So, this may be weird, but Saturday night was the first time that i’ve ever actually read through the crucifixion and resurrection in the Bible on my own. I read it in Matthew. I wanted it to sink in. It did. After reading it, the word in this song had a whole new, more personal meaning to them.
It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covered me and raised this dead man’s life
It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
I was dead, and now, because of Jesus, I’m alive forever. The kind of alive that you can’t manufacture. The kind of alive you can’t buy. It’s the kind of alive that you can only accept.
Now I know what it feels like to do all that you can personally do bring the kids to the Cross during a service, and see no reaction at all. None. Just blank stares and uninterested chattering. Jesus DIED for you, a horrible death, just so that you can really live. You don’t have to be perfect anymore. You don’t have to be a legalist. You can be yourself and know Jesus on a one-on-one basis! He knows you down to your dirty, sinful soul and loves you anyways. How can you not react to a love like that? How can you hear words that depict the love and care that Christ has for us and not be moved? How can you look at Redemption’s Hill and say, “Thanks” and just go on your way? Tell me, how does this happen? God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die like a disgusting, worthless thief. He took every bit of real pain that the world could ever throw at us, and took it because He loves us. Jesus is the only one who can open the hearts of these kids. I pray for every kid who walks through our doors or through the doors of any church, that their hearts would be soft and that they would listen and embrace the story and redemption of Christ. I pray they would be so moved that they can’t help but live their lives for Him. Why doesn’t that shake you? Why doesn’t that move every bit of you? Why don’t I live in the shadow of this every day?
So, I was doing hw and listening to music the other night. Tom looks up at me and asked if I had seen a video that Brooks had showed him. I said no. He showed me this video. My life is changed.
This is what a church can do if they really go for it. Granted, Hillsong is huge. Granted, their budget is incredible. But this whole thing began with a simple idea, and grew. Excellence is achievable and it is honorable if it is to glorify our God. So good.
So, this weekend was awesome. Tsunami was maybe the most electric its been since it’s conception. The guys decided not to put up chairs, just to give it a little more of a free feel to the program. I feel like it was a hit! The kids didn’t seem to mind sitting on the floor and during the worship, they were having a lot much fun. One thing that I feel as a worship leader for a middle school ministry I need to take as my responsibility is to teach these kids that worshiping God can be fun! In RE, Brett did a great job of talking on the difficult topic of sex in high schooler’s lives. Taking it head on and being brutally honest is the best way to go. I feel like he came across loud and clear with what the Bible says yet kept the environment very comfortable and safe.
Sunday morning, I woke up with a bloody nose. It was fine after a few minutes, but it really dried out my throat. My voice sounded like crap that morning. It was noticeable. Mostly because all the songs we did were quite high. Again, thanks Brooks. Anyways, there was a lot of water had that morning, but it goes to show you that it isn’t all about how good you sound or how well you play. If the Spirit wants to move, He will move.
Anyways, here’s some pro’s and con’s for the worship . . .
Pro’s
- We tagged on the breakdown to We Shine that North Point did on their most recent live record. It is sick. We pulled it off pretty well. The kids loved that junk. A direct quote from myself after we got through it for the first time, “That was the dumbest thing we have ever done . . . It was freeking awesome!” So good.
- Brooks, Ed, Theo and Eric are a great group of guys to play with. I love leading with them and I love just hanging out with them.
- The transitions may have been the best we have had in a very, very long time. The whole set flowed very well and kept developing the environment and mood we were aiming to create.
- It was incredible watching the Spirit really work in the kids. Leading anyone into the presense of the Lord is an amazing experience, but watching kids who have the world in front of them give what they have to their King makes me excited for this generation.
Con’s
- I wanted to have a little more time on Sunday to process my thoughts on what I wanted to say. I think to become a good worship leader, you need to not just practice your craft and music, but speaking about what you’re singing.
From here on, i’m getting knit picky:
- We were a little sloppy in Beautiful the Blood, its a focus issue. We need to commit to being as excellent as possible for the entire duration of the set.
It was a good week, and I don’t think I could ever sing the praises of all the work done behind the scenes by Brett, Mark, and the interns to make RE and Tsunami amazing, engaging environments for kids to experience God. I love being here.
So, I had that dentist stuff today. And to be honest, it didn’t suck too bad. I mean, I didn’t like it by any means, but it wasn’t horrible. Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement. I still hate dentistry, but my dentist is awesome. Friday wasn’t so bad after all. PS, the Valium definitely made me a fun person to be around.
