Having gone back and forth on this for some time, I have now decided that auditions are a very crucial part of the band recruiting process. I (and others) have often written it off as being an awkward process that doesn’t really gain anything. However, without an audition to clearly identify someones strengths and weaknesses on their instrument of choice, it is far too easy for those weaknesses to sneak under the radar for a long time and then pop up when you least expect them. It then becomes 100 times more awkward to address the issue when commitments have been made and time has been invested then if you had just gone through the audition in the first place.

About 10 hours now until middle schoolers and the micah lee band collide in a what should be a pretty awesome weekend of worship. God has set the stage beautifully: mountains bowing, tree lifting their hands in worship (not to mention beginning to put on their best colors). Things don’t get much better than that.

My heart has been worked on this week in a lot of ways, but particularly about making sure I was seeking Christ first in my preparations for this weekend. I believe this has been accomplished even in the midst of last minute preparations and and obstacles popping up. I am genuinely excited to see how God will move this weekend. Thank you everyone who has prayed so diligently for the band and me. I have felt them and have been greatly encouraged by them.

So… less than a week now till the first offical Micah Lee Band gig where there is a legit event and a complete band. I’m not even going to lie, I’m pretty excited. Now I just have to figure out what the plan is.

Whew… I am worn out. I just finished up a long weekend of preparation and execution of the first contemporary worship service(in a long time) at my home church, First Baptist of Laurens, SC. Overall, I think things went really well and I believe that God was glorified. It is always such an honor and privilege to lead God’s people in worship. Matt Reeves gave the message about how we need to get out of our good lives and move to the great life that can only be discovered when your striving to be like Jesus everyday. I know I need to apply this to my life. I know I have it pretty good. I’m not so sure I have it great, yet. It was also neat to learn that Matt was a former Clemson football player, and now runs an a great after-school center in Greenville, SC for impoverished kids in the Greenville area.

The music side of the night turned out really great as well. Matt, Philip and I had been working pretty hard over the past month or so to get things ready, and it definitely paid off. We were also joined by the incredible Layne Madden on electric guitar and mandolin. He is simply amazing. There’s really nothing else you can say about him. I’m glad he decided to come out of his way to join us.

Now it’s time to start gearing up for a second service on August 10. After tonight, I’m pretty excited about this next service and for what God has planned for the church in the upcoming future. If you happen to be in the Laurens area on that Sunday, you should definitely stop by.

If anyone is interested, here is the set list from tonight. I’m also hoping to get video of the service online soon.

Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill
Holy is the Lord - Chris Tomlin
You Never Let Go - Matt Redman
Rejoice - Chris Tomlin
Come Thou Fount - Micah Lee Band Arrangement
Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin

I finally got all of my recording equipment set up this week. There are still a few technical problems I have to work out, but all in all it’s ready to go. So be on the lookout in the near future for some new music over at micahleeband.com.

Also, my brother graduates tonight. Just throwing that out there.