EVERYBODY MEDICATES

This song by Ross King is an expression of an artist who longs for the church to be an authentic place.  Listen to the song here and read along with the lyrics.  Click the widgets to the right to hear the song sample.

Everybody Medicates

Words and music by ross king

A pot of coffee starts his day off right

A cigarette at 10 and 3

A drink or two will get him thru the night

It’s simple chemistry

She is a whirlwind of activity

She rarely finds the time to rest

Never too much responsibility

That’s when she’s at her best

Everybody medicates, everybody medicates

And most of us will suffocate beneath the weight

Everybody medicates unless the church becomes a place

Where we are safe and free to say that we’re not OK

He is successful in his line of work

He’s clocking sixty hours a week

He is a leader in his local church

And everybody sees

She’s flipping thru the fashion magazines

Before she heads out to the mall

She’s searching for a new identity

Seems like she’s tried them all

Everybody medicates, everybody medicates

And most of us will suffocate beneath the weight

Everybody medicates unless the church becomes a place

Where we are safe and free to say that we’re not OK

One tree

That’s all He keeps from us

And somehow it is driving us insane

Fig leaves have never been enough

To cover up our nakedness and shame

Who are we fooling with this game?

She skips a meal or two and no one knows

It’s been this way for quite a while

She’s finally fitting into last year’s clothes

Too bad they’re out of style

He looks at pictures on the internet

He needs it much more than he should

He’s so surprised no one has caught him yet

He wishes someone would

Everybody medicates, everybody medicates

And most of us will suffocate beneath the weight

Everybody medicates unless the church becomes a place

Where we are safe and free to say that we’re not OK

©2003 ross king all rights reserved

Questions that it raises:

1.  Is the church guilty of medicating people (not medicinally, but emotionally and socially)? Do we provide a drug that people think they need when really what they need are authentic relationships (first with Christ and then with each other?)

2. Can church ever be a place where true "authentic exposure" can be tolerated and embraced?  Why is it so hard for the church to be the place of grace instead of condemnation?  Why is the church the last place that people run to for help?

Hard questions--but ones that must be asked.  What say you?

All In The Family- Part 3

DNOW 2009 is finished and in the books. My kids had a great time and want to do it again next year.

We've been away from the DNOW format for a couple of years as we have participated with churches in the area for a COMMUNITY Wide event held at the high school. It's had an amazing attendance each year, but as it gets bigger it's become more of an "EVENT" instead of discipleship training. I'm glad we've returned to a more streamlined weekend with the kids.

Here are some of the objectives of Disciple Now (as stated on the Lifeway web site)

Objectives
Individual church's objectives for DiscipleNow may
vary, but six overall objectives are recommended.
1. Each student will consider and know if there has
ever been a time in his or her life in which a personal
relationship with God was begun through an
encounter with Jesus Christ.
2. Students will be challenged to make Jesus Christ
Lord of their lives.
3. Students will experience a spirit of community and
love in every host home.
4. Leaders will identify specific needs of each student
and begin to minister to those needs.
5. Leaders will encourage spiritual growth and model
spiritual disciplines as an ongoing part of a believer?s
life.
6. The total church will become aware of what disciple-
ship is all about.

The last objective is what this weekend was about.  The whole church (every age, every grade, every one) needs to understand what Discipleship is all about.  I think we did that this weekend successfully.

object width="349" height="470" align="middle">

Have you attended a Disciple Now?   What format did you follow?  Was it successful?

Worship Confessional, January 25,2009

We're back in two worship services now.  In two weeks the later service will shift back to a more blended style of worship like we've been doing the last three week.

This was also the concluding services for our Discipleship Now Weekend.  The Jeff Johnson Band led us in the later service.

Early services:

To God Be The Glory

He Keeps Me Singing

Wonderful Wonderful Jesus

Special-Sr. Adult Choir--"The Church In The Wildwood"

Later Service

Here Is Our King

Marvelous Light

Baptism--I got to baptize my Office Assistant, Selena Messenger--what a joy!

Video Wrap up of the weekend

DNOW 2009-Baptism Selena from Jim Drake on Vimeo.

Testimonies 

You Are God Alone (Not A God)

You Are God Alone from Jim Drake on Vimeo.

I Stand In Awe

Mighty To Save

The Jeff Johnson Band led

Ky Martin preached.

Glorious Day--old hymn with new tune that is title of Jeff's album, GLORIOUS DAY.

DNOW-Glorious Day from Jim Drake on Vimeo.

