Worship Leaders Workshop {sold out}

I am very excited to be hosting a worship leaders workshop for young worship leaders in mid January sponsored by a patron who cares about developing young leaders in his church. Speaking of passions, I love encouraging young (and older) worship leaders to really dig in and continually improve at what they do. God deserves to be worshipped, and we as leaders have to encourage and raise up as many amazing, gifted passionate worship leaders as we can.

If you are interested in seeing how such an event could be put together for your church, you can get me through my contact page.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Christmas Eve Worship

I am very excited to be leading worship at our home church Forestview this Friday.  It has been several years since I have done that anywhere. One of the biggest challenges, of course, is to bring some level of interest to songs that have been done so much. Although we are doing a couple of newer songs, the vast majority will be the standards. Nevertheless, I think we will have some fun and infuse our spin on these classics.

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Harnessing Passion

I have always associated the word passion with something positive. Far more linked to a calling, or something that really drives me. But the word is far more powerful than that. {definition} Maybe most importantly historically is that is refers to the Passion of Christ, his sufferings before His death..and subsequent resurrection. But the word is really an intensifier. A crime of passion is referring as much to the love that drives one to an inappropriate act, as it is to the in-saneness that has accompanied the break from reality that allowed the person to commit the crime.

I have heard it said that any passion that leads you towards positive work is valuable. For instance, hatred of injustice could spark the start of a charity as easily as a passion for performing could ignite an acting career. As I continue down this journey I am on, I am starting to realize that acting on some of my negative passions might be the pathway to growth and improvement not only in me but in life. I am passionate about music, I consider that a positive thing. But I am passionate about a great many things, many of which I would put in the negative category. My goal is to identify the useful ones and turn them into something positive.

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Integrity - Be the Change

Integrity is really being consistent and honest about who you are and what you do. When people lack integrity, they create an environment of  derision. That environment might be their workplace, their friendship community, church or home, but if one lacks integrity whether one knows it or not, their reputation will disintegrate with those in their various spheres.

There is an interesting point here though. If one is a self-centred, unkind person, but is honest about who they are, there is generally less tension in all of their environments. In fact, a jerk who acknowledges their own narcissism generally manages which environments they will even participate in based on the fact that they have no interest in true friendships or family or church, they have interest in themselves and create environments around themselves that serve their interests. It is a sad state, but an honest one, and ironically people at least respect their integrity in representing their true self.

The tension filled spaces are created by those who are trying to portray a life of love, honesty, and "goodness", but are in fact not living up to the facade and not admitting their own short-comings. {Note:admitting one's shortcomings, apologizing, and trying and succeeding at improving actually creates a state of integrity} When one holds oneself up as a leader of anything, organization, church, family or business, it is vitally important that they check their actions against their pronouncements - daily. Without it, one will travel down the slippery slope of hypocrisy  unaware, or worse.....with some level of awareness.

How to read this? With yourself in mind. Although this may be a post that brings another to your consciousness, the best way to process this is in self-judgment. After all, we can only change the world one person at a time, if we are the change. (Cheesy but true)

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The Old Violin - Focus

When I was around 13 I discovered I had a voice. It was a radical discovery, I landed the lead in a grade 7 play. It was also traumatic, I was a rep goalie, a provincial league baseball player, but not an artist. In grade 8 I did nothing artsy, I think the whole experience freaked me out. I might add, I wasn't really a Christian at this point in my life.

Shortly thereafter though, life changed. I did become a Christian (phase 1), and started attending with my family a Pentecostal church in Mississauga called MGT, now Portico. The charismatic like their music, and I flourished there, and when we moved to BC at 15 I attended another church Christian Life Assembly in Langley. Sports were now behind me, and I was off into music land forever.

There was a famous, albeit cheesy, song about an old violin. It was really a song of redemption, but this morning as I reflect on my musical journey, I am interpreting it another way. The violin was old, beat up, and out of tune and for sale at an auction. A master violinist walked up to front during bidding (which wasn't going well) and played it so beautifully the instrument was revealed for its true purpose, its true value.

I feel like for me, my true musical value has been revealed to me over the past couple of years. I have played at jazz, and pop. I have tried to "make it" in various and sundry ways musically, but in the end, I believe the church is where I belong. When I worship God musically is when I am most alive. Over the next year, as you come to this blog or my site, you will see a growing number of new worship songs appearing, that will be my focus.

Will there be other songs...love songs..etc. I am sure there will be some, but my focus will increasingly be to build up the church. I'm excited!

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Great Sunday in Caledonia

I have know the Lead Pastor, Steve Kerr,  at Gateway Church in Caledonia for a lot of years, but we finally connected in terms of me getting out there to lead worship. I had the privilege of bringing a band, made up of mostly the usual suspects, as well as a new friend Luke on guitar.

The guest speaker was amazing, and I was encouraged by the engagement of the congregation in worship. This is a good story of a church thriving in these times where that is often not the case.

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New Worship Song Posted

I had mentioned in August (link) that I had written a new chorus. Although my plan had been to record it more professionally, which I still probably will, I did want to ship it so to speak. To that end you can go to my Worship Resources page and listen to a demo of the song and download the chord chart for free should you want to use it in your church. I am having fun re-engaging not only with my home church in worship, but networking and connecting to a greater community of artists. I will keep you updated as I post more new songs.

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Discipline a Dirty Word?

I am learning something about the true meaning of the word discipline. I think historically I have seen it as a quality to revere in someone. A characteristic that I should always strive to have more of. An intellectual concept of great value when properly implemented, but in all of those thoughts, discipline is work. Not necessarily to be avoided, but not something to look forward to.

 

But something has changed in me over the past few months. Discipline is my tool. I own it, and use it with visionary focus to accomplish the things that I think I should. I wake up early and have started investing in my whole life using the tool of discipline. Whether it be developing spiritually, working out, writing a song, doing some brainstorming for work, planning family time or accomplishing some other goal, I am viewing discipline as I would a computer. It serves me, I don't serve it.

 

What a marvelous gift to me, I have a new powerful tool in my tool box to achieve more in this life!

 

PS You can have it too!!

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More Cliff Cline Worship Resources

I have re-released several songs on my worship resources page. There are 4 choruses up from the Noticing the Sky CD as well as one that I wrote for the CMA National conference in Ottawa a few years back.

My plan is to get a brand new chorus up with a mp3 track as soon as possible. It is the song I have made reference to before, Abundant Life.

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Wonder

Do ever wonder
Why not more?

Do you ever cry
More God, more?

More of You

More of Jesus

More abundance More life

More redemption

More freedom

More creation

More peace

More

You

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Don't Deserve It

I know I don't deserve it
But I received it just the same
Grace like rain

It's free and comes to all
It floods your mind and your soul
Its what you need, not what you want

It dulls the pain

In a pub with C. S. I sing The praises of the King

Grace like rain
Grace like rain

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Guatemala, Florida and Music

The day job took me to Guatemala a couple of weeks back. I really should have blogged from there, but I didn't. My visit there was successful from a business standpoint but challenging otherwise. I will fist say that I think it is very important to help the helpless, that is what I do in my day job, but as I get more experience in the NGO/NFP world I am realizing the complexity of this task. Political agendas, corruption, prejudice are just a few of the major things that impede progress. I think sometimes it is very important to do the good while you look for the great. I think there are bigger and better solutions out there, but I currently they must be shared or created. I don't know what they are yet.

