PUBLISHER VLife
EDITORIAL Editor-In-Chief Dr. J.D. Lee
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lisa Connaway Edward John Caleb Connaway Brian Grimsley Mike Connaway D. Lee Shelton
PHOTOGRAPHY Michaela Connaway Caleb Connaway
COMMUNICATIONS Kimberly D. Lee
TECHNICAL James Knapp James Kallman D. Lee Shelton
PRODUCTION Produced, Designed and Developed on behalf of VLife by FIFTHKING MEDIA. www.fifthking.com
COPYRIGHT © 2011 Vie Magazine, All Rights Reserved Worldwide. The Title and all material within are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Although the greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at the time of press, neither the publisher nor producer can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors.
For some people this is difficult. As humans, we constantly are at war with the enemy of our own minds. Issues and challenges sometimes can cause us to have views, take positions, develop ideologies which are the exact opposite of what God intends for us to see in
"Changing your viewpoint has
It is impossible to have a different point of view regarding many of life's issues if one never changes their viewpoint. It's very simple you
everything to do with changing your
see. There is a certain way that we see things that have happened to us, that are happening to us and that will happen to us. And many times our limited capacity to use all of the real power of our
point of view.� - jdL
mind hinders us from having a positive outlook on the many issues of life.
ourselves. But here’s the good news. All you have to do is accept the gift of love that God has given you. Once you can accept the fact that you are loved by God, I guarantee you that your stance on viewing yourself and others will change. And not only will it change you, it will transform you with a renewing of your mind unlike any other thing in this world.
However, God has the best vantage point and He offers us a sneak peak of what He sees, then offers us the opportunity to act upon what He knows is best for us! I suggest that we all take Him up on His offer and do our best to view your life through His eyes!
Change your point of view and I have a feeling that your views, on many topics will also change.
The choice you begin with today will determine your future of health and true happiness.
Or live a life that is authentic, consistent, purposeful, not always pretty, but in the end has established deep roots of health and happiness.
I don't believe that anyone sets out in life thinking, I want to live a fake, empty life. But through quick, at-a-glance, uninformed decisions, many people end up living a path
The following example of the two apples is about the difference of the two paths we can choose in life. The fruit (choices) you eat will determine the "Real Health" you have.
that is reactionary at best. You can choose to live your life in a way
"If you grow a
that is artificial, empty of true fulfillment, and offers little hope of a healthy existence in the end.
healthy tree, you'll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you'll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree. -
Matthew 12.23 MSG
The outside of an apple is only part
He does this not to judge, but to help prepare us for life's test. Living an organic Christian life will not make you look perfect to
of the story of the
others, but when trials and test come, you will
apples true value.
relationship with God.
Years ago a student trying to get on the good side of a teacher might polish an apple and leave it on their desk. The message was a simple one. I’m a shining student. But when the test comes, shinny apple or not, the content of the student’s applied studies where guaranteed to show up. God doesn't look on the outside but
have the hidden strength of an authentic
Being a true disciple of Jesus rarely will make you the obvious choice of the crowd, but I've notice the crowd is rarely ever there for us when our test and trials
does look at the inside closely.
come. Just be real. Jesus can work with that.
DEAR JOHN: I am a male, age 19. I’m a Christian and I’m depressed and frustrated about my girlfriend of one year... and my life in general. She is not a Christian. I’ve been trying to force her to go to church with me.
I lost both parents in a car accident two years ago. I guess I’m afraid of being alone. So I continue to stay with her. I had to drop-out of school to barely provide for myself at 17. I work as a waiter in a small town, and live in a
But, she’s not interested. It’s the only
government rooming house. This is not my
place that I feel peace. She also, has
dream life. I am so discouraged and still so
been pressuring me about having
young. I’ve been waiting for God to show me
premarital sex. I want to wait till
what to do with my life.
marriage. I want a wedding to be special. (Yes, I’m different than most guys.)
Do I just marry her and get it over with? Or walk
So now, she is constantly bugging me to
away; and force myself to go on food stamps to
marry her. I do not feel any peace about
get an education? Or just wait. And just keep
any of this.
going to church where there’s peace and pray? Do I wed, walk or wait?
