http://www.allpraise.com/blog/rss.php?w=new New Blogs in All Praise Blog. en-us Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:22:42 -0600 All Praise Blog RSS jimmy@allpraise.com http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=47 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=47 in 2008, All Praise Ministries turned 10 years old. Wow. I could go on and on about those ten years, but I'm not one to look back very much.  There are some that say you need to remember from where you came in order not to repeat your mistakes. But God tells me we can be renewed everyday, and that's how I choose to live. So, that said, lets look at All Praise in 2008 and down the road into the future.Over the last year, so many people have contributed to the efforts of All Praise Ministries, and for that we are thankful. But the contributions I most adore are the prayers that so many offered up in 2008. I can't tell you how many people reached out to simply say, "we've/I've been praying for you," or "what can we pray about for you?"  Those people showed a willingness and an intuitiveness to help where we needed it the most, in the spiritual realm. Bless you. It's my prayer that you'll keep us on your prayer list in 2009.Of course, those of you who gave monetarily did so because you also believed in our mission of helping churches and other music ministries reach the lost with their efforts. And that's exactly what we've been doing..Please read on: Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=46 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=46 As the title suggests, I've been less than diligent in updating this website. It's been so long since the last blog, e-letter or email, updating you on the happenings surrounding the ministry. Well, let me take this short moment to say that some big news is coming. Soon. And we're very excited about it, Our hope is that you will be excited as well!  What is it? I can't say today, but soon. Very soon.What I CAN tell you is that a lot is happening and God is preparing us for something so large that I'm not sure my little mind will be able to wrap around it. But isn't that how God often works? God is so stinking huge and so grand. In fact, even what seems to be the most enormous and daunting tasks to us, are merely infinitesimal parts of His greater plan for our ministry. WOW! That blows my mind.Going so long between blogs also means I haven't posted our weekly worship sets in a long time either. So, here it is for the last 4 weeks. Read on..... Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=45 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=45 What really gets under your skin? I mean the one thing that ticks you off so much you just want to scream. Is it when someone cuts you off in traffic? Rude waiters or waitresses? People who lie to you? What about social or religious issues? What grips your heart and won’t let go? Hunger? Homelessness? Adulterers? Batterers? Deadbeat dads? Unwed moms? Orphans? Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=44 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=44 As most of you know, in addition to running this ministry, leading worship and consulting churches, I also run a group of 6 radio stations in Columbia, SC.  I have been in the radio business since the age of 12, and other than ministry, I've never done anything else.  In such a secular industry, I've seen it all. From drugs, sex and Rock-n-Roll, there's not much I haven't experienced when it comes to human behavior. And in 45 years of life, I've never seen what I saw yesterday. Read on....The South CarolinaDepartment of Revenue Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=43 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=43 It's amazing how coming back from vacation one can feel so alive and so misplaced at the same time. It was great to disconnect for a week with my bride, but dude, coming right back into the flow can be hard to do. But leave it to our incredible worship team to make it easier than it felt. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=42 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=42 So, since 1994, I've never, EVER taken a full week away from a computer. But this week, it's just me, my wife, and the Blackberry (I'm not totally nuts.)We're heading to Hilton Head Island for some fun in the sun, a lot of quiet time with God and just some face-to-face time with my incredible wife.  I'm the most blessed person I know, and here's why.... (read on) Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=41 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=41 #6: Submits to Authority So, you're a worship leader. You have tons of talent, ideas and God has called you to implement them at the first church you land at. Yeah, right. Early on in my life as a lead worshiper, I was full of fire, fresh ideas and a desire to please God and others. I like to think of myself that way today, but with one huge difference - maturity.  In my teens and early twenties I was convinced I knew exactly how God wanted me to lead worship. As a result, I can recall at least a couple of times when I disregarded a pastor's instructions or a mentor's advice - all for the sake of doing what God had called me to do. And I can also recall the outcome of my decisions. Not good. As a worship consultant, I encounter many different dynamics between senior pastors and worship leaders, and the most destructive is.... (read on) Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=40 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=40 Today was fantastic. Our Summer youth intern preached and we were all blown away.  Some times, you here pastors say that and wonder if they mean it.  Man, Eric Stapleton is the real deal! He had the entire congregation in the palm of his hand, speaking on, "Love Like Jesus."  I love his quote, "They will NEVER see Jesus until you LOVE like Jesus." Jot his name down... you're going to want to remember it one day! As I told you, Today's set list was going to be a bunch of oldeis but goodies. We typically shy away from anything older than about 2006, but today, instead of the entire band, we had a three piece (guitar, drums and bass) and two singers. It rocked, as we played some of the songs I use to do back in the day: 1. Love The Lord - Lincoln Brewster2. Your Love is Deep - Jami Smith3. I Could Sing of Your Love - Passion version4. More Love, More Power (our own version) We leave Saturday for HIlton Head Island. Can hardly wait to read books, ride bikes, eat at great restaurants, and enjoy the company of my beautiful wife.  May not even take the laptop! But you can keep up with me on Twitter for sure!Check back here tomorrow for another Trait of a Successful Worship Leader - #6.Or, read 1-5 here:#1#2#3#4#5 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=39 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=39 Trait #1 was Willingness to LearnTrait #2 was LeadershipTrait #3 was Leads by ExampleTrait #4 was Loves OthersFor Trait #5... Read on: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=38 http://www.allpraise.com/blog/blog.php?bid=38 If you’re like me, you’ve read 1Corinthians 10 many times. And like me, you may ave been quick to discount its relevance in today’s society. After all, Paul was talking about a specific issue for a specific time, right?  Nope. There’s so much more there for us to understand that I’ve already planned several sermons on verses 23-31. The meaning and importance of this often read but often overlooked passage is complimented and supported by 1Corinthians 8 as well.  So what do they have to do with us worship leaders? Everything. Read on..... Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500