Gear

I don't know if I have ever laid out the gear that is the base of my home studio. The guts of it is a MacBook Pro laptop fully tricked out running Logic Express from Apple. That in itself was a massive decision point for me. Should I get something like a desktop or the iMac which would have a little more storage at the expense of portability, knowing I would be doing a bunch of remote recording. Obviously I chose the ability to move around. Getting Logic Express was also a hard decision because I have had lots of exposure and some experience with ProTools. In the end, it came down to the fact Logic Express had many desireable add-ons for the pre-production process that I would have to buy to add on to ProTools.

I had wanted to buy a high end pre-amp, but this time around it was not to happen. I still may rent one for the finish vocals.

The interface I bought was an M-Audio Project Mix I/O. Eight channels, eight pre-amps which allowed me to record the drums well, my most challenging tracking for this project.



Lastly I bought a Rode NTK microphone. A very nice moderately priced mic strongest in acoustic recording (vocal, piano, acoustic guitar). There I was looking for an emphasis on vocals with the ability to record a grand and acoustic guitar.

Apple, of course, has just released a new version of of Logic called Logic Studio.



It seems like a great deal for the money. It includes the Pro version of logic plus a bunch of other powerful software. Of course there is also a break because I own Express. There is also a Express upgrade available, but the real deal seems to be in Studio. Bottom line is I have a CD to release. Perhaps I should reward myself after the release.

Back in the Studio

So I am online again as I previously mentioned and I finally got a significant editing session in this evening. This one track is giving me grief and will test my limited editing chops but I already see the time is worth it. As I listen to some of the rough mixes there are only a few touch ups throughout the other 11 songs that are needed. Unfortunately this one song is a complete re-working of the drums and I think I am just slow because this isn't my full-time job. I learned a couple of shortcuts on th mac tonight that made life so much easier. I got a lot done, so I hope to finish the drums on this song by the end of the week, leaving only those few edits on the rest left.

I have made contact with the bass player, so I will be lining up that tracking in the coming weeks, and then of course are the real piano, all of the final vocals and BGs, mix down, mastering and then production. On top of that is the design and artwork.

The hard part, as with anybody like me, is that you rarely get into a groove because it is all so piecemeal. Hopefully I can have a good run at it this fall. I love the stuff that is in this CD and I can't wait to get it done and release it. On the other hand, you want to do it right, so I am trying to make sure there that balance. That is, after all, why I set my own studio up, so I could get it done with flexibility, accessibility and control over all elements of the project. It is definitely fun to be making progress again.

Looking for a Church

Well we are back down in the old neighbourhood after all of the transition. As those who have read know, this year has been a wild one. Back in Dec of 2006 I started taking over as the interim Lead Pastor of my church to cover for the Senior Pastor. That led to 4 months of leadership and a tonne of transtition. Around that time we learned we were to have our fourth child, near the end of that time was the wild change in jobs which necessitated a change in geography and of course we no longer attended the church I worked at. So now we are in the new location, I am at the new job, the new baby is 3 weeks old and it is time to find a new church community to hang with.

I wish I could do justice to the complexity of this issue for me. I think of a book like Revolution by George Barna (his greater work here) and so many more. Having been in leadership in the church, I am sure some would say "and it is better now that you are out of it", and having filled so may of the public and private roles that encompass leading a church, well I have too many opinions.

The debate can be seen raging right now within the Christian community and certainly outside of it. I am blown away by the American news coverage on the issue of "true" Chrsitianity, and all the iterations people are seeing.

Some, it seems, will die for the institution of church, others, although claiming to be Christian seem to think it needs a complete overhaul, a rebirth, maybe even a near death experience. Both parties claim an undying love for the teachings of Jesus. and there is the rub. How does one measure one's adherence to the teachings of Jesus. By how loud one yells that they believe? Or, as Jesus himself said, wisdom will be proved right be her actions. (Matthew 11:18-19) Note the context there as well, very interesting.

Without playing all my cards (is that a respectable metaphor?) I think I am laying some sort of a framework to the difficulties. Relevancy without heresy, great teaching with outward focus. Community and family support, without a sub-culture that kills the ability to relate to everyone who doesn't go to church - the majority of everybody I know.

So the journey begins. More to come I suppose.

Too Late to be Up

But I could not help it!! Man am I blessed, four kids!! Four kids!! All beautiful because they take after my wife, and all such a blessing from God. So the next part of this will seem strange, but I had to stay up and work a little. On what you ask? College and wedding funds:)

Yes it was time to actually get the "studio" back online and listen and get back into the editing process for the new CD. Great to listen through the speakers again and start to dream about the finished product.

So many more things to do on all fronts, but it is all very good.

Taking Care of Business!

As life evolves so does this blog. Ultimately I have tried to use this blog for promoting and informing people about what I am doing musically. Thing is, I am not full-time in music, so often there are dry spells. How often do people really want to hear that I am still working on my second CD? (I am by the way)

For the last five years I was a Pastor and that definitely effected some of the content here, and now I am working for FTC Canada which works to save children from all kinds of wrong.

Alas, to try and keep my life a little separated I will reserve this blog for music and meanderings of the mind and point you to my FTC blog for things related to work. Fair warning, my FTC blog will be about giving opportunities for you, things or projects I am working on to try and push the cause of helping children forward. Please check in there from time to time if you would like to know what I am doing and might be able to give to help. There are some exciting ways to see your money radically effect one or more children's lives. Check out this week's post now!