Waiter in Waco
Way too often we make things happen by our own doings. Where is God in that? And, if God is not in it, what’s the point? Why not wait on
DEAR WAITER: Wait on God! Often we try to fix things and situations our own way. God’s Word says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will make your path straight”. (Proverbs 3) Why not let him do all the fixing? Often in my own life, I’ve had to come to places of total surrender in order for my plans to prosper. When you see that things are not working out for you, then let go and let God guide you. Don’t let frustration, depression and
God instead? When God does bless you, He will bless you and add no sorrow to His blessing. Anything accomplished in life at the “expense” of others, you can be sure, there is no blessing in it. We must learn to wait on God. When we move out of the way, there will be room for God to work. That’s what God wants. He wants the glory.
Remember, things born of human effort only leads to death. Anything born of the Spirit is life. Where there is peace, there is God. Wait on peace! If you don’t feel peace in your heart about what you are doing you are probably headed down a dead-end road. If so, you are in for a whole lot of trouble and lots of extra work. When in doubt, wait! Pray, trust and release your plans to the Lord and He will bring you “in or out” according to His purpose.
discouragements get to you. Take some mental and emotional time off. Simply trust in God. If God has called you it is his responsibility to make things work out according to His will. Don’t force things! Rest, be at peace and wait for God. He is your salvation. He is the One who will make things work out according to His will, if you trust Him.
Edward in Norway
2. Thou Shall Not Draw All Glory 1. Thou Shall Not Put Thy Music Over Thy Savior
to Thyself Ever felt like you had just played
3. Thou Shall Not Take The Lord’s Name In Vein For The
the worst worship service ever, and the
Purpose of Promoting Your
important that we look at why we do
first thing you heard when you got off
Worship Leading Career.
the things we do. In our case, the
stage isG “That was the best you
“why” is just as important as the
have ever sounded!” Or have you
“God said” or “The Lord told me”. We
“what.” Often, it is so easy just to start
ever played the best set of your life,
know these words carry a lot of power
going 100 mph making things as
where you played everything just right
and we know that people will shut up
entertaining as possible for Sunday
only to have the feeling that the audience
and listen when we throw them out. It
morning, we can forget to spend time
just wasn't buying it? It's great how God
is so easy to say that we could easily
with the Lord. Other times, we can be
actually does exist and when he shows
get people to rally behind us and do
so worried about nailing the bridge of
up, people are moved. One of the things
something like buy our record, or
that new song; we may forget to
I enjoy most about being a Christian
believe that we’re a really big deal.
spend time getting to know our band-
musician is that we don't have to rely,
The key here is to be honest with
mates. The humor in this is those two
solely, on the opinions of others. Yes
you. In the Church world being more
factors are often what people can
feedback is important but the fear of man
spiritual than others, is often times a
sense the most from a worship group.
is a snare. When we don't take all the
fast track to being popular or more
The anointing comes from our
praise, we don't take all the hate on our
important than other artists. God does
relationship with Christ but the
shoulders either. God gave you a gift. He
speak to people, I know this
chemistry comes from our
wants you to be awesome, get excited
personally and if God tells you to say
relationship with each other. One
when you play well, feel that you matter,
something, then you better say it.
thing is for sure, people are tired of
and practice to improve your skills. But
However, do not find yourself taking
lifeless, passionless, uninspired
remember at the end of the day, the gift
the Lord’s name in vein to become
worship... even if it sounds incredible.
comes from God and He deserves the
“greater” in the eyes of people. The
Worship with a purpose and
glory. The more you realize that He co-
short term will be pleasant but a big
remember that God's presence feels
owns that gift along with you, the more
house built on a fake, non-God
a lot better than merely a great guitar
He can take the pain of a bad review
fearing foundation, will eventually be
solo will ever sound.
away and also help you to share in the
a really big pile of rubble.
As Christian musicians, it is so
joy of an eventual dove award.
