In these last few few weeks I’ve received several e-blasts for conferences. (Today – Sept. 24 – we can even watch a live backstage feed from Story2010). With the number of conferences happening, I believe some seriously get lost in the mix. As a result, I haven’t registered for ANY conferences in 2010. However, I don’t want that to be the case in 2011. (if you are attending a conference check out these 12 iPhone apps to help you make the most of your experience)
So here’s where you come in. I’m trying to funnel all these conferences down to the top one in these two categories:
#1 conference for church leaders
#1 conference for worship leaders/creatives.
Tell me which conference you consider to be #1 in each category and why!
Back on March 23, 2010, Pris and I were planning to go to a Paul Baloche Concert in St. Catherines, ON. If I remember correctly, I saw a tweet that day from my friend, Luis Vargas (WorshipApps), saying that he was on his way to St. Catherines earlly that morning to meet up with a bunch of Canadian worship leaders to write songs. What proceeded was an abundance of tweeted messages, pics and videos of their writing sessions. To be honest, I thought to myself, “How could I have not known about this”? What’s more is that at the concert they kept mentioning how this group of worship leaders/pastors got together earlier that day.
In my quest to find out how i missed this type of thing, once we got to the concert venue, I saw Luis and had to ask him what this “Worship Rises” stuff was all about and how I could get in, and stay in the loop. Enter Chris Vacher. I started following Chris on twitter and have not missed a beat since!
So what is my involvement with Worship Rises? Although I still have not been to one of the writing sessions, I am a firm believer in what is being accomplished – bringing Canadian worship pastors/leaders together to develop worship resources for & from the Canadian church.
On this note, today I am pleased to let you know that the Worship Rises EP is live on iTunes. It launches across all digital platforms for under $4. You should buy it and consider it an investment in the Canadian territory of the kingdom of God.
One of the releases that I was anticipating was Deluge‘s sophomore album, Unshakable. Well, They just finished their Unshakable Tour (see here) and the album’s been out for about a month so let me share some quick thoughts from my personal experience.
1. It’s original stuff! – It’s been a while since I’ve heard a record that had it’s own unique sound and direction. 2. It’s well crafted and it’s evident that much thought was put into this record. 3. Rich lyrics with actual themes – which are rare these days 4. The music is technical (riffs, beats, melodic hooks) yet functional in worship 5. Some great songs for the church (#5, #7, #11) + for soaking/devos/reflection (#6, #12, #13)
All in all, in the month that I’ve owned this album, it’s been the one that I’ve had on the most during my commutes to and from work. It’s fun, it’s serious, it’s deep, it’s intimate, and it comes from an honest place – the heart!
If you’ve been looking for music that will invite you to connect to the heart of God, this is the one I’d recommend. As the song suggests, God is giving us the invitation: “Come in my Courts”!
Are you consumed with your current trouble/situation? Does the future seem bleak? Have you lost faith? Have you given up looking for the light at the end of the tunnel? Does life seem unfair? Are you comparing your present failures to the successes of others?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, chances are, your perspective has become too narrow and you’ve been beating your head against your present circumstance(s).
So how do you regain a proper perspective? Take a step…BACK! Often times, when facing an obstacle, we focus our energy and attention on trying to overcome it. When we do this we magnify our problem and push (BIG) God out of the picture. Instead, why don’t we pause and take a step back? When we do this, God is magnified and problems begin to look small compared to how big God is!
“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9 NLT
Let’s take a step back. Let’s worship and magnify Him as we go through this! Let’s gain His perspective and trust Him to lead us through!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Husband to the lovely @prismanna. Pastor (worship, young adults) @westonroadchurch. . Blogger/Founder of http://worshipdrummer.ca. Most importantly I ♥ Jesus