If you are looking to get the same kind of thing that this blog has always had, it will still be that, have no fear.

A New Boy!

So my lovely wife produced another gorgeous child, this one a boy last Friday very early, and we are six. Wow. Four beautiful children. I tool a couple days off work to help with the adjustment, and as usual the fam is helping out a tonne with the transition as well. I suppose that is normal. It makes you feel very dependent in a god way. I love that we have such a strong deep and wide family, and I definitely believe that God has everything to do with it. God in the majority of your family, a lot of health. If He is not...well my observation is that it is often way tougher.

Speaking of family and friends, they are all probably hoping that I stop using this massive life change stuff as an excuse for fatigue etc.I mean come on, now we have moved, changed jobs and had the baby, get the CD done and get on with it!

Maybe, but I think I will milk it a couple months longer anyway:)

Peace.

Spontaneity

So driving back to the office in my car after two great meetings over coffee and lunch yesterday I get a call on the cell. "Cliff, do you remember me?" Of course I say, knowing what comes next. "I don't suppose you are free for a vocal BG session in the studio in 3 hours?"

Well of course I wasn't, I have a day job, but I was free for the second ask, an evening call which I did last night. An unexpected and nice creative break from everything I have going on right now. My wife, due NOW, was fully supportive, as long as they were prepared for the call to the hospital!! An exciting night of working fast....just in case, and because I like working fast in the studio.

It was also fun to see a couple of old friends and catch up a little.

The Coming Year?

Traditionally I would have cause to be thinking big thoughts as it pertains to life and direction etc. at the end of calendar year, like most. This past transitional phase, however, has led to the need to be in constant evaluation of what is going on. Work is fantastic, but the newness of it brings huge challenges as it is a new environment and requires tonnes of creative energy to get things up and running and moving forward.

The new house has been a great experience. With the help of family and friends (unbelievable amount of help) the whole house has pretty much been painted, including a kitchen reno (cheap version of re-painting it etc.) and newly finished wood floors. It is an old house (39 years) so character comes with a price.

A fourth child is imminent and brings with it the accompanying anticipation and stress of making room in the heart and the head for another beautiful child.

And lastly is the CD. Kind of been on hold this past month or three. Late August should bring a re-launch of effort and represent the last leg or two of production. It is amazing how far the project has come and yet how much there is to do. This is going to be a serious accomplishment when it gets done.

Child Hunger

Jesus said "You will always have the poor among you." (John 12:8) Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs."

I think maybe there maybe hope for those of us trying to do good in the world. You see, sometimes it is overwhelming when you think of trying to change the world for good. Certainly you can't end child hunger or poverty. Sometimes Christians cite Jesus' words as proof we will never win the war. Maybe that is just too pessimistic. True, we may always have the poor amongst us, but there is a long way from poor to starvation and poverty. If we embraced the Deuteronomy passage, maybe, just maybe we could end poverty and child hunger.

We have a ways to go, but if Coke can have a vision to have every person in the world drink a Coke, certainly we can have a vision to end hunger...for good.

Articles of interest:

Herald Tribune

Reuters

The Louisiana Weekly

The Toronto Star

Re-Invention

Invention of something new, notwithstanding Solomon's perspective on such matters, is extraordinary. Some of the TV shows that deal with inventors on the Golf Channel and on network television show how difficult it is to come up with something new.

I had lunch with a creative friend the other day and he touched on that. He, unlike me, has been highly successful at inventing and re-inventing himself many times.

I will say, however, that I think I am finally doing one or the other on this new CD project, even as it pertains to my musicianship. One friend that heard a rough mix said she thought I had finally captured "my" sound. I think so too.

Anyway I wil keep working towards the release, looking forward to it.

How to save the world

Ok, so this blog will not actually outline how to save the world. In a sense it is a day in the life blog. Many of my readers know my new day job is develop relationships and resources that will help feed children in Canada and around the world. It ends up being much more than that. You can't feed sick children very well, and so if their life can be saved you give them medicine and then the food sticks as it were. Sometimes you help get them clean and healthy and keep them healthy, but the bottom line is to help them reach a baseline existence that is so far below our expectations it still seems like desperate poverty to us.

The story is simple, and the actions aren't clever. They are simple. But we live in a complex developed society with market leaders in raising money - and of course we still have massive world child hunger. Sadly we still have incredible Canadian child hunger. I just want to buy them food, hook them up with a loving church community and say, ok now, get better. But it isn't that simple is it. The great divide between church, state and the poor is massive. Yes we have Salvation Army and bright spots of hope through other successful churches in some communities. But the church is shrinking, its influence is shrinking, and the need is getting bigger.

So what is the innovation. In a world with staggering technology, the ability to communicate clearly and quickly (this blog is at least quick), how is it that we cannot actually as a Christ following people transform communties with lavished love. How can the x thousand of Christians from all denominations etc. not join to love every poor person into health, every orphan into family, every terminally ill person to their maker. I am cursed? with the utopian thought that we can and should. Moreover we must.

We have leaders studying to be better leaders and not learning that humility is what they lack most of all. I still marvel that the findings of Jim Collins the secular leadership guru were that great leaders possessed two qualities: humilty, and an unquenchable thirst to see the vision accomplished.