Family connections have let us vacation in Florida for several years now, and this year is only different in that we have been able to come for two weeks. Such a blessing! I hope to come back rested and rejuvenated to continue to press on with the current plan on workouts, personal goals and working hard at helping kids.

Small victory while I have been away, another radio station has started playing my new single "One Night", so I am very excited. I will endeavour to blog once more this vacation.

Peace

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Worship Wars

I may have tricked you. Traditionally this oxy-moronic statement has referred to the fight between church goers trying to preserve the old hymns vs. those trying to contemporize worship (all aspects I might add not just music). I think, though, that there is another war afoot. It is the war in our heads, in our hearts and in many of those around us as we worship every Sunday. The war that keeps us from getting over ourselves, that keeps us worried what others think while ironically we give very little thought to what God (who we supposedly worshipping) thinks. It is tough, it is a battle.

 

I hate getting up early in the morning. I generally hate the process of waking. Don't get me wrong, I love to be alive and I love the prospects for the day ahead, but waking ugh. The later the better, and bring on the coffee. But lately I have been waking early, really early, front end loading my days, getting more done. I have learned I literally have to focus myself into action. As my alarm goes off I think about the things I will be doing and how good I am going to feel when they are done. Yes I hit several snoozes!

 

I think preparing and entering into worship is similar. I think we need to focus mentally on how God would be pleased. Why he would care to hear us sing (loudly). How showing God gratitude and appreciation for everything he does and has done for us is inspiring. There is an element where when we finish doing that, we have accomplished something. I am not trying to paint it as pain, but I do think that it is something that takes energy.

 

Almost two months ago I started working out an hour a day. At first, I sweat ridiculously, and felt physically challenged the whole time. A month passed, I lost weight, and I barely could break a sweat. So now what? I have had to take it to the next level. Try more intense exercise, different things to go to the next level. You see where I am going.

 

It is not always about amping it up, but even in our relationships we need to mix it up. Dinner out is a great treat, if it is a treat. But if it is three times a week, it probably doesn't feel like a date anymore. I need to find different ways to express my love to my wife, and after a while I can return to one that I haven't used for a while, and then it feels special again.

 

At the end of the day, the best relationships are the ones where you invest and where an investment in you is returned. I know something for sure. God will always return blessings to you. Are you investing, really putting energy into worship. Mixing it up, not coming with the same gift every Sunday (did I just engage the worship war aforementioned?). I will tell you this, wars are won a battle at a time. Working out nearly 28 days for an hour was accomplished 1 hour at a time. Worshipping God at with intentionality, energy and passion can start this Sunday, one hour at a time!

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One Day to Today

Something has had to change, and is, because of that, now changing.

 

I had to change my mind, and my speech, even my heart, from One Day to Today. You see, I don't want to change the world one day, I want to change it today. I don't want to worship God greatly one day, I want to worship Him greatly today. I don't want to love my wife better one day, I want to love her better today, I want to inspire my children today, I want to breathe out love today......I don't want to live out my dreams one day, no, today I wrote another note, another tune, I spoke a positive word, I hugged, I kissed and I will love much more.....today. I cannot live any longer for one day, I will live today.

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Worship Resources

Last weekend was what is now my annual trip to Heritage Park Alliance to lead worship with a team there. As always is was great to connect with the community there, even had a great lunch with a long term colleague and his wife, always encouraging to meet with those who are geographically so far away, but part of the same community, the church.

That morning I sang an old chorus that I wrote several years back, "But to God". It is definitely one the best I have ever written. I have re-arranged it in a new key that I think is more song-able for the masses. You can listen to it, and you can download the lead sheet from my site as well. It can be accessed from the homepage of www.cliffcline.com, under the NEW "Worship Resources" link. There will be more coming on that page as the weeks continue, so check back fro free or inexpensive resources. Do drop me a line if you use it for a church service!

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I Feel Welcome!!!

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Two Hours a Day (will change your life)

It has been three weeks today, so I feel a little more confident sharing this. I have been trying to break down some walls in my life lately. Walls of lack of productivity, walls of reaching goals, both personal and dream related. I have been trying to learn from those who have succeeded by listening to sermons, reading magazine's like "Success" and business leadership books like Linchpin by Seth Godin. I am reading books on parenting, and on spiritual subjects like fear ("Fearless" by Max Lucado) and I am trying to refuse to be overwhelmed, but rather inspired to make little changes aggregately that will take hold and build on each other.

 

What all of this has led to currently is a discipline of giving myself two hours each day. One hour to work towards my dreams and one hour to work out on my body. What that has meant practically is that I am waking up a little more than 2 hours earlier to fit all of this in to an already full schedule.

 

Is is working? I think so! I have lost 12 pounds in three weeks and I am starting to see things really develop on the dream side (yes I am being somewhat mysterious). Stay tuned, through my blog and website I will keep you informed as the journey continues.

 

 

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"Buried Thoughts" Tour

Buried Thoughts is still in its first year of life and I would like to finish giving it a proper tour. From January to June 2011, I am declaring it the official “Buried Thoughts Tour”. Of course, I need bookings!  Could you help me!? Would you host a house concert; make a connection to your church; connect me to a festival or conference you are involved with? To start the process just contact me through my website : http://cliffcline.com/contact_me.html. We can start the brainstorming by email and then turn it into a reality!

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Worship and the Senior Pastor/Elder

Somewhere many leaders in the church have lost (or never found) their way. I think many leaders actually desire and believe that skillfully played (Psalm 33:3) worship is Biblical, but their reality is far from it. Add to that the pervasive, yet Biblically suspect, culture of inclusivity or volunteerism at any cost..and the price begins to drain the worship experience.

Some leaders who read this may retort, "thanks for stating the problem, but what is the solution?" Experience has taught me two things. Change the church by showing them how is should be, and back it up by teaching boldly what God intended.

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Studio Time

Had a little more today, good to make some progress. Long week behind and ahead, but looking forward to the shipping of this song.

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Struggling to Ship

I really appreciate those of you who have continued to read this blog after I, well, didn't ship what was promised. Three songs by the end of June. Hopefully the latest CD, "Buried Thoughts" is sustaining you for now.The irony, of course, is that I have been in a very creative time where I have written 3 new songs and even "shipped" one by recording a demo, charting, and leading it in church. The reality is, however, that in music, creation is the first phase of the shipping process, and for the most part the easiest. Producing something worthy of purchase is more difficult, especially in this day and age.

 

So I must humbly change my shipping goal. One song by the end of August. It will be available to purchase as a single via CD Baby by then, and by iTunes a few days or weeks later. Depends on iTunes.

 

I am very excited by this song, it's message is strong and different is some ways for me, and I will endeavour to tell its story with it to give it context.

 

Alright, 11 days.......

