Back to Back

Last night ColdPlay tonight Jack Johnson (4th row)! That is a great night, not exactly the type of things that turn me into a stellar worker, but all the same very entertaining. The great thing about going to shows is sometimes the music, and tonight it will undoubtedly be such. Last night however was all about the lights and video. ColdPlay in their never-ending strive to be the next U2 had the completed package, which may take away from some of the botched lyrics and missed starting chords that Chris Martin was at least man enough to own up to. All in all thought, a great show. Tonight, in true Jack Johnson form will be about the groove of his music. Lightshows and video are secondary to the jam as it is with most acoustic based jam-bands. I will report back tomorrow, hopefully w/ pictures.

Trip of Lifetime

Well it's official, the vacation time has been approved, the churches and seminary have been contacted and on November 3rd myself and 13 other members of Genesis will arrive in Kiev, Ukraine for a 10 day missions trip custom built for people like me.

Let's face it, if I were to go on a missions trip to build houses, we would all be pretty scared for the people who had to live there after I left. This trip however, has a special mission and one close to my heart. The churches and seminary we partner with in Kiev have requested our church to send a group of musicians over to lead and teach on worship! I mean, it does not get much more custom built than that for me!

I am excited not just because we are going to get to play and lead worship in another country, but because they've asked us to come and specifically invited us to help shape the culture of worship in their churches and city. That is an amazing honor and calling to have placed on us, and not one I take lightly. By some amazing work of God, one of the staff guys from Genesis has asked me to head up the band and music preparation and act as the "lead worshiper" while overseas. That is also an honor. We have assembled some of the best musicians in our church, which has a deep pool of talented artists to pull from. The following are some details and a brief itinerary for the trip.

November 3rd - Arrive in Kiev
*we will be playing 3-5 "shows" including 2 at major universities in the city w/ great Ukrainian evangelist.
November 10 - leave Kiev for 22 hour "layover" in Amsterdam
November 12 - arrive in US

Please pray for the preparation of our band and team which includes people other than just the musicians. Each person plays an integral part in the trip and support raising has been given a small window. I will give you more updates and probably be talking more about this as the trip nears. I haven't been this excited for anything in a while!

United

I feel like a hypocrite, and well frankly I am. For years, I claimed in my religious superiority that I "did not like Hillsongs." However, it seems times have changed and a new generation of hillsongers have arrived. For those of you about to walk because you don't know what Hillsongs are, they are a church in Australia known for their musical worship and original songs especially those written by Darlene Zech...

Anyway, there older stuff and most true hillsong music is not for me, it's not who I really am as a believer. The United Band is their youth/young adults' band, and they are hitting my heart in a whole new way. It almost makes me want to dance in my chair at work when I am listening to them. And when I drive home I crack the sunroof and sing to Jesus at the top of my lungs regardless of how long the back up is on M-59. So check it out and give the CD a buy. I searched high and low for an iTunes or electronic download, but they are apparently not moving in that direction too quickly. So pick up the new CD entitled Look to You. This is rock worship though so be warned, no acoustic ballads or piano love songs... Buy it, hear it, love it, thank me later. Head to the website by clicking on the word United above and look for the "Listen Now" link below the CD title.

WAR

Check out what our friend Todd W. has experienced in Amsterdam recently. This gives true clarity to the mission I am on. Give New

Read and PRAY!

RELEVANT MAGAZINE

RELEVANT MAGAZINE

Check out the latest from these folks who mesh culture, life and God together under one cover. Kind of a novel idea... or is it?

A Higher Calling?

Our link (A Higher Calling) today will take you to Word made Flesh's Website - check out what they are doing around the world.

I have received many an email and very few actual comments on my previous blog entitled "Sell-Out." I suppose these people wanted to remain anonymous, but I can't figure out why. Most of my friends who made mention of the posting showed concern, wanted to "make sure I was alright." I found that pretty disheartening, like my words had meant nothing, or that the true meaning or spirit of the post was lost. What I really was referring to, is not just that I am a sell-out, but really what the cost of following Jesus is for me. Check out what Jesus says,
Mark 10:21 (New International Version)
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Now it is cool to note that Jesus looked at him and loved him, but it didn't change the fact that this guy was clinging to more than stuff - but the comfort of having enough, without fully having all of God. Now all of you who read this, can think what you want about yourselves, only you and God know the truth. However, for me, I know that simply living in America, I am blessed with more than enough to live. I live comfortably, more comfortably than I have to, and my money is primarily headed to my stomach, saving for my future, and supporting a church of middle class Americans. Not that my church isn't doing amazing things in the city we are in and reaching out to be the voice of hope to the marginalized people in Royal Oak. But, I am not changing, other than becoming more and more numb to the world around me that needs Jesus and does not have a relationship with him. And it is this "stuff" the things that occupy hours of my day and life, but really don't serve to advance the kingdom most effectively, that I look back on my life and I think, is my comfort really worth the salvation of others? Most times I shrug it off and hide behind my, "I'm trying hard enough to convince other people" argument, but let's face it, God is the final judge of those who are impacting the world around them for His glory and not our own.

That's the sell-out. I know that a life full of Christ and materially poor is better than my current personal relationship situ with Jesus. I have plenty here and now, but the treasures in heaven are not really being built that much. I only hope I can learn to trust more so that I will run far away from the the dreams of others, to live the ones God has for my life.

Blessings to all who hear.

Sell-Out

When I think about my life, and I look at it through what I hope are God's eyes, before the mercy and grace I freely receive - I see a sell-out. I am a complete and total sell-out. Sure I am saved, and I try and live by faith, and I repent and I am learning to be more like Jesus - I hope. But in the midst of all of this "trying" I am sucking at really changing.

I constantly look back through journals and reflect on my life and where I have been, what I struggle with and where I am now and how I have grown, changed, matured (whatever word you use here fill it in). Even though I am a critical person, I'm also a realist and the truth is, I have sold-out on God's dream of reaching a generation to change the world and reach the world with the gospel. I've traded this real goal of the church for a salary and a nice car. Sure I lead worship at my church, and I am in prayer perhaps more often than the guy next door, but I am not expanding the kingdom on any front.

I lack courage, I am constantly making excuses and choosing the things in life that best serve me. And in the midst of it all, I am choosing the "American Dream," which while it isn't bad, isn't necessarily what God wants. I mean wouldn't he want me to at least base where I live at on how effective I can be with the people near me at reaching the lost or missing or frankly people who think "Christianity is a crock and so are most of the people involved."

I am trading adventure for stability and trust for a paycheck. I find every way in my everyday to weed out my need for God. I lack any desperation for God to change me whatsoever and am rarely moved to ask Him to regardless of what I want. My true heart though, when I look in the mirror of my office men's room as I just did 5 minutes ago, reflects a person who works the job he works, simply because he has to make money and not because he wants to be there or thinks anything he can do there will make the larges impact he could make on the world around him. I look in the mirror and I see me - a Sell-Out.

Thoughts and comments from all of you other sell-outs are anticipated and appreciated. Sorry I'm a cynic, but we can't all be like you. :)