Warning, This Quote Might Make You Green

Words Of Wisdom

My Space? Only Cause I Can Post Music

Hey everyone. I recently started a "My Space" account so I can post music from my first CD. I will also post new music as it comes. It's a pretty cool site in that aspect, but when it comes to blogging, I gotta give it up to blogger. I will be deciding soon on whether or not to get my own actual site. The only thing that is stopping me thus far is learning html and how to actually build one. I want a site that will include a blog as well as songs and pics. I would like to post pics without actually having to write about then. Plus have a news page for upcoming shows and worship times. It would also be cool to have a forum for bible study and stuff. Anyway gotta run. Oh yeah check out the my space page

Multimedia Mullett / Scored It

Well my google search led me to find a mullet site. It's kind of ripping my idea to take pictures of random peoples mulletts and create a fun coffee table book for all to enjoy the fashion style of the mullett. I will begin my quest next week. I'f you would like to go with me then let me know. I go hunting in the begining of next week. Hopefully I will have taken at least 20 different types of mulletts. Wish me luck

HipShaw Thoughts / Do You Really Know Me

Hipshaw thoughts are thoughts that kind of come off the cuff. Tonight will be filled with the most random and dispersed thoughts I've had over a month. They are not in order of importance.

1. I laugh at Owen Wilsons Jokes.
2. Quato is the prophet in the movie Total Recall.
3. I Think I made up the word hipshaw.
4. Earier I was baffeled by my ability to blatently rely on grace.
5. I don't want to be the christian I hate.
6. Somtimes I like to watch horror movies. I don't know why
7. The enemy saying, you don't have a voice at voice.
8. I remember the show "caroline in the city" and I used to watch it every night.
9. I watch Conan Obrien.
10. My house needs more plants.
11. chodepeas.
12. I so need gas.
13. shrimp scampi.
14. This is the best house I've ever lived in.
15. I'm the worlds greatest sinner.
16. I need prayer.
17. I wish I had a Harley.
18. I like the Walflowers and Dinosaur Jr.
19. One More HipShaw
20. Luk 5:20 Impressed by their bold belief, he said, "Friend, I forgive your sins."

Warning Signs Of A Religious Spirit

Recently I stumbled upon something Rick Joyner had wrote that was entitled "Warning Signs Of A Religious Spirit". It was very interesting and insightful. Not only did I recognize the signs in myself. It also led me to think about what I am involved in. You see, my desire is to be as close to God as I can. I realize I am further away than what I want to be. I also am aware that I can't compare my walk to anyone elses. It is unbenificial for me to look at someone elses life and make that the standard of my spiritual journey. I need to do what God wants me to. In reading this I was surprised at my own tendencies of judgement. But I also believe that there is no one who has never thought these thoughts....NO ONE. It is an awakening. Let God deal with the wicked and unjust.

Ecc 3:14-17 I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God. I took another good look at what's going on: The very place of judgment--corrupt! The place of righteousness--corrupt! I said to myself, "God will judge righteous and wicked." There's a right time for every thing, every deed--and there's no getting around it. (The Message of course)

Now I know that most of everything that Rick Joyner says is credible. And I do know he is right on most of the time. But when you read this ask God to reveal it in your own heart and separate the wheat from the chaff. Ask God to reveal to you what is truth, not Rick Joyner. Remember God sees you the same. A lovable son or daughter.

Warning Signs Of A Religious Spirit:

1. Tend to see your primary mission as tearing down what you think is wrong.
2. The inability to take a rebuke, especially from those you judge less-spiritual.
3. A philosophy that will not listen to other people, only to God.
4. Overwhelming guilt that you can never measure up to God's standard.
5. The tendency to see more of what is wrong with people and other churches, than what is right with them.
6. The belief that you have been appointed to "fix" everyone else.
7. A leadership style that is bossy, overbearing, and intolerant of the failures of others.
8. A sense that you are closer to God than other people or that your life/ministry is more pleasing to God than other's.
9. The belief that you are on the "cutting edge" of what God is doing.
10. A mechanical prayer life.
11. Constantly doing things so that people will notice.
12. The tendency to be suspicious of or oppose new movements in other churches.
13. The inability to join or endorse anything you deem is not "perfect".
14. The belief that you discover deep new meanings in Scripture that nobody else has seen before.
15, If while reading these warning signs, you were thinking of how they apply to someone else, you may have a serious problem with religious spirit.

Ouch right, if this is what the religious spirit does, I'd say we all need to evaluate our conversations with God and others. Remember this though and it might help. You are responsible with what God has given you. No more, no less. What God has given you is what's in His word. Everything is to be tested by scripture and prayed after for understanding. I was once told by a leader that I shouldn't look so grumpy on Sunday because I lead worship. I said "I'm not going to lie about my life cause it's Sunday". He responded with "Well if your not going to be happy then maybe you shouldn't lead" Be transparent? Yeah right!

