Worship
As many of you know, I am involved in the engineering team [audio/video] at The Well SE. I was on the schedule this Sunday and I got a nice reminder that I am not important in the worship experience. It is true in my case that I am my worst critic and when things don’t work as planned it is very frustrating.
The morning was filled with troubleshooting and tracing wires to not much avail. The band was not able to really get in a groove because we could not get the monitors set right. I was trying to give Ryan [new engineering guy] more time on the board so he could get comfortable and nothing I told him to try worked. I double/triple checked the setup and everything was right.
Well, long story short, the band/engineering team clunked our way through rehearsal and worship started. The opening set of two songs was not worshipful for me at all. I was still trying to figure out why the monitors weren’t loud when we had plenty of gain going to them and then we got the added bonus of mystery feedback. Oh and I was trying not to miss the cues for slides at the same time.
Then we played the message taught by Brad through video and I could relax for those 30 minutes. The message was challenging with the question of “have I grown spiritually this past year”? I did not really want to answer that question honestly to myself and felt a strong conviction. Then the band got up for the last set of three songs. The first song was “The Stand” and the chorus just hit me in the depth of my heart.
So I’ll stand With arms high and heart abandoned In awe of the One who gave it all
So I’ll stand My soul Lord to You surrendered All I am is Yours
When the band sang the chorus it was like all the frustration of the morning just vanished. I knew God was speaking right to me in that moment and telling me it’s OK if the sound doesn’t work. It’s OK if the mix is not perfect. It’s OK if the monitors aren’t loud enough for the band.
My take away from this morning was that God does not want my talents. He just wants my sincere worship; regardless if it sounds good or not.
Wednesday Fun
Do you remember on a recent episode of 30Rock, the writers were tormenting Cerie with a high tone that only she could hear. Well I did a little research and found a little test myself. Go to the following website and see what tone you can hear up to. WARNING…do not have your speakers on too loud because it could damage your speakers and it will hurt your ears. ENJOY! I tested it and it really works. I can hear up to 17KHz; leave a comment with your number.
Here is a chart showing what tone you should be able to hear based on your age.
The Sun
This morning as I was waking up I was greeted by an old friend that I haven’t seen much lately; the good ole yellow sun. [side note: I had to use the semi colon in response to my friend Gene's tweet about not quite knowing when they are appropriately used. Not sure if I used it correctly either.] Now, I must admitt I do not always welcome the sun. In the summer when it is 110* out and the cloud cover is the only relief I do not enjoy the sun in the same way. But, on a cool winter morning [yes my Midwest folks, 40* classifies as winter here 
] it was a beautiful suprise!
Another Gene reference spurred this thought of the sun when he wrote as part of positive post Tuesday that God’s glory is revealed by nature. It truly reminded me of God’s love that covers us like the sun covering the earth. Be encouraged today that they glory of our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed today just as it was 2000 years ago when He walked the earth.
A Little Reflection
As I sit here at Panera in Valencia, CA I am feeling a little reflective and writing things down usually helps me process those thoughts. There are a few things that are on my mind right now so here goes nothing.
For those of you that don’t follow me on twitter or facebook it might be news to you that I was in a car accident last week. I am still feeling the effects of that through soreness and tightness in my shoulders/neck. But I am happy to be alive and not seriously injured. Here is my quick recap of that event.
I was driving northbound on HWY 99 near Kingsburg when a big rig cut right in front of me. I slammed my brakes swerved to the left to avoid it where I then lost control of my vehicle. I hit the guard rail in the median and then spun back out into northbound traffic where I did a 180 and then hit the guard rail again and came to a stop.
As I reflect on this event I feel blessed and protected by a good God that spared me from more serious injury. I also have a lot more respect for race car drivers. My accident was at 70 mph and it hurt pretty bad. I am not really looking forward to being on the road as much as I am going to be this next month, but I am asking for God’s peace and safety while traveling.
The second thing on my mind is my wonderful girlfriend Amy. Entering into this travel season for work is bittersweet because I will not get to see her [outside of a webcam] for most of October. All sulking aside, it has been nearly 3 months of us dating and it has truly been a joy. I know that I am still in the honeymoon stage where all things are good and my blinders are still on, but I am excited what the future holds for us. I have really done my best [with a lot of God's help of course] to be the leader of our relationship and keep the lines of communication open. This is something I really have to be intentional about and I am still growing in being a leader. We have had “the talks” about boundaries and what that will look like in our relationship and I love the freedom that God gives when those boundaries are clear and honored.
