Haiti Benefit Concert Update

Ok, so it's official. Red Letter Project is going to be hosting a benefit concert for Medical Teams International and their efforts in the Haiti recovery. The concert will be on March 5th, around 6:30, at the St. Helens High School auditorium. We're so excited to have a rep from MTI come and share with us during the concert, and we'll be inviting another band to come join us in this effort. I'll keep you posted here, and on our facebook group, Fans of Red Letter Project. Email me with questions. We're going to need a lot of help to pull this one off, but we can do it!

Tuesday (my Monday)

Good morning! I have a feeling it is going to be a great rest-of-the-day. This morning, Pastor John and I were going over last Sunday's services, and looking ahead to this week. There are so many special things happening this Sunday, that trying to get everything in will be a bit of a challenge. Last week's services, though, were amazing. The Spirit of the Lord was felt by the body, and we feel that God worked in a mighty way to free people from guilt! Something special happens when you get a multi-generational group of believers together, united by their love for Jesus, and then provide an opportunity for them to worship in one voice. Even though that is what we strive for each week, it doesn't always happen. Last week, though, it did. Praise God!

Some prayer points for today - please continue to pray for Mary, as she comes home next week, and pray for my family as we seek to discern God's will in the job hunt. Also pray for our church as we seek to find the man that God will bring to lead in worship after I'm gone. Above all, though, never stop praying, live redeemed, and be the church!

Benefit Concert?

Red Letter Project is considering putting a benefit concert on for a missionary group helping Haiti in their recovery. We'd like to partner with a couple of other bands and put the concert on in about two or three weeks. This is going to mean a lot of work, and we're going to need a lot of help, but I believe that we're up to the task. I read yesterday that over 150,000 bodies have been buried in mass graves, and that many, many more are expected. It goes without saying that help is needed in all forms, but most importantly, the name of Jesus needs to be proclaimed. Anyone up to the task? Wanna help?

DMV...

Ok, so I'm sitting here in the DMV, looking at the largest crowd I've ever seen at one of these. The counter has been stuck at 92 for the last 10 minutes; I'm number 127. Probably no hope of me being on time to my 11am appointment. These places facinate me, though. What an amazing microcosm of God's creative ability. There must be 10 countries and 15 races represented here. Looking around, hearing all the different languages, seeing these cultures in one place gives you a different perspective on the DMV.

Instead of hating it here, perhaps we should celebrate it as a great, uniting force for change...(please realize that my tongue is planted firmly in cheek right now).

Oh, they're up to number 97 now! I might make it out alive...

Fridays

I love Fridays. Not because it signals the end of the work week (which isn't really the truth for me; I'm not really sure when one week ends and another begins), but because I have the day off to go have lunch with my daughters. They're my little leading ladies, and I feel like I don't get to see them as much as I'd like to during the week. It's hard, since I drive an hour to get to my church everyday, and I get home late on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They're usually asleep by the time I come home then. That makes Fridays the day I can catch up with them, and spend some QT together. :-) Gracie has lunch at 11, and Bex has lunch at noon. Their schools are about 2 blocks from each other, so I can go get a couple of happy meals and scoot in to see the two of them.

I also have to go to DMV today, and then clean my garage. I bought a bowflex, and have to make room for it. As much as I'd like to sit in my recliner and read a good book, there's work to be done. *sigh* Off to it! Hope you all have a blessed day! Remember to be the church!

Well, the job hunt is coming along...slowly. This is the hard part, discerning God's will as to where I should be applying. I mean, the questions are many. Does God want me to stay in-state? Or should I be looking out-of-state? Should I apply at a smaller church, or a larger one? Am I willing to move, even if my family can't come for a while? What are my key doctrinal sticking points? Are there things I'm willing to just live with (i.e., grey areas that I might have personal conviction on, but are not salvation issues)?

These questions could keep me up at night, if it weren't for the peace that God has given me about the whole thing. I believe that the right job will present itself, and that God will be glorified in the process. Even though my wife needs stability, we are finding that in God, and not in a job or in man. It's pretty cool how God has given this peace to us when the world tells us we should be worried. Just trust. The Bible tells us that "we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose". I can dig that.