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Looking Up

I have been going through a personal process for some time now. It is ongoing for sure. It is spiritual, and it is practical, and it is too big to unpack in one blog post, but I will try and give you encouragement from the encouragement I am gaining through this process.

I am doing several kinds of looking up right now:

To God: In a liberated way I am giving up. I am realizing that if I truly believe that Yahweh is the Creator of the universe and loves me, than I better be prepared to accept that He can and wants to make my life full and better. I have to believe so I am looking up to Him.

To the Future: I will combine two thoughts here. I believe the place that I am going is higher and better than where I am now. I am excited and hopeful for the future. I also realize that up means I will be working hard and climbing. Any place with a view has stairs.

To Positive Role Models: I am embracing a far more positive outlook, as the little train that could, I am embracing the hopeful statement of "I think I can." I am choosing to import into my being sermons, positive learning, positive music, well anything that speaks to the best that God can offer us in this world. Anything that can give me the vision to achieve my best here!!

Life is Good. Look Up.

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Abundant Life

I very recently wrote a new song/chorus for church called "Abundant Life". The lyric is largely Psalm 23 with a little sermon content added in. Mike Stone, Senior Pastor at our church, has been leading a sermon series with some others on the teaching team on the names of Jesus. One of the sermons took in the story of Jesus turning water into wine. Two things hit me that day, I have definitely felt like the poor Father of the Bride for a long time.....no wine left and a bunch of angry guests about to turn on me, but...., Jesus is able to create and turn the water I offer Him into more quality wine than I can drink.

 

Two Sunday's ago I introduced the song in church and last Sunday I was blessed by another worship leader leading the song for the congregation, very fun to have someone else lead your song!!

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Oh To Be A Pro

Another great Sunday at Forestview leading the music part of the worship. Introduced a new chorus that I wrote based on some learning I have been doing from the current sermon series. I have a rough demo done, but I find myself wishing these days that I had a band that could lay down a nice version of the song in a day or less, or that I had the time to program the whole thing. I will work to get it and the other songs done asap.

On a  similar note I was reading worship leader magazine this week and there was an article on the lack of enthusiam/participation during public servies in the singing and worship time. The perspective given was great and counter-cultural. My take on it is this. Singing worship songs publicly is odd. When fully engaged (something I think rarely happens en masse) we are singing at the top of lungs to a God we do not physically see. It would be humbling to do that to a king on earth that we do see, how much more to gather and do it to what appears to be air.

But that's just it, isn't it. The process is about pleasing God. Although I believe the response from God is one we benefit from, I believe that our only goal coming in should be to please God. Think about this. If we truly believe that we serve the God of the universe, it does not matter how we arrive to worship.Whether poor, sick or hurting, or properous, healthy and happy, God is still our answer, our provider, our healer, our friend and our life-giver.

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Vocal Booth

I still need to do more room treatment, but the space is looking better!

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The New Studio Desk

Not painted, but did some recording tonight.

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Home

Burlington, Miami, Burlington....18.5 hours. A good day, and now, my bed!

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Off to Miami

Although it would be cool to say it is for a gig, I am heading on a whirlwind fly-in-fly-out day of meetings in Miami for the day job with www.ftccanada.ca to connect and strategize with our partner from Haiti. Will be interesting to get updates and plan for the next phase of relief.

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Vacation Progress

A great week of rejuvenating with the family. Built a new studio desk, not painted yet, but I will throw some photos up this weekend once it is all hooked up again. The plan is to finish the vocals on a song this weekend!! Should be fun.

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Google: Cliff Cline

Over the years I have had a few people track me down by "googling" me. In those days I was somewhere on the list, but certainly the whole list. Times have changed it seems, (link) as I now make up 2 and a half pages strong, and I certainly don't pay anyone to get me to the top. That being said, how many Cliff Cline's are there out there?

The other humourous thing of course, is I think I am mainly famous to myself (and my kids, they haven't grasped my place in this world yet). At the end of the day I guess if I ever get metioned somewhere I will be easy to find, at least on the web.

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If There Were No Building

If there wasn't a church building, a "service", a sermon, a kids program, would you be a Christian? Would you take on discipling your kids, your neighbors, your friends?

Would you be lost? Or would you drop to your knees and really find God?

Hopefully the latter.

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The Creative Process

Unfortunately I haven't really arrived at a place where I can easily record and edit the process I go through recording, but this is a cool look at a lot of the things I do. the iPad thing at the end is amazing, I definitely am not that tech'd up.

Leading Worship at Forestview and the Next Level

Yesterday morning was a delight. It feels like it has been a while since I led music anywhere, including my home church Forestview, and I was very excited to get to it yesterday. Played with a new drummer who was amazing, and the rest of team was great as well. I don't know how to describe a great worship morning, but I definitely felt spiritually fulfilled in my role, put it that way.

 

There is still a part of me that longs for the next level though. Longs for more abandon from everybody in the house. My MO is to lead by example and leave it all on the floor, yesterday was no exception, and the air conditioning wasn't exactly super cool, so I was drenched - kind of funny. But there is a huge part of me that longs to see the majority in the house in that same boat. Corporate worship is our chance, our chance to emote, to search, and to become more in the process. I am surprised that more people don't need that, don't crave that next level. One could make the argument that we all emote differently, but ultimately I disagree. Passionate people are labeled passionate because on some scale they at least hit the minimum of "passion".

 

This is one thing I know.The next level is being more passionate about what happens when we give praise to God, than anything else in those moments.

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The Process

Sometimes we fail....

I have been aggressively pursuing finishing several things at once this past two months, and although progress has been made on most fronts, I have not delivered, and I am sorry.

Several things have gone well, more songs loaded to iTunes and CD Baby, progress in production and more blogging, and a new single from Buried Thoughts to radio (much tracking to be done) but I have not the finished production I desired for new material.

So where from here? A renewed commitment to keep working. I spoke with a music director from radio today and put it simply. I am like most Canadian musicians, doing it for the love, and hoping the incremental work will one day build into something of significance.

It s a process of love, and although delayed, I am still on it, and will soldier on!!

More soon, I promise.

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Church Leadership

This is a re-post from several years ago. Although I might have written slightly differently today, I still fully agree with the point...especially the thought that we are not called to use our gift of leadership to become excellent leaders, but rather to fulfill the mandate of the church with passion. Too many leaders are flexing their leadership chops with little positive effect towards the the mission of the church. Lots of scripture to back up the premise: (original link here: Church Leadership)

 

I have heard it said that: 

 "I believe the local church is the hope of the world and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders."

No matter how hard I try I can't see how that as a statement would honour God. To me the hope of the world is Jesus Christ, and the future of Christ and His church rests in the hands of God the Father. I understand that Romans 12:8 (or a portion therein) talks about leading with diligence, but I would posit that is referring to people who are gifted in an area, say like teaching or playing in worship, and are also gifted to lead in that area. I do not think it is referring to the gift of diligently leading in leadership. Within your gift, lead with diligence. Serve God and be used by Him to create His prevailing church with the gifts He has bestowed on you for the edification of the body. Perhaps this is splitting hairs, but I think that is putting the emPHAsis back on the correct sylLAble. My biggest struggle with this is that I love the heart of the quote and the quotee. It makes no sense that the church today would not operate organizationally with excellence, in fact it certainly honours God to do so. I simply think that the primary message of the church ought to be the message of the cross and the fact that Jesus Christ is our hope, not that the church is the hope of the world.

