A day of silence

I tried to begin a day of silence yesterday around this time... work kept that from happening but it did begin around Sundown.. Mountain time. Be that as it may it is something I hope to do about once a quarter. Sure I spoke a couple of times.. in error but for the most part I kept quiet and kept my Lord my focus.

Last night I read my bible for a while and read through some information for my sermon I'll be preaching in a couple of weeks. First Sunday of Lent so I'll be teaching a little about Lent, Ash Wednesday (we are holding an Ash Wednesday service for the 2nd year in a row..this time in the evening)...and then preaching a little about those whiny Hebrews in the desert wishing they were back in Egypt... and then God sends them manna and quail. You would think by then they would have faith in God.. after all they had seen.. I mean we have it all figured out don't we?

Anyway...

Got up this morning...shook Austin to get him off to work.... and read my bible some more. Then washed dishes (by hand..washer is broke) and cleaned up the kitchen while Donna is away working the Emmaus Walk this weekend.

Finished the dishes then I took a ride on my bicycle for about 16 miles.. it was hard..first ride in a while but my knee responded wonderfully and I'm feeling the work in my abs and legs right now. That's good..hope I can stand and play a guitar in church tomorrow.

Took a hot bath..read my bible some more..and dozed off for a bit.

Then I got up and planned music for mosaic for Sunday night and worked on this song a little bit that I'm supposed to do during lent called "Then the Quail Came". I have most of the chords figured out but I haven't charted it yet. If you know this song and have charts please let me know :-)

My day of silence is about to end when Austin gets home and we head out to Broaddus together. All in all it has been a great 24 (more or less...more less than more I think but that's ok) hours. I look forward to doing it again in the next 3 months.

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow!

My New Playlist

I grew up in the 70's. I'm an album guy. I didn't buy 45's (one song on each side of a small vinyl disc). I bought LP's (Long Playing records.. large vinyl discs that generally held 5 or 6 songs on each side...).
I used to buy some greatest hits LP's of artists I really didn't plan to get "that" in to but if I like an artist I like to listen to an album in context.. I see it as greater vision of the artist in how they present their music.
Because of that I usually make playlists in itunes that are simply albums. Complete CD's of music by an artist. I make some other playlists but they are usually regarding something I'm working on...new songs for worship for church... sets for an upcoming camp gig..something like that.

A few days ago I made my first itunes playlist..for my own personal enjoyment. I know..most of you are like... What? It's true. but it's a big one..it pretty much fills up my little..old...ipod nano. But it's for listening to while I ride my bike. I find the selection soothing as I work to push through challenges out on the road. I thought I might share it with you and see what you thought. So far I really like it. I guess that's a good thing...but I think it's accomplishing what I want it to when I go out on rides... it's reducing my frustration as I work to do frustrating things that challenge me to work harder...

Anyway..take a look if you want. tell me what you think if you want.

Anywhere You Go 3:53 Ross King Perhaps I've Said Too Much

The State 4:30 Derek Webb Stockholm Syndrome

First Look 4:02 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

I Need Thee Every Hour 3:47 Jars Of Clay Redemption Songs

Our God 5:28 Chris Tomlin Passion: Awakening

Asleep In The Desert 3:31 ZZ Top Six Pack

Rhumba Man 4:10 Jimmy Buffett Buffet Hotel

O God Where Are You Now (In Pickerel Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?) 5:02 David Crowder Band A Collision or (3+4=7)

Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On 3:17 Jimmy Buffett Take The Weather With You

My Enemies Are Men Like Me 5:20 Derek Webb Mockingbird

Sing Like Mary Sang 7:18 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

Love In The Library 4:40 Jimmy Buffett Fruitcakes

Please Be My Strength 3:33 Gungor Beautiful Things

Saturday In The Park 3:56 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

Track 07 3:13 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

Rain Down 5:46 David Crowder Band All I Can Say

My Hope 4:16 David Crowder Band Can You Hear Us?

