Understanding The Book of Psalms

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Mark Cole

As a worship leader and musician, my habit is to read a Psalm every day as a part of my daily Bible reading. As a result, I have read through the whole book of Psalms twice each year for the last 30+ years. I love to see the lament and praise that the authors of the book include in their prayers and lyrics.

The book of Psalms

I recently came across a great video that gives an excellent overview of the Book of Psalms. The video shows how the book is laid out and the different themes it presents. If you love the Psalms as much as I do, you will totally appreciate this excellent insight and information.

I am looking forward to seeing more of the videos in the ‘Read Scripture Series’. I encourage you to check them out as you read through the Bible.

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God’s Promises

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Mark Cole

It is good to remind ourselves of how much God loves and cares for us. Here are ten great promises of God to encourage you and give you faith.

God's promises

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

Joshua 1:9 ~ Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Philippians 4:19 ~ And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:4 ~ Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

John 15:7-8 ~ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.

Psalm 23: 1 ~ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Matthew 6:33 ~ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

John 10:10 ~ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I  have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

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Update on India Mission

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Mark Cole

I just want to give an update and also say thanks for your prayers and support with my India Mission. The response has been exciting to see and with the help of so many, 75% of the funds have come in and the airline tickets have been purchased. 

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 10.27.20 AM

There has been one change: the dates of the trip have been moved to May 30-June 13. We realized that this would be better for Christo and Sarah Emmanuel and their church.

Now we’re working on the rest of the details: visas, shots, Indian itinerary, music and seminar material. 

I’ve also been able to work with Brent Cantelon and assist in the purchase of a new keyboard for the Chennai church. I will bring it with me in June. I’m also hoping to purchase a bass guitar to help with their team there.

So, thanks again. I really appreciate your support and prayers. 

If you’d still like to send support: 

Please make your cheque payable to: C3 Church  91 Commercial Court, Calgary,  AB, Canada T3Z 2A6  (with “Mark Cole – Missions”, clearly marked) 

Or online at: C3 Church (put ‘Mark Cole’ in the Special Offering Box)

Here’s a video of the work in Chennai:

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My Top 25 Worship Songs For 2016

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Mark Cole

Picking great songs for your congregation and worship band is one of the most important tasks of a worship leader. Great songs have a sense of God’s Spirit on them. Great worship songs make you want to sing them again and again. Great songs cause your spirit to rise in worship to the Lord…. Here is a link to my Top Songs for 2022

Top 25

I recently updated and reduced my 2016 worship list to 25 songs. For me, these songs are the best of the best, although it was hard to narrow it down to just 25. I also put in my preferred keys for strong congregational singing and guitar friendliness. (Using the Rule of D: i.e. the top note is around a D). The first key is for male leaders and the other key (in brackets) is for female leaders (the top note around a Bb-C)

Here is my list in alphabetical order. Let me know what you think. What great worship song am I missing from my list?

  • 10,000 Reasons (Redman, Myrin) – F (D)
  • Christ Is Enough (Morgan, Myrin) – A (G)
  • Cornerstone (Morgan, Myrin, Mote, Liljero) – A (G)
  • Good Good Father (Barrett, A. Brown) – G (E)
  • Great Are You Lord (Leonard, Ingram, Jordan) – G (D)
  • Here For You (Reeves, Maher, Redman, Wanstall) – Bb (G)
  • Holy Spirit (Bryan & Katie Torwalt) – A (G)
  • Jesus Loves Me (Glover, Tomlin, Morgan) – A (G)
  • Jesus We Love You (McClure, Heiligenthal) – A (E)
  • Lord I Need You (Nockels, Carson, Reeves, Stanfill, Maher) – G (E)
  • Nothing Is Impossible (Hunt) – G (E)
  • O Praise The Name (Anastasis) (Hastings, Ussher, Sampson) – A (G)
  • One Thing Remains (Johnson, Gifford, Riddle) – A (G)
  • Open Up The Heavens (Rozier, McDonald, Ingram, Andrews, Garrard) – D
  • Open Up Our Eyes (C.Brown, Gatch, Brock, Garrard, Joye) – G (E)
  • Our God (Tomlin, Reeves, Myrin, Redman) – A (G)
  • Praise Him (Crocker, Finochio) – G (E)
  • Revelation Song (Riddle) – E (D)
  • Set A Fire (Reagan) – A (G)
  • This I Believe (Fielding, Crocker) – G (E)
  • This Is Amazing Grace (J. Riddle, Faro, Wickham) – G (E)
  • Unstoppable God (C. Brown, Furtick, Joye) – G (E)
  • Waiting Here For You (Tomlin, Reeves, M. Smith) – G (E)
  • Whom Shall I Fear (Tomlin, E. Cash, S. Cash, ) – A (G)
  • Your Grace Is Enough (Maher) – G (E)