Psalm 25:3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,

Psalm 25:5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long

Psalm 25:21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD .

Psalm 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Psalm 71:5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD , my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 119:74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.

Matthew 12:21 In his name the nations will put their hope."[ 12:21 Isaiah 42:1­4]

Romans 5:2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[ 5:2 Or let us] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Colossians 1:23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

I think you get my point. By the way, I did not find a scripture yet that says or intimates that the hope of the world rest in church leaders. There are plenty that put their hope in the true head of the church, Jesus Christ.

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Studio, Radio, Tour

Now that sounds like a process doesn't it!! Really I am just giving updates.

Last night in the studio was great, my eldest daughter put down her
tracks like a pro. Her comment was, "but Dad I want to sing more, I
like singing in the studio". I had to break it to her that when you
basically lay it down in one take it is actually better than repeating
over and over....besides it was bedtime!!

As I mentioned earlier I just released "One Night" to radio. It looks
like it is getting some listens so I will get back to you when it
starts getting played more. Joy 1250 in Oakville was WAY ahead of the
curve, but let's see what happens now that it is officially out to
Canada.

I need to update the appearances page on the site, but I will be back
in Windsor this fall on labour day weekend leading worship at Heritage
Park Alliance. I may be adding some dates around that so stay tuned.

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Ship It...Sorry Seth

Well I have been pushing myself greatly to get these latest bits of
content out to you on time (June 30) but I fear now it will be the
second week of July before it is all done. The actually work has been
slow but rewarding as I really like how the songs are coming. I am
also ready to produce the podcast but I just have to do it. I know I
have to get something out by June 30, I think it will be the podcast.
Look for it by Wednesday......

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A Great Night In The Studio

So I was able to record two of my three girls last night and it was a
blast. They sound great and were amazingly cute. They are going to be
studio naturals!! Can't wait to share the tune.

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Buried Thoughts Going to Radio / More Recording

I believe I have intimated that Buried Thoughts would be going to
radio in Canada soon and it did go out last week, so, please give your
local station a call and ask for the single "One Night" off the Buried
Thoughts CD, or alternatively email in.

Tonight should be interesting as I will be recording my girls for one
of the three songs I am supposed to have ready for the end of June. I
will let you know how it goes tomorrow!

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Churches Wandering Aimlessly (Church Leadership Part 2)

I am overwhelmed by the number of conversations I have had recently
about struggling or failing churches, right close to me. The "uniting"
theme has been a lack of direction or vision. It doesn't seem that
there was a lack of trying or ideas, but I have been shocked by how
different leaders or leadership are grasping at almost anything trying
to regain a foundation to a struggling congregation.

I truly believe that many churches are losing their way so fast it
might be too late for many of them to ever recover. Proverbs 28:19
addresses the issue of a lack of vision clearly, but I think the
majority of us our interpreting this passage incorrectly. There are
two things to consider:
1. Don't stop reading at the semicolon, because it is after this
punctuation mark that the clarity of what the vision should be is
given: the Bible. Happy is he who follows the teachings of God.
2. Don't let anyone tell you that vision means a man made idea of any
sort. Fire any pastor/leader who claims God has uniquely gifted them
with a vision for a community or congregation, telling you there is a
program, or a property, a method, or an answer in his or her head.
Vision here is best translated by the second half of the verse. With
"God's revelation", given to us through the Bible, we will not wander
or perish spiritually, we will have direction and find the answers to
life.

We have a book that has proven itself a gift from God, a gift that
unleashes it's power when we practice it in our daily lives. It is
unleashed through, acts of love, kindness and mercy. It points us to
Jesus Christ, who speaks through the Holy Spirit, which in the end
re-unites us with God our Creator if we believe and have faith in what
Jesus did and who He is.

The Great Commission reiterates the truth in Proverbs 28:19 with a
directive. In essence the orthodoxy of Proverbs becomes orthopraxy in
Matthew. I am begging the church, which is you if you are a Christian,
stop chasing waterfalls and start chasing God through the teachings of
Christ and the Bible and while doing so - live it!

Proverbs 28:19

New International Version (©1984)
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but
blessed is he who keeps the law.

New Living Translation (©2007)
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever
obeys the law is joyful.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but
blessed is he who keeps the law.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he
who keeps the law.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Buried Thoughts on iTunes and CD Baby

On Content:

Buried Thoughts is now available for download on iTunes as well as CD Baby. It should also be released to Christian radio in Canada this week. I will keep you posted in case you are interested and able in emailing or calling your local station to support the song. FYI, the first single is "One Night" which is the first song on the player when you open my site.

 

New Content:

Last night was a great night of getting some vocals down on song number two. I am incredibly excited about how it is coming together. I am also excited about the story behind the song which will be revealed with it in a couple of short weeks.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

So You Had A Bad Day

For whatever reason I really like that song of a couple of years ago. We all have bad days. For me I often find that bad days are about me. How I have been treated (rightly or wrongly), what didn't go my way or as I planned. I also find it is about what I expected as reward, money, sales whatever. For me the last couple of years have represented huge accomplishment without matching reward. Kind of have had that bad day feeling quite a bit.

 

But what do you do with that? I try and fight it. At the end of any day there are two things that are true. Life isn't always fair, and what we did with what we are given matters. I write songs to try and inspire, or push people into a better day. I volunteer in church situations to help propel my belief that the best way to live is within the reality of the teachings of Christ under girded by the faith that the assertions of His deity are true. I work at a children's charity everyday because I believe that pragmatically, actually helping children eat and live is one of our highest honours and calls as a human family.

 

I suppose we always hope for more for ourselves at some level. It is pretty hard to turn "self" off, but everyday it needs to not be about me. There are thoughts that need expressing, good deeds that need doing, and a bigger picture of making the world a better place that must be achieved incrementally. To use a Biblically example that is still helping me through my bad days, I am still sewing, and watering, and fertilizing, the harvest comes in the fall.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Sweating It

If I have a fault, it is that I dream big, perhaps bigger than I am able to accomplish. But this I will do, I will ship what I have promised to ship by the end of this month in some shape or form. I am incredibly happy with how song two is shaping up for the 3 song EP, and now I need to start producing song 3.

 

I also have a podcast and webisode of some sort to deliver. Things are going to start rolling out soon. Stay tuned!

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

How Do You Do?

I have been reading infrequently a couple of magazines for a few years now, Success and Fast Company. One of the things that I have recently re-discovered is a simple trait of successful people....doing the simple things that lead to success are easy not to do.

I remember when I was in the finance business, one of the things that stuck out to me at learning conferences was that the successful financial planners were not necessarily smarter in finance than most of us who had gone through similar training, they simply gutted out doing some simple but challenging tasks. Cold calls, answering angry calls, constantly making contact with clients, it wasn't rocket science, but most people just don't do the simple but difficult things it takes to succeed. When I started doing those things I began to succeed.

