Are you a maverick who is helping our nation to go green because our carbon foot print may worsen because of the economic meltdown that has affected Wall Street to Main Street? Forgive this run-on sentence that is chock full of overused words and phrases. I found this article at yahoo news about banning overused words.
My favorite overused "preacher" wording is the oft-repeated phrase during invitation-calls at the conclusion of countless sermons: "If you are here today."
The typical sermon conclusion often includes the words, "If you are here today and
subject to the invitation. . . " I want to know that if "they" are not
there, then who is the preacher talking to? I wish the preacher would add this phrase,
"If you are not here today, then I'm not talking to you." Next time I hear the phrase "if you are here today,"
I'm considering making a citizen's arrest as a self-appointed word policeman.
Another article also caught my attention involving the overuse of words and phrases like, you know, um, those filler, um, you know, like phrases that we um, use to fill our speech. I hope the word police don't attend my workshops or I may be in like, um, you know, trouble.
What phrases or "filler" words do you overuse in your speech?
Here's
a positive thought - wouldn't it be wonderful if we were known for
constantly using phrases like, "God is faithful," "Praise God" and "God is so good?"
Billboard
says this man broke away from his early gospel musical training to join the
secular world of pop singers, and his short life established a body of work
that influenced many of his successors, black and white.He was born in 1935 in Chicago and signed to
RCA Records in 1960.He wrote songs
including “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay,” ”Wonderful World, ”Another Saturday
Night” and many more.
In addition,
he has produced some lesser known a cappella gospel recordings.
I'd like to thank Derek Sachs for all his assistance this year, including helping me with this blog. I submitted four of my 2008 favorites to a photo contest this morning:
Beale Street Sunset Memphis, Tennessee
Old North Church Reflections Boston, Mass
Times Square Evening New York, New York
The Crescent House Valdosta, Georgia
Which one would be your favorite of these four pictures?
2008 has been a wonderful year of travel. Sharon and I have been so richly blessed through all the wonderful people and churches we worked with this year. It was a year in which my photography interests grew rapidly. Thank you for indulging me as I regularly post samplings of my photos on this "Hearing Voices" blog.
The most important "image" is the One whom we honor in a very special way this season:
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of
his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had
provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in heaven."
He is indeed, the "King of Kings" and the "Lord of Lords," and He shall reign forever and ever.
Earlier this month, I posted a photo from 2002 in front of the Arizona anchor with some friends. Here's one at the same location from our 2007 family vacation. We hope that you have a merry Christmas and enjoy spending time with your family.
I love playing guitars and own a couple of Gibsons. Of course, most of you know how much I love to sing. I'm a tenor and was the original lead singer for Acappella. I love leading groups, and have led various kinds of bands in the past. Dealing with voice rest and voice overuse is a regular experience for me. Recently I posted about how I enjoy Paul McCartney's creative talents and I recently posted a story about Beach Boy's Brian Wilson. My friend, Roger Ferguson, shared some of these things with me.
What do all of these things have in common? I believe many of you will find this Gibson Guitar Magazine interview that Courntey Grimes conducted with Jeffrey Foskett, Brian Wilson's band leader, to be most interesting. Here are some excerpts:
CG: What has it been like being the Musical Director for Brian Wilson? What has been your biggest challenge there? JF: With Brian, I am the one in charge on stage. Brian looks to me to make sure that everyone is at sound check on time, is singing the correct part and basically has it together. Of course he is totally capable of doing these things himself and often asks "who just sang that note?" when he hears something amiss. I think it's easier for him to rely on me to do the day to day business of keeping things flowing smoothly on stage. Everyone in this great band is a pro. There are no ego hang-ups, (except mine), and we have grown into a very tight knit group of singers and players. I think one of our highest compliments came from Sir Paul McCartney. I was having a conversation with Cameron Crowe recently and he told me that he was talking with Sir Paul about Brian and his band and McCartney's response was, "Oh they're the best band in the business, everyone knows that." That's quite a statement from such a luminary.
