Born into a plan already set forth….

recent picture of the band and no we are not depressed it just looks that way haha!

Genesis Chapter 48:9 reads, And Joseph said unto his father Jacob, “They are my sons, whom God hath given me here in the land of Egypt.” And Jacob said, “Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.”What I especially love about the Old Testament are the strong family ties and plans that God extended from one generation to the next. Abraham received a vision of nations being blessed through him, extended through Isaac, then through Jacob, then through Joseph and so on. The blessing and purpose extended through Abraham’s descendants to bring to fruition and completion the plan God intended. I feel that way in my life, that I am walking out a plan set forth through my grandfather Pappy, and his son and daughters that make up the original McClurg Family Singers. I am blessed because of their faithfulness and call to follow like Abraham did, to leave his hometown and enter an unknown land trusting God would lead him.
I grew up the first few years of my life on a motor home, watching my family sing frequently all over the country. I can still hear their harmonies that are imbedded in me, and the timeless prayers of Pappy blessing me and committing me to the Lord’s service. I remember Aunt Martha crying tears of joy recently when we signed to Integrity Music label, as it was a dream of theirs to have a worldwide reach with their music. Now we are carrying on the mantle of blessing given to us through them to walk out.
In the Old Testament names were important and had a prophetic meaning to the person given the name. Though my last name is not McClurg, its Hoisington, as my father married my mother who was a McClurg. It was pointed out to me a few weeks ago by a friend of Suzie’s named Stacy who texted Suzie and said, “Hoisington, isn’t it cool that there is sing-a-ton in his name Hoi-sing-ton!” I never noticed that before and had to laugh as singing is my livelihood and what I do all the time!

chris

We are his workmanship….

When I was on the verge of signing a record deal with Integrity, I remember praying a whole lot and asking God for clear direction. I knew that if we did sign with Integrity that it would bring a lot of change. That along with that change would come a lot of opportunities but also a lot of hard work. I was extremely excited and fearful at the same time and not sure what advice to follow.
I stumbled upon this verse in my bible reading and began saying it quietly to myself for the next few weeks, meditating on each phrase…“We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
It was getting time to make the decision about signing the contract with Integrity. I remember coming home and seeing a card from my wife Suzie. I opened the envelope and on the cover of the card was the above verse from Ephesians I had been meditating on! It made me laugh because I never told Suzie I had been meditating on this verse. Suzie, just wanting to encourage me, happened upon this card with the very same verse that had been my strength the last few weeks! After reading the card I turned it over to look at the back and there was the Integrity symbol! (Integrity starting making greeting cards a few years ago)
God answered my direct prayer in an indirect and very out of the box way. A lot of folks love the bible verse Jeremiah 29:11…”I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord”…But my favorite as far as God having a plan for my life, is Ecclesiastes 6:10…”Everything has been decided, it was known long ago what each person would be, so there is no use in arguing with God about your destiny.”
I can totally picture a loving father telling his son, “Don’t argue with me boy or complain you’re not good enough, get out there and do it!” I picture God saying that to me every time I feel ill-equipped. God gives us more than we can handle so His strength can make us complete. By Your Spirit Lord, I walk out the good works you already have planned for me. Thank You Father! Amen.

the logo on the back of the card that Suzie gave me

Dialogue with an atheist

This gallery contains 4 photos.

I woke up on the hottest day of the summer and received a text from my wife saying there was a heat warning and to not be outside very long. The news said it could reach 110 degrees, so I stayed in the apartment with the air conditioner on, all the lights off, and a [...]

further reflection’s on improvisation!

A pastor friend of mine named Drew Ludwig, whom I deeply respect, is writing a book about the improvising nature of God. I gleaned some from him, as far as inspiration, for this blog.

When you look at the opening chapter of Genesis we see God speaking into existence the earth and the fullness thereof. Specifically, when God forms a man from dust, and then the events that follow, a beautiful story of God allowing Adam to create along with Him unfolds.

