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Lost Emails

By on March 2, 2011 in Bob’s Updates

It occurred to me a few weeks ago that I wasn’t receiving any emails through this my blog, that is, through the Contact Me tab above. We checked into it and sure enough, all the emails that came through Worship Matters were going into a spam folder. This has been going on since early January. Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as the last time this happened, when we discovered 600+ emails that hadn’t come through. But we were able to retrieve those emails. Apparently whoever knows about this stuff was able to fix the problem but is unable to retrieve this recent batch. So if you’ve sent me a note in the past two months, I haven’t seen it. If …

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Variations on a Hymn (That Hymn Thing)

By on March 1, 2011 in Videos

A number of people have sent this video to me recently. I’m not sure if it’s to torment me, mock me, or encourage me. I’ll let you be the judge. I was a member of the group GLAD from 1976 to 1984 and continued to write/arrange for them until 2008. Early in our history we developed a “history” of contemporary Christian music, although the accuracy and thoroughness of our research should be severely questioned. And even though I was married to my dear wife, Julie, when this video was recorded, I don’t remember checking in with her about my wardrobe. Obviously. Note: The original video for this post is no longer available. This …

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How Do You Address Modesty?

By on February 15, 2011 in —Gender Issues, —Leading a Team

One of the topics in the church that leaders rarely address is modesty. It’s awkward. You can be accused of legalism. People can be offended. It can seem politically incorrect. But that doesn’t mean it should never be addressed, nor that there’s not a gracious way to do it. Ideally, those who participate in a public platform on Sundays should be aware that people learn not only from what they say but what they wear. Certain things are clear. We aren’t to treat people differently based on what people wear (James 2:1-5). That means we don’t look down self-righteously at those who dress differently than we do. Both men and women are to dress modestly, …

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Want to Become a Better Songwriter? Here’s Help

By on February 11, 2011 in —Songwriting

Over the years we’ve offered numerous seminars on songwriting at the WorshipGod conferences, taught primarily by Steve & Vikki Cook and Mark Altrogge, but also by guests that we’ve had at the conference. I thought it would be helpful to put them all in one place, so here they are. Whatever stage you’re at in your songwriting journey (and we never seem to “arrive”), I think you’ll find something here that will inspire you to be more faithful with your gifts. Mark, Steve, and Vikki will be returning with more thoughts for songwriters to this year’s WorshipGod conference: The Gathering, Aug. 10-13. I expect the website and registration …

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“Plant!” Church Planting Conference

By on February 8, 2011 in —Church Planting, —Other Events

In 1991 I had the privilege of participating in a church plant in Charlotte, NC. It was a thrilling, humbling, faith-stretching, unpredictable adventure that I think every leader should go through at least once. That’s why I’m excited about the Sovereign Grace Ministries Plant! Conference, taking place next month. I have the joy of leading the songs we’ll be singing. Here’s the relevant info: PLANT! | March 24-26, 2011 Location | Covenant Fellowship Church, Glen Mills, PA Cost | $99 (day & session passes available) Who Should Go | Church planters, pastors, pastors who desire to see their church plant churches, members of churches …

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Another Crazy February Sale!

By on February 1, 2011 in —Books, —Sovereign Grace Music

Every February we slash prices at the Sovereign Grace store. Why? Primarily, we want to give our churches an opportunity to stock up on resources for their bookstores at low prices. But we know there are a lot of other folks who want to use our materials and appreciate the cheaper prices. We want to make it as easy as possible for you and others to benefit from gospel-driven books and music. So this month, we’re taking 30% or more off every item in the store, while supplies last. U.S. shipping is free for for orders of $15 or more. Below are links to some of the deals that you might be most interested in. All Sovereign Grace Music CDs – …

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“Grace Is Not Earned” – Free MP3 from Kate Simmonds

By on January 27, 2011 in —Song Downloads

Nathan Fellingham, a good friend and member of the UK group Phatfish, recently made me aware of an EP he produced by Kate Simmonds. One of the songs, “Grace Is Not Earned,” does a great job unpacking the meaning of grace in a Christian’s life. Several things I appreciate about this song. It makes us aware grace is the work of the Triune God. It has a singable and memorable melody. It references Christ crucified and risen (the means of grace) clearly. It loudly proclaims our freedom from sin, deliverance from condemnation, and acceptance by the Father. Great song. Nathan generously said I could give away the song and guitar chart here on Worship …

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Interview with Greg Hagan on Becoming a Better Guitarist, PT 2

By on January 26, 2011 in —Musicians & Vocalists

Yesterday, I posted Greg Hagan’s answers to two questions about how to become a better guitarist. Greg not only has years of experience using his gifts to honor God, he’s able to articulate what helped him grow as a player. He’s a great example of a life-long learner, described in Proverbs 9:9: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” Here are the other two questions I asked Greg to answer. What 3 practices have most helped you grow as a guitarist? 1. Listening and visualizing the fretboard. As you imagine a guitar part or melody, or listen to a recording, visualize …

