 
Ten Differences Between Strength and Courage
by Bob Burroughs
December 6, 2010
Quote
He who has not served cannot command. (John Florio)
Scripture
I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too. These things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; My words won't wear out. Luke 21:29b (The Message Bible)
Prayer
Great God of the universe, Creator of all things now and to come, Giver of life, and Merciful Redeemer, those who love You and are committed to You are grateful this time of the year for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who was born a human baby, lived a perfect life, was put to death for the sins of the world, and who rose again to conquer death and Satan! Hallelujah! May our many celebrations this month be aimed specifically at rejoicing in Jesus Christ and blessing You for His life, death, and resurrection in our behalf. Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Amen, and Amen.
What Think Ye?
The following came across my desk recently, and I thought since the new year is right around the corner, it might be a good article for discussions.
The Paradox of Our Age - Author Unknown
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers.
Wider freeways, but more narrow viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less.
We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families.
We have more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less common sense.
We have more knowledge, but less judgment.
We have more experts, but more problems.
We have more medicine, but less wellness.
We seem to spend too recklessly, laugh far too little, drive way too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little if at all, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too little and lie too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up air, but polluted our souls.
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, and learn less; we plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals.
We have more food, but less appeasement.
We have more acquaintances, but fewer friends.
We have more effort, but less success.
We build more computers to hold more information, we produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.
We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of fast food and slow digestion; tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world wars, and domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom.
What think ye 
Leadership
Ten Differences Between Strength and Courage (Author Unknown)
- It takes strength to be firm. It takes courage to be gentle.
- It takes strength to stand guard. It takes courage to let down your guard.
- It takes strength to conquer. It takes courage to surrender.
- It takes strength to be certain. It takes courage to have doubts.
- It takes strength to fit in. It takes courage to stand out.
- It takes strength to feel a friend's pain. It takes courage to feel your own pain.
- It takes strength to endure abuse. It takes courage to stop abuse.
- It takes strength to stand alone. It takes courage to lean on someone.
- It takes strength to love. It takes courage to let yourself be loved.
- It takes strength to survive. It takes courage to live.
This Idea Will Work
Ten Ways to Begin the New Year
- Give more than your people expect - cheerfully.
- Know your music well! Never be caught short.
- Always support your staff and your pastor.
- Wag more often and bark less.
- Talk slow but think fast.
- Spend time with God alone. What you learn will overflow into your music preparation and rehearsal words.
- Stretch your personal skills. Even with your degree(s), you don't know it all.
- If you make a mistake, hasten to correct it.
- Never allow a minor dispute to injure a great friendship.
- Life is short enough! Take time this new year to live life to the fullest!
Taken from the book:
This Idea Will Work--136 Ways to Revitalize Your Music Ministry
Lorenz #30/1794L / $12.50
Humor
All I Needed to Know About Life I Learned From Santa
- Encourage people to believe in you.
- Always know who's naughty and who's nice.
- Don't pout.
- It's as much fun to give as it is to receive.
- Some days, it's OK to feel a little chubby.
- Make your presents known.
- Always ask for a wee bit more than you really want.
- Bright red can make anyone look good.
- Wear a wide belt and no one will notice how many pounds you've gained.
- If you show up once a year, people will think you're important!
- Whenever you're at a loss for words, say "Ho! Ho! Ho!"
To read more of this week's MME, including new music reviews, please click here.
© 2010 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
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New Product Reviews
Awaken the Dawn, 14 New Vocal Solos with Keyboard; Music and Lyrics by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend; CD - $$13.98; $9.99 if CD is downloaded; Individual song downloads: $.99 each; Book: $11.99 by mail or $9.99 if downloaded online; Click on the title or cover and you can see all the texts and hear portions of each song in the collection. AND--we have just been told that there is a stack of Getty music in SATB format and with orchestrations. Click here to see the list.
 Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend continue to amaze me because of their creativity in their music, the theological soundness of their lyrics and that the three of them can work together from two countries: Ireland and the U.K.! Their lyrics are fresh and deeply profound. Their music is catching and easy to sing. The ranges are well within the abilities of most congregations. I bless God for these three remarkable people. Awaken the Dawn is such a fine album. The 14 songs/hymns have been arranged in such a way that the lyrical journel flows as a worship experience, so the soloist - or soloists can guide the congregation through a wonderful experience. There are pages with the stories behind the songs--a very nice way to let the congregation know how these songs came to be. This is a wonderful collection of new materials that can mean much to your music ministry. The CD is right on target--well done. It was filmed in Ireland. The accompaniment in the vocal book is quite sparse--it should have been a bit fuller for the pianists who cannot improvise well or who would care not to always double the melody, but for the most part, it works! Well done, Gettys and Townend!
In Christ Alone, 10 Vocal Solos (and one "bonus" solo, with Keyboard; Music and Lyrics by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend; CD - $$13.98; $9.99 if CD is  downloaded; Individual song downloads: $.99 each; Book: $11.99 by mail or $9.99 if downloaded online; Click on the title or cover and you can see the lyrics and hear portions of the songs in the collection.
In this "songbook collection," you will find 10 new recordings of the Getty's best-known hymns--all sung by Kristyn Getty, and currently being sung around the world! The accompaning songbook has simple keyboard arrangements of all the songs and there are stories of how each of these songs came into being. It was pure joy to sit and listen to this album, for I know most of these new hymns and they are quite remarkable. They "soothe the soul," as some would say. MME highly recommends this CD and book!
Songs That Jesus Said (Scripture Into Music), 20 songs helping kids engage with the Bible; Keith & Kristyn Getty; Book, which includes Backing Trax CD: $7.99; CD: $12.75 through the mail; $8.70 if downloaded; Individual downloads: $.79 each
OK - We are talking absolute "fun" here! This is a wonderful, fun and exciting book and album for kids of all ages! All 20 songs are in unison. Keyboard is sparse, but the traxs are absolutely wonderful--full of energy, life and the kind of sounds to which the kids will enjoy singing and listening. There are five "chapters" that make up the book: (1) Meeting Jesus; (2) Things that Jesus taught; (3) Friends that Jesus has; (4) Following Jesus; (5) Jesus' big plan. Each of these songs will captivate the young singers and hold their attention. These tunes would be great for VBS, a spring or summer concert or--just ffor fun in rehearsals. They will look forward to singing them over and over again.
Conferences
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
Professionals Gathering
Theme
"Servants of the Word
Creating Space for Transformation:
February 3-6, 2011
Pam Professionals Gathering - what a way to get new energy, inspiration and challenges for the new year! This is one fine conference--in the middle of Winter--to restore your soul musically and spiritually. The Conference is pleased to announce that Bruce Neswick, Director of Cathedral Music & Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, NYC, will be the organist for the Saturday evening Hymn Festival and lead a workshop entitled "Hymn Improvisation - The Organist as Servant of the Word". The Westminster Choir College Handbells will also play at the Hymn Festival. This promises to be an event well worth your attention.
Click on the logo or the highlighted first words in this paragraph or the promo ad, and you can download the brochure with all details and information to put you on the tract to renewal and great fellowship!
The Calvin Symposium on Worship, scheduled for January 27-29, 2011, on the campus of Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, will be a highlight for anyone interested in an ecumenical conference bringing together an audience of pastors, worship leaders, worship planners, artists, musicians, scholars, students and other interested worshipers. People from around the world gather for fellowship, encouragement, and renewal of their commitment to the full and complet ministry of the church.
Each day begins and ends in a creative worship experience. There are a wide variety of classes covering literally all aspects of worship. A faculty composed of some of the world's great worship leaders will be available to challenge and inspire. To see the complete schedule, faculty, and to register online, click on the logo or the title and you will be taken there. If you are looking for a place to grow in your worship concepts and wish a challenge to stretch your people as well as yourself, this is the conference for you!
Bits 'n Pieces
MME expresses appreciation to GettyMusic for sponsoring this issue., except for the Book Review! Keith and his wife, Kristyn, have become very well known modern day hymn writers. They work with Stuart Townend to create some very singable and theologically correct hymns that are being sung all over the world! Keith and Kristen from from Ireland and Stuart is from the UK. They are a marvelous team and be sure to click on each name and be taken to their fabulous websites to learn so much about these wonderful people who are affecting worship all over the world!
Final Thought
In this final month in the year of our Lord, 2010, it may be a good challenge to go back through 2010 and remember all you have accomplished and weigh these activities to see if it is providing more time with your spouse, family and time  for YOU to rest, relax, slow down and be more creative! Make a list on paper with a line in the middle. On the left, write things that were good, successful and meaningful to you and your ministry. On the right, put in the things that perhaps did not fit into your plans. Now--keep this list as you go into the New Year and see if you can continue the good things and gradually rid yourself of those things on the right side of the page. It will make 2011 different! (The photo was done by 1700 Duke University Students!)
Bob Burroughs
© 2011 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
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