How easy is it to say the words
Remember, God gave you a gift and
4. Remember The Sabbath Day It is just as important as your Friday night gig. Do you ever find
it is very valuable. You must take it
5. Thou Shall Think About Your
seriously and you must treat it with
Audience
respect. A good band is like a good
Song choice is very important in
Church; a faithful group of believers with a united purpose. Be faithful and
yourself practicing really hard for the
Church. We are trying to not only engage
“big show” coming up? The one that
people but also move people to worship
is downtown in a big club and
God. Beyond the obvious of not playing
everybody is so excited about it. Then
hard rock songs to an older audience, it's
Sunday morning comes along and
important to think of the dynamics in our
7. Thou Shall Not Be
you are just going through the
set list. Going in with a plan is not only
Complacent
motions and it's a bit uninspired. This
vital to a great sound but also immensely
is a tough thing that we battle with.
important to getting people to enter in.
anything in God's kingdom. It's been
Because, most of us play in the same
Think about the progression of different
said that someone who is not moving
place Sunday after Sunday after
moods and dynamics you are playing
forward or adding, is not only dead
Sunday, we tend to believe we have it
and order them in a way that is not only
weight but actually pulling in the
covered and it's just the same as last
musical but also spiritual.
opposite direction. Just as in other
week. Although there is a small
committed. You will help create something valuable.
Complacency is an enemy to
aspects of ministry, it is important for
amount of truth to that and it should
6. Thou Shall Not Commit Band
us to be good leaders. If you are
give us confidence, we shouldn't take
Adultery
standing still, you are encouraging
Sunday morning any less seriously. In reality, if you were to base things completely on the size of the audience, for most of us, Sunday morning would be the most important day of the week. It's very easy to take Church for granted because not everyone is there to see you play. But that's actually kind of a freeing notion isn't it? Give it your absolute best and let God do the rest and maybe we can help build His house just by playing our guitars and singing what's on our mind when we're asked.
Why do we think it's alright to run around playing in five different worship bands when we barely have enough time to play in one? How can we commit to being faithful when we are hedging our bet at five different Churches in five different worship teams? Now I can understand wanting to help your friend's Church out and be willing to serve, but remember if you spread yourself too thin
everyone around you to stand still. Maybe you are completely happy with the way you sing or the way you play guitar but what about the weak link in your group. They also need to be encouraged to get better and the best encouragement is good leadership. If we aren't doing our part to grow the ministry, the people around us won't either. One of my favorite quotes on
you won’t be helping any of those groups
leadership is= “If you see
become successful and they will only
someone who is making
bear a small amount of fruit.
everyone else around them better, that is a leader.”
10. Thou Shall Be Careful What Thou Says Proverbs 12:18 “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. That scripture is so relevant to Christians today. We love
8. Thou Shall Be Salty
talking bad about ourselves and the
I don't know about you but I
body of Christ. My last sentence is a
love salt! In fact I am eating a bag of corn chips as I write this. To me food that is under seasoned is usually not that good; and the same thing is true in music. Just because we are Christians and it's not about us, does not mean it is ok to sound bad, in fact the opposite is true. We are supposed to be the salt of the earth! Remember there is more on the line than just your reputation, the simple act of playing music can lead someone to Christ. Remember people see Jesus through you, the things He does in your life, your actions, and even your music. Be interesting, be engaging and most of all, be salty.
smoking gun. It's so difficult not to
9. Thou Shall Not Covet Being you is hard enough,
judge things as a whole and speak negative words over ourselves and
especially when you see all of these
our fellow Believers. Music is such a
great musicians and worship leaders that
great gift that God has given us; a gift
seem larger than life. One of the
that brings life to the darkest of times
thoughts I battle with most, is the desire
and the darkest of situations. Writing
to be exactly like, or even worse, be
songs that bring healing and breathe
somebody else that I admire. This
life into people are so important. This
problem becomes very evident when one
is not to say that we should never talk
of the larger worship groups comes out
about negatives , but isn't there
with a record then you see every other
enough anger in secular music? God
group, in every Church, starting to write
wants to build people up and we are
songs exactly like them and change the
his hands and feet. Your words
size of their band and their equipment
matter and wise words bring healing.
and their stage presence, etc. the bottom line is, one of the biggest things the Church needs is for people to be real.