My biggest challenge is to keep my voice fit for the shows. As was the case when I was with The Beach Boys, in Brian's band I sing all of the highest notes in the show. I was never a guy to go hang out in the bar or stay out late, so I think that has served me well over the years. I don't talk after shows and talk as little as possible during the day. Although the guys in the band are used to my weird habits, sometimes that is misunderstood by the general public. I'm not trying to be rude by making hand gestures instead of carrying on a conversation with fans after the shows, I am simply trying to preserve my voice for the next night.
. . . Later in the interview Jeffrey goes on to say:
JF: I love that God has given me such a great gift in my voice and guitar playing ability. I sometimes say I hold the guitar as a way to get on stage and sing. I love playing guitar but I am not nearly the guitar player that I am singer. God has truly gifted me with a great voice. What I love most about my career is that I get to make a living doing something that I really love to do. I don't consider my job ... a job. It is truly a joy!
* * * *
To top off this interesting article, Jefferey Foskett has chosen at least one song written by my good friend Roger Ferguson to use on a future project. Way to go Roger! Now I have to post the star photo I took of you on our trip to New Zealand, so I can get a jump on the paparazzi.
Roger Ferguson
Some of my photography friends thought I had captured a shot of Led Zepplin's lead singer.
Caryll Rice gave our family an outstanding tour of the Capitol. One of my favorite places in Washington is the Rotunda of the Capitol.
All of the paintings in the Rotunda tell an amazing story. It's amazing to think about the Christian influence upon our history as reflected in these paintings.
Check out these quotes from our founding fathers on Jesus, Christianity and the Bible. My friend, Caryll Rice, shared this information with us. Hey Caryll, I spelled your name correctly this time.
We have been blessed this year to interact with a lot of enthusiastic, singing Christians.
On Facebook, you can tag people in photos. I'd hate to attempt the task of tagging every single person in this picture. I do see one of my mentors, Marvin Phillips, in this photo. Any other Park Plaza folks that you recognize?
We hope that 2009 will minister to and encourage all the more hearts around the world. Thank you for praying for us. God is so good.
The Jackson Five's fourth number one
single was also taken to the top of the charts many years later by Mariah
Carey.If that is not enough of a hint,
here is the first line: "You and I must make a pact,
we must bring salvation back."
After hearing Acappella rave about Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, I got to sample the real thing in the market place next to the convention center in Philadelphia. I now understand their excitement as I highly recommend this treat, smothered in grilled onions.
When we told our friend, Caryl Rice, about our visit to Philadelphia, he offered his commentary on the city of "brotherly love." He said, "Yes, they love to rob you; they love to stab you; they love to murder you." - Doesn't speak well of our inner-city crime problems.
It's amazing to see how small the room is where the first representatives of the thirteen colonies met to iron out an agreement. Above George Washington's chair was a rising sun. In the beginning of their protracted and heated debates, Ben Franklin said he didn't know if it was a rising sun or a setting sun on their feeble attempts to launch a democracy. Fortunately, after lengthy deliberations, he declared it must be a rising sun.
Every year, we try to plan a family trip around the holidays. This year, we chose to combine our trip with a singing workshop with a mission church.
We're covering a lot of ground. Saturday we were in New York City, Sunday in New Jersey. Monday in Philadelphia and Baltimore. Today, we take on Washington D.C.
At this pace, it's difficult to upload my photos fast enough.
Does your church have one person who leads worship or do you have multiple leaders who rotate? If more than one, how many? Do you have one primary pulpit person?
We are currently in New York City experiencing a wind chill factor of 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Maybe that's why I enjoy posting photos from the warmer climates (anyone recognize where the photo of the chair is?)
Most of you who read this blog understand that I'm heavily into Praise & Harmony. Last evening, while walking the streets in New York City, a sad occurrence happened. It was like a world without color or a day without sunshine. We came upon a group of some thirty carolers in the bitter cold. Although I give them an "A" for spirit and enthusiasm, they sang every song in unison! Thirty men and women singing beautiful carols with no harmony? What would our world be without harmony?
I'm trying to be humorous here. Of course, the cheerful heart and spirit they displayed was absolutely the most important factor of their effort. But, hearing those songs without the pre-ordained harmonies? I was ready to offer them a Praise & Harmony workshop right there on the street corner.
The fact is, I view my "target audience" for the Praise & Harmony workshops as the people who don't sing, who don't think they can sing and who don't normally participate. Desire plus training can bring harmony into this world, starting with the church!
