De Otra Galaxia - From another Galaxy CD Release

Hey everyone, wanted to let you know that myself and a few others from Potter's House Christian Church and MakeSense Music, have come together and released our first album title: De Otra Galaxia - From another Galaxy! This cd is dope and is a must pick up!!

Just to give you some background, Here is who, what and how.

MAKESENSE MUSIC:
"Through the art of sound, our music will move you to the direction where you will come to your senses and become aware of who you are created freely to be - In fellowship with Christ"

MakeSense Music established July 30th, 2010 in Orlando, FL.

We are a group of volunteers that consist of the following: Vocalists, Writers, Producers, Graphic Artist, Promoters, Managers, and Investors of the Kingdom. Giving 100% to album productions to gain souls for Christ and being a tool in people’s hands through evangelism via Music and Creative Art.

Products involve: Productions of Professional Albums, Outreach, Church Services, Events, and Tours.

MakeSense Music is blessed by Pastor Rocky Alvarez of Casa Del Alfarero (Potter's House). We are believers of God's Living Scriptures, recognize Jesus Christ as our personal Lord & Savior, and always striving to grow in our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit

(this is a non-profit ministry with Casa del Alfarero/Potter's House)

De Otra Galaxia: From another Galaxy is available now!!

To purchase the album and/or to continue to fund/support this ministry contact us at makesensemusic@live.com or call 407.513.2434

A View from the Pew

Hey everyone this is Fuego and I wanted to share an article that I recently read. Very powerful and full of great insight.

As worshipers we need to understand our church/audience that we are ministering to and understand there view of worship. I hope it blesses you as it has blessed me. Enjoy

See you soon

Fuego

Written by Jan Owen

I had spent the last fifteen years of my life on staff as a worship pastor. Until November 8, 2009. At that time I resigned my staff position in order to start a mission organization aimed at equipping worship leaders around the world. And for the first time in 26 years I went to church each weekend and did nothing. I sat in a chair just like everyone else. I visited churches and felt out of place. And I struggled. As I sat “in the pew” each weekend I would often think of things that all worship leaders do – “that speaker has a hiss” or “Hmmm….that transition should have been tighter” or “oops, that cue was off”. It was hard to worship from an entirely new place – the place of an average church attendee.

Oh, I’d taken a sabbatical for three months. I even trained a group of worship leaders and had them lead regularly. I purposefully sat under other worship leaders so that I could be filled and have a chance to “just worship”. And as much as I wanted to learn from each of these experiences, while I was a worship pastor I could never experience worship from the perspective of your average church attendee and learn what it might be like for them.

A few weeks ago I was having coffee with a friend at Starbucks. I was sharing some of this with him – how I hated visiting churches, and how awkward everything felt for me, and how vastly different it was to come to church to worship and instead to cry the entire time because it made me so homesick for my team, for my old church, and for everything else I said good-bye to on that day. Church became a painful reminder of all I had lost and so every time of worship felt filled with grief. Harry, who is a fellow worship leader, sat forward and said “But Jan, have you realized how much God is teaching you about leading worship during this time?”.

I realized he was right. I’m learning things right now that I would have never learned if I had stayed where I was. I thought you might benefit from all that I’m learning as well. So here goes…..the top things I’ve learned about leading worship from NOT leading worship!

1) While crowded churches might make for great energy in a worship set, they are terribly uncomfortable for the attender. And nothing makes for an uncomfortable time of worship than sitting squeezed up next to an absolute stranger. As a worship leader, I loved a big crowd. As an attendee, I’d prefer a little more personal space .

2) I don’t care if you sound “just like the recording”, if I can’t sing with you I cannot participate in worship.I have always been extremely conscious of putting worship songs in “friendly” keys, but my experience from the pew showed me how vitally important this is. I’ve listened to many beautiful worship songs in the past seven months. If a song is too high, I’ll jump in and sing harmony, but I have been reminded that most people do not have that option. So guess what? When they can’t sing, they just stop singing. So remember – we really do want to participate and sing and worship with you. Please keep that in mind when you choose keys for songs.

3) Church is all about relationships. Most people come in the door of church looking for one thing – a chance to love and be loved. I learned a startling truth while visiting churches. People love the music and need life giving sermons, but they may be more interested in being known and being loved. They are less interested in being “wowed” and more interested in drawing near to God. They are not impressed with a grand performance where we all sit and watch. What will impress them is a sincere hello, taking the time to remember someone’s name, giving them time to be with God, and helping them find a friend and a place to serve quickly. Take your leadership off the stage and into the congregation!

