A Little Perspective...

First, there's this, starring the Jonas Brothers.



And then, there's this, starring Stevie Wonder.



DANG.

We might just have to start "Stevie Wonder Day" around here at Todd Blog. Sorry, JB...but he's the master.

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP

I know what you're thinking...

Um, Todd...isn't Christmas over?

Yes. As a matter of fact, it is. Over at my YouTube channel, I've talked a lot about this season about the struggle to make sure that our singing during Advent maintained a sense of reverence...that we were engaging in worship and not just rehashing nostalgic songs.

Now that Christmas is finished, I've had some time to process our services and some of the comments I received. I am very grateful, because almost every comment I received was a positive one, some of them even saying,

"Wow. That carol was really worshipful."

Couldn't ask for more confirmation that that, right?

So, I've been thinking about what made that happen. In a real practical sense, what empowered us to make the Christmas singing still feel like something that was honoring to God. (Please understand...most any true carol is pretty God-honoring already. But after years and years and years of records and remakes and Christmas cantatas, those songs tend to get bland in our hearts and minds.)

Here are a few thing that helped us.

1. GOOD ARRANGEMENTS
   There are a lot of Christmas records out there. Lots of carols done by talented musicians and singers. But not all of them work in church. Every year, I'm amazed at how few usable songs I actually find at Christmas time. Granted, some of those remakes are very cool, but as always, I have to do my best to guess how that song is going to work with my congregation. In my experience, I've found that you can get creative with a lot of stuff as long as you leave the melody completely intact and the rhythm relatively intact. "Joy To The World" in 3/4 and Aminor? Not so much.
   
   This year, we found some great arrangements that were cool and pleasing to the ear...but they always "protected" the song, delivering the tunes in a way that everybody could engage.
   
   
2. FUN
   One thing that also worked for us was making worship fun. No, we didn't have the crowd sing "fa-la-la-la" or anything, but we take breaks in between songs to encourage people in a fun, familiar way. One example: before singing "Angels We Have Heard On High," I told the people that the "gloria" part felt like we were singing it for 3 days. Then I encouraged everybody to take that breath at different places. I even did a practice-run. Just singing the chorus w/ guitar until the band rocked in.
   
   It worked. I had a couple of people mention that it was a nice break...a "breather," if you will. In fact, one good friend said that so much of worship today seems so focused on flow that it still ends up feeling like a performance. YIKES! I love flow, but I don't want Sunday morning to feel like a performance.
   
   
3. TALKING MORE / TALKING DIFFERENT
   To be honest, I think this was the one the clinched the whole "worshipful" nature of the Christmas services.
   
   Worship leaders often make a mistake in how they talk about Christmas worship. Most often, we end up saying things that come off pretty stale. For example, if I'm singing "Hark The Herald Angels Sing," and I introduce the song by simply paraphrasing the lyrics, then I run the risk of losing connection with my congregation. In addition, if I just keep retelling the Christmas story before every song, folks aren't going to dig that either.
   
   This year, I did something different with my "talks." Instead of talking about the songs (which everybody knows,) I presented them as prayers. I encouraged the congregation (and myself) to use these songs as prayers that God would help us to connect to Christ's coming. This worked great because it killed the whole nostaliga aspect - where we're singing "O Holy Night" just because we always do. It also worked because it kept pointing us to an honest assessment of ourselves - that we need a better understanding of Advent - and it maintained that even in singing these tunes, we were in communion with the Father....that "worship" was happening still and that we needed His help.

I think these thoughts, and specifically the last one, speak to a common failing among those of us who lead worship. We just don't think about stuff.

So many of us get on that stage on Sunday morning or Wednesday night or some other service and we've not given any thought to what we're going to say...how we're going to encourage people...why we've even chosen these particular songs to sing.

Worship leaders, we've got to use our heads. We've got to carve out time to think through what we're going to say and not just start blabbing every time there's a break. I'm not saying that it's going to make you an instant genius...heck, your "talks" still may not work! But it will ensure that you are saying things that are true and those things remain beneficial to your the spiritual health of your people.

So...what about you?

WHAT WORKED AT CHRISTMAS?
WHAT DIDN'T?

DR. FEELGOOD

Alright, time to share your "feel good" music.

Give me four or five of your roll-down-the-window/crank-it-up/feel-good songs.

I'll get us started.

