The LW Project

The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

2011-08-04T14:08:00.002-05:00

I received "The Gospel According to Jesus" by Chris Seay as one of my books to review from Booksneeze.com

This book is a great book. What I like about it is that it hits topics right on the head that the church body is dealing with all over. What individuals are dealing with. We have skewed thinking on things in the church and this tackles some of those issues directly.

It also speaks to the importance of following Jesus's lead on things. One of my favorite chapters is the one on Kingdom without a King... it is impossible. We are unable to have a kingdom with a King. This is what we have tried to create with many of our socialistic programs for helping others. The problem is not helping others the problem is doing all these things and leaving out the King.

This is a book that will challenge you to live a better life. To follow Jesus. This book is a great read for all Christians.

-LW

BLOG HAS MOVED

2011-01-03T12:26:00.003-06:00

Today, the new blog is officially up and running at LukeWill.wordpress.com

Please make the move to the new blog! Cleaner looking, pages, etc. Check it out!

The year is coming to a close... 2010

2010-12-22T08:34:00.002-06:00

Every year around this time it is hard for me to believe that another year is coming to a close. It is usually equally as hard to believe everything that happened within that year in my life, my family's life, my friends' lives, my church's life, etc.

This year it is the same type of ending. I end another year thinking, "WOW, what just happened..."

Here is a recap of my great 2010:

- I turned 22...

- Started as interim worship leader at Harvest Church in April, thinking it would be for a few Sundays or at most a couple of months.

- I graduated college with a degree in Marketing, minor in Computer Science, and specialization in Consumer Marketing. I graduated in August.

- By August I knew that I wanted to stay at Harvest Church as Worship and Creative Arts Pastor so I begin a contract period of 5 months.

- I found a love for old stuff in 2010, old furniture with more character then new furniture, etc.

- I went to concerts like crazy!! Needtobreathe about 4 times, Switchfoot, The Civil Wars, and more.

- In December I was voted in as the full-time official Worship and Creative Arts Pastor of Harvest Church.

- Last Sunday, December 19th, (on what would have been my grandmother's 70th birthday) I was ordained as a minister of the Gospel by my dad at Harvest Church. It was a blessing.

I will finish this year with a lot of family time, friend time, and holiday spirit!!!

I hope to blog more for my readers (and myself) in 2011. I will be thinking of some incredible new things to throw out on the blog so GET READY!

See you in 2011.

Dreaming

2010-11-30T08:40:00.004-06:00

"I feel like I haven't dreamed in a while. I don't like that."

I have wanted to tweet that for the past few days.

I haven't tweeted because I didn't want people to think, "oh my gosh, what does that mean...". Me not tweeting it because of what others will think is probably a bit of pride.

To be honest though I really feel like I haven't dreamed in a while. It is like I got a job and a house and settled down after college (which ended in August) and then I stopped dreaming.

It is time I dream again. You can be settled and dream. Dream within where you are. I want to dream up more ideas for where I am working, living, etc.

Have you stopped dreaming?

If you are dreaming of something big are you making it happen?

I hope you dream, dream big, and make it happen.

My 200th post. A Look Back

2010-11-10T08:49:00.003-06:00

It hasn't quite been two years since I started my blog, The LW Project. Since February 24, 2009 I have had a lot happen in my life. Life changing events, revelations, job opportunities, graduation, internships, and more. I have let readers know about good books, music, concerts, and movies. I have given you some of my favorite quotes and invited you in to some of the hardest and best times of my life.

I went back over the last 199 posts to see everything I had written on here. I read many of my own posts and found it hard to get through. Dreams have come true, visions have been seen, visions have changed and dreams have changed over these past 199 posts.

I want to direct you to some of my favorite posts from The LW Project. A look back.

Bachelor Trip Golf

Quotes from Blue Like Jazz

Concert Pictures (Josh Kelley, Ryan Cabrera, and Tim Brantley)

The Beginning of my Internship (not such a hot moment)

Things begin to turn around at the internship

Show the World God

The Summer that changed my Life

There's a Girl

Goodbyes Are Hard

Needtobreathe

I Would Have Never Thought

If you had nothing to do for a day and read all of those AWESOME! But I hope you will look at these over the next few days. I haven't been the best blogger in the past couple months so enjoy those when I don't post. It takes you through things in my life. There are also many posts on concerts, Switchfoot and others. There are reviews and more and deep thought posts. Thanks for reading over the past 200 posts. I appreciate it and we are not done! But maybe it's time to change some things up. We will see......

We will start with a new signature.

Lady Wisdom

2010-11-08T08:50:00.002-06:00

I was reading Proverbs 8 this morning, one of my favorites, and I started to realize something new. I started to see in this passage not only is Lady Wisdom speaking to the reader but Lady Wisdom is saying this...

I was here before the Earth, I was here before Ocean, I was with God when He set out the World and all the things in it.

She is also saying, I can be with you. I can be with anyone who calls out for me.

The SAME Lady Wisdom that was with God can be with me today, she can be with you today. All we have to do is call out for her.

CallLadyWisdomToday.

Luke W.

Relationships

2010-11-01T13:12:00.002-05:00

Our staff and leadership have been talking a lot lately about the importance of relationships.

I believe if we are going to reach the World for Christ it is time that people see Christ through us. They need to see his love, grace, kindness, hope, and care. It is time we show this.

People don't just listen to what other people have to say anymore but if we really develop a relationship with people they will then listen to what we have to say.

But, remember its not all about us talking but about listening to them talk. I want to know what the World needs, about their hurting, about what they enjoy, who and what they love, I want to develop relationships.

It's the only way we will reach the World with the good news, through RELATIONSHIPS.

Luke W.

Authenticity

2010-10-28T08:59:00.003-05:00

As children we start learning how to be "cool." Even if we don't know it yet the World is telling us what to dress like, talk like, act like, and so on.

As we become teenagers we are emerced in the midst of the importance of cool. We must be hip, wearing the newest fad, driving the coolest car (@ 16) or at least a car with great rims and subs. Or where I went to high school you definitely need a jacked up truck to be cool. (I drove a 4Runner... cool but NOT a jacked up truck).

Then we go through the college years trying to fit in just anywhere, but really trying to figure ourselves out.

As adults we still have an urge to be cool. We desire for our house to be appealing to friends, we want our cars to be cool (I know drive a Cube. I think it's pretty cool...most people don't haha), we want our clothes to be the latest style (J. Crew, Lacoste, Buckle, that cool new vintage shop in town, thrift store vintage, whatever it may be for you...).

But people are striving daily to be "cool"; to be accepted.

As Christians it is time to get over that. I am not saying it is wrong to drive a cool car, live in a cool house, wear the coolest vintage clothing, have cool hair, etc.

But, I am saying that if we want to reach the World it is time to be AUTHENTIC.

No longer are teenagers looking for JUST a cool/hip youth minister. Children don't want the children's minister that is just SOOOO FUN. Adults are not looking for their worship minister to be dressed awesome and for their pastor to be wearing a cool shirt from Buckle.

All of these people from kids to senior adults are looking for someone to be real. They are looking for someone to help them grow deep with God. They are looking for a worship minister that goes deeper than songs, a pastor who is about more than his cool new sermon series, and a student minister who is about more than a fun little game.

And the World is looking for churches to rise up and be AUTHENTIC. They are waiting for us to show real love, the love of Christ.

They are not coming for cool music and an awesome sermon series but they are waiting for us to come with a hot meal, warm hug, and a listening ear. Then, they will listen to what we have to tell them, The Good News.

AMERICAN CHURCH, WAKE UP. BECOME AUTHENTIC. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED US. WE MUST GO TO THEM BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE COMING TO US ANYMORE.

Charity Water

2010-10-11T20:58:00.002-05:00

About a month ago I heard about the non-profit charity called Charity:Water.

I started to check it out and I am glad I did.

I also got to hear Scott Harrison, founder of Charity:Water speak a couple of times last week.

He changed his story from being about the NYC party scene to being about helping get clean water to the 1billion people without in our world.

This is happening on OUR WATCH. Will you give? Just a little? Maybe a lot? It's up to you. Go here to my campaign page to raise money. When we meet our first goal we will keep going! ($200 is our first goal. I think we can go WAY past that.)

MyCharity:Water Campaign

LetsDoSomething.

Luke W.

SAVE Blue Like Jazz

2010-09-29T10:07:00.004-05:00

In my office I have tons of books but on my desk I have a stack of only 3 books, THE BIBLE, Blue Like Jazz, and my Adobe help book. :)

Blue Like Jazz was a book that totally changed my thinking on many things and in return changed my life.

I read the book early in my college years. Before reading the book I was overly judgmental of people who did things that I didn't agree with, I showed anger to friends that didn't "measure up" to my self-made standards and hardly ever showed love to people that were hurting, struggling, and facing giants in their lives that I couldn't begin to imagine. After reading Blue Like Jazz, along with other things in my life I started to change.

Blue Like Jazz helped during an important time in my life, a time of transformation into a better person, a young man instead of a young boy.

I read in A Million Miles In A Thousand Years about the making and development of a Blue Like Jazz movie. I was beyond excited. Early this month it became clear to many fans and followers of Donald Miller's blog that the movie was put on hold.

UNTIL NOW!! A couple guys rose up and started a campaign to SAVE BLUE LIKE JAZZ (the movie).

Today I donated, and for all of you fans or for those of you who trust me that the book is great and movie would be life-changing as well please go to Don's blog here and read about it and then go here to learn more and donate!

SAVEBlueLikeJazz.

Luke W.

Book Recommendations

2010-09-22T08:51:00.006-05:00

Some of you may not care at all what I would recommend for good reading right now but, I am going to give some recommendations anyways :)

Plan B by Pete Wilson

Our Sunday School class at our church is starting this book this Sunday. I have already read some of the book and I try to read Pete's blog daily.

I think this book is going to be pretty great and very beneficial for us.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

I got this book a few days ago and began to read it for the program I am involved in that gives me books to review. I am close to being done with the book and I cannot wait to give you my full review but I will say this, the book is already changing the way I think about many things in life and in the church. GET IT!!

Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson

This book is another wonderful book. So many books are talking about how the church is stepping up or needs to step up. I believe we as The Church/The Body of Christ are starting to realize that if we only go to church and we keep it all inside those 4 walls (or 450 walls) that it is not right, it is not okay, and that this is not how it should be. This is a book that talks about how we should be reaching out to the hurting. And many times we don't have to reach far. Many times when people are hurting they find themselves in church searching. it is the church's job to not judge but to be a shoulder to cry on, to listen, and to restore. GREAT BOOK!

All of these books can be ordered at Amazon.com and picked up at some local bookstores.

Read.

Luke W.

When it All Seems To Be A Mess...

2010-09-21T11:55:00.002-05:00

Some of you may have come to the blog yesterday expecting me to talk about when life is a mess... and I talked about when things are going crazy. Today, I want to apply yesterday's post to our lives.

Sometimes we find ourselves in crazy times. Things aren't going as planned, life is in "plan b" mode, dreams haven't come true, friends are changing, relationships are strained, finances are terrible, your family is in crisis, and i could go on and on.

I believe that these things are going to happen. If you have not had a time of trial, you will.

How do we get through it? How do we prepare?

I believe we must stay strong through these trials. If we pray for wisdom, He will give it. Follow what you know God would have you do. If you say, "I don't know what He wants from me!" I would challenge you to dig into the Word, pray, and LISTEN!!! Some things are answered directly in The Bible.

Go to a trusted friend (go to God first).

If you are not going through a difficult time, PREPARE YOURSELF. Read His Word, pray, LISTEN!!! Have people setup in your life that you know you can trust and go to. Just don't go to people before you go to God.

I truly believe that storms make us stronger, difficulties make us stronger, and making it through these things make us survivors.

When you make it through, give GOD THE GLORY.

WhenItsAllAMess.

Luke W.

When it is All a Mess

2010-09-20T08:20:00.004-05:00

I know if you are a minister or a volunteer at your church you will completely understand where I am coming from on this post.

Yesterday morning I arrived at the church SUPER early to put together the stage after a wedding. First, let's just say that was no easy task...

Second, our audio/visual equipment has been acting completely crazy...

THIRD, God taught me a lot in all of this.

1st::: NOTHING CAN STOP GOD FROM WORKING

2nd::: I WORK WITH AN AMAZING TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS IN OUR WORSHIP&CREATIVE ARTS TEAM.

3rd::: SOMETIMES we have to do the ugly work, putting a stage back together, pulling the stage apart, and more... BUT it will all pay off.

I am so thankful that in the mess of jumbled up chords, messed up sound, different lighting, air condition breakdowns, etc. etc. that God shows me once again that these things don't mean anything to Him. He is stronger than anything, the Most Powerful, and yesterday He worked and did great things in the midst of our earthly mess.

DontFret.ItWillAllWorkOut.

Luke W.

Tweets for Thought

2010-09-16T08:24:00.004-05:00

(Just a quick note... we are close to our 200th post on here. I may have to do a SOMETHING BIG! STAY TUNED)

If you don't do Twitter, I would recommend it. If you do Twitter you probably would recommend it as well.

I want to share with you 2 tweets from yesterday that I sent out:

"God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called" -Max Lucado in Outlive Your Life

"The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and HUMILITY comes BEFORE honor." -Proverbs15:33

Just think on these two things... I wanted to share them here in case you don't do Twitter.

If you do Twitter the following are some of my favorite people to follow:

and many more

We will probably make this more of a common thing on the blog. I will share others tweets that jump out at me, funny tweets, interesting tweets, extra smart tweets, etc. I hope you enjoy.

TweetsForThought.

Luke W.

Life

2010-09-14T14:30:00.002-05:00

I just got a book in the mail that I will be reviewing here pretty soon.

It's Max Lucado's new book "Out Live Your Live."

