The Cruz Control

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I am finished with the most difficult semester I’ve ever had.

One more paper…

And I’m done.

OK, 1 and a half more papers.
Several chapters of homework.
One more test.

Almost done.

It’s dark, so this is the only pic I would get.

Some of the hail was between quarter and golf ball size.

Anyways, the paint on my car is gone in some places.

Sometimes things just suck.

OK, so I’m in the final stages of negotiating a job that’s been offered to me. It’s a pretty sweet deal. If all goes well, I’ll let know you more about it… if it doesn’t, just disregard this post.

Worship leading is something I’ve learned that I need to learn more about. It’s not just about picking a good set list, but even how the musical elements of a worship team work together to help and not hinder the worship. This is something I don’t think many worship leaders realize. Something, I’m trying now to get better at. For instance, vocals - how sings harmonies and how are the harmonies formed. We have several amazing vocalists on our worship team who have the ability to harmonize well and build chords that add to, and don’t distract from, worship.

I also understand that I don’t have the vocal strength that many of our singers do - now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that my vocals send people running for the doors - by no means is that the case. My point is that other singers can sing better than me. I can sing; but they can sing better. This is something many worship leaders are not willing to admit. If they can carry a melody decently (which I can), then they don’t often use other vocalists to lead worship. My question is… why?

Many worship leaders won’t hesitate to bring on keyboard players, guitar players, bass players, drummers… you name it. But many will not bring on extra vocalists to sing except the occasional harmony singer.

But isn’t worship leading the act of guiding the worship, why does this always include singing lead on every song?… especially if there are good vocalists who can carry a song better.

Now, I’m not saying this is the case with every worship leader, but it seems to humility has a lot to do with it. Admitting you may not be the ‘best’ at something you were apparently hired to do is scary to many musicians. However, I think the job of a worship leader is to lead worship in the best way that is possible. And sometimes, maybe even often, this means that melodies get passed around to different people according to who can sing a given song best.

Because sometimes those notes are best sung by someone other than the ‘worship leader.’

…just some thoughts.

because I don’t even have a Citibank account.

I think Brooke Fraser should marry me.

That is all.

Please don’t answer that question for real (spare us all). Just watch this sermon by a Baptist Pastor in Tempe, Arizona. Watch it all the way through.

NOTE: It is Rated PG-13.

I, for one, am not a pastor who will pee sitting down!!!

Especially at a seminary, people have differing views of God’s “will.” Is it as planned-out as we think it is? Does God care one way or another what job we take, who we marry, etc.? Does God have that job or that person picked out and we are to submit to that path for ultimate fulfillment?

I don’t know if I have any answers to these questions. I tend to lean more on the side of God having a more, rather than less, structured “plan” for our lives. But I’m still not sure about a lot of stuff.

I’ve received an inquiry about job today, one that I hadn’t even considered. I didn’t submit a resume, but my name was passed from one person to another. I will find out more about it later this week. Don’t know too much right now, but sounds… really, really great.

I’m just wondering what ‘God’s will’ means and where it plays into this situation?

…just some thoughts