We're looking for song ideas, story ideas, drama ideas, video ideas, marketing, ... you get the idea. So, let us know your thoughts.
[image by Sentrawoods]
We're looking for song ideas, story ideas, drama ideas, video ideas, marketing, ... you get the idea. So, let us know your thoughts.
[image by Sentrawoods]
Cypress Arts
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Deana,
I'll keep meditating on this. A couple of immediate thoughts/ideas:
I'll forward you an e-mail I recently received with pictures of paths/roads, etc. I think the picture on this post was one of them so you may already have it!
Another thought that hit me when I read the brainstorming notes: When we were on the plane, traveling to China to get Sara, one of the selections on the screen on the seat back was showing the flight plan, including an icon for the plane and a big mark for the destination. I remember thinking on the plane that I was so close to being rewarded after an 18-month journey and I'd finally meet my daughter when we reached the big X!
Another thought that came to my mind was Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken." It's important to make a decision and choose a path, even if your path is not "popular" with others and your decision on which path to choose may have an impact you can't predict.
I'll keep meditating on this!
Laura
Hey Deana! I love all the ideas, but I'll definitely be thinking more about the brainstorming notes and get back to you with my thoughts.
One thing I did notice is I didn't see anything about crossroads on there. I definitely think that is a big part in anyone's path or walk of faith. Also when two people's paths cross, why does God put the people in our lives that He does? What's our mission for each person we meet, and each crossroad we approach...Taking the right path for God, and what he has in store for us down the path we choose.
Just a couple of thoughts I had while reading about the brainstorming notes. I'll definitely keep thinking though for ya! Love youu :)
Shelby
Wow! Great thoughts already Laura and Shelby. Funny, Laura, I had Frost's poem on my mind as well.
So glad to see you all thinking so much about paths!!
The Path: Fall Push 2010
Week 1 – Uncharted Territory
You are aware of these destinations called Purpose, Love and Joy, but you have no idea how to reach them.
Recognizing the Signs – You are Lost, have you admitted it yet?
Going boldly where you’ve never gone before. A New Direction.
Week 2 – Uncovering the Light
He is the lamp before our feet, but we must do the walking.
Not choosing is still a choice.
Avoiding the Bridge to Nowhere. Switching off Autopilot and Cruise Control and Taking Control.
Week 3 – The Long and Winding Road
We don’t walk a straight path to our destinations.
Each path is unique, but we never walk alone.
The threat of Tunnel Vision from the Speed of Life – only focusing on the immediate.
It is a path, not a superhighway.
Week 4 – Destination Ahead
You never truly Arrive while you are alive. It is the Journey of Your Life.
Constant Corrections – small changes.
Traveling Companions – make the trip worthwhile and keep you On Course.
Visuals:
The Super Intense Signpost – similar to our directional sign out front, but with aspirational goals and intangible destinations (Hope, Peace, Love, etc.)
Just for Fun: Old-school Oregon Trail computer game: Do you ford the river, caulk the wagon and float across, or pay the toll at the bridge?
Bumper sticker: God is my co-pilot.
Gravel Paths in the Auditorium walk-ways.
Wizard of Oz scene which Scarecrow doesn't know which way to go. Many others from this film about paths, journeys and who we share them with.
Sci-Fi element to first week:
Star Trek ~ maybe change the words to fit the weeks
This introductory text was spoken at the beginning of many Star Trek television episodes and films, from 1966 onward:
Space: The final frontier
These are the voyages of the Starship, Enterprise
Its 5 year mission
To explore strange new worlds
To seek out new life and new civilizations
To boldly go where no man has gone before
Check out this blog for a great sampling of a signage tour - put with the song Sign Sign Everywhere a Sign by the "Five Man Electrical Band" could make a nice segueway piece?? Maybe other signs though!! I do like the hand breaded tenderloins on monday sign especially!!
A lot of good ideas so far. I think there has been a lot of thinking along the lines of what we were brainstorming about. I will be listening in for some mainstream music. I think we not only need a powerful song to kick the series off but a powerful drama as well. My first cypress experience had a drama and it was one of the things that amazed me about the service.
