Shoulder to the Wheel

Someone asked me what's new today. I have to admit I kind of felt refreshingly boring. I have my CD project to work on and a whole lot of things to do at work, home and with the family. I pretty much have th next 8 months mapped out if God wills it.

Tomorrow shoul be a day of good progress on the pre-production on the CD. Gigs are copming in November and Deember and I anticipate a couple of more bookings as well.

See you early next week on the blog. Until then. Peace.

Work and Play

One of my personal goals for this year at work is to makes some gains in my use of both technology for worship and make better use of the actual space that we have. I simply write that to write it. The things that I could do are immense. Use of moving graphics in worship, more video production and more use of others video production. Adding more lights to our rig etc.

Well that's work.

I have been reflecting on the past four plus years at my current church. One of the things that has brought a great amount of satisfaction is thinking of the people that I have been able to work with that whole time. There have been busy seasons and hard seasons and dry seasons, but years later we are still doing it and better for it. This morning was a great morning working with some of those people, and of course some of the new ones who are joining in and I hope feeling the positive vibe.

Ultimately we do life with people. When relationships are good, life is good. I gather Jesus thought the same thing when he told us we have to love each other. John seemed to agree when he said you don't really know God if you don't love your brother. I know I need to get better at loving, well everybody, but it is encouraging to see the harvest of friendships growing. Life would be very empty without it.

So Much To Learn

The last few years have been ones of intensive growth. Thankfully, the majority of that learning has originated from the Bible, but I have found the experiences of others interaction with scripture has helped me learn more, and hopefully faster, than if I stared at the Bible in a vacuum. You can look at my book list for some of my reading, I have several more books I am into that I need to add to that list.

One thing I read last night was a monograph by Jim Collins on leading in the social sectors. In essence it was an extrapolation of his Good to Great book for organizations like churches, hospitals etc. His end conclusions were not changed from his book just tweaked. Rather than really do a poor job of summarizing a 30 page monograph, I suggest a quick read if this subject is of interest.

One of the hardest things I have had to learn over the past few years is the [un]-importance of being right.

The one exception I will make to this is the importance of defending Biblical truth, but the how to and what is a very long and intensely dense discussion that this blog would trivialize.

So what do I mean? I suppose I continue to learn more, and realize the brilliance (or lack thereof) of many people. Some whom I know and many of who I look to to learn, read, etc. A lesson that Jim Collins learned in writing his book was that the qualities of greatness in a great leader are humility and an uncompromising desire to see the mission accomplished.

I think humility is so important, and I have had to learn that on issues not involving biblical truth that it is my pride that drives me to be right. It is arrogance and a desire to be seen as superior or worthy that causes me to defend myself or my decisions. Leadership requires a response to some things - it just does. But other times it requires a trust that God is in control and may, in fact, defend you to others. If you let Him He may actually correct you too. I think I have experienced both sides of that learning, but the Bible says that God disciplines those he loves. Let's just say I feel loved!

As with other very personal, very public issues of how you are to others in a public arena, I think your reputation precedes you most places you go. Moreover, these things can positively change as you let God take hold of you, to transform you. I am so thankful that others have seen growth in my life and that I too have experienced growth. The great part about it is that I attribute the positive change to God, because I have looked to God to help, and then the change has occurred. It is part of how I express God, by identifying the work He has done in my life through specific interaction with Him and His Son Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Anyway, I haven't written a learning blog for a while. I hope this helps. One thing I know is that I need to keep growing in humility. I think to encourage any of my readers to do the same is a safe bit of Biblical advice. I know it is an endearing quality on earth, and I also know that God loves it too!

Looking Ahead

So I have three Christmas type gigs confirmed going into the winter season, and I will be warming up for and playing for Ali Matthews for FTC Canada awarenss concerts. It should be great time. I need to add them to the appearance page, but for now they are:

Thursday, November 30th at the Royal Botanical Gardens in HAMILTON
Sunday, December 3rd at the Lamplighter Inn, Crystal Ballroom in LONDON
Sunday, December 17th at the Church Restaurant in STRATFORD

I am anticipating an amazing time with these. It would be great to see many of you readers come out and catch the show nearest you!

Running the Race

So I am taking this Sunday off, and in fact the next couple of days. I think I have done a very poor job of relaxing for some time now. And by relaxing I do not mean to say sitting on the couch and trying to take a load off. I do mean spending quality time with God, my wife and kids and doing the the things that keep all aspects of who I am as healthy as possible. Last January I started eating better and running and managed to lose 20 pounds and felt way better. Well that took me until May, and since then I have not been discipined in either area. I have managed, by the skin of my teeth, to keep at the weight I got to - so now I need to go to the next phase - another 20 pounds before Christmas. Although I am no where close to as cool as my buddy Sven
(http://svenwalther.blogspot.com/) I am trying to motivate myself anyway I can to run more and improve. The chart below is where I am starting from the last couple of days. Tomorrow will be an improvement I would think, and then the chart will be more interesting to look at over time.

Anyway, thought I would bring some of the mundane into the blogsphere!!

On the Horizon

Well as you know I have begun the pre-production of my next CD. Things are coming along. I have no way of knowing how long it is going to take to get this CD done, but I know I won't release it until I am incredibly happy with the songs and the production. Pre-production is a long way from that, but am having a tonne of fun adding bones to the songs I have written. I am almost 4 songs into the pre-production process and I think I will pre-produce ay least 14 to choose from. After that the process gets more exprensive as I hire musicians to put in the real deal.

On a side not I have been using the stuff I bought to enhance ministry at Valley View the church I am music pastor at. I have done a whole service with the drums and bass "programmed" into Logic, and I roughly did some production to a tune I wrote specifically for a sermon last week.

It has been fun to learn and experiment and create. I am looking forward to much more of the same.

Recent Things

My apologies, I haven't felt as inspired on the writing side of things lately, and thus, haven't written. A few little fun things to recount.

Last weekend I used my new-ish MacBookPro laptop running Logic to back up the worship band. The band consisted of 4 singers, myself singing and leading from piano and a led guitar player. The computer played bass and drums programmed by yours truly. Apple Loops are pretty amazing, I switched up the verse, chorus and sometimes even the bridge drum parts to make them sound as legit as possible. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to keep the energy up. Reviews were actually really good. Everyone likes live, including yours truly, but a good experiment gone well.

The day before I spent the whole day rehearsing and the evening dong a live worship recording for Heather Thirsk (no website yet) in Barrie. Really a great experience, and I connected with some amazing musicians and singers who I have not connected with for a while or ever. Great to do that sort of thing.

I have a few more updates, but I need something to write about in the next few days so I will let you know more then.

Peace.

Thanks Windsor!

So last weekend I lead worship at Heritage Park Alliance Church, (link) Sat night and two Sunday morning services. Man I had a great time. The worship experience was great, I really felt a vibe between the people there and myself, and the worship of God was amazing - the point of course. Those of you that know me know I pound the piano pretty hard. It ended up being a patch chord, but the last song of the last service the piano just quit. A funny moment to say the least.

I always find it interesting to work with other worship bands, especially under tight time conditions. It challenges me to assess quickly and see what I have to do to make the band sound its best with very limited knowledge and personal experience with the players. All in all I think it went very well.

The real kicker for me was the spiritual side. I REALLY felt at ease, at home. I remember praying and thanking God before one of the services for the body of believers - His church. I really felt like, man, these are not strangers, these are my brothers and sisters - it was very cool. Anyway, we connected very well. Not only with the band but with other people in the church.

Another fellow I met and had lunch with was Terry Lesperance a pro drummer out of Windsor working in Detroit. A real cool connect and lunch.

I feel like it was one of those important connections in life, maybe as much for what it taught me about the church (BIG C) as it was for the experience itself.

Ebb and Flow

I still have not grown accustomed to the ebb and flow of music life and gigs. Granted I am still a part-timer with a real day job - I think I always will be, but as an organized guy I would love to pace and book things out perfectly. I don't think too many artists get to do that.

So last week was the surprise of the Rick Warren service. Obviously that was a thrill (granted for some wrong reasons like I get to say I led worship for a Rick Warren event) but it was great regardless. This week I have known for some time that I am going to Windsor to lead worship, should be a blast. Then next week, unscheduled until this week again, I am going to be part of a live worship recording in Barrie for Heather Thirsk (http://www.freshwind.ca/guests.asp). So it is fun, it ebbs and it flows.

