Just A Note

Out of the heart....

2011-09-06T15:22:00.000-05:00

What if our thoughts during our corporate worship time together actually came out through our mouths instead of the lyrics to the songs we are supposed to be singing? Would something like this video happen.... to you?

Makes you think.

A reminder...

2011-07-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

Psalm 100 (The Message)

^1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
      sing yourselves into his presence.

³ Know this: God is God, and God, God.
      He made us; we didn't make him.
      We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

⁴ Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
      Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
      Thank him. Worship him.

⁵ For God is sheer beauty,
      all-generous in love,
      loyal always and ever.

Verse 1-2: "Bring a gift of laughter..."
How many times do we think that laughter could be a offering/gift to God? Have you tithed your 10% of laughter for the day? ha!
"Sing yourselves into His presence"
Sometimes you just have to start singing- you may not feel like it- but guess what- the psalms didn't ask if you wanted to- if you felt like it- because the author knew the secret: if you just do it- you'll get what you need: God's presence invading daily routine.

Verse 3: "Know this...God is God...and God, God..."
I love this... because I can just hear it: "you betta recognize... God is God.. and God...psh...He's GOD!" Know it. Believe it. Love it. You betta respect or as I like to say sometimes: respek. Word.
"He made us...we didn't make Him"
What a reminder- because so many times- we don't act like we believe that we are dependent on people. We act like we are self-made men/women and that God is just some big mythical airy creature that doesn't really exist (we may not every say that but we act like that is true). I love the reminder... that we don't KNOW everything- we didn't make God... He made us. So He's smarter. He knows better. He cares. Hello.

Verse 4: "Make yourselves at home..."
Wow. An invitation to make ourselves at home- where? In God. Our soul can find rest (Psalm 62) in the fact that God is sending out an invitation to abide. Wow.

Verse 5: "all-generous in love, always loyal and ever."
God's not stingy with His love for us. HA! He's not rationing out between everybody- He's got enough. He won't run out. He's not a traitor- not going to rat you out- sell your business or your email address to telemarketers. and then He's forever. Not going anywhere.

Only 5 verses but they bring so much hope, comfort, and excitement to the routine of everyday life.

New Music

2011-06-23T12:14:00.000-05:00

New Music at FCC:

Love It Leads Me- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdJpLZkIyVk
Buy it

Living Rain - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCYqC1cxXD8

Buy it!

You are Good- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVL32yQywsA

One Thirst and Hunger - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYXy3xQVGqw

Deep Cries Out to Deep- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQwkEvevXgA&feature=related

Hope's Anthem- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crPyH-68KZU

Buy it!

This One Thing- Unreleased

I give you glory - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO_0VLEDcOg

Liar

2011-06-23T09:18:00.001-05:00

There's a gap in most of our lives when what we "think" in our heads and "say" with our hearts- don't match up with what we "do".

If we think that going to Church is good; say we are faithful members; yet don't attend on the regular or don't engage while we are in attendance. We're just liars.

If we sing songs about surrender but never fully commit to giving our ways over to the Lord. again- we're just liars.

I'm thinking that this is why God told the Israelites in Amos 5: Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Whoa.

If we know that worship is not about music...that our worship SHOULD NOT be dependent on our circumstances or issues- YET come into church and offer tired worship, defeated praise, and unfocused attention- we don't really believe that worship is just about who God is and what he has done for us OR that there is any power in praise/worship that would benefit us to get out from behind our emotions and our will and let God have his way with us. So basically what we do is tell God "yeah, I know You're good and all... I know You're great...but I'm too tired...or I'm too distracted...or I'm too irritated...or I'm (whatever-fill in the blank) to really say thanks- So I hope that this half-baked "thank you" is enough for You because it's what you're getting tonight until You do something to make me feel better or give me my way"- that's what we tell an Almighty Ever-loving God- sometimes on a weekly basis. Brave.

SO NO WONDER we've got issues. because the 2 or 3 times set aside to get in God's presence (the only place where we can truly be changed- newsflash: you can't change yourself) we've hoodwinked ourselves into complacency! We've lied to ourselves so much- that what we are offering as "praise or worship" is acceptable : when it is based on our mood, our checkbook balance, our relationship status, etc; NOT based on the fact that God is good- all the time. period. We've lied to ourselves and to others because we've forgotten to be like David in Psalms 122:1...to be glad when it's time to go to God's house- David didn't just mark that off his "to-do" list. He was expecting and excited to go to God's house- and it wasn't because of the preaching or the preacher, or the music, or seeing other people there- it was because he was glad to get to bless God for all that He is and all that He has done. Can you say the same?

Don't lie.

Restless Heart Syndrome (RHS)

2011-06-21T14:54:00.000-05:00

You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in You. - St. Augustine

Restless Heart Syndrome (RHS): the state of longing for more of God's presence than currently experienced in everyday life.

Some days you just need to be reminded that You have been made for a crazy awesome purpose: to love and be loved by God.

Sometimes we fill our lives with activity after activity- friendship after friendship- busy day after busy day... that when we go awhile like that- our hearts start to have this kinda of uneasy ache that we're missing something- something's not right. and it's because our hearts LONG to be with God. Our spirit longs to fill the joy radiate from God while He's spinning and rejoicing over us like a mad man! We can't go long without that feeling- whether it's while we're in worship (and I think that our worship just makes God go crazy- it just amps Him up- when we come into church ready and willing to lay aside our circumstances, emotions, stress- and just love on Him- it does) So we're not going to be fulfilled with anything else- because our hearts will be restless until they rest in the overwhelming love and joy of God!...we start to get RHS because we aren't fulfilling our purpose: to love and be loved by God.

Some of us lose sight of the realness and hilarious goodness of the God that we serve. We make Him out to be a domineering perfection-seeking judge rather than a compassionate ridiculously-loving father. He's so good that even when we get on His nerves- he's good to us in hopes that it will bring us back to Him (Click this: Romans 2:4) - so we get RHS because we are forgetting our purpose: to love and be loved by God- without our opinions or own own preconceived ideas about what God thinks about us.

What's the cure for RHS? To go on the journey of finding ourselves in the light of God's radiant joy and goodness. When our hearts are turned toward Him fully- the mundane becomes spectacular. Worship becomes more than just words. Church becomes more than just a collection of people with issues. Our lives become more than the same ol- we begin to feel renewed, revived. Our restless heart syndrome stops because we know and we seek to bring God joy- and that comes in so many different ways: it could be:
-being the best parent you can be
-making a commitment to read your Bible daily
-being nice to your siblings/children/parents
-not just going to church but GOING to church- there's a difference.
-applying what you read (smile)
-worshiping deeper/longer/harder than you've ever worshiped before
-letting go of bitterness/anger/resentment
All of these things just set God's feet to dancing...

I still find it amusing that God dances a jig when I start worshiping.... kinda cracks me up and blows my mind- that I can set the feet of the One who set planets in motion....to dancing! ha.

Let Go.

2011-05-16T14:10:00.000-05:00

"A refusal to let go is a refusal to live free."

I remember being a little boy playing on the swings during recess- competing with all of the other kids to see how high we could swing- and of course it wasn't enough to just swing then it was who could jump out of the swing in the coolest way. I remember the thrill of swinging through the air getting higher and higher... and then the realization the ground is hard- and if I hit it- it may break me down. So there came the tension. The silent debate whether or not to let go of the swing and hurl myself across the sky or play it safe- slow down the momentum and get off the swing like a normal (sane) individual. Panic and excitement begin to set in. Decisions.

Lately, I've been thinking about how we go about living our lives and why we never seem to live up to our potential. It always seems that there's something holding us back, and whether you'd like to admit it or not we all have stuff that just trips us up- but the stuff that WE can control- that we voluntarily keep around in our life... we sabotage ourselves because we refuse to let it go. Lately one of the scriptures that keep popping up everywhere in my life is Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life." Most of the time we see the word "keep" and think of "guarding things out...keeping things in" But if what we've got in our hearts isn't good- we shouldn't be keeping it. We should let it go. But let go of what?

Pride.
Ego. - we're not God's gift to earth.
Plans. - we forget that we don't always knows what's best for us.
Hate.
Bitterness- if you bring it up- even for reference purposes- you're probably not over it.
Inattention.
Failure.
Fear.
Hurt.
Past successes.
Insecurities.
Depression.
Cynicism.
Skepticism.
Unforgiveness.
Memories.
Words.
It's not easy. Not at all

Back to the swingset... So the choice was mine. Stay put or let go. I could have let the fear. the skepticism. the failure of past attempts keep me from experiencing the excitement and thrill of freedom or I could have decided to jump. So many times in our lives- we keep ourselves in the swing set- afraid of what it may look like if we decide to let go of our hate, our memories, our skepticism, those words, our hurts. We're afraid that the ground is hard- and if we hit it- it will break us down. So in reality we're 100% depending on our abilities- not God's. We're depending on faith in ourselves- not faith in God. Why? Because we have to let go? Without letting go- we don't ever get to fill the exhilaration of jumping...

We think too much...

2011-05-05T12:19:00.000-05:00

Something that I'm noticing about myself (and trying to change) and other people is that we constantly over-think. We overthink our worship. We overthink our giving. We overthink our church attendance. We overthink our relationship with God. We overthink ourselves to death: a spiritual, emotional, mental death. We read the books. We listen to all the podcasts. We talk with people who don't really know any more than we do. We search and search because we like to know the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the whys, the hows, etc; or am I the only one? because we think so much- we miss God because God is not concerned with our ability to figure Him out. He's not. (See Isaiah 55:8-9) We forget that. We miss him because we're so caught up in our thoughts- in our interpretation or opinion- that we miss Him.

One of the main ways that we do this is in our opinion of ourselves and our perception on our Christian life. We beat ourselves up too much- because we think about ourselves too much- because we are self-centered and egotistical (OK? I'm talking to myself). We can point out every time in the last 24 hours that we've failed at Christianity. Every time we've thought something we shouldn't. Every time we've said too much. Every emotion that we shouldn't have felt but did anyway. We can point it out- but we can't remember the love or the embrace of God's presence from a church service or a quiet time (maybe because we don't attend or have bible studies regularly). So we walk around thinking that life was better off before salvation because we didn't have to deal with the condemnation of not living up to an unattainable standard.

Really? That's how it's gonna go down? THAT is the attitude we're going to have towards God for giving us a hope and an eternal future? So basically we're like that kid that didn't really want to go to Summer Camp but his parent's made him get on the bus: happy when we get there- but miserable the entire ride up. That's NOT what God intended when he saved us. He wanted to give us a ridiculously full life FULL of life (See John 10:10).

You see- our introspection and constant over-thinking gets us into a state of perpetual loser-ship. We get hung up on the fact that we are never good enough. We will never be good enough. There is always going to be SOMETHING to work on (my gripe just this week... ). We forget about God's grace...His mercy...and ridiculous love- that even though we will never be good enough- He is- and that's all that matters.

If we would stop focusing on ourselves so much and focus on God- who's really the only worthy of THAT much attention... our outlook on life would be a whole lot brighter (I know mine would), our worship would be a whole lot freer; because we would realize that- yeah, we've got a lot of work to do... we're not perfect and we never will be...but we've got a God who knows that- who's OK with it- who's rooting for us to make it, who desires us for us to quit looking down but look up to where Help is, for us to stop wallowing in our inability but to find strength in His ability- and who will love us in spite of our inconsistency- and in turn He would be able to work in us and turn us into something good (See Philippians 1:6). We just have to trust him and let go and stop THINKING.... we think that we are trying to be "good" Christians by whipping ourselves into "shape" by keeping account of everything and thinking on how we could be better - but in reality it's just a twisted form of pride and arrogance: to think that we, by our own strength, can make ourselves any better; and we are missing out on the goodness of all that He is: all of the love that He has, all of the grace that He can give. Our Christian life was not supposed to be a "process" but a relationship. I'd take a relationship over a process any day- so I'll stop thinking so much... and start trusting...

What about you?

A Priceless Gift

2011-04-21T10:59:00.000-05:00

Have you ever really wanted to give somebody the “perfect gift”? You spend countless hours searching in stores and online for THE gift that will make the difference! Not only do you spend hours searching for the gift; but once you have found it, you don’t just throw it in a bag- no way!- you take the time to wrap it. You may even put a fancy bow or ribbon around it. You make it look pretty- maybe so pretty that the person getting gift doesn’t even want to unwrap it! Once it’s all been said and done, you may have quite possibly spent hours getting this gift ready to be given! You want to change somebody’s life with this gift. You want them to absolutely love it!

As we get ready to celebrate Easter, I wonder if we will take a moment to really stop and think about the amazing gift that God gave to us when He sent Jesus to die on the cross. Think about it. From the time Adam and Eve disobeyed in the Garden of Eden, God was busy putting a plan of redemption together so that we can be reconciled to Him! He didn’t want the awkward distance between us and Him- so He went to work. God’s plan of redemption is intertwined from Genesis to the time that Jesus came to Earth! Talk about a long time of gift planning!

Now, you may be wondering, “How is the cross- a gift? Isn’t it a symbol of shame, sin, and death?” The answer to that question is “YES”. Crucifixion was not only one of the most disgraceful forms of death; it was one of the most dreaded methods of execution in the ancient world. However, it is by the Cross that we are made me free: free to live a joyful life, free to love God and love people, free from an eternal separation! Colossians 2:13-15 says “Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” He canceled the record of charges… We all had a debt that we couldn’t pay. We could never been good enough, go to church enough, say enough prayers to get us back in right standing with God; but Jesus, through what He did on the Cross erased our debt and gives each one of the opportunity to live confident and covered by this amazing gift of Love! All we have to do is believe and accept the gift! That’s it!

So this week, as we celebrate Easter, let’s take the time to remember the gift of eternal life that God has given us. If we received a gift from someone who put in countless hours of effort- we would say at least say “Thank you”. Surely, we could take a minute or a day or a lifetime to thank God for such a priceless gift. He gave His life so that we could live- the ultimate gift; in return, let’s life our lives for Him- as the ultimate “thank you”. Have a wonderful Easter!

Think about it....Pt 2

2011-03-01T09:07:00.000-06:00

CRASH! BOOM! BANG! It wasn’t me!

We love to skate out on ownership of responsibility. It’s in our nature to blame someone else for our failures and insecurities (See Gen 2-4). What we have to do in order to move forward- is own up to our faults, failures, shortcomings. We've all got them. Our lack of responsibility only delays us from moving forward! We aren’t fooling anybody but ourselves. Surprise! God knows the condition of our heart but He’s not turned off by it. He welcomes us into His grace and invites us get ourselves together. It’s time to fess up.

Ok ok ok it was me…

Worship Thoughts Pt 1.

2011-02-24T11:48:00.001-06:00

Think about your week so far? Have you acknowledged God and his goodness at all? Have you worshipped (remember: that worship is simply a response for who God is and what's He's done for you)?

OR are you saving that job for somebody else to sing an already written song on a church service that you may or may not attend on a Sunday morning?

Our response of love and gratitude should override our circumstances and feelings because of the realization of such an awesome gift we've been given.

Go to Church.

2011-01-24T12:15:00.000-06:00

I read an article this morning on USA Today that has got me kind of fired up-about Christians who lie about their church attendance.

Yes, you read that correctly. Christians who lie about their church attendance.

About 23% of Americans actually do attend church "regularly" (two or three times a month or more) according to time diaries (in which people account for 24 hours of recent activity). But 35% to 45% say they attend regularly when asked on surveys. -USA Today

23% actual. 35-45% reported. that's a pretty big gap... Why is church attendance such a difficult thing for people to commit to? If you think about it- it's maximum 2-3 hours every week- that's it. 2-3 hours out of 168 hours in our week. If you do the math- that's less than .01%. not even a tenth of a percent.

Look, I know stuff comes up during our weeks- and we have to miss church- but missing out on what God is doing 1 or 2 or 3 Sundays out of the month isn't' going to help you grow in your faith, or strengthen your spiritual life. Then you have your super-spiritual "do it yourself-ers" that think God is "leading them to pursue their faith on their own" (rubbish). Sure, you can read your Bible at home. Sure, you can worship at home. But DO YOU? I'd bet the answer is no because one of the main reasons that we skip out on church is because we get too "busy". and this post isn't to beat you up- by no means- but sometimes you need to see something and check yourself and see if the boot fits.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

In a Christian's life gathering together in a unified body of believers is so important. Why? Do I have to give reasons? Nevertheless, I will. =)

It is an Expression of our Love for God - Psa. 22:22
It builds up our Spiritual Strength - Rom. 10:17
It brings a special visitation of the Lord's Presence - Matt. 18:20
It is an act of obedience to God - Hebrews 10:24

To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

When you think about the truth of people in other nations risking their lives, walking for miles and miles, dying to sit on a dirty floor with no air/heat, with no fancy projection screens or musical productions- simply to hear about the name of Jesus- it can challenge us, for the better, to quit hitting the snooze button because it's our "only day" off, quit getting offended because "sister so-and-so didn't do what I think she should have done", and quit saying that "the Lord is leading to other places" or "i'm just not getting fed"; and start living our faith like Christians should. Not having to lie about it in gallop polls- because our church attendance won't be to ease a guilty conscience but because of a conscience and a life set free that is thankful for the gifts and blessings that God has given to us.

It's a small price to pay- really. Less than .01% of our week dedicated to God's house- dedicated to a God that has spent countless hours- years- thousands of years- orchestrating the greatest gift of Love that we could ever be given!

So if you haven't been going to church or lying about it:

Stop lying about it.
Start going to church.
Be faithful. Make a commitment- stick to it. No matter how sleepy you are...

It just may change your life.

Appreciate it!

2011-01-19T10:11:00.000-06:00

Every once and a while- we need to stop and take inventory of our heart. Why? Well, the Bible recommends it Proverbs 4:23 CSB Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. We can get in such a habit of just "living life" in our routine that we think that we are ok; when we really aren't. We constantly have to be checking our heart out and keeping it in line!
Psalms 107:43b
it's time you appreciated God's deep love.
One thing that I have found that helps me enter into a time of worship is that I take the time to think about God's love and how it is unlike anything that we know on earth- . We can't really relate it to anything that we have on earth- not the love of a family member or a best friend- because, while those types of "love" are great- they have limitations. The fact that God has a limitless love for each person- no matter their situation, their circumstance- IS MIND BLOWING! His desire is to be loved in the same way that He loves us- not that He needs our love- He wants it. His love is limitless towards us. Is our love limitless towards Him? OR do we get upset when we don't get an answer to a prayer and withhold our love? Do we let our physical bodies, our emotions, our day, our children/spouse/friends dictate how/when we worship? Our love is hitting some limitations. We have a strange way of thinking in our faith that God becomes disillusioned because people don't worship Him- Not true. He doesn't. If we don't- other aspects of creation will (Luke 19:40). He doesn't need our worship- He'd like it- but he doesn't need it- and He didn't call us to Him to feel obligated to worship.

