pictures

Building Sprig Records Studio: Log Entry 3

22 Feb ’12 By Christopher Hopper 13 Comments

Yesterday I had the honor of watching two of my heros collaborate.

Master audio engineer and producer Peter Hopper dreaming with master designer Jason Clement.

It was epic. Drawings everywhere, ideas spouting, visualization well underway. The studio is framed out, over 35,000′ of cabling laid, and ready for insulation and sheetrock. Now we’re working on the finishes list and lighting.

Team work is everything to me. Whereas before I preferred to work alone – taking credit, and penalties for myself – today I wouldn’t dream of doing something by myself. Co-laboring has become the only way I know, cherishing the inspiration and insight that others bring to the creative table.

Interesting that God views humanity with the same interest. Thus why he loves building with us, not around us.

Sprig Records is rising. ch:

Filed Under: music, news, pictures, production Tagged With: building, Christian music, Jason Clement, peter hopper, progress, Sprig Records, studio

Beautifully Dingy Details

16 Feb ’12 By Christopher Hopper Leave a Comment

[Today's post is dedicated to my Dad who first took me to the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum when I was seven years old. I've never forgotten the experience.]

One of my favorite airport art displays is in Washington’s Dulles International Airport, hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s Arts Program and organized by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

Captured by photographer Carolyn Russo, each image depicts the often overlooked details hidden amongst the Smithsonian’s larger collection of iconic aircraft. Any one of the stunning backlit frames is enough to stop even a timid aviation enthusiast in their tracks.

[CONTINUED BELOW PICTURES]

As humans we sometimes get annoyed with the details of our lives, as if they muddy up the waters and distract from the big picture – facial flaws, appointments, bills, phone calls, mistakes. But life’s larger piece of art is composed of those nuance-driven details.

Beauty is the composition and choreography of the insignificant.

Nothing is missed by heaven; God doesn’t blink. How you handle that conversation, that attitude, that mess, is a part of your grandeur reflection. Compose it well. ch:

Filed Under: art, culture, pictures, travel Tagged With: aircraft, Carolyn Russo, Dulles, planes, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, washington

Finishing Strong

13 Feb ’12 By Christopher Hopper Leave a Comment

We concluded our 10-day tour last night with a concert in Brunete.

Yesterday morning’s church service was a powerful reminder of just how important the individual is: Alex, pictured with me above, was saved in the service I preached in two years ago – today he is a leader in the church who’s said, “I am a totally different man.”

And last night’s concert was a beautiful gift to the people of the town that God is crazy about them, as is his church. Special thanks to Codigo Eterno from Honduras, Gospel Choir Christiano Centro, and Moise Cayuela my sound engineer.

Jennifer and I are flying home today. I appreciate your continued prayers for health and safety as I recover. ch:

[Pictures by: Jennifer Hopper]

Filed Under: music, pictures, travel Tagged With: brunete, concerts, salvation, spain

Operation Christmas Child Warehouse

1 Dec ’11 By Christopher Hopper 4 Comments

My sister Natalie just sent me pics and video of her and her husband Joe working at the OCC processing plant in North Carolina.

Given how much our church participates in this program every Fall, you’d think I’d know the stats on how many boxes go through this place. All I can tell you is, it’s a lot.

So here’s to the generous people who’ve donated time and money to make this venture what it is to millions of children each year. ch:

Filed Under: #heavenmeetsearth, culture, leadership, pictures Tagged With: children, giving, Joe, Natalie, NC, OCC

When You Look

29 Nov ’11 By Christopher Hopper 1 Comment

Jenny and I were driving into church Sunday morning when I snapped this pic from behind the wheel. We had views like this pretty much the entire drive in.

Jenny was especially impressed because her natural sleep patterns (ie, “not a morning person”) don’t allow her to catch many sunrises.

So often the most beautiful things in life are happening all the time without us even knowing. Change when you’re looking is as equally important as where you’re looking.

“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.’” -Gen. 28:16

ch:

Filed Under: #heavenmeetsearth, culture, pictures, worship Tagged With: advice, cars, Church, headlights, sunrise, timing

Pictures of History

23 Nov ’11 By Christopher Hopper 14 Comments

PICTURES BY JENNIFERHOPPERPHOTO.COM

I often wonder what history would have looked like if every era had DSLR cameras.

