Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Home

For my readers today I am going home on thursday night after I have basketball practice for upward, I am really thankful that my dad who has lung cancer is doing so well, he has the best attitude despite all that he has gone through. I am glad I will see the place I call home, Coker, AL. For all the old school tuscaloosa folks, this elephant reminded me of BAMA BINO'S #JUSTSAYIN

Roadtrip!
Chris

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Directional Worship Leader

First off, I really appreciate Google, it is there I find my pictures to upload. I thought this arrow was pretty cool looking. Anyway, on to the blog for today the directional worship leader. The Music man, song leader guy, music director, Minister of Music, Music Pastor, on and on so many different names for the worship guy, and with so many names typically you see within our churches today many different directions the worship is going on Sunday. Usually the worship is geared towards the people and what they like, songs they have heard before and found under the umbrella of "AUDIENCE OF ONE" Really? you got tio be kidding me right? Sadly no, worship leaders are often pushed, forced, guided, ect to please the folks. Cliche I know but to fully exalt Christ on Sunday is hard. It takes a lot of preparation, that begins first in the prayer and mediation's of the worship leaders heart, from there is born into something that exalts Christ...many will say a good music minister, worship guy, meets the needs of the people, but if we get honest, a good worship guy or gal, channels the heart of God to the people inviting the presence of God into the sanctuary. Read Exodus 40...the whole chapter. Preparation leads to the cloud of glory.

Come Down to Us,
Chris

Monday, January 17, 2011

Somethings Are Just Amazing


Today is pretty simple, Jesus had His Judas, and so do we...You may think we don't see you, but we know you are there. Have your fun. Vengeance is mine says the Lord.


You'll be my footstool,
Chris

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Show

I wanted to get Fridays blog done today, tomorrow I have much to do. Today (Friday) or whenever you read this my mind thinks back to the many different approaches I have taken to worship leading, prepared, under prepared, prayed up, not so prayed up, high energy to worshipful, and the one thing I was called once was showy, because I was lighting up the piano, going off on it if you will.. Worship leaders sadly are musicians and sadly we feel the need to shine and stick out, to me great worship leaders, sit at the feet and they equip the team around them and they step out of the spotlight, I think so many want to be tomlin or stanfill, both great worship leaders, but to me the question is when you look back on Sunday, who did you take with you? who have you poured into that week? All great questions and my last point to share is that worship leading is not a show and your church folks can tell. The pulpit stage platform what ever you call it is always naked

Signs of the showy worship leader are

1. loud singing
2. all you hear is the worship leader
3. loud playing
4. center of stage blowing everyone away
5. long piano or guitar interludes
6. overall pride fullness
7. the over spiritual (yes there is such a thing) being too preachy***u are there to lead worship not preach, just a pet peeve of mine
8. same songs that always feature you
9. lack of team input
10. attitude of it all falls back on me
11. sing songs that only you like
12. the church family is not singing 2 things happen in worship participation and observation, if the church is observing they are watching a show

Be careful of the show, God honors a pure heart, and your best effort, not your greatest "new" idea and your opinions of how it should be and what you think "great" worship is.

Forget the Show,
Chris

2ND Chance






Today, I am reminded of the great preacher Jerry Falwell, a man of great faith and wisdom. He was also a man who believed not only in a 2nd chance but the 52nd chance as well. Falwell believed in the forgiveness of God Almighty and to keep working at it until you get it...I think as a minister I have finally gotten to a place where I understand and get the it... putting aside jealousies, being comfortable with who I am as a person, with my skill sets and abilities, I have not arrived by any meas, but I do get the it I have been searching for. To share my heart is simply this, there are positions I have messed up, there are thoughts I have had of others, but I am thankful for those situations, grief and strife, I finally get it , and it is to me a 15 year ministry milestone so what have I learned

1. People in general have issues eve church people
2. Ministers are called to love, no matter the issue
3. All those things you think and the roller coaster your mind is taking you, get off the crazy cycle
4. If you work hard you will succeed
5. it's ok to say you don't know how
6. The decisions of today, effect the consequences of tomorrow
7. Spend time with God daily and he will bless the prayer closet
8. Get over your past
9. Think before you speak
10. Less is best
11. it is what it is

Looking forward to a Second Chance Somewhere,
Chris

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

APPLICATION

Today I want to converse over application and the lack there of. We fill out applications and tell the hopefully future employer all about ourselves. Our credentials, what we can do. Here is the written information on me. Often as I think about scripture and application, many seem to have the idea that it is a gospel according to me, and how can I twist it to work for me. The Gospel is true, is what it is and there for application not a suggestion but a way living. Apply all of it to your life, not just what works for you. And many today love the Jesus Savior part, but holiness, righteousness, self control OH and my favorite LOVE... oh how we struggle.

Worship the Lord Living by His Word,
Chris

Monday, January 10, 2011

Can't Win For losing

You name it, and I've been called it over the past 30 something days, given my loyalties to the pig skin, a Bammer, a Fanatic, obnoxious Alabama fan...over the simplicities of college football. I amazes me the amount of so called "stock" folks will put into where your loyalties lie, then throw in your position and there is even more banter to share. It is to me utterly amazing how folks can be...today I switched over to appease a few, and have had the "other side" begin there banter...as crazy as it may sound I have learned something from this, being sold out to whatever it is be it faith, family, or football, folks will get upset, and use the term fanatical..

Roll Ducks Roll,
Fanatic

Friday, January 7, 2011

HOME

What does HOME have to do with a worship pastor. Many for this worship pastor. Home is where my heart is and I am thankful for my 18 years at 12407 Mount Olive Road. Here is my timline for home

April 5, 1981 - August 1, 1999 Coker, Alabama
August 1, 1999- October 2008 University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, Millry
October 2008- April 2010 Northport, AL Which for my readers is 10 minutes from Coker

At present my HOME is Mobile, Al and since leaving home back to Mobile have been on a learning journey, I have seen much how "life" effects worship, struggle, joy, pain, trouble, mess each situation adding to your personal worship. Personal worship time is very important, we as worship leaders become concerned, misguided, discouraged, ect, ect, about the worship enviroment on sunday, despite all that gathers itself to us during the week, we must model that daily worship time we have to the folks we lead, by simply facebooking or tweeting text message what a great personal worship, and rememeber you can't do on sunday what you are not doing through out the week. Engage in personal daily worship. What does this have to do with home? As cliche as it sounds I can always come home to the throne room of Christ, by His shed blood.

GO HOME,
Chris

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Stress


Whatever it is...God has it all handled....and it hasn't caught Him by surprise.
Trust Him with everything!!
Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

I think many times we miss it

I love to play golf and I am terrible at it. Nothing excites me more than to be on the golf course at 6:30 in the morning, hit a few driving range balls, then tee up and start my round. Through out the 18 holes there are many missed or lost shots, and balls too. However, each time I play I want just one par a round and keep it under 100. Many times I miss those goals, more like doubles and under 125. The point is I miss it, I try, yet I miss yet and the reason...simply not enough time playing. Twice a month at best. I've missed many things or situations, got caught up in the momemt, I have many times merely gotten through the whatever, one thing I am seeing right now in my life, is grace. I feel I am on the edge of something, that will launch my life into what God fully desires, something unique. I am thankful for the patience of God and many people in my life. I am looking forward to better rounds not only on the green, but in life as well.

FOUR!
Chris

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Welcome 2011

Welcome 2011. I am excited about what this new year brings for me and my family this year. This April I will turn 30, young to some, strange to me. Also, on May 17, I will celebrate my 15th year of ministy. Over the past months I have taken a hard look at ministry, lessons learned, trips, worship services and have deduced many wonderful insights. At present moment I have begun the process of what is next? Understanding that Christ desires the faithful and pure heart, and a willingness to go and do whatever He asks, I have committed myself to totally do whatever. I was distraught over the state of the amercian church, and I have found that I can take on Chris, make my impact, fullfill my destiny, everyone else has their destiny to fullfill. I am amazed at how perception has changed over the course of 15 years, from hymnal only, to all out worship, from suits, to jeans and cool shirts, from KJV to my NIV, I've grown, I've changed and although life is just weird right now, I'm satisfied with it. I desire in my heart just to be obedient, and do what I need to do and go where I go, drifiting I am not, sailing full sail in the sea of that which is my life with all the joy and messess. Finding out I am pretty normal with ups and downs, ebbs and flow, so my encouragement today is simply, stay the course, set your sails and fly.

Blessings on this Day,
Chris