The SBC and a Giant Cow

Our family returned the other day from the Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis, MO. This was the first year that we took the whole family. We decided that it would be good for our boys to come along and experience the big annual meeting Of our denomination.

We noticed that there would be a camp-like event taking place during the time of the Pastor’s Conference and the Convention itself. We figured we would give it a try.

This event was hosted by Giant Cow Ministries.

I just wanted to say that our boys (ages 4, 6, and 8) had an amazing time at this event. They have not stopped talking about the games, music, and missionaries that they heard from.

I am so grateful to the people at Giant Cow Ministries and the SBC for having this wonderful and inspiring event for our children. I highly recommend these folks at Giant Cow Ministries.

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Tunes for Thursday 01.16.14

This song has been on my mind the past couple of days.  Hope that the Holy Spirit uses it today to encourage your heart today.

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Give Thanks Day 26

 

On this dreary Tuesday, I am very thankful for the gift of music.  I would love to be able to say that I am talented at some instrument or can work a mic with the best of them, but that would be a lie.  I do play a mean radio or CD or iTunes playlist though!

Music is one of the things that God has allowed to be created that touches the heart like few things can.  I can remember joking with some college buddies about the fact that there is a song for virtually anything under the sun.  If you are in a downer mood, there's always that hope of hearing "that song" on the radio which picks you up.  If you are cruising down the road, a little "Sweet Home Alabama" hits the spot.

God truly knew His creation well when He allowed music to be invented.  It impacts and inspires people like few things on this playground we call earth.  The sad part is that because it is such an powerful tool, it has been perverted in many cases and used for evil (shame).  I truly believe that music was first invented as a means for people to worship God and express their devotion to Him.  I believe that it an also be used to tell a good story or just express how one is feeling, but to use it to destroy what God is seeking to build up is a tragedy.

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A Song For Friday

This song has been on my mind for the past week, so I thought that I would share it with you.  Enjoy.

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Song Stuck In My Head

For some reason, I have had this song playing over and over in my mind today.  Maybe someone else is supposed to hear the message contained within, so here you go...

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Free Chris Sligh Download

I just got my copy of this former American Idol's new worship album. The great thing is that you can have a copy of it too! Just click the link below and get your free download.

Chris Sligh Download.

Enjoy!

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11 Years Later

I can remember growing up and hearing the older adults in my family talk about remembering all the details of the day when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  Many years had passed since that day.  Many new memories had logged a place in their minds.  The events of that day though were still crystal clear.

I always wondered if there would be something that would etch a picture in my mind and last for the rest of my life.  11 years ago today, it happened.  The day, as Alan Jackson sang about, "when the world stopped turning."



I can remember many of the details of that day.  I remember being woke up by a phone call from a friend who asked what I was doing.  I politely told him that I was sleeping because of the late night of work the night before.  I remember turning on the TV to see the second plane hit the World Trade Center towers. I remembered the puzzled and helpless feeling in that moment when I realized that our country had been attacked.

Today, I think about that day and some of the lessons I learned from it.

• Don't be caught asleep.  I can remember Jesus telling these words to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane just moments before He was betrayed.  When we are asleep at the wheel and feel like nothing can happen to us, that's when the bomb is dropped on us.


• Don't wait to tell your loved ones you love them.  How many on September 11, 2001 had wished that they had simply said those three little words to the ones that meant the most to them.  God gives us each day and we need to make the most of each one He gives us.  Tell your loved ones what they mean to you every chance you get, because when they're gone, you can't.


• People look to God in times of desperation.  I remember that Sunday, September 16, 2001 was a high attendance day in many churches across the USA.  People flocked to the one place they thought had answers.  When our world comes crashing down around us and everything we think was so stable crumbles, we are faced with the reality that the only sure, stable thing in the universe is the Sovereign God who loves us so.

Take a moment today to remember those who lost loved ones on this day 11 years ago.  Say a prayer for those families.  Never forget the lessons you've learned in life.

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God's Not Dead

The Newsboys' latest hit song has blown up the air waves of Christian music (as well as it should) with the message that "God's Not Dead!"  My two oldest sons will stop whatever they are doing and begin singing along with the great words of this great song.  You don't know how good it makes this daddy feel to hear his sons singing the truth that Jesus is very much alive today!

If you have not heard it, I have found the official video for the song and posted it below.  I encourage you to watch, listen, and pass it along! See if you can guess the "guest voice" that shows up about 3:00.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw&w=560&h=315]

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The Charismatic Experience

This past Sunday morning, I attended a worship service at a local charismatic church in the area where we are currently living. From previous experiences, I knew a little of what to expect. Here are some of my experiences at this particular church.

A warm, welcoming environment.
From the moment that I pulled into the parking lot, I was welcomed with open arms. There was a gentleman at the entrance that was friendly and helpful in finding a place. I was warmly greeted at the door by a few people who helped me find my way around. This was something that made the experience start off very well.