Going away for a few days so I will talk to you in a day or two.

Rick Warren In Toronto

So I did end up leading worship for a Rick Warren event last night. Wow, that already seems like so long ago. It was an intimate event and it was certainly last minute from the putting together the music standpoint. In the end, the event was most likely life changing. I say most likely, because my life hasn't changed yet - but I am praying and working towards clarity on how I might make it life changing.

I have also been processing a lot of information lately. Some of the snippets of thought have come out in this blog, but over the next couple of weeks I hope to collate some summary thoughts on some of the most important things I am learning and applying. Hopefully you will find it helpful.

Good night!!

Growing Up!

It is my firstborn's Birthday today, she turns 7!! They grow up - fast. Funny how at 7 the parties go from family, and well that's it, to seven different occasions at all the families houses and of course the HUGE friends birthday party. Honestly it is so cute to see the hostess side of her personality come out. You start to see the joy she is getting out of the preparation alone and you realize how important relationships are going to be for her over her lifetime. It has been a fun couple of weeks building towards the big day. The party should be a blast, followed by two parents falling into chairs exhausted!

Cliff Cline Ring Tones

Come on, now this is funny!! I didn't do this, nor did I know it existed until today. Check it out!

link

Leading Worship with Rick Warren

I have confirmed today that I will be leading worship for a service where Rick Warren will be speaking that is coming together in Toronto around the massive aids convention (link). For those of you who are unfamiliar with Rick Warren, he has become more and more interested about solving some of the worlds problems - literally. His P.E.A.C.E. plan can be seen here, and how he got there can be seen here.

Anyway, unless anything changes I will let you know more when I know more.

Sorry, I was wrong

I don't know if I have ever been so humbled by how stupid I am. You see, I believe in Jesus Christ (that's not the stupid or wrong part). For years now I have called the place where I gather with other believers church. The building we meet in church. I have said stupid things like you should come to our church.

Christians en masse are the church. Wherever we gather, we are the church - at least potentially. If you are a Christian you can't really stop going to church, you can only stop doing the things Jesus said we need to do and be to be the church, which is Christians being as God/Jesus/The Holy Spirit would have us be together and apart.

If Christ were to come back for His bride tonight (tonight to us in Toronto anyway) we would most likely be asleep in bed. OH NO, we are not at church (the building), so we are not the church (Christ's followers, the bride of Christ), so to hell with us - literally - NOT.

I think we have been living the language we speak, and the language we speak belies what Christ and God's word, the Bible, tells us being "the church" is. Every minute we follow Christ's teaching more fully, we are set more free (John 8:31-32) to be His followers, and let me think, think, think, what's the word - to be His church across denominations, platforms, organizational models, and blah, blah, blah. Live it more with more people. Sounds good to me.

Tough Times

I think one of things that is most perplexing today, for me anyway, is how much time we as Christians spend debating morality, politics etc. My take on that is that we end up defining ourselves by what we do not believe in, rather than what we do believe in.

An example of this kind of dialogue can be seen here and here. ( Aug 2, 2006 about Colson)

There are visionaries out there that keep on claiming the same message day after day, month after month, year after year. They do not veer off course, because although they could spend time defending what they are not, it is far more productive to say and be what they are. You need to ignore to some degree the criticisms and just be.

Yes I am talking about being like Jesus Christ. We need to be Christians. People who are defined by love, guided by the Bible and the Holy Spirit, defined by caring for others, taking care of the poor, the sick (of every kind), the friendless, the homeless etc. When someone asks us an opinion on an issue we need to be like the new Chrysler commercials link (wait through intro to get to commercials). We need to tell them follow us through our day of helping people, telling people about Jesus, caring for people in our community etc. and be done with it. If they can't follow us through a day and get that message through our example, than we are preaching the wrong message somehow, don't you think?

Le Justy

The clean sweep. Seats out, rug out and washed out!



Two views, why not?



And of course, the new high tech, unbelievable cup holder!! No more spills man, no more spills!!!!

Pics of the Justy

Hey guys,

I am sorry pics of the Justy repairs coming soon, I promise.

Smelly

Those of you that know me, or that have listened to more than one of my Cds knows there is a theme of coffee that runs through, well most things to do with me. Well the other night coming home from a gig I buy a tall latte (Starbucks bien sur). You know, keep me awake for the drive home. The Justy doesn't have a cup holder, so I place the drink temporarily on the dash. You guessed it, it spills all over. No need to buy another, the anger seething through my veins kept me awake.

Humid weather we are having don't you think? I have shop vac'd the car, Febreezed the car etc. What a stink.

Well, one of my freinds and readers is about to fall off his chair, because he knows how much:
a) I hate tinkering and doing manual labour and;
b) Working with tools on a job I have no familiarity with.

So I decide I have to get this carpet out. I mean out of the car until I can decide how to clean/get rid of it if need be. The problem with that of course is you have to take the seats out of the car. Kind of scary.

Well the Justy is stripped like an old piece of furniture. Pictures to follow - you wil laugh.

No, that does't mean I am giving up coffee. Cream and lattes in the car, maybe, but let's not get crazy. I usually drink it black anyway. Americano anyone?

Speaking Tonight

I have been asked to speak offsite (not at my home church) a few times this past year, which is a great thrill. Interestingly it has been pretty much a split between speaking specifically on worship, and speaking on any other biblical theme.

Tonight I am speaking on worship (link for when and where). The thing that never ceases to amaze me is how I can never seem to force myself to speak the same talk twice. I attribute that to continued learning for sure. Usually there is enough of a break between engagements that I have learned more, thought of better ways to express the same thought etc. Although much of the material builds on previous thoughts and talks I am excited about the opportunity to explore again with new fresh thoughts (at least to me) the musical side of worship and its implications for the Christian community today.

The Space Between Us - Playing Musically

A friend of mine sent me this link as something I could pass along to my the worship teams I lead. As some of them read this blog regularly I thought I would throw it up here as well.

Unbelievable Storm

So last night I came home from a board meeting and had barely sat own with Stef before I heard some pretty severe rain and wind. I ran to the back deck just in time to see our umbrella from our table a story above the deck, and two above the ground. We also HAD a tent covering thingy, which we struggled in some sideways rain and wind to quickly dissemble but to no avail, it was snapped in a place or two as we tried, and our deck anyway, looks like a disaster.

Overall it seems that we came out really good, just $100 to the bad, I heard that houses relatively close to us got somewhat hammered.

Tomorrow after work I am taking off with the family for a break, a vacation induced long weekend. I do not get many Sundays off (about five a year) so I will be back to do worship on Sunday morning at Valley View, but it will be great to have a couple of days of down time.

Jamn Session

Great night on Saturday, three of four members of the jazz club were at the annual Mike Davies jazz Jamn party right off the Danforth in Toronto. I have been invited a few times before but this is the first time I have made it out. It was really fun doing some standards. There were a couple of vocalists, three drummers, couple upright bass players, guitar, and sax. It was an amazing night connecting with other musicians and old friends. I am thinking I need to start a similar tradition with the jazz club. I will let you know.

I'm On iTunes, really!!

Ok so I am doing my thing, checking up on things and I see that I have finally made it. I am on iTunes for purchase. Ironically I was checking out my online e-distributor because I have been making some humble sales through Emusic and Napster, but now I am with the big boys. Kind of fun.

Pass the word along to everyone please!!

A Great Experience

One thing I did not share yet from last week was the experience that I had Saturday morning leading all those Senior Pastors in worship. I definitely put alot of effort into what was in essence a simple worship set, but the time was amazing. The speaker, David Fitch (link) was very thoughtful as he addressed th issues that face followers of Christ today trying to actually achieve Christ follower status - meaning in my mind - a life worthy in everyone's eyes of being called Christian.

Anyway, after the talk came the response of worship and let me tell you 200 plus men singing like that was amazing. I led simply from piano only and was honoured to be able to lead in such an environment. What a blast.

Anyway, just thought I would close the loop.

What is the church?

I have been a slow painful process of being wrecked about what the church is. I would have to say that years ago I thought that the church was what happened on Sunday mornings. Really, that was church to me. It is not that I didn't think that you needed to behave in a Godly/Christlike manner all week, I just thought the communal expression of church was the Sunday morning service. Even coming into ministry that was my most prevalent thought. The tension has always been that Sunday morning was supposed to lead us a people to be Godly/Christlike and massively influence the community we are in in Christ's name. Oh yeah, massively....Positively.