God help me find a way to do much, much more.

So it has hit

A new template on the blog and a whole new website. Check out, and preferably buy!, my songs from the latest CD on iTunes and songs from The Apartment Sessions on cTunes.

The latest CD is Noticing the Sky, so not brand new for those who have been following for a while. Still a new CD in the works, always updates as they happen.

A New Website..link to iTunes, eMusic

I have been trying to figure out how to update the website and gain more functionality and not lose any. Part of the complication has been my switch to a mac computer and the fact that I am not a power user of programs like Dreamweaver. Did I say power? I meant I a dummer than a sack of hammers. Anyway, I have been searching the web for a Frontpage equivalent for mac (current site is a mix of FrontPage and iWeb), kind of ugly and awkward. But finally I found one and I am getting really close to a re-launch. More on that later.

For those that skip by my website right to here I now have a link to the right go to my site AND....I also have a link right to iTunes and eMusic if you want to buy a couple of songs!!

More to come...

Old Friends, New job, and Starbucks

Had a great lunch the other day meeting up with a good friend from yester-year. It is amazing to see how journeys evolve and people change, and stay the same. It wasn't so long ago I had lunch with another old friend who was able to relate to my new job and give some great advice on the transition. FaceBook, now there's a old friend connection hub too. It has been great connecting with so many.

So it has been about 6 weeks at the new job and things have been advancing in many ways ahead of schedule. I am responsible to create many things here which is both exciting and tiring as you have the creative juices flowing everyday. I ave never been in the charity "business" so there is also all the learning and terminology changes that are fun to navigate and learn. It is great connecting with a whole new set of people though, both new co-workers and partners in the work.

There's a new, big, Starbucks going in near the office here! I am very excited. Great place for meetings and thinking sessions I can already see it. I should not be so excited, but I am. Triple shot latte please! Coffee has been key in keeping the energy up through the 3plus hour drive everyday and in the office. Got my grinder and Starbuck's beans bien sur.

At Some Point

At some point the questions get answered
Maybe at a crossroads, or just the side of the path

At some point the way becomes clearer
Often through revelation, rather than inspiration

It leaves humility intact
It brings reality in focus
It causes hope to build, and love to renew

At some point, the road becomes longer

Not from transformation, but darkness dispelled

CD Progress

Well this week needs to be a return to the process. Last week was a week in Florida with the family and this week should be a rough mix of all the songs with the live drums. Next phase is final vocals start and getting bass done. That may happen simultaneously. Let you know how it goes.

An Overwhelming Reality

Blogging is by its very nature a risky adventure, in that, it is very difficult not to be self-absorbed in both your posting and desires.

I blog in main to stay somewhat connected to those who might be interested in my musical pursuits. As much as it feels like I am doing a lot right now I know that by a professional musicians standards I am standing still. Nevertheless I fight on.

I also jabber about how hard life is, blah, blah. How I have left one job, on to another another, - yawn - blah, blah etc.

The new job. Helping hungry, sick kids around the world. God help me:
a) make a difference
b) thank you every minute for my healthy children
c) have the energy to do all of things I should be doing, not just what tickles my fancy

A mild self reprimand of sorts. Lots to do, some of it really counts. Better more that counts than less.

Last Week of Work

Hard to believe that after 5 years I will be moving on to another day job in less than a week. As seems to be the case almost every time I do this it involves a move (selling the house) a baby - Stef is pregnant, of course the new job and then some spice like a big commute until we move, a CD project on the go - and maybe even some consulting work thrown in for good measure.

Obviously I am very excited on all fronts and am relishing the challenge of it all. I am also trying to take some time and actually mark the transition. I have basically spent 33% of my working life at this job, the number will go down, but right now - that is a significant chunk of investment. I have learned tonnes, done much, had life altering experiences, met great people, seen some of them move on with job change and life change and now I am one the ones moving on.

Interesting though. We have made some connections as a family that I think will be life long. It will be very interesting to see things progress.

Major Milestone

Finished the drum bed tracks for the CD today, HUGE. So much more to go, but finishing that at the quality we are at feels amazing. Getting closer!!

Lots of mixing and editing to do, but a major milestone.

New Site

For those of you who come directly to the blog just wanted to let you know that I have made the site a little more updated. (check it out) Moreover, with the changes to the job, I am selling the house, and yes I am doing it on my own for the third time! You can surf the site and see pics of where I live. Not quite the Much Music show about pads or whatever, but if you know anyone... get them to drop me a line through the site.

Last Saturday was great for recording the drums. I am hoping this Saturday will close off the drums part of the recording. I will let you know. Four to go.

Progess

Well three more songs in the can for drums yesterday was a very successful day. Certainly I am really enjoying the producing side of this experience, but it is totally amazing to be working with a drummer that brings so much to the table. The tunes on this CD seem to be shaping up more to be more complex as well. I think that has something to do with the writing for this CD, but it may also be a little of my producing style. It is an experiment and an experience.

Overall with some of the life things that have gone on (taking over as lead pastor for a time, and now leaving for another job, having to move, expecting another child and all of the preparation and transition that those things bring) the CD is way behind schedule in my mind, however, I will keep pressing on towards a finished project and the concerts that will follow. Hopefully drums will be finished tracking this week, and then we can continue with other instruments.