4) New songs are fun, but we need some familiar songs each Sunday as well. I used to tell my team, “By the time we are tired of a song, the congregation can finally sing it without having to concentrate. And that’s when they begin to worship!” It takes a member of the congregation much longer to learn a new song than it does our worship teams. Remember that I am a musician and it still takes me several Sundays to learn a song from the congregation. If every single service is filled with new songs I spend my time reading the screens and trying to keep up. As much as I might long to really enter into worship, it is much harder when nothing is familiar.

5) Please give me time and space to worship. Sing long enough that I have the chance to turn that corner from a crazy busy week to being still before the Lord. Don’t interrupt me over and over again with instructions to sit down or stand up or moments where I have to learn a new song. I need a few minutes where I can forget that you are on the stage. I need time to shut my eyes and get lost in the presence of God. His voice is most important of all! I’ve realized that sometimes our worship services are not really designed for this. That leads me to the next point….

6) Honor the move of the Spirit. I know you’ve experienced it. That sweet, holy moment where God is moving and there is a sacred hush. But guess what? We have a funny skit or video set up to follow RIGHT NOW. And so we move on, disregarding what God is doing in our midst in order to move on with our own plans. I’ve done it and you’ve done it. And I’m sure your pastor has done it. (Big smile!) While this is awkward when leading from the stage, it is brutal when you are following from the congregation. There is a huge disconnect at that moment and we feel jerked awake by a splash of cold water. Worship leaders – and pastors – leave room for God every Sunday and be sensitive to where HE is going! Isn’t that what leading worship is all about?

Thanks for listening to the hard lessons God is driving home for me during this phase of the journey. As I travel around the world to train worship leaders, and as I sit in the second row each Sunday morning and follow our worship pastor, I am always aware of one vital truth: God is the one that does the transforming. I think the greatest gift we can give our congregations is the chance to simply be with God.

God bless you my friends! I pray God moves in your churches in a mighty way as you worship Him!

Am I Really Back this time?

Hey what is good everyone!

It seems like I have been following a pattern lately. Blog, disappear, blog again, disappear again.....
Well here I am again. I am really pushing to stay consistent in my blogging this year, but am sure like most people, we get bombarded with things left and right and by the time you know it, it has been months since you we have posted a blog.

Well so much has taken place throughout this new year with my: personal life, marriage, worship, ministry, work, etc. Let me give you a quick update of what's been going on.

Personal Life

Gym: I started working out again! Wohoo! I thought I wouldn't come back but how can you say know abs and muscles! lol I will keep you guys posted on my progress, which by the way is turning out great. I am seeing dramatic and fast results in just 2 months.

Gaming: Still gaming hard! Picked up a few games. Battlefield Bad Company 2, Dante's Inferno and of course still rocking hard the Modern Warfare 2!

Marriage: It is going great. We have are ups and downs but we fight through together. No kids yet and maybe not for a while. We are just enjoying each other and life. My wife is also working out/dieting and it has helped me tremendously.

Worship: Great year so far in worship, our entire team is growing with new singer and musicians, which is a great because it allows breaks, rotation, and diversity in singing and music style within the ministry. Looking forward to some up and coming projects that we are putting together this year. Can't wait.

Ministry: It is a great time for ministry in our church. We are going through an expansion/construction process right now and things are going really well. The church is growing drastically and we can't wait for our new building, that should be up late spring, early summer of this year. This expansion will be beneficial for the worship team being that the altar will be bigger, new sound equipment/technology, new instruments, lighting, the whole shabang!

Work: Thank God for work! Sometimes! lol My job has been a blessing financially. At the moment I am a Conference Coordinator. I pretty much organize medical, financial and business conferences around the globe. Sounds important huh! lol Last year was a super tough year for me and my wife financially but God has opened up doors. I have great coworkers and a great atmosphere of work.
Don't tell anyone but I am currently pursuing my Personal Training Certification! It is something that I have always wanted to do but never have. Well the opportunity has arose again and it ain't passing me up this time. Let's see where this takes me. You never know until you try (of course under the Lord's direction).