This weekend for the Student Ministries is sizing up to be a good one. Brett is bringing the heat and the band is a great line up. However, Brooks does love to make me sing to the utmost extreme of my range. Here’s the songs & keys
Broadcast – Steve Fee – A
We Shine – Steve Fee – D
Burn for You – Steve Fee – D
Beautiful Jesus – Kristian Stanfill – A
Beautiful the Blood – Steve Fee – C#
Come on man, I’ve been sick. Only kidding. Love that guy. So, it should be a great weekend and I should be searching for lots and lots of bottles of water. If you’re reading this and you’re in 6-12th grades, come out to Tsunami or Ripple Effect this weekend. Check the links for the times.
So, today was a good day. A long day, but a great day. I said it a few days ago, but I love leading worship with people who have a heart for it and also have a heart for being innovative and trying new and different things. We started a new series tonight in RE, and in Tsunami this morning. The Tsunami kids were full of energy and just great this morning, and RE tonight was just great. I feel like Brett and the Interns are doing a lot of great work to improve and revitalize the ministry. Mark and Cody are also making Tsunami an incredibly fun and engaging place for the kids. I love being a part of what’s happening.
Lets hit up some pro’s and con’s from the worship side of things.
Pro’s:
- The band brought the heat. It was a great combination of players. We were helping each other with our weaknesses to make the worship as excellent as we could.
- I’m not usually a fan of cover songs, but I felt we did a great job on the Paramore song we did tonight. Also, Brett did a great job of choosing a very topic relevant song.
- Both groups of kids were awesome. I think the key to engaging worship begins with engaging small group leaders. They are the lifeline of the ministry. Authentic worship is happening, and some of these kids are like 12! So great.
- Transitions = Sick
Con’s:
- I think it would have been beneficial to run all the songs again at the 3pm rehearsal instead of the transition. I don’t think you can ever be too prepared for something.
This was a great Sunday and I just can’t say enough about how much I love this community. Life is good.
So, we just had practice for this week. I feel so blessed to be in such a talented community of musicians. I mean seriously. Anyways, I figured I’d do another one of these break downs. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check it here. One song we’re doing this week is called You Reign by Hillsong United. I can’t find the recording of this anywhere. Its on a record called “In a Valley By the Sea”, but I can’t find where to get the record. Weird. Anyways, here’s the lyrics:
V.1
What could stand before You, as You chose to embrace
A cross so undeserved You took for me
The weight of sin upon You, when You offered Your life
As You walked the streets of men with fading strength
P.C
How could we live but not sing
Your sacrifice, Your glory
C.
You reign, You reign
Over everything Lord, You reign
With power and justice divine
Over everything Lord, You reign
V.2
What was Your last thought, as You drew Your last breath
Where the victory was Yours for us to see
And all will know the truth, as we live by Your grace
Every praise to You alone
B.
See now the King of Glory
Love of God become my calling
Father I surrender all I am to You forever
I think this song hits on something that we gloss over a lot of the time. Yes, God is our Father, our Savior, our Redeemer. He’s amazing. But he is also our King. He rules over us. What he says goes. What does a king get? Respect. Honor. Glory. Allegiance. Calling God our King means that he is in charge of us. He is over everything we do. Yes, when Christ died for us, he set us free from the chains of legalism, but the laws are still there to guide us. To help us grow. Saying that God is your King connotes that you will follow all that he says. What does he say? Read the Bible, it’s all there.
Also, I love how in the bridge, there is a prayer for the Love of God to be his calling. I think we are all called to be his people. I think that if this idea of God’s love being our calling were to be real and true in our lives, this world would look much different. Think about it. You can tell when someone just works at a coffee shop and when they are called to work at a coffee shop. They are on top of it. They are engaging. The love what they do and it’s obvious. They don’t do it for the money or for anything else but the sheer fact that they are in love with what they do and they are called to it. What if that was what your walk looked like?
Father, I pray that as these words leave our lips, that they would become real to us. That we would strive and pursue you as our King. Give us the strength to follow your plan for our lives and the way you would have us live. We are Your people and we long to have Your calling be one that is deeply rooted in our lives. Change our hearts and allow our lives to be permeated by Your love, so the world may know You name and know that You are good.
So, writing songs is something I do. Sometimes I just can’t stop. Others, I couldn’t buy a song if I wanted to. Recently, I’ve had a few that I’ve really enjoyed and feel like I’m making progress in being a better writer. Writing can be such an intimate thing. Even the most simple things can mean so much to someone. For me, I just write what comes. I never force myself to write. If I’m writing and I get a verse and a bridge, and nothing else comes, I put it away. I feel like everything I get is a gift for God. Not meaning its the most amazing thing you’ve ever heard. No no, far from it. What I mean is that I am only allowed to write songs that some consider good because God has given them to me. They are His, not mine. I love writing, and I love being able to be vulnerable with people.
