10/21/2009
For those that have been in church 20 or more years, you have no doubt noticed a shift in music.
We used to gather on Sundays, flip open a book (called a hymnal, or if you were REALLY up-to-date it would be a “chorus book”). The music team was often led by someone up front waving an arm up, down, left and right (sign of the cross?) and the “band” was a piano player or organ – and the back up singers were 50 in number … they called this a choir and they even wore choir robes. Everyone had a part to sing, whether it be Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass. Oh yeah, those books that they read from, had these little dots with lines going up or down. They were usually find on five lines that were stretched across the page.
Then … it went to song books which had several “updated” music in it. The arm waver was still there, as well as the music team, but maybe the addition of an acoustic guitar. The choir group, became an octet … and they all matched outfits, usually light in color.
Then … the discovery of using an overhead projector incorporated into the “modern” mindset. The overhead allowed you to show on a big screen quick changes of music. We all lifted our heads “up” (to the screen) instead of “down” to the book. The sound from those in the pews was more loud. The music team is now led by a guy with an acoustic (maybe) and the piano. The organ would be used for special music. The octet is now a quarter that MUST consist of two men, and two women. One of which has to have a bushy mustache (the males that is).
Then … the use of slide projectors that had sections of songs on each slide. Fancy. This was usually brought out with an additional team which consisted of the acoustic guitar player (now plugged in to the sound board), an electric bass, drums (but a very low key set and usually off stage somewhere), piano player (which is still a main instrument – but sometimes the piano might be replaced with a keyboard). What’s an organ? The quartet is now mostly ladies, and one of the ladies might have a resemblance of a mustache of some sort. The lone male on the vocals is usually really skinny. They still like to dress the same. The songs are much more upbeat and sometimes even somewhat modern (if you call 20 years in the past modern).
Then … the use of the infamous “power point”. We are smokin’ now! This means instant back and forth of songs, low cost, cool snazzy affects (like the flying in of words, or coloring of certain words … or even … with the artistic ones … an introduction of a picture in between songs). The band is a band with an electric/acoustic leader, backed up by an electric bass, drums (on stage), keyboard and some kind of brass/orchestra instrument of some sort now and then (violin, sax, tuba, etc.) The vocalists range from a single female back up singer that has sweet pipes and incredible harmonies to a hip quintet. They no longer feel it necessary to stand in a straight line that is angled, but now are in duets throughout the platform. The songs have now shifted from the yesteryear of the hymnbooks and are now songs that include songs of Jesus, but also more about our feelings. They also tend to be in a range that the only “men” that can sing it are ones that have been castrated or have not yet hit puberty and still have that ability to sing 12 octaves up.
Then … we ditched power point because it is so ‘linear’. We now go with other programs that allow the music leader (who is usually sporting some kind of fashion trendiness) to be able to go with the flow and be led by the spirit. This allows them to completely skip over a song or add a song as ‘they are led’. This means more headache for the sound crew (and now the light crew as the stage is more geared towards performance aesthetics). The looks of the screen have changed as we can now add video in behind the words that are being sung. Usually there is a lit candle somewhere on stage. The music team? They shift – they usually sound incredible, and are in constant rotation, but often are not the same weekly. The vocals share the music leading. The songs are now pretty much just three songs, in the key of D, that usually emphasize 12 words over, and over, and over, and over, and over. The only organ that is being spoken of is that of the anatomy. The songs are still outrageously high and the windows budget is astronomical as the songs sung are constantly shattering glass somewhere). There is usually one new song that is being sung every week, some of which come from the top 20 on some local radio station. Thankfully they shy away from doing country songs (for obvious reasons … is there any real joy in country music?)
What will tomorrow hold?
All of these have had major impacts in the lives of those that gather to worship Jesus. Music is an appreciated part of the life of believers. It is also a divisive part. Each generational shift in the music has catered to the current culture that the church is wanting to reach (albeit still from the culture of yesteryear).
God values our worship of Him in any way it can happen (Music, life, prayer, etc.). But music tends to be the one thing that the whole church can do together … a community thing.
I tend to go into moods with singing at church. Sometimes I am just not in the mood because I am too busy critiquing what is going on (repetition of words, songs about feelings, and high pitch). I wonder if I would be more effective by shutting my mouth and reading the words. Regardless of my approach, God desires my worship of Him.
What do I do to allow God to outwardly see what is going on inside?
How could singing be so important to God?
How many octaves high are we supposed to reach?
Do most men actually sing in church?
I think my buddies Vin Thomas and Tyler Braun have sounded off on this before. Check ‘em out.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
church, Jesus, meaning, music, selfish, thoughts, wonder
2 Comments »
10/18/2009
I like Sunday’s.
I like going to church, hearing about Jesus, seeing many friends with my family.
I like spending time with my chickadees relaxing (and sometimes even taking a nap).
I like watching America’s Funniest Video and Extreme Home Makeovers as a family.
