Making the transition!

Change your RSS feeds!! My blog is making the transition to Wordpress . . . more soon. Easter is upon us. He is risen indeed.

It's April 6th, and it's snowing outside right now. Ughh... If there's anything that's a sign of the apocalypse . . . .

My wife wants to start a Tshirt line that says "I'm for Global Warming." on the front. Ha! Anyways,

This last Sunday was a great day. We began the first of a 2 part series called "Easter: a Hunt for Hope". We are telling the story through music, video, and readings from the triumphal entry to the cross. On Easter, we will move from the cross to the resurrection. Now, onto my soap box . . . I grew up in a tradition that did not celebrate Easter. The reason for this was because we did not want to be like the other denominations. However, we communicated (ironically) on every easter that we didn't celebrate Easter on EASTER because we celebrated it EVERY Sunday. Of course, this was a crock.

In many ways I have rediscovered Easter and love this time of season. The emphasis on spiritual "new life" is amplified all the more with the reawakening of nature from winter. The new life springing up from the ground cries out new creation!! So, why is it that we focus almost solely on the cross on Easter? We should be celebrating the resurrection! This season is about joy! Too many of the songs and videos coming out focus on Jesus' death and never get to his life. I really take issue with that. We desperately need more songs in our hymnody that celebrate Jesus' resurrection and his continuing life in us.

Some of you are saying by now: "Well we do have songs about that: What about 'Low in the Grave He Lay', 'Christ the Lord is Risen Today', and 'Because He Lives'"? True. But is that all? Anything else? Where is it in modern worship music?

I'm thankful to Chris Tomlin and Hillsong for their musical contributions to this under celebrated theme. "I Will Rise" and "Mighty To Save" tells of the richness and power when Jesus overcame the grave. "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty moves us through the entire story from birth to resurrection. Those of us who are songwriters need to lean into this and keep 'em coming!! Ok, ok, . . . . off my soapbox!

All this being said: Here's the worship order from Sunday (Part 1):

Dramatic Reading: Hail, King Jesus!

Hosanna

Hosanna, You're My King

Welcome

That's Why We Praise Him

TEACHING TIME PART 1: Patrick Mead

COMMUNION

And Can It Be

Above All

VIDEO: 3 DAYS LATER

TEACHING TIME: PART 2: Patrick Mead

Beautiful Lamb: Special song

When I Survey

Ten Thousand Angels

I Will Rise

Announcements/ Admonition

Worthy is the Lamb

Dismissal

Last Sunday (Palm Sunday!) was a powerful day. We rehung the paintings from Illuminate on the stage for the visual reminder if the cross. Big props to all our praise team members and tech who made it happen! Thanks for all your hard work. One more big Sunday, guys!!

Blessings,

Chris

Illuminate 2009

Last weekend was our third annual youth conference called Illuminate. 300 teens and adults descended upon our church and spent the weekend worshipping and praying with each other. The thing that sets apart Illuminate from all the other "run-of-the-mill" youth rallies are two major things.

Illuminate 2009 Intro from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo.

1) The BREAKOUT sessions are top notch. There are no "filler" classes. They always tie specifically in with the theme and have a point that complements the Major session lessons. I love the purpose behind it.

2) Instrumental worship on Friday night!

3) The quality stage designs! (my wife and Jodie Anspach did them!)

Anyway, I am still in recovery and am waiting for one good night of sleep to catch up. Till then, enjoy these videos!

Interesting article

Just read this interesting article about the current state of religious life in America. Thoughts? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090309/ap_on_re/rel_religious_america

The Breakfast Song

First off, I want to say thank you to Jon Knutson who shared this tasty little song with me. I can't get enough of these videos. Please enjoy!

New Series Designs

Here are a few designs I've designed from scratch and/or adapted from other sources. Doing this kinda stuff is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Been busy in grad class and family has been sick- more soon!

Check out this album!

I listen to a lot of music. I admit it. In fact, most of the hard drive on my computer is dedicated to the ever growing library of rock, alternative, classical, R&B, a capella, and worship music out there. I especially listen to a lot of worhsip music. I am always listening for a song that speaks to my heart and one that would be meaningful for our church.

Oftentimes, I know I have found something special when I find myself worshipping and bursting into song without a second thought. Or my eyes fill with tears as I listen to a powerful song that captivates me.

Kari Jobe's new CD does that for me. I LOVE her vocals- they are soothing and full of depth. She does some great versions of "Healer" (from Hillsong) and "Revelation Song" (which she sings on the Gateway Worship CD). But she has some great new tunes that minister as well as inspire me. Check this CD out!