A speaker last week repeated an expression I have heard several times, I heard it again anew. If I was to leave my community, if my church was to leave my community who would care? Who would miss me/us? That is it. The degree to which we are the cup of water, the jacket, the shoulder to cry on, the rescuer from abuse, the pathway to the Creator is the degree to which we are the church. I tend to think that until that is noticed we might as well shut our cake holes about what we believe, it's rubbish to those who do not see it in action. Yours truly being the worst of all offenders.

I am preaching this Sunday morning....

Heading Home

well it was a very long week. Don't like being away from the family that long. In the end the worship segment I led was very fulfilling (successful) and the peaker I supported in that session was great. I am taking the red-eye home and then leading worship tomorrow morning at church . Am I insane? Talk to you soon.

In Edmonton

So I am in Edmonton for the week at our denomination's national assembly. Today is the really the first day after arriving. I have much to do this week, the most nerve racking of which is leading worship this Saturday morning for 200 plus senior pastors from accross the country.

Looking forward to the experience.

The Beginning

So I have decided on an approach for this CD for now. It's not rocket science, as it is my understanding of how many artists produce their CDs. Right now I am starting the pre-production phase. For me that means getting all the songs in with a scratch piano or acoustic guitar (sometimes both) and then some scratch vocals and drums loops. I will be getting them all in (probably more songs than I will actually record) so that I can see how some of the songs sound with a little more production around them. I was surprised how much some of the songs I thought might not make it last CD really came alive early in the bed track phase. I have already started one of the tunes (as a way to learn the new equipment as well) and I am really pleased with the results.

Obviously I will keep you all up to date on the progress. Pretty early in what will undoubtedly be a 6 to 9 month project, but such is the part-time CD producing life.

A Good Busy

So last weekend was very busy, in a great way!

Thursday night and Friday morning I had the priviledge of speaking to a group of leaders at camp Mini-Yo-We to begin their summer of service. (http://www.miniyowe.com/) That was followed by a Friday evening worship service that I led. An amazing worship time. Great to see two of our youth from Valley View up there to serve this summer. One more will be joining them later on!

Good to see friends pictured here!!



I returned to a Cliff Cline Jazz Club gig Saturday afternoon. It was great to get back on that horse so to speak. Here is the band in our very cool set-up.




And here is Ken Michelle (of Dustkicker fame) our very kind host.



And lastly Rog (piano) and Greg (drums) looking too cool.



So, hey, book the Cliff Cline Jazz Club now for your fall and Christmas parties. The dates will go fast!!

Back to work this morning, which had a cool moment in ministry as I sang a duet with my wife Stef for the first time ever!!Well, that about covers it. Talk to you soon.

CD Announcement

Hey Everybody,

You will need Quicktime to view this. If you don't have it you can download it BlogItemURL>
here.


CD%20Release%20News%202.mov

{Re}Creation

One of the words that has really been {re}emphasized in my life lately has been {re}creation. I remember hearing a pastor talk about the fact that the root of the word {re}creation is to {re}create. To {re}create ourselves. His point was that we need to find a way to consistently {re}energize ourselves for life and ministry by {re}creating our emotions, our spirits our bodies etc.

I think there are two components of {re}creation (to be simple):
1. Doing something we enjoy that makes us feel better in some or all of the above areas;
2. The second is intentionally going for a {re}fill from a source of high intensity or purity.

I think most of us get some, probably not enough in our own minds, of number one. Golf, vacations, date nights etc seem to do the trick in {re}juvenating us a bit. I think very few of us get the second right very often at all, yours truly very included.

To put it simply I think to be the best humans that we can be (and by that I don't mean musician, or business person, or homemaker, whatever) I mean a person who positively impacts everyone around them. Someone who is loving, humble, kind, gentle etc, I think you have to go to the source. I think you need to spend "alone time", call it meditation, prayer, devotional, journaling, whatever you like, as long as it means going to the purest source of these things. I believe we were created to be these best things, and the best place to be transformed into more of that kind of person is alone with the Creator - God. If you are looking to be a better person, more fulfilled. {Re}create yourself, by going to your Creator.

Changes a Coming

So I have decided it is time for a spring/early summer clean-up of the webspace. There a some exciting things happening in the background on the musical front, annoucements to come, and I think new web look will be needed. I am also looking to upgrade the e-commerce side of the site and offer more options and eventually "product" for everyone to enjoy.

So the coming weeks should provde some mild entertainment for you as I struggle to grow a little in the technical side of my life and make things more functional and appealing.

For those of you that come directly here, and do not pass "go", or in other words my website you can see the before now, and then keep coming back to see the after. http://www.cliffcline.com

The Honda

So my main vehcile is a Subaru Justy, kindly donated to me by some missionary friends who fled to serve God after the transaction:) It is a fantastic little beast, as in, it gets me around justy fine. Our other vehicle is a Honda Odyssey. That's my wife's vehicle. She fills the bus up with our kids and often others with regularity, so obviosly I am pretty passionate about keeping it in top notch shape.

So last night I come out and the tire is audibly hissing. Literally just gushing air, and sure enough the tire is flat by this morning. So Iam here in the dealership, hooked up online, while they fix it up. Minor issue in the end, nevertheless, bit of a pain.

The engine light has been on recently as well. The van has been operating fine and I knew it would cost the better part of $100 just to get it checked, but I thought per my comments above, and alot of travel to come this summer on the van, that I should make sure I got it checked. Cool, problem under warranty, don't have to pay for the analysis or the fix.

Somedays, not having to spend money is a real good thing! Thanks Honda.

Great Guitar Player

Check this out. You need quicktime player to do it, but it is a treat to see.

link

Nike and iPod - How Cool

This is the kind of stuff I thought would have been developed sooner. Very impressive. Nike Link.

Although I have been very consistent with my running regiment for some time now, and I am actually starting to enjoy it, I can't see doing this sort of thing. I still don't have an iPod, not for lack of desire, and I sure the runners don't come cheap either. Regardless, a cool idea.

Here's a thought. Biblegateway could do a deal with iPod with a few versions of the Bible. People could read verses and chapters, the device would record them as read and have some sort of a community map on the Bibegateway site showing our progress as a community in doing out spritual workout when we sync to our computers each day.

Does that sound fundy or postmodern?

Avid Reader?

Someone told me yesterday that if you have eight or more books on the go you are considered an avid reader. I am sure there is a rate one should be going through them as well, but for now let's go with criterion one.

Sidebar, today was an early morning, 4:30am for a false fire alarm call at the church - nice.

Alas, I have been wanting to post some of my reading here for a while, and I couldn't get back to sleep so I have been puttering away at some tasks here at the home office over a quad espresso.

Current Books: link

Hopefully I will knock a bunch off this list and from here I can start expanding. By the bye. I am quite sure my rate of reading does not qualify me for avid, but I am certainly reading more than I ever have.

Winding Up

The English language...so strange. By winding up do I mean finishing ala 'winding down' or starting up again? I mean the latter for clarification.

I continue to read Getting Things Done, by David Allen. I should finish it soon, but I think I have already picked up the one or two things that could really help in the time management side of things this next year.

By winding up I am referring to the feeling I currently have after an unbelievably good vacation. First you have to:

1. Catch up, then;
2. Respond;
3. Re-engage;
4. And get back up to full speed.

On top of it all I have the great problem of several gig requests coming in simultaneously for both music and speaking. I will update appearances as I confirm and get details.

All that to say I think I will be back in the groove by tomorrow. I must admit though, I really miss the siestas!!!

Postcard

Unfortunately I am not a digital camera boy right now, but if I were I could send you some ridiculous pictures of where we are. Needless to say it is a constant postard. In the words of Phil Collins, 'think twice, it's another day for you and me in paradise.' Well me anyway, sorry.. I know, don't antagonize the readers.

Finished reading the George Barna book, Revolution, that I mentioned to you a few blogs ago. Man, it is a challenging book. Not a hard read, just difficult material.

Do you ever find yourself wondering how you are going to take your life, your Christianity, if you are a Christian, to the next level. How you are going to make a bigger gap between the stuff we do for ourselves and the stuff we do for God and others. It certainly is the journey that I have been on for the last several years. This book is making a strong case that I have miles to go, and the may be quite a few unexpected turns yet.

