FredMcKinnon.Com

As some of you may know … I’m in the process of planning (and hope to launch the official event site this week!) a spiritual/sabbatical retreat here on St. Simons Island on October 23-26 called “Refuge”.

I’m studying a book called “Sacred Rhythms” by Ruth Haley Barton, an author that is well-known for her teaching and leading on the subject of spiritual transformation and solitude.

I loved, loved, loved, loved this passage in the book.  It summarizes my heart and vision for this sabbatical retreat.

In the end, this is the most hopeful thing any of us can say about spiritual transformation:  I cannot transform myself, or anyone else for that matter.  What I can do is create the conditions in which spiritual transformation can take place, by developing and maintaining a rhythm of spiritual practices that keep me open and available to God.  (Sacred Rhythms, Ruth Haley Barton)

There is no way that a 3-day event will create those rhythms, but it’s a starting point … a place of solitude, renewal, awakening, rest, and listening.

How about you?  What rhythms do you have, if any?  What spiritual practices do you implement to keep you open?  Are you keeping them regularly, in rhythm, or are they erratic at best?

Let’s hear from you today.

“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses” … “they said” …

We are familiar with the story in Numbers 12.  Aaron and Miriam get jealous of Moses’ supreme authority and begin to talk about him and question him.  God Himself calls a timeout for them, and gathers the 3 together.

“Why then were you [God is speaking directly to Miriam and Aaron, whom He'd called forward]  not afraid to speak against my servant Moses”?  And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.  When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow.”

So … here’s my question.

Miriam and Aaron were both clearly in the wrong.  God’s anger was kindled towards them both.  Yet, Miriam is the only one who got leprosy and was kicked out of the camp for seven days.

Why not Miriam and Aaron?  Was it because she was a woman?  Did she do something worse? Seems like it’s not fair; yet, God is a just God.  So clearly, fairness is not an issue.  I’ve read this story for years and never stopped to ponder this.

What do you think?

Well, I did it.  I’m a gadget addict, I confess.  I’ve successfully starved off the craving to own an iPad since those sleek, sexy tablets came out.  It lasted for quite a while.  But now, I’ve caved.

Yes, I ordered an Apple iPad 2 yesterday.  They seem to be out of stock everywhere so I ordered from Apple.Com and it’s supposed to ship in 1-2 weeks.

My purchase was not without a good bit of prayer and research.  Prayer?  Well that’s a nice chunk of change for a gadget that is clearly more of a “want” than a “need”.  Am I being a poor steward of my finances in making the purchase?  Couldn’t those funds be better used by those in need?  Research?  Well, I’ve read numerous reviews both praising the iPad and bashing it.  I have trusted friends who gave theirs away and others who say if they had to do it all over again, they’d still make the purchase.

Here are 6 reasons I took the plunge:

1.  Portability:  I carry my 15″ MacBook Pro around everywhere, and I don’t carry it around without having my backpack.  There are so many times when I prefer a digital workspace but don’t want to lug the bag and laptop around.  I think of how portable and easy it would be to carry this (and only this) into my meetings for notes, sketches, ideas.

2.  Digital Archives:  I try to be as paperless as possible – if we’re handed a few pages of notes or outlines at our church staff meeting, I followup immediately afterwards with a request for the e-document and I throw away the papers.  Using a cloud-service like Dropbox enables me to keep my documents with me and easily accessible.  I am planning on creating an extensive database of lyric/chord charts that I can access on demand when leading more spontaneous, free-flowing worship times.

3.  Worship Production:  Two of the applications that we use daily in creating, planning, and executing corporate worship services are PlanningCenterOnline and ProPresenter.  The iPad allows me to interact with either of these (as a music stand, a lyrics display, etc) from the stage with a minimal footprint.  If only the iPad ran Ableton Live, I could keep my laptop off stage completely.  I also understand that there is an app that may allow me to connect remotely to our Yamaha M7CL mixing console and adjust my monitor mix.  Travis would love nothing more than never having to tweak my picky monitor preferences again.

4.  Product Sourcing & Sales Data:  as I begin to get more involved in product sourcing for my e-biz, I find myself needing online access to verify a product’s sales rank in the marketplace, verify competitive pricing, etc.  With plans to visit some trade shows and expos where I’d need to make fairly quick decisions on bulk purchasing, this information is critical to me.  As I’ve been making arrangements to visit one particular event, I could only imagine negotiating with a manufacturer or vendor and having to say “could you wait for me to find an office somewhere around here where I can pull out my laptop and do some research”.  What I can imagine is having an iPad within reach where I can do quick research via the Wifi and web browser on the spot without having to setup a mobile office space.

