She could be in Your Church on Sunday

July 18, 2011 in Worship with 8 Comments

So Casey Anthony was released from jail early Monday morning.  She then cleverly disappeared into the night.  No one knows where she is, no one knows where she will end up.  She COULD end up in your neighborhood or in your church on Sunday.

According to the law, she is innocent.  No matter what you believe or feel, according to our countries laws she is a free woman. She will, in some way, try and get her life started again.  I’m not even sure if thats possible, but let’s say for the moment that she tries to do so by first taking a step toward God.  I know that we have a savior who loves no matter what.  We serve a God who’s mercy goes beyond our understanding.  So I know this for sure; Casey Anthony is dearly loved by God.

So what if she showed up at your church on Sunday?  What would she encounter?  Does she deserve mercy?  What should our reaction be?  No doubt it would make national news.  Just for conversation sake, share your thoughts.

KILL IT or Start Over?

July 15, 2011 in Family, Life with 8 Comments

So we’ve bought a house this week. Needless to say we’re excited about having a house big enough for our clan, and in a community we love. After what seems like forever of being transients, we’ve laid some roots and couldn’t be any more excited.

As parents of 6 children who love the water, it was a thrill to have the bonus of a pool at the new place. There’s just a slight problem, as you can see here.

Yeah, it’s kinda gross. This picture, was actually taken a couple of weeks ago so it’s even more gross now. So me and the Mrs. are trying to GUESS what to do. I’ve never had a pool, and my dad only got a pool after we left the house…which I find hilarious.

We called in reinforcements. We called A POOL GUY.

His reaction was just as you might expect. It was the controlled “eewwwuuu…” look. After discovering that everything works (pumps, filters, etc…) he began to give us the options. It all came down to two choices; either KILL IT, or drain it and START OVER. So I said, “Whats the catch? Which is least expensive?” Yeah..I said it. I’m the man, I’m the budget guy, I’m the do-it-yourselfer. We decided that the best over all decision was to drain it and start all over.

yeah, it’s basically a Cement Pond. So we’re draining it and starting over with fresh water.

We’re doing a reboot. A do-over. Clear the boards. Wash it all off and start again.

I’m so glad we have a heavenly Father who is gracious and kind. He’s the author of starting again. There are so many things in life that you can’t do-over; there are many things that are permanent when we mess’em up. But the eyes of our Father see us in a new way each morning. See here; Lamentations 3:22-23

22 It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Thank God for His faithfulness!  Thank God for His mercy and limitless grace.  It goes way beyond my understanding, but without it we’re all still dead in sin.

Now.  I’m off to another day of cleaning, painting, fixing and smiling!

Social Media Revolution

June 23, 2011 in Life with 0 Comments

Interesting video, filled with statistics about social media.

Finding an “Updraft” Part 2

June 22, 2011 in Life, The Church with 3 Comments

Last post about “Updrafts” we looked at our personal relationship with God, and how to make sure we find those places that we’re truly carried by God’s love and energy and not our own. This time, think more in terms of how we minister out of our own strength in Christ.

I was talking with a great friend of mine a several months ago and he inspired me with the idea of finding updrafts in ministry. We were speaking about leadership and how the kingdom is being pushed and inspired by simple yet revolutionary thinking (Frances Chan, David Platt, etc…). We began talking about what God was doing in ministry in our church and how things were changing. We began talking in that term…”updraft” as a thing God was leading us to do, or pushing us to explore. We were finding that updraft in how we were leading and how our leadership was functioning to motivate and leverage our energy. It was a fascinating conversation because it opened my eyes to another method of God’s leadership in my life.

Personally I’m in an updraft right now in my songwriting. You may find yourself in a updraft in your prayer life, or in how you are leading your family. You may discover a new way to do something very old that leads to new energy and inspiration. Those are “updrafts”. Or rather, what I CALL updrafts. In God’s word He speaks of new things. Consider Isaiah 42:9 (NASB).

