Things We’ll Probably Not Say On Our Deathbed
I’ve been thinking a lot about the deathbed lately. Maybe because I almost lost my dad back in September 2011 to a stroke, and he is still in the hospital as a result. I’ve been wondering what might be going through his mind about his life. He is not able to speak, so I can only imagine what he might be thinking. Does he have any regrets? What kinds of things would he want to do over if he could?
That made me think about my own life. In my deathbed, what might be my regrets? What would I wish I could’ve done differently in my lifetime?
I know for most of us who are in ministry, whether as a full-time vocation, part-time, or volunteer, we pour our blood, sweat, and tears into it. It’s easy to forget to draw boundaries between ministry and family. I recently heard a podcast where Pastor Mark Driscoll was talking about the importance of maintaining a healthy family life with your wife and kids. He gave examples of “heroes” of our faith like A.W. Tozer, who may have had a great ministry, but they did not have a healthy family life. In fact, many of them neglected their wives and kids. Many of them believed, and taught, that ministry comes before family. To them, it was God, ministry, and then family.
I would have to strongly disagree with that statement. Family comes before ministry. Church and ministry leaders must be very careful NOT to neglect our families.
Here are some things I don’t think most of us, hopefully none of us, will say on our deathbed:
-I wish I could’ve spent more time on Facebook.
-I wish I would’ve spent more time in the church office perfecting the font on that one chord chart, instead of going home on time and having dinner with my family.
-I’m so glad I was always distracted while spending time with my family…with texting, facebooking, tweeting, Instagram, Pinterest, and phone calls!
-I think I spent way too much time with my spouse and kids! I should’ve spent more time with church members!
-I regret missing that one episode of The Office because of my kid’s soccer game!
-I wish I could’ve owned an iPad 2.
What else do you think we won’t be saying in our deathbed? Leave your comments below.
-Wisdom Moon
AAW Podcast Episode 82, featuring an Exclusive Interview w/ Brothers McClurg
For our 82nd episode, we feature an interview with Anthony and Chris Hoisington, the brothers behind the worship band Brothers McClurg. They discuss their recent EP on Integrity (Alive), their first co-write (with Paul Baloche no less!), and their heart for their hometown, Buffalo, NY.
What Else?
-Wisdom and Ben are once again joined by All About Worship team members Chris Olson and Mathew Reames.
-Mat tries out for the open(?) co-host position.
-Wisdom invites Susan Foutaine Godwin, founder of Christian Copyright Solutions back for another discussion on copyright compliance.
-We learn more about Chris…maybe more than we really wanted to know…
Quick Links
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comment line: 913.735.4229
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A special thanks to Christian Copyright Solutions for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to use promo code, AAWPODCAST, on CopyrightSolver.com to receive a special 10% off the PERFORMmusic and WORSHIPcast licenses and the PERMISSIONSplus service.
Episode 81: All About Worship Awards 2011 – Show Notes
On this special edition Wisdom and Ben are joined by two of the All About Worship Team members (Mathew Reames and Chris Olson), as they podcast over dinner, and celebrate the New Year.
We announce the All About Worship Awards 2011 winners in each category and interview Susan Fountaine Godwin, founder of Christian Copyright Solutions.
Stay connected with us:
comment line: 913.735.4229
allaboutworship[at]gmail[gmail]com
A special thanks to Christian Copyright Solutions for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to use promo code, AAWPODCAST, on CopyrightSolver.com to receive a special 10% off the PERFORMmusic and WORSHIPcast licenses and the PERMISSIONSplus service.
Also, a big thanks to WorshipPlanning.com for sponsoring All About Worship Awards 2011!
As always, we would greatly appreciate you taking a moment and leaving a review of our podcast on iTunes.
Free Single by Wisdom Moon & Sean Hill
Our very own Wisdom Moon recently co-wrote a worship song with producer/songwriter, Sean Hill. They are giving it away for free on Noisetrade. You can use the widget below to download it instantly. You can also get the chord chart for free HERE.
The single was produced and recorded by Sean Hill, who also happens to be a member of our AAW Plus site.
The Bible Reading Plan That Works!
In 2011, our church (Wisdom and Ben’s) launched a new Bible reading plan, called OWNit365, to help the whole church read through the Bible in one year. This year, they’ve launched another plan that will help us read through the New Testament. It’s called NT+ because you read a chapter a day for 5 days of the week and on the 6th day read a chapter from the Old Testament that was referenced in the week’s reading. The 7th day is your day of rest or catch up.
Here’s a video that explains the plan:
We all know the importance of being in God’s Word as followers of Christ and as church leaders. Following a reading plan can often help you stay focused and disciplined in your busy life. Check out the OWNit365 plans and the free resources available on the site! (FYI, the two plans are also available through Youversion.)
Episode 78: The City Harmonic
On this special Thanksgiving edition, we feature an interview with lead singer, Elias Dummer, of The City Harmonic. We also feature a song from their new album, an interview with Chris Lydle of RightsFlow.com, and more.
Be sure to check out our sponsor, RightsFlow. You can visit their website at church.rightsflow.com and follow them @churchcopyright or facebook.com/righsflow
Limelight 20% off code: AAWLL (www.SongClearance.com)
MySpark $15 off code: AAWMS (www.MySparkCopyright.com)
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our free podcast!
An Open Letter to Worship Songwriters, Part 2 (Start)
I’m overwhelmed by the reactions and responses my recent Open Letter to Worship Songwriters received. Many had great feedback and some were offended.
With this follow up letter I want to communicate the fact that my previous letter was not to criticize worship songwriters, but rather to share some thoughts from what I’ve observed and challenge songwriters. I have many friends who are songwriters, both not-so-well-known and whose songs are on the top CCLI list. I have tremendous respect for them and any worship songwriter doing it for the right reasons.
