Christmas Set-list

Dec. 14th Worship set

1. Happy Day- Tim Huges
2. Beautiful One- Tim Huges
3. All Creation Sing (Joy to the World)- Steve Fee
4. Angels we have heard on high- Blake Strozyk arrangement

Dec. 21st

1. All Creation Sing (Joy to the World) - Steve Fee
2. O Come Let Us Adore Him - Matt Redman
3. All We Need - Charlie Hall
4. All I want for Christmas- Blake Strozyk

Here are some Christmas sets

Christmas Eve set too....

1. All I want for Christmas by Blake Strozyk
2. O come let us Adore Him
3. Angels We have heard on High
4. Labour of Love by Andrew Peterson
5. Silent Night
6. Here I am to Worship
7. Joy to the World

Gotta love a cookie cake

Don't be jealous of my fancy cookie cake...

Dec. 11th just another day

Well, yesterday was my birthday. Big 26!!! So, shame on you if you didn't add to my facebook comments. Just kidding. Anyway, some people go all out on birthdays and some people don't. I really don't go big on birthdays. I think deep down it would be cool to have a McDonald's birthday party or go to Dave and Busters and spend a ridiculous amount of money on arcade games. Birthdays are just plain old days where I get cards from family and eat till I throw up. This might sound morbid or stupid but Birthdays are almost days where a bunch of people hang around to celebrate another day you are alive. Also, its a day where people throw you a party to celebrate that you are getting older and you are closer to losing your hair or getting wrinkly skin. I dunno if I like that... I dunno I am just thinking out loud. Thanks guys and gals.

Peace

P.S.- This little blog didn't really have a point. Thats why its my blog...

All I want for Christmas...

Well, this holiday season I decided to write a new Christmas song. It really came out of the blue.
I have never really been a huge Christmas music fan but my wife is so I think she is rubbing off on me. Anyway here is a song I wrote for my church. Enjoy


All I want for Christmas

Parking lots and shopping malls are filled with all your people
I wonder what Your thinking now--
About..All the things we buy for loved ones
Trees, lights, and Christmas cheer
Have we forgotten You?

We sing...

Chorus:

All I want for Christmas,
Is to thank you for what You gave
Your son was born to die
I am grateful to be saved

Bridge:

All I want is You
All I want is You

Verse 2:

Sometimes we forget about the reason for the season
Deck the halls cause Santa Clause is coming to your town.
The little star of Bethlehem has more meaning than Amen
It’s a tale of sacrifice, a pardon and eternal life. -- We sing...

All I want is You
All I want is You

Bridge 2:

Your all I want , Your all I need, Your my desire,
Your everything, Jesus
This season we give praise to You
We fill our lungs, we SHOUT, Jesus---
Sweet Jesus -- Oh Jesus

I pledge the allegiance to the turkey...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! If you have time you can sing the Thanksgiving Anthem...

Worship Set List Nov.16th - Oh so late

1. Friend of God (throw away song) (Gundor and Israel)
2. Sing to the King (Billy "something" Foote)
3. Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman)
4. I Will Hold On (Vineyard)
5. Christ Our Wine (Bill Wolf)

Awesome Sunday!!! The band and I got to throw down on some gospel music. It brought me back to my gospel choir days doing Friend of God. That song was a our "throw away song" meaning my church doesn't know how to come in on time so I have to play a song 5 Min's before the actual service starts to get everyone in. So far it has worked. That is what you get when you throw cups of caffeine and a free bagels at people before service.

Bagel + Coffee + conversations with people you only see once a week = a late service every week unless you play a loud song/ noise to herd everyone in.

Oh, well.

I wish I could grow a beard

Over the past couple years I have encountered many conversations with close friends on how I can't grow a beard. At first it didn't bother me but as time went on, I became jealous. All my friends were growing beards as fast as they were changing their underwear. I REALLY WANT A BEARD!!! I have tried oils and lotions even potions. Well, no really. If you go down my blog list and click on "Bill" you might find a conversation he quoted about this same subject. I think it was around mid 07. Anyway, if you have any hints or tips on how to grow a beard please let me know.

P.S. - I don't want one of those crappy Backstreet Boy pencil beards.

I was thinking something like this:

Golden Pie Server award

Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to introduce the golden pie server award. This is award goes to a person who has gone above and beyond his/her ministry responsibility. Each leadership community we award the gold pie server award. This month we award Sam Wilkinson. He plays in the worship band and helps with set-up. He is a crazy man. I know this doesn't compare to the Golden BVD award that Crossings started but this was the best we could do. So, here you go.

Worship set 10.26th

Here are the songs we did for Oct 26th. We just started a new series called "Unstoppable". It is a series on faith and we are using the book of Nehemiah as the main text. This series come from our friends from lifechurchTV. Well, their really not my friends because they don't know me but anyway here are the songs.

1. Here is Our King by David Crowder
2. Bigger than the Air I breath (You) by Tim Hughes
3. From the Inside out by Hillsong
4. God of this City by a bunch of guys

Hmmm

marriedtothesea.com

Oct 12th Worship Set-list

This week we went old school and started off with a couple older tunes.

