Converge Students...Calling, Christ, Community, Culture

Converge Idol Champion Jordan C. Sings...

In the final round of the first ever Converge Idol Jordan C. won by only THREE votes with his rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'!" Great job to Jordan and to all the other contestants.  You can catch the finalists on the Converge Idol Tour this summer with stops in Pocola, Booneville, Alma, and Ozark.

Good Morning Picture for Thursday...

Last Thursday I went to the outstanding Charlie Hall and Phil Wickham show in Harrison.  Their tour is highly underrated.  Got a chance, with Paul Mosely, to grab a picture with Charlie Hall in between sets. 

All the Single Ladies...

Our special guest performance by Kellie and the Gang at Sunday night's Converge Idol show.

A big thanks to Kellie McNeil (7th Grade Girls Small Group Leader) for singing, Single Ladies along with BGV's from Lynh (6th Grade Girls Small Group Leader). Dancers include Dylan B. (11th grade), Brian M. (10th grade), Spencer H. (10th grade), and Zach H. (10th grade).

Good Morning Picture for Wednesday...

I left my kids alone with our dog for five minutes and this is what they did to the poor thing!

Mike's Tuesday Top Five...

Another installment of one of  Van Buren Campus Pastor Mike's Famous (or infamous) Top Five

Top Five Sounds I Hate...*

1. The Dentist's Drill - it makes me think of intense pain because when I was younger I had a not so high quality dentist who did not get me numb enough.  This sound actually causes me to sweat when I hear it.  I have a special play list on my iPod (or mikePod) filled with really loud angry sounding music to drown out the drill when I am getting cavities filled.

2. A Fork Scraping on a Plate and/or Fingernails on a Chalkboard - these two are pretty much the same and they both make my hair stand up.

3. The Unnecessary Reving of an Engine - it is super upsetting when "too cool guy" interrupts a perfectly serene moment by reving the engine on his motorcycle or souped-up import car just because he thinks it is cool.  It makes me want to push him down...unless of course he is bigger than me.

4. Kids Whining - not so much little kids because that is what you expect them to do. But it is annoying when kids age 12 - 22 whine!

5. Cardinal Fans Talking Trash - go CUBS! This is our year surely a curse (the curse of the billy goat) cannot last more than a century.

WHAT ARE THE SOUNDS THAT YOU HATE TO HEAR?

* the thoughts and opinions expressed by Mike Crain do not necessarily shared by Converge Students or Community Bible Church...at least the Fort Smith Campus of CBC

Converge Idol Finals...

Here is Converge Idol runner-up Kylee S. singing, "Oops I did it again." 

Log on the Blog for Tuesday...

4.28.09

I am really getting excited about...

our new Life Hurts, God Heals small group! This 10 week small group focuses on hurting students dealing with abuse, loss, addiction, sin, and struggles.  I am amazed at the students signing up for this and the leaders that God is bringing together for this series.

 A CD I cannot stop listening to...

Manchester Orchestra's, "Mean Everything to Nothing," its GRRR-EEEAAATTT!

I am slowly becoming addicted to...

Cinnamon Chex Cereal! They taste like Cinnamon Toast Crunch but because they are Chex it makes me think they are healthy than they are.

Currently reading...

Humility by CJ Mahaney (for the third time) andam about 40% finished.

Bought tickets yesterday to...

Nashville next month to attend a writers conference.  Believe it or not I have actually been hired to write a month of Bible study curriculum to be published by Lifeway Christian Resources.

Wants you to know...

about the Flamingo Series this Sunday afternoon following church! We will play guys verses girls in the back field at church.  Guys bring a bag of chips or cookies...girls bring a bottle of soda...Converge will cover the hot dogs and hamburgers.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY????

Good Morning Picture for Tuesday...

I went to Christ the King Catholic church on Saturday night to see some students get confirmed.  Not normally making it to mass I was taking in all the sights and sounds.  While turning to one of our songs in the Catholic Celebrate Hymnal I happened to see A Might Fortress was listed in the hymnal.  How did a Martin Luther hymn make it into the Catholic hymnal?????

Converge Tunes on Monday April 27th...

Here are some songs we featured last night during Converge as we wrapped up our series, "Practical Idols - A Practical Look at the First Two Commandments."

Look to You...

Our band played Hillsong United's, "Look to You," and totally crushed it during our Junior High teaching time.  Great job by Donnie and the band learning this song and leading it.

God of Justice...

Dave Hunt's beautiful, "God of Justice," from his Shelter album provided the musical back drop to a great Compassion International video that we showed to introduce our students to the Compassion kids we are are sponsoring (more on that later this week!) as a student ministry.  Check out Dave HERE and HERE

Closer...

Probably my favorite song of the excellent new Jars of Clay album, "The Long Fall Back to Earth."  Closer provided some entry and exit music last night during Converge.

 

Other Songs at Converge last night...

* Don't Stop Believing by Journey - as sung by Jordan C. during Converge Idol

* Oops I Did it Again by Brittany Spears - as sung by Kylee S. during Converge Idol

* Nothing Left to Lose - Acoustic (iTunes Exclusive Version) by Mat Kearney

Do Da Don-E Dance...

Here is a video we showed last night during Converge to celebrate the dancing legend that is Donnie Todd!  I have had several people ask me to get it up on the blog...so here ya go!

Props to Isaac Morgan, Josh Pham, and Dennis Weymss for making a great video in a very short amount of time! It is a thrill to have creative, talented, and really funny people serving with us.  Also, thanks to Donnie for being a great sport!

Enjoy the video!