1. Great Day To Be Alive - Travis Tritt (don't hate.)
2. Free Fallin' - John Mayer
3. Long Road To Ruin - Foo Fighters
4. Here Comes The Big Parade - Harry Connick Jr.
5. From The Rooftops - Michael Neale

Your turn. GO.

There's a new poll over at the blog itself...we're talking about new year's resolutions. Click over and have a say...

Some Of You Will Think This Is Cool

What's most cool about this is that this wasn't done w/ digital effects. It's glow sticks attached to a chain and shot w/ a high-speed camera.

Check it.

THANK GOD FOR FACEBOOK

I'm not trying to be insensitive here.
I like Facebook groups...heck, there's a group out there for anybody.

But I gotta' admit that seeing the above picture at a group called:

STOP LIVE DOGS FROM BEING USED AS SHARK BAIT,
I laughed.

Is that wrong?
I'm not doubting that live dogs are used to bait sharks.
Okay...maybe I'm doubting a little bit.
But, really?
Is this common?
How did I miss this travesty?
Anybody heard of this?

Okay, animal lovers. THIS is the post where you can go nuts and call me all kinds of horrible names.
Have I just missed the whole "dogs as shark bait" controversy?

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

FINLEY HEARTS BOOKS

todd vlog episode "finley reads" from Todd Wright on Vimeo.

At my house, we watch The Polar Express.
A LOT.

That's fine, because it has become my favorite all-time Christmas movie.

But every time I watch it, I come up with the same questions and I'm sure some of you smarties have an idea...

IS THE CONDUCTOR ALL KNOWING?

In short, is anything that happens on that train ride a surprise?
Or does he know everything...even when he's away from "The Boy."
I've been asking some of my friends about this and I've already heard some interesting theories.
Here's a sampling.

1. The conductor is all-knowing and the train ride happens every year to a child who doesn't believe.
2. The train is a time-machine...in fact, this theory supposes that "the boy" is actually the conductor as a child and now the adult version of that child is coming back to save himself, to remind him to believe.
3. The conductor isn't all-knowing, but he IS actually Santa Claus, so whatever happens is all good.

You got a theory? Is the conductor wise to everything that's going on? How do you know? What does the conductor do to make us think he's completely aware of every detail of that ride?

THANK YOU, APPLE

I realize that the folks at Mac didn't design this for me, but it's so valuable nonetheless.

In a Mac program called "Photobooth," the computer will do a 3-2-1 countdown with tiny little beeps to let you know when the picture will be taken.

Again...they didn't do this for me, but it doesn't matter.

Because now, I know when one of my kids has crept over to my computer and is taking pictures of themselves. Usually, when I hear it, I run in screaming, hoping to scare my kids into submission lest they fill my computer with funny faced pictures.

Earlier tonight, I heard the chirps, but I couldn't get there in time.

This is what happened...

If you don't follow Uncle Jay Explains The News over at YouTube, you should.
This guy is brilliant - he's funny, sarcastic and a bit of a marketing genius!
Up until today, I didn't know Uncle Jay did a year-end musical tribute, but I saw it earlier and had to share it.
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

todd vlog ep. 19

Todd Vlog Ep. 19 - RECORD REVIEW from Todd Wright on Vimeo.

A few things...

1. If you'd like to follow the "almost daily" vlog, go subscribe over at my YouTube channel. Subscriptions are like currency over at YouTube.

2. If you've got a record you love and would like reviewed and shared here on the blog, just send me an email and I'll track down the music and give you my thoughts. (I'd love to also review books, but I'm way too slow!)

3. See that cool "Becoming" shirt? That's publicity, baby. Got a cool shirt of your own? Send me a shirt and I'll wear it on the vlog. (If it fits...XL or XXL should be fine. As long as my belly doesn't show.)

GOOD THING IT WASN'T 2 ANGRY BADGERS

Okay, you're all an intelligent lot...

What do you make of this?



Is it funny?
Is it horrible?
Is there something to be learned here?

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

PRESENT FROM PASTOR!

STAGE DAD

This is Finley performing last Sunday with "Snapshots," her Sunday morning class.


SNAPSHOTS Performance 12/14/08! from Bethel Bible Church on Vimeo.


She's on the far right.

Take note of a few things...