1. Here I am to Worship by Tim Hughes
2. Here is Our King by David Crowder
3. Yearn by Shane and Shane
4. Heart of Worship by Matt Redman

You will notice no Chris Tomlin this week. Thats ok. If you ever do "Yearn" and you can sing the right octave or you can sing in the right key, then I give you props. The song goes in and out of a different key 2 or 3 times. All in all it was a good song.

To NY and back

Well, this past weekend was my first experience of Yankee country and it was the country. I didn't go to New York City. I went to Rochester, NY to lead a youth rally. It was cool both in temp and enjoyment. There were about 150 Yankee kids that loved Jesus. I am glad that I don't have a southern accent because they would have probably tore me apart. I led with just an acoustic guitar. I was forced to think outside of the box by getting them more involved in worship and pumping them up. I succeeded by playing "No One Like You" with an acoustic. The last night I was there I led on the floor with them and I faced the side and it almost like we were all screaming to God Irish folks songs. They were fist pumping and clapping. It was like a northern Ho Down. All in all, it was a good time. Go Orange men!!! It did kill me not seeing Niagara Falls. It was only an hour away. Man!!!! Oh well maybe next year.

Worship Set for Sept 28th

1. Love Song ( cover) by Sara Barilles
2. Your Grace is Enough by Tomlin
3. Majesty (Here I am) by Martian Smith
4. Mystery by Charlie Hall

Good set this week. Christiana sang "Love song" just like the CD. We nailed it. The song went perfect with our marriage series. Anyway, good Sunday.

Worshp set from Sept 21st

1. Your Grace is Enough by Tomlin ( why mention the first name anymore)
2. Bigger than the Air I breath by Tim Hughes
3. I Surrender All - traditional (original arrangement)

Communion

4. Christ Our Wine by Bill Wolf

Well, this past Sunday was really good. The band did awesome!!! It amazes me how well our 8th drummer plays. Yes I said 8th grade, you know like middle school. Anyway, I attempted a Bill Wolf original and like always everyone is surprised it was written by a guy in Knoxville. I guess good praise does come out of Knoxville. To bad theres not a lot of praise coming from the UT fans right now. Go big Orange!!!

Bobcats here we come..

Bobcats here we come.. Well, I just found out that we got approved for our new building which will house our new church plant. The building is the old Training Facility were the Charlotte Hornets (RIP) and the Bobcats used to train. Those are NBA teams for you none sports followers. We will partner up with the YMCA and a Christian school to keep the monthly payment down. The building will be more of a community building. We will host concerts and such. I will keep you posted when Andrew Osenga, Bill Wolf, Taylor Brown, and Over the Rhine do a show here.

Anyway here is a taste of the building. YEAH!!!

Disc Golf Mecca....I think

Well, yesterday I went to go play a nice relaxing game of disc golf at the famous Winthrop University Disc Golf course. Man is was a pretty course and a very nice school. I'd go there but I don't have 30 thou laying around. Anyway, I played the easier of the 2 courses. I was only 1 over and thats pretty good for me. It definitely beats Knoxville courses. No offense. Oh, here is a fun fact did you know Winthrop used to be an all girls school. Hmmm.

Not just another worship set...

This Sunday at LifePointe was not just another worship set/gathering. It was a gathering that was filled with brokenness and a time where people yearned for God. There were many tears that were shed which I shared plenty of them from the stage. Yes, I cry. It was just a very emotional service. I didn't really plan it that way either. The spirit really moved in me and I usually don't say that but its true. God was breaking me down and maybe it was because I had time before the service to concentrate on leading Gods people in a time of communication. I prayed that I would become invisible and that happened. People saw passion and true worship through my own brokenness or I guess they did. Grown men were crying. A black man immediately after first service ran up to the stage and he was weeping like a baby. This guy was like 6'3 250 pounds of muscle too. I couldn't even get my arms around him when I hugged him. It was cool just seeing how God breaks people down and how He humbles us. I would say the songs had a lot to do with it. At LifePointe, we are starting a second campus and we have a lot questions about the building location and a person to lead that new campus. We are placing our faith and trust in God. I introduced the song " I will Hold On" it is by those Vineyard guys. It talked about trust and forgiveness. It's always emotional when forgiveness and trust is the topic.
We are not perfect and I think its good to understand that we all don't have it figured out as Christ followers.

The band sounded great. Sorry, no Mp3's yet.

Song set:

1. Beautiful One by Tim Hughes
2. I will Hold One by Vineyard
3. I will trust in You by Jeremy Camp
4. Give Us Clean Hands by Charlie Hall
5. Here I am to worship by Tim Hughes

Communion

6. Mystery by Charlie Hall (new song)

Oh, CS Lewis...