We sent out a letter this week detailing what the services will look like for the next few weeks. Today was "LOUD" and we knew it would be, so we did some advance notification.  It worked for the majority of folks, but some evidently didn't ge the message.  And, they were vocal!  If I heard one more comment about the volume, I was going to scream.  Why is it that people feel it necessary to give their opinion over and over again like it hasn't been told to you and they feel it is their spiritual duty to let you know?  

I spent the day in the back with the Tech team.  I did CG and called the video shots today.  I had more fun with those guys just sensing the spirit in the service and creating moments.  I loved it!

Again, POWERPOINT is lousy for media presentation and I was having the ongoing issue with MEDIA SHOUT and POWERPOINT arguing over who had rights to the monitor and display. Always something isn't it?

Next week I'm at Crosspoint in Nashville with Pete Wilson.  I can't wait. My friend Rich Smith will lead here in my place.

This blog is part of Sunday Set Lists over on Fred McKinnon's site.

All In The Family- Part 2

We've come to the end of day 2 of our FAMILY DNOW. It's been a good day.

Highlights so far--the speakers/music have spoken to our need here at FBC for true community. That's not always the popular message, but when the Holy Spirit speaks and confirms through speakers and leaders who have no inside knowledge of where we are---it's powerful.  God does speak!

No time to post more tonight--I'm off to do the wrap up video for tomorrow.  One thing that has been reaffirmed to me--I HATE POWERPOINT!!!

You're Not The Boss of My Life!

During a lunch date with my oldest child yesterday, we talked about life in general, but more specifically how she, growing up so fast, is encountering situations that are challenging her and trying to "rule" her life.

We laughed as we remembered a saying that Daniel, my youngest, used to say to his two older sisters as they tried to "steer" him as a young man in how to play when he was together with them in their playroom.   I remember that I used to hear sweet sounds of play and giggling but almost immediately I would hear Daniel yell "You're not the boss of my life!" as he stormed out of the room.  Ah, the lessons that childhood teaches you.

In talking about this, Taylor and I discussed what it means to stand for your own convictions, beliefs and values.   We talked about how differing opinions and agendas will often clash with your own.  She must learn now to stand up for herself.

It's a lesson she must learn now and one that I need to remind myself daily to do.  People will come at you with agendas and lists and wants.  I need to legitimately weigh them against the situation and my core values, elsewise I am a flip-flopper and a people pleasing fool!   

There's only one boss in my life-Jesus!  I must listen to him first and with great intent and then I'll know how to answer on the "playground of life" when my own situation arises.

How do you answer the question "who is the boss of your life?"

All In The Family

Family Disciple Now Weekend

We kicked off our Family Disciple Now weekend tonight with the Jeff Johnson Band and Ky Martin, both from Dallas leading.

Disciple Now is a "Baptist" Discipleship program where the students stay in homes and have a guided leader who talks about discipleship.  These leaders will have individual time with them over the weekend.  You can download a FREE DNOW weekend planning guide here.

The twist this year is that the whole FAMILY is involved.  This evening we started with Adults in the chapel and kids in their rooms upstairs.  The youth didn't arrive until 10PM and were treated to a concert by the band (tried to Web cam it for you but the computer froze up because  who would have thought to remember that the Worship Center computer does a full scan at 10PM everynight!)  We'll all be together for lunch tomorrow, then split up again and come back together on Saturday night for a BIG worship time--multigenerational.  Sunday AM is the conclusion of the weekend.

We're hosting 9 6th grade girls on top of me helping oversee the production of the services in the chapel and worship center.  I'll be exhausted by the end of the weekend.

I will post pictures as they come available.

Don't Go Changing To Try To Please Me.....

This is PETE WILSON.  He's the Pastor of Crosspoint Church in Nashville/Dixon, one of the fastest growing churches in the Middle Tennessee region.  I'll be worshipping with Crosspoint on Feb. 1 when I'm there for Re:Create Conference.

Although Pete and I have never met, we've dialogued enough through emails and blogs and Twitter for me to know that when I'm there--it will be as if I've known him forever.

You see, his blog WITHOUT WAX, is named for the latin word for Sincere, meaning there is no pretense or pretedning with Pete.  That's what I love about him.  He shares regularly from the heart and about his family and has an amazing wife.

