i can’t think of a better reason to dust off the ole’ webspace than for our annual christmastime music download.

mr. sean munoz & i got together for a day and came out with 4 little mp3s to add to your holiday soundtrack.

so, download, unzip, drag it into iTunes and enjoy our 2012 gift to you: Comfort And Joy.

Download Comfort And Joy

it’s free music time of year.

mr. munoz & i have 3 songs for you to toss into your christmas playlist.

i hope you enjoy them.

Download Christmas (2011)

so, my church had a night of worship back in november. we recorded it and now the original & public domain songs are available free online for you to enjoy. the whole night from start to finish (featuring 6 more songs) is available on CD in our chapel store on sundays for you locals.

go grab it. we don’t ask for your email or anything.

YES, I WILL CLICK HERE AND GET A FREE WORSHIP ALBUM.

He comes back in a few minutes bringing out 3 of the 30 children, but rather than going back in to save more children, the fireman goes over to the news media and talks about how praiseworthy he is for saving the three children.

Indeed, saving the three children was a good, heroic deed. But the pressing question on everyone’s mind is, What about the other 27 children? Since he has the means to rescue the children and, indeed, is the only one who can save the children since they cannot save themselves, do we view the fireman as morally praiseworthy? I suggest that we would not. In fact, probably he would be charged with depraved indifference. He had the means to help them, but he would not.

If we do not find that praiseworthy in a human, why would we find it praiseworthy in God?

Steve Lemke
whosoever will

“What makes Steve’s methodology different from everyone else’s is that he always believed the most important decisions you make are not the things you do, but the things you decide not to do,” Sculley said in a 2010 interview with Businessweek.

“That’s been one of my mantras: focus and simplicity,” Jobs told Businessweek in 1998. “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

“It comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the wrong track or try to do too much. We’re always thinking about new markets we could enter, but it’s only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.”

read the whole article
photo by acaben

the multi-site church (meaning 1 church whose congregation meets at different locations or campuses) isn’t really a new thing. i don’t know who first started it, but it’s been around for a while now. as a phenomenon, however, it seems to be spreading into more and more parts of the nation. no longer is the multi-site method confined to large metropolitan areas. it’s happening all over and it’s an interesting thing to watch.

because of technology, a single church can now have campuses miles, if not cities away from each other. and, while each movement does multi-site a little differently (i will not attempt to speak as an ‘expert’ since i’ve little experience, only observation), you typically find one prominent, charismatic (used in the personality sense, not the theological sense) teaching pastor who is piped in to every campus. then, at those campuses, one might find any variety of administration formats: some have live music, some are all video. some have individual campus pastors, some have a network of assistant pastors for congregants to interact with.

again, i’m certainly not an expert, (though here at calvary we like to jokingly refer to our overflow hall as our West Campus).

but i was thinking about multi-site churches the other day and wondering about the benefits and drawbacks it might have as a method.

on one hand, a multi-site church is able to pool resources and do larger work than individual churches, even compared to individual churches cooperating together. one church with multiple bodies can do some real damage (in the positive sense) because of the number of people, resources and opportunities which are all gathered together under one administrative roof and vision.

growth is a good thing. though some advocate smaller churches, i wonder how you decide when a church ‘too big’? if God is adding to the church, if people are showing up to be a part of the ministry, at what number should you start turning them away? 10,000? 1,000? 100? logistically, if a church is quite sizable and continues to grow, at some point you will run into space issues. i think most people have no problem with a church that has 2 services, but you can’t very well have 8 sunday services at the same location (well, you could i suppose, but you’d go through staff pretty fast since they’d probably die at that pace).

from that angle, i understand why a church would want to perhaps split into 2 or more campuses. it can solve logistical problems for a church bursting at the seems. it can also elevate the presence of that ministry in different parts of the community, or often different communities altogether.

on the other hand, i wonder if the tip-top pastors of these multi-site churches really are ‘pastors’ to, say, the individual congregant 2 cities over who may never actually meet said pastor.

more importantly, i sometimes wonder if some congregants aren’t attached to the church as much as they are attached to the personality in the pulpit. and, if that is the case, is that a characteristic that is more…papal in feel? would it be better for people to just grab his teachings online and then be involved with a truly local ministry?

these are just some of the thoughts i think from my safe and comfortable armchair here.

and they’re really just thoughts. i’m not attempting to make a statement.

i believe that large churches can do incredible good. growth is good. i believe that methods must change and update in order to engage each generation and culture. when method doesn’t change, movements die.

but, i also look at the evangelical church and see a trend toward something that’s very new and, perhaps, untested. i’ve just been wondering if what we see is an adaptation to growth and a technologically advanced culture or if it’s something else. a personality driven Church that elevates a few individuals while potentially negating some of the pastoral duties we see demonstrated by guys like Paul or Timothy.

like i said, i’m wondering.

and i’m wondering what you’re wondering.

a couple people will read this post. some of you attend a multi-site church and some of you don’t. if you’re inclined to click a link and type a little bit, i’m interested in hearing any thoughts you’re willing to share. because i’d like to think more about what we’re seeing around us. and i’d like more thoughts than those my armchair can generate.

so, be a pal and do what normal people don’t do anymore on the wide, wide world of web: comment on a blog post.

i do realize that this blog has become a youtube blog. but i don’t care.

because, thanks to youtube, i finally know what kind of parenting style i should go with.

