Bearspaw Christian School

BCS and Our Kids

The spring that Kornelia was finishing grade 6 and Erik was finishing grade 2, we heard an advertisement for an 'open house for new students' for Bearspaw Christian School (BCS) on the local Christian radio station.  We thought we'd all go check it out.  On the way, the kids were 'meh' about this idea.  'Why do we have to go look at this school?'  On the way home later that evening though, they were very enthusiastic about the idea of attending there the following year.  So we enrolled them.

Looking back, this was a great experience for them.  They both graduated grade 12 from BCS.  Ewa and I as parents have no regrets we made this decision.  You can read some of their experiences in the following link:  Remembering the Kindness of God in Raising Our Kids

Volunteering

You have been treated generously, so live generously.  

Matthew 10:8b

Parents were required to volunteer some time at the school as part of the commitment in being involved.  For the last 6 years of their time there, I volunteered leading one of the four student worship bands.  This involved weekly practices with the band on Thursday afternoons, and then we'd lead worship for a school chapel once every 4 weeks or so.  I really enjoyed this experience.  I organized Christmas band parties for my team, and end of year picnics, and we lots of fun and interesting experiences in chapels.  

Setting up and sound check for our of our last chapels

Fun Experiences Volunteering

Here's some highlights of volunteering at BCS that I can share now since the students involved are adults:

• An acoustic worship chapel where we had set up an atmosphere like a campfire.  At the end we ramped up the intensity of the songs and everyone was dancing (400 students and teachers) singing Bethel's song 'I've got a River....'.  Looking back, the picture I have in my mind is students and teaching singing, smiling, and busting moves for God.  I was so wrapped up in leading/playing that I had literally strummed the guitar until my fingers bled, and it made a mess of the guitar.  It was definitely a day where God met us.  When I bump into people now who were there that day, they still say 'remember that one acoustic chapel..?'
•  One practice, I had no new songs for the band, but really wanted them to 'go deeper into true worship' with the songs we were playing.  I prayed about this, and God gave me the idea to turn the lights out while we practiced.  The kids knew the songs well enough to play them in the dark.  With the lights off, no one had to worry about what anyone else was doing, and we could really focus on the words we were singing and truly worship.  Again, this turned into a special time - God's presence was there.

Christmas Worship Band party - Using toilet paper
to decorate people like snowmen

The Lost Girl

At the end of my second last year volunteering, I organized a 'year-end worship team picnic' at a nice local park, on the edge of the Bow River.  We had done this the previous year and it was a hit with the kids, so we prepared for 'the sequel.'

The evening arrived and we all met around our designated spot and built a large campfire.  After cooking and eating some hotdogs and chips, we brought out our guitars and sang some worship songs.  Everyone seemed to be having a good time.  Unbeknownst to me, one of the girls had previously had an argument with her mom that day, and decided to 'show her!'  After we had sung some songs, the girl told me she had to leave for the bathroom and I said 'fine.'  But she never came back.  

'Has anyone seen <girl's name> lately?' I asked, getting concerned after what seemed an inordinate amount of time to be gone to the restroom.  No one had.  We started to look for her.  After some time doing this, we called her Mom, and then called the police, as it was getting late.  The police took the issue pretty seriously, and in a short while had 3-4 cruisers at the park AND the police helicopter involved.  By this time I was sweating bullets and doing a lot of earnest praying under my breath and with the family.  

With the police involved, we were drawing some attention from other people passing through the park, and they volunteered to help.  It was probably close to 10pm when one of these people - a fellow on a mountain bike - ended up seeing the girl walk out of the bush at the far end of the park.  He confirmed who she was and then beelined it back to us to inform us she was OK and on her way back.  WHAT A RELEIF!!

When she arrived, I think she was a bit shocked to discover the intensity of searching that had been going on for her, with the police presence and participation.  When everything wrapped up, and we learned that she was 'trying to teach her mom a lesson' (sigh, teenage girls), I drove home VERY thankful to God that she was fine and found.

 Click here for more true stories of God working in my life

May 12, 2020 Feeling Sidelined? Consider Leah

Journal Entry - May 12, 2020

Read about Jacob yesterday and thought about it when I woke up last night.  Actually I started thinking more about Leah. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast in how she named her children compared to how Rachel named hers.  She could have easily named her first son 'Vindicated' like Rachel named her first son.  But she didn’t. Instead the names of her boys are more like ‘God sees’, ‘God hears’, ‘God touches’, ‘Praise God’, ‘Lucky’, and ‘Happy’ while Rachel’s boys are ‘Vindicated’, ‘Fight’. Etc.  Leah must have felt unloved/unfavored by Jacob all her life, yet she seemed to see God's involvement, care, and understanding in her life if the names of her boys are any indication. 

