Grace Bible Church / Drum Fiasco

Last night, Angela and I made the trek to Nac for Wesley Wednesday Worship. Not bad, Mike and Nicholas led, and did a good job. We visited there for a little while and went to Grace for practice.

The first thing we did at practice was go to the new Sanctuary. HOLY MOLY! This new place is spectacular. It is a wonderful blend of contemporary/traditional in this building. It has traditional elements to it; but, it is very open and has beautiful details. The projection system is really neat; two projected screens in front and one in the back for the team. We watched about 15mins. of a Baloche Worship Workshop DVD. I think John hoped that it would touch on some issues he is most frustrated with. I feel like the keyboard/piano player really needs to tone down, and if she had more correction and direction, she might be able to. There is also one vocalist, (I have had a problem with this issue as well), who sings very high/loud like we're at an opera. John has noticed it, but, it is hard to tell some one "hey wait, you can't do that". I think over time, these issues will work themselves out ONLY if John continues to put resources in front of the team, and then he encourages the change.

As for the drums, I ordered them on Musicians Friend about 4 days ago. I got a Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage (Sapphire Blue Fade) w/2 new cymabsl, about6 cymbal stands, an entire set of drum bags and a hardshell cymbal case, a Nady drum mic kit, a new pair of E2 Ear Buds, a metronome, and a few various other things. Well, I could not get a Musician's Friend Card, so Dorcus (Angela's mom), signed for me. I ordered it Monday and all was well. No word on Tuesday about shipping, then on Wednesday I got a call from Angela. Apparently, Musicians Friend called Angela's house and was worried I stole Dorcus' information to buy my equipment. Dorcus said that she approved it then they said they couldn't process the request unless they sent it to Dorcus' house or a business. Well....we sent it to my dad's office. It's Thursday, still no word on shipping, so I called this afternoon. It hasn't even left the warehouse yet! It frustrating to think how much I am spending and the way they are working. Oh well, it will get here when it gets here.

One big announcement, Nicholas will be leading worship for Wesley next fall. THANK GOODNESS! I am still going to be the Music Director, but he will be able to sing and play as I work with new musicians and vocalists. Until tomorrow...

Need I Say More

Where would I be in life now without Christ? I have been pondering this lately, because I am feeling like I have been growing lately, spirtually and mentally. I think Christ has helped me become the person I have always wanted to be, one that can be counted on, one that walks with integrity, one that can people want to be around. I look back at what I used to be like, the negativity, the hatefulness, the awful and horrible things I used to do.

I have been listening to this Hillsongs United "Look To You" CD, and there are so many wonderful songs on that CD...but one in particular speaks loudly to my heart ("Deeper"). Musically it is beautiful, I love it....lyrically, at the end of the chorus, it says: "..and Lord my soul delights and I know You hear my prayer, take me deeper Lord." I want to know Him more...theere's always more to learn, more to experience, more to do to be more like Him. He is my one and only and and I crave that time I spend with God, growing deeper and deeper with Him.

Lately, I am finding myself realizing mistakes I am making, as a Christian, as a boyfriend, as a worship leader....not bad mistakes, not mistakes that are harmful; yet, they are things that need changing. I feel like as a worship leader I still have much to learn, though I know I am called to do so. SO, lately, I have been blessed with lots of experience, not only leading worship, but helping Todd put together demos for his worship songs. In this process, I am learning what it takes to put this together, and see another side. As a worship leader, I feel that unintentionally, I may have been a litte overpowering with music in the worship service. I am coming to realize, Wesley doesn't respond to music as much as they do the Word. I need to be respectful of that, still allowing them an opportunity to have worship in song. The more experience I have, the more little details that I need to consider.

I feel like I am babbling, and I apologize to my many loyal followers (all 5 of you)....I will move on....Grace Bible Church is opening the new worship center in 2 weeks. I am very excited because as a worship leader, I see this move as a change dynamically for the music ministry. This church responds well to music and with more space and a better sound system, a full band is possible. I am pumped for this service, and in this, I have decided to purchase a new drum kit....WOW! This new drum kit, the exact same one I have now, except a different color, will be a good addition to what I have now because with more opportunities comes more traveling, more wear and tear, more hassles....so, one kit is in Lufkin and one kit is in Nacogdoches....good idea!

Look, let's face it, I don't have lots of free time to write in this thing, as you all can tell. I'll admit, I have a problem, its called inconsistancy, OK......I'm trying. What more do you want from me? Until tomorrow...