Ah well, for now, back to the beach.

Peace.

Mexico!!

Wow. This is going to sound wierd, but do you know the sadness of seeing God's beauty. By that I mean, the sadness of the unspoiled combined with man's best level of respect and creative work, and not getting enough of it. Well in concert I have mentioned how I love to write songs in God's creation. I will be doing some writing here. TALK TO YOU SOON.

Gone for the week!!

So I think I will not be blogging for the week, going to Cancun! I will talk to you soon. Who knows, if there is free internet I may try and drop another line. Until then.

A Big Week

This week is going to be action packed. It always works this way it would seem.

1. Prayer meeting tonight
2. Kids basketball awards evening tomorrow
3. 3 assignments to complete for my masters course before we leave for vacation
4. Preach on Friday night
5. Preach 2 services Sunday morning
6. Leadership meeting to implement at church Sunday afternoon
7. Church Coffee House service to implement for Sunday eve

A little bit more than I wanted to chew off and those are just the big things. But there is a light. Cancun on Monday for a week. The break will be timely for refocusing and relaxation going into the final busy stretch of the ministry year.

Worlds Collide

World One:
Well I am pretty sick today. Strep throat I think. Went to the doc got some meds. Pretty much have done two things, slept and watch TV. Mostly kids TV, but TV nonetheless. I was fortunate enough to catch a couple minutes of a human interest story on CBS. Human interest generally means not depressing, so being a little under the weather I was happy to stop even for a minute. The story was on Cameron Clapp a triple amputee who has a made something of bad situation.

World Two:
I am taking a course on Biblical Interpretation for Preaching and Teaching right now. I have finished reading the overview of interpretive style and approach from the 'beginning of time'. Not heady at all. The humerous part about the history is you see this ebb and flow in interpretation from simple, literal to complex multi-layered and frankly less useful methods. The flow is that over the centuries the church of or better yet, Christians have done better with the simple, humble approach to interpreting the Bible. It has amounted to better Christianity and better Christians.

Collision:
So I was thinking about the media in Canada and the States. How are they trying to interpret history and events as they unfold? The media in Canada is sooo liberal, and frankly self-righteous, but why? Then it hit me. Because they are trying, for the most part, to be honest, to be authentically critical. They don't believe that every cloud has a silver lining, they believe every government is covering a scandal, or a negative, suppressive, meta-narrative-like religious agenda. In their zeal to interpret news correctly, as in some of the bible interpretation methods, they have errored on the side of critical. There is not nearly enough constructive, or just plain, life is good coverage, especially in the news. Perhaps one would argue the Dr. Phil's and the Oprah's of the world offset this. I think they just make the world look unbalanced and sick, but that is another story.

Conclusions:
Keep it simple. I suppose I think we need to pursue truth not just story. Life, not just celebrity and scandal. Hope, love, each other. It would sure be nice to wake up one morning and feel like everything wasn't on the precipice about to tumble. Not head in the clouds, just looking at the lining as well.

Revolution!

George Barna in his book, Revolution, © George Barna 2005, had this to say:

"Many well-intentioned pastors promote this perspective by proclaiming, "The local church is the hope of the world." Like most advertising slogans, this notion is emotionally appealing. The trouble is the sentiment is not biblical. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the hope of the world. The local church is one mechanism that can be instrumental in bringing us closer to Him and helping us to be more like Him. But, as the research data clearly show, churches are not doing the job. If the local church is the hope of the world, then the world has no hope."

I have "published" a similar thought (July 28, 2004) previously to some criticism. Now that someone with a name has said it, I am sure I will be told who I am quoting:)

What's Going On?

• Spring, sweet spring is bringing energy back with gusto. Man I love the heat, any heat, when it comes to weather.
• Vacation. We have not taken a break since last October. Poor planning in some respects. Making up for it with a 10th anniversary break in Cancun!! (sans les enfants) with amazing friends!!
• Music:
• At church the bands and singers have been soooo good. I have really been enjoying some of the musical ideas and progress we are making. Worship has been great.
• Personal Music. Not enough gigging is getting me down a little. That being said, and I think I have several times, I am writing some cool new tunes. Also it looks like the jazz thing might come back onto the table soon. Kind of cool.
• Beyond that looking forward to slowing down a little (I hope) over the summer. Connect stronger with family and friends.

Eating Out

Humoursly the name of a new song I wrote. But that is already a tangent. I wanted to give you a picture of the pizza but I can't. All that said here is the meaningless link. The real point is that we don't eat out that often and if we do, well it's on coupons or gift certificates or something. But heh, here's a full price you can afford once in a while. $5 pays for three little princesses to chow down!! A buck and change a head. Come on, that is unreal. Not always healthy, but a parent saver once in a blue moon. Just thought I would add little to no value to your day - or....

Le Bible

Two languages. Cool eh?

Do you know what kills the message of Christ in culture. Opinion. That's really it - opinion. My own success in living a Christian life is often helped or hampered by how much of an opinion I have on something. And here is the rub. The degree to which what I am saying AND living agrees with the Bible is the degree to which I am living a 'successful' Christian life.

How does that play out without becoming legalism?

1. Interpretation of the Bible should agree with historical interpretation of the Bible throughout time. (e.g. saying that this is a dumb point based on an abuse of the Bible during American slavery, which was later corrected back to better interpretation is not valid)
   
2. The principles applied should be applied as principles rather than as practices. What do I mean? One person may show love by giving away tonnes of money or possessions while another only gives away a little bit of money and stuff. Both are applying an Acts 2 (the Bible) view of the church and how a Christian should act so both are doing right. One may have given a car - does that mean giving a car is the right way to "do" church or Christianity, of course not.

This can be applied to many things can't it. Very often the principles are clear, and if we were honest, practices are grey. Jesus himself was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton (for socializing basically), and John the Baptist was called demon possessed (for hanging out in the desert where they thought demons lived and not socializing and eating and drinking). Seems to me that there is only one way to God (Jesus), but many ways to be a Christian:

1. Poor
2. Rich
3. Middle Class
4. Simple
5. Complex
6. Educated or not
7. Single, divorced, married, youth, children, le aged.
   
8. Right brain, left brain, a little of both (please a little of both:))
9. and so on....

Where does this leave us? I think humbly realizing that far more of the good in life than we give credit came to us from God through the Bible. Literary style for instance in Western culture. The concept of goodness and charity. A healthy (but fading) view of money, work ethic, family, creativity, music, art, friendships and so much more. Why don't we live the origin of our best stuff simply, PASSIONATELY, through the lenses of the greatest book every put together.

Changes a coming

Well I just found out from a friend that it can take up to 10 months for an independent to get tunes on itunes. Wow, not a very quick way to get stuff out there eh. I also am also considering some other options as it pertains to distributing music. I really enjoy the ministry and creative aspects of the music career, but I have not had the time with everything else to try anything new lately. I have been writing more tunes, some of which I think are pretty cool. Hopefully I will have more news for you in the next few days.

Writing on Guitar

Well this year has been slow on the gig side of life. The positive side of that is perhaps a little more balanced with all that is going on and...I am writing more new tunes! I suppose you always hope that your writing improves as life goes on, and I feel like that is the case with the new tunes that are coming out of me right now. Moreover, as happens because of all the songs I have written and never recorded, some of the old good ones that have never made it to CD have been re-visited and re-vitalized. It has made for some real fun jam sessions.

Another real cool thing is the writing coming out of playing guitar now. My goal is to be able to play everything I write on both piano and guitar, no matter which instrument I write it on. I think it helps shape the songs more fully. Also creates more grooves or textures to play with.

Anyway. I am already dreaming up new sets for concerts and I am looking forward to getting out there a little more and sharing them with all of you. Hopefully that will happen sooner than later.

Peace for now.

The Bible

If I thought I had a passion for the Word of God before this course I just took I was wrong. My passion level has risen to levels like a nuclear reactor about to explode.

I get to preach on the Bible at Valley View on May 7th. I can't wait.

Gaining Knowledge

I, as most who would read this blog, am on a journey. There have been some incredible things I have learned from God in these past few days. I don't think I could ever write them in a single entry. It feels like a book of information, and that has been so encouraging.