In addition, we’ve recently migrated all of our e-biz sales data to FileMaker Pro.  Although we do have web access to our FileMaker databases, some of the functionality of the software is not available unless you connect with the actual software of their iPad app, FileMaker Go.  After previewing the FileMaker Go app on the in-store iPad at Verizon the other day, I was hooked.  FileMaker has a great promotion running where purchasing their iPad app gives you a $150 discount on their desktop app, which I am required to purchase.  This sweetened the deal for me.

5.  Entertainment:  well, c’mon let’s be honest.  Having an iPad will just be fun.  I look forward to de-stressing by playing some pinball, Angry Birds on bigger screen, or watching a movie in the car.  With 4 kids, all who are constantly asking my wife and I if they can “play my phone” … I’m sure it will become a family media device.  I’m OK with that.  Granted, that usage needs to be balanced, but I’m up for the challenge.

6.  Personal Study and Reading:  From everything I have read, the Kindle is simply a better device for reading.  Period.   I’m a gadget guy, absolutely, but I’m not planning on buying a gadget just for reading.  Enter the Kindle App and my ability to read books via the iPad.  I look forward to interacting with YouVersion.Com as well in my daily Bible Study.

I’m sure there are pros and cons to owning an iPad.  I would be the first to say it’s a luxury item.  Perhaps I’ll update you in a few months on how it panned out.

How about you?  Do you own an iPad or tablet?  How do you use it?

One of the best things that has happened in my life through blogging and social media is the connections and relationships that I’ve formed.  I think about friends who visit the blog here, who chat back and forth via IM, Twitter, and Facebook … many of whom I’ve now met in person … and what a beautiful way the internet has connected us …

Lately, I’ve seen a trend … a trend of bags packing, positions closing, doors swinging open and shut … change is in the air.

There are times when it seems like God takes a deep breath and doesn’t just move a chess piece; rather, He shakes up the entire board.  I am seeing that happen with several worship leaders and ministers across the nation.  Just last week I spoke with at least 3 different friends who are walking through a season of change and transition.

Transition and change is never easy.  It takes a complete trust and reliance on God.  I feel qualified to say that, as I’ve been there myself.  I’ve taken that deep breath and walked away – from church positions, from status, from financial provision, from platform and influence … and God has been there, and His will always came shining through.

If we’ve spoken (or emailed) – trust that I’m praying for you.  If you are in this place and haven’t reached out, let me know.  I’d love to add you to my list of soldiers in transition that need a covering for grace, peace, and provision.

Most of all – keep the faith.  Keep your head high.  Pray.  Worship like never before.  Glorify God in all you do and say.  Trust Him and know that His plan for you is a great plan.  Easier said than done when you are in the furnace … but this too shall pass.

Are you anchored and in a solid place?  Why not stop and pray for those who aren’t.  Even if you don’t know of anyone by name (but that would surprise me) … say a prayer for all of those in ministry leadership who are in that awkward place of transition and change.

For the Kingdom,

Fred

Happy Mother’s Day!  Here’s a quick recap of our worship music set from St. Simons Community Church.  It’s been a great Sunday with a great band.  If I had to think of a couple of words to describe this morning’s set, I’d say “simple” and “relaxed”.  We’re singing some older songs and using some lighter arrangements that work well for a smaller band.

Walk-In:
“Your Love is Amazing” (Hallelujah, Your Love Sets Me Free)
*based on the last Brian Doerksen recording, love this newer arrangement of a great song

“Everlasting God” (Brenton Brown)
*still one of my all-time favorites to lead corporately.  We’re singing back God’s Word with this tune.

Baby Dedication:
What a great day to honor Mothers in having Baby Dedications.  After dedicating the babies we have a time where various pastoral staff and Elders pray for the parents and kids – during this time, we typically do a softer arrangement of a song focused around consecration and dedication.  For this moment, we did the Passion version of “Take My Life”.

Special:
“Word of God Speak” (Mercy Me) – a light arrangement of this classic ballad to setup our sermon, called “Word of God Speak”.

Closer:
“I Will Never Be” (Hillsong)
*an older Hillsong ballad that’s been a classic in our church for years.  “Never be the same again” is a tagline used in our branding and church logos, and it’s a prayer of our church, that people will encounter God and “never be the same again”.

I’m sharing our setlist with other worshipers who participate in the “Sunday Setlists” event, hosted by TheWorshipCommunity.Com.  Check it out!