(updated June 1, 2023)

Where did Leah learn about God?  Perhaps from Jacob's story of running for his life from Esau and meeting God at Bethel?  Genesis 29:31,32.  "When God saw that Leah was unloved..."  God sees!  He recognizes when we are overlooked, unloved.  And there is a blessing in that!  "...He enabled her to conceive..."  Leah then acknowledged God in that blessing, in the names of her kids.  How could Jacob ignore that?  Every time he called one Leah's boys he had a reminder that God was with them.  She may have been unloved, but she was still an influence in Jacob's life!  An influence he couldn't ignore and I believe he acknowledged in Genesis 35:3 

When Jacob's clan was meeting Esau, Jacob put Leah and her boys ahead (as a protective buffer?) of him and Rachel   Meanwhile Rachel had idols she stole from her father with her on the camel.  I thought this was a rather interesting contrast in who Jacob's two wives seemed to trust.  Leah seemed to depend on God, Rachel felt more secure with her father's idols.  

Jacob also gave Joseph, Rachel's son, second last in the traditional line of inheritance, the first born son's inheritance.  This bypassed all Leah's sons who were older than him.  Leah was, fortunately I think, dead by this time.  Even at the end of his life, Jacob still appeared to favour Rachel.  I'd like to think God had a little different perspective on it all.  Consider this: The line of Kings of Israel, including King David and ultimately Jesus came through Judah (Leah's son), not Joseph (Rachel's son). 

(updated July 1, 2023)  

I just realized today that in Genesis 49, Jacob (in Egypt) asked to be buried with his fathers and Leah - not with Rachel.  Rachel did not get buried with the rest of the family and Jacob specifically calls that out here, at his death.

In this meditation of mine, I felt God encourage me...  Have I felt like I've been in a rough/challenging situation for a long time?  Like Leah?  Like Job? Like David (with the promise of a throne but running from Saul for years)?  Like Paul (with the thorn in his flesh)?  God is using that situation to sharpen me, hone me, refine my character for Him.  He sees.  He hears.  He cares.

  

I thought I'd look and see if I could find some other journal entries of mine where I felt 'sidelined' or 'passed by'.  Here they are:

January 25, 2018

I slept poorly again last night. Thinking about what i should do in my position at work - what I’m not doing that I should. I constantly this unspoken pressure from others with an agenda to do something else (actually, more than once it’s been a spoken pressure with a specific person). I had some ideas how to resolve this, but after that ‘sleep’ last night, I’ve got nothing. Maybe that’s the way God wants me - completely empty and void of anything good I could offer in and of myself. It would only be grumpy me at this point.

Ugh. Worship practice tonite with church. I came home exhausted and frustrated with God because I just feel totally sidelined and a bit whipped - like I get all the wrong attention. ‘Do it this way’ from three different people at practice. I’m tentative on drums because these builds are too long in my opinion and I don’t know when they are going to stop. The young people on the team are ‘it’. Us older people are good for serving, and that's about it... it’s rather frustrating. To sit back and let others lead and they can’t even follow the click without me. I was kind of hopeless when I got home. Just wondering what I’m doing. It’s more stressful than fun. It just seems like I’m hoeing a really hard row right now. Learning humility, again. People at work aren’t convinced and happy with what I’m doing. With music its the same. I was pretty much at the end of my rope and God lead me to Job chapter 7. I could TOTALLY relate to that. Particularly verses 17 and 18. I’m being refined and nope it’s not comfortable and I have idea if this is going to lead anywhere good. But it’s comforting to know that Job felt the same and that God is testing me. Job 23:10.

May 2, 2017

This cold I've been fighting with for the past week is getting to me. Last night was rough. It seems when I get tired it takes advantage. I was tired and frustrated at work yesterday afternoon. I want to provide value, but my boss doesn't want me to experiment much with the infrastructure it seems. All the stories in the sprint are taken up. I felt like dead weight and sidelined...  again. A week after I turned down that great TCPL contract. How frustrating. 

Job 23:8-10 “I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going”  

Can I worship God when I don't feel great and things look frustrating?  Worship is not about getting a feeling.  

With All of My Heart....

My thoughts have often been drawn towards the theme of Galatians 6:7 lately.  "Do not be mislead - you cannot mock the justice of God.  You will always harvest what you plant."  In the IT industry, there's an adage that follows a similar notion, and it goes like this: "Garbage in, garbage out."  Simply put, with a week of practice I can't expect to sing and sound like Adam Levine.

I've been inspired in the last couple of years to 'do better' - to actually prepare for things I do in life so that I can do them with all my heart.  Like David in Acts 13:36, I'd like it said of me that 'he served God's purpose in his generation.'

Volunteering for me used to be more like 'filling a position.'  Some group needed someone to do this over here - fine, I could do that, but I don't think I could have said I always did it with all my heart.  I played piano in our small town church when I was in high school.  My Mom played the organ, and often my Dad led the singing.  Reflecting on this now, I'd say probably 85% of the time when I played I did it because it was expected of me.  My heart wasn't entirely into it.  We didn't practice the songs much.  Some Sunday mornings I was a little groggy.  The results reflected that.

