Tracking "All I Need"

FREEDOM!

Last night I had the opportunity to lead worship at the Shakopee Women's Prison.

I've never thought about prison as much as I have in the last couple weeks. In prison everyone is there for a different reason and everyone is there for a different length depending on what crime they committed. Some ladies are in for 6 months and some ladies are in for life. Life in prison is impossible to comprehend. When the church talks about people that are hurting, people who need prayer, we focus on those who have lost a loved one, those who are paralyzed and stuck in a wheel chair, or those who lost an arm or leg in the war. But there are prisoners out there that would trade any one of those situations, so they didn't have to spend life in jail.

How can someone worship God in this situation? Where do they find hope? Where do they find joy and peace? Well even for these people, the BIBLE is STILL TRUE! And where the spirit of the LORD is there is freedom!

Last night I got the opportunity to lead worship at the Shakopee Women's Prison.

It took everything I had not to cry because these ladies worshipped the one true God with more freedom and abandonment than most churches. Their hope is in Jesus and they know that when they look to him, like the old hymn, the things of this world grow strangely dim. For these prisoners, their joy is in the fact that they get to spend ETERNITY in heaven! In Jesus Christ is where they find peace.

Whatever situation you are in, you need to know that Jesus loves you and he cares for you. He holds you in the palm of his hand. The bible says he knows how many hairs are on your head. If you give your problems up to Jesus, he will take care of them and he will give you peace. So worship him this week with hearts abandoned knowing that there are 200 Women in Shakopee worshipping too!

Dream Big. Live Bigger.

Kirk

Today's Worship

For us, worship is about giving credit to the One who deserves it all. Giving Him less than everything wouldn't be a true offering to begin with. The lights, the cameras, the action, the smoke, the instruments... aren't about us becoming better rockstars. All that... is for him. It's simply our creative expression about how we feel about OUR God. We will not hold back. We will not back down. We will not sit silent. We'll shout the praises of our God from rooftops across this land. And we won't be stopped. The world will try to put us in a box that calls us crazy. The wedge, the wall that has been put between us and the world will be torn down by our ACTS of worship. This is not a declaration of defense, but a preparation for what's
coming. We will be a generation that takes the bar higher than it's ever been before. Now is the time to stand tall, stand firm in the calling HE gave us to worship him in Spirit and in TRUTH. Yes we need the word... and when we read it we'll be compelled to serve the community around us. Yes we need each other... and together we'll bring social justice to countries who've never heard of our God... because the world needs JESUS. We give our best not only with our voices, but with he way we live. Our cry is not a cry for help, but a cry for hope... to know that God is coming back and he is coming soon. We don't sit around waiting to see what God is calling us to. We are a people that will answer the call. We've already picked up the line to what God wants us to do. Not for a second will we lower our standards so that other people around us feel better about what THEY are doing. We give HIM every ounce and every breath of our being because we don't
have time to give the all-deserving God anything less. All for Him.

Dream Big. Live Bigger.

Kirk

A Country Weekend

This weekend I had the opportunity of traveling to Wicsonsin to lead worship for a youth event on Friday September 11, 2009. This event was at Capital City Church in Madison, WI, and it was put on by a 16 year old kid. His name is Chris and he is now one of my biggest inspirations.. Chris has a huge heart for his friends. And not just that his friends would meet Christ but everyone in the city of Madison. He and a buddy of his handed out thousands and thousands of fliers to promote this youth kick off that I had the honor to be a part of. The speaker was Steve Tripp, who is currently Wisconsin's District Youth Director. Steve spoke a message entitled "Would You Rather," talking about making smart decisions even when its so tempting to make the wrong ones.

On Saturday I was able to go downtown Madison for awhile and meet up with a buddy that I went to high school with and hadn't seen in five years. Tyrell Harris loves the LORD with all his heart and it was so encouraging to see on of my best friends is still living for Jesus and is actually making a difference in today's world for the kingdom.

Sunday brought a worship service at Harvest Community Church in Deforest, WI. Deforest is a farm community that doesn't get to see loud guitars and drums in a worship setting very often. I was able to be an example of somebody giving God their best in the best way they know how. This church is amazing.. nothing could've distracted them from the truth that is to worship no matter what the music sounds like and no matter what young college kid comes in to lead worship. After the service we packed up our gear and took it to the town picnic. At the picnic we played a 'Country' set, which is something I've never done, and to be quite honest, I was more nervous than I've been in a long time. But the town loved what we were able to do and I was blessed to be a part of their annual get together.