The Changing Times

So a chapter in my life is coming quickly to a close. I have been a Pastor here in Newmarket for 5 years as of May 1st. That is pretty much the longest I have ever been at any job, and although I am not trying to prove the Gen-X definition true, I am heading to another post starting the first week of May.

I am heading to FTC Canada and I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity. I am sure I will have many refelctive thoughts about my time here as time goes by, but at this point I am trying to come to grips with all of the changes on the way. New job, selling and buying houses, new vehicle for the long commute (at least to start), baby on the way this summer. Shouod be an interesting few months.

On top of that I will try and keep the very behind schedule CD coming. Should be done drums this month which will help, and then on to bass and other live instruments.

Your Turn, Let me Know!!

So I have been less frequent with the blogs which is a result of a heavy day job work load, I have been doing the better part of two jobs since December of last year, lots of recording activity, and some extra curricular and social on top of that. All in all a great last few months.

I have been pleased and surprised to find that the traffic to the site and this blog has been very high (for me) in spite of the intermittent blogging. The host service I use only provides the stats in unique visitors per week. I would love to see it per month, but maybe I can find that out another time. Right now I am over 400 unique visitors a week - and - some of you are starting to download the sheet music from the CD, I am assuming to use for church or personal use. Obviously that is exciting to me, so let me know how you are using it and how it is going. Drop me a line, or a comment.

Talk to you soon.

Life's Little Questions

The ebb and flow of life has been poetically described in so many ways. I do like the biblical metaphor of hills and the valleys. I think it is nearly impossible not to identify emotionally with that metaphor if you can breathe, and you have ever taken in more geography than a flat square few miles of the prairies.

And what do you do when you ride the roller coaster ride of life, trying to piece together the bizarre, the illogical, and the blessing of family and friends?

You stay the course. What course? For me, the course that Jesus Christ set in His last words here on earth, to fulfill a promise God made to provide a way to know Him. Jesus said, what Ezra modelled - Learn, Do, Teach. He said go and make disciples teaching everything I have commanded you. (ref: the whole passage Matt 28:18-20)

I would love to say staying the course flattens the hills and valleys - but it doesn't. It does give you strength, hope and vision to keep walking when at times you would rather not.

Day 2 or Drums

Well another day of tracking on the drums for the CD. It was a great day in terms of getting some amazing cuts, but I had more technical difficulties today than I have had since the day I acquired all the new gear. It was a minor frustration to the sessions, and now I need to figure out if there is some tweaking I can do to prevent similar issues in the future, but all in all very exciting as we got three more tunes in the can.

200 Posts and 2 songs

I picked up my repaired M-Audio board tonight, or should I say brand new board, which was a relief. When I brought it in for repair under warranty the good news was that the fellow at Long and Mcquade said hat he had never sent anything in to M-Audio before. He was actually referring to the fact he did not know how fast their service levels were, but I took it to also mean he rarely saw their product go south. I was a little nervous though, because if even a good manufacturer can have a lemon, and I did not want to suffer after the warranty was out with a machine that was serviceable but not overly reliable on a fluke.

Well the good news is they replaced the board all together, so hopefully I will have no future issues, as I have big plans for this thing. Four or five Cd's worth or more if I can!

Needless to say, I was very pleased with both Long and McQuade and M-Audio. I feel well treated and taken car of in the process. Always a good feeling.

And 2 songs! In the end I only missed one mini-session, and I have rough mixed the second track we captured drums on. It too sounds amazing, so I am looking forward to the next session which will hopefully net us at least 4 songs, maybe more.

Oh yeah, and this is my 200th post. I am slow, but what can you do.

Woo Hoo!!

So I had a successful drum tracking session on Saturday - really successful. I am using a loaner board (same model as the one I have in for repair M-Audio Project mix I/O - picture in previous post) Obviously there is some fear and trembling as I go deeper into this project. Drums will be the hardest thing I do in terms of capturing sound. I have a limit of 8 inputs so choosing the placement of the mics is a big deal, and with a little experimentation and a drummer with some studio experience knowing how he has found great sounds from his drums in the past, it was a real treat. We did some things that I haven't seen before, but to be fair I haven't paid a lot of attention to how drums were mic'd in my own studio experiences.

It was a short session, something we won't do again because the set-up and tear down time is intense, but we still got two tracks in the can. Listening to them over the last two days I am getting more and more excited. They sound really great. My drummer has a great kit which always helps. I have some serious learning to do on the editing side of things, but now it is play time. Create some back-ups and learn - I am having a blast. As the beds go down instrument by instrument this thing will start to sound really different. I remember that being an amazing process with Noticing the Sky as songs went from an idea to a produced sound.

I am really enjoying be the producer this time. I think I have been blessed with solid producers over the 5 projects I have done. In some respects one of my first and the last being the strongest of those. It was time to grow into this role though for both artistic, desire and logistical reasons, and did I mention I am loving it.

I will keep you posted - pardon the pun.

Minor? Setback

Like so many Canadian musicians I am a moonlighter. You take some of your precious "personal" time and you work away at creating something. Unfortunately that puts an emphasis on high productivity to get things done when you do have the time.

Last Thursday night was my first session recording the drums for my new CD. Unfortunately, despite my testing and preparation, I had equipment failure. My new M-Audio Project Mix I/O just quit. Now I have been incredibly happy with this board through pre-production and love it as an interface, but was obviously dissappointed. Drums set-up, sounding amazing and then - system failure.

