Rebirth, New Life, & New Beginnings

Though I know Easter is behind us, & Christmas on the distant horizon, these thoughts have been swirling around in me since April, so I though I’d put them down for others to engage with.

I was raised in a non-believing home, so I had only the vaguest notion that Easter had anything to do with Jesus – if anyone in my family had ever mentioned it, I didn’t remember – but the excitement of Spring, new life, and EXCESS AMOUNTS OF REESE’S EASTER BUNNY CANDIES just moved my SOUL, so it didn’t surprise me whatsoever when I began exploring the Bible late in my teenage years that Bunnies, Eggs, and Spring all represented new life and were a living arrow all pointing towards the resurrection of Jesus.

My younger brother and I would get up early on Easter Sunday, sneaking out into the kitchen to find our huge Easter baskets – packed full of candy, and toys – and Mom & Dad would be awoken by the ruckus, joining us shortly to cook a full-out breakfast of  pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hash-browns.  Then we’d empty our Easter baskets in our room, and take to our immense 8 acre back-yard to hunt for eggs for the next hour or so.  And when THAT was through, we’d  hop in the car and drive across town to Granda & Papa Wilkinson’s with the rest of the extended family, hunt eggs again at their house –  except they had mostly plastic eggs with MONEY INSIDE – then eat a huge Easter lunch that would make Thanksgiving recoil in fear of it’s huge-osity.

I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone here has some sort of annual traditions that you uphold – whether the big one takes place at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas… or SUPERBOWL.  There are things in each of our lives that we count on year after year to happen a certain way, and often just ride through the experience – simply going through the motions.  Well, Jesus was a Jew, and the Jews had a LOT of traditions they upheld, but few as important as the passover… [Read more…]

Free Christmas Tunes!

Screen Shot 2017-10-31 at 10.05.11 AMAny of you who know me at all know that I’m not really a fan on most popular Christmas music, so I am always looking for something new to refresh my holiday spirit, & to add to my Christmas setlists at church. Not only have I found my holiday soundtrack for Christmas 2017, but a new corporate gem to boot. On top of that, it’s available to download FOR FREE! [Read more…]

Advent 101: What it is, Who it’s for, & How to Celebrate it

AdventThe word wasn’t even in the periphery of my vocabulary growing up. Even after I began following Jesus, it seemed like a code word – something people “in the know” tossed around as though they all were in on the secret: “Advent”.

Many Christians don’t talk about it at all. The day after Thanksgiving they kick into Christmas-mode & ride the Christmas train up through New Years Eve. Often those who do speak of Advent talk about it as an assumption. If you get up the nerve to ask about it, you tend to get the “you-seriously-don’t-know?” look. [Read more…]

A Christmas Gift Guide for the Worship Pastor

NO PARKING(2)Some people are just harder to buy for than others. As a Creative & a Worship Leader I will admit that I’m one of those people. Folks like myself love gifts that help us more effectively be who we are. I’ve compiled a collection of unique, fun, & helpful “dream gifts” for the worship leader from a wide variety of price points. If someone you love serves a local church with his or her musical gifts, this list if for you. [Read more…]

NEXT: Christmas Worship 2015

 

Screen shot 2015-11-23 at 10.31.45 PMWith Christmas fast approaching, I’d like to pitch a few last-minute options for those of you who still have a few question marks in their Holiday set-lists. Though these might not all be quite as “indie” as I usually shoot for, they are all quality new songs worth considering. [Read more…]