I think the comment about having a crossroads is very important too. Once you are on the path it isn't easy to stay on the path because of all the crossroads and distractions.
Dry ice for a think fog on the stage would be a nice special effect for the path and make it seem more mysterious.
I have heard the "It’s your life" (Francesca B) a couple of times and it is really sticking in my head.
Listen to the song here.
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Francesca+Battistelli:It%27s+Your+Life:95268243:s29441167.9429760.4403087.0.2.144%2Cstd_7403712b593c422ca2cef4b029a487b6
Marq, thanks for your thoughts. Good, thought provoking stuff.
Love the gravel path idea! Not sure if we can do it. But very cool!!!! Looking into it.
Anonymous, somehow I'm missing the blog link you're referring to. Would love to see it, could you repost please?
Thanks for the Wizard of Oz idea, I've been looking for images/scenes of several paths to choose from. Hadn't thought of that one.
Very interesting the number of times sci-fi has come into conversation as I've been discussing this topic in different settings.
Logan, good to know about your first experience including drama. You might take a look at http://towardwonder.com to see several script ideas and see if there's one that you think fits well. Love the dry ice idea.
Wow everyone!! Great ideas. Keep them coming!
http://theunsecretshopper.com/2010/07/05/sign-sign-everywhere-a-sign-a-retail-signage-tour-of-central-iowa/
sorry bout that
Psalm 119:105: "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Maybe use the song somehow?
Actually, the Beatles "Long and Winding Road" has some cool lyrics: "Has left a pool of tears, Crying for the day. Why leave me standing here? Let me know the way."
Also agree there's great stuff in the Wizard of Oz. The yellow brick road, the arrows, the scarecrow pointing in different directions. At the end, it turns out Dorothy had the power to find her own way all along, she just needed some guidance...and signs!
A few ideas...
Do some sort of "in deep weeds" theme one week. The idea is that often times we choose to get off the path because we think we know better. We end up tired, scratched up, and lost. Maybe use the scene from Wizard of Oz when they try to take the shortcut through the poppy field? We may not see the path back to God, but it's always close by and it's always open.
"The long and winding road" - the path to God is not a straight line. Sometimes it feels like its taking us out of the way. Sometimes it's a steep up-hill climb. But we've got to trust that our Guide knows the way.
I really like the "Crossroads" idea for the final week of the series. Present the gospel and bring people to the crossroad where they can choose the path of their own selfish ambitions or follow Jesus down the path that leads to life. Maybe there could be a real path in the auditorium that leads to a big cross & people could choose to walk the path at the end of the service.
That's all I got.
I took a road.
I took the wrong road,
Just tryin' to make my way
Without much to go on.
Now here I am.
I'm on a road.
I'm on the wrong road.
What was I thinkin'?
What can be made of this?
It's a dark and hazy journey,
but it'll do no good to worry.
If I grit my teeth
And squint my eyes
I think I'll see
Enough to realize
My next step.
'Cause I can't go back
And I can't stand still.
It's a narrow path
But I'm on it until
I get there,
And I feel Your arms around me.
When will I learn?
It takes a long time
And longer when I try
Without You beside me.
And here I am.
I took a turn.
I took the wrong turn.
Could it be Your turn this time?
'Cause I've had enough of mine.
If I trust in You
And close my eyes
My soul might sail
Beyond the skies to
My next step.
'Cause I can't go back
And I can't stand still.
But I'm on Your path
But I'm on it until
I get there,
And I feel Your arms around me.
Laura, great scripture and song idea. I'm also thinking the movie rental this weekend will be Wizard of Oz. I've never watched it from the perspective of studying all of the path references and innuendo.
Paul, great theme thoughts. I really like the idea of incorporating a participatory activity into a wrap up service on the series!
And Laura, (not sure if this is the same Laura above) thanks for posting the poem is it yours?
Different Laura.
Triple L.
Yes, these are original lyrics.
- LLL. :-)
Poem credit goes to the fabulous Laura L. - not me! Love the poem!
-- Laura M.
Ran across a great promise in scripture this morning that would work great in this series.
“This God, our God forever and ever—
He will lead us eternally.” Psalm 48:14
another good scripture for this series:
For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD,
and he examines all his paths. Prov. 5:21