This made my day - Easter Recap from the OC

I love to see Jesus glorified through art! It is great to see people who's lives are radically transformed by His love and experience true joy in the hope that He gives them. God has been working in Orange County and we see renewed passion for God.

This video really got me stoked once again on artistic expressions of our lives in Him. This is from Easter this year. It includes a bunch of local churches and is coordinated by Rockharbor. A church that I have come to love and respect.



To view this on the original site: http://costamesa.rockharbor.org/wp-content/themes/rockharbor/embed.php?post=2353&blog=9

What is your expression of Christ's change in your life? What ways do you allow yourself to show those around you? Through words, through relationships, through a smiling face, through art???

Remember where you came from and live like the changed person you are.

Worship Cental: CREATE Conference @ RockHarbor

There is a great Worship conference coming up later this month called CREATE. It is put on by Worship Central and RockHarbor Church. I know that this conference will be great. I've been to a few Worship Central conferences and they always have a unique and intimate style that sets them apart from many of the other conferences that are offered.

This year there are sessions and worship services with artists John Mark McMillan, Evan Wickham, and Phil Wickham. There will also be seminars with some great, experienced worship artisans and pastors. Sign-up at: http://worshipcentral2011.eventbrite.com/

I highly recommend signing up for this conference! I hope to see you there.

- Luke

Here is a list of seminars that will be offered.

Educating The Imagination - Caleb Clements & Trever Hoehne

Do you ever feel stuck or uninspired?  Hear the journey of what it looked like for an analytical thinker to begin to to unlock the imagination.  This especially geared to songwriters and artists.

The Relationship of Worship Leader and Lead Pastor - Todd Proctor & Alan Frow

Many worship leaders and lead pastors have a tension in how they relate.  Too often they work against each other, rather than as a team.  Hear from two former worship pastors that are now both lead pastors as they share their thoughts and learnings.

Mixing live worship - Paul Dexter & Scott Clement

Learn how it is possible to achieve great, consistent sound while training and using volunteers.

Effective use of the Arts in Church - Nick Benoit

We've all seen cheesy and awkward use of arts in the church, but is there a better way?   Learn from what has worked at ROCKHARBOR from our fabulous Arts Director.

Developing the Next Generation of Worship Leaders - Keri Fox

Never before have there been so many young, eager worship leaders.  How can we best develop them while maintaining a strong culture of worship in our churches?

'You are with me still' - video with Caleb Clements

This is one of those songs that, every time you lead, someone comes up after and says, "wow, that song was so powerful." Each time they quote a different line and say how it touched them.

It was written and refined by a group of guys in Orange County, CA and actually around the world, birthed at a church named Rockharbor. Have a listen.

You Are With Me Still - Story & Song from ROCKHARBOR WORSHIP on Vimeo.

For the charts and lyrics go to the Rockharbor Worship website, Click here.

For me, every time I listen I have a new favorite part. The song takes a different approach to worship than we have seen recently in our worship services. It follows the 'other 50%' of the Psalms and deals with the hard times. The painful times. The times when you really don't FEEL like God is right there with you. Yet, the hook in the song really gives the listener a sturdy ground to stand on. "You are with me still."

When all is dark and hope is gone

And silence has become my song

When doubt has closed me in, You are with me still

When strength is overcome by fear

Your presence feels no longer near

When sorrow’s night descends, You are with me still

One line of the song (that is not actually on the video) shows an aspect of response in the midst of repeated suffering and pain. It says, "My calloused heart and weary soul, will turn to trust in you." I picture this one... calloused and weary, beat-up by life and feeling like you are stuck in a washing-machine on the heavy setting. Just over and over pain - hurting - pain - hurting.

Though favor’s touch seems long ago

My calloused heart and weary soul

Will turn in trust to You, You are with me still

So, any worship leaders. Remember that it is NOT un-biblical to worship out of an acknowledged pain. In fact, some of the most powerful times of worship in the Bible come from difficult and uncertain times. We have some great examples: Job, David, Isaiah, Paul, and exc.

Here is the chorus:

You are with me still, Your love will endure

You are with me still, Your promise is sure

You are with me still, Your mercy remains

You are with me still, You give strength as I wait

"Lord, help us to understand that You are with us. Help us to place our trust in You. Because we know that You are stronger. In our weakness You are strong. We know that Your love will endure, we know that Your promise is sure and true, we look to You in our despair and our sorrow. And we ask for Your strength to help us wait."