Author: robby-admin

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College at 55 … and 1/2

Six months ago, I blogged that I was venturing [back] into the journey of college — at age 55. Here’s what’s up today.

So, college is a privilege to begin with. Not everyone who wishes to attend college or university is afforded that luxury. Even, in America. With that said, I am extremely grateful that I am even afforded the option of returning to college having given it my ‘shot’ at 18 years of age the first go ’round.

My friend Luke Gambill, as I have mentioned before, is an extremely talented and gifted musician. Much smarter than me. And, an excellent educator. We reconnected a few years back and began keeping up with one another’s careers and ministries. Long story short — Luke compelled me to consider completing my college education as he was transitioning towards completion of his doctoral studies. I took him up on the offer.

Dr. Wes Dykes began to guide me towards admissions and the rigors of course selections, I got started, and … six months later … I have completed two trimesters of study as a #CareyMusic student in the Winters School of Music and Ministry Studies.

I really did not think I could pull this off. I’ve enjoyed the journey, but it’s been a challenge. It’s thrilling, no doubt! But, a challenge.

My sweet wife Sheryl has become my greatest cheerleader, all over again. She has always stood by me, through the horrors of our darkest days of pain and loss, through the craziness of raising three amazing kids [now adults], and through the joys of mountaintops and accomplishments in life and ministry together. But — this is a new adventure, for the both of us. We literally feel like teenagers again!

So, I dive in to my next trimester at #Carey next week.

As I observe these ‘kids’ around me at #Carey who are fast becoming the Worship Leaders and Worship Pastors of today’s church — I must tell you — I am amazed! These kids “get” it.

They are wise beyond their years. They are consumed with Jesus. They love pleasing the audience of One. They love the local church. They love tradition. They love creativity. They love excellence. They love diversity. They love others. They love themselves. They work hard. They produce amazing results.

I highly recommend you follow our websites and social media sites as the music departments and ministries at #Carey are growing and developing. I am honored to be part of this movement of Music Education, Worship, and Church Growth in south Mississippi!

Hang on … the best is yet to come! #OneGoalOnePassion #CareyMusic

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FOMO

FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. It’s the new buzzword. And, everybody’s using it. Well, everybody who’s that annoying over-the-top-my-life-is-amazing arrogant sales person that just won’t leave you alone about the greatest new MLM or investment deal they’ve discovered that you will be sorry you missed out on … unless you act NOW!

So — what are you really missing? Is life really that urgent that you simply must act now — or, your life is going to be miserably boring or hopeless unless you dive in to this amazing opportunity?

Well, sometimes — yes. You need to “jump”, as Will Smith teaches. Maybe if only to overcome an unfounded fear of the unknown, or to boost self-confidence, or literally to get off the fence of doubt and disbelief. Sometimes we all veer off the path of strategic plans and goals that are good for us. Sometimes we all get a bit distracted by time wasting efforts that do not really produce the good things in life. If you’re ADHD, like me, you get distracted more often than …. hey, squirrel!

Then, there is that nagging inner demon that every over-achiever and workaholic ultimately will have to face: you are addicted to the rush, the next deal, the next win. And, in fact, you are probably very insecure and lacking in self-confidence, so you push for the next big win, simply to get the recognition you so deeply crave. Else, you are such a loser and life is worthless, and you’re the epitome of failure.

King David of Old Testament days wrote this biblical song, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Just a few short verses before that he’s telling himself and his hundreds of servants and musicians how God is a refuge and a very-present-help in times of trouble. Keep in mind, this is the same ‘little David’ — the shepherd boy — who was ridiculed and mocked by all his older brothers, tasked with all the grunt work like shoveling sheep dung, overlooked by his own Dad when the prophet came calling for a new king … probably burned up his entire childhood and teenage years trying to belong, to receive some sort of atta-boy, some kind of recognition, some sort of promotion … and, then it happened.

