Jade's Dedication

Here's video of our daughter, Jade, getting dedicated at Bethany by Pastor Branch...

National Worship Leaders Conference '09 (#nwlc09)

I have to say that I really enjoyed the conference this year. It was put on by Worship Leader Magazine. There was great times of worship, but the workshops and classes were, to me, very beneficial, and offered a lot of great take away thoughts for my ministry. I think what made this year stand out for me was the fellowship I had with new worship leader friends. We really bonded beyond the blog world, and it was nice to make the connections. I feel that these are life-long kind of fellowships, so that made the conference experience so great. Here's some of the people I connected with:

Rich Kirkpatrick
Ben Abu Saada
Jason Petermann
Jim Drake
Fred McKinnon
Kim Bontrager
Chris Gambill
Nick Arbuckle

And here's a little video of us hanging out, courtesy of Fred...

Word Wednesday .::53

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Revelation 21:22-23 ESV

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

I love how God is infinitely providing. He's always living up to His promises. Even in eternity, He will be our provider of shelter and light. We're selling ourselves short, if all we think Heaven is going to be is great mansions and golden streets. God is eternity!

What's your Word?

Glory to God Forever

Here's a new song that we're doing this week at Bethany. I really feel like this is the next big worship song to come out. We're kind of in a stage where there's not a lot of great songs for the church coming out, so I'm very grateful that we have this one. Check it out:

Worship Confessional 07.26.09

Setlist w/Itunes links:
Alleluia (Our Praise is) - mine
Everything - Tim Hughes
Mystery - Charlie Hall
Here I Am to Worship - Tim Hughes


Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Word Wednesday .::52

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

I John 4:10 ESV

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

There's no greater love than this...true love.

What's your Word?

Movie Monday XXXIII

This is a post that you can participate in on every Monday. I'm a big fan of the cinema, so I decided to break up the Monday blues by talking about movies.

I'm a huge Rocky fan, so...

What's you're favorite Rocky film?

This is a tough one, because I love all of them, except Rocky V, but I guess my favorite would be the original "Rocky". It won best picture, and it's a great film. Thankfully Stallone held out to play the lead role, or we would have had Burt Reynolds as Rocky Balboa...that would have been just wrong.


your turn...

Worship Confessional 07.19.09

Set list w/itunes links:
How Great Thou Art - HYMN
Everlasting God - Brenton Brown
Healer - Hillsong
The Heart of Worship - Matt Redman


Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Songs for the Church

As a worship leader, one thing that I love is finding new songs for my church to sing and worship with. I personally feel that there's been a trend, lately, of writing for stadiums or mega-churches, which has strayed away from the timeless, simple, universal songs that serve the church. Even so, there are still a few that are writing for the local congregations. Here's a few that I would recognize that don't get alot of hype, but are still influencers, that I feel are giving the church songs to sing: (click the albums for itunes link)

Brenton Brown

This is a humble guy that writes solid, scriptural songs of worship. His latest album has several
new songs for the church.

Paul Baloche

He's one of the best at writing singable, simple, yet heart-tugging tunes that we can lift up to God with the church. Check out his latest compilation,
which has all his great songs.

Mark Roach
I've actually had conversations with Mark, and know his heart for writing songs for his local congregation. I do a couple of his songs at my church from his debut album.

I've seen all of these artists lead worship live, and I can see their heart for corporate worship and their desire to make it accessible. I just thought I'd give them a shout out and thank them for their contributions to the Church at large.

Piper Tweeting

Here's why John Piper twitters. Thanks for sharing, @rickwarren.


Why do you or don't you twitter?

"Twitter Will Kill You" by DCB

Word Wednesday .::51

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

James 3:16-18 ESV

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Wow...definitely words to live by. Watch out for jealousy and pride. They not only destroy you, but they also hurt those around you. Be a peace maker. Good stuff.

What's your Word?

Josh's New Water Toy

Movie Monday XXXII

This is a post that you can participate in on every Monday. I'm a big fan of the cinema, so I decided to break up the Monday blues by talking about movies.

Last weekend, we celebrated 4th of July, so...

What's you're favorite "Patriotic" film on America?

Gotta go with "The Patriot". Amazing flick. Mel Gibson at his best.


your turn...

Worship Confessional 07.12.09

It was great to have Eddy Mann serving with us today. Check out his blog and music. We backed him up on one of his song arrangements, "Doxology", during the offering. It's a beautiful revision of the classic hymn. Definitely check it.

Set List w/Itunes links:
Your Grace is Enough - Chris Tomlin
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin
Freedom Reigns - Jason Upton
My Peace - mine

Doxology - Eddy Mann (offering song)


Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Worship Songs for Blokes

What do you think about these thoughts?

Why do people go to church?

Churchrelevance.com gave some statistics on reasons for church attendance. Interesting stuff. Worship/music was only 11% for unchurched visitors. Preaching and doctorine seem to dominate. To quote them, they say...

"The statistics speak for themselves. Overall, doctrine, the pastor and his preaching, and the friendliness and fellowship of the congregation are the most influential qualities."

Click here and read the post, then come back and leave me a comment on what you think about these stats.

God's Glory

Piper is one of my favorite speakers. He's all about the main thing, which is glorifying God. Very inspiring. In fact, if you've heard my song "Radiance", it was inspired by this very description that I heard Piper give at a conference. Enjoy...

Word Wednesday .::50

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

Hebrews 10:22-25 ESV

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

25 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.

Confidence, faith, hope, love, together...these are all great effects of the church. Brothers and sisters in Christ meeting together to worship and edify the Body of Christ. Great scripture.

What's your Word?

Josh turns 5!

Movie Monday XXXI

This is a post that you can participate in on every Monday. I'm a big fan of the cinema, so I decided to break up the Monday blues by talking about movies.

I watched Pee Wee's Big Adventure over the weekend. I love that movie. Tim Burton directed it, so...

What's you're favorite Tim Burton film?

Mine would probably be Edward Scissorhands...a classic from my generation.


your turn...

Worship Confessional 07.05.09

This is my first worship confessional since getting back from my Africa trip. Click here to see a video of that.



Setlist w/Itunes links:
Happy Day
Today
Shine
The Least I Can Do


Also part of Sunday Setlist.

Word Wednesday .::49

Word Wednesday is posted every Wednesday. Each week I post a scripture that I've read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God's Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron. Leave a comment and share a scripture that has impacted you this week.

Here's the scripture that stuck this week:

II Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

My youth pastor showed me this verse when I was in high school, and it's never escaped me. God's Word is one of the few things that will last forever.

What's your Word?