My Oldest is Engaged!

After it was clear we were going to stop having kids with two boys I used to lament from time to time that I didn’t have a daughter. Well that changed last night.

My oldest reserved Jives coffee house and told his soon to be fiance he was playing an acoustic set as a fundraiser. After she arrived he played “I Want to Know Your Plans” by Say Anything. We had rehearsed earlier to sing the La, La’s at the appropriate time.

Here is the proposal.

And here are the lyrics to the song:

“I Want To Know Your Plans”

I want to know your plans, and how involved in them I am.
When you leave for good this fall, will I be forgiven?
And If you want roses, I’ll buy a bouquet.
If that just won’t cut it, what can I say?

You’re what keeps me believing this world’s not long dead.
Strength in my bones and the words in my head.
They pour out to paper, it’s all for you
‘Cause that’s what you do. That’s what you do.

I want to know your fears, and if you’ll forget me next year
And when the jets go up and out, will our hearts stay here?
If you could forgive me (forgive me) for being so brash.
You could hit me or whip me, I’d savor each lash.

You’re what keeps me believing this world’s not long dead.
Strength in my bones and the words in my head.
They pour out to paper, it’s all for you
Cause that’s what you do

No more fighting.
It is only a waste of our time.
‘Cause soon we’ll be leaving,
will this strength still be mine?

I’ll look out for you till I die
Till I’m gone… yeah
I’ll remember you till I die (till I die)
Till I’m gone.

You’re what keeps me believing this world’s not long dead.
Strength in my bones and the words in my head.
They pour out to paper, it’s all for you

You’re what keeps me believing this world’s not long dead.
Strength in my bones and the words in my head.
They pour out to paper, it’s all for you
‘Cause that’s what you do. That’s what you do.

 

Amazing night, Thanks Jives.

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Posted by Gary in Personal

What Happened?!?

Never in my lifetime did I believe I would see the church in such a state. I’m talking about the capital “C” church here. Certainly there are churches making a huge impact on people’s lives for the Kingdom and the cause of Christ but the universal church is struggling at best.

My heart is breaking for the bride of Christ. We don’t have to look far to see the church today in serious trouble. We’re increasingly viewed as irrelevant and out of touch. The majority of Americans view the church as nothing more than a social organization that does some good things, maybe, but really has no relevance in today’s world.

How did a group of people 2000 years ago without advanced degrees and none of the resources we have today impact the entire known world for the cause of Christ? And why are we viewed as irrelevant when we are equipped with seminaries, mass media, marketing, and vast resources. Why are we viewed as a nice subculture by most and downright evil by some.

I came across two articles one declaring “More Americans Say They Have No Religion”, and another with the headline “The Coming Evangelical Collapse”.

What has changed? Where have we gone wrong? What must we do to become again the Church Jesus planted?

I have written a book called “A Broken House”. It has been sitting in my computer for almost 3 years and I would like to walk through it with you over the next little bit. I would love to discuss it with you and get your feedback before it goes to print.

Please comment and invite anyone who you think would add to the conversation.

Also I will release my E.P. “I Will Sing” on October 16th. The next few weeks will be a mixture of this conversation and song stories from the E.P. I can’t wait for you to hear it!  You can listen to the first cut here.
 
 

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Posted by Gary in Church Growth, Faith, Leadership, Personal, Practical

I Will Sing!

I Will Sing E.P. Cover

The E.P. is finally finished.

6 songs total 2 totally new songs, 3 new arrangements, and my favorite hymn with a new chorus.

Can’t wait for you to hear it. This week I will schedule the last few things so we can release it the first part of September. Those on my mailing list will have first shot at it and then release to the general public.

Thank you Aaron and Dominick Wagner of the Grey Room in Larkspur for all of your amazing creativity and hard work. I did not have the vision for this that you had. You made it something I can be very proud of.

Stay tuned here as things unfold. It’s the best place to stay informed.

And follow the link if you would like to Subscribe to our newsletter.

Here’s a little teaser for you.

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Posted by Gary in Just for fun, Personal

Retreat in Salina

As we travel back from Salina Kansas I want to capture a few thoughts.

Great leaders attract great leaders.

If you want to have great leaders be a great leader. Your personality type isn’t the issue. We can all learn to be good leaders. Know your weaknesses and fill your team with people who love to do what your not good at.

There is no substitute for preparation.

Especially spiritual preparation. In order to be fully prepared we must take time. There is no other way. Say no to nonessential things and take the time necessary to prepare. Gods people deserve no less.

We must operate from a position of rest.

Both spiritual, resting in the confidence of your calling and Gods ability to fulfill His calling on your life, and physical. Take care of your body. Exercise and sleep.

More to follow. I’m going to sleep while my son drives.

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Posted by Gary in Personal, Worship

The Cost of Poor Leadership

Last week I nearly lost one of my most valuable team members.

I confess that I am a little insecure, ok maybe more than a little insecure. I need feedback. I need to hear how I’m doing. Even if it’s negative at least I know where I stand. It’s something I need. I’m working through it and trying to gain my worth solely from the Father but I’m not there yet.

Partially because of my own need for it I am an encourager. I think I’m an encourager by nature but the fact that I need it myself compels me to give it to others. I try to give substantive feedback not an empty “your awesome” but encouragement from a place of truthfulness. So when one of my team members said to me “I’m thinking about quitting; I’m just not adding anything of value”, my heart was ripped. This from the person I value most on this particular team.

