New Tunes Tuesday

Check out Wayne Brady's new cd titled A Long Time Coming.  Yea really, he has a cd out and it's not all bad.  He can sing and I really like the arrangements and style.  Preview it before you buy, it is Wayne Brady...

Check out Leona Naess and her new cd titled Thirteen.  This cd takes you through all kinds of emotion and styles.  You will not be disappointed by this one.

Check out 33 Miles.  You will find creative writing and unique arrangements on this cd.  It's one

 that stands strong in the midst of not so good Christian music.  Check it. 

Another solid release for Rush Of Fools.  Their new cd titled Wonder of the World lives up to the success of this group.  Good mix of well produced arrangements and strong lyrics.  I have liked this group for a while and this cd confirms that.

Alright, I missed this one last week and I feel it's worth bringing up this week.  By now you have heard a few songs or even downloaded this one.  I'm talking about Jessica Simpson. 

Now I'm not a country fan, and I don't listen to a ton of vocal slides, but overall I would have to say she pulls it off.  I think some of the tunes are not great hits, but she can fill the role and she has some strong vocals.  

Now with all that said, you won't find it in my playlist, iPhone or iPod.  That's just the way I role. 

Sunday Update

"You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor."  (James 3:18 Message)

Today was an unusual Sunday.  Pastor was out of town hunting, and I was asked to speak.  I really enjoy speaking, but it is something that doesn't come easy to me.  I have to really work up a message and the delivery could use some help!  I prepared for 25 minutes and ended up speaking 47 minutes.  Yea I went a little long for me, but that includes my "political" talk.  

Worship was so good today.  We had the full band back and it really made such a difference.  I am so blessed to have a great team!  

Here's the worship list:

- All Because of Jesus

- Your Grace is Enough

- Lead Me To The Cross

- It Is Well

Communion

- O The Blood of Jesus

Amy did such a good job on Lead Me To The Cross.  She is such an anointed singer (I'm not just saying that because she is my wife).  Worship just keeps getting better!  I am loving what God is doing at LFA.  Every Sunday I am humbled by what God is doing.

Today I spoke about Community.  We all are created for community, and we all need it.  Here's a few of my notes:

• God knew what Adam needed so he gave him community.
  

• Community forces us to Quit Quitting.

• Community takes a ton of work.  We all have been hurt by someone and our natural response is to make sure that doesn't happen again.  Fulfillment is found when we choose to share our lives with others.

• People will find out the good, the bad, and the ugly about us.  They will see our faults and weaknesses.  Then they will look us in the eye and say I love you...that's the most freeing thing.  That's what Christ has done for us and that's what we need to do for others.
  

• Who knows your junk?  We are scared of accountability but we are not scared enough of the consequences of our secret sins.
  

• The power of the gospel is not in how well you can tell the story, the power of the gospel is us living it each day of our lives.

• Don't cold-call the gospel trying to convince others they need to buy what your selling.  Share your love for Christ in a real way and make sure your life backs up your words.

New Tunes Tuesday

Pick up Chris Tomlin's new cd titled Hello Love.  It's got some great tunes including the radio hit "Jesus Messiah".  I have really enjoyed the song Love, the Watoto Children's Choir sings on this track and it's amazing.  Check it out.

Next check out Michael Feinstein's new cd titled The Sinatra Project.  Great voice with some great Sinatra tunes.  You and your spouse will like this one...

Check out Brian Wilson's new cd titled That Lucky Old Sun.  You will know him from The Beach Boys.  He is known as the one of the greatest song writers, and this cd supports that.  Worth checking out.

What are you listening to?

Sunday Update

Water baptism was so powerful today!  3 awesome stories about how God has changed their lives.  One of the best lines was, "I want to wash away the old me and bring one!"  We made videos of their stories then we all watched them being baptised live.  We really had a reason to celebrate today! 

We went straight into worship after the video's and the water baptism and it was awesome!  Here's the worship list:

- Because of Your Love

- Your Grace is Enough

- Majesty (Here I Am)

- I Need You More

- I Need Thee

- You Are My Strength

I felt the Lord leading us to pray for each other.  It was an amazing sight to see everyone in the service turn and pray for each other.  It was a special time for LFA.

Each week keeps getting better, Pastor really brought the message today.  

The message was about Temptation.

James 1:13-14; Job 1; Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:2; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15

Pastor did through out the great line "Dance with the one who brought you".  I must say that I have not heard that before today, and I hope I don't remember after today.

Enjoying my Labor Day and Tuesday will be Kaden's first day of school.  We are getting ready for that big step!

New Tunes Tuesday

Piano driven rock is what Remedy Drive is all about on the new album titled Daylight is Coming.  This group is committed to sharing Christ with others through their music.  The lyrics are strong and solid and the music and arrangements are incredible.

Decemberadio's new album Satisfied is a little laidback and radio friendly than the groups last release.  But it will not disappoint by keeping the signature driving guitar and strong lyrics you are used to.  They received Rock Album of the Year and this album shows you why.

Check out The Verve's new release titled Forth.  Individually, the Verve are all great players. Singer Richard Ashcroft has been called the greatest singer in the world behind Coldplay's Chris Martin.  It's a strong rock album that will do well.  You will like the arrangements and the vocals.

B. B. King returns to his roots with this new album titled One Kind Favor.  You don't get much better than this fun, blues rock cd.  You get a true feel for his personality by the choice of songs and emotion you feel.  This is one to get.

Sunday Update

We celebrated Kaden's birthday yesterday in Dallas, and we got home pretty late last night.  So I was so tired this morning, after 3 cups of coffee and almost an hour of vocal warmups I headed to rehearsal.  By the way, we start rehearsal at 8:00am.

Great message and a great time of worship today, even though some of the guys were out.  Here's the worship list:

- Everlasting God

- Let the Worshippers Arise

- Fill Me Now

- Pour Out

- Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus

- How Great is Our God

We prayed for all the kids and students going back to school today.  Pastor really brought it today, the message was great!  I am so proud to be serving LFA!