10 Practical Tips for Christian Songwriters
On March 11, 2023 by Anna De LayA little about me: I have plenty to learn when it comes to songwriting. I have not been the best at stewarding and sharing the gifts God has given me (especially in the last 6 years), and I am trying to change that. But, contrary to what I have yet to accomplish, I do have
Don’t Lose Heart: You Will Get Through This
On November 27, 2022 by Anna De LaySo we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison… 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Lately, Steven Curtis Chapman’s latest radio hit, Don’t Lose Heart has been playing over and
In Season and Out: Guided by the Spirit
On October 20, 2022 by Anna De Lay…preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching… 2 Timothy 4: 2 I’ve often struggled with the concept of being ready at all times to do the work of ministry. I tend to look for inspiration, a muse, an idea to get me
Obedience in the Waiting
On April 30, 2022 by Anna De LayIn the waiting, in the pressing, am I still praising him? In the unknowing, am I still obedient? In the blessings and even in the stresses of life, am I giving back to God by giving to others?
On the Frontlines: Why a Praying Unified Worship Team is Vital to the Church
On April 5, 2022 by Anna De LayWhat makes an effective worship team? Musicians that are always on cue? Professional singers with stage presence? A sound and light crew who know how to carefully craft a commercial concert atmosphere each Sunday? Does dressing in coordinating colors help the Spirit flow better??? Of course not! I’m being facetious here; but over the last
Plowing Through : Cultivating a Life of Growth and Bearing Fruit
On October 4, 2021 by Anna De LayThe change you desire demands more from you. There is no way around it. God’s call will always require something of us.
Everything to Give
On June 4, 2021 by Anna De Lay“I don’t feel like I have anything to offer.” My own words struck me as if somebody else said them. Tears began forming in my eyes, as I found a part of me that had long been hiding. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks; and boy, did I find out what
Top 10 reasons I ❤ Sonlight Curriculum
On February 7, 2021 by Anna De LayNear the back of a Sonlight catalog, there is an article called Reasons NOT to buy Sonlight. Those reasons include things like, “You want a Bible verse on every page,” “You don’t want your child learning about difficult things,” “You want to teach with worksheets.” These pages in the catalog cleverly sum up the opposites
Why Our Family Chose Homeschooling
On January 31, 2021 by Anna De LayThirteen years ago, when I first started out homeschooling, I honestly didn’t think it would last. My husband had known some homeschoolers in Montana who had great homeschool experiences and challenged me to try it out for a while — to which, I reluctantly agreed. So, in 2007 when our oldest daughter was between three
Give the light
On January 24, 2021 by Anna De Lay“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
Stay the Course
On January 21, 2021 by Anna De LayBut know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness
From Exposure to Repentance
On December 9, 2020 by Anna De LayOur world is in a pivotal place right now. Sometimes it feels as if it is hanging by a thread. So many things are upside down – right is wrong, evil is called good, wickedness seems to be prevailing. The fight between good and evil is so evident. As things continue to change before our
How to Build a Worship Set: Part 2
On March 8, 2020 by Anna De LayWelcome to Part 2 of How to Build a Worship Set! I trust you have already read Part 1. If not, read this first. Part 1 is all about choosing the right songs for congregational worship. After you have chosen songs for your worship set, implementing smooth transitions with the rest of the team during
Have I Not Sent You?
On March 8, 2020 by Anna De LayGideon was hiding when the Angel of the Lord came to him and proclaimed, “Mighty man of valor! The Lord is with you!” The enemy was raging around the people of God, invading their camp, destroying their very livelihoods to the point that the Israelites retreated into caves. And here was Gideon, hiding like everyone
How to Build a Worship Set: Part 1
On January 4, 2020 by Anna De LayWorship leaders: The focus of our worship should always be to please God and bring people into His presence. It’s not all about having perfect music. I would rather have a person on fire for God leading me into worship than someone who is the best musician or singer you’ve ever heard, but only cares
Six people, a dog, and a tiny camper, oh my!
On September 21, 2019 by Anna De LayOver the last 3 summers, our family has lived in a small 28 foot camp trailer. When we bought it, it seemed perfectly fit for our family of five, who were setting out to see if moving back to Montana (the birthplace of two of our children then) was the right thing to do. We
Becoming Diligent in Pursuit of God
On September 21, 2019 by Anna De LayIf we will only set our eyes on Jesus and begin to truly pursue Him above all other things, everything will come together for our good. God’s voice will be heard. Fruit will be manifested. The fields God planted in our hearts will not go to waste.