It's funny, in music I have actually resisted doing many of the things that others do that allow them to succeed. I am going to change that. What about you? What things should you be doing? Simple but difficult things, in your relationships, in your spiritual life, in your job, that would cause you to be more successful? Know this, this blog represents where I am today, I am passionate about looking back on this time from a vantage point in the future that will prove this writing useful, to me, and hopefully to you too!

Posted via web from Cliff Cline

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor...

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Greedy for Good

I guess I understand greed intellectually, but I don't understand how it is that more people with the power to actually change things for the better aren't "greedier" for a world that looks more like the good pictured in this video.

Posted via web from Cliff Cline

How Do You Spread the Word?

I recently read a post by Seth Godin where he talked about asking for referrals. One of his thoughts was if you have to ask for referrals then perhaps you don't deserve them. I completely agree that one's goal as they go out into the world and create and do work is to do work worth talking about. I do think that sometimes however, people don't realize how much they can help by mentioning, hitting a like button on Facebook, forwarding (not in that chain email way) something they do like. So I thought I would humbly ask for, well a referral:)

 

If you like this blog, let someone know. If you like my new CD, Buried Thoughts (this link to CD Baby download), send on the link. I am committed to continuing to create content, both on this blog and musically, which I hope adds value consistently to those that read/listen.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

It Is Still About God

Ahh. Today I led worship at my "home church". Two services, 7 extra hours of work this week unpaid to pull it off (as it was for everyone with me), and I feel fulfilled.

I didn't achieve all that I dream of artistically, but I shipped with several others the extra 10%. In the words of Seth Godin, we shipped. Why? Because of God, for God, to God.

I wrote a song years ago called "But to God", and it captures this sentiment (you can find it on itunes). At the end of the day, today was great, because it was about God.

Peace.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Rough Cut of Song One of Three Done!

June is a big month of production for me, so I have to get ahead of the game. Last night I finally fired up the studio and got a rough cut of song one of the three planned for my impending to be named June EP. Ahh, sweet progress!!

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Rejuvenate You

We were invited out to camp this weekend by some new friends. People we truly like and want to get to know better. It became somewhat of a running joke, after the first conversation when my lovely bride informed the group, they would never get me to go. Why? I truly dislike camping. Not only does it not make me feel better, it drains me. Hey, I am older and wiser, and I know I will find a way to bond with these great people, but like the hulk being green, they would not have liked me camping!

 

Conversely some great friends did the last minute, "come by for a swim and burgs", call! We went and had an amazing leisurely afternoon with solid conversation and fantastic family time... Energizing!

 

Now you may conclude from this that I am simply a wimp, but I would posit there is something deeper here.

 

We all need to know what feeds us and what drains us, and when we can afford to spend of ourselves, and when we need to fill the tank. I am incredibly convicted in my life that there a several areas I need to move forward, and I am constantly on the edge of spent, so I am seeking rejuvenating activities.

 

What about you? Is there something that you need to find the energy to do? If you are dogged tired you won't likely go for a run. If you are mentally drained, you probably won't create much of anything. Life is a balance, and most of us want to contribute more. Are you making sure you have the energy to realistically get it done? Find a way to rejuvenate you, and then start knocking things off the list.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

New Ideas and Support

I wanted to tease and give a soft announcement. Next month, as I continue to create and ship more content for those following these meanderings of the mind, I am launching a podcast and starting a series of webisodes. The podcasts will have a bit of a talk radio show feel to them, the webisodes are going to start as "live" musical performances and we will see where they head from there.

 

An exciting piece to this is I have a sponsor/advertiser to launch with from day one, and obviously I will be letting you know more about them in due course. Exciting news indeed.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Feeding Children and Families

I spent yesterday morning at Rexdale Alliance Church in Toronto with Concord Hospitality giving back to some of those in need in the area. All in all we distributed 400 boxes of food and 400 hundred hygeine boxes to help out. A little glimpse into the day job!

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

More Songs Brewing

I know I keep threatening, but their really are several on the go. The real challenge is going to be in the production, I sense several of these tunes may end up having multiple iterations. OK, 3 by June 30, lots of work ahead. In the words of Seth Godin, "time to ship it!".

 

 

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

R & R

I suppose everybody needs it. I am currently playing golf with four buddies, new and old, in Florida. The weather is brilliant; hot and humid, just the way I like it.

I sitting on the balcony of my friends apartment overlooking the pool, listening to the fountain, while they all sleep (and I am the oldest?) and contemplating life, as I too often do, here and elsewhere I am sure.

So I just turned 40, might as well get that out there, and the natural self actilualization content is brewing: have I done enough, what is the measure of success, what makes a man so to speak?

I know a few things: knowing God and living a life that shows that means a tonne (for me sadly, always great room for improvement), loving my wife, and making her feel stellar is radically important, loving my kids and showing them 1 & 2, and lastly, finding a way to do one and two and stay focussed on the Great Commission.

That isn't everything, but it is a start to the next ten years of bucket list. Songs will follow.

Peace.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

One Thing Every Would Be Worship Leader Should Know

The Bible!

 

Huh? A worship leader is not a professing Christian who is musically talented and has the ability or desire to lead from the front of a church in an attempt to inspire people to feel something towards God through music etc.(although on the surface that sounds OK doesn't it)

 

A worship leader is a professing Christian who has a deep understanding of, and passion for, the truth of scripture, and why in the context of all scripture, the church practices congregational worship. Moreover, with that understanding their foundation, they also possess the necessary skill to lead a congregation musically, and have a desire to help lead the church in the practice worshipping God together.

 

A person desiring to be worship leader must develop the knowledge with the musical gift.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Ship It!! {It is why you were made}

One of the folk I have been learning from lately is Seth Godin. Besides trying to read his blog regularly, I read his most recent book Linchpin. One of the things I really appreciate about his writing is that he is a motivator. Consistently positive. One of the key things that I am trying to practice from his writing is "shipping it". Aiming at something and not only trying, but to quote Yoda, "Try not, do or do not" (something like that), but actually "gettin' er done"

But that is hard isn't it!? With family to pay attention to, a house to care for, money to earn, there seems to be very little capital (time or cash) to spend to make other things happen, or at least happen faster. Right now I have several areas that I need to push forward, and I have read and try to practice the David Allen-esk "Getting Things Done" way of being, but sometimes, I think you need to simplify even more than that.

What I am trying to do is one thing to move something forward everyday. (work doesn't count, I move several things forward most days). But in terms of those other emphasis areas (family, spiritual, music etc) if I can start to close one item everyday then I should ship more.

Why is this important? A friend of mine once taught on creation (from the Bible), and brought an interesting point to light. When God created Adam and Eve in the garden there was perfection. In perfection Adam and Eve were supposed to work, to create, to enjoy the earth and all that was there for them. In perfection that was to be humans reality. Now the world is far less than perfect, but if we practice this one thing: create something that makes the world a better place everyday, however small, then hopefully over time we will be net contributors to this great planet.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

How to Change the World - Be Humble

If I have learned anything, the hard way, it is that being right in one's own mind isn't the same as being right. Humility is an interesting thing. It doesn't mean being a doormat. It certainly isn't denying or not standing up for truth, but it generally does mean applying the concept of "a gentle answer turns away wrath."

