I'll Make a Way...

I've been lovin' on the Natalie Grant song I'll Make a Way recently... it really speaks to the heart of the type of person (especially young adults) we love to welcome at Mosaic: far from God... broken... confused... ashamed... desperately searching for something. There are SO MANY people out there who fall into that category... they're all around us (some of us live next door to them... some are related to them), and they so much need to see Christ in us... and hear from us about His crazy love for them.

The words are absolutely powerful...

She was only 17... wild at heart and following her dreams
Believin' she was pretty, got a ticket to the city
Where she'd find her place on the cover of a magazine.
It was only a chatroom, but it would lead the way
To the door of a man where she'd throw it all away
He said they'd take it slow, but little did she know
She'd be all used up by the end of the day

But she was strong, she would survive
Ambition would be her drive
And she cried, "I'll make a way, I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan, and though I may not understand
Someday, I'll make a way
Hear me say... someday, I'll make a way>

Where did she go wrong? And how did she get here?
Livin' hard and lookin' older than her years
Ms. Little Big Town, tryin' to hold a job down
Just doin' what she could to choke her fears

But she was strong, she would survive
A spark of hope that kept her dreams alive:
"I'll make a way, I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan, and though you may not understand
Someday, I'll make a way.

Walking down the road in the city where she'd come with so much hope
You see, her vision had long died, along with all her pride
And she found herself at the end of her rope.
But she heard angels through the door at the church she'd passed a million times before
Inside, the choir song was ringing
Soon she found herself believing
That out there maybe there was something more

And so she bowed her head to pray
And she cried, "Jesus, please make a way..."
And she heard Him say, "I'll make a way, I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan, and though you may not understand
Today, I'll make a way
Hear Him say, today He'll make a way.

Sometimes It Pours!!

We've always prayed for good musicians at Mosaic... and God has always been faithful!

We've had to borrow a few people over this last year, but God has always been faithful. We started last May with only three of our own: Brian, on vocals... Smitty on percussion/drums... and Bernard on guitar. Then, this past fall, we added a couple more: Jonathan, on guitar/bass... and Brandon, on guitar. And, about 3-4 weeks ago... out of the blue... came some more musicians. Jesus (Chuy) and his wife, Karla, came with a couple of their friends. They were looking for a multiracial church... a place that embraced all cultures... and they loved Mosaic. They are also music school teachers. But not just any ol' kind of school... but the kind that trains worship leaders/musicians. Can I get an "Amen," somebody??????

GOOD GRACIOUS, MODACIOUS!!!!!

So this past Sunday, Chuy and Karla brought some of their students, Japhet, Danny, and Franklin (who all told me they're looking for a church home and will more than likely stick around) and they sat in with our band. It was like "Salvador Meets Mosaic," and they tore it up for Jesus! :-) Not only are they really good musicians, but they're great people. It's been a joy getting to know Chuy, Karla, and their friends!

God is SO faithful... YAY, GOD!!!!!

Influences, Part 3

I want to introduce you to Ed Plater... he's the worship pastor at Emmanuel Church, and he's one of my best friends and favorite psalmists.

I met Ed, maybe about 10 years ago... I was speaking at a church where he was serving as the Worship Leader. There were a couple of things that struck me about the worship that night: 1) "He's leading worship with a BASS!!" and 2) the fact that it was urban, yet different than anything I'd ever heard. As I got to know Ed more over the years, he would introduce me to music of the likes of Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, The Katinas, Paul Baloche, Salvador, and many others. These artists are common to me now, but there was a time when I wasn't familiar with them at all!

Ed was definitely the catalyst that God used to move me in a different direction musically. Before I met him, I thought that maybe the Lord was calling me to multicultural ministry of some sort, and my philosophy and style of ministry had already begun to change... but the biggest hang-up for me was music styles. I still had a strong "urban gospel music" leaning, but God used Ed to start me on a journey of discovery as to how I could do music that would appeal to different cultures/races, without necessarily losing its urban flavor... and his influence on me musically has definitely helped shape in my mind what I've envisioned the music flavor of Mosaic to become.

Music to My Ears...

For years, I made my niche in ministry in the area of music: as a church pianist, then choir director, then as a worship leader, and finally as a Minister of Music. I still get a chance from time to time to lead worship in different venues... not too often, though, now that I'm pastoring... sometimes I really miss it.