My Inspirations
I have three groups of people who currently inspire me to do whatever I do with all my heart:

• My kids.  My teenage son plays drums and guitar quite well.  He's played with the worship band at school for 5 years.  Last summer he started playing with the bands at church.  He's always practiced on his own (we've never had to tell him) and he practices until he nails the song just like the recording.  I never used to do this, I've always gradually improved as a musician.  To some degree I think we inspire each other now...  He definitely inspires and challenges me with his 'next level' dedication to practice and perfection.
  My daughter who is a senior in university writes enjoys writing thought provoking papers for her classes.  She struggled with mono last spring but got the highest grades and the most scholarships from that draining semester where her immune system was fighting hard all the time.  She was also concurrently preparing for her wedding.  Additionally, she got promoted to a supervisor position at her part-time university job because of her diligent work.
• The Pastoral Staff at our Church.  They definitely inspire me with their desire for more of God, and the lives they live in and out of the church.
• The Staff at Bearspaw Christian School.  Their desire to educate the next generation in excellence motivates me.  The teachers volunteering with teams after school are into what they are doing heart and soul and that pushes me to be better in my communicating, educating, and preparation for volunteering I do.

Validation
One thing I noticed when I do something with all my heart - I sometimes still have a need for validation...   When I was younger, this need was more powerful and encouragement was almost intoxicating.  Lately, I'm finding that I'm more caught up in trying to be the best 'whatever' that I can be, and I actually get surprised by compliments - not expecting them sometimes.

My kids, downtown Calgary, 2019

Worship This Summer (2018)

I usually take a bit of a break from volunteering over the summer because I'm pretty busy over the course of the school year.  However this summer, our church was needing some help with music (people going on vacation, etc.) and I felt God telling me to help since we had no major vacation plans.  Bible verses like 'Don't be weary in well doing...' Gal. 6:9, 'Cast your bread upon the waters...' Eccl 11:1, and the idea of 'scattering seed' Matt. 23 kept bouncing around in my head.   I agreed to help, and ended up being busy almost all summer - either playing or leading.  I don't take these commitments lightly - there's practice and preparation involved before each week.  For the most part, I enjoy doing it.  After everything is over on Sunday afternoon, I'm wiped.  I think I'm getting older.

The band's schedule was ironed out as the summer progressed, so I didn't actually know what my full engagement level and responsibilities would be over the course of the summer until the second week of August.  As summer began, I had been asked to lead the band earlier in July, which I agreed to.  I ended up getting a nasty cold at the beginning of July that hung on all through the month and wore me down a bit.  I could sing, but I tired easily.  After leading on July 15th, I wrote in my journal '...and while the band did well, I didn't think or feel like worship was anything special.  No one said anything about it.  So I let it go and was fine with never leading worship again at church.'

Several thoughts here:

1. We have a lot of good worship leaders at church.  I was a little surprised to be asked to lead, but I always try and do my best.  Writing that journal entry, I was more resigned to the fact that I'm getting older, maybe a bit out of date, and there is a new generation that is more motivated.  I was OK with letting go dreams and desires of being involved in church in the capacity of a worship leader - that is more what that written comment was about.
2. I read an interesting post on the 'Worship Leaders Collective' Facebook group this morning that went like this:
         Random church-goer: "I didn't really like worship today"
         Response:  "That's fine.  We weren't worshipping you"
   That's not meant to be a dig at any one individual or a group.  For me its a good reminder not to look at the outside response.
3. Its a bit disturbing how easily I throw out absolute thoughts and/or words like 'never'.  A similar word that my wife often catches me with is 'always'.  I think/speak in exaggerations like this to make a point, but I think sometimes they cross a line.  I need to be careful with what I say and think!

Ironically, a couple days after writing that journal entry, I was rather surprised when I got asked to help lead again - two more Sundays in August.  I agreed again.  With both of these I wasn't entirely sure what kind of band I'd be playing with as schedules were getting juggled, which added a bit to the burden.  In situations where things happen that are outside of my control, I've come to a point where I just commit everything to God and leave it in His hands.  I do my part and let Him take care of the rest.  If the mid-week rehearsal is cancelled because the sound guy is on holidays, I try to come more prepared on Sunday.  Even then, I later wrote in my journal after one of the services:  "I don't know if I've ever felt more inadequate before leading a worship service."  That's a good place to be though, given what Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:10.  "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, ... in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

Its been amazing to me how God comes through when I let go and learn to trust Him.  I'm realizing that my perspective of 'how things went' is not something I should focus on.  God has His own way of using lyrics and words to impact His people... He places ideas and thoughts into people's minds based on their experiences - things I'd have no idea about - that end up having a greater influence and influence than I could ask or even hope to accomplish.

Its funny.  This post was supposed to be about 'Doing or Being' but I got totally side-tracked writing about something else.  Guess I had to get it off my chest.

April 22, 2018 - God, Change and Me

God's character doesn't change.   He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Something I realize though, is that our actions dictate - to some degree - how God acts toward us.  Examples?

