What's up with the music bus?

Two and a half years ago I transitioned back into a more musical role in life as a Pastor of Music at a church (www.valleyviewalliance.com). Not being particularly up on all the latest and greatest writers and songs to be sung in a church that wanted to be "cutting edge" in its style I began searching the web for a web based service that would let me legally access lead sheets to worship songs at a reasonable price. As an artist it meant something to me that the artisits were getting appropriately paid for their work.

To my surprise I found a great service, which has only become better, named www.praisecharts.com. They have had some struggles with the big companies removing songs from their catalogue because of buyouts or such like but still have some sort of exclusive arrangement with Integrity and have Hillsongs etc.

Through the amazing support and benovolence of a friend and now benefactor I was able to record a worship CD I am incredibly pleased with. Song samples and CD cover and sales at www.cliffcline.com. Moreover, I discovered early on that PraiseCharts is owned by a friend of mine from youth and from University! All that to say, my charts will be for sale online at PrasieCharts in the New Year!! Merry Christmas.

Christianity and Gay Marriage in Canada

The issue should be understood I think simply: Christians that follow the often black and white (not to be confused with legalistic or right wing fundamentalist) teachings of the Bible are against the homosexual lifestyle. They are also against lying, cheating, hating, slandering, violence etc. In the end, all Christians are self condemning. They know they cannot possibly live up to the standards the Bible puts before them and will always have sin in there life that others can point to. This does not make them hypocritical - those who do not own up to this reality are hypocritical. It does give them a never ending growth curve to take them to the after life - kind of exciting really to have a righteous purpose for your whole life!

Many believe the true Christian response to the Gay marriage issue is screaming and yelling until we are heard. I am quite sure I do not agree. I do believe that Christians should be endeavoring to leverage their relationships with people to influence and make known there views on this matter - but the truth is their view on this matter is not ultimately what they need to be giving.

My point is this. The best thing I can tell anyone as a Christian is that the universe is held together by a Creator - God. That Jesus Christ is the facilitator of ensuring I can know God and experience the best parts of Creation for all eternity with Him, and that if someone is serious about discovering the depth of meaning that this life, but more importantly all eternity has to offer, they can find that through personally reading the Bible and letting it reveal the not so secret parameters of the universe.

To get bogged down in issues, even some that the Bible talks about, is to miss the big picture. Jesus did not come to condemn anyone, but to show us all that this life and eternity can be. I think we need to constantly start there, and then walk together and figure out the other things in the context of belief in Jesus Christ. If one does not believe in Jesus Christ, and if they are not open to the concept of what His existence means, than I would dare say I am naive to think that my passion about some of His teachings are going to be shared by anyone who really does not care to accept my premise that He is worth listening to in the first place.

The New CD is Out

I have written a litte bit about the new CD. I have moved 160 units without doing a whole lot in terms of promotion. There is lots to happen in the new year once the engine starts, but for the very few who might be reading this, the new cover and some samples can be seen at www.cliffcline.com.

Peace.

Much to do about lots of things.

This year is definitely been a year to write home about from an earthly perspective. My goals were to finish and release a CD (done), begin and Post Modern Gathering at my local church (done), begin my Masters degree (first course done) and Executive Produce a compilation CD (oops, not done).

So much of what I so revolves around my day job as a pastor. My main public face is that of music guy, but truefully I have a passion for leadership in the sense that I have many ideas about how things should go, and love to inlfuence people towards accompishing my visions and passions. This, of course, is helpful in that I have all kinds of artistic visions, and unlike many artisits, I think, I am learning and accomplishing more as I blend my artistic and leadership gifts. Moreover, I find that God has provided many opportunities and friendships with wildly talented people to achieve the goals that I think he has instilled in me.

The producer of my latest CD and I have developed a great and strong friendship/partnership an have begun to discuss grander vision of how me might positively influence and develop the Canadian Christian landscape in music. Cetainly we are not original thinkers on this front, but it is the very burgeoning landscape of the Candian Christian music scene that I think will give us the ability to accomplish something. Time will tell, keep you posted.