Stay 5:26 Robbie Seay Band Give Yourself Away

Woman In Texas 4:41 Jerry Jeff Walker Live At Gruene Hall

Wait For Your Rain/Grace Like Rain 15:07 Todd Agnew Grace Like Rain

Tryin' To Reason With Hurricane Season 4:22 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Can't Help Myself 6:15 Sandra McCracken In Feast Or Fallow

Open Skies 3:59 David Crowder Band Illuminate

All Creatures 5:16 David Crowder Band Illuminate

More Than That 3:26 Monk & Neagle The Twenty-First Time [Promo]

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For 4:38 U2 The Joshua Tree

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is 3:22 Chicago Greatest Hits

You Have Me 4:36 Gungor Beautiful Things

Feelin' Stronger Every Day 4:17 Chicago

Rich Young Ruler 3:57 Derek Webb Mockingbird

Samson 3:55 Regina Spector

The Spirit vs. The Kick Drum 3:08 Derek Webb Stockholm Syndrome

Lovely Cruise 3:54 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

passenger seat 3:44 Death cab for cutie

Mockingbird 4:15 Derek Webb Mockingbird

No Not One 3:58 Brandon Heath What If We

Navajo Rug 3:02 Jerry Jeff Walker Navajo Rug

Teach Me All Your Ways 5:43 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

Incommunicado 3:41 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Shine Your Light On Us 6:23 Robbie Seay Band Give Yourself Away

Viva La Vida 4:01 Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings 2:50 ZZ Top Six Pack

A Pirate Looks At Forty 3:53 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Shadows [Acoustic] 3:20 David Crowder Band The Acoustic Songs

California Promises 3:40 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Call On Me 4:03 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

Wishing You Were Here 4:37 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

You Do All Things Well 4:44 Chris Tomlin Arriving [Enhanced]

Tin Cup Chalice 3:38 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Ocean 3:59 Ten Shekel Shirt Much

When The Coast Is Clear 2:58 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Mexico 4:07 Jimmy Buffett Barometer Soup

Pre-You 5:17 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

He Went To Paris 3:30 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Where The Streets Have No Name 5:37 U2 The Joshua Tree (Remastered)

Glorify 4:28 Todd Wright All The Freed

Beautiful Things 5:10 Gungor Beautiful Things

With Every Breath 5:03 Leigh Nash & Dan Haseltine City On A Hill

True Religion 5:47 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

No Plane On Sunday 4:18 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

You Were So Close To Me 3:29 American Blues The Roots Of ZZ Top

All Around Me 4:37 David Crowder Band Church Music

Stars Fell On Alabama 4:15 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Volcano 3:39 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Boy With A Coin 4:06 Iron & Wine The Shepherd's Dog

Master Of Sparks 3:31 ZZ Top Six Pack

Never Let Go David Crowder Band

Deliver Me 4:42 David Crowder Band Illuminate

Rodeo Wind 4:49 Jerry Jeff Walker Live At Gruene Hall

We Learned To Be Cool From You 5:55 Jimmy Buffett Buffet Hotel

Hot, Blue And Righteous 3:18 ZZ Top Six Pack

Creola 7:03 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

Speechless 5:07 Steven Curtis Chapman Speechless

Love Song 3:54 Third Day Third Day

O Come And Mourn With Me Awhile 4:05 Jars Of Clay Redemption Songs

Sing Alleluia 3:42 Jennifer Knapp & Mac Powell City On A Hill: Sing Allelluia

Eastern Hymn 6:26 David Crowder Band Church Music

I Heard I Was In Town 3:38 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Oh Happiness [Acoustic] 2:35 David Crowder Band The Acoustic Songs

A Beautiful Collision 3:57 David Crowder Band B Collision

On the Radio 3:26 Regina Spektor

One of these days 4:25 FFH

Power in His Blood 4:08 FFH

A New Law 4:46 Derek Webb Mockingbird

Track 02 2:46 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

Middle Of The Night 3:16 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

One Trick Pony 3:26 MercyMe Coming Up to Breathe

Obsession 6:00 David Crowder Band Can You Hear Us?

Six String Music 3:25 Jimmy Buffett Fruitcakes

Nautical Wheelers 3:36 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 1]

Matthew's Begats 2:18 Andrew Peterson Behold The Lamb Of God

Sheik 4:05 ZZ Top Six Pack (Disc 2) [Tres Hombres & Fandango]

Resurrection Fern 4:50 Iron & Wine The Shepherd's Dog

You Gave Sight 4:43 Todd Wright All The Freed

Shepherd 3:37 Todd Agnew Grace Like Rain

By His Wounds 3:24 Littrell, Brian; Powell, Mac; Chapman, Steven Curtis; Hall, Mark Glory Revealed - The Word of God In Worship

Meet mwith me 3:40 Ten Shekel Shirt Much

Poured Out 4:01 Marie Barnett Poured OUT - Club Vineyard Vol. 68

Tasting Forgiveness 3:08 RSB Better Days

Surely We Can Change 5:18 David Crowder Band Remedy

Sacred 7:27 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

Meet Me In Memphis 4:52 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

Pictures of Success 6:56 Rilo Kiley

On A Slow Boat To China 3:59 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Rescue Is Coming (B Walk Down Stairs) 6:38 David Crowder Band A Collision or (3+4=7)