People need feedback, they need to know if they’re performing up to expectations. They need to know they are valued. Even those who seem to be confident and sure of themselves. And they need it from those who have been entrusted with leading them.

I apologized for not communicating how valuable they are and pointed out specific things they were bringing and how it made the whole better. I think it helped in the short term but I need to be mindful of how big a need this is for nearly everyone and not take people for granted.

The Bible is clear about how we should act as leaders. Acts 20:28 says, Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock , among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

The cost of poor leadership is very high. If your lacking in resource ask yourself if you are stewarding God’s people as well as you should. It might unlock the storehouse.

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Posted by Gary in Church Growth, Leadership

Exciting News!

Well at least for me.

I’ve hesitated to talk to you about this because I’ve been talking about having a book available for going on 3 years now, which is still in the works by the way, so I didn’t want to talk about this until it was a done deal.

About a month ago I began working on an EP with some amazing people at The Grey Room studio in Larkspur Colorado. These guys are very creative, Kingdom minded, and full of vision. I’m so excited for you to hear these songs.

The E.P. will be six or seven songs. We have four tracked so far. Faithful One is pretty true to the original with a full band, I Will Sing has a new chorus and we’ve added a bridge, You Pursue Me is still stripped down and worshipful, and last week the equipment wasn’t working so we decided to write. This Thursday we tracked the song. It talks about the wilderness I’ve been in the last, seems like forever, and the truth of where my faithful, loving Father has been the whole time. So excited about how this is coming together. The other two or three songs are still to be decided.

I spoke to Aaron and Dominick about the project just before Christmas and they agreed to let me work on one song at a time until the money came in. In a matter of about 3 weeks all but a few $100.00 came in incredible unexpected ways. This is going to happen and hopefully in the next 60 – 90 days.

I’ll keep you posted as we get closer. Please pray for us as we  decide what the final few songs should be and prepare to do the final vocal tracking.

Thank you for being a faithful friend.

More pictures here.

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Posted by Gary in Just for fun, Personal

Merry Christmas

What a year we’ve had.

God has truly blessed us. As I look back on the last year it has been a year of stretching, growth and sowing and we look forward to an amazing and productive 2012.

But first a little rest. We get the next several days to rest, reflect, and recharge.

I hope you get to do the same. Our prayer is for you to have a restful Christmas break with family and friends.

Merry Christmas from the Trobee family.

Remember Jesus was born “to you”.

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Posted by Gary in Personal

A Change of Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”

Life moves in seasons and I am sensing my season changing.

Summer is coming to an end and the fall is almost in full swing.This fall is going to be different than I expected but good. I have committed to being in Limon until we can make a smooth transition. I feel toward Life in Christ Church like I would feel toward my daughter, if I had one. I want to make sure the new Sr. Pastor will love her and serve her unconditionally. I know everything will come together at the right time.

This fall I will be teaching 3 classes, two I’ve never taught before, at Cornerstone Cottage School; just a little stressed but excited. The School of Worship is gearing up as well. I love mentoring students and walking with them toward their ultimate calling to lead the body of Christ into His presence.

The biggest thing however is traveling to churches to help build worship teams. This fall we have 4 retreats scheduled and have already made a trip to Ohio. It’s been so rewarding to spend time with churches who don’t have the resources to hire a full time worship pastor or send someone to training. They have so much passion and desire and just need a little direction. Over the next several months I will be praying for direction as to how to move forward and would love any ideas, advice, and most importantly prayer.

If you are in a church or know a church in need of a mentor please point them this direction. We are having lots of fun and seeing lots of fruit. This weekend we will be at The Springs Journey right here in Colorado Springs.  You would be welcome to come and take part if you like it’s completely free. Hope to see you there.

Blessings,

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Posted by Gary in Personal

New Music

If your like most worship leaders you are constantly on the lookout for new music. And not just new but something fresh.

Seems as though most of what I hear is very similar to a hundred other songs I’ve heard over the last several years.

Enter Matthew Reed;

From what I’ve read Matthew decided he had a few songs he wanted to share so he self-produced this E.P. with the help of some Colorado Springs folks. Which makes me proud.

There are a couple of songs you could use in worship. So far I’ve used “Crash This Place” several times in a couple of different places and it works. People have responded well. It’s a great call to worship.

Here are the lyrics:

vs. 1
Though the waves are flooding the shore
And the ground is shaking in despair
Come and heal this a broken land
We want to know You deeper, to know You deeper

Chorus
Holy Spirit won’t You move in power
Come and crash this place with love
Come and crash this place with love
King of Glory won’t You have Your way here
Come and crash this place with love
Come and crash this place with love

vs. 2
Broken and torn for our crown
For His love is all we need
Come and heal our broken hands
We want to know You deeper, to know You deeper

bridge
Whoa, oh, oh, we are one
Whoa, oh, oh, would Your Kingdom come
On this earth like You promised
In our hearts like a flood

I love the way the song builds and then drops out at the bridge.

Also Matthew is very accessible. I contacted him on Facebook to ask for charts and he responded the same day, and forwarded charts for the whole EP.

Check it out and let me know if you use it.
And let me know if you find new stuff as well.

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Posted by Gary in Worship

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