• Abraham interceding with God over Sodom and Gomorrah.
• God's covenant to David (his house will reign forever)
• Jeremiah at the potter's house and the nation of Israel

In all of these situations, there was an agreement involved.  People needed to act thusly and a certainly response was warranted.  If they didn't, God said he would respond a different way.  Its not that God 'changes His mind.'  

In the past couple of days I felt like God was speaking to me about the last two examples above.  I didn't (and I'm not sure I still) understand the context behind why God is highlighting these examples for me right now.  Originally I was thinking 'maybe, now that I'm more on a right track with my relationship with Him, things will change for me for the better.'  I'm not yet convinced of that, and consequently I remain hesitant and uncertain about why God is pointing these verses out to me.

Why am I not yet convinced?  Why am I uncertain?  Simply - stuff happens that makes me wonder or doubt that 'the good option' might be the case.  Case in point?  I read about David and Solomon and the covenant that God put in place for them this morning, and I wondered why this idea of 'God seemingly changing His mind' was coming up again.  While I was pondering this and getting ready, the thought came 'perhaps its meant in a good way?  Things will change for the better?'  I thought 'Cool!  I'll take that!'

I was on for playing acoustic guitar and church today and I played and worshipped my heart out.  I felt like my monitor was low, and asked for it to be turned up.  In the end, I was told that I had been accidentally muted.  Groan.  I wasn't originally scheduled to play this week.  I had been asked to rescheduled so that we could have a full band for the first day our new worship pastor was in church.  But then, why play if I'm muted?  lol   I get it - mistakes happen.  But man, sometimes it can be frustrating, and it DOES make me wonder what God is up to...

My Growth as a Keyboardist

One of the questions asked in the Keyboard Workshop at the Fire and Fragrance conference last weekend was from a fellow wondering if I could go through my 'evolution/growth' as a keyboard player.  I was thinking about that again yesterday and thought it would make an interesting blog post.  (ha, I guess y'all can tell me if you think its interesting or not)

I took lessons growing up, following the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum for the most part.  As a result, I learned to read notes.  Teachers had a major impact on my progress and development - most negative, and one in particular mostly positive.  To read more about that experience, check this post out in my other blog.

Betty-Anne, the teacher who had the best influence on me, encouraged me to learn songs by ear, rather than using notes.  I began playing in church at around 13, and played most songs by ear there - first picking out the melody a note at a time with my right hand, and then adding simple chords with my left hand as I gained more confidence.  Back then (mid-80's) we were in a small church.  My Dad led worship, my Mom played the organ, and I played the piano.  There wasn't much thought given to arrangements or parts.

Around the end of high school I was still playing in church and getting better.  I was learning other songs by ear (lots of Keith Green) and I was trying to implement some of his style and riffs into my church playing.  This meant I played 3 note chords in my right hand (trying to ensure that the highest note followed the melody of the song) and octave bass notes in my left hand with it providing more of the rhythm.

Right after high school I did one year as a music major at Summit Pacific College (called Western Pentecostal Bible College back then).  I continued to get more comfortable with adding licks and riffs to my playing with following the 3 note RH and octave LH paradigm.  I also started to learn song and key transitions as well as playing free worship music - something I enjoy and feels natural to me.

After one year of college I went to Texas to Last Days Ministries (the one founded by Keith Green and his wife Melody) and lived there for almost 4 years.  I worked in the Print Shop there, and played keys with the Last Days Ministries Band.  Playing with the band was my start in learning to play less - keeping things more simple.  While I was there I also played in a small local church as the only instrumentalist they had (piano).  This was exclusively hymns.

I spent the next 15 years playing in churches off and on, balancing family responsibilities.  Sometimes I'd play piano in church, sometimes drums, but thinking that I was accomplished enough to not worry about practicing much (lazy attitude, with some pride thrown in).  I got to a point where I felt like I was stuck in a rut - God wasn't moving me forward in my music ministry the way I felt like He should based on the 'giftings' that I felt I had.  I was getting frustrated.  God let me stew for a while.

Several things happened fairly close together (within a year or two) at this point in my life.

• We got rid of the acoustic piano I learned on and I bought a Roland RD700GX.  This allowed me to practice with earphones on while the kids were sleeping.  I also didn't have to worry about tuning the piano anymore (or playing an out of tune piano).
• I felt God convicting/encouraging me to start to get serious about playing in church.  To get engaged, practice, and prepare for the sets to the best of my ability with the time that I had.  To bring my heart, soul, mind, and strength with me when I play in church.  Within a year of doing that, other doors started to open....

I discovered the Alberta Children's Hospital had a beautiful grand piano in their cafeteria that they

I'm playing the piano at ACH (in the background)

were inviting people to play.  I totally felt God nudging me to get involved there.  I got my security clearance and started working up a repetoire.  That has been a really good exercise for me, because it forces me to play songs alone...   Through that continued experience (I still play there), I've learned to listen as I play.  Hear what others are hearing, and in doing I've realized its not how busy and complex I can play, but am I feeling the piece?  Is it grabbing my emotions?  If I can feel the piece as I play it, and its getting a hold of my emotions, other people tune into that.  Its been quite interesting to see and hear the different responses as I play there.  My wife has encouraged me to write some blog posts about some of those experiences, so hopefully I'll get to those soon.