Do you Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. This is taking off in some churches and ministries. Donald Miller and Leonard Sweet post multiple posts or "tweets" a day. I have been on for just a couple of months and have seen first hand how this stands apart from sites like Facebook or MySpace. So the question is: do you Twitter? And if you do- what do you like about it that makes it different? Do you see creative ways to use it for ministry?

The world is ending?

Ok, ok, 2 blog posts in one day is not like me . . at all! I came across this video and it is absolutely inspiring. I am excited to see the documentary. so cool.

Planning Center Online

For those that know me, they know that I'm as right brained as you can get. I can be organized, but it takes makes a long time to get there. As a worship leader in a "Type A" highly organized church, I need help keeping on top of communication, who needs subs, new music, etc. Planning Center has changed my life! I would suggest this program for any worship leader of any size church. It's takes some time to get started and prepped at the beginning, but once it's set, It's AWESOME. Here's a testimony video that explains why I love this program so much! Planning Center Testimony - Southwest Community Church from Planning Center on Vimeo.

Great blog!

I just read this blog from Laura Story (worship leader and writer of the song "Indescribable"). I can't tell you how often I have felt what she has described in her blog. I was a blessing to me, so I thought I would share:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

Do you ever have days when you don’t feel like worshipping? As someone who leads worship for a living, I have to admit that sometimes I don’t feel like worshipping. Some days I am tired and my throat hurts; other days, I am feeling down or distracted by other things. Sometimes life just seems too hard. Though I am ashamed to admit these thoughts and feelings, I know that they are more common than we would like to admit. How do we come before the Lord of Lords in all His splendor and majesty when our hearts feel so apathetic?

It is in times like these that I look to the Psalms, one of my favorites of God’s gifts to us. The Psalms provide an entire arsenal of prayers and petitions that we can use when we find ourselves in a spiritual drought. Take David for example; certainly his life was no picnic. Between his bouts with sexual sins, murder and seasons of even running for his life, there must have been times when he felt reluctant to worship God. But still we see him faithfully proclaiming the greatness of our Lord. For David knew that the very quality of his worship was not based on his own volition but on the object of his worship - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Though our affections for God may wax and wane, His character is unchanging! We even see David speaking to his own soul, demanding of it, “Bless the Lord!” He reminds himself even in the harshest of circumstances how good God is, recounting blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon him.

I think God knows that worshipping Him can be a discipline at times. And like any other relationship in our lives, our relationship with the Lord takes work. But on those days that are hardest to praise His name, that’s when I find worship to be the sweetest. Though I may enter feeling tired or disconnected, I find joy and peace in the presence of God and the Holy Spirit sustains that worship, renewing my mind and restoring my heart. All I have to do is show up. God is not only the author of worship, but His radiance inspires us and enables us to bring Him the adoration due His name.

So, next time you are tired and feel as though you have nothing to give to God in worship, know that you are right. There is nothing we can bring before Him that He hasn’t first given to us. And on those hard days, we must confess that we don’t want to worship Him but we want to want to worship Him. Over time, He will cultivate that desire in our hearts and souls to say, with the great psalmist, “I will bless the Lord at all times.” (Ps. 34)

We're Having A boy!

Well, it's official. We went to have an ultrasound done this morning and found out we are having a boy! He was pretty squirrely and wouldn't let us get a good profile pic. Anyway, the due date is June 19th. Here are a few of our ultrasound pictures:

Thoughts on 2009

I've been thinking about goals and dreams for 2009. Here are a few:

1) Lose weight? Absolutely- the holidays did disastrous things to my figure.

2) Lead worship for more events. (I get squirrely sitting around too long!)

3) Record a CD with our church's praise team.

4) Record a CD with Watershed.

6) Get an "A" in my graduate classes.

7) Be the best father and husband I can for my family.

What are your dreams and goals for 2009?

