Having to carve an hour to an hour and a half out my day, every day, to read and study and pray over the Word has made me cut other things out. Doing this has shown me what I really worship. Music, planning worship rather than worshipping, Facebook, Exercise... the list goes on. It sounds silly, but those seem to be what I invest most of my time into. On top of that I have other reading to do to prepare for several worship gatherings through out the week. Are any of those bad activities? No, but they cannot be the thing that is sitting on my thrown of worship. I pray that through this year God continues to refine my heart, passions and desires to align with his heart, passions and desires. That is why I have to continually pray that Isaiah 55:11-12 takes hold in my life. I know that it is. I do not worship Jesus because it makes me feel good. I worship him because he loved me first and paid for my life on the cross. I read his Word because it is good. It is good weather I feel like reading it or not. Well, that's it. I don't have anything else to say. Back to reading:)
Monday, January 4, 2010
First Thoughts On Reading Entire ESV Bible
It has been four days since I started my New Years Resolution: To read the entire ESV Bible and study notes in one year. Right now I am thinking, "What did I get my self into!" I am only four days in! It is a lot to comprehend. I do not want to simply read the words on the page, but soak in God. I have to continue remind my self of Isaiah 55:11-12. God's word will not return to him void. It will change my heart. Most times I do not feel like reading. I feel like there are so many other things I can do that would have an immediate pay off or satisfaction. In just four days I have begun to see what my real priorities are. It is kind of sad actually.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
My New Years Resolution
Hello Friends,
It has been a long time since my last post. It is December 31st. It is cold and grey out side. I have spent most of my day inside thinking about the year to come. I think today, the last day of 2009, is a good day to blog.
I have never been one for the idea of New Years Resolutions. I always wait tell the last minute to think of one then forget about it by mid January. Isn't that most of us? I looked around and found the Top 10 New Years Resolutions.
None of them caught my eye. They all seem so inwardly and worldly focused. I think it is a good idea to exercise, and quit smoking ( If I did smoke. Maybe I should start smoking tonight before midnight, then quit tomorrow morning just to say I accomplished something!) You get the idea, these are all good things, but none of them really inspire me to want to stick with them for the entire year.
Then I was reading a blog by Bob Kauflin. He was talking about how his New Years Resolution from last year was to read the entire Bible in one year. He did it! That got my attention. I just got my new ESV Study Bible in the mail today and I love it so far. The notes and maps and charts are great, and really easy to understand. On top of that there are a bunch of different reading plans I can choose from. Check them out here. They make it so easy. You can have them send you a text or email everyday to show you what to read. You can even import the daily schedule into your computer calendar. Half of my excuses just went out the door.
So, that is my New Years Resolution for 2010. To read the entire Bible in one year. I know this is going to take a lot of discipline on my side. I am the king of making excuses not read Scripture. My attention span is not something to envy. I pray that God molds and refines me through this experience. I pray it does instill a greater sense of discipline with in me when it comes to my faith. I also know from God's word that it will not return void. I pray that this will help me see Jesus in a new and moving way. I do not want to simply fill my head with Biblical knowledge and be able to say "I have read the entire Bible, what about you?" I so do not want to become that guy. If that is my desire I pray God convicts me of my sin and humbles my hard heart. I am sure that knowledge will be gained, but I do not want that to be the motivating force behind it.
Also, since I am a worship leader this is crucial to my calling in life. It is not my music that I want people to be changed by on Sunday mornings, rather the out pouring of God's good and holy word. I figure it will pour through me more freely if I am reading large portions of it each day.
I figure I can spend 30 minutes a day reading my Saviors Word. I spent way more than that time reading in college. My facebook and twitter time may suffer though. I think it is worth the sacrifice. Blessings to you and yours in 2010.
In HIs Grip,
Anthony
It has been a long time since my last post. It is December 31st. It is cold and grey out side. I have spent most of my day inside thinking about the year to come. I think today, the last day of 2009, is a good day to blog.
I have never been one for the idea of New Years Resolutions. I always wait tell the last minute to think of one then forget about it by mid January. Isn't that most of us? I looked around and found the Top 10 New Years Resolutions.