 

Now, when I consider trying to lead something towards positive change, change towards truth, I generally try to avoid the top spot. There can be value in that kind of control, don't get me wrong, but I find that if I am forced to influence, forced to create a business case, forced to prove truth rather than declare it to be so, I am also forced to speak softly. I am required by circumstance to put energy into actually knowing what I am talking about instead of relying on a positional strength to force my way. And at the end of the day, you learn through all of this research to prove "your truth" that you knew less before the process started than after, and it keeps you humble, and keeps you learning, and best of all, generally keeps things moving towards a better future!

 

 

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Free Social Media Icon Set

Here is a nice fellow putting this together and giving it away. Elegant Themes Blog I need to add some to my site, and this will make it far easier. I pass along the love.

Posted via web from Cliff Cline

Just Do It

Nike really has something there and most of us know it, but ironically, few of us do it.

Here is my ten cents. Just doing it is often the culmination of time and little efforts rather than one great idea or success. The Bible describes it as "running the race in such a way as to win the prize" (paraphrased).

Personal experience and learning from others has taught me that chipping away at strategic, focussed task and project lists produces results.

One of the key points here is forward momentum. Inevitably we all have bad days, sometimes weeks, but you have to avoid the months. Finding a way to get back in the routine of getting things done, the little important things like touching base with clients and friends, delivering on commitments, even self care like exercise and rejeuvenation all adds up to balance ,and success.

My favourite expression from many musicians is how they became an overnight success after 10 years. 10 years of just doing it.

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

Great Time At the Well

Over the past two years I have been helping a friend launch a new service at the church he pastors in Toronto. It has been a very interesting experience as I have had the opportunity to implement a strategy for church worship that I believe strongly in. The strategy aligns with my philosophy, derived from the Bible, that worship should be done excellently (see Psalm 33:3) In essence instead of hiring one worship leader we have been bringing in four excellent musicians, one of which is a worship leader, every Sunday. You can imagine, it is a great experience, and solves a common issue with start-ups or small churches: poor music.

Yesterday was another amazing day playing with my friends Eric and Rick and my old friend Kevin Birch. Playing music at a high level is inspirational in and of itself, and I think the effect of great musicality is often lost in the philosophy of worship in the church in general these days. Too many churches value participation over excellence at the expense of properly informed views on Biblical worship. Please note I am referring specifically to the musical expression of worship, but excellence should apply to all our offerings of worship to God.

Although I receive a fair amount of criticism for this view, it should be noted that I do not hold this view vacuous of other Biblical truth. I believe in the importance of the heart and spiritual maturity of leaders, but all cannot be covered in one post. What I think can be agreed on by all those involved in this service is that the out-workings of the philosophy have been reflected to the benefit of this church service plant within a church. In essence, the music is a non-issue every week. Although it is excellent, it simply facilitates worship, does not hinder, does not create debate, it simply serves the church. The musical competence creates a loving barrier to those that might want to hi-jack the worship agenda with any other. We simply worship in spirit and truth with excellence. Who can really criticize that?

Posted via web from Cliff Cline

Leadership (The Problem with the Church in Canada)

As a change of pace from my fluffier posts, I will start to address a burning issue in me.

 

Despite a few glowing examples to the contrary the major issue with the church in Canada is that we have too many of them, and we have too many of them because we have too many men and women who think they are, or want to be THE leader. Too many pastors have bought into the career path of pastor which culminates in Lead or Senior Pastor. Trying desperately to figure out how to grow the institution rather than proclaim and defend the truth and build the kingdom of God. Further to that, the lay leaders or Elders are often not really qualified. Good family men, maybe, wealthy, more often than not, but that isn't a qualification. Able to teach, my experience is mostly not, in fact many don't know their Bible nearly well enough to be protectors of the truth contained therein.

 

I hear a lot of talk about servant leadership, but it is mostly empty. At the end of the day, Jesus Christ, for whom the church is bride metaphorically, simply proclaimed the truth. He really did not try to build anything besides a relationship with those who he did not have one. To bridge the gap between humanity and God His father. The sum of those relationships is the church, and our mandate is clear, build more relationships.

 

I have much more to say on this, and I need to include much scripture to contextualize, but this is a teaser to get some thoughts moving.

 

One last thought. I am not a Pastor, but I once was. I am not bitter, just not called in that way. I am not an Elder and never have been one officially. The authority I will continue to build this conversation on is the Bible, not purely my opinion (but we all come with some lens right). I am also a regular attender and participator in a local church that I am pleased to be a part of. So if this sounds like the beginning of a rant, it really isn't. Perhaps it is a warning shot over the bow.

 

 

Posted via email from Cliff Cline

More "Studio"Photos

It's coming along. Although functional I have not recorded yet, that will happen soon. A few new songs to share once recording is complete.

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This blog has moved

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Site (Blog) Changes

In the next few days I will be changing around the blog. For those of you that come directly to this page I am recommending that for the next while you access my blog via www.cliffcline.com. This will either become the blog itself, or the link on the right side of the page will go to the new blog. In terms of history, I hope to be able to have the whole blog there from day one, but it may take some time to transfer the whole thing to the new situation.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Fish Bowl

I have chosen to live in a fish bowl to some degree. I have grown to
enjoy the "power" or influence that public performance brings. I use
the term lightly, in that, I realize I am not famous or wealthy
(financially) because of it, but I enjoy performing and leading.

I also publically grapple with the level to which I am experiencing
success. Right now I am trying to redefine that. I am {re} discovering
that I love creating. I am pleased that over two hundred people have
downloaded my new CD for free. Others have purchased in physical
form at concerts. Several hundred come to this blog each month.

The studio is back online, and June is coming. I am looking forward to
releasing some new music soon, and I think there maybe some new other
productions as well.

I am looking forward to seeing where it leads.

Creating Again

I am not officially done the studio, but, getting the majority of it done and getting the rig back up and running has had an immense lightening effect on the brain. So much so that I wrote a new song these past few days, and I really like it. It will definitely be on one of the two 3 song EPs I have committed to producing and releasing for download in June and September.

 

Lots of activity with the free download of my latest CD, and some great feedback as well. I must admit there is a real freedom I am experiencing currently as I have moved away mentally from trying to sell, sell, sell, towards creating. I know at some point I have to find a way to monetize something so that I can upgrade equipment etc., but for now I am going to keep creating music and see where it leads.

 

I also have to find a way to change this blog in the next couple of weeks as my host blogger has changed the game on me a little in terms of how I can post, so hopefully there will be no interruption.

 

Thanks for dropping in!!

 

Updates

Worship Leading

Last night we had rehearsal at our home church for this Sunday's worship service. It was great fun, worked through some solid vocal harmonies, so hopefully we will execute well Sunday and lead with passion. This is only the second time I have led at this new church. It is always great fun to begin to connect more in a church community and feel like you are belonging and contributing.