It is still quite new, so warrantly should get me back on my feet and Long and McQuade will lend me one until it is back, so hopefully minimal down time on the project, but man a disappointing night.

Back at it soon, I will let you know how the next session goes.

The Cliff Cline Jazz Club Gig

So the Club is playing this Wednesday night. Really excited about that. We have played less than we would have liked up to this point but the gigs have been evolving more and more into who we are. This Wednesday should be an amazing progression from Christmas as we continue to develop our sound. You can still get tickets I think. Click on the FTC link on the bar to the right and contact them if you are interested.

I think this year is going to be a very interesting and promising one. We will definitely be hosting another Christmas gig, but we will need a bigger venue, and it will be much more of a concert. We will also be hosting one or two other concerts in yet to be determined venues so you will have to keep posted.

This year is supposed to be the year for my next solo "pop" release. Next year should be the Jazz Club's turn for a CD, so over time we will let you know how those plans are building.

Anyway, trying to write once or twice a week these days. I hope to see some of you out at the FTC gig. Good cause and it will be a great night.

Simplicity

I have been wrestling with this topic for years. I think I have made some spiritual progress in growth along the way, but I am amazed at how slowly my understanding and successful implementation of Biblical principles on this matter has been.

I certainly think it can be over-simplified into a discussion about how much is too much, what is necessity and luxury, but that quickly becomes a discussion about rules or opinions and boundaries (legalism) and stops being about why one should approach life, Biblically with simplicity.

Tomorrow I have to go deeper and preach on the topic at church. Link through here mid next week and the mp3 should be there for a listen if you are interested.

I think it will be an interesting time of reflection.

The Load

There are a few things I have been trying to do more of lately. I would say this year, but the way things have gone with work and family and music I didn't really have a, "oh now it is 2007" kind of start. The beginning of December marked some significant changes to normal life, the November before that was a great social time with many cool milestones, and January this year has been a transition into different things. One of the things I am doing more of currently is preaching. You can check that out here.

We have been visiting more and more people, as well, new friends, old friends etc. I am constantly amazed by how busy we all are. Work with everyone is busy, whether it be homemaking, career work, or both for some. Combined with home renos, other hobbies or interests, dedicated service at church and beyond it is a heavy load. But is it bad?

Maybe I am justifying, but I think not. I think it is all about balance.

Incredibly short and incomplete context: I write this from the perspective of someone who thinks that God is real, created the universe, wrote a book to reveal who He is to humanity, through real, mystical, and symbolic means provided one way to have a real interaction and relationship with Him through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit's guidance and direction.

So, with the balance that priorities based on a relationship with God begets a certain work ethic and enjoyment of the creation that God has given us by placing us in the middle of it, I think hard work, a kind of busyness that allows relationships to grow in love and thrive in an environment that is about being someone who increasingly follows the the Bible with all this in balance isn't really foolish busyness, but worship in all things.

The load, it is heavier, but I thank God for all that it is.

American Idol

I don't know why, but I haven't really been that interested in this show - really ever. Truthfully, I am still not. I definitely would go out for it if I wasn't such an old dude, but that is an old story.

The funny thing is that the last couple of nights I have been like a deer caught in the headlights. I actually can't believe the stuff I am seeing, and I get that it is about TV, but man. It is hard to watch, I don't know how the judges can stand hours upon hours of mediocrity, that much awful stuff. Anyway, it is wild.

Flip side is I am taking a vacation day tomorrow and working in the studio all day trying to get phase one (pre-production)done. Should be fun.

Fun Times

Into the New Year and we are off. Some more responsibility at work these days and trying to keep everything in the air. Getting back into running huge, not enough time in the studio, but it is coming. The next two months are huge in the production schedule for the new CD.

Anyway, just wanted to break the silence. Talk to you soon.

The Break

It has been a very busy couple of months for gigs and work and social things. The social stuff has been amazing, starting with a friends 40th birhtday party and ending with our friends annual, now Burlington, Christmas party, it has been great.

The Cliff Cline Jazz Club is starting to gain some great momentum (with and without me!) an I am looking forward to making tonnes of music with the guys this next year. The CD, as expectd, has slowed in December but will have to resume on the break week and into January.

With some transitional things at work, the CD, The Jazz Club and the hopefuly more gigs in general this year should be very busy in a good way.

An Interesting Season

Ironically I am not talking about Christmas, although what I am pondering is related - closely. Life throws many different things and experiences at you. I would have to say that I have not experienced anywhere close to the harsh or tragic things others I know are dealing with or have had to deal with just to survive.

Have I had a easy life? No, I don't think so, but everything becomes very relative quickly, and really it is not a contest. What I do know is that being able to go through life with others and do more than survive, indeed to thrive and grow, is a blessing.

Now you do get into the issues of what is surviving, growing etc., but I think if you read this blog at all you realize that, although I may struggle with materialism and the like, I uphold the ways of God as the ideal, and try to follow what the Bible teaches in that regard.

