I am on my way to Africa. Ghana. Google Map ( see village “Ho” )

I am going with a group from Pantano, and the organization: Heartbeat for Africa.

I will be gathering film to create a promotional DVD for the organization, in hopes of exponentially spreading the word about the orphanage they are building and raising money for. It will be a totally new experience for me, and i really am praying that it will be successful in accomplishing the dreams of all the amazing people who have invested so much in this group.

The most amazing thing for me is that ever since i heard about the vision for Africa from Ed i thought… I dare you God… can you do it? I haven’t had to pay anything for the trip (which i could in no way afford) and every single detail has been worked out with no problems. Hmm…. Julie and i struggled in praying and asking God if i should go or not. We finally surrendered and decided to let it happen.

I would really love to have people praying for me and the rest of the team that we are a blessing to the villages, and don’t get sick or lose any baggage. I have a massive to-do list before i go… lot’s to prepare

In a most recent post on my podcast i remembered a song i wrote after getting back from Italy. The funny thing is that today i began writing a song, and half way through i realized what i was doing - “creating something new”… see it happens without me even making a conscious decision. So i quit, and set the song aside until after Easter (Although i am really excited about it!)

To close i want to share an interview with Natalie that i got recorded - Natalie found my mic and learned how to plug in it and so i just opened the sound program and recorded away… it’s actually cute. I must warn you… she does drop the “P” word at the end…. hilarious!

Check out our most recent video addition (left-hand sidebar)

I found this old DV tape in a box and took it to work to veiw, and thanks to new technology available to me i was able to capture it and post it.

It is footage of Natalie (and Julie’s) arrival home from the hospital after Natalie’s birth. It features the amazing filming of Molly Bell, and co-stars Emilee Bell (Natalie’s first best friend)

Thanks Molly!
(and Scott… i think… for letting them use your camera)

I spell it out in some detail in my latest podcast, but i have decided that God wants me to fast from creating anything new this “lent” season. I have never fasted during lent… i am not sure why. Maybe it’s over-commercialized or drowning in catholic ritual, but nonetheless i have decided to break the trend and join the fasting hoards.

My fast will involve memories, and specifically for me musically. One of which is the  song “Words”. I remember bringing this song to Jon when i first wrote it, and it was because of his advice that i decided to add the strumming on the verse section, which really made the song a hit. The night we recorded the song was a cold winter night, i was sick and tired (but probably not in the bad way that phrase is usually used).

As i browsed this song for the first time in years my first thought was: ” that guitar solo was pretty sweet, i wish i could do that again.” Most of the recordings were “first take” type recordings - as in unpolished. Usually a band will tour, and then record. We decided to do it backwards… record and then tour (while we learned the songs we recorded).

Well, enough memories. I just wanted to add a little more detail then i elaborated on in the podcast. It is Psalm 19:14 by the way.

I know i haven’t written anything in awhile, and the funny part is this post won’t be anything special.

I had the opportunity to be a lead worshiper tonight - for the first time in a very long time. Phil and Jenny helped (and actually did most of the leading… he he he) and it was refreshing to connect with God that way again. I think it really helped that i got to lead with two people i really trust, and who think sorta the same way i do, so we were able to having never had sang or played together before meet for 45 minutes a couple hours before we led for a practice, and make it happen. It was encouraging for me as i think ahead to 7:07 - The college worship night hosted by the Refuge, where we may have a reunion to lead again… maybe a little louder this time.

I have been thinking of this new worship song, and i really have a problem with one of the lines… you may have heard it if you keep up with the “new stuff”. I won’t tell you who it is or anything, it’s really not a personal issue, it’s just.. maybe artistic, or maybe even theological?

The lyric reads this way:

I know that your alive
you came to fix my broken life
now I sing to glorify Your holy name Jesus Christ.

I really only have a problem singing that bolded middle line.

I mean, couldn’t they think of a better line? Seriously. I am no writing expert by any means, but i do try and steer clear of making any statement about “Jesus came for this reason” when crafting or choosing a worship song.

Think of all the better lines that could have been used, and let’s assume we want to use the word “life” to connect “alive” and “Christ” (which may be the choice in question) but at the least keep the same amount of syllables.

how about:

I know that your alive
You are the way, the truth, the life
now I sing to glorify Your holy name Jesus Christ.

corney i know, but come on…

or how about:

I know that your alive
you came with truth to conquer lies
now I sing to glorify Your holy name Jesus Christ.

i don’t know, i guess am glad i don’t have the pressure of writing “high profile” worship lyrics because it’s a daunting task. (i won’t even mention the offset melody, that makes it more complicated to sing than it needs to be for some, although i guess that doesn’t bother me as much as it should).