Gary Trobee

Mar

2010

I love my life

When I was in college a friend of mine would always pray, “God You are so big”, I remember thinking “That is the understatement of all understatements” however; I often find myself at a loss for words explaining what He is doing.

I find myself in that situation today.

Last weekend I had the privilege of being with some great people in Limon Colorado leading a worship retreat for Life in Christ Church. This is the first time a church has invited the community to join them. As a result we were blessed to have three churches represented. What a blessing to have different levels of musicians, different places in their walk with the Lord, and different traditions of worship. It created a different but very good environment.

We started on Friday night with Repentance and Dieing to self. It set the tone for the whole weekend. God was faithful and set a tone of reverence and expectation.

Saturday morning we began with Real worship, went into the rewards of loyalty by teaching through the book of Ruth, after which we were prepared to go to the centerpiece of the whole weekend, “walking in intimacy with God”. What does it mean practically to walk in intimacy with God? I know I’m supposed to read my bible and pray but there has to be more, and there is. We finished the morning answering the question “why music?”. If worship isn’t about music then why music?

After lunch we began by explaining what it means to be a “worship leader” and what is potentially wrong with the titles of “lead worshiper” or “lead follower”. We finished the heart portion of the day talking about excellence. What is it and can we offer it?

The practical “how to” portion began at about 2:00 with the purpose and elements of a worship team. What is the purpose of the choir and each individual element of the team. Where does each instrument fit into the sonic space. My friend Andrew did an excellent job with practical music theory. He starts with where we are rather than taking us back to theory 101 it was great.

After supper we went into planning and delivering a worship set and an actual rehearsal for Sunday morning.

I came home exhausted but energized. Seeing the fruit of God’s word and some practical application is always amazing.

If you were going to have a retreat what things would you add or subtract? What did I miss?

Mar

2010

Is Excellence Perfection?

Excellence is a word we like to throw around especially in Christian circles. My sons old school used it so much it almost had no meaning. It’s not quite as bad as “Awesome” or “Incredible” but almost.

What does is mean? In regard to performance, our effort, our offering, our worship.

We can look at Hillsong, New Life, Willow Creek, or Mars Hill and say it’s easy for them to offer excellence look what they have. But how can I offer excellence when all I have is an old church piano player and a 13 year old drummer?

Is it possible we have incorrectly linked excellence with perfection?

The dictionary defines “Excellence” as:

“The quality of being outstanding or extremely good”

So far so good but what is the standard by which we determine what is “outstanding” or “extremely good”? Is it Darlene Zschesch, Ross Parsley, Chris Tomlin, or is it the music teacher at the high school?

The dictionary defines “Perfection” as:

“the condition, state, or quality of being free from all flaws or defects”

Is that something we can offer? Do we have within our capacity or control to bring an offering free from “all flaws or defects”?

Vines Concise Dictionary of the Bible gives definitions for each usage of “excellence” here are the key words:

Over and above, The surpassing thing, To differ, A throwing beyond, The act of overhanging or the thing which overhangs, More, Greater, Superior by reason of inward worth, Mightiest, Noblest, Best.

When we talk, or think, about worship the word that is coupled with worship most often is “sacrifice” or “offering”. There are 5 different types of offerings in Leviticus.

Burnt offering, Leviticus 1:3

To show worship, devotion, and ask for forgiveness

Grain offering, Leviticus 2:1

To give thanks and recognize God as the giver of blessing and provider of good things

Peace offering, Leviticus 3:1

To ask God for blessing

Sin offering, Leviticus 4:1-2

To ask forgiveness for a specific unintentional sin or to become clean after becoming unclean

Guilt offering, Leviticus 5:15, 17-18

To make up for cheating, robbing, or destroying anything belonging to the Lord or to the people

These are all things we do, in whole or in part, when we come to worship. All of these require a sacrifice. All of them except the grain offering require an animal from the herd “without blemish”. The grain offering requires “fine flour”.

“Without blemish” can literally be translated “possessing integrity or truth”. Integrity is “the state of being whole or undivided”.

Consider King David in 1 Chronicles 21. Ornan was willing to give everything for the offering even the animals for the burnt offering. But David’s reply should cause us to stop and think, verse 24:

“I will not take what is yours for the Lord, or offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing”

Excellence then is:

“to offer the best I have, something above and beyond or different from the norm, something costly”

What are your thoughts? What am I missing?

Feb

2010

Leadership

Ask anyone what they think “leadership” is and you will likely get a different answer from almost everyone.

You will likely receive the John Maxwell definition most often:

“Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less”

Especially from young Christians. Or you will receive some variation of the following:

“The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers”, Peter Drucker.

“The process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”, Wikipedia.

The art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal”, About.com

Dictionary’s are absolutely no help at all. Websters says “the office or position of a leader”. Very insightful.

Robert Fergusson, my favorite Bible College lecturer gave this definition:

True leadership is a God given quality that enables certain individuals to be set over and direct others positively toward both personal development and a common purpose. Either through short term impact or long term investment.

Not that I have a specific beef with any of these definitions. I like the Wikipedia and About.com definitions the least and Robert Fergussons best.

However I would like to offer a greatly distilled definition. A definition descriptive of Jesus leadership and the definition we should use in the body of Christ.

Biblical leadership is:

“Laying down your life for those entrusted to you”

I will expound on my definition later but again I would like to hear what you think first.

Feb

2010

New Song

As you know earlier this year I set some goals. One was to write 30 songs this year.

Not doing to well so far but there’s still lots of time to make it happen. I have 3 I could call finished but had the urge to record yesterday so thought I would post one so you would know I’m not just making up numbers.

I know I’m not supposed to apologize for it before you even hear it so here is my apology. I’m going for quantity not quality. I’m also trying things I don’t normally do. Some of the lyrics are cliche’ I know that and there is a flat 7 chord in the bridge. It’s the old hymn I told you about reworked. So it sounds a bit old country.

There you go you can give a listen in several places. I have widgets all over the place.

If your reading this in Facebook you can go to my profile and click on “my band” you’ll see it on top of the list there.

If your reading the blog fed into anywhere else you can go to the widget on my profile main page.

If you happen to be on the blog itself there is a widget on the right side toward the bottom.

You can also find it here and here.

I don’t plan to leave it up long since it’s pretty raw and I will use that space the next time I want to share.

would love your feedback. Please be gentle :-}

Feb

2010

Goals Update

Did I mention setting goals is easy?

I know you were all thinking 30 songs in a year?!? I have 2 finished and 1 in my mind hopefully I can finish up today with it. Remember I’m going for quantity not quality.

The book is not really on track, I’m struggling to sit down and write. Still looking for a good word processor for MAC. Word just isn’t the same on a MAC, iWork is ok but having a hard time getting used to it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cycling is on track I’m keeping track of progress here if you would like more detail about it.

there is the long and the short of it. Thanks for keeping me accountable.

Feb

2010

Confession Time

What things, of eternal significance, should I focus on? In what areas should I focus on building the church? It all fits together and gets a bit confusing at times.

Feb

2010

Frontier School of the Bible (update)

From Carmen Carpenter on Facebook,

Many have wondered what has transpired with Frontier School of the Bible’s situation with the State of Wyoming. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools like Frontier by removing their religious exemption. Some of the effects of that statute were negated when Frontier School of the Bible was granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of all post-secondary religious schools in Wyoming. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption.

Please pray that House Bill 16 would make it through the Educational Committees, be placed on the Legislative Agenda, and be passed by the Legislature. Pray for wisdom for those from Frontier School of the Bible who will be meeting with the Department of Education and legislators. The legislative session begins February 8th.

Thank you for your prayers.

The following is a copy of the post on FSB’s facebook page:

Please pray for Frontier!