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Interview with Greg Hagan on Becoming a Better Guitarist, PT 1

By on January 25, 2011 in —Music Theory, —Musicians & Vocalists

The main guitarist for our upcoming Risen album (due out in mid-March) was Greg Hagan. Greg lives in Nashville and when he’s not playing in the studio also tours and has had years of experience leading congregational worship in his local church. I appreciated his work ethic, his knowledge of chord voicings, his proficiency in different styles, and his sense of melody. But he’s not only a versatile and phenomenal player. He’s a humble man and was an absolute joy to work with. I also learned that Greg had attended a GLAD concert when he was a teenager that helped open his eyes to the ways different kinds of music can be used to glorify God. …

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WorshipGod11: The Gathering

By on January 18, 2011 in —WorshipGod Conferences

Even though it’s still eight months away, I’m in the middle of planning for WorshipGod11, to be held Aug. 10-13, 2011 at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD. This year’s theme will be “The Gathering.” The idea crystalized while I was reading Bryan Chapell’s excellent book, Christ-Centered Worship. When most of us plan our meetings we tend to think in separate categories – the songs, the announcements, creative elements, the message, communion, ministry time, etc. Chapell makes a strong case for having a gospel mindedness that affects not only what we do but how we put it all together. In other words, every time we meet a clear gospel …

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Esther – An Original Musical

By on January 16, 2011 in —Drama, —Sovereign Grace Music

Last year the high school students at my church put on an original musical based on the book of Esther, Queen of Persia. It was written by Martin and Janice Landry, with an original score provided by Martin. Janice happens to be the daughter of the director, Cathy Mays. Cathy has been directing and writing musicals at Covenant Life for years now. All six of my children have been a part of the shows she’s directed, and I know of few people who make acting such a spiritually beneficial experience. I was particularly impressed with this latest production. The songs are memorable, the script is engaging, and the message of God’s sovereign …

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We Have a Winner

By on January 13, 2011 in —Contests, —Easter, —Sovereign Grace Music

Thanks to everyone who left a comment on my previous post casting their vote for the most creative arrangement of a song from our King of Grace album. As many of the commenters said, it was difficult picking which arrangement  was the best, creatively speaking. But the overwhelming first choice was Joshua Spacht’s arrangement of “Behold the Lamb,” by Mark Altrogge. Joshua has served as the Director of Music and Worship Ministries at Grace Immanuel Bible Church since May, 2006. He sent me some information about his background that I thought was worth sharing: I grew up in a very musical family outside of Erie, PA where my father served …

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Help Us Pick the Winner of our King of Grace Contest

By on January 9, 2011 in —Sovereign Grace Music, Videos

Thanks to the over 20 people who submitted entries for our 10th Anniversary King of Grace contest! The assignment was to come up with a new arrangement of one of the songs from the album. These are the six videos we think are the best. Leave a comment by midnight, Jan. 12, and let us know which one you think is the most creative arrangement that also complements and supports the song. I’ll announce the winner this Thursday, Jan. 13. and they’ll receive two free registrations to WorshipGod11. Video #1 At The Foot of the Cross (Steve & Vikki Cook), arr. by Anthony Beltrez Video #2 In My Heart (Eric Grover), arr. by Teresa Thomas Video …

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Why I’m Reading the Bible in Ten Different Places

By on December 29, 2010 in —Worship and Scripture, Devotions

At the end of 2009  I finished reading through the ESV Study Bible and posted a few thoughts on what I learned. During the first half of 2010, I read through it again (just the Scripture, not the notes), but wanted to try something different for the last half of 2010. I had been looking at Prof. Grant Horner’s Bible reading plan and decided to try it. You can read Grant’s  thoughts on it here. The plan involves reading one chapter from ten different places in the Bible each time you read. Once you reach the end of a section you start over. I was drawn to the plan because I wanted to gain a better perspective on how the Bible comments …

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Christmas Mystery

By on December 23, 2010 in —Christmas, —Songwriting

Christmas Mystery He who forged Earth’s iron core And scattered stars to distant skies Came shattered beauty to restore And answer lost ones’ mournful cries. A God who stands among the weak To lift each burden that they face, To lift away their bondage bleak And give them strength in holy grace. The star of hope for all the years, Though spoken of through ages past, Lies born in dust and blood and tears Without His glorious trumpets’ blast. Yet in His tiny hand He holds The power that built the mountains high. His glory shatters earthly molds As angels’ voices split the sky. The angel heralds call out clear To tell us of …

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