Telemarketers be gone

If you are tired of receiving annoying telemarketing calls during your dinner hour register your phone number with the National “Do Not Call Registry” to be eliminated from most telemarketer’s lists. Sign up for the list begins today, September 30, 2008. Call 1-866-580-3625 or register on-line at the website shown below:

https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/

Please note that the CRTC website was very slow this morning (or not available at all) – probably due to the high volume of people trying to register. Keep trying!

You're welcome.

Raining in Oakville

It's raining in Oakville--raining hard, which makes me want to curl up on the couch and watch Rambo movies for some reason. I drank a green tea last night on a walk with Grant and it made me wide awake until early in the morning. Oh well, I got started on the art work for the live worship album we have been working on. Prayed this morning on the drive in that though I am tired, I would find my strength in the Lord! If not- the day is wasted. This morning I was praying for a bunch of different people the Lord brought to mind and so I thought I would text many of them and just let them know they we're in my prayers, and on my heart. Doing stuff like that always makes my head second guess why I am doing it, but I pray my motives are good and God honoring.
Try it- you might even be blessed and bless someone in the process.

Weekend Review

This past weekend our goal was to get the people to the throne of God ASAP! Normally we work within a 1 to 5 category (progressively moving the set from gathering to adoration) but this week we moved the announcements to the beginning of the service in efforts to keep from breaking the worship time. Craig set it up nicely before each service and the congregation responded great. We did "Agnus Dei", an old Michael W. Smith song that "Third Day" made cool and added the Holy, you are holy Chorus to it. the set was completely planned around the text (something we don't normally do either). We merged the last two songs together with a different chord arrangement which was fresh and less boxy (as some older hymns tend to get). Both specials before and after the sermon were to again get the congregation in to the throne room of the Revelation Five text. Our female vocalist this weekend, Ruth, did an outstanding job allowing God to use her in a powerful way through both specials.
A worshipful way to end this series called "Stand in Awe".

Announcements

Adoration
Agnus Dei/ Holy, You are Holy
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Jesus, you are Worthy

Prayer/Offering

Worthy is the Lamb by Kathryn Scott

Sermon: Pastor Robbie preached Revelation 5

Revelation Song: See video below of original artist Kari Jobe.

Stand in Awe

Who's your daddy? ME!

I've waited a long time to say this.....I'm going to be a DAD!

My sweet Erin is pregnant and popping in April. This is a huge answer to prayer and we are so excited, privileged, scared, and happy for this little one to come into our lives. Please pray for Erin and the little baby. I will have updates as they come.

Pslam 37:4 says, Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The Boys Rocked!

Over 25 Elec. Tracks, 14 Piano Tracks and a killer instrumental! Greg and Dave rocked the house!

Creative Chaos: Baptism

This is Manny. Manny is 100% blind and comes to church each week with his seeing eye dog. About 1 year ago Manny got into the baptism tank and read his testimony which was written in brail. Check out this amazing story of God at work!



Head over to www.ragamuffinsoul.com for more great baptisms

The week you've been waiting for

This is the week.....
The week I've dreamed about
The week I've lost sleep over
The week I've prayed to God concerning
The week I've never been so scared in all my life
The week I want to laugh and cry all at the same time
The week my faith has increased
The week all my hopes and dreams go out the window
The week I learn a thing or two about selflessness
The week I have to come to grips with where God is leading me

This is the week.....
The week I must admit I will fail without Christ
The week I must deny my own desires
The week I must believe my flesh will tempt everyday.
The week I must surrender another seven days to what the Lord wants
The week I wake up and choose Christ
The week I may die and meet Christ
The week Christ may return and we meet half way (Him in the clouds, me floating in the clouds)
The week I listen to all the Christian Rap artists I have on my ipod.

This is the week.....
The week I love my wife more
The week I love my God more
The week I love my church more
The week I spend just as much energy on my family as I do my ministry
The week I realize the responsibility and privileged to lead people in worship
The week I read more of my Bible and less blogs (ouch).
The week I write more uplifting comments on peoples facebook walls
The week I actually tell someone God loves them that I don't know
The week I point people to Jesus through my actions, not my words.

a song a like from a person I know

Our church has been singing a song called that I really love called, "God of the Ages" by Travis Doucette. I've gotten to known Travis over the past few years when he has come to lead worship at our church in Oakville. Originally hailing from Barrie but now is attending his 8th year at Liberty University. Travis and his friends, are in a band called Exodus and just finished a studio album compiled of both cover and original worship songs. The big album cover is a itunes link where you can check out his music.

