God, Guitars & Gear Podcast

In this, the Season One Finale of God, Guitars and Gear, I have the honor and privilege of sharing the uplifting and affirming words of show listeners.  Special thanks to Jamie Penner, Chris Foster, Jordan Clark, Josh Thompson and Patrik Tammelin for sharing their hearts, pointing us toward scripture, and through the Holy Spirit, coming together to give us all an important message.

I want to thank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing this podcast over the past three months.  I would also like to thank you for connecting with the show on social media and through email ( [email protected] ).

Thanks to Ty Caskey and Ambient Trails for the great music that took this project to the next level.

Most of all, I'd like to thank God for opening all the doors and entrusting me with the opportunity to reach you through this first season.  It's my prayer that, through these episodes, you've been able to grow as a worshipper, as a servant in your church's music ministry, and as a guitar player, too.

Thank you so much for listening!

This one has been WEEKS in the making...and it's been a bunch of fun, too.  It's time to crown a champion - and worship a King!

GOD

During this episode, I'm going to be playing a bunch of music; playing acoustic, playing electric, playing chord progressions and lead lines.  Lots of different sounds, but they all come from one song: "Spirit Move" by our friend Ty Caskey.  It's a great song that our music ministry team and our church family has really embraced for service, and I share with you in the hopes you'll consider sharing it with your team.  Click HERE to find it on Spotify.

I asked Ty if it would be okay to post the lyrics here, because as I mention in this episode, I believe it's an exquisitely balanced combination of thoughts to consider.  "Spirit Move" does a great job of simultaneously addressing the power and glory of God and the Spirit through both corporate and personal spiritual engagement.  Ty gave me the green light, so check this out:

I want to sit here in Your presence, I want to know more of Your goodness

Filled with wonder - expectation...for You to move within this place

Lord, we wait here for You...

This is a sacred invitation

The creator of all is here right now (yes, He is)

Filled with wonder - expectation...Lord we are gathered in Your name

Lord, we wait here for You...

Spirit come and move in our hearts, stir up revival in this place...Lord we worship You

Spirit come now and have Your way, Lord, let Your presence fill this place...Oh, we worship You

I feel it moving, my heart is pursuing everything you're doing

Is making me new again

Your presence with me, pushing back the enemy...fear, you have no hold on me

Jesus is my victory!

Like I said, there are a lot of good and powerful things to think about when you take some time with the lyrics.  I'll also tell you that, when you hear Ty's recounting of the circumstances and the scripture that provide the motivation to write this song, you'll have an even better connection to it.

GUITAR

I dug into the open of "Spirit Move" a bit to illustrate the importance of balance between offering YOUR excellence to God (your take on a track, your style and experience) as a truly unique gift and providing the structural foundation the rest of the team needs to play the song.  Forgive the sub-par acoustic work...

GEAR

I put the wraps on this episode by putting the wraps on the Mission: Perfect Pick competition.  You get to hear some sound samples (in which I use Alex Strabala's latest and greatest Helix patch) of a few different picks, including all the finalists.  So which pick takes home the crown?  Listen and find out!

COMING UP...

Season One will come to an end with the "Episode of Encouragement".  My hope is that, of all the episodes you've heard, this one will be the one you remember most.  If you need encouragement, affirmation, motivation - this is the episode for you, and I can think of no better to close this chapter of God, Guitars and Gear.

Thankya's!

Ty Caskey – Ty wrote and performed the God, Guitars & Gear theme, and he also cranked out all that cool guitar wizardry that pops throughout each episode.  Connect with Ty:

Instagram ( @tycaskeymusic )

YouTube ( Ty Caskey )

Spotify ( Ty Caskey )

Ambient Trails – AT does the well, ambient trails you hear in the background of every episode.  Hear more Ambient Trails on Instagram ( @ambienttrails )

So far, God has blessed this podcast with some pretty great guests: if you wanna listen to some God-centered people, how 'bout Michelle Nezat (Ep4), Zach Neese (Ep7) and Richie Allen (Ep9).  What about the nuts and bolts of guitar?  How 'bout Reverend Guitars CEO Ken Haas (Ep2) and Seventh Day Guitars founder Scott McDonald (Ep5)?  If you're thinking about playing that six-string, you're thinking about Brandon Oaks (Ep8).  And since this here show also focuses on gear, you got some great stuff from Alex Strabala (Ep3) and Ty Caskey (Ep1 and Ep6).

