I was reflecting the other day on the story of Jesus, his disciples, and the stormy sea (Mark 4:35-39). You know, the one where he’s asleep in the boat and all the other guys are freaking out, scared the wind and waves might sink them:
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“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

A book by Brennan Manning was encouraging me to imagine a biblical scene, and put myself in the story - to ask myself who I’d be in the drama, and to view it from that perspective.  Well, as crazy as it sounds, the first thing I thought of was; “I’m the storm“.  I figured that was too weird, quickly tried to think of an actual person in the story that I related to, but the “storm” idea just kept coming back.
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And I began to see why it hit me like that:  I’m a Type-A personality.  I love making things happen, directing events and experiences.  I work hard at shaping my calendar, ministry, art, and communication.  Like a storm, I’m used to making waves, rocking the boat, and charging forward like a force of nature.  I began to look at the narrative from that point of view, and I was floored by the voice of Jesus to me in the story.  It hit me like a ton of bricks: “Quiet!  Be still.”
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This month, I’ll be attempting to obey this directive like never before. I’ve felt led and supported to embark on a month long SABBATICAL this August 2-27. The first break like this for me, ever. It will be difficult in some ways, but I’m so excited to follow God with this radical step. These 26 days will be a time of family, rest, solitude, silence, study, reflection, retreat, and renewal.  I can’t wait! I’ve never even taken two weekends off in a row in 17 years, so this will be quite a new, transforming experience. Please keep my family and I in your prayers as we intensely seek God’s direction, peace, and unique presence during this time. I will not be performing, leading, singing, speaking from a stage, or booking future ministry dates, so please also keep my ministry and God’s future plans for it in your prayers, as well.
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My I fully let go, releasing my grip on everything but Jesus! And may his peace, like a sea smooth as glass, carry us toward a new shore.

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Several months ago, I was invited to try and write some worship songs for young children (ages 3-10ish). Since I have a few of those in my house already (the kids, I mean), I felt I had a sense for it, and I dove in. All alone with a laptop and my guitar, I sang my heart out, crying and laughing as I felt God’s inspiration like never before. I wrote eight songs that afternoon! I submitted them all to the producers, and I’m honored to have two of these songs included in the new release Songs from the Playhouse. It’s a high-energy compilation featuring the legendary talents of Kenny Aronoff, Matt Bissonette, and Crystal Lewis. It’s been released internationally by Kingsway, EMI, and David C. Cook. Click the image for the link to it on iTunes:

The two songs I wrote are “Big God Story” (a wide-angle look at the big picture of God’s love and plan for us) and “Child of God” (a celebration of our identity in Christ). They’re both simple tunes that the rockin’ band turned into pop-punk, foot stomping, shout-along scorchers - sure to be a welcome jolt to your family’s music collection. I’m so excited to be part of this newest generation’s worship expression!

There’s also a second album in the series, created more for older, elementary age students, and it’s all a compliment to a brand new family church curriculum by David C. Cook and our ROCKHARBOR church called TRU.  If you click the image above, it’ll take you to the website for more info!

And here’s the link for more info on the worship albums, plus a promo video capturing the making of, behind the scenes:

CLICK HERE

An excerpt of my book The Christian Musician’s Guidebook has been published by a magazine, and the article is now online!  Check it out by clicking the image below.  I’m on page 33 - excited to have you join the conversation!

I turned 40 yesterday, and to celebrate the season - to put a line in the sand - I’ve written six chapters of history. Part memoir, part advice column, teaching tool, and ministry resource…here’s my take, from nearly 20 years of touring, on MISSION, CALLING, SONGWRITING, MUSIC BUSINESS, BOOKING, STAGE PRESENCE, BALANCE, and WORSHIP LEADING.

It’s $10, comes in PDF format on CD, includes an audiobook, wallpaper, and 10 rare MP3s, and right now, there’s only one way to get it:

justinfox.com/purchase

Thanks for your support!

Our youngest child, Holland, was baptized this Easter.  Enjoy the pics.  Thanks for celebrating with us!

and on the right…

THERE ARE STILL OPEN SPOTS AVAILABLE

for the Songwriter’s Intensive - Saturday, May 1st

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to focus and refine your creativity and art.  Sit down with Justin and some new friends on a Saturday morning for an unforgettable experience.

ALL SKILL LEVELS, EXPERIENCE, AND AGES ARE WELCOME

____________________________________________________

Tonight we ponder Good Friday and then celebrate Christ’s victory on Easter Sunday. These are some of the biggest gatherings our churches will ever have this year. Many of us worship leaders will be in front of our largest audiences, and quite frankly, we’re feeling a bit of the buzz. With all the excitement, services planned, productions being set up, big and small (Jonas Brothers at Saddleback?), I’m praying we all move beyond the staging and lights this weekend toward the deeper purposes at play. And just as a reminder, here’s a cutting-edge take on the whole thing:

(Of course, the British lead the way once again…)

Now, will I still be putting on my skinny jeans, my tight, vintage, black button down with the perfect thrift-store suit vest (Good Friday, you know), tucking my ear-bud deftly behind some bed-head highlights, strapping on the Hummingbird, and walking up to the microphone a few times this weekend? Yes. Will this video be nagging my every move? Yes.