Charlie Hall new CD is pretty cool

I went to the CD release show for Charlie Halls new CD: The Bright Sadness. He is an amazing worship leader and song writer. Some of his songs are really simple lyrically but they speak tons of truth through such few words such as the song, "Mystery". The song is great for a communion setting. The worship/concert/service was in an old Methodist church in downtown Charlotte. Charlotte One, a young adults organization, put it on. Charlie even brought back some oldies but goodies such as Give us Clean Hands and I guess Center now. By the way I can just call him Charlie because we are best friends. Not really but he makes you feel like that when he talks to the audience. I thought I was random. Anyway here are the lyrics to the song "Mystery". Enjoy


Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven, broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus the Mystery

Christ has die and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus the Mystery

Christ has die and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again

Celebrate his death and rising
Lift your eyes, proclaim his come
Celebrate his death and rising
Lift you eyes, lift your eyes

Here is a video sample of the song:

Worship Set-23rd (80's flash back)

Well, this sunday was awesome. It was like a flash from the 80's because we covered Huey Lewis and the News , "This is it". The song has nothing to do with spirituality in any context but it does have the title of our new teaching series "IT". We pulled the song off perfect because some of my band members are still leaving in the 80's. Thats ok. Also, we had our 3rd baptism service this year and we have 12 people baptized in Christ. I will post some of those pics later. Anyway here are the songs we did this Sunday.

Pre-teaching

1. This is it by Huey Lewis and the News
2. Oh Come Let Us Adore Him (Traditional) - Christmas baby!!!
3. All We Need by Charlie Hall
- with a transition of the Steve Miller Bands (midnight toker???? or Joker??)
4. Enough by the one and only Chris Tomlin
5. I will Hold On

Cool.

Worship Set Aug 17th

Pre-Teaching:

This was a good service but the computer went crazy. All the slides were lost but I seemed to manager without accurate worship slides. Stupid computer. Anyway here are the songs we did last weekend.

Pre-teaching:

1. All We Need by Charlie Hall
2. O Worship the King - Traditional
3. How Great is Our God

Cover:

- Leader of the Band by Dan Fogleberg

Post:

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) Traditional w/ Chris Tomlin Chorus

Today I ran 4 miles: Day 1 staff retreat

I know this doesn't sound exciting but I ran 4 miles today. I don't run. Well, I do a little and I am supposed to run a half-marathon with the LifePointe staff. I ran a long the beach in Ocean Isle in North Carolina and I lost about 10 pounds. I felt I had to prove a point that I don't have to tra in to run a half-marathon. The LifePointe staff and I ran this morning and I led the way and I was in a great rhythm. I of course died at the end. So, thats what happened on day one of our Staff Retreat. We talked about other stuff but I can't say what it is because I would have to kill you.

The Penguin is soooo goooood.....

I am so glad that I found the Penguin. You know the Penguin! The Penguin is this grease pit place that plays loud music and it has the nicest people. If you are ever in Charlotte and you want a nice burger and fried pickles then you can find them at the Penguin Drive-In: 1921 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte NC 28205. Don't be scared of all the tatted up waitresses and waiters. They are nice but you might make them made if you just sit around a booth forever not doing anything during the lunch hours. This place is so good that it was featured on the food network or thats what I heard. You will have to check that out. Anyway, if you like fried food such as corn dogs, pickles, burgers then check this place out sometime or don't.


Heres some pics:

Fantasy Football

Most of you might be glued to the TV right now watching Michael Phelps win his 50th gold medal but I getting ready for this years fantasy football season. Following stats all day doesn't sound fun to some but I love following each players injury and touchdown. I dunno, its just fun. I guess I don't have a life or I spend way to much time on the computer. Wait that means I don't have a life. Anyway, How many of you guys are excited about fantasy football?

Is there a wrong or right way to worship?

So, I have been working at LifePointe Christian for about a month now and I am finally getting into the groove of being a lead worshipper again. Before LifePointe, I was just a guy in the worship band playing a bunch of instruments and I loved it. I didn't lead worship very much and I kind of lost the skill of leading people to approach the thrown of God. I was thinking the other day that people don't have sing to worship or raise their hands to worship. I can admit seeing people cry,lift their hands, and clap made used to feel like that I am doing an awesome job leading people. It's really not about how I play or sing. People still worship when the guitar player screws up a lead part. Its more about the message of the song and how it touches peoples lives. The song strikes a nerve in someones heart to worship. Now, when I see people just stare with their arms crossed, it doesn't make me feel like the music sucks. I just assume that they are taking it all in and thinking about the lyrics of the songs. I dunno. Is there a wrong or right posture to worship? No, I don't think so. In the Old Testament, there are many examples of people falling face down to worship. These Hebrew words below describe the different posture used to worship.

Barak: To worship the Lord by kneeling or bowing; to humbly recognize God
as the origin of all power, success, or victory.
Psalm 95:6 O Come, let us worship and bow down: Let us Barak before the
Lord our Maker.
Shachah: To worship by falling down, bowing, or prostrating your self.

I am not saying everyone has to fall face down but it makes me think if I would really do that around a bunch of people I don't know. Hmmmm. I dunno.

Worship Set for August 3rd

Man was I tired last Sunday. I am still recovering after a week of camp. My voice is really horse too. I sound like I have been smoking a pack a day for 10 plus years. Anyway, this last Sunday's worship set was pretty good. I broke at the normal songs.

