Cornerstone TV Pics/Videos

A little over a week ago we went to Cornerstone TV and did a worship set throughout the "www Interactive" program. You can watch the broadcast here.

These are some of the "behind the scenes" happenings. It's not as fanciful as one may imagine.

Soundchecking...

Into the infamous "Green Room..."

Nick vs. Make-up (1st time ever)

Plenty of time to chill between songs...

And then it's over...

James left, otherwise he would be in this...





Thus concludes another adventure in the worship team's pursuit of "rock n roll for Jesus."

Saturday, May 30, 2009

You're Hip, You're Edgy, You're Failing

So these are some things I've been pondering today:

1. How do we marry creativity/marketing with the Gospel?
2. How can we reach people effectively without sacrificing the message (or without missing God altogether)?
3. How can we push to maximize our resources for His kingdom without loving them or leaning on them?
4. How do we (staff/leadership/volunteers) maintain focus (the “why”)?
5. How do we ensure THEY (the people) understand the “why”?

In my opinion, these are some HUGE thoughts concerning "modern" ministry:

• In all things, ask WHY you are doing it. If it just to be “hip” or “trendy” then it is shallow.

• If you offer excellence but not His presence, then you just have an audience!!!!

• You can throw all the money in the world into lighting, sound, cameras, presentations, conferences, etc., but you cannot buy God’s presence.

• If you don’t have God’s hand on what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter how many people you have. You’ve failed.

• God’s not interested in your methods or styles. He doesn’t care that you’re “edgy.” It’s a moving target anyway. He wants hearts. Period.
  

Friday, March 6, 2009

Do You Care? Pt. 2

4 Levels of Involvement

1. Don’t Know, Don’t Care
2. Know, Don’t Care
3. Know, Care, But Don’t Act
4. Know, Care, and Act

You and I are at one of these levels of involvement concerning the lost, the poor, the needy, and the broken. These levels are based on 3 factors:

1. knowledge (of the need/issue)
2. emotional resonance (how much it moves your heart)
3. action(how much it affects what you do)

Knowledge is the easiest factor to change. Emotional resonance is the most commonly professed. Action is the least commonly present. Most settle at Level-3 involvement.

ASK:

• What level of involvement am I at?
• What do most settle for Level-3 involvement?
• What can I do to maintain a broken heart for the broken-hearted?
• What can I DO to ACT on this heart and not just CARE?
  

Monday, February 9, 2009

Is Your God Really God?

Is your love really love?
Is my love really love?
I think our love isn't love unless it's love til the end.

Is your God really God?
Is my God really God?
I think our God isn't God if He fits inside our heads.

These are the lyrics to the song "Clouds" by As Cities Burn. This song challenges me every time I hear it. It is a mostly instrumental song with sound clips of people giving their opinions on who God is. Below is a video from YouTube that has the song in it. The video is not bad, but let the SONG minister.



Now that you've heard it...

ASK:

• Is what I believe about God/Jesus/the Bible really the truth from The Truth?
• Am I living with the conviction of these truths enough to let it produce action?

Sunday, February 8, 2009

This Should Make You Laugh

...if not, you don't have a pulse.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Do You Care?

"Each year, an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked across international borders" (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ncvrw/2005/pg5l.html)

"Human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal activity, following only drug and arms trafficking. An estimated 9.5 billion is generated in annual revenue from all trafficking activities..." (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ncvrw/2005/pg5l.html)

"At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day." (http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats)

"Number of children in the world

2.2 billion

Number in poverty

1 billion (every second child)"

(http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats)

When I read things like this, I cannot help but ask for a broken heart. Because what we care about is not what God cares about. We are to love God and love people. We're comfortable with loving God, but not people.

1 John 4:20 (NIV)

20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Are you emotionally moved and burdened by the pain of others? Do you care? Or are you comfortable?

Friday, February 6, 2009