Bonus: My Favorite Hymns

  • Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – E
  • Be Still And Know – C
  • Great Is Thy Faithfulness – C
  • How Great Thou Art – Bb
  • Holy, Holy, Holy – C-D
  • I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) – G
  • I Surrender All – C
  • It Is Well With My Soul – Bb-C
  • Jesus (There’s Something About That Name) – Eb
  • Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee – Eb-F
  • Leaning On The Everlasting Arms – F-G
  • My Jesus I Love Thee – Eb-F
  • Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus – E-F
  • The Blood (Crouch) – G
  • The Solid Rock (My Hope) – E-F

Bonus 2: My Favorite Communion Songs

  • At The Cross (Zschech, Morgan) – E (D)
  • At The Cross (Love Ran Red) (Tomlin,Cash,Myrin,Armstrong,Redman) – E (D)
  • Nothing But The Blood (Redman) – A (G)
  • Nothing But The Blood  (Plainfield) – E (F)
  • O The Blood (Barker) – G
  • O The Blood (Miller) – G
  • O Praise The Name (Anastasis) (Hastings, Ussher, Sampson) – A (G)
  • The Blood Will Never Lose It’ Power  (Crouch) – G-Ab

Bonus 3: My Favorite Altar Songs

  • O Come To The Altar (Brown, Brock, Furtick, Joye) – G (D)
  • I Surrender All (Deventer) – C (Bb)
  • Lord I Give You My Heart (Morgan) – G (E)
  • Come Just As You Are (Sabolick) – F (D)
  • Come As You Are (Glover, Crowder, Maher) – A (G)

Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions.  This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

This blog is part of my vision to train over 100,000 worship leaders around the world. If you would like to support this vision you can help by giving any amount ($1, $5, $20, etc.) on my PayPal account.

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Does Your Worship Team Need Some Help?

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Mark Cole

Is your worship department going through a time of transition? I am often called on to help churches take their worship team through transition to the next level.

Does your worship team need some help

I have consulted, done seminars and lead worship ministry all over the world for over 25 years. Can I be of service to your congregation? Does your team need some help in going to the next level? Is your team in leadership transition? Whatever the situation is, I am available for short and long-term situations.

Here is a recommendation from a pastor I recently assisted:

‘Mark has led a worship department of 50 + creatives and served on our leadership team of 6. All of these without exception have been with grace, strength, confidence and Christlike character.

We had Mark preach one week as well as consult on Organization Health and Human Resources. In each of these he did exceptionally well.

Mark has raised the professionalism in our leadership team with his diplomatic leadership style. He has been punctual, professional and always positive. I have really enjoyed working with him and learned much along the way.

I highly recommend Mark as a worship leader, teacher, team player, church consultant, equipper, music instructor and Worship Event Planner.’

Please check out my short bio on this blog and if you’d like to talk further please contact me at mark.cole@mac.com

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Celebrating 200,000 Reads: Top 10 Posts

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Mark Cole

This blog recently reached 200,000 reads from over 185 countries. Wow, that’s amazing to me! Here are my Top 10 posts in reverse order:

Top-10

10. Singing: 7 Keys To Improving Pitch

There are few things that ruin singing more than being out-of-tune. If you are a singer or working with singers, here are 7 keys to help improve musical pitch…

9. Worship Leading: 7 Keys To Becoming Invisible

Strong worship leaders know that worship is never about them, it’s about putting our gaze and attention on Jesus. Here are some keys to leading people toward Jesus in worship…

8. 10 Keys To Improving Your Singing

I have worked with average to great singers on the road, in the recording studio, in church and other musical settings for many decades. Here is what I have learned so far about helping singers improve…

7. 10 Tips On Improving Your Worship Band Rehearsal

Over the last 40 years, I have had rehearsals with orchestra’s, choirs, marching bands, studio sessions, vocal sections, brass & string sections and worship bands in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Caribbean and North America. Along the way I have picked up a few ideas on how to have a good rehearsal. Here is what I have learned so far…

