Written on 6/27/2008 09:33:00 AM by Miles
I find myself struggling today with some things, especially related to worship leading. This is kind of a big deal to me, considering that part of my actual vocation is worship leading and being creative. I'm struggling with all of that today and am questioning many things about myself in the process like, "is this what I'm even supposed to be doing...both in my job and in the church?" I guess it's an identity crisis of sorts.
So, if you pray, I would ask for your prayers on this. Pray for wisdom and the ability to hear clearly what God says about me and not what I think about myself. Pray that I can trust if I do hear...
'preciate it.
Posted in
Gut Check,
Miscellaneous,
Worship
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Written on 6/23/2008 10:46:00 PM by Miles
holy moley!
US Navy base located in Coronado, CA
I saw this the other day and thought I'd share. geesh.
Posted in
Miscellaneous
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Written on 6/15/2008 09:29:00 PM by Miles
....and I love it!
****EDIT**** no, he's not back....
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Miscellaneous
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Written on 6/12/2008 11:20:00 AM by Miles
Have you ever said this? "I just can’t worship with that kind of music."
If you haven’t said it, I’m sure you’ve heard it, especially, if you are a worship leader. I’m pretty sure I’ve said this before. I know I’ve definitely thought it. I love a lot of the music of today. I especially love acoustic-driven music that is not polished, but that has a raw quality to it. So, when I have gone to tradtional worship services in the past, it’s been a challenge for me to worship God in that setting. If you’re thinking that I’m unspiritual because of this, you are very right to think it. I visited a traditional(in regards to worship music) church service a couple of years ago in Arizona when God opened my eyes to this. I was sitting there during the music and thinking about how I would do the song differently, and God basically slapped me in the face. I felt Him say to me, "Josh, worship me. If you can’t worship me with this music, don’t bother worshipping me with your music." I walked away from that a changed person and worship leader. I wonder about our current church now. I've not heard testimonies of people who have worshipped and connected with God for the first time, even though they don’t really prefer the music style that we bring. That's not saying that it hasn't happened...I just don't know for sure. If that is happening, then I would consider that aspect of our services as success. I mean, that is what it's all about. It’s not about the methods or styles in which we minister and praise. It’s about the Holy Spirit speaking to us and guiding us to the Father.
I feel that there is a danger that is gaining momentum in our Christian culture. I’m afraid that the younger generations could be/are being affected by this danger. The danger is conditional worship. It’s where worship only happens when the lights go off and the cool loops or videos play, or not until the big build after the bridge of the song. For the record, these things are not bad ideas at all. When used properly, there are so many things that can enhance the experience and touch the senses, but we need balance. We need to learn and disciple our churches to worship God no matter what the circumstances. We need to learn to worship God under a tone-deaf worship leader or an organ. We need to learn to worship God without music. And I'm not saying "we" here to be condescending at all. I am included in that word each time it's used for sure.
Paul said in Colossians 2:16 - "So don’t put up with anyone pressuring you in details
of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast
before what was to come; the substance is Christ." (The Message)
To come to church and expect God to do something big corporately, is a growth in maturity in our worship. There are too many people that are coming inspecting, instead of expecting. I remember going to a student conference with my brother-in-law and his youth group where there were approx 10,000 students worshipping in a massive arena. That was amazing, but, for me, it wasn’t the best part of the weekend. The best part was going to a traditional worship service the next day and worshipping the same God with a different song. I mean, we went from Chris Tomlin and Switchfoot to hymn books, folks. That’s the best thing we could learn that weekend. That no matter what the conditions, no matter what the style, and no matter what the song, God is God outside of our preferences.
Posted in
Gut Check,
Worship
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Written on 6/09/2008 09:03:00 PM by Miles
guitar.
I was stringing this old thing up tonight for a friend to take to San Diego for a youth camp, and I must say I had forgotten about how good this thing sounds. It's an Art & Lutherie Wild Cherry model. Apparently they don't make this model any longer. I'm not sure if this is a cool thing, or a we've moved on to something different sort of thing. Either way, that's the model I have. I actually got it as a trade for my first true guitar. My dad got me a starter guitar for my birthday. I'm pretty sure it wasn't made of any real wood except for the neck. Long story short: I left it overnight in my car in the middle of winter and the neck didn't stay in the same place that I remembered it being the day before. So, I took it back to the place where my dad bought it.
There were a couple of teenage guys working at the music store that day. I walked it in and asked if I could get it fixed and, after giving it a quick once-over, they laughed (pretty hard I might add). They walked me over to a rack of guitars and said that I could pick any guitar on it and trade it for the warped guitar, even Steven. They were delighted that I had brought the other one back, as it meant for them an afternoon of busting the guitar against a tree outside (their words). So, I picked this one. I liked how it looked really natural with the cherry top, back & sides. No fancy frills or inlay, just some fake pearl dots and an etched rosette around the sound hole. I loved it.
It currently has a not-so-straight neck, as it was this way when I got it. But, it's not enough to really hurt it unless you play way up on the neck (which I don't). I couldn't believe the sound it had tonight after putting a new set of strings on it. I haven't even thought about this guitar since I bought my new one recently. It's just been sitting on a stand here in the apartment. But now, I think I'm about going to play it more when sitting around the house, or if I want to take it somewhere outdoors just to noodle around with. It's the guitar I learned chords on, and the one I played when I realized I could play and sing at the same time without sounding like a total dweeb.
The point of this post? Heck, I don't know. I guess it's this: You don't know whatcha got 'til it's gone.....to San Diego for a week. :-)
Be good to it and stay classy San Diego (founded by the Germans in 1904, of course) .
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Miscellaneous
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Written on 6/03/2008 06:58:00 PM by Miles
One more from Brooke Fraser for you guys. This one is called, "C.S. Lewis Song." The first two lines of the first verse and the last two of the second verse are just awesome.
Here are the lyrics
If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary
Then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared
[chorus]
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan
As I wait for hope to come for me
Am I lost or just less found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
'Cos my comfort would prefer me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become
[chorus]
[bridge]
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope He's coming
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