- Needtobreathe - The Outsiders....LOVE their sound. Unlike anything else out there now.
- Hillsong Live - God is Able....nothing like Hillsong when it comes to rocking out worship.
- Darius Rucker - Charleston SC, 1968...Look I know it's Hootie....but the dude can flat out rock a country song!
- Keith Urban - Get Closer....who doesn't like Keith...I wish I could play guitar half as good as him....
- Karosene Halo - Really love the stripped down versions of some cover songs. Very well done...Love Derri's voice.
- Lee McDermentt - I have never heard a hymn redone as well as his updated version of Go Tell It....I so want to do this song like this!
Showing posts with label Worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worship. Show all posts
Thursday, July 28, 2011
My Current Playlist
So, anyone that knows me knows I love music. I have it blasting on my computer all day long or I am playing my guitars and rocking out to it. So, here is what is currently lighting up my playlist.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Worship is a Lifestyle
This weekend we'll close out our worship series with the message Worship is a Lifestyle. This whole series was a long time coming for me. I have really wanted to teach on it but was waiting for the green light from God in terms of timing. I hope and pray that for all of us that are Christ Followers we have learned that worship isn't just something we do when we go to church it's offering our entire lives up to God.
This weekend we are going to talk about what that looks like in terms of a lifestyle of worship. This is probably my favorite of all the messages. I just finished the last touches on it this morning and I am really pumped about it. I think this week is really going to hit home for some people and I always love it when God reveals himself to us and we respond with a changed life.
This weeks message has a theme that God has been bringing up over and over again for the last year in both my personal life and in my teaching at Real Life. That's the notion that God's blessing in our life follows our belief and obedience to him. We see that principle in scripture yet we sometimes have this idea that God will ignore it in our lives and he just won't. His blessing is contingent on our obedience to him. Living a lifestyle of worship is all about that obedience, done with a willing heart.
This weekend we are going to talk about what that looks like in terms of a lifestyle of worship. This is probably my favorite of all the messages. I just finished the last touches on it this morning and I am really pumped about it. I think this week is really going to hit home for some people and I always love it when God reveals himself to us and we respond with a changed life.
This weeks message has a theme that God has been bringing up over and over again for the last year in both my personal life and in my teaching at Real Life. That's the notion that God's blessing in our life follows our belief and obedience to him. We see that principle in scripture yet we sometimes have this idea that God will ignore it in our lives and he just won't. His blessing is contingent on our obedience to him. Living a lifestyle of worship is all about that obedience, done with a willing heart.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tonight
I am really excited about tonight. Tonight we are taking our worship team to Allen Park MI to lead worship at Grace Church. This is a big moment for them. Most worship teams don't get the chance to get out and play before people that are not a part of their church. We also get to sit down and have a meal together afterwards.
Almost makes me wish I were back to playing in the band again. Almost!
Almost makes me wish I were back to playing in the band again. Almost!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Band & The Honor
The band is playing at another church tonight. I really enjoy the honor of getting to lead worship and put on concerts in other churches. For one, it's just plain cool that I get to go out and lead worship with a great group of guys. Another thing I really just dig is visiting other churches on a regular basis. Most pastors never get that chance. As a result, they get pretty wrapped up in their way of doing things being the right way to do things.
Seeing God move in more than just our home church helps keep the proper perspective. The fact that God inhabits that praises of his people. Whether they be charismatic or a little more liturgical, seeker friendly or traditional. None of that matters.
What does matter is that we are true to who God has called us to be. Both as people and as a church. Is it fun to go lead worship in places that are more expressive during worship? Yep, but it's also fun and just as much of an honor to lead worship in places that are more reflective in nature.
The key is this. We need to learn to never knock or discredit another church or ministry simply because they are not like us. God uses all of us as people and all churches to accomplish his mission here on earth. I am honored that I get to play a part!
Seeing God move in more than just our home church helps keep the proper perspective. The fact that God inhabits that praises of his people. Whether they be charismatic or a little more liturgical, seeker friendly or traditional. None of that matters.
What does matter is that we are true to who God has called us to be. Both as people and as a church. Is it fun to go lead worship in places that are more expressive during worship? Yep, but it's also fun and just as much of an honor to lead worship in places that are more reflective in nature.
