I will survive!

Next Saturday my littled girl leaves for college! In one sense...I know she is ready...in another...I think: "Oh my goodness, is she ready for this?" My answer always comes back to: ABSOLUTELY! We have been parents and prepared her to do the basics like study well, laundry, cleaning up after yourself and getting along with others, and most of all, love Jesus with all your heart. The rest is up to her...and most of all God, her heavenly Father. So, I guess it really is true, everything you learn in kindergarden is totally applicable to you as an adult! hmmmm...If you think about it...pray for this pathetic mommy! as we take her next weekend, which is chalked full of activities for both parents and kids. Should be interesting.
Posted by MJ Johns at 11:48 AM 0 comments

21 August 2008
The full process to term...
I have a full appreciation for why Jesus chose the metaphore of birth to illustrate salvation. I like to think that He understood how hard and long that difficult process can be. Any woman who has carried a child understands that giving birth is far more than the actual finish line, when the doctor hands over to you a precious little bundle (in Kaili's case, not so little...ouch 9lbs 3oz!!!) That moment, as staggering as it may be, is the ultimate culmination of 9 months of important events. It's the thrill of hearing the first heart beat, the ultra sound, the nausea, the feeling of that first kick in the ribs, crazy hormones, and the list goes on... It is also the thrill and joy of anticipation. But most of all, the complete surrender of SELF! It is the most agaonizing and unspeakably amazing sense of JOY!

I feel, that the way we really come to Jesus is much the same...it is to experience the full process to term...morning sickness, swollen ankles and all. Complete loss of SELF in order to gain unspeakable JOY! This Christian walk is a bit of a messy thrill isn't it?
Posted by MJ Johns at 1:54 PM 0 comments
Labels: my randomness

A grace note: It is my desire, as a leader in the creative arts to accomplish two things. I know that sounds really mindless and simple. What can I say? I'm a simple person. I feel it is my very calling to lead our artists in creating meaningful moments in church and to spark the desire for our band, musicians and vocalists to become more like Jesus. Providing leadership for these guys isn't just about what takes place up on the stage in front of everyone in our services. It's about what goes on in the hearts and lives of the artists themselves. This is a huge challenge for me to slow down, take the time to listen to their stories and spend the time with them in prayer. It is so big! It is essential to the breath and life of us!
Posted by MJ Johns at 10:55 AM 0 comments

Practical Skills for Vocalists
Practical Skills for Vocalists

From one vocalist to another...

I'll never forget the time I was supposed to lead worship and do some solos for a conference. That particular day I woke up and had no voice. I had been fighting it all week and my worst nightmare happened...NOTHING. It was a very scary experience that I don't want to repeat. Let's face it! We live in MI where cold weather and flu run rampant. Here are a few tips from one vocalist to another:

1. Stay generally healthy. That's right! (enough sleep, good diet and adequate exercise will help you sing better)
2. Warm up before you sing. Give yourself about 10 mins.
3. practice. Sing every day in order to build endurance.
4. If it hurts...stop! Don't continue to sing if you feel muscular pain. Don't use cough drops, they numb your throat to pain. Get help.
5. Get a microphone. Don't ever attempt to sing over instruments. Turn the amp up loud enough so that you can hear yourself and don't over sing.
6. Don't sing harmony at the expense of melody. Sometimes we have really cool tight harmonies...but the melody gets lost and the congregation can't pick it up.
7. Lead with your whole self. First of all, the vocalist is the worshiper and you need to do what is comfortable worship for you. Closing your eyes for an extended period of time will make the congregation feel disconnected to you. Ever try having a conversation with someone who's eyes are closed? The key is to reflect in yourself- your voice, body, face- what you are singing. Think about what you are singing and gently reflect what the words mean to you without performing.
8. Do your best.

Your voice box sits right in the middle of many important human functions like breathing, eating communicating. It is intricate and complex. The voice is the primary equipment that God gave to us to externalize what is going on inside. We need to invite God to work inside! This goes for me too! Just some things I have been processing this week, as I fight a head cold.

Last week was VBS! What an amazing experience it was for ME! I think the kids had fun...but so did I. I learned alot about giving love and epressing kindness to those who are in need. Every single one of these girls asked Jesus to be their Savior and Lord this past week. I miss them already!

I hope you all are having a great summer...I am!

Michigan is soooo gorgeous right now!

this is a picture of me when I first started at WCC