One thing that I think is huge with progressing as a writer is getting critique from people who will be honest with you. I don’t think that people who are about each other are honest sometimes, just to spare feelings. Thats sweet and all, but just look at American Idol. If someone would have just told Bobby Jo that she couldn’t sing, she wouldn’t have ended up on the “Worst Of” edition of AI. I, personally, really value the critique I get from people I trust. I think its because the people I trust, are people who care about me and who care about me becoming better. They know how to tell me something could be better but out of love and in a way that helps, not scorns. Brooks is awesome at this. I hope to be half as sensitive to this stuff as he is one day. Anyways, I wanted to put up a song that I’ve written recently, just so you can check out what’s new with me. Thanks for hangin around here, I appreciate you reading all this mess I call my thoughts. Mad Love, One Love.
V.1
Your hand is strong in all the earth
And I fall down to see your face
Your voice is still in my heart
I will listen for Your word to guide me in grace
P.C
Jesus, You are everything
V.2
Jesus, Your son, took all my blame and made me clean
Father, You defeated sin
My life, my soul, my all do what You will O’ Lord
Now I’m alive in You
C.
With all I have, With all I am
I come to You Father
With Your breath, You give life
So with my life I’ll follow after You
B.
Let Your fire fall down around us now
And Your wonderful love come surround
God Your children here long to be near
And to be Your light
So, I decided that it would be fun to let you in on a something I’ve been trying to do recently with the songs I lead worship with. What I’ve been doing is taking these songs and breaking them down. What is it’s message? What scripture is related to it (thanks BibleGateway.com)? What is God trying to speak to us through this song? Things like that. I don’t have it down to a science or anything, but i thought it would be cool to let you guys into my world. I don’t want these to just be songs I sing. As my friend Duane has said several times [paraphrased], “If we truly believed and lived like the songs we sing, this world (and Wilmington) would be a much better place”. So the first song I’m work through is All Because of Jesus – Steve Fee:
V.1
Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To you be the glory
V.2
maker of heaven and of earth
no one can comprehend your worth
king over all the universe
to you be the glory
P.C
I’m alive because i’m alive in You
C.
it’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
it’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ
that cover’s me and raised this dead man’s life
it’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
B.
every sunrise sings Your praise
the universe cries out your praise
i’m singing freedom all my days
now that I’m alive
What are my first impressions? There is one big theme in this song. I could take that down to just one key word. Alive – living, not dead; continuing to be supported or in use. Interesting. Supported. In use. I’ll come back to that. With songs like this, I try to look for that one line that just speaks on it’s own. “I’m alive because I’m alive in You”. So simple but so essential. It’s because of Christ being in me that I can truly be alive! When Jesus was raised, we were raised. We join in that resurrection.
I’ve always appreciated the use of nature to describe how glorious and awesome God is. “Every sunrise sings Your praise/the universe cries out Your name.” It give brand new meaning to watching a sunrise or sunset. Another reason I really love the use of nature is because it is universal. We can all connect to that. I know what it is like to see a sunrise. Most do. I understand that there is a whole universe of things around me. Most do. All of that cries out to our Lord.
So what scripture are we lookin at here? 1 Corinthians 15:22 – For as in Adam all die, so in Christ we will all be made ALIVE. Ephesians 2:4-6 We have been saved by His grace and only because He loves us more than we could ever know. These passages just point to the fact that God loves us so incredibly much.
I like to end with a prayer so that I can ask God to make these songs real to me and so that I might try to find what it looks like to live these songs in my life . . .
Jesus, I pray as I sing this song, my heart would be overwhelmed with Your love. I only hope to see that I am truly alive in you, and You saved me from a place where no light is seen. No love is ever really felt. You have brought me here and You are good. I pray Your spirit would fill our hearts so full of your grace that our only response would be to long to be more like You.
So, Sunday went great, considering the circumstances. Eric pulled through and played it out, and Tom bailed us out for RE. Theo and Ed were both solid and awesome all day long. Welcome welcome, Theo. Yesterday was a great reminder that things may not go the way i have it all planned out in my head, but God will be glorified. I needed to just remind myself that even if the entire band went down, God is still God. He is bigger than RE or Tsunami and definitely me. We serve a mighty and holy God, and i’m stoked to be a part of what He is doing here. Ohh yea, life update: It is Good. Later