But what if it were possible for God to connect me with somebody who could roll about all three?  What if it was somebody people knew, respected and thought the world of?  Well, if that's the kind of guest you were looking for, God has just dropped this love bomb on ya.  This episode is all about God, guitars and gear courtesy of Unspoken's lead guitarist Zachery Smith.

GOD

Judges is a great book in the Old Testament.  It's action-packed, and loaded with heroes from beginning to end.  And for the teenager in me, it's got some gore and great reference to somebody pooping their pants (don't believe me?  Do a multi-translation study of Judges 3:22...and get ready to howl.  You're welcome!)  But I digress...

While studying Judges recently with my Life Group family (love you guys!), I stumbled across a verse that led me to a very telling comparison study between Gideon (Ch. 8) and Samson (Ch. 13).  Who's a better deliverer in your mind, and who do you think God considers the deliverer?

It's all about our ability to compare, and just how badly things can go because of it.  Listen in to find a way to get out of the comparison game.

GUITAR

As I mentioned at the top, this isn't just about guitar, because Zachery Smith is definitely not just about guitar.  He is a 100%, all-in, over-the-moon Jesus-follower, and everything else comes after that.  In this conversation, we talked about his history, his growth within God's will, what he's learned about humility, as well as the difference between "knowing the psalm" and "knowing the Shepherd".  Zachery was also FULL of tips (whether he stated them as such or not) about playing, practicing, being up on stage, and how to keep yourself in a worshipping state with a guitar slung over your shoulder: "You're pouring it out at the feet of Jesus."

Go ahead, write that down.  I did.

He does talk about gear quite a bit, including the brands he's moving to as he grows in his role with Unspoken for touring - and recording - they're doing (yes, Unspoken fans - they're recording!).  Like I said, Zachery covers it all, and with a smile.

GEAR

It's all about Mission: Perfect Pick this episode.  If you've been following along on Instagram, you've seen all ten picks.  In this show, I give you my top three finalists, and in general terms, I explained that all of them represent the best combination of performance and value.

Now - got to @godguitarsandgear on Instagram, find the post with those finalists, and make your guess as to which pick will be crowned The Perfect Pick!  If you guess correctly (I'll reveal the winner in Ep11), you could win a pack of your own to enjoy!

COMING UP...

In Ep11, Mission: Perfect Pick will come to a close, and I will reveal the Perfect Pick...and the winner of the Perfect Pick Contest.  Even if you don't win, I'm going to give you some sound samples from several of the picks I compared so you can make your own decision on which one was best.

The little bits and bobs I'll be playing will all come from a song called, "Spirit Come" by your friend and mine, Ty Caskey.  Ty will stop in to talk about the inspiration for the song lyrics and generate some excitement about the Holy Spirit entering into our lives and all of the moments when our church families come together to glorify Go...

Before diving into the deep end of this episode, I wanted to again extend an invitation to you to participate in the upcoming "Episode of Encouragement".  This show, which will serve as the Season 1 finale, will give you the opportunity to be a blessing to everyone involved in music ministry around the world and across time.

God calls us to build each other up, so the “Episode of Encouragement” will give you the opportunity to do it by recording a word of encouragement you’d like to share with others.  Record an mp3 of your encouragement, affirmation, a special scripture, a prayer, or maybe even a tip to help a team or guitarist to play better, practice more efficiently, or connect with God during a service.  Whatever God puts on your heart, put it in a recording and email it to me: [email protected] .