1. 00:11 to 00:44 - lays on floor, rest head right on floor monitor.
2. 00:44 to 01:39 - stands, mills around, sees Daddy's guitar, plays with stool.
3. 1:39 to 2:55 - tries to climb on stool, fails, dances, waves at Mommy, mills around.
4. 2:55 to 3:10 - tries to make a break for it.
5. 3:20 to 3:25 - walks over to Daddy's music stand, plays with pen. (Hear the laughter?)
6. 3:25 to 3:35 - volunteer Greg Kimmel dashes across the front and quietly encourages Finley to return to the group.
7. 3:39 - Finley glares at Greg Kimmel and shuffles back to Mrs. Cay. (Hear more laughter?)
   

For Ross King

My friend Ross King is a firm believer that there is nothing funnier than a monkey wearing clothes.

Ross, this one is for you...



link://rossk

THURSDAY TODD #2

Here's another Todd Wright, thanks to Google Images.


I'm not sure, but I think this guy is a musician because I'm pretty sure I saw him on iTunes.

The question this week is a bit more specific. Namely...could I pull off the baby blue tuxedo shirt? (if they were available in XXL, that is...)

I'd also like to have a recurring question on each of these posts that I'll put here at the bottom:

How long before I get sued by one of these Todds?

Upcoming...

I realize that my new cool new blog template is cutting the videos off along the right side. I'm sure there's a way to fix that, but I far too busy being a rock star to mess with right now. Maybe one of "my people" can work on it.


Upcoming Stuff from Todd Wright on Vimeo.

Thank goodness for blog readers, eh? Videos run fine in those!

A Little Help From The BSG Crowd...

As some of you know, I'm making my way through the Battlestar Galactica series. I'm almost through Season 1 and I have loved it.

There's so many great things about this show - the writing is clever and unpredictable, the soundtrack is perfect and their use of "handheld" cinematography within a space series is brilliant and refreshing.

But one thing is bothering me and I'm trying to find out if it is common practice within the series or something specific to the DVDs. So far, each show has opened with a brief recap ("last time, on BSG...") then an opening scene or two to setup the episode and then a standard intro. The intro starts off as slow recap of the premise...superimposing texts over images and to let folks know how the whole thing got started.

BUT THEN...the music jumps pace and a massive drum outburst accompanies a fast-paced montage. The only problem is that the montage is made up of scenes from the show you're about to watch! Which means that if you watch the whole intro, you're going to see a snippet or two that's coming up. So far, this has ruined a couple of good surprises for me personally.

Can anyone who watches in primetime answer this for me? Do all the shows run that montage preview just before the actual show starts? Or is it something new on the Season DVDs?

And if it's standard practice, does it bug anybody else? Not that it's a big deal, it just seems like a weird move for a show to make.

Most of you know that I participated in the SuperNote project on YouTube. Over 2,000 people recorded their best SuperNote in a giant, worldwide contest.

The brilliant guys behind SuperNote compiled an awesome recap video.

Check it out...

I think you'll dig it.




Here's how they did it:

"Young Adolf Hitler Campbell will be getting a cake from Wal-Mart this year."

That's right...this little boy was actually denied a cake at a bakery because of his name and an obvious familial problem. (Sister is reportedly named "Aryan Nation.")

link://CakeWrecks

Buying Something, Episode 2

Buying "Something," Episode Two from Todd Wright on Vimeo.

BOOKS ARE GOOD

It's taking me forever to get through N.T. Wright's Simply Christian. It isn't a hard read, I just haven't made the time to finish. So far, the book is fantastic and I would heartily recommend it. Read this quote the other night and really liked it:

"Nothing in all the history of paganism comes anywhere near this combination of event, intention and meaning. Nothing in Judaism has prepared for it, except in puzzling, shadowy prophecy.

"The death of Jesus of Nazareth as the king of the Jews, the bearer of Israel's destiny, the fulfillment of God's promises to his people of old, is either the most stupid, senseless waste and misunderstanding the world has ever seen, or it is the fulcrum around which world history turns."

I found this little quote to be powerfully poetic...kept reading it over and over and over. It's great when a book does that - when it captures your imagination and heart and mind all in one little paragraph.

What about you? Share a quote that's grabbed you recently...

PS...just posted a new Christmas Poll over at the blog. Click HERE to check it out!

If you're reading this through a blog reader (And I bet you are, as blog readers are super-awesome,) then you don't notice anything different about the blog.

Alas, I have picked a new template.