Pete is doing a series now called "Paralyzed" and this past Sunday he shared from his heart one of the struggles in his life.   He blogged about it on Monday and found great comfort in those who were moved by his authenticity.  But there's always one who finds it uncomfortable and they expressed it to Pete in this email:

Today’s service was the second time you have talked about your personal challenge with certain internet “sites”.
I understand that we’re all human. I also understand the concept and principle of confession. However, I found it very uncomfortable and more than a bit unsettling that you feel it’s relevant and acceptable to remind the congregation of such worldly ugliness in a house of worship and safe haven.

We don’t attend to be reminded of the world and it’s pitfalls. We attend to be cleansed and “not of the world”.
We all know that this entraps some people, but perhaps your “confession” would be better suited to professional contemporary or one of your “community groups” for those who are similarly challenged. 

Wow!  Talk about a misunderstanding of what church is.  

A service is different from church.  Church is where the body is "authentic"--sharing the struggles and joys of life.  I wrote Pete and told him that I couldn't find anywhere in Scripture where it says that church is a car wash where we bring our dirt in and come out clean. (Wax on..wax off Mr. Miagi!)  I do find in scripture (Isaiah 6) where it says when we encounter a Holy God, we realize how undone and how unclean we are and we must confess--that's worship.

Many found Pete's confession to be healing to them.  I have no doubt that when he shared it that it wasn't because of theatrics...it's just who Pete is?   I told him the line from Billy Joel came to mind--"Don't go changing to try to please me.. I love you just the way you are!" You go Pete!

So--what do you think?  Can Pastors, Ministers and Leaders genuninely share about their lives and struggles?  Must they always preserve the "mirrors" that Ministers have it all together?  What do you think?

Creative Fuzion--ROOTS

Thursday is the time to post on something creative that we've done or will do in the future. This is one of those "we're going to do projects". I'll post later how it actually turned out.

We begin a new series next weekend so we're in the process of production for the publications, promotions and production of the series. We'll be in Ephesians for the Spring and we're calling the series ROOTS.

You can see from the graphic that we took that literally. This first set up will reflect that theme.
We got the idea for the Triptych graphic from my visit to Irving Bible back earlier in the month. The graphic for the stage will be printed on HP Banner Material 36"X144".

They'll be eye catching when you walk into the room. Just outside of that area will be the ROOTS logos and materials. Now--all of this has to be done before I go to RE:CREATE next weekend. Here's hoping that it all falls in place.

This post is part of Creative Fuzion over on Designing for Phillistines.

Twitter A Little Prayer

Although being a minister is sometimes likened to being a Super hero (you know those guys with super powers and strength that bound from building to building, event to event), it is not like that at all.  We (shock) are human too (gasp!!!) and from time to time we need strength and encouragement too (faint-thud!)  

If you made it through that shocking paragraph, congratulations.  Monday-Tuesday were some low days for me.  I needed a bit of encouragement and that probably wasn't going to come quickly.  I reached out for prayer to this guy ( a new friend from Twitter). 

Just a bit of background on this relationship.  It began through blogging.  He read my blog and I read his.  I noticed that he was in Cairo, Egypt.  Cool!    Suddenly this fall I was blessed with a trip to Egypt and made contact with him to meet.  And we did and the friendship has grown.

So Monday evening late  I twittered to him-- "Pray for me!".  This would have been in the wee hours of Tuesday morning for him.  When I awoke Tuesday morning here I received his message--ever so encouraging but also rather direct.  He wasn't just praying for my situation to change, he was praying for me to change.   I didn't ask for that--but he sensed that was what I needed.

I trodded off to work with that thought in mind that somewhere half a world away a fellow brother in Christ, whom I've only know for a short period of time, was interceeding in my behalf.  Amazing!   All day long his prayer resounded in my ear as I watched the Spirit bring to pass what had been whispered in the far away land of Egypt.

That's the power of Twitter--the connectedness through this medium so often reviled and misused for evil and harm.  It can be used for good.

The great part of this story is that I will get to see him in less than a week in Nashville for Re:Create Conference.   What a blessing that will be to see him again and this time to pray together in person.

So, have you learned the power of Twitter?  Follow me here.

Where To Find the Bread-Resources for Creatives

Every creative is always looking for great resources to jump start their projects or to inspire their creativity. I thought I'd title this series "WHERE TO FIND THE BREAD" and just let you take a peek into my pantry of resources that I've collected in the last few years. It seems that just a few years ago I was only having to worry about resources for music. That's not true anymore. Today I have to look for resources in: MEDIA, MUSIC, SOUND, PRODUCTION and more. Much more than just the latest anthem.