Here are the songs:

1. Your Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin and Matt Maher
2. I am Free by Delirious
3. Center by Charlie Hall
4. I will Hold On by the Vineyard group (??)

Pretty Basic Sunday.

Gone Maria has been on tour

Sorry guys if I haven't blogged in awhile. My band Gone Maria was on tour last week. I was to busy playing youth camps and signing little girls arms with a sharpie marker. I wonder if they know they are permanent. Anyway, yeah I was playing for this youth camp in the big city of Hillsboro, OH. The camp was very conservative and republican. I think you had to bring your voters registration card before you entered the camp grounds which was called "Restoration Acres". Everyone was very nice and the kids loved the energy of Gone Maria. There were two girls that were 11 and 12 that were obsessed with Matt Nelson, the bass player. I think his wicked bass solos put them in a trance. The rest of the band was made up of Duane Chew on electric guitar, Ben McGue on the drums and myself as the lead man/guitar player. I thank Duane Chew for flying all the way up to Knoxville from FL to be on that tour. It was well worth it because we got a lot of free publicity being on the FRONT PAGE OF THE Times Gazette. We signed a couple copies and auctioned off a signed paper for 25 dollars to a youth group kid. Thanks kid. Really we did auction off the paper.

Well, here are some picks of our adventure. By the way there is massive amounts of sarcasm in the article above if you don't know me then I am sorry.

7-20 Worship Gathering

Pre-Service:

1. O Worship the King (Hymn)
2. Marvelous Light (Charlie Hall)
3. I will Trust in You (Jeremy Camp)
4. Jesus Paid it All (Hymn)

This week was a good week a LifePointe. The band did awesome and the hymns were accepted pretty well. Introducing hymns is a new thing at Lifepointe. Anyway here are the songs for this week.

To DC and back

So, here are some pics from my trip in DC. Yes, that is Bob Dole. I told you all I met him.

Later

Top 6 things I have done ove the past couple weeks.

I know it seems that I have fallen off the face of the earth. Well, thats not totally true. I also know that I have been promising forever that I would catch up to the world of blogging. I am about to start another blog to keep all of my supporters up-to-date on my ministry at LifePointe. I don't know how I am going to juggle between two blogs. Well, I guess I can since I juggled between 4 fantasy football teams and I won 2 out of 4. Yeah, NICE !!! Anyway, I thought I would make a top ten, things I have done over the past couple weeks, rather than write a ridicoulously long blog to catch you all up. In other words, I am just lazy and I don't care what you think. I am just kidding. Thanks and enjoy. Oh, feel free to drop a line. I would like to know if you all exist too.

TOP 6 Events from June 27th till now

1. Meet Senator Bob Dole at the World War II memorial in Washington DC
- I have the picture to prove it
2. Not get second hand smoke from a Dave Matthews Concert in DC

3. Eat at the cheese cake factory twice in one week

4. Not get a new iPhone but I got a new BlackBerry (even though I am a MAC user)

5. Hanging out with old friends Nate and Emilee a lot

6. Watch fireworks at the Knights Baseball stadium

Sorry I couldn't think of 10 exciting things. I live a boring life.

7.6 Worship Set

Here is this weeks worship set at LifePointe.

1. Enough by Chris Tomlin
2. You Said by Rueben Morgan
3. How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin
4. Here I am to Worship (bridge and chorus only)

This weeks set was pretty short and because of the July weekend all of the band was out of town. So, that means it was acoustic Sunday. It was just 2 acoustics and a chic (my wife). It was really intimate worship set and not because my wife was standing next to me either. I guess you could say that I brought it old school too because most of those songs are 5 years and older. Thats ok.

Blog on its way!

Hey guys and gals, I just wanted to let you all know that I will be blogging about a lot soon but I am very busy now. You should see some cool stuff in a couple days like how I met Bob Dole and I how I kept from getting second hand smoke from a Dave Matthews concert. And it's not the kind of second hand smoke you get when your grandpa smokes out of his old tabacco pipe either.

later

281 miles later!!!

Well, Amber and I made it to Charlotte, NC. We are here to stay. The trip wasn't bad but the packing was horrible. I am going to be honest. I hate moving! It took almost 4 hours to pack a 26 foot truck and the sad thing is because I have so much crap. I am getting rid of a bunch of it. Oh, by the way if anyone is interested in a crock pot and a broken knee board- they are yours (free my friend). Anyway, overall the trip down was good. I felt very manly driving a diesel truck and I think I was just as tall as semi-truck drivers. It was pretty awesome because I could actually see what truck drivers did besides driving. I saw one guy eating a sub and watching the Little Mermaid. OK OK, I made that up but it would be pretty freakin hilarious. Back to the story! We are in Charlotte and we are loving it so far. I went to Area 15 in "uptown" Charlotte (not an alien site), it is one of those 24-7 prayer areas with art and pray stations. The LifePointe staff and I were invited by the director there. We had some cool conversations about being incarnational in the city of Charlotte and helping the poor. We came up with a lot of different ideas. The big challenge is to actually follow through with them. So, thats whats been going on the past couple days. So, whats up with you all.