I like lazily skimming/reading books that I have in my “stack to read”
I like that the kids go to bed a little earlier and Mer and I just sit around.I don’t like cleaning though …
What do you like about Sunday’s?
family, fun, love, tired
2 Comments »
10/14/2009
I like board games. There are quite a few that I have played over time that capture my interest. Somehow, someway I will figure out a few that I think would be fun to share and post them up here.
But just for fun, to start a discussion …
What is your favorite board game to play … and why?
boardgames, fun, game
7 Comments »
10/09/2009
Cloudy pics from Eastern Oregon – I don’t know why, but I like ‘em
dayoff, photo
1 Comment »
10/08/2009
Tomorrow, I get a much needed (unsure about the deserved part) day off. Having worked 18 days in a row with one day off (that I ended up having to work a few hours anyway).
What will I be doing. Mer and the girls will be gone at co-op most of the day. I will either be in bed or on the couch watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy!
Oh yes … and maybe some sleeping.
busy, dayoff, tired, work
3 Comments »
10/06/2009
Recently inspired by Salem Tribe, I really would like to get back into writing my thoughts and ponderings of various things. Some my own, some from others.
But I am in a bit of a sink hole. I don’t know what to say. I utilize Facebook to be able to share quick thoughts on “what am I doing”, but I am not sure what to say here.
So, let me ask all three of you that have read my blog something … what have you ever found beneficial from me on my web page? Was it pictures, dumb humor, thoughts, sharing of what I have found while surfing, musings on the Mooney’s, etc.?
Go to www.randymooney.com to reply (unless you see this on facebook, then … you could reply there – but you miss out on all of the goodness of the other two that read it!)
Thank you!
What do you want to see from Randy on his website?
9 Comments »
09/02/2009
Back in May my heart went into what is called “A-fib” (I am not lying to you!). Basically what my heart did was wake me up in the morning going REALLY fast. It’s kind of like waking up and realizing you are late for something. I figured “no big deal” and will relax as I was getting ready for work.
It didn’t slow down through my shower.
It didn’t slow down through breakfast.
It didn’t slow down through ride to work.
It didn’t slow down as I sat at my desk for a while at work.
I then asked a nurse to just listen and tell me what she thinks. “Ummm …. you better check yourself in (to the ER).” I did, got room #20 which happens to be the closest room to my office and the major pathway where everyone walks by – including my staff.
As I stripped down they started plugging me in to various electrical thingamabobs. There is nothing more unpleasant being half naked in front of your staff. “There called man-boobs, deal with it and get back to work!”. They also decided to shave half my chest (the side over the heart) so they can zap my heart back into place. The Dr. was a bit sadistic. The heart monitor showed I was beating at 150+ beats per minute.
As the anesthesiologist came in, they were explaining they were going to knock me out for enough time to get zapped. I asked “if I kinda need to pee now, will zapping my heart make me pee my pants?” they kind of laughed … and then asked “would you like to go now?”. I did. I will tell you it is a hard thing to pee while laying down and having only a little curtain separate you from a fellow supervisor and director waiting outside the door.
Thankfully the anesthesiologist was called away, because after a short time, my heart “self-corrected” and I was able to go home for the rest of the week.
We figured it was due to stress. (The previous week I worked a LOT of hours trying to get my area moved into the new building and it WAS particularly stressful).
A few weeks ago it did it again. I did almost the same routine, kept trying to just slow down in the morning and will my way through it. Nope. On the way to the ER as we turned onto the campus, I asked Mer to pull over. I listened to my heart and it had “self-corrected”. Saved some money for an ER visit. But now decided, I better let my doctor know it happened again.
So last week I went to a heart doctor. He had me do a cholesterol screening and an echo. The screening was easy. And the echo was a little odd. This guy kept playing with my chest moving this instrument around. It was pretty cool to see my heart on the monitor. He was quite knowledgable as he showed me the different aspects of my heart.
At this point, I am waiting for the “official” results and no doubt have to do more tests, which means more money that I do not have. Sigh.
I think the biggest thing out of this is is that I need to get my fat ass into exercising again. So I will be quitting my monthly membership to a local gym near my neighborhood and join the one at the hospital. I will be much more likely to go at work then when I get home.
I currently weigh 276 pounds! (Hey hey hey …)
My goal is to be around 230 pounds within a couple of years. (please don’t contact me to sell me any products).
Realizing that not exercising for a looooong period of time could be an underlying reason for the a-fib.
I hope to post about this more and my struggle with what is going on.
I have cut the caffeine (major sigh) and having been drinking more root beer. But, I am thinking the sugar from the root beer is not helping the caloric intake, so will be slimming down even on pops.
heart, jog, pounds, Weight
6 Comments »
06/12/2009
8 months ago I was hired on at the hospital. I was pretty much told on the day I arrived that “you’re boss has been fired, and your going to be doing two jobs while being paid for one”. The other job was that of basically a project manager, making sure that my areas were able to be moved into the new tower effectively. Now that the tower is over … well that’s a bit relative, at least until I work out all of the optimizations. I do have to say, it is nice to just be what I was hired to be – a supervisor.
I have learned a few lessons in this whole ordeal.