Another door that opened was I was asked to lead a student worship band at one of the local Christian schools.  I've been doing that for 5 years now, and that experience forces me to constantly think about how to simplify and communicate keyboard playing in the context of a band.

Currently when I play keys, I do several things:

• I look for open space to fill with simple, ear-catching riffs
• I try and find repetitive patterns to use in songs as a simple background/rhythm 
• I enjoy using an organ patch on fast songs that are guitar driven (that can be a lot of fun)
• I try and stay out of the guitar register(s) if I can
• I'm conscious of what the bass guitar is playing and I try not to clobber it with my left hand.
• I find (right hand) octaves are great for getting loud dynamically and for playing riffs with a big band.

Fire & Fragrance Calgary - 2018 My Thoughts

Fire & Fragrance Calgary 2018 - My Thoughts

It been a long time since I attended a full on conference of any kind.  I guess perhaps one reason I don't attend conferences very often is because I find I get discouraged afterwards comparing my life to the lives of the people who were leading/speaking.  And they make for a really busy weekend.

Some good things I'd forgotten about conferences though that pleasantly surprised me this weekend were:

• Meeting a bunch of people with similar passions and desires as myself and being able to talk and share with them.
• Getting challenged by good teaching - even though sometimes I do get discouraged, the 'wrestle' with God about what they said versus what I'm doing or where I am is, I believe, good.

I had been asked to teach a keyboard seminar at the conference this weekend, so I was actually involved in a way.  That was fun.  You can see/download my notes on that seminar/workshop here.

Here's my thoughts and feelings on what the speakers said...

Sean Feucht

I had never heard the vision behind 'The Burn' before.  The story about the inception of The Burn in Sean's college dorm room reminded me of something that happened after my first year of college, and made me wonder if I had missed an opportunity.  I got past that train of thought pretty quickly though.  

His whole talk on David was great - I hadn't heard it put quite like that before either.  His thoughts on 'What possessed the heart of David to say he wouldn't sleep until he found a home where God would feel welcome on the earth?'  and how David ended up transforming the nation by creating a 'government ministry and dedicating government resources - essentially taking money from the nation's economy' to fund full time worship to God were great.  The impact and influence of David was so great that people actually called Jesus 'the son of David' and he answered to that!

Paul & Hanna McClure

Paul serves as the worship pastor at Bethel.  They shared together on Saturday morning about their journey getting to Bethel and their path of growth while they've been there.  Two things have stuck in my mind from their talk:

1. God doesn't waste anything.  ANYTHING.  He doesn't waste time in preparing us for what he has in store for us.  They really encouraged everything to be 'thankful and present' where we're currently at.  'Faithfulness in my current assignment is my greatest assignment'  
2. All the 'creatives' at Bethel are unpaid (!!!)  I had heard this before, but not first-hand.  Knowing the expectations and effort that goes into a worship service at that caliber, the question that I'm sure came to everyone's mind that Paul addresses was 'How do you keep these creatives around and engaged?'  His answers:
• Jenn Johnson always says 'Are you called to be here?'
• They have a monthly team meeting that is mandatory where they do team building an encouragement.  I've seen meetings like this done in a patronizing way and I can't see how that would fly given the high expectations there, so it must be a good 'real' meeting.
• Expectations are clear from the start.
• Dealing with confrontation: honour people with brave communication.  They do debriefs after every service with personal feedback.  People can feel bad because they don't feel cared for.  How would love communicate and care in a difficult situation?

I'll be honest - Lately I can get stressed at our own church with the expectations there on the level of excellence for the worship service.  Some weeks where I wonder to myself if I really want to keep doing this.  Several times at the conference it was said that serving in the music ministry in the church should be considered 'a privilege'.  That almost came across as patronizing to me.

Maybe I'm getting older and tire out easier?  Maybe some of the situations (both good and bad) I've had are leaving me feeling like... my experience is ignored and/or not considered?  Its challenging to come to a new church with so many years of experience playing in bands and just serve.  I liked playing the drums in a church service and feeling that there was no other place in the world I would rather be in that moment - that I was in the centre of God's will for me at that time.  Now there are so many things to think about and to get right while I play, I feel like I'm starting to lose that 'centre'.  

This challenge has been good, because its driven me to do a lot more praying.  And the benefits of that have been amazing.  So, all in all, I've been experiencing a lot of growth lately, and I'm thankful for it.  I have to remember my big take-away from the weekend:  God doesn't waste anything!  I need to find Him and my purpose where I'm currently at and live in the present and not wish I was somewhere else, doing something else.

