Interesting

It seems as Saturday night services get closer, Sunday is taking the shape of Saturday in a lot of respects. It's fun and exciting to be a part of....

Made 2 of 4 boys cry today while playing soccer in the field near our house today. It was my oldest 2 boys at that. My oldest was frustrated at not being able to consistently one time it out of the air and control it...then, my middle son (playing goalie at this time) runs out and snags it right of the oldest boys foot. It was a pretty awesome play by my 3rd boy..So, I was all "WOW", good stuff...then my oldest son lost it. I am still not exactly sure why. But, I could tell he was getting frustrated way before that.

My second oldest is having difficulty at kicking the ball hard. I showed him what to do several times and reminded him through out, but the old way would always creep back in. I made the comment at the end that I didn't think he was trying very hard and that was all that he could take and the water works started....

Overall, not one of my better soccer lessons for the boys. Though it definitely identified some weakness in character that we should work on.

One of my sons fell asleep while we were out there and while it was snowing...he was laying on our dog, Joey. It was pretty stinkin' cute.

1st Saturday worship practice

Last night we had the first ever worship practice for the new Sat services coming on May 16.



Overview and thoughts:

-I think it went well considering that we were all doing something a little differently.



Areas that need work:

Timing and tempo

Playing/singing with feeling

Sound - bass response is not as good as I would like. We probably have some crossover issues as well. Perhaps I should play higher up on the neck or have the keys do that.



Highlites:

Clayton on bass! He really did well.



Ideas:

Play with metronome

Bring shaker

Turn down instruments during organization of the song.

Make sure everyone is taking notes.





Pray for:

Sound guy to take over - Andrew is praying that youth will take off with this...since he's going to run sound, we are asking that God meet ALL our needs.



Drummer/percussion - or some facsimile thereof



anyone have suggestions??

It's work.

Wow, is it ever. Relationships are hard work. Whether it’s an acquaintance or deep relationship. They all require work. I have found that in the hustle and bustle world, email has not place in relationships. Even though it’s fast, efficient and free…don’t use it to talk seriously. It will only let you down.  But, I am probably the last guy in the world that figured it out. And, it didn’t come without cost. Most of the time that my emails are received by others it just hurts peoples feelings. When in person, it takes so much energy to try to cater to the ego…but at least you have other stimulants available to convey a message. Simply adding a ;-) used to be good enough to indicate “just kidding”. Now, that is so overused, I guess, that people ignore them. What’s worse is the presumption from the recipient. But, that’s life. Most of the time when I am “direct” it’s to other believers…folks that should have a solid foundation that doesn’t rely on the approval of man…but, they are usually the biggest whiney babies. We have been called to work…but sheesh, sometimes I wish I could just take my family to an island where no people are. Then we could talk to seals and birds and lizards and such and not have to cater to other people. Yep, that’s a very lazy attitude…and not very biblical. Ahh, feels good to vent.

Another thing that let’s you down is having an agenda/plan. It’s useless. As ol’ Solomon said, “Grasping at the wind”. While I make an attempt to plan and be a forward looking person, I get pulled back into reality by the now. It’s rarely ever worth planning something it seems.

Thanks Dr. Blog…until next time.

Saturday night services

I thought it would be wise to keep a log as things are decided in regards to our churches new Saturday night service. I have been given the honor of heading that up and trying to get it from concept to a worshipful service.

Why we are doing it:

·       Les loves the idea of a “sounding board” for Sunday morning. As we have new ideas and can implement them on Saturday, to take the best received of these and also do them on Sunday. Seems to be great wisdom in that.

·       It’s a service that will have very few hindrances to start. I feel that as we are going to be very judgmental of the services that it won’t be that way long.

·       We will constantly be adjusting things and trying new ideas.  Like:

o       Introduction of new software – EasyWorship 2007 appears to have all the features that we “seem” to need. Currently, we attempt to show a video or integrate it into the slide show with catastrophic results. In my testing, EW fits the bill in that area as well as getting rid of the linear-ness of powerpoint while not making Powerpoint obsolete. It can integrate the slides, their transition, backgrounds, etc right into EW. In fact, it will even allow you to display any of those slides by clicking them as opposed to going in order down and up. If the pastor skips a verse or slide, no need for it to even come up on the screen!

o       Integrating more media content to the service in the form of relevant shorts, worship vids as a call to worship

o       Skits

o       Testimony

o       Guest speakers – Interviews

o       Guest musicians

o       A thought that occurred to me as Mark and I talked was to engage all the senses during the service.

§       Smell - Burn incense? Maybe prior to the service beginning

§       Sight - Videos – Paint the walls

§       Sound - Music

§       Taste – Donuts in the foyer area

§       Touch – Greetings with a holy handshake…or even a hug.

o       Keeping the doors open during the service.

o       Make it very obvious that we are having a service to those passing by.

o       Have the service on the lawn occasionally or maybe a lot!

·       Refocus our target audience to an audience of One instead of catering to a congregation. We want to worship! 

Why am I doing it:

·       I feel a prompting from the Lord to be in service here.

·       It’s exciting.

·       Sometimes I’m not sure. I feel under attack.