6-22-08 set list

Pre-teaching songs:

1. You (Bigger than the air I breath) by Tim Hughes
2. You Said by Reuben Morgan/ Shane and Shane version
3. I Surrender All - traditional/ original arrangement

Post-teaching

4. Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

This was my second week leading worship at LifePointe Christian Church. It went very well and I got to meet some more people. The band did an excellent job and I didn't break a string. I am getting used to leading from electric guitar but it went well. My original arrangement of I Surrender All went surprisingly well because it had a hip hop/R & B feel and that is a new musical genre that I am testing the waters. Those are probably not the best genres to describe the song but that's the first thing that came to mind. Maybe I will record it one day and one day you can hear it on the new Kanye West album. Or just on this blog.

Peace out!!!

New Big Give video

Support!!!

Well, here we go. I am really new to support raising so I am going to need your help. Amber and I just recently accepted a position at LifePointe Christian in Charlotte, NC. This is a church plant or a new church in that area. The church is located in the southwest corner of Charlotte and it is in a very racially diverse area. The area is brand new and there aren't many churches. I will be working with the creative arts teams. Amber will hopefully teach in the Charlotte school system. We are both excited about the kingdom work that is going on in the LifePointe community. Along with the new position comes raising half of my salary for a year or two. Since this is a church plant, they receive funds from outside sources such as other supporting churches, friends, family, and Stadia ( a church planting organization: www.stadia.cc). Here is a little information about stadia:

What is Stadia?
Stadia: New Church Strategies is a nationwide ministry that assists in starting (“planting”) new churches all across the United States. We do this by championing collaborative church planting networks throughout the United States, including partnerships with existing church planting associations and church planting churches. It is not Stadia’s intent to assume the responsibilities of, or take the place of, existing church planting associations or agencies, but to come along side those entities, when invited.

We will need your help in a couple different areas and those areas are:

1) Prayer
2) Resources
3) Funds

Amber and I understand if you cannot provide funds for our mission to work with LifePointe Christian Church. We do ask that you join us in prayer and pray that the transition is smooth for us. Pray for the lives that will be changing and the community that we will be restoring.

If you wish to help us financially you can send all checks to LifePointe Christian Church. Make sure you write for Blake or Strozyk's support on the "for check" line or place the donation in an envelope with my name on it. Here is the address"

Att: Blake Strozyk
LifePointe Christian Church
P.O. Box 38750
Charlotte, NC 28278

In Christ,

Blake Strozyk

Baptism service out of the blue

Yesterday was Sunday and at Crossing there was a baptism service planned after church. I didn't go but I did witness a baptism that day. I ran into a friend of mine and he wanted to be re-baptized which means he was sprinkled as a baby and he wanted to confess his faith now that he understands the meaning of baptism. It was an awesome experience we walked down to the French Broad River and we walked right in the crisp cold water. I felt like I was being baptized all over again because I felt refreshed and overwhelmed by God's creation all around me. I don't have a picture of the scene but just picture a wide river in the valley of the foothills of Tennessee with no highway or road insight. You had to be there. We baptized my friend and then we prayed over him. He was so excited. He knew what he wanted. He wanted to grow closer to God. He wanted to commit his life to a life of Shalom (peace and restoration). He needed Shalom in his life. It was definitely a God thing that I witnessed this act of faith. Pretty simple.

Knoxville to Charlotte

If you have been reading my blogs then you might remember reading one about Amber and I deciding to live in Knoxville forever. Well, that was approximately 3 months and 3 weeks ago. Our plan yet again has changed. Amber and I have been praying really hard and God has just made things happen. We are going to move to Charlotte, NC to work with Life Pointe Christian. I have been building a relationship with this church for over 2 years and the timing just hasn't been right until now. Amber and I decided not to make anymore plans at all because they seem to change as soon as we have it all figured out. We are both very excited. I am excited to incorporate the arts into their church/community. This is going to be a huge learning experience for me. Anyway, so if you want to pray for our transition that would be great. Also if you are interested in supporting Amber and I financially, you can just contact me on the comment section of this blog and I we can exchange information. I will have to raise half of my support because this church is a church plant or a new church. I can explain all the details later.

You can check out the church at: www.lifepointecc.com

Later

Song set-list from Life Pointe Christian

Line-up from 6/1/2008:

"Not to Us" (remix) - Chris Tomlin
"Marvelous Light"- Charlie Hall
"Majesty" -Delirious

- teaching -

"Nothing but the Blood"- Matt Redman
Not to Us (reprise)

I am going to admit that I am copying a lot of people by posting my set-lists on my blog. It really does help me when I am planning services. Anyway, this past week I led worship at LifePointe Christian, a church plant, in Charlotte, NC. It was my first time working with the band and they were great. We started the service with Not to Us because it related to the teaching series, " The Big Give". This is not the Oprah, "Big Give" but the idea was borrowed. The cool thing about the worship set was I broke a guitar string at the beginning of Marvelous Light and of course it was the G string. By the way the G string is the most important string. I had to make up chords on the spot while maintaining my composer. Oh how I wish I could just lead from keyboard all the time but I just don't have it in me yet. Overall the services went well and people connected with God.

Whats been going on with me...

