Lists

I love the simplicity of lists.  They are great for prioritizing, just making a to-do list makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something (I rarely complete my to-do lists so it’s good I can take victory in anything).  I love favorite lists, movies, music, books, etc…  They let you know how something is favored or acclaimed in context and comparison of other things.  I always pick up several year end magazines that have best of lists.  The put a stamp on the year end of entertainment.  I like viewing the year in terms of the movies and music that has been released.  So any ways I’m going to throw out a couple of lists. First of all my to-do list. I’ve finished my seminary career and so it’s time to get my life back in to balance.  Next I’m going to throw out a couple of year end lists from last year (I know it’s May). I won’t necessarily narrow it to ten. I include everything I feel is deserving. Also I don’t hyperlink anything, because I’m lazy and you can google.

To-Do list
Daily Quiet time
Daily exercise
Write a song a day
Apply for jobs
Write at least one music article a month
Read at least 10 pages or one chapter everyday of a book (currently Tortilla Flats)

Top 2011 albums
1Bon Iver-Bon Iver
2Fleet Foxes-Helplessness Blues
3Wilco-The Whole Love
4Adele-21
5The Heart and the Head-The Heart and the Head
6Beirut-The Rip Tide
7The Roots-Undun
Blitzen Trapper-American Goldwing
9The Black Keys-El Camino
10St. Vincent-Strange Mercy

Top 2011 Movies
1The Muppets
2Drive
3Midnight in Paris
4Super 8
5MIIV
6Cedar Rapids
7Our Idiot Brother
8Thor,Captain America, X-Men:First Class
9Tucker and Dale vs Evil
10Moneyball
Top TV Shows of 2011
1Friday Night Lights
2Community
3Fringe
4Justified
5Doctor Who
6How I Met Your Mother
7Parks and Rec
8Game of Thrones
9The Office
10Rescue Me
11Happy Endings

 And looking to this year my top anticipated movies of 2012

1The Dark Knight Rises

2The Hobbit

3Prometheus

4Moonrise Kingdom

5The Avengers

6Brave

7Skyfall

8The Campaign

9The Master

10Django Unchained

How to worship.

I hope you see that title and know I’m being ironic.

I have recently been frustrated with worship, and I know it’s me.  It’s not good enough and it’s not real enough.  Part of it is where my heart is. Part of it is my practice.

My questions:

Why is everything done on Wednesday have to do with what is going to happen on Sunday?

How often are we listening to eachother and the music rather than playing whats on the page trying to get from point A to point B?

How often do we simply rest in the truth of what we are singing and saying?

How often are we seeking the presence of the Holy Spirit?

I feel so bogged down right now in all our rules of worship we have set up for ourselves.  I have turned worship into a legalistic practice. The truth of the matter is there are very few guidelines in the Bible about corporate or musical worship.  In fact my conclusion on worship from the Bible is that:

A. It was done.

B. It’s purpose was to glorify God.

So from that these are my guidelines to corporate worship.

1. Do it.

2. Do it to glorify God.

I’ve had this idea ruminating in my head to start a worship circle at school while I’m still here.  No microphones, no speakers, no cables, just folk instruments and those willing to cooporate and sing together.   This is my favorite biblical example of worship in the bible.

Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

This should be my effort in my worship.  To be heard because of my reverence.

 

Happy Record Store Day!!

For those of you that don’t listen to the same music as me (and don’t care) I apologize. Most of this blog is about my pursuit to follow God’s calling in my life. I try to write about music once a month. Most of this music is not Christian however the artists I listen to inspire me creatively and it’s something I bring into my worship leadership.

I love record stores,  when you pay the extra dollar or so to buy an album from a record store you are paying for a community of  music lovers.  Sure some of those record stores are full of people that think they’re God’s gift to indie music, but most of these independent stores are in it because they love music, and they love people who love music.  Sure they’re in it for a profit, but they care about good music too.  These are places where they won’t shove Justin Beiber or The Black Eyed Peas down your throat.  Places where you can discover real artists. I love these musty stores, where they plaster every inch of the walls with promo posters, they’re almost always playing something overhead so out-there it’s obvious the person that chose this is begging for someone to talk to them.  A place where you can buy music and actually walk away with something physical in your hand.  I’ve been fortunate to live in Austin and Nashville were you’ll find two of the best (according to me as well as Paste Magazine):  Waterloo Records and Grimey’s.

I stopped by Skully’z in New Orleans today to pick up Josh Ritter’s new lp (it’s vinyl only till May 4th).  I don’t really write reviews so much as quick recomendations, but I’m gonna wait a little till I write about Ritter’s new one. (I Love it though)

I’ve been enjoying the new Dr. Dog (Shame Shame).  It doesn’t feel quite as epic as Fate did. This one feels more like a good summer album. Shadow People has instantly become one of my favorite Dr. Dog songs.  This is one my favorite bands.

This is a good time to be a music fan.  I’ve already heard 3 songs off the new National CD and I’m heavily anticipating that album.  In addition to the ones I’ve mentioned Band of Horses, Gaslight Anthem, the Hold Steady, and the New Pornographers all have new ones coming in the next couple months as well.

