tired (orphan’s blood) This is a song that I wrote in Australia. It had been brewing in my head and heart for a bit. A few weeks after we returned, Scott Telle put some quick graphics to it and we shared it in exchange. A complete version will be on the upcoming Simple Worship II...

storytelling   Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) And he answered, “If...

betrayer and friend Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for. - Mt 26: 50 Judas had just betrayed Jesus. He sold the son of God for money. He proved that he could be bought. He knew what he was doing. He know that his whole life he had built up the character to do such a thing. He kissed God. He...

to Russia with love After a holiday of three family gatherings and three thanksgiving dinners, we headed to the Indy airport. There we booked a couple of tickets to Moscow. Steph and I are heading there in March. We will be joining Pat and Kathy Black and I will be teaching and leading worship at Hickson Christian Academy...

Worship Leading Essentials Here is an overview of the Worship Leading Essentials articles: Setting the Base Letting Go Teamwork Putting Together a Song List Spiritual Leadership Skill or Spiritual Maturity? Selecting Musicians Song Transitions Band Conflict Dealing with Criticism Setting Monitors Stage Presence The Art of...

Willow Creek’s Reveal You have to love a guy who has the guts to say “Maybe what we are doing as a church isn’t working so well.” Bill Hybels is the founding Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago.  In an honest move, the leadership of Willow has questioned how good they are really doing. Hear...

Kindle Amazon just launched the Kindle.  Kindle is a wireless reading device on which you can download and read thousands of titles (currently more than 88,000).  Weighing in at 10.3 ounces, it is said to be simplistic enough that I could figure out how to use it, yet powerful enough to download books on...

What the church could learn from Springsteen //01 US News and World Report (via MSN) published a great article on what The Boss can teach CEO’s.  I think it is a must-read for church leaders.  I admit that I am a recent convert to Springsteen.  A friend of mine is a HUGE fan and drug me to my first concert with the Boss a few years ago.  I was...

the cause 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. –...

33+12=45. baptisms. in 2 weeks. Crazy. That’s what it is. Last week (Nov 4) in exchange we taught on baptism and asked people to consider being baptized. 33 people took the plunge. Thirty-three. Insane. Tonight (Sunday November 11) we showed the video (below) and opened the baptismal once again. This time 12 more were baptized....