At the same time I have been on a very regular journey. A plugging away journey. I am taking a masters course right now on Biblical Interpretation for Preaching and Teaching. Besides being incredibly humbled by the process, I am finding it a source of personal comfort. Comfort because although I leave every session or assignment feeling inadequate for what I don't know, I am caught in the truth that at least I am trying to add knowledge to this proud foolish man. The verses below speak to the need to do so.

link

So be encouraged. If you are on the regular journey of trying to grow in God, it is the right thing to do. If you are not, be encouraged, the process can be very simple to start, not always "easy", but right!

God Bless.

Going Electric

Well ok, probably not in the near future, but you never know. I have been playing acoustic now for a couple of years and feel like I have finally hit a place where I can rapidly get to where I want to be.(be able to strum any pop tune you put in front of me on site - well)So as I near the completion of goal number one, it naturally leads to thinking about the next goal - starting to expand skills and sounds to the electric medium of guitar. I will need to experiment a lot with sounds - but I know I want to be a little different than the norm, probably steering away from a Stratocaster or PRS. No options are closed however, got to try them all! Shopping should be fun. Below is a Gretsch. I will have to try one of those soon at the local music store.

A little time to reflect?

Played a bit of Tiger Woods Golf on X Box with a buddy today - his house. I am not blessed with such a machine at this point in my life.



Things have been simutaneously viciously busy and kind of slow. So chilling out was a welcome respite.

The day job (being an Associate Pastor) is very important on many levels and has been nuts. I have been trying new things, continuing old things and generally working around the clock to get everything done.

The extra curricular things have been there but not to the degree I would like. As noted in some of my other blogs link I have been doing some speaking, a little consulting and a little singing. I have been hoping for a little more singing to come my way (yes I know I have to work at getting gigs), but it has not materialized so far this year.

There is a reflecting time going on in all of this as well. I am analyzing all of the things that I do and wondering if I am really supposed to be doing so many different things. It does not give me much time to reflect and write (songs poetry, and prose) or time to hear God as it were.

Not to be cliche, although to be cliche, I think I have become so busy I am not stopping long enough to listen to God. (you thought smell the flowers, admit it) That is a major thing. When you feel you have responsibility to be God's representative on earth (really let's face it, that's what you are saying as a pastor) than even being too busy doing God's work can be a problem. You have to hear to translate.

Alas, kind of random, but true. Going to bed. Trying to slow down and listen. I also recommend it - for anyone. Listening to God that is.

Peace.

My new studio - not

I am sorry but how cool is this!!

I Have Hit iTunes

At long last I have hit iTunes. I have been waiting since late last year for my distributor to get me there. Alas, tell all of your friends, they can get there favourite tune for a buck or so. I am obviously very excited to be on such a huge distributor. Hopefully it will be a major way I can open up more ministry opportunities and get my music out to a larger audience!

Singing in the Rain

My middle child will be having her first dance recital this weekend. My first has been through this once or twice already. Life is firsts with children. It is amazing to see them process the firsts. I honestly don't know how much they get out of it of lasting value at 3 or 4 years of age. More than anything I hope it builds in them the love and appreciation that mom and dad have for them. Three girls, and they are all amazingly beautiful and cute. What can I say. Oh yeah, it is raining outside, and if you remember the movie that is the big dancing scene. See what I did there?

Learning New Things

I was asked to speak at a nearby university (Ancaster, Ontario) called Redeemer University College at their "Church in the Box" monthly service last night. I hadn't really researched the event itself, I was asked to speak at it through one of the students that from our church and was very pleased to go and be apart of it. I anticipated something similar to what I run for about 10 to 20 called The Church Coffee House. It had some of the same elements, except there were over 600 people in attendance last night. I was instantly humbled. I definitely didn't feel worthy. Some things about the talk went better than I thought they might, from my perspective other things did not go as well I had hoped. Ultimately, I hope the message from God's Word was heard over my nervousness. Ironically I have sung for thousands many times, I used to sing several times a month at a church of more than 3 thousand, but preaching and singing are different, and not anticipating the environment correctly is just, well, different. Alas, I would covet another opportunity like that. The worship was really good, the vibe was amazing. The potential for God's kingdom to moved ahead through a ministry of that size is amazing. I pray that God will bless them richly, and if you are ever in that town, I recommend you check their online calendar and see if Church in the Box is on. It is worth a visit.

Technology Woes

I have been previously pleased with some of the things I have been able to accomplish through gifts of friends outdated technology. Or at least there redundant equipment as they upgrade.

Well my wireless router has been great until this past year. Since moving to this new house I have had a terrible time keeping it on and engaged. Not only has it been inconsistent wirelessly, but it has also been bad wired. Jumping in and out, constantly needing to be rebooted. What a pain.

Alas, I am trying to implement some advice about changing the channel to something other than the default. I have done that, and have been up for awhile. We will see if it can stay up for a few days and prove the point. Another weakness is our 2.4ghz phones as well - which is the only type we have on our house. Alas, we will see how much improvement we net (pardon the punn).
Maybe I will get back to blogging more if when I fire up I can actually get on the net.

Peace.

The Speaking Thing

I have begun preaching or speaking on the Bible now for a year and a half. As is my nature, I am relatively self-critical. When I began, I received good feedback and mistook that to mean I was good at preaching.

I have really begun to critique my past performances and I am not very impressed. The good news is I think I have many things I can get better at. Time to dig in and really try and move this part of my life forward.

The second peice of good news is even for my newness to the task I am starting to get asked to guest speak other places, so I must have done something half decent. Looking forward to some preaching at Redeemer University in the next few weeks. I will let you know how it goes.

Peace.

State of the World

Much has transpired recently. "Big news" in Canada is that Stephen Harper and his Conservative government have taken over rule of Canada with a minority government. I personally am not very impressed by the result as a conservative. I think that ultimately the conservative view is one somewhat rooted in Christian morality, although it would be a massive stretch to think it is a significant influence in reality. The only way that the conservatives, in my opinion, will get more seats is to further distance itself from a Christian worldview, or moral view. That would allow it to "appeal" to those who hold to some sort of morally relative post-modern view. That really just creates two liberal parties and does not give a real choice. I think that the bottom line is that Canada is sufficiently morally bankrupt to ensure that those who have any moral agenda whatsoever will never gain any significant political control of the country. Influence is another question, but control - I think not. When crookedness to the level that Canada has seen barely begets a tap on the knuckles for the perpetrators then I think that more than lets us know the climate in Canada. What's the golden rule? Do unto others. Apparently most of us are afraid of being held to account ourselves, because we sure don't want to be accused of holding the liberals to real account.

Going away!

Well I am heading out to Niagra Falls to do three days and 5 sessions of worship for out sister district in Ontario for the Alliance.

I am very excited to have been asked and to be going there to lead this group of pastors.

On the muscial side I am priviledged to be taking my constant drummer Kevin Jongsma, Fergus Marsh (of Bruce Cockburn fame) on bass, and friend Ryan Fletcher to run the technical side of life.

I will let you know about the highlights, and I will see if I can get some pics.

Peace.

New Things

Well I am trying to get over my fears of the technical. It is starting to work. I wouldn't go as far as to say I am turning into a geek, but as it pertains to creating music and trying things out I am having a tonne of fun.

I am currently starting to lay down some demos of new songs I have written this past year. The equipment I currently have is pretty humourous:

1. Dell Pent 3 866
2. Cubasis VST
3. Audiophile 2496 audio accelerator card
4. Beringer 8 channel mixer (four "mic pres")
5. Korg O1/W
   

The rest is not worth mentioning. Perhaps to some the above wasn't. Anyway the real fun is in learning the technology available. Free drum samples on the web, syncing things up, seeing your songs come to life with "bed tracks" etc.

I have much more to learn, but I can sure see how guys get addicted to the engineering/producing/mixing side of things. There really is alot of creative outlet in there.

Computers, Yeesh

Well my old Dell, actually a good computer to us, had to be re-done this past week. It is a few years old and after various upgrades and far too many programs installed, including too many kids games etc. it was time to wipe it clean and start again.

Through connections we have the Pro XP and Office Microsoft stuff so I was able to reformat to NTFS and put clean versions back on old bessie. Of course then you have to go up and put every security upgrade and SP2 back on it, but I am hoping (and it seems to have) re-stabalized the home machine. No loss of data as it was all backed up in preparation of the endeavor.

Who knows, maybe I will get blogging more again.

Taking a Break?

