BabuLife

Hacking Away

I need a remedy.  I need it fast.  What will take away a cough without irritating vocal chords so they can be used to lead worship in less than 12 hours?  Anyone?  Can you help?

Suit Up

Somewhere back in the 1990's soon after I trusted in Christ and began to seek His plan for my life, I heard a guest preacher teach on the importance of wearing nice clothes to church.  As I sat there wearing my jeans and t-shirt, I couldn't help but feel as though he was telling me I couldn't hear from God because of my clothing.  I also wondered for a fleeting moment if I was really welcome at my church.  Thankfully I knew better at that point in my walk.

Here at Grace we don't really have a dress code.  For some folks it's a hinderance (mostly folks who have been going to church for a long time who want to wear a suit and believe everyone should), for others it's something that makes them comfortable and feel that it really defines our name "Grace" and who we are.  We're sort of the "come as you are" church.  Quite honestly we're not in the battle to win people to wear suits and change their appearance.  We are here to help people let God transform their hearts.  Helping people understand that a relationship with God is more than dressing up on Sundays and "playing church".  It's about the heart and about discovering who God made them to be.  Last Sunday I had the privilege to meet a first time visitor after our services who hadn't been to church in a long time.  He said he felt like very welcome and unpressured to be something he wasn't.  I rather like that.

Perry Noble who is a Pastor of one of the largest churches in America had a post on this very issue.  Here's a snippet, be sure to read the whole story:

OK…so I am on a rant today…it’s been a while and I am fired up…this one will be fun!

I recently heard of a church in the area taking a stab at NewSpring DURING a worship service, saying that we allow people to dress any way they wish and that suits and dresses are not required, even frowned upon in our church. This comment was made to criticize us…but lets unpack it for a second. :-)

First of all–we do not look down on those who choose to wear a suit or a dress…unless it is a man in a dress, then we will say something! We simply ask people to wear what is comfortable and modest.

What I am wondering is where in the world did the modern day church ever get the idea that somehow dressing up in a suit OR wearing a dress equals godliness…and those who would wear jeans and a T-shirt, or even (GASP) flip flops just are not as godly.  Can we all say “insecurity” boys and girls?
Now I’m not a theologian or a scholar…but it seems to me that someone who would look down their nose at someone else for not dressing properly–when no dress code is mentioned in the Bible–is PRIDE and ARROGANCE…you know, the things that got satan kicked out of heaven!

Read the full post here....

Weigh In Week 6

I was invited by my buddy David to join the "My Diet" application in Facebook which allows me to record weigh-ins and invite some accountability friend's into my circle. Since joining this on Facebook I've thought about axing the weekly weigh-in here on BabuLife.  Before making the decision I thought I'd see if anyone out here would actually miss it.  Drop a note and I'll keep it out here...otherwise I'm moving it to Facebook where you can join me if you like.

Here's the weigh in...a LOSS!!!  WOOHOOO!!!

220

Blog Tip: Don't Post for Posting's Sake

From time to time I feel this great need to post something on the blog.  Sometimes the urgency feels so great that I will sit and think about situations I've been through recently that might be "blog-worthy".  One time I found myself actually sitting up late at night just googling for something to blog about.  Anything.  That has the recipe for a non-interesting blog post.

So today I feel like I need to blog.  But I don't know what to say.  I had a great lunch with my buddy Jim and a new member of our church who is on fire to help people connect with Jesus and the church.  I went to a conference this week at my old church which threw me back into a time warp re-visiting old stomping grounds and seeing familiar faces.  I have a wife who continues to amaze me with her drive and love for me.  I work with a team of pastors that I enjoy ministering with so much that I'm blown away at how God has allowed me to be a part of the team.  Yet...I can't find it in me today to compose a post that would do any of these topics justice.  So instead, I'm reminded of a blogging tip someone shared with me a year or so ago...

So here's a blogging tip today:  Be short, Be concise, Be focused, and don't just blog for blogging's sake.  And spend some time identifying what type of blog you want.

Check out a great post my buddy Brian had on this very topic.

And a question if you're interested in commenting...what makes a blog read-worthy to you?

My Girls

There's nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my girls.  I snapped this little shot as we were loading up for a soccer game.  Just wanted to let 'em shine here on the blog...

It's Here

Worship Confessional: 9/23/07

Since I'm without my computer this week (see previous post) I'm having to be a little short with posts as I'm borrowing from other folks.  So here's my quick confessional this week...