He’s delivering hot wings and beer to the older brothers and the chicken little warriors — including King Saul (!) — who won’t go kill off the boasting bragging giant Goliath. David pushes his way to the front lines, declares “I can take him”, throws off the king’s armor, grabs his slingshot, and fells the giant with one smooth stone. Then he chops off the head of the potty-mouth heathen warrior so he can go mount it on his wall back home and boast of his kill.

Now, who’s the man?! Look what I did! Check out that nasty Goliath mount on my wall!

Of course, there were rewards at stake. The king’s daughter and NO MORE TAXES for life. What a deal! How’s that for motivation?! Talk about FOMO!!

So, how does that guy become the King who writes Psalm 46? Hearing God. Waiting. Contemplating. Waiting some more. Listening, not boasting. Waiting, not hurrying. Waiting, not self-promoting. Waiting, not over-achieving. Waiting, and evaluating. Waiting, and worshiping. Waiting, and listening more. Waiting, and looking upward, rather than only forward, or backward!

See, David was ultimately installed as King following a really nasty transition of power. King Saul despised him, deceitfully promoted him, and maliciously sought to murder him — but God always seemed to help David escape.

He did win the prize. He did take the throne. And, he was the greatest king Israel has ever known — to this very day. But he abused his throne. And he sinned greatly. Before God and the entire nation. And he was ashamed. And he suffered multiple consequences of chaos and disorder because of his sins.

So now, he’s asking God to help him. And he’s afraid. Not of missing out, but of losing his fellowship with God. And of losing his only hope of restoration and redemption with his family and friends. With his entire nation of fans and followers. So, he’s waiting. And listening. And worshiping.

I wanna be that guy. Yes, I wanna be a king. Yes, I wanna be a rockstar. Yes, I wanna get my shot. Yes, I wanna win the prize, and the reward! Or, do I really?

I’m finding that being “the man”, the big dog, the king-of-the-hill … is really just a pursuit in egocentric idolatry in many ways. Men age and grow weak. Big dogs get replaced by bigger dogs. Some kings become wild-eyed paranoid pimps and get dethroned.

I want to be the man in Psalm 46. I want to listen more than boast. I want to worship more than make war. I want to love deeply and be loved. I want to be honored and not just feared. I want to lead by serving not by enslaving. I want to be a better old man than I was an over-achieving workaholic young man.

O Lord, teach me to wait. Teach me to listen. Teach me to worship. Teach me to be still and know that you are God.

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Hickory Ridge

Hickory Ridge is a small rural community south of Jackson Mississippi and west of Hwy 49 at Florence Mississippi.  These are salt of the earth country folks.  Hickory Ridge Baptist Church popped up on my radar about five years ago, as my friend Gerald Simmons shared with me his visits there as guest worship leader and evangelist.

Gerald began to tell me of his newfound friendship with Pastor Terry Fant and how God had gloriously redeemed Terry from a life of alcoholism and anger.  HRBC allowed Terry and Tina and their sweet family to come onboard, continue to heal, and to share their Story with anyone who would listen.  That began in a small 200-seat country church building.  Today, the story is shared with more than 1,000 people who attend HRBC weekly, who in turn are taking the Story of Redemption to all of Rankin County Mississippi.  The ongoing story of Hickory Ridge is nothing short of a “movement”, as we have heard this week from Pastor Rick Ousley during anointed and Spirit-filled revival worship services.

I have led worship for more than 40 years now.  I began in my teenage years leading traditional Baptist congregations in the ‘new songs’ of the 1970s which sprang out of the 1960s Jesus Movement.  This week at Hickory Ridge, we are singing the ‘new songs’ of worship which have sprung from the 90s modern worship movement as well as the beloved hymns of the past 200 years in the Church.  These folks LOVE to sing and that simply draws on the creative in me as a worship leader!

This week I have watched a small town country church turned “move of God” congregation now reaching thousands in Rankin County, as they pour out their hearts in worship, love and restore broken people, and serve the needs of everyone God will place in their paths.