I realize, of course, that this is unnecessary...gone are the days when we actually went to blogs and actually looked at them.

But looking at this site makes me happy and as I've always said, "Personal happiness is priority one."

So, if you're willing, head over to brandontoddwright.blogspot.com just for a second or two to celebrate with me.

I Know That Guy...

Famous actors that remind me of Lance Burch.

THIS IS AWESOME

Let's take a look at this...

Charlie Brown on YouTube = WIN
The Police = WIN
Editing the two of them together = EPIC WIN



link://BEST

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well, the blessed holiday is now upon us. And in celebration of that, I figured I'd go back through my archives and post some of my old Christmas pictures. Enjoy!

www.phohohotobooth.com...

Cool Stuff At Church...

Below is today's post over at The Bethel Blog. At Bethel, we've been blogging for a few months now, and it's slowly but surely paying off!

In 2009, we're focusing some new energy toward our Thursday posts. Thursdays are designated as "Ross Day." This is where our senior pastor, Ross Strader, blogs his thoughts, theories and announcements. Ross has a real heart for people and an open mind about how to reach people. We've made a commitment that in 2009, Ross' Thursday posts will have "momentum" at their core. Ross and the rest of the staff will be on the lookout for stories and examples of how Bethel is growing and we're looking for way to share that!

Here's what Ross had to say in today's post...

"Over the past couple of months I have made mention of my new fascination - Twitter

(what is Twitter?, why Twitter?, how Twitter?)
watch a video about Twitter

Now, I'm not saying that twitter is for everyone, in fact, it isn't. But, I have found Twitter to be a great social networking tool that allows me to stay connected with 1) people I care about; 2) people I'm interested in; 3) people I'd like to know, but may never meet. It also provides an opportunity for family and friends to catch small glimpses into my life during the day.

I want to share a story that happened this past week that illustrates both the power and "coolness" of Twitter. Periodically I get on Twitter's "search page" and type in "Tyler, TX." I do this because I am always interested who else in our community is using this tool. There is always a good list this search generates and from time to time, if the people are not totally weird, I will "follow" them.

Now, Tyler is a small town, not small enough that everyone knows everyone, but we have no more than 3 degrees of separation. Last week I followed a person that lives in Tyler who happens to know Alley Burton (elder) and was somewhat familiar with Bethel, but has never been. Since all of my biographical information is on my Twitter page, this person discovered that I am a pastor at Bethel and because of the timing in their life decided that they were going to visit. I met them this past Sunday and so did many of you!

This really is less about Twitter and more of what I would call opportunity. I was reminded that all over this city there are people who are not connected with a church and would love to be. But, just like all of us, it is hard to imagine getting up on a Sunday morning (or any morning), getting dressed in clothes you don't normally wear, getting your family ready, getting in the car, driving to an unfamiliar place, parking and then making that long walk from your car to the front door... all while being a perfect stranger. It is hard to be "new" or "different" or "uninformed." In fact, I think besides public speaking, visiting a church is probably one of the most frightening and difficult things a person, couple or family ever does.

For my new friend, I was glad that there family felt at least the comfort of "knowing" someone before they got there.

So - let me ask you this morning (or afternoon/evening), who might there be in your life that would love to be connected to a community of people? And not just any community of people, but a community that is committed to following Jesus and living out His life? I can guarantee there is someone in the ebb and flow of your life that is not connected, but would love to be.

Everything I have read, and my experience supports, is that people are most likely to visit a church because someone they know asked them. In fact, it is rare that when I have invited someone to church that they flat out said "no." Most people, who are not connected to a church, are thrilled to be asked and have some excitement that they might actually find a place to connect. The problem is that we just don't ask.

So - ASK. If there is anyone that has come to your mind, make if your priority and goal to invite them to a service before the end of the year. Christmas is a great time here at Bethel and a great time for you to bring someone with you...

And you don't need a twitter account to do that."

THURSDAY TODD (#1)

Okay, new feature here on the Todd Blog. I'm calling it "Thursday Todd" and here's how it works.

Every Thursday, I'll run over to Google Images and search my name. I'll then look through all the "Todd Wright" pictures and post an interesting one.

Then you comment - perhaps a witty comment, maybe an assessment on which Todd is better looking or a guess as to what the other Todd does for a living.

Basically, I put up a picture and you try to be as funny as possible. We know how to do that, right?

Here is Thursday Todd #1.


