for our God and to set an example for others.

I’ll pause there for a moment and let you get your thoughts wrapped around the subject – and then I’ll attempt to give you mine.

It’s All How You Look At It

Article by Jason Whitehorn February 16, 2011 in Life Commentary, Worship Corner with 0 Comments

Perspective…

Article by Jason Whitehorn February 9, 2011 in Life Commentary with 0 Comments

Perspective…

It’s a strange word…

…but life is a matter of it.

I took this picture as I was leaving the office today. It marked the 46 minute mark in me making forward progress of only about 50 yards. It began the beginning of a rough trip home that caused me to run off the road four times and struggle to get up the slightest hills.

My trip home was rough.

I took the picture above to show my wife how the parking lot looked and why I was having trouble getting home.

Now that I’m home…I looked at the picture…

…and realized how beautiful God’s creation is.

PERSPECTIVE.

Death of A Worship Leader

Article by Jason Whitehorn February 8, 2011 in Life Commentary, Worship with 1 Comment

As a self-proclaimed web guru who is a worship leader/pastor by trade and who pastors to other worship leaders/pastors online via his site…I hear plenty of stories on a regular basis of pastor burnout. Perhaps you have been at a church where the worship leader or worship pastor has stepped down or left after burnout. While there are many reasons for this – I think that there is a very common trend in events that lead to the “Death of A Worship Leader.”

- family issues
- getting “in a rut”
- lack of leadership experience

Today, I want to take a look at the first of these three issues. Over the next few days we will look at the other two issues and finish up our series by talking about three key ways to keep from being burned out.

One large portion of leaders that I see jumping ship are a direct result of family issues. ”It takes up so much of my time that I can barely spend time with my family.” ”I rarely get to sit in a service with my spouse.” “I just want to take some time to spend with my family.” Sincerely, I can understand where part of this comes from. I lead worship at a church that we attended for over two years and only twice sat in the service with my wife. Between the duties I had in worship and the fact that she was a preschool director – we rarely had a chance to “be fed” together in service. I became so burned out that I pretty much refused to serve in the next church we went to.

This type of burnout is common. The reality is that this type of burnout can be dodged by taking a few steps to keep your family from falling behind.

Pray with your family: No – not just a blessing of the food. PRAY. Pray together as a family. Pray together as husband and wife. Pray on more days than just Sunday.

Have some quality time with God with your spouse: Spend time studying the word together. I can assure you that your wife craves for you to be the Spiritual head of the household – and I can assure you that your ability to head a church does not satisfy that craving.

Have a set family time: Do things together as a family outside of the church. Make your family a priority. A great friend of mine runs a website called “Family Muscle” that has some great ideas to re-engage your family time. I challenge you to start implementing some of those ideas today.

Tomorrow, we will take a look at getting out of ruts as a worship leader in and article called “Who Moved My Motivation”.

Seminary Wishes

Article by Jason Whitehorn January 29, 2011 in Life Commentary, Ministry with 4 Comments

I am so thankful that I have the ability to go back to Seminary. These next few months are going to be fast-paced for me and I would like for you to pray for a couple of things:

pray that I will study to the best of my ability in seminary so that the things I learn may sink in and bless myself and the lives of those I reach in my ministry.
pray that I can keep up the pace with this blog on a daily basis while going to seminary.
pray that I can aquire the materials I need for seminary

Keeping those things in mind – would you take a look at the following list and let me know if :

a.) you have any of the books listed and could loan to me for my courses. If you do, feel free to send them to:

got worship? Media
ATTN: Jason Whitehorn
1905 Guildford Drive
LaVergne, TN 37086

b.) you would consider a love offering to purchase one and aide in seminary expenses. You can purchase right from the Amazon widget below. This is a CURRENT LIST. If a book has been purchased by someone else – it will be automatically removed from the list.

(Note – I have the “Kindle for iPhone” app…so the less expensive Kindle purchases are perfect as well!)

I thank each of you for the daily uplifting and support!