Today: STOCKEXCHANGE (Free Stock Photos)

Increasingly every church is having to come to grips with the visual revolution taking place. Even the smallest of churches and venues have to have backgrounds for powerpoint or some other media program. Where do you go after all of the stock MICROSOFT backgrounds have become stale. Here's a place that I've found to be a great resource for graphics.
Gathered here are a ton of pictures that are available for your use on websites, blogs, print pieces, cards and more. Most of them are carried under the Creative Common License where you are granted use in any number of forms. Very few of them require permission from the creator to use, but in those chances that you have to ask permission it is easily obtained.

When we needed a quick graphic and look for our last series CELEBRATE, I went here!

It gave us that VECTOR look that is popular and a quick color scheme that we carried forward with the stage pieces. We just enlarged them to 44x84 (almost 4X8) and attached them to stiff insulation board. It was a quick answer to our graphic needs over the holidays.

I like to browse through Stockexchange (abstracts, architectural, etc) and be inspired by the artists there. If I find an artist that I connect with their pieces--I look at the whole gallery to see if there's something else. Invariably, I will see something there that I connected with on another search. Seems like your eye is always drawn to the artists who speak to you.

It's a great resource and it's free. The graphic quality is amazing as they give LARGE files to print from for great quality and clarity. Check them out.

Where do you find your graphics/visuals?

Visual Churches--Westwinds Church

John Voelz is a creative!  Everything in his ministry exudes the creativity that God has given him. Through music, art and writing, John expresses his creativity.

Look at this videos of some of the creative stuff that JVO (short for John Voelz) has done at Westwinds Church, located in the Jackson, Michigan.

I'll get to spend some time with JVO in the next few weeks at the Re:Create Conference.   I'm looking forward to learning more from this creative gift God has given the church.

Thank You President Bush

Today I want to thank President Bush for his 8 years of service to our nation.   I, for one, will miss his leadership--strong and steady even in the face of fierce criticism and assualts on his character.

I can remember 9/11 and wondering what this new President would do with such a national challenge.  We would soon learn that this was  a man of resolve and determination and our nation has benefited from that strong will.

So today, thank you President George Bush and welcome home to Texas.  Let's do lunch sometime--I'll buy!

Farewell President Bush

Do Good To Others...For God Is Pleased

I was forwarded this story this afternoon about an unusual football game that took place here in Texas this fall.  PLEASE READ THIS STORY.  I can't stress enough how much truth there is in this story.

Scripture says:

Hebrews 13:16 (New International Version)
16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

This story just reminds me that the greatest blessings in life come when we get out of the way and consider and esteem others above ourselves and our own agendas.  This team was truly blessed by those who know it is more blessed to give than to receive.  May their tribe increase.

Finding Your Muse--Creativity In The Church

This series of posts will focus on Creativity in the church and where it comes from.  I hope that you aren't taken back or offended by the word MUSE.   I hope you'll see in a moment why I use that word.

Where does creativity come from? The Ancient greeks thought that spirits or Muses were responsible for the creation of that which never had been before (poetry, music, art, science, etc).  Every great literary giant (Homer, Milton, Dante, Shakespeare) has given homage to his own muse for helping him create what ever masterpiece it is.   The Muse gives the instant inspiration and invitation to create.

So where does a Christian artist find their Muse?  I believe that it is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity which gives the inspiration for creativity in the church.  It is this spirit which whispers the inspiration of heaven to artists, musicians and dancers and those attuned this spirit do the work of creativity in the church.

I hope over the next couple of posts to explore where and how to listen more intently to the Holy Spirit as the inspiration for art in the church.   Those that truly find this Muse do the work of heaven.

What are your thoughts?  Do you agree that the Holy Spirit is our Muse?   

How To Build Community With Twitter

This is an excellent article in how to build community using Twitter.

The raging debate at the Church Tech Camp I attended last week in Irving was "Can you build community with online social media?". You can read some responses here how Twitter has impacted lives because of community:

Fred McKinnon/

Joel Klampert

/John Voelz/

Nathan Gaddis

The Benefits of Online Friends

Mark Batterson

I'm reading this book now and have set up an account for us to use in the future (unfortunately I'm the only Twitter bug on staff and by Twitter Grader--I'm the only one in my town!). Hopefully in 2009--more will join me.

So, do you Twitter? You can follow me here.

"We Want to Go Back To Egypt"

Numbers 14: 1-4

1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.

PAINTING PICTURES OF EGYPT - SARA GROVES
Uploaded by rosichichi

It's funny how things come together in your life.  I've been pondering a post about Comfort, Creativity and Crisis--how this is a time in our lives when some want to go forward and some want to go back.  I've written several drafts but never posted on it.  I've just been waiting until today when our pastor preached on the above passage and mentioned this Sara Groves song.  