But out of our heart- we should have such a respect, a thankfulness, an awe, a reverence, an appreciation for who He is- He is love. He is healing. He is Comfort.- and what He has done for us- redeeming our souls from hell. paying a costly price in order to give us a gift- that He never had to give- and putting up with our fickle ways- our emotions, our stubbornness, etc. that we can't help but out of the gratitude in our hearts begin to worship- and it's not just a Sunday/Wednesday corporate thing that we do.... (although when we get together in a church service- we should worship together) but it's an everyday realization of this gift that we have been given. It's the realization of this priceless gift and our response. How is our response? Is it hurried? Is it enthusiastic? Is it with a sense of duty (aka: "have to"? Is it with abandonment of our pride, fear and will? Or is our response to such a radical love guarded? timid? or restrained?

Nobody can worship God like you can. like the Psalm 107:43 said: "it's time that you appreciate God's love..." A love that never fails (Psalms 16), never gives up (1 Corinthians 13:4), and never runs out (Psalms 107:1-2) So think about it this week- how can you change your worship to show your appreciation for all that God has done for you?

Own It.

2010-11-08T11:11:00.000-06:00

I think that something just may revolutionize the way that you worship. It's true. You may not believe me; but I think that there is something really simple that you can do when you come into a corporate setting that will absolutely revolutionize your worship. It's a simple two words: own it. Here's the thing that you need to know- nobody can make you worship. Nobody can move you into God's presence. I'm sorry to burst your bubble- not your favorite worship leader: not Chris Tomlin. Not Kim Walker. No song can get you there- sure a song can help, your favorite worship leader can help lead you; but they can't personally bring you into God's presence. It's not their job.

It's your job. So many times in "church", people are apt to criticize the worship time or worship team/leader because they feel that worship was "flat" or wasn't "on point" or "didn't move them"- but it's not our job to move you. It's your job to move closer to God. We all say that "worship isn't about songs or music" so if it's not about songs or music- then why is so much emphasis placed on the songs and the music in our own minds? HEY- and I'm not saying that people shouldn't have good music- I'm a musician- I like good music. I like to make good music. I love good songs. I like to sing good songs- but sometimes- yep, even I am guilty of this:

“These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught- Isaiah 29:13

We've got to watch it- because we can fall into this trap of just going through the motions: singing whatever is projected on the screen- and not singing what's in our hearts- because we've gotten in "This is what we do" mode of worshiping. It happens. I absolutely love technology and I love technology in worship- so I will say that right off the bat- but I think that projectors and motion backgrounds and having the lyrics on screens- sometimes detracts from worship- BECAUSE WE NO LONGER WORSHIP- WE READ.

I can't tell you how many times I've led worship where I've seen people so intently focused on that screen that they no longer are worshiping- They're reading. There's a big difference

To read- you don't need your heart. You don't need your spirit. You need eyes. You need a brain.
To worship- you do need your your heart, your spirit, your eyes, your brain- you need it all.

and so because we don't really worship (we read)- we wonder why we leave feeling the same way when we came in- It's because we didn't ever get into God's presence. God's presence was there- but we never stepped into it. Kinda like being at a swimming pool- You can be around the swimming pool but never experience being in the pool UNLESS you get in. Let's not miss the whole REASON WHY WE WERE CREATED!

When we start to own the songs that we sing- when we start to make them OUR songs. When we OWN those songs- instead of just singing songs that someone else wrote- it changes the way we worship. We start to apply it to our lives. Familiarity or OVER-use of a song can sometimes make it more difficult to worship and own it- because we get tired of it- For example: How Great Is Our God- such a great song- but for awhile it was played EVERYWHERE. At church, on the radio, everywhere- so it kinda lost some of it's appeal to me- but that's me focusing on the "SONG", not seeing the truth behind the song, not owning the song- not realizing that He wraps himself in light and darkness tries to hide (What a powerful God that darkness will have to flee- can't stay!) and when I start to think about my "dark times" and when I felt hopeless- and how Christ brings me hope and peace and that darkness has gotta go- I can truly start to say HOW GREAT.... no matter how many times I've sang the song- Because then it doesn't become about the song anymore- it becomes a expression of my love, awe, and appreciation for all that God's done in my life. and the way that I sing it will be different. The way that I worship will be different- because I've taken the truth of that song- thought about it- applied to my life- and owned it.

I'm telling you it will change the way you worship.
Don't know the lyrics to the songs at church? I'm sure that your worship leader wouldn't mind giving you lyrics so that you can become familiar with them- so that you can OWN your worship- if you ask him/her.
Don't want to ask your worship leader? You're reading this blog- which means you've got the internet- GOOGLE the lyrics.

Take your worship to the next level. Take ownership of your worship. It's your offering and response to who God is and what He's done for YOU in YOUR life. Nobody else can worship like you. Don't fall into that trap of having a head knowledge of worship but never connecting it with your heart So do me (and yourself) a favor with worship: OWN IT.

De-stresser: dependence on God.

2010-10-20T12:17:00.000-05:00

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

⁷ I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

⁸ I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

¹¹ You have made  known to me the path of life;
       you will fill me with joy in your presence,
       with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

-Psalms 16:5-11

The Microwave. High Speed Internet. Instant coffee. Instant oatmeal. Express lanes. Let's face it- we're impatient. We like to have things instantly. I hate for Google to take more than .02 seconds searching for anything. We're driven to make ourselves successful. To be superstars. To be known outside of ourselves.So many times we take life into our own hands. We make things happen for ourselves. If we want something to happen- then we make it happen. Just that simple.

and that's why we're stressed. tired. lonely. dejected. rejected. angry. frustrated with life, church, school, work, sex, family, friends, relationships, and ourselves. Let's look at Psalms 16:5-11- again.

5LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;

you have made my lot secure.

God's got your life already planned out- Rest in the fact that He's gonna take care of you. He knows what you need before you even know you need it- Chill out. [Matthew 6:8]

⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

God has set up boundary lines in our lives for us to live a good life- not to be restricted and regulated by "church rules"- Stay in the boundaries set up by the Bible- your inheritance is more than you can imagine. [Eph. 1:11-14]

⁷ I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

God has blessed you with a good Church, godly friends, a Pastor - the Bible to help guide you along in life- even in the dark times of life- His counsel is never far and it never fails [1 Peter 1:25]

⁸ I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

When God is in the forefront of your mind- You can face any day with hope and strength. [Isaiah 40:28-31]

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

God's not ever gonna leave your side- so be glad. rejoice- Let what comes out of your mouth- be praise- and rest in His love! [Hebrews 13:5]

¹¹ You have made  known to me the path of life;
       you will fill me with joy in your presence,
       with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

God is life. His presence brings life and joy to us- refreshing us and restoring our soul and fixing our eye to eternal truths that He has promised us.

He's got it all under control. When we surrender our control over to Him- He can amaze us with His plans! When we take Him at His word- when we believe and depend on what He says- He'll do and who He says- He is. We can live a life full of joy- regardless of circumstances!

Sounds good to me!

Run to You

2010-10-20T11:48:00.000-05:00

*i will fall time and again

and i will say that im true to you

but i'm a cheat

i don't understand

so i'll run to you

i will run i will run

i will move right on through

all these things that i have done

and you'll take me back

i don't know why

i wanna say i'll never do it again

but i can't

but I will try....

I'll be honest: sometimes, I don't understand God's grace. You know? After you do something that you know is not pleasing to God- that sinking feeling in your chest comes and the little voice in your head that urged you to act, say, or think those sinful things all of a sudden becomes a pious judge- telling you how you can never ever come back to God- never get forgiveness- OR how about this one, your spirituality has now been tainted and you can never be a shining example of God's grace or love because you're flawed- OR that it will take you forever to get back to the place that you were with God prior to the sin.

Condemnation is never really a fun thing to deal with- but one thing that i do know as TRUTH- is that God doesn't give us condemnation- He'll convict us- let us know that what we did is not what's good- and then He leaves the choice up to us- are we going to run from Him- His grace, His forgiveness, His Love- because we deem ourselves unworthy? Are we going to hide behind our shame like they did in the Garden? Genesis 3:8 .
To be honest, I think that it's in our nature to run and hide- Adam did it. Eve did it. Cain did it. When God asked Cain "What have you done?"- I'm pretty sure the story would have ended different if Cain would have said "I'm sorry- I've done wrong- I need Your help." Instead of his brash: "am I my brother's keeper?". We really can't seem to bear the weight our sin when compared to the holiness of a great God.

I have a feeling that when God said "Where are you" to Adam and Eve- He really meant "Why didn't you come to me- instead of hiding? Instead of dealing with your guilt, your shame, your frustration on your own- why didn't you come find Me?" and I get the feeling that God says the same thing to us.

For me, I find it quite difficult to sin and then rebound in to God's unending love and grace. Most of the time, I feel unworthy- like I'm cheating the system- like I'm getting over on God- but then I remember Romans 2:4 - that it is God's goodness that leads me to repentance and I am humbled by how good God really is. Because if someone wronged me- I'd be mad for at least 2 days- expect an apology, etc.-

I think that most of us put our human characteristics and attributes on God- and kind of diminish His Godly attributes- the ability to forgive, the ability to forget [Psalms 103:12], the ability to love inspite of sin [John 3:16-18] , the ability to let grace triumph over shame [Romans 5:20] and so we walk around with all this fear (not the reverential kind), condemnation, shame- and we can't seem to move on.

We fail to remember that God comes down in the middle of our busy days, our sleepless nights, our cluttered schedules and says "Where are you? I can't seem to find you? Instead of running and hiding because you fought with the wife, said too many cuss words today, watched sexy movies, forgot about Me, held a grudge, talked about people, etc- instead of running away- why don't you run to Me? Run to My grace. Run to My love. Run to my Son- who died for you that in Me you can be free" We forget Zephaniah 3:17 that says: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

So like the quote up above- I'm learning more and more everyday- not to run and hide when I've done something wrong; but instead run to Christ- because in Christ- I can find freedom, joy, and peace. Regardless of what I've done- said- or thought- if I can move past MY mind and MY emotions- God will take me back- and I may fall again- I may trip up bigger than I did today but I can try to live this life for Christ- setbacks and stumbles- triumphs and all because His grace is sufficient.

and that pretty much blows my mind.

*the quote up above is from "Run to You" by the Rocket Summer listen to it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwEafak-1SA

Simplify.

2010-10-13T10:56:00.003-05:00

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ~Confucius

Did I really just quote Confucius? Yes, yes, I did. While I don't believe in what Confucius believed in- this statement is true nevertheless. I started thinking about how fast paced life is, how busy we are, how "dedicated" we are to so much stuff- and how stressed and unfulfilled our lives seem to be. Christian or not- it seems that everybody is just so busy that we don't have time for anything: our families, our faith, ourselves. and that's a dangerous spot to be in. because WHEN you become that busy- things start to come unraveled: nerves, emotions, friendships, marriages, you know what I'm sayin'.

And if we take the time to really- really think about our lives- WE complicate things. WE decide to take on one more project. Go to one more event. Watch one more TV episode.

Example:

One of the things that I enjoy as part of my "down-time" is watching cooking competitions/reality TV shows. One of these shows comes on when I am normally at church so I decided that I would Hulu it later (hulu.com- I've got mad love for hulu)- so the other night- I decided I was going to finally catch up (I was 6 episodes behind- YIKES!) and it was around 9- it finished at 10- and I decided to watch another episode- well during that 2nd episode I noticed I was getting a migraine- a really bad one- because I was tired. Sleep (which was the simple gift life had given me) wasn't enough- I insisted on complicating life (by staying up).

and that's just a silly example of what we do on a daily basis. When it comes to spiritual things (especially worship), we tend to do the SAME thing. We all know worship isn't music. It doesn't depend on lyrics on a screen, good vocals, or many instruments on the stage- but so many times, in our minds, we complicate it because we add in all the things that we KNOW aren't what worship is about. We make it so difficult on ourselves to enter into God's presence! All we need is a "Thank You" and an admiration for God- and we're in! [Psalms 100:4] Simple!

God really is jealous for our hearts. our minds. our will. Exodus 20:4-5. Sunday, I sang a pretty powerful song by Ross King called "Clear the stage"- Here are some of the lyrics:

Anything I put before my God is an idol.
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.
Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol.
Anything that I give all my love is an idol.
We must not worship something that's not even worth it.
Clear the stage and make some space for the One who deserves it.
You can sing all you want to 
Don't get me wrong- worship is more than a song. 

Worship is all about the revelation of who God is and our response. 




So maybe God asking that we clear the stage of our lives- all of our pre-conceived ideas and notions about how we think life should be lived... all of our past hurts and let-downs with "Church" or "Christianity"...Maybe God is asking that for more than just one day out of the week- we clear the stage of our lives with all our running here and there and wait. Simply wait.





What simple thing in your life has snow-balled into a complex monster that has really just sucked all the life  out of you? Maybe it's your schedule. Maybe it's your relationships. Maybe it's volunteering for MORE stuff.  Maybe it's your job. Maybe it's what you talk about. Maybe it's your attitude about church. Maybe it's worship. Maybe it's something else.... ask God to help you simplify this week. It will be worth it!

I'm just a kid....

2010-10-11T15:36:00.000-05:00

I typed last week that I would blog about kids and worship- because kids are people too. They have minds, they have emotions, they have wills, they have spirits- they have a need for Jesus just like you and I do. Sure they don't have bills to pay, a family to raise- their "crisis" for the day may be getting grounded from the TV or their stuffed animal getting ripped apart by a sibling. BUT STILL- that is their world- and it matters.

It irks me to NO end when people make excuses for kids using the "They're just kids" because kids hear their parents/ teachers/ etc using that phrase and they adopt it as their catch-all "get out of a tough spot quick" card.
Now, before you go all "Justin-doesn't-like-children-and-is-trying-to-zap-all-of-the-fun-out-of-their-little-lives"- NOT TRUE. Nothing makes me happier than to see/hear a kid truly worshiping God- but what I have witnessed over 10 years of ministry is that kids grow up into teenagers and teenagers grow up into adults and adults make more kids...and the cycle goes on and on and on and then you've got kids who would rather sleep during worship than sing praises to God, teenagers texting and (i've seen it) punching each other in the pews, and adults who don't know the first thing about getting into God's presence.

and we all can spend hours and hours talking about what's wrong with the church- what's wrong with the generation X- what's wrong with the kids that come in and sleep on the back pew- what's wrong with the kids that walk into church disinterested- and that's the problem....all we do is talk. But if we catch these kids in their formative years- when they are most apt to form their outlooks on life- and we teach them WHY we worship and we teach them HOW to worship and we teach them that it's not OK to talk during a sermon and we teach them that when it's time to worship- we focus on Jesus, how good He is and all the good things He's done (not negating the difference between kids and adults and their short attention spans, need for play, need for movement- that's all good and should be considered- but too many times those reasons are used as excuses for not teaching our kids HOW to be Christians)- then we just MAY change the culture of our families and our communities. But if we just keep saying "oh they're just a kid" at age 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc then you will have 18 year old church attenders (not Christians because their lives won't reflect any kind of Christianity- except church attendance which is hardly a tag of a "Christianity") who answer every question with "I'm JUST A KID".

I think that kids can participate in every way that adults participate in worship- they can sing, they can clap, they can lift their hands- coloring Elmo and Mickey Mouse is not an act of corporate worship; sitting their longingly looking at the door waiting for children's church dismissal is not an act of corporate worship. .

Let's create an environment where if we raise our kids in a Christian home then we teach them and expect them to do Christian things: like participate in worship, understand WHY they worship, develop a relationship with Jesus. Wouldn't it be amazing if the kids that we had right now- began to seek God- began to be held to a standard- a Godly standard- a fun standard- NOT rules and regulations; but standards that pave the way for a relationship with Christ- what kind of people will they be when they turn 18? Think about it!

Deeper.

2010-10-07T10:30:00.002-05:00

After service last night, I was driving home and just thinking about why we were created. Why we were placed on earth- can you guess?: to have fellowship/worship God was the answer I came up with- and Psalms 42:7 came to mind that "Deep calls unto deep" and this morning 2 Corinthians 2:9-10 it is written:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

and the only way that we can find out what mind-blowing things God has prepared for us is by being in God's presence- surrendering to His Spirit. and I was kind of taking inventory of my life: "Am I spending enough TIME in God's presence to know or even understand or EVEN hear God's spirit speak to me?" "Am I reading His word like my life depended on it?" "Has anything taken top priority in my life ABOVE GOD: my job, my friends, my family, my money, my ego, my church programs, my position etc.?" If that's the case in our lives, we are NOT going to be able to experience all that God has to offer us because we will NOT know what it is He's offering! We'll just blindly go about living life catching glimpses of His presence, rather continually abiding in His presence LIKE we were created to do! (John 15:1-8)

I've got this restless discontent lately because it seems that everybody (including myself) is so busy that we don't have time to spend in God's presence. (and what's crazy- is that I WORK AT A CHURCH! AHHHHHH!!!!!!)

We rush in to church 10 minutes late (really?), we find our pew, sing our songs- heaven forbid- that worship leader go off into a time of singing stuff not on the screen (spontaneous worship) and then he's gonna tell me to lift my voice? Oh no, I'll wait till he's done with that because I don't really have anything to say to a good God other than what's on the screen. Plus, I'll be too nervous and shy to really sing something that's in my heart- What will people think? Because you know, church is really about what other people think! Jesus, who? I'm tired- I've had a hard day- I don't want to be here- I'm just here because I don't want to hear 40 "Where were you last service or we missed yous" next week. Because church and God presence really is about the day I've had- it's really all about me. When I feel good, I'll sing. When I'm not tired- I'll be there early. When I'm not busy- I'll devote time. When I..I...I...I...