Its crazy to think that before this weekend happened I thought it was going to be so stressful, but when you are in the will of God and you let him work through you, he gives you strength to do what you need to do. He will not forsake you. God is good all the time, even when I drop my phone out of my pocket and the screen cracks, still God is good. Right now I am learning to walk through as many doors that God opens as possible, even when they look scary or when I am unsure and unconfident in myself.

It's so good to be home again.. I have made it a point this week to work hard, but relax harder.. I am ready to rest in the LORD. Lately, I've been working on what comes out of my mouth. In the book of James it talks about the power of the tongue. The tongue controls the whole body. It can lead to destruction or victory. Today, I choose victory. Like Psalms says, let me walk in your precepts LORD, so you can make me wiser than my enemies.

Dream Big. Live Bigger.

Kirk

Open Your Eyes to NOW

So here I am once more at Starbucks in Bismarck, ND. It feels good to relax with the family for awhile..

This summer I've been on the road touring as a worship leader. I spent 7 weeks at bible camps across the country.. playing games, swimming, blobbing kids, and worshipping with everything I have.

I've met more people in the last 3 months than I have in my entire life.. I love being on the road, and I love living out of my suitcase. God has blessed me with a life of travel and music and I don't take it for granted.

Being a dreamer, it is really easy for me to constantly be thinking about the future and what is going to happen AFTER ... One thing that I learned this summer is that I need to focus on what is happening now. I was praying for God to open bigger doors but what I didn't realize is that God had already walked me through my dream doors and I wasn't even thankful. I had to slow my life down and see that leading worship for thousands of student around the country wasn't the minor leagues and I had to stop worrying about what was going to happen after summer and focus on those kids. Luckily I learned this early on and when I adjusted my thoughts I was able to soak in everything God had for me this summer.. And he was able to use me way more because I was always there mentally. When I stopped thinking about the future so much God put the right people in front of me.. I met so many great people on the road that will help shape me to who God wants me to be. The connections I've made will last a lifetime.

God is always faithful especially when you are faithful to him and to what he has called you to be NOW. He will open the right doors for you to walk through.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and HE will give you the desires of your heart.

I'm going back on the road in the next couple weeks until December. God open my eyes to see what you are doing in my life today.

Dream Big. Live Bigger.

Kirk

The last few weeks have been hectic.  With school coming to an end, and recording the One Accord album, I have barely remembered to breathe.  I have been super focused on my calling; I have been focused on God's call on my life, and that is to worship.  I am a worshipper and thats what I will do for the rest of my life.  I am stoked about going on the road this summer with OA because it will be a small glimpse of what my life will be like in the future.  We are in the studio this week tracking all of the vocals for the album and we are all stoked for it.

Last night I went to a Shane & Shane concert.. They blew me away!! Both Shanes can rip it vocally and their songs have such passion.  They are one of my influences when it comes to songwriting.  I just want to be used by God in mighty ways.  And I am being used right now, but I also wait for more doors to open because I know that God has more plans.  I will always be available, and I will never stop waiting.

Vito wins Silver at Grand Prix Stop #2

By Kirk Graham

Louie Vito was at the top of the pipe putting on his game face, which for him is easy. He is one of the hardest workers and most deeply dedicated snowboarders on the circuit, and you can tell this by the way he practices before each event.

With the highest score from all the preliminary heats Louie came into the finals with a tremendous amount of confidence. Everything started out great on his first of two runs. He threw back-to-back super stylie 900’s with perfect landings. On his last hit he clipped the deck, which resulted in a low first run score. The good news was it didn’t look like he did any further damage to his already injured ankle. On the Grand Prix tour riders only get two runs in the finals. Because Louie won the qualifiers he was the last rider to compete for both runs (reverse order from the qualifiers’ results.) As a result Vito knew exactly what he had to do. In fact, Vito was the only rider in practice to throw back-to-back 1080’s, and the crowd was anticipating a huge second run from him.

Two-time X Game champion, Steve Fisher’s second run put him in first place, which made things exciting for Louie’s second and final attempt. Not to be outdone by Fisher's run, Vito turned up the volume on his iPod and exploded into the pipe for his last run. His first hit had huge amplitude. Louie, being the crowd pleaser that he is, gave them exactly what they were looking for and landed back-to-back 1080’s. But he wasn't satisfied -- on his next hit he landed a huge 900 and then another on the opposite wall. The pipe was a little slower than during the qualifiers and because of this the riders moved down the pipe faster than normal. Louie, looking for one final hit, unfortunately ran out of pipe. Fisher said that he was super nervous and was biting his nails after his run because he knew Louie had the repertoire and degree of difficulty to win the competition.

Vito said, “I was happy considering I landed my second run when I had to, but yet I was pretty bummed because when I bobbled going into the frontside 9 it killed my speed for my last two hits which cost me the win.” Vito went on to say, "I am really looking forward to Killington [season finale in March]. I had good luck there last year so I hope it will carry over."

