Monthly Archives: March 2010

Youth Worship Teams: Be Creative by Not Leading?

This past year our schedule for youth has changed, and our youth band is not leading worship for the youth as often as we once had. This has given me a great opportunity to try something new.  Being Creative!

Since we do not have the schedule of having to work up songs for the next week, we now use our weekly rehearsals to work on a variety of things.

1. Work on Solo Songs- It’s been great to work on some songs that we would not necessarily use to lead worship, but could use in services sometime. These also would be great when our group goes outside of the church to play. Maybe it’s something by Switchfoot, Jars, or Fee the kids have heard and brought in.

2. Try Out New Songs- The youth have had a blast just bringing in music to try. We’ll listen to it and play through it a few times. Sometimes we like it and put it in a folder to work on later. Sometimes we say Nahh!! and move on.

3. Test New Styles of Songs- With this freedom we have also been able to try different styles, instrumentations, arrangements etc… Maybe its a style we don’t normally play, or even switching up instruments to try something different.

What do you do to get the creative juices flowing?

Popularity: 2%

The Toughest Thing to Accept

I don’t have to look back very far at all to find things that I need to ask for forgiveness from. I know there are people I have hurt, words I have said, and things I have done that have hindered my relationship with God.

I don’t have to look back very far at all to find that I have been forgiven. I know that I have asked for forgiveness and it has been given, by God, and by others… forgotten, wiped clean, made new.

What struck me recently though was not the fact that I have been forgiven, but that what I have the most trouble with is accepting that forgiveness.

I was recently running sound when a guest was leading worship at our church. We were trying to work out monitors and sound, and in ears and .. well I was messing up right and left. I was pressing wrong buttons, sending the wrong mix and taking up alot of time. Through out it I was getting more and more frustrated, and more and more mad at myself. This in turn made me lose focus, make more mistakes and increase problem.

Everything finally worked out and we started the concert.

About halfway through he sang this these lyrics from the song Mighty to Save:

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

And I teared up. I sat and looked at those words and I realized I was beating myself up over a few mistakes. I was not letting go. I was not forgiving myself.

And I realized too that messing up on running sound was really just a silly illustration that opened my eyes to a larger realization. Sometimes the hardest person to accept forgiveness from is yourself. The most difficult thing sometimes is to forget, to let go,  and to move on. It is much easier to say “why didn’t I?” or “I’m so stupid”, or “I can’t believe I did that!”

So what about you?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Popularity: unranked

Top Ten Instrumental Reflections

For a while now I have been sharing my Instrumental Reflections with you. These are primarily piano pieces composed and recorded at one sitting, which can be used for prayer times, altar times, devotionals, journaling, nap time or just to relax to.

I began wondering if anyone did listen, and if  so which of the reflections were most popular. Here they are listed by month and by year.

Here are the Top 5 Instrumental Reflections for the past month.

Instrumental Reflections #15- Reflections for Lent

Instrumental Reflections #20- Great is Thy Faithfulness

Instrumental Reflections #17- Near the Cross

Instrumental Reflections #16- Hopeful

Instrumental Reflection #21 – On a Hill

Here are the Top 5 Instrumental Reflections for the past year.

Instrumental Reflections #3

Instrumental Reflections #1

Instrumental Reflections #4

Instrumental Reflections #2

Instrumental Reflection #6

Popularity: unranked

Instrumental Reflections #23 – Moving On

So much of my time is spent worrying about things that are in the past. Things that I may have done or said, that I have asked for forgiveness for, opportunities I have missed, but that I keep looking back and holding on to. I am not sure why, but this song kind of reminded me of what it is like to move forward, to move on.

What are those things in your life you need to stop dwelling, and move on?
As you listen to this, think of those things, and pray for God to help you move past the past, and onto what he has in store for your future.

“I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

To listen click play!

 

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Popularity: 1%

Instrumental Reflection #22- The End of the Day

Our days are filled with so many different ups and downs. This song reminded me of all those different themes that run through our daily lives. It also reminds me that God is there to weave those themes into a beautiful melody.
What do you need to do to let God make a beautiful song out of your day today?

To listen click play!

 

Check out the previous 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

or Subscribe in Itunes

Popularity: 1%