In the very beginning of the book he writes about we were thrown into this before we even knew what it was, life. He says it may have been at the death of a grandparent that we realized that we were in something called "life" and that this one is all ours, even though we never requested it.

Something to think about... this is our life, never requested it, but we must live it.

I don't what the book is going to go into but I think it will talk about living a legacy. Don't we all want that? To leave a legacy? For people to know about what we did before we left this world? Of course!

May we follow God's plan and I can promise we will leave a legacy when we do follow His plan.

OutLiveYourLife.

Luke W.

I Would Have Never Thought...

2010-09-09T08:10:00.000-05:00

Not many people grow up thinking they will become someone on a ministerial staff (church "staffer"). As a preacher's kid I really KNEW that I would never do it. At times there were fleeting thoughts of it. At one point I thought being a youth minister would be cool, but only part time.

Today, I sit in my office... not in a marketing agency, record label, or large firm, but in a church that my family started with a few others 17 years ago. Today I was speaking with someone about an ordination service, really? me?

I never imagined that I would be doing this, "this" being the worship and creative arts minister at the church. But when I finally let God tell me where to go He directed me here. For the record, I could not be happier.

God truly has given me the desires of my heart. At times I think I was focused on the desires of the flesh, of the world, but now I know this is where I am suppose to be.

In May I wrote this in a blog entry:

"So, that's where I am in life, a crossroad of sorts. In the midst of a foggy patch but I know if I choose HIM that on the other side there is a BRIGHTER DAY than what I am experiencing in this foggy patch."

Today, I feel as though I have made it through that foggy patch, sure there will be many more. But that foggy patch has come and gone. Now, may I focus on what God has set out for me to do.

You may be in that foggy patch right now. I would urge you to seek God's face, listen to Him, pray for direction, pray for wisdom, and move when He says move, go where He says go.

ItsABrighterDay.

Luke W.

Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson

2010-09-07T12:30:00.003-05:00

Anne Jackson's second book that released last week is a must read!

I met Anne last year at Catalyst after her "lab" and she is awesome!

The new book talks about being able to openly talk in churches about our deepest sins, hurts, and pains. It is not a slam on the church but a challenge to open up more and to let people open up more.

This book is a great read. It will open up the readers eyes to things that they may not realizes happens in some churches. Anne is completely honest and straight forward about her past with the church, and present with the church. I was very broken hearted by some parts of the book which has inspired me.

All church leaders need this book on their desks!

The essays are wonderful, the art is revealing and beautiful, and the whole book together is incredibly inspiring.

** I am a member of a blogger review community called Booksneeze and was given this book by the publishing company to truthfully review **

Buy the book

Follow Anne

Read her blog

AmustRead.

Luke W.

What Are You Loving?

2010-09-01T11:00:00.003-05:00

So today, I mainly want to know what worship songs have you been worshipping to lately?

What are you doing at your church that is bringing full out worship during corporate worship? Or what songs would you like to see in your corporate worship services? If you could make a setlist like the one above what would be on it?

As a worship leader, we wonder these things...

HELP ME OUT. LEAVE ME A COMMENT (if you can't leave one here go back to Twitter or Facebook and leave me one!)

ThankYa.

Luke W.

Keep At It. It Matters.

2010-08-26T13:11:00.003-05:00

I have to believe when we feel God telling us to do something that we may not see the result of that on this planer but that it will work for the betterment of the Kingdom of God.

Yesterday we handed out over 1000 cups with info about HC in them to student at The University of Alabama.

Many other churches and ministries were there as well. Here's the thing, we may never see 1 of those 1000+ students at HC but I do know this, God used us yesterday to make students think.

If they see that the churches of Tuscaloosa County care and attend anywhere we have made a difference.

Today, we went to a luncheon with the mayor, Walt Maddox, and other influentials in Tuscaloosa and talked about The Hope Initiative. Again, we have seen some results in the area but we may never see the full affect but God is in control and will use our willingness to follow to make a difference in the World.

You may not see the difference you are making but KEEP WORKING, KEEP MOVING FORWARD, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. IT MATTERS!

KeepAtIt.

Luke W.

Don't think more of yourself than you are.

2010-08-24T09:19:00.003-05:00

A friend of mine sent me a text last night with a verse from Galatians. The Creative Arts Director at her church sent it to her.

Here is the passage from The Message:

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." -Galatians 6:4-5

In the NIV it says in verse 3, "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

In this passage it is talking about carrying the burden of sins for yourself and for others. But I like how it is put in The Message about creativity, "do your creative best."

I think we must get to work... in every way and do our creative best to make things happen.

We should do our creative best to figure out how to balance helping another while not thinking we are better than they are.

We should do our creative best at the job/work that God has put before us for this time and forever.

WE SHOULD DO OUR CREATIVE BEST....

And may we remember to not think more of ourselves than we are. When we compare ourselves to others and think we are better or even compare and think we are worse off, may we remember to compare to what God has called us to be.

In all we do may we remember verse 3: "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

DoYourCreativeBest.AndBeHumble.

Luke W.

Going to Church to Find People

2010-08-19T08:12:00.003-05:00

We all know that some people go to church to network, find friends, find a date, find a spouse, etc.

I was listening to my favorite morning radio show today and they were asking is this ok? Is it ok for someone to go to church to find a group of friends, find love, find acceptance, etc.?

I know this... something brings all of us to church and then God uses the Holy Spirit to bring us to Him.

Today, I want to know what you think... Is it ok to go to church looking for people? Whether that be looking for friends, a spouse, a network, etc. What do you think?

My final thoughts... People will come for all reason and if we fault them we will not reach them. I think it is our job to show them God when they come to church and also to give them friendship and love. We are to be like Jesus.

Comment below to tell us what you think.

WhatDoYouThink?

Luke W.

Some of my current favorite things

2010-08-17T16:47:00.002-05:00

I do a blog every once in a while about some of my favorite things.

I can always do the blog multiple times because my favorite things change all the time.

Here are a few of my favorites (some not changing):

Blogs (many the same):

Pete Wilson WithoutWax

StephenBrewster

Carlos Whittaker Ragamuffin Soul

Blaine Hogan

Books:

Blue Like Jazz (I re-read most of it recently)

To Kill a Mockingbird

The War of Art

Streams in the Desert

Music:

Mumford and Sons

John Mark McMillan

Needtobreathe

Hillsong's new album

Phil Wickham

I like getting my favorite albums on vinyl

Misc.:

My job @ Harvest Church (Creative and Worship Arts Pastor)

Apple's new TrackPad for their Macs (I haven't bought one yet)

My new home

My puppy that I will get in a few days (American Bulldog named Atticus)

New & Old friends

Creative Arts projects at church... like this week we are planning series, stage setups, Christmas program, and more.

Those are just a few things I am really liking right now.

WhatAreYours?

Luke W.

Go Get Inspired

2010-08-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last week my dad and I were able to hangout a few hours in Nashville with a friend, Stephen Brewster at Crosspoint Church and learn about their creative arts team, services, sermon series, and much more.

I was able to be inspired by what they are doing at Crosspoint.

Last summer I interned for Brewster and his team at Integrity before he went to Crosspoint and he is one of the most creative people I know.

It was awesome to get to see what they do, get inspired to do more where I am, and to be inspired to spice things up.

This week I am ready to go to work.

I hope you are too! Get inspired. Find something to get you going, keep you going, and keep you creating.

Find Brewster's blog here. You will love reading it!!

GetInspired.

Luke W.

Swing Big or Bunt

2010-08-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

I grew up in a baseball family. I only played one year and I hated it but we traveled around the Southeast with my brother and sister playing baseball and softball so I know a little bit about it.

The speaker at my graduation Saturday spoke about swinging hard at whatever you do in life. He said sometimes you will strike out but you will also hit the ball and it will pay off sometimes.

I started to think about this. You know, if you watch baseball and see someone bunt the ball usually they get out or get to first and NEVER do they hit a homerun (over the fence). But when someone swings hard they will strike out many times, hit many good hits, and just sometimes they will hit a homerun.

In life, if we bunt (make little decisions that don’t change much) we will usually get on first or at least move someone around the bases. But if we swing hard (make big decisions that will change things if they work) we will sometimes strike out but we also will sometimes hit homeruns, maybe even grand slams.

SwingHard.DontBeScared.

Luke W.

Thrift Store Piano (story two)

2010-08-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

Story Two:

A little boy was in a small town and he had heard some piano music one day and decided that he definitely wanted to learn how to play such a beautiful sounding instrument.

The boy started learning, his parents bought him a piano, found him a teacher, and the boy took weekly lessons. Soon after he started people started making fun of him for playing the piano, he got tired of practicing and finally told his mom and dad that he was done with it and wanted to stop taking lessons. They agreed.

Finally a few years later they decided they were tired of the piano being just another piece of furniture in their home. It had seen it’s fair share of mistreatment from visitors banging on it, etc. One child even broke of a lower D# key and it was in pretty terrible shape.

Finally, to get rid of the piano the family took it to the thrift store, set it out side and left it. No longer did they need this piece of furniture cluttering their home.

The piano went to the thrift store that day...

You see, to some people it was a piano that helped them realize their dream to a different little boy it was something that he dreamed of but as soon as he realized it was “uncool” he stopped playing and it became just another piece of furniture.

You might not play piano, you might not have one, but we all have dreams and they will end up being neglected or worn out from so much use. Go for your dream or don’t it’s your choice but I think we all know which will be better for you.

LiveYourDreams.

Luke W.

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

2010-08-10T21:18:00.003-05:00

So I am a member of BookSneeze by Thomas Nelson and they send me free books in return for a review, good or bad.

I hate to say it but this will be one of the only bad reviews I have given on my site. I am pretty positive and want to let you know about good things but this book wasn't my favorite. It was hard to get through.

It is a story about some non-fiction accounts but brings in a nice story. Without all of the history and prolonged time telling about the history side of the story I think I would have been alright with the book.

I will be honest, I would not recommend this book. I was totally bored out of my mind.

But I will tell you this, I know many people that loved this book and thought it was great. Find one review here.

I do have a copy to give away though and I would love for you to read the book and tell us what you think of it. If you would like the free copy please put a comment on the blog and I will do a random drawing out of a hat. Just let me know why you should get the book. Make sure to put in all info in the comments.

Here is a link to the book's page.

LeaveAcommentForFreeBook.

Luke W.

Thrift Store Piano (story one)

2010-08-10T17:53:00.003-05:00

The piano I found in the thrift store can probably tell many different stories if it could talk to us. The piano has probably been in one home for many years but it could have possibly traveled from home to home as people moved and as it was passed down from generation to generation.

Today, I want us to hear about two of the stories this piano could possibly tell us. One is of dreams becoming reality and one is about a brief dream that was never realized.

Story One:

As a child the little boy always dreamed of playing the piano. He had watched multiple musician on television play the piano. If this little boy was asked what his favorite type of music was he would most certainly reply, “piano music.” Most kids were listening to the popular but controversial rock music during this time but this little boy loved the piano.

Finally, one Christmas after much saving his parents got him a piano of his own. The little boy started to learn hot to play the piano and played every day. After many lessons and much practice the boy started playing in church. He was definitely a hit. As the boy grew up and playing the piano became even less “popular” for a young man he continued to play. As he entered college he had started playing in a jazz band, would play in many different places, and he became known as one of the best piano players in the town he lived in.

As he grew older he continued to play and in his middle thirties he finally got to live out his dream of playing at none other than Carnegie Hall in New York City with his jazz band that started in their small town many years ago.

The man grew older until one day he was no longer able to play and the piano was passed down to other parts of his family. By this time the piano was worn out and he had many other pianos as well. The first piano he had as a child was owned by someone down in his family.

And one day the old worn out piano find it’s way to the thrift store. Who knows if it was because someone needed the money or what but one thing is for sure, the wear of this piano and the loss of a lower D# on the keys was from one man dreaming of playing the piano and playing daily until he played it at Carnegie Hall. This piano and helped someone live out his dreams.

LiveYourDream.

Luke W.

A Thrift Store Piano Story

2010-08-05T08:40:00.007-05:00

I talk a lot about creativity and making sure you find your own creativity and what it is that you were meant to do because I believe God has put some sort of creativity in all of us.But, let me be honest I personally kind of stink at being creative, sticking with learning something, be original, etc.

I can usually think about great ideas, get good inspiration, etc. but as soon as I have to develop or create sometimes things come to a halt, a stand-still.

I saw this piano in the thrift store the other night. I love it because it is vintage looking, really rustic, HUGE, and just a beautiful piano. It would need a ton of work on it because it is definitely worn out.

I think this piano could have a few stories to it.

Over the next two blogs I want to tell the story of the piano.

I think it will tell a beautiful story about creativity, about people giving up, or about people succeeding, it will tell us about passion for sure, about care, maybe about being passed down from one generation to the next. I can tell you this, the piano will have two great stories to tell. One will be a tragic story of someone giving up on a vision, a passion.

The other story will tell us about someone that pushed and pushed to learn to play, learned to live out their dream, and one that died doing what they were made to do, play the piano.

Come back to my next two posts (let's plan for Monday and Tuesday) as I tell the story of The Thrift Store Piano.

Monday&Tuesday.BeHere.

Luke W.

Living a Better Story (contest for Donald Miller)

2010-08-03T14:25:00.003-05:00

Sometimes, well many times, life does not happen like we think it will.

For instance, last year at this time if you asked me where I would be in a year I would have told you, hopefully, at a record label in Nashville or Mobile (either of the two is 3.5 hours from “home”).

Today I am actually getting ready to move 20 minutes from “home” to a house in an even smaller town limit. I am working as the Worship and Creative Arts Pastor at the church my family, along with a few other families, planted 17 years ago.