Louie Vito did what he had to do, even under the immense pressure. His style and spirit are his trademark -- and his is youthful age is a guarantee that he will be around for a long time.

Vito’s next competition is a World Cup Olympic qualifier on February 6th & 7th in Bardonecchia, Italy. After that Louie travels to Cypress Mountain, British Columbia, Canada where he will experience a preview of the 2010 Olympic site with yet another World Cup Olympic qualifier on Feb 13th – 15th.

Louie Vito-Sailing Through Qualifiers Despite Injured Ankle

By Kirk Graham
It is Friday morning in Tahoe, CA where the next stop of the Snowboarding Grand Prix is underway. The qualifiers for halfpipe were delayed an hour but Louie Vito proved himself ready to compete following last week’s 2009 Winter X Games where he was boarding on a torn up ankle.

This week Vito is up against many of the same riders from last week’s X Games, along with a long list of other pro riders from all around the world. But don’t think for a moment that Louie is the underdog - He won the Grand Prix title last year and also won the 1st Grand Prix stop at Copper Mountain just a few weeks ago. And though he is dealing with some physical pain, Vito is on the hunt for another win.

Louie’s first run today was solid, proof that he is excited to brush off last week’s finals runs at the X Games and compete strong this weekend. With his signature style, Louie has tons of amplitude on every hit, and is definitely at the top of his game. The judges score his first run at 44.4 which clinched the lead for his heat. In fact, this score will place him in the finals, but Louie isn’t satisfied with just making the finals. His goal is to have two stellar runs and have the highest score of all the heats. This will give him the advantage of being the last rider to drop in the finals (reverse order is used in the finals.)

Louie is a rider that is always working on advancing his skills, knowing that his big air and stylistic execution can always and will always improve. His quest for constant improvement was observed in Louie’s second run where he landed every hit perfectly with ease – and again this is Louie’s style – to make everything look easy. Perhaps this weekend’s competition will be sweet redemption. With a 46.3 in his second run and obtaining his goal of the highest score in the qualifiers, Vito is stoked going into Saturday’s finals. When asked about how his ankle felt after the first two runs, he said, “It’s all sore now.” But, as everyone who knows Louie, come finals time he won’t hold anything back. For Louie Vito, it’s all or nothing – that is why he is currently on top.

The Prison Match

The Prison Match.

If you ever find yourself alone in the woods or if your lighter runs out of fluid and need a light, it is easy to start a fire.

Needed
1. Empty Lighter
2. Cotton socks
3. Kleenex or thin tree bark

Instructions:
You need to take the Kleenex and roll it up. Then, Pull off about a dime sized amount of lint off of your sock and put it at the tip of the rolled up Kleenex. Light a spark to the lint and it should ingnite... Tip the jimmy-rig so the Kleenex is above the lint. And that should do it.



Life application...
Think of the spark like inspiration. Inspiration by itself is nothing, if nothing is done with it. You need to make sure you put yourself in the right position to really set a flame. So get up off the couch... stop complaining. If you are going to make something of yourself it is up to you! Pay attention to those who you look up to, and then put yourself in the position to succeed.

Dream Big, Live Bigger
Kirk

Christmas Break- Starbucks

Ive been in a new book. Its called "Edgar Sawtelle". Its a good book about a farm family in Wisconsin country. It reminded me of the days when our family would travel Montana, where we would spend our vacation, and visit our grandparents on their farm. The author is David Wroblewski and this happens to be his first book, and has done an awesome job. He is able to describe things that everybody notices, but never talk about, probably because they are things that dont need to be talked about. For example, David is describing a trip that the little boy Edgar is taking with his family and Edgar is sitting in the car watching the telephone polls intently, noticing that the sag between the polls. I used to do the same thing on long trips, just watch the telephone lines as they wave up and down.

Ive been in Starbucks everyday this week working on music stuff and reading. Its been a great Christmas break, but I am enthusiastic about returning to school in Minneapolis. Its time, once again, to hit the grind stone. We will be recording our album in the next month or so as well as playing for some churches and the Iowa youth convention.

One year from now I will have traveled to Italy, Austria, and around the United States with music groups, singing in churches and playing for youth bible camps. I am pumped as ever because this is the beginning of a life that is full of traveling and music, two of my biggest passions.

Right now I am listening to Michael W. Smith's- A new Hallelujah
Ben Gowell is my the Worship Arts Director at the church I attend in Woodbury and he does all of the guitar work on this album. Sick!

Ive got nothing else for now...

Dream big, Live bigger
Kirk