Shaving the Beard

For those of you who don't know, I grew a beard for our Christmas Production called "Imagine Christmas." I was one of two comedic angels for the show. Kevin Stewart and I looked similar, so we needed to change my appearance . . . . and Voila! I decided to grow the beard. I've had it for a little over 2 months now, so I resolved to have a little New Year's fun when I finally shaved it. Here are the horrific results: Stage 1: The beard. Stage 2: The youth minister goatee. AND I look tired. Stage 3: The Fu Manchu. Doing my best James Hetfield impression! Stage 4: YIKES! This one is a tad scary! Stage 5: The Adolf. Also very scary. P.S. I did not leave it like this. I am now clean shaven (save that pesky soul patch underneath my bottom lip), and looking years younger! Happy New Year! -chris

Tender Tennessee Christmas 2008

Today, I surprised my brothers and sister by showing up for Christmas here in Shelbyville. I had a free flight that was due to expire at the end of the month, so I hopped a quick flight down to TN. To be honest, it's great to get out of the snow and cold for a few days! But I miss my girls- Christmas is not the same without them.

Anyway, all the family came over and we shared food, laughs and presents. It was great to hold my 9 week old niece, Addisyn, for a little while!

Tomorrow, we head down to Huntsville to visit my grandma, then back to Nashville to fly back into the arctic tundra. Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I know it's been awhile since I've blogged last. Lots has happened. I finished my first graduate class (with an "A"!!), our church put on the musical Imagine Christmas (pictures and blog to come soon!), and we found out that we are pregnant with baby number #2!!

Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone. Here's a couple of family pics:

Reasons why we need 24

Just finished watching the 2 hour prequel called 24:Redemption. It has been almost 2 years since we have watched a new episode of 24. I found this list and had to share them (slightly edited for the kiddies!)

Here goes:

-Because Jack Bauer makes Chuck Norris look like a beached Manatee, and those stupid jokes need to end.

-Because it's been almost two years since someone bit a terrorist's neck off on network television.

-Because of “Beep. Beep. Beep...”

-Because Chloe O'Brian hasn't hacked anyone off since 2006.

-Because with 90210, Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy and Dancing with the Stars, someone needs to balance out the universe.

-Because Jack Bauer probably knows how to solve recessions. Let's just hope he tells us.

-Because without David Palmer, there would be no Barack Obama (at least according to David Palmer).

-Because if Jack Bauer can go to Africa and do good, we can all at least remember to recycle.

-Because Carlos Bernard needed work.

-Because Jon Voight is the new bad guy and, in his life he has played the likes of Coach Bud Kilmer, a Midnight Cowboy, Howard Cosell, and a litany of bad, bad guys. He also fathered Angelina Jolie. Impressive, sir.

-Because 24 is the crack cocaine of the TV world.

-Because I can envision Hilary Clinton, at home, watching Cherry Jones as 24's new president, and cursing maniacally at the screen while Bill watches on, popcorn in hand, quietly telling Hilary to shut up.

-Because the only thing Thanksgiving week has always been missing is Jack Bauer thwarting terrorists. Goes great with candied yams.

-Because, after the election season, the FOX News team needs a vessel to vicariously release all their vitriol, and Jack Bauer is the person to help them along in these trying times.

-Because, if you time it just right, you can watch Andy Rooney's segment on 60 Minutes, and then catch the start of 24: Redemption. This is as close as any human will ever get to time travel.

-Because freedom isn't free unless Jack Bauer is thwarting nameless renegades and torturing in the name of America.

-Because we'll finally learn whether Jack's over-sized man purse retains its magical qualities outside of LA County.

-Because of BauerCount.com

-Because 24: Redemption takes place in or around the year 2013, which means it's the future. I fully expect there to be hover-boards.

-Because we all need to collectively forget about season 6.

-Because it's JACK BAUER! IT'S 24! IT'S BACK!

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More classic video goodness!! oh yeah . . . .

Presidential Voting and Politics

I can't wait for Tuesday. I'm tired of all mudslinging, commercials, and drama. I'm ready to vote and be done. (How's this for a Twitter blog?)

Series Graphics

Part of my job as worship minister is to come up with graphics for our Sunday and Midweek services. Sometimes, I use great resources out there like lifechurch.tv and Vine Resources. But more often, I design them myself. I'm not a professional graphic designer, so it can be a challenge, but it's an awesome creative outlet for me. Some people have gardening, I have photoshop! Anyway, here's a few I've done over the last few months. I made this one from scratch. The button took a while to get perfect, but I thought it turned out pretty good. This one I created from a shot of downtown Detroit. With a title like "Taking It To The Streets", I wanted to have a picture that communicated our local community and area. Not sure if they noticed it or not, but it meant something to me! I wanted to use each Sunday's theme as a book title. Not my best, but I still like it. Last year, we were revamping out small group ministry and needed a new logo with the new name. As much crazy stuff I came up with, it still needed to be an accessible logo for all generations. Pretty basic, but does it's job nicely. I love the name!