Phew. Have a good Christmas.? Hope so. It has been the usual busy one for us. Busy and wonderful with the kids. My 6 year old and I have had a couple of interchanges that have been fun.

"Why do we give presents?", I asked,
"Because we love each other", she responded.
"Is that the reason we celebrate Christmas?", I asked,
"No, it is because Jesus was born." she returned.
Just checking.

I must admit I am a "bah humbug" when it comes to Christmas. My family never really over did it with presents - were not a Christian family in the early years, just was not a HUGE thing. Now don't get me wrong - I struggle with my desires for things. I tend to desire big ticket items, which to this point in my life I have rarely if ever satisfied with any frequency. They also usually have a practical purpose - equipment for music etc.., but I often find myself thinking what would I choose to take if I had to pack it all in a car and live in one room with my whole family. Would I take my guitar - still try and take some form of a demo studio with computer and all, a piano? Would I be online anymore. Would it change who I am, what I do, how I dress, who I hang out with, how well I served Christ or not?

Sometimes the way we celebrate Christmas seems to fly in the face of evaluating how we remember Christ's birth and it's impact and influence in our lives, and instead it awakens our material short-comings. Our inability to gift our children, our spouses, or immediate family with much or anything. Should we not sacrifice, even go into debt to gift people with things?

Well it seems an absurd statement, but it is what we do as a culture.

We didn't this year, haven't for years really. I think I have begun to succeed at not emphasizing the material, commercial side of Christmas - now I feel I must find a way to radically change the way we celebrate the birth of Christ. Perhaps I am talking about 365 days a year - but I think I am talking about Christmas time. I do not know how yet - but I will get back to you. Hopefully before next Christmas.

Peace.

The Year in Review

Ministry life has been growing there is no doubt. This will be one of many blogs that analyzes different parts of what I have been doing this past year. One of the things I do is lead worship at Valley View. It is part of my day job as an Associate Pastor there. When it is all said and done I have done alot of singing and leading this year.

1. Morning Services (many Sunday morning for 2 services both counted estimated) 84
   
2. Church Coffee House Services conservatively 15
3. Cliff Cline Concerts/Appearances 21

That is a total of 120 Services, concerts or appearances this year. That is probably a little on the low side. Just an interesting look back for me. That doesn't include that I have preached and/or taught (many times at the same service) an additional 20 times this year. When you think that I probably average 10 hours of prep for a talk and 4 hours of prep (including rehearsal) for a worship service you are looking at 680 hours of my year. That of course doesn't take into account the sound checks or the actual service time or concert time and travel. Too much to look at the extra-curricular 21 gigs, but the church stuff estimates in around 290 hours a year. So about 970 hours in prep and execution of the music and speaking side of my ministry.

The Digital World 2

Well I have finally hit the digital world where you can buy Noticing the Sky songs one by one. I am excited to be offered on both Napster and Emusic. I should be available on ITunes soon as well. I will let you know when that happens.

Sick as a Dog

Man, got a flu that turned into a cold and has knocked me out. I am on the rise finally I think. Not blogging much these days, bad Cliff. I have a tonne on my mind. I am planning my next series for Coffee House, looking at the new year and things to do for music, thinking of more "improvements" to the worship area at church, looking at the reality or not of doing another CD this year and much more.

Typically there is a lot of reflection this time of year for many people. No different for me. If I am going to make a major initiative or move it is usually decided on at this time of year. Just works into the yearly planning and review schedule I impose on myself and that literally seems natural.

I will let you know how some of these things pan out. Talk to you soon.

Peace.

Long Time No Blog

Well I feel bad that I haven't been consistent at all in the blogging. Life has been more than a little crazy. I have had a couple of gigs, plently of outings ala Chirsitmas parties and just social things and well, the day job has been a little crazy. To some degree that will keep going until Christmas day. Makes sense.

I have been really active in the songwriting area in the past few months. That generally happens when I hit a reflective time in my life, and there has been lots of reflection. The end of the year is a natural time to consider all things pertaining to ones existence (yes perhaps overstated and poorly used). Good time to reflect on the past year and the one coming.

I think I will have more to share in the coming weeks, I will endeavour to step up the updates.

Peace.

From the Kid File

Well we have entered, or shall I say continue to enter, the ever increasing activity list that is part of this eras child developmental cycle. Our eldest (6) is now in basketball, which I think is hilarious. Truth is, I am very proud of her. She really likes to practice her dribbling and running and really loves the whole deal. Seeing the joy that she experiences is a great parental experience, and this seems to be a father daughter connection point she really likes. Very cool.

The Trio Returns!

Well the Great Wodden Trio, one of my favourite names for a group, dropped by with their brand of story telling and music and brought wisdom, humour and inspiration to our church last night. I haven't got the count, but it was well attended.

Had the opportunity to go out after for some wings with the band. A great time of catching up on old times and hearng the massive history that this group of guys has together. For sure it is part of the unseen appeal of this group. May they do this for a very long time to come.

Thanks guys. www.greatwoodentrio.com

A Great Read

Some my wife dictated that life had become to work-centric, to the point where my recreational reading was to educationallly or carrer based. In short, I was not leaving work at work enough. I am a Pastor, you see the challenge.

Regardless she picked out a book for me based on another passion - coffee. "The Coffee Trader" by David Liss. link



By puritanical standards this book might not pass the test of cleaniliness, but by reality and life's standards it felt quite accurate. Ultimately, however, it was masterfully written and a great, if short due my enthusiasm, read.

I mostly include this because I am very uninteresting sometimes in my blog and write too much of the gig life and not enough of the "mundane" and frankly lately I feel my "deep thoughts" are as deep as the groove in my front hall tile.

Alas, I am happily diverted. Have a great day.

Peace.

The Great Wooden Trio

Well, I thought I might as well advertise for friends considering they are coming to our church this Sunday night @ 7pm. The Great Wooden Trio will be performing (and I will most likely join them on a number - no guarantees) at Valleyview Alliance Church. It is a free 'show' and will be one of the most entertaining you will expereince for some time.

We hosted these fellows recently and could not resist having them back. It is a Christmas theme so it a great way to start you celebrating this season.

www.thegreatwoodentrio.com

Can you hear me now?

This one has two themes. First is the 100 Huntley Street thing. It was a real blast to do. As I mentioned before, I think, it was my first time being interviewed at length on Huntley and I was nervous. It seemed to go very well. You can check it out on their site and download the whole show if you want. link You can also view it right from here streaming, by clicking on this link.

Secondly I have finally bought a webcam. Way behind the times I know, but I finally come to the place where it is necessary for cheap, visual, cross-country communication (video conference) and I have purchased a cheap logitech camera to see how it flies in general. Alas, I have now done a test via msn (oneway) and it seems pretty cool. The next thing is a true conference. Can you hear me now?

100 Huntley Tomorrow, Etobicoke on Saturday

I am very excited about going on 100 Huntley tomorrow, looking forward to bringing my percussionist, Kevin Jongsma, with me. Really cool. I am interested in the whole experience as I have never been the interview guest on 100 Huntley, although I have been a musical guest several times. Hopefully God will use what is said and done to touch someone - that's my prayer. Show times are through this link. (it does repeat at night many places)

I am also singing at Hilltop Bible Chapel (Torotno area) on Saturday night with an acoustic band. If you want to come out you can get directions through this link. I think the tickets are around $6-8 at the door, I will confirm tomorrow. Love to see you there.

Peace.

Lots of Things Coming

I have a few things coming up that I thought you should know about. This Saturday I am doing a fundraising event for the Neighbourlink churches in Newmarket at Newmarket Alliance Church. I am doing several songs as part of a greater event. I am also going to be on national television next week on 100 Huntley Street, both as the musical guest, and being interviewed. Lastly, I have a gig in Etobicoke at Hilltop Bible Chapel. It should be an amazing intimate "unplugged" thing with acoustic guitar, percussion/drums, and myself on piano and vocals. I think it would be a great event to catch a different side of the music.

Anyway, just thought I would give a quick update to keep you in the loop and informed.

I am on the charts at Indieheaven again, but a long way down. If you think of it you can vote once a day at Indieheaven Radio. Just look for my song "We Cry Out", click on it, look for my CD at the top and vote 5 stars and watch it climb!!

Fun Stuff

I am starting to build out links to friends and other things I am doing on my website. It is really at the new stage but there are a couple of things you can check out through the page now. I will try to keep building and updating as things go on.