Death And All His Friends 6:19 Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Unashamed Love 4:38 Ten Shekel Shirt Much

Little Miss Magic 4:02 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 4]

Ballad Of Spider John 4:28 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 4]

Nothin' But A Breeze 4:17 Jimmy Buffett Take The Weather With You

Running To Stand Still 4:17 U2 The Joshua Tree (Remastered)

All I Can Say 4:31 David Crowder Band All I Can Say

You Alone 5:37 David Crowder Band The Lime CD

Falling Down 5:02 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

With Or Without You 4:56 U2 The Joshua Tree (Remastered)

Only You 4:02 David Crowder Band Illuminate

Sea and The Rythm 5:36 Iron & Wine

Twelve Volt Man 3:58 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 4]

Track 01 4:18 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

all who are thirsty 3:46 Vineyard UK Surrender

Yeah 3:36 Among Thorns Among Thorns

The Twenty-First Time 3:16 Monk & Neagle The Twenty-First Time

Hey there Delilah 3:53 Plain White T's

Son Of A Son Of A Sailer 3:25 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Smartest Person In The Room 4:39 Ross King Perhaps I've Said Too Much

When Salome Plays The Drum 3:29 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 3]

They Don't Dance Like Carmen No More 2:54 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Off To See The Lizard 4:14 Jimmy Buffett Off To See The Lizard

Awakening 4:52 Chris Tomlin Passion: Awakening

Everybody Want To Go To Heaven 4:56 David Crowder Band B Collision

Pagan Angel And A Borrowed Car 4:33 Iron & Wine The Shepherd's Dog

25 Or 6 To 4 4:53 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

This is Our God 5:36 Chris Tomlin The Noise We Make

Mercy 4:57 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

The Nighted I Painted The Sky 5:32 Jimmy Buffett Barometer Soup

Come Thou Fount 4:32 David Crowder Band All I Can Say

Search And Know 3:37 Todd Wright All The Freed

Biloxi 5:39 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 2]

Track 09 3:55 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

Little Bird 3:35 Jerry Jeff Walker Live At Gruene Hall

Wholly Yours 4:17 David Crowder Band B Collision

Stronger 4:26 Hillsong Live This Is Our God

False Echoes (Havana 1921) 15:55 Jimmy Buffett Banana Wind

Uncreated One 4:48 Chris Tomlin See The Morning

Take My Life 2:18 Third Day Third Day

New Day 4:07 Robbie Seay Band Give Yourself Away

Happy Ever After (Now And Then) 4:18 Jimmy Buffett Banana Wind

Barefoot Children 4:54 Jimmy Buffett Barometer Soup

Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Take Me To The Cross 4:31 Sheri Carr Fearless Now

I know it's heavy Crowder and Buffett..and if you know me you're not surprised. But..Those artist are speaking to me the most right now. If you have other ideas..I'd love to hear them. Riding my bike..I'm having more time to listen to tunes..and Romack..I'll get some Clairmont on there my friend.

Peace.

Sunday Morning Worship 5/10/09

Mother's day service.

10:45 Celebration Service
Gathering Music-Revolutionary Love
Enter the Light of Christ

Welcome and Announcements



Praise Music-

Choral Anthem- Simple Praise

My Hope is You
Forever


Prayer Time and Lord's Prayer
Prayer Response



Children's Sermon
Greeting

Worship Music
Handbells

Open the Eyes of My Heart


Scripture Reading-1 John 3: 1-7
Sermon-Only a Mother could Love



Call to Communion
Prayer for Elements
Communion and Offering

Communion Music - Unashamed Love


Invitation to Respond
Invitation Music- Open the Eyes of My Heart

Going Out Music- Revolutionary Love

This is a part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Set Lists

Sunday Morning Worship 5/3/09

Attendance was down some.. weather was crazy Sunday morning and I think a little pig flu scare was going on too.. but the worshipers showed up..the band rocked the house and those that were there sang out.. oh yeah..God was there too.. a great morning. Here's how it went for us.

