Pink Eye

Macey woke up on Wednesday with pink eye. God is so good in how He works things out. Heather was off anyway because of Veteran's Day. She was able to take her to the doctor and get drops for her little eye. Her eye is doing much better and you can't hardly even tell she had it. I was busy pretty much all day yesterday in the office, church, and rehearsals so I missed the little one big time. It's amazing how the love of a father for a daughter grows hour by hour. We are so blessed!!!

It's amazing how God is at work in every aspect of our lives! If you haven't look around in awhile to see how God is at work. Take a look...you'll be amazed!

UK vs. CU Game & Dead Batteries...

My best friend and fellow CU alum, Brandon Carrier (aka Bnyce) and I attended the first exhibition of the John Calipari era last night. It happened to be played against our alma mater Campbellsville University. UK won decisively 74-38. While CU was clearly outmatched in this very odd game, I found myself clapping for both teams. I did have time to take a trip to the concession stand between clapping moments! Not real pretty. Anyway, it was a good night. Got to root on the Tigers and Wildcats. The inner struggle was kind of like going to a youth league game in which everyone gets a trophy because "we're all winners!" You are a bad alum if you clap for the Cats but you are a bad fan if clap for Tigers. I'm already a bad alum because I have no CU gear left in my wardrobe. I went with a black UK shirt since black is also in CU's colors. Gonna have to head to the University bookstore next time I'm in the area!

The real fun of the night happened in the parking lot. Bnyce's pastor and CU alum, Andrew Dyer was also at the game. He decided to catch a ride back to Harrodsburg with us. His father had met him in Lexington for the ballgame. Well, I handed the keys to Bnyce and said "why don't you drive?" He tried to unlock the car and it the key-less entry wouldn't work. I began to have a sinking feeling of "I've been here before." Because I am such a genius (sarcasm implied)...I wired my CD player into my parking lights. I have ran down my battery about 3 times in the past 6 months. Last night was number 4! Two people tried to help jump my battery to no avail. A university police officer took me to O'Reilly's for a battery and they were closed at 9:51 pm. 9 minutes before store hours would indicate. So Andrew calls his dad who was making his second attempt at heading home to Louisville to come back and take us to Wal-Mart. We get to Wal-Mart and I look up the battery number. I grabbed the first one I saw and battery acid spilled on hands. Real nice surprise! I bought a pair of vice grips and a battery and we headed back where it took me about 15 minutes to install the new battery and we were on the way. I will say I was the most mechanical person of the 3 of us. Which is a terrible indictment on us!!! We wouldn't be considered the most mechanically inclined group of fellas. How many pastors does it take to install a car battery joke would fit in right here! Anyway, I got home and realized that I forgot to pick up some stuff and Wal-Mart for Heather. Needless to say it was a night for the ages!!!

Ordination

This past Sunday evening I had the privilege of being ordained to Christian ministry. Right after the day I was saved, my wedding day, and Macey's birth this has to be one of the most amazing days of my life. I was again reminded of the humbling fact that God would choose to use me in His service. He is God. The Creator of all things. The King of kings. The One who causes my heart to beat and breath to fill my lungs. My Redeemer. Yet, He chooses to use such an unworthy sinner like me to minister to His people. All I can do is praise Him because I know who I am and what I deserve and it is definitely not be used in His service.

My good friend and long-time buddy Dr. Shane Garrison preached the charge to me and it is something I will always remember. Thanks for being a good friend and mentor in the faith!

While I will be doing what I have already been doing for the past ten years. Sunday was a day of reflecting on the past, being humbled by God's grace, and a time of refreshment for the days of ministry that still lie ahead.

Thanks to all of the friends, family, and church family that attended and made this such a special day for Heather, Macey, and I. We love you and are so thankful to know each of you!

Can We Even Sing in the Same Room?

Click on this link to watch video...

Can We Even Sing in the Same Room?

It is no small secret that worship wars have littered the Christian landscape for centuries. Before there were hymnals, projected lyrics, plexiglass pulpits, and Jesus fish there were disagreements over worship preferences. Some church fathers didn't even allow music in their churches because of its power to influence the emotions. This video link is by Bob Kauflin at www.worshipmatters.com. I believe the Kauflin is one of the foremost Biblical minds in worship leadership today. I have attended two conferences at his church in Gaithersburg, Maryland (Covenant Life) and our congregation sings many of his songs. I first heard him at Southern Seminary several years back. I believe he has much wisdom to offer us in the area of worship. God uses his ministry (Sovereign Grace) to write and arrange beautiful songs of faith that are biblical, inter-generational, singable, and unifying to the body of Christ. I encourage you to check out his blog (listed above) and music at www.sovereigngraceministries.org.

A sad quote for our day. "We live as though musical styles have more power to divide us than the Gospel has to unite us." May we gather around the Gospel of Jesus Christ and humble ourselves and our preferences so that we may be united as one for the glory of God!

Lyric Projection Mistakes...

Nearly every week for the past 6 years my responsibilities as Minister of Music have included preparing song lyrics for worship. The churches that I served in at the beginning of my time in ministry typically used songs from the pew hymnals. This nearly universal movement has been a very freeing and wonderful enhancement for worship. There are so many more opportunities for song choices with this innovation. The only downfall I see to song projection in worship is that many people no longer learn how to read music. Overall, I really like the use of projected lyrics.

When you type lyrics for songs nearly every week you are bound to make mistakes. If you don't thoroughly check your spelling there can me mispelled words, missing words, etc. Last night I was leading a revival service with my pastor in a neighboring town and he had a field day with me about a mispelling I made. I thought I'd share with you some of my recent mistakes. You've got to be able to laugh at yourself.

1. Jesus Paid It All (O Praise the One)

O praise the One who paid my deby (debt) and raised this life up from the dead

***Better pay that Deby!!! Don't want her getting mad***

2. Happy Day

The greatest day in history / Death is beaten You have rescued me / Sing it out Jesus is alive The empty cross, the empty grace (grave) Life eternal You have won the day
Shout it out Jesus is alive / He's alive"

***Talk about butchering the meaning of a song!***