BERNARD SHUFORD

There are really all kinds of cool things going on in my life, if I would just sit down and think it through.  I’m a very lucky and extremely blessed man.  I owe God a big apology for all my complaining. 

That’s not to say that I’ll never complain again, but it won’t be any more “right” then than it is now.

Karma Shuford Photography.

T and K.

Bethel football and basketball.

Crossroads Baptist Church.

Precision Products.

Mom and Dad.

Good friends.

My guitar.

Any piano.

The Blackberry.  The iPod.  The ThinkPad that runs Ubuntu.  Two digital cameras.  (K told me tonight “I wish I was YOU, so I could have all your STUFF!”  She was amazed at the quantity of camera lenses, flashes, and bags, but it still was a shocking alert about how much “stuff” I do have.  Quite a thought to ponder.)

A bunch of Bibles.  The Bible on the Web.

Somehow I always find a way to want more. 

I want to find contentment in Christ and be really, really, really CONTENT with what I have.  Or even less. 

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I’m a musician.  Quality debatable, but I’m still a musician.  I am the primary musician for our church.  That’s a pretty busy spot.  I also have some other “worship service” jobs, but in general, since I’m there anyway, they’re not a problem.

Now here’s this “youth” thing that God has put on my heart.  The two sometimes interfere.  Hmmm.  Not good.

Crossroads needs some more musicians.

A pianist would be a huge blessing.  Guitars, bass, drums.

I love my music, but it’s not my primary task right now.

What’s up with THAT?

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I gotta start exercising.

Heart surgery survivors gotta exercise.

I’m 39.  Hopefully I’ve got 30 so more years.  I’m already getting soft.  Gotta stop the slide.

I’m gonna start blogging about my exercise.

Hopefully it won’t kill me.  There’s still SOMETHING going on with my body that just isn’t right.  Not sure what.  Don’t know if I really had a stroke or if it’s blood sugar problems, or if it’s thyroid problems, or if it’s a bunch of things.  Maybe it’s lack of exercise.

So.  The blogs will probably be minimal at first, like calisthenics for 5 minutes and stupid stuff like that, but I’m gonna work on it.

Also gonna blog about my musical practicing.  Gotta practice more guitar and piano, and even singing.  It’s my God-given calling and talent.  Gotta do it.

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Things I wish my church could do.

Please note that I did not say that I believe my church (“my church” being defined as “the local body of believers that I regularly attend and am listed as a member of”) is called of God to do these things.  Please also note that I did not say that I believe my church SHOULD do these things, only that I WISH it could.  (more…)

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I ask a lot of questions here at bernardshuford.com, so I’m going to be different today.  I’m going to bop out a list of things that I really see as important for those of us who are Baptists and are also musicians. 

1. Don’t ignore the Bible.
2. Don’t ignore the pastor.
3. Don’t ignore the classics.
4. Don’t forget the church.
5. Don’t let your musical nature override your good sense.
6. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of your ministry.
7. Don’t put the piano in a corner.
8. Don’t try to make the SBC into an Emergent event. 
9. Focus on Jesus. 
10. Encourage.  Baptist churches don’t get a lot of that.  It seems “anti-Fundamental.” (Yes, I know that the SBC is not necessarily a “Fundamentalist” group.)

Quick note about Mark Batterson over at National Community Church, in Washington, DC.  Another crew that I am watching interestedly, wondering what I “like” and what I “don’t like”.  It appears they have some good things going on. 

 For anybody that has $300 without any purpose, I desperately WANT (not need) one of these….

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