A Purpose Driven Life - Chapter 13

A Purpose Driven Life Chapter 13 - Worship That Pleases God

Chapter Overview:  Worship God in Spirit and in Truth.  You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

2011 (40 years old)

Another good chapter on what true worship is in the context of a Christian's life. (not just singing in church)

Rick says that the kind of worship that pleases God has four characteristics:

1. It must be authentic (worship in spirit and in truth)
2. It must be accurate.  He mentions a book by Gary Thomas called Sacred Pathways that talks about how people with different 'make-ups' worship God in different ways. (Naturalists, Traditionalists, Activists, Contemplates, Intellectuals, etc)
3. It must be thoughtful. (..with all your mind..)  Would you say "I praise you!" to someone?  They would want to know details.  For what?!?  Use the names of God and/or fresh words like admire, respect, value, revere, appreciate, honor
4. It must be practical (offer your bodies to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship)  ...with all your strength...   Passive worship is an oxymoron.  It should take effort and energy.

Had Dr. George Hill pray over me today to impart whatever God wanted to impart to me through him.  He mentioned 3 scripture passages:

Deut. 28:1-14

Col 1: 9-12

Eph. 1:17-22

2016 (45 years old)

God wants all of me.  What is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship?  What should I do about this?  I know God wants more of me - more of my time and my focus - in private worship. However like the chapter says, it's not all about singing and songs.  There are different ways and types of worship. I'm definitely a naturalist to some degree. Nature draws me close to God and helps me see his greatness. I liked the line 'We can worship God imperfectly, but we cannot worship him insincerely.  So our worship must be accurate (true), authentic (sincere), thoughtful (specific and without thoughtless repetition ) and practical (with our bodies as living sacrifices).

For background on what these 'Purpose Driven Life' posts are about, click this link.

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 1 - Its Not About Me

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 2 - You Are Not an Accident

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 3 - What Drives You?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 4 - Eternity In Our Hearts

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 5 - What is Life?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 6 - Life on Earth is a Temporary Assignment

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 7 - The Reason for Everything

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 8 - You Were Planned for God's Pleasure

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 9 - What Makes God Smile?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 10 - The Surrendered Life

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 11 - Friend of God

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 12 - Friend of God II

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 14 - When God Isn't There

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 15 - Part of God's Family

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 16 - What Matters Most

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 17 - You Belong

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 18 - Life is Meant to be Shared

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 19 - Made for Community

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 20 - Restoring Broken Fellowship

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 21 - Unity of the Church

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 22 - Transformed to be Like Christ

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 23 - Transformed by Thought

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 24 - Transformed By Truth

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 25 - Transformed by Trouble

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 26 - Transformed by Temptation

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 27 - Defeating Temptation

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 28 - It Takes Time

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 29 - Shaped for Serving God

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 30 - Our Place in Serving

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 31 - Finding Your Specific Purpose

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 32 - Using What God Gave You

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 33 - How Real Servants Act

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 34 - Thinking Like a Servant

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 35 - God Uses Our Weaknesses

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 36 - You Were Made for a Mission

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 37 - Sharing Your Life Message

My Appendix to Chapter 37

My Testimony Based on Chapter 37

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 38 - Becoming a World-Class Christian

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 39 - Balance

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 40 - Living With Purpose

The Day Worship Changed for Me - Early 1990

Early Spring, 1990.   The day worship changed for me.

Unfortunately, I didn't write an actual journal entry about this event at the time.  It happened before March 1990. I was 'busy.'  I was in Bible College and had an assignment to read I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, and I & II Chronicles.  I also had a friend who had given me a cassette tape of 'new' worship music to check out.  I thought 'why not kill two birds with one stone and do both at the same time?'  I did exactly that on my top bunk in my dorm room late at night, with no expectation of anything.

The worship music I was listening to turned out to be the first Maranatha Praise Band album.  It was quite a bit better than I was expecting.  Songs like 'Jesus, Mighty God' and 'Lord I Life Your Name on High' played as I read, and I was actually enjoying myself.  Things changed when I got to II Samuel 6:14 where David is bringing the Ark of the Lord into Jerusalem and dancing before the Lord 'with all his might.'  The song that was playing on the cassette when I read that was 'The Lord Reigns.'  At the end of the song the refrain repeats 'Bless the Name of the Lord' while the band continues to build and grow the intensity of the music.  I had this picture in my mind of David dancing before the Lord with all his might, kicking up dust, sweating like crazy, out of breath.

I paused and wondered, 'What would it be like to worship God like that?'

I stopped reading and re-wound the song in the cassette player (I didn't have the CD).  I listened to the song again and read that passage again and asked myself the question:  'What would it be like to worship God, to dance before Him, with all my might??'

Worship changed for me that day.  God opened my eyes to see a different perspective of what worship was.  Before that, it was songs that we sang in church before a sermon.  Some were fast, some were slow, and most of them talked about God.  After that evening of reading, I slowly began to realize that worship is so much more than that.  Its a connection between God and myself.  Its me recognizing who God is, and my place in His scheme of things.  Its wonder, exuberance - so much more than just singing about God.  Its getting my mind and my heart... and my strength involved.