The key is this. We need to learn to never knock or discredit another church or ministry simply because they are not like us. God uses all of us as people and all churches to accomplish his mission here on earth. I am honored that I get to play a part!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Worship
Worship is one of those things that helps define a church. It can be one of the first selling points of the church or it can be something that people have to explain away. We have always been blessed with people who can really play. I know of many churches with hundreds of people that would kill to have the talent we have because they have no one. It really is awesome to see God put this together.
From the beginning I have always wanted people to have freedom to worship God as they felt him leading. For some that is quiet reflection for others that is singing passionately with tears in their eyes and their hands raised toward heaven. Our goal was to have modern music that virtually everyone that would be attracted to a church like ours would enjoy and listen to outside of church. We have done pretty well up till now, but, we are about to up the ante so to speak.
Starting tomorrow you'll notice one big difference on the worship team. You won't find me playing guitar and singing. It's not that I don't enjoy it because I do but the fact is God has called me to lead a church not be a worship leader. Sometimes in life, and in this case in ministry, you have to give up to go up. For me, that means giving up my spot in the band and stepping back allowing others to do what God has gift them to do and doing more of what I am called to do.
I am still helping out with the band as needed and I'll be playing guitar occasionally but not every week. Starting this week Aaron Hammitt will be taking my place. He is an awesome guy and everyone is really going to enjoy hearing him play and sing. He brings much more to the table than I do musically and vocally. It's going to be a really cool thing for Real Life and I just know every one is going to love hearing him play and sing.
From the beginning I have always wanted people to have freedom to worship God as they felt him leading. For some that is quiet reflection for others that is singing passionately with tears in their eyes and their hands raised toward heaven. Our goal was to have modern music that virtually everyone that would be attracted to a church like ours would enjoy and listen to outside of church. We have done pretty well up till now, but, we are about to up the ante so to speak.
Starting tomorrow you'll notice one big difference on the worship team. You won't find me playing guitar and singing. It's not that I don't enjoy it because I do but the fact is God has called me to lead a church not be a worship leader. Sometimes in life, and in this case in ministry, you have to give up to go up. For me, that means giving up my spot in the band and stepping back allowing others to do what God has gift them to do and doing more of what I am called to do.
I am still helping out with the band as needed and I'll be playing guitar occasionally but not every week. Starting this week Aaron Hammitt will be taking my place. He is an awesome guy and everyone is really going to enjoy hearing him play and sing. He brings much more to the table than I do musically and vocally. It's going to be a really cool thing for Real Life and I just know every one is going to love hearing him play and sing.
Friday, November 16, 2007
I am so nervous!
O.k., this is going to be a huge weekend for us that is true. I am really looking forward to the message because I just know how it is going to help people make some big time changes in their lives. But I am really nervous at the same time. Not for me, I am used to playing, singing, and speaking in front of people. I am nervous for Jake. This will be the first time my 14 year old is stepping in with the house band and playing bass for us.
The boy is a pretty solid bass player. He's been playing it for a few years and has a great ear for music but this will be his first time playing in the band.
It's always harder on the parents isn't it?
The boy is a pretty solid bass player. He's been playing it for a few years and has a great ear for music but this will be his first time playing in the band.
It's always harder on the parents isn't it?
Sunday, October 7, 2007
New toys New Series
Our new mixer came in the other day and it is pretty sweet! We can do so many more things wtih this mixer that we could never do with our old one. There's really only 1 big downside to buying a new mixer, well two downsides. First, you have to pay for it. Second, the first few times you use it can be a little tricky because you have to get all the signals and sounds going in the right direction. That might sound easy but it's kind of a pain in the butt!
Once we got the board dialed in the practice went pretty well and we should be ready for today's service. I have mentioned repeatedly how excited I am about not just this week but the next month and a half. Today's message is really good and something most every person, let alone, Christian needs to hear. For our next service in two weeks, we are starting our My Secrets series. April has been working on the song "Dirty Little Secret" by the All American Rejects. We are going to be using that as an intro all five weeks of the series. We don't use secular tunes that often so it will get people's attention when they hear it. The promo stuff is going out today and I am really excited to see how it will be received!!
We also dropped out last shipment of direct mailers this week so we should hopefully see some folks from those plus a few new folks from personal invites.
I have been sensing for the last few weeks like something big is going to happen and it starts today!! How cool is that!!
