New Weapons of Worshipping Warfare (Coming Soon!)

Well, with help of an awesome brother, and the money I have put aside; a new member of my arsenal of worship weapons...

Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar



Gibson Case :-)



VOX ToneLab SE Tube Driven Modeling Floorboard Processor

Some of you may be wondering... "Why?!?!?!" Well, it is simple... As many of you realize, I have been a primarily acoustic Worship Leader and have been wanting to extend to some electric work, rhythm and some lead training. With this equipment I can begin some serious expansion of my playing skills. Especially as I am leaning more towards Hillsong / Hillsong United / Desperation Band style of Worship Leading. Also, as I expand my talent borders, is learning to the use the electric in a softer environment, like Tomlin, Redman, Crowder, Hall and other Contemporary Worship artists.

God is good and worthy of our praise! I am excited to receive these tools into my hands, to turn them right back to Him in song!

As you may/or may not know, my wife and I are available to lead Worship if you have a need or a want in this area. You can contact us through here or at j.michael.project@gmail.com or at our MySpace page.

- God Bless <><

Semi-Wordless Wed?

Chris Tomlin (left) and Matt Redman (right) live in Columbus, OH, March 25th
Worshipping Loud and Clear!

A New Day Begins

A new day, what does it hold and why?

Priorities change. Once the borders and lines that separated the priorities were skewed and blurred beyond recognition. How did this happen? It could have been when we both started school work and found ourselves stressed and when needing relaxation, we chose to do it right before bed with the warming glow of the television.

it started slowly, with the addiction of Law & Order:SVU and Law & Order:CI, then on to the talk radio programs of Neil Boortz, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Howard Clark and Michael Savage. It began to replace the sermons I loved on CDR (Cedarville University's Radio Station) Radio, and the music I was listening to on, sadly, K-Love (as many of you know, I can't stand the 'soccer-mom' oriented programming on this particular syndicated radio station...), even forsaking the FM Transmitter for my iPod (gasp!), and still choosing to listen to the talksters.

Soon prayer left the room faster than a fat Elvis looking for the last apple strudel, and the personal worship time was replaced personal laziness and school work. Instead of praying for each other we were arguing over who was more stressed (obviously she was and is - Master's vs. Bachelor's, you take a guess).

As this oh-so-cute picture shows, is how I felt for each day.

"for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" - Ephesians 5:14

Basically as I lost sight of the Lord, I lost site of my own wife. She became lost, as she looked for spiritual (and earthly) guidance and leadership. I started to become which I hated and she feared, I was becoming that which she had not married. What was I to do? I knew what I had to do, but how would I do it, what did it take, why did I fear returning to the Lord?

Well, last night I came to a pivotal point of change. I truly realized this and where I was as I was taking care of my wife. I was doing all for her, in love, laundry, dishes, at her beckoning call no matter what she asked. I realized this is what she needs everyday (maybe not the extreme as when she is sick, but still the same none-the-less); for it to be in love, but Christ's love, by His Word and by His strength.

I need to get back in the Word, back in personal prayer time (which leads to praying for and with my wife daily, even more than daily!) and once again pick up my guitar not just for Worship practice, but for my own personal Worship experience. And Worship for myself and us as a couple; yet it is all for Him, from us.

Today has been the turning point. Last night I fell on bended knees to my wife and prayed for God's grace to be in my life. I know I am forgiven (by God and by her), but no longer could I walk/run/crawl under my own power and strength, but only by His. I was on my knees praying, and weeping and felt the strength I needed to start this move forward in the right direction on the right path - His.

I went to bed a different man than who walked and talked during that morning. I awoke feeling renewed and refreshed; I still have many obstacles and personal habits (i.e. not reading the Word, not praying) I need to walk through and break. Today has been no exception, I have found it hard to pick up the Bible, but I will, and pray (which I did in the shower, actually keeping the talk radio off on the shower radio). I want to change, my wife wants me to change and above all, god wants me to change and led me to Him in his own way.

Now, I am taking the steps needed to keep my true priorities in check and solid this time. (1) GOD - (2) FAMILY - (3) SCHOOL - (4) WORK.

It's been a good day of slightly slacking (I will admit), but also laundry, looking good (shaved, decent and all for my wife), taking care of my wife and listening to Worship flow through the house on our stereo system.

Now, I am off to walk the dog and return to homework and spending time in the Word with my wife; who knows, I might even pick up the guitar and sing a song to Him?

It's a new day, the possibilities are endless...

It is well with my soul

Amanda has been home and doing well. She has been uncomfortable, sore, but thanks to the creation of percocets, she is feeling fine.

Thanks to all of you who prayed, called, emailed and texted your encouragement to us.

It has been a rough ride even for just me and my faith, as a husband and a man.

On a side note, I am seeing where my priorities are. But... I will leace that to another thought-filled blog.

Thank you all.

update on my wife.

Well, it feels like the night took forever to pass by. I know I slept, but very little and in spurts. About 10 minutes until I leave to head to the hospital and see my wife and hopefully not much longer until we can take her home. I miss her dearly. Especially when she is in such pain and doscomfort, I just want to take care of with all I am.

Thank you all for your prayers, especially for her. I will keep you updated as the days go by...

I Love my Wife

It's late, and I find it hard to sleep without my beautiful bride next to me this evening. The surgery went well today, a little longer than expected due to a few things that they had to do they didn't expect.

I hope she sleeps well this evening, she is sleepy, but still uncomfortable enough not to sleep. I sang to her over the phone, per her request, hoping this would help relax her. I am not sure if did, but a little Worship lifted her spirits and made her yawn. All in His hands.

She said when she awoke from the anesthesia that she cried, due to it hurt so bad (they gave her morphine after arriving to the recovery room). I wish I could have been able to do something.

She will be home tomorrow, and that is exciting. I know she will be uncomfortable, and I hope I am able to do everything I can to take care of her and help her heal.

Yet, for now, I can't sleep; wishing I was with her to hold her hand and help her sleep and relax.

It will be great to see her tomorrow and get her home as soon as possible.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support.