None of them caught my eye. They all seem so inwardly and worldly focused. I think it is a good idea to exercise, and quit smoking ( If I did smoke. Maybe I should start smoking tonight before midnight, then quit tomorrow morning just to say I accomplished something!) You get the idea, these are all good things, but none of them really inspire me to want to stick with them for the entire year.
Then I was reading a blog by Bob Kauflin. He was talking about how his New Years Resolution from last year was to read the entire Bible in one year. He did it! That got my attention. I just got my new ESV Study Bible in the mail today and I love it so far. The notes and maps and charts are great, and really easy to understand. On top of that there are a bunch of different reading plans I can choose from. Check them out here. They make it so easy. You can have them send you a text or email everyday to show you what to read. You can even import the daily schedule into your computer calendar. Half of my excuses just went out the door.
So, that is my New Years Resolution for 2010. To read the entire Bible in one year. I know this is going to take a lot of discipline on my side. I am the king of making excuses not read Scripture. My attention span is not something to envy. I pray that God molds and refines me through this experience. I pray it does instill a greater sense of discipline with in me when it comes to my faith. I also know from God's word that it will not return void. I pray that this will help me see Jesus in a new and moving way. I do not want to simply fill my head with Biblical knowledge and be able to say "I have read the entire Bible, what about you?" I so do not want to become that guy. If that is my desire I pray God convicts me of my sin and humbles my hard heart. I am sure that knowledge will be gained, but I do not want that to be the motivating force behind it.
Also, since I am a worship leader this is crucial to my calling in life. It is not my music that I want people to be changed by on Sunday mornings, rather the out pouring of God's good and holy word. I figure it will pour through me more freely if I am reading large portions of it each day.
I figure I can spend 30 minutes a day reading my Saviors Word. I spent way more than that time reading in college. My facebook and twitter time may suffer though. I think it is worth the sacrifice. Blessings to you and yours in 2010.
In HIs Grip,
Anthony
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Songs of Truth
Hello Friends,
Who has slacked at this whole blogging thing? ME!! I do have an excuse. The whole wedding and honeymoon thing took up a lot of my time. Do you forgive me? Well you better.
The wedding and honeymoon were all perfect and amazing. Tanya looked FREAKING beautiful. I did cry when she came down the isle:') There will be pictures soon. If you are in California and want a sweet photographer for an event I say go with Bobby Brown! He was amazing!
Now on to the music side of my life. I am embarking on a new project. It is still in the writing and dreaming stage. I hope for it to be more than a record, but rather a community effort. It is going to be called "Songs of Truth." It is going to be a record for my church, Water's Edge. The record is going to have two phases, actually it is going to be two records. The first record is tentatively entitled "Songs of Truth: The Prelude." This will be a live in the studio recording done by myself in my home studio. It will be me, my guitar and two microphones. The plan is to record about 10-12 songs and tell the story and heart behind each song. This will be a very raw and honest record. I think I have most of it written, but I am not sure yet. The plan for getting this first record out is to give it away for free on line through NoiseTrade.com. The recording will cost me nothing so I figure I want to give it away for free:) It will only be available in digital format. This is where the community aspect comes into play. These songs will first be released in their youngest simplest form. There will be no bells and whistles on them. I hope to use this blog, or create a new online forum where people can comment on them. Everything from the melodies, to the words, to the theology that is being sung. This will help me see what does and doesn't connect with people and it help me sharpen my craft. Some songs may be rewritten or scrapped all together. Who knows?! Maybe new ones will be written along the journey.. time can only tell!
The second phase of the record will be a full band record. It will be called "Songs of Truth." Here the bells and whistles will be added. I plan on recording this record mostly on my own but will welcome the help from my friends from church and around the country. I will most likely have it mixed by the guy who did my last ep. This leg of the project does not have a time line yet. It will take a while to get the songs put together with full arrangements and to raise the funds to pay for the gear I may need and the mixing end of it. I am not sure if this will be available digital and hard copy. This one will most likely not be free. (Unless someone wants to donate about $3,000-$4,000).
So friends, I invite you along on this journey. It is has been stirring in me for a while. I appreciate your prayers as I try to find new depths of creativity that still allow songs to be sung by God's people when we gather corporately to give Him thanks for the blood of his Son. More details will follow...
