What do you think?

Creation and Jesus

I’ve read Genesis 1 so many times I find myself skimming over things without devoting time to hear from God. It’s so easy to do that. You might find yourself saying “I already know everything there is to know about this; Let me get through this part to get to a better part”. Well here is a thought that resonated with me today.
It’s just a comparison of the story of creation and the story of redemption:

Creation- the earth was without form and void
Jesus- was beaten to the point that he was unrecognizable (without form and void)

Creation- the earth was empty (no life)
Jesus- was emptied (he had life but it was poured out- blood and water flowed)

Creation- God speaks “Let there be Light”
Jesus- Jesus speaks and darkness covers the earth

Creation- The Spirit of God hovers over the face of the waters of the earth
Jesus- Jesus cries out “God why have you forsaken me” (Gods presence is absent)

New Music and Artists

Just checking out some new music from the iTunes store and these four albums had some pretty cool sounds.

Samestate EP is fresh out the box and has a great sound. I don’t know a whole lot about them other than the music has a cool vibe with some Coldplay, DCB (David Crowder Band), Mutemath, Hillsongs, and Kings of Leon influences. I remember when Leeland came out and I got a sneak peek. I said to myself these guys are going to go places. The same is true about Samestate.
Samestate

Michael Ketterer Wow! What to say? Ok check out the video and then preview the album on iTunes and make your own assessment. Michael Ketterer

William Matthews comes out of The International House of Prayer and Bethel Church in Redding California. He is authentic and is bold in his music style. Check him out!
William Matthews

Aaron Keyes new cd Dwell is great but even better is the fact that his website offers in the resource tab all the chord charts for every song. Even better than that it offers loops and tracts for ease of use within the local church. Aaron Keys

Christmas Eve Service 2009

This years Christmas Eve service became a dual service. Last year was so successful that we added another service. Last year was one service from 6pm-7pm. This year was one- 4:30pm-5:30pm, two- 6:00pm-7:00pm.

If you would like to see it check out this link: http://www.hofchurch.com/christmas_eve.html

One of My Most Embarrassing Moments

Well I’ve been listening to a fellow twitterer and worship leader’s interview where he share’s his most embarrassing moment. I’ve decided to share with you one of mine, but first you’ll need a little background. My father was my worship leader for my whole life. He set a good example to follow, but until you actually do it you can’t really appreciate what they do. All the pressure of leading in the front of 800-1000 people on a regular basis and bringing your best before God. There are a lot of standards you hold yourself to. Over time I’d raised the bar for my own personal growth in worship. OK so with all the standards set and trying not to make any mistakes, Playing a guitar and singing without sheet music in front of me was one of those standards. I’d taken over for my dad after he retired  and one of the goals I had for our team and myself was to do without sheet music during worship service. 1- it looks unprofessional having white sheet music all over the stage 2-it allows you to worship without being tied down 3-it makes you more aware of what God’s doing in a service. Just my opinion. Anyway. We just learned Inside Out- Hillsong United 2 weeks prior and sang it the week before. It was still fresh and new so I was a little nervous that everyone in the congregation would catch the words and actually worship. So the second verse is coming up and so far the song is awesome. I get to the second verse and totally go blank. I’m looking up for some help from the projector- powerpoint operator but they were waiting on me to start singing. The song is so new that they didn’t really know what was coming next.  What seems like an eternity of me acting like it was an intentional delay, passes. Well one of my BGVs starts singing a line to help me out, so in desperation I grab on. Not even taking time to process the words I start singing them. The line I start singing is Mighty to Save’s (another Hillsong) 1st verse. Well Inside Out is in the key of C and Mighty to Save is in the key of A. After that came what seemed to be the longest train wreck ever. The band is wondering “what the heck is he doing”, but they follow. I’m struggling to sing so low-high who even knows cause i’ve never even sang it in this key. OK so momentum is lost not to mention my ego is bruised, but I still have a job to do (lead people into worship). Then we begin to truly worship in spite of what happened and the Spirit is moving. I’m getting a little confidence back and start to pray. This prayer is like super good, people are shouting and claiming all kinda good stuff: freedom, liberty etc. In the background (while I’m still praying) my band moves to the next song in a different key. In my head I was going to stay where the presence was, but failed to communicate it to the band. I was trying to keep the flow going so directly- and I do mean directly after the prayer I begin singing the same song but now it’s in a new key. My tonal center is in the key of C (remember I’m singing Mighty to Save in a strange key) and now they are in another. I proceed to belt out this horrendous sound thinking that I was taking things to a whole nutha level, when I probably damaged people’s ears. I left that Sunday morning wanting to tuck my tail and run. I wanted to quit. I wanted Jesus to take me immediately. All I could think was “great I have to sit on the front row and listen to a sermon while everyone either feels sorry for me or stares at me while i nervously sweat profusely. That truly was very embarrassing. Oh well it’s in the past and I really learned that without the Holy Spirit everything I do is ear piercing. LOL