Six months ago I would have never thought I would be where I am today but about a month ago I decided that it would better to live God’s plan for my life and stop focus only on what I wanted.

Over the past couple months my passions have changed to focus more on what makes a church be more like what God wanted us to be, how do we reach people, what can we do to be more relevant without being of the world, and other things like this.

After reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years I started to realize that we must live intentionally to live out an unforgettable story. When I decided to follow God’s plan for my life that is when my story started to unfold and become more meaningful.

As I look at The Church (the church as a whole not just our faith family church) I see people who are becoming real. I see a generation that is rising up to take their place (a line from one of my favorite worship songs, Hosanna by Hillsong and Brooke Fraser). I see people who are more focused on other people than themselves, more focused on feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked, than on dressing nice for Sunday church and rushing to a restaurant after church to feed their own selves. I see change happening.

I also know there are still churches who do not focus on these things, they still focus on traditions, religion, what type of music, and those sort of things before what God wants and showing His love to people. I actually think all churches struggle with this at times. I picked up a book the other day that points out a lot of the church’s flaws and while some people run away from church, I think it is time for us to fix this institution that is called “The Bride of Christ” and fix the institution that is suppose to resemble Jesus. I recall reading in Blue Like Jazz about church and some of the problems with churches but then I remember reading about Pastor Rick and Imago-Dei and how they were trying their best to be the “Image of God.” That is what it’s all about.

The story that I would write for my future is one where I help the church be that beautiful bride of Christ. I will have a family that I lead in the right direction of what God has called us to be. I will lead a ministry of people who are not only about music and creativity but who are about using their gifts for God’s glory. I will follow Christ’s lead instead of my own lead. I will live an intentional life. I WILL LIVE A STORY WORTH TELLING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I think the conference will help me learn more about intentional living to create a great story. I believe the seminar will get me started on a beautiful road of story-telling through life.

Will the seminar make everything right? Will it tell me, Luke, exactly what to do? Probably not, but it will lead me more in the right direction.

I am ready to tell a great story through my everyday life.... Let's start now!!

Find out more here at Donald Miller's conference page here. donmilleris.com/conference

Living a Better Story Seminar from All Things Converge Podcast on Vimeo.

Thanks for reading this post. Hopefully I will be able to tell you all soon that I have won the contests... we will see.

LiveAGreatStory.

Luke W.

Artists in Church

2010-08-02T14:40:00.003-05:00

I believe we have many artists in churches today who do not know how they can use their God-given creativity (which I think all of us can tap into creativity given to us by the ULTIMATE CREATOR).

In churches today there are many different ways to share your creativity in worship and other things, like painting, dancing, ribbons, singing, playing an instrument, audio/visual teams, etc.

I was searching for creative arts ministry ideas today and getting some inspiration when I ran across a statement that I love. On Mill City Church's site it says this, "Although we are artists we are first and foremost followers of Christ looking to show Jesus through our creativity."

I love this. In church creative arts ministries we shouldn't be looking for a good venue for our arts but we should be looking for how to use that artistic ability to show Jesus through our creativity.

It's all about what you are doing it for... the art or for ministry?

In church/ministry I think it is obvious what our main focus should be but I think many times we get it backwards.

UseYourArts.AskGodHowHeCanUseItToMinister.

Luke W.

It's a BUSY time... here's some GREAT lyrics

2010-07-26T16:18:00.004-05:00

Right now I am going through one of those very busy patches.

I am excited about life and all that is going on but stress is here and my eye is twitching... and well it's busy and I am stressed.

I have found that some work gets done while stressed but the creative thinking, blog ideas, etc. almost completely shuts down.

So, today I don't have any cool thoughts but I wanted to share one of my favorite songs of John Mark McMillan's new album. I think his site is relaunched today too.

Between the Cracks:

Hope grows between cracks in the asphault
In the downtown ghetto streets that contour
The government housing intentions of my heart
No one notices the daisies don't care
About gang related violence
As long as they get enough air and water and sun
They're all just fine

Who would've thought it but life is finding a way
Through this wasteland of cynics, concrete, and pain
There's a man down here somewhere between
The Saturday cartooons and the dirty magazines
He's raising the dead in the graveyards
Where we've laid down our dreams
His name is Hope

Hope stands high on the 15th floor
On a Christmas tree perched about the ledge of a fortress
A steel that's trying to hard to be somebody's home
As it sees my attention from I-85 though the throws of the day
Were still writhing inside
I lifted my head as I drove home that night and knew
Everything was gonna be fine

Who would've thought it but life is finding a way
Through this wasteland of cynics, concrete, and pain
There's a man down here not worried or afraid
That some politician forgot all the promises he made
And he's raising the dead in the graveyards
Where we've laid down our dreams
His name is Hope

Can you hear him outside he's been singing all night
He's saying when you gonna come out from behind
These paper thin walls, your cardboard box realities

Who would've thought it but life is finding a way
Through this wasteland of cynics, concrete, and pain
There's a man down here not worried or afraid
That some politician forgot all the promises he made
And he's raising the dreams in the graveyards
Where we've laid down our dead
His name is Hope

Any thoughts on these lyrics??

BusyButLovingLife.

Luke W.

Songs Telling A Great Story

2010-07-22T08:31:00.004-05:00

Last night at Harvest Church we did the set list that you see above...

I WILL OVERCOME

GIVE US CLEAN HANDS

WE CRY OUT

HOW HE LOVES

I realized right before we went out to lead in worship what a wonderful story this set list tells.

Many times in life we feel like we are in this race alone and the only way to OVERCOME is with God's help, His love and grace.

Then in Give Us Clean Hands we sang a prayer to God to give us clean hands and a pure heart. And then we sang these words "Oh God let us be a generation that seeks, seeks Your face oh God of Jacob." This song is simply a prayer saying God purify us and show us your ways we are seeking out for You.

Then we did a new one, Jesus Culture's version of We Cry Out. In this song we cried out for God's love and grace and for God to set us free.

LET ME PAUSE HERE...

All of these songs are asking God to show us His love and grace. May we remember that His love and grace and mercies never change but, I feel many times we have to be reminded of these great truths.

So, after those we ended with How He Loves. This song is all about God's love being so great that even when we are at our worst He still loves us the same. One of my favorite lines in the song is "if grace is an ocean we are all sinking." May we remember that now matter what that grace is covering up He will continue to pour it out to anyone and no matter how terrible we may feel we are God still loves us when we are in the valley...

Last night we cried out and God showed us that His love remains, His grace and love never fail us, and His mercies are new every morning.

OhHowHeLovesUs.

Luke W.

The Past Four Years

2010-07-20T12:26:00.002-05:00

Today, I received a very important package, my college graduation invitations.

The weird thing is that these past four years have flown by so fast.

I want to go back four years... I was prepared in June of 2006 to attend Samford University. Most of you know in August I will graduate, not from Samford, but from The University of Alabama.

I often look back to the night in the Samford dorm room when I changed my mind about where I would attend college. I often wonder was the right move, how would things be different, would they be different, etc.

I believe God works things out no matter where we are. I believe He would have used me at Samford or The University of Alabama. But, looking back at the past 4 years I can definitely say being in Tuscaloosa changed my life.

I have many memories from different groups I got to spend time with in the beginning of college, a Wednesday night small group at a family's house here in town, big worship services on campus, time with family and friends, working with the youth a Harvest Church, and more.

I want to talk about 2 things though that I feel have led me to where I am today. One of those things happened in the first year of college and one as recently as last summer.

My senior year in high school and freshman year in college I was a part of a praise team that did some traveling to area churches and once even out of the state to MISSISSIPPI! :)

While I was a part of this team the leaders and other members taught me what TRUE WORSHIP really is. It wasn't about the music but about worship.

During this time I feel in love with a band called Hillsong and Hillsong United. I remember looking on the back of their CD once and realizing that there record label was in our state! Integrity Music...

I never thought that 3 years later I would intern for Integrity Music. The thing is if I didn't stay in Tuscaloosa I may have never heard about someone knowing someone at Integrity, I may have not been a part of the praise team, Driven, as long as I was... and I may have not be in the position of leading worship that I am today.

I say all of this because I want to give God the praise for using me. I had no idea why I didn't stick it out through all the homesickness to go to Samford, but God knew why.

I remember praying that night in the dorm while at orientation and saying "God, please tell me what to do." I opened by Bible and read some verse about having the wisdom to make a decision. When I read this God said, "Luke, you know what to do... follow what you're thinking."

That night changed the next four years of my life and I can't help but to think it has set me up for a great future.

Like I said I think God will use you where ever you are but, sometimes He will tell you where to be. For me I knew where I was suppose to be and I praise God that He made it all work out.

Driven and Integrity Music totally changed my life and I think God I was in the position to be a part of those two things.

FollowHisLead.

Luke W.

Full Cup Syndrome

2010-07-19T08:11:00.005-05:00

Last night I was watching one of my favorite movies, Avatar. I don't really get into SciFi usually but Avatar was amazing. If you have not seen it.. go to the RedBox or NetFlix it (since those are the only rent options now without BlockBuster & Movie Gallery).

Anyways, this post is not about the movie but about a quote in the movie. When Jake went into the tribe for the first time (met the fam and all that...) the mother/tribe's spiritual leader asked why he was there and he replied by saying that he was there to learn. After he said this she said something that I think we all need to grasp. She replied, "Your kind come with a full cup." Meaning that they would say they were there to learn but they came "with a full cup", they came as "know-it-alls."

I feel like we are in the place often. We go to church, classes, conferences, camps, we read blogs, articles, self-help books, and even The Bible with a full cup. When we come with a full cup, a mentality that we know it all, we don't let anything else in, we don't listen, we don't learn.

There have been many times I have read books and said, "Wow, that was a great book", but I took nothing of the book with me. We have all listened to sermons and camp speakers and knew it was a good message but didn't take anything with us because we thought we already knew enough. And let me say this, many times I think we do this subconsciously.

I think we need to make an effort to start focusing more, trying to learn more, going into things with a clear mind, being ready to listen and learn, being accepting to really think about new concepts, etc.

Pour some of your cup out before going into a learning environment again. And sometimes you will hear things and you will challenge them with The Word or other things and know that they are not right BUT may we have room left in our cups to add things that we need.

One last example, we are reading Crazy Love in our Sunday school class and this book is challenging. But if we went in with a closed off mind we wouldn't let this book challenge us because we would just keep doing what we have been doing. Some people are reading the book Radical and letting it change their lives while many are reading these type books with FULL CUPS and it isn't changing them at all it is simply another "good read."

BeWillingToLearn.

Luke W.

Don't Let the Wheels Fall Off

2010-07-15T09:09:00.003-05:00

Last night at praise team practice we were about to dismiss and were praying and I started to tell the band how great they have been doing and how excited I am about everything that is going on with our team and our church.

As soon as I got this out of mouth one of the electric guitar players spoke up and said (and I paraphrase), "Don't get too comfortable, because when you do the wheels will fall off."

How true is this? When things are going good don't stop working at them. I have always thought change has to be consistent and this is so true. We can't stop working at something because it looks like it is going good.

Keep working at it, whatever your "it" is.

Keep pushing forward, don't stop and sit back because when you do you're probably going to sit back and watch "the wheels fall off" or watch it all fall apart.

Don'tStop.KeepWorking.KeepPushing.

Luke W.

Rowing and The Christian Life

2010-07-14T08:35:00.002-05:00

This morning I was in the gym and decided I would try something new, the rowing machine.

At first, after I was shown how to row by my sister, I thought it was so much fun. I felt like a kid in someway playing with a new toy. I was really liking this workout....

THEN. It was about ONE little minute into the workout and I thought I was going to die. We had talked about doing 5 minutes and going back for another 5 or doing 10 minutes all together. Well I did 5 minutes and left the gym! (NOTE: I had already done the elliptical for 20 minutes... so I wasn't a complete slacker)

As I got into my car I thought, rowing was so much like the Christian life is sometimes.

At first, maybe after a camp or a conference, we are all pumped up and ready to go. WE ARE LOVING THIS NEW WORKOUT!! THEN all of the sudden it gets a little tougher and a little tougher to stay focused, to really follow God's direction, to listen to the Holy Spirit, to really truly worship.

This week our youth from the church are at a Student Life camp and I know this camp will get them pumped up. But, how do they stay excited?

A little difference between rowing and Christian life is that in rowing you cannot do it forever. Thanks to God's grace, to his renewing of our joy, restoring us when we fall down and loving us unconditionally we can keep at the Christian life/Christian walk forever. Thank God for GRACE!

Are you ready to give up? is it getting tough? Don't let it defeat you. Look to Him, follow Him.

Don'tGiveUp.

Luke W.

Alone or Together

2010-07-12T13:40:00.002-05:00

Currently I am reading Blue Like Jazz for the second time.

Last night I read the chapter "Alone."

Donald Miller writes about when he lived alone with little or no community and how he thought he was close to going crazy (he thought he saw Emily Dickinson at her former home, would talk to people in his home who were not there, etc.). He writes that his is what happens when people live without community. Don didn't go crazy but he says he is pretty sure he was close to it.

A few months back the church I serve at, Harvest Church, started our version of community groups, LIFEGroups.

In these we spend time in different homes all over Tuscaloosa county and in these homes different groups learn more about each other, God, share their thoughts and problems. In these groups I believe TRUE CHURCH happens.

I know in our group we have cried, laughed, and talked a lot. People that usually don't talk have started talking and people are letting other people help them with things. God is showing up and LIFEGroups are seeing community in it's truest form.

We were not programmed to be alone... find a community if you haven't.

If you have found one I would love to hear about it.

Don'tBeAlone.

Luke W.

Joel Auge: Invisible Things

2010-07-09T09:53:00.004-05:00

Joel Auge released his second album this week... this is another album you do not want to miss.

