I am excited about teaching a 4-week community class at Rancho Community Church in Temecula, CA. It starts this Wednesday and runs from 6:30 to 8:00 PM (April 11, 18, 25 and May 2). The class is FREE. REGISTER

How to navigate the maze of social networking, video gaming, and online entertainment.

Bring your iPad, Laptop or Smart Phone to interact with the class live!

Consider the following situations:

A local school has police investigating a fake Facebook account where a teen threatens to hurt himself.  A college student jumps off a bridge, then his roommate faces jail time for webcasting his illicit encounter. An employer looks at a social networking site, then chooses to not hire a candidate based on pictures posted.

Social networking, video gaming, and our real lives all intersect with the smart phone in our pocket, our living room cable boxes, and our laptops.  Families need to be equipped to protect themselves and their children from the real threats of the “online” world in which we now live.

Key topics covered:

• Intro: A primer to online life in 2012.
• Online manners: what are they and how to have them!
• How to…
  • Protect your family from online threats.
  • Write an online “code of ethics” and live by them.
  • Use basic online tools to streamline your online time.
  • Leverage online activity for good — making a difference.
  • Keep Video Gaming, Cable, and Satellite TV in balance.
  • Help your family to make better choices online.
• What should I really be afraid about? (This might surprise you!).

The following is from the official press release:

LINK to pdf: PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
Temecula, California
March 13, 2012

Contact: 

Worship Leader/Blogger Rich Kirkpatrick of Temecula, CA Releases 5-Song EP “Drink The Divine”!

Singer-songwriter, blogger, and worship leader Rich Kirkpatrick of Temecula, California releases on March 15 a five-song EP titled “Drink The Divine” produced by On Being Human. After traveling with the non-profit Doma International to Ethiopia last Spring, Rich was inspired to donate the online profits from this recording to help this organization that is about “empowering women and embracing children” in some of the most vulnerable situations from sex trafficking to orphan care.

Rich has been an effective worship leader, songwriter, blogger and pastor serving the local church. His music, deep in theology and musically cinematic, comes from the context of leading worship. Modern worship music today has the potential to tell stories, express our creeds, and bridge the generations but rarely dares to go there. Rich’s music strives to do this against the odds. In “Drink the Divine” Rich artistically explores telling the story of our faith’s history, authentic experience, and wrestling with grace.

“I wrote these five songs in the context of being a worship leader and worshiper. What is true religion and how does that come across in what we sing to God? My journey is not complete, but I am learning that much of what I thought was “true” was just a hollow piety, starving my life from the one who is my life. Jesus. I hope you discover with me the sacred place where the help that we need exists. Grace.”

- Rich Kirkpatrick

Here is what some of have been saying already about this recording:

“…I am struck with the depth of the lyric and the emotion, but even more so with Rich’s courage in releasing a project that simply is what it is. The songs range in style and influence, with a thread of the theatrical woven throughout. In a culture where art is measured almost exclusively by its “commercial” viability, this music dares to demand the listener to actually listen…”

- Trent Smith, Worship Pastor/Recording Artist

“… It seems this EP was written from the heart of someone discovering more and more the beauty and the depth of loving and being loved by Jesus. I was encouraged by the lyrical truths & heart behind the EP “Drink the Divine”.”

- Adam Herod, Worship Pastor/Songwriter/Blogger

“…Through his heartfelt lyrics, Rich boldly asks us all to think harder about serving each other as a our religion, rather than having religion as our religion. Through his extensive musical experience and ability to command the emotion of the instruments he directs, Rich boldly asks us all to feel deeper the love surrounding us…”

- Page Lynch, Filmmaker/Recording Artist

“With conviction in his voice, Rich pours out his heart into every melodious line and lyric.

As I continue to listen intently to each song, I’m captivated by the mature – yet humble – approach to follow Jesus in faith and action. This EP inspires me to not only continue to nurture my passion for songwriting, but more importantly draw me closer to my Redeemer and King.”

- Anson Sexton, Worship Leader/Youth Pastor/Blogger

“What I love about this project is – it feels very honest. It’s not contrived. Beautiful melodies, cool production, solid lyrics and a lot of heart. …this is just great to listen to, it lifts me up. “Grace Found Me” is gorgeous, love the vocal. “Sacred Place” really does take me to a sacred space. I dig the whole project…”

- Rob Still, Worship Leader/Producer/Blogger

References:

• http://rkweblog.com
• http://domaconnection.com
• http://www.facebook.com/richkirkpatrickmusic
• http://www.facebook.com/onbeinghuman
• iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/drink-the-divine-ep/id508803972
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Drink-The-Divine/dp/B007I9LCF8/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331407953&sr=301-1

Forgive the tongue-in-cheek response I have to this scene on the corner of Ynez Road and Rancho California in Temecula this past weekend. There is something to make one chuckle at seeing a “Occupy Temecula General Assembly” sign placed on an empty set of chairs. Really, there is.

So, it appears that the Occupy Wall Street movement has spread. After reading in the Los Angeles Times front page about how the lawn and grounds near city hall are in disrepair due to the inhabitants I went for a short drive through Temecula, California–an Inland Empire suburb of 100,000 people. Surely, I would not expect this “movement” to be here. But, I was wrong.