10:45 Celebration Service

Gathering Music - Forever

Enter the Light of Christ



Welcome and Announcements

Choral Anthem



Praise Music- You Never Let Go
Jesus Messiah



Children’s Sermon

Greeting



Worship Music- How Great Thou Art
All Creatures



Prayer Time and Lord’s Prayer

Prayer Response Artie (Instrumental)



Call to Communion



Prayer for Elements



Communion and Offering- instrumental



Sermon



Invitation to Respond

Invitation Music- Jesus Messiah



Going Out Music - Forever

You can see more worship sets at Fred McKinnon's blog here

Sunday Setlist 4/19/09 Youth Sunday

This was a Sunday that was not without it's struggles.. I was out of town during the week so no weekday practice.. It was youth Sunday so youth singing and leading worship..some tech issues with sound.. regular sound guy was cooking fish for the fish fry luncheon we have after every Youth Sunday event.. We had a drummer for the first time in weeks... a new one...trying to blend all that together was a little tenuous... but it all worked well.

Cool thing was my daughter Hannah brought the message. You can see all this at our church website here eventually once it is archived. I was very proud of her..

Below you can see the flow of the service. It was a great day.. our youth did a wonderful job!! You can see how others worshiped our risen Lord here at FredMckinnon.com

Yes...I know there is lots of Crowder... it's OK.. I promise...

Gathering Music (Glory of it All- Crowder)

Enter the Light of Christ (Tyler Day)

Welcome and Announcements (Cory)

Greeting

Children’s Sermon (Lauren Skelton)

Praise Music (PT & youth singers)

O Praise Him(Crowder)

How Great Thou Art(Hine/Baloche)

Call to Communion (Shelby Garcia)

Prayer for Elements (Mariah Melvin)

Communion and Offering

Communion Music (Never Let Go-Crowder)

Worship Music (PT & youth singers)

A Beautiful Collision(Crowder)

Here I Am Lord(Schutte)

Prayer Time and Lord’s Prayer (Scott Skelton)

Scripture (Dylan Goodier)

Sermon (Hannah Anderson)

Invitation to Respond

Invitation Music (Surely We Can Change, Megan Yeager(Crowder))

Benediction/Prayer for Food (Brax Turner)

Going Out Music (How Great Thou Art)

Song set April 12th Easter Sunday!!

Handbells were awesome today.. The choir's arrangement of "He Arose" was great..festive. We had 4 baptisms, the praise team rocked "Here is our King" and " Better is One Day"..it was just a Spirit filled wonderful morning...here's how it went..

Easter Sunday

10:45 AM Celebration Service

Gathering Music – True Religion (Brenton Brown)(Praise Team)

Enter the Light of Christ

Choral Anthem-He Arose

Call to Worship

Welcome and Announcements

Praise Music

Jesus Messiah-(Tomlin, Carson, Reeves, Cash)

Wonderful Cross-(Reeves, Tomlin, Walt, Watts, Mason)

Children’s Sermon (Cory)

Greeting

Worship Song – Here is our King-(David Crowder)

Act of Christian Baptism

Through baptism, we are buried with Christ, that we, like Him, may be raised from the dead to walk in newness of life.

Worship Song – Better is One Day-(Matt Redman)

Prayer Time and Lord’s Prayer (Artie)

Prayer Response (Handbells)

Call to Communion (Mike)

Prayer for Elements

Communion and Offering

New Members’ First Communion

Scripture (Cory)

Sermon (Mike)

Invitation to Respond

Invitation Music – Jesus Messiah

Going Out Music – Jesus Messiah

See how others worshiped our risen Lord here

Song set April 5th, 2009..Palm Sunday

10:45 AM Celebration Service

Gathering Music (King of Glory, Praise Team)(Carr/Avery/Powell/Lee/Anderson)

Enter the Light of Christ

Opening Music (Handbells)

Welcome and Announcements (Artie)

Praise Music

He is Exalted-(Paris)

Sing Alleluia-(Stassen)

Procession of the Palms (Sing Alleluia) – FCC Children

Children’s Sermon (Kathy)

Greeting

Worship Music

King of Glory- (Tomlin/Reeves)

You Alone-(Crowder)

Prayer Time and Lord’s Prayer (Artie)

Prayer Response (possible choral anthem)

Call to Communion (Cory)

Prayer for Elements

Communion and Offering

Sermon (Mike)

Invitation to Respond

Invitation Music - You Alone (Crowder)

Going Out Music -King of Glory (Tomlin/Reeves)

See what other people did for worship here

Sunday Setlist 3/29/09

March 29

Gathering Music (announcements on screen; lighting of candles)

Wholly Yours - Crowder



Welcome to FCC



Teaser (dramatic reading/monologue of portions of Psalms 51 & 32.)