I had the opportunity to meet Joel last summer while interning with Integrity Music and let me say he is an amazing worship leader and a great person.

His new album, Invisible Things, is an album with two different sounds, in my opinion.

Some of the songs are definitely songs that will fit into to most church services while others are amazing listening music.

Be Lifted is one of my favorites for church-wide worship. I think this song can go over well in many different style churches and it has a great message and is perfect for all-out worship.

Other songs, like the song Addison, are perfect for a god relaxing song.

While others, like Save Me, are perfect for those more intimate, softer worship times (corporate worship or individual).

I hate to ever say something is worship music and something is not. I learned that valuable message last summer.

So, sure, this whole album can be used for worship, but I would say some would fit into MOST churches while others would fit into SOME but not most.

All together, I would give this album an A+

I love an album where I can find music to use in services here at church and also songs that I can use for personal enjoyment and listening, not that these two are not interchangeable.

I know this review has been a little different than most of mine but I want you to know how I see this album as a worship leader as well as just a listener. It is perfect for both.

GetItOnItunes.

Luke W.

Vacation

2010-07-05T17:01:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite things I do every year is summer vacation with my family and The Burns.

For the past few years we have all had our vacation at the same time.

Here are a few pics of our time in Gulf Shores, AL.

I hope you enjoy.

The Willams and The Burns Family

One of my favorite things to do on vacation...

The girls before dinner at Cosmos

The Williams Family

Elle yawning a bit

The Williams Girls

ItWasAgreatTime.

Luke W.

Happy 4th

2010-07-04T15:31:00.004-05:00

As we lay by the pool, lay at the beach, grill hamburgers, bar-b-que, eat seafood, shoot fireworks, laugh and smile with our friends and family, etc. may we not forget those who are fighting for us overseas today.

Many of us have friends and/or family fighting for us so that we may have freedom today.

Many have fought for us in the past for this country to still be a free country.

"Thanks" seems like too little to say to all of the people who have and are fighting for us but today I say, "thanks and you are appreciated!"

May we never take our troops and this country we live in for-granted.

Happy4thOfJuly.

Luke W.

John Mark McMillan's The Medicine

2010-07-03T15:50:00.004-05:00

Next Tuesday John Mark McMillan will release his album The Medicine. Some of you who were fans of his before he had a record deal know that this album has been out before and you think is just a re-release. You are only partly right.

Some of the best things about this album are the new songs. 3 really new songs and a new version of How He Loves. These new songs are incredible and definitely worth buying.

My favorite new song is Between the Cracks. It is incredible!! John Mark is not only a great vocalist but, in my opinion, one of the most brilliant lyricists. He is so truthful and open in his writing and this makes for a beautiful album.

With songs like Skeleton Bones, Death in His Grave, Between the Cracks, and How He Loves you do not want to miss this album! It will be released on July 6th and you definitely need to go to iTunes first things next Tuesday and get this album, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

follow JMM

Read his blog

Get his music at his site

Watch his LiveStream on July 6th at 9pm EST

BuyJMM'sMusic.

Luke W.

Resistance

2010-06-24T16:25:00.002-05:00

Many times in life resistance tells us to quit or helps us quit.

You usually don't know that you're quitting but you simply put something off until you totally forget about it.

I have blogged about resistance and what I've learned about it from The War of Art and I have also blogged about change.

I think many times resistance comes in to STOP that change.

Many times, we look at what has happened in our lives, we dwell on the goodness of the past instead of dreaming and planning for a better tomorrow.

Don't let resistance remind you of your past, good or bad. Look forward and plan and dream and make it happen, whatever that "it" may be.

MakeItHappen.

Luke W.

Change

2010-06-23T16:15:00.001-05:00

In my life right now there is change happening... some of it slowly and some fast.

I know real soon more change will happen. It is a season of new things and old things.

Change is difficult.

BUT when we cease to change we will die.

In this time of saying goodbye to things and hello to other things may I always follow His path.

Changes.

Luke W.

All I can say is "WOW" after that...

2010-06-21T17:06:00.005-05:00

Watch this video.

Great worship artists, John Mark McMillan's Death in His Grave.

Death In His Grave (Performance Video) from john mark mcmillan on Vimeo.

Here are the lyrics. All I can say after this video and lyrics is "WOW"

Though the Earth cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Billows calmed on raging seas
for the souls of men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief

On Sunday a King

Laid down in grief

But woke with the keys

Of Hell on that day

The first born of the slain

The Man Jesus Christ laid
Death in his grave

So 3 days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throws of death
And overturn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent

When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief

On Sunday a King

Laid down in grief

But awoke holding keys

To Hell on that day

The first born of the slain

The Man Jesus Christ

Laid death in his grave

He has cheated Hell and seated us above the fall

In desperate places he paid our wages one time once and for all

Follow John Mark

Read his blog

Wow.

Luke W.

Resistance & YOUR Art

2010-06-15T09:26:00.003-05:00

I am reading a book right now called, "The War of Art".

The book is about breaking through those things that keep you from creating.

We all create different things, and we all deal with RESISTANCE.

The first part of the book is facing the enemy of resistance that keeps us from finishing and sometimes even starting our art.

Resistance is when you sit down to write a song, sit down to finish some homework or a work report, when you try to get in The Word and sit out on a new journey, when you try to reconnect with God, or deepen your relationship with God, and then other things get in the way; that is RESISTANCE.

We all deal with it... but how do we get over it? As the book says and I agree, the first thing is to face what that resistance is and take care of it... conquer it and move on.

EXAMPLE: Last night I sat down with my guitar and was just playing around and I started playing this chorus and thought "write it down" and as soon as I thought that I thought, "I am tired, I can remember this and write it down later." RESISTANCE WON!!

#1 Resistance weapon: PROCRASTINATION!

We all experience these things. I will continue to let you know things I find in this incredible book.

DISCLAIMER: This book is a secular look at these issues so it may not line-up with your beliefs in all parts BUT most of it is great!

ConquerTheResistance&CREATE.

Luke W.

Leadership & Management

2010-06-09T09:21:00.002-05:00

Currently, I am leading worship for the church my family (along with a few other families) founded about 17 years ago. It is such a blessing and I really enjoy it.

As a student in Management&Marketing school at University of Alabama I have learned a lot that has seemed pointless, a lot that I haven't agreed with, a lot of REALLY good stuff, a lot of not so good stuff, and have done MANY project to teach me things. But in one of the class I am taking now I have learned something that we should all take note of, especially if you consider yourself a leader.

"Leaders are thought to do the right things, while managers do things right."

Here are some of the differences between managers and leaders:

1. Managers administer//Leaders innovate

2. Managers maintain// Leaders develop

3. Managers control// Leaders inspire

4. Managers have short-term view// Leaders long-term view

5. Managers ask "how?" and "when?"// Leaders as "what?" and "why?"

6. Managers imitate// Leaders originate

7. Managers accept status quo// Leaders challenge it

One important thing to remember though is that you have to have both of these things for something to be a success.

My textbook used the example of Martin Luther King Jr.

He is known as one of the greatest leaders in the past century and a great leader for civil rights. If you thought of him as a manager that would be a little weird. BUT, without all of his staff behind the scenes managing things everything he did may not have been accomplished.

May we realize that all managers are not leaders and all leaders are not managers but when you know how to mesh the two together it makes for an unstoppable combo.

Lead.

Luke W.

Trusting

2010-06-01T11:37:00.002-05:00

Today I start my last college term, only one month of it as well! On June 30th I will be done with my bachelors degree from the University of Alabama in Marketing... come August there are many things I want to fall into place. Can I name a few? (I'm going to... because it's my blog):

- A job that I am happy with

- A place to live

- Enough money to pay for everything

- The not so important want::: a Great Dane!! haha YEP!

In the midst of all these wants, needs, or whatever you wish to call these there are major things that have to be done. These steps are the beginning steps to the rest of my life (as I see it) and there is only one things I must MAKE SURE I don't neglect to do: Trust GOD!!

When it seems that these things are so far away but so close and when it seems there is no time to get everything done I must keep pushing and do the most important thing: TRUST GOD!!

Trusting God is the hardest thing to do sometimes. But isn't it incredibly weird how great we think we are? We think we can control everything better than the God of the Universe! We think we can make it all happen. As Francis Chan puts it, "How arrogant" of us to think this way.

May I put all my trust in Him. May these "things" of the world not matter and may I focus completely on HIM, the HOPE He gives us, the LOVE we receive from Him, and the DIRECTION He will show me.

MayItrust.

Luke W.

After the Fog

2010-05-18T16:07:00.005-05:00

It is possible that I have forgotten how to blog after such a long hiatous.
Maybe not.

Just a brief update on this crazy life:
- I am currently interim worship leader of Harvest Church in Northport, AL
- I have two classes to take in June and then I wll graduate from college in August (too weird)
- I am job searching (hate it)
- God is refocusing my life... Let's camp out here:

When someone graduates from college he or she usually is looking for that "perfect job" in the "perfect place" and I think many times we get so consumed on what WE want instead of what GOD wants for us that we really mess things up. God has helped me refocus on what is important in life, Him, family, friends, loving people, caring for people, NOT money, success, jobs, where I live, etc.
My Sunday School class is going through a book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and this book is really challenging me to live for God and to forget about ME ME ME... check the book out here.

So, that's where I am in life, a crossroad of sorts. In the midst of a foggy patch but I know if I choose HIM that on the other side there is a BRIGHTER DAY than what I am experiencing in this foggy patch.

ForHim.
Luke W.

Carlos Whittaker releases "Ragamuffin Soul"

2010-04-27T12:32:00.003-05:00

Carlos Whittaker is one of the greatest new worship leaders and artists out there.

He released his first EP earlier this year and his full length album, that released today, is exceptionally great!

His style is best described as rock worship. The upbeat songs are not just rocky but filled with incredible lyrics that will lead you to full-on worship.

You don't want to miss out on his album. I have been listening to it since I received my copy and it never gets old and is always a worshipful experience.

GO BUY CARLOS'S NEW ALBUM ON ITUNES

Also check out Carlos on his blog.

GoGetIt.

Luke W.

It's All About the People

2010-04-20T09:47:00.004-05:00

Recently, the church I am a part of, Harvest Church, went through a total transformation. The church named changed from Lord of the Harvest Baptist Church to Harvest Church and many people have questioned it, not in a bad way but just curious. Many wonder, "why, no more baptist" and well we are still baptist. Many have asked why change anything?, etc. etc.

The whole reason fro our change was for people, not for the people already in our congregation but for people who are in no congregation of church people. We want to be able to reach more people with the love of God and our new direction is doing that.
We have seen great community in LIFEgroups, great ministry in In The Streets (which goes out to feed and clothe the hungry and naked), and extreme worship and learning in our WOW Wednesday service, and growth in Awanas and youth. This is all a God thing.

I talked to a great friend of mine the other night who told me about great things going on at where he goes in Louisiana. He is at Healing Place Church and they are doing some amazing things. They just built a huge arena and it's not about the building but about reaching people. His comment to me was, "When I look at it I see that every single part of the building is built for people."

That is what it is all about. I praise God that churches all over are "getting it" and making it about people. THE CHURCH (as a whole) is going in a great direction. We must keep pushing.

Even when the rain falls, the storm comes, the flood waters rise, we are washed by the water. (paraphrase from "Washed by the Water")
AND just to be clear. God has called us to be all about HIM, but when we are all about HIM we are in return all about people knowing Him.

ForThePeople.
Luke W.

Exhausted

2010-04-15T17:34:00.003-05:00

After a workout at the gym I am usually overly sweaty and extremely exhausted.
But there have been times where I am not that sweaty and really not that tired.
I think we all know which time I got the better workout. The time where afterwards I was totally spent, exhausted, and sweaty.
Last night after leading worship I was completely spent, voice drained, sweaty, and exhausted. Last night I know I worshipped with everything that is within me.

In everything we do shouldn't it be that at the end we are totally exhausted because we have given it our all? I know somethings re-energize us, like sleep. But, most of the time if we really put everything we have into something, a task, work, working out, leading a worship, preaching/teaching, playing in a ball game, working at school, or so many other things we should be totally exhausted and spent because there is nothing left to give.
LASTLY, when we have worked so hard that we are exhausted and there is still more to do we can turn to God and ask for energy, strength, rest, and renewal and we will find it!

AreYouGivingYourAll?
Luke W.

Pleasure...

2010-04-13T09:26:00.002-05:00

We have things in our lives that give us pleasure, some good and others bad. Even the smallest sins (i know no "small" and "big" sins) seem to give pleasure, that is why we keep doing them.
I attended a church service in Nashville about a month ago and the pastor talked about pleasure and that feeling you have when it is all over... the feeling of you want to experience more of the pleasure. Sometimes, this is good. When the pleasure is something like a day with the family or being in the Word or a worship service, these are good. Sometimes they are bad. This is why an alcoholic keeps going back to the alcohol and why we all keep going back to those sins in our lives.
At the end of pleasure comes a longing for something more.
Maybe we should start to see that the longing at the end of pleasure is actual longing for God and the things only God can give. Pleasure we find in Him can fill all the longing within us... if we just let it. I know, it is hard to get to this place and let me say I know I may be far from this place but may we LONG to get there.

LongForHim.
Luke W.

Think It's Too Big?

2010-04-02T14:47:00.002-05:00

As Christians we often think we have a certain sin or sins in our lives that are just too big for God to love us. Maybe we realize that He will always forgive you but that there is no way He wants your worship or praise or service. Maybe every Sunday as you stand in church before Him ou simply cannot let yourself praise Him because of that sin in your life. Maybe you don't tell others about God because who are you to tell someone about God, you are just as bad... Do you tell yourself these things? Do you let the Devil speak these things over you?