There are no guarantees in this life

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

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

These verses have meant different things for me at different times, admittedly sometimes out of pure ignorance and selfishness I have completely warped the meaning to make it seem like I’m going to get what I want. There are no guarantees in this life. However, once we’ve asked God to take our lives in service to him what do we do next?  How do we know if we are following a God given desire?

I don’t know.

I think a person can desire to work in a church, or go into the mission field and still be running away from God’s true desire for their life.  My move to New Orleans to go to seminary was out of a vision to give my gifts to God.  I have an idea about what I wanted it to look like, yet I let situations around me tell me differently.  I am surrounded my many traditional people that tell me if I’m going to find a good job it will have to be at least somewhat traditional.  I start to believe them, and yet I find that setting, not just a different type of style, but a completely different job altogether.

My time in Denham Springs has ended, and I have left with a love for the people there.  It challenged and stretched me beyond what I could comprehend.  I feel like there was more I could have done and relationships I could have built. I think I just started to figure things out there. At the same time I started realizing the things that I just couldn’t do due to my time restrictions.

So now I’m starting over.  Reassessing.  And guess what?  I feel headstrong.  I trust the lord led me to this point for a reason, and he has something great in store.  I have been gifted with a certain set of gifts and I’m ready to use them to my fullest.  I have a desire to be at a church with a more modern setting and to be able to be part of the community and not just fill a position.  I also have a desire to go overseas for short term missionary trips.  Does that mean this will happen? No, but what else am I supposed to do until God puts me exactly where he wants me.  So I will pursue the desires of my heart believing that God has put them there.  God continually build my Faith!

Hey, I haven’t forgotten about you, I’ve just been really busy with the church job, and school has really taken over!  I promise I’ll be back soon with an update and some good music.

Hey people, I’m on spring break Whoo!   So here’s something exciting:  I have a group of friends in Nashville that are going to Haiti, and another freind going to Uganda.  I also have freinds that have been to India and Haiti earlier in the year on mission trips.  Thats pretty exciting to me considering it’s only March.   I just got my passport back so I’m hoping there is something on the horizon for me.  I’m going to have some future posts specifically about the last two churches I’ve been a part of soon.  (Thats where the majority of these groups are from)  I Don’t have the energy tonight.

I want to just throw out some good recomendations. I started doing this on another blog, but I think I’m just going to do it every once a month here instead. First of all Mumford and Sons,  a great folk rock band.  I feel like all my friends have discovered them independently at the same time, and it is on everyones play lists.  Great for those of you that like Avett Brothers and The Low Anthem.

I started reading The Reason For God by Tim Keller… Great read, I’ll just say he attempts to answer a lot of the hard questions we get asked by non-believers.

I’ve turned into podcast listener, some of my favorites:

From NPR:

This American Life -  Usually 3 to 5 interesting stories from people all over America threaded by a weekly theme.

Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me – A current events game show with a panel of 3 semi-celebrities playing to win nothing.

Fresh Air -  A great interview show. Admitedly I usually only listen when it’s someone famous that I like, but they will have many news relevant people on as well.

Other than that I enjoy Dan Patrick’s best of podcast,  It’s 3 hours of his show condensed into one.

So that is all I got right now, I might throw another entry up soon.

Lombardi! Lundi! Mardi! Foie!

Less than a month of my time in New Orleans and I’ve already gotten to experience Mardi Gras.  Forget about what you’ve heard about or seen in the Girls Gone Wild commercials. This is a unique experience that is really about a community coming together to celebrate. I don’t have the energy to explain the whole thing, but everyone  should come experience it at least once. Just make sure you have someone that knows whats going on there with you.  I’m glad all this celebration has happened so early because I think it’s put a fast forward on a couple of friendships (for better or worse, they know me now).  Once again I have discovered the importance of celebration as a facet of community and of worship.

So tomorrow I’m going to lead worship again.  I honestly don’t feel completely in the right mind.  As a worship leader every once in a while I feel “smacked in the face” by Sunday.  My situation is a little difficult, because being so far away I don’t really get to walk with these people.  I think I need to find or create a discipleship group close by.  It’s amazing, but I’ve really come to believe that the time spent in a small group is more important than what happens on Sunday morning.  This is coming from a worship leader. I mentioned this in front of other music students and it did not go over well.  It’s just rare you see real, long-lasting change from a Sunday morning worship, or even sermon. I’ve seen tears on Sunday morning, but on wednesday night (or whenever ) I’ve seen people’s eyes opened, I’ve seen people get brutally honest, I’ve seen people that would never be friends under normal circumstances build relationships.  I think I’ve only skimmed the surface with my experience in small groups.

Back to Sunday, I feel that there is a transition coming to a more spirit-filled church setting.  I’m being careful as I do this, and sometimes I wonder if they’re thinking I’m not moving things fast enough.  The funny thing is I have so much bottled up energy waiting to explode.  I’ve been known to jump around, cry out, and stretch worship out as I feel the spirit leads me. I think I’m learning so much in this situation.  It can be frustrating, but I’m having to really give up myself in this situation.