Choral Anthem: "Create in Me a Clean Heart"



Praise Music

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)Tomlin/Giglio/Excell/Reese

Change My Heart, O God-Espinosa

Here I Am, Lord-Schutte



Children's Sermon (Kathy)

Greeting



Worship Music

Open the Eyes of My Heart-Baloche

Pure Heart-Caraway



Prayer (Cory)



Communion/Offering (Kathy - meditation)



Communion Music - Take My Life-Powell, Carr, Avery, Lee, Anderson



Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Artie)



Sermon (Mike)



Invitation - Here I Am, Lord



Postlude - Pure Heart


See other cool Sunday sets here

Sunday Setlist 3/22/09

March 22: Restoration

Prelude (announcements on screen) - Restored (Camp) -Artie Anderson

Enter the Light of Christ

Opening Song- Everything Glorious (Crowder)

Welcome to FCC/Announcements

Youth Ski Trip Video

Praise Music- Take my Life (Holiness) (Underwood)

Enough (Tomlin)

Children’s Sermon (Kathy)

Greeting

Worship Music- Better is One Day (Redman)

- Empty Me (Way/Comer)

Prayer Time & LP (Mike)

Prayer Response

Communion/Offering (choir - It is Well) (Artie at Table)

Sermon– Cory w/Youth (scripture embedded: 2 Samuel 7:1-16)

Invitation- Enough

Going Forth- Everything Glorious

Check out other cool Sunday Setlists done today here

Sunday Worship 3/15/09

youtube of practice continues to help our Sunday morning prep and the quality of our offering.. another very good Sunday as far as music and a very cool service that I hope helped people think just a little bit more about their every day lives.. Check out the layout of the worship service below...

10:45 AM

Gathering Music – The Cross of Christ (Wright) (announcements on screen)

Enter the Light of Christ

Praise Music

God of Wonders (Byrd/Hindalong)

How Great Thou Art (Hine/Baloche)

Welcome and Announcements

Introduction to Theme (Donna: Exodus 20 video)

Choral Anthem – Alas! and did my savior bleed? (Banks) (Guest Choir Director, Mike Hunter!)

Children’s Sermon (Kathy)

Greeting

This morning we invite you to introduce yourself by stating which of the Ten Commandment YOU think is the most important.

Worship Music

All in All (Jernigan)

Wonderful Cross (Reeves/Tomlin/Walt/Watts/Mason)

Prayer Time & Lord’s Prayer (Kathy)

Prayer Response – Enid Hunter, oboe

Scripture Reading – Exodus 20:1-17 (Artie)

Sermon – Does the List Matter? (Mike)

Invitation to Respond

Invitation Music – Sanctuary (Thompson/Scruggs) (transition to table on second verse)

Call to Communion (Mike)

Prayer for Elements

10 Word Exercise

This morning we invite you to circle the word identifying the commandment you struggle with most. You will keep one copy for yourself and bring one forward to lay at the foot of the cross before you participate in the offering and communion.

Communion & Offering (praise team instrumental)

All Christians, regardless of denomination, are invited to participate in this meal of love and remembrance. Come forward to lay your tablet at the cross, before presenting your offering and partaking of communion. You may come to the Table when you feel led and depart on your own.

Go Out in God’s Peace…

See more Sunday worship setlists here

Peace everyone..

New tune..

A new song I just wrote.. I haven't written one in a pretty good while. Let me know what you think..not that I'll change anything..but I might :P No really..you know who you are.. give me your feedback.



You can also check out some other cool original tunes here.. at the online songwriters showcase..

Catching you up...

I hope I don't make this too long but here's what's been up lately..

Friday Octoboer 17th.. drive to Conroe to do some work around my in-laws house.. almost hit a deer and scared the crap out of everyone.

Saturday October 18th.. Clean out my wife's aunt's house and get stuff for the 2nd "Send Hannah to Rome" garage sale (see pic of truck for our spoils).

Sunday October 19th.. Breif worship confessional..

Rain Down

To Every Nation

You Never Let Go

Communion-Come Ye Sinners

Went home, ate lunch, took a nap, drove to Fort Worth...Hannah did most of the driving on this trip..


, ate at Uncle Julio's with Donna, Hannah and Katie Anderson.. yeah. a table full of Andersons... but not all mine.

Monday October 20th.. Spent the morning hanging out with Katie on the TCU campus as she showed us around. Ate Lunch at Fuzzies and saw Nikolee Beyers (our super awesome student intern from last summer).

