“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

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.

Happy New Year, everyone!!!!

I pray your holidays were restful (somehow!) and renewing.  We’re just getting back into the swing here, but I’m excited for the year ahead…

>>

It’s been really fun doing these “God Parties” with youth groups lately, and a fantastic student photographer captured a rather wild one a couple months back.  Paul Bulger www.myspace.com/the_emo_kid77 took the pics and did an awesome job.  If you’re unfamiliar with the party concept, check out my blog on the subject here; www.justinfox.com/2009/06/18/lets-party/. And now…here’s the party IN ACTION!

>>

Some of the students hanging out before…

I take the stage with some tunes and interaction…worshiping through Adoration and Thanksgiving!

some more directing, teaching, engaging…

Oh yah, it’s time to break out the Uke!

After a time of worship through Petition and prayer with each other, challenging the students with real worship through OBEDIENCE, and an invitation to the REAL PARTY found in a life with Christ, it’s time again to celebrate God!  Instruments are being passed around…

…not sure about the tamborine?

someone must be doing something really funny out there…

I finally get into the crowd and the dancing is in full swing!

…always get to throw out a few free CDs!

students always make up the best dances…

…like I said….

and now the stage is getting over-run!  Pure, unbridled, joyful chaos ensues…

the craziest dancers are taking over…

…and leading the way!

ah, yes; the fist pump!

…now I’ve got the “band” assembled

…and they always really rock the cowbell!

SHAKER SOLO!

someone else needed some cowbell time…

…and MORE cowbell!

How all great concerts are ended:

(thankful he didn’t actually smash that Uke!)

We hit “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang, and the party rolls into the streets!

>>

So there’s a snapshot of a little bit of my life on the road these days - just a small part of what God is up to with us, but definitely fun to share.  I love that God would use me like this!  Thanks for being a part.  We couldn’t do this without your support and encouragement. SEE YOU OUT ON THE ROAD!

Can you believe I got my familiy to take this crazy picture???  I had to talk them into it a bit, but they actually had fun once we all got set up.  Farrah, our oldest is 13!  She’s leading her Junior High worship team at ROCKHARBOR and made her national stage debut at Fishfest this summer with a 30 minute set on the “Family Stage”.  There’s a snippet of her performance on Youtube here.  Brennan is rockin’ the drums with three years of lessons under his belt and several concerts with dad…all these new adventures this year inspired the pic.  Our famous photographer friend Jules Bianchi (julesbianchi.com) graciously donated her time and fit us in right after family portaits for Chris O’Donnell.  Crazy.  It was a blast!

This season and time of year reminds us of how grateful we are for friends like you.  Thanks so much for joining us on this adventure of faith, service, and leadership.

Read the book of LUKE with me these next few days, if you get a chance!  Let’s dive again into the drama unfolding all around us.  May we be CAPTURED by the story…again…of God’s great love, His generosity, and His reckless pursuit of us…how crazy is this???

The recording sessions in Seattle this month went great!  We are getting closer and closer to the long-awaited 10th album…  We’ll keep you posted, for sure!

2010 concert dates are filling up. We’d love to see you out on the road!

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If you’d like to make one last year-end, tax deductible donation to a great cause, this is your opportunity!  We’d be blown away and grateful beyond words for your financial support.  Every penny goes right into sending us out and pushing us forward.  To contribute, hit the Pay Pal button on our website, call with your credit card number, or write a check to:

Justin Fox Ministries

3007 Donnybrook Ln.

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

949-294-7039

Thanks again for allowing us to be an extension of your ministry to the world!

See more one-image/one-word works by others and join the community at: monotation.ning.com

IT’S HERE!!!!

<<<The LIVE DVD is now available as an AUDIO CD>>>

iTunes and other exclusive digital distributors are proud to make availabe this one-of-a-kind recording.  11 songs from the momentous home-town concert, featuring Justin’s long time touring band, his oldest daughter Farrah Fox on the final “Hallelujah”, and YOU; the loudest, craziest audience ever!

Paul Dexter (Seabright) recorded, engineered, and mixed this collection with vibrant sound quality.  It’s by far the best LIVE recording of Justin Fox…anywhere.

We know that finances are tight all around, but PLEASE CONSIDER making this a part of your holiday purchases.  It all goes to a great cause, and it’s sure to inspire and lift your spirits this season.  The full album price at iTunes is only $9.99, with individual songs for only $.99!

