Just returned from Vancouver, home for a week, then back and forth to the cottage for 2 weeks, than doing some shows, back out in BC for 2 weeks, than Alberta, than my Marathon, and than the Christmas tour...YIKES!!!

Christmas planning now! I feel like the summer is an after thought...It is over so quickly.

So - that got me thinking...how many things in life are like that? We plan and wait and get excited about these BIG moments and than that big moment is gone so fast and thee next thing you know its over and you are waiting for the next big thing. Frustrating way to live. We very rarely are present...in the moment! I am trying so hard to enjoy each day...live in the moment! Great things happen everyday that we miss...waiting for the BIG thing to come...

So today - just reminding you to stop and smell the roses - take time to hug your kids, your spouse, smile at someone - live in the moment, you don't know how many you will have!!

Kevin

Strange title...I know!! Here is the idea behind this...

My life over the last 5 years or so has been very frustrating...Spritually, Physically, Financially and Professionally. I have been trying to better myself and my family - doing a lot of the same things over and over and over and over...expecting things to finally fall into place and therefore gain a different result. I know that you dont do that...I understand that is the definition of insanity - BUT I never really equated that to what I was doing - I didn't think I was doing the same things, they always looked different.

I came to this conclusion a little while ago but never put it into practice...I fought the same demons in my life, seemed to battle the same things, frustrated by the same things...always in a financial bind...never having enough but always being so close to something big - looking and feeling like a loser! I was waffling and didn't really know what to do...

I use to always tell Wendy that I felt that my physical body was a representation of my relationship with God - hang on let me explain my theology!!

I really felt that when I neglected my body it effected my spiritual growth, my relationship with God and others were also effected negatively. When I keep my car clean, my room clean, the house clean, look after my family, work hard and stay in shape...ALL of those things feel like an outward representation of my relationship with God. My mind seems clearer, I seem to have the capacity to be a better person...

This last week has only started to skim the surface for me, but I have noticed that my level of patience is a bit better...my thoughts are clearer...I feel an inner growth because I am starting to care about the outer again! Does this make sense??

I know this is really "out there" thinking but I do feel that there is a corelation between looking after the "temple" and the health of my relationship with God!

Maybe it is just that I am allowing God to speak to me as I run...as I empty myself of the "toxins" I am able to fill it with HIS presence. Maybe all of this is teaching me to take control of the "flesh" and anytime you do that you allow God to speak to you...

ANYWAY - I don't always explain myself very well, but I know that the more I look after the outer person, the better my inner person becomes and my relationship with God is allowed to grow!

So - here's to a sub-4 HOUR Marathon and a better INNER Kevin Pauls!!!

KP

Yes, I have announced it to the world...I don't mind failing in public, but I will really enjoy following through with this HUGE challenge on line!!! I constantly want to better myself. I have tried over the last couple months and have fallen short of my goal each time...THIS TIME I WILL DO BETTER!!!

I am running for me, my family, and PI!!! PI is an organization called Possibilities International - I want to raise $10K for the orphans and the widows of this world!

In November, my brother and sister-in-law put on a Marathon in Hamilton. I am going to run that marathon, get myself in great shape right before my Christmas release and tour!! I will have the street release date from the record company in a few days for the Christmas CD...it will be right around the time of the Marathon!!!

I am really scared...this is a HUGE goal...and I HATE running...BUT - if you keep doing the same things I can only expect the same results...I want to change some things, so I can change some things...GET IT!!??!!

SO - I need your help...this is going to be tough...BUT i am determined to do it...

I already ran my first 5K last night...I will bike on my off days. I also have a trainer helping me (my wife - she is a certified fitness trainer and running coach) so that will help me a lot!!!!

Well - here's to a new Kevin...anyone want to do this with me??? Watch for a new page on my website...you will be able to donate and to join...comment etc...

Thanks!!! I need your support more than ever!

Kevin

Sorry for the silence...

Lot's to tell you! Just came back from BC working with an amazing new artist Danica Danielsen...check her out on MySpace - her new myspace is great!

Working with Mark Masri - check him out at www.markmasri.com

Some of the artists I have been wortking with are very inspiring!!!!

So much going on at home...my kids are really busy at school, Wendy is training for a DUO-athalon - coaching, training and assisiting anyoen that needs it!!