Blessings,
Anthony
Who has slacked at this whole blogging thing? ME!! I do have an excuse. The whole wedding and honeymoon thing took up a lot of my time. Do you forgive me? Well you better.
The wedding and honeymoon were all perfect and amazing. Tanya looked FREAKING beautiful. I did cry when she came down the isle:') There will be pictures soon. If you are in California and want a sweet photographer for an event I say go with Bobby Brown! He was amazing!
Now on to the music side of my life. I am embarking on a new project. It is still in the writing and dreaming stage. I hope for it to be more than a record, but rather a community effort. It is going to be called "Songs of Truth." It is going to be a record for my church, Water's Edge. The record is going to have two phases, actually it is going to be two records. The first record is tentatively entitled "Songs of Truth: The Prelude." This will be a live in the studio recording done by myself in my home studio. It will be me, my guitar and two microphones. The plan is to record about 10-12 songs and tell the story and heart behind each song. This will be a very raw and honest record. I think I have most of it written, but I am not sure yet. The plan for getting this first record out is to give it away for free on line through NoiseTrade.com. The recording will cost me nothing so I figure I want to give it away for free:) It will only be available in digital format. This is where the community aspect comes into play. These songs will first be released in their youngest simplest form. There will be no bells and whistles on them. I hope to use this blog, or create a new online forum where people can comment on them. Everything from the melodies, to the words, to the theology that is being sung. This will help me see what does and doesn't connect with people and it help me sharpen my craft. Some songs may be rewritten or scrapped all together. Who knows?! Maybe new ones will be written along the journey.. time can only tell!
The second phase of the record will be a full band record. It will be called "Songs of Truth." Here the bells and whistles will be added. I plan on recording this record mostly on my own but will welcome the help from my friends from church and around the country. I will most likely have it mixed by the guy who did my last ep. This leg of the project does not have a time line yet. It will take a while to get the songs put together with full arrangements and to raise the funds to pay for the gear I may need and the mixing end of it. I am not sure if this will be available digital and hard copy. This one will most likely not be free. (Unless someone wants to donate about $3,000-$4,000).
So friends, I invite you along on this journey. It is has been stirring in me for a while. I appreciate your prayers as I try to find new depths of creativity that still allow songs to be sung by God's people when we gather corporately to give Him thanks for the blood of his Son. More details will follow...
Blessings,
Anthony
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
New Song Leak #3
Hello Friends,
This is the final New Song Video Leak. This week it is "God of Redemption." The new EP is released next Tuesday! Enjoy!
This is the final New Song Video Leak. This week it is "God of Redemption." The new EP is released next Tuesday! Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Post Sinus Surgery
Hello Friends,
I want to thank all of you for your prayers since my surgery. I has been three whole days now since I went under. I got home on Thursday at about 1:30 then had to go to the ER at about six that evening. I was bleeding a lot from my right nostril. My doctor met us there and pulled out some big blood clots and all was good. Other than that I have watched hours of crappy TV and been in and out of sleep. Tanya has been amazing and has been taking great care of me and my nose. Today I am hoping to get out of the house for an hour or two. My voice sounds hilarious right now. I have to talk in this weird upper nasal/ falsetto sounding moan. I have been using more hand gestures than words. The pain has not been too bad. Last night was really the first time I had pain since I had the surgery. Again, thank yo for all the prayers!
Blessings,
Anthony
P.S. remember to be looking for the new song leaks starting this Tuesday!
I want to thank all of you for your prayers since my surgery. I has been three whole days now since I went under. I got home on Thursday at about 1:30 then had to go to the ER at about six that evening. I was bleeding a lot from my right nostril. My doctor met us there and pulled out some big blood clots and all was good. Other than that I have watched hours of crappy TV and been in and out of sleep. Tanya has been amazing and has been taking great care of me and my nose. Today I am hoping to get out of the house for an hour or two. My voice sounds hilarious right now. I have to talk in this weird upper nasal/ falsetto sounding moan. I have been using more hand gestures than words. The pain has not been too bad. Last night was really the first time I had pain since I had the surgery. Again, thank yo for all the prayers!
Blessings,
Anthony
P.S. remember to be looking for the new song leaks starting this Tuesday!
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