·       Because God has gifted me to a certain level. Here’s what I think about that:

o       God has given me many gifts. I feel that gifts are given to be returned to the Lord. Now, I am not exceptional at any 1 thing. It’s been that way my whole life. In most of the things that I do, I become fairly adequate at those things but never excel to the point of “mastery”. Since this is known to me I do not expect NOT to be out done or out performed by someone. I am excited about this concept. As I get something going, if that can be a catalyst for someone that IS a master at something to step up, I feel that I have done my job. For example, in a startup church I was in, there was a need for a guitarist. I have been playing guitar for years and am adequate at playing. However, as we grew, a real guitarist stepped up and took over. It was great to be a part of and an awesome experience to have. Now, that is not to say that I won’t give it my best and have great expectations as I believe it’s possible. I will also endeavor to be a master at what it is that I am doing. So, it’s like the apprentice working his way to master. I don’t know if I’ll ever arrive at anything. But, I desire to.

I am sure I’ll have more posts to follow as time goes on!

It's great to have brothers

If you know me, you know that my parents did not bear 2 son's into their family. They first begat me, then my sister. No physical family member brother. The brother I refer to is a brother in Christ. While I know that being part of the body of Christ means that I have a ton of brothers...it's not typical that anyone really ACTS like one.

Yesterday, I was vomitting my angst and concerns to one of these brothers. Typically, I don't expect much afterward. Very few have ever hung in there with me in an honest attempt to love me as they love themselves. Honestly, I can see how difficult I can make that. Realisticly, I struggle doing to others as I would have done to me. But, this morning I see an email pop up from the same vomit receiving brother. An email of prayer and encouragement.

Thank you God for the heart of that man! Thank you for the talent you've given him and the work that he does. It is a great example of how the body should be and I pray the I have learned a life altering thing in what was done.

What do you think "living life" is?

I know a lady that is in her mid 20’s. She spends from early morning to evenings boldly pursuing her career. She is very helpful to all the people that she meets. Then, in the evening she is going to graduate courses to attain a masters degree.

I see “homeless” on the side of the street begging for money all day. They struggle to find the busiest intersections to hold their signs. I haven’t seen many that make eye contact…I see fewer in cars that pass by making eye contact with them.

I am constantly running about to soccer practices and fencing lessons trying to maintain some balance in life.

So, who’s living life? Who has received life abundantly in those 3 examples. What is abundant life to you?

one of those days

It’s been one of those days for a few days now. Today was the “last straw”. It seemed that everything that could possibly be screwed up, was. There was nothing major…but a culminating of small things that lead us to complacency and minor disobedience. It’s definitely something that I have let go too long.

Man, sometimes it seems the joy escapes me.

My something fun

I get to play in a mini-worship-concert type event for a friends church in a couple of weeks. We have had several practices and it's been fun attempting to stretch myself with these guys. They are all good musicians so it's been nerve racking to a degree. But, beyond good musicians they are patient and diligent. Each of them plays more than one instrument and are trained in music...I have been really impressed with them. Of course, 2 of them have played or are currently drummers...good drummers. I can feel the scrutiny!!! Lol. Actually, they are good to make suggestions or give a count off on the uniquely timed songs. One of the guys even taught me rudiment drills for drumming. I guess they are just happy someone else is playing drums. ;-) I also get to play guitar on a few as well...it's just been a blast!

Practices are very specific, direct and thorough. It remind me of the old days with community bible church! (I was the worst musician there too!)

Anyway, this post probably wasn't worth 2 posts of the hype. But, it is to me. I am loving it....

Oh, the fun stuff

Before I get to that, honey and I bought some new furniture yesterday. Just doing our part in economy stimulation. ;-) I am actually excited that we got it!! I really like the way it looks and hope thay it works well for our family. It's microfiber so I am worried about static electricity...but, we'll see!

The blasted water heater is acting up again. I have about had it. God has blessed us...perhaps for just such an occassion!

Great friends and fun pics. Recently, some friends have hired me out for photos. It's been fum getting back in the swing of pitcher takin.

I'll get to the fun stuff next post!

Fun for me...

Be4 I get to the fun for me I have a true story to tell.



The other day we were having pizza. Homemade, from scratch, best pizza ever. Every once in a while I get a hankerin' for some hot sauce on it. This was one of those times. However, I am not like my father in law. He coats his in jalepenos and needs a towel to wipe away the sweat! I am a lite weight when it comes to hot sauce. My favorite sauce is the Sriracha...or something like that...it's got a drawing of a rooster on it, but what sets it apart from all the other sauces and such is its green lid. You twist it and squeeze the goodness out.

Well, since I am the only on that uses it, it lasts quite a while and "sometimes" there's goop on the top that keeps the yummy goodness from coming out of the bottle. Again, this was one of those times. Since I am a lite weight user I just put a dab or 2 on the edge of my plate and dip the pizza in it...this time as I squeezed I was meet with resistance. I shook the bottle a bit and squeezed again, nothing. Finally, I started to bear down on it. Yeah, I am the man.

Instantaneously, the bottle was defeated. I had my way as the sauce exited the bottle. However, considering the blockage did not completely surrender, the stream of spicy goodness was misdirected. It was misdirected at about 270 degrees. In an instant 4 ounces of skin melting spicy goodness shot directly to my right. Unfortunately, that is where my sweet 2nd oldest daughter sits. In my shock I look in the direction of the high velocity squirt... She had caught it, right in the eye. It took a few seconds for the burnination to begin....she streaked to the bathroom and washed it for 5 minutes trying to diffuse the burning. Between the screams we could only decipher 2 words...IT .... BURNS....

She, as always, came back in the room giggling...and in good spirits.

What an unfortunate loss of some good hot sauce! ;-)

More on my fun later!!