I rarely get to that place of worship where David was.  I'm not really sure I've even been in that zone that David was in.  But I want to be one day.  I want my love and exuberance for God be stronger than my fear of what people will think.  And worship God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Worship Piano/Keyboard Workshop

Worship Piano/Keyboard Workshop

 

What is the keyboard's 'place' in the context of worship music?  “For the body is not made up of one part, but of many...  But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be”  I Corinthians 12:14,18

-       Is the worship in your church mostly guitar led, or keyboard led?  If its guitar led, pick little ditties or play passing notes here and there to fill things in.

-       When there is free worship or sharing, be sensitive to providing a quiet background wash – simple chords with no recognizable melody.  Change chords slowly, with precision.

-       Watch your posture.   Try not to stand with your hand on your hip.  Try not to make faces when you make a mistake if you can help it

Less is more  “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

-       Let notes sing their allotted time. Think of the notes as voices. Don't be concerned about trying to play too much. 

-       Rest, stillness, peace - 23^rd Psalm.  How can we help people hear God (especially if He's talking with a still small voice)?

Be Prepared

-       I like to have 3 different ideas of how to play each song.  

-       A full band keyboard part (minimal – find motifs to fill in ‘blank’ areas)

-       An ensemble keyboard part (fuller keys, but not super busy)

-       Keys alone – you’re covering all the instrumental parts

-       (chords & rhythm)

-       upper RH plays melody

Additionally here's some questions you can ask yourself:

-       Are you prepared to switch keys?

-       Do you know which patches you want to use?

-       How will you manage dynamics/intensity changes?

-       Which arrangement of the song are you playing?  Do you know your part for that arrangement?

      -       Try to learn the obvious keyboard parts or the arrangement by ear or by YouTube

Technical Prep (scales, chording, arpeggios)

-       Helps with accuracy

-       Simple scales

-       Alternate exaggerated short/long notes, strengthen fingers

-       Solid and broken chords

-       Alternate broken chord patterns

-       Alternate short/long notes

-       Arpeggios

-       Regular triads 1,3,5,1

Keep your playing as simple as you can.

-       Octaves - great in RH (right hand) for exaggerating a melodic line

-       Motifs

-       Dynamics

-       Rhythm

-       Tension with passing notes – accentuate them by stressing them louder and longer

-       Repeat single notes - surprisingly effective!

How to play simply to almost any song

I've been playing keys in church for over 3 decades and tried lots of different ways to sound good.  Surprisingly, one can actually sound quite good by playing 2 notes in the Right Hand (RH) that never move, and follow the chords of the song with a single bass note (or octaves) in the Left Hand (LH).  The two notes in the Right Hand that don't have to move are the I and the V (or a simple 5th interval in the key your playing.  Line them up in the charts below.  Sometimes the RH can change to use the 4th interval instead of the 5th.

Doodle notes (or passing notes) can be played in the spaces.  Experiment with different patters with them: octaves, hitting them twice in a row, different intensities, etc.  They can be super effective as well.  I have charts for most of the common keys that songs are played in below.

Key of C

                                  I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	C	Dm	C/E	F	G	Am	G/B
RH	G	F	G	G	G	G	G
	C	C	D or C	C	D	C	D
LH	C	D	E	F	G	A	B
Doodle notes	B,C,D,G	E,F,G,C	B,C,D,G	E,F,G,C	B,C,D,G	B,C,D,G	B,C,D,G

Key of D

                                  I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	D	Em	D/F#	G	A	Bm	A/C#
RH	A	G	A	A	A	A	A
	D	D	E or D	D	E	D	E
LH	D	E	F#	G	A	B	C#
Doodle notes	C#,D,E,A	F#,G,A D	C#,D,E,A	F#,G,A,D	C#,D,E,A	C#,D,E,A	C#,D,E,A

Key of E

                               I                  II                III                  IV                 V                VI                VII

Song Sheet Chord	E	F#m	E/G#	A	B	C#m	B/D#
RH	B	A	B	B	B	B	B
	E	E	F# or E	E	F#	E	F#
LH	E	F#	G#	A	B	C#	D#
Doodle notes	D#,E,F#,B	G#,A,B,E	D#,E,F#,B	G#,A,B,E	D#,E,F#,B	D#,E,F#,B	D#,E,F#,B

Key of G

           

Song Sheet Chord	G	Am	G/B	C	D	Em	D/F#
RH	D	C	D	D	D	D	D
	G	G	G or A	G	A	G	A
LH	G	A	B	C	D	E	F#
Doodle notes	F#,G,A,D	B,C,D,G	F#,G,A,D	B,C,D,G	F#,G,A,D	F#,G,A,D	F#,G,A,D

Key of A

                                   I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	A	Bm	A/C#	D	E	F#m	B/G#
RH	E	D	E	E	E	E	E
	A	A	B or A	A	B	A	B
LH	A	B	C#	D	E	F#	G#
Doodle notes	G#,A,B,E	C#,D,E,A	G#,A,B,E	C#,D,E,A	G#,A,B,E	G#,A,B,E	G#,A,B,E