First: LAY THEM DOWN

Second: Know that we all have sin but God's love has never changed and never will.

As the Bible says, our best are still filthy rags...

May we realize that God sent his only son JESUS to die a BRUTAL death on a cross for people that cannot bring anything more than filthy rags. He knew we would sin, He knew we had no chance at being perfect but He still loved us enough to let His son die so WE could have eternal life. May this not just be another GOOD FRIDAY but may we realize what happened on this day so many thousands of years ago. A man died for me and you... And LOVES US even with all our filthy rags.

WorshipOurKing.

Luke W.

2010-04-01T09:08:00.002-05:00

Monday night I went to Switchfoot's concert in Birmingham and well it is tied for my #1 favorite concert I have been to.

The other? Needtobreathe at Workplay

Jon Foreman and the others and simply amazing. From the start of the show when he appeared in the back of the room, right near us, until the last song Switchfoot rocked Birmingham, AL.

Thank you Switchfoot for an amazing show but thank you more for taking good music and a good message to EVERYONE.

And Jon Foreman is the man! Check out his solo music and also his duo with Nickel Creek lead man, Fiction Family.

ThanksSF.

Luke W.

John Mark McMillan releases single

2010-03-23T17:56:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite artists is John Mark McMillan.

He is the writer of the very well known "How He Loves."

Today his single, "Skeleton Bones" relased on iTunes accompanied by a video of a performance of "How He Loves" by John Mark.

Please pay $1.29 and get this awesome duo (song and video) on iTunes today.

John Mark is a great guy with a great heart and doing God's work.

GoToItunes&SupportJMM.

Luke W.

HealthCare Reaction

2010-03-22T11:28:00.004-05:00

Last night I sat with my dad and watched Fox News and CSPAN to figure out what was going to go down with the healthcare vote.
As the vote passed, we both agreed that the worst part of it all is that our country just passed that our tax money will go to the killings of unborn babies and it also makes it where it is now easier for abortion to take place, like we need any more abortions...
As Christians this part of the bill should make us upset. No matter what we think about the other parts and how the other parts might change how much money we bring home, etc. The part where it makes it easier and where tax money can cover an abortion should shake us.

Here are some of the reactions from last night's passage of the Healthcare Reform and Reconciliation Bill (from my Twitter feed):

Me (@lw_project) "My heart hurts for our country, for unborn children, and the future... But may my hope be in Jesus alone & not in this country/its politics"

Cameron Strang, founder of Relevant Magazine/Media (@cameronstrang) "I guess I have no part. Abortion, I'm against- healthcare for the poor, I'm not (even if it costs me)."

Carlos Whittaker, Christian worship leader and recording artist (@loswhit) "Time 2 C how Christian America reacts 2 ths moment. I'm scared 2 read tweets & blogs 2morrow. Please let me B wrong."
later: "Christians.If U disagree.Disagree LOUDLY!The world is watching.Dnt disagree w/venom.Disagree showin Christ #askingtoomuch?"

Dan Williams, MY DAD & pastor of Harvest Church in Northport, AL (@brodanwill) "Good night. America is changing before our eyes, BUT GOD IS NOT CHANGED, SHAKEN or CHALLENGED. Proverb 3:5-6"

XIANITY (@XIANITY) "BREAKING NEWS: American Church off the hook for sick and dying, now hoping for some widows and orphans legislation."

What we have seen over the past 24 hours is astonishing for most of us. As Carlos put it, may we be loud about our beliefs but may we do it without venom. There are times when we should be upset over what we see but may we always respond in humility and without anger.
MAY WE REMEMBER: God is still GOD! No matter how crazy this world, our lives, politics, and laws get, He is still on his throne and STAYING CONSTANT with love and care for all. May we find our hope in God alone.

FindHopeInHIM.
Luke W.

Bring Out the Artistry

2010-03-18T22:41:00.003-05:00

Tonight I am in one of my favorite cities, Nashville.

We went to a local coffee shop, some interesting things there tonight, BUT these type of places just make me want to be extra artistic.

They make me want to get my guitar, notebook, and pen and write a song.

Or they make me want to get my computer and do an awesome blog entry from in the middle of the coffee shop.

Or maybe just pull out my Moleskine and journal a bit.

And lastly makes me want to pull out a good book and sit down and read for hours.

Do you know places like this?

Maybe we should seek out these places to really let our artistry flow.

I hope this isn't too corny BUT let me just say we all have innovation, imagination, and creativity within us but sometimes we need to find that certain place that brings these things out of us.

This week when I return home I want to find that place. I challenge you to do the same.

FindYourPlace.

Luke W.

Matthew Paul Turner's book "Hear No Evil" (plus MORE)

2010-03-17T17:05:00.003-05:00

I have started another book, that makes three at the same time. But, for spring break i have put down Velvet Elvis and Linchpin, more serious books, and have picked up a fun read (but also a book that teaches...). The book is "Hear No Evil" by Matthew Paul Turner.

The book is so much fun to read. Turner writes about when he was a young kid (so far) and how as a baptist they saw the world. So far, it has taken me on a journey of how people would view artists like Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, etc. for having "percussion driven" music.

It is a hilarious read!! I cannot wait to finish reading this book.

You should definitely check the book out and Matthew Paul Turner's site.

Some other favorites of mine right now:

- playing my guitar

- Linchpin (Seth Godin)

- Music: John Mark McMillan, Carlos Whittaker, Vicky Beeching, James Morrison, "Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Buble, and more

- blogs: JMM, StephenBrewster, PeteWilson, Our Rising Sound, and Ragamuffin Soul

- Nashville (such a great place... heading there soon!)

- Leading worship

I hope you can look into your life right now and pick out some things you are really loving right now.... If not maybe you should find something that makes you ultra happy in life!!

(AsMcDonaldsWouldSay)ImLovin'It.

Luke W.

Carlos Whittaker's Full Album (April 26th)

2010-03-16T08:33:00.004-05:00

On April 26th, Carlos Whittaker's full album will be released.

I have gotten to take a little sneak peek at the album and let me just say, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT.

I received my copy yesterday and was very excited to listen to it! I listened to it all day and it remains in my CD player.

The whole album is amazing but my favorites have to be "Shine On" and "We Will Worship You". I love the chorus of "We Will Worship You":

"Save us from these comforts//Break us for our need for the familiar//Spare us any joy that's not of You//And we will worship You//Yeah we will worship You"

Carlos also does a great rendition of "Your Name."

I am telling you on APRIL 26TH YOU NEED TO RUSH TO iTUNES to get the full length album from Carlos Whittaker (@loswhit) you will not be disappointed.

Our friends at Integrity Music are doing some great things... Check out their new artists Vicky Beeching (@vickybeeching) and John Mark McMillan (@johnmarkmc) as well.

***EPs for Vicky Beeching and Carlos Whittaker are NOW AVAILABLE on iTunes and maybe John Mark McMillan is on iTunes but if not pick up his EP at one of his shows (many dates on his blog)

Hope you enjoy this album as much as I have... be on iTunes April 26th for your copy!!

GoodMusicHelpsTheSoul.

Luke W.

Never Stop Learning and Teaching

2010-03-11T10:05:00.003-06:00

Our worship band at church is in what I like to call a "rebooting" stage and I am loving it.

We work weekly to step it even more, for His glory. We want to do our very best.

It is so good to see people wanting to learn and people wanting to teach. We are all having to work together and let me just say it is a beautiful thing.

Last night as we learned from our leader about some of the fundamentals of "band cohesiveness" or a band "gelling together" it was so amazing to see how thirsty people were to listen and learn. And it was great to see a leader who was so enthusiastic to teach.

May we always be ready to learn and may we always be prepared to teach.

We all need to continue learning every day, whether from reading, God, friends, family, we all need it!

We all can teach because we have all learned something. Always be prepared to help someone else out by teaching them from experiences you've had or lessons you've learned.

LetsLearn&TeachDaily.

Luke W.

1 for my Spiritual Growth//1 for General Growth

2010-03-09T10:53:00.000-06:00

Right now I am reading two books at once. I am completely not a fan of this but Im handling it.
The first one is for spiritual growth, I would say. It's Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell.
This book is challenging me ai much. It is deep at times, for me atleast, but a great read.
I am also reading Linchpin by Seth Godin. I'm currently in business school at a top 50 (I think) business school. Linchpin is going against many things I've been taught and we have all been taught. I am loving it!! It's a must read.
Many quotes will be coming from both books.
Hope you get a chance to read both of these books.

ChallengeYourMind.
Luke W.

Newness...Scaredness

2010-03-03T15:09:00.004-06:00

At the end of March, I will be taking over one of the praise teams at our church. I am scared to death, excited, nervous, and mix all these emotions together and my blood pressure rises.

It's most likely just for a short time because only God knows what the future holds for me after graduation.

If you are a leader of any sort you understand the feeling of when your phone chimes with a text or rings from someone who is participating in whatever you're doing and you think, "oh no...what if they are not gonna be able to make it..." and well sometimes that fear is confirmed and sometimes its not.

The big scare in our group lately has been that we will not have a drummer, or a pianist, or a guitarist, etc. etc.

But HAVE WE FORGOTTEN?

Have we forgotten that God knows what is going to happen?
Have we forgotten that worship doesn't come from having a guitar player, vocalist, pianist, or anything like that but comes from the heart of God's people?
Have we forgotten that it is not about the music or the sermon?
Have we forgotten that God will provide?

We so often worry because, WE CAN'T DO IT... but may we not forget that GOD CAN DO IT. And He can do it through us, if He so chooses.

It is time to stop the worrying. I'm not saying stop working for what you do because God has set this out for us to do. But, when things go crazy and we can't fix them, may we remember to turn these problems over to God. Everything should have already been turned over to Him but sometimes we forget and pick them back up.

Let's quick trying to do it all and let God do it through us.

LayItDown.

Luke W.

Traps&Battles to Conquer//Just Another Week

2010-03-02T08:26:00.004-06:00

Every Sunday I feel like we, church-goers, go back in for our weekly "refueling" and pray and hope that the coming week we will do better than we did the last week. As soon as Monday hits we go back into the world of people who annoy us, rude people, gossip, etc. etc. We often fall right back into the traps that Satan has set out for us... but, the next Sunday we go back and refuel. How long has it lasted this week? Are you already on empty? Getting close? I sit here this morning and think, why do we do this? I think my conclusion is that we need to fall deeper in love with God.

I know some (maybe many) people conquer these traps, jump right over them, throughout the week. Those people I believe have finally gotten it and are in love with their King of Kings and Lord of Lords, their Savior.
Will it still be hard? Yes, but we can conquer these things when we draw close to Him. And when we are in love with Him, we tell people about Him everywhere we go.
Every Sunday, I tell myself I want to tell people about what is in me... may I fall so deeply in love with the Lord that I cannot keep my mouth shout about Him.

FallInLove.
Luke W.

Passion Minded

2010-02-25T08:20:00.003-06:00

A quick thought this morning...
Are you passion minded about things? This is simply another way to ask if you are passionate about anything but passion minded means to me having a mindset that is driven by the passion within you.
I am passion minded about music and it being the best it can be...
I am passion minded about the next generation because I believe they will be the greatest generation we've seen and the most creative we have ever seen...
I am also passion minded about The Church (God's whole church body) working out God's vision...

Those are the things I am passion minded about. The things that my passion for makes me have a different mindset when I approach these things... a passion minded mindset.

AreYouPassionate?PassionMinded?
Luke W.

Keep On Pushing

2010-02-24T10:13:00.004-06:00

There are times in life when we are trying to accomplish a goal, push through a tough time, etc. During these times it often seems easier to quit when it gets too hard to bear.

Yesterday, I was not feeling so well. Light-headed, chills, cough, and more. I could not make up my mind to go to the gym or not. When I was about to head home for the day, I thought to myself, "you want/need to get in shape. Sometimes you have to go to the gym to do this..." So I went to the gym.

I did my normal routine and right before spin class debated on doing spin or going home. I chose the class. After ten minutes I KNEW I could not make it through. But I said I'll go a little longer. I kept telling myself a little longer until I got to "ok only 25 minutes", "only 20 minutes...", "ok ALMOST DONE!!"

Isn't this how we should press through life's hard times or challenging times? When it gets difficult to continue on the road to your goal, just try to find and focus on the end goal. Realize what you have already done and see how you can keep doing it.

You see, I don't think 45 minutes in spin class is going to kill me although, sometimes it feels like it. But I must keep going. The road ahead may be tough, but keep on going and you will be at the end before you know it and living out what you've been going for.

Oh yeah, I finished the spin class and didn't die...

KeepOnPushing.

Luke W.

Awaken the dreams and make them happen

2010-02-23T10:42:00.003-06:00

Over the past few days my job search has really taken off. I have begun to look at different opportunities, etc. I was talking to a friend yesterday and we were talking about how things are about to change, how weird it will be if we are seperated, etc.

I have come to realize that it is now time for my dreams to start to be awakened and eventually for them to come true.

This friend I was talking to has a great quote, "Don't let you dreams be dreams."

If our dreams stay dreams then they are not becoming reality.

May we continuously be dreaming up new dreams and turning existing/old dreams into reality.

If the dream never becomes reality there is no point in dreaming at all. Remember this!

TurnYourDreamsIntoReality.

Luke W.

Skeleton Bones...my thoughts

2010-02-22T15:03:00.003-06:00

As you can probably tell I am a big fan of John Mark McMillan's lyrical style, and well his music all around.

In Skeleton Bones he writes about the valley of the bones that we read about in Ezekiel. It is an awesome story.

I would have to say my favorite part is when he calls in the four winds, or winds from four places to make the dead bodies come to life.

