I have perfected the art of American church – going.

Our culture is full on contrast in the arena of religion. In the ‘contemporary, western form of Christianity’ alone, we seem to be torn between the Mega church model vs. the House church model.

Uh, that’s a vast chasm.

So, let’s look at this like a survey. Comment below and tell us which would you prefer and why:

The Institutional Mega church? Or the Intimate House church? Or maybe you don’t have a preference. I’d love to hear why!

I will post my opinion below too.

Cheers.

I’m 21 – years old. Most 21 – year olds are concerned about which frat party to go to next.

I am out of school, married, and am actively pursuing my dream.

I am also at a unique stage of life in the standings of culture. For instance, I don’t really connect with most ’20 – something’ leaders. Most are 28 and 29 and their ideas are fantastic, but they are almost 10 years older than I. How could their opinions possibly represent how I feel?

I’m standing on the bridge that connects the adult world with the teenage world. That is a really weird place to be.

This blog is a place where ideas intersect and are exchanged. I will muse about life, faith, and art. You are a part of the community, a very diverse community composed of so many different people. So, please, just like I am doing – have a voice. When you are visiting this blog, speak up. Let’s walk through life together, not alone.

Cheers.

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Worship leading is, in essence, telling the story of God. People encounter God through these stories – of where we have been, where God will lead us and of his faithfulness in it all.

I believe that those who tell the best story shape culture and that those who shape culture are creating the future.

I live to tell my tale and the chronicle of Jesus, and the narration of how those two stories are connected – how the former is an overflow of the latter.

So today – be yourself, live in passion and in freedom.

Create.

Tell your story well.

What struck me the most about this project wasn’t all the pain and grief we encountered, it was the omnipotence of God. I was reminded that God truly is all things to all people. If we are ever going to reach a more intimate place in our relationship with Him, we must burn the box that we’ve put him inside of.

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God is the Dreamer inside of me.
God is my Constant.
God is my Redeemer.
God is my Providence.
God is my Hope.

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I love you all and am so glad that we get to do life together. I want to hear what God is to you. Please leave a comment below.

You are not alone. We are stronger together.

They give away all their records completely legal for FREE. Download them here.

One of their records was entirely composed of covered hymns. This has been done before, a lot. I usually find them to all sounds the same, but not this project. Ascend the Hill has such a great sound, they did something really special with this project.

But enough of that. Here’s a song I’ve been using in church a lot lately. So good.

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Title: ‘Hallelujah! What A Savior’ (Ascend the Hill version)

Artist: Ascend the Hill

Key Phrases: ‘In my place condemned he stood // Sealed my pardon with his blood.’

Partnering Scripture: ‘He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.’ Isaiah 53:3

I met Blaine a few months back. He is the Creative Director at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, IL. You may recognize him from the show Prison Break’s first season.

You can (and should) get this book on both Amazon & iTunes for $4.99. That’s it. It releases on July 27th.

He sent me some sample chapters as well as the intro to this book. I can’t wait to get my hands on this beast.

Blaine is extremely gifted in all things creative, but don’t just listen to me. This is what others are saying:

“Blaine Hogan layers depth and pointedness, observation and aspiration into each essay. His practical contemplation of the creative process provides an effective mirror for anyone wanting to do brilliant work.” – Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative

“If you read this book, be warned. The genius and art locked inside you will be shipped. Blaine has an innate, uncanny understanding of the creative process and his manifesto UNTITLED outlines it perfectly.” – Clay Herbert, Chief Engagement Officer of Tribes Win

“I know why Blaine Hogan named his collection Untitled. It’s because the title, You Have To Read This Book If You’re A Creative, Want To Be A Creative, Or Know Anyone Who Wants To Be A Creative, wouldn’t fit on the jacket!” – Erin Loechner, Writer & Founder of designformankind.com