6. 10 Tests Of A Good Worship Leader

How are you doing as a worship leader? How do you know if you are a good worship leader? Let me suggest a few guidelines that will help to quantify your leadership…

5. 12 Keys To Picking Great Songs For Worship

Picking great songs for worship is one of the most important skills a worship leader needs to learn. There are many different kinds and levels of worship songs. Some songs are written about God, some songs are written…

4. Guidelines For A Strong Worship Team

In any quality organization there are codes of conduct and concrete expectations. A number of years ago I attended a worship conference at Gateway Church in Dallas and was totally impressed by their worship team. Based on Gateway’s code of conduct and my own experience, here are my standards and guidelines for my worship team…

3. 10 Commandments Of Great Worship Team Members

Sometimes I lead the worship band and sometimes I play in the band. Both are important roles and have specific responsibilities to do them well. As both a leader and a player/singer, here are my ten most important rules as a team member…

2. 8 Tips On Taking Your Sunday Morning Worship To The Next Level

I love leading God’s people in worship. I have been blessed to have led church worship teams at home and around the world for over thirty years. Here are a few things that I have learned along that way…

1. Strong Worship Leaders: The 18 Things They Avoid

Strong worship leaders develop good attitudes and habits. They keep their heart, mind and spirit right before God and man. Check out these things that strong leaders don’t do, so you can grow and improve…

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions.  This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

 

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Christmas Humour (Part 2)

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Mark Cole

4th wisemen

 Entering  Heaven

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates.

“In honor of this holy season,” Saint Peter said, “You must each possess something that symbolizes  Christmas to get into heaven.”

The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. “It represents a candle,” he said. “You may pass through the pearly gates,” Saint Peter said.

The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, “They’re bells.” Saint Peter said, “You may pass through the pearly gates.”

The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women’s glasses.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, “And just what do those symbolize?”

The man replied, “They’re Carol’s.”

christmas-humor-throw it

Getting A Divorce

An elderly man in Oklahoma calls his son in New York and says,

“I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 45 years of marriage… and that much misery is enough!”

“Dad, what are you talking about?” the son yells.

“We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,” the old dad explained. “We’re sick of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!”.

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.

“Like heck they’re getting divorced,” she shouts, “I’ll take care of this.”

She calls her elderly father immediately, and screams at him, “You are not getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, you hear me?” she yelled as she hung up the phone.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. “Okay”, he says, “it’s all set. They’re both coming for Christmas and paying their own air-fare.”

hooked on trees

For more chuckles please check out Christmas Humour (Part 1).

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Mark’s Year In Review: 2015

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Mark Cole

2015 has been a strange and wonderful year. When I look back, I am amazed at all the awesome things that have happened. It causes me to be thankful for the faithfulness and supply of God. Here a few of the many highlights:

Mark's year in review-2015

Celebrating 32 years of marriage with my beautiful wife, Anna.

32 years of marriage

Leading worship at C3 Calgary West, First Assembly and Westedge

Leading worship at C3

Enjoying a year of great health

Biking - health

Having fun with my grandson, Ezra

Grandkids

Enjoying sailing with my granddaughter, Berea

sailing with Berea

Enjoying an amazing family trip to Reggio Calabria, Italy

Italy with family

Enjoying great meals with the family

Dinner in Italy

Playing music in Calgary and Montreal

Playing Dream Centre

Speaking in Calgary and Montreal

Speaking at C3

My brother, Shawn, made 3 custom Telecaster guitars constructed from the old wooden Glad Tidings Church pews my dad made in the 60’s (a few years before he passed away)! He gave my brother, Les, and I each a guitar as a Christmas gift! Wow!

Bud Cole guitar2

Celebrating over 200,000 reads from 185 countries on my blog ~

‘Following God: The Grand Adventure’

Blog countries

Thank You Lord, for Your presence, direction and supply. You are faithful!