George Fuller is a man of many
After three days in Axum,
facets. He's not only a builder, but
Ethiopia, George was unable to
also an entrepreneur, musician, husband, and father. It may seem impossible that anything
sleep due to an incredible amount of pain in his ankle. The doctors traveling with him all
would have been missing from George’s life,
agreed that if George didn't get sleep soon,
but in January of 2006, God guided him onto
they would have to end the trip and get him to
a path that would ultimately bring a greater
the nearest hospital. That night they decided
fulfillment. That year, George accompanied
to give him a powerful medication to help him
well-known biblical archaeologist Bob Cornuke on a humanitarian trip to Ethiopia. It was a trip that almost didn’t take place. The
sleep. The medication should have kept George under for at least ten hours, but he was awakened after an hour, feeling
night before they were supposed to leave,
refreshed, and having a definite urge to walk
George injured his ankle while playing at a
around the city. As he walked, he was faced
benefit concert. " My ankle was torn apartG
with images that would always remain with
I was told that obviously, I couldn’t travel to
him. "I saw a lot of things that were disturbing,
Africa.” A persistent George Fuller still felt
but the most was children, young children,
led to travel.
and one in particular, was a boy that was asleep on the side of the dirt trail. I remember
The next morning, George learned that the boy was from an orphanage that didn’t have enough beds for everyone in their care. At his insistence, the humanitarian team delayed their itinerary and took him to see the tiny orphanage. Cornuke tried to prepare George for what he would see, but as
It was a statement that shocked George, even as it rolled off of his own tongue. It prompted him to approach a shy and withdrawn girl he had noticed earlier. "I got this interpreterGI asked him to ask her what
George would find out, there really is no way
her name wasGas he’s asking herGIn my
to prepare. The sight of orphans suffering
head, I’m playing over my remark, one in a
from malnutrition was heart piercing. As they
million, and as I’m saying million in my head,
toured the orphanage, Cornuke continued to
she answered her name is Milyan." George
describe what the children faced, including
now knew without a doubt why God had led
the incredible rate of AIDS cases, prompting
him to Africa, even after his injury. George
him to ask George what he thought the odds
called his wife, Maylee, and they soon
were of a young girl reaching adulthood. "It’s
decided that not only were they supposed to
got to be one in a million."
adopt Milyan, but also symbolically adopt the orphanage. They would later return to Axum, bringing with them clothing, supplies, and volunteers to dig a well for desperately needed drinking water.
In the end, God had given George blessings and fulfillment that he never expected. He and Maylee not only gained a new daughter, but they also gained a new mission to help the children of Ethiopia through their Love Life Foundation, a charity which was already helping children in the United States. Today, when speaking of the memories of a journey that ended with a dream come true, George tells everyone that the joy of having a new daughter was definitely worth the pain of traveling across the world on a torn ankle. Sometimes, even in pain God can bless us with things that bring healing to our lives.
Golf is a game of focus and a person’s ability to focus will determine their score possibly more than any single factor other than their physical skill set. We have all seen Michael Jordan get into a focus Zone that appears to be unconscious. This phenomena makes people like him in sports seem godlike at times. But there is a simple principle at work here that anyone can apply with practice. Zone thinking can be used to get the most out of any area of life, golf, marriage, raising kids and our business life can benefit from this mindset technique. In my youth I was a Professional Frisbee player. Yes, I am telling the truth; long hair, skinny and tanned beyond normal. In freestyle frisbee you compete by doing tricks that seem impossible to the crowd. Although people watching where amazed by our jamming skills, my competitors where not. We were all competing for The Zone. That’s right; who ever got into The Zone would be the tanned hippy who won the day. In The Zone time slows down, confidence rises, tunnel vision occurs and the feeling that you have the right to win is crystal clear. I could see the wind not just feel it. I could close my eyes and still see. The Zone is the best friend of a winner.
The adverse person thinks 2 to 3 thousand thoughts a day. A high performance athlete thinks roughly half that many thoughts on game day. The ability to quiet the mind and think fewer thoughts has a direct correlation to hitting The Zone. I want to make a bold statement to all you adverse golfers out there in this big bad unfair world of long par fours, deep sand traps and thick roughs. You can get into to The Zone through some simple techniques just as easy and often as your favorite pro. They will turn their 70 into a 64 and you will turn your 88 into a 79. In-fact you will see bigger gains in your scoring than they will. But not only will your golf game get better, so will anything you apply these four simple steps to.