Hi everyone! Here’s an update on our situation with the State of Wyoming. All this is happening starting next Monday and through the month of February 2010. PLEASE PRAY WITH US! It’s been awesome to see the positive response we’ve had lately but we know it is GOD and GOD ALONE that will work through this situation! “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

****************
If you are a resident of Wyoming and would like more info on how to help, please call the school – 307-834-2215
****************

What is the situation?

Frontier School of the Bible is seeking to have our religious exemption restored by the Wyoming State Legislature. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools. Some of the effects of that statute were negated by Frontier School of the Bible being granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of Frontier School of the Bible and all other religious schools. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption and once again allow us to award degrees.

What can you do?

Thanks!

-FSB

Feb

2010

Sunday Set List

Seems like Sunday was a long time ago, and Saturday night even longer.

The Worship Community has a weekly featured called Sunday Set List. This week I decided to participate so here we go.

Saturday night I was at Life in Christ Church in Limon CO for a night of prayer and worship. We had a great time with a small but passionate group.

Here is the set list:

Hosanna (Praise is Rising)

Holy is The Lord

In the Secret

Open the Eyes of My Heart

Hosanna (Hillsong)

For Who You Are

I Will Stand

Hear us From Heaven

God of This City

Holy

Forever

Right of the top I didn’t turn up the volume on my guitar so It was all acoustic which made it a little hard to hear and made me pound on it a little harder trying to get the sound. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before don’t know what my problem was.

In the secret was an idea I got from a School of Worship student. We changed it up a lot and made it fresh. The people really responded well. I think I’ll try this with some other older songs.

We had a violin and a bass as well as my acoustic. The sound was good otherwise and the people came forward and shared thoughts and scripture I’m looking forward to going back.

If your a worship leader go to Sunday Set list and participate.

Jan

2010

Finally Got Started

After realizing setting goals is easy, it’s time to get going. So I guilted myself into getting downstairs and setting up the bike.

Stats and info will be posted here if your interested in the bicycle stuff.

It has been so hard to start writing songs again. At Bible college it was so easy. I think because there is an anointing on the place for writing songs. So this morning I picked up a hymnal from 1895 "Gospel Hymns Nos.1-6". No music, no notation, just lyrics.

When I heard A.W. Tozer used to go into his room with his Bible and a Hymnal to have communion with the Father years ago I started picking up Hymnals. I love them.

There is a gate that stands ajar,
And through its portals gleaming
A radiance from the Cross afar,
the Saviour’s love revealing.

ref.- Oh, depth of mercy ! can it be
        That gate was left ajar for me?
        For me, for me?
        Was left ajar for me?

That gate ajar stands free for all
Who seek through it salvation;
The rich and poor, the great and small,
Of every tribe and nation,

Press onward then, though foes may frown,
While mercy’s gate is open;
Accept the cross, and win the crown,
Love’s everlasting token.

Beyond the river’s brink we’ll lay
the cross that here is given,
And bear the crown of life away,
And love Him more in heaven.

I sat in the parking lot waiting for Kim with tears in my eyes as I read these lyrics. So to take the lid off the process I have reworked the lyrics and tomorrow I will record the melody that is ringing in my head.

the book writing is already behind schedule, so not out of the woods yet.

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Jan

2010

Real Heroes

It’s one thing to see stories like this on TV but when it’s someone you know it really brings it home.

Aaron and Tanya have been in this process for a long time and when they found out they could bring their boys home they could have just focused on themselves and that would have been fine but that’s not what they did.

With the help of Messenger International where Aaron is the CFO they chartered a 737 and brought home 80 children. They are considering other flights as well.

Watch this clip from the NBC nightly news and then go to the Messenger International website to see how you can help.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I love my life

Is Excellence Perfection?

Leadership

New Song

Goals Update

Confession Time

Frontier School of the Bible (update)

Sunday Set List

Finally Got Started

Real Heroes

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