New camera

I got a new camera...The gift that keeps on giving

August - Nov Newsletter

Check it out. Just click on it and it becomes bigger....

Fleet Foxes (epic)

I found this on someone elses blog. I thought I'd share. This is good stuff.

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

LP music Nov.8th

Bring hymns back. We have a lot of people that go to our church with many different denominational backgrounds. Hymns seem to be the bridge that connects with everyone because the more popular hymns are sung all over.

Here is this last weekends set:

You Deserve- Hillsong
You Said- Rueben Morgan (Shane and Shane version)
How Maverlous - Hymn, Tomlin version
Jesus Paid It All - Hymn, Kristian Stanfield version

Great Sunday!!

People responded well and my high schoolers seem to amaze me. They play with so much maturity.

LP music

I thought it would be helpful for some to know what songs we are doing at lifepointe. We meaning Nate and I. So....yeah here are some tunes we have been introducing at lifepointe.

Overcome by Blake (me)
You Hold me now by Hillsong
You Deserve by Hillsong
Your love never fails by Jesus Culture
We Unite by Elevation Worship
Burn for You by Fee
All because of Jesus by Fee
Say So by Israel and the Newbreed
Where You Go I Go by Kim Walker
Happy Day by Fee
Shelter in the Calm of the Storm ( Hymn arr. by Blake)
So Wait by Blake
Ezekiel 11 by Nate Mac

Made to Worship something

Here are some pics from the Made to Worship Concert with Bill Wolf, Daniel Hodges, Nate Mac, and Bryan. Good times!!!! Gotta love only practicing a couple hours on 17 songs. We are just that gooooood...

The News

So, this is the first time I have put my newsletter online. So here you go check it out.

The Sound of a drum

Man, I guess the sound of a drum (djembe) gets people moving. I just signed up to be a part of a drum circle. I am not a drummer by any means but I can keep a beat and I do OK at a hand drum. Anyway, I met up with some guys, whom I have never played before, and we played our first gig for an under privileged day camp. It was awesome!!! The kids had a blast beating the drums. I gave up my drum and eventually started playing on trash cans. I'd rather the kids bang on the cool drums. Anyway, that was definitely an experience. Check out the pics below.

Why is this funny??? I dunno

What up dog!!!

I wish I knew what went on in a dogs head. My dog is pretty amazing. I say this because my dog poops and pees in a plastic box that is 1 foot by 2 feet. Oh, it is filled with litter too. I don't ever have to take my dog out!!!! I am not saying I am wanna be lazy and I do love my dog. I just want to let you all know that my dog WAS amazing because of that. I say was because my dog for the past month or so has decided not to poop in her box. She knows how to because she did before. It's like she is punishing my wife and I. Today, my dog decided to poop in her box again. I guess we learned our lesson. Like I said earlier, I wish I knew what goes on in a mind of a dog. Peace.

Empty Seats, Filled hearts

Man, life this past couple months has been crazy. My big project this past month or so is preparing for Godspell, a play. I guess you could say I was the promotor, production manger, budget guy, and facility manger for the event. If you don't know the background of Godspell then check out the info below.

Godspell, the musical by Stephen Schwartz and John Michael-Telebak, opened on Broadway in 1971 and has been a wild hit for millions ever since.The Highland Acting Company will bring a fresh and relevant portrayal of the 70ʼs musical - utilizing modern art forms while embracing the original nuance of the Musicalʼs comedy and memorable songs, “Day by Day” and “Prepare Ye”. Godspell, based on the Biblical book of Matthew, brings a playful and compelling look at the teachings of Jesus.

The acting company from Asheville put on the play. They did an awesome job. I hoped for 1200 seats to be filled but I got half of that. I guess that is ok for our first large event. Our large building looked some what empty but I know people where touched. The Highland Acting company created their own 3rd act. It was called Resurrectio. In the original play the Resurrection scene was not talked about but the Highland Acting Company brought the house down. Anyway, hearts were filled...

Acoustic Guitars, Softball, Godspell, and house shopping

Everything in the title sums up some events that have been going on in my life. Life is going well, my wife is greater than ever. My ankle has healed from the 400 lbs of wood falling on it. My buddy Nate Mac is working at LifePointe with me. I have devoted a month to promoting a play coming to our community center. Check out www.godspellasheville.com for more details. Hmmm lets see... Oh, Amber and I have been shopping for our first house. Maybe in a couple days I will write a blog with some meat to it.

Anyway.....

The Eve of a new communities birth

Well, I haven't posted in awhile. I am sure I say that a lot. Anyway, the reason I haven't posted in awhile is because of this moment before the launch of our new church in Fort Mill, SC. It has been a roller coaster ride of 1000 phone calls, late nights, broken ankles ( thats for another post), many meals of fast food and tons of prayer. Tomorrow is the day a new faith community will be formed. I need to remind myself that I have no control over what will happen tomorrow. So, thats what I have been doing for the past month. I promise I will post some thoughts and stuff soon.

I think I could be Edward Cullen

This might sound weird but being a vampire would be kinda cool if you are . I just watched Twilight the movie and I liked it a lot. I dunno why. It was eerie, heroic, and romantic. It was three movie genres in one. Forget being a superhero. I will take being a vampire that is a vegetarian. Fast, strong, and of course you have to be good looking. Anyway, I am not a weirdo or anything. I don't walk around dressing in black playing World of the War craft all day. (not that theres anything wrong with that.)