Well, I guess I haven't posted in awhile and I know most say they have been busy. That is my case indeed. I have been traveling to Charlotte for the past two weeks visiting another church plant, LifePointe. I was really excited to see how this faith community worshiped and "did church". They meet in a middle school and its pretty cool seeing their set-up. The set-up is a little more intense than Crossings in Knoxville. I believe set-up is the blue collar ministry to church planting but I believe its the most rewarding. First of all its like exercising and yes I do count set-up as part of my workout routine. Second set-up is a premiere time to connect with others. It's a time to work together and build up each other and share life stories. While, in Charlotte I did just that, I got to know some folks. Here are some pics of LifePointe Christian:

Worship DVD -Old school and new school

Oh, Joe!

Here I am writing another blog late at night or I guess early in the morning since it is 12:14 am EST. Anyway, my wife and I had a relaxing time tonight. We had dinner at Trio, which by the way is great if you are in to eating healthy. Us eating together was a big deal because we hardly see each other due to our opposite work schedules and her being in grad school. You would think that I would devote my full attention to her tonight but tonight I was wondering super hard about a couple of particular people in Market Square (in downtown Knoxville). She knew it and it didn't bother her. These first group of people consisted of two couples. One had a dog and the other just got through eating or was just out for a walk. Lets just say both. Well, anyway as they were talking, the couple with the dog, had hands laid on them. I mean the other couple just started praying for the couple with the dog. Stuff like that shouldn't really catch me off guard but it did then. Don't get me wrong, I love that the other couple was publicly praying for this couple in need. I was wondering and I believe I mentioned to my wife, would I feel comfortable or brave to do that in public. Its easier said then done. I mean it would be different if it were people we know or halfway know. I dunno, I thought that was really cool seeing God's work at others hands. Its a lot diiferent seeing it out on the streets rather than the dinner table. Not that praying from the dinner table is bad. Its just flat out cool.

Ok, the second person is this older African American man that is always downtown. He looks like a Joe. I will just call him Joe, if that is ok with you all. He is a little out there, I think. The man talks to himself and he slow dances in the middle of the market square. He is in his own world. I wonder what is going through his head. He probably wonders what is going through my head as I watch him and he catches my eye. This older gentleman seems peaceful and content even through his wacked outness. He probably has not a worry in the world. No stress about house payments and bills. No care for politics and religion. I had a little envy for this man. Sometimes I wish I could just space out and dance in the middle of streets and express to the whole world what was going through my head out loud for everyone to hear. Joe taught me a little lesson. Don't hold back, let your voice be heard. Dance like there is no tomorrow. Tell your love ones that you truely love them. Tell God that you love Him. Thanks Joe.

My Top 10 Reasons Why Disc Golf Is A Great Sport

I have been playing a lot of disc golf lately and I am actually getting better. I am no Nelson (sorry for those who don't know what that means) but I enjoy the game very much. Below, I listed my top 10 reason why I think you should try out disc golf. 

1. Cheap - I haven't played one course that cost anything. 

2. Relaxing- well, maybe to me at least

3. Low impact exercise- walk,walk,walk, and throw (who needs golf carts)

4. Being out in nature- sometimes you just have to climb trees to find your disc

5. Great activity to have good conversations

6. Competitive- Let's see who can throw the furthest 

7. Family activity- easy to bring kids along 

8. Helps you pick up chicks- slim chance 

9. You don't feel like a looser if you play by yourself 

10. Did I mention that its cheap

5 Dollar Footlongs are Great!!

I don't have time to blog on two different blogs so I stole this post from a blog I did yesterday.


So, how many of you have taken advantage of the 5 dollar foot-longs? Mike, another admissions counselor, and I went yesterday to enjoy a nice turkey foot long. Before we arrived, I anticipated the line to be as long as the great wall of China and it was of course. I think that Subway was the smallest I have ever seen. The line wrapped around the building. OK, it didn't but it felt like it. The guys in front of us ordered the most complicated sandwich EVER. I think it was a foot long that was cut in 4 quarters and it had turkey, roast beef, salami, ham (honey ham), steak, grilled chicken (cold not hot), 12 different cheeses (melted), a garden of vegetables, all the sauces Heinz makes and etc. I think these guys were creating their own sauces by combining mayonnaise, BBQ sauce and honey mustard. Anyway, Mike and I waited a long time to place our order and we finally made it to the front of the train. Mikes order was simple meat and cheese. Mine on the other hand had all the fixings. The wait was well worth and our bellies thanked us.

If you are low on cash, Subway is the way to go because if you split it's only 2.50. You can't beat that!

Amercian Idol

This post is to get your mind and eyes off the last post.

So, who do you think is going to win American Idol. Not, Jason Castro.

Juno finally!!!

Ok, I finally watched Juno!! Great movie by the way. Ellen Page is excellent in the movie. Anyway, I think having a baby is a beautiful thing and I have always heard that you are never ready. True and true. I would like a baby now but not all the time, at least for now. If my wife and I had a baby it would look like this:



Now, that will make you think twice about having a baby. My kid would look like a punk skater kid or at least he/she looks like one in this picture.