So, whenever I get the chance, I listen to and learn as much music as possible! You never know when you might be needed to fill in for a worship leader! :-)

Here are the top ten worship songs that have been resonating with me as of late:

1. Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle: This song is just killing me right now! "At the cross you... beckon me..." LOVE IT!

2. From the Inside Out - Hillsong: I first heard this at Elevation Church a couple of months ago... crushing me right now!

3. Mighty to Save - Hillsong: this might take the place of Shout to the Lord as their classic!

4. Glorious - Chris Tomlin: this guy just keeps cranking out worship hits!

5. All We Need - Charlie Hall: another one I heard at Elevation; I've been meditating on this passage lately... this goes hand in hand with that Scripture!

6. O Praise Him - David Crowder: my urban/gospel buddies would think I'm crazy... but I like this guy!

7. Here is Our King - David Crowder: here he is again!

8. Beautiful One - By the Tree: now, you really haven't heard this song crank until you've been with us in worship!

9. Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman: the gist of this song always crushes me, because I complain to God WAY too much!

10. Praise is Rising (Hosanna) - Brenton Brown: we kicked this at our second preview service, and it's been a favorite at Mosaic ever since!

FRILLA!!!

Monday morning... a little groggy, b/c I woke up around 4:30 and couldn't back to sleep for awhile... had a headache last night, and took 2 Excedrin Migraines before going to bed... yup, I think that's what did it. Do you know how much caffeine is in one of those little jokers?? Jimineez! Shoulda got Motrin instead... yeah, I know, Keda, you told me so... :-)

Anyway, since I was up, I laid in bed and prayed for a bunch of you this morning... :-)

This is funny: my two youngest sons, Shawn (8) and Seth (3), recently got turned onto Michael Jackson's Thriller cd... now, they listen to it several times a day! And you know what? No one had to tell them "which songs" to listen to... they naturally gravitated to all the classics: Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'... amazing, how an album (no cd's back then) can have the same effect on people 25 years later!

Wish you could hear little Sethie as I'm typing this: he's in the background singing, "Cuz this is frilla... frilla night!"

TOO funny! :-)

Monday Ramblings...

Had a great service yesterday... numbers are still pretty low... but excitement is high! we're still getting out first-timers... and people are returning, and bringing their friends!

I preached long yesterday... 45 minutes... wow. Not sure if that's too long for our church, but we're trying to keep the messages to around 30-35 minutes...

Brian and the band did an incredible job yesterday! They rocked Bebo Norman's Nothing Without You and Casting Crowns' Voice of Truth, along with some other songs. It was great... and the Casting Crowns song went perfectly with the message (FACING YOUR GIANTS:Turning Obstacles into Opportunties).

BIG UPS: Okay... MUST give props to Bernard Greene...who handled guitar duties, powerpoint, AND sound (don't even ask...) Thanks, B, for stretching out and helping wherever needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A couple of things I am learning: 1) it is HARD to build teams... 2) we need to be more intentional with building relationships/doing evangelism. Churches grow from the "buzz" in the community that's created by the church itself! And the buzz comes from being "salt and light" to the people in the community!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

Now, I smell something on the line... and it ain't my funky socks! How in the WORLD did Melinda get the boot tonight??

New Book & Idol Musings

Received this book today from my sponsor pastor, Eric Redmond... looks good, and I'm definitely looking forward to using it as one of my study tools!

On another note, the first half of American Idol has been STRANGE... Melinda still has the best pipes, but I didn't really jive with her song... Blake was CORNY, although creative... if LaKisha doesn't improve on her next song, she'll get the boot tomorrow... and Jordin took Round One!

Can't Even Find the Words...

Yesterday, I had the awesome privilege/blessing to be able to worship with Elevation Church... that was definitely one of the most memorable church experiences I've had in a long time... maybe ever! Pastor Steven Furtick is a crazy man (in a good way, of course), with a straight-up, no holds barred preaching style. And I tell you what... whoever says that that kind of preaching doesn't grow churches today is foolish and knows not what they say, because Elevation is one of the fastest-growing churches in the country: almost 2,000 on two campuses... in a little over one year! Steven taught on giving, from John 6... and it was freakin' off the chain (sidebar: another reason I like him is because, like me, he says "freakin'"). One of the things that stands out when you listen to Steven is his faith in a humongous God, and his unashamedness of his authority in Christ. He's not a big guy (we're about the same height... a couple of inches shorter and we'd suffer from Short Man Syndrome), but he preaches big... and it's evident that he walks in the authority that He has in Christ. And that's refreshing, because you just don't see that in many "contemporary" preachers today.