Saw Aaron Marez that morning too and he did our orientation meeting.. that was cool.

Hung out around the college of communications that afternoon and took a tour and saw Brittany Brookshire Adams.. she gave us all big hugs and we hugged her back and she introduced Hannah to her class.. that was cool. Also looked around the radio, TV, film department and that's where Hannah would like to study.. heck so would I.. looked pretty fun.

Drove back to Lufkin then drove (by myself) to Waco to do Fortune 100 transportation work.. hit a deer east of Marlin. No one hurt.. including the deer I think.. the PT Cruiser got a little damage though.

Tuesday Oct 21st.. Worked in Waco, age at Rudy's that night. Stopped at Sonic and got a sonic blast.. shot the last needed video I have to do to complete my half of the Todd and Artie eats video.. now if I could just get time to put it all on a CD and ship it to you.

Wednesday Oct 22nd.. worked in Waco that morning and drove back to rehearse for drug court entertainment.

Thursday Oct 23rd.. Worked that day then did entertainment for Judge White's drug court and drug court graduation at our Fellowship Hall. We did:

Unclouded Day

I'll Fly Away

Everything (Caraway, Anderson, et. al.)

The Road to Recovery (Muchow)

Friday Oct 24th Worked and went to the first half of the LP/University Park game (the half with no score).

Saturday Oct 25th Learned "Audience of One" by Big Daddy Weave and "Give me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath. Cleaned House..moved all of Hannah's garage sale stuff out of the guest room in to the "media room" (that's a future name for what is now a junk room). Did laundry, practiced Audience of One with Shawn Reith. Hung out with Cory Glover and many of his friends who came in for his Ordination that occured Sunday night. Tell him he needs to blog. Went home early because I had to get up early for church..

Sunday Oct 26th.. video worship confessional and more..

Yes.. our wallpaper is coming off the wall in our bedroom... we'll be fixing that some day soon.

And that's a PBJ..yes I ate it right after shooting that vid.

Oh and by the way. We had myself on Acoustic Guitar and Amanda Hutchinson on bass..that was our whole band.. We had several singers and thank you Scott Skelton, Tara Watson, Bill Malnar and Tina Peavey for being there along with Amanda..

You can see the video of Cory's ordination here.

Monday Oct 27th..worked that day and vegged that night..watched some dvr'd shows and ate and skipped bible study.. I was too worn out. Forgive me.

Tuesday Oct 28th..worked at you know where that day and that night planned, scanned and e-mailed music for the next couple of weeks. I have even updated my sidebar here on my blog with the music that is planned for the next few weeks. I also went to the Goodiers to get more garage sale stuff for Hannah. I plan to head to the Tyson's Thursday and get their offerings to the Rome trip.

OK, my hands are cramping.. I think that's enough.

Gospel Fest..on video

My friend Don sent this email out...
---------------------------------------------------
For those who were not able to attend Bonita UMC's Gospel fest this year, it can be viewed and heard at the following link:

www.bonitaumc.org

At the bottom left of that page, click on <1> under "Gospel Fest Video"

There are 3 parts. Part <2> will be uploaded and available by Thursday and then Part <3> on Friday.

There was wide diversity in the musical styles and among those in atttendence -- but there was unity in the Spirit.

DeColores
Don Clark

------------------------------------------------------------------
I haven't had a chance to look at it yet..can't do that from work but I hope to later tonight.

Gospel Fest

A few members or our praise team and myself ventured to Bonita United Methodist Church today and participated in their annual Gospel Fest. My friend Don Clark and others have organized this for a few years now and I've gone every year. This is the first time I've brought church family with me.

It's a great time with all kinds of gospel music performed from CCM (that would be us) to black gospel and even secular tunes with a spiritual message.

Wonderful people from the church also make or bring great food (especially the desserts) and an offering is taken up to help Love Inc.

I tried to take those that were there on a little bit of a spiritual journey with God from our first understanding of a great and wonderful God that we don't understand..to the coming of our messiah to the fact that we are saved and it is time for us to respond.. The set list was..

God of Wonders (Byrd/Hindalong)
Forever (Tomlin)
Rain Down (Crowder)
Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel (a la Sufjan Stevens)
A Beautiful Collision (Crowder)
Jesus Messiah (Tomlin)
How Great Thou Art ( a la Baloche)
All Creatures (a la Crowder on Illuminate)
Surely We Can Change (Crowder).

