BabuLife

A Day at the Library

This weekend I have the great privilege and honor to preach  on the third week of our current series "Reel Faith".  Being a person who's used to speaking from behind a guitar and really speaking at a length of about 1.5 minutes max at one time, I decided I better break away from the office for some alone time.

This morning I headed out to the local library only to find the opening time posted on their website was incorrect.  I trekked out to Starbucks for about an hour from 9 - 10am.  I HATE coffee...and I don't typically think of myself as a Starbucks kinda guy.  You know the type...trendy, hip, absorbing the coolness of the atmosphere.  I don't find the thickness of foam on a latte that exciting.  I was amazed at how many people were actually sitting at a Starbucks out in the suburbs of Kansas City at 9am on a Thursday morning.  I guess we all need a place to get away.

Made it to the library at 10 and I gotta say...this is my kind of study place.  Quiet, nothing but the clicking of computer keys and the turning of pages.  I think I found my sermon prepping spot. 

I'm getting pretty excited about this message on Crediting the Producer (worship).  The thing I've realized as I've been thinking and praying this morning for the people that will hear what God has shown me is this: God wants more than just to hear our generic "thanks" and generic "atta boys" just as much as me.  I much rather prefer a specific thanks.

Just thought I'd take a break and drop a note.  I keep singing that song by Chris Tomlin "You and I were Made to Worship" as I'm working.  We were all created for His purpose and glory.

Later!

-Babu

Super Cool Person of the Week: Doog!

All right.  I promise that sometime I'll look beyond the team of people I work with every week.  But really...after last Sunday I don't know how I could skip them.  My Super Cool Person of the Week is...Doug (aka Video Doog)!

I've talked about him here on BabuLife before, but really, this guy makes so much happen each week.  He'll stay up till 3 sometimes 4 in the morning working on video stuff not satisfied with just "getting by".  Without all the fancy tools and video editing equipment, Doug manages to put together work each week that helps provide a positive worship time for everyone.  I've heard Doug say "My video work is my worship to God."  There's no better person to work with than someone who has a grasp on what serving God is all about.  Doug Rocks!

If you see Doug...please say "Hey!  You're Super Cool Video Doog!"

Gaza Update: Mom and Dad are Back!

We have had a great time with the folks.  They arrived here in KC last Thursday night and we reunited with them after a long year apart.  We feasted on some good Kansas City BBQ while the kids got a little wild being back with their Grandma and Grandpa. I wonder what my first meal would be coming back to Kansas City if I was on the mission field for a year. I think I'd go for a nice big steak.  One of my Dad's first meals was a few Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Probably aren't many doughnut places over there.

This weekend my Dad will be sharing a little during our weekend services about their experiences in Gaza and the ministry they are doing there.  Thanks to all of you for praying for my folks.  They've got a whirlwind time here in the states for a couple months and will be heading back in June.  The kids are LOVING spending time with them.  Here's a pic of Dad, me and the crew.

View From the Stage: 3/11/07

Yesterday was a first in a couple of ways. A new instrument and a new situation that we've never had. 

First off, I have to tell people who attend early service something...YOU ARE AWESOME!  We have never had the audio system shut off during worship and it happened yesterday.  We're not talking a couple of instruments...we're talking EVERYTHING.  That means the only thing heard was my acoustic guitar from the stage and our voices.  Rather than just stopping I made a quick decision to keep going...singing one more chorus and ending it before the big electric guitar solo...because you know electric guitar solos just aren't the same without an audio system.  The folks in early service responded by clapping their hands and singing louder than they were with the audio system. The problem was solved between services.

Lynnora Weast played the violin on two of our songs.  This was a first for our team also.  She did an amazing job.  Just adding another instrument to a song that you've maybe played many times before gives it that new feel again.  We'll never be able to play those songs the same way again I think.

Here's the setlist:

• Every Move I Make - David Ruis
• King - Tree63
• Come Thou Fount (with Lynnora) - Public Domain
• Let Everything that has Breath (with Lynnora) - Matt Redman
• I Will Trust in You - Jeremy Camp

Your Input Needed: How Do You...

Worship.  On March 18 I will be preaching a message continuing our Reel Faith series on the topic of worship and prayer.  I'd like to share with people some of the ways we all spend time with God.  Are you a journaler?  Are you a person who cranks up the worship tunes in your house?  Are you a person who serves others as your worship?  Perhaps you like to take a walk through a quiet area reflecting on creation?  So, what inspires you to worship God and how do you express it?

Thanks for the help!

-Babu

Super Cool Person of the Week: Scott

My first Super Cool Person of the Week is our audio lead/utility WST member...Scott!  This guy puts in so much time, effort, and heart into the audio ministry at Grace.  He'll drive 50 miles to pick up hazer fluid for our weekend service on the Friday before Sunday.  He'll make sure audio needs are met before I even have to ask.  On our team, attention to detail is of the utmost importance.  Scott exceeds that in every aspect.  I've always said that the audio ministry is never thanked by ordinary churchgoers.  Their work goes unnoticed, and if it does go unnoticed, that means everything went smoothly.  They are only given attention typically when the mic pops, or a channel gets muted.  Scott is one of the best examples of what it means to lead others in worship through his heart and desire to provide excellence in all he does.

Don't Miss Ignite This Week!

I'm stoked about Ignite this week.  We've got something special planned on one of our songs this week.  If you come you'll get a sneak peak at what we'll have this upcoming Sunday morning.  You will NOT want to miss a single song so come early!  I'm tempted to reveal what it is...but I think I'll leave it as a surprise.

Ok I'll tell you...no I won't...yes I will...but then you won't come...or would you?  Ah, I'll just leave it in your court.  Come Wednesday night and you'll see.  By the way...we may go over the alloted hour due to the demand for a bit more music.  We're adding a couple of extra songs.

Don't miss it...this Wednesday night, 7 - 8 p.m.

Spidey 3 Poster

This will be my movie this summer.  What do you think of this poster? Visit the Spidey 3 website.

Small Group Rocks

I love my small group.  Tonight we had a great time going through the second session of Foundations (Right with God).  Even in the midst of babies crawling around and drinks being spilled, we managed to have good conversation and a fun time.  I love how our group has gotten closer and a little more transparent with each meeting.