• Video team - AWESOME JOB THIS WEEK!  Those guys made the whole camera in the booth thing happen.  Thanks to Video Doog who leads this group.  You guys are a privilege to work with.
• New song - Great job to the team this week picking up the newbie from Tree 63 "I Stand For You".  Soakie...you sound just like John Ellis!  He will forever sing all the Tree 63 tunes we ever play.
• Violin - Lynnora amazes me.  I love how she just makes a song sound completely different with her added touch.  Great job!
• Singers - This was Kristen's second time joining us on the stage.  She did excellent!  Thank you for your heart and singing so skillfully for the Lord!  Gina, as always, did a mahvelous job.  We have such gifted and passionate people who love to lead worship.
• The Band - You guys did great!  It was a rough start in the morning during audio checks.  Just one of those days, and you all stuck to it.  Way to go!
• Sickness - I was sick when I woke up.  I had the nastiest cough and congestion.  I could barely make it through some of the music during audio checks.  Somehow God always seems to give me the strength to make it.  It was a rough morning for me.
• The Church - Did you sense it on "Son of God"?  That last song before we began the message?  I know I did.  Many of you were singing to God with more than just your lips.  That was from your hearts and God was meeting you there.  I actually was tearing up at the end of that song during first service when I heard your voices singing that Chorus "Jesus, Oh Holy One, I sing to You forgiven..." awesome.
• Online Audio - Until my computer is fixed this week...there will be no audio files from the service on the website or on iTunes.  SORRY.

That about sums it up.  Thanks to the folks who have made the jump from second service to first in order to free up some room that visitors and guests may attend.  It's been getting crowded in second service and it was definitely noticeable this week that many of you made the jump.  Thank you.

Here's the worship setlist:

• Let Everything that Has Breath - Matt Redman
• Sing to the King - Passion
• Son of God - Starfield
• How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin
• I Stand for You - Tree 63

Check out a great story posted by Marie from last week's services here.  Also, be sure to check out Tim's additional notes from yesterday's message here.

For more Worship Confessionals from worship leaders around the world, visit The Worship Community Forums.

A Friend is Gone

R.I.P.
Dell Inspiron 5160
October 2004 - September 2007

I feel as though I barely knew you.  Thank you for the good times.  The late night sessions.  The Photoshop illustrating.  I'll miss your warmth and glow of your screen.

Weigh In Week 5

Did some exercise this week.  Not much change...here's the damage...

222

Gained a pound!?!

Hannah Montana Upsets KC Moms

If you don't have little girls you may not be aware of the current phenomenon known as Hannah Montana.  The daughter of the Achy Breaky Hearted Billy Ray Cyrus has a daughter who portrays the teenage rock star on the Disney Channel.  Captivating preteens and elementary students across the country...including my house.  I haven't mentioned to my kids that Hannah is coming to Kansas City, but if I would have, it'd be too late to purchase tickets.  Because when the tickets went on sale and BAM!  they were sold out.  But that's not the big story here in Kansas City.

Recently, some upset parents had to tell their kids "sorry...you don't get to see Hannah Montana because she is sold out". They went so far as to convince the city council to demand that something be done about the fact that their children weren't able to get tickets because of scalpers and other corporations purchasing large quantities.  Out of 11,000 tickets, 4,000 were made available to the general public causing a furor among mom's across the KC metro. 

Since this is a blog...I'm going to add here my personal take on this..."GET OVER IT".  Seriously...I understand that it can be hard to tell your kids that they will have to miss an opportunity to see something/someone really special.  But please, take this opportunity to teach your kids that placing something/someone so high on a pedestal is dangerous.  As a matter of fact, I'm reminded of a little teaching about avoiding the worship of creation more than the creator.  What are we teaching our kids when we spend so much energy trying to get our kids what they want? Do you think the government has anything better to do than call a special meeting with Ticketmaster and Sprint Center folks to defend why Hannah Montana was sold out so fast?  I guess you could also ask the city council why they even bothered?   Looks like maybe a little caving to political pressure?   

So...to the parents who are out to somehow change the business practices of concert promoters...it's not going to happen.  From time to time an act comes along that just produces an unbelievable amount of hysteria and demand.  Think Beatles...Monkeys...Engelbert Humperdink...

Here's a snippet:

Disgruntled Kansas City Council members demanded Thursday that Ticketmaster and Sprint Center officials fix problems leading to quick sellouts and heartbroken would-be concert goers.

Ticketmaster and arena officials said little could be done other than crack down on scalpers and “cheaters” who exploit the system. That didn’t satisfy council members who said they’ve faced constituents’ wrath this week while at the grocery store and restaurants.

“We are getting beat up everywhere,” Councilman Terry Riley said.

Read the full article...