It’s BACK ON! The 3rd Annual Songwriters Seminar It’s all set to go, and will be held this time in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Saturday; May 28, 2011 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ New Hope Church in Cotati, CA will be hosting the seminar, and this year it has been expanded into TWO sessions: SESSION 1 (9-12 am): the craft of songwriting [lyric, melody, creativity, communication] SESSION 2 (1-3 pm): the business of songwriting [production & recording, finances, booking, management, merch, publishing] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The cost is once again only $100, and includes both sessions, plus a personal, constructive critique of one of your songs (and maybe two if we have time!). Don’t miss this once a year opportunity!!! 5-28-11 / New Hope Church / 183 E. Cotati Ave. / Cotati, CA 94931 To sign up and reserve your spot (space is limited), send your check to: Justin Fox Ministries 3007 Donnybrook Ln. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 To use a credit card, call us at 949.294.7039, or hit the PayPal button on our site. Thank...
read moreMy first ever video podcast interview! Click on the image below to be taken directly to the Circles blog at ROCKHARBOR where you can view the podcast in it’s entirety, subscribe to other episodes, and even leave a comment. Darin McWatters is a fun interviewer and brought out some deep subjects, as well. I was humbled and honored to be a part of...
read more“How can you cope with the end of a world and the beginning of another one? How can you put an earthquake into a test tube, or the sea into a bottle? How can you live with the terrifying thought that the hurricane has become human, that fire has become flesh, that life itself came to life and walked in our midst? Christianity either means that, or it means nothing. It is either the most devastating disclosure of the deepest reality in the world, or it’s a sham, a nonsense, a bit of deceitful play-acting. Most of us, unable to cope with saying either of these things, condemn ourselves to live in the shallow world in between. We may not be content there, but we don’t know how to escape. The way through this by sheer unadulterated worship of the living and true God, and by following this God wherever he leads, whether or not it is the way our traditions would suggest. Worship is not an optional extra for the Christian, a self-indulgent religious activity. It is the basic Christian stance, and indeed (so Christians claim) the truly human stance. Worship derives from “worth-ship” and it means giving God all He’s worth. Worship is humble and glad; worship forgets itself in remembering God; worship celebrates the truth as God’s truth, not its own. True worship doesn’t put on a show or make a fuss; true worship isn’t forced, isn’t half-hearted, doesn’t keep looking at its watch, doesn’t worry what the person in the next pew may be doing. True worship is open to God, adoring God, waiting for God, trusting God even in the dark. Worship will never end; whether there be buildings, they will crumble; whether there be committees, they will fall asleep; whether there be budgets, they will add up to nothing. For we build for the present age, we discuss for the present age, and we pay for the present age; but when the age to come (Christ’s return) is here, the present age will be done away. Worship is nothing more nor less than love on its knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on its feet to serve the beloved . ....
read moreOur long-time friends and neighbors, The Maddox family, joined us for the fifth year of directing our elementary school’s Talent Show, and it was another smashing success! Over 20 acts performed, including some young ones who took the stage for the very first time. Here’s one parent’s email; “Thank you for your time and talent in coordinating such a great avenue to show off all our Killybrooke kids. We appreciate what it took to put the try-outs, rehearsals, assemblies and show together, and so thankful for all you do.” A teacher summed up our mission well when she commented that the show develops a new confidence in the participants, changing the way they view themselves and the way others view them. For some students, it literally transforms their community experience. We couldn’t be more honored to play a...
read moreWe’ve been feeling led in a few different directions these days with our ministry. I still love sharing my songs and especially excited about the new material, but it seems God is also stirring in my wife and I a vision for serving a little closer to home – and doing it together! We’ve loved the relationships we’ve built at our kids’ public school, and the last two summers we’ve even been able to host a VBS there. We had 100 kids attend last summer! With the idea of wanting to build on that connection, we decided to try an after-school program series. So, last month we hosted 70 kids for 3 Wednesdays at the school. We taught about poverty and generosity, packaging 11 Christmas care boxes for neighborhood families in need. It was awesome! I taught the kids the chorus of “We Are the World”, they made up hand motions (of course), and we performed the song for the parents on the last day. To see more pictures of the event, visit the Facebook album here. We’re excited for what’s next! Tomorrow we’ll begin auditions and practices for the school Talent Show. It’s our fourth year directing it. We’ll do a couple days a week of that for the month, as we help guide and shape each students’ act. A lot of our job at the very beginning is simply reminding kids (and parents) where an appropriate moral line is drawn regarding song lyrics and material. It’s amazing the challenge we have in keeping the acts family oriented and “G” rated, but the pay-off is worth it, and it’s a profound joy to see the pride and accomplishment beaming in a child’s face after a great performance. May God guide and bless this endeavor once...