The mystery is in this. The Bible is simple enough that a young child can grasp and believe its fundementals, but complex enough to keep one pondering its meaning for a lifetime. Moreover, it seems as we get older, living those fundementals becomes more difficult to do, not easier. And yet, the basic concept never changes. Truth about life and its "keys" are given to us through the Bible. Christians believe that the Bible is the supernatural (although strikingly simple by today's standards) method by which the Creator of the universe has revealed everything we need to know to survive this chapter of existence. 1 Peter 1:3

What strikes me as most important as a person who believes in Jesus and in God (Yahweh, the name that the Bible uses to describe the God of Israel) is that I live a life that is defined by my submission (a dirty word today) to what the Bible teaches. A life that truly seeks to learn what the Bible says, to do what the Bible says and to teach others what the bible says. That progression can be seen well in the life of a teacher of Israel from the old testament times Ezra. Ezra 7:10

I think the opposite is true as well. It is important not to be defined, if one calls oneself a Christian, by thoughts, actions or proclamations that do not help others see the truth of the Bible more clearly. In the end, too much time spent on ideas or thoughts not aimed at doing what the Bible teaches as the keys to life is simply a waste of time.

Living a life akin to that of Ezra harvests a God honouring crop as it were. That is a narrow focus I admit, and one which I am striving to regain. Simple, focussed and true. It is hard to vacate the mind of the wisdom of this world which can seem all too enticing and logical in favour of the wisdom that is contained in the Bible. 1 Cor 1:20 All to often techniques and thoughts that the world reveres are the exact opposite of what the Bible would teach.

The simple focus is that success will come with a life lived in the truth of what the Bible teaches. John 17:17 Jesus was clear on that. Success of course looks very different than what the world thinks is successful. That concept is true, but very unpopular, cliche, unrealistic and trite to many. But it is a simple truth to dwell on and study. Look at Matthew 5: 1-13, Jesus' teaching is simple but completly counter to every human instinct it would seem. I am looking forward to preaching on that Dec 31.

So what is so interesting about this season? Well at a time when I could wrongly try to conjure up all that I think is right by the standards of this world to aid in succeeding in the eyes of many who may be watching, I am prfoundly pleased that I don't have to rely on my own wisdom, or the wisdom of other men, but to jointly rely with other trusted friends on the wisdom of God to stay focused on this simple truth: I need to learn more of what the Bible teaches, do more of what the Bible teaches and teach others more of what the bible teaches everyday. There may be other strategies out there, but I think that is a simple way of describing what Jesus would have us do for life. John 8:31.

KISS

Do you ever feel that for all of your striving, you are ever failing? A walk around the block is a circle, not a journey, and a debatable amount of exercise.

Sometimes I relate too much to the movie It's A Wonderful Life. By that I mean, I can't see the good stuff. It might be there, but I can't see it. As some other movie said, after a while the bad stuff is easier to believe. (because it is just way more prevalent)

I have been reading several blogs lately. Quite a few of just folk, linking through a friends blog to their friends etc., not artists or intellectuals, not "thinkers" or writers, just folk.

There is so much criticism in our society. It seems that many many people feel judged, not good enough. Like they don't measure up. I am there. How can you not be. Almost everyday I/we are told how we do not measure up to someone's standard.

Ironically that is a message that can too often come from the people who bare the responsibility to pass on the message of God's hope for the world. The hope that the world would try and know who He is and hat He's about. I know I mess up with this all the time.

So what is the message of God. On one hand, yes you don't measure up to God, but.... you can. As has been said often, it is not easy, but it is simple. KISS, keep it simple stupid. Man do I need to remeber that. Just be the truth that is in the Bible. When you fall short, just try and be more the next day, knowing that the very exercise (humility, repetence, trying to live the truth, not just know it) is success in God's eyes. Following the teachings of Jesus and the Bible (accepting and following them) allows us to live in this positive and hopeful reality. We are better than ok with our creator God.

Yes it is incredibly difficult to keep that simple focus, but I write this to remind myself, and I suppose others - Just Do It.

Had rehearsal tonight with the Jazz Club. Quite a blast. Drums, piano, stand up bass, sax and vocals all in my basement. I was blown away by the fact that my kids just fell a sleep. It was not quiet by any stretch, but they were out. Thought that was a neat experiment gone right. A little jazz to put them and keep them a sleep!!

The band itself, although behind schedule in our aspirations, is starting to realize our vision in some of our repetoire. (not all yet) We are doing standards, but are starting to out our own spin on several, with the goal of doing that to all plus starting to wrtie our own jazz tunes etc.

Anyway, our Christmas jazz party is next Thursday night December 14th at Not my Dog link to link. Love to see you there. We can't wait to make music and enjoy everybody's company!!

Just One Thing

A lot of reflection lately on many things. One of the things that has been bubbling to the surface again is purpose in life. As a middle leader in an church I often have to consider how am I doing at conveying the one important thing that all members of this community need to know and do. What is that thing. I think the answer is simple, the process is also simple, not particularly easy, but simple.

We are to make disciples of Jesus Christ Matthew 28:19 and of course be disciples by following the teachings of Christ, The Bible John 8:31. That is very Christian sub-culture language, but I do not know how else to say it.

As with anything it goes much deeper. Look at these thoughts on leadership:
link 1
link 2

One of them talks about Marcus Buckingham who talks about the need for clarity from a leader. I like the picture in the other article that shows the "one thing" a leader needs to be.

Nevertheless, I think this underscores some of my thinking and learning. You must be known for something. One thing. You must lead people towards one thing. That one thing may have incredible depth and breadth, but it must be clear and you must lead people towards it.