GOD

I've got one of those smart watches that tells me what my heart rate is, how many steps I've taken, how much exercise I've done, and a whole bunch of other stuff I can't figure out how to use.  I'm grateful for it, though, because I can get a pretty quick idea what's out of whack if I don't feel right.

As far as I know, they haven't come out with a smart watch with a band that can stretch around a music ministry team yet, but thankfully, I don't think we'll need one, because we've our friend Richie Allen!

Richie Allen is a worshipper, coach and pastor with over 28 years of experience in executive, creative and music ministry at well-established churches and highly-successful church plants (you will not believe the story about his church-planting experience!).  During our conversation, Richie shared some general observations about music ministry across our faith, as well as some very specific advice for worshippers who are playing guitar on music ministry teams.  This is another one of those "maybe I should take some notes" kind of episodes...

I did want to zoom in on one thing that Richie shared, and it pertained to Psalm 19:14.  I'm not going to spoil the treasure he drops concerning that particular verse, but I want to encourage you to spend time unpacking the chapter.  Upon considering it myself, I noticed that the psalm reminded me of a perfectly-crafted Sunday morning set. It moves from the exhilarating declaration of God's identity and attributes, into the extoling the value and worthiness of His commandments, and finally into bridging a deeply personal plea for forgiveness and the ramifications of that forgiveness.  If you're looking for a place to worship, Psalm 19 is the spot!

GUITAR/GEAR

It's all about "Mission: Perfect Pick" around here, as we are going to find the best plectrum on the planet!  Yes, I said WE.   And yes, you'll be compensated for your participation!  Well, one of you will, at least. :)

I talk all about what's happening during the show, but I also said I'd explain it here in the show notes, so here goes:

For Finding the Finalists

You're going to need to follow @godguitarsandgear on Instagram.

From July 27 through August 2, I'll be posting pics of each tested pick.  Watch for them, decide which pick you like and like that post.

I'm going to factor fan faves into the grading, so your vote will help me determine which pick I pick to be the Perfect Pick.

Crowning the Winner

On August 3, Ep10 will drop, and in that episode, I'll announce the three finalists.  That same day, I'll also post a photo of those finalists on Instagram.  Look for that post, and comment on which pick will win.

When I choose the winner, I'll go through that post and jot down a list of everyone who picked the winning pick.

After I make sure they're following the show, I'll put the handles in a hat and draw one winner.

I'll buy the winner a pack of the winning picks!  (Yes,

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE END OF THE EPISODE...DON'T MISS IT!!!!

A little while ago, I was on the "Line 6 Helix and Pod Go Worship Users" Facebook page, and a member named Jeff Miller shared this:

“I love playing on Sundays and helping the congregation to worship. I am blessed that the Lord is willing to use me in His ministry. However, I get so focused on the part I am playing and thinking about the next part coming up, making sure I am not too loud during the down moments, then add listening to the click, the cues, listening to the vocalist making sure they aren’t in a different place. Sometimes I don’t feel like I get a chance to worship, how do others focus on all those things and get to worship too?”

It was a big - and critically important - topic and question.  I know that, through my own experience, as well as through talking with Michelle Nezat (Episode 4) and Zach Neese (Episode 7), that worship not only can, but should, happen whenever and wherever you are in your day, not just on the stage.  But I wanted to get some help in not only providing specific ways to integrate worship into a guitarist's regimen while preparing to make their offering in church.  And there was no better guy I knew to do this than Brandon Oaks.

GOD/GUITAR

Brandon's currently the worship pastor at Ocean Church in Cape Coral, FL, and he is a former music leader at International House of Prayer.  Brandon shared an exercise he calls "singing scripture" - which makes sense, because that's exactly what you do.  The concept is a simple one, but it's extremely powerful, and one that WILL bring you into a place of worship during your practice time.  And here's the bonus - when you feel comfortable doing it by yourself, you can teach it to your team, and then you can integrate into a special event with your entire church!  Bottom line - this won't just help you worship God...it will help everybody!