If you haven't already, play the video and listen to the words.  They are powerful.  

We all long for a simpler existence, one that is free from problems and challenges.  But that isn't reality.  The children of Israel had just seen the Lord do mighty things for them by rescuing them out of Egypt-but they were hestitant to enter the Land that God had promised them.  They wanted to go back to Egypt.

How many times have you heard in recent days, "oh if we could just go back to..

• the days of Clinton--the days of prosperity
  
• the days of peace--when we weren't involved in wars
  
• the days of prosperity--when there were enough jobs to go around
  
• the days of youth--when all of our lives were open books--ready to be written.
  
• the days of past history--the grand and glorious days--(which by the way weren't so grand and glorious then

You see, as Sara Groves says in her song, we seem to leave out the bad stuff of the past.  I do it too.  I long sometimes for the simpler days of my own life--when life seemed to be slower and sweeter. But there were hard times then too.

So, what will it be in these days.  Will it be comfort or creativity to see what the future holds? In reading a book the other day the author stated that by holding on to the past we forfeit the ability to enjoy the present or plan for the future.  I don't want to hold on to the past for, as the song says, it can't hold on the treasures that the present has taught me.

What do you think?  Do we really want comfort or creative solutions for our problems today?

Worship Confessional, January 18, 2009

Today was our final "combined" service. We've been together for 3 weeks to celebrate the victories in our church during the last year.

We've done that through FINANCES, FAMILIES and today was FRIENDSHIPS. We highlighted relationships that have been built with people outside our church in the community this year through our Summer Camp, Community groups and care programs.
It's so great to hear from individuals who have embraced the vision to be "Christ" in their neigborhoods. We heard from families that have done that this morning--through being a host home in their community for a group or opening up their lives to those who don't come to church. It was AWESOME!

I've heard lots of good things about being "together" in worship. We've tried to strike a balance on styles in order for that not to be the focus during these weeks.

Here was our set:
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God " (HymnCharts)
"At Calvary" (G3Worship)
Welcome
Offertory
"Here I Am To Worship" (PraiseCharts)
"I Am Thine O Lord (HymnCharts)
Interview with FRIENDS--people who are in community with our community. (This includes our former Children's minister and her husband who have become "Foster" church parents to some kids that they pick up every Sunday morning for church then do lunch and life with them Sunday afternoon. It's the highlight of the kid's week)
Message--from Numbers 13--Don't Count On The Odds-Count On Faith! (the story of the spies who went into the land and saw the good things/contrasted with that who said it was too hard. Wow--what a powerful word!)
(Pastor ended with the reading of Psalm 137--with the response of "His Love Endures Forever")
"Forever"--Chorus Only
"Offering" (G3 Worship)
"He Is Exalted" (Songselect Chart)

We then adjourned across the street for a "traditional Baptist meal"--Fried chicken and covered dishes. What else could we do?

How was your Sunday?

This post is part of Sunday Set List over on Fred McKinnon's Blog

Are You A Serious or Solemn Designer?

I'm reminded in this talk that much of creativity and creating comes from the whimsical side of our nature, that childlike innocence where there are no boundaries on your imagination.

Do you play in your work? Or has it all become too serious?

Saturday's Funny Video-Get Your Ninji Chop! Diamond Dave

This is hilarious!

Thanks Visitor 5K

At 8:35 pm last night I registered my 5,000th visitor to this site.  It came from the University of Hawaii (Honolulu).  Whoever you are--thanks!  Thanks for taking time to read this blog and see what's up in my corner of the world.  

Hawaii is exactly 3,546 miles away from Snyder, Texas but through the magic of blogging we share a common space and time.

How many visitors have you had to your site?  Who was your 5k?

I'm Dating My Daughter!

Now that the title has sparked your attention ( please don't call CPS!), I thought I would tell you about a standing date I have every Friday.  My daughter won't let me out of it (unless I'm out of town).  It's a standing date.

My oldest is a sophomore in High school.  She definitely doesn't like the food at school, so we meet every Friday at 11:35 am to go somewhere for lunch.  It's usually her pick, but I get my choices in there every once in a while.  She's a fan of Chicken Express!  I can't get her to go to Long John Jimmy's (Long John Silver)

We talk about life, school or just about nothing.  There are times when it's just silence and that's ok.  I want her to know that I'm there--good, bad or ugly.  Usually I'm the one getting the lecture on trying to be "too cool."  Regardless it's 20 minutes of interrupted Dad/Daughter connection that I cherish!