We may not consciously be thinking/saying those things in our head but our actions tell a totally different story. Our actions stem from what's hidden in our heart.

I want to be in a place where people come early- ready to worship God. I want to be in a place where what's on the projection screen doesn't matter because we realize that those songs are just a jumping off point to a deeper time of worship. I want to be in a place where all of these "I's" are replaced by what God wants. and you know what? I go to a place, Faith Christian Center, where that happens- when we make it happen! When we decide that church is a priority- and you know what it's not that we say to make church a priority to make FCC look good or grow- but we (the staff here) realize that church can CHANGE YOUR LIFE. It can redirect your entire future. but in order for that to happen you have to be there. Hey, we've all got issues. We've all got reasons why we can't attend every service- and that's OK; but it shouldn't become a habit. Being late shouldn't become the norm- it should be the exception. So many times, it's really just becomes something to practice. You have to practice worshiping in spite of your feelings when you are having a bad day. So many times, I think we get this idea that some little Jesus fairy with wings will just swoop down and bop us on the head so that we can be "Christians"- that ain't the way it works! No magical POOF! will make us feel like worshiping on a bad day- We've got to change our lives by asking for God's help and guidance and then applying the things that we hear taught in church, read on blogs *smile*, etc.

There are days when I seriously don't feel like getting up in front of people and leading worship- because I don't feel good, or I'm emotionally hurt, or mentally drained from the week.

There was one time that I was so ill- I really couldn't stand to be at church but I prayed that God will help me get through worship (because hello, I was the only musician there!), so I went to church, played through the set- as soon as I got done- got to the parking lot to leave- I reversed the digestion process all over the parking lot! Gross, I know, but it makes the point.

- but seriously, one thing that I do know as FACT- an unwavering truth in my life - is that God is worth more than my feelings, more than my health, more than my wants. There have been plenty of times that I have come into church with a burden/issue that COULD very easily ROB me of my attention to worship and my access into God's presence (if I let it); however, when I put those issues aside- learn to let go- and focus on God- I normally either a) don't have the issue anymore or b) have a renewed/refreshed outlook on whatever trials I may be in!

In each of us, we've got a desire for more of God. We can NOT let that desire be disrupted by time. Deep will always cry out to deep- because there is so much of God that we haven't even began to know. Yeah, you too. There is so much of His goodness that we have yet to discover. So much more of His love that we've yet to experience. So much more of His grace that we've yet to see. So much more of His beauty that we've yet to behold. We were created to continually go deeper in God's presence. We hold ourselves back. We do. It's not the church that we attends fault. It's not the pastor or the worship leaders fault that we didn't "FEEL" it today. It's not the kids fault that they distracted you (I'll post later on kids/teens and worship- oh I've got so much to say *smile*). Each one of us make the choice to stay where we're at and become stagnant and stale or dive off into a wild and deeper relationship with God.

The choice is yours.

RUN RUN RUN!

2010-09-29T12:36:00.000-05:00

I've heard it said that people are in one of three states:

In a trial
Just coming out of a trial
Headed toward a trial

That pretty much captures everybody- because that's just the way that life is- and as Christians, we aren't exempt from life's trials, hard times, etc. However, as Christians, we have the ability to have peace in whatever season of life we find ourselves in. We have the ability to have peace, but do we exercise that ability in our everyday lives- when we need it? Do we really believe that we can have peace in the midst of hard times? We should- The Bible says so...

Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Peace is defined as:

cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, anobsession, etc.
a state of tranquility or serenity
silence; stillness

Now, I'm not sure I can speak for everyone; but I know that throughout my days, there's hardly ever time for "silence" or "stillness"; and if we don't watch it- it begins to affect our lives and take it's toll on our mind, will, and emotions. Instead of finding out peace/rest/joy in Christ- we find it in tv shows, food, relationships, -fill in yours here-, etc. We run to those things when Christ is our defender. He's our Peace-keeper. He's the one that leads us (Psalms 23).

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,but you would have none of it. You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.' Therefore you will flee! You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift!" - Isaiah 30:15-16

Our salvation comes from repentance and rest! Our strength comes from quietness and trust! Rest and Quietness = Peace? But like the Israelites, we take things in our own hands- and we run from the the God of peace, the God of rest, the God of hope. and what we need to do is run to Him- when things are chaotic, when things are difficult, when we are broken, when we don't have peace. If you keep reading on down in Isaiah 30, verse 18 seems to be of a comfort for those of us who don't always run the right way:

¹⁸Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

HA! He longs (to have an prolonged desire or unfulfilled need) to be gracious! He can't stand it- He wants to be good to us because that's what God is: good. He is the definition of good.

Anyway- I hope that through your day- whether you're in a trial, coming out of a trial- or all is good- you have a peace that passes all understanding. Take a minute to listen Chris McClarney's Defender.

You’re my Defender I hide my hope in You

You are the loving arms my broken heart can run to

I will remember

That there is nothing You can’t do

For You are God

You are good

And I surrender

You’re my Defender

CS Lewis and a Shower

2010-09-16T09:40:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I was really having a crummy day. Nothing really bad had happened- I just felt “blah” and frustrated with life – so my attitude wasn’t the best. I saw a tweet from CS lewis that “God doesn’t want something from us. He just wants us.” I re-tweeted because I liked it- but as I thought about it- some of my insecurities about my worth and value crept in- I didn’t feel worthy to be wanted by a holy and just God- not at all. This shame and unworthiness started popping up. I just didn’t feel like I mattered. So even though I liked the quote I didn’t know if I really believed it- but I thought about it as the day progressed.

As I was cleaning my office, I was listening to a teaching that was talking about not having an offended heart when God shows up in a way that we don’t want or expect (because we’re like that- I’m that way) So she prayed a prayer that the people would encounter God’s love- I never watch the last part of a service (the prayer) because for some strange reason I always think that the prayer is only for those people in that moment. Silly me. But today I did. So I read my Bible during lunch out on the picnic tables- Read my favorite Psalms and moved on about my day- never giving a thought about the prayer or the teaching really. Left work- worked out.

I was in the shower and I was really just trying to focus my heart and my mind- trying to get them synced up together. I had been singing “I Need You More” on and off all day today- and was humming it in the shower. In my mind’s eye- I saw something that I have shared with the church during a service (some of you may remember that service). The vision was of a person/small child with a broken toy- and he was desperately trying to fix it- but to no avail- so he was frustrated- and I saw this really tall person (never saw the face- so I’m assuming it was God) but He was a Father-figure and He wanted to help the kid with the toy but waited until finally the kid, frustrated, came to Him and handed over that toy.

This time the vision was slightly different- I was that small child with the broken toy- I was frustrated and I just walked up to the tall man (God) with outstretched hands and said “Here, I’m tired. I’m frustrated. I can’t do this- Please take it.” and He did. But as (in my mind- I’m seeing myself standing at the feet of God- frustrated) I see a view from up above looking down at His hands- and the toy is an action figure/doll- and it’s me. I’m all broken. He put it up to his heart/chest and just loved on the broken toy. When He put it down from his chest- he showed me that it wasn’t broken anymore- so I tried to grab for it- and he laughed- and moved it out of arms reach- I reached for it again and He took off running- laughing- So i kept grabbing for it- and every time He would zig zag around laughing- So I started to chase Him- and I was laughing- frustration, fear, shame- all melted away.

….and in that moment (in the shower) I remembered the scripture- If you lose yourself in me- you will find your real self. (Matthew 10:39/Matthew 16:25- The message). and then I remembered a teaching I had heard that challenged us to find ourselves in Christ- our lives/our journey is hid in Christ- and He invites us on the adventure to find it out.

So I was pretty dumbfounded- and didn’t want to be snarky with God- but I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t just making stuff up in my mind (because I'm human and a touch bit cynical)- so that I could have a “moment” (ha)- what’s funny is that he used something to talk to me that I related with- that I have already talked about in the past. Then, as I was getting in the car- kinda dumbfounded- I found a Jesus Culture CD- put it in (my CD player is always on shuffle) and out comes the beginning of How He Loves, where Kim goes off talking about having a love encounter with God and then I remembered the teaching about the un-offended heart earlier.

It wasn’t the way that I thought it would be

But it was definitely a (!) moment.

So what does all that mean for you...

God's no respecter of persons- He's crazy about you- Yeah- you. You with all of your brokenness, flaws, failures, shame, insecurities, joys, triumphs, fears- He's 100% crazy about you. I started laughing finishing up my shower because another scripture came to mind:

^{Zephaniah 3:17}

For the Lord your God is living among you

He is a mighty savior.

   He will take delight in you with gladness.
   With his love, he will calm all your fears.^[a]
   He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

and so many times we decide (sometimes totally unaware that we made a choice) that we aren't worthy, we aren't good enough- but Father God stands there with a big ol' smile on his face waiting for us to come to him with our broken-selves and say "here, fix this. I can't do it anymore. I surrender." and what's great is that He will calm our frustrations, our fears! He'll fix us! and then He'll invite us on an adventure to find out all the improvements- all the dreams, hopes, and desires- He's placed in our hearts...it's up to us to surrender. For me, this is really kind of changed the way that I'm starting to think about life- because I'm realizing that I have a good God on my side- that is laughing and rejoicing because of me. Because I make Him smile. Because when I sing- He listens and He revels in the fact that I am singing to Him.I'm not a mistake. I'm not an accident. He's planned out my life and loves me so much that He'll fix all my hurts. He'll forgive my sin. He'll let grace abound where sin is present. and He thinks the same about you- and when you experience that Love- oh, you truly won't be able to worship the same- the cares of the day, the way that you feel, the circumstances that you face in life- won't be able to shut you up, sit you down, or cause your worship to stop. Because worship really is about realizing how much God loves us and pouring out our love back to Him.

Anyway, I'm done for today- I hope that God's grace knocks you over today.

Music? Who? Where? What?

2010-09-08T13:46:00.000-05:00

I'm always on the search for new music and I have found quite a bit of new music over the past couple of months that we will inevitably be doing here at Faith Christian Center! God has blessed us with growth- so I wanted to devote a blog to some of the "newcomers" to Faith Christian Center to help bulk up your I-tunes playlist or replace some of your CD listening with some good worship music.

Music plays a huge role in people's lives. I listen to it in the car. during a workout. in the shower. Songs bring certain emotions to our lives. The song that they played at your wedding. The song that you had your first dance to. Music means something- so it's important that the majority of the music that we surround ourselves with will strengthen our Christian walk. I'm going to post some of the most influential worship albums that we use at Faith Christian Center - and the links to amazon.com so that you can purchase them if you would like!

First up, ask anybody and anyone can tell you that I am a huge Kim Walker/ Jesus Culture fan!

Jesus Culture- My Passion EP - This is an EP; so it's only got 3 tracks but it's so worth it! buy it. "You are my Passion" is already a stable in our service at FCC- and "Show Me Your Glory" is such a great song.

I'm so excited for their full album releasing sometime in November!

Jesus Culture- Your Love Never Fails - probably my favorite of all the Jesus Culture albums. It's got alot of songs that we sing:

Sing my Love
Your Love Never Fails
Your Love is Everything *new one for FCC*
Oh Happy Day
I Exalt Thee
You Won't Relent
All Consuming Fire

Kim Walker "Here Is My Song" - one of the best albums I've ever bought. We sing "I Have Found", "Can I Have More of You". The spontaneous worship on this album is pretty good practice for those moments at FCC when the words aren't exactly on the screen!

Fee- We Shine - This album just keeps getting better and better over time. I love this group of guys- this album has got some great songs on it. and I'm excited to get to do some of the tunes that I have overlooked.
We sing:

All Because of Jesus
Beautiful the Blood
Glorious One

Lakewood Church - I love Lakewood! Includes

Say so
Mighty To Save
It Is Well With my Soul

Lakewood
Includes:

Amazing Grace- My Chains Are Gone
Moving Forward
Let It Rise

Paul Baloche - He is such a great songwriter and worship leader- I have learned so much from his teachings and his music. We sing

Open the Eyes of my Heart
Hosanna
Your Name

Hillsongs- This Is Our God -Hillsongs is such a powerful group- they are the ones to watch for new worship music and this CD was full of stuff that is just too good!

Desert Song
Healer
You'll Come
Stonger *new*

Very Best of Hillsongs - Includes the majority of the songs that we sing at Faith Christian Center on a regular basis: "Worthy Is the Lamb", "Made Me Glad", "For Who You are", "Mighty To Save"; "Came to my Rescue"

Passion - love collective group of artists (Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Kristan Stanfill, Christy Nockels) they all come together for a powerful worship CD. Includes

How He Loves
Our God
Healing is in your Hands *new*
Jesus Messiah

Jonathan Stockstill/ Deluge Band

Open Up the Sky
Worshipping You
Dear Jesus

Deluge Band- Unshakeable

I Wanna Be Used By you
Jesus Lamb of God
Come In My Courts

One of my other favorite musicians in worship or just to listen to is Phil Wickham- I'm starting to use his songs in our regular worship sets- they have been a staple in my own personal worship. These are all the links to all three of his albums- but if you are like me, sometimes you just wanna know what to download- Here are a list of my favorite:

Cannons

After Your Heart
Beautiful
Desire
True Love

Phil Wickham

Messiah
I Adore You
Always Forever
Divine Romance *one of my all time favorite songs*

Heaven and Earth- Phil Wickham

Eden
In My Love

Some other artist that you may or may not be familiar with; but are worth checking out:

Francesca Battistelli - kinda got that Sara Baraellis thing going- stellar track -Beautiful Beautiful

TobyMac- anybody who can say "Give me that funky Jesus music Give me that soulful gumbo" is pretty much worth looking into

Third Day- the lead singer is pretty much one of the best vocalists I've ever heard.

Natalie Grant- I would recommend also checking out her Awaken Album.

Jeremy Camp- would recommend his first album, Stay

33Miles - for you Rascal Flatt fans

Krystal Meyers - one of the best dance/pop albums I've heard from a Christian artist

Sanctus Real- great band with a great message- check out "Lead Me" and "Forgiven"

Group 1 Crew - urban music that you don't have to worry about lyrics

Get to downloadin' (legally- of course)

What is praise?

2010-09-07T13:56:00.001-05:00

Praise is a choice, a step of obedience taken without the assurance of a changed circumstance or the elimination of a trial. It focuses on God, not the circumstance, and fixes its gaze upon God's truth and God's character instead of the trial at hand or just ahead. It begins and ends with faith in the very nature, personality and integrity of God ... and that never changes.

-Mary Southerland

Every hour...

2010-09-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

Confession: I hated hymns. I hated them with a passion. Hymns are a nightmare for a 11-14 year old musician. They have a funky chord progression. They have a strange rhythm. The words are so totally dated. They were hard to understand- there was just nothing good about them.
and then I got older... and with age came maturity and with maturity came the ability to see what I was missing in these old songs.. .
Recently, one that I woke up singing, out of the blue, is "I Need Thee Every Hour".

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh

I need thee, oh, I need thee, every hour I need Thee
Bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide or life is in vain

I've come to love this song so much in just a few short weeks- because it really captures what I forget to say everyday to Jesus. Every hour- I need Jesus. Whether it be in my mind for peace, in a circumstance that comes up throughout the day, in my relationships, I need Jesus. I've noticed that we have a certain since of self pride that rises up within us because of past hurts, past failures, embarrassments- that causes us to pretend we don't need anybody. We're good. We come into church with our hurts, failures, embarrassments, anger, bitterness, jealousy, gossip, attitudes, addictions and we leave with our hurts, failures, embarrassments, anger, bitterness, jealousy, gossip, attitudes and addictions because we refuse to acknowledge that we are in need.

We forget that Jesus said to us:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30 (Message)

To each one of us He says that and what's awesome is that He means it- and He'll always mean it- tomorrow He'll mean it; five years from now- He'll mean it. (James 1:17). What we have to do is make the effort to "come to Him". He already knows what's going on with us. (Matthew 6:8). but we have to recognize that need of Him to intervene in our lives- because only when we recognize our need- will we appreciate His work.

So at 1pm- I need Jesus
at 2 pm- yep, still need Him
3 pm- need him like there's no tomorrow
and so forth.
Every hour- Be in need
Of Jesus.

Think about it!

2010-08-31T10:40:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite worship songs to sing and to lead is How He Loves- my favorite line of that song is not "the sloppy wet kiss" line as many people have come to debate that line- I think it's imagery is beautiful- but nevertheless, that isn't the point. My favorite line is

and I don't have time to maintain my regrets when I think about the way....He loves...

Every time I sing that song, not because the song picks up the intensity at that line- but because it resonates with my mind and my heart- it always gets me.

"Maintain my regrets"...
the word "maintain" means

to keep in existence or continuance; preserve; retain
to keep or hold against attack
to provide for the upkeep or support of; carry the expenses of

to carry the expense of my regrets- to keep them in existence- to keep my own failures and shortcomings as a Christian in my mind and clouding my heart when I am not called to live that kind of life. I'm not called to have to "provide for the upkeep" of my regrets. I'm called to live a life free of regrets- free of my shortcomings- a life captured by grace, transformed by love, and revived by Christ. and what's great about this song is that it resonates with the truth that it's always "us" that maintains our regrets- not God. We have that promise in His word:

Psalms 103:11-12 As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.

So for me to be able to live that free, revived, transformed life- I've just got to follow the natural progression of the song: "I don't have time to maintain my regrets when I think about the way....He loves" When I take the time to focus my heart and my mind on the way that God has been a provider, has saved me, shows His love, and calls me to a life where I don't have to pay for my regrets- I don't have to keep them up- I don't have to keep them in existence. Because of this truth, I don't really have time to think about anything else.

Oh how He loves us so...

Revelation and Response (aka: Worship)

2010-08-23T10:43:00.000-05:00

Worship is all about revelation and response.

This sentence has been in my mind for the past 8 hours- it really has captivated my attention- so I decided to share my captivation with the world and with you (LUCKY!)
If you think about it- when we worship in a corporate setting or in a personal time of worship (which I would recommend) - we are responding to the revelation of God showing up in our lives- and it's not necessarily all about God showing up and DOing something in our lives. but just getting glimpses of His goodness or His faithfulness or His love or His strength or His power or His joy or His deliverance or His (insert what you are thinking here).