God Loves Bikers

Today I helped a friend lead worship at a church meeting called "Bikers at the Crossing" which was a group of Harley Bikers that meet twice a month at a coffeehouse (The Crossing)to worship and hear a message. The speaker was a guy named Patrick whom I met in jail when I spent time in there serving an unkown warrant for a speeding ticket and driving without a license in 1996 or something. Anyway, Patrick was in the jail with me and was then known by the jailees as "preacher man". It was good to hear Patrick speak and his message was good too. He talked about being faithful to the end and the church of Philadelphia in Rev. 3. Good stuff. It was good to go to another church and be a part of what God is doing in our region and in the lives of others. Glenn Sharp was there to which was surprising to see Glenn in a church full of bikers. Isn't God great like that :)

Perspective

A couple days ago I fell asleep siting up on my couch. Needless to say that I woke up with the worst kink in my neck and shoulder that I've ever felt. I hope it will go away soon. I have been writing songs lately and have learned to embrace the frustrations of writing worship music. I mean anyone can write a congragational worship song. I'm talking about a song that grips the listener. I have learned that my worship in this season is more reverent than rejoicing. I would like to find the joy in worship, so I can actually say "there's no other place I'd rather be" because when it comes down to it, it's not true. So I don't want to write a song of false statements just because they sound good to the church. What I've found is that preparation through prayer is the way to go. Because it sets my spirit in the right place to convey my true emotion towards God. So at the time when I write, my statement is true "there's no other place I'd rather be". I did however through this process write a new song called "I believe" which is a song about choosing faith instead of circumstance. It says something along the lines of "even when I can't see, when Your right in front of me, I believe". Faith is simply believing Jesus is who He says He is, regardless of evidence. Choosing to worship regardless of what we are going through or where we are. Saying "I believe You are the Christ"

Feels Like Home

Well I said I would post a pic of the home studio so here it is. We'll see how long it will stay clean. Maybe once I get on it, I can post some sample stuff through the telephone from audioblog. It may sound rough but it might be fun.

The Corner Of My Bedroom

Caution, Home Recording In Process

Well I decided to start recording again. Right now I am concentrating on writing new songs and recording them as I go. The result will hopefully conclude in a positive experience, digging deeper into the beauty and majesty of Jesus. I am, at the moment, reconfiguring my laptop into the home internet machine and my home computer into the recording machine. Lots of moving programs around, getting rid of useless stuff, blah, blah, blah. Later, I will take a pic of my new home operation so you can see it in all it's glory (yeah right). I am eager to get started. Eventually I will colaberate with other musicians in order to complete the cd. This time I want to do it right as far as packaging and distribution. As far as the live cd goes. I want to package it right one day. It was only 2 years since the recording of that cd (10.31.03) but it feels like decades. I've gotten such a good response from it that I want to eventually redesign the whole thing (lyrics on the insert...uh...an actual insert). Josh Petrillo gave it the album of the year in 2004. Anyway, I will mostly be focused on making this cd a worship cd, since my heart has been engulfed in worship for the past 2 years. I relized something while cleaning my daughters room today. It seemed the more I dug in, the messier it got. When I said that statement to myself I paused. Wow, "the deeper I go, the messier it gets" I thought. Worship is not about being proper or singing the right song or wearing the right clothes (not in conjuntion with the levites in old testament). But it's a filthy, knock down, zealous, fight. And the deeper we go, the messier it gets. You see, the flesh wants to do everything it can to kill our God given desire to worship Him. So in the midst of it, all this junk comes up, emotional and physical. But here is a thought to ponder. When it gets real messy, I mean, REAL messy, think of this. It's got to be tainted before it's purified. Yes my friends we are all on a journey (not the band) to purification. Chances are we will be, to the last breath. So when it gets dirty..........rest easy

Columbus (John Ruebens Home Town)

Well I finally got around to posting some of the pictures from my Columbus weekend. It was really fun and exciting. I always love working with John and enjoy playing his music. A new Cd is in the works and hopefully God will orchestrate me being able to collaberate with John once again. I met a lot of nice people in Columbus and once again I saw God doing things outside of Elkhart which is always a fresh reminder on how I need to destroy that mindset of the "christian bubble". Anyway, when critisized about selling beer in a christian establishment Franky simply replied "Some people enjoy having a beer when they eat a burrito". Does anyone at all believe that alcolhol does not make you an alcolholic. The reason you drink does.

Johns New CD "Desert Days" And His T-Shirt. The Lower Line Says "Folk For The Soul"

This Is The Vineyard Church We Played At

This Was Our Stage Setup At The Vineyard. I Was On The Left

John Talkin To Some Folks

John's Flyer

The Store Front Of Frankie's. Notice The CBN Sign. "Christian Buisness Network" Lol

Inside Frankie's (That's Franky On The Left)

The House We Stayed At. It Was Emaculate

Musician 4 Hire

Well right now I'm in Easton Ohio (half our from Columbus) at a Panera Bread with my friend John Lee who is playing tonight in Columbus at Franky's Coffeehouse. We are discussing tour dates and promotion. Right now I am playing various instruments with John for his live shows. I played alot of the instruments and helped with arrangments on Johns CD "Desert Days" so it seemed natural I play the live stuff to. John is lining up dates to play and if all goes well I'll be busy with that often, doing gigs in Bloomington, Indy and Chicago. Basically a four hour radius. I have a great time doing this because it is a chance to do what I love doing, glorifying God through music. John's songs are more reflective and offer the soulution of Christ not as the answer to struggle but the rock in the midst of struggle. Well got to go now, on my way to Grove City. I'll post full pictures of the trip later.

John Lee's Website