Do you take time with each of your children?  

I'm realizing that my time with this one is fleeting fast.  These dates won't last long--soon another man will be dating my daughter.

Five Words Today's Church Needs To Hear

My friend, Brady Traywick, has just returned from a week long trip to India to encourage the church there as it blossoms and grows.  

His email tonight to prayer partners and supporters both encouraged and educated me on what was going on there.  

His five words for the American church also humbled me and made me think just what is necessary for "church" to be church".   I share them here:

Several words frame my recent experience......Simplicity, Suffering, Passion, Urgency, Suck-it-up (okay, so not a word but phrase).

• Simplicity......the Indian church is rapidly reproducing itself and seeing the fruit we only dream about here......why? perhaps - because all of the trappings of materialism are cut away and they simply obey the Scripture. They tell their story, they tell His story, and they give account. Then they repeat the process.

• Suffering......it seems shallow, empty, very hallow to even type about this: We have no clue, better yet - I have no clue of the real meaning of suffering. Truly their suffering is not 'theoretical', it is not a suffering of words....it is real, it is visible, it is brutal.

• Passion......not the charismatic, I am so happy, I lift my hands to the Lord kind of passion - but real depth, breadth, kind of.....quiet strength that comes only after real suffering. You can see it in their eyes, hear it in their voices.....it is authentic, validated by first hand experience - not possibilities.

• Urgency......every trip to the "ends of the earth" only stirs my passion for my Jerusalem. My first inclination is to sell the farm and move the whole family tomorrow. I am confident that this will happen before God checks me out, Lord willing. Yet for now.....I am stirred with renewed passion that my Jerusalem needs the 'grace and mercy' of JC. 

• Suck It Up......we (I) need to quit whining! Christians need to get off of the couch and start telling their story, start telling His story, and then give an account. How much more 'equipping' do we need before we implode? We, (I) need to die to the American Dream and live with full abandon toward an eternal perspective. We need to engage people with the gospel at all costs and with all measures. Time is short!
  

So, if I were to ask you today "What is absolutely necessary for the church to exist in America today?--what would it be?  A building?  Programs?  Missions?  Just what is absolutely necessary?   Have we so adorned "the church" with our expectations that she can't function the way she is suppose too?

Food for thought--let me hear from you!

There's a plane in the Hudson. I'm on the ferry going to pick... on TwitPic

There's a plane in the Hudson. I'm on the ferry going to pick... on TwitPic
This was the message the popped up on Twitter this afternoon. Talk about instant media and being there on the spot to report it.

See, and you thought Twitter was good for nothing!

Creative Fuzion- The Big Picture Wrap Up

We just wrapped up THE BIG PICTURE sermon series here. It was a look at The Story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation (14 week series). Each week we added a piece of THE BIG PICTURE and on the Sunday before Christmas we unveiled the picture which was Michelangelo's CREATION.

The picture was created using DIGITAL POSTER CREATOR which busted the picture into 12 segments that were approx. 43X43 and pasted on thin insulation board from LOWES.

The thing was a beast when finally put together. It was so heavy that there was no way we were going to hang it--so we stood it up against the back wall and used it as a backdrop. You couldn't miss it!

This post is part of Creative Fuzion hosted by Dorothy (vicar of Vibe) over on her blog DESIGNING FOR PHILLISTINES.

IDEA--Coffee Shop Theology

There are several ideas for sermon series that I've come up with and I realize that we'll never use all of them.  So, I've decided to share them here in case some other creative needs a spark.

I found this book and it brought to mind that most believers have a very thin theological base.  So, why not focus a series ( could even be a continuing series over the course of a couple of years ) on the basic theology of our faith.

Some of the topics (taken from and based on the table of contents):

God

In the beginning God... The existence of God
Nearby and Far Away--Transendence and Immanence
One Plus One Plus One= The Trinity
The Unseen Hand of God- Providence
What is God like?--The Attributes of god
The First day of Everything--Creation
Someone to Watch Over Me--Angels

Stage Ideas:

Starbucks looking--Greens/Browns
Funky lights suspended
Coffee smell when you arrive
Coffee tables set up on stage--simulate places of conversation

Graphics--similar to Starbucks

Take Aways

Coffee mugs/ Coffee bags

Special-- A coffee house set up for conversations to continue after services

Feel free to use or to comment what you think.  I'll be posting past series that we've done here too.