I am so blessed to have the people in my life that I do!

my challenge is stagnent...I NEED TO KEEP writing about it...when I do, I do better...I will not get discouraged and quit!! I WILL CONTINUE!!!

I want to blog a bit more later today...

Stay in touch,

Kevin

Well it's day 18 of THE CHALLENGE! I am not as consistant as I would like. Running up to 3klm's now...but I am still not eating as well as I need to. Not a lot of "cheats" but I am eating little things that I shouldn't - too much bread...pasta, not enough veggies - you know...better than i have been and I am still staying down 4 lbs, but if I am going to lose the full 25 I better be more consistant than that!!

Wendy finally sent a text from Haiti - she is there safe and sound!! The weather is HOT and they will be doing a lot of work preparing for the marathon they will run for the haitian people. The UN is helping them pull this event off! The people of Haiti are really excited about this event..a little diversion from everything else!!

The rain SUCKS!! I know, it is doing wonderful things for the grass and flowers etc...but it is not good for my HAIR!! (LOL) after all...it's all about me - isn't it??

My blackberry was acting up! (I think blackberry's are really good by the way...they are an excellent tool!!) BUT the iPhone is so much fun and it syncs to my MAC so well...I am very pleased I made the move!!

Well...that is all I can say today...busy running the kids around, making meals, cleaning up and trying to get some work done...

I don't know how single parents do this for an extended period of time!

talk soon,

Kevin

Inspired is how I would describe myself today. Spent the morning with my family, and when the kids went off to school, Wendy and I ate breakfast and chatted about our dreams and what they look like...our goals and how we will get there...focused on the positive...read a few inspiring stories (actually - we watched them on YOUTUBE) The success stories of the rich people of the DRAGON's DEN TV Show...they had nothing and made it big...

I love the underdog story...I love the people that had everything stripped away and somehow they found the strength and the belief to make it happen!!

I want to find that inner strength again! Now - before you get all up in my face about $ not being everything and that $ doesn't define success...YOU ARE RIGHT!! But, poverty isn't where I want to be either!!

I want to fulfill the dreams and the goals placed inside of me!! I want to see the passion come out again...the passion that dreamed the dreams...and saw the goals as finished...come alive again! Well, that is all apart of this CHALLENGE!!

I want to eat right - so I feel better, more energy! I want to exercise and work out so I feel better and gain discipline! I want to fill my mind with good thoughts, motivational thoughts, scripture - God stories!! I know the bad and the ugly happens...I am just a little tired of that being my focus!!

My life needs to re-engage with what I grew up with...I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO!!! Is that new age? NOT AT ALL!!

God set the universe in motion - God put the universal laws in place...there is LOTS of evidence that prove we are what we think we are! I choose to look at life in a positive manner! I choose to FOCUS on the positive!!

I choose to make a conscious effort to be better in ALL areas of my life!!

I have let people down...I have hurt people...I have acted with lack of integrity and honesty...I have broken promises...I have done a lot of things that go against my core values (to borrow a phrase from Tiger Woods - not his actions, just the phrase!!!!)

I choose to draw a line in the sand...I WILL BE DIFFERENT!!! I WILL BE BETTER!!!

If you are honest - if we are all honest...this journey needs company...and we can all be better by being honest - and turning around and seeing ourselves the way we are - and starting to point in the direction of where we want to be!!!!!

This journey - after 42 years...is about to get interesting!!!!!

JOIN THE CHALLENGE!!!!

Kevin

Well, i am into my 3rd day of the "20 lb Challenge!" So far, i have eaten very well, run everyday (only 2 klm but i am doing it!!)

Now - into my 3rd day...already feeling some extra energy! Feeling focused and mind seems clear...I am down 3 lbs...202!!

I am more determined than ever to make this happen!! I have lived the last few years in a holding pattern. I have been "waiting" for "something" to happen and for the "break" to happen...I have plans to CHANGE WHEN that break comes my way and NOT until!! WHAT A JERK!!

I have been listening and discussing things to do with success. My wife is really reading some great books and we have been in talks about how to get things moving on the right path...Motivational...but I was still in a holding pattern...

