New Song (Maybe a single?)

I have written and produced a song for the Alliance National Assembly at which I am leading music. Go to this page and listen and let me know what you think. Drop a comment in the comment window.

The song itself is written based on two verses: Hebrews 12: 1-2 and Philippians 3: 13-14.

You can download the song and the sheet music for free, but any donation would be appreciated. Thanks!

Simply Interesting

Some New Things

I can't remember if I mentioned that I would be helping a friend with a new service launch. It is going to be called "The Well", hence the pic below!



I won't be leading every Sunday as I will be helping him put together multiple bands and leaders, I will, however, be leading all of September as you can see on my appearance page. 

An Interesting Video on the Bible and the pulpit by John Piper

I found this via a younger TWU alumnus blog, Nick Hill, the title of his blog alone makes a statement to some I am sure.



I have read most of one of Piper's books. He is quite deep, and seems to tell it plainly and honestly. Interesting for sure.

Cool Website

I don't know much about this church, but I linked to the site through a friend. One of the cooler sites I have seen in a while. View a talk, their media interface is amazing.

Liquid Church

How to make a living in music in Canada (Part 1)

I am getting involved in many different conversations these days about music. I suppose to some I am an expert in the field. I would more say I have walked the road and learned some things. I have not achieved full-time status in music ever, so all I can offer are some tips.

In my experience a musician needs to create music, write songs. I suppose that makes you a more complete artist, but for me, that is the best route to go to make a living. From there, there are many marketing and revenue streams that open up to you. Although this is not exhaustive here are a few:

1. Royalties from radio television and licensing.
2. CD and Digital sales of your music
3. Appearance fees
4. Merchandise that supports or represents the music created

Creating and distributing all of these things is also a challenge. I think I will start a series of writings on this topic for you to follow if you are interested.

Glen Abbey Golf Club

Well as stories does this is a good one. My dad was a member of Glen Abbey before it went public, years ago. I remeber going there while he golfed when I was a kid. As I recall they had a pool. We swam as kids and dad golfed. Totally old school country club. I never played it. I think they filled the pool in. I also think it is a totally different course then when he played, re-designed by Jack Nichlaus.

Yesterday for the first time in my life I played the course. Really fun. Even better we (FTC Canada - Feed The Children) were invited by PeopleNet Canada to be the beneficiaries of some fundraising that went on there and it was a great success. Thanks Peoplenet!!

First time out this year, so I hit some good shots and more bad ones. By the second nine I was getting some pars, although it was Texas scramble, so I did not really score.

Regardless a great day, hopefully many more like that this summer.

Great Wooden Trio

I really like these guys, and they are friends. The percussionist Greg Woods has done the drums on my pending new release.

The Stewardship Dance

It has been a year since I left being a "professional Pastor" at a church. I am now an attender at a church. It is an interesting transition which is not complete.

North America (Canada) is a strange and critical place, and implementing the vision Jesus set before us in the great commission is complicated. Jesus never required a building or programs (it would seem) to implement His vision through his work. Of course, he did use the infrastructure in place quite a lot, so he did not seem to reject the notion that the places were useful.

The ongoing conversation (and one that I think needs to continue) is whether or not it is wise to spend millions of dollars on buildings, land, sound equipment etc., when the money could be spent to feed the poor in Canada and around the world.

Here is where the disconnect is for me. Remembering I work daily to feed children in Canada and around the world. Our mission as Christians is primarily to teach and live the teachings of Jesus. Literally, creating atmospheres and opportunities for more people to just hear about Jesus and what he taught. An outcome from living what he taught should be both extravagant worship of Jesus and God (think of the women who poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet with His approval) AND taking care of the poor (think Jesus asking in heaven why we did not give water and food to those in need).

So for me the answer is an ongoing tension. To build a building that can communicate in the vernacular of our time musically and through teaching makes sense, even if it costs some money. What doesn't make sense is the Pastor or people in the congregation living high on the hog. That too, of course, is a sliding scale worthy of much debate, but at some point we must sacrifice things to live more simply and give more away.

Like I said, ongoing tension, but sometimes the tension can be created because the vision is not being viewed holistically.

Tony Campolo

I had the opportunity to go away for a day and hear Tony Campolo speak. It was a smaller group and the event was hosted by Leader Impact Group, an organization that was started (I believe) in Ontario by Paul Hendersen of "the goal heard round the world" fame. It originally started under another name, but has since merged and grown etc.

It was a timely set of talks and the discussion with the friend I went with was also very helpful. I personally struggle with the concept of living a life of significance. I also struggle with the degree to which music plays a part in the influence and impact that I have.

In the end there were a couple of themes that I am still dwelling on.

1. As some form of a leader, what am I doing to influence my sphere intentionally and positively ?
2. Am I doing anything to care for those outside of my sphere?
3. He also affirmed that prioritizing family at this stage of life is healthy and precedented. Jesus did not start his ministry until he was about 30. Life expectancy back then was 41. Why did he wait so long to do that? His father died, and he had to take care of his family until his siblings could take over. The he hit it hard.

No doubt, Jesus was doing things towards his mission on earth increasingly as he headed for his "time". His reluctance to really launch was seen in the story where he turned water into wine. At that point he said to his mom that His time had not yet come.

Part of life is balancing pushing forward in personal growth and maintaining and managing current realities well. Never easy or simple, always interesting.