I just liked the movie...Lay off me!!!

Gas Buy Down!!!

So this is what a gas buy is...

Bring on the Crowd of Worshippers

Well, I guess I stole every youth bands dream these past two weekends. I had the privilege to play CIY discipleship in Cincy and Lexington with Bill Wolf and company. It was really fun and tiring at the same time. All I know is that I am sick of fast food and going out to eat. I could really go for a homemade meatloaf with green beans. Any takers. Anyways, back to stealing the dreams of youth group bands. I remember the time when I was a youth and I dreamed of playing for CIY. You know its really not that big of a deal. I guess I have kind of matured in my faith. I wish I could say its not about the numbers in a worship service but I think it is. Playing in front of hundreds of kids is a big deal. It is because these kids are not paying to worship( because that has already happen when the desire wanting to grow with God came into their little minds) but they are paying to learn and grow in Christ. Unfortunately it takes money to run these kind of events. I am very encouraged that these kids are getting IT. I want a lot of people at church to worship. I want big churches to sing big songs, with deep meanings, and loud music. I want to see people singing the cry of their heart at the top of their lungs. I don't mind kids wearing trendy T-shirts Christian (but not looking like cheesy Christian T-shirts) so they feel they belong. I think a lot of people are too cynical about worship leaders who dance on stage and encourage people to clap their hands. So, maybe the worship leader is not doing it for the right reason but you don't know that. I think as individuals we should WANT to celebrate and praise God for all He has done and is going to do. I dunno. That is me. Judge if you will...

POSTED!!!!

Passion from Phil Wickham (Blog by Daniel Hodges

I usually don't still blogs but I am stealing this blog from Daniel Hodges. So, this is for the LP Worship team but everyone enjoy too. So here we go....

By Daniel Hodges

Passion is contagious! I am realizing more and more that you can do just about anything you want if you are passionate. In this video below Phil Wickham covered a song called “Hallelujah”. To be honest the first time I saw the video I didn’t walk away raving about it. Phil Wickham is a good musician, he has a great voice, and he played a pretty good song. I think it was only 2 days later that I was back on Dave’s (Milams )blog watching that video again and before you know it I was on youtube devouring anything and everything I could find Phil Wickham singing.

There was something special about this guy. Like I saw before he is a great artist but that wasn’t really what had me searching like a crazy man for more. It was his PASSION. He sang that song with such a transparency I couldn’t help but believe what he was singing.

I’m sure you can think of someone right now that fits the mold I am talking about. Maybe there are a musician, maybe they are a painter, maybe they aren’t artsy at all and they are just the man/woman at leadership. The point is, these people have something special. I love that!

In the end I’ve have been reminded by this simple YouTube video to live life and music and worship with passion and transparency. We all need to be reminded of that.

Hosanna

I have been singing this song "Hosanna" by Hillsong for over a month or so but I never really looked up the meaning. I might be dumb but here is the definitions if you are interested.

A cry of praise or adoration (to God)

Literally means “save please” or “save now.” The crowd cried this at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, a week before they demanded to crucify Him.

The word HOSANNA is an expression meaning ‘Save, I (we) pray.” Psalm 118:25 was commonly used in the Feast of Tabernacles and was filled with messianic expectations of deliverance. This fact highlights that those who shouted this expression to Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem (Mathew 21:1-10), before his crucifixion, where hoping for a political deliverance. The saving and deliverance they needed was accomplished through a death rather than a political revolt.

I am alive

Sorry, to all. I know you have been worrying like crazy. Probably not but anyway, I am here typing now with my alive fingers. So, yeah, life has been crazy these past couple months with potty training our puppy to launching another campus at LifePointe. In the midst of all the chaos I made time to eat and you know the result that happens after you eat. Life is good though. I have learned a ton about myself over this last month. I have learned to be patient, stretch the dollar even further, not feel bad when I haven't read my Bible in the morning and love my wife even more than ever. It seems the busiest times and the most chaotic times are when we grow the most with God. You would think that you would grow angry when things are not going the way planned. It might seem like that at first. It was definitely for me. There is always a reason for everything. Ok, done typing.

Sunday sets

OK, here are the last 3 Sunday worship sets for January:

Jan.4th:

1. New Year by Charlie Hall
2. Here Is Our King by David Crowder
3. Hosanna by Hillsong
4. How Great is Our God by CTomlin
5. Come and Listen by DC

Jan. 11th

1.Here is Our King by DC
2. Wonderful King by DC
3. Center by CHall
4. How Marvelous (traditional)

Jan. 18th

1. Your Grace is Enough by Matt Maher
2. Friend of God by Israel and the New Breed
3. Hosanna by Hillsong
4. Blessed be Your Name by Matt Redman
5. Mystery by Chall

Penn and Teller on faith

Ok, I am going to steal this post from Mark Nelson but that is ok because not everyone knows Mark. Anyway, this is a YouTube video of Penn and Teller the magic comedians.

This is Penn's honest opinion on faith... check it out

Poop-o-Rama

So, I got a new puppy, Bristol, she is a 8 week miniture pincher. She is the cutest dog in the world but I have never seen a dog poop so much in my life. No lie, at least every 2 hours when she is a awake. Sometimes every hour. We are trying to litter box train her and it sometimes works. Anyway, I am going to relate this to life some how... Life is like a crapping puppy...you never know when the crap of life comes up, all you can do is smile, keep your chin up and go on with your day.

Anyway, here is a picture of the little terd.