I also had to talk with Brandon about his music, because he has released some very inspirational songs.  His most recent release, "Father of Lights", really struck a chord (no pun intended, I promise) with me and I have a feeling it could really become a powerful song for congregations to sing.  Brandon shared the scripture behind the song and the compelling messages contained within it.  I really encourage you to check it out...here's the Spotify link:

Brandon Oaks: Father of Lights on Spotify

GEAR

You and me...we have a mission.  Well, actually I have a mission, and you've been drafted. :)  For years, I've been trying to find a pick that has the perfect combination of tone, firmness, hold and lifespan.  Now, with your help, it is time to successfully execute "Mission: Perfect Pick". I have scoured music store shelves, clicked on countless Facebook ads, and scrolled through an infinite number of Amazon listings to sample picks of all shapes, sizes, materials, thicknesses and price points, all to find it.  The one.  THE Perfect Pick.

I've used Dunlops and Fenders over the years, but I decided to explore some different brands for this mission; I'm currently comparing offering from Thalia, HotPicks, Graphtech, Fred Kelly Picks, Howling Monkey Picks, Common Fibers and Timbre Gear.  But I want to try more, and I need your suggestions.  Reply to Mission: Perfect Pick posts on Instagram and Facebook, or just email me what you like - [email protected] .  But do it quick, because I'll have to get them ordered, delivered, and then test them.  Thanks!  Your country owes you for your service.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

I've decided to join forces with you on a very special upcoming episode.  Since God calls us to build each other up, and we all know we could use it, I want to team up with you to have an "Episode of Encouragement".  I need you to RECORD a word of encouragement you'd like to share with others who are participating in music mi...

This is God, Guitars & Gear, as you know, and we always put God first.  Well, on the last episode with Zach Neese, Zach and Chris got so deep into talking God, that Chris totally forgot ask him about guitar!  Well, Zach reminded him about it, and Chris did get some very interesting audio with Zach enjoying his #1 fiddle.  Hope you enjoy this little bonus!

We're now into the second half of Season One here at God, Guitars & Gear, and we're doing it in style.  If you're one of the 100,000+ that owns How To Worship A King, you know that worshipping God is serious business.  Furthermore, you know that Zach Neese doesn't pull any punches in those pages.

GOD

Zach joins Chris on the show this week, and there aren't any punches pulled here, either.  Zach shares a multitude of scripturally-based truths about the good, the bad and the ugly concerning our what we have titled "worship."  During the conversation, Zach addresses:

The truth behind one's calling

The modern church's biggest problem

The link between music ministry and marketing, and what it has caused

The battle between submitting our culture to the Word of God vs. submitting the Word of God to our culture

What worship REALLY means, its relation to living in service to and ministry to God, His kingship and the gospel

A lead electric guitar part vs. God's prophetic word through a lead electric guitar part

How to change the worship culture of your team and church

A CRITICAL call to action for everyone involved in music ministry

And a whole lot more than that.

Simply stated, you must listen to this episode.  Better yet, listen actively, take notes, hit the rewind button, pray about what the Spirit is speaking to your heart through Zach.  Last, but not least, share this episode with anyone and everyone you can.  If you know anyone in music ministry, it's a guarantee that they'll benefit from it.

COMING UP

On the next episode, we're going to be addressing a topic broached by listener Jeff Miller regarding the act of worship, and the best time to do it.  But we're not going to dive in alone; we'll be joined by Brandon Oaks, Worship Pastor at Ocean Church in Cape Coral/Estero, FL.  Brandon's got some great ways to worship with your heart and your guitar, wherever you are.

Finally...

BIG thanks to listener Chris Foster, who took a moment to send along a very encouraging email to [email protected] .  It's kind words like his that keep the fire burning for all of us.  Thanks for being a worshipper and encourager, Chris!