Once we got the board dialed in the practice went pretty well and we should be ready for today's service. I have mentioned repeatedly how excited I am about not just this week but the next month and a half. Today's message is really good and something most every person, let alone, Christian needs to hear. For our next service in two weeks, we are starting our My Secrets series. April has been working on the song "Dirty Little Secret" by the All American Rejects. We are going to be using that as an intro all five weeks of the series. We don't use secular tunes that often so it will get people's attention when they hear it. The promo stuff is going out today and I am really excited to see how it will be received!!
We also dropped out last shipment of direct mailers this week so we should hopefully see some folks from those plus a few new folks from personal invites.
I have been sensing for the last few weeks like something big is going to happen and it starts today!! How cool is that!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Band practice and critics
April and I just got back from band practice tonight and I am pretty dog gone impressed. Tim's lead guitar stuff sounded awesome. John's drumming was spot on, and Tony is coming along really well on the bass. The band sounded great tonight. I can't wait for this weekend something just tells me this is going to be a great weekend at Real Life.
You know it's going to be a great day in a church when people complain. You know something is going right. In fact, we have had a couple of complaint phone calls today from people who recieved one of our flyers in the mail which tells me that something must be working to get people all upset over a picture of a turtle with the words "stuck" on it! I was actually waiting on the calls. I've kind of learned that anytime you do something like that people get upset that you made contact with them.
The funny thing is, it's usually other Christians who get offended at you mailing them something. The last time we did direct mailings we actually had another pastor call the church upset that one of his people got a direct mail card. He accused us of trying to build a church at the expense of his congregation. How sad!
I actually felt sorry for the guy. I reassured him that, in fact, we were trying to reach those without a church home and the only way we can do direct mail (effectively) is to get a card to everyone in a neighborhood. As I was talking to the guy I was thinking, if your not in the market for a new car it doesn't matter how many times a car dealer sends you an ad, you're not going to buy. If his people were not in the market for a new church, it shouldn't matter what his people were sent because they were not in the market.
I love church planting. What a ride!
You know it's going to be a great day in a church when people complain. You know something is going right. In fact, we have had a couple of complaint phone calls today from people who recieved one of our flyers in the mail which tells me that something must be working to get people all upset over a picture of a turtle with the words "stuck" on it! I was actually waiting on the calls. I've kind of learned that anytime you do something like that people get upset that you made contact with them.
The funny thing is, it's usually other Christians who get offended at you mailing them something. The last time we did direct mailings we actually had another pastor call the church upset that one of his people got a direct mail card. He accused us of trying to build a church at the expense of his congregation. How sad!
I actually felt sorry for the guy. I reassured him that, in fact, we were trying to reach those without a church home and the only way we can do direct mail (effectively) is to get a card to everyone in a neighborhood. As I was talking to the guy I was thinking, if your not in the market for a new car it doesn't matter how many times a car dealer sends you an ad, you're not going to buy. If his people were not in the market for a new church, it shouldn't matter what his people were sent because they were not in the market.
I love church planting. What a ride!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Some thoughts on worship.
I was sitting at my computer today thinking about how awesome it is to worship a God that allows for such freedom. In worship, we are free to worship God by raising our hands, clapping, standing quiet and listening, through sign language, in tears, and just about any other means that suits the way God wired us up.
The great thing is that we are free to worship that way right next to someone worshiping God in their own way all during the same song or prayer. The only Biblical requirement for worship is that it is done in spirit and in truth. In other words worshiping God is something that is done in the supernatural. We can’t force ourselves to worship and it's not a ritual.
The other aspect of worship is that it needs to be done in truth. In other words, you can’t fake it. Either you’re worshiping or your not. So the question looms? How do you tap into the supernatural to worship? It’s pretty easy. Take your focus off of you and put it on God. It’s that simple. Don’t think about your problems and issues just turn them and everything else over to God and you’ll be amazed at what happens!
The great thing is that we are free to worship that way right next to someone worshiping God in their own way all during the same song or prayer. The only Biblical requirement for worship is that it is done in spirit and in truth. In other words worshiping God is something that is done in the supernatural. We can’t force ourselves to worship and it's not a ritual.
The other aspect of worship is that it needs to be done in truth. In other words, you can’t fake it. Either you’re worshiping or your not. So the question looms? How do you tap into the supernatural to worship? It’s pretty easy. Take your focus off of you and put it on God. It’s that simple. Don’t think about your problems and issues just turn them and everything else over to God and you’ll be amazed at what happens!
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