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I was talking with a women from our church a little while ago who is really the back bone of some really important areas. She and her husband are so amazing in the way that they give of their time, their home, and their resources to what God is doing in our church.
Well they just had a baby...and if any of you know what kind of havoc that can bring to your normal routines...well...
They have been taking time off to adjust to a zone defense for parenting, and help their prematurely born son grow a bit bigger. I was talking with this woman though and she was lamenting about how she couldn't serve. Holy cow! You don't hear that everyday....but then she said something that has been sticking in my brain.
She said it has been good for her because it has forced her to just be able to pray...that was all she could do...but in reality that is what we have needed most right now in this season of our church. Sometimes I wish that I would have a baby so I had to stop and just pray...well not really...but you know what I mean.
Slowing down and listening and praying...
Leeland's debut album, Sound of Melodies, has been rocking my world lately. Such great melodies, and vocals that just drip with passion for God...all from a kid who is just 18 years old! Don't let anyone look down on you for your youth...
I've really been enjoying the new Robbie Seay Band album Better Days. There are a couple of songs on there that I'd like to use at our church, but I've been having a tough time finding charts for this album.Having spent a couple of days at a conference with amazing worship at the forefront, I was again reminded of what I see as an interesting trend in worship songwriting.
There have always been trends in worship and in songwriting...the are alwys seasons...and I think that is ok and even good. At some point in the last two years or so the word "glorious" has been the catch word for new worship tunes. (everything glorious, glorious ones, my glorious...etc.) I love these songs...but whatever 'freshness' this word to laud the glory of God carried is slipping for me...
...so...if you are writing a new worship tune and the word glorious has found its way to the title...help a guy out and give it another look.
Songwriting for worship is such an interesting thing. We are pulling from a pool of themes that may feel limited, and we are writing for congregational consumption. But I really think we have to constantly be challenging ourselves to not settle for the canned lyrics that often come more naturally. (I say this as the chief of canned lyric sinners.) Let's work hard for God honoring lyrics that give the church fresh and current expressions of the worship to an eternal God.
I'm sitting here listening to Jeff Foxworthy here at Catalyst. He was a surprise guest!! He's great!
I have started to see his name on the back of Christian books...and he just spoke out the gospel in the middle of his comedy routine...
Now he's talking about paying $29.95 to see samson kill people...biblical redneck jokes...who knew.
So far the conference this year has been great. It has been good for Ben and I to be able to talk and process as we go. It has definitely added to my digestion of the material.Good stuff...really challenging and really helpful for me.
Marcus Buckingham spoke during the second session. This was my experience with him, and I was really challenged. He spoke about playing to your strengths. I think I am still digesting all he had to say...but will definitely be reading his book very soon.
That's all for now! Thanks to ben for the pic.