Pastor Terry Fant’s passion is to preach the Gospel to broken people — people ‘in the ditch’, as Rick Ousley calls ‘us’.  We who have failed, messed up, and missed the mark more times than even our friends and family can tolerate.  Still, God the Father “runs” to meet us as we return from our prodigal pig pens of failure.

If you are in your ditch, or pig pen, or have found yourself fallen and messed up from the crazy turns of life … KNOW that God cares. And He has already planned your comeback party!  Run HOME.  The Father is waiting … and Hickory Ridge will be the first in line to love you back to the Family!

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Give Now

We get this question frequently, “What can I do to help your ministry?”

Of course, pray.  Prayer is the key to any life worth living; and certainly a key component to any effective ministry.  Prayer touches the heart of God and engages us in the lives of others.  We are most grateful for prayer support from everyone who has shown love and support to this ministry.

Also, you can give.  Give an offering, a donation, a contribution.  Whatever word you choose to use.  In the context of church and ministry, giving to RMM looks like an ‘offering’ — separate from, and in addition to a ‘tithe’ to your local church, or to the local ministry that ‘feeds’ your family spiritually.  Tithe to your church.  Give to ministries like RMM.

If you are not a church attender, this might look like a ‘donation’, or a charitable gift.  Many people enjoy donating to a favorite charity or cause.  Our work in ministry, business, and community events at RMM is simple, yet labor intensive and people-focused:

  • Music education and training for aspiring musicians and worship leaders
  • Small Church Workshops which build up effective Worship Leading Ministry for churches of less than 200 members
  • Evangelism and Outreach ministry to unchurched people
  • Lifting Up marginalized and hurting people

If you are a business leader or community action leader, we would welcome the opportunity to partner with you and share our ‘big picture’ Vision and Mission.  We consider ourselves music missionaries, so all our resources are provided by people who believe in the Mission. Only God knows the plans He has for us, but he orders our steps and designs that Plan with people in mind. Let’s put our minds together and see what God chooses to do when we come together!

THANK YOU for all that you do to support ministries and causes like Robby Myrick Music and Robby Myrick Ministries.  Go to our website and click GIVE NOW if you feel led.  We are grateful and we pray God’s best blessings for you!

Robby & Sheryl Myrick
RMM Productions / Robby Myrick Ministries

 

 

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College at 55

I have given the better portion of 40 years of my life to worship leading in some form or another.  I was on church platforms at age 15 as a youth music minister with a guitar strapped on me, leading congregations in gospel songs, hymns, and 70s contemporary Christian music with my mom and brothers.  By my college and early married years in the 1980s, I had shifted over to piano and digital keyboards to lead “with the band” as we composed choir and ensemble pieces that blended traditional church hymns with contemporary songs, and of course those good old Gospel standards from the Gaithers.

As I turn 55 this year, we have come to know worship music as an industry category, no longer just a ‘phase’ that church musicians are going through; but an actual industry unto itself, launching new worship artists at an ever-increasing pace.

I recently re-enrolled in college at William Carey University to complete a bachelor’s degree, which I had put off due to marriage, raising children, and the demands of work life.  As I discuss my options with advisers and professors, I find myself more excited and inspired than ever!   The expectations and opportunities for worship music which serves the Church, and also reaches the masses of un-churched is virtually limitless.  The culture has demanded of us — the Church — that we respond with greater focus on purpose, excellence, clarity, and yes — good theology.

Worship leading for churches has never been more challenging for we musicians.  Technology has introduced cool and hip new methods of learning, teaching, training, and performing.  Raw talent is a must, of course. But the motive of the heart and the desire to make disciples of Christ with our musical gifts has never been more important for us as leaders, in my humble opinion.

I love what I see occurring in the worship music industry.  But, if I am honest, what inspires me personally and as a worship leader is what I see occurring in the local congregations across America.  At 55, if feels as if I’m beginning again.  And I love it!

As my friend and mentor Lindell Cooley would instruct his congregation and followers:  Worship God. Enjoy His Presence. Forever.