AMC recording sessions....

I think 41 hours and 6 mins ago I was up unloading a bunch of sound equipment and starting a long tiring recording sessions in the famous JBC Alumni Memorial Chapel. I wasn't really excited about waking up at the butt crack of dawn but I was excited to record some original tunes. I was blessed to help compose some of these song written by BW. Betsy and I took some pictures and I won the grumpy tired face award.
Anyway, I learned a little lesson through this experience and that was patience . I say that because it took us 6 and half hours of set up and trouble shooting before we started. I was so grumpy and poopy face like. I just wanted to record and get started with fun. I was just thinking that I should probably have the same want and desire toward my relationship with Christ. This is going to sound kind of weird and I don't apologize for making everything sound spiritual. I try to allow God into every aspect of my life especially my passions. I am blessed that I have the passion for music which is pointed toward Yahweh. Anyway, thats it. The pics are below. Be kind about the the grumpy face comments.

And the winner is...
me

It's a Mystery

New to this town
New to this life
Walking downtown and I'm lost and not found

My beautiful wife
She’s smiling at me
She ask where do we go, I don’t really no

It’s a mystery, our past is history
Don’t ya shed a tear
Stay close me and have no fear
Just ride with the wind
Close your eyes no need to spin

So what now hun
The chooses have begun
Do we need to ask? Do we need to pray?

Hit a dead end
Finally found a friend
Sir what’s your name? Do you have any fame?

Slow down and take a breath
Hold steady, put your mind at rest
The worries of this world will be here tomorrow
It’s a mystery – its hard to swallow….

Casserole Conversations part 2 - Passions

Well, I told you all that there are many things going on in my head lately. This little blog is my dumping ground. I will lay out my ingredients and you can put this casserole in the oven. Sorry, if that doesn't make since to some of you but you will have to read the blog before to kind of understand.
OK, here we go. Most of you may know that I play tons of instruments and I play in church a lot. I love music and everything about it. Love is such a strong word and I really mean it when I say, I love music. It is apart of me. It is the way I express myself to God, to myself, to my wife, and to others. Lately, I have been frustrated with myself because I haven't put much time in my music and abilities. God gave me these gifts and I think I take them for granted. I say music is my passion but is it really. Am I being selfish?
I've always dreamed of writing inspiring lyrics and writing life changing songs but every time I try, I feel like I force it. I tell myself that I need to write out of the overflow of my heart. In some cases I do write out of the overflow but there are a lot times that I don't. It doesn't help that I have a couple friends that are amazing songwriters, no pressure. I can admit that I am a little jealous.
Apart of me wants to drop everything and just play music for a living. I don't want to become famous, just heard. Through my musical "career" (if you call it that) I have been the guy playing in the band and singing back-up for songwriters. I am fine with that and enjoy it. Lately, I have had the yearning to work on my own originals from the past and the present. I don't know if that's what I need to do. I said earlier that my passion is music. Well, really my passions are (or should be) God then music but I think sometimes those two passions get flipped out of order. I know my calling is being a lead worshiper but I see myself wanting to be worshiped sometimes. I thank God that I realize that now. I don't want to ever go through this life thinking I need to be worshiped. I believe we are wired to worship something and this

Sorry, if none of this makes since. I hope this blog will relate to some of you in some way.

Casserole Conversations

There are so many topics I could blog about, so I am going to talk about a casserole of events happening in my life. Before I begin, I want to unpack this delicious word, casserole. I use this word "casserole" because there are many events or ingredients going on that make up (or bake up)one yummy chunk of my life . Many of you can relate that life does not get simpler when you graduate college. While in college you long for graduation and a time of "freedom." Well, I guess you are kind of free to a certain point but then your career kicks in and then family and then kids and then bills and then health and then... Well, the list goes on.
Anyway, there are many life lessons, which I call the "yuck", that are apart of my casserole. Sometimes you need that "yuck" to allow your casserole to taste right. Its kind of like mixing in the cream of mushroom soup. I love mushrooms but no one eats cream of mushroom soup by itself. It taste like cream of mushroom poop. OK, enough of the food talk. I will go on with one event that has happen last week.
Recently, my wife and I have been searching for a new home. We met with a realtor and we found a brand new home in our price range. We were both stoked and we filled out all the papers on the house. The house was perfect. It had wood floors, fireplace, nice yard, good location, brand new, and it had a garbage disposal (that is special to us because we haven't had one in 2 years.) Long story short, the house fell through because of finances. The mortgage company said we had it at first and then next couple days they say we don't. I learned a lot about mortgage stuff but I learned not to put all my eggs in one basket. So, currently my wife and I will be homeless June 27th. Yeah, we can rent for 3 months but we are trying not to because moving stinks.
Sorry, this might be boring for most of you at this point. The point is that I don't know if I am ready for all this adult stuff. They don't teach you about doing your taxes or taking out a mortgage in college. I thank God now for not getting the house because I believe there is a better place for both of us. That is just one event that is part of my casserole now. I have many others but this blog is to long. Stay tuned for more Casserole Conversations.