Simply, I need and want to be someone who follows the teachings of Jesus and helps others, who want to, do the same with passion and integrity. Not just a Christian nominally, not from the Christianese perspective a disciple because that's the right term. In the end someone who says what they will do and be (this is part of that) and then outside the blogsphere (the hard part) actually does it. Oh yeah with depth and breadth.

A Long Week

Hey Guys,

Sorry again for the lack of blogging. It was a great week, but incredibly busy.

The FTC gig went great in Burlington last week. There I played with Ali Matthews and also warmed up with a little set. Moreover, I had a jazz practice and a board meeting at church, two "gigs" last weekend and a tonne to do at home and work.

I spent a little time on the CD today after the service this morning at church. I am still optimistic that I can get this thing done "on time" (lot of ""'s today eh?) but I need to find time to press through December so I am ready for some heavy recording in the New Year.

Anyway, more as it comes. Thanks for reading and keeping up. Hope to see you at a gig or church or something soon.

Gigs a Coming Come on Out

Hey it's been a bad week for blogging, sorry. Lots going on.

I had a rehearsal this week with Ali Matthews who I am warming up for and playing with 4 times this Christmas in the FTC Christmas shows. I have done very little playing for other people in my life and this is a great experience. So fun to be able to "sit back" and have fun in the background. The whole band is great and the music is all Christmas and fun. You have got to see this!! We wil be playing in Hamilton first Nov. 30th at the Royal Botanical Gardens, sounds cool non! Then a few days later in London at the Lamplighter Inn in London on Dec 3rd.

For tickets call FTC 1-877-382-2262. Hope to see you there!!

The Cliff Cline Jazz Club Christmas Party

So mark your calendars Dec 14th, 2006 and come out to Not My Dog for our first annual Christmas bash. Love to see you there. We will have lots of the Jazz Clubs guys out that night, should be a casual hoot!! Come by and say hi, love to hang for a few hours.

Computers - Yeesh

So I am not technically much of a computer geek. I know enough to be dangerous and generally right a wronged ship, but I am not energized by the process. I run the computers at church - three went down last month. Without boring you with the details, it si also crucial in a small environment that all of computers work, well all of the time. There is no pad. Needless to say I have been wokring like crazy to make us ready for this weekend and the staff able to do their respective jobs. Now they are back to normal, I better go and catch up!!

The Cliche Police - A Tribute

I was recently cited and fined (rightly) for cliche (Christianese to be exact) use on my blog, something I try very hard to avoid. I was reminded by this fine, payable with remorse and apologies, that sometimes trite sayings or expressions get in the way for what you are actually trying to say. I will take better care in trying to write with more intelligence and clarity in the future. In fact, I will definitely put my best foot forward and give it 110%, take it one word at a time, and leave nothing on the keyboard, put my sholder to the computer, and not accept cliches as an answer.

Phew, now that I got that out of my system, maybe I will stay clean for a while.:)

Joy In Work

I definitely think it is a struggle to keep constantly motivated. I also think it is tough to stay totally positive in the midst of high pressure and high goal setting. On top of that I think it is very difficult to keep balance across all areas of life in the midst of pushing on all fronts, positively with great motivation.

That is, however, what I think we need to do. I am reading a couple of John Maxwell books right now. In one of them he cites Edison as an example fo a incredibly positive thinker who succeeded through positive attitude and thought.

Many of the thoughts have caught my attention as I read these books. The one thought recently is this: Remain positive, hopeful, persevere, don't give up.

I am totally pumped by the work I am doing both at church (and at home for the CD and book etc.) I am working out, trying to do even more with and for the kids, and the decision to keep it positive is helping me get up in the morning. When you decide life will be good, it tends to agree - even when all of the circumstances you ind yourself in are less than ideal.

Technical Difficulties

I have been having some technical difficulties as of late. I think I have figured out it is FIrefox and/or the Mac OS. Alas, I have put in a couple of backdated ones that you may have read when I publihed a couple of posts in iWeb format, or maybe not. Just letting you know.

Cool Find

So one of my laments over the years has been the lack of ability to record and keep easily accessible demos of all the songs I have done. For obvious reasons, when you have written as many songs as I have and you are not performing and recording, well every year pretty much, unless you are diligent at writing them down and/or recording them, then you are in trouble.

I have always known that I have lost a few good ones, but lately I think it has become worse. In part because I have written so many "secular" songs that I am not really using in any venue right now.

Interesting the journey I am on in life (to me anyway). This CD project is pulling and pushing me to, perhaps, re-find my voice artistically.

Anyway, I did a concert 7-ish years ago, if you can believe it, at a friends photography studio downtown (link). He no longer has that place. I found a video tape of the concert, and have hence found several songs that I must consider now for recording. I am starting to think I am going to have to release a volume one and two under the same title a year a part or something.

Anyway, re-finding the songs in my hands and voice tonight. Very fun. Thought I would share.

Studio 60

So there is a new episode of my new favourite show (apparently already cancelled) on tonight. After a long but productive week, and at the start of what looks to be another one (Sunday is my first workday of the week) I am excited to chill with my bride and catch some entertainment.

Was at a friends triple cool 40th birthday party last night. Great friends he has. You can tell a lot about a person by their friends (or lack of them I suppose). The people were amazing, and the so was the get together.

