Today, I have the absolute pleasure of sharing my conversation with the one and only Douglas McKelvey. Douglas is a songwriter, author, and liturgy writer extraordinaire. I have never met someone like Douglas. His gift with words and passion for Christ cultivates a visceral invitation to be more present in this life, to find your fight again as you walk this weary way, and speaks to our hope of the next life with Jesus.
Douglas shares with me his story of what led him to Nashville, TN, his journey from songwriting to fiction writing and the idea of unpacking his belief that every moment in this life is sacramental, and sometimes words can help us to be present. Thus, the birth of Every Moment Holy. There are now 3 volumes of Every Moment Holy, each unique in how they offer opportunities for us to be awake to the moments we are living in. Whether that is something as simple as waking up in the morning and enjoying a sunrise, something unique like beginning a novel, or the keeping of bees, holiday celebrations, to going on a trip, there is a liturgy for it in one of these volumes. Many of these liturgies, especially in volume two, also hold space for the hard and holy moments around grief and lament, and even for those facing the end of their life. I cannot begin to express how much many of these liturgies have ministered to me as we’ve walked through many losses, and the anniversary of losses, over the last few years.
As it is that time of year, Douglas and I also talk about how to embrace the season of advent, which asks our hearts to prepare Christ room, but also to ask “where is our hope?” as we wait for Jesus to come back again. He even blesses us with a reading of his “A Liturgy for the Start of the Christmas Season.” I hope all of this conversation serves as a blessing for you in this season. I hope it is serves as an invitation to prepare Him room not just for now, but for always. And I hope and pray, it reminds you that you are not alone in this life, no matter how it may seem, and Jesus is coming back for us. You matter. Your story matters. Merry Christmas!
Connecting with Douglas and Every Moment Holy:
EMH Website
EMH Downloads, some free, some for purchase
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Scripture References:
Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:36-Christ is the Lord over all
Colossians 3:17-Whatever you do whether in word or deed
Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12- Being a living sacrifice
Romans 8:22- Groaning and longing with creation
Acts 2, Hebrews 10:19-25-The body of Christ in worship together
Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Ephesians 4:7-13- 1 Timothy 4:14-, 1 Peter 4:10- We are given spiritual gifts and our gifts are for ministering
Psalm 23:4- The valley of the shadow
Psalm 91, Psalm 42, Psalm 55, Psalm 34- Psalms that express disappointment, fear, pain, heartbreak
Lamentations 3:19-24-But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope… great is His faithfulness
Job 2:8-10- sitting on the ash heap
Job 13:15- Even so I believe you are faithful
Psalm 27:13-14- What would have become of me if I had not believed I would see the goodness of the Lord? Wait for and hope for the Lord
Revelation 12:12-13- come quickly
John 1:5- The light has come and pierced the darkness
Daniel 2:44, Revelation 11:15- Jesus is the King who will set all things right and establish a dwelling place on earth that never ends
Revelation 21:4- He will wipe every tear from your eyes
Habbakuk 1:2-How long oh Lord will you make me look at violence
Luke 22:19-20-The Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 13:12, Hebrews 10:1-5- We see now with veiled faces and a dim picture
Revelation 19:6-9-The marriage supper of the lamb
John 1 (14)- the MSG- “Jesus moves into the neighborhood”
Luke 1-3-The Christmas story
Isaiah 9:6- The Prince of Peace
1 Corinthians 16:23- Jesus is waiting with open arms
References:
Charlie and Andi Peacok- The Art House
Mechanical royalties for songwriters
“Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee”
Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief and Hope Volume 2
Examples of the cries of the Psalmists are “alive to the hope and alive to the heartache”
My personal favorite reel of the insanity of December
Every Moment Holy: The Work of the People Volume 3
Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:
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