Upcoming Events Summer '09
April 30th The Well
May 3rd Village Vineyard
May 10th Village Vineyard
May 17th Village Vineayrd
May 24th Village Vineyard
May 31st Village Vineyard
June 10th-13th Formation Prayer Seminar
July 13th-17th Brethren Youth In Christ Convention
July 26th OneService Ashland
What is the Shoshben?
In the Gospel According to John, John the Baptist is questioned by his disciples why the crowds are leaving him and going to this new teacher, Jesus. This shift in popularity and attention could have been devastating for eccentric prophet who broke God’s extended silence. Yet John replies with a beautiful discourse on knowing that he is not the chosen one, the messiah but simply the friend of the Bridegroom who rejoices at hearing the his voice. John’s deep understanding of who he was and what he was to be about fueled a single hearted devotion to. He was the friend of the Bridegroom the Shoshben.
In the Jewish culture the role of the best man is so much more than it has evolved into in our modern society. Today the topic of a Best Man often conjures up images of a court jester rather than a trusted friend who has a sacred role in the wedding celebration. The Shoshben was a person whose loyalty and love for the Bridegroom guided them in realizing that the attention and adoration is to be directed to the one they serve rather than themselves. Their role involved preparing the Bride for the wedding celebration. Much different than many of us have experienced the groom is responsible for the wedding. The Shoshben presides over the ceremony as a servant host caring for the wishes of the Bridegroom and the needs of the guest. Finally the Shoshben stands guard at the door of the Bridal chamber protecting the vulnerable Bride as she waits for the intimate embrace of her Groom.
The worship leader finds their call with in the definition of the Shoshben. To be a loyal and loving friend of Jesus Christ, a trusted teacher, a servant host and a courageous guard who knows that the Bride belongs only to the Bridegroom.
Buy a copy of "Simply" and support global missions!
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Simply was released this past July and I am really pleased with the project. So many people worked really hard to make it happen and the fact that it is a collision of worship music and global missions is the most exciting. All profits from Simply go to support our friend Beckie Fulmer, a missionary in Northren Ireland. Becki is sharing the radical love of Christ through teaching forgiveness to individuals and people groups of all ages, nationalities, and religions who have grown up in places with a history of conflict.
This CD is for all intents and purposes live, just Jillian and I in the AU chapel recording vocals, acoustic guitar and grand piano at the same time. We added a few background vocals and some gorgeous cello parts by Caitlin Eger and that’s it. I think the songs come alive with the live and unpolished feel. The goal was to be simple. But it is funny how much work it is to make something simple. My tendency is to make things busy and complex, so it actually took more time to make it less.
The songs on this album reflect an interesting time in my journey. They are all prayers and come from a pretty deep place. As I listened over and over looking for mistakes and wrong notes, the true theme of the CD and my heart for that matter became more apparent. God please hear me and please help me hear you: communication and communion with the Living, speaking, not hard of hearing God.
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