(if you are reading this post and can’t see the video, come on over to the real deal)

ok, the bass guy is pretty cool.

thanks to mr. harper for sharing

The phrase “For God” responds to atheism, which claims there is no God.

The phrase “so loved” responds to fatalism, which asserts God is an impersonal force.

The phrase “the world” responds to nationalism, which says God only loves one group of people.

The phrase “that He gave” responds to materialism, which says it is more blessed to receive than to give.

The phrase “His only begotten Son” responds to Mohammedism, which says God has no Son.

The phrase “that whosoever believes” responds to five-point Calvinism, which says Christ died only for the elect.

The phrase “in Him” responds to pluralism, which says all religions are equal.

The phrase “should not perish” responds to annihilationism, which says there is no Hell.

The phrase “but have everlasting life” responds to Arminianism, which says God only gives life conditionally.

John 3:16 is a simple biblicism which reveals the mind, the heart, and the will of God”

- Jerry Vines
Sermon on John 3:16, Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of 5-Point Calvinism

some of you may not know this, but when you own your own domain and have a blog on it, you will be contacted frequently by PR firms who are looking for stories, discussions or reviews for their clients. not a bad way to get the word out.

long time e-quaintences may remember that a few years ago i took one of these companies up on their offer to read and review an excellent book.

last week, The Media Collective contacted me, seeing if i would be interested in hearing Matt Redman’s new album 10,000 Reasons and reviewing it here.

of course i was.

because, if you’re like me, you’ve been wondering where matt redman has been for like…5 years.

once such a prominent and dominant figure in the worship music industry, i can remember a time when a sunday morning worship set could not be completed without at least one redman chorus. but then, almost without warning, matt redman’s presence seemed to dissipate.

but, as of tomorrow, mr. redman is back on the scene with a new live album.

and, having listened through it a couple of times, i can say that i’m glad to hear him again.

10,000 Reasons opens up with a couple of those great, big, british anthems that we love from worship leaders across the pond.

but, beyond the typical (though excellent) excitement and energy of the opening tracks, we get song after song that remind us of what a blessing redman’s ministry has been to the Church at large for many years.

the album is wonderfully focused and worshipful. unique lyrics paired with equally unique melodies make you want to sing along at the top of your lungs (seriously, try to listen to the tag on Here For You and not sing along!).

10,000 Reasons reminds me of how i felt when i heard Facedown years ago. it’s anointed. it does what it’s meant to do. it puts my thoughts on Jesus and stirs me to worship Him with a new song in my heart.

in the end, something tells me our churches will be singing a lot more redman after tomorrow.

but you’ll only be able to sing along if you go get the album.

so, tomorrow, get on your computer, buy a copy from your favorite store and join in the song.

this review was solicited from the media collective
a free, streaming version of the album was provided for critique

yesterday, just one day shy of 11 weeks pregnant, kelly suffered a miscarriage.

it was a difficult day and a difficult thing to grasp that the little person whose heart we watched beat just a week ago was no longer with us.

though we of course have sorrow, we also feel a great peace and hope in our Lord, as well as a sure confidence that as our little one left this world, he or she was being delivered alive into the presence of Jesus, where they await us together.

once home i felt compelled to read psalm 29. partly because i couldn’t think about what Scripture to read (and it was the 29th) and partly because i felt an urge to read that particular psalm. separately, in a few minutes’ difference, a family member sent us the reference to verse 11 of that very psalm, which had already jumped out at us as we read it:

The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
{ Psalm 29.11 }

it was a wonderful moment of hearing from God and remembering His great love for us. we know that God is good. we know that He loves us and loves our little one more than we ever could.

we’ve been blessed and encouraged by all the kind words and prayer that have been sent on our behalf. so, thank you.

please continue to pray for kelly, as this is not exactly a comfortable process.

///

delirious’ song i’ll see you is about a situation like ours. in the past, we’ve always thought it was very touching, especially after reading the Smith’s recent auto-biographies which include the back story of the song.

but now i don’t suppose i’ll ever hear it again without thinking of our little pensiero, alive and well in the glory of heaven.

we’ll see you when we get there.

I’ll see you when I get there,
Shining like the sun.
I’ll see you when I get there,
Into your arms I’ll run.

I see you when the wind blows,
Running without fear,
Born to rest in your Fathers arms,
Your joy has dried the tears.

I’ll see you when I get there,
When my life’s complete,
Will you take me to Jesus’ feet?
Hand in hand we’ll sing.

We’re gonna sing for you.