Last week I taught in this in my church class and also talked about while leading worship. I am sure we can all think of those times when we have felt like a bleached out stack of bones; useless, helpless, depressed, hurt, spiritually dead and dry. These are the times when God will call in the His winds and breathe live back into our bodies after he has stretched the muscles and flesh over our bones and brings us back to life.

I think in these verses He is speaking to His people, not really to people who don't know Him as Lord and Saviour. Because there are so many times when we feel like this, dried up bones skatter on a dry plain.

I challenge you to go back, read these verses from Ezekiel (in my last post) and the lyrics from John Mark and pray to God and thank Him for making you new again and if, today, you feel like dry bones pray that He will feel you with His breath of life and that you will once again feel renewed by His spirit.

At the end of the passage it says in The Message that they rose as a mighty army. May we rise as a MIGHTY ARMY.

TurnTheseDryBonesIntoAMightyArmy.

Luke W.

Skeleton Bones

2010-02-18T08:36:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite artists is John Mark McMillan.
He is an awesome guitar player with a killer unique voice, and can write lyrics like no other.
I love a lyric that makes me dig in and think what is it about.
Here are some lyrics from John Mark:

SKELETON BONES:

Peel back our ribs again

and stand inside of our chest.

We just wanna' love you

Peel back the veil of time

And let us see You with our naked eyes

We just wanna' love you

We want your blood to flow inside our body

We want your wind inside our lungs

We just wanna' love you

Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity

On the lips of the found

And gravestones roll

To the rhythm of the sound of you

Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity

On the lips of the found

So separate those doors

And let the son of resurrection in.

Oh let us adore the

Son of Glory drenched in love

Open up your gates before him

Crown Him, stand Him up

Here is the passage it is referring to: Ezekiel 37 (The Message)

Ezekiel 37
Breath of Life 1-2 God grabbed me. God's Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them—a lot of bones! There were bones all over the plain—dry bones, bleached by the sun.
3 He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "Master God, only you know that."
4 He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones: 'Dry bones, listen to the Message of God!'"
5-6 God, the Master, told the dry bones, "Watch this: I'm bringing the breath of life to you and you'll come to life. I'll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You'll come alive and you'll realize that I am God!"
7-8 I prophesied just as I'd been commanded. As I prophesied, there was a sound and, oh, rustling! The bones moved and came together, bone to bone. I kept watching. Sinews formed, then muscles on the bones, then skin stretched over them. But they had no breath in them.
9 He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, 'God, the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath. Breathe on these slain bodies. Breathe life!'"
10 So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army.
11 Then God said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Listen to what they're saying: 'Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there's nothing left of us.'
12-14 "Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, 'God, the Master, says: I'll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! Then I'll take you straight to the land of Israel. When I dig up graves and bring you out as my people, you'll realize that I am God. I'll breathe my life into you and you'll live. Then I'll lead you straight back to your land and you'll realize that I am God. I've said it and I'll do it. God's Decree.'"
15-17 God's Message came to me: "You, son of man: Take a stick and write on it, 'For Judah, with his Israelite companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph—Ephraim's stick, together with all his Israelite companions.' Then tie the two sticks together so that you're holding one stick.
18-19 "When your people ask you, 'Are you going to tell us what you're doing?' tell them, 'God, the Master, says, Watch me! I'll take the Joseph stick that is in Ephraim's hand, with the tribes of Israel connected with him, and lay the Judah stick on it. I'll make them into one stick. I'm holding one stick.'
20-24 "Then take the sticks you've inscribed and hold them up so the people can see them. Tell them, 'God, the Master, says, Watch me! I'm taking the Israelites out of the nations in which they've been exiled. I'll gather them in from all directions and bring them back home. I'll make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and give them one king—one king over all of them. Never again will they be divided into two nations, two kingdoms. Never again will they pollute their lives with their no-god idols and all those vile obscenities and rebellions. I'll save them out of all their old sinful haunts. I'll clean them up. They'll be my people! I'll be their God! My servant David will be king over them. They'll all be under one shepherd.
24-27 "'They'll follow my laws and keep my statutes. They'll live in the same land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their grandchildren will live there forever, and my servant David will be their prince forever. I'll make a covenant of peace with them that will hold everything together, an everlasting covenant. I'll make them secure and place my holy place of worship at the center of their lives forever. I'll live right there with them. I'll be their God! They'll be my people!
28 "'The nations will realize that I, God, make Israel holy when my holy place of worship is established at the center of their lives forever.'"

I know this was probably a lot to read but in the enxt post (hopefully tomorrow) I will talk about what this song and scripture means to me.

Check out John Mark's blog and music and be inspired.

LetOurBonesBecomeFlesh.

Luke W.

Reviews

2010-02-09T14:02:00.003-06:00

As always, when I see something new and good or really bad I want to let my readers know about it.

Today, I picked up my pre-ordered Toby Mac CD. May I say I have been very excited about this album since the release of the City On Our Knees Single. Toby Mac is amazing, to say the least!

May I also say that LifeWay here in town did not even have the CDs out yet. And had to go in the back to get my pre-purchased CD. That was a bit insane to me. Not so good on New Music Tuesday.... BUT I got the CD and love it. You must check it out.

On another note...

If you know me well you know I like chick-flicks (books and movies) and so I went to see Dear John with a friend this weekend and it was really great. If you have read the book it has a few changes in the movie but it is still very good and follows well with the book, in my opinion.

Lastly,

Make sure to see if the tour for Shane and Shane, Carlos Whittaker, and John Mark McMillan is coming to a town withing 2 hours of yours. I say 2 hours because I would travel 2 hours or more to see these guys. I will be seeing them in concert and will let you know how it is... I know it will be killer!! Awesome songwriters and worship leaders!

MyThoughts.

Luke W.

Keeping 2 great kids....ER HERE WE COME

2010-02-06T09:18:00.003-06:00

If you have ever kept kids for friends (I try to refrain from calling it babysitting) you know your worst nightmare is to have to go to the hospital! Well, last night that nightmare became a reality.

I am keeping a some friends' children and well it was all great, having fun, running around the living room and then BAM!!! she hit the floor with her chin!

This fall left her with a gash in her chin... NO FUN! Parents about an hour away in a conference, my parents an hour away, and well a hurt little girl.

So we went to the ER. Thank God their dad works out the hospital and called the doc and we went right back. Also thanks to my friends who went out there with me just in case of stitches. It ended up needing some dermabond and we were a-okay!!

So my listen from this, no more running in the house, learned about taking care of a child at the ER, and well I learned to never think you won't have to visit the ER while "babysitting" (I said it).

I am sure many of you are laughing at the thought of me in a complete panic and freaking out when this happened, but I will have you know that I was pretty AWESOME, I think. :)

TIME FOR BREAKFAST!!!!

ItCouldHappenToYou!HopeNot.

Luke W.

Linchpin and Seth Godin

2010-02-03T10:59:00.006-06:00

For all you marketing lovers, you will want to keep reading.
For all you business lovers, you will too.
And for all you people who are just interested in it all, continue on reading.

AND WELL... if you don't care, increase my blog's bounce rate and continue to something else. But I hope you will stay! We enjoy your presence.

Today, I received Seth Godin's new book Linchpin. For Christmas I got the limited edition box set from Seth Godin and so he sent his new book to complete the set.

Not only is he a great marketing author but a great marketer! He has made me excited to read the new book even more now. I am so thankful that he sent out the books to us 800 who bought his box set.

If you love marketing and simply new ideas for life check out the intelligent Seth Godin.

Look for a review after I read the book!

ThanksSeth.

Luke W.

How Would You Respond?

2010-01-29T14:31:00.006-06:00

I am doing a study on Job with the youth and today as I went over my upcoming lesson the book recommended for me to ask the students to do an activity where they look at everything Job went through and then rate how they would respond. I want you to do the same. I am going to do it. Look through Job, or just reflect on what you know about the story of Job and then how would you respond to those things? Rate yourself 1 through 5.
1= respond in sin blaming it all on God and running away from God
&
5= Maybe asking God "why?" but responding by having faith that God is still in control.

Please watch this video as well. May it remind us that God is out HEALER!!!! He is so gracious. We just need to have faith and put it all in His hands even when it is completely difficult.

HowWouldWeRespond?
Luke W.

Current Favorites

2010-01-28T10:45:00.003-06:00

I simply want to let you know about some of my favorite things right now, from music to blogs and more. Check it out

Blogs:

stephenbrewster

withoutwax

Ragamuffin Soul

Music:

Carlos Whittaker's EP

Lady Antebellum's new album

Hope For Haiti album

XM Radio's station "The Message"

Magazines:

FastCompany

Relevant

New tech.:

iPad (I don't know how great it will be but I want to try it out!)

Things in life:

church reLaunch (vote on Sunday... please pray)

working with iVertical Youth Ministry

Loving God

Think of the things in your life that are making you happy and making you a better person. Share them with someone. And I would love for you to leave a comment sharing with me and thelwproject readers what your "favorites" are.

MyFavoritesRightNow.

Luke W.

A New Passion

2010-01-27T14:31:00.006-06:00

Lately, I have been working a lot with our youth group at church. I went on a trip with them, as a chaperone, which is hard to believe. And I have also been teaching a Sunday night class.

After going on the trip with them I saw a passion that we should all have. I understand the verse about loving God like the children. Now, I know youth are not children, but they have this passion that is so intense. It was good to see a group that hasn't been jaded by things and who love God full out! This trip totally restored me.

I want to be like these youth. I want to live passionately in all I do. And I want to be doing only what God wants me to do.

I am excited about the next generation. I am especially excited about the next generation that I am involved with at my local church.

Please invest in this next generation. May they love God more, evangelize more, love people more, pull more people in to know about God, and may they change more lives and change our world with the passion they have.

Say a prayer for the coming up generations that they will stay passionate and passionate mainly for our God.

IamExcited!

Luke W.

Carlos Whittaker- THANK YOU!

2010-01-26T16:12:00.003-06:00

I told you guys that I would be blogging about Carlos's EP as soon as it released and well TODAY WAS THE DAY!! It has finally released. I have been anticipating this release since working with the great people at Integrity this summer.

Carlos is one of their newest artists and I am very excited about this EP.

It is under $3 on iTunes and you should definitely check it out.

My favorite song on the album is definitely We Will Worship, followed by Rain It Down, and then Jesus Saves. But may I say, they are all incredible. It is so great to hear a new sound in Christian worship music. Carlos reminds me a lot of Fee. They have similar style in worship music and I have to say, it is GREAT!!

Don't miss out on this incredible EP.

Carlos blogs and tweets too. Check him out... music is just one of his many passions!

CarlosHasRockedIt!

Luke W.

Help Change Your World

2010-01-22T08:30:00.006-06:00

We all have heard about Haiti and the tragedy after the earthquake last week.

This weekend I got the chance to give to Compassion International at Strength To Stand and the conference took up around $15,000 (if I remember correctly). This money is going to help in Haiti and also to help Audio Adrenaline's lead singer's parent orphanage in Haiti. Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers. They need God's hand on their lives and on their country right now. They need to feel His embrace and may we show them the true love of God.

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY:

I give monthly a small amount ($7) to Mocha Club. Mocha Club is based off of taking away two mochas from your life every month (approx. a $7 value) and giving that to people in need. Here is the "project" I give to:

(QUOTE FROM MOCHA CLUB'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT I GIVE TO)

" Often, the women and children of Africa are the most exposed and abused, especially in areas where there is war. The young women in Gulu, Uganda are called “child mothers” because they were only children themselves when they were abducted, trained as fighters, and given as sex slaves to rebel soldiers in the “Lord’s Resistance Army,” a rebel paramilitary group in Northern Uganda. Now that they have escaped or been excused as expendable, the community at large rejects them and their children.The Village of Hope provides homes, a school, clinic, job training, counseling and support for these women. Several of the Child Mothers from Village of Hope who are being rehabilitated are now helping serve and lead clubs for other Child Mothers at local Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps in and around Gulu...
In Ethiopia, the face of prostitution is often linked with deep poverty. “Women at Risk” is a group we have partnered with to rehabilitate former sex workers in Nazaret, Ethiopia. Women think prostitution is their only hope and enter that world because of a lack of family support and a lack of income. From our experience, the women are desperate to leave this occupation, but are trapped by the lack of opportunities and rehabilitative support.Join Mocha Club members who are helping rehabilitate women like those in Uganda and Ethiopia so they can be healthy and live in safety, freedom, and hope.

I WAS RECRUITED AT A MATT WERTZ concert in March of last year and here is what Matt ways about this amazing opportunity he has had to be a part of the cause.
Matt Wertz says:
"Last year, I went to Africa for the third time and got to check out the Village of Hope. If that sounds familiar, it's because I've been talking about it at my shows over the past year as I've promoted the Mocha Club. The Village of Hope is a safe place where women who were once sex slaves of the LRA (militant rebel group in Northern Uganda) are given a second chance at life. There are a total of 500 of these women who it is our goal to serve through the Village of Hope - some will live there and all will use the medical facility, the job training center, the school and all the other facilities - and the money that we are raising through the Mocha Club is doing just that.At Village of Hope, I got to sit down with this woman named Grace as she told me her story. How she was abducted at 14, given to a 50 year old Commander in the LRA, gave birth to two children and then, at age 28 escaped, losing both of her children, one in crossfire and one to disease. She spoke in a daze, far removed from the room we were sitting in, as she recalled the fear and pain she experienced in her 14 years of captivity. She lost her childhood, as well as her opportunity to love and to be loved. The Village of Hope's goal is to give those things back to her. Would you join us in helping Grace and the other girls at Village of Hope?"

So I ask you to think about joining us on this great adventure to help the helpless.

Check out the following link to see our project. http://mochaclub.org/joinme/Luke_Williams/14

JoinMe.

Luke W.