What do we think about this Todd?

The Process, Episode 2

The Process, Episode 2 (Advent Video) from Todd Wright on Vimeo.

From The Finley Files...

I was checking Twitter the other night and Finley points to a tiny picture in my TwitterFox window and yells,

"MR. DAVID!"










They miss him almost as much as I do.

Holiday Trees

GOOD MORNING...

Chris Dane Owens is a filmmaker and musician.

Now, he has combined his skills to produce an amazing video that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Enjoy.

THREE WORDS...

"You're welcome, Bethel."

Please Let This Be A Joke...

Uh oh.
I don't think it is.
www.speedfit.com

Through some random blog about the internet, (go figure) I found out about Shaquille O'Neal's Twitter feed.

Apparently, creating fake Twitter accounts and web pages for celebrities is a big deal. I did not know this. Awhile back, somebody set up a fake Shaq twitter page and started posting.

Well, the Man of Steel was none too happy about that! So, he opened an Official Shaquille O'Neal Twitter account.

Here are a few posts that I've found memorable:
_________________________
"At the barber shop, gotta b sexy for the game tomorro. Us supermodels always have to stay fine, lol" (Nov. 19, 3:12pm)

"I'm watchn my 8 yr old son play, i'm jealous hes a better free throw shoota" (Nov. 21, 8:21pm)

"Im fellin good anova shaq quote Seekin input from strangers, may help u make better decisions" (Nov. 29, 11:41pm)

"Dat was so so heres a good shaq quote An unchecked ego will sooner or later b bad 4 business" (Nov. 29, 11:42pm)


Not only is he funny and self-deprecating, but those quotes are actually pretty good. If you're on Twitter, follow Shaq. I think you'll be glad you did.

link//THE_REAL_SHAQ

Buying Something...

Buying "Something" Episode One from Todd Wright on Vimeo.

SongWrighting...

A few months ago, I started doing a thing called "SongWrighting."

The idea was this...I would post old/new/work-in-progress songs to my YouTube page to get feedback. I did a couple of videos with some old stuff I'm thinking about "bringing back." I got a few comments, which was cool, but I decided to take it to another level.

Because the number of folks who read this blog is much bigger than the number of my YouTube subscribers, I figured I'd take a leap of faith and let ALL OF YOU hear this new song and give me your thoughts.

I wrote this song (or most of it) on Tuesday/Wednesday and shot this video Wednesday night. And now, I'm sharing it here because I want to know what you think.

I'll do the song with the lyrics superimposed. And then I'll throw a few of questions/concerns out there. I'd love to know what you think.




Oh..and the volume level of this thing is really hot. Turn down your speakers...unless you really want to hear Distortion Todd rocking out on your computer.

Thanks for listening!

Just Vote Your Conscience

Okay, everybody...

Looks like beliefnet.com is hosting their Most Inspiring Person of 2008.

I mean, sure, there are some good nominees, but I never get nominated for anything, you know?

So, why not nominate me? I mean, I'm as inspiring as all those other people.

You can also leave a comment as to how I've inspired you.

Voting ends Thursday.

I mean, come on...this guy would inspire anybody, right?
















If you don't vote for me, then the terrorists have already won.

The Process...

The Process, Episdoe 1 (Advent Video) from Todd Wright on Vimeo.

This Woman Knows Me...

Okay, okay...I promise to stop posting about the Bloggess soon.

But this one was too good to let go.

You all know how I feel about football, right?

Well, check this from a recent post from Bloggess:

"I’d like to apologize to everyone at that party. Especially to the guy who was asked 'You know the very best way to watch football?' and I’m all 'To have the whole stadium demolished and then afterward they firebomb it and bulldoze the ashes and then they never, ever rebuild it?' That was mostly uncalled for."

That is the perfect answer for a football conversation and I will be using it as soon as possible!

Yes, I admit that I did a Google Image search for a picture of The Bloggess, which now makes me afraid that she'll find me to be a weird crazy freak stalker. But after reading her blog for some time, I think she's a bit of a stalker freak herself...or at least sympathetic to stalkers. And then she'll totally dig me for talking about her non-stop.

And then, Kristen and I will drive to Houston so we can have dinner with her and her husband and I'll get to take my OWN picture with the Bloggess.

Does anybody else find my fascination with this blogger to be weird, unsettling or inappropriate? My family is getting worried.