In our lives, as well as in our playing, we goof up.  Shocking revelation there, but its true.  In this episode we look at lots of things that can be improved.  Yeah, it's kind of like God, Guitars & Gear's version of Home Improvement.  Well, except that Chris isn't as funny as Tim "The Toolman" Taylor, and we don't have an odd guy peeking over the fence at us.

GOD

Overdrive effects may be the calling card of this episode, but the title shifts us toward something much more important: scripture dealing with our suffering.  Peter wrote his first letter to churches scattered across a wide region where persecution was taking place in an intensifying manner.  Recognizing this, he shares some inspired guidelines for the church family in I Peter 4:7-11.

"The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen."

Peter is sharing with those churches, and us, what we need to do to stick together when standing against an outside world that berates, insults, humiliates, abuses, blocks, deletes, cancels and ostracizes us...or even worse.  Chris goes into some detail about each encouragement, and he also shares how these things can be employed in a music ministry team setting.  Here are 6 tips for you:

Do you have people on your team who seem to know just how to cause problems for you?  Keep your mind clear and stay controlled so you can pray about the situation and your relationship with them.

Do you have somebody on your team that causes problems, division or other issues for the entire team? Love them deeply and actively.

Is your team disconnected or do you know of certain members who feel isolated? Be the one to welcome people, and let them know they’re welcome.

Are you struggling with how things are happening with you on the team? Remember that it’s not about you, it’s about serving God and the bride of Christ.

Are you at the point of letting somebody have it? Even if you’re right, administer God’s grace…the same grace He’s given you when He could have let you have it.

Are you unsure what to do with anything (or everything) happening in your church’s music ministry? Say what God would say, do what God would do.

The world is against us, family…we’ve got to stick together or we’ll fall apart.  Be thankful we have a loving God who, through Peter, showed us how to do it.

GUITAR

One of the biggest "sins" we face as a music ministry team is playing over each other.  Because of the way most teams operate, we practice separately, and rehearse only briefly prior to playing for service.  The result can often be an end product that is actually less than the sum of its parts, and may wind up being a distraction for the congregation.

Jason Brown, contributor for theworshipvocalist.com, penned a brilliant article called, "The Game-Changing Secret That Will Make Your Band Sound Better".  In it, Jason introduces "The Fraction Principle", a simple formula to keep everyone in their lane and maximizing the beauty and impact of the music we're charged to share for God's glorification.  Chris does his best to explain the idea, complete with basic math as it relates to pizza.  Just listen...you'll get it.  He also shared some tips directly from Jason's piece that you could apply right away to help your music ministry team sound better.  Here are a few:

If you have a hardhat laying around somewhere, it's time to put it on.  If you don't, maybe you can go to the party store and find one of those flimsy plastic ones.  No, it won't protect you, but at least it'll get you in the mood.

This episode is, for the most part, dedicated to building, so here's the question of the day: can we build it?  Yes, we c--...actually, we're not going to complete that line, because it may be copyright infringement.  But you get it, right?

GOD

As this episode is about building, Chris turned to scripture to point out some reasons almost everyone of note in the Old Testament built altars to God.  Chris shares some really good examples, but the main justifications were to recognize, identify and memorialize significant spiritual events and represent a supernatural intersection of a person’s sacrifice and God’s blessing.

Why share this info?  Chris offered that we, as worshippers who participate in music ministries, can build altars of our own to God when we're called upon to serve.  To do this effectively, here are five steps to do build it:

Sacrifice your time, energy, mind and heart to prepare to make your offering there. Pair your purpose with your practice.

Acknowledge God’s blessing for you to be there in that place in that moment. God has gifted you with time, talent, and opportunity to serve him, to minister to Him.  Take time to thank Him for that honor.

Pray that your offering will be found acceptable to God – that was described as a “pleasing aroma” coming from Noah’s altar in Genesis 8:21. Pray the Spirit will move through you and through God’s people.

Anticipate God’s presence as you make your offering to Him. In Mt 18:20, Jesus says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with him.”  Embrace this fact ahead of time.