Like the other day, I was watching my 2 year old brother play- and he laughed- and I just had a moment there with God because He's a good God- and that laugh awakened my mind to the goodness of God. There have been other times in my life where God has revealed himself faithful- from coming through with scholarships for university or to not letting me get hit on the highway driving to work- My response? Honestly? there are times when I don't have a response- I take it for granted. I take the Awesome, Holy God for granted. and if you were honest- I bet you could say the same thing.

We get so busy. We make ourselves so busy with things- with things that will not matter in the grand scheme of things. If we lived our lives as a response to the revelation of God in our lives, we would go about our days radically different. Our emotions would be different. Our moods would be different. Our families would be different. Our job would be different- and just maybe then- we would be the change that people need to see: because of our worship- because of our response to God's revelation.

Father God, could you make me a person that is keenly aware of when you reveal yourself in my daily life? Could you make me a person that despite my day-despite my sins and my failures, my triumphs and joys, can try to respond to you with the magnitude that you reveal yourself to me because that's what You deserve. Holy Spirit, help me to be a worshipper- a responder to the Revealed.

The Fight: He is jealous for me..

2010-08-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

If you have been involved in Christianity for any length of time, odds are you have seen this skit. I have seen it a summer camps, conferences, etc. Another blogger had a version of it posted, so I found the original and re-watched it. It's a powerful drama to say the least but I love the imagery at the very beginning of the God showing His splendor and glory and then how the girl was slowly led away. It always happens that way: slowly. We slowly get entangled by so much stuff that before we know it- we aren't moving with God, we aren't seeing what He sees, experiencing Him like we ought. I love how in the skit, God/Jesus, never went anywhere. He was always there- through every trial, through every temptation- He was waiting. It really always kind of hits me when I see that- because in my own life, through my trials, my temptations, my distractions with fame, people, or reputation- He stands waiting.

Exodus 34:14 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁴For you shall worship no other god; for the Lord, Whose name is Jealous, is a jealous (impassioned) God,

However, the part of this skit that gets me is the part where the girl is fighting through all of the things that led her away from Christ. It gets me every time. I identify with that struggle. I identify with that passion because I may not be running through people or knocking down my temptations trying to get to Jesus, literally- but I think it expresses my heart. My heart is running through people, leaping over walls, knocking down my failures/temptations to get to my Creator. I am that person. and it didn't matter about the past, it didn't matter about the feelings, it didn't matter- what mattered is getting back to where we were supposed to be/ who we were created to be. and just as hard as that girl was fighting to get back to Jesus, he was passionate about letting her know that He was still there....waiting.

He's a jealous God- who always stand waiting....

NEW MUSIC

2010-06-25T10:22:00.000-05:00

Here are the links to some of the new songs that we will be singing at FCC- Most of them are already on a CD- so you can pick it up! You'll here most of these songs before and after services at FCC playing on the church playlist.

God Of Grace- Matt Papa - I love this song because it simply reminds us that no matter what we need, or where we are in life- God is everything we'll ever need- His grace is sufficient.

All My Life- Parachute Band - This is an older song but it has always been one of my favorites. I catch myself singing it often out of the blue. It's such a great declaration for the Christian. God is our freedom and our reason. He's what we live for.

No Not One- Christy Nockels/Brandon Heath - There will never be a greater love than Your son... No not one.... Need I say more?

You are My Passion- Kim Walker-Smith - This song, like most Jesus Culture songs, hasn't left my car stereo since I bought it at the beginning of June. "My strength in life is that I am Yours"- How true is that! We gain our strength, our joy, and our peace from being in God's will! What an amazing song of passion and declaration to the Lord that we know who He is, we thank Him for who he is, and that we are committed to Him being the reason we live.

No Other Name- Freddy Rodriguez - There is no other name by which we are saved. (Acts 4:12) What an awesome declaration of the power that lies in God's hands!

Burn-Dave Fitzgerald - So many times we get to a place of complacency in our walk with Christ- this song reminds us to ask for a fresh touch every day of our lives.

Now that You're Near- Hillsongs - When the power of God comes to change our lives whether for the first time (salvation) or times that we don't even realize- our lives are different because of Him!

I've Found A Love- Bethel- a great reminder that no matter what we go through in live- we have a Love that is stronger than anything that we could ever face!

Your Love Is Everything- Chris McClarney - You ever have one of those days when nothing goes right and you just need a reminder of the good things of God? this song is it.

I asked You for Life - Kim Walker - haha this song makes me laugh! It just shows how big our God is- we ask for one thing- and He gives us not only what we asked for but so much more! No wonder praise should bubble out of our souls thanking Him for His goodness!

You are Amazing- Covenant Worship Dallas - Another reminder of all the good things God is to us!

Mercy- Casting Crowns/Parachute Band - This is such a beautiful song about the mercy of God
and how it transforms our lives. Without it, we wouldn't be able to stand in His presence

I am pretty much in love with every song that we are learning, and I hope you are too!
Can't wait to worship with you!

-Justin

Have a Passion for the Presence Of God

2010-06-23T12:22:00.000-05:00

Do you have a passion for the presence of God?

How do you show it?

Encouragement

2010-04-27T09:50:00.000-05:00

I'll be back to my regular blogging pretty soon, but for now, I wanted to share this sermon with you guys- It's hilarious but oh so true by the fantastical Jon Acuff- who is a writer and a blogger of Stuff Christians Like .

Be Sick, Be Loved from Foundry LA on Vimeo.

Connection

2010-03-30T17:00:00.001-05:00

Good stuff.
How's your connection?

Looking Forward to 2010

2009-12-30T10:07:00.000-06:00

I haven't been blogging on the regular like I should but that is one of the things that will be changing in 2010. I think that this blog could be a great way for other people to connect to the worship department and have a better dimension on what "worship" is really all about. I'm expecting to blog at least once a week but no less than twice a month.

I'm ready for a new year. There is something special that comes with the New Year: a feeling of freshness, vitality, vision for bigger and greater (maybe slimmer) things, an expectation of all the great things that will happen, a slight apprehension of how those great "things" will play out in reality.

2009 has been a good year for Faith Christian Center. The Revival that we had spanning August and September was a huge blessing and I expect that good things will start to be seen from that this year.

I am excited about what is in store for the worship department. I've rediscovered some ol' time hymns that have been dusted off, refurbished, and put to good use! Some times old things aren't all bad-Hymns have a rich lyrical content and a beautiful imagery that modern worship some times lacks- so I'm excited to give them a fresh music makeover and get them in our heads and in our hearts! I'm also excited about some of the new "newer" music that I've got waiting to introduce!

It's going to be a good year- for me- personally, I'm looking forward to the summer time (because I will officially be a College Graduate) and I'm looking forward into vesting my time and talent into FCC and what God will be doing.

Looking Forward to 2010!

-justin

I'm BAAAACCCKKK..... The Last Note

2009-10-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

So, I know- I know- I know

You have missed me.

Where have I been?

*buckle up*

about 3 months ago- a 2 month revival broke out at FCC. So there went the Sunday Setlists. haha. My sunday afternoons turned into "Catch-up" for sleep. There just simply no time for any blogging. by the time, I had time to blog- it was Thursday- and I knew that nobody would be caring by THursday.. haha. The two months of revival was amazing and awesome for me personally- and our church. There was so much growth- it was awesome, insane, and intense.

So, now we are transitioning into a new stage at Faith and I'm super excited about that- plus, I can watch Dancing With the Stars on Tuesdays. =)

Anyway- on to the bizz

Today was just a good day - all around. It was seriously the best service that we've had since transitioning into a more "normal" schedule

You are Good (E- Houghton) I've had this song pulled for 3 weeks now- and FINALLY was able to pull it off- I kept doing this weird pause between "generation to generation" and "we worship You..." that kept throwing off the singers- haha but I pretended like that's how we always do it!

O Taste & See (Bb- Brian and Jenn Johnson) I just like this song

Sing my Love (Eb- McMillan) this was impromptu not on the schedule at all- we sang it during sound check though because It's probably one of my favoritest (is that a word) songs ever.

pre-chorus/ and chorus of Can I have more of You (Eb- Kim Walker) It was nice to hear the congregation really sing out on this one.

Offering and Communion:

*NEW* Be Glorified (Ab- Jared anderson/new life worship) i personally love this song-and so I wanted to preview it and thought that during offering would be the best time- great hook. and then I mashed it up with Holy and Anointed One (Ab- Old- I don't know who wrote it) that was a nice mash up

Sermon: The Danger of Drifiting by Pastor

awesome sermon- look for it on the pod cast on our website!

Response:

Lead Me to the Cross (F- Fraser) -> Mighty to Save (F- Hillsongs) the themes in these two songs fit nicely and flowed really really well! I wanted to end on a real positive note of faith.

Closer: Light The Fire Again (F- Doerkerson) oldie! I'll be using this song for a couple of services!

Overall, I was so pleased with the team- we really took to heart what we learned in practice and applied it- I was please. Plus the stage was alittle different and I liked it- gave us more room to worship. Good things today.

Greater things on the way.....

As always- head over to http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/10/25/sunday-setlists-66/

OH AND A SHOUT OUT TO MY FRIEND- DAVID G! WOOHOO
I dedicate this sunday setlist to YOU! ;)

Top 101 Worship Leader Myths

2009-09-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

This fun list came out of a discussion on Worship The Rock and was intended to be a 'Top 10' list. We got so many good responses that we've turned it into a 101 list!

1. If I don't know the song I can't worship!
2. A Chris Tomlin song has to be played every Sunday otherwise worship does not happen.
3. Taylor Guitars are the only guitars endorsed by God for true worship.
4. If the tempo is dragging or rushing, it's ALWAYS the drummer's fault.
5. Songs need to be slow to create an atmosphere of worship.
6. You should always talk and adlib as much as possible, because everyone knows that you can't usher in the presence of God by just being quiet and obedient.
7. That worship music is a specific "genre".
8. Being a great musician probably makes you a great Worship Leader.
9. Being a great singer means you are a great worship leader.
10. Worship Leaders spend their days sitting in their office strumming a Taylor and communing with God.
11. The lyrics are so inspiring, they'll sing along even if they don't like the music.
12. You're lazy if your worship is spontaneous.
13. Worship leaders only work about 10 hours a week.
14. Worship leaders only need to show up on Sunday morning, everything else can be delegated.
15. It's all about "THE MUSIC"!
16. You're not truly worshipping if you don't stand still, wear a tight suit, sing from a hymn book at an octave too high to be comfortable.
17. Worship leaders have an extensive background of religion and music training.
18. If the Words are on a screen, more people will sing!
19. All of us need to play all of the time or the worship stops!
20. Everyone in the congregation listens to the local Christian radio station, so we have to play the songs that are popular on that station right now.
21. It takes perfect people performing perfectly to lead others into Father's presence.
22. "Praise" = fast music, "Worship" = slow music.
23. True worship can only be attained using skilled professional musicians and vocalists who rarely make mistakes.
24. If the devil is in the church, he's in the sound system.
25. It's always easier when the Senior Pastor suggests songs.
26. That each worship song has to last at least ten minutes.
27. If you don't repeat the same lyrics 150 times the congregation just won't get the message.
28. Matching Clothes, Matching Smiles, Matching Movements Helps the congregation Enter in to WORSHIP and lends to a better 'Atmosphere'.
29. You have to start with fast lively "praise" music and bring it down to slower "worship" music to get everyone in the mood for the sermon.
30. Distorted guitars have no place in the church.
31. Neither do drummers.
32. Guitars need to be loud to 'feel right'.
33. If you remind the singers nicely about not pointing their mics at the monitors, they'll actually pay attention.
34. If you request that the mic stands go away, since the words are on the enormous screen on the back wall, the singers will actually pay attention.
35. Talking into a mic is a good enough way to check your levels.
36. Every song has to have a blazing guitar solo for the 'emotional impact'.
37. The music *written* is the ONLY way to sing a song.
38. Bass guitar has to be 'static' and just thump out the root of the chords.
39. Bass guitar has to walk all over every song, no matter how much of a detractor it is to the worship experience.
40. Your team must all stand in place.
41. When you raise your hands to God in praise, you are doing it because it's written in the music.
42. You can please all your parishioners.
43. Translating Western Hymn books is how we teach developing world converts how to worship.
44. We need a worship band to lead worship.
45. It is not worship if we do not have music.
46. "I can't worship to THAT music."
47. Only hymns are anointed.
48. Only modern music is anointed.
49. Hymns are only anointed if they are "modernized."
50. Leading worship is easy to pick up.
51. You have to play an instrument to lead worship.
52. It's a part time ministry and you have loads of spare time.
53. It's somehow superior to other ministries.
54. All worship leaders know what their doing.
55. if we make a mistake in the middle of worship, we just kill the anointing right then and there, and might as well go home.
56. Worship leading is not a gift; anyone with a guitar(keyboard) can do it.
57. Worship leaders do not need to be paid; they can live off their love of music.
58. Times of worship are not as important at the sermon; a token song or two will suffice.
59. I'm singing a song from my heart to God into a microphone, therefore it's okay that I suck.
60. Worship depends on how I (the leader) am feeling.
61. All singers (usually 3-4) must always just the melody line to get people to sing along.
62. All singers must find a harmony part to compliment the lead singer in the song
63. God only likes music in G-shape.
64. Every single vocalist needs to be heard from the back of the room, loud and clear.
65. Professional worship leaders (recording artists) are best qualified to teach us about or write books about how to lead worship.
66. Worship just happens!
67. Worship is secondary to good preaching.
68. Hours must be spent in preparation.
69. Good worship leaders are born not made.
70. The worship of traditional denominations is dead.
71. Contemporary rock worship is of the devil.
72. Only men can lead worship.
73. Before Christ no one worshiped the living God.
74. True worshippers are most expressive.
75. There has to be music to have worship.
76. You have to be a good singer to be a good worship leader.
77. Tone=Volume.
78. If you use an amp your priorities are wrong.
79. Anyone can walk into practice and perform with the team the following Sunday.
80. You can always use more singers.
81. Anyone who can sing can lead worship.
82. Worship leaders only listen to worship music.
83. Speeding up the tempo makes the song better.
84. Playing power chords and "chugging" make a song more modern.
85. A Bass Player cannot lead Worship.
86. Any anointed female lead worship singer has to be blond, gorgeous and has bluebirds tweeting about her head when she sings.
87. Worship has to be vocal music - the instruments are just accompaniment.
88. Worship begins when the music starts and ends when the music stops.
89. The worship band has to play the music exactly as it is on CD (even if that means trying to emulate a 100 piece orchestra) or the song cannot be used.
90. Leading Worship (or being in the worship band) means I get to play all my favorite songs!
91. All worship leaders have to play guitar and sing lead (usually acoustic guitar) or maybe keys.
92. Guitarists are cheating if they use a capo.
93. Worship leaders must always have their eyes closed.
94. Worship leaders must always have their eyes open.
95. Your worship team practices as much as you do.
96. Everyone in the team can transpose in their head.
97. You can’t be in the worship team if you’re over 60.
98. You can’t be in the worship team if you’re under 16.
99. If a song works well in practice it will work well during the service.
100. Worship leaders love being spontaneously asked to play specific songs during the service.
101. It was the sound guy's fault - oh wait, that one's true! (worship leader humor)

Hope you enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the lives worship leaders and their top 101 myths and some of our humor.... Can you guess which one is mine?

visit
http://blog.worshiptherock.com/2009/09/101-worship-leader-myths.html

Don't GIVE up: a Note on Revival

2009-09-02T14:04:00.000-05:00

It is so awesome that God is pouring out His Presence like he is. I am so thankful that next week, we will be entering into week 5 of Revival- How awesome.

I want to just post an encouraging note- telling you not to give up! Keep the same passion, same desire, same hunger in your hearts that you had in week 1 and 2! Sure, monday-wednesday can be a difficult schedule struggle- only if you let it become a difficult schedule struggle. The kids might get difficult to deal with but what more of a reason to come to Revival- to be refreshed and renewed! Things might come up to stop you... you might be running late and decide that it's too late to come to revival...and that's probably just a lie from Satan trying to get you to miss because he knows that if you do actually show up it will the sermon that YOU needed to hear in order for YOU to be set free, made whole, set on fire for God... so if you listen to those excu....I mean...lies.... you might miss out on something that God wanted to do JUST FOR YOU...and that would be sad.

I was talking to someone after one of the services- and we were just talking about how our lives have changed since the first part of August: the grip that the TV had on my attention and time- has grealty diminished, my love for sleep has greatly increased (haha), and my need and longing for being in God's House has shot through the roof! and I told my friend that I was talking to how about week 3 or 4- when I started back to Lamar- I was tempted to gripe- and to be candid- I did gripe alittle to myself because I was tired...and I needed sleep... and blah blah blah

and then God gently reminded/reprimanded me by saying this:

Justin, you should count the fact that I have decided to display My power, give you My anointing, refresh your Spirit, let you come into My house, let you experience ME and all that I AM- an honor- a priveledge. You (Justin) have no right to gripe and complain because you are tired or because school started back up, or you have to work; but rather, you should see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Me (God) in a real, powerful, and profound way. and you should come to these services with faith...with an expectancy...with an EXCITEMENT that I will once again meet you at your needs, meet you in worship, meet you with what you need from the Word of God. I will take care of your sleepiness- I will take care of your schedule- I will make a way- Hello, have you forgoten who I am? I AM.

Talk about a wake up call- and I quickly dismissed any rebuttal that I had to offer- because God, like always, was right. We should count this as a once in a lifetime opportunity that could be gone tomorrow. FCC, I'm not ready for this to end tomorrow- and I hope you aren't either.

That same friend I was talking to prompted me to agree in how important it is to be here nightly- Each night is different. Each night, we encounter God in a new and different way- and don't put on that phariseical heir that says "You don't need to come to church to experience God"- seriously...are you kidding me...if God is showing up somewhere in a powerful way- why wouldn't you WANT to be there? Hello....

and yeah, i know- we've got things going - we've all got jobs...we've all got families... we've all got stuff to do...but I think about all the times that in my heart of hearts- I left church wanting more...wanting to experience more...wanting to feel God's presence- just alittle bit longer...alittle bit more... I think about all those prayers that I have prayed- that our church has prayed- for Revival... and now the opportunity is here TO experience God more.... To stay in His presence alittle longer.... and I've realized that the bills can wait...the kids need Jesus just as much I do...the grass will just keep growing....that I can function on less sleep than I thought I could...because I can't and won't- because of the desire in my heart...the need to be closer to my Creator.... the need to be made whole by the Completed One- miss a service.