 

Le Studio

Hmmm, maybe that should be the name of it:). I am definitely feeling a little burnt out. Last night and early this morning was mudding and taping second coat. Tomorrow will be sanding, and unfortunately I think some spots will need a third coat. Colours a picked though, so I will then prime and paint and lastly put in the sub floor before moving in. Still a lot to do, since that has to be done by next weekend. (Self imposed deadline)

 

 

Lots Doing

If you are like me you have a lot on the go. If you are like me you dream of getting to the next place, that place where what your day is mainly made up of is the stuff that you either have to do (day job), or want to do (spend time with family, friends, and doing music).

 

For me the challenge is trying to get to the place where most of the bigger "to dos" are done. Fixing up the house so that everybody has what they need...closets that work, beds that fit, curtains that hang, a family room to hang out in, and , oh yeah, an office for daddy to keep all of his music stuff in!!

 

Well I am close to finishing a fairly major phase one of the "One Room Studio", and I am looking forward to coming home at night, spending time with the kids playing basketball on the drive, tucking in everybody, and then going down and writing and producing some new music.

 

I have two projects in mind. A worship EP and an "other" EP. One done by June the other by September. Should be fun.

Studio Photo 2

Under Construction

The "One Room Studio" is coming along. Thought I would share a photo
or two!!

180 Downloads and Counting

"The Gift"

It is good to see that many of you have taken advantage of the free download of my new CD, "Buried Thoughts". 180 donwloads so far.  Being a part-time musician has its challenges as it pertains to pushing ahead musical endeavours, but my goal really is to get as many as possible listening and enjoying and hopefully being moved by what I am able to create.

 

Seth Godin in his book Linchpin talks about the need to ship, in other words create something worth delivering, putting out there, and do it, on time and on budget. To that end I want to commit to shipping something to you all soon. By June 2010, I will be shipping a three more brand new songs, so look for that, it should be a very intriguing little project.

 

"The Studio"

I had a major break-through this week and finished the electrical in the new office/studio in my basement. I think I have to come up with a name for it. Any suggestions? The plan is to finish (ship) the studio and get it on production by May, giving me 6 weeks to produce the three aforementioned songs. They may end up being piano and vocal only, but that has been a common request of late from many of you.

 

"The Tour Phase Two"

I am trying to start putting together part two of the "Buried Thoughts" tour. If you would like to have me come out to your church, piano bar, coffee pub, let me know and we will set it up.

 

 

Fly Me To The Moon

Most of us would recognize this phrase a the classic jazz standard title, which by the way you can hear me sing on my website, www.cliffcline.com. It is the last song on the flash player on the front page.

 

Songs can take us to a happy place as it were. They can uplift us and make us feel happier, convicted, well the whole range of emotions. I have been watching videos and listening to, it feels like, too many people "preach" on the value of doing what you love. The concept underlying it all is satisfaction in life. If you are doing what you love, then surely you will be more content. It might cost you something, but it is worth it.

 

I don't know about you, but this is a massive struggle for me. I love music and singing, writing music, playing music, producing music, the whole deal, but for whatever reason,  the charges I have made to further this love never turn into a full-time gig. But that is life isn't it? Some make the NHL, others don't. Please note, I realize that part of the reason for my lack of success might be my talent level, but people keep buying my music and coming to the few concerts I put together....so I am lost in quasi "success".

 

The flip side is your stage of life. I am married with four kids, and they are my priority. I personally don't think I am making an excuse, I am trying to give them as good a life as I can. Moreover, I work for a charity that helps children in Canada and around the world. I am trying to do the best I can in balance.

 

The argument against me, I think, is that I am a bit of a Jack of all trades, master of none. In Gladwellian terms, I am not focused enough to put in my 10,000 hours. So where does this leave you or me. Right now, somewhere in the middle. I am building "proper" studio in my basement, and will return to producing soon. I have a newish CD with lots of legs left in it, (which I am gifting in download version should you want it http://www.cliffcline.com/2010/03/cliff-cline-new-cd-free-download), and I am trying to stay true to a vision of music I have had since I was 16.

 

Over the past year I have struggled with giving up music because I have not attained the success that I had always dreamed of, but I am renewed in a saying a friend gives me credit for, although I am sure I did not come up with it. "It isn't art until it moves someone". Why am I giving away my latest CD. I hope to move a dream in some one else. I hope to share my faith with someone else. I hope to share my struggles and loves with as many as I can, and move someone: towards God; towards loving their wife or husband more; towards good deeds; or living better and giving more. If I can do that, and continue to do that, I will be living my dream, in fact I may fly over the moon!!

 

 

 

 

 

[re]boot the church

Cliche with all of the post-modern chatter of the last few years?....maybe, but what if you viewed it like a real computer reboot. (Yes mac users it happens to you too, just less often.....I work on mac and PC, I know).

 

Think about rebooting your computer, it is stuck, or lagging, what have you, so you do the dreaded hard reboot. What happens? It completely shuts down, powers off momentarily, and then restarts fresh and new. The code or process that had stalled or slowed production rectified. The programs are still there, the files (except perhaps the recent unsaved ones) and operating system again operating. It is different than refreshing an Internet browser, which sounds more pleasant, because you actually power off. It is different than a force quit as well, which is more like a refresh - only completely powering off will do. But the fact remains, what is not there is the problem, and what is there is what you were looking for in the first place, a working computer.

 

A reboot is only useful, however, if there was nothing inherently wrong with your peripherals, or your machines code. If there is and you don't change anything, you will crash again.

 

So how do you reboot a church. Well, I dare say carefully, with alot of humility, and with the full knowledge that if you are a part of the church, whether you lead the charge or follow the leader, the only person who does not shut down during the reboot is the person pressing the button. And no offense to any of us, if we can't complete the analogy with that person being God (meaning we all "power down"), then it isn't a reboot.

Intellectual Dishonesty

All of us are intellectually dishonest sometimes. Sometimes it comes through necessary compromise (which hurts), or unnecessary self justification (which is self-serving), or just plain denial. The problem that has developed in society is there are very few willing to confront this dishonesty, because they know they are themselves caught in some level of the same pragmatic hypocrisy. This creates a cycle of never truly pursuing better ideas or thoughts (of a moral nature) because to do so calls those ideas of less superior merit into question, which is by default fraught with peril, due to the unfaltering criticism of those who dare to challenge - well, anyone or thing.

 

What then shall we do? The hope I suppose is that at varying levels, we see a few brave souls willing to take the criticism of the masses on to propagate better thoughts, better ways, for a better world. Those that will not only tackle the big problems of today like hunger and poverty, but also the "seemingly smaller ones" like poor parenting, lying and a general lack of respect and love.

Infusing Higher Creativity into Worship Music

Yesterday I led worship at the Well with my friend's worship band. When I have the opportunity to play with new players I like them to influence the sound. We ended up using an arrangement on "Here I Am to Worship" which included a significant lick from a Switchfoot song. Pretty out there really, but effective, why?

 

There are many reasons why creating unique arrangements are effective. Here are three:

1. When we have a body of music that is familiar enough to sing, then it can become predictable. Infusing a familiar song with an unfamiliar line rejuvenates our conscious and subconscious and has the effect of making the sentiment new, improving our focus on God.
2. The musicians themselves are challenged and re-inspired, making their leadership and example more impassioned and effective.
3. It is impressive or impressing. Whether we are musical enough to know it or not does not matter. Hearing something difficult played well and musically impacts us positively.

