Tag: Music

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motivation storytelling

This bird has flown

birds flying on the sky
Photo by Valeriia Miller on Pexels.com

Lamenting about a wild bird that has flown away does little good. No matter how you wish it would come back, it’s improbable the bird will fly back. Let’s face it: this bird has flown!

As I see it, the point of storytelling isn’t to lament about the “good old days.” Maybe they were good. Or maybe our selective memory forgets that the past had just as much pain and struggle as the present. After all, were the good old days really that good?

When we tell our stories, we hope others will learn from our mistakes and triumphs. Otherwise, we might sound like the boring old guy Bruce Sprintgsteen sings about in Glory Days. (Between this song and referencing Norwegian Wood, I’m in a bit of a classic rock mood today.)

A good story has both the good and the bad, its victories and failures. Because life is never as perfect, nor as hopeless as we believe.

Tell your story today. But don’t make it sound like a greatest hits album. After all, this bird has flown.

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Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons church cartoons gag cartoon single panel cartoon webcomic

Making a Joyful Noise

When my youngest sister was still a toddler, I could tell she inherited our mother’s musical talent and proclivity. As soon as the worship music began, she was up and ready to belt it out! This led to my idea for this making a joyful noise cartoon.

Making a joyful noise: Cartoon of a boy and girl toddler at church. The girl is enthusiastic. The boy says, "That's quite a joyful noise you're making there."

The phrase, “joyful noise,” comes from the King James version of Psalm 100:1. It’s a short chapter that packs a powerful message of why worship music is an important part of a church service.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Psalm 100:1 (KJV)
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Adobe Illustrator cartoon church cartoons gag cartoon Music single panel cartoon webcomic worship

Praise and Worship-py

Worship wars have been around for at least forty years. I take that back. According to this article, they may have been around at least 700 AD! My experience inspired me to draw this praise and worship cartoon.

Cartoon of a rock guitarist and guy in a tie. The guy with the tie says, "That was great, Spike. But can you make it a bit more worship-py?"

I hear the term “blended worship” batted around a lot and I like that approach. While I love to hear a pianist play older hymns, I a modern band playing a current praise and worship tune. And I can even welcome the bare-footed, punk rock worshipper as well. I guess that’s how I roll… all over the place.

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children cartoons children's ministry church cartoons

Birthday Expectations

Cartoon of boy and pastor

When a friend or family member has a birthday, there can be all sorts of expectations. Some want a very special day. Others want the most low key birthday possible. Then there are those that want a little attention, but not too much.

I have never seen a choir burst out in a spontaneous rendition of Happy Birthday, but I think that would be so awesome. Because I haven’t seen it before, the surprise would be priceless.

Kids love to be noticed on their birthday. When I created this cartoon, I thought of how children love to be the center of attention when it’s their day. There have been many times when a child has come up to me to announce his or her birthday. Then there are the introverted ones who have a friend relay the message. Most kids want to be acknowledged on their special day.

Today, I get to honor someone at my work with a birthday celebration. We’ll have a brief acknowledgement and a few cookies. I don’t think we’ll be singing Happy Birthday though. We are a creative group, but I don’t think any of us are musically creative. And it may be a little short notice to hire a choir.

What has been your favorite birthday memory? Share it in the comments below.

Cartoon of boy and pastor
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Babies cartoon children's ministry cartoons

Rousing Baby Quartet

Cartoon of four babies in baby bedsCartoon of four babies in baby beds. One baby says, “Do you know what we have here? We have the makings of a great quartet!”

When I have served in nurseries and the babies began wailing, I’ve often wondered what it would be like if the kiddos cried in harmony. Someone needs to modify an autotune device so it could make church nurseries harmonious places.