I HOP-ped and hollered!

HURRAY! Angela got a job today. IHOP called her early this morning to let her know she had an interview at one this afternoon. She showed up and essentially they handed her the job. NICE!

We decided to head to Lufkin and do some shopping (for her job) and take care of little losse ends there. We also ended up seeing our good friends the Wrights (minus Kristen, who was at home preparing for the newest addition to family tomorrow, WOW). We brought a portable DVD player for them (which they already ended up having one) and also a Blockbuster gift card. Ya know, that kid is cool (Todd too). He is so funny, so friendly, and extemely polite. He is going to grow up and make his parents very proud.

Went to Wal-Mart, Old Navy, and then my house. We decided to take my sister out to dinner (never get to spend any time with her) and picked her up at basketball practice. Got to see my good frined Corrie Caldwell. He hasn't changed a bit! What's funny is, it's like we never dropped off. He's a nut!

Went to IHOP and tried there french toast with some strawberry syrup. MAN, I am sure glad Angela is working there!!!!

Now I'm at home watching some Law and Order and, of course, blogging.

Sunday - How Do We? (part two) (A DAY LATE)

Part two....Went to Mike and Paul's for lunch. Some of the best food comes from those guys (not literally). Breakfast burritos....dang! Ran up to the church early to set up for Crosspoint...percussion setup with synth/loops.

Ya know....I am by no means an emotional person (I feel I've said this before), but by the last song, I am fighting off tears. I am going to be honest....I am going to miss John. I walked off stage and couldn't fight off giving the guy a hug. It's weird, I came into this thinking I couldn't learn much, and John did teach me things. I did learn! He's a good guy, and I am really sorry to see him go, BUT, I know he's got reasons, and you can't argue with God's calling. As I walked off, I told him that he better keep in touch. I sat down, and pretty much fought off tears the entire service.....OK OK, I am a baby!

You know, things are going to get better. I have faith God will guide us through this. Our leadership is so great, and they will help make the process smoother.

After Crosspoint, I met with my mission trip group for Spring Break. We're going to Louisiana, GET THIS, to Springhill, the SMALL TEENY TINY city I lived in several years back. I am in a group with Paul, and about 8 other people. It's my first Crosspoint thing outside of music, so I am pumped!

Alright, enough, I am off to sleep.

Sunday - How Do You? (part one)

How do you tell a congregation whom you've served so faithfully for almost five years that you've taken another job? How do you tell them that you feel called to go somewhere else, and that things will go on without you? To have faith in Him and all is well...that's exactly what you tell them. Grace Bible Church is one staff short after today. John Rolf is leaving the church, and as sad as I am to see him go, Justin has made it plain and clear that we will move on. And we will!

This morning's set (or at least the first service, since it is only 9:15), was a different one....I am so mixed as emotions come. Tim and I talked about set planning and practices. It seems they want to move practice up to 7 on Wednesday's rather than 8....which would mean I cannot attend. I am nervous about that. The practice is important, don't get me wrong, but I am more concerned about the "tightness" of this temporary group. We will never gel as a team if we don't consistantly practice together.

Anyways, I wanted to vent a litte....it's going to be a rough day....you WILL get a part two....

Top Ten Things About My Church / Other Stuff

Todd posted a couple days ago about the top ten things he loves about his church (Lufkin FUMC). I want to compile a similar list to tell exactly why I love the church I am at (in no particular order)

10. Justin (our pastor) preaches the Word boldly and truthfully.
9. The people are inviting and loving, to anyone and everyone.
8. We offer ministries to fit each and every lifestyle.
7. I leave every week, wanting more and more....
6. Our mission....to encourage and equip people to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
5. Visitors enter the building on Sunday and it's zero-pressure the whole time they're there....I can definately vouch for this one!
4. APPLICATION, APPLICATION, APPLICATION!
3. College students are just important as those who have been there for decades.
2. People come seeking God and the truth that the Word speaks to them.
1. We pull toghether when times get tough....and when they do, Justin shows us how the Bible tells us to respond.

So, things have been different this week. An interesting piece of news....John Rolf is leaving GBC. I found out Monday from Michael Dennis. You know, I'll be honest, at first I was rather upset/somewhat mad. Why was I that way....John is a good friend of mine. We showed up to practice last night and our pastor was there....John told us and then Justin spoke....and in most situations I wouldn't really listen....but Justin spoke straight from the Bible. As soon as he was done, I was just filled with relief and I was happy for John. He honestly feels called to lead this other church....and I will support him.

Now, as far as I know, the team that would lead when John was unavailable will help until the church hires another worship pastor. I am excited about this because I think it means alot for me. Last night when we ran through the songs for the first week John will be gone....it was a bit rocky....I really feel like God is calling me to step up a bit and help the team. I have had experience with this before....very similar experiences. When the praise team just vanished a couple years ago at FUMC Lufkin....I helped put a team together and we took care of everything....projection, lighting, sound, etc.....fun times! This team hear just needs some tempo work, some help with arrangements, and just constant encouragement. I think the issue is confidence....and they just need that pat on the back and praise from time to time.

In school news, classes are going well. This should be a good semester. I am enjoying my math class alot....and even my business communications class.

As for Wesley, that's just a mess. I won't dive into it now, but expect a post later today or tomorrow about all that.