But that pretty much sums it all. Short and sweet, well kind of... lol

Oh! I forgot I am also going through a hairstyle change! I am excited so far but still have a little while to go. I will keep you guys updated with the process.

Stay updated weekly on my blog page and feel free to leave me comments here and there!

Until next time



Fuego

Is Worship your hobby?

What is going on my fellow bloggers! I know it has been a while but I am back! Check this podcast out and let me know what you think.

Fuego

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Spotlight Addiction!

***Spotlight Addiction has been featured in theworshipcommunity.com***

Is your worship team addicted to the spotlight?

As I sat with a good friend of mine a couple of nights ago, we spoke about our worship teams spirituality and where it was at and we both came to a conclusion (or revelation) of how being in the spotlight (as a member of the worship team) could become and addiction, if there isn't a strong relationship with Christ. It could cause an addiction to being in the limelight, being the center of attention, getting praises from everyone, and the list can go on and on.

Several questions stayed in my mind that entire night, like "Is my worship team addicted to the spotlight?", "Are other worship teams addicted to the spotlight of there calling and responsibility?".
Have you ever thought this question before? As worship leaders we must know what is driving our people to come to rehearsals and services, week in and week out. Is it the genuine passion to worship God and be a vessel used for His glory to bring others to His presence, that is driving our people? Or is it the excitement of being on stage with the spotlight directed on you and all eyes focused on you, and your craving for the attention and importance is being satisfied at that moment, that is driving our people?...... (Sorry I know you were into it.)

If you want to read the complete article then click here.

Until next time
Stay blessed

Heart Check

Is it time for a heart check in your worship team?

I was at our Sunday morning fasting as I heard my pastor say, “An empty vessel cannot give anything”. That statement really touched my heart and stayed in my mind for a while.It eventually lead me to 1 Samuel 16: 6, 7. 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do!People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”
(When you get a chance read the entire chapter to get a better understanding of the story.) In other bible versions it says, “the Lord looks at the heart”, and that is where all of this is going.

What is the condition of your worship teams heart? And even as a worship leader, What is the condition of your heart?

Every worship leader strives to bring excellence in and through worship. We desire to see God’s presence move week in and week out. So we get the lineups ready, assign harmonies, set up sheet music, set up arrangements and mixes, make sure everyone comes on time, makes last minute changes and on and on. But when do we get to focus on the spirituality of our teams? We want to do great things for God, but sometimes we push God away when there is no balance. We focus so much on the outer appearance of worship that we neglect what truly matters and what worship is all about. We go into our worship sets one way and leave out the same way. God is more concerned about the heart of our worship teams, then new arrangement, the new harmonies, the new mixes, the songs selections, etc. And don’t get me wrong all of that does matter but it is not God’s main concern. God’s more concerned about the internal than the external. He is concerned about our hearts and the development of our character than anything in the external (or physical realm).

So what needs to happen? We have strive to be vessels that are full of two things.
1. Prayer
2. God’s Word

Because we cannot give what we don’t have. We cannot lead where we have not been.Every member of our worship teams (especially the worship leader) has to be full of these two things. They have to be full of consistent prayer. Day in and day out. Having a consistent line of communication with God. Luke 18:1 “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up.”

Our worship teams (especially the worship leader) has to be full of God’s word. It doesn’t matter how eloquent our speech is or how many words we may know or even if we are a good public speaker. It will never compare to the Word of God. It will never compare to quoting a scripture to your congregation at that right moment. Joshua 1:8 “Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.”
When everyone in your team gets to this point only then will your team succeed in accomplishing it’s divine purpose.

So worship leaders, take some time to sit and think about where the level of spirituality is in your worship team. Be open and sensitive to what the Holy Spirit wants you to do. Know what God wants and is expecting from your worship team. Cry out for your people and if you are reading this and you are only a member of a worship team, then you intercede for your team. Pray that your leader may know what God wants and is expecting from your team concerning the level of spirituality.

I pray that worship teams across this country can be able to bring excellence in worship from the inside out. In the altar and away from the altar. In our public life as well as our private life. Let us all live a Life of Worship.

On a scale of 1 to 10 ( 1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest) where do you consider you and/or your worship teams level of spirituality to be at?

Is there a healthy balance between spirituality and weekly execution of tasks in your worship team?

This post has been featured at TheWorshipCommunity.com.

Where would you be?