"You're dressed like a worship leader"

Someone said that to me today. I don't know what it means because I didn't even have jeans on OR a scarf. I love how out of all the "jobs" at the church, the worship leader job seems to get the labels.
Anyways, then I went to a funeral dressed like a worship leader and I guess one of the wives of my fellow staff members was laughing at me saying, "Joshua really went all out didn't he".
I had to put an end to it.
I am never wearing a dress to work again. People just aren't ready for it.
;)

This is sweet

I think if I went to space it would be a bad thing. Not for me, but for NASA. I Probably could do a lot of damage to their space ship. A friend from the church emailed this to me, it's a great response to what seeing earth would be like if you ever got the chance to go (which you probably wont get to do unless you're a astronaut).

Our God is huge! Worthy of all praise!

Jonathan Edwards on worship

"We sing in worship to engage and express our affections. There is no other reason to sing. If we aren’t dealing with our affections in worship, we might as well just read the lines of the songs dryly together in paragraph form without any music. We worship with music because God has created music with a certain nature where it tends to move our affections deeply."

Thanks WorshipTrench

Frail Design

This past week has been a crazy catch up week. My laptop crashed awhile back (before I backed up my HD) and I lost a lot of projects I had been working on for my wife and I's side design company called Frail Design. After I long night of working on some things I think we are caught up. We work on a selective job motto right now (to keep our insanity), and are accepting new projects.

Need us? Email us: joshua AT fraildesign.com

With that said, if you're a church or company that needs something, let us know. We're quick, current and way cheaper then the graphics company done the street.

Here's what we can do....

• Sermon Series Design
• Signage
• Logo Design
• Business Cards
• Programs, Brochures, Ads
• Wedding Invitations
• Thank you cards
• Flash Ads

Weekend Review

G Forever
C Love Poured Out
D Amazing Grace
D Heart of Worship

Prayer/Announcements
In all three services, at the end of Heart of Worship, I was strongly moved to pray a much more transparent and honest prayer then normal. What I mean by that is so many times we get to church, put on the church face and jump the rope and give God leftovers. It is so easy to do, but so sinful. Recognizing that is is really ALL ABOUT HIM. That line carries so much meaning because that means its not at all about me if I am singing its all about You. I prayed a prayer for our people, those that can't sing that and mean it (but want to mean it), that God would grant repentance, passion and humility to approach the throne in a new light.

Special: Creator King to Video
Our partnering church in Chicago put together a great video for this song. While Jen sang it, scenes of God's creation were on the screens. Specials that are different add so much to the intent of the song. A video to a song is a great way to pound the point home using a visual.

Sermon: Pastor Robbie Symons (Job 38, 39)

Close: Be Magnified

A powerful message regarding a high view of God. A High view of God and a low view of self always equals to passionate worship. We wrap up this series next weekend.

Lord of all

Just found this. The song is not available on itunes.
I get about 5 emails a week for the knowledge of how to get this song.
2 answers..... buy the "Louder than Creation" recorded by NorthPoint
OR wait and buy the "Stand in Awe" live Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville live worship album.

tonight we pray

I have been looking forward to tonight all day.
We have these nights of prayer here at Harvest and its always an amazing night.
Prayer is one thing that everybody (if they were honest) could do a lot more of.
In fact, its the easiest spiritual discipline to do, but also the hardest.
Talking to God anywhere? What a thought to know that the creator of the universe listens to me when I speak to Him.

Psalm 139 says,
"Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
...I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

My God knows me (inside and out) yets, loves to hear the prayers of his children.

There is Power in prayer.
Believe it.

when I told my mom....she cried.

Go HERE

The hardest part in all this is his ending comments in the interview...

