rhythm

This weekend was the fasting LTE for the entire internship minus the School of Worship. We spent the weekend serving. I lived in the auditorium for the weekend, which was quite enjoyable. I also led worship several times. I led a two-hour session in the prayer and then also filled in for two optional worship times in the auditorium on Saturday evening. I love these times of worship because its real. You, the guitar/piano, and God. Its wonderful. Its all flow. While a full band is fun and rockin’. I’ve learned to cherish these real times with God. Anyway, the first optional set was alot of wickham with a foreman song and lifehouse tune. M@ led a few oldskool songs as well. The second set consisted of Luis backing me up on keys and lower harmony, he said he would pass it off to me when he finished. He passed it off at 12:45. So I played until 1:10.

After the auditorium was empty. Matt, I, and a couple of the girls in SOW chilled and chatted for a few hours. It was cool. It was some of the first chill hang out time I’ve had with some of the new folks. Anyway, they wanted a story of a series of events that have occurred up until that evening. It was quite spontaneous, but thats we’re about here: spontaneity. So recently, several of the SOW guys have been into freestyle songwriting, like just playing a chord progression and singing over it. So I applied that to the story. Em, C, G, & D. I hope to record possibly it soon hahaha! … Anyway, some awesome stuff can be created when its spontaneous, especially hilarious stuff. It was 45 minutes long….

The Fasting LTE

As I stated earlier, I didn’t fast this weekend because SOW is fasting next weekend. The vision for the fast is giving. We will going to a prision as a choir to lead worship. As far as I know we will be dispersed among the ministry helping where help is needed. We will be allowed to talk…hallelujah!. At first and perhaps still, I was skeptical of the vision Mary had received. I know God had been speaking to Mary personally about the giving of her time as she shared with us earlier the week. It erk’d me though, honestly. I was irrate. *Venting ahead Caution* I’ve been slammed lately. I’ve been booked for a month’s worth or more weekends for work or something other than my time. Selfish, but seriously. Alumni Weekend, Campus Visit, Fasting LTE, My fasting lte. So after my fasting LTE, I’m leaving the following weekend for Thanksgiving, and I don’t come back until the 2nd. I graduate on the 13th. I need sometime before I jump head first out of TM. Time with God, Time with friends.

Okay, let me get back on track here, I ranted. So, I was split. Fast with interns or fast with SOW. The intern focus is vision based. Which is what I need some clarity on. But that doesn’t mean God can’t reveal that to me on the SOW one. I spoke to my mom about it. She encouraged me to focus on both fasting retreats. So, I did so. I need to meditate on my notes from a few of the sessions as I was working the whole weekend and not focused on one thing.

–

So, I was irrate about our fasting retreat. I guess I needed to open my eyes to the verse our manager cast the vision Isaiah 58 speaks of serving as true fasting

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

Thursday and Friday were spent serving where needed. We went to a prision and blessed them as a worship team and a choir. Oddly enough, in the process of blessing them, they blessed us. We also formulated different ideas to serve the branches of Teen Mania.

Saturday, however, was a different story. The last day was devoted simply to hearing from God. Like: How, What do I listen for, etc. Practical advice to take and immediately implement. We’d meet and go over a step in the process and then disperse and seek God. It was truly glorious. I was mainly focusing on college studies. I’m still searching out which one God has for me. I also recieved peace and some confirmation about coming back home and doing school while working at church.

So, I was wrong. Sometimes I’m a dork. The SOW Fasting LTE was phenomenal. My thanks goes to Mary for hearing from God and not swaying from what he told her.

Posted in Life., Teen Mania.

Over My Head

cdrawdy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:12:08 +0000

Over My Head

Great song by the Fray, yet at the same time it’s an awesome adjective. I find myself in this situation often. I pull through everytime yet it has become a hassle. I guess being over your head is a part of Teen Mania life: It stretches you. Which is cool, but stressful sometimes. I’m starting to realize that my work here has become huge; more so than in the past. Last semester was wild ‘n crazy with SOW, HA, MP, amongst other things. However, this semester I’ve found myself working a month’s worth of weekends…thats 4 weekends in a row for all you non-mathematicians. Its crazy, I haven’t had a good sabbath in a while. The last one I must admit was glorious and was probably the best one the whole year. Matt, Cody, and myself enjoyed a Sunday morning at the Vineyard and chilled the rest of the evening at St. Arbucks. Free refills on Passion Tea with a splash of raspberry, and the mint seizure. The day was a glorious fall chill windy day: Windows down with some ambient tunes. Glory!

Monday night found me in the auditorium studying for a test the following day. I loved it; had the tunes flowing while reading. Lighting was set with just the back audi house lights on, yet dim. *Yes I’m going somewhere hold on!* So, I finished studying and totally just started sitting there in peace with Phil Wickham and maybe some Band Hammock. It was so refreshing, a legit quiet peace. I find these times are too few. So Matt showed up and we totally just sat there, listened, and had a legit conversation. I realized that moment was a breathing moment, where I was above the water. Yet it started once again the next morning at 7: Over My Head. And I am realizing that there is only 40 days left when I will enter the real world with my old friends, leaving the best friend in California. I’m living all the way in freaking Georgia, him in California. As we would say, “What the eff.” I need more of these moments. This weekend I’m feeling it coming. The auditorium is booked until 1 am. Late night with Jesus in the auditorium accompanied by Phil Wickham and Band Hammock: I can’t wait.

I don’t want to be reluctant about leaving! Shoot! I’m about to embark on a glorious journey, but.

-Caleb

Posted in Life., Teen Mania.

Haircut.

cdrawdy — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:03:09 +0000

Yesterday evening I got a spontaneous haircut. I was expecting to get one, but not last night. Anyway, I let my amigo, Luis, cut it in the lounge downstairs. It turned out pretty cool. M@ says its slightly emo, I’ll let yall decide for yourselves. Pictures are below.