Have fun. link

The Church

I think the thing I love most about the church when it works well is the relationships, both deep and new, that transcend circumstance and unite us. I was able to go to a sister church in London this past weekend and teach and lead worship with their people. It was a great experience (for me anyway). The thing about God working in peoples' lives is it is real, it shows. I was blessed to know them, even at the level I was knowing them at, and God was definitively working in their lives. Man that's cool.

What's also cool is coming home. Came into church Sunday morning and interacted with many people from the home church. Same thing, God working in peoples' lives. The excitement of God at work. So good to see the fruit of Christian living up front and centre!

On the road again

So this weekend is going to be a blast. I am in London, ON doing a worship workshop and then doing a worship concert with the folk from the church I am at. I am really looking forward to meeting all these fellow padres in worship and music.

I am finding all of the travel right now refreshing. It is constantly rejeuvenating the creative juices. Writing songs like crazy. Anyway, I will let you know how it goes.

Oh yeah, don't be afraid to keep voting for the new song on the Indieheaven radio show, "We Cry Out".

Peace.

Preaching and Such

I preached last Sunday morning for the first time in the morning service at my church. I haven't tallied how many times in this past year I have preached at the Coffee House, but it should be up in the teens. Nevertheless, it is a different vibe speaking to a bigger crowd at two services than to 20 to 30 in an intimate setting. Frankly, it is easier to speak to a larger crowd, at least it was for me.

The point, though, was the learning. Now hopefully people got some good content from the way that I spoke from the Bible. The positive, strong and plentiful feedback would indicate that was the case - very encouraging. It was also encouraging to feel like that forum was not above me, that I was well received and effective.

Preaching in a church environment is not about ego or status, but when you feel like God has laid on your heart the desire to share His word, and has given you the ability to communicate it - it is a very fulfilling thing to get the opportunity to do it. Fun, really fun.

Nominate Me?

Hey, why not ask. There is an opportunity to get nominated for some awards with Indieheaven. You guys seem to do such an amazing job of getting me up the charts, maybe you can get me nominated as well!!

Just go tho this link and fill out the form in the categories you think I should be nominated. Some facts that will help you with the nomination:

Nominated Artist Website: www.cliffcline.com
Nominated Artist Style: CCM, Adult Contemporary
Male Vocalist: Yes
Female Vocalist: No
Songwriter: Yes
Album: Noticing the Sky
Song of the Year: Sure, how about Noticing the Sky
Hardest Working Artist: Sure
Perseverance Award: I am old
Best Indie Radio Station: No
Best Indie Radio Promoter: No
Best Indie Music Website: Your call
Best Indie Venue: No
Best Indie Recording Studio: Dont have one
Best Indie Music Producer: No

Hope this helps.

Deep Thoughts?

British Columbia. Lived there for several years in the lower mainland. I am one of the few, apparently, the willingly came back to Ontario from the land of milk and honey. I came back in part due to the awful weather they have there so much of the time. I am affected by the dinginess, alas, Ontario works for me. Having spent a week in Florida in October (non-hurricaine)....

Anyway, I miss the people there. I think most of them hardly give me a whip of a thought, but I really liked so many of the people I went to high school and university with. There were certainly more friends at the latter, but people get lives and a circle of friends - and me moving here didn't help that much, so it becomes a distant ache of missing. But I do from time to time feel it strongly.

I was looking through some old "achievements" and "participations" from those times. I was so young, and some of the things done were pretty amazing, pretty inspiring. I think sometimes they are inspiring because of the age of the source. Young people achieving excellence is, well, surprising, inspiring, rare. At least in the context of what I am thinking. The counter is perhaps what is hard. Excellence in the "more mature" is expected, not original, and simaltaneously highly valued and disregarded. Hmmm.

Watched 'Batman Begins' last night. The one phrase of the movie that was central (paraphrased) was, "It doesn't matter what is on the inside, it is what you do on the outside that makes a mark".

It seems to me that life is:

1. Spiritual: How are we doing with our creator;
2. Relational: How are we doing with our family, friends, and neighbours, and;
   
3. Vocational: What good are we actually accomplishing with our lives for and in the above two.

Just thinking.

Indieheaven Charts

Hey guys,

I have submitted another song to the indieheaven radio charts to see if we can climb to number 1 again. There is a little more of a payoff this time as the top hits by the end of the year make it onto a compilation CD that will be distributed widely, for sure across the states, but possibly beyond as well.

Alas, go over to the indieheaven radio site link and check me out near the very bottom. Click on my song (We Cry Out) and the rating you give me (5 stars) will help me climb the charts. Do it everyday and we will see how we go. Last time it went great!!

Talk to you soon.

Kids Meals, Cold Weather and the Internet

Well we are back. Back from an amazing week in Florida. Perfect weather and a great start to two weeks off.

Side note one. McDonald's restaurants. Hit way too many of these on the way down and back for "potty breaks" and meals for the kids. They have more than lost their shine. The food is still eh and formulaic, which means consistent, but the facilities are ridiculously inconsistent. They are a failed dream in my opinion. They have nothing to offer, every place we went to is radically different, but one thing consistent. Very dirty, and generally poor service.

Side note two. Man it is cold up here. I guess that's why we were there. God was good to us, perfect weather, and we missed the hurricane.

Man, absolutely poor opportunity for connectivity where we were down there. Tried a little dial-up and what not, but did not enjoy the experience, hence the lack of blogging. Kept me away from work, which was good, but also kept me away from the fun of working on some music stuff. Ah well, maybe a little more fun this week.

I shall blog a little more.

On Vacation

Hey dudes,

Sorry for the break, on vacation. Down near Orlando, man it has been great weather. Talk about coming the right week. Rain last week and hurrucaine or its effects next week.

Vacation has been great - basically totally offline, mostly because I have been having trouble, but it is good for me. Great break. Weather has been mid 80's plus and did the Disney thing yesterday with my three princesses. Now that's fun.

So you probably won't hear from me until early next week, too busy doing an active nothing!!

Till then.

The Digital World

So I continue to try to develop all sides of the career and my understanding of this ever evolving industry called the recording business. Next frontier: the digital domain - you know the whole itunes thing.

So I have begun the very involved process of an independent artist getting distributed wolrdwide in this venue. What else can I say?, I will let you know if I hit itunes etc.

Peace.

Great Quote

As you travel and put your music out there, there are always two levels on which you operate:

1. I am just doing this to positively influence as many people as I can and,
2. Man I hope they like me.

Well I have had my share of feeling like people don't like me or my music, but it is real fun when people discover your stuff and then really like it. Especially when they are radio people!! Check this unsolicited quote out from my indieheaven site:

"ROCKIN RON (Rating: 10)"heard "noticing the sky" yep had to add that to my kbcu 88.1 playlist. but its when i heard the whole cd.. my heart told me this is one of the best praise and worship cds to listen to with no distractions. good stuff. EVERY SONG a winner on this great cd."

Thanks Rockin Ron - you made my day.

Feasts and Family and Laughter

Ok, my blog has been fairly devoid of cute kid stories, but this one I have to relate. I am still chuckling a simmering chuckle. I don't know that I have ever laughed so hard in my life - and for those of you that know me that is saying something on the weirdness and volume meters.

The picture is my sisters living room, very cool and newly decorated I might add. We had just had a great meal around a unique and marvelous table. The conversation was animated and delightful as were all of the guests. So we moved into the living room and continued in the celebration of life that it was. Much laughter, joking etc. Hannah tends to not be a showboater. She likes to be loved and appreciated, but not necessarily the centre of attention. Last night she seemed to find something knee slapping funny - literally, and she kept doing these very facially and physically slow motion chariots of fire animated knee slaps while she laughed - in her own world. I lost it, I could not believe how funny it was, and even though I was laughing way too loud the whole room was in an uproar so she didn't think it was about her, and she kept joining in thinking life was just hilarious.

Laughter is truly a healing balm. There is a lot to be said for the unconditional love and friendship that comes from family. For my part anyway, it makes me wonder why we chase occupations around the country and the globe at the expense of proximity to this heavenly gift.

Yes I know the answer is complicated and varying, but just give me this moment ok? Just one layer of the onion this time around.

My Blue Suede Shoes

Ok so they are not suede, and not entirely blue, and I don't own them, but I did not really have anything intelligent to say and was surfing and saw some great shoes. Have a couple of pairs of Fluevog. Great quality, I like quality shoes. Just thought you would like to know.