“This is what it really comes down to,” he says. “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.” -Ray Boltz

God didn't make you that way Ray, sorry. It's called sin.
Anyone that feels closer to God and is in blatant sin is only fooling themselves.

why do I post this?
1. Because I believe God can still speak and change Ray's heart through prayer
2. Because I am tired of un-biblical "christianity" that doesn't believe the Bible to be true.

Poor Ray...

A clip from last night...

Here is one of the tracks form last night's "sundaynitepraise"
Original Artist: Steve Fee

Glory Story: Matt and Jane

Here is another example of the grace of God poured out on a young couple who attend our church.

Sunday Nite Praise follow up

I am exhausted but so blessed to have had the opportunity to lead a packed house of God's people in song tonight. I haven't had enough time to fully debrief but all in all it was a sweet night with God's people lifting up his name. We peaked at 107 db (just the congregation vocals) at one point in the service. That's really loud in case you are wondering.


B BLESS HIS NAME
C ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS
G YOUR GRACE IS ENOUGH

Testimony 1: JASON COOPER

C STRONGER (sing over)
G ADORATION
G Majesty
E AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

Testimony 2: MATT AND JANE

A BEAUTIFUL JESUS
Bb LORD OF ALL
A STAND IN AWE

Testimony 3: YOHANN THOMMY

A ONE PURE AND HOLY PASSION (by request last minute)
B OVERCOME
B AWESOME GOD
A DAYS OF ELIJAH

Speaking of Live worship. The Harvest Bible Chapel live worship project comes out this weekend. You can order it online, or buy one in the Oakville HBC bookstore in the next couple of weeks.

Weekend Review

Tired is one word that describes me today. Not tired of worship, just tired.
Its been a huge and busy week gearing up for tonight's Worship Concert. We're introducing some seriously sweet new songs and along with that are recording the night so everyone has been rehearsing this week to ensure a great evening!

This Weekend-

Our God Saves
Holy, Holy God Almighty

Congregational Prayer

Announcements/Offering

Special: What Joy is Found (by Jeremy Riddle)

Sermon: "Stand in Awe of His Holiness"

Communion: Let my words be Few

Close:
Holy, Holy, Holy
God of the Ages
Lord of All

Come to the SUNDAYNITEPRAISE

If you live in the Oakville area, or GTA for that matter than make sure you come out to Harvest Bible Chapel for our "sundaynitepraise". The night starts at 7:00pm. Come early for seats, we are already expecting to have a packed house! If you are planning on coming and aren't a regular attender of HBC, then email me at jseller AT harvestoakville.ca

This is what I sound like when I play Electric Guitar.

This is an amazing video edited where someone has taken out Lincoln Brewster's amazing guitar playing and replaced it with....well, not so great guitar playing. Its hilarious!

while reading the latest worship leader mag

Check it out- Andi made it in the latest edition of worship leader magazine. Click on the image to read about what the editor thought of his record.

This next picture is of worship leader "Israel Houghton" by I had to take a second look because I though it was my good friend and Harvest worship leader "Steve Busch" ---I see a comparison- don't you?

may this lift you up

what I've been starring at......

Since 8:30am I have been locked on this......This Sunday night is our "nite of praise" where we'll spend hearing testimonies and lifting high the name of Christ in worship. One of the testimonies is on video, so I'm trying to take 30 minutes of testimony and cut it down to 7 (with out loosing any of it). Hope you can make it.

Erin wanted you to know...

That she handled the speeding ticket news rather well.
I can testify to that being true.
Way to go Erin.

it started with a speeding ticket....

This past Sunday was our ministry year kick off, and what better way to start off the year then with Starbucks coffee for everyone, donuts and bagels. Late getting out the door caused me to be late period and so my foot got heavier as the clock tickets.
It was 8:17 and I was suppose to have began rehearsal at 8:15.
All of a sudden a uniformed man walked into the middle of the road and motioned for me to pull into the drive way. I had just been victim to a speed trap and was going to really be late!
15 minutes later
I left with a ticket in hand and attitude of "blah".

• A. How was I going to tell my wife?
• B. The band is going to be wondering where I am
• C. How can I lead worship after something like this?

I arrived at the church, coffee and snacks in hand, ran into the worship center, strapped on my guitar and we ran 2 songs before we had to end and clear the stage for the doors to open.