Written by Delirious? ©2005 Curious? Music UK

thanks to mr. munoz

I’m always amazed at how poorly I grasp English when I actually read someone who knows how to use it.

I expect to be using the dictionary often in this book.

so much sound.

thanks to mr. harper for sharing.

this is a part of you now

how have i not seen this?

ht//mr.belmont

happy anniversary lovely lady
five years and counting

wish me luck

my love for In-N-Out just grows and grows.

this is the motorola q.

it was once the hot phone on the market, what with its internet access, qwerty keyboard and infared beaming. plus it made calls too. always a helpful feature in a phone (though my local AT&T friends probably have yet to experience this part of mobile phone ownership).

unfortunately for motorola, every phone makes calls, two of those features became standard everywhere and we didn’t get all that excited about beaming information to people we were sitting right next to. not necessarily a bad idea, just doesn’t really work for all of us.

not sure why I’m thinking about this, but it’s got me thinking about what I invest in, lifewise.

some things seem like a good idea at the time but really aren’t something that’s worthwhile for our futures. they’re popular for a moment, but obsolete in the long run.

some things might be new or take some development, but are good investments for the future.

and some things should always be standard. if I don’t spend my time developing the standard, foundational stuff, then relational, spiritual and ministerial decline is in my future.

anyway, clearly I haven’t been in the e-saddle for a while. that’s ok. working on some of the other investments. like this guy:

so, in the end I hope I’m pouring into the calling and qwertying and not burning a lot of life on infared beaming.

i’m not real deep into art, but this exhibit/installation/celebration really impressed me.

i also love the other ideas that this could be used for, like the ones shared here.

what else could we use this for?

HT/PASTORGEAR

in central california, we don’t get much in the way of weather. unless of course you count car-crushing fog that makes you feel like you’re in a sherlock holmes novel.

recently our little area has been having a hard time deciding what season it’s in. one minute it’s sunny, the next it’s rainy. sunny. rainy. rainy. sunny.

i’m guessing it’s wreaking havoc on the lizard population.

now, when i say ‘rainy’ i don’t mean rain like anyone else in the country has it. i mean, “ooh, fun, it’s raining!” rainy. just yesterday me and kelly were talking about how we sort of forgot thunder even existed.

so, if you were going to choose sun or rain, which would it be?

i love technology.

unfortunately for me, games are a big part of technology. and i’m not good at games. at all.

there is an upside, however.

having an iPhone means i get a daily dose of humility as i hang my head, hand my phone to my wife and say, ‘can you beat this for me?’

thanks for the level ups, honey.

people who bite their nails can’t open you.

i better pre-order a passat.

ht::mr.munoz

photos courtesy of my wonderful mom, back when we went to disneyworld last september

the corn cob is a good friend.

do you know about positive post tuesday?

there’s few things more positifying than receiving a free gift. this has been a topic of other PPT posts, as the several of you reading this RSS already know.

well, yesterday, twitter came bearing gifts.

a pastor that i follow (thanks holland) sent out a link to a free worship ep from a guy named brett younker.

don’t know who that is?

i didn’t either.

here’s a picture so you can get acquainted:

so, brett has graciously made a 4 song ep available for anyone who would like some new music.

since yesterday i’ve listened to it a bunch of times (it’s an ep afterall) and i’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. it’s worshipful, well made, well written, well executed. plus it has a great rendition of Nothing But The Blood. who could resist?

in fact, i’m listening to it again right now.

you know what this means: it’s time to get your mice and trackpads moving over to mr. younker’s site so that you, too, can download The New Acoustic EP.

all it takes is a little facebook or twitter love because, after all, if musicians have taught us anything, it’s that they can get by with a little help from their friends.

seriously though, it’s a very cool gift.

go get it.

it’s tuesday. be positive.

ht:mr.davis

Philosophy says: Think your way out.
Indulgence says: Drink your way out.
Politics says: Spend your way out.
The fair deal says: Legislate your way out.
Science says: Invent your way out.
Industry says: Work your way out.
Communism says: Strike your way out.
Fascism says: Bluff your way out.
Militarism says: Fight your way out.
The Bible says: Pray your way out.
But Jesus Christ says: “I am the way out…”

DR. J VERNON MCGEE
ht:mr.brooks

christmastime is over and the holiday decor has been shelved (theoretically).

the question is, what is the first album you reach for after the christmas carol playlist is ceremoniously deleted from your iTunes?

(and, yes, i know some of you are still listening to christmas music. that doesn’t count)

so, let’s hear it. what’s your first post-christmas music?

there’s still time to give to the Gospel For Asia Christmas gift program, whether it’s $1 or $15,000.

so, i’m sure the vast majority of you already saw this on mr. mundy’s lovely & newly themed blog, but it was too mind-blowing for me to pass up.

now all i need is an iphone…and a trip to south america.

ht:mr. mundy

here @calvaryhanford we have officially launched version 1.0 of our iOS app.

so, if you’ve got an iPhone, iPod Touch or even an iPad, head on over and grab it.