Back in May, we experienced New Zealand for the very first time.  I believe that God focused a little extra attention on New Zealand during His creation.  As we drove toward the mountains, it seemed that everywhere was a scenic view.

People find it unusual how I go about singing spontaneously on a daily basis.  Victor Knowles doesn't.  Check out this article from a wonderful man.

Here's an amazing NASA video of the moon passing in front of the earth, as never seen before.  God is amazing, isn't He?

How would you describe the emotions you feel when worshiping?
Overall?
During the singing?
When convicted by the Word?
Communion?
Fellowshipping with the family?

We are currently enjoying a great workshop here in central Florida.  Randy Harris spoke last night.  It just so happens that I also led worship before Randy spoke at Lipscomb's Celebration a few weeks ago.

What a beautiful building in downtown Sydney:









Check out the full gallery here.

This ski resort is not very busy in the summertime, except when the Red River Family Encampment comes to town.

I think I broke records of how many pictures I've taken per hour as we were walking through picturesque Sydney.

Does your song leader / worship leader use hand patterns to direct the music
  A. All the time?
  B.  Some of the time?
  C.  None of the time?

What are your thoughts on how helpful directing can be?

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How pretty is the downtown area where you live?

The Parthenon, after dark - hand held shots.
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Who else is into photography?  I'm really enjoying learning new skills with this craft.  Are some of you professionals, or mostly amateurs?

  

On the way to Red River, we saw these folks enjoying the river.



Looks like a blast!  How many of you have gone white water rafting?  How dangerous was the water?

And by the way, what group sang the 1969 hit, "Hot Fun In The Summer Time?"

I received an encouraging message from a  London-based news broadcaster and journalist who fell in love with Acappella's music many years ago.  He absolutely loves our Spirituals Longplay CD, which he describes as possibly the best album ever made by mankind.

Wow.   I don't remember anyone using that kind of description before (other than close family.)
Here's a clip from that album:  Ride The Chariot.

No telling what you'll find in Redlands.



My friend, Roger Ferguson.

We conducted our first Worship Leader Institute July 9 - 11 here in middle Tennessee.  Worship leaders traveled from Maryland, Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Oklahoma for a concentrated time of practical instruction, with an emphasis on stage presence, directing and worship planning.


If you read this blog, you've probably heard me complain about how churches have placed all their emphasis, training, incentives and expectations upon pulpit ministers, while comparatively offering almost nothing for worship ministers.  Don't even ask me how important I believe worship leaders and worship ministers are! 

Fortunately, there is a current "worship awakening" that has been spreading for many years.  A week does pass during which I'm not asked to recommend prospects for worship leaders and ministers to be hired.  Thus the problem . . . The church has provided very little in the way of training and preparing people for this highly important role.

We are hoping that more individuals and churches will see the need to invest in this kind of advanced training.  I hope to work with full-time worship ministers as well as others with extensive experience who want to maximize their skills.  Churches should be sponsoring their talented leaders and investing in their abilities for lasting benefits.


Not everyone who applied for this Institute was accepted, as this was not designed to cover fundamental understandings of music and directing.  A certain level of skill and experience was prerequisite for this opportunity.  The number was limited - as the emphasis was focused on a very personalized training, including classroom and video-taped lab sessions.  We are attempting to fill the tremendous need for coaching and mentoring.

I enjoyed the opportunity to delve much deeper than is possible in our Praise & Harmony congregational workshops.  The opportunity to work with these leaders one to one was a rewarding experience.

Thanks to my friend, Matt Dabbs for sharing this link and discussion.

When's the last time you heard that phrase?
Today, we dusted off the hymnals at Farragut and enjoyed some of the familiar treasures found within.
As much as I have become totally dependent upon projection, it's funny how great the singing was today!

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Be thankful for interstates!  Traffic was severely slowed this weekend as a hazardous-material tanker overturned on I-40 between Crossville and Knoxville yesterday.  The detours through those mountain two-lane roads required some people to take five hours to travel distances normally covered in minutes.  We were caught in this congestion both yesterday and today as we commuted to Farragut.

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What a set up for VBS!  The Farragut family is sparing no detail in preparing an extravagant set and program for the upcoming VBS.  I LOVE it when an entire church comes together to make something like this the absolute best it can be.  Last year, the ship that was built within our auditorium was nothing short of amazing.  This reminds me of the Easter Dramas and VBS sets that the Madison Church has hosted.  It's great to see churches rise above the mediocre to accomplish things that are first class.  And it's especially heart-warming when you see the number of people involved in making events like this happen.

Recently I spoke with a good friend who is a professor at one of our fine Christian colleges.  He seemed to be more spiritually in tune and excited about his walk with the Lord than ever before.  Hearing him share of the numerous ways he is serving God was inspiring.  However, he said he can't remember the last time a sermon really moved and motivated him.  As I mentioned, he did not appear callous or insensitive, but shared this observation about the frequent sermons we are continually exposed to. 

How about you?  Are you greatly motivated and changed by sermons on a regular basis?

When was the last sermon that caused you to actually take some form of action?

Do you feel that the sermon is the most important part of the assembly, or just a part of the overall, wonderful feast we enjoy as Christians assembling together?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

These are not exactly 2008 models!

 

 
 

 

My only experience in driving a tractor was a 1953 Ford Jubilee.

What a treat to find the exact place where Forest gave up on his ambitious running regimen.