In the end, your average musician can't accomplish this kind of feat, one of the main reasons my time at the Well is so inspiring to me is that I get to play with such great players. To read more on my opinions on excellence in church music go to this post.

 

A friend of mine in ministry commented to me about the gait of Sunday. "Sundays", he said, "keep coming relentlessly." He really did not mean it negatively. He meant , I think , that the work of getting ready for Sunday is a non negotiable discipline. When we are able to bring something new, something different, something beautiful to bear every Sunday, then we please God and inspire others to do the same.

Cliff Cline New CD Free Download

Sorry for the delay, but here it is, my gift to you. (http://cliffcline.com/btcd.html)

 

As I have mused, I am not sure where it all leads from here. I love creating music, and if I have any frustration, it is that I would like to share it with more people. One of the potential barriers to that is commerce. It is not a gift if I charge you for it, and I really want many to hear and enjoy it, so no commerce means, well a gift.

 

Do pass it on if you like it, FaceBook it, Twitter it, and let me know your favourite song or songs.

 

I am working to finish off my new creative space, and hope to be back writing a new CD by spring. I will keep you posted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Day, A Gift Coming

We are all in transition aren't we? Those that know me know that I have been doing music pretty seriously for 25 years. In the last 16 I have recorded 5 CDs and performed many places. I suppose to some degree or another I had always hoped it would turn into something more, but it hasn't, and that is ok.

 

What isn't as ok for me is that I still want to create and share music. I hope to share art that changes people. Art that encourages and inspires.

 

The problem is that the "CD" as we know it has become a commodity. There are so many artists out there doing great stuff (I would like to think I am in that category) that many of them can not make an economic go of it (I am in that category too). For me though, I would far rather people have my music as a gift, than not have it at all. For me to have files on my computer or CDs in my basement collecting dust makes no sense. I have poured hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars into producing a gift, and now it is time I give it away to as many as possible. Will you help me?

 

Although I can't afford to give away the CDs in my basement, I am going to treat them like the commodity they are and sell them as cheaply as possible. But the files, the mp3s I am going to give away.

 

Check back here next week and you will find a link to my music, my gift to you and whoever you share it with. See you then.

Linchpin and Natasha Bedingfield

I have been reading Seth Godin's blog for a while now, and finding it very useful to spark my mind to action. I just purchased his latest book Linchpin and for me it may just be life changing. I am not talking life changing like Jesus or the Bible, but life changing nonetheless. I recommend the read. You are welcome Seth.

Natasha Bedingfield is inspiring me huge right now. I am currently re-building my "studio" and am in physical pain that the inspiration is not being turned into my own creations right now. Natasha, we are on a first name basis you see [not], is a brilliant singer, huge voice, and her music is well, joyous. I like it, she's given me a "pocket full of sunshine"!

What is next:
2010 is the year of "Buried Thoughts" the new CD. If you like it tell someone, buy it, share it, and come see me sing or even book me!!

Worship:
I led music for a prayer service last night at Forestview, cool. Small gathering, but great environment at the new church we are going to. I lead for the service a week this Sunday, so I am looking forward to that huge.

I lead and speak at The Well tomorrow. Maybe I will see you there.

Work and Haiti:

I was able to get another small team out this morning from Trenton air force base. A missionary teacher, and two nurses and a medic to help with our partner Mission of Hope. To support the work we are doing there in Canada you can go to www.ftccanada.ca. I have confirmed thy have arrived safely and are on their way to engage in work. Bless them as they give!!

Last word for today......be encouraged, in the midst of pain and disaster there is hope, there are wonderful loving people who are giving so much, yes to help in Haiti, but also right here in Canada, in neighbourhoods, in downtown cores to bless those without. Be encouraged that thy are doing this, and well, figure out how to be a apart of the blessing too.

Peace.

Concert Pics, Leading at Our New Church and Haiti

New Content:

I finally have some decent concert shots to view: photo page

New CD Buried Thoughts is still fresh, you can buy or download it on the site.

 

New Church: http://forestviewchurch.ca/

We have finally landed at a home church where we seem to fit, it's great, and after five months I am slowly getting involved in worship. I will be leading my first service this Friday night, most likely solo with a little mac thrown in. Then in couple of weeks I lead at the main service.

 

This Sunday I am speaking and leading at the Well in Toronto, so it will be good to see my other family after a bit of time away.

 

Haiti

As some of you know my day job is COO of a charity called FTC Canada (Feed the Children). It has been an intense couple of week as we had staff on the ground that needed support. We were able to get a medical team and medicines in fairly early and they are already back. You can read about what we are doing there by linking on the news and blog link from our site.

Much Music Haiti Special

I have been invited to be part of a special Much is taping tonight. I
may not get a word in, but I will be there to source.

This last week has been surreal. Normally something like Haiti would
be a news item, something I would follow, raise and give money for and
to, and pray that things would work out.

Two and a bit years ago I moved from being a Pastor to working to help
feed kids in Canada and around the world at www.ftccanada.ca.

We have two partners on the ground in Haiti. I have friends working at
one of those places that we partner with. They have four kids there,
one is my eldest daughters age 10.

I am not a front line guy. I am an organizer, a talker, and show off,
a big mouth, and it has been time to use it all ( even if some of that
sounded negative) to help.

Dozens of hours of calls, getting a great team firing on more
cylinders than we have, getting a medical team to Haiti to help our
partners, our friends bring hope to Haiti. Raising awareness and money
to pay for the meds, people and supplies they so desperately need.

The team is there, day two and I am waiting for the stories that I
know will tear me up. And I am here, wishing I could do more.

I will say this, it is time for us that have to give something,
whether it be to my organization or another trusted one doing work
there right now. Lots of helping hands make the incredible work that
needs to be done a little lighter.

For news or to give: www.ftccanada.ca

Peace.

Haiti Disaster Relief

Since the earthquake hit in Haiti last week, my focus has been there.
Whereas in the past this would have been a news item, in my new role
it is my 24/7.

With partners/staff on the ground in the thick of things we have been
desperately trying to get a medical team of supplies and professionals
to Port au Prince to re-inforce the effort our amazing team is doing
there.

Tonight at 3:40 a.m our team of 16 is to leave via Montreal straight
to PaP airport to be met by some of our team and provide relief and
renewed supplies.

I pray they get there and that the work goes well. I will update as I
know more.

To help the efforts of our relief work go to:

www.ftccanada.ca

My Wife is Amazing

My wife is building four little cathedrals, and they are beautiful! This is a great take on how amazing she is.

First Post of the Decade

As I look at the next decade I see it as crucial to me and my family. This is the time for me to do something bigger, something more meaningful, something lasting. There will be university starting for my eldest, there will be dreams formed in all my children, and I must encourage. I must show them the world God has created and the nuture the gifts they have been given to serve God in this world.

Interesting motivational thought from Seth Godin's blog. I definitely do not want to wake up 7 to 10 years from now having only dreamt of doing more.

Seize the day!!