Busier than a one-armed paperhanger (no offense to you one armed paperhangers)

I have been busy. How about you? I’ve not spent a lot of time on this blog, but I’ve been setting up a facebook account (both personal and music), and also setting up the music in the ilike application program. Not to mention one full time job, 2 part time jobs. Volunteering time at the ARC, The County Legislature and Carenet. Oh, and I have a family, including one kid in college. Somewhere somehow, in all that, I try to write music. Been awhile. I am, you guessed it, busy. But as far as this blog, I am now beginning some new thoughts. I plan to start a conversation (with myself, if no one else logs in), on different aspects of worship. Perhaps some thoughts on worship leading as well. I’m still in process with the book/manual on worship leading. I’m just….busy. How about you? If you’re one of the dozen or so that check in here every once in awhile, please add your comments. I know you’re here, as I see the visit counts. But most just tip toe around, and don’t leave a note. Might as well. Anyway, my first thought will go up in a few days. Likely to be a question. What is it about music that moves us, hits us so deep. Why not, like, smells. Or, walking. Or, reading. Why music? Well, that’s a thought that I’ll expound on in another posting. But, for now, here’s a  hello to you sneak in sneak out visitors. I saw you. Can’t hide.  Might as well say hello as well.

Prep and play

We prep, and then we play. We plan, arrange, practice, correct, coordinate, orchestrate. But then, we play. We do what we do. We play with excellence. And we ought to plan with excellence. We can swing one way too much. Planning and preparing so much, that we lose the moment. We can also do so little preparation, that when the moment comes, we can’t take it. The best balance; to have musicians who have developed to play with great skill, but who also, because of that skill, take those moments when they come. I always have a list. But I have over the years trained myself to not be married to it. I always have a plan. But then, I play. And with all of lifes challenges. We plan. We prepare. But when the time comes, we need to just play, and not let our lives be chiseled in stone. Moments are by definition brief. Let’s not miss them. Be ready. And then, play

Sonicbids.com

Not sure if everyone has heard of this. It’s basically the resource that Kingdom Bound is using for it’s talent search this year. Essentially, you send in your tunes, and if you make the cut, you get a professional evaluation. (I got that last year, or the year before; don’t remember) Anyway, the top ones obviously get to play at Kingdom Bound. But the cool thing about sonicbids, is they are kind of a connection center for musicians/bands, as well as with festival/event organizers. Your tunes will be on their website for organizers to connect with you. They also send email alerts for events, so you can submit for possibly playing the gig. I don’t know if there are other organizations like this, but the concept is awesome. So…you bands/musicians out there. Check it out

Lucifer’s replacement

That title ought to get your attention. I heard a message many years ago, and the point was made that in Ezekiel, there is a description of Lucifer, as one who oversaw the worship in heaven. He was actually made with pipes in his body. Many have made the claim that the devil uses music so effectively because he was made for music. But with the fall of Lucifer, and this was the point of the message, God replaced him with another created being. One who would also oversee worship. One who would also have pipes in his body. Man. Hmmmm. Interesting. If accurate, it would add more cause for the devil to hate us so much. Maybe you have heard this before. Maybe not. I’d be interested in your thoughts.

Bono on worship song writing?

Hey all. This is a excerpt from Matt Redman’s blog. Thought it might tweak some thoughts.

“So, now a quick thought for songwriters. Not from me, but something I came across from Bono of U2. Speaking on songwriting he said “You can have 1000 ideas, but unless you capture an emotion, it’s an essay.” What a great thought. It can be so easy to generate ideas for songs – and put some kind of theme together. But if it’s merely a cerebral exercise it may only take us so far. Truth-based songs will always resonate to some degree, but taking it further, if that truth is delivered with passion, purpose and emotion it will be even more compelling. When writing a worship song we’re not just trying to give people some information. We’re trying to convey the awe-inspiring wonders of Jesus, and describing how our hearts, minds and souls respond when faced with these things. Just take a look at the Psalms – these songs are full of passion and emotion – poured out in the most full-on adoration, intercession and praise you’ll ever come across. They are built on truth, and oozing with emotion. So there you go – a tiny little thought on songwriting, courtesy of Bono.”