Living Truth

I have been involved in leading a "post-modern" service at our church for about a year now. link It has been a stretching and growing experience for me in many ways. I am slowly seeing the volunteer base grow, but more importantly I feel like we have begun to develop our own spiritual growth path. Doing the sermons or talks has been great and challenging. I personally find the core reason to talk/teach the Bible is to actually move ahead with the teaching. Key words, moving ahead. The biggest challenge personally and corporately is to engage to the level where there is actually noticeable forward movement.

Last night we spoke about the persistent widow in Luke 18. Consistent dogged prayer to God for justice. Our practical moment was to try and pray constantly for one thing for the next two weeks seeking God for movement towards a resolution. One hundred times a day - one thing. I know I have to walk the talk on this one - as with everything - but this is specific. I have a discipline to practice and "report on".

Biggest moment for me in the last while. If one is not growing, participation is still not enough. A fruit tree which is alive but dormant is still useless as a fruit tree. A Christian that is alive but not bearing fruit...

Off we grow.

Google Me

I google myself everyone in a while to see if any of the marketing efforts are actually taking effect. Well a cool thing happened this time around as I found I was featured on an indepedent internet radio podcast link letting people know about some independent Christian artists that you may not have heard of. Anyway, very cool to see my tunes hitting Boulder, Colorado. Talk to you soon.

Cleaning up the desk...

Well a funny tidbit about me. I am simultaneously organized and well, not. I am detail oriented, but not. At my last job as a consultant I kept a pristine office. I dealt with everything in a viciously organized manner, and although I was very busy, I was able to maintain control as it were.

Well for three years I have felt out of control. Picture an old movie which is a life-u-mentary. You see a guy starting a business and doing what it takes to get the thing off the ground, working out of a basement, a dirty rented space etc. But as he progresses things get nicer, more established more polished and more together. Well I am hoping I am beginning a phase of "growing" up in this position. Part of the issue has been the absolutely massive portfolio I oversee. I don't just push paper and request others to do the work: I paint, strategize, implement, hang stage lighting, plan, counsel, advise....

Alas what is my point. I have had everything mounting in my office from garbage - literally - from various sources - to stacks of paper to deal with, storage tyoe items etc. Well I think I am down to 2 stacks of paper. The goal: get to pristine and keep it there!! I will keep you posted.

Hmmm

Ever have something feel so wrong, only to find out it was right?
Ever feel you were nearing the end of something, only to find you were just starting out?
Ever write an amazing song, you could never sing?
Ever feel the pain, that irony brings?

Dreaming

Every once in a while I get a newsletter from Digidesign with their new stuff or offers. ProTools is the software and hardware that I recorded my last CD on and is industry standard for digital recording.

Anyway, I have never really keyed in how much a mini (home) version of the system would cost should I ever be able to start doing some recording and pre-production at home. Too much. Ah well, there is always dreaming...

Reflection

Man it has been one of the most trying times I have ever experienced. I know you are not supposed to question your own leadership in a public forum like a blog, but let's just call it analysis.

Being a good leader I have often heard is not simply about setting a vision, but mainly about taking people through to the realization of the vision. Drawing a sketch but then actually building the town.

So the past several weeks have been: a trip to Nashville, personal concerts, several church services, and a conference that took major effort and expense. Absolutely none of the aforementioned were wild and famous 'successes', and yet, they all created forward movement towards a vision that has been painted. I guess the hard part is that most of us are so worn out from achieving the events we haven't experienced the joy of accomplishment. Some of us have experienced the opposite. I think several lives were challenged and changed for the better through these experiences, comments like "this has been life changing" tipped me off!:). Nevertheless I now need to go to a more restful quiet place where I listen to the the feedback waves along the shore of the past few weeks and see if there are things to be changed - maybe some major things.

Concert Tonight - Conference Tomorrow

Well I am feeling widely human these past few weeks. The pressure has been high, the relationships have been strained, the stakes in my mind (undoubtedly overthought) are life altering, and I am just plain burning out.

I look to some of the folk I respect in life. I guess I dare not name them, the super stars of Christian teaching and discipleship, and the schedules they have kept for decades and I think - what is my problem? Why can't I handle the pace? The humourous part is that ministry/show time, if you will, is only now finally coming. Perhaps this is when it will all fade away, and I can just work at the stuff I am most passionate about. Sharing the stuff I am learning about God through the bible and worshiping through music. Well, I hope to see lots of people this weekend and do a heart dump, hopefully it will benefit them!!

Peace.

Site / Blog Hits / Still # 1

Well I have hit about 217 unique visitors a week to the site and the blog. Kind of cool. Pressures on though. I am trying to keep it consistent and updated as I try to grow towards ohh 1000 or more in the next while.

I have to admit I am surprised that I am still number 1 on the Indieheaven Radio Chart with the title track Noticing the Sky. I have to thank many of you I know for such a long run at number 1. I think at some point they are going to just take me off the chart and make me submit another song. I will let you know.

Anyway, I am very pleased to have you guys along for the journey. I hope to add some value and entertainment to your lives whenever it is possible.

For now, good night!!

Success?

How does one measure success? There are so many variables, quantitative and qualitative, that play into that question. Sometimes, though, I think it is just a matter of getting the things that you said you would done well. The last two weeks have been pressure cooker weeks for me. Trip to Nashville with the showcase, concert up here, and a leadership gathering last night at church. In some respects I think future success is predicated on the implementation of these things across various parts of my life and ministry. I don't feel like there is a specific thing I can point to except that in the midst of the busyness, planned activity is being achieved with effectiveness. I think in many respects I am still laying the groundwork for the next 10 years. Am I allowed to think that far ahead?

Keeping Busy

Well the week continues and I have had guilt for not blogging enough. This week has been incredibly fun. Concert on Friday night went very well. Man I forgot what it was like to be your own set-up dude. (rodie?) It has been a long time since I was in need of renting, but the venue we were at demanded it, alas we did. The concert was great, as was the band. Reallya privilege to be able to work with these guys.

Today we are back to 2 services at church and we have a very cool Leadership Gathering happening at the church which I have coordinated and will be "producing" this evening. Then a heavy week getting ready for the Fusion Conference, a worship conference we are hosting at our church. Tuesday night meeting, Wednesday and Thursday rehearsals, a Cliff Cline concert here at Valley View to kick off the conference Friday night and then the whole day conference followed by two services and then I lead and speak at the Church Coffee House Sunday night. I think this will be the busiest stretch this fall, but there is still time to book more!

Day in the Life

Concert day!! Pretty excited. We have had a couple of rehearsals to get back in the groove after a bit of a lay-off from the concert thing. Now we have at least 2 or three as a band in the next couple of months. I am hoping the new year brings more. The band sounds amazing.

Anyway today will be busy. This morning I pick up the sound system. Then we go to the concert venue to set-up the system and do sound checks. Then we go home get ready for the concert and get back for final sound checks and then the concert.

I am very excited about tonight. Although it is a small venue, the hosts are pumped about the concert, the Christian radio station Life 100.3 is part of the promotion and will be there. It's so fun.

Anyway, tonnes to do so I better get started. Have a little work to clean up as well. Maybe we will see you there.

Peace

Life 100.3 FM Radio Interview Tomorrow Morning

So September is a great month of gigs. This Friday I am in Bradford ON at our daughter church Bradford Alliance to be apart of their 10th anniversary celebrations, followed by a gig at my home church Valley View.

To kick it off I am being interview by Life 100.3 FM (listen online) to promote the Bradford concert tomorrow morning at 8 am-ish. Check it out online, or on the radio.

Back From Nashville

Well, Nashville was a great exeperience. Funny thing happened, I know, I know, I should know better, but Nashville was demystified. What does that mean you ask? Well, I did not go expecting to come home with a record deal. I didn't go expecting a mega gig. I just kind of thought Nashville was like the Magic Kingdom for musicians. The shops and restauarants and the feel man, the feel. I thought it would be energizing, mystifying. You guessed it, same as every other town. It was a great gig, met some amazing people, had a great time, and am more commited than ever to serving the "fans" that I can gather here. I am but a minstrel, and I want to sing a song and tell a story, so I shall keep doing it with a sparkle in my eye and a smile in my heart cause that was created in me.

Pic in the Nash for your pleasure: