paint in my eye!

I woke up to a foot in my face. It seemed Kyra woke up sometime early this morning, so Angela brought her into our bed so we could all sleep till the sun came up. It was about 5:30 when I noticed the feet. For some reason, I always get the feet. Later on, I was startled awake. You know that feeling you get when someone is watching you? Well, that’s what I had. I opened my eyes to see a huge blue eye staring at me. Kyra had rolled over, woke up, and was staring me down…about an inch from my face! Usually I’m a cranky-pants when I wake up, but it’s pretty hard to feel anything but joy to see a gorgeous 2 year old just staring into your eyes. I slowly smiled and she uttered her good morning statement, “dahddy…you, you, have paint in you eyie!” HUH! Paint in my eye?!? And then it was clear. This past Saturday I had painted my office. For the rest of the day, Kyra thought it was her mission to point out any paint that might be left over on my shirt, hand, etc. I didn’t have paint in my eye, (I have showered since last Saturday :-) but I did have dry skin. I tried to explain to her that I didn’t have paint in my eye, but I had dry skin. No good. She wasn’t getting it. She then quickly sat up and started barking orders. “You, you, you shave, bwush you teef, and take-a’ showuhh…in there!” (as she pointed to the bathroom). Man, 2 years old and already bothered by guys’ hygiene!

josh groban in jail...

Angela got me a belated anniversary present. Josh Groban’s “Closer” CD. I know it’s not very manly music, but back off! :-)
As I popped it in the CD player on the way to work this morning, I listened to his current hit “You Raise Me Up.” I love this song! This last weekend, I was asked to sing it as a duet with Sherry at the Marion County Jail. Every month, some of our jail ministry folks do a worship service at the jail. This month, Jim was speaking. He’s been where these guys are, so he has instant “street cred’” with the guys. The jail choir (yes, they have one) did a few tunes and we sang some as a congregation, then Jim spoke. He talked about David’s sin with Bathsheba and how we all mess up; it’s what we do with the mess up that really counts. He really has an anointing when he speaks. A wonderful testimony to God's saving grace. He hit it out of the park! I am so grateful for guys like Jim, who are willing to share their story. Then Sherry and I sang “You Raise Me Up.” We’ve been singing this song at NC, but performing it for these guys was a whole different experience. First, I was a bit nervous…and I never get nervous. I guess I was just a bit intimidated; but the guys really seemed to get into it. I've sung these words before, but as I sang them Sunday evening to a room full of prisoners, I realized just how much God has “raised me up,” and how much He promises to do the same for those guys…all of us, if we just ask. I know that I’ll never sing that song again without remembering a hundred guys, dressed in orange jumpsuits...all longing to be raised up too.

wednesday

I stayed home this morning to help clean up the house. We have a showing for our house tonight! I pray this is the one. I am so tired of living so far away from the church. It’s starting to really get old; and Angela really wants to spend more time with moms from church, but it’s just not possible right now. May the Lord bless us…and quick!

My main job was to vacuum. For some reason Kyra hates the vacuum. She gets really ticked when I turn it on. I assured her it would only be on for a few minutes, but she was trying so hard to stop me. She would sit on my lap or grab a hold of my leg. I tried to reason with her and told her that someone was coming to look at the house and it needed to be nice and clean. I went on to say that if this person liked our house, we would move to a new house. This obviously confused her…she looked at me and said, “Our house is broken?” I laughed so hard. In her little 2 year old world, you only get something new if the old thing is broken. Makes me think that perhaps we adults just make things too difficult.

This week the Praise Team practiced on Wednesday. The team sounded really good tonight. I'm really looking forward to Sunday!

I'm still hearing great positive feedback on Sunday's service. Mike and I worked really well together...we just seemed to "get each other." Sure, it was different, but I really think it was more than just because it was "different." I know that had some to do with it; but from the moment we began, it just seemed to have a special anointing. I hope we have more times like that. Those are the moments that remind me how lucky I am to be a Worship Minister.

Tonight, my class was great. I hesitate to really call it "my class." I really just help facilitate it. We talked about having faith like a child and whether our faith was based on the provable, trust, or a combination. I really look forward to that time each week. We spend time in worship, and then just share our hearts. I don't really plan too much, but I'm continually amazed how someone will come up after and say how much they needed that and it just "hit home" with something they were dealing with that week. That's a total God thing! I love being part of His purposes. What an honor. That's why I'm bummed we're gonna take a break from that format for a while to work on music for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. I know we'll lose a few from the class that aren't planning on singing in the Christmas Chorale, but I promised we would not just spend our entire time singing. Hey, perhaps those who don't normally participate in stuff like the Candlelight Service will give it a try this year.

Well, it's getting late...

all is quiet...

This week is shaping up to be a very quiet week around the church. Both Mike and David are gone this week, so it’s just Dawn and I. Dawn and I ate lunch (brown baggin’ it, just like in elementary school..my lunch was better, I got cookies :-) together. We actually spent more time talking and less time eating. We both shared our hearts, our struggles with “church work”, and how we can create a more spirit-led community as a staff. We spent some time in prayer. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. As a staff, we spend very little time together as a unit and even less time in prayer. We have staff meetings every Monday morning, but that time is spent going over our schedules and a prayer for any member needs. So we both made a commitment to do a better job of acting when the Holy Spirit prompts. We’ll see how it goes…
I love having people like Dawn in my life and as part of our ministry team at North Central. Her tender heart and love for Christ and His people is obvious. I’ve been really lucky to find that quality in both church “secretaries” I’ve worked with. When I was at Franklin, I was able to share my life and ministry there with Debbie. We were so much more than co-workers. She was a friend, mentor, counselor, and prayer partner. And I hope I was some of the same to her. I know that I’ll have the same in Dawn. Let’s give a standing ovation to the unsung heroes of church work…the church secretary. They carry a burden far greater than simply answering the phone. I have been super lucky to work with such great women of faith!
After we prayed, we hugged and somehow just “knew” that things will get better. God is good.

Nap Time!

What a week! I’m sitting in my newly painted office on Sunday afternoon contemplating whether or not to go the Teen Center and take a nap! I made a commitment to go sing with our jail ministry crew tonight, so there’s no sense in making the long trek home.

Today was great! Since our Children’s Ministry Sunday was postponed, I had to come up with something quick. Mike Brown (our youth minister) and I talked for a bit and decided to do a gathering on the 139th Psalm. It was very unique (for us at least). We both stayed on stage most the time, sitting on stools and volleyed back and forth between songs and teaching. I broke up the passage into 4 sections and we had video intros for each one. We also used the Psalm 139 video from Igniter (I love those clips) as a Call to Worship. Several of the readings were pre-recorded with video images. One was read in Spanish by one of our members and translated in English on the screen. That was really cool. The other was read by Mike’s daughters. It was so refreshing to hear God’s Word spoken with such drama. Yes, it was “cute” because 2 little girls were doing it, but they captured the essence of the readings (from the Children’s Bible).

It’s always encouraging to hear people talking after services about how they were touched or worshipped; not just “you guys sounded good.” Not that I mind the latter :-), it’s just good to know that all the efforts really do make a difference in people's lives and their worship to the Father.

Well, I think that nap is calling. And I just may find some loose change in the Teen Center couches…how can I pass that up?

Punkin Pash

Angela, Kyra, and I went out to the “punkin pash” (pumpkin patch). Actually, it turned out to not be a patch, but they had pumpkins there just the same. Kyra ran around, touched them all, and finally chose one that was just her size. We got her picture with it, and then went inside to pay. Then of course, she saw what I call the “mini-me” pumpkins, and just had to have that. She could barely carry the “small” pumpkin she picked outside, and this one was just right! We got both…
It’s amazing how it’s those seemingly insignificant moments in life that are the most precious.

Later, we made the long trek to the north side to a get-together for new members. We cooked hot dogs, played Taboo and had a great time. The kids loved watching Ice Age on a real-life movie screen! The hosts of the party have an absolutely amazing home. My favorite part…the awesome home theater. Not the “wanna-be” big screen TV with Best Buy audio system. But a projector, 15 foot (my guess) widescreen with stadium seating. Awesome!

Oh yeah, and after a week of harassment and jokes about being a “blog nerd” from my lovely wife…she started one! http://angelabruce.blogspot.com She just wants to be like me :-)…or not.

change of plans

We were saddened to hear the news that one of our elders lost his father yesterday. John’s dad has been struggling lately, so although it wasn’t a surprise, it’s still hard for the family. I never met the man, but his legacy is a testimony to his character in Christ. John and his brother will be leading the service, so please pray for them both.

We were originally scheduled to have a Children's Ministry Sunday this Sunday. We have lots of really cool things planned with and for our children. But we made the decision this morning to postpone it till December. John is one of the children’s ministry leaders, and planned on sharing a short message and directing some testimonies from our kids this Sunday…he’s got other things to take care of right now. Another one of our children’s ministry leaders’ mother is near death as well, so it just doesn’t seem the time. Since David (our preaching minister) is going to be gone, Mike Brown (youth minister) and I will be quickly working to put together a special Sunday. I know that the Lord will bless our efforts, but I covet your prayers and any ideas you may have :-)

what a weekend!

Wow, what a weekend! Lots going on…Today Angela and I celebrate our 6th year of marriage (yes, for those that know me, she has actually survived!). It was great to drop Kyra off with the grandparents and spend some time…just the two of us. Money is tight (isn’t it always) so we opted to spend the afternoon lounging around, then we went to a matinee (i.e. cheap) movie and out to the super luxurious TGI Friday’s! Actually Friday’s has some significance to our relationship. I may actually owe the fact that I’m married to Angela to TGI Friday’s! After a few years dating, Angela broke up with me for about 3 months, and during that time I “woo-ed” her back by taking her to Friday’s constantly. There was something about that Oreo Madness that made her see the light :-) LOL

We went to see “Sky Captain”. It was actually pretty good. A bit cheesy, but it was refreshing to see a PG movie with big name stars.

It’s always refreshing to spend some quality time with your spouse. By quality, I mean away from the kids! We don’t go out on date nights often enough. That’s something we’re gonna work on…so keep me accountable! Since leaving youth ministry, I have been home more and it’s been nice to have more time with the family; but we still struggle to spend time just the two of us. My wife is a blessing from God. Beautiful and silly. A great combo. She’s a great mother and a good friend. God, thanks for giving me so much!

Sunday…another wild and crazy Sunday! Since Kyra was away, Angela (a stellar alto) was scheduled for the Praise Team. Since I’m always busy, she doesn’t get a chance to sing very often, and I love it when she does. I got up early and was pumped for a great time of worship. Then of course, things start to unravel. Angela calls, she has a flat tire. Since we still live an hour away from the church, there’s no way she’s gonna make it for the start of service. Normally, not a big deal; but the last 2 weeks, we’ve only had 1 singer per part, so no alto. The first service starts at 8:30 and I’m missing our alto and tenor. Luckily, the tenor shows up (something about having a pregnant wife and 4 kids…excuses :-) LOL Our soprano decided to sing alto so we at least had a complete chord. Needless to say, it was pretty rocky! Without a sound check, no warm-up, and the fact that it is 8:30 in the morning, we struggled through the songs. Things got noticeably better when Angela arrived, and about ½ way through the service, things started to come together. We had a great 3 person reading from Psalm 116, communion remarks were inspiring and David delivered a great message on being there for each other. But boy was I glad it was over!

2nd service…man, what a difference. Musically we were much sharper. I seem to do much better after singing for an hour or so. I’m gonna have to start getting up and ready even earlier :-). The congregation just seems more awake, livelier. I'm thinking of spiking the 1st service commuion with caffeine. My in-laws were visiting again…I know they love their church home, but I sure do like having them in worship.

the perfect office!

It’s almost done!

I’ve been here at North Central for exactly a year (to the week) and I figured it was about time to actually “move in” to my office. I sort of had it set-up, but when the Worship Center (now dubbed, “New Life Hall”) project started, it became the storage room for all the A/V gear. An awesome gal from NC (and a good friend) has been helping me put together ideas to create my own little email reading, bible studying, sharing, music arranging, media production, worship planning, outreach event organizing, prayer room! :-) And after several revisions, I think we’ve arrived! I was looking for something that expressed who I am, but also created an atmosphere for worship and reflection, all while providing space to do “stuff”. I found some great art by artist Gwen Meharg. Her website, Draw Near to God, has some great Christian art. Not the cheesy art (sorry) you see in the stores, this is great stuff! Here is one of the pieces I chose.



Next week is our Children’s Emphasis Sunday (bad name). It’s traditionally been a time when kids are recognized for their achievements in Sunday school, etc. This year, I am hoping to take a different approach. I want to stay away from “showing off” the kids and focus on having a worship experience that involves the kids. We’re still putting the finishing touches on it; but I hope it is an experience that both adults and kids won’t soon forget. We’ll be having some of the kids do sign language to a few of our worship songs, have artwork created by our kids on our Praise Program and song backgrounds, object lessons involving both kids and their parents, a few songs from our kids, music selections chosen from our kids (BTW, the kids I polled didn’t choose “VBS songs”, they seem to connect with songs like, This is How We Overcome, Firm Foundation, and Here I Am To Worship...my 2 year old sings, "This is how we ovah-tumm" non-stop), and our Shepherd’s will pray a blessing over all the children up on the stage. Visuals, movement and creativity will be the name of the game. And ironically enough, this has got me thinking…as an adult, those are the same sort of things that help me connect, engage and experience! Hmmm…

check this out!

I'm a big spider-man fan, so this made my day! This entire movie clip is made with legos! (someone sure had a lot of free time :-)
http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1277883&sdm=web&qtw=640&qth=400

Prayer du joir

I was reading Carson Reed's blog today and stumbled across a great quote from Walter Brueggemann. Check out Prayer du joir at http://carsonreed.blogspot.com

High/Low

There was a movie I saw a few years back called “the story of us”. I can’t really recommend it due to some of the content; but it does paint a pretty realistic picture of a family in turmoil. One of the things I remember from that movie was a scene of the family around the dinner table and they played a game called “High/Low”. Each family member would share their high and low experience of the day. I think that’s pretty cool, and once Kyra can handle it, we may try that in the Bruce home. So I figured today, I’d play High/Low.

High – getting to head outside between worship gatherings this morning, sit on a park bench, and spend some time with a really cool person. She’s super involved in our worship ministry and we got a chance to talk about some of our struggles and concerns with our ministry, and our personal lives. We talked, cried, prayed, and really got to share our hearts. I tell you what, it’s moments like that stick out to me as the reason I’m in full-time ministry. I am grateful for those moments even more than I am for the “wow…what a great worship time!”…which brings me to my low and what started our entire conversation

Low – our 1st worship gathering. Have you ever had those Sundays that are just “flat?” It’s not like the singing stinks, just that it doesn’t seem to connect, and you have a hard time keeping your focus? Well, that was me this morning. Due to illness, travel, etc, the praise team didn’t really get to adequately prepare (although we were joined by a sweetest soprano that I hope considers becoming a full-time addition to our team) and I’ve been struggling lately with my voice. (I think it has something to do with our weird weather changes…it’s been so dry lately. I drank 3 bottles of water between 2 services. So if you were at NC this morning and I just ran right by you after services…sorry, nature calls :-) Don’t get me wrong, I know God was glorified in our worship this morning, our Senior Minister delivered a great message on Encouragement; but man, I didn’t leave feeling very encouraged! :-) I struggle so much in balancing giving my best to both God and church, while still realizing that very little of what is important to me is really important in the whole scheme of life. Does our music ministry need to continually “get better?” Yes, but not so we can say, “wow, don’t we sound good.” But so Christ can be glorified. Ironically enough, the 2nd service just felt really different. Maybe it was the time my friend and I got to spend being “Barnabus” to each other and our time in prayer. Or perhaps I actually took to heart the opening congregational reading "As Believers We Are..." (a great inspirational reading courtesy of the Zoe Worship Ministers track) Musically, we sounded so much better, and more than that, I actually “felt” God’s presence among us. Was it missing the 1st service? I doubt it…I just wasn’t in the right place to sense it. So that’s the challenge; to keep my focus on Him, and “catch His wave.” He’s always there! All I have to do is look.

Oh, I thought of another HIGH…I had family and some friends I hadn’t seen in a while at 2nd service. My in-laws came today (I like to think it’s to see me; but I have a sneaky suspicion it has something do with my daughter :-) and some teens from my youth ministry days. Actually, they’re not teens anymore, one is out of college and the other a senior. Wait, that makes me feel old…let’s change that to a LOW.

Time for a nap…

church leadership

Thursday after our music practice, I spent about an hour and a half with one of our Shepherds. I was able to share some concerns and questions I've had about my role at the church. He listened, conversed, and we prayed together. He is my friend, mentor, and fellow journeyman. I left that meeting feeling heard, confident and mostly, blessed. From both my personal experiences and what a lot of my full-time ministry friends tell me, having that sort of relationship with your shepherds is the exception, not the rule. I am truly thankful to God for bringing me to a place where I can experience that sort of leadership. I'm still getting to know these guys, but am excited and confident that they will always seek HIS kingdom and not be afraid to make the tough calls, even if it's not always popular. Would I always handle every situation the way they do? No, but when push comes to shove, I'll follow their lead. They are living testimonies to what the word "shepherd" is.

