In Review.

A year in review or decade in review?
I mean a lot of stuff has happened in 2009, but in the past 10 years holy crap! So I thought I would jot down whatever came to my mind sorry if this bores you all, but you can see God thru it all, very cool.
At the beginning of 2000 I was halfway through my Sophomore year of high school, the first year with out my older brother around, and was about to get my license.
2001 I was just starting to fall in love with my guitar. Just starting to fall in love with Jesus, and just starting to find out what really love was.
2002 was the beginning of my last semester of High school. Looking back now it all seems just a tad bit strange. The freedom of that one summer before college, the drastic change that college was compared to being around home, and then there was that 1st thanksgiving, when you come home during your 1st semester at college, and everything seems different, yet a lot of your highschool friends didn't change whatsoever. I remember that awkward feeling like yesterday.
2003 was the year of mistakes and regrets but then later in that same year it was because of those same mistakes that I made one of the best decisions, to transfer to Liberty University. The summer and fall of 2003 were probably some of the best months of my life. Working at a church camp with some great people, then moving onto Liberty mountain in Lynchburg, Va and not knowing a single person on my hall. Met some life long friends those first couple of weeks.
2004 was a year full of searching, not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life had me questioning everything. But it was also the year I met my wife LaRae. It took me a couple of tries before she agreed to go out with me, but she finally did. I remember sitting in the basement losing reception numerous times, talking to that girl for hours on the phone during Christmas break. Which leads me into
2005, this was a year of ups and downs, break ups and drama. LaRae and I started the pattern of on again off again, which I admit was mostly my fault. I also started touring with Cross Culture, a worship band from WorldHelp in Forest, Va. It was a short lived thing but definitely helped me grow leaps and bounds in music and stretched me as a "worship artist." Thank you Scott Spruill.
2006
began with a new job on campus with Student activities. It was a busy job from the get go, but I loved every minute of it. It also was the first summer I spent away from Ohio as I stayed and worked at Liberty planning for events in the fall. It was also the beginning of my last school year at Liberty.
2007 I graduated from college, planned on staying to start my masters, that changed and was offered a job leading worship at a small church in Blacksburg, Va. and I took it. That fall was very tough. I had been living with some of my best friends for the past 4 years, and then I moved to a place where I had no friends and lived by myself. I was single, LaRae and I had broken up "for good" in July. That was the time where I can say I grew closer to Christ then ever before. October came around and so did thoughts of LaRae. We were back together in a matter of weeks and then engaged at the end of 2007.
2008 Was an awkward year, to say the least. Full of confusion and lack of vision with ministry. Took a lot of patience and looking back it really just took LaRae and I saying okay we are all in (ministry), and God started moving. But also 2008...I got hitched, and definitely 'out punted my coverage' if you know what I mean. And that moves us to
2009. A year that had so much going on. Northstar hired a new pastor in Jeff Noble and it has been an awesome 5 months working with him at Northstar. Got the chance to bring Shane and Shane and Phil Wickham to Virginia Tech and then finished the year with December nights and bringing in one of my favorite worship leaders, Nic Carver from Brentwood Church in Lynchburg.
All and all this past decade has brought a lot to me, my wife, college education, and a job that I am thankful for. Who knows where another 10 years will lead me.


Happy New Years and God Bless!

The Music post.

I have not written about what music I am listening to in a while. Just wanted to say some stuff about what is really good out there in the ever changing world of music. I jotted down a few things about some albums that just came out, some others that are tickling my fancy, and some old stuff that may just rock your boat a little bit.

The New
John Mayer (Battle Studies) - John (I can call him that cause we go way back) comes with a classic rock sound on this album, obviously. Well maybe I shouldn't say that because I bet there are still a bunch of late 20's ex-sorority girls just waiting for his next 'No Such Thing' or 'Your Body is a Wonderland,' needless to say they will still be waiting. John seems to always be growing in his musical styles and it seems to me that he is putting distance between his acoustic-pop beginnings (which I believe was always his plan). Anyways, the album is not as catchy off the bat as its predecessor 'Contiuum,' but the way in which he grabs you in his simple (but complex) melodies will keep you coming back to this album because of the depth that lies beneath. Check out 'Heartbreak Warfare'

Phil Wickham - (Heaven and Earth) - If you haven't listened to Wickham yet, this is the time. You can even do it for free, go to Philwickham.com and download his 'Singalong' album for free. His new album is full of great lyrical songs, that make you want to get a mob together or start rioting for a cause. Whats great about Wickham is not just his voice or guitar playing (which are both up to snuff) but the passion and fervor in which he sings and plays. Songs such as the title track and 'Because of Your Love' really just show the depths of his writing. Great album. I recommend getting the acoustic album as well, if you can find it, because it is just as good, if not better then the whole dolled up album.