A Change of Heart

2010-01-20T13:38:00.003-06:00

This weekend I got to be a chaperone for our youth trip to the Strength To Stand Conference. I didn't know what the theme for the weekend was going to be until we arrived and learned it was "Stir The Gift; Stir Your World." I was so excited to about this theme and as soon as the messages started coming from the speakers (Jay Strack, David Nasser, Jared Herd, and Scott Dawson) I started to realize, "ok Luke this weekend is as much for you as it is for these youth. Listen up, My son because it is time for you to hear from Me." And as soon as this happened God began to speak into my life.

You see, I have been in a pit that kept getting deeper and deeper of dis-trust, bitterness, hurt, and I was focused on everything but God.

I have decided it is time to fall in love with God again. Not to fall in love with the godly things as much as falling in love with HIM.

So, that's what I pray I do. I no longer want my blog to ever seem to be a "soapbox" for my concerns or anything but an uplifting read. If I talk about a subject that needs to be addressed, such as feeding the hungry, etc. I will find a way to give a solution and not just a complaint. Thanks for sticking with me on the ride of blogging. I hope you continue to enjoy my thoughts and may I never bring you down...

People, it is time to STIR THE GIFT within us & that will STIR OUR WORLD. Let's become stars burning so bright in this dark world that people have to stop and say, "what is up with you?"

StirYourWorld.

Luke W.

Carlos and Vicky

2010-01-12T18:03:00.005-06:00

As you all know, I worked for a great team at Integrity Music this summer for my internship. While I was there these two artists came on board and I am totally excited about their upcoming projects.

Carlos Whitaker and Vicky Beeching will be releasing EPs very soon (Carlos on Jan. 26th & I think Vicky in Feb.).

Make sure you get your hands on these as soon as they are released. I will definitely remind all my blog readers, Twitter followers, and Facebook friends. You don't want to miss these amazing worship artists' new tunes. For more info click on their name in this blog and hit up their blogs.

ListenToGreatMusic.

Luke W.

22.... and a question to ponder

2010-01-07T08:37:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, I turned 22.

I told a friend last night that there are a few things that I still have not done that definitely should have been done before 22 so... I must make them happen before 23!

I think year 22 of my life is going to be a great one; we are praying for that at least!

I have a question I want you to think about and maybe comment and leave me your input/opinion. Here's the question:

Many people say some things come into your life for a season and some for a lifetime. I totally agree. Many people say God puts friends in your life for a season and some for a lifetime. Here are my questions:

Do we decide if they stay for a lifetime or a season or does God determine it? AND...

Does it determine the outcome of our life by the people who are there for a lifetime? AND...

Should this concept of "seasonal friendship" be seen as "false friendship" or "people just leave" friendship?

I will explain later. But please tell me what you think. AND I think there is a box for anonymous if you feel like responding anonymously.

I want to remind us of something, "free-will". I will let you know my thoughts on the next blog entry after I have your thoughts on it.

PonderUponThisThought.

Luke W.

Let Your Desires Happen

2010-01-03T22:57:00.003-06:00

As I have written in the past couple of blog entries, this year, 2010, will be a huge year for me.

I will graduate, look for a job, etc. etc.

This big changes sometimes make me very excited, sometimes very sad, and other time very scared. Tonight I prayed at church for God to take these concerns from me. I laid them down right there and simply prayed for God to open the right doors and close the doors that should be closed. I prayed for his desire to become mine for my life. I pray that when I have fears/anxiety/sadness about the coming year that I will simply remember that place, the altar, where I laid it all down and remember His desires=my desires.

LayItDown&LeaveIt.

Luke W.

Twenty-Ten

2010-01-01T20:52:00.003-06:00

Well, it is here! I cannot believe it is 2010... the last decade flew by, to say the least.

I have seen/done a lot in the past 10 years. I have experienced deaths in my family, marriages within my family, trips to places like New York City, Nashville, The Bahamas, and more. I have left middle school, conquered high school, I am currently journeying through college, worked at a record label, and more. These past ten years have been incredible. I look forward to another decade.

Last night we got to bring in the New Year with friends in Nashville, TN. It was a great time to attend the first Nashville New Years Bash on Lower Broadway! It was amazing.

I found some new music last night, Marc Broussard and Gabe Dixon Band. I also go to hear a favorite, Jonny Lang.

I am very excited about this coming year. Hope you are to.

Here'sTo2010.

Luke W.

2010 Here We Come

2009-12-30T15:07:00.002-06:00

It's been a while my friends!
I was telling a friend last night that sometimes I think of shutting down the blog and she was not amuzed by the idea so, today, I write...

Over the past year I have had many great experiences, which I wrote about in an earlier blog entry. I believe my next year, 2010, will bring some very new things in my life. When I think about 2010 (which I like to call "twenty-ten" not "two-thousand and ten") I get scared and excited and scared again- the emotions about the upcoming year are simply a roller-coaster. After this past summer I know how it feels to move away and out of your parents' house. It is freeing, sad, unnerving, exciting, and so many other feelings, all at the same time.
My 2010 new year resolution is different than any I have ever had. To sum it up in one sentence:
I plan to graduate from college and get a job in another city, preferabbly working for a music business company (a record label or something of the sorts).
This is different than my normal "lose 50 pounds" or "workout daily" or "make good grades" resolution but it is a life resolution.
2010 begins the rest of my life... I most likely will move to a city and make my own home and start my career (hopefully life-long career).
I hope your 2010 is as exciting as I plan for mine to be. Don't be scared. And as I have learned from many sources this year, conflict builds character! Don't run from conflict, embrace it and let it change your life.

Hope all is well with all of my readers.

2010WeAreReady!!
Luke W.

Primal: A Book Review

2009-12-22T13:03:00.002-06:00

By following people on Twitter you often run into some neat quotes, and can be apart of great experiences including some like this one. I was able to receive Primal, Mark Batterson's new book, before todays release and read it so I could let all of you know about it.
The book is one that will make you really think about Christianity. Why we believe what we believe and why we do the things we do. It makes the reader evaluate the deep parts of their belief.
This book is one that I believe can truly change Christians if we allow it to challenge our thinkings. As always back up the things that challenge you with The Word of God.
Mark is a great guy and speaker who speaks at some of the largest Christian leadership conferences in the nation, including an appearance (maybe more than one) at Catalyst, in Atlanta, GA.
Definitely check this book out and see what you think. I will probably give some more thoughts on specifics of the book later. Hopefully you will buy the book (released today) and give it a chance. Let me know what you think.

PrimalReview.
Luke W.

A Week in Review///trust me?

2009-12-11T08:18:00.003-06:00

This morning I sit in Starbucks and I look back on a week full of different emotions. For one, I have A's and B's for my final grades at the moment. One test left. So pretty happy about this.

This weekend, starting tonight, The Shack at Christmas will start at our church.

The hard, tough, sad times of the week? Well they have, unfortunately, filled my week. This has been a fast week. You know those people that you think you can trust in your life? I have started to question some of those people this week. There comes a time, or many times, when people will let you down. People who say they will never leave your side end up leaving your side. That has happened this week. I question who I can trust in the midst of this. I can trust my family, and I dare to hope I can trust a few of my friends still. I talked to one friend this week and she told me "Luke, we really can't trust anyone in the World anymore." This is sad but sometimes it feels so true. I do think I can still trust some people in the world but I do know ALL people will let you down. As hard as it is (yeah I said it) I am trying to trust God throughout it all.

Yesterday morning I got on Twitter and saw a tweet by musician, Ryan Edgars, and he was talking about forgiveness. He asked if you have ever lost anyone close to you? And then went on to say how important forgiveness is. I will be honest I am struggling with it right now.

So there are my inner-most feelings from this week. I usually refrain from too personal stuff on here. I think, I held that up still in this post. I will not tell you the details but pray for me to trust again.

ImTryingToPushThrough.

Luke W.

2009... coming to a close

2009-12-04T23:53:00.003-06:00

This past year has been a good one to say the least. So let's recap Luke's 2009...

I told a friend I was going to narrarate this blog in the third person but I will spare us all.

So Luke, I mean "I", started the year with an interview at Integrity Music in Mobile, AL for a summer internship. I left Mobile that day with an internship almost completely set up for the summer of 2009. I had dreamed for many years of working for a record label and it happened this past summer.
Many people, who really know me, know I have dated very few girls. During high school I dated ZERO girls and in college I have dated only a couple. So the end of the summer I met a girl who I dated for a little while until things just didn't work out. No hard feelings just not in the same places in life. Speaking of girls though I have met another girl, first date was this week, and well two in one year is close to a miracle for me. I don't want to go for girl #3 though. I like where I am at now. I have met a very sweet girl that I hope to get to know a lot better in the coming days.
Also this year, my brother got married to my longtime friend, Kristine. We have grown up together and her and her family are great. We all mesh really well. I am actually at their house as I write the blog tonight.
I lived on my own for the first time this past summer while interning. We will leave that subject by simply stating that it was an emotional challenge.
I have always been very involved in music and love all kinds and everything about music. This August I started taking guitar lessons from a dear friend who is the best music teacher I have ever met. This is a step I am taking in my dream to write music.
So many things have happened this year. I have 26 days left to continue to let this year be wonderful. It is up to me to make it memorable. Will you make yours memorable?

MakeTheBestOfIt.
Luke W.

Music Review::: Switchfoot, OneRepublic, John Mayer, more

2009-11-17T13:46:00.005-06:00

So many different albums have been released today! I am going to have to wait to get a couple of the new releases until next pay period.

Lately here are some selections I have bought: Switchfoot, Charlie Hall (not new), John Mayer, OneRepublic, Mae, Kutless (hymn album), Matt Wertz (free from his website), and maybe thats all.

I want to let you know which I like, which I love, and which I could've done without.

Switchfoot has come out of their creative slump (in my opinion) and got on the same creative-wave as frontman, Jon Foreman. This album is brilliant and a great revival of Switchfoot, not there old stuff but great new stuff. Really we probably wouldn't want there old stuff now anyways. This is fresh and inspiring music from Switchfoot so hit up Hello Hurricane.

John Mayer's new album is great. I could completely do without the "Who Says" song because that just not me but the song with Taylor Swift, "Half of My Heart" is a great song (Taylor is a great songwriter but I don't usually care for her music and in this song they pull out a great hit!). This is definitely an album worth purchasing if you like slow relaxing but good melody music, Battle Studies.

One Republic is good. I LOVE THIS CD. This is the perfect music to dance to, run on the treadmill to, or just have fun with. A great upbeat labum with some unique music tones in it. I really recommend you purchase this album.

Mae's album (M)orning is not that great and should have been left off my purchasing list. But Amazon had it for $5.

Kutless does great with the worship music on their "It Is Well" album. It has been out a little bit and you can get it for $5 on Amazon.

Matt Wertz, thank you for a great live album and for free!! Check out Matt's site to get your copy. All you need to do is tweet it or sign up for a newsletter. Matt's music is always a good "go-to" album. He is a great musician and awesome live, if you get the chance to see him live.

These are my reviews. More good music out today too but the budget will not allow anymore purchases, for more go here. Including Kris Allen.

MyThoughts.

Luke W.

Ask Yourself

2009-11-14T02:02:00.002-06:00

Do people know about what you stand up against or do they know more about what you stand up for? This is a very good question that we should all ask ourselves. Do people see more of God's love in us or our hatred towards people for what they do that we do not agree with?

A great weekend in Nashville is happening NOW!! We are having a great time. Be home in a couple days. So far, a great coffee shop, 3 great friends, seeing Matt Giraud from American Idol, and a nice mall experience!

ThinkAboutTheQuestion.

Luke W.

Veterans

2009-11-11T11:36:00.002-06:00

Do you love going to church on Sunday?

Do you love being able to choose any church you want to go to?

Do you like being able to eat whatever food you want?

Do you enjoy watching any thing you want to watch (on TV, Hulu, iTunes, YouTube)?

Do you enjoy an occasional read of the latest novel by your favorite author (no matter what it is about)?

How about the music you listen to... like to listen to whatever with any lyric in it?

Do you like to be able to drive whatever car you want to wherever you want to go?

Like crossing boarders from state to state in the US with no pass or anything?

What about blogging? Like to blog about anything, even your deepest frustrations?

You can do all these things plus millions more because of people like my friend Terry, or Phil, or Burt, Frank, Lee, Jeff, Tom, Tommy, Roland, Poppy, and so many more. I am sure you have your friends and family that come to mind when you think of the great men and women who serve in all the branches of military, the ones who have gone to war, stayed home to make sure all goes well on base, etc. for our freedom. And how about the wives of these brave men or the husbands of the brave army women... they sacrifice to let loved-ones go off to fight for all of us! I want to think them today. Thanks for the sacrifice, thanks for the lose, thanks for the tears, thanks for the hard work, thanks for the combat, thanks for getting out of your comfort zone, simply thanks is so little compared to all the great, brave, and life-changing things you all have done for this country.

HappyVeteransDay.

Luke W.

Inside the Walls and Outside the Walls

2009-11-09T15:11:00.003-06:00

Many of us show up at the church building on Sunday, Wednesday, and possibly one more day out of the week. We do multiple things including worship through music, listen to sermons, meet with small groups, teach classes, sit in classes, play sports, etc. These things are important, let me make that clear; I think these things are very important. This past weekend I was able to experience some great worship times with my home church and another local church. Sunday I was able to lead in worship with the team Sunday morning and night and then later that night I went to another local church where I worshipped with over 500 students and Charlie Hall and Kristian Stanfill. There is nothing like that feeling of the Spirit of God being in your midst. Last night it was like no one wanted to leave the church building and I believe it is because the Spirit of God was there. We jumped, we danced, we prayed, we praised, we worshipped, we played instruments, we waved our hands in the air, some cried, some shouted, and others sat in silence in complete awe of a Majestic God!

