Here’s what caught my eye this past week:

• Ed Young recently made a video that chastises pastors, believers, leaders who use what he considers to be profane language. Words like: “sucks”, “pissed”, “screwed”, “hell”, “damn” etc… I’ll be honest, I use every one of the words regularly in casual language and don’t see them as “profane”. They are frequently inappropriate in some contexts but I don’t see them as profane. Profanity is contextualized in a given culture at a specific point in time. What was profane in the 60s I’m sure Ed Young says regularly. Contextualize, but don’t compromise.
• Re:Sound recently launched their official website and their first album released is Rain City Hymnal, which has some great new arrangements of old classic hymns. Something the Mars Hill guys excel at. Can’t wait for their new albums.
• Good feedback over at Ragamuffin from non-worship leaders on what their favorite worship songs are.
• Christian Audio is offering Eugene Peterson’s “Christ Plays in Ten-Thousand Places” audiobook free this entire month. Coupon code: JUN2009
• Church Soundguy has a great post on how to deal with microphone feedback.
• Sweet video on a new iPhone app Automap that will control Ableton Live. This could come in handy. Have I mentioned I really want Ableton Live 8? I gotta get on that.

Here’s what caught my attention this past week.

• Video: How to make a baby – it’s not what it sounds like. Really cool and creative way of tracking and capturing pregnancy. One of those, wish I would have thought of that videos.
• Ragamuffin Video: Top gospel choir in the US – mad sangin skillz.
• Photo essay of a beautiful bride – This photo essay shows the story of a woman dying of cancer who married her high school sweetheart days before she passed away. Moving, beautiful and sad.
• Guitar amp recording techniques – This article discusses best guitar amp mics and mic placement strategies. Older article but still just as valuable.
• A little swine flu humor – Uncircumcison fever nearly made me spit up.
• Resurgence: Qualifications of a Worship Pastor Parts 1 and 2 – Wonderful article and invaluable points made. For those considering bring on worship pastors this is a must read to identify the qualifications needed.
• Pastor Steven Furtick interviews Ted and Gayle Haggard – loved the way Steven opened the interview.

Here’s what caught my attention over this week:

• John Piper’s 4 part interview with Matt Chandler. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, Matt Chandler has the highest CWPM(Convicting Words Per Minute) rating out of anyone I’ve heard.
• ChurchCrunch’s 3 tips for not sucking at ‘Christian’ blogging. I can’t say the post is entirely insightful, but there are some good portions. The problem is it makes some big assumptions and oversights, namely assuming that every Christian blogger wants to become a large blog with diverse readership. That overlooks the very nature of niche blogging. You aren’t going to have diverse readership because your content is very narrow. I do talk a lot about non-christian music and topics but it’s always how it relates to or impacts worship.
• Church Soundguy posts on Dynamics 101: Compressor Application Notes. This details compression settings for the most common instruments coming into your board. This blog has some incredibly useful information, I highly recommend checking it out, especially for you sound men.
• TwiTip’s 11 useful twittor tools that don’t require your password. Good list of useful and safe Twitter tools.
• Joel Brown, worship leader and deacon at Mars Hill Church, talks about his decision to get baptized this Easter. Great story.
• Randy Elrod unleashes on Perry Noble’s Unleashed rant. I understand where Randy is coming from and do agree there was a general irreverence present in Perry’s rant. But I don’t necessarily disagree with Perry’s ultimate conclusions, just in how he presented them, the language he used and the audience they were spoken to.

I read a lot of great blogs from some amazing worship leaders, pastors, geeks, you name it. I feel bad hoarding them and not sharing with you all. I want to take each Friday and share the love. So here’s some of what has captured my attention over the last week.

• Pastor In a Box – My friend and pastor’s brother in Dallas is doing this promotion/hype event/joke that is causing quite a stir in the church world. I’ll be honest when I was told about this before it was publicly announced I had a good laugh. Knowing Ben (Pastor Ben Dailey excuse me) it’s just hilarious to me. Pastor Ben Dailey just did an interview with Church Executive Magazine, Church Marketing Sucks had some critique for him, and there’s been a smattering of other blogs chiming in. Ben is an amazing man of God and is doing incredible things over there. Much love.
• Advance ’09 Conference: Resurgence of the Local Church – John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, Ed Stetzer and more speaking. Nuff said.
• Perry Noble saying he’d like to meet with Matt Chandler and John Piper. Perry did a blog series on 5 leaders he’d like to meet with and it’s quite an eclectic group. I’m encouraged with him including Matt and John.
• Tehilla Music on dealing with worship music complaints in church. Great insight into dealing with people relationally and turning them from complainers into helpers.
• Mark Driscoll Marriage and Men sermon. One of the most challenging, convicting, butt kicking sermons I’ve heard in my life. Every man needs to watch this.

Enjoy.