And I think that’s a good thing.

Back in the studio again this week - pretty nice weather in the Northwest.  The record is ALMOST DONE!  Here’s a few pics of the previous adventures and updates will soon follow…  Thanks for your patience, encouragement, and support!

<<< THE 2ND ANNUAL SONGWRITER’S INTENSIVE >>>

“I really enjoyed the intensive! It gave me so much encouragement as well as a ton of suggestions for my song!”

“I found it great that songwriters struggle with some of the same things and it was very useful to be able to get feedback and give input at the same time.”

“I was able to get a different view of songwriting that I was never able to get before.”

Last year’s was very enjoyable, well attended, and helpful in many ways.

We’re excited about our next event this MAY 1ST, 2010.

Justin Fox
Songwriter’s Intensive
Saturday, May 1
9:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Halecrest Community Center // Costa Mesa, CA
$100 per person. Limited to 10 people.

* 4 hours of song critique and discussion of lyric writing, melody, co-writing, publishing, demos, encouragement, theology of songwriting, nurturing creativity, and more.
* Includes Starbucks coffee, Heidi’s famous scones, and LUNCH!
* For song critique: bring 2 songs on CD (or your instrument to play) plus 10 copies of lyrics.

First come, first served.

Payment in advance required to secure a spot.
Use PayPal at our website, on the right margin…

All major credit cards accepted.  To use your card by mail, fill out the form below and send it in, or simply call me with your card info at (949) 294-7039
Checks can be made out to “Justin Fox Ministries”

<<< POSTAL MAIL ADDRESS >>>
3007 Donnybrook Ln.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

As two dozen teenagers and I hefted a monstrously heavy wooden bench and prepared to slog it through the snow to the other side of the camp, I knew this was a different type of worship for most of us. Some people wouldn’t even call it worship - but God does.

I’ve often wondered what God’s favorite type of worship is.

Have you ever wondered if God has a favorite style? What does He like best? R&B? Passion? Soul Survivor? Bluegrass? Hillsong? Hymns? What do you think, really? We all say that He appreciates and receives our praise no matter the style, as long as it comes from the heart, but secretly…if it was just you and He, having a Macchiato at Peete’s (His coffee preference for sure), and you asked Him…Do you think He might have a favorite?

Well, guess what? He does.

God says this through the prophet Amos:
“I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
That’s what I want. That’s all I want.”
(Amos 5 - The Message)

As a songwriter and contemporary worship leader, this passage is a tough one to wrestle with. His comment about music stings and challenges. He also offers no redemptive instruction regarding music at all. Now, I realize there are many other references throughout the Bible where music is encouraged as a true expression of worship. I know God loves music, but there seems to be two things He loves even more; Justice and Fairness.  These are words with a sense of action embedded into them, action that awakens other virtues, as well; Compassion, Generosity, Service, Kindness. The questions we have to ask are; What would it look like for us to worship God the way He wants? What could this look like for our congregations during a “contemporary worship service” in which we seek to please God with our praise? And the toughest one of all; Are we really pleasing Him now?

As I’ve been wrestling with these thoughts, I’ve had the opportunity to facilitate some unique worship expressions in a variety of ways, and I wanted to share the latest experience. Last week, I was the “speaker” and “worship leader” (use of quotes, because I’m still trying to figure out those titles) for a group of high school students in the mountains of Washington . I focused our times together around various postures; Praise, Thanksgiving, Petition, Obedience, and Celebration. During the “worship through obedience” gathering, we explored the ideas of justice and fairness - how those play out in generosity and service, and what it would like for us to put some muscle into or worship, to back up our words and prayers with action. I had the idea of attempting some kind of service project for the camp. It turned out that they needed a 30 foot long, 1,500 pound workbench moved from one shop to another…300 yards…through the snow. If we could help with this, it’d be a huge blessing they said. We agreed to make it a part of our worship, and instead of singing a few songs in a nice, warm auditorium, we put on our boots and headed out into the weather.

The camp’s hosts had fashioned beams going under the long bench so that each student had a hand hold. We remembered the Israelites and the Ark of Covenant. We laughed, sized up the job, cheered each other on, counted to three, and lifted! It was hard work, but nothing could wipe the smile off our faces! It took all we had to get that table to it’s new spot. We were spent! Our aching arms, legs, and backs proved the effort (and to think there’s actually a computer program called “EASY WORSHIP”). We cheered. We celebrated. And afterward, we even carried a few lighter boards on the way back. Now that’s a picture of God-pleasing praise!

How about for you? Is there an action step you could make toward justice and fairness in your life? Could you take that step today, tonight, this week?

I didn’t regret one second of this service, and I doubt I’ll ever forget it. Did I get to share some of the songs I’ve been working on and preparing for years? No. Did we cry, get goose-bumps, or experience warm, tingly sensations as a band played? Not exactly. Our footsteps created the rhythm, our voices shouted a crude, spirited melody, and a beautiful song rose to the heavens. We obeyed. We served. We gave. We offered a real, one of kind gift to God, a sacrifice, and I KNOW He loved it. And how am I so sure? Because that’s His favorite kind of worship.