read moreBrand-new, long awaited fresh music from the Justin Fox band is finally here. This is Justin’s 10th CD! Three years in the making, it will be released in two parts. Although the second half (early 2011) will feature five new acoustic, intimate tunes, this first volume charges out of the gate with six new songs arranged with the full band in peak form; Joe Servia on bass, John Macelwee on the drums, Brandon Bee filling in the gaps with guitars, Wurlitzers, accordions, background vocals, and hand-claps, and the 160 ft. Naperville Carillon bell tower leading it all off. Justin’s strong pull toward the coast is still very much a theme on this album, but while “Seabright” may have been a warm, sunny day at the beach, this collection of songs is more suited for a hoodie and a fogged-in afternoon. The minor keys and denser motifs meander over the topics of reconciliation, anxiety, fear, and hope. Written in California by Justin Fox, produced in Seattle by Brandon Bee (Geffen, Sony, Warner, Amber Pacific), and mixed in Nashville by Todd Robbins (Downhere, Andrew Peterson, Sara Groves) Whether digital downloads or physical CD’s, we’re committed to a donation-basis structure, so you can name-your-own-price, and order the new 6-song EP here: justinfox.bandcamp.com And, please consider visiting our website store for the entire Justin Fox catalog (Christmas CD anyone???) – all on a donation basis – shipping included: justinfox.com/merch Any orders before December 18 in the U.S. will make it for Christmas! A gull skims along a curling wave, its wingtip almost touching the crest, its body motionless, its face impassive. Too sleepy to do more than grumble, a sea lion lazing on a rock watches the bird soar past. Low and unambitious, the surf washes softly over the sand, stretching thin like a wakening cat, before sliding again into the sea. Thin fog creeps back and forth, trying to decide whether to lie over the water or infiltrate farther inland. A pale blob in the haze, a fishing boat slips by, the sound of its engine a muffled chug-chug-chug. When the world closes in on a person, the beach is an open place, a place to be alone… A place where saltwater tides erase the past, where mistakes drift out to sea on waves of melody, and this is the soundtrack… This is the...
read moreFirst off; a huge “Thank You!” for the gift of my incredible Sabbatical. It was an amazing, transformative, confirming, and refocusing time. The first week, I was struck with how little people needed me, how irrelevant I felt, and how empty it was to just be home…not “working”…REALITY was a big word for me that first week. It was like I was able to see reality more clearly than ever before, and most of it wasn’t pretty. The second week, was camping with the fam, and that was totally fun. The tough feelings of the week before seemed to mesh with the goodness of God’s grace and light, and I began to really rest in the moments of vacation and family-time. The third week was a time of inspiration! A children’s book with the lyrics of Bob Dylan’s song “Forever Young” captured my heart in crazy ways. I began to see my music as only one facet of a diverse ministry that God wanted to bring into my life, and when I viewed it that way (instead of my everything, or my identity) I got really inspired, seeing visions of future ministry, and writing four songs in about an hour! The last week was marked by my 24-hour solo, silent retreat along the coastline of San Clemente. It was a powerful time as I felt God invite me, personally, to the new adventure He has planned. Even though I still have no idea what it is, I have a deep sense of excitement and hope in following the God of loving surprises! Which leads me to my big surprise: I’m going…BACK TO SCHOOL!!! It’s true! This month, I followed my first-ever Sabbatical with another first; graduate school. I was accepted, along with only 30 other students, into Biola’s Masters program in Spiritual Formation. Here is the link all about the school and the degree program: www.biola.edu/spiritualformation I have been a student for two weeks now, and I am loving every minute! I can’t believe I get to do this!!! Heidi has been an encouraging supporter of the idea ever since it begin to grow last year as a small stirring. I looked at other schools included Fuller, Vanguard, and Azusa, but after talking to pastor friends and other leaders in the field, I set my sights on Talbot Seminary at Biola. I’m so honored to have been accepted, and I’m cherishing this experience. It is a three-year program in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care – an intense study of how people grow by the work of the Spirit (including myself), and how to lead others in true growth and ongoing, vibrant relationship with Jesus. It will be interesting to see how God weaves my passion for this subject together with all the other Callings He’s placed in my life! The classes are only on Mondays so far, so I’m adjusting my touring schedule accordingly and praying for God’s direction in it all… Thanks for your continued prayers, as I discern these new moves of the Spirit. Stumbling forward,...