I would not call three empty camping chairs an occupation, but this IS the suburbs. And, any “general assembly” would seem to be populated beyond this, but I could not visibly see them. However, on the other corner Ron Paul demonstrators were not getting along with those holding “Corporate Greed” signs, even though these groups may have more in common than they know. But, alas I am confused. Is Ron Paul part of the occupation, too?

So, my question to my reader, both the 1% to 99%-ers, is this: what issue with the economy is going to influence your voting this political season? Is it corporate greed, stopping bailouts, balancing the budget, job creation or a new taxation code?

I had the privilege of writing my first article for a local magazine titled “Taste of Temecula” where I covered a local music venue. Being newer to this region, I’m excited about discovering and writing about local music.

Check out the article here: Jazz Thursdays at the Merc!

If you are interested in Temecula wine or dinning, how to serve the community or what’s new in town you should check out and bookmark Old Town Gazette.

Any other local sources for information I have not heard about? Please share.

On the front page of our local paper and in the national news, two seemingly parallel scenarios are taking place. In our local city of Temecula, California some fearful people are protesting the building of a 25,000 square foot mosque. In NYC a mosque is proposed just blocks away from the 9/11 Ground Zero.

I am a Christian–a follow of Jesus–and a pastor at a local church. Speaking for myself, I feel some of my brethren may have made a terrible mistake by protesting the building of a Muslim church. I know people are fearful of Islamic extremists and some feel that having a mosque in our area is a bad thing. And, with 9/11 we all have etched in our mind the terror so a mosque blocks from Ground Zero reminds us of Islamic extremism’s worst effect.

I disagree with the teachings of Islam. I follow Jesus. But, I think those of us as Christians need to examine how we think and look at the fact that our battle is not against people–ever. I am not saying let’s do a barn raising for the mosque. But, what should we do?

Here is how I feel some of our thinking should be challenged:

• Let’s work to model, speak and live out following Jesus rather than build walls that form a ghetto to keep us “safe” from other ideas, cultures and peoples.
• We are called to reach the world. Today the world is coming to us, so it means this is an opportunity to be salt and light not Crusaders who convert by sword of local politics, racism or contempt of people in any form.
• Let’s be careful to not lose our perspective that people matter to God, whether Muslim, atheist or followers of Jesus. God sent Jesus to die because he loves everyone, even those who choose not to follow him.
• Our battle is “not against flesh and blood” so lets pray for our city before we march with placards or sign petitions. We can protest the bad or we can praise God’s goodness.
• This is not our “final” home. We are citizens of heaven. So, that should change our view of investment and erase some of our fear. We live for eternity and it’s balance sheet, not the temporary world we inhabit.

I am sure I missed some. Please let me know what your thoughts are. Are we thinking critically enough about our actions here as Christians?

For a quick local trip, us newbies to the Temecula-Murrieta area enjoyed the following:

• The Temecula Berry Co. blueberry farm where (until July 11) you can pick your own berries right from the vine, enjoy a drink and soak in the incredible weather we have here.
• Try the Saturday Farmers Market in Old Town Temecula where lumpya, fresh fruit, veggies and unique items can be purchased. Kettle corn is a favorite but the strawberries and veggies we got today where tops. Matheson’s Food Co. has some amazing sauces that we picked up. Support your local farmers.
• Of course, you must stop if you are in Old Town at Cafe Bravo where one of the best locally roasted coffees I have ever had can be purchased in whole bean, or served by one of their gifted baristas. My son, not a coffee drinker, loves the Italian sodas they make. Also, their selection of teas–made hot or iced–are well stocked.

You have any local places to recommend here in SoCal (or from where ever you are)?

Click here to buy tickets!

Out of the Ground Tour featuring John Mark McMillan and Gungor is coming to Temecula at Sunridge Church, June 7 at 7:00 PM.

On Being Human In Concert

CD Release Party with bands Cassettes and Pilgrim
April 10 • 5:30 PM

My church, Sunridge Community Church, will be hosting this event. On Being Human are musicians who as Christians tell their story in a way that relates to people from all backgrounds. They formed in 2004 in Murrieta, CA, originally under the name Ocean Daybreak.  Their new CD on Luma Records “To Light the Coals of Hearts” will be released at this special event and include two opening bands, Cassettes and Pilgrim. Their “adventure rock” sound incorporates visual story telling.

There will be giveaways, a BBQ grill with the band and a chance to hear On Being Human perform their entire album.

For more info go to our Facebook Page.

Rules make something inside of us stir. This sign made me want to go out and buy a long board skateboard and skinny jeans and ride proudly down the streets of Temecula. I could see how silly someone of my age would be doing this and then standing before the judge explaining how I got the citation. The question of what rules do in us is raised in scripture.

Romans 7:8 says that sin “seized opportunity through the commandment” in us the desire to break rules–essentially a definition of “sin”. Rules when presented to us make us want to break rules. The Bible really knows us well! The issue is not that rules or law is bad, it is that we are and in need of a heart transplant only Jesus can give.

What are your thoughts about rules and what they stir in you?