So those of you who are thinking, "yeah, that's the way church leadership is", be thankful that you are part of a body of Christ that works that way. But for those who are wishing they had a church leadership that made them feel welcome and appreciated, empowered the people to do real ministry, was open to new ideas and always bathed decisions in prayer, I encourage you to not give up. Pray with and for your shepherds. And for any of you reading who may not have a home church for whatever reason, know that there are men and women who are being led by the Holy Spirit, who put others' needs above their own agendas, care more about your family than your finances, and want to genuinely see you fall more in love with Jesus than with church. They're out there! Are they perfect? Far from it (and if they will admit that to you, most likely you're looking at the right church) So don't give up. I'll pray that you find that home, and you ask God to show it to you.

gas stations & paternity tests

Pumping gas is usually a pretty boring process. It's sort of funny, when I was a kid I would jump out of the car with mom so I could pump the gas...not anymore. Now, when I'm in the car with my wife there is this dramatic pause, a holding of the breath, to see who's gonna budge first. Sort of like when you're sleeping and the baby wakes you. You sit as still as possible, that way you look asleep, and your wife (the one who went through 9 months of aches and pains, and has been up every night feeding) will be compassionate, not wanting to wake you, and get up and take care of it. Yes, I know the fact that I've actually thought that is downright disgraceful; but I told you I would be transparent :-) (and guys, don't pretend I'm alone!)

Anyway, back to the gas station. I had just finished putting in $5 of gas (I can't bring myself to fill it up when it's $1.99...I keep thinking it's gonna go down) and as I am about to make my way back to the car, this guy comes up behind me and says, "Excuse me, where did you get those jeans? They look really good on you." First, it threw me for a loop that someone actually made contact, then I thought perhaps he was joking, and I was to answer "why yes, those are Bugle Boy jeans I'm wearing") but the way he said it...I just was a bit confused. I'm sure I looked a little awkward, looked at my jeans, and sheepishly said, "American Eagle." He muttered something else, but I'm not sure what. I got in the car, turned to my wife (who heard the whole thing and had a big grin on her face), turned my head and the guy just shrugged his shoulders and sort of gave me a look that said, "well, I tried." Was he hitting on me...or did he really just like my jeans? Who knows? I'll go ahead and think I was just so darn cute in my jeans that he wasn't hitting on me, but wanted to look as good as I do...or something like that :-) LOL

But the gas station excitement wasn't over yet! (I know, you can't believe it could get any better.) I saw a new park bench with an advertisement next to the gas station that read "need to know?...Call 1-800-WHO-DADY?" (yes, I know it's spelled wrong :-) I half expected to see a pic of Jerry Springer next to it, but didn't. That just struck me as odd.

...For the record, they are American Eagle Vintage washed Boot-Cut's.

in the beginning...

Welcome to my blog. What exactly is the point of this blog? It’s two-fold. Selfishly, I’m looking at this as a low cost alternative to therapy; and unselfishly, it is my hope that perhaps my musings, questions, and observations of life through my eyes, can offer at the very least, perspective and at the very most, inspiration. I don’t claim to have anything profound to offer. But I do believe there is something special about sharing someone’s struggles, success, questions and failings. So first…who I am (or probably more appropriately, my background)

I’m a 28 year old husband and father. My wife (Angela) of 5….oh, wait, as of next week…6 years, and I have a beautiful and spunky 2 year old, Kyra (pronounced Keera). I went to Rochester College (formerly Michigan Christian) to study music, and ended up studying english. As with most english majors, I took a job with my wife as co-Youth Ministers at a church in Indiana :-) After 5 years, I recently made a switch to a new aspect of ministry in a new church. I currently serve as the Worship & Outreach Minister at the North Central Church of Christ in Indianapolis. http://www.nccoc.org

I'm going to attempt to post daily (I'm not too good with structure :-) some observations, questions and experiences. I'll try to be as transparent as possible and that way, even if no one else reads this, at least I can hopefully learn from myself.

It's late and I have an early meeting, but I'll wrap it up with tonights random question:

Can someone always be right?...discuss amongst yourselves.