Creative Space/Inspired Spaces

Check out my friend Chad's office digs.  His office is about 20 down or look at it here.

Reminds me of the post that I did early last year about my own office.  You can read about that here.  Here are some pics too:

I don't know a creative person who doesn't have their own space to call their own.   We all need our niche to create.  By the way, I'm cleaning my office this week--eliminating several things after reading this book!  January clearance sale is on!

Where do you find your creative spot?

Let The Season Begin--Daniel Joins The Tar Heels

Daniel began his basketball season tonight.  Unfortunately the Tarheels started the season with a 35-8 loss.   Oh well, the season is young.

He has his annual hair style for basketball--long mop head.  He won't allow us to cut it until the end of the season which comes at the end of the month.

Daniel is a go-getter for any sport--won't be long til we're breaking out the bats for baseball.  Where did the year go?

Worship Confessional, January 11, 2009

Today was week 2 in our joint services together.  We're having a joint praise choir(worship choir and senior adult choir) to fill the loft.  It keeps growing. Today we had to bring more chairs in.  We still have our praise team on mics, but the loft is full.

Here is our set:

Brethren We Have Met To Worship (G3Worship)

Let The Worshipers Arise (G3Worship)

Welcome

Funny Wedding Bloopers(from YouTube)--our point here was in the midst of celebration, sometimes funny things happen.

Offertory

Rock of Ages (G3Worship)

Video--Scripture Memory from the Cross children

Celebrating Families--we interviewed three families who are discipling their children (one of our Core Values)

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus (Hymn Charts)

Message

Softly and Tenderly (Hymn Charts)

You Alone (Tomlin)

How was your Sunday?

This post is part of Sunday Set Lists over on Fred McKinnons site.

Visuals In Church-A Trip To Irving Bible Church

A quick trip to Irving yesterday afforded me the opportunity to see some really cool visuals and their use in a church setting.

Irving Bible Church is a very creative and visual church. These pictures are from their lobby area:

These visuals really grab you when you walk in. They make you look up and look around and begin the journey of wonder in worship.

Where else have you seen visuals in worship? Churches?

What Is Twitter?

For many on my blog readership the word Twitter conjours up some thought that I have developed some involuntary tick or muscle twitch.  Twitter is an online social media where you connect with people around the world.  You follow these people through their "micro"blogs each day as they describe what they do, what they see, how they feel, and any other moment that they capture.

This is a video that simply describes what Twitter does.

Through Twitter I have made some life long connections. I've met some in person and some are only known to me virtually.

Do you Twitter?

Be The Church

My friend Pete Wilson has a killer post today over on his blog.  You can read it here.

Pete passionately states several things about church:

 1.  It's not a building

 2. It's not programs

 3. It's not the style of worship

His metaphor is a shocker-I would more liken it to a spiritual drug that the church has created with it's culture.  And unfortunately for those of us who lead her today, we bare responsibility for her addiction to the things that she thinks she must have.

Tell me, are these things being the church:

  1.  Ministering to children who have no parents or a being raised by grandparents?

  2.  Taking food to people who have no food?

  3.  Giving clothes to those who need warmth?

  4.  Providing shelter for those who have no home?

  5.  Praying daily for the sick and infirm?

  6.  Meeting people in the community where they are, instead of at the church?

How about my friends with church starts that have no building to meet in except on Sunday?  Can they be the church without a permanent home? (The answer is yes and perhaps they are more "church" than those with established homes).

I'm thankful for Pete's honesty and you can see by the 88 plus comments that his passion resonates with people who want to "be the church" instead of just going to church.

Your thoughts...how did this strike you?

Everything Has Potential for Creativity

I'm reading the book "THE CREATIVE HABIT" by Twila Tharp, world famous choreographer.  It's a book that I've peeked at before and now have on my list of must reads.

One statement tonight caught my attention: "Everything, everywhere, everyday has potential use for creativity".  She says that she uses every moment of every day to draw inspiration for her creativity.

How well do you do this?  Do you consider every event of everyday a potential resource for creativity?  Every visual you see, every song you hear, every relationship that you have--potential creativity?  

Tell me what you think!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Much discussion has taken place this weekend over on Twitter and Facebook on when it's appropriate to take down the Christmas tree. 

So far I've heard:

   Christmas Day

   Not before New Year's--it's bad luck (this was the one I grew up with)

   Epiphany (that would be today)

   Never--make it an all season tree.

