Click here to view the embedded video.

If you haven't gotten word yet, go ahead and mark your calendar for March 11-12,

at Highland Lakes Conference Center on beautiful Lake Travis.

Special guest speakers will be Chuck and Robin Bryce!

Check it out! 

Thanks to @mrcrum for the graphic! 

 Check it out! 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

When your life is intertwined with others, you get to share all kinds of intimate moments: pain, heartache, joy, fear, wonder. Community is a messy blessing, filled with the moments that define us and make us human. 

I was honored to perform my niece's wedding ceremony over the weekend, officially adding her fiancee to the family tree. 

By far, I had the best seat in the house. 

Congrats to Ryan and Malorie Hacker! 

When he chooses it (over the blue pill), everything changes. The blinders come off. Neo begins to learn the truth about his existence, his potential, and the role for which he was created.

I met with a local worship leader yesterday over coffee. We talked passionately about worship, scripture, and grace. But mostly Scripture. An hour and a half later, I left challenged, refreshed, and free in new ways because of the truth of Scripture and the power of brotherhood.  

Originally, I found this via Bob Kauflin. It's a video from the WorshipGod08 conference where Ryan Ferguson is reciting Psalm 25. It's a 4 minute proof text of the fact that you and I don't know the Bible. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

What would happen if we always heard/read/thought about Scripture like this? With this kind of life-giving thoughtfulness? If we read it with lips that believed its power? If we heard with ears that were hungry for life? 

What are you going to do about it? You can take the blue pill and go back to sleep…or take the red pill and see how far the rabbit hole goes.

I'm sure there's more to come…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thanks, @BartMillard and the MercyMe guys for the tune.

As a worship leader and amateur sound guy I realize there can be areas of tension between the stage and the booth. Between 'us' and 'them'.  But the goal of the worship leader and the sound person should be identical: to provide as few distractions for the worshipper as possible. I'm blessed to work alongside a worship staff and a media team who see our goal as one-and-the-same. But every now and then, we pass around this list (which I blatantly stole and adapted from the creative mind of Nathan Sutliff) just to remind ourselves…

10 Things Every Worship Leader Wishes Their Sound Person Knew

1. Sorry, that equipment is not in the budget.

2. I realize when I ask for more of “me” you just put your hand on the knob, looking at me without actually turning any knob at all. Tricky, tricky…

3. An acceptable volume level is not when less than 10 people complain.

4. Vocals and melody are really the most important thing for a congregation to hear.

5. A drum cage is a great way to control the sounds of our drummer (however, I am not opposed to chains…).

6. Microphone cues aren’t mere suggestions like the speed limit.

7. When you do a good job, I look good, when you do a bad job, you look bad. That's life.

8. You don’t own that booth; you are part of a team.

9. Batteries, batteries, batteries.

10. You are a vital part to making people experience worship. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. This is something I don’t tell you enough and should tell you more.

Of course, you have to consider the other side of the coin… 

10 Things Every Sound Person Wishes Their Worship Leader Knew

1. It may not be in the budget, but you should never buy microphones that are 2-for-1. Seriously. You get what you pay for, so don’t be cheap if you want better sound.

2. You have no idea if I am turning that knob or not when you want more in the monitor, so trust me.

3. Do you want a good mix or acceptable volume level? In our church, it’s one or the other.

4. My job is basically to make louder whatever you give me. A better mix starts on stage.

5. A drum cage makes the drums sound like they are in a box… that is the reason you never see them in real life.

6. More speakers doesn’t mean 'louder sound'. It means a fuller sound at a lower volume level and better coverage. 

7. Do you want me to mix or produce? Because that one guy is completely overplaying…

8. I can achieve anything with enough coffee.

9. Soundcheck time is not practice time.

10. My goal is not to draw attention to myself, but help point the congregation towards Christ. Thank you for what you do. Without you, I wouldn't have a place to serve. 

It always gives us a chuckle and helps us refocus our priorities. Whether you lead worship with a full band, piano and organ, or a vocal mic and iPod, the goal is the same: to create a worship environment with minimal distractions. Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all people to myself." By working together, we can be undistracted in worship as we proclaim Him. 

First, I've committed to calling it 'twenty-ten' or 'two-thousand ten'. But never anything 'oh-ten'. I'm pretty certain we won't refer to 2026 as 'oh-twenty-six', so give up the '07, 08, and '09 trend now. It's officially over. Welcome to the new decade. 

Secondly, I've started another round of my 90 day fitness regimen via P90X. Today is Day Two and I'm glad to be back in the routine. I don't expect to look like some Abercrombie model in a few months. It's not about that. It's about beating my body into submission and making it my slave. It's about being durable. And it's about being a good steward of my body so I can be a good servant to others. 

Third, and most importantly,  I've committed to reading the Bible through in 90 days. Yeah. Seriously. Think of it as 'B90X'. Whether I'm reading online on my laptop or via the YouVersion app on my phone, I can accomplish it with about 30 minutes a day. Physical training is of some benefit, but godliness with contentment is great gain. And high doses of Scripture between now and April 2 can only be a good thing. I'm excited to see what happens… 

What about you? Are you in? Anyone ready to join me?