In this letter my desire is to share the flip side of my previous letter…some things that are good practices as a songwriter…things you SHOULD do.
START by examining your heart. I believe as worship songwriters we have a great responsibility to write songs that come from our heart and communicate accurate theology. Therefore, we must examine our hearts and be sure that our relationship with the Lord is in a good place. A camper cannot cook a meal over dry wood, he has to light up the wood and start a fire first. In the same way, we need to make sure our fire is lit before we try and write songs.
START by opening up the Bible. I don’t think that you can’t write a good worship song without the Bible open, but I do believe it’s a good principle. Search the Bible on the theme of the song. If you’re writing about our new life in Christ, start by studying what that means. You can use the Bible, commentaries, and other books on that topic to gain insights and understanding. That will often help you write songs that are deeper and carry a fresh revelation.
START by slowing down. We live in a busy world. We’ve got gadgets and apps for everything. We’re always in a rush. It’s so easy to rush our songwriting as well and try to finish a song in one sitting or in one day. Songwriting is more like a crock-pot than a microwave. It takes time. Sometimes a song may get finished in one sitting, but more often than not a song can be significantly improved if you write it over time…go back and revise, go back and revise. Songwriting is a process, not a project.
START by sharing your song with people you trust. If you think your song is done, it might be a good idea to share it with your pastor first. Hopefully, you respect your pastor and you two have similar theological beliefs, so your pastor would be a great person to get some feedback on the song’s theological accuracy and even singability. You can also find some family or friends that you trust, who you know will give you honest, constructive feedback.
START by thinking outside the box. The box I’m referring to is your songwriting toolbox. Every songwriter has one. Some have more tools than others, but everyone can continue to add more tools to their toolbox. Experiment with different styles of music. If you’re used to always writing rock-style worship songs, try writing a hymn. If you always write with your guitar, try writing acapella or on the piano. Ask other songwriters about what tools they use when they write. Maybe a dictionary? A thesaurus? A rhyming dictionary? A certain website or app?
If God has put it on your heart to write songs for Him, do it with all your might! Don’t let anything or anyone discourage you, but be sure to always check your heart. Are you writing to please man or God? Be a lifetime learner. Be open to learning from seasoned songwriters as well as newbies. You can learn from anybody. I actually learn things about songwriting from my 6 year old son!
I pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire you as you write!
-Wisdom Moon
Episode 77: Interview w/ Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None The Richer)
On this episode, we feature a special interview with Sixpence None The Richer’s singer, Leigh Nash, about her brand new album. We also feature a song from her project, an interview with Chris Lydle of RightsFlow.com, and some tributes our listeners left on our comment line for their pastors.
If you can’t get enough of Wisdom Moon and Ben Abu Saada, be sure to listen all the way till the end of the podcast for some secret humorous content.
Be sure to check out our sponsor, RightsFlow. You can visit their website at church.rightsflow.com and follow them @churchcopyright or facebook.com/righsflow
Limelight 20% off code: AAWLL (www.SongClearance.com)
MySpark $15 off code: AAWMS (www.MySparkCopyright.com)
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our free podcast!
An Open Letter to Worship Songwriters, Part 1 (Please Stop)
This is an open letter to worship songwriters, from the ones that make a living writing worship songs to those that are just starting to write, and everyone in between.
PLEASE STOP regurgitating what’s already been said in a hundred other worship songs. We don’t need another song that says the same thing as “How Great is Our God”, “Mighty to Save”, and “You Never Let Go”. Write something fresh.
PLEASE STOP using the same chord progressions (i.e. A – E – F#m – D). Try something new and exciting. It’s okay to explore.
PLEASE STOP writing about things you haven’t experienced personally. Write out of your own experiences with the Lord and out of deep convictions of your faith. If you don’t like to dance during worship, you probably shouldn’t write choruses that say, “Dance, dance, dance before the Lord!”
PLEASE STOP writing songs with the goal of getting it on the top 25 list on CCLI. It’s an oxymoron to write “worship” songs with the motive of wanting the song to be popular and/or get radio play. If it’s truly a worship song, then it shouldn’t matter if anyone ever hears it. It’s your worship to the Lord.
PLEASE STOP writing feel-good love songs that have no way of distinguishing themselves from secular love songs on the radio. If you’re writing about your love relationship with God, the creator of the universe, it should sound different than someone writing a song to his girlfriend.
PLEASE STOP watering down the gospel in your songs. If your songs have deep theological truths and communicate the gospel clearly without compromise, expect them to be offensive to non-Christians (and even some Christians). Proclaim the Truth of God in a powerful, but creative way. That’s what we need more of, not touchy-feely/Jesus-is-my-boyfriend songs.
PLEASE STOP trying to be the next Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Paul Baloche, John Mark McMillan, David Crowder Band, Kari Jobe, Hillsong, etc. You will be accountable to God for who He called YOU to be, not who he called Tomlin or Redman to be.
Be yourself. Use the uniqueness God gave you. Use your own creativity. Write for God and God only, out of the place of intimacy with Jesus. Don’t let dollar signs or the spotlight blind you and fool you into thinking it’s okay to write worship songs to make your own name famous. God is NOT okay with that. Either do it all for Jesus or all for yourself.
In the words of a wise old Jedi…“Do or do not; there is no try.”
-Wisdom Moon
Matthew Reed on Worship Leader Faux Hawks, V-Necks & Chest Hair
Worship leader/songwriter, Matthew Reed shares about the important role that faux hawks, v-necks, and chest hair play if you want to be an effective worship leader.
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