Key of Bb

                                    I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	Bb	Cm	Bb/D	Eb	F	Gm	F/A
RH	F	Eb	F	F	F	F	F
	Bb	Bb	C or Bb	Bb	C	Bb	C
LH	Bb	C	D	Eb	F	G	A
Doodle notes	A,Bb,C,F	D,Eb,F, Bb	A,Bb,C,F	D,Eb,F, Bb	A,Bb,C,F	A,Bb,C,F	A,Bb,C,F

Key of F

                                I                  II                III                  IV                 V                VI                VII

Song Sheet Chord	F	Gm	F/A	Bb	C	Dm	C/E
RH	C	Bb	C	C	C	C	C
	F	F	G or F	F	G	F	G
LH	F	G	A	Bb	C	D	E
Doodle notes	E,F,G,C	A,Bb,C,F	E,F,G,C	A,Bb,C,F	E,F,G,C	E,F,G,C	E,F,G,C

Key of Eb

           

Song Sheet Chord	Eb	Fm	Eb/G	Ab	Bb	Cm	Bb/D
RH	Bb	Ab	Bb	Bb	Bb	Bb	Bb
	Eb	Eb	Eb or F	Eb	F	Eb	F
LH	Eb	F	G	Ab	Bb	C	D
Doodle notes	D,Eb,F, Bb	G,Ab,Bb, Eb	D,Eb,F, Bb	G,Ab,Bb, Eb	D,Eb,F, Bb	D,Eb,F, Bb	D,Eb,F, Bb

Songs where Rhythm is important:

-       You Are Good (Israel Houghton)   Key of E

o   Shots are important in this song

o   Syncopated Rhythm between LH and RH in chorus

-       Forever (MWS)  Key of E

o   Certain chords held in verses, certain chords follow vocals

o   Syncopated Rhythm between LH and RH in chorus

-       Everlasting God  Key of G

o   Bridge – syncopated bass in LH with RH keeping straight beat playing 5th's

-       How Great is Our God (Chris Tomlin – live version)  Key of E

o   Simply keyboard rhythm with RH - super powerful

Songs with a strong Key melody (that you should know):

-       No Longer Slaves    Key of D

o   Really important to get the instrumental correct (as that is what people ‘generally’ expect to hear)

o   Use octave key?

-       Our God is Greater (Chris Tomlin)  Key of G

o   Piano with strings layered – again, people are listening for this riff

-       I Will Exalt    Key of D

o   Intro & instrumentals – good learn.

-       Great Are You Lord (Bridge)   Key of E

o   The bridge – keys carry it to begin and can really build intensity

o   Solid low piano notes can really add ‘umph’!

-       This is Amazing Grace   Key of D

o   Intro instrumental and chorus – people will be listening for this

-       At Your Name   Key of E

o   Intro

Songs with space (where you can add your own doodles/motifs):

-       Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone    Key of E

o   The fantastic scale down in the chorus (listen for counter melodies)

o   Octaves

-       Jesus We Love You     Key of G

o   Passing notes/chords with a rhythm can take this song to another level

o   Special chords and riffs

o   How do I play this on the grand piano?

o   Bridge is key in this song (getting the chords correct)

-       How He Loves (He is jealous for me…)    Key of E

o   The passing note riffs

o   Octave builds

-       Come As You are    Key of C or A

o   Intro – good to learn

o   Lots of space in the chorus – great place for tasteful motifs

-       All Who are Thirsty     Key of E

o   Passing notes in verses

o   Octave scale ups in chorus where there’s space

Fast songs – good for an organ patch

-       Happy Day    Key of D

-       The Happy Song     Key of D

-       You Are Good (Bethel)    Key of G

-       Let God Arise     Key of E

-       General tips for playing with an organ patch:

o   If there is a manual vibrato, USE IT!!  J  It will make your organ sound great!

o   Play higher on the keyboard than you normally would.

o   NEVER use you left hand to play keys on the organ patch

o   NEVER use the pedal on the patch

o   Slide up and down the keys!

Songs with Passing Chords

-       The Stand     Key of G or A

o   In the pre-chorus ‘What can I say…’

-       This is Amazing Grace     Key of D

o   The 70’s version

-       Jesus, We Love You  Key of G

o   The whole song

Other songs

-       Praises     Key of G

o   Falling scale passing notes

o   Lots of space in chorus for adding motifs and riffs

-       I am a Friend of God    Key of A

o   Either use organ patch with a bigger band, or

o   Piano with a smaller band, and tear it up

-       Good Good Father     Key of E

o   Dynamics are important

o   3 note riff in chorus (Chris Tomlin’s version) that sounds great and is quite simple – Just have to master the rhythm.

-       Hosanna (Praise is rising….)    Key of G

-       Agnus Dei (MWS)       Key of A
      I Will Boast (Hillsong)    Key of B

  Simple Chord Charts to Practice
   - I Will Exalt
   - Amazing Love
   - Praises
   - Great Are You Lord

         PDF Version of these notes

Click here for a Spotify playlist of the songs above
Note that the keyboard may NOT be the predominant instrument in many of the songs.  The playlist is for reference.  I'll give examples of what I do for many of the songs in the session.