Before

After

There ya have it!

What do you think?

Posted in Life.

Mountain Dew Thursday October!

cdrawdy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:23:57 +0000

So, its our first Mountain Dew in October! Something big is in the works for MD Thursday at the end of the month in celebration for halloween. Anyway, I’m still planning for celebration for tonight. I’m probably goin out to Taco Dang Bell….not to be confused with normal uncool taco bell. So there may be a party at TDB. Pictures will come later this evening! Have a wonderful MD Thursday and let me know how your celebrations go by posting a picture on your blog and leaving a comment with your link here on my blog….that was complicated…but whatever.

Happy Mountain Dew Thursday!

thats post number 3 today! woo!

-cD

Posted in Uncategorized

Dallas Outreach

cdrawdy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:06:45 +0000

Yesterday evening, Chris’ Band (The Transit) had the opportunity to head out to Mansfield (near DFW) to lead worship for a youth Night of Worship. It was our third time playing together as a band. We just played a compilation of our previous two sets. It was quite interesting.

The soundman didn’t know how to handle our amps. He kept repeating, “Those amps are going to interfere with the monitors” It was super funny. We kept assuring him it would be okay that we didn’t need to be in the monitors. Our mighty good leader, Chris Pound, lead from a Brittany Spears headset. All 4 mic’s kept feeding back.

Despite all that, God showed up tremendously and touched several of the youth. It was awesome. We scratched practically half of our set and flowed into a Matt Gilman song. It was perfect! There were several encouraging words from God though the team. The folks out there blessed us with dinner and gas! They were awesome. I hope to be involved with future outreaches as it brings us out of our comfort zone at Teen Mania. It totally throws us in a different environment that stretches us. Its great.

Worshippers! Have you played at any outreaches lately?

Anyone! Have you jumped out of your comfort zone lately?

Posted in Uncategorized

Worship Leadership Anatomy

cdrawdy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:31:19 +0000

In my Worship Leadership class, we are going through the anatomy of a worship leader. Last week, we went through seven basic parts.

1. Must be called

2. Must be a worshipper

3. Should have some musical knowledge

4. Proven Character & consistent walk with God

5. Have a shepards heart

6. Be Committed!

7. Have a good attitude.

We had an assignment to write about a worship leader who we felt embodied these characteristics. I selected Kristian Stanfill. It was tough, but I felt that I had a glimpse intohis life from his blog. He shares some awesome powerful words on there. As well as some cool band stuff and not to forget the band suggestions! Anyway, after worshipping with him leading and seeing his anointing and excitement from God. I felt I could accurately write about him. So, below is the 250 words ‘paper’ I wrote:

Caleb Drawdy
Mary Vorrath
2 October 2008
Worship Leadership

I selected Kristian Stanfill as the worship leader I would analyze for our worship leadership assignment. Stanfill is from a nearby church back home. He stated on his website that he discovered his calling for worship leadership at a youth conference at the age of 12. He didn’t even know how to play a guitar. At that moment, he began to develop into the worship leader he is today.
Stanfill often talks on his blog about the latest thing God has revealed to him though his quiet times. This tells me he is seeking the Lord on his own in the secret place. This also allows there to be an overflowing into his ministry from what happens in those moments alone with God.
Kristian also speaks regularly on his website about his latest new song idea or the latest hook he and the band have been tinkering with. They are currently preparing tediously to go into the studio in November to release their first complete album as a band.
The man obviously has the heart needed to lead a congregation as he is in my opinion one of the most anointed worship leaders in this church group. He is also clearly committed as he practically leads every Sunday as well as other weekdays. He is also touring with the Passion World Tour around the world.
Stanfill clearly has a good attitude as he seems to always be of good cheer while leading. It seems as if he is about to ‘jump out of his skin’ while leading; he is truely excited for God. His joy even comes through on his blog writing.

So there ya have it!

Who is a worship leader you think embodies the characteristics at the top?

Posted in Teen Mania., Worship

String Change!

cdrawdy — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:49:30 +0000

Today was the day! I finally bought some strings for my Godin. I’m terrible when it comes to changing strings. I’ve had this guitar for a year and never changed the strings. Yes, slap me in the face.

Anyway, the guitar has had electric strings on it, this time we tried acoustic. It sounds better unplugged, of course…but its not made to be played unplugged. I’ll have to plug it in and listen.

It was an awesome Music Theory Monday!

How was your day?

Guitarists: How often do you change your strings?

-cD

Posted in Life., Music.

Mountain Dew Thursday

cdrawdy — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:45:25 +0000

Hello all,

I post today to start the announcement of a glorious event, but this is not any ordinary event. This is a day where people across the US of A join together in fellowship for one cause

Mountain Dew.

It may seem childish, but whatever. Here is a word from the founder Sean Pritzkau,

“This whole thing started as a few kids going down the hallways of Olympia excited about Mountain Dew. Now there are weekly extravaganzas with 15+ people with more than enough dew for all of us.”

So start every weekend off right with Mountain Dew Thursday. Send a text message to your friend wishing them a glorious MD Thursday. Hop on facebook and change your status to, “My Thursday Rocks because its a Mountain Dew Thursday.” And all the while be merry and drink Mountain Dew.

Each Thursday simply drop by here and over at Sean’s place, say hello, post a picture of your MD Thursday, or share something glorious that made your MD Thursday even better

I’ll start! Tonight all the guys in School of Worship are celebrating by heading up to Buffalo Wild Wings for 50 cent Boneless wings! We even started a pre-MD party last night @ Andrew’s Birthday-here’s a picture!

Don’t hide! Share your glorious MD experiences!

-cD

Posted in Uncategorized