April 24, 2009
I used to focus on changing the world.
All the while, neglecting the focus to change me.
I once was a catalyst for change in others.
But the reactions are spent now and I am too.
I’m learning that when I don’t have a healthy outlook on my
individual life, I contribute to the sum of problems that I see with society.
This season I’m in now is one of inner focus and change.
I am learning to be and do what I have wanted others to be and do for me.
A seasonal shift in life.
That is welcomed.
And desired.
April 15, 2009
In just a few months I will be 35.
Half a life.
Sure people live longer then 70, but quality seems to decline rapidly.
Not at all what I expected.
But I haven’t been disciplined enough to meet my expectations.
This is my personal year of transformation and change.
Change in my outlook.
….my habits.
….my emotions.
….my physique.
….my finances.
….my growth.
In the movie “Transformers” there is a girl who is faced with a simple decision of getting into a car that she knows is actually an Autobot. When her companion sees her uncertainty, he tells her, “50 years from now, when you look back at your life, don’t you want to say you had the guts to get in the car?” What initializes from that moment is “Transformation” to her life. She found a Transformer and her life was transformed.
Normal life is nowhere as spectacular as that. There’s no Camaro to get in that will make your life what you want it to be and often times it feels as if you are climbing over a huge mountain with no help.
Even so, your change will come if focus can be maintained.
Cast a vision of what you want your life to look like.
This vision is your Transformer.
Every decision you make, including the small ones, needs to line up with your personal Transforming Vision.
Small steps at first as this is unfamiliar to you.
But it will get easier as you learn what is on this new path.
Be Transformed.
Cheers,
Gene
April 8, 2009
On the way to work, I was pondering music, worship, and leadership and I remembered this quote from Los’ blog a few months ago where he was describing what he calls a “Lukewarm” Worship Leader:
“Is almost exclusively dependent on other’s songs to sing than writing songs for where their local church is at.” —-> RagamuffinSoul.com | Signs of a Lukewarm Worship Leader
It really bugs me when we leave out creativity and intimacy in Worship. (I’m speaking of corporate Worship through the use of music that usually occurs in most churches on Sunday morning).
We have our system: 4 to 6 songs ( 2 to 3 fast and then the rest slow with the really heart jerker one at the end).
Every Sunday.
In countless churches.
No deviation.
No originality.
Lack of excellence, because we have our dummy-proof system.
No dropping songs from the plan to linger on a progression for a while.
No changing to un-planned songs because the “words on the power point” haven’t been set up.
No Drum Solos. : p
Preparation is important. Having a plan and rehearsing is important.
But, I think the problem is that we try to be so rigid and focused on getting through the set that we don’t take time for the back and forth fluidic flow of Worship.
Worship is a conversation. We need to take some time to let God speak back.
Sometimes when I’m driving with the kids, my daughter, Tori, will sing and sing. She will sing songs from television and sometimes just make up her own songs. She does have a beautiful voice and I love hearing it.
There are times though that I need to say something important to her and it frustrates me because she won’t stop singing so she can hear and listen to me.
I think God feels that way sometimes during our Sunday mornings across America.