I had no idea what God had in store next.....

The service started and it went like this:
Call to Worship and Welcome: Psalm 33:1-3

Song of the Angels
Not a God (You are God Alone)
I stand amazed (How marvelous)
I stand in Awe of You Tag

Baptisms
Announcements

Special: Made to Worship

Message: Pastor Robbie Symons "I am called Stand in Awe" Psalm 33

Close: Stand in Awe

When I got to the line in Not a God that goes like this...."And right now, in the good times and bad, you are on your throne, you are God alone" it clicked. I knew I needed to choose to worship for that reason.
It didnt matter how I was feeling, or what had just happened, what mattered was that I had an oppourtunity to worship my God and I was wasting it by letting a stupid ticket get in the way.
I embraced it.
I left the ticket and my bad attitude at the cross and worshiped.

I never in all my days sensed God closer, more real, more intense then this past Sunday. There was litterally a intense heat (like standing next to a fire) happening inside me and I knew the presence of the Lord was there.

Then Pastor Robbie stood up and preached a message that only heightened the awarness of our Great God.
I remember him ending his message by repeating "The Father is looking for true worshipers"
and then we began the final song.
I leaving alot out, for the sake of time, but again- the church litterly eruppted in full out, no holding back, give me Jesus for there is nothing else WORSHIP!
Brokeness, Freedom, Intensity, and the spirit of God was there!
At the end of the song I just stood there, singing praises that came to my heart.
Pastor Robbie came up and whispered in my ear,
Lead another song man....

Thank the Lord for Chris Tomlins easy to rememerber songs and chords......"How Great was our God" was the first song that came to mind.

We sang it, and still God moved. Alot of people just didnt want it to end.

I went home that night, after leading again at Young Adults and on the way my car died.
The alternator went in it.
But it didnt matter!
God had shown me a glimpse of him that day that weighted heavier than anything the world was going to throw at me.
Its now Tuesday and the alternator has been replaced.
An overall expensive weekend but so worth it!

2 years

Today marks 2 years.
2 Years ago I married my wife.
2 years ago I had no idea how awesome of a woman I truly had.
I knew she was pretty sweet, but not this sweet.
I can honestly say that these past 2 years have been more amazing than anything I could have imagined, or hoped for and I look forward to spending a life with this woman.
Happy Anniversary Erin! I love you!

look who it is....

The acoustic guitarist to the right of the singer....it's EVAN! (Jeremy Riddle's guitar player). Evan and the rest of the guys got to spend some time together this past summer when we hosted a YA conference called Ignite.
I'm so impressed- mainly because he can get that killer electric guitar sounds out of that J45. wink wink.

What this video has got me think is 2 things.....

1. Did Evan leave riddle to play with this girl?
2. Is Evan running for President?

Strings

Problem:

I tried, I mean it, I really wanted to be a guitar player who used Elixir Strings but I broke way to many during worship sets (so distracting). Don't get me wrong, I really like them; they are easy actions, really bright sounding and keep their sound for about three weeks (if you play daily) BUT the D and G strings break all the time on them. If they don't break on you then your not doing it right :).

One Pack: $17




Solution:
So, I searched the world and tried about 4 different kinds (that's a lot in string world) and found my new favorite. Not only do they make my 815 sound like a canon, they don't break, believe I've tried! Way cheaper (3 for packs in one box for $12). You have to change them out more often, but I do that weekly anyways. Let me know what you think if you try them.

"I read your blog"

Thanks to everyone who reads this thing. I've got some killer stories and video coming down the pipe in the next few days. Stay tuned

js

I've heard of young preachers but....

Time Management

Just got out of a afternoon "time management" seminar that our church hosted with Andy Kaufman (not this guy).
Can you believe that one way to save time is using "facebook"?
This is brilliant.
Imagine the time you would save running to the bathroom all the time. I think 2009 is looking up- we're all moving in this direction!

Leading

One thing I have been trying to do in leading is really being more intentional about getting everyone on the same page before we begin the service. Sometime it is easier than others (always because of me). Being a singer/guitar player is one thing, but I want to be that and a leader of worship. Someone who helps the congregation to enter into the presence of God while teaching on the principle of what worship actually is. Yesterday I was going through some old services to review and came across this call to worship. (it helps give visual to what I'm talking about).