Last night, they had an evening of praise and worship for their volunteers (of which I think there are over 300... that's just sick), and that joint was almost too much to take... totally Christ-centered, uninhibited, LOUD, passionate worship... definitely a fitting way for me to end my time at Elevation.

Mad shouts out to Chunks, who serves as their Executive Pastor! Chunks took care of me and my new friend, Pastor David Anderson of Crosspointe Church, and showed us all the ins and outs of the church... and got us backstage to talk to Steven for a bit. Chunks, you are the man! Thanks for everything (and BIG CONGRATS on the ordination, dude!) Also, mad props go out to Lori, Steven's assistant, for setting everything up with Chunks... Lori, you continue to amaze me with your helpfulness!

All in all, it was a great experience... something to look forward to as Mosaic takes College Park and Prince George's County by storm! My dreams have been TOO SMALL, and I no longer want to offend God with puny requests... this weekend has been a reminder that He can do SO MUCH MORE than we ask of Him!

Watching Idol...

Earth, Wind and Fire was on American Idol tonight and was rockin' the house, baby! I know, preachers aren't supposed to like that kind of music, so pray for me...

... and then click on the link above so you can join in the fun! :-)

I wonder what the MOST SHOCKING RESULT IN IDOL HISTORY is???

A Strange Sight...

As I was driving home this evening, I saw something that totally baffled me... it was a bumper sticker that read:

If you want a taste of religion, bite a minister!!!

Man, what's that all about????? Somebody please help me on that one...

On another note... and a more pleasing one... I love the ritual that my boys and I have at bedtime: I sang and pray with all three individually. My 3-yr old, Seth, always prefers anything by Mercy Me... although he knows the lyrics much better than I do. After I'm finished, he always says, "Pray with me." I'm telling you... it's the cutest thing!

I keep waiting for Darren Jr. (who's 10) to say, "Dad, I'm too old for that stuff..." but it hasn't happened yet. He loves his Dad's rendition of Fred Hammond songs...

But it's my 8-yr old, Shawn, who's the funny one... and the most persistent. HE'S the one who has consistently pressed me to keep up this tradition... so he asks every night, "Dad, are you going to sing to us... and pray with us?

Every night.
Without fail.

And his favorite song for Dad to sing... every day, 12 months a year?

The Little Drummer Boy. :-)

Sayonara Sanjaya!

Okay... I wasn't gonna do it... I hadn't planned to post anything about Sanjaya's exit...

But I saw this picture... and I couldn't resist.

Actually, I want to give a hats off to him... BIG UPS to the guy... because he made it further than ANYONE would've ever expected! Now, it would've gotten a little crazy had he made it past Wednesday, because that means people like Melinda, Blake, Jordin, and LaKisha might have gotten the boot!

And then... D-Plum would've had to reevaluate his ties to Idol.

So... all's well that ends well!

I tell you what would've been the bomb, though... Sanjaya should have sung that song from "Evita" for his exit! Now, THAT would've been sharp!

"Don't cry for me, Argentina..." ;-)

Natalie Grant Worship CD

This isn't a new CD (I think it came out in 2005), but I'm often surprised by the amount of people who are familiar with Natalie's stuff, but unfamiliar with this work of hers. INCREDIBLE CD!!!! Natalie definitely showcases her urban side on this recording... and she does a remarkable job! She also has some top-notch worship leaders who make appearances on here: Darwin Hobbs, John Elefante, Israel Houghton...

Great sounds, great song selection... this one has gone down as one of my favorite worship recordings ever!! A must-buy, people... Pastors, go get this CD, give it to your worship pastor/worship leader... and tell them you want them to cover at least one of these songs within the next month!!! ;-) They do a great job with Let It Rise, Agnus Dei, Breathe On Me... just to name a few. Again, your worship collection will be incomplete if you don't have this...

Introducing Ayiesha Woods!

This is an incredible CD! They did a great job with music, lyrics, production... everything... and Ayiesha sings about everyday life! Nice, urban grooves that focus on God's greatness and glory in our everyday struggles... this one needs to be added to your CD collection!