I wrote a song about this taken from the scipture verses in Genesis:

The Lord God said it’s not good for man to be alone
I will make a companion who will help him along
so the Lord formed from the soil every animal and bird
and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them
He brought them to Adam and he named each one

Adam was a partner in creation
the creator God let him be creative
to improvise through the spirit inside
and exercise his God-given freedoms

But there was no companion suitable for Adam
so God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep
he took one of his ribs and made a woman from it
At last! Adam shouted she is part of my flesh and bone

Adam and Eve were partners in creation
the creator God let them be creative
to improvise through the spirit inside
and exercise there God-given freedoms

There are many metaphor’s in all this..
1. God allowed Adam to be creative and name the animals…. it was like God wanted to be in communion
with man and creative together
2. I also love that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are in constant communion and community with each other. There are three eternal, personal distinctions in the substance of God, the blessed trinity!
3. Also the church is the living breathing bride of Christ…. the body made up of many members.
The Lord wants us to be unified and create together to bring into this age freedoms from the age that is to come.
It seems to me, we as a church, have a long way to go till we are ecumenically unified…and we need to strive to that end. What a fellowship of power and healing I can see when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity!
4. God is calling you and I to join in the sound of creation…. to loose here on earth the power of the heavens…we, belovers of Christ, seated in heavenly realms. The word says have the power, through the Spirit inside, to exercise our God-given freedoms!

So improvise in your life…the Holy Spirit…He’s inside of YOU!
Improvise in your life… be creative with what the Lord has given you!
Chris

7/29 Jazz Night/Open Art Studio – VIDEO

Hey everyone – check out what my friends have to say about jazz, art and what they hope to get out of this Friday’s happening…come down and make some new friends! 

Elmwood Jazz Night/Open Art Studio from Relevant Worship on Vimeo.

7/29/2011
7:30-10 PM
Coffee/Desserts served
Everything is FREE!
Lafayette Ave Presbyterian Church – (Elmwood and Lafayette)
716-886-6635.
Pastor: drew@elmwoodjesus.org
Presented by Relevant Worship Ministries

i love jazz music!!

 

A thundering drum roll , a moving and robust saxophone solo , or the sound of weeping piano keys. When I’m on the road with brothers McClurg , at the end of the night I can be found back in my room with my mini dvd player unwinding to some mellow jazz.What i love most about this kind of music is the spontaneous spirit it possesses. When these musicians play together and off of each other in a call and response type of musical conversation , they are trying to capture the spirit of the moment. When they play it is unique for that given night and for the crowd they are playing to. These ideas are very similar to how I approach doing a worship set. I try to be fully alive to what God wants me to do for each night . I go wherever the Spirit wills, to sing melodies of my heart,as they’re placed there by the Holy Spirit. This takes a lot of trust on the bands part , to be attuned to where my brother or I may lead the music. Eugene Peterson translates the book of Revelations letter to the church in Philadelphia to read : ” Are your ears awake ? Listen to the Wind Words the Spirit blowing through the churches “. These are challenging words for me and my fellow worship leading brothers and sisters. It is calling us to not always rely on a plan , but to listen to what the Spirit is saying in the moment . I think it’s not the unknown that scares us , but the not-knowing where we’re going . I pray , that in those moments , trust would burst forth from your heart , and you would sing confidently a new song to the Lord. You may find there is a well that springs forth – from your depths – through your mouth – and covers like water , the souls of those in your hearing . Stay tuned next week I will be showing a video of how my friends and I are using jazz music to bring together community .  

 

Story behind the title track of ALIVE

I wanted to write to let you know about the story behind the title track of our new EP ALIVE.
We’re from the city of Buffalo, where it snows 7 months out of the year. We’re home of the Buffalo Bills who have lost 4 Superbowls. Yes, it can get depressing and cold and some people say the city is cursed.
We wanted to write a song that would  encourage and inspire our congregations.
The song sings:
This is a call to all the dead and disappointed
The ones who feel like they are done.
This is a word to all the ones who feel forgotten
you are not

A few weeks after we finished the song, I was back in downtown Buffalo doing a prayer walk with a group of friends. There was this homeless guy, John, that we run into often on the streets when we’re prayer-walking. I asked him how he was doing and he exclaimed with a smile, “I’m ALIVE….I’m not dead yet!” When he said that it reminded me of the chorus of ALIVE….that no matter how down and disappointed and cold we all get….that no matter how bad our circumstances, there is always hope to hold onto. That inside we’re still ALIVE, ALIVE, ALIVE and we’re singin!
I hope this song awakens that same feeling in you!
chris