Here’s the direct link to the iTunes store:
ITUNES

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If you’d like an actual CD, just send $10 (or whatever feels right) to this address:

Justin Fox Ministries
3007 Donnybrook Ln.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(or make a payment through Pay-Pal at the right of this site)

I’ll make you a special, custom signed, hand-made CD!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

A friend was confiding to us how difficult it is to trust.  In the journey of faith, trusting is definitely a key component, but sometimes it’s so hard to do!  There’s tons of verses in the Bible that talk about trusting even being sort of a gateway to God and His guidance, but how to get there?  One time a few years ago, I really sensed God give me a thought about trust that came out like this; TRUST=JOY.  It’s true, I really think joy is also a byproduct of trust - very hard to have one and not the other - so if you want to be joyful in life, well, you’ve got to trust, and I’ve discovered that the more you trust, the more joy you’ll have.

So, this Halloween I’ve been thinking a lot about the spiritual; God, Satan, demons, etc…, and call me crazy, simplistic, childish, or whatever, but I really believe the Bible literally, and I believe in God, Satan, demons, angels, parting seas, people-swallowing fish, talking shrubbery…the whole thing!  If demons are real, and the devil is trying to keep us from God and His goodness, then I imagine they do NOT want us to learn to trust - in anything!  Their goal is to keep us from trusting, from joy, from God, and they never give up, but the good news is that God is more powerful than Satan, and God invites us to use His power against Satan’s attacks.  There’s many places in the Bible where we’re instructed to talk right to the demons (crazy, I know) and tell them something like this; “By the power of Jesus Christ, I tell you Satan; let go of me and get out of my life!”

Why don’t you give this a try next time you’re feeling unable to trust (no better time than Halloween)?  What have you got to lose?  Go on, just try it.  I probably pray a prayer like this over one topic or another about once a week, and I almost ALWAYS feel the crazy sensation of something really shifting in the spiritual realm.  Totally weird, but I’ve felt it to be true!  Besides, no one will make fun of you if it doesn’t work, and if it does…you just might be on a new path to freedom.

A great prayer to follow this up could be; “God, please help me to trust.”  He really wants to help you take those big leaps of faith where real life begins.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I got to tour the offices a bit and take some pictures.  Here’s a few rare ones in production and a shipment getting ready…

Also, just witnessed maybe the first-ever BASS ukuleles.  The strings are rubber.  It is acoustic/electric, plugs in and sounds like an awesome bass guitar!!!  Crazy!

All in all, a huge thanks to Michael and Kala for such great instruments and generous support of my music.  They are great people.  When I met Mike he was making these in his bedroom, and now it’s an international, mega business…with the same heart and soul.  Rock on, bro!!!!

WE HAD AN INCREDIBLE TIME IN ECUADOR!  
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!

My parents graciously watched our four children as Heidi and I embarked on the adventure of the summer.  We hit the ground running - arriving into Guayaquil around midnight and wandering the airport with no cell numbers, contacts, names, or pick-up information (totally my fault - and NOT a good husbandly move!).  Luckily, before intense marriage therapy was required, our awesome host, Kirk Smith, finally pulled up.

The week was a blur of concert ministry, chapel services, radio interviews, and visiting families in need.  Heidi’s camera captured some of it in the picture strip above; the big concert Friday night (2,500 people and my sweet backing band :), a big city in massive poverty, bright young faces with fragile futures, the family we’re partnering with - providing a school scholarship for the 7 year old in front, make-shift radio, hundreds of autographs and new friendships, and a lasting passion to do MORE.

So, we’ve accepted an invitation from LACC to help raise more scholarships. There are over 3,500 students that attend the awesome Christian school we partnered with. We were able to experience it first-hand and see what amazing work is going on; kids literally being rescued from poverty, a top-notch education in an environment of joy, and the presentation of real hope through the message of Jesus. I have a stack of about a hundred kids awaiting the chance for a scholarship to attend the school, and just $32 a month is all it takes. All transactions go through LACC, and they’ll guide you in corresponding with your student and any other questions you may have. Would you consider making this a part of your ministry giving? Shoot me an email, and I can help you right NOW to connect with a child in need and make a lasting difference. Thanks for considering joining us!