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”

I think it’s important that we don’t always look for the “new thing”. Looking for the BBD (Bigger Better Deal) gets us in all kinds of trouble! There’s no bigger better deal in God’s plan; there’s only His plan.  Find it, and you’ll find that “new thing” or the “updraft” you’ve longed for.

Ways to Identify Updrafts in God’s Leading…

  • Do NOT Live In Fear – You will accomplish little when fear stands between you and what you see God leading you to do. If it’s bigger than you, fear not. Rejoice and find the updraft. 2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
  • An Open Heart – Closed off to a limited way of functioning will hinder you. Where do you find inspiration? Joy? Peace and love? Let God lead you that way with an open heart and an open mind. The thing you’re passionate about is the thing God may be calling you to change.
  • Draw Near – A closeness with God and His word will always open doors. Don’t get so caught up in DOING the ministry or your job that you forget what you are called to do; to know Him and make Him known to others. You can’t lead people where you are not going yourself, or have already been.
  • Look For Other High Flyers – if you’re a song writer, what are they writing and how are they seeing success? If you’re a homeschooling mom, find a homeschooling mom who’s got it together and be inspired. If you’re a staff member of a church and you’re struggling, find one who’s moving and find out what they’re doing.

Know that God is in your searching. May God richly bless your day!

NEVER Give Up

June 20, 2011 in Life with 3 Comments

This past week was VBS week at Midway.  I’m still exhausted, but WOW what a week.

I was on the Squirrel Squad this week (our tech team at Midway is called “Squirrels” because at times we look like squirrels in a mad dash to find, store or fix something). It was a blast seeing kids grow in their faith and walk and make first time commitments to Christ.

One night one of our team members showed me this video and want to share it with you. All I can say is if God is in it, NEVER GIVE UP.

That girl has as much heart as any person I’ve ever seen. Just wanted to share!

Finding an “Updraft” Part 1

June 9, 2011 in Life, Worship with 7 Comments

Every believer finds themselves in times or places where they feel as if they’re stale or dry. It happens. So what changed to get us there, and what changes to get us out? Well, if you’ve had my experience in times like these, the answer usually presents itself in odd places or in strange timing.

My father and I have often talked about and marveled at people who fly gliders. I’m talking about those big, long winged aircraft that can’t get into the air on their own power. Yet in the right circumstances and in the right place they can stay up for hours just riding the updrafts. The interesting thing is that the most common place to find these kinds of updrafts is in desert terrain.

It’s sort of like us. We’d like to think theres some kinda power that we generate that gets us in the air, but in reality we’re under the power of someone else. We can mystify it, fake it until we make it and deflect it all we want but at the end of the day we are ultimately headed to the ground without an outside power. Consider Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I’m thinking about every time I’ve considered myself strong in a situation. It wasn’t my strength…per say. Yeah, I may have felt strong, but it was the life of Christ living and being strong IN me.

Are you in need of an updraft? Does the ground seem closer all of a sudden? There aren’t “solutions”. It’s just not a part of this life. But there are things we can do to put us in a position to find the joy and life in Christ that gives us strength, understanding that as the bible says “God’s joy gives strength.”

  • Always go to God’s word – If you’re not in it, you’re not living it. And if you’re not living it there’s no way you’ll be living in the strength of God. You may be faking it very well, but your strength will eventually fade. Find and make the time to spend filling yourself with the things that build strength in your life. Read it, listen to it, read about it or read from someone who’s living it.
  • Spend time around people who add to you, not take away from you – Don’t be a life sucker! Don’t dwell AROUND life suckers. Be one who adds life and learn from those who God has added life to. My pastor always says; “Scott, swim with the swimmers man.”
  • Never stop worshiping – you may not feel like it; but you gotta remember who you serve. It’s a trust thing, not a feeling thing and unfortunately many times we worship when we feel something. Gravity works no matter where or how you feel it. God is even more sure and constant.
  • Remove the stumbling blocks - resist the temptation to DO something radical or irrational. The most likely solution is addition by subtraction…in other words look for things you need to remove from your life.
  • Pray – And yes, there are many days we feel the prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling. I assure you they do not. Remember; feelings will lie to us. Our relationship with God is not based on how good you are or how bad you’ve been; it’s based on how much He loves you. God listens.