But what if we stop there...

What is I left church last night (all 3 services) and entered into this Monday and didn't shine my light to the World. Was it pointless? I will say the worship was true but if that is all we do we have missed the reason for being here. If I do not care for the hurting, take the hope of Christ to the hopeless, and show love to the unloved then I am missing it... Are we missing it?

I do want to say this, I see church bodies doing so much good stuff, coat drives, Operation Christmas Child drives, food drives, and all sorts of drives! This is great. I am so inspired by things I see going on in the church, as a whole. May we continue to do these things!! I feel like those things are what make the worship so thick on a night like last night. Keep serving or start serving.

Inside&Out.

Luke W.

I Heart Revolution

2009-11-05T10:23:00.004-06:00

Last night I was able to see The I Heart Revolution film from Hillsong United. I went in to the film knowing that I would leave not feeling the same as I went in. I got so much out of the film that I couldn't possibly be able to convey all to you through a blog. I wish every Christian, well everyone, could see this film. It is time that we do something. One of the quotes in the film was from a guy named William Wilberforce, who was the force behind abolishing slavery in England. Wilberforce spoke these words, "You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know." This is how I feel after the film.

People all over the World are hurting. People, just like me and you, are living in places that resemble dumps. These people look just like me, you, our neighbor. They are people. Can we not understand that the only reason we get to live like we do, in abundance, is because we were born in a different place than they were. Sometimes I wonder why I got this life and they got that one. My only answer for that is, it's life and we live in a fallen world.

Joel Houston in the film said something about if everything we do inside the four walls of the church doesn't have any effect on the people we passed on the road to church then it is all for nothing, it is all worthless. Do we get that? Do we understand that if we are not helping these people, taking food to them, showing them love, hope, and God that what we do inside the four walls of our glorious church does not matter.

If you are thinking, "well it does matter!! even if we don't help them out we are still worshipping God..." Check this out:

"I can't stand your religious meetings.

I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want" -Amos 5:21-24

I will leave you with that to reflect on.

MayWeGetIt.

Luke W.

The Words Are Few

2009-11-04T10:17:00.005-06:00

It has been a while since the last blog entry.

To be honest it is kind of a time right now where I don't know what to write.

Sometimes I think of things to write about and then I am quickly reminded that I don't need to share it all with the world. I don't want to fill my blog with controversial topics and all that mess. I know there have probably been a couple posts on here that people don't agree with but not too controversial.

I haven't had any great thoughts that have turned into blog thoughts...

I have been wanting so badly to write some music and I am reminded every time that I try that right now is not the season because there are seasons for writing and seasons that it's just not there and right now it's just not here...

So I am empty with few words for my blog readers. I don't think it is particularly a bad thing but maybe a time for me to just think about things by myself without telling the blog readers everything... Hope you don't mind.

Hopefully the rain of words for blogging and music will come soon. I really love these two things and well right now the words are few.

Wordless.

Luke W.

Masks Are Not Just Worn On Halloween

2009-10-26T17:50:00.003-05:00

Last night I got a text from a friend asking about the song Stained Glass Masquerade by Casting Crowns and ever since then I cannot stop thinking that my next blog should be about our masks that we parade around in everyday of our lives.

I think we can all relate in one way or another. We have all worn masks in our lives and many of us still put them on every once in a while if not every day. Halloween is approaching and many people will mask up for Halloween night and go trick-or-treating or to the local church fall festival. But if we all reflect on our lives we can probably see we wear masks more often than once a year for Halloween. I started thinking about the major university I attend and the masks we wear; greek masks, "holier-than-thou" masks, genius masks, and many more. Then I started thinking about church and how we wear so many masks even in the place that should be the safest place to be yourself. We wear masks everywhere.

I think it is time to take them off. It is time to where when we go into a class we don't feel like we have to be in the "greek life" and we don't feel like we have to put on our "perfect" face because we all have our problems. It is time when we step into church that we are not trying to show people we are "good" and "extra godly" but that we are real people with real hurts in need of REAL HELP!!

AreYouMasked?

Luke W.

The Cross and Our Sin

2009-10-25T14:35:00.003-05:00

The other night after I went to a worship service in town for upper high-school, college, and young adults I started thinking about the cross. I think a lot of times we forget that when Jesus dies on the cross for us He took all the world's sins upon Him. STOP & think about this.... what is the most outrageous sin you have ever committed? That was upon Jesus. He went to Hell for three days for our sins. He had to feel the weight off all our sins upon Him; not just the little lie you told last week or the gossiping you did but He took upon Him murders, sexual impurity and so much more for us!! I know it weird to think about that but I think we forget this. He did all that because we are sinners in need of salvation. We are helpless without Him.

But I feel like a lot of the time we are so ashamed of these sins in our lives, whatever it may be, that we feel like we can't even take it to God. Do we forget that he already knows? Have we forgotten that He took that exact sin upon Him as He hung on a dreaded cross and went to Hell before he was arose from the grave? Have we forgotten? Today, speak to God. Tell Him "THANKS!! Thanks for dying on a cross for me and taking my most outrageous sin upon You and Your perfect soul. Thanks for spending a couple days in Hell so that I would not. Thanks for enduring the whips, the lashes, the hurtful words, the stabs in your side, the nails in your hand and feet, the crown of thorns, the dehydration on the cross, the ridicule, the betrayal, the pain, and everything You went through for me!!!! And I say THANKS and PRAISE YOU again, even though it seems like that is not nearly enough for me to do compared to what You did for me!!"

HaveYouForgotten?MayWeAllBeReminded.

Luke W.

Sheep, Wine, Bees, Honey and Us

2009-10-23T13:11:00.004-05:00

I have been reading this incredible book by Margaret Feinberg called "Scouting the Divine".
Margaret takes us from a shepherdess to a wine-maker to a bee-keeper and she reveals things we have never seen before. She makes comparisons to Bible stories and these things that I have never seen before.
I loved the shepherdess part of the book. Have you ever been called a sheep? Some of you may say no and some may say "well, of couse, in the Bible!". And you would be right because in the Bible God is called the "Good Shepherd" and we are his sheep. Things completely came a live to me as I read things about how sheep react with no mother sheep around and about sheep needing the shepherd to show them the way. In one part of the book she writes about how the shepherd has to lead the sheep from the front and not from behind, which would be pushing the sheep. She said the sheep will start to feel incomfortable and scared if they are pushed from behind instead of led from the front. In all the stories the reader starts to see how we as humans compare to the sheep in so many ways, we are fragile but strond willed; we are smart but sometimes seem dumb or do dumb things, but the Shepherd is always there to lead us back to where we should be. When we have wandered off our Shepherd is ready to come looking for us and bring us home.
This book is amazing. It has changed the way I will forever look at scripture. It will forever change the way I think of The Good Shepherd.
Thank you Margaret Feinberg for an amazing, and I mean AMAZING, book that I believe will change people's life; it will change people's relationship with The Good Shepherd; and people will once again read their Bible with anticipation and excitement because of this book.
I also want to think Margaret Feinberg and her team for letting me be a part of the 100 Blog Tour for "Scouting the Divine." This has been a privilege.
READ THIS BOOK!!!!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YOU WILL ONCE AGAIN LOOK FORWARD TO A GOOD BIBLE STORY AND YOU WILL SEE THESE STORIES IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT.
**I will also have other quotes and things from the book coming your way in the future!**

ReadScoutingTheDivine.
Luke W.

Friday is coming!

2009-10-21T11:44:00.002-05:00

This Friday I will be doing an official blog tour for Margaret Feinberg. She just put out a new book called Scouting the Divine and Friday I will be telling you a little about the book, maybe use some quotes, and give a brief review. I will go ahead and let you know that I love the book. Make sure to check out Margaret Feinberg and her books. She is a great person and author.

COME BACK FRIDAY FOR A BLOG ABOUT A GREAT BOOK

BlogTourComingHERE.

Luke W.

Are we hushed?

2009-10-19T18:23:00.005-05:00

***A LITTLE LONG BUT DO NOT SIMPLY PASS THIS ENTRY BY PLEASE!!***

*another note: I am not saying it is okay to stand up in church and speak without permission from the leaders. If you were just allowed to stand up and scream out whatever you wanted to with no consequence people would be acting completely crazy. But you should be able to go to someone within the church and feel free to let them know what you are dealing with. It might not should even be something for everyone to know about. So this is NOT me saying "go shout out your beliefs in church and disrupt the normal flow." that would be a bit ridiculous!*

WITH THAT SAID.....

I think a lot of times in churches we feel that we are not allowed to say different things. It's not that the church comes out and says, "If you think this way you are not allowed" (ok well unfortunately some churches do say these things, like the church burning all Bibles other than the KJV and many books including Donald Miller books and even CS Lewis books). But as "church-goers" we often feel like certain topics are "taboo" or just unnecessary or inappropriate so we stray from bringing these things up. In the South I can think of a really touchy subject and that is politics. I think in churches, especially in the South people think if you are not Republican you are not truly Christian. I even had someone say that to me one time, "You can't be liberal and Christian, it's impossible." Well the last I checked God never told us any such thing. We have never been told that a political party affiliation makes us Christian or non-Christian. Sometimes we may feel "hushed" or silenced in the church. This leads to people not being completely open with other believers and keeps many from ever entering a church building because they think they will be judged.

Today I ran across something from Anne Jackson that is interesting and about this very topic. It is the Permission To Speak Freely "movement" (for lack of a better word). She is coming out with a book very soon about this idea of being shhhh-ed in church. I hope you will check out her site, her video, and her book. It had me broken at the end of the video. Broken for a church, as a whole, that has strayed in many ways from true grace, love, compassion, and hope shown by Jesus. May we really become followers of Christ and love all, embrace all, and let people know there is safety in our churches walls and there is hope in a Savior who loves all and embraces all!

BeMoreLikeHim.It'sTime.

Luke W.

Blogging vs. Journaling and Memories

2009-10-16T11:44:00.004-05:00

As all my loyal readers know, I just finished reading Donald Miller's book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." In this book Don tells of a friend named "Bob" who writes down every memory he has. He says Bob does this because if you don't remember something it is as if you never did that thing. I have decided I want to start writing down some of the memories in my life that I do not want to forget. I want to keep a journal of these things. I will not blog about them (maybe a few but not all) but I will keep them for me and for people who are close to me that would want to remember these events in my life.

This leads me to my next thought about journaling and blogging. Obviously, I love to blog but I am not a great journal writer. I really don't even do it at all to be honest. I do believe, though, that journaling is something that can really help a person get private thoughts onto paper and also somewhere that you can write about your memories and things you do so one day you can open that journal and say WOW look at what me and friends did that night or Wow look where I was and where God has taken me. I also realized blogging DOES NOT equal journaling. Journaling is a more private thing. I mean I don't want all of you knowing EVERYTHING about my life! And you probably don't want to hear about it either!

I know completely RANDOM thoughts! But I urge you and I urge myself to start journaling but do not get confused journaling and blogging are not the same.

StartNow.

Luke W.

Addicted!

2009-10-15T15:34:00.003-05:00

I sit here in the library waiting for a meeting to begin and I have thought about Chick-fil-A more than once. I woke up this morning and before walking out the door I wanted to eat some peanut/candy corn mix. I got to work around 8am and really wanted some of the cookie cake left over from yesterday. It came around to lunchtime (which I had been reflecting on all morning) and I went home to search for a book and got some chili AND some of that dang peanut/candy corn mix. I AM ADDICTED TO FOOD! Some may be thinking, "well it could be worse" and I totally agree.

I say this, being funny but serious at the same time, to tell you that we are all addicted to something. There should be only one thing that totally consumes our days, our minds, and our lives and that, well I think you know what it is... GOD; THE ALMIGHTY; MAKER OF THE UNIVERSE; HEALER TO THE WORLD; SALVATION; SAVIOR; MAJESTIC KING; KING OF KINGS... I could go on. Put down those things that totally consume your mind and pick up GOD! Let Him consume your thoughts, for He is holy!

Addicted.

Luke W.

Favorites

2009-10-13T12:07:00.003-05:00

Today, I don't have anything deep but I do want to point you guys towards some great bloggers. So here is a list of my favorite blogs to read. You can also find some on the side of my page but these people blog almost daily:

- Pete Wilson//Without Wax

- Stephen Brewster//

- Jake Branham//Journeys

- John Mark McMillan//The Prominade

- Don Miller//donmilleris

Tomorrow I will be featured as a guest blogger on my friend Jake's blog and you should check out his whole Guest Blogger week, featuring Kadileigh Seibert (today), me (tomorrow), Dan Williams (my dad//Thursday), and Anne Jackson, author, speaker and amazing blogger on Friday.

This week is a great week for me, I will be attending Kings of Leon concert and will also have a full weekend. Please come back to check out my posts about the concert, I'll let you know all about it, and about this weekend.

TheBestBlogsHereForYou.

Luke W.

Blog stuff.

2009-10-12T14:21:00.003-05:00

I want to let you all know about a few blog things I am doing in the up and coming days.

I met a great author these week named Margaret Feinberg. She just wrote a book called "Scouting the Divine." She is doing a 100 blog tour and I AM GOING TO BE A PART OF IT! I wanted you all to know I will be talking about her new book on October 23rd. I hope you get a chance to look at the book so you will know what I am talking about, but if you don't have a chance just make sure you come back on Oct. 23rd to check out the blog about Margaret's new book. I got to meet her this past week at Catalyst and she is great.

This week a friend of mine, Jake Branham will be hosting a guest blog week on his blog, thejourneyblogs.blogspot.com ... Jake is definitely on a great journey so check out his blogs and also blogs from these people: Me, Kadileigh Seibert, Dan Williams, and Anne Jackson. It should be a fun week starting tomorrow!

BlogsAreGreat.

Luke W.