God bless, and I hope you are encouraged today. Laugh it up. A merry heart is like a medicine.

Party in the Park

Friday our youth church Xtreme Generation was set to have it’s annual Party in the Park. The weather didn’t cooperate and caused them to reschedule for a later date. The anticipation was building and the night was promising. Here are a few pics of some of our youth leaders and volenteers getting set up. Although there was some disappointment, the event was not cancelled so there will be an even greater in the near future. We believe God is about to do exciting and life changing things in Gonzales. Can’t wait for Party in the Park 2.

Controversial Photo

This is a very controversial photo. My wife says that this is innocent fun, but if you ask me this is an accident waiting to happen. I mean this photo could come back to haunt all my kids. They could be engaging in conversation with a marriage prospect and next thing they know mom has pulled out the old iphone(cause you know by then apple will have come out with the imind-reader or something ridiculous like that) and begin to show pictures that could embarrass the dog snot out of them scarring them for life. I mean come on mom enough is enough. Or worse yet dad could post it on his blog. HAHA! Kids are awesome!!!!!!!

A Good Old-Fashioned Woopin’

Back in July my brother (Ryan) challenged his father-in-law (Bobby) to a game of baseball. The stipulation was Ryan gets some young folks together and Bobby some not so young to compete against one another. This was all going to take place after church at 5pm and last til 7pm. Bobby gathered about 25-30 adults varying in age from 26-60. I know of seems like a lot but, in Louisiana middle of summer high to mid 90′s it was actually very strategic. Also the fatigued players could switch with other fresh players. Meanwhile Ryan’s team made up of 9 players was set to play every inning. To top it off their dugout was in the sun the whole game, while Bobby’s was set in the shade. Believe it or not I think this gave Bobby’s team an advantage. Little by little our team (Bobby’s) picked away at the youth team. We went in the supposed underdog and came out victorious 6-4. The BBQ after was slammin’. Barry Carpenter made this pull behind grill with his welding skills and showcased it at the game. I am pretty sure that Ryan and the youth team (18-25yr old) weren’t expecting the loss but, are planning a future rematch.

Unfailing Love

She can go from happy to sad in a matter of seconds but, she is so stinking beautiful she melts my heart. My daughter is 5 going on 22. She is everything a dad could ask for. If I love my daughter this much I can only imagine the Love that our Heavenly Father has for us. When you feel all alone and all hope is gone remember He is merciful when we least deserve it. Gracious and longsuffering through all our failures. How wide, how long, and how deep is the Fathers love for us His Children. Remember today that God loved you so much he gave the greatest gift of all, His son Jesus. We are looked upon by God as His very own. Accepted by Him and loved COMPLETELY!!!!

Opening Day at ACHS

Opening day was incredible. About 15 students responded to a powerful message by pastor Wade. Worship was good. So many new kids getting involved.