Vibrant worship through songs.
This was a part of the experience that I assumed would be there. There was a praise band that led in songs with high energy. There was clapping, jumping, and hands lifted high. There seemed to be a joy and excitement present that was amazing. Contrary to what many may think, there was no "jumping of pews and speaking in weird languages." The scene was very similar to what might be seen in any typical youth worship service.

Creativity.
From the stage decorations to the videos shown to the presentation of the sermon, creativity was at every corner. A great deal of time, effort, and money had been put into creating an environment that pushed the message of the day. I thought this was well done and that mission was accomplished.

Conflicting message in the sermon.
I know that this "denomination" has been labelled as one that is weak in theology, especially in sermons. As stated in my previous post, it is impossible to lump all charismatic churches into one fold by this experience. But this particular time, from the onset of the sermon, they walked a very fine line theologically. During the sermon, the pastor was talking about renewing our minds through the Word. He made it a point to say that it was not just "positive thinking", but many times, he made it out to be just that. Also I felt that while the service was warm, it put limiting qualities on God and made it more about "us."

This experience, for the most part, was a good one. It did remind me that there needs to be an intentional focus on the Word of God and to make sure that it is presented correctly and clearly. It's not enough to have neat sets and warm environments. If the truth of God's Word isn't clearly presented and celebrated, then we've missed the boat.

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A Different View

This week I plan to blog a little about my experiences with a recent assignment that I had in my Worship Leadership class for seminary. We were told to go and visit three worship experiences. There were only a few stipulations:

Each experience has to be a different denomination than you are a part of.

There has to be one that is more aesthetic in nature. This means that it is more liturgical and dealing more with reverence and awe.

There has to be one that is more kinesthetic or moving in nature.

I must say that I was looking forward to this assignment because I enjoy seeing people and how they worship the Lord. I will be sharing about my experiences with a Roman Catholic church, charismatic church, an a Wesleyan church.

Stay tuned...

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Great Video About What Worship Is Not

I came across this video from FBC Orlando, FL.  Sadly, this may look all too familiar in some "churches".

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJp98hoqy5I?rel=0]

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How Great Thou Art Video

I finally got around to watching the YouTube video that has been going around lighting up the internet. I can now see what all the chatter was about.  This is a great rendition of a great hymn of the Christian faith.  Check it out if you haven't seen it yet.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk?rel=0&hd=1&w=640&h=390]

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Great Resource for Worship Needs

Last night in our student ministry, we did not have anyone available to lead worship for our student worship service.  This is not a good situation to be in.  I was glad that a friend of mine let me know about a great resource for just such situations.  It is LifeChurch.tv's open resources.  I have been amazed at the heart of LifeChurch.tv.  They truly want to help out fellow believers around the world.  They have created many great tools that are free for churches who might not be able to get those resources if they were charged the normal value.  This open resource page of LifeChurch.tv has so many tools that you can use: messages (for kids, youth, and adults), small group studies, worship sets, and more.

As I was saying, last night we had no one to lead our group in musical worship.  We actually used one of the worship sets (which you can download as a .mov or .wmv file) and just played it on the screen.  It was like a live simulcast of a worship service.  The leaders made it seem as if our group was right there in the room with them.  Not to mention that the talent of these worship leaders is off the charts.

Next time you get in a bind and need a little help, check out LifeChurch.tv's open resources that are available to churches around the globe... for free!

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Funny Video from Tim Hawkins

You gotta check out this funny video about musicians getting older.

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Classic Rock Devotion

I was driving back to the house today to enjoy some Subway lunch that I had picked up and was flipping through the radio stations when I came upon the classic rock station in town (yeah, baby).  Bon Jovi' s "You Give Love A Bad Name" was blaring from my speakers.  It has been a while since I heard that little tune.  As I listened along, my mind began to hang on the chorus of that song...

Shot through the heart and you're to blame
you give love a bad name.

It is times like this that I know that I am what the Bible calls a Christian because the Holy Spirit began speaking to me about how this chorus relates to God.  I know that Jon Bon Jovi had anything but God on his mind when he wrote/performed that song, but God was having a moment with me.

• 1 John 4:16 tells us that "God is love."


• Acts 11:26 says that the followers of Jesus were first called 'Christians' in Antioch.  This term means "little Christ" or "like Christ".

If God is love, and we are His representatives and supposed to look like Him, the question that arose in my mind is "are we giving LOVE a bad name?"  Whether we like it or not, a Christ-follower is the clearest picture of who God is on this earth at this time.  May it never be said of us that we are giving LOVE (our God) a bad name.

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Music Review: Red's "Innocence and Instinct"

The other day, I got my first shipment here at my current church of the YLO media pack.  If you are in student ministry, you need to have this budgeted for.  You can find out more about this great resource of music, posters, dvds, bible studies, and even a couple of surprises every now and then by going to interlinc's website.

The first cd that I decided to check out was Red's "Innocence and Instinct".  I am glad that I did.  This cd is one that is filled with some great rocking sounds and an even better message.  It's been a long time since I've heard a true Christian rock band that really made me listen to the whole cd.  This one did easily.  If you are looking for something that will make you feel it down deep with some great riffs and lyrics, go and get this cd.  You won't be disappointed.

Grade: A-

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