We'll make it legal- here's a scripture:

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Galations 6:9-10
So let's keep it up- We will get what we need; ALL that GOD desires us to have from him if we: Don't give up...Keep on pressing towards the mark.

Be Persistent. Be Changed.

Deeper

2009-08-18T10:54:00.000-05:00

Ezekiel 47: 1-6

The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side.
As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits [a] and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.

I'm thrilled and in awe of what God is doing at Faith Christian Center. There is a hunger and calling to move forward- go deeper with God...that canNOT be denied in the hearts and minds and lives of everyone that attends these powerful services. I've got this holy fear (aka: reverence) for what God is doing because I know that we can't make this happen. No song can trigger this. No vocal talent. Nothing of my own doing. Or Pastor's. I'm honored that God has chosen our church for "such a time as this" and I look forward to each service with a renewed passion, renewed strength, and unexplainable joy- because the Creator of Heaven and earth; the Almighty God; the One who, from our innermost being, calls us towards Him and home- is here.

and I believe that He will stay- as long as we desire Him to; and it's my prayer that we as a corporate body would desire Him to stay for months, for years; and we wouldn't get burdened down- we wouldn't get disgruntled- but we would realize how awesome and how special this truly is.

A holy visitation is here.
Don't miss it.

The Last Note: Sunday Setlists- August 9th

2009-08-10T16:31:00.000-05:00

It was an awesome way to kick off revival services this week at FCC.
I will be doing kind of a "Sunday-Setlist" for the next three days- during our revival-

I was uber-excited about todays service

Friend of God (C)/Sing my Love (D)- we modulated up to "D" during friend of God and went straight into sing my love (one of fcc's new favorite songs)

The Desert Song (D) I wasn't so sure how well this one got pulled off but I thought it was a nice fit- kind of slowed down the mood- but i recovered with

Revelation Song (D) this was a powerful song today. It was vocally great- musically awesome.

Communion/Offering: Show Your Glory (Stockstill- E) with Here I am to Worship (E- Hughes) nice little mash up.

Sermon: the 3 and 2 situation by Chaplain Robertson

Response/Closer: All Because of Jesus I'm Alive (Fee- B)

the team had one of the best worship rehearsals that we ever have had sunday evening- we got 6 new songs completed- under our belt- which is pretty awesome: here they are:

O Taste and See - Brian and Jenn Johnson

Great and Greatly To be Praised- "

Bless His Name- Jeremy Riddle

We Cry Out- Jesus Culture

You Are Holy (Isaiah's call/ 6)- Richy Clark i was so happy with my team- they nailed this song- the harmonies are beautiful

and one other song- don't remember it.

Check in this week to see what happens during our revival services it's going to be awesome!

Favorite Song: Worship Edition

2009-08-04T11:03:00.001-05:00

Take the poll...What's your favorite?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Sunday SetLists: August 2nd

2009-08-02T15:28:00.000-05:00

Can't believe it's August....already.

To Deserve (Stockstill) - amped this one up *maybe a bit too much* today- it was alittle bit faster than normal but I liked it

Can I Have More of You (Walker) - I lead out on this today- it was alright..

Sing my Love (McMillan) seems to be FCC's new "Friend of God" haha. It really made a huge impact in our worship service today- You could feel faith begin to rise. It was awesome

*Word of Knowledge- Powerful Powerful....

Overcome (New Life) - Awesome song. I love it more and more everytime I sing it

Because of Who You Are (F# to G- Munizzi) - I had a (!) moment during this song. Wrong drum beat- it was an 8 count needed to be a 16 count. agh! But couldn't turn back song was rushed in my opinion!

Sermon: Winning the War of Your Thoughts

Response/Closer: Today (Doerkson)

************************************************************************************
The Good:

God never ceases to amaze me... He completely took control over the service and I really really love that- because somedays you just don't know what to do, what to sing, etc-
My friend Missy did an excellent job singing with me today- Sounded pretty darn good.
Sing MY Love- is one of my new favorite songs- Seriously.
Congregational participation was off the map! Awesome!

The I'm-not-calling-it-Bad-b/c-it's-really-not-in-the-grand-scheme-of-thing:

I missed my team! 3/5 of my team was gone due to family vacations (AMEN!) and family circumstances! It makes a difference... but Missy and I did a wonderful job! I'm super proud of her- she has come a long way!
My voice kept disappearing into the music- I'll have to work on the keys of some of the songs- because my voice would just disappear into the low
I hit the wrong drum beat key- and rushed "Because of Who You Are" - I can normally sing that song pretty well (and probably did- i'm just a perfectionist) but the drum beat really threw me off.

Seriously- the congregation was singing so loud today- I loved it!

Great GOD, Great Worship, Great sermon, Great people = Great day.

How was yours?

Take a Visit to: Sunday Set Lists

*Looking at Interactive Worship Live Website- does anybody use it? troubles? Praises? Share...*

Favorite Songs: What's yours?

2009-07-30T10:33:00.000-05:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

Worship Textfessional/The Last Note/Sunday Set List- July 26th

2009-07-27T09:53:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've blogged
It's been an even longer while since I've participated in Sunday Setlist.... but I'm back.
It's been a busy couple of weeks and I've been too tired (and forgot) to post haha.

Here's what went on at FCC yesterday, July 26th (my birthday)

You know I do have to say: It's amazing how God shows up when you prepare for the services. Not saying that I don't prepare normally but in the past sometimes it lacks the "prayer" aspect of the preparation or the really thinking about songs part- For the past month- our worship has just went to a whole new level- in my opinion.

I've learned something about me as a vocalist- I sing in all the flat keys- that's where I sound my best- wreaks havoc on my piano playing abilities- but vocally I sound better (plus i just use the capo for they keyboard: transpose key) so it's all good.

I've never led worship on my birthday- so I was eager to experience it- I knew it would be good...

Lift! Lift Up Your Hands! (Em)/ You Are Good (E- Houghton) "Lift!" is such a fun song to do and yesterday I had two kiddos ask me if I was going to do "their" song... haha. I love it. So it was fun to watch all the little kids and the youth run up to the front to participate in this song- We went straight into You are Good- it was a nice change of pace not stopping from the first song..I liked it.

Sing my Love (Eb- Jesus Culture/McMillan) I was so eager to get this song out in it's entirety I love it- The lyrics are powerful- I was so happy to do the song I forgot to take it up a half step and play it in Eb- so it was alittle low on it's debut.

How Great Is Our God/I Exalt Thee (G- Tomlin/Traditional) I gave How Great more of an edge yesterday using a different drum beat and kit- so it was pretty dynamic- although going into I Exalt thee was alittle rough- I love the Jesus Culture way of doing the song- instead of the more traditional way....it was still good.

Offering and Commuinion: Remember (Db- Hughes)/Amazing Grace (Db- Traditional) Quite beautiful arrangement of this song by Tim Hughes and the traditional hymn - I tried to look for a youtube video incase you've never heard of the Hughes song- but couldn't find a decent one.

Sermon: The Way of Escape

Response Time: Just As I Am (C-Trad.)/ Mighty to Save (F-Hillsongs)
Baptism - We baptized three people yesterday morning! Awesome!

Closer: Oh Happy Day! (C-Hughes) An FCC favorite.

It was such a great day yesterday in worship at FCC. I'm excited about all the new faces and what God is doing in our church- our mid-week services have been insanely good- if you've misised them- you're missing out!

I'm back on board with all the other worship leader's at Fred McK's place
Check it out!

Required: July 2009

2009-07-13T13:06:00.000-05:00

Micah 6:6-8

6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Justly defined:
Honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions: a just ruler.
Consistent with what is morally right; righteous
Temperately, deservedly

Mercy defined:
Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence
Alleviation of distress, relief

Humbly defined:
Not proud or arrogant
Meek/Modest
Courteously respectful

Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?

To Act: honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions; consistent with what is morally right, temperately. To love: compassion, your enemies, the people that do you wrong on a consistent basis.
and to walk meekly, without the need for applause or accolade.

Act Justly.
Love Mercy
Walk Humbly with your God.

New Blog Address

2009-07-07T10:32:00.001-05:00

www.faithchristiancenterworship.blogspot.com

is the new Just A Note.

justinkirkendall.blogspot.com is no longer operational.

The Last Note: Father's Day Edition

2009-06-23T09:55:00.001-05:00

It was Father's Day at FCC (and everywhere else) so here's what we did:

Hosanna (G- Baloche) Always a cool tune

Hymn Medley (G- traditional) this medley consist of I'll Fly Away/ I'm So Glad/ I Saw the Light - always gets people going.

At the Cross (G- traditional) Nice bridge from the fast hymn medley to the worship set

Desert Song (D- Fraser) our people love this song- so it got a little feeback on it from the congregation- response.

How He Loves (F- McMillan) haha what a great way to end our worship set! It was unexpected but I loved it

Offering and Communion: Overcome (G- New Life) I love this song. Faith Christian Center- what do you think of this song?

We showed one of the sappiest videos ever- it quoted Proverbs 22:6 train up a child- but the music was taken from one of those hallmark movies- right at the point when lil johnnie is making the critical decision to go or stay... I LOVED IT!

Sermon: Fathers I was interviewed today by my Pastor (aka: Dad) on the joys and trials of being a son and being a son in the ministry with his Dad. Good stuff-

Closer: Today (G- Doerksen) it flowed nicely with the sermon and a great way to send everybody out!

We are updating the look of our stage- Dennis is doing an amazing job working on the stage- so if you see him- give him a huge compliment!

Worship Leaders: Go to my other blog for (?)s I have for you!
Head on over to Fred's to hear about other's worship days: http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/06/21/sunday-setlists-48/

The Last Note: Fast and Furious- June 14th Recap

2009-06-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

Whew! Somebody grab a power bar- because today's service was full of energy.

I just had a good feeling about the day in general- it was going to be a good day..... or else. (kidding)

And A Good day it was/is:
Worship was very encouraging to me today- the congregation was bringing down the house- participation was probably at like 96% and excitement was through the roof! I love when I have a plan- and it gets interrupted by someOne else's plan! Worship today was fast and intense- and I loved every minute of it:

If you follow me on: My Twitter page ; then you will see that my set list is totally not what I tweeted about before services... I had this lovely short set list that was in my head pretty "plain" - no rockin' the house down. no tearin' it up. no breakin' it down (not sure about the breakin it down part- but He had other plans) and

there was a moment of hesitation on my part where I didn't know whether to go with my plan- or go with His (His was risky- and scared me silly); but I've learned that in order to truly bless God's heart- you have to be able to be lead- even leaders need to be lead by the Holy Spirit- so I was lead as I leaded- it was an awesome thing.

Lift! Lift Up Your Hands (Em) Our youth is going to camp next week and this is a youth group/camp favorite that I picked up trying to bridge the gap between the camp experience and the back-home-church experience. It's fun to watch the generations do the hand movements and genuinely get excited during this song- Fun stuff.

It was also good to have the group of teens in the front row today- worshipping like crazy. I hope that sticks arounds. I love it.

Once Again (B-Stockstill) I seriously love this song- it seemed slow to me but that was ok- I think it was in my head- again, congregation sounded amazing- so did the ladies on this song- they carry the higher part of the song beautifully. People were jumping, and clapping, and shouting-

this is where things got tricky- I hesitated here- because I knew that we weren't supposed to go into "Mighty To save/Healer" which was my next songs in the set- the congregation wasn't ready for it- but I was perplexed for a little bit about if I was riding on their emotional participation of the previous two songs and taking advantage of that- or if God was really telling me "Praise me today- I deserve it" So i went with the latter- and I think it was the right thing.....

Happy Day (C-Hughes) w/ All Because of Jesus (C-Fee) Another youth group favorite and I think FCC favorite- All Because of Jesus is SOOO HIGH for me in this key- but today I nailed it- it was awesome. Loved it.

Can't (in Southeast Texas it's C-ain't) Nobody Do me LIke Jesus/Victory is Mine (G- traditional) / Presence of the Lord is Here (G- gospel dude) this is the original FCC high energy mix that we haven't done in probably 6-9 months. We do a gospel/rock version of Can't Nobody and Victory is mine- then go into a totally redone- version of the black gospel song Presence of the Lord is Here- and we went off.... twas cool.

I Can Feel the Presence of the Lord (G- spontaneous) we went off into this cool slow jam version of the chorus- and it was fun because I got to sing alittle more gospel-ish than I normally do. it was a neat moment.

Offering and Communion: Open Up the Sky (G-stockstill) an FCC favorite

Sermon: Thy Will be Done.

First Response: Lead Me to the Cross (F- Fraser)/
Second Response: Holiness *Take my Life* (F- Underwood)

One of the funnest worship times at FCC this year... Awesome Awesome.
I'm excited about the upcoming week- we are remodeling our stage- it will look stellar. Pray for me as I try my hand as some carpentry.....

If you're like me- you're nosey- and want to know what on @ other churches across the world- head on over to Mr. Fred McKinnon's Blog

The Ultimate Sacrifice of Worship

2009-06-14T09:20:00.000-05:00

The Ultimate Sacrifice of Worship

I'll start off with an illustration about $ because that will either get your attention or make you put the newsletter down. I hope to get the first one :)

If I tell you I'm going to give you a million dollars, you would probably say “Yeah, OK, Whatever” because you know I don't have a million dollars (and if I did, I don't think I'd be giving it to you).

BUT if I SANG to you that I was going to give you a million dollars, you would believe me right? Probably not.

Now, if I walked up to you asked you to open your hand... and then proceeded to place one million dollars in your hand- would you believe me? Sure. Because of my actions, you knew I wasn't messing around.

Talk is cheap. Singing is cheap. Actions are not.

James 2:18
Suppose someone disagrees and says, "It is possible to have faith without doing kind deeds." I would answer, "Prove that you have faith without doing kind deeds, and I will prove that I have faith by doing them."

We've heard that thousands of times in regards to countless things... promises that have been unkept, people who promise to change but don't...etc.

If it, indeed, is true that “talk is cheap” than why do we think that a nice little melody in a song would place any more value on our words in worship?

It doesn't. What does make our worship valuable and meaningful is the connection between our hearts, heads, mouths, and then our lives.

It's really true. It's not some uber-religious statement that people like to make because it makes other people go “hmmmm?” Everything that you do is an act of worship. Think about it- Everything you do, Everything you say (Matt. 12:36) is an act of worship to someBody.

Due to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our lives to live in eternity with Him, Our lives are our ultimate sacrifice of worship. The best thing anybody could ever do to begin to repay the debt owed (which can never be repaid) to Christ is to surrender our lives to Him, live for Him, and the wholeheartedly thank (worship) Him every chance we get.

So with that fact established, our lives encompass more than just what we “say”- it includes our thoughts, our actions, our attitudes (OUCH), etc. That's why:

Proverbs 4:23
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.

Our hearts needed to be tended to; kind of like a garden. If not cultivated, watered, taken care of, a garden will not bear much fruit (if any at all) . The fruit that it will bear will be small, puny, and colorless.

If we don't keep our hearts in line with God's Word, our hearts get filled with junk. Weeds of bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, apathy, and OPINIONS (ouch again!) start to grow in our hearts. We start to become focused on ourselves: our needs, our wants, our desires. Our worship begins to be crowded out by thoughts, the radio: it's a small, puny, and lifeless offering. And due to the extravagant cost that God had to pay to ransom our souls from hell, a puny/lifeless/joyless offering of worship (or living) due to our feelings, our emotions, our attitude, our circumstances is not GOOD ENOUGH for Him. Think about that.

Hosea 10:12
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

I totally went on a tangent today- because my newsletter was supposed to be something totally different. Ha! Apparently, God had other plans.
Give God what He deserves this month and for the rest of the year: Your life: a joyful, extravagantly worshipful life.

Colosians 3:1-2
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

The Last Note: June 7th

2009-06-08T09:04:00.000-05:00

I took some time off from the worship re-cap thing because I just got too busy, but I'm back and here's what went down during the Worship at FCC:

Every week, I get together with a group of worship leaders and share what goes on at church- kind of like a world-wide, creative "think-tank" - Care to join? Check out:http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/06/07/sunday-setlists-46/

Congregational participation today was intense- they were really singing out today- and it's funny our crowd was small- it seems that when our crowd is small, they participate a whole lot more that when the house is packed-hmmmmmm- I had lots of Micheal W. Smith moments- where I Just wanted to pull away from the mic and listen.... haha.

To Deserve (C- Stockstill) /Beautiful One (C- Hughes) *MASHUP*
I am a big fan of mash-ups. I know that sometimes they can totally not work- but when they work- they work. We mashed up these two songs today- and the lead to Beautiful one was flawless. I cut down the times on both of the songs that we sing the choruses on these songs so that it wouldn't seem like I didn't have any other songs to sing- and was trying to stretch the two songs to fill 30 minutes. ha

Can I Have More of You? (D- Walker) I was highly encouraged by the congregation today on this song- the phrasing on the chorus can get a bit jumbled- but they dived right in- and apparently, love this song. Vocals were a bit shabby (i'll admit it) because I only lead this song while in my car/smile

When The Music Fades (D- Redman) Originally, I was planning on tagging the chorus on the back of Can I Have More? but I ended up singing the entire song- It was one of those be-still-and know moments today

Holy and Anointed One (F) Pastor asked this one to be thrown in

I Will Lift MY Eyes (F- Norman) Our church loves this song by Bebo Norman- it's such an ecouragement

I was techincally done by this point- but Pastor came up and asked for me to do one more-

Your Love Never Fails (F- McClarney) Another one of FCC's rising favorites (or mine) ha. I stripped this song down to the bare bones musically

Offering and Communion:
Made Me Glad (A- Webster)
I seriously am glad that I don't lead vocals on this song normally- great song though.

Sermon Thy Kingdom Come

Response
Healer- (G- Gulgimegghaighacahga *whatever* /Hillsongs) fit the sermon today perfectly

Closer:
Because of who you are (G-A Munizzi) It was a really really good tie in to Healer- fit the other part of the sermon nicely- and was a nice lead in to the real closer Trading My Sorrows (A- Evans)

That was our day at FCC. Hope yours was great!

Hypocrite!

2009-05-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

Very often in my Christian faith (weekly), I am faced with that realization of not living up to my own personal standards and ideals of "Christianity". What it means to be a godly person. What does it mean to be "godly"? I mean really. To be God-ly is to be "God-like" and I don't know about you but that is some pretty big shoes to fill.