We've had our tree up a good long while this year.  It went up Nov. 2 (yeah--that early) and we just haven't put it up yet.  We went through a post-Christmas feeling this weekend with the cold weather and the smell of chimney's burning copius amounts of wood and a SANTA CLAUS trilogy that lasted until Sunday night.  I suppose we'll get around to putting it up later this week.

I've got friends that have whole closets that hold their trees--upright and decorated with a bag over them.  All they have to do next year is wheel them out.  I have another friend who has 13 trees!

So--when do you take down your tree?

How long do you keep your Christmas tree up?

I Think I Rocked Their World

You know sometimes it just comes out... the truth and the passion about a situation that you are very familiar with.  And sometime after the conversation you stop and think "Oops..I might have been a little too raw with my emotions there."

That happened today with some friends.  We got to talking about a related situation with a friend of mine (one that I'm all too familiar with in church life) and I began to peel back the veneer of church life as a minister.  It's not always pretty. 

There are things that happen and they are not always godly and not always handled in a God glorifying manner.   As we told them our story, things that had transpired in our lives, they were shocked, never having heard some of it that happens to people called to ministry.  I think their world was rocked today.  But I think they'll be ok.

Tell me--would you ever dare to share your deepest hurts in ministry with those you serve?  Do you have to wait until the next place of service?   Do you just trust them to the Lord and move on?   Let's talk!

Christmas Gifts--And The Set Is Complete

One of the best gifts I got for Christmas were the final pieces to my WILLOW TREE Nativity set. I only  lacked the OX/GOAT and the SHEPHERD/CAMEL pieces.  I got one for Christmas and one for Birthday!  So--set complete.

I got the original set from FBC Sweetwater when I left there in 2001.  It has been displayed in my office everyday since then and I can see it across the room from me as I work and create in my office.

I love the simplicity of this set and leaving it out all year long really reminds me that Christmas is more than just one day a year.   It reminds me of the old Larnell Harris song that says:

"All year long we must worship and obey....may the Christmas tree lights and the sleigh rides at night remind us all today..."  It's Christmas all year long!

Worship Post-Fessional, January 4, 2009

This post is part of Sunday Set List on Fred Mc Kinnon's blog

We're back in ONE service for the next few weeks.  Originally we called these service VISION services, but they've turned into CELEBRATION services as we look back over the year 2008 and celebrate what God has done among us.  Each week we'll have an interview or something creative to bring out our theme of the day.

Today's theme was Celebrating God's Faithfulness

Our set list was:

All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name (G3 Worship)

Majestic (Praise Charts)

Welcome

A Look Back @ 2008--Short video compilation of picts and photos of 2008

Celebrations--2008 in Review from Jim Drake on Vimeo.

Celebrating God's Faithfulness through Finances (We went with a Global offering this year--combining all of our offerings for missions and projects together in one.  We had a goal of $66K and came in at $77K for the offerings.  More for missions than we had ever given before)

He Leadeth Me (Hymn Charts)--A new resource for us this week and we're going to lean heavily upon them in the coming weeks for blended worship resources.

Open The Eyes of My Heart (Praise Charts)

All The Way My Savior Leads Me (Praise Charts)

A Table of Celebration--Interview with folks who have had some major breakthroughs this year.

Message--Short message from our Pastor

I Surrender All (HymnCharts)

It was a busy week.  I was officially off on vacation (right!) but was communicating daily with my assistant and the office on things that had to happen.  Christmas decor had to come down; set had to change; music for rehearsal had to be printed;  posters for windows; printing for stage design; balloons and more.

One of the highlights of the day was having Chuck Harris (@chuckazooloo on twitter) with me for worship.  His grandmother is in my Sr. Adult Choir.  Chuck is a fellow worship leader and Texas Techsan!

How was your first Sunday of the new year?

One More Time.. RAIDER... POWER!!!

It's time again for the Red Raiders to rise up and play today as they take on the Mississippi Rebels in the Cotton Bowl

Hopefully I'll be able to watch the game...if not I'll be checking the score regularly.

Go TECH!

Who do you think will win?

A NEW YEAR'S DAY TRADITION--The Rose Parade

Every year we say "next year we are going to the Rose Bowl Parade".  It has always been a dream of ours to be there and we never make it.

It began at our first church that we served.  A church member there has a brother who owns a float decorating company and I think we could get a birds eye view of the decorations. 

Maybe some year we'll follow through with our dreams.  Until then, we will have to suffice to watch it on HGTV on Jan. 1 morning.

Have you ever been to the Rose Bowl parade?