One final thing.  God ALWAYS makes a way.  I don’t ever believe there’s no way out of a situation.  Remember that even to those who are sick facing death in their faith; even in that place there is peace and reward.  God is the author of hope and is ever present.  Have a great week!

 

Go Ride Your Bike!

June 3, 2011 in Family, Life with 6 Comments

Thanks to Carlos Whittaker for sharing this priceless video!

Now. Go and ride your bike!

Crazy Things People Say to Worship Leaders

May 28, 2011 in Life, The Church, Worship with 4 Comments

A few days ago, I send a Twitter blast asking for the craziest things ever said to you as a worship leader. Here is the results. Enjoy!

“You need a hair cut.” Andrew Welch

“This is CHURCH…not a rock concert!” Anonymous

“Y’all ever thought about gettin’ a fiddle player up there with y’all? Now that’d be really awesome.”

“You guys sure have lost something since that acoustic player moved away.” Scott Harrison

“You sound sick. Are you sick today?” Andrew Welch

While loading in drums at a church one time, someone made the comment, “This church is going to hell in a hand basket.” Patrick Russell

“You guys should try out for American Idol.” (REALLY? Do you even watch American Idol?)

“We just need some more harmony.” Scott Harrison

Visitors: “We really enjoyed the services, but we can’t deal with your hair.” I had a faux-hawk at the time.
Kenny Innes

“Sure wish we could do some hymns every once in a while, instead of all this HIP HOP music all the time.”

“Can I have your autograph?” Rob Rash

“I sure do like that ‘praise and worship’ music” Russ Hull

“I couldn’t understand a word you were saying today.”

“I just told the Senior Pastor that your music is too loud.” Jon Manna

It’s nice to know people are at least paying attention. Thanks for all the submissions! Keep’em coming!

A Sobering Conversation with Frances Chan on HELL

May 20, 2011 in Life, The Church with 4 Comments

The topic of Hell, love, salvation, and basic eschatology has dominated blogs and the tweets of top-brass religious folk for several weeks now…thank you Rob Bell. My opinions on where this conversation leads have always been fairly traditional and main-stream…but when I ran across this video I was captured by the words of Frances Chan who calls him self a man who “struggles with pride”. Awesome words from a modern day Paul.

Thoughts?

Ideas?

Agree?

Disagree?

Blessed unexpectedly…

May 14, 2011 in Family, Life, Worship with 2 Comments

A few years ago, I recall a Christmas that was especially difficult for us. Money was very tight and we were doing everything we could for the kids. Christmas morning, I opened up a present from my wife that I wasn’t expecting. She had bought me a leather jacket. It was just so unexpected…and it turns out that God had blessed us with an unexpected monetary “payday”. I was so blessed.

Many years later, here we are. More kids, more responsibility and I’m happy to say a lot of happiness. Life is hectic and definitely more challenging but it’s the things in life that take us by surprise that keep the creativity worth seeking.

Being back in the studio is a great thing. It’s been a few years since I worked on a project like this so it’s been fun. But it’s been 15 years since I was able to do a project of material that was originally my own. It’s a surreal place to be, and I have had to get used to the idea of doing music that is solely my own. But I cannot tell you how blessed we’ve been. The results are awesome. It’s been a beautiful journey so far and I believe that it will continue this way. God is blessing. Unexpectedly.

It wasn’t as if I wasn’t expecting things to turn out well. No one starts something like this just KNOWING that it’s going to bomb. It’s like beginning a journey to a place you’ve never been but believing it’s going to be wonderful, and it is. God has blessed through seeking His face, His will and His timing.

Psalms 84:4-5
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

I can’t imagine “dwelling” (the place I want to stay; where my heart calls home) anywhere but in a place that puts God’s will and God’s timing in the highest place. I don’t always succeed in that. Like I said before; life is crazy. It’s often unexpected and unexplained. But, then again so are His blessings.

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