I can't be omipresent (everywhere all the time, at the same time). Come to think of it- I don't want to be.
I can't be omniscient/all knowing (although sometimes I pretend I am). Come to think of it- I never want to truly be all-knowing. too many liabilites.
I am not omnipotent/all powerful (won't even go there) Come to think of it- I don't want to be- i don't want to have the ability or means to fix everything...

When I try to be "godly", I always come up short- and when Christians come up short (they miss the mark-aka: sin- Romans 3:23) they are more often labeled HYPOCRITES.

Jesus never really used that term for people who were trying and fell short.

He used that term for the people who pretended like they never had sin.
He used that term for people who told other people they were living wrong.
He used that term for people who were quick to throw stones and slow to prayer.

He never used that term when dealing with the town hooker.
He never used that term for the lady in church who is on relationship number 7.
He never used that term when dealing with the maimed, diseased, or demon-possessed.
He never even used that term when someone he loved dearly betrayed him
He never used that term when a "Christian" follower of his decided to get mad when times were tough and use a few choice words.

Psalms 51:16-17 (the Message)
Going through the motions doesn't please you,a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.

The NIV:
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.

Over the years, I've realized that, more often than not, I do fall into the category that Jesus used that term "hypocrite" for- but only because of denial and church politics. The facade, if you will, that everybody puts on every once and a while. But over the last few weeks, I've realized that the more up-in-arms I get and the more strict and stern I get about adhering to "Christian" rules- the less happy I am, the more I am tempted to do wrong, the more prideful I become, the more judgemental I am.

But to be like the people that Jesus hung out with (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34)- It's alot more humane. Lot more real. Christian people are people that believe in Jesus as their Savior, but they are still people- they have bad days. They fall. They get up. They dust themselves off. They keep going. They try.

A Brokend and contrite heart- You won't reject. So what is deemed as a "hypocrite" in today's world- is really just a real person trying to serve a real God. We don't have to put on the heirs or ritz, or pretend to be something we aren't, or point out the flaws of other's hoping that their flaws will be more in number and worse than ours to keep us from taking the heat for our own actions. But instead, we can live life without the guilt trip of "whoops! shouldn't have said that" or "I wonder what they think about me now..." because in reality we serve a great God- who is all too consumed with love for us to worry about petty things. We serve a God who is too consumed in love with people who are trying to serve Him to ever call us a "hypocrite".

Qualifying statement: I do not want you to think that I'm so liberal christian loon who just thinks people can "eat, drink, and be merry" and do whatever they want (Romans 6;15 15What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God's favor and mercy? Certainly not!"

Just a thought.

The Last Note: May 17th 2009

2009-05-17T15:52:00.000-05:00

Down to the bizz....

I have learned the necessity of WATER during the worship time. IT makes for an awkward moment sometimes for the congregation, but me being the main vocalist- I have learned just how refreshing it is to get some water during the set list- until trying to marathon that baby out- Ah! Although, I do feel that everybody stares at me while I'm drinking water....meh.

Friend Of God (C-Houghton) There was something funky with the tempo on this song this morning- it was overcast and cloudy- so i'm not sure if people weren't getting into it due to external reasons- or it was just me- I felt like I was playing faster than the drums were drumming...pretty funky; but I perservered.

Can I Have More Of You (D-Walker) again, a kim-walker song- love it-

Your Grace Is Enough didn't do it- felt the need to go somewhere else- maybe next time

Desert Song (D-Fraser) Ah! The perfect fit for today- It was truly a God-thing today- because I was stuck. I didn't know where to go after "Can I have More" because the mood wasn't saying "Your Grace" so i was in a quandrary. and this song just began to "automatically" play it self on the keyboard- haha. Love how Holy Spirit just takes over (literally) then i realized what song it was and just started singing it- the congregation blew me away with how loud they were singing- it seemed to connect today.

How Great Is Our God/How Great Thou Art (G-Tomlin/D-Traditional) This was the (!) moment I had early today- I normally don't ever sing these songs- so I was nervous- but I feel that I pulled it off very well-I had a Micheal W. Smith moment- where I could just pull away from the mic and play the song and listen to the congregation sing- it made me smile because that's the second thing I thought of "1st thing: Praise God- listen to them sing..HOW AWESOME!" "2nd thing: This is soooo a Micheal W. Smith moment"

Offering and Communion: Worshipping You/Angels Cry (A-Stockstill) I love "Worshipping You" so much it's such a beautiful tune but for some strange reason people don't seem to jive with it- so I'm keeping it in (haha) one day people will love it- I haven't done "Angels Cry" in a long time and it was a nice seg-way into this song.

Sermon: Prayer: From Impossible to Possible it was fiery and highly pumped up today-great
Response: Overcome (G- New Life) I am in love with this song- it made it's official debut at FCC during the response time after the sermon- it was awesome. Can't wait to do it in a normal set.

A fantastic day at FCC all around. Worship was great. Sound was good.I've got to get ready for rehersals in 15 minutes......
Check out the nifty thing ol' Fred McK has got going on over at: Sunday Setlists

Crave the Wave: May 2009

2009-05-13T14:25:00.000-05:00

Summertime! As you know, Southeast Texas can be one hot place to live, and I'm not talking about a level of attractiveness- I mean hot. As some of the teenagers spell it: H-A-W-T.

I remember spending my summers with my great grandmother at Rayburn and the highlight of the day- the moment that I absolutely lived for was going to the country club and swimming.

The thought of the pool made the day go by quicker, and the harder the work (always work before play)- the more refreshing and more appreciated the time at the pool was to me.

2 Chronicles 7:14:
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Recently, in a sermon at FCC, I was brought to the attention of this Scripture and my ears narrowed in on that word 'crave' and immediately wheels started spinning.

We commonly use this Scripture as “the” scripture for prayer- but notice that in the Scripture there's some other stuff going on besides praying: it says “humble themselves, pray , seek , crave My face..”

There is more going on in that Scripture than being humble and praying- There is that craving part.

Crave:
1.to long for; want greatly, desire eagerly
2.to require, to need
3.to ask earnestly for (to beg) something

Just like the water in the pool was refreshing to my burning skin on a hot summer day- the Lord's presence is refreshing to our souls in times of need. We should crave it. We should crave the wave of God's presence. If you've ever been to the beach, standing in the ocean (or in a not-so-lazy-river at Schlitterbahn), I'm sure you've been knocked over by a wave that came out of nowhere, you know what I mean by that refreshing, helpless state your in as the wave just takes off with you.

The Lord wants to do that today, right now- while you're sitting there reading this- when you come to church- when you're in grocery store. He just wants to overtake you- run you over in His presence and take off with you (Deuteronomy 28:2)How awesome is that? Seriously?

We sing the song:
“More of You/Less of Me
I am thirsty, hungry, desperate for
Your presence”

I don't know about you, but when I get tired of myself- when I get desperate enough, when I crave His presence more than I crave something else (whether it be my own personal entertainment, wanting the approval of man, etc)- He is always faithful to just come in and just bull doze me with His unending love, grace and mercy and change me. *Jeremiah 31:25/ Psalms 23* (That's the key- there's no sense in desiring God's presence if you aren't going to be changed by it- if you're aren't changed by his Presence- it is nothing more than an emotional high- not a Spiritual Encounter with The One- He causes change)

Side Note: a lot of people get turned off by that word “desperate”. Nobody wants to be called “desperate”- which I get. But when it comes to church/ your spiritual life- can you seriously tell me that you have all that you need of the Lord? I don't think so.

Desperation encompasses the sense of urgency- a great need/want. You need the Lord and need Him now. It recognizes our limitations. It checks our ego (small us- big God) It appeals to our emotions. In this sense, It's not a negative thing.

It's my hope and prayer that you along with all the members of Faith Christian Center as a whole- would learn to “crave the wave” of God's presence- because when the Lord overtakes you, He will revolutionize your life, your family, and your community. All that in the first 10 minutes of a Sunday morning service! Haha! How awesome would that be?

I'll leave you this month with a quote from one of my favorite worship songs.

"I'm running through the gates of love as fast as I can/ I can't wait to see you because I'm a desperate man/ My desire is burning like a million stars/ I'll keep reaching out, reaching out for You...”-Phil Wickham “Desire”

Make it a great month.

Upcoming New Tunes @ FCC

2009-05-13T13:48:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let you in on some new tunes that you will be hearing in the next upcoming weeks/months at Faith Christian Center.

I want you to be as excited about the new music as I am (and I'm excited) and I want you to be ready to sing it- So i'm including some links to some of the songs so that you can listen to them and get ready to sing your heart out @ FCC.

Here we go...

All Because of Jesus by Steve Fee Love this song- a declaration of our need and dependance on the Lord- and of recognition that what He did on Calvary and who He is- makes us truly...ALIVE!

Overcome/This Is My Story-New Life Worship- A powerful declaration of our victor in Christ. We can most definetly overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word our Testimony. I love this song because they have added the chorus of Blessed Assurance in it- awesome.

Say So- Israel and New BreedThis is such a fun song- I can't wait to do it- The worship team sounds amazing. Very excited- Let the redeemed of the Lord Say so- SO!

Where You Go I Go (Kim Walker Version) Brian and Jenn Johnson This lady could sing the phone book and I would love it. This is so powerful- what an awesome cry of surrendering of our will and our selfish motives to be more like Jesus. I hope you love this song as much as I do.

I Want the Joy- Rita Springer. Ever just come into a Sunday Morning service and just NOT feel any of the music? You need an injection of joy- This song just makes you smile.

We Cry Out- Jesus Culture Again, this song gets me every time I hear it. A song about turning back to the Lord because of our desperate need for him!

I Have Found- Kim Walker I bet you guys don't even realize but you already know the chorus and bridge to this song! YEP! I sing it all the time- "You are all I want/You are All I need/Everything my heart could hope for...." We'll just learn the rest of the song!

That's all the songs I'm sharing now... can't give away everything! ha and I've got a newsletter to get done! :) and a service to prepare for and a workout to commence and...well you know.

Hope you take some time to visit the links above of the songs and listen to them. Learn some lyrics if you can- and be ready for their debut @ FCC

The Last Note: April 10th

2009-05-10T17:25:00.000-05:00

Here we go.....

Today (G- Doekerson) Because of the Mother's Day Breakfast, we had alot of excited chaotic energy. So I wanted people to focus on the Lord- so I broke out this song in an acoustic fashion because It helped ME get my focus.

I'll Fly Away/I'm So Glad/I Saw the Light (G-Hymns) These songs make me smile. I love the fast blue-grass thing we have going. It's a different feel- love it.

*NEW* Can I Have More of You? (D-Walker) - I was so excited about this song. I love Kim Walker and everything she sings- So I was so glad we could do this today- and Jamie nailed it! Even being sick- she sounded amazing. The chorus/bridge: we had alittle vocal problems on where people needed to sing (harmonies or sing at all) which made it sound funky. but that will be fixed next week!

Blessed Be Your Name (A-Redman) I FINALLY got this song in a great key for me- and sang all the words without forgetting them (if you've followed by Sunday Setlist- i have a problem with remembering the lyrics to this song- which makes for lots of (!) moments) I did it kind of slow without some drums- it was nice. Lots of congregation singing back. Fantastic.

Unplanned: Open Up the Sky chorus/bridge/tag only (G-Stockstill)/I Have Found (G-Walker). I loved this- totally unplanned but I was glad that I had the freedom to move into Open Up the Sky...and then I Have Found by again Kim Walker- such a great mash up of two powerful songs.

Honor the Moms: We showed the "Mom Song" video. That video went over so well. :)

Offering &Communion:
Here I Am to Worship (G- Hughes)

Sermon:
12 Characteristics of a Virtuous Church

Response:
3rd Verse of Come Thou Fount (C-Crowder)/What A Friend I've found (C-Smith) chorus
Overcome (F- New Life) Really excited about doing this song. such a great song.

I love how God completely blows my expecations of a set-list with his presence. ha.

Fred McKinnon's got this nifty little thing called: Sunday Setlists Go Check it out.

The Last Note: Sunday SetList: May 3rd

2009-05-03T15:15:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's already May!

- down to the bizz.

The weather was nasty today- and I have found that it always seems to affect people's moods or ability to worship- I don't know...Does it affect your mood during worship?

I had to smile (almost throughout the ENTIRE worship service) because God kept reminding me: God is good- no matter my circumstance.

Victory In Jesus (G-hymn) This was a good song to start off with today- I am trying to incorporate one hymn (whether traditional or newly arranged) in each Sunday morning service- I think it helps to bridge the generation gap and appeal to more people- because not everybody can identify with the new tunes- and will get put off by a service with ALL new music. and vice versa. Plus, most hymns have some POWERFUL lyrics that are too good NOT to pass on to a new generation.

I forgot the last verse lyrics. ha. So i just played it and then picked back up in the chorus
It made me laugh. because if you forget----you forget?!?! what can you do? ha

O Praise Him (G- Crowder) We haven't done this song in ages. and when we did do it- we over did it. So to me, it was fresh.

Happy Day (C-Hughes) YAY! I finally found the key I can sing it in! haha. For weeks, I have struggled with this song and finally today- it was on point! That made me laugh! because I love this song. I especially love the bridge! how powerful is that?!?!

Revelation Song (D- Riddle) I love this song- great song.

Offering and Communion:
I Need You More (Eb-Cooley)

Sermon:
Three Types of Lost People by Pastor Chris Kirkendall (who's on facebook! ha)
Great sermon. What a challenge to us as believers

Response:
Mighty To Save (F- Hillsongs) fit the sermon beautifully.

Closer:
Happy Day Reprise.

I thought that worship today was great. Technically perfect? No. Vocally error-free? Heck no! but I accomplished what I set out to do in the first place: Worship God.

Every Week- Fred McKinnon has this funky little: Worship Blog Circus Whatcha-ma-call-it

The Last Note: April 26th- Sunday Setlist

2009-04-26T15:21:00.000-05:00

The last sunday of April- this year is going by super fast.
Faith Christian Center is experiencing some great growth: both numerically and spiritually. The atmosphere is changing. I love it. We had a great group this morning!

1. Forever (G- Tomlin) - I started this song at the wrong tempo. It was extremely fast this morning. I KNEW it was.
2. Your Love Never Fails (F- McClarney) Something funky was going on with the drums on this song- but I thought it was well-recieved- The message of the song was my anthem for this morning set list- haha. "You make all things work together for my good..."
3. Desert Song (D- Fraser) At this point, I thought the drums were going to be overwhelming so I didn't start them up- just did the song with the piano.
4. Breathe (G- Barnett) The transition between 3-4 was so smooth it was one of those (!) moments that you just have to smile at. I was proud as a musician. but humble. I was humbly proud. (?)

Offering and Communion:
Glorious Day (G- Jeff Johnson) Let me just say this song rocks my socks off. I heard this past week- and have never played it- so i printed the music this morning- and prayed then jumped off the 50th story of the building- hoping it would sound ok. and it did. To never have played the song before and only heard it twice- It was spot on.
That song is such a great song- Seriously. It's powerful. if you haven't heard it: take a listen here: Jeff Johnson's Glorious Day

Sermon: "Israel" by Pastor Chris (who is now on facebook)

Response Time:
Glorious Day Reprise/God of this City Mash-up. Glorious day fit the sermon and the vibe of today PERFECTLY.

Baptisms:
Jacob and Jennifer Burkett got baptised today. During the time they were changing, we sang Moving Forward (G-Sanchez). Just the chorus and the bridge- That song is an awesome declaration and representation of what baptistm represents.

Closer:Sing to the King (E- Foote)

A great day all around at FCC. We welcomed a new member into the congregation.
People responded to the Lord- Awesome!

As always, I do this because Fred McKinnon Does this . and if fred jumped off a bridge...i probably would too. (kidding)

Leave me some words! Thanks for checking out the blog.
-Justin

Top 5: Ways to Enhance Your FCC Worship Experience

2009-04-25T22:55:00.000-05:00

If you are a regular at FCC, then this blog post if for you.
I know that sometimes- you think to yourself "I want to be more involved during worship time but I just don't know how" Well, I'm about to give you 5 simple tips that will enhance your worship experience at Faith Christian Center:

1. Learn the songs. You can't expect to ever be able to fully engage during worship if you don't know the songs that we sing. The screen in the front of the church is SOLELY there just IN CASE you lose your place, have a "Senior" moment (hey! It happens to the best of us), or just flat out get confused. The songs aren't hard to learn, and I will be more than happy to print/give you lyrics (and sometimes, even make a CD with those songs on it) for you to listen to and learn. It will make a world of difference.

I know that during one of my "sermons" I mentioned that we needed to "know what the songs mean before we sing them" Ok, I didn't mean literally study and analyze the songs DURING worship service- Do that on your own time.

2. Too Close for Comfort. If the pews are too close for you to get your praise on. Move. There's a whole front aisle that never really gets totally occupied that you can dance a jig- wave your arms wildly and clap/sing as loud as you want. But you have to move.

3. Can You Hear Me Now? If you aren't a young whipper snapper or have sensitive hearing apparatus (ears)- try moving towards the middle of the aisle- somwhere between the 6-12 rows. Those are the best seats because speakers are not pointed directly at you. Do NOT come in the side door during sound check- because we are...checking the sound.

4. Do Something! You have no clue how good you will feel if you take your hands out of your pockets- lift them about mid-chest and then proceed to move your hands towards each other until they make a loud "popping" noise and then repeat throughout the song. Also, you will have no clue how good you actually sound when you're singing- with a congregation if you never do join in.

5. Feedback. The reason for the creation of this blog- Let me know what's going on in your head during worship! I post recaps of our services every sunday afternoon. Log on when you've got an extra ten and leave me some feedback. What song did you really like? What songs are really ministering to you now? Have you heard an album lately that has great songs on it that we could do? Let me know! I love to talk- I love to talk about things I love to talk about; thus being why I love to talk about what I love to talk about. Yeah. Catch me after a service or before and let's chat- or shoot me an e-mail. or leave a blog comment. Feeback: it helps me help you.

Bonus:
Practice At Home: If you don't have an active worship life outside of Sundays and Wednesdays, you probably will find it hard to get in the groove of what we're doing up there for 30+ minutes. Practice makes perfect. Remember: the church is an accurate reflection of the home.