New(ish)
Passion Pit (Chunk of Change) - "a shiny bouquet of synth pop roses."- Rolling Stones. Figured there wasn't much to add to that. Check out 'Sleepyhead' which is now on a cell phone commercial, so you know they are going to get bigger quick. Be the first one out of your circle of friends to listen to them and then turn and say "I liked their older stuff better..."

The Fray (the fray) - The only problem I had with the bands sophomore album is that they named it 'They Fray' They must have used all the creativity on the album and not the name, because this is a great follow up to the success of 'How to Save a Life'. This is how piano pop/rock is done, take note OneRepublic.

Guilty Pleasures
Dashboard Confessional (After the Ending) - Guilty because Dashboard stirs something inside me that makes me feel like its the last day of summer and college is calling. The feeling that things are fresh and new. Good feeling. And just like always Dashboard does not fail to deliver that feeling on 'After the Ending.' In fact, it is dripping with all the guilty honey flavored sweetness that you have grown to expect. Even better... the acoustic version that is included.

Justin Beiber (My World) - I wish I could lie to myself about this one, but 'One Time' has been stuck in my head for days and I don't see an end in sight. This albumette (7 songs) is sugary pop goodness, catchy hooks, good beats and a guest spot by Usher all add up to 'My World' being cavity worthy. (okay maybe not the Usher part)

Worth Mentioning
Switchfoot (Hello Hurricane) - Always a solid pick, Switchfoot turns up the amp a little in this push play album, no need to skip songs. Almost all are catchy and have great melodic flow.

David Crowder Band (Church Music) - Not Crowders all time best, but definitely some great songs, and the album is worth the buy just for his rendition of 'How He Loves'

Shane and Shane (Everything is Different) - What is great is that everything is not different when it comes to Shane and Shane. They still have their amazing harmonies and excellent acoustic guitar skills. What can I say besides, Shane and Shane are just legit. Listen to 'Worthy of Affection'.

Explosions in the Sky (The Earth is Not a Cold Dark Place) - Great Great Great. Good to just listen to while working or while trying to relax. The ups and downs in these songs are so well done, it ridiculous. Personal fav, 'Your Hand in Mine.'

Pick it Back Up/Download
Jack Johnson (on and on) - No one doesn't like Jack Johnson (yes I know, its a double negative) But for real, throw 'Taylor' on and let Jack sing to you sleep.

Kanye West (The College Dropout) - Back in 2004, when Kanye was not stepping on stage and being all crazy, he had one of the best Rap albums ever made. And on top of that he made yellow cardigans work for rappers. Two equally impressive accomplishments.

Not Worth The Buy-
OneRepublic (Waking Up) - OneRepublic needs to 'wake up' and realize Timberland is what made them successful not their own version of fall by the wayside piano pop. Check out "Everyone Loves Me" to see that I'm not just a hater.

worship leader with no voice.

Man this past week has been not just hectic but frustrating. I got sick on Saturday night/Sunday morning and by the end of worship on Sunday morning I had no voice and sounded like a 12 year old boy that was crossing over the threshold into manhood. I can not even begin to give a number of how many pots of tea I boiled, how many Echinacea tea bags are in my trash can, or how many times that Nyquil made me gag.

Anyways, I obviously like to sing. Its my main form of worship. I do play piano and guitar, but I rely on my voice more then either of those. But this week I just felt lost. I felt I had no way of expressing worship to God. It was pretty strange. I would pick up my guitar and just sit here. So I began to just play instead of sing, and it was cool. It was cool to just play some songs with Phil Wickham and Crowder and have them sing. It was just a different way to worship.

So after that I thought I would try something else and just write instead of sing. And it poured. Not really original stuff, but names of God were just all over the place. It was very cool. And I can't wait to get my voice back and to sing what I wrote down.

I am writing this, because if you are in a place where you have 1 way that constantly are showing your worship, that is great! But you will find that if you step out of your comfort zone and try something new to express worship to God, you will have a larger spread of worship. I hope that makes sense. Examples... even if you are not a creative person, sit down, and write something to God, a love letter! Or get some crayons out and draw something for Christ. It sounds kindergarden, but if you are only used to worshiping on Sunday, and praying before meals, it could dramatically change the way you are living your spiritual life!

Just try it.