It was a great time.. some of the gospel groups we heard and worshiped were phenomenal. We received great feedback regarding our presentation as well. It's always a great time to hang out with loving Godly people and worship with them.

Jesus Messiah

OK, I just got my computer back up so I go through my e-mails and I get one from Chris Tomlin..yeah we're big buds.. no not really..never met the man.. no that is actually a lie. Met him at Saddleback a few years back at a worship conference, very nice man and I think an incredibly gifted and anointed person to bring forth songs of praise. Not always what I'm looking for and not always music that I just immediately embrace but I always end up liking it...

Anyway..I'm on a mailing list like a gazillion others so I get this email about a new song..

Jesus Messiah...

I don't know why.. I don't always just jump up and buy stuff on itunes but I did...

My heart is overflowing..my eyes are welling up...it is a beautiful song so good for worship. Great vocal stuff for a praise team to do with multiple vocalists...

The message is simple.. the song sounds very playable but it is a touching package of music,word,spirit and energy. I'm blown away.. it can be use for opening worship, communion, worship..I'm loving it in a big way!!!

It already has a big play count on my itunes.. I do that.. play stuff over and over and over and......

I feel this one being done in church soon!!

Liquid

Nikolee, our awesome summer youth intern, was in charge of worship Sunday night at "Liquid" our summer youth program. She used the the video below as a basis for her teaching.

I opened with one of my new favorite songs "The Twenty-first Time" by Monk and Neagle. She then had a student read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

I then sang "A Beautiful Collision" and then Nilolee began the video.

The video choked me up. I had never seen it before but it did a great job of telling stories about people who demanded change.. peaceful change.


She then began teaching on 1 Peter 5:2-11
The main message was obviously "how will we serve?" and "how can we change the world?". Her discussions was also about "what are our motivations in doing these things?"

Nikolee did a great job in teaching from the scripture and challenging and questioning the students on how and what they can do.

I then did "Rise" by Robbie Seay Band and "Surely we can Change" by Crowder.

She then had the students go outside and do chalk drawings regarding the teaching. From looking at the drawings.. I think she got the point across.

House

Not to long ago.. because my son had been watching it... I began watching a show called House.

It's a show like I've never seen before. It is mostly a comedy I guess but it has drama aspects to it too. But it is also a pretty heady medical show. I mean the people that help write this thing must be medical geniuses or can really make up a bunch of medical stuff that fools the heck out of me.

The main character of the show is Dr. Gregory House. He is pretty much a loaner. He doesn't interact with the patients much because he really doesn't care about them (at least that is what we are to understand). He hates to work in the clinic and ends up creating some pretty funny scenes when he has to. He works through is medical staff to help with diagnostic problems that others cannot handle. He does that because it's interesting. Not because he cares but because it's challenging.. oh yeah..he's addicted to pain killers and likes to drink a little to much too.

I can remember seeing ads for the show months back thinking there was no way I could enjoy a show that was so hateful and mean. House is so demeaning to his staff, to patients and to his only friend Wilson.. a kind hearted oncologist that I can't for the life of me figure out why he likes and hangs out with House except that they wrote him that way.

Anyway..I've gotten hooked on this show. I love the caustic put downs that House comes up with. It reminds me of some of us at work who love to take jabs at each other. We love to "hate" on each other.. but in the show it's not friendly jabs but it is great ammo for work.

All the stuff they work on is trying to figure out what is wrong with someone when no one else can figure it out. The interactions between the characters are great and it's fun to watch how House's team work against and with each other to deal with patients and House and the game of figuring out what's wrong.

Last night it was the season finale... It's hard for me to think of it. It was the most depressing and sad season finale I've ever seen. I won't post what happened here because you might want to go to the link and watch it because if you know the characters at all it really had them show themselves deep down and real.. and there were things revealed about Dr. House that you may not have realized. It was a great show.. You could even read a little about it here.

There was also a great song at the end of the show that was haunting.. It was called "Passing Afternoon" by "Iron and Wine". What a cool song. I had to find it. My daughter knew who the group was when she heard them on the show so we then searched for it so I could hear it again.. We re-ran the TiVo a couple of times but I needed to know more about the group and the song.

You can check out the MySpace too but that song isn't on there. It needs to be but I think it's some pretty cool music. Hannah found a YouTube someone had done with "Passing Afternoon" in the background. I thought it was pretty cool so I thought I'd share it.

This may all be old news to you but the show blew me away and so did the music.