Going to be a busy month of singing which I am excited about. I will be in Stratford, Burlington/Hamilton, London and Toronto over the next few weeks with Ali Mathews and FTC Canada. Should be a blast!!

Blogger has been having some problems, so I put up a couple blogs from the mac. I will have them re-entered under this format in a day or two.

'til next blog.

Questions

The discipleship journey in Christ is both simple and complicated. Tonight I want to concentrate on the simple.

Several conversations about this topic have led me to this blog. How do I know I am moving forward in Christ, or more specifically, how do I know that I, as a Christian, am in the right place?

The answer to me is simple, but multi-tiered. If you are moving forward in Christ, than you are in an environment that God would like. He wants you to grow in Him. Therefore, the environment itself may or may not be totally positive (e.g. can one under persecution grow - of course) but if you can find are focussing on God and are able to grow, it probably is an acceptable environment. If not, move on.

In the Bible, some related to Paul, some to Apollos ( as I understand it) Paul was like, dude who cares as long as Christ is being taught. Makes sense non?

Maybe too simplistic, but we need to serve God to out fullest in humility and with passion. If we move from place to place and never hit that, it is probably us, if we move and find it - good move.

Progress Report

It feels like I am writing a lot about the CD to come. I have spent a fair amount of time thinking about all aspects of it this last week. Production, marketing, tour support, all of those things. For sure part of it has been invigorating and, of course, a big part of it is stressful. There has been a great progression people getting into my music since the release of "Noticing the Sky", I am very excited about the prospect of building that even further, and hopefully adding value to peoples lives through the art that I can create. The most encouraging comments are the ones from people who describe how this song or that has helped them through a tough spot, or in their daily or weekly walk for a time.

That being said, it continues to be the process of producing this CD that is juicing me. I have set an aggressive target date for release, but I am not going to share it publicly - yet. All that to say, I am thinking sooner than later - it's the carrot to keep coming back here and reading. All that to say it will be months.

Some of the tracks are really coming alive in this stage of the production. (Still pre-production really) I am excited for where this CD is going. I think it is going to represent a new flavour for me, and from all aspects that excites me. I think it represents growth in several areas, musicianship, writing, singing, arranging, producing and more. That alone is making it all worth while.

Ahh the Sun

Well it has been a great week of soaking up the sun. Temperatures in the 80s and the 90s have rejuvenated the soul. Yet another week of relaxing before I am back at it around various places including, of course, work.

I over exposed this picture a little, but you get the idea.

Thanksgiving Weekend!

We haven't been as busy as we were this past Thanksgiving in years. Three dinners: one Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (throw a church service in there as well!) Saw almost all of our immediate family and some friends, that alone something to be thankful for.

Unfortunately I came down with a pretty good cold that has gotten worse today. Hopefully I can fight it off before the big drive to Florida for vacation at the end of this week!

Pre-production on the CD has been happily taking up alot of time lately. What can I say, the process has really lit some creative juices and I am growing more and more comfortable on the engineering side. I have been reading for a couple of years now on mic techniques, mixing techniques etc. trying to get some knowledge into the brain, and although I got some practice on the really low end version of Cubase I was using for some songwriting, working in Logic (Express) has been a great experience. Anyway, I am sure I need to find other things to post about, because the CD is months away, but man am I enjoying the process!!

Where Am I?

I wasn't refering to the amount of posts recently, but some may have assumed that was the context of the title:)

Anyway, I am really talking about the progress on the new CD. I am absolutely having a blast recording. I am about seven songs into the pre-production of about 14. Although that would make it seem like I am half way through at least this phase I am not, because I am not finished what I think I need to on all of the songs either. I do have to remeber this is the 'scratch' phase of the recording, nevertheless, I want to be happy even with this phase.

The CD is shaping up to be very different from my first, so down the line I will be interested to see what people think of the change. I would describe it as more of an artists CD than a worship CD, more songs for listening to then songs for singing to. Anyway, jsut felt like shooting up some info up here to keep something flowing from me to you.

Have a great day eh!!

Peace.

An encouragement!

Well I found it encouraging or inspiring, maybe you will too! I am an instant fan of the show Studio 60. I really liked West Wing for the most part, and have really enjoyed the stylized kind of TV that Aaron Sorkin has put out. I have not personally ever experienced that intensely cool of a work environment, but then again I have never worked in a premier studio in all of the world, or the White House - so it makes sense. I get that may never be my reality in terms resources and environment, but one verbal exchange from the show was very inspiring.

One of the characters was slightly at odds with another character regarding some historic issues between them. It was crunch time and the one wanted to make sure with the other that they were good. Paraphrased it went:

"Hey about yesterday"
"Forget it, let's work"

So many things in life, so many successes and failures, and challenges. Sometimes so many "good things to do", or tensions. Too often they are distractions from the cause.

Jesus faced this too. I am still processing the learning I did from this within the last couple of years, but really early in Jesus' ministry (Luke 4:38-44) He was healing people and the people did not want Him to leave. His response, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Surely you can stay a while and heal Jesus, I mean that's good stuff right. Nope, got to work, at the right thing, not just the good things.

So what's the encouragement? Simply I think it is to stay focused on the mission of Christ. The other stuff will happen, but we must keep it from defining us. Jesus was known for His ability to heal, but His legacy is His message of the kingdom of God. We can know God through Christ. To be like Jesus, that needs to be what I am about. So back to work.

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.