I know it's totally unrelated, but I thought I'd post a video of my band for you guys to see who we are. Please note that I had bronchitis for this concert and was at about 50% vocal strength. If that. Still, it's a good example of the fun we have together. I'm honored to play with these guys.

today

Well, it's Thursday. I've got a lot on my plate. Chapel with the kids from the school at noonish, worship band tonight, and I just found out that a church in Ranier is requesting some help from us to send musicians once or twice a month. What a blessing we could be to help a start-up church! I'll know more later today, hopefully, but my little brain is already working on how to get a great team of people up there twice a month, and not leave us short-staffed here.

Most people don't realize how much work goes into planning a worship service each week. Between Pastor John and I, there's about 60 hours of work represented on Sundays. I'm so thankful that I get to spend time rehearsing, arranging, and planning both by myself and with some truly gifted artists. Today I'll spend about 5 hours working on music before the band shows up to work it with me. For me, though, it's not a chore at all. I so enjoy what God has called me to. Sitting at the piano or keyboard, in the dark, (I learned to play in the dark as a kid, so I wouldn't have to look at the keys, now I enjoy it) working on music that will bring glory to Jesus Christ. I can't imagine doing anything else right now. I'm thankful for this time.

Now, off to work. Lots to do, and thankfully, lots of time, Lord willing. Have a blessed day, faithful readers! Be the church!

Fully Awake

So, why "Fully Awake" for a title? I came to this because I just had a birthday, upon which I realized that I finally had my eyes open all the way for the first time. No, I'm not Asian. (although I do get asked that quite a bit!) I mean that, for the first time in my 32 years of living, I'm finally trying to see everything that God has for me, and trying hard not to get in the way! I'm really praying for ego to be gone, and God's will to be done in my life. I'm praying that I can be awakened to all that my family has to offer, and to everything that I can bless them with. (not talking about material stuff, mostly just time) And I'm praying that I can be awakened daily to the beauty of God's Word. I guess "Fully Awake" is more of a prayer than a realized actuality, but I think it's appropriate.

year end report...

I'm avoiding writing my annual report.

Not because I don't have anything to say. As a matter of fact, I have plenty to say. It's just that it's been such an up and down year that I'm not sure I trust anything that comes out of my mouth (or my fingertips) regarding the year as a whole. See, I've been the interim worship pastor at my church for almost the last two years. I work with a senior pastor who I trust completely, and who allows the staff to function as a complete team. It hasn't always been this way. I've worked for other types of people, of course. It's just that this team and the relationships within it are special. Individually, we're probably not all that amazing, but the funny thing is that as a group we trancend our individuality and become more than just the sum of our parts. It's gotta be a God thing. We are a group that trusts each other completely, and where one is weak, another is there to help with their strengths. I'm going to miss this when I move on. My prayer is that I can find a staff that is as complete, and as loving. Not perfect, but grace-filled. In that, there is harmony and peace, even in conflict. Ok. Enough about that. I've got a report to write. Perhaps I should focus on the relationships built this year, instead of all the numbers. Then I'm off to finish writing a new song that's coming along nicely. After that, it's prep time for Infusion tonight, and rehearsal. Busy day. Still, I can't do any of it until that report is written, so I guess I should stop talking to you...

...

I'm sitting here, wondering what's next. Just got some news that the place my band wanted to take some band photos at is being condemned. Anyone heard of the Gasco building underneath the St. John's bridge? For those of you familiar with Portland, it's that really cool looking brick building that's all boarded up. Oh well. Anyone have any thoughts about another location? Anyone...? Ha! Since no one is reading this yet, I guess that means I'm talking to myself. I'm used to that. We creative types tend to talk to ourselves a lot.

More later today...

A First Timer

Ok, so this is my first time at this. I've always wanted to blog, but somehow never found the time. I guess a little history is in order first. My name's Eric. I'm not really sure how to categorize myself. I mean, I work as a worship pastor, but first I'm a husband and a father. The idea behind writing this, I guess, is to share what goes on in my life in those roles. Check back often for pics, videos, and updates. Talk to you soon!