722 is over.

July 23, 2008 - No Responses

I just read the news that 722, perhaps the most influential singles ministry in the states, will be shut down. Can you believe it? It takes amazing courage to do it, especially in an age where the church seems to be so inward. I can’t wait to see what that group of people will do next… 

Their ministry has had a big influence in my life as a worship leader. Check out their announcement… lots of great wisdom in it. 

Hillsong uses CF style!

July 21, 2008 - 3 Responses

Well, when I saw it first I couldn’t believe it. Ladies and gentlemen watch this video carefully… In their last DVD (which came out a couple of months later than Christ Fellowship’s DVD) one of the Hillsong worship leaders used the same hoodie (urbanoutfitters.com) than CF’s own Berchman Paul. That boy’s got style. Check it!

One semester of Spanish

July 9, 2008 - One Response

Fellow english speaking friends, this is for you. May it make you laugh.

One Semester of Spanish - Love Song

1st year Anniversary

July 9, 2008 - 2 Responses

It’s already been a year since I got married, crazyness!
We had a lot of fun during our anniversary, had breakfast, thawed our wedding cake from the freezer (it was so GOOD!), spent time reflecting on our year, and we got a chance to go to cinebistro at dolphin mall.

If you haven’t been to cinebistro yet, check it out! You get to sit on ridiculously huge chairs and enjoy a semi-gourmet dinner at the same time (I recommend the churrasco). We watched “Get smart” which was entertaining but definitely not movie theater worthy.

Also, my wife made me this amazing collage of pictures from our first year. Its so awesome, the pics, the memories, even the frame… I’m excited to hang it in my office.

I cannot believe its already been one year since I got married. I thank
God for my wife…she is so incredible that I would not do her justice
by merely complimenting her.
I’ve learned some big lessons this year. I’ve had incomparable joys.
I’ve had unforgettable memories. Thank you gorda, I love you so much.

4th of July concert

July 9, 2008 - No Responses

This past weekend I got a chance to play out in the gables for a 4th of July cookout. On bass, Ricky Caboverde (he’s awesome), on drums was Chris Beckford (awesome as well), electric guitar was Yannick (guess…), and on the keys was Miguel Umanzor (ditto).
Even though it must have been 120 degrees outside, I had a lot of fun. Besides playing some John Mayer, some U2 and the Fray, we got jumped at the opportunity to play some of Coldplay’s new songs from VIVA LA VIDA.
Here are some of lics we played

  • Violet Hill (Coldplay)
  • Lovers in Japan (Coldplay)
  • Gravity (John Mayer)
  • Where the streets have no name (U2)

Anyways, the setting was beautiful. Also the crowd went insane, people rushed to the front, old people danced… I even got a chance to sing to my wife
Check it out…

btw Merari, thank you for the pics

String breakage

June 23, 2008 - 2 Responses

I broke a string yesterday in the middle of service right as I went to sing the song “None But Jesus”. If you’ve heard the song you will know that its mostly an acoustic guitar song which made it very hard for us to play. I’m going to be honest with you, it sounded really bad with the electric guitar playing it, I didn’t like it, and just as I was about to cut the worship experience by one song, I noticed that it didn’t matter, there were bigger things at stake at this point. People were singing the song, they were engaged, and they probably didn’t care that the acoustic guitar wasn’t playing it.

Why do I mention it?
It continues to prove the point that a good worship experience doesn’t depend on the quality or level of musical performance of a group or an individual.

tell me if I’m wrong.

Virtual Rehearsal#2

June 18, 2008 - 3 Responses

See you tomorrow at 6:45pm . Cholula!
Make sure you listen to the Blessed be the name loop!

VIVA LA VIDA!

June 17, 2008 - No Responses

It’s finally out! go get it at a store, not on itunes. Why? well first the quality of a CD will be superior than that of itunes and because the coldplay artwork and all the stuff on the CD is straight up cool. I never buy CD’s at a store, but for this one you gotta make an exception. I’m listening to it now and so far… tasty, real tasty.

CF Live is out!

June 16, 2008 - No Responses

Alright, if you didn’t go to the night of Worship the CD/DVD is already out. You can the combo pack online at cfmusic.org

Check out the CD/DVD cover. Compliments of Designer Ninja Ande Flores.

Father’s day

June 16, 2008 - No Responses

Frank Hopkins, one of the campus directors at WK, shared some thoughts in our huddle before the Services started. This was his first father’s day without his dad. He missed him so much. It was a great picture of the brevity of life, and it complimented the series DASH that we just finished at our church. If you haven’t heard the  messages make sure you check ‘em out online at cffamily.org/messages

In any case, I got spend some great time with my father who recently had a heart attack. He has been instrumental in my life and I thank God that I still get to talk to him on a regular basis. One of these days, in the blink of an eye, I may be in Frank’s shoes.