Oddly enough Amy is not really a sports person; she is athletic and likes the outdoors, but not your traditional sports fan [ie baseball, football, basketball]. For those of you that know me just a little bit know that I am a big sports person. For me, March is the most wonderful time of the year! This has been an interesting learning experience for both of us to understand and work within these differences. I have always thought my girlfriend would NEED to be a sports person, but this has worked pretty well. She keeps me honest so I don’t spend every waking hour involved with watching/reading/thinking sports, but she still allows me to get my fill. We went to a few Grizzlies games with Zach and Jeanette and also went to the FSU/BSU game last week with Luke and Jenn. I contend she goes to the games to talk with the girls, but I enjoy spending the time with her still We both share a common interest in hiking/camping so that has been fun to enjoy with her. I also introduced her to disc golf which she seemed to enjoy…or maybe she is just a real good faker.
Another big thing in relationships are families. From hanging out with Amy’s family I can see that she has been raised in a loving and Godly family. I enjoy spending time with them and building those relationships. I also really love the way Amy enjoys spending time with my family. This has always been a high priority item on my list and Amy passes with flying colors!
Well if you have made it to this point I commend you…this started out as a quick reflection that led to a half novel so thanks for reading. Comments are welcomed as well!
Mike
Good Times
Last night I spent some good time in the Word and here are a few thoughts I got from 1 Timothy 4.
v.8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things; holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
v.12 Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
v.15-16 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
I was encouraged that I need to view my life as an example of God’s wonderful creation. When I am not in “need” of God that is when I am to remember His promises and seek after Him even more. Verse 15 really challenged me to live a life that people can see God through me. This is in no way being arrogant, but rather living confident in God’s promises.
Intercessory Prayer
1 Timothy 2: 5 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
When I read 1 Tim 2 I just read right over this verse. This morning as I met one of my good friends Jason, and we were walking through this chapter. He has a background in mediation and brought up something really cool about this verse.
Paraphrase: “In a mediation you always want the person that is leading to have equal/greater amounts of power as the highest person involved. This is so that person has the power to call anyone out in the room.”
With this focus in mind he related how Jesus, who is our mediator to God, is in the middle, but is at the same level as God. I just thought that was such a cool imagery of intercessory prayer.
I was encouraged this morning to really take time to intercede for others in prayer. Not just in tough times, but even when times are good to be praying for others.
Pearl Harbor II: Pearlmageddon
This is a parody of the directing styles of Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. Quite hilarious! Enjoy
Pray For The Rumley’s
Today is the memorial service for Tyler Rumley; Jerrod and Jen Rumley’s 5 month old son. I know the Rumley family would greatly appreciate all your prayers especially today as they say goodbye.
However, in this time of grieving with the Rumley’s I am thankful that we serve a gracious God. I know that the service today will be filled with the love of family and friends and will glorify our God. It is not easy to find joy in these moments, but it is only through Christ Jesus that we can find joy knowing that little Tyler is in heaven for eternity!
I challenge you to visit their website as well, www.therumleys.com
You will read the words of a dad that is deeply saddened, but steadfast in the love of Christ.
With this said I just urge you to pray!
Appearance
I have started in 1 Timothy recently and when I first read chapter 2 I was hit with a curve ball. Paul starts off by writing about worship and how we should intercede in prayer for everyone. He then gives a charge to men:
“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
This charge is simple to understand for the most part, but it is the next verse that made me wonder why it is here the first time I read it.
“I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
When I read it again this morning I had a slightly different take. After reading through some commentaries on this chapter it became clear that both of these charges were set to help both men and women worship God wholly. My first reaction when reading the charge to the women was so they would not distract the men by their dress. But a commentary broadened this and said it was more so it would not offend the people that could not afford fancy clothes and jewelry.
Even today we [men and women] must take this to heart and not make worshiping our God a public display of wealth by the clothes/accessories we wear. I will be the first to admit that I enjoy a nicely pressed Express shirt, but what would it look like to take your dress into consideration as part of your proclamation of Jesus Christ?
This passage helped remind me that while I might worship in song on Sundays, my life, each and every day should be a life led of worship. This includes my attitude, words, actions and appearance.
