So there’s this problem I have.  It’s a recurring struggle that visits every Summer.  My infatuation with the Chick-Fil-A Peach Shake.  I don’t even want to know the calorie count.  All I know … it’s a taste of heaven on earth.

Like his youngest son (me), my Dad is a man who appreciates something like a good shake.  So I’ve been telling him for quite a while that he had to experience this.  In our hometown of McRae, GA there is no Chick-Fil-A anywhere around.

Mom and Dad are on vacation in FL this week, so I kicked off this “texting” exchange with my Dad.  Thought you’d enjoy it, too:

Me:  Have u found a chickfila yet to get a peach shake?

Dad:  Oh yes!  It was awesome!  Good thing a Chic Fila isn’t close to McRae.

Me:  I’m in the drive thru now.

Dad:  Hate to remind you, but remember Romans 12:1.

Me:  Nothing renews me better!

Dad:  That’s verse 2.  Verse 1 exhorts us to submit our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy & acceptable …

Me:  That’s not in my Bible. 

Dad:  Think I’ll tear that page out of mine. Too late, though.  I’ve already messed up on that one this week.

Me:  Well, as Adam said, “its that woman you gave me” – Joy gave me a Chick-Fil-A gift card in a shake cup for Father’s Day.

Dad:  I like that reasoning.

———————-

So there you have it.  It was Joy’s fault.

mar • gin

… an amount allowed or available beyond what is actually necessary: to allow a margin for error.

Hey Gang,

So the blog has been quiet lately.  There’s a reason for that … several, actually.

In April I published this post asking what God was speaking to you in 3 words or less.  Some of the responses were very insightful.  One of my 3 words was:

“margin”

I’ve always been the guy who stacks too much on his plate.  I leave with just enough time to get to my destination, I procrastinate, and I tend to cram more activity, work, ideas, and tasks into my life than I have room to accomplish.

Over the last year, I’ve found myself dealing with anger … a lot.  I will lose my temper quickly, the smallest things get under my skin and frustrate me.  I began to pray … a lot … and I kept hearing God asking me this rhetorical question … “Fred, why are you so angry”.

It feels kinda ridiculous for God to ask you a question, ya know.  Like, doesn’t He know the answer?  And to make matters worse, I’m desperately searching for the answer, so why not just tell me!?

The more I sought the answer to this question, the more I realized that “lack of margin” in my life was contributing to this.

So, as the definition above states, margin is “an amount allowed or available beyond what is actually necessary” ….

So here’s the questions for discussion:

1.  Do you feel that you have margin in your life?
2.  Yes?  How did you accomplish it?
3.  No?  Why – do you see a way out?

What’s your plan of action.  Time to bring this blog back to life folks, I look forward to your ongoing discussion.

For the Kingdom,

Fred

Today in our Staff Meeting, our new Family Pastor, Mark Fritchman, asked this question:

“If you could ask God for ANYTHING, and you knew that He would answer, what would it be” …

So, what’s your answer?

Artist:  Saint Lewis (Shannon and Cyle Lewis and friends)
Album:  Songs from the Hope Farm

Hey Everybody,

It’s with great excitement that I share the much-anticipated album, “Songs from the Hope Farm” by Saint Lewis is finally available on iTunes.  Shannon Lewis is the Associate Worship Leader at SSCC and I have the privilege of serving God’s Kingdom with he and his lovely wife, Cyle.  Shannon is also a blogger and contributer at TheWorshipComunity.Com

On a personal level, I am biased because I love Shannon, Cyle, and their family … so, I’m gonna be excited about this release regardless.  I’ve seen YEARS of sweat, prayer, toil, victory, and heartache poured into this project.  I was given the privilege of playing B3 organ on Track 3 and gave input into some of the mixes.

On a professional level, I’d highly recommend this project simply because of it’s diversity.  Lyrics are Kingdom-minded.  Melodies are diverse.  Style changes from song-to-song, yet maintains a signature “Saint Lewis” sound.

My favorites?
3.  Wandering Heart
4.  Quiet Your Heart
5.  Fly  (lyrics – I love this line, “there’s so much more to be seen from the sky …”)
8.  Never Cease to Sing (we did this at one of our Night of Worship events, love the pads and keyboard work of McKendree Augustas on this!)

So … if you’re a little bored with the status quo … with the same, pop-rock guitar sounds, pulsing 8th note bass lines, and predictable chord movements, click the iTunes graphic above or just head over to iTunes and pick this album up today.  You’re supporting an incredible artist, worship leader, and family.

Today is Sunday, June 13, 2010 – and this is our worship service recap from SSCC.  I’m posting this along with hundreds of other worship leaders in the “Sunday Setlists” event that happens every week over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com.

Today was a blast because I was able to debut the first song I’ve written in nearly 6 years.  It’s called “You Save” and it’s the fruit of my first songwriting collaboration with Mandy Thompson.  More on that in a second …

Our walk-in song this morning was “Marvelous Light” … Shannon Lewis has always “owned” that song and done an awesome job leading it.

Opening Set:
“Alive Again” (Matt Maher and Jason Ingram)
“You Save” (Fred McKinnon and Mandy Thompson)

After some announcements, missions video, sermon promo, and challenging word by Pastor David Yarborough, we celebrated Communion.  During communion we worshiped with:

“You Gave Your Life Away” (Paul Baloche and Kathryn Scott)
“Be Thou My Vision” (hymn)
“Revelation Song” (Jennie Lee Riddle)

One of the cool additions today was violin, courtesy of Ms. Carol Parks.  Below is a video of the new song, “You Save”.  Enjoy!

Verse 1:
Darkness, famine, trials, temptations,
Sorrows, anger, lies, frustrations,
Where, o where are You, God?
I feel a million miles away yet I know you are near
Are you listening?  Do you even hear?
Where, o where are You, God?

Chorus:
Where o where does my help come from?
I cry out into the night …

Verse 2:
Lusts of the flesh and the greed in my heart
Selfish desires to be set apart
Where, o where are You God?
Have my sins hidden me for all eternity?
Will you rescue?  Will you still help me?
Where, o where are You, God?

(Chorus 2x)

Bridge:
Your arm is not too short to save
Your reach goes deeper than the grave
When I’m crying to You
You save!  You save!
You save …. You save …

(repeat)

My help comes from the Lord above
Maker of heaven and of earth
You watch over me and run
to save!  To save!
To save …. To save …
You save …. You save ….