I’m not going to pretend to be a Saints fan, but I do love a good party.  My super bowl party was actually fairly low key,  hung out with mostly music students at a professor’s house, but after they won I talked everyone into going to the french quarter. As soon as we stepped out of the house we could hear cheering all around.  I’m not capable of fully describing the experience.  It was just pure joy.  Thousands and thousands of people that came together to express their joy.  I hugged and hi-fived so many total strangers (thank God for Purrell!)  What was unique about this bourbon st. experience was this was mostly locals (opposed to mardi gras).

I’m just curious how many people were celebrating because the Saints won, and how many were just waiting for a reason to celebrate. Maybe subconsciously that is why sports are so big. Culturally we don’t celebrate much. We feel like we need some sort of giant excuse. And yes it looks different between people, not everyone dances, not everyone hugs strangers, not everyone enjoys libations. Are we not vessel’s of praise? and isn’t a huge facet of praise celebration?

So this is my encouragement.  Find an excuse to be around people and celebrate.   I’m alive! I’m an American!  I’m saved by Christ’s redemption! It’s Tuesday!

P.S.  While writing this I’ve been listening to the Patty Griffin channel on Pandora and it keeps playing this group called The Wailin’ Jennys that is excellent.

Follow the Leader

I decided to start another blog.  I’m calling it the Monthly Mash.  Essentially It’s going to be about what music I’ve been listening to, what movies and TV shows I’ve been watching, and whatever else I feel like recommending.  Obviously I only intend to update it once a month.

Now ask me how seminary is going…

Oh thank you for asking, it’s gotten so busy I don’t really know how it’s going.  For the first 2 weeks on top of my regular assignments I’ve had 6 2-hour rehearsals for a big choir peformance that took place last night and one more tonight.  On top of that I’m filling in leading worship at a church in Denham Springs, LA (about 1 1/2 hours away), and I’m leading worship in  chapel on Tuesday.  It’s good to be used.

So I just got done leading church. Completely traditional setting.  I was in a suit and everything. No guitar.  I’m not use to being so dependent on another musician, but the pianist was a pro, as well as the rest of the staff.   I didn’t imagine I’d ever be in a setting like that, but there was a need, so I went.  I guess that’s the important thing.  There really is no right way. I couldn’t have started in with a band with “Mighty to Save”.  I couldn’t have snuck in some U2 or Bruce Springsteen. Would not have been worshipful to them.  Of course when I did that at Alliance I see people become more themselves during worship.  So I’m trying to meet these people with their style and possibly push them in some new directions.  I hope to encourage them to put all their hearts into worship, although many of them did, it just doesn’t look the same as what I’m use to. More so this morning really stretched me, I’m not sure how well I did, I’m sure I was a little shaky.  I really hope I get a chance to do music in the setting I prefer, but God has his own plans, we’ll see where my hopes and his plans meet.

It is amazing how the opportunities are opening up.  I loved my time in Nashville, but there was a lot of frustration that was slowly building up towards the end of my time there.  I just couldn’t find a place to use my abilities for the Kingdom. I’m sure part of that was my own fault.

Any way I know I’m not going to ever fully explore the themes of worship and community in each post, I’m hoping this blog might slowly round out an outline of my ideas and experiences. Oh and don’t forget to check out the Monthly Mash. (I don’t know about that name, but oh well.)

Jin Bae

With two big suitcases I entered my new home on the second floor of your typical smelly drab men’s dormitory.  I knew I had a roommate, but I didn’t know his name or anything else.  The room was empty, but already settled in by someone. Looking at the books in the bookshelf I discovered this was a Korean someone.

Jin Bae has been living in Georgia for only 6 months after living in South Korea all his life.  He is 34, has a wife and a 3 year old son that are still in Georgia while he has started a pastoral masters at Seminary.  He speaks very broken English and keeps a refrigerator full of Kimchi and Garlic.  It creates a pungent smell that wakes me up in the morning when he prepares breakfast.  Jin likes to ask me questions about American culture before we go to sleep. So far these conversations last past midnight although very little information is exchanged.  Last night I taught him about prostitution in America. Don’t ask me why.

If you asked me before starting seminary if I thought I would be lucky to have a room mate that doesn’t speak clear English and makes the room smell like Garlic I would say no, but to be honest I didn’t think to pray about that. Jin told me one night before coming he prayed for a good room mate. He told me  I was the answer to that prayer….

I don’t know what to think about that.  I pray so much for answers I don’t think of myself as the answer to another persons prayer.  Is it going to make me be the perfect room mate? Probably not, I like being alone.  Jin is use to being in a house with a lot of people.  He doesn’t get that when people have headphones on they usually don’t want to talk.  I do hope I become a good friend to Jin.  I hope there is a good amount of cultural exchange and understanding.  I also hope I don’t start smelling like Garlic.