Girls Basketball

Poetry from me to you

Dreams once but now lost
Costly treasures, down thoughts
Hopes were lifted and memories remain
A light in the distance, we cry in vain

Tears have fallen
No worries , no more
A whisper of truth
A knock at the door

Could it be growing?
Priorities rein
Costly treasures
The same routine

Shout out to those Tuesday mornings

I miss us on Tuesday mornings. I miss us talking about how funny it would be to have Daniel dress up like grapes or to have him come out and do the HHAY in a bath robe every other week. I miss the diaper jokes. I miss the odor of dry erase markers. I miss the funny videos and not so funny videos that we laugh and cry about. Oh, how I miss those Tuesday mornings.

New Beginnings

So, this is my first week at my new job. I don't know exactly to do yet. I know in general that I help get kids to come to Johnson Bible College but how is the question. I am grateful though because I work with all my friends that go to Crossings. I am sure I will find my place here. It's always weird when you start a new job. Anyway, thats all thats going on with me. Sorry, no deep thoughts or funny videos. Just me.

Shalom

Man of Constant Sorrows

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Remember the movie, O Brother Thou art Thou, well a group of buddies and I jammed out of this tune at church. Check it out.

Crazy Train

Hi friends, Life is soooo crazy!!! One minute life is great and grand, then the next minute life can take you on a rollercoaster ride. I have recently run into some bumpy roads in my life. Nothing major,I think. These minor frustrations might affect relationships with others and even your faith. The bumpy roads of life don't just slowly creep up on you, they hit you dead on like a freight train crash.

My car broke down yesterday and I found out the starter went bad. In the grand scheme of things, my car breaking down is not the end of the world but it does cause a chain reaction of frustrations. For example: the cost of the part, my wife taking off of work to take me to work, when to pick up the part, who can fix it, when to fix it, and the list goes on. I view these obstacles of life as learning/growing experiences with myself and God. I have relied on prayer for most part. Life is short and our life can change so much with one blink of an eye.

My wife and I have grown so much do to the pitfalls of life. I guess without those obstacles I don't know if we would be as close as we are so I guess I thank God for them. I know that might sound weird but I guess it's like when James 1:2 says, "...Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." My wife and friends have helped me so much through life. I believe we are not suppose to walk through this world alone.

Proverbs 27:17
17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Simple but true

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
James 1:22

Clothes = Clothes for children

These companies below take the Christian t-shirt to a new level. I love clothes and I love art. I am a consumer and we are all consumers no matter how much you say you are not. We buy stuff all the time. We consume so much stuff everyday. OK, I am done using the word stuff. I believe if we are going to buy clothes, shoes, and etc. , then why not buy it from a company that supports world hunger. Most of these companies give a portion of their profits to organizations based in Africa, South America, and Asia. For example, Tom Shoes donates a pair of shoes to Argentina every time one pair is purchased. That is pretty awesome. I am not forcing any of you to spend more money by all means, SAVE YOUR MONEY but if you need to buy some trendy clothes then check out of these sites below. I probably should practice what I preach. LATER!!!

http://www.relevantstore.com/
http://www.buyshoessavelives.com/
http://www.tomsshoes.com/
http://www.onetruth.com/
http://www.twicebornstore.com/
http://www.jedidiahusa.com/
http://www.malakaiclothing.com/
http://www.kfleye.com/
http://www.obeyclothing.com/

Betsy loves Steve and Barry's. BFF

Got Church?

Cool fact:

A new survey has found that three-quarters of Americans who haven't gone to church in the last six moths say it is "full of hypocrites". About 44 percent said, " Christians get on my nerves."
However, the LifeWay Research study revealed that more than 75 percent said they would be willing to listen to a Christian talk about their faith.

So what are we (you) waiting for...

2 Timothy 4:5 (Message version)

3-5You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.

--fact taken from March-April Relevant Magazine (emphasis added by Blake Strozyk)

Middle School Mania

This week is middle school mania. A couple of buds and I were asked to lead worship for this youth retreat at this private school. The kids are very energetic and that is very surprising for 8 o'clock in the morning. I am definitely feeling the affects of waking up at 6 in the morning. My wife is happy because she can now turn all the lights on. FYI: My wife is a school teacher. Anyway, Tommy Oaks is speaking and it is pretty good stuff. The theme of the week is freedom. Its a pretty general theme but I think freedom is one of those things we need to be reminded about. We have freedom in Christ and Christ frees us from sin. Did I mention that Tommy Oaks is speaking.

Have a good week!!

The WALL (and not Pink Floyds)

I was looking at this website, http://www.picturesofwalls.com/, that has a bunch of pictures of vandelism and I was wondering when these people write on walls. Most of the signs are on billboards or they are in public places. I never see people writing things on walls or spray painting. I have to give them a little credit for being so stealth like. Most of the pics below are from the UK. All of them are pretty random and less offensive.

Good point.

I did not know that...yeaaaah

Ok, this one is in India. Give them a litte credit.

Like I said earlier. How do they get up there?

I dunno?

I thought you voted at like schools and court houses.

Kinda.

Old School

Yep.

***WARNING: If you go to the website, there is some profanity.