Worship Team Rehearsal's

Some churches rehearsals are nightmares, some are enjoyable (we've all been there). Here is what is working for me at my church....

Weekend Worship services usually consist of 7-9 songs (including a special and a service opener at times). Because we have 3 identical services, we rehearse right before the Saturday night service. Team (Band and Production) arrives at 3:30pm and we end at 5:30pm (services starts at 6:00pm).

On Tuesday's I email the team a reminder that they can find the set list, the mp3's of the songs and the chord charts on our worship team login website. (very similar to a FTP site or like this program http://www.planningcenteronline.com/ ) Then it is their responsibility to learn it. Our church website is built through iministries (any website designed by them has this option).

I ask my worship team to learn the songs, practice at home on their own and then come to "rehearsal" prepared to not practice songs, but to better our worship. The intent behind weekly personal prep is that we can focus more on the weekend rehearsal in leading worship them rehearsing songs.

At the end of the day I want our worship ministry to be filled with affirmed musicians who know how to worship the Lord. Talent (ability to learn, play and walk humbly) is key but the heart of the worshiper is the center of it all. We audition all our musicians and then hold them to a very high bar asking them all to be participating members in small groups and to adhere to a set moral conduct.

Hope this is helpful.

Family Photos

While I was home I was going through the family photo albums and came across two family members that look pretty familiar. Check 'em out. you too can find old high school pictures here. Thanks Nate!

Somethings are better sung in a opera voice

Our senior Pastor has a radio ministry called Live in the Light. I get to do the intro interviews with him before we throw to the sermon. Sometimes, while Andy our producer is editing, or loading new sermons, we tend to have a little fun. Andy was recording when this occurred.

I like leaders

Ever had lunch with the other big church across town's worship leader? Today I am.
I feel bad it's taken so long, but me and Craig (from the meeting house) are going to get together, eat a steak and talk worship leading. Craig is (I think) about 10 years older then me, so I look forward to gaining some insight to what he has learned over the years as a leader in ministry. I think a lot of churches probably won't admit it, but feel a sense of tension among some other churches in close proximity to their own--for whatever reason, its dumb. I'm praying today is good, and begins a bridge with another worship guy in the area.

a D.U.I and a Dutch Oven

After church on Sunday Erin and I (and our bulldog "Cooper") drove home to Brigden to visit our family. Saturday we got KFC and took it to the river and had a picnic. (while I am writing this, I am previewing the new Chris Tomlin Album so if certain words of the songs make their way into the post, my apologizes). Anyways- It was a great day and a half trip packed full of picnics, washing cars and BBQing, along with the famous Seller living room sing along complete with my mom, brother and I jamming out to some worship music (Classic).

We left for home last night at around 8:45 and we're making good time until we hit Brantford, ON on the 403. It was then when things when bonkers. A car entered the highway and cut right in front of Erin and I causing us to SLLLLAAAMMMM on our brakes. The car then took off ahead, trying to pass through 2 cars by spliting them down the middle. We watch the car speed away until we came over a crest and saw a lot of smoke, and a lot of brake lights.
Erin and I were the next car to come upon the accident. The same car had crashed into the rails and the entire from of her car had been destroyed. It didn't look good as we pulled along side the car. When I got out, I was the only one there and watched as a young girl (probably 20-22) got out of the wreck and stumbled over to me looking at me saying "Please take me with you, I am drunk" (at this point Erin was on her cell calling 911). It was so hard to try and console the obviously intoxicated female (remember, it was her who almost killed us just a few exits back). Cars kept driving by and it felt like forever until the police arrived with ambulance and firetrucks. the driver, nor anyone else was hurt (thank God). We gave our statement and continued home.

Poor Erin, while I was outside assisting the female, she was stuck in the car with the windows up and our dog, Cooper was farting up a storm. She said "Its a dutch over in here". We laughed and thanked the Lord for keeping us safe. That is the second time when we have been apart of a police situation.




Note: The String parts in "God almighty" are sweet.