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33 Great Habits To Help You To The Next Level

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Mark Cole

Our daily and weekly habits shape our lives in very powerful ways. This list of habits is honed down to some of the most important and proven ways to be successful. Take a look and see which ones might help you live your best life.

habits

  1. Wake up early: between 5 AM – 7:30 AM is optimal.
  2. Do a morning stretch, or just shake your body so you will kick-start a better blood flow.
  3. Start your day with a great cup of coffee or other healthy beverage of your choice.
  4. Eat breakfast and eat a healthy one.
  5. Read a daily passage from the most successful book of all times: the Bible. My recommendation is an Old Testament passage, a Psalm, a Proverb and a New Testament passage. Here is a link to the plan I use: Bible reading.
  6. Meditate on what you’ve just read in the Bible.
  7. Pray. Talking to God regularly is a powerful key to spiritual success.
  8. Set a positive intention for the day and tune your focus.
  9. Use your bike more often than your car. Even walking is a better solution.
  10. For every 20 minutes on the computer look away for 20 seconds. For every hour on the computer, stand up and have a 10 min break.
  11. Be kind to people, your family, your spouse, your co-workers, your boss, your employees, the barista at your coffee place. Kindness is a gift you can give no matter what your financial situation is.
  12. Smile more. It makes you happier.
  13. Make a list of your daily tasks and always do your important tasks first, then your semi-important, and then, instead of doing the least important, ask yourself if it really needs to be done. Then do what fills your heart with joy. Maybe a passion project or learning a new skill you always wanted to learn.
  14. Eat your lunch before 2 PM.
  15. Never work constantly for more than 6 hours in a row. Without additional supplements a normal human being can effectively work for only 5 hours per day. Everything more than that will be work with less of a quality. Learn to value and enjoy your work.
  16. The best time to workout is after 4 PM and before 9 PM.
  17. Watch the sunset, sunrise or just observe nature around you.
  18. Share your lunch with friends and enjoy your dinner with your family. Eat in moderation.
  19. Watch less than 1 hour of TV per day. There are only a few positive things on TV. 
  20. Read a book.
  21. Spend time with people closest to you and with those who encourage you. Or, do something that makes you happy, something you enjoy doing and feel pleasure doing it. Reward yourself.
  22. Be grateful. Write 3 things in your journal you are grateful for each day.
  23. Plan and organize what you need to do tomorrow.
  24. Sleep for at least 6-7 hours and take a 20 minute nap in the afternoon.
  25. Enjoy intimacy and sex with your spouse only.
  26. Drink green tea
  27. Treat the people you know and meet, the same way that you would like to be treated.
  28. Drink 4-6 glasses of water per day.
  29. Spend at least some time each week in nature and spend at least a few hours per week trying something new and interesting.
  30. Regularly give away a portion of your finances and also help at least 1 person per day without expecting anything back in return.
  31. Live an earth friendly lifestyle. Don’t be wasteful.
  32. Work to improve in these 10 areas: Spiritual, Emotional,  Intellectual, Physical, Marital, Parental, Social, Vocational, Finances and your Hobbies.
  33. Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and listen for His daily promptings in your life.

Which of these habits have worked for you? Did I miss any other important habits?

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Worship Singers: What Is Your Role?

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Mark Cole

By Branon Dempsey

Singers: what is your role? If you think your job is to deliver the message of the song in a way that inspires the church to worship, then you’re right.

Live the lyrics you're singing

Our job is to help lift up the spirits of those in the Body. No, the church does not depend on the worship team solely, our job is to help point them to the Holy Spirit. He is the real Worship Leader, as we are the facilitators.

In order to do things well, there are a few points that may seem obvious, but are often overlooked:

– Be sure to hear yourself sing – get the right mix and do hoard the monitor volume
– Work with your sound engineer and trust them
– Check if you are singing in key with the band
– Make sure you enunciate and keep syllables clear
– Sing in time / in rhythm with the band / lead instrument or drummer
– Match the energy of the song to the dynamics of your voice
– Mesh well / blend to the other singers
– Support the lead vocals – don’t get in the way
– Maintain proper phrasing and breath to each lyrical line

Most importantly, be filled with the song’s emotion, be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Sing what the lyrics are saying and pray what the Spirit is stirring. To each song of worship we lead, we are to biblically live the music we sing.

One idea to help you sing with confidence, conviction as well as to memorize the words is to speak them first. When you spend time reading the lyrics, especially out loud, something awesome happens.

Looking at the lyrics before you sing is a powerful tool. You see and feel the writers intent. At the same time, your mind is pointed to certain words that connect your heart.

The optimum aim for the worship leader and vocal team is to connect the message of the song to the church. When the Bride of Christ is led by the clarity of words and music, worship can take on a brand new experience.

“Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.” (Psalm 96:2)

Live the lyrics you’re singing, and sing what you are living in Christ.

@BranonDempsey / Follow: http://buff.ly/21FGMQ1

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