Music

I know that a key part of my ability to lead worship in my church is to listen to and find new music... or is it???? I have been a song writer in the past but it was something that just happened. The Lord inspired me, gave me words regarding scripture, things that were happening in my life, etc. It was not something that I sat down and did like a job. Well there were a few times when Chris Caraway and other friends (David McElveen, Tom Baker (T), Annie Gipson, etc..I hope no one gets mad) and I sat down with the intention to write a song...about a play we had in mind doing or for a group of new confirmands but so many times it was just something that came to me. It was usually when I had some time alone. I also know listening to music influences the ability to write.

Long drives to meetings... back when I used to have to go out and deliver (thank God that doesn't happen any more) those were times when I seemed to be blessed with inspiration from God. It put me in a habit of driving whith my radio or CD player OFF. My mind and my heart would reflect on God and God's work.

I've also been a person that usually does not listen to more than 3 or 4 artists at a time. When I was young(er)... ZZ TOP, Jimmy Buffett, Jerry Jeff Walker. Not a ton of chart topping musicians there in that group.. at least not when I started listening to them. But that was pretty much the 3 artists I listened to in college... throw in some Foreigner, Van Halen, SRV, Ray Wiley Hubbard, Gary P. Nunn...oh yes.. I did have my infatuation with E.L.O. for a while too, but most of the time I listen to just 3 or 4 groups/artists at a time.

Then comes MTV (yes I am pre MTV) and ZZ TOP becomes huge. I hear not too long ago that Jimmy Buffett is some kind of huge country music star and has actually put out an award winning song. JJW is still not a huge star although he has written a huge song (Mr. Bojangles)..yeah he wrote it.

With all of that, I usually listen to any of their older stuff... that's what happens to people that are not young(er) any more. I listen to K-FOX now and again to hear what the students listen to but it really doesn't sink in... (I do love "Hey There Delilah").. I know it's old and stuff but the melody and the chorus just says I love you like I want to say I love you to my wife.. ahh.. go ahead, make fun of me... anyway......

With all this, it makes it hard for me...at least it is against my nature... to listen to a lot of music. I savor music. I hear things the 23rd time that I didn't hear the first 22. I listened to Third Day's "Offerings" CD a lot... and I mean a lot before "Love Song" suddenly kicked me in the gut and had me crying as I was driving down the road. I like listening to contemporary christian music. I like worship music. I liked Crowder when hardly anyone listened to him.. years before he was on the radio. I like Mercy Me.. not near as much as I used to. They haven't done anything to me.. it's not their fault. I loved them before they were signed to a label and were gigantumongous rock stars. But I still love to listen to "Worship Project" a lot. I love listening to my old passion CD's.. a lot. They still make me feel closer to God. I love Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman. Heck I still listen to Among Thorns.

By the way this would be an appropriate time for me to give credit to Chris Caraway for turning me on to all this great stuff before hardly anyone else knew who they were. Thank you Chris!

All this leads to a couple of things....

Does worship music get old? It seems that worship leaders are always looking for and gobbling up new worship music like it was mom's apple pie. I realize the need for fresh music but I get intimidated by the fact that I like to do music that is 5 to 10 years old and I look at other worship leaders song sets and I don't do anything like they do.

How do I do a better job of finding new fresh music without putting my congregation in to culture shock? I still love Crowder... most of his stuff works at youth and I do love some of his slower stuff for the main service but no doubt there is a lot that is not doable for me in my main church setting. I have subcribed (as you can see from my "listening to" blocks to the right over there) to vineyards music club to try and help me expand my horizons a little but I have to say... with a 4 minute ride to work each morning and a 4 minute ride home... a full and I mean FULL time job at FedEx along with my part time duties at my church. I have a hard time digesting new music... (remember how long it takes me to get in to some music...most music... I bring up Third Day's "Love Song" again). How do I find new stuff to do without turning it in to a detestable excercise that makes me want to turn my radio "off" and listen to God in the quiet of it all??? Or the road noise of it all?

Anyway.. I want to know more, but it's also against my nature and the way I operate. I mean look at traditional worship!! They have books folks. 600 something pages of stuff they do over and over and over...and usually do only a small section of that.

My life is "rich and full" as I like to say which means I'm buried most days. I don't want my listening pleasures.. what few I have... to turn in to drudgery. I like doing "Not to Us" and "Let it Come", "Forever", "Sweet Wind" and "It's all about You (Jesus, Lover of my Soul) with a "Rain Down" thrown in there for a little spice. (Rain Down is actually an old song too... but was re-released on Crowder's "Remedy" CD.. I love it!!)

Thoughts???