Alright....that's all folks!

Why Even Have a Title?

Alright, well, nothing is going on. Ready for school to start back up. All I have done for the past few days is mess with my new Dell DJ....so here's the story (seriously, I am this desperate for a post):

I got a Dell DJ about 8 months ago. It was a 20GB (because I do have a lot of music), so I figured it would be perfect. Well, I ended up finding out, after I spent 200 bucks on it, that THIS model wasn't compatible with Napster. SHOOT! I was mad! I just stored all my CD's on it (and yes, some of my downloaded music). Since then, I have filled it almost 75%. Well, I found a spectacular deal on one that was 30 gigs. I got it and the only reason is, it's compatible with Rhapsody and Napster. I have download almost 500 songs in a week. LEGALLY at that! YES!

I missed church on Sunday. Family stuff was going on and didn't feel I could leave town for a good part of the day. I did, however, go to First Methodist here in Lufkin. Service was interesting. It has changed alot since I went there last. Band is sounding really good. Sermon was a bit different, but I have heard so many good things about Mike that I know his sermons are usually different. It wasn't not a bad sermon, just not very applicable. Man, I am pumped about retreat (music, not council). Todd is going to do a phenominal job, the team is excited, and the Reason synth/piano stuff is going to add alot. I have been working on the pinao stuff and I think it will add a whole new feel to our sound.

As long as we are on the Wesley boat, I want to dive into something that alot of my friends know about. I have been talking to alot of people about leaving my job at Wesley. I have been doing alot of thinking, (mostly praying), about what God wants me to do. He called me into this position, do you turn your back on something God calls you to do? Well, I put a date on it (said I was quitting this semester). I was laying in bed yesteday thinking about it, and I thought, you know, God called me to do this, I can't leave until He tells me to. I can just get up and leave the first second I am uncomfortable with something. I may not agree with everything that goes on there, but I believe that the worship team is really a draw for folks to come to Wesley. Music is a very good thing we offer. I know it's very difficult (those of you who know just what I have to put up with), but, I am going to hang in there for a while. I feel that something big is about to happen. Something so big, Wesley is in for major changes....I will keep you guys posted.

Well, hmmm....that's it....

Play Count VS Patience

So, the question at hand, "should we use a number system to determine when a song is "done with""?

My thoughts are a little on both sides of this topic. I want to begin with the fact that God comes first in this equation. The songs we put forth on Sunday morning, Wednesday evening, Sunday afternoon, (whatever the case may be), need to be played with the desire to see the Lord glorified by His people. Now, with that in mind, songs have to be placed together in a service in which it allows people to freely worship.

Here's my system:
Week 1: begins in rotation (fast songs usually start in 2nd or 3rd slot - slow songs usually towards the mid part of the set)
Week 2: shuffles around in set a bit
Week 3: out of rotation
Week 4: fast songs - 1 song slot
slow songs - song before message
Week 5: it is either dropped from rotation, or takes one week off

There are exceptions to this system:

a) our people really respond to a song:
- I have left worship on week 2 and I hear people singing or humming the song.
- in worship people are visibly engaged in worship

b) it is special music
c) the song is visibly distracting

It is important to be (as a musician/vocalist) excited and not annoyed by a song that you are leading. Blake mentioned that there is nothing more annoying than an overplayed song. And this is true. HOWEVER, as a worship leader, often times you have to give up your personal tastes and opinions. HOLD UP! I did just go there...and I am sorry if that is not what some believe. I hold that to be true alot of the time in my worship situation.

Wesley is home to alot of folks that enjoy older contemporary music and hymns. That's not the type of worship music I respond to, but, I am called to further the Kingdom, and if that's how Wesleyans respond, than that is the music I am called to play. I belive a system to determine when a song is overplayed is good, on paper and in theory.... but to determine if the people find the number of times you play a redundant is quite a different system. Congregations are complex, and the Lord works in many different ways, that to devise such a system might be impossible.

Just Another Day...

Woke up around 11 this morning. Not a very busy day...took my time getting out of bed and moving around. Angela headed over about 3ish and we went and grabbed a bite to eat and took my brother and sister for a round of Ray's milkshakes. Dang, milkshakes rock!

Played around with Larry for a while. That dog has been a handful lately. He's been really sick and has worried me for the last couple of days. Found out this morning that he has been eating the puppies' food when I let him outside to use the restroom. That little jerk! I chewed him out pretty hard after I caught him. He seemed disgusted with himself. He ran around really hard and he seems to be feeling better.

Angela and I decided to use some of our gift certificates that we got for Christmas and decided to go see a movie. We figured we would see a later showing. We had $20 and only used half of it on tickets. Thank you STARPLEX for the student discount. We saw "Fun With Dick and Jane". Decent movie. Man, Jim Carrey will never be as funny as he used to be. He has definately lost some of his charm. The movie had its moments and I laughed.

We got some dinner and ate (Burger King....mustard whopper with cheese....yum yum). Came home and ate and then decided we would go for a lovely little walk with Princess Larry.....he's such a baby sometimes.

We walked about 3 1/2 miles and it was a really nice walk. Larry was limping a little (needs to go to the vet tomorrow). We finished it in under an hour. Nice walk!

Well, that's about the most boring post ever....