The Last Note: April 19th AM/PM

2009-04-19T22:32:00.000-05:00

Today was a good day overall. Good vibe. Lots of people (big plus)

I'll be brief today- because It's late and I'm sleepy (church/practice/meeting/meeting)

First Sunday Service with Pastor who is back from New Zealand-It's nice to have your main leader back- everything just seems to feel "right".
Down to the biz:

Once Again (E- Stockstill) Such a great song- Love the song. The ladies were fantastic on this song. Great harmonies! (it feels so good to say that)
Glory (E- Hillsongs) Great song- We haven't done it in a while- did it for Easter and got a great congregational response to it- so i didn't want to lose that- so we did it again. Great job ladies again especially on that Pre-Chorus- fan-flippin'-tastic. I love that part of the song.
More of You/Less of Me (+Spontaneous - E - Author ?) I love that song I don't know who wrote it - but it is so simple and so powerful
Open up the Sky (G-Stockstill) again, another song that we haven't done in awhile- (Praise the Lord- because it seemed for like 2 months straight we did this song every service!)
I brought it back and it was the perfect timing.

Communion/Offering: Come Thou Fount (C *D modulation*- hymn) I'm seriously in love with this hymn- such a powerful lyric and beautiful melody. I was intimidated to sing it because it's so pretty- but I decided to and I'm glad I did. I got a great compliment from one of our Senior members that "I did the song beautifully and still added your own twist to it" Those comments are gold to me because you never really know how people take to your style of playing/vocals on standards songs like this one. I was glad I did it justice. and added the modulation at the last minute- thought it was stellar. yes....stellar.
I don't know about you but (I'm raving on this song) but when it gets to the last verse "Prone to wonder Lord I feel it/Prone to Leave the God I love..." It gets me everytime. Ah! Great song.

Sermon: The Prevailing Church- Pastor

Ministry Time: Hungry (G- Scott) whoops! sang this in the wrong key- too high! haha- ad libbed!
All Consuming Fire (G- Edwards) great song. really fit the theme of the sermon

We had at least two salvations/rededications! 16 total in the past 2 weeks! How awesome is that!?!?
***************************************************

We had a special Leader's meeting tonight and I had the privledge of sitting in my living room at my old upright acoustic piano and leading our leader's into worship- it was good stuff.

How Great is Our God (G- Tomlin)
Give Us Clean Hands (G-Tomlin)
Open Up the Sky (G- Stockstill)

As always, leave me some words and don't forget to check out everybody else and their sundays at http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/04/19/sunday-setlists-39/

The case of the "ho-hums"

2009-04-15T23:14:00.001-05:00

I'm in a battle against apathy lately.
For myself, for others, for church members etc.
Apathy is a nasty little thing that is so subtle, so sublime that most of the time you don't realize it has wiggled it's way in until it's too late...

Apathy Defined:
1.
absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement.
2.
lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.

and apparently this is a serious little booger we're dealing with

Came across this quote by Mrs. Elanor Roosevelt:

“So much attention is paid to the aggressive sins, such as violence and cruelty and greed with all their tragic effects, that too little attention is paid to the passive sins, such as apathy and laziness, which in the long run can have a more devastating effect.”

~Eleanor Roosevelt~

Good Stuff.

A Thought

2009-04-13T11:13:00.001-05:00

Don't let the "ordinary" of life cause you to lose your zeal for the Extraordinary.

The Last Note- Sunday Set List: Easter Edition

2009-04-12T17:56:00.000-05:00

As many of you know from my previous post- last sunday there was this lovely thing that I call "the face" that stole my worship zeal/passion. as many of you know from my previous post- that I met with the worship team and had a sit down and forewarned the members of FCC that no longer would I let them dictate my worship set

Update: It worked! Now, I'm not saying that my message on my blog was read by all- because less than half of our church actually knows what a "Blog" is. But prayer works.
It was week 2 of Pastor being in New Zealand- and the weather was less that ideal for Easter- it was so dark and gloomy...I thought that would affect people's attitudes (i've conducted an on-going experiement about things like weather, room temperature, etc. and how it affects people's abilities and attitudes about worship- One day I will publish that experiment- and people will love me) but praise God- it didn't

On to the main thing:

God was all up in the house today at FCC. I don't know if other people felt it but my resolve to get to the feet of Jesus no matter what- worked at least for me. It was so anointed and just AH! good. Record attendance. It was good to see some faces that I haven't seen in a long time, plus a lot of member's relatives who came.

Opener: Happy Day (B-Hughes) This song was a cool way to start off the day. Kind of combatted the gloomy weather. But It's official I can't sing this song. haha. Somebody else has gotta do it. No shame.

Glory (E- Hillsongs)- You know the one that starts out "Great is the Lord God Almighty..." I started the song out 5 bpm too slow! But It's ok, just wanted it to be alittle faster- but I was AMAZED at the congregational response to this song. It was insane. We haven't done that song in a long time- so it was a nice "oldie" to pull out. The congregation was so loud today- it was awesome

Sweetly Broken (G- Riddle) This is one of my all time favorite songs- so anytime it's in the set, I fall instantly in love with the worship service. Today it was just so good. Tbe bridge got me- I just really "felt" it- so i sang it until everybody else "felt" it. haha.

Spontaneous Worship - I was leary about busting out in my new-no-holds-bar-self with my normal disposition for spontaneous worship- just because of the high visitor count. didn't want to freak them out- but them I had a (!) moment of "Seriously, are you going to leave Christ unthanked by your worship because people might not "get" you?" The answer in my spirit was a resounding "NO"- So onward Christian soldiers.... After "Sweetly Broken", I just felt the need to tell Christ how thankful I was for what He did....

Lead Me To The Cross/We Fall Down (D- Fraser/Tomlin) This by far was a great mash-up. SaaaaaWeeeeettt!!! By the time I got to this song- my vocals were on the brink of sounding like a coyote in a blender (on the brink- not there but if i had any more drainage- coyote/blender -yeah) Lead Me To the Cross- was insane. the intro was just too cool. I've never really played the intro (due to the guitar-ness of it) but it sounded stellar on the keys. By the time we cut out the drums and hit the chorus of We Fall Down, I was a mess.

Offering and Communion: True Love- (E- Phil Wickham) I love this song. Vocally it wasn't the best in the world, but it was genuine. and I think it was a great way to drive home the message. ha! loved it.

Sermon: The Man, The Ministry and the Message by Jeri Kirkendall (Mother) She brought it. Straight UP....brought it.

Ministry Time/Invitation: Mighty to Save (F- Hillsongs) I seriously never thought that there would be an Easter service when i would NOT sing this song- but I decided it would make a bigger impact at the end....and Boy, Did it! It fit perfectly with the sermon- I mean hand-in-glove perfect. I love when the Holy Spirit does that! :)

Congregational participation today was insane (in a great way) It seemed like every song people were really singing out, which always makes a worship leader smile!

FCC, what did you think?
Others, How was your sunday?
The Post-Sunday Hang out for Worship Leaders

Sunday Set List- 4.5.09 "The Face"

2009-04-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

Ah today.... what can I say?
All I know is that the "Face" permeated the congregation today: what do i mean by the face? It's really more than a look but rather an atmosphere/an auora if you will- that is all summed up by what I call "the face". I know some of my worship leader friends have experienced some form of the "face": that look of disregard for what is going on in the front of the sanctuary, coupled by a distant stare and the blank thought of "when will this end because I've got things to do today...."
It seemed to be rampant in the congregation, and I think that it is for two reasons:
1. Complacency- same ol faces. same ol tunes. same ol same ol.
2. Pastor is in New Zealand. Now, I know for a fact that when the cat is away the mice stay home. but i was suprised at just how many people thought that because Pastor was in New Zealand that Jesus went with him and was no longer at FCC. Talk about Palm Sunday? You would have thought we stole Jesus today with that "face".
but enough of that.

Personally, I thought that today was good- all around. Vocals. Music. Sound. It was good stuff. Too bad nobody else thought so! haha. I jest.

Sing Sing Sing (Tomlin-D) I tried to intro this song today as our walk in song but I don't know if it tanked or people were just not into learning anything new this morning.
To Deserve (Stockstill- C) I really really really love this song. Something about it just gets me- love Psalm 51 from whence the song is taken from.
Moving Forward (Sanchez- G) We rocked this song OUT. I thought it was insane. There for a minute I had a (!) moment when the congregation (yes, the congregation) seemed uninterested in the song but I got tired of letting their apathy run my worship set- so I decided to turn around to that bridge again and knock it out of the park! Great job to the entire team- they sounded amazing.
God of Wonders (Byrd-G) This was such a nice way to end our set today. Oh man. It was nice. I really really like the song and the arrangement that I did for this song. It was nice to do things alittle different than the cookie cutter way this song is normally done.

Offering and Communion: "Found" (Hillsongs- G) This song was a late minute addition but i thought it was beautiful! :)

Sermon: "Be Angry and Sin Not" by Sister Jeri Kirkendall (My mother) It was her first time to "preach" during a Sunday Morning- and I thought she did amazing. Her message was very good. I love the honesty and realness that she brings to the church- I think sometimes it shocks people (i know it did today) for someone to be transparent about their Christian faith. People don't know how to respond. I say Rock on.

Today marked a new day in the leadership of the Worship Department at Faith Christian Center. During our practice tonight, I had a heart to heart session with our worship team. It's time for change. time to shake off the complacency- and expand. Stretch ourseleves musically, vocally, spiritually- Branch out into some "free-er" territory- shake off the dead stale religious junk that has weighed us (individually and as a team) down and move forward. I'm not going to take the fall for a lack of congregational participation any longer- nor am I going to let my team take the fall- nor the sound people. If you don't participate it's nobody's fault but your own. Plain and simple. As for me, Sunday mornings and Wednesday Nights are going to be fun. They are going to stop being something that bothers me but they will regain the highlight of my week status. I WILL spend myself at the feet of Jesus in worship. (and it sounds like my team is ready for that too) I won't just pour out a little bit of the essence of my worship at the feet of Jesus any longer. but like the woman will totally SPEND myself at his feet- I will make a mess with my worship. At the end of the worship time, I will leave satisified- as a worshipper (first and foremost), a musician, a creative being, and then as a member of Faith Christian Center. You've been forewarned.

Ok.
So that's it for me this week.

Worship Leaders who stop by: How do you intro new songs?

Check out my other worship leading pals at Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist

Looking forward to next Sunday.

New Music: Lovelite "All Color"

2009-04-01T11:19:00.000-05:00

"All Color" by Lovelite

I was skeptical when I got the e-mail about this band. I was like "ugh...another worship album..another CD" but I listened to it this morning- and I'm falling in love with it- and falling fast.

Andrew and Jen Polfer's, the founder's of LoveLite, songs are really good. The music is top-notch. For somebody who gets tired with the same 4 chords played over and over in most of the popular worship bands/artists/CDs- I was thinking this was going to be more of the same drab music. I was mistaken. that's what I get for judging a CD by it's genre.

and I like how on there Myspace page- they are pretty straightforward and real with their purpose- You know how some worship "artists" are kind of "iffy" on their purpose- like they are only doing worship music until they get discovered or make it big? then they will be something different? Not these folks.

"Lovelite is a worship band that desires to help all ages of people find God through music and direct their worship towards Him while offering a unique take on congregational music. So sing along!"

They've got a great sound going: It's Phil Wickham meets ColdPlay meets Feist. It's got a Euro-Pop flair with some Indie-vibes to it. (you should know I'm going to love it because the comparison to Phil Wickham!) lyrically/musically- it's just as good as a Jesus Culture album/Kim Walker album.

Great tunes.

For the worship person who gets bored with the stale

or just some really good music.

Check them out.

Pay What you Want for the Album: Not kidding!

Pay What You Want for the CD

Lovelite's Myspace (Take a Listen)

I like the fact that on their blog- they have their chord charts available just in case you want to sing them in church:

Chord Charts for LoveLite's Album

Worship Recap: March 25th/29th

2009-03-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

So after an amazing Wednesday night of vocal skill (that shocked me completely), I was anticipating the same vocals to come from within today: didn't happen.

Wedenesday Night was a Nice Medley of Songs in the key of C
from Nothing With You (Bebo Norman) to Bless the Lord (Darin Sasser/Among Thorns) to I Surrender (Kim Walker) to Lead me to the Cross (Brooke Fraser)
It was a Saaaa-weet. worship time. flow was amazing. Vocals suprised me.

Today: had a lot of excitement and "buzz" in the air- we had a youth fundraiser/church fellowship today immediately after services- so I knew that everybody would be excited so i choose accordingly. I had the dreaded snot-barrier hindering my vocal range and my ability to process lyrics correctly (haha) Nevertheless

Happy Day (Hughes-B) Great song. High energy. Low notes + Snot= Fun times for me.
This is How We Overcome (C- Hillsongs) Again High Energy. I loved the little pre-drum breakdown of the song we did. Very cool.
Desert Song (D-Fraser) again great song. Never thought this would be a teen's favorite but it's always cool to see kids look at each other, smile, and nod, when you start playing "their" song. Congregation was really singing on this one- it was nice to stop playing and hear everybody singing "In all of my life/ in every season"
Offering and Communion: Amazing Grace (D-hymn)/Lead Me to the Cross (D- Fraser) great little mash-up arrangement. again great to hear everybody singing along.

Sermon: Are you Ready?
Invitation/Ministry Time: Surrender (James-G)
We had 12 people respond to the altar call today to rededicate their lives or for first time salvation. 5 of the people were teens. (I think that's a record- in FCC history) HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?!? !

Closer: Lift! Lift! Up Your Hands- (Em) A youth favorite they get going on that one- so it was a great way to send them out and everybody else to the fellowship hall for fajitas and nachos! :)

As always, there's alot going on- check it out at Fred McKinnon's Worship Leader/Blogger extravanganza

A thought on Praise

2009-03-23T14:47:00.001-05:00

Praise Defined:
1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to laud
2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to; to display the excellence of

Praise is always audible of visible. If it’s not those two things- it’s not praise

What do you think?

SNEAK PEEK: (things to come at FCC)
Also, I am inspired to pull off another Israel Houghton song- and I think it's highly do-able.
"Say So" what a great song. I'm suprised by how easy it came together during my personal rehersal today- drums were hitting- keys were great. In a great key for me. So i'm stoked.

The Last Note: Worship Confessional for March 22nd

2009-03-22T15:17:00.001-05:00

Great sound day today- Everything was hittin'. It was nice. Way to go Dennis.

This is the Day (G- Oldschool) Oh yeah we did the old school This is the day/This is the day that the Lord has made/that the Lord has made- and mixed it with I'm So Glad Jesus Set Me Free/I Saw the Light in a blue-grass funky way.
You are Good (E- Houghton)- for some strange reason other vocals seemed confused on this one today.
after a spontaneous session of "You are Good's" I wasn't feeling the need to move to the rest of the set so we did
Forever (G-Tomlin)
Offering and Communion: Nothing but the Blood/Jesus Loves Me (D-hymns)
Sermon: Prayer
Ministry Time: Nothing Without You (C- Norman) i love this song- haven't played in a while- was at a loss on how to wrap up after the sermon but hey...it worked.
Walk by Faith (G-Camp)

because i can:
This video inspired me because I have days (not today-but i have them) like this little guy:

Check out all the other great days that were had in churchs worldwide (Yes, my friend this is a global phenomenon) at Freddy Mc's Blog (Not the Company)

The Power of Place

2009-03-22T09:46:00.001-05:00

We hear a lot about places. “I’ve got to find my place!” “I feel out of place.” “I’ve got places to go” “Everything is in place.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines place as: a space, area, or spot, set apart or used for a particular purpose; a residence, dwelling, or house.

In Genesis 28, we see a particular story about the importance of place

10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel.

Now, I’ve got a huge library of teaching that I want to do one day off of this one story, but for right now – I just want to focus in on the place. Whenever a certain phrase is repeated in the Word, you can almost always bet there is a reason why. You see, the Lord was trying to illustrate how important it is to be in the right place at the right time. Had Jacob kept going on his journey without stopping…he would have missed out on a true blessing from the Lord. Had Jacob gotten bored (notice in verse 11- He stays there “all night”) and decided to leave, he would have missed out on a huge blessing! Let me just make a side note that in figurative language the word “night” (used in Verse 11) can mean hardships, depression, difficulties- so maybe you aren’t really looking forward to a new year because your past year was so rough…come to “the place” and stick it out- because of this promise we have in Psalms 30:5 (Grab your Bible and check it out for yourself- it’s too good to type!)

A lot of people have the philosophy that because the “Church” is any body of believers, there really is no need to come to a set apart place for worship, or that it isn’t really a necessity to go to church all the time…just some of the time. Nope! Dwight L. Moody once said, “Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.”

VITAL!

I think the Apostle Paul had it right first:
Hebrews 10:25:
25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

You see, Faith Christian Center is not just a building- it’s just like the place in Genesis 28- the glory of God rests here. (As well as, any other Christian Church). It the place where in our darkness, in our rough times (aka: our night), we can come and be ministered to. It’s the place where when we are weary, we can find rest. It’s the place where vision and calling is deposited into people’s lives. It’s a place where people are changed!
How could you NOT want to be here?

I’m like King David was in Psalms 122:1
1-2 When they said, "Let's go to the house of God," my heart leaped for joy.

I seriously get excited about coming to church every week. When I was younger, I used to get so excited and eager to go to church (I served as the overhead projector guy) that I would literally get fuming mad at my parents if we were 5 minutes late (partly because I was in contest with another young person who wanted my job- and that wasn’t going to happen!) *smile*
But I remember being so excited to be at the “place”. There was an excitement, a charge in the air-an expectation.

As I have grown older, Faith Christian Center is my “place”. We’re on our ninth year, and every year that passes, I grow to love what God is doing in this place. Granted sometimes, I do show up with a lack of enthusiam or zeal due to the issues and trials of being in ministry or everyday life (just like you!) but when it comes to my worship to the Lord (whether it be tithing my time by showing up to church, lifting my voice in worship, etc)- it doesn't need to suffer or lack just because of a bad day.... and there are days that I wish for that excitement- that expectation when I was younger and things weren't as complicated. I know you've had those days too.