Proclaim His greatness as you serve Him and His people. Why do you think every episode of this podcast begins with Psalm 150:6?  Let’s praise the Lord!

GUITARS

Scott McDonald, owner/operator of Seventh Day Guitars, joined the show to talk about everything that goes into building a custom guitar for his clients, and shared the inspirational story that led to the birth of his company.  It's not often you hear of someone taking a seemingly distant dream of building one guitar as a project to going all-in to serve God and build full-time in a company...all within a matter of months!  The circumstances - and Spirit-led events - that made it all come together will astound you.

Speaking of being astounded, if you check out his work, you'll be astounded by the guitars he's cranking out.  On the Seventh Day Guitars Facebook page, Scott's got VERY detailed photo-journals of his work on various builds; here's a couple we think you'll enjoy:

Sound of Jericho

Immersion

Isaiah

UPDATE: Since our conversation, Scott shared something pretty wonderful with us (along with all Seventh Day Guitars fans).  With every build going forward, he's going to incorporate a small piece of fabric brought to America by a Panama City, FL ministry called "MissionMerch".  This fabric is made by Christians in India, who cannot - for fear of harsh reprisals, arrest, imprisonment, torture, and even death - worship God and follow Christ in public.  Because these brothers and sisters are unable to minister to God and each other in song, every Seventh Day Guitar build will sing for them, proclaiming God's power, strength, mercy and love.

From the MissionMerch website:

MissionMerch is a life-change retailer that offers missionary merchandise, each with its own unique story. Goods from all over the world are handcrafted and sold to support many missionary organizations; provide training and employment in extremely impoverished areas; and,

There's a lot of significance to the number four. Consider a four-leaf clover, which some would call lucky.  Consider The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which I would think most would consider extremely unlucky. What about the Fantastic Four?  Not sure about lucky, but they're pretty cool nonetheless.  Now, with all this considering you've done, what about Episode 4 of God, Guitars & Gear?  How 'bout you just listen and find out...

GOD

Chris was joined by Michelle Nezat, host of the "More Than a Song" podcast (subscribe here on Spotify) to talk about what she does during each episode.  Since 2014, Michelle has been examining popular contemporary christian songs, as well as our favorite new era hymns, using their lyrics to go back to the Bible for what God has to say.  Every episode is packed with spiritual truth from the best writer of all-time: God himself.  What Michelle shares is insightful, thought-provoking, and will stir you to you turn to scripture in a whole new way.

During the conversation, Chris mentioned several episodes that focus on some of the more popular music ministry selections; here are some you should check out:

#9 - Oceans

#138 - Great Are You Lord

#152 - Revelation Song

#154 - No Longer Slaves

#185 - O Come To The Altar

#271 - Build My Life

#360 - Graves Into Gardens

#367 - Battle Belongs

Please understand this is FAR from an exhaustive list, and you can find so much truth in every one of the episodes...even if you don't particularly know or like the song (I know that personally  LOL).

GUITAR

Pickups are the heartbeat of any electric, but sometimes that beat just doesn't seem to get a guitarist's blood pumping.  If you're looking for a great way to make your favorite sound like more than just one, Chris spends some time talking about - and highly recommending Guitar Fetish pickups and they're really nifty Kwik-Plug system.

By rewiring your system with Kwik-Plug, you can swap out pickups in no time, and without solder.  Collect a nice mix of Guitar Fetish pickups, and you can mix-and-match to your heart's content.  Since he first installed the system, Chris has got everything from high-gain humbuckers to lipsticks to Trons to humbucker-sized P90s!

Best of all, the pickup quality is there, and they're really affordable, too.  Check them out at www.guitarfetish.com !

GEAR

This week's gear tip really isn't about gear...it's about something that's about gear.  Not making any sense?  Let's hope this helps: Chris recently watched Reverb's new documentary "The Pedal Movie", and he's got a review for you.  You'll get the good, the bad and the fuzzy on the film, and you can find out whether he thinks it's worth the rent.