(1) Word Triggers To quiet your thoughts you must practice the art of self-talk. My favorite golf partner and the man who taught me how to swing a club had developed a small harmless habit of being a little too honest about his last shot. After hearing him comment on the state of his game I asked him, “Matt if I said the same things to you about each one of your bad shots that you say to yourself would you ever play golf again with me?� You see, the answer to that question is that when our selftalk gets negative we truly quit playing with the guy bad mouthing us. Most golfers stop playing golf and just go through the motions of swinging at a ball as some sort of pennants for all their sins.
Make a covenant with your mouth that it will not be allowed to criticize you when you are scoring yourself on the golf course. Simply put, negative self-talk cost you strokes. Negative self-talk causes the mind to race. Remember we are simply trying to think fewer thoughts. Figure out some positive word triggers, everyone is a little different. A pro that I’m coaching had the bad habit of saying “dang it” with intensity if he missed a long put close putt. I told him to try “that’s not like me” but the words didn't fit him well. Those are my words I use when I miss a shot. He found the words “that’s alright”. It triggered his mind to shut down and move on. He felt it meant his putts would start dropping. He doesn’t need to over think his putting.
(2) Develop a self-talk pre-shot routine that is
SIDE NOTE: When asked to play though a slower group, maintain your pre-shot routine. A bad shot will slow things down more than a good shot with a pre-shot routine. Now ask yourself a simple question. What are we going to DO? Then answer!
EXAMPLE: I’m going to hit a 3/4 swing keeping the ball down with a little draw. If you’re a mid-
as constant as your preshot swing routine. Rhythm is said to be the thing PGA
handy cap player it might sound like this. I’m going to take a full balanced swing nice and strait. Remember there is no magic in these techniques, that’s only in the movies. We are
players consider the most impacting part of a
after one thing, thinking fewer thoughts so
successful day on tour. Mindset rhythm, in my
that the mind doesn't race the closer you get
estimation, is the most overlooked part of the
to the ball.
mental game. Most players, even at the highest level, use mindset techniques only to drag their mind out of trouble. Too many thoughts when standing over the ball is a shot killer. First, go through your pre-shot routine. It will help you clear your mind.
(3) When in doubt, hum a tune. Music calms the savage beast. Try it. It really works.
(4) Leave the cell phone in the car. Anything that can trigger more thoughts is the enemy of The Zone. Even the thought of checking it because you have it on silent is adding thoughts to your mind. Talk should stay light with your cart companion. Golf tips are of no value to The Zone, and never feel bad about asking someone to wait on taking their cell during your turn. If they take the call wait till their done and hum a tune. No, really! Texting is worse than a call, it takes more thinking. remember getting in The Zone is your fastest, simplest, and most consistent way to score low. If your score card doesn't matter than disregard everything you have just read. Maybe you’re the one that has it right. LOL!
The local Church is a giant spiritual family. And, although some might have a simplistic view of Her, she is like a woman; beautiful hardworking, difficult to understand and wise. Simple to please, yet complex, and ever demanding of our commitment.
Some are angry at Her and say they can't live with Her. I have a romance with God that makes me say I can't live without Her. You may think you are stronger than Her, but you will be barren all your days without Her. She is a mystery, but to the wise, she is a strong tower. In the past, in my immaturity, I have thought to myself that She has let me down. In my maturity I know She is but a reflection of me.
In July 2010, VLife Church was birthed in the Adriatica development of McKinney, Texas. In July 2012, it will begin building a new facility that will house its growing congregation, while also serving as an anchor to the growing communities of Collin County. Vie Magazine asks a few questions to Mike Connaway, Pastor of VLife, about the project.
I received instruction on how to build the house of God while praying for His leading and inspiration. The church was to be build with the look of being 200 years old on the outside to make an architectural statement of permanency in a world of broken families.
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It is my conviction that this church with proper spiritual maintenance could be passed down several generations. More importantly it makes an old-fashion statement to all generations, that Gods house is bigger than one demographic.
Strong and enduring on the outside, warm and inviting on the inside. Respecting the past, meeting the needs of today, and investing in future spiritual generations, is what our vision is all about. The Adriatica development creates an old world setting that highlights this vision. Thank you for being a covenant partner with me, - Pastor Mike Connaway.
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