1) I need to operate better in my strengths, and find someone else to operate better in my weaknesses.
2) Just because someone else says they “need it” right now, doesn’t mean that they “need it” right then.
3) It is ok to prioritize your work and schedule based on your goals assigned to you by the one who writes your review.
4) There is never, ever any good reason to work 60 hour weeks multiple times.
5) There is never EVER a real good reason to work a 73 hour week .. and end it with a 19 hour shift.
6) If your wife says you need to slow down, slow down!
7) When your heart goes wacky and causes you to take a trip to the ER just to be “reset”, it’s time to chill out and relax a bit
When your staff can see you half naked laying in an ER room it’s a good idea to ask them to close the door. Yeah … also, make sure you have clean underwear.
9) Take breaks!
10) Don’t neglect your relationship with Jesus (or family) because of work. It will ALWAYS be busy.
Have you learned anything from your work habits?
busy, deepthoughts, tough, work
No Comments »
04/20/2009
I have had the privilege of preaching many times over the years.
I remember the first times I preached … I was extremely nervous. I had planned and studied and crafted it so well, that when I delivered it, it lasted a whopping 20 minutes long. I was aiming for at least twice that.
Preaching is a funny thing. Much like music style at church, there is a preaching style that is preferred. I have tried to change my style to fit in ways that people needed to hear.I used to spend hours preparing not only the studying portion of the message, but the presentation. That presentation would include the notes and the visual aspect (stuff on slides). I usually would wait until the last hours to produce the “visuals” and then stay up to the wee hours of the morn finalizing that … then going to the church to make the final copies. Ugh.
I have a routine/habit for preaching that tends to go like this.
- Decide on a topic
- Spend time researching the topic
- Realize that I didn’t pray enough and jumped the gun
- Pray
- Allow God to direct me to a topic or passage of Scripture
- Read the passages on the topic or the passage in context
- Read the passages in a BIGGER context
- Think through logical points (based on research)
- Take a break and play some kind of game or do something to distract me
- Create outline that makes sense
- Think that I don’t have enough to last for 40-50 minutes, so prepare more and repeat steps above
- Re-create outline
- Realize that I have to much to go with so trim
- Re-create outline
- Study more because now it doesn’t seem enough (again) …. repeat these steps a few time
- Usually on Saturday I pull my final stuff together and then go to church to practice in my head (not outloud) trying to get the message outline in my head
- Freak because it is either to short or too long
- Go through outline making edits
- Normally I take a nap in the sanctuary (not necessarily on purpose, I just lay down trying to go through the major points in my head and end up sleeping in between praying and preparing) … oh yeah, I didn’t mention this but I really do a lot of praying throughout trying to make sure that I am listening to what God might have me change and to make sure when I preach, it is His words being spoken but within my personality/style.
- After the nap (I mean prayer and outlining) I usually play around on the piano and think how fun it would be to be a rock star.
- Then I go over the message a couple more times and then realize that the whole message is dumb because I haven’t spent nearly enough time making sure that I am allowing God to guide my thoughts and just created MY outline.
- Pout
- Get up and read the passage in a bigger context to make sure it is fitting the point of the original author and that it is focused on Jesus.
- Before going back home, finish printing the final outline and visuals.
- Go back home and go to bed (usually Mer is sleeping by then ’cause it’s laaaate in the night/eeeeearly in the morning. While sleeping I am praying and going through the outline.
- Wake up in the AM, get coffee and something in my stomach resembling a breakfast that is not greasy.
- Go to church and if early enough stand on the platform and try to think through who might show up, pray for them and go through the message.
The last time I preached though … I didn’t follow my 567 step routine. I was sick. I had a final go/no-go decision to make by Saturday afternoon and at that moment I felt ok. Later that night I was sick. It was the worst that I have “presented” a message in years. What upsets me the most was my reaction though. I know that when I preached I presented our need for Jesus (if anyone who was there didn’t hear about Jesus, let me know so I am not off base), I was more upset at my presentation of it. That is just wrong. I should be satisfied that Jesus was preached (as in we are sinners and need a way out of our sinful condition so we can actually begin a relationship with God … all of that is done through Jesus who took our place for the penalty of sin … if we believe that, we can begin that relationship). I had thought I got beyond the “Randy is a good preacher” phase … but I guess not. I would honestly be ok (at this moment) if I never receive a compliment again. The only comments I really want to hear are “wow … I saw Jesus” or “That’s what God is?” or even “I want Jesus”.
I do recognize that to honor Jesus more with my skills, I do need to put some time into my “Craft” of preaching. I don’t want to just stand up and say “Jesus”. I need to develop a reason for him … sometimes just simply showing what He did so others can develop a love or appreciation for Him. But I don’t want the focus of my preaching to be about me. Nor do I want the focus of what I preach to be about whatever people want to hear – like popular topics, or how we should feel good about ourselves, or certain theology. All preaching should be focused on Jesus.
Enough from me … what about you?
Bible, deepthoughts, Jesus, ministry, prayer, truth
6 Comments »