It was like the light went on this past weekend...met with GREAT friends...heard a strong powerful message on Sunday morning...and I came to the conclusion that:
If things are going to change, than I have to change some things!!!

I am going to implement some changes and create the life I want to have...

God has birthed ideas and creativity in me...NOW - I need to stop waiting and hoping...and GO FOR IT!!

What have you been waiting for? Join me in this journey as I struggle through life and try to figure stuff out as I go...

Talk soon,

Kevin

If you have led worship at the same church for a while, chances are you have a firm belief that you know your congregation. You should know them by now. But do you really?

I would like us to seriously consider this question: do we know our congregation? Or do we assume we know them?

I have traveled from coast to coast in Canada, singing in almost every denomination there is. I have seen many styles of worship and I have seen a lot of concerns. I have witnessed many song leaders that lead what they know, or what they like, forgetting there is a congregation that attends their church. Forgetting, in fact, that the congregation is the reason they lead in worship.

Here are a few questions for you to consider:

Am I playing music every week that the congregation “gets?”
Do I know what style of worship my congregation enjoys?
Do I care what style of music/worship my congregation enjoys?
Have I ever really stopped to think and ask what musical preferences are in my congregation?

Chances are…there are many styles of music represented in your congregation. May I suggest there might be many more styles represented in the congregation than you are playing? Is that possible?

There are a couple schools of thought regarding this issue…

1. It is our job to teach them and bring them along to the new worship.
2. We need to cater to everyone and please no one.

I would like to offer a different solution, based on the premise of love!

If you truly love your congregation, you will play music that is appropriate for your congregation. If you truly love your congregation, you will focus on them…and less on you. If you truly LOVE your congregation you will put their needs before yours. You will pick songs that your specific congregation knows and appreciates.

If you truly love your congregation and they know it, then you can lead them in worship. If you are playing the newest and greatest tunes, so they can hear how good you are, then you are not leading them…you are singing for them.

Now, I know that nobody reading this has ever found themselves being that selfish! Right? Well I have! There were times I would go into a service ready to show the congregation what I know…ready to teach them how to sing and worship! It was not my intention, but it was the outcome of wrong thinking.

I thought I was to lead in music. I thought I was there to sing and play. I forgot that my role – given to me by God – was to lead the congregation I was in front of, into worship – into HIS presence. We are to lay the groundwork for HIS word to be presented. We are not there to “sing songs,” although that is our medium.

If you remember that you are called by God, that it is in HIS authority you stand up and lead…that it is your job to lead the congregation into His presence, all the while LOVING HIS PEOPLE…then you will avoid a lot of controversy and have a congregation that feels loved.

That is a win/win!

Kevin Pauls, Live Music Producer
www.expressiveworship.net

Ok - i am done feeling sorry for myself. I am done waiting for the ship to turn around. Have you ever got stuck in a rut...just could not find a way to get out? Could not change your thinking and it got you DOWN!! WELL, I have been there this last couple weeks...Really feeling like I need to give up on the "dreams" and become normal!!!

NORMAL - what is that anyway...

I have been shot with an extra shot of HOPE today! I don't know why, there was nothing I did different this morning...but I feel a renewed hope and a renewed passion for what it is that I have dreamed of...the music business! My specific career and the company that I have launched called SPF Music Group Inc.

I know that this will not happen overnight...(it's been 20 years, so no "overnight" success for me!!) I have been hearing my wife (the life coach) talk to all of her clients and talk to me...the underlying theme seems to be "believe". Now we just finished the Olympics and the theme for Canada was "believe" - well we believed right into the most gold medals EVER by ANY country in the winter Olympics...it makes a difference...I have always believed that to be true but allowed defeat to cripple me for a while...

NO MORE!! I serve a God that loves me and that, I believe, planted these dreams in me...HE is able to see them through!! SO - I will keep my eye on the prize...fight hard and we will see WHEN the dream becomes a reality!

When will I know it is a reality...I WILL JUST KNOW!!!

just thought I would share this...if you are feeling crappy...down...like you want to give up!! DON'T!!!!

"if you think you can YOU ARE RIGHT - if you think you can't YOU ARE RIGHT!!" (someone famous said this...i think it was FORD?)

Believe...dream...NEVER SAY NEVER!!!

kevin