I want this New Year to be a fun challenge at Faith Christian Center to make the most of our time together as a body of believers!
· Let’s come ready to worship on Sundays/Wednesdays
· Let’s make our fellowships the best fellowships on the planet. Yes, the planet.
· Let’s grow our friendships and relationships with our fellow congregation members not only while we’re in church attendance but while we’re living our everyday lives!
· Let’s outreach to those that need Jesus and bring them to our church for discipleship.
· Let’s realize the vital importance of our attendance!
· Let’s grow in Christ and get to know him better!

Come expecting. Come excited. Come ready for the Lord to move in your life, your family’s lives. Reach out to your neighbors, your friends, the chick at the check-out counter at Wal-Mart, the dude that changes your oil in your car: bring them with you to experience Christ this year at Faith Christian Center!

I’m excited about what this New Year holds and I hope that you will recognize the importance of a “place”, but not just a place: but this place, Faith Christian Center.

New Music Suggestion: Jeremy Riddle

2009-03-19T17:06:00.000-05:00

Jeremy Riddle- The Now and Not Yet

So, I ran across this new album from Jeremy Riddle- which I am a HUGE fan of. His first CD, Sweetly Broken, was amazing- So I was excited to hear the new stuff from him.
First off, this guy has an amazing voice- he's got a gruff voice but can also sing a beautiful falsetto- very impressive. The music is very U2-esque with the atmospheric vibe of ColdPlay

The album starts off with the great Easter-themed song "Christ is Risen"- love the hallelujah's at the end of the song! Could most definetly use this in a church setting- probably minus those hallelujahs (smile)
"Prepare the Way of the Lord" is straight Bible which is always a plus- but I found it alittle redundant in the chorus.
"Prayer for the Church" is a great song with a powerful chorus
"Bless His Name" was an instant favorite when i heard the intro. The intro makes the song.
Very congregation friendly.

Some of the songs aren't really worship songs but rather commentary or prayers- which I really like- example "Among the Poor" what a great reminder- beautiful song
I'm really liking "To Be Like You" a prayer i pray all the time- we all should.
"Surrendered In Praise" another great song

The only song I just didn't care for on the album was "Joyful Noise" didn't really care for the melody. some strange chord arrangements

An Ok worship album- some songs worth-having.
I would have to suggest getting his first album for some great "worship" song- this song is alittle on the upbeat side- which is good. but his slower songs are beautiful "More than a Friend", "Sweetly Broken". Overall, a good album from a solid worship leader.

Hush.

2009-03-16T15:36:00.000-05:00

Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God

While on vacation, I decided to make this my verse. I was going away to be still and know. I have no problem knowing that God is God- It's evident. It's a given- but the being still part gets me every time.... but I didn't know that I would be fought by one of my cruelest enemy's:

The Food Network. For some, it is not a worthy opponent; for me and my quest of being still and knowing: it was the nagging culprit to my success. I'm man enough to admit it: I love me some Food Network- could watch it all the time. and while on vacation, I did. but that's not the point.

The point is that looking back at last week that Scripture became so hard to fulfill because of all the other stuff to do- Not saying that the "other stuff" wasn't important or fun or necessary because it was. but even with all the pressure gone: it wasn't my natural inclination to sit still and just know. I was naturally inclined to see a show, watch the Food Network, go workout. Everything BUT being still and knowing.

Does that make me less Spiritual? No.

Does it make me less qualified to serve in ministry? No.

Does it make me realize that I'm human? You bet.

Does that realization make me realize it's ok? Yep.

Now before you form judgements on the spirituality of my vacation: I will have you know that I did get to spend some time being still and knowing- often in the form of walking around the resort- or being inspired by some of the awesome shows we saw, or going to Wal-mart. It's all in perspective.

The Last Note: Revival Edition: Sunday Setlist 3.14/3.15

2009-03-15T22:28:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm back from my family vacation/spring break. It was nice to be gone- to be quite frank- i didn't even think about ANYTHING while I was gone- except what channel the food network was on (watched it everyday- for hours) haha. Went to Branson, Missouri- became inspired. Then, came back. The reason I was able to leave and not think is because I left the responsibility of worship to a very capabale talented person, Mrs. Sarah Johnson.
*see the vacation blog for a list of that sunday mornings songs*

We got in at 1 that afternoon and had to be back at the church at 4:30 to set up for revival services that evening and it went down like this:
Once Again (E- Stockstill)
Your Love Never Fails (F- Jesus Culture)
haha
don't remember - i was extremely tired

but today which was a continuation of Revival Services with speaker, Dr. Larry Martin who delivered some great sermons *Get the CD or listen Online at Faith Christian Center *
went down like this:
I'll Fly Away/I'm So Glad Jesus Set me Free/I Saw the Light- (G-Hymns)
Hosanna - (G- Baloche)
Your Grace Is Enough (G- Maher) did a slow jam to this because i wasnt feeling more drums (sound challenges) which probably got on some people's nerves but I was feeling it oh well
Be Glorified (D- Foote)/Let My Words Be Few(D-Redman) combined these two songs (OLD TIMERS) which went smoothly
Offering and Communion: Sweetly Broken- (G-Riddle)

By the Way, If you haven't picked up/listened to Jeremy Riddle's New CD, The Then and Not Yet, or something musicianally wierd-title like that, I suggest you do. Some great songs on that album.

I just might do a review of it tomorrow.
:)
ah almost forgot- check out other worship leader's and their set list at Fred McKinnon's Blog Circus/Carnival/Blogroll/Whatever

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

2009-03-04T10:14:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow, I'll be on vacation! ha! I am so ready. We haven't had a family vacation in over 2.5 years and it's due. I haven't had a vacation from Silsbee/Lamar University since December of 2007!

So I just wanted to let you know-my faithful readers (because i know there are so many of you-haha) - that there won't be a sunday set list from Sunday SetLists over at Fred McKinnon's blog (unless- a dutiful congregation member- reads the e-mail that i sent them yesterday- goes to church on Sunday- goes home- logs on the internet- visits this blog- clicks the hyperlink up there that says "Sunday Set" list- follow the instructions on Mr. McKinnon's blog- posts a comment on THIS blog with all the songs/how the service went information on it- then goes back to Mr. McKinnon's blog and fills out the Mister Linky thing with the title "Justin Kirkendall (Vacation)")

I have no fear about leaving (which is unusual) because I know that the people that are coming to fill in for me- know there bizness. Sarah is one of those people that I looked up to for the longest time when i was wee-tod (not retard) wee-tod. So it's good to know, she'll have worship for next week on lockdown.

So i'm going to Branson, MO with the family to rest, see some shows, laugh, watch the Food Network, laugh some more and did i mention rest?

Ah! and my new side project: a blog for small church worship leaders. I think it's going to be insanely informative! Check it out: Confessions of a Small Church Worship Leader

Vacation is created by God.

Maybe i'll get inspired by some southern Gospel quartet and we'll a do a sunday evening "Ol' Fashioned Hoedown Showdown" for a worship service- who knows?

Sunday SetList- March 1

2009-03-01T16:45:00.000-06:00

Check out me- then check out
Fred's Blog for everybody else's
and then if you have a blog- blog it
and let me know!

Your Love Never Fails (Clarney-F) decided to break this one out full on today- not sure it was the day to do it but nevertheless- it's done. I personally love this song.
Unchanging (Tomlin-F) great song.
Mighty to Save (Hillsongs- F then up to G) first day to do the modulation- i thought it added "oomph" to it- we moved directly into How Great is Our God- nice transition.

Communion/Offering: Amazing Grace (Tomlin-C) -i'm not crazy about that rendition but snagged it for a hymn today.

Short set.
I'm going to go read about other people's days....

The Last Note: Worship Confessional 2.22.09

2009-02-22T14:24:00.000-06:00

Today was a continuation of a great weekend in revival.

Once Again (B-Stockstill) such a great song
Friend Of God (C-Houghton) uh.... i don't know about this one but I know that the bass was thumping on this song today- (YAY)
Desert Song (D-Fraser)
I Exalt Thee/Lord Prepare Me (D) such a cool song...Really felt that these songs were the way to go for this service!
Offering and Communion: How Great Thou Art (D) ok, so Sister Audrey was the inspiration behind this song...i didn't have a communion song nor a hymn for this sunday (i am trying to include at least one of the good ol' songs in our set list every sunday) and she mentioned it and it was one of those AHA! moments! So cool

Sermon: Chaplain Carey Robertson "Risk Takers" such a great sermon that was dead on for FCC.

Ministry Time:
Walk By Faith (G-Camp) i suprised myself by doing this song..it's a "Radio-song" which normally i have some aversions to doing in church but it's such a great song and has really fit the theme of the messages delivered at FCC- and suprisingly, it's easy to sing!

Closer: Moving Forward (G- Sanchez) did a jazzier rendition of this song with some cool keyboard effects- cool way to end the service!

check out all the other worship leader's and their days over at Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlists
Peace.

I got a bone to pick with good ol' Tomlin.

2009-02-21T23:08:00.000-06:00

Now I know that I am no where near as spiritual as Chris Tomlin. (smile) and if you are around me long enough you will hear some good-natured jabs at him...all in good fun..but I've got some REAL beef with him now, and I don't know how to say it: he sings with girls.

now I didn't say he sings like a girl....but he sings with girls- he must. because his songs are SO HIGH! normal guys can not sing with that kind of range! Case in point?

Sing Sing Sing off of his hello love CD. I'm all for this song= love it. want to sing it at FCC. but it stumped me the other day because he jumps a full octave from the verse to chorus- a FULL OCTAVE!?!?!?! not cool- couldn't figure out- so i asked a bunch of worship leader friends of mine what do to? they say lower the key- Sure nuff.... Real Men.... (i said it. I meant it. and here to represent it yo..... 2 snaps) do not sing sing sing in the key of E when they have to jump a full octave. I...i mean THEY sing it in the key of C. that's what REAL MEN do- which is what we will do at FCC. My issue was resolved. Write on Chris Tomlin...... Write on......

The Last Note: Worship Confessional Special Edition

2009-02-21T22:55:00.000-06:00

We had a special Saturday Night Service tonight- that was off the hook. please excuse the slang terminology that I prohibit myself from using unless reserved for special occassions with which proper english will not express my feelings toward whatever it is I feel strongly about *sigh*

should have majored in psychology. ha.

but seriously tonight's service was awesome. and for me, in an unconventional awesome way. I needed it. Faith Christian Center needed it. :)
Love it when it happens that way.

Once Again (G-Stockstill) first time to do this song and I must say it went so smooth it suprised me. by the beginning of the chorus I knew that God was going to do something great tonight! I must say that the team nailed this song. Not to make anyONE person stand out- but i must say that Sis. Robbin completely nailed that high harmony and it sounded AMAZING! Good job!

Forever (G-Tomlin)so this song has recently become a favorite of mine- didn't care for it much back in the day (wrong key for me to sing) but I found the key for me and it works!

Blessed Be Your Name (G-Redman) haha i tried something today and it could have been a trainwreck but praise God it pulled off without a hitch- used the same drum beat for these two songs and decided not to stop the drums (oh the joys of using a drum kit on a keyboard- but hey it's a blessing- i'm not complaining!) and just change tempos- haha. tricky tricky- but i did and it worked- Tonight, people were ready to go. We even took the bridge up to A and sang it- kind of strained the ladies but it was ok- Bob and Jamie led out on this song because I always forget the words.

Better Is One Day (E-Redman) started off with the bridge- it was such a great time of worship - it ebbed and flowed; moved into You'll Come/Hosanna (E- Fraser) whatgreat songs!

Sermon- Chaplain Carey Robertson- was dead on tonight-great message. FCC if you missed sign up for the CD or DVD. If you were there, sign up for it anyway haha

Ministry Time:

Tis so Sweet To Trust in Jesus (F) Chaplain Robertson mentioned this song in the sermon so the Lord put it on my heart to sing a reprise of it at the end and it was all GOD because i have NEVER played that song before. EVER.

moved into Your Love Never Fails (F-Jesus Culture) what a great song of hope that is- one of my new favorites

How He Loves (F-McMillan)

Wrap Me In Your Arms/Holy Spirit Take Control (C- Grungor/Sasser)

Closed: What a Friend I've Found (C- Smith) what a great spirit in that place tonight. a refreshing service! an exciting service as a matter of fact I gotta get to bed now to be ready for tomorrow's great service.

Public Service Announcement

2009-02-17T13:41:00.000-06:00

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Jesus hits His children.

According to Bekah (age 6- my sister), in a recent discussion about what song I sang at Church this past sunday (She was under-the-weather couldn't go- it bugged her greatly) I told her that I sang "Victory in Jesus". So, I proceeded to sing the song and she joined in- except when she got to "He plunged me to victory..." She sang: "He PUNCHED me to victory beneath the cleansing flood"

I being the amazing brother that I am tried to tell her the right words- so that her friends at church wouldn't be scared of Jesus- but she insisted that Jesus punches people to victory. Ha.

So, I'm an exercise phys major with a minor in nutrition- so you should have known it was coming:

Exercise: I don't like. You don't either. It takes up time. Time you could be eating. or praying. I know. But you need to- tis good for you. God gave you a good body....that will help you out- if you treat it right! Ok I'm done.

This has been a Public Service announcement brought to you by Justin Kirknedall Inc.

The Last Note: Worship Confessional 2.15.09

2009-02-15T13:08:00.000-06:00

Another Great Day!

haha. God moves in mysterious ways.
Funny story: did a sound check today- everything was fine.
started service today (5 MINUTES later)- no vocals, no bass in the monitors! haha.
in the past (prior to 2009) i would get so angry about that. But i just had to laugh at it. Growth: How good it is!

Down to the biz.

To Deserve (C) - always like this song.
OLD SCHOOL JAM: Victory in Jesus -one of our elders in our church absolutely LOVES this song- so i knew he would be excited about it- haha. during practice this morning he came out from making Communion and i had played like the first 2 notes- he was happy. It was an oldschool mid-tempo blue grass jam. I liked it.
Everlasting God (G) haven't pulled this one out in a while linked it with Jesus Culture's Your Love Never fails (bridge and chorus) i liked the smooth way that those songs meshed- both musically and lyrically
There Is A River (G)- hmmmm.

Offering and Communion: Worshipping You (A) and the chorus of Because of Who You Are (A) was having mic trouble! :)

Sermon: The Lord's Prayer Series: Hallowed be your Name

Invitation:

Healer/There is a River (reprise) (G)

Good day overall.
Check out Fred McKinnon's Blog for more worship leaders and their day.

Shameless Plug: Lefora.com

2009-02-15T09:50:00.000-06:00

ok,
So our church has a new website.... and we are using a forum thing on there that is pretty neat and easy to use. Lefora seems to be a great company- so we're using them!and you know what?

YOU CAN TOO!

Free Forums for Your Website! At Lefora

So I've caught it....

2009-02-13T23:48:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted in a while. (since last sunday- but whatever that's a while)
and I think i have came down with it.
Yeah THE it.
It's unthinkable but I think I have it
What's this you may ask?

THE BLOGGERITIS.
read about it The Blogger-itis
I have felt like this lady this week. A love/hate relationship with the laptop and the internet. So much to do...so little time...so much sleep to be lost. but I loved to blog- I just wish i had something important or inspiring to say all the time....or at least something witty- or spiritual. (ha!)

But this is part of my life as a person, a worship leader, a son-oh yeah, all here- Sometimes...I just throw on my glasses...and bite my computer...because I have the blogger-itis but no way to express what I want to express. You see? Now you should understand why I want to take a bite out of crim....No Not crime... ha. I had to go there. I couldn't resist.You remember that old dog? Would freak me out- so gruffy voiced..anyway. You should understand why I want to take a bite out of my computer- you are probably feeling the urge right now yourself. Speaking of crime... I think it's a crime when you buy a bag of curly fries- and only 20 out of the 100 are curly. they should ALL be curly fries.

This week has been rough for me from some reason- I have just felt inadequate. insignificant. that kind of empty, blah feeling when you realize that in the grand scheme of things- you are just you. no more, no less. and that you don't want to be "JUST you" but you want to be the "More and the Less" ha- isn't it sad how sometimes we would rather be something less than OURselves just so we can be something different? or is that just me? ha. but i was reminded of two Scriptures just now really- that kind of brought a smile to my face and gave this blog a point. ha. (thank you Lord- I was beginning to think it was going to be a ramble about McGruff the crime dog, and curly fries)

Jeremiah 1:4-5
The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

and then
Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"declares the LORD.

So I take that as a word for me. and decided to share it with you-
So until next post.

Take a bite out of CRIME

The Last Note: Worship Confessional 2.8.09

2009-02-08T15:06:00.000-06:00

Today was a really great day in Jesus. I mean how can it not be when you have a pancake fellowship before church? ha! Needless to say I said "No" to the waffles with butter and syrup b/c it does wonders for vocal chords...believe me, been there done that. and learned from it! It was good to have Robbin back on the team today!

down to the bizness

Can't Nobody/Victory is Mine/Presence of the Lord (G)-We got soulful at FCC, pulled out some old songs and rocked them. :) FCC loves to "white-ti-tize" (5 points for my made up word!) black gospel songs! *smile*
Blessed Be Your Name (A)- Despite the recent discussion on this song and it's bad theology on worship the rock.com- We did it anyway- It's always a good song. today was no exception.
my voice completely blended with the bass of the piano and drums - so i was almost unheard. haha- the key was too low for me and I had to cough- so i let Bob and Jamie take over. :)
Look My Way (F)- People suprised me with this song. FCC must really like it- people were singing it before i started singing! :)
Amazing Grace (D-E) the hymn- We pulled out probably the most well-known and loved CHrsitian song of all time this morning. I tried to sing it as traditional and with no vocal thrills as possible...but that's difficult for me. But I thought the team killed it (I say killed it as in amazing or great or wonderful- haha i told that to Robbin today and she thought I meant that the team ruined it- ha- quite the contrary.)

Offering and Communion:
I Surrender All (hymn) with I surrender (Kim Walker) (C) any time i can throw a kim walker song in there- I will do it. I'm telling you she's one of my favorites. :) It meshed nicely.

Sermon: The Lord's Prayer: Hallowed Be Your Name Part 2

Invitation:
Rescue (A)
How Great is Our God (A)

It was a fantastic day today. Really good atmosphere and presence.
:)
Now it's time for worship practice ....

If you want to know what's going on at other churches.
Check out http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/02/08/sunday-setlists-29/