Can you imagine pictures and video of David and his Mighty Men? Forget 300, this was God’s version. Same would go for The Passion.

Or what about Vikings crossing the Atlantic? Time elapse videos of DaVinci’s murals complete with behind the scenes interviews? Live concert tours of Bach? Shakespeare? Or how did those pyramids really get built?

If their people had cameras, what era, moment, or personality would you like to see?

I guess this one why I’m so blessed by Jennifer’s work, with this two pics she took yesterday as examples. I’d like to think that if Jesus tarries in His return, and somehow our digital files and printed paper survive, I want future generations to remember the value and beauty of people. They’re what matter most. ch:

Filed Under: culture, pictures, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: dslr, history, legacy, Levi, people, photographs, time

Athera’s Dawn Update

22 Nov ’11 By Christopher Hopper 21 Comments

My goal of having Athera’s Dawn ready for Black Friday is not going to happen. That’s the bad news.

The good news is it will most likely be the end of next week if all the proofs come back looking good.

Thought I’d at least tease you with a rough cover sample from the gifted Allan Miller.

I’m also working on a few surprises for the month of December. Some affect you, my wonderful readers, and some affect those living in Jefferson County, NY. Stay tuned! ch:

Filed Under: books, pictures, writing Tagged With: Allan Miller, art work, athera's dawn, covers, release dates, surprises

Smiling Helps Everyone (Especially Single Guys)

19 Nov ’11 By Christopher Hopper 20 Comments

PHOTO BY: JENNIFERHOPPERPHOTO.COM

I figured out the key to Levi’s success with getting women to flock to him. For all my men out there, listen up.

First off, smiling is good for your health. And science proves it.

From lowering your blood pressure, increasing endorphin levels, lowering stress levels, boosting your immune system, and simply making you more attractive to the rest of the human race (come on, who doesn’t need a little of that?), smiling has a tremendous effect on your body and your mood.

Smiling is also good for the health of those who see you.

People who smile more often have a positive effect on their environment, and are better received by others (Abel, MH, Hester, R. (2002).

Dr. Nigel Carter, CEO of the British Dental Health Foundation, stated “We have long been drawing attention to the fact that smiling increases happiness both in yourself and those around you, so it is good to receive the backing of this scientific research. A healthy smile can improve your confidence, help you make friends and help you to succeed in your career.”

Yet why do so few of us smile?

While it may not be terribly surprising that women smile an average of 62 times per day, men only smile an average of 8 times per day. If spread over 16 hours of wake time, that’s 1 smile every 2 hours for us guys.

Bros, think we can step it up a little?

And yet 99.7% of adults (*which includes women) say an attractive smile is an important personal asset.

*FREE TIP OF THE DAY – To my single male readers out there: this research suggests that maybe the key to landing a bride is stepping up the amount you smile. She apparently not only likes to smile, but likes seeing others smile.

It’s this simple fact that has lead me to conclude precisely why Levi has so many women flock to him: he’s a professional smiler at the age of 7 weeks.

Lord, help me. ch:

SOURCES:

http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/18859-health-benefits-smiling/

http://health.ezinemark.com/smile-statistics-318ad3a9997.html

Filed Under: culture, pictures, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: attraction, attractive, babies, health, Levi, mood, smiling, statistics, stress

Well, when you put it like that…

5 Nov ’11 By Christopher Hopper 10 Comments

Sometimes a bumper sticker says it best. ch:

Filed Under: culture, pictures Tagged With: bumper stickers, evolution, King Kong is not my Grandpa

Almost Home

31 Oct ’11 By Christopher Hopper 19 Comments

I’m writing this in Syracuse airport, having covered more than 5,000 miles in the last 12 hours, and less than 70 miles from home.

I’m full of wonderful tales for my children, chocolate for my wife, and an added inheritance for the legacy I’m leaving and the reward I’m headed to in eternity.

Thanks for all your prayers and kind comments. I consider you far more than readers: you’re wings to our ministry. ch:

Filed Under: #heavenmeetsearth, culture, pictures, travel Tagged With: Ambilly, clarens, france, Geneva, home, ministry, switzerland

Geneva to Ambilly

29 Oct ’11 By Christopher Hopper 19 Comments

Yesