New Ink. What it means to me

Well it’s been about a month since my last post! I can’t believe it. Since then, I have been back to Cali for two weeks and over to Texas for my best friend’s wedding.

While in Texas, I had the chance to meet a tattoo artist who has been on the cover of tattoomag.com, had multiple spreads in magazines and had even taken 3rd place in the international tattoo competition. I decided then that it was time for some new ink.

My thought is that you should only get art that means something to you. Not just because you think the design is cool. I have been wanting to get my wife’s name for a while, but she has never agreed on that being the “best choice”.

So while in Texas I got a water lily. Kat’s name means pure one, and the lily is the flower of purity. I got it done in full color purple, because….well you can guess what our wedding color was

And a side note: the lily also means “Supernatural Feminine”. Which Kat definitely is

I love my wife with all my heart and I am so glad to have the chance to be her husband.

Next post should be soon! We are potential new homeowners…

God, Why am I in ministry?

Today, I am reminded of my passion for what I do, and who I am called to serve.

We arrived in L.A. this morning. As I drove with the sunrise, my heart was numb, my eyes were tired, my body was sore. I was exhausted.

Now I sit here tonight, having been up for nearly 24 hours ministering to people, and I feel as though I have slept a thousand minutes… Which is 16.67 hours for you mathematicians who were wondering. I am simply reminded again that when we serve people, God refreshes us with His wonderful, incredible, indescribable Holy Spirit.

Matthew 25 says that when we serve the “least of these”, we are really serving Jesus. Even in the midst of being tired, I must must must do everything in excellence. For He has loved me with an excellent and perfect love, therefore I will extend my arms, and in extending my arms I will extend His perfect love to those who need it.

That is why I am in ministry. I am an extension of Jesus Christ. There is no greater calling. And the amazing thing? He has called each and every one of us with the same mission: Connecting people to LIFE! (Matthew 28)

Side note: I am loving a few albums I thought I would share with you. The Civil Wars brand new album, and Parachute Band’s newest.

From the Dream Center, goodnight…

Top 10 worship albums of 2010

This is the music that has impacted my life this last year. Some albums of which I am sure you’ve heard. Others….maybe not! Hope this helps expand your worship library.

1. Carlos Whittaker – Ragamuffin Soul

2. Jesus Culture – Come Away

3. Hillsong – A Beautiful Exchange

4. Fellowship Church – Sons & Daughters

5. Generation Unleashed – Saving Power

6. Elevation Worship – Kingdom Come

7. Page CXVI – Hymns II

8. Shane & Shane – Dare 2 Share

9. Brian & Jenn Johnson – We Believe

10. Leeland – Majesty

In The Secret

In the secret,
In the quiet place
in the stillness, You are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait, only for You
‘Cause I want to know You more

Does anyone remember that song??

Yeah, that’s right. I’m takin it old school. For any of you worship leaders, the reference of this song might bring back nightmares of playing it over and over and over and over and over and over and over….well, you get the point.

The reason why I bring it up, is because as over-played as that song may be, it has such good truth to it. Why do people worship in the secret? Simply because they want to know Him more.

This post is specifically addressed to worshippers…..Wait…..If you think you are off of the hook after that sentence, maybe you haven’t caught the point. YOU are a worshipper! No matter if you can sing or not. God has created you for the sole purpose of praising Him.

No matter if you are a worship leader on stage, or a worship leader in the crowd (yes, the person standing next to you will be affected by how you worship) It is crucial that you spend time worshipping God in the secret. Practice your praise.

Let’s be honest, whatever we do in the secret will be what is poured out in public. Let that be praise. Let that be worship.

Below is a pic of some of our up and coming worship leaders spending time just practicing their worship when there is no crowd. Because they understand that even more importantly than if they are the best player ever, they must be passionate worshippers.

Make private praise a habit. If you want to be someone who is passionate after God, and who God has called you to be, then practice. Put on a good worship album, and begin to thank God for everything He is to you. You will quickly find that every area of your spiritual life will become better. Because nothing matters more than what you do In The Secret.

God, Come Again

Kat and I began our first work day back from our vaca in Guam. Before we arrived there, her parents asked what we would like to do while we were on island. Our answers were the same: Minister.

Now you might call us crazy, but we love to be a part of what God is doing even more than jet skiing, tanning, and waking up late. So we were scheduled to lead worship on Sunday (a 5 song set of entirely new songs to us), and preach at Youth on Friday. We kept wanting to do more, but decided to use some wisdom and rest =)

Guam is a beautiful Island, with even more lovely people. If you want to know what a “heart to serve” is, go to Guam and meet the people. Upon arrival and departure, one of the women at the church will always create a hand-made lei for both Kat and I. These take hours to make just one, and by the time we leave, we are always given four. That is just a small example of these people’s hearts.

Now the sad thing about Guam is that it hasn’t had a mighty move of God since 1668 when Christianity was first established. Being an island, many people feel as though there is no where to go. Many lose hope. The hopelessness, and shattered dreams that surround this island breaks my heart. My heart aches for an island of people who need a Savior. Churches there are working hard, ministering and reaching out to those in need, But my prayer is far greater. My prayer is that revival would happen in Guam.

When you leave Guam, the last sign you see is when you enter the airport. It reads: “Adios, Come Again”. Unfortunately a letter has fallen off, only leaving: “Dios, Come Again”. (Dios is spanish for God)

My Prayer? God, Come Again. Move in a way your people have never seen you move. Heal the broken and hopeless, Love the hurting, Help the drugged out, sex abused, lost and lonely.

God, Come Again

Be Paul. Be Timothy.

While we were in Guam, Kat and I preached at 4HG (for His Glory).

These are our condensed notes.

1 Timothy 1:2

I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

1. Everyone in this room is both a Paul and a Timothy.

Mature Christians are grown through nurturing

If we don’t become a Timothy (true son), we will become spiritually sick.

If we continue to say, “oh there is someone else that can be Paul to that person, and they don’t get discipled, they will also become spiritually sick.

2. A Paul passes on Grace, Mercy, and Peace.

Grace: getting what we don’t deserve

Mercy: Not getting what we deserve

Peace: freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity.

When you are a PAUL: There will be times when you are discipling someone and you just feel like giving up. You feel like your words aren’t being listened to and you’re wasting your time. What is important to remember in this moment is Christ never gave up on you. Though we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He came and gave you love and salvation. As a leader, the people you are leading are going to let you down and disappoint you but you must never give up on them.

When you are a TIMOTHY: It is important to remember that someone is giving up time to pour into you. They see the potential in you. They aren’t trying to govern you or boss you around and tell you what to do. They are trying to take you to new levels. Too many times we reject those who are trying to pour into us. We like them when they are on our side but soon become their enemies when they disagree with our behaviors.

3. A True Son is someone who Willingly Submits.

“True submission is not shown until you disagree with your Paul”

Romans 13:1 says

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Musical Purist

While having a conversation with a fellow musician the other day, I was informed that I may be a “musical purist”: Someone who believes strongly in being able to read sheet music, understand music theory etc. The alternative to this way of thought is that tabs, chord charts, and ear training are all you need to reach your full musical potential.

Although I have never considered myself a musical purist, and will have to agree with the person I was talking to. I stand behind the belief that without a sound musical knowledge, one only can attain mediocrity, as a general rule. I understand there are plenty of extremely blessed and talented individuals who have the natural ability to simply be incredible at whatever instrument they touch, but even they will hit a wall unless properly trained.

If you get the chance, check out 1 samuel 16:17. David was sought out because he was an excellent player. (In posts to come, I will expand on excellence and how it affects the worship team/church).

One disheartening thought is that proper “sheet music” is a dying language. If you take a look through world history and study dead languages, you will quickly find that when a language died, portions of that “culture” ceased to exist as well. If we aren’t careful, our lax thinking on what it is to be a “musician” will cause a piece of musical excellence to be lost as well.

All this to say, I know plenty of great musicians who disagree with that train of thought. These were merely the musings of a muso…