read moreI was reflecting the other day on the story of Jesus, his disciples, and the stormy sea (Mark 4:35-39). You know, the one where he’s asleep in the boat and all the other guys are freaking out, scared the wind and waves might sink them: ……….. “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” A book by Brennan Manning was encouraging me to imagine a biblical scene, and put myself in the story – to ask myself who I’d be in the drama, and to view it from that perspective. Well, as crazy as it sounds, the first thing I thought of was; “I’m the storm“. I figured that was too weird, quickly tried to think of an actual person in the story that I related to, but the “storm” idea just kept coming back. ………. And I began to see why it hit me like that: I’m a Type-A personality. I love making things happen, directing events and experiences. I work hard at shaping my calendar, ministry, art, and communication. Like a storm, I’m used to making waves, rocking the boat, and charging forward like a force of nature. I began to look at the narrative from that point of view, and I was floored by the voice of Jesus to me in the story. It hit me like a ton of bricks: “Quiet! Be still.” ………. This month, I’ll be attempting to obey this directive like never before. I’ve felt led and supported to embark on a month long SABBATICAL this August 2-27. The first break like this for me, ever. It will be difficult in some ways, but I’m so excited to follow God with this radical step. These 26 days will be a time of family, rest, solitude, silence, study, reflection, retreat, and renewal. I can’t wait! I’ve never even taken two weekends off in a row in 17 years, so this will be quite a new, transforming experience. Please keep my family and I in your prayers as we intensely seek God’s direction, peace, and unique presence during this time. I will not be performing, leading, singing, speaking from a stage, or booking future ministry dates, so please also keep my ministry and God’s future plans for it in your prayers, as well. ………. My I fully let go, releasing my grip on everything but Jesus! And may his peace, like a sea smooth as glass, carry us toward a new shore....
read moreSeveral months ago, I was invited to try and write some worship songs for young children (ages 3-10ish). Since I have a few of those in my house already (the kids, I mean), I felt I had a sense for it, and I dove in. All alone with a laptop and my guitar, I sang my heart out, crying and laughing as I felt God’s inspiration like never before. I wrote eight songs that afternoon! I submitted them all to the producers, and I’m honored to have two of these songs included in the new release Songs from the Playhouse. It’s a high-energy compilation featuring the legendary talents of Kenny Aronoff, Matt Bissonette, and Crystal Lewis. It’s been released internationally by Kingsway, EMI, and David C. Cook. Click the image for the link to it on iTunes: The two songs I wrote are “Big God Story” (a wide-angle look at the big picture of God’s love and plan for us) and “Child of God” (a celebration of our identity in Christ). They’re both simple tunes that the rockin’ band turned into pop-punk, foot stomping, shout-along scorchers – sure to be a welcome jolt to your family’s music collection. I’m so excited to be part of this newest generation’s worship expression! There’s also a second album in the series, created more for older, elementary age students, and it’s all a compliment to a brand new family church curriculum by David C. Cook and our ROCKHARBOR church called TRU. If you click the image above, it’ll take you to the website for more info! And here’s the link for more info on the worship albums, plus a promo video capturing the making of, behind the scenes: CLICK...
read moreAn excerpt of my book The Christian Musician’s Guidebook has been published by a magazine, and the article is now online! Check it out by clicking the image below. I’m on page 33 – excited to have you join the...
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