Where would you be? That is the question I ask you. That is the question I asked myself last night as I sat in my office and put aside the busyness of life. Where would I be if it wasn't for Jesus Christ? I wouldn't be where I am at now, married, homeowner, worship leader, cell leader, healthy, happy, at the right church, with the best family and friends. It would be the opposite for me. But as I looked back it has been undeniable that every achievement, every victory, every goal reached, every miracle, every breakthrouh and every blessing was possible because of Jesus.

Romans 5:8-11 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Being a believer means that at some point in your life you needed to be rescued, you needed hope, you needed to be cleaned, you needed to be forgiven, you needed unconditional love,you needed salvation. I know I needed these things and until today I still need them. Think about it, how can we truly reflect back in our lives if nothing better has taken place from then to now. If hope, forgiveness, love, and salvation hasn't caused a change in our lives then what can we possibly reflect back on? There comes a time where every believer must put aside the busyness of there schedule and reflect back (in detail) to what God has done in there life and to see how far they have come. They must be able to see a difference from what they use to be to who they are now. Once that happens, it becomes a fresh revelation that breaks you down and humbles you. Then followed with this sincere and grateful question of, Where would I be? That's what happened to me and that is what can happen to you.

There is no better feeling than to know you are at the right place, time, and doing the right thing in God. If it has been a while since you have sat down in a quiet place and reflected back at all that God has done for you, then it is time that you do that. Let the revelation of God's continued faithfulness and answered promises, cause a sincere gratefullness and humbleness in your life. To know that you have moved forward is to look back and still see your past, but to see behind you and far away.

Where would you be if it wasn't for Jesus?
Share your story!

Until next time
Stay blessed

The Starting Point

What's up everybody(especially S&T)! It's me Johnny.I am so fired up to have my own blog page, now I can talk all I want! woohoo! This blog is identical to the one I sent on Friday, so if you read it, read it again! lol if not be blessed. I know this week has been full of a lot of information and changes but I am very proud and happy that everyone has been able to understand and move with most of it. In saying that, it might feel abit over whelming to some with all that is going on and I want to tell you that I totally understand how you feel.

I was talking with God this morning and I told him this, I said "God Idon't want to get lost in all that I am doing for you, I don't want to run ahead of you or be behind you, I want to be next to you" What I am getting to here or the purpose of this message is to let you's know The Importance of a Relationship. We all have heard this message many times but it is easier said than done. We all have or have had friends and in that friendship you shared something that for the most part keeped you involved with that person and because of that involvement you developed love and trust for that person. You developed a relationship. In saying that we cannot forget about our relationship with Jesus. It is the starting point to all that happens in our lives.We all have shared amazing moments and times with our Lord Jesus Christ but we cannot just leave it at that, we have to continue to establish and make our relationship with Jesus, stronger and top priority above all job, ministry, etc.

During my conversation with the Lord I visioned me and Jesus walking side by side with each other, laughing and enjoying each one's company. But I began to think about my schedule and what I had to do and accomplish so in that vision I saw myself walking faster andfaster, leaving Jesus behind and telling him to catch up to me, until I couldn't see Him anymore and I was walking by myself. Maybe that is you right now, caught up in so much that you have forgotten your starting point. You ran so fast and are doing so much that you left Jesus behind and can't see Him anymore and are walking alone wondering where He is. Or maybe you are walking to slow because you are afraid of commitment and the possibility that God might use you to do something you have never done or go somewhere you have never been before, and because of that God is telling you to catch up to him.Whatever the case may be your relationship with God is the starting point. No matter how many hours of work you put in, or how busy your schedule is, or how many ministries you are in, never lose your sight from Jesus. Keep Him side by side with you. Follow Him and stay next to Him.

As your Worship leader my top concern is not that you bring your recorder, or memorize the harmonies, or remember every chord and note (but don't get me wrong, I do want you to know those things) but it is that your relationship with God is consistent, healthy, and strong. The ultimate accomplishment is to know love and to know your creator.So as the people come and you stand in the altar with the music aboutto start, and the lights dimmed, think about your relationship with God. Are you walking ahead of Him? Are you behind Him? Or are you nextto Him? Wherever you may be it's never to late to get back to your Starting Point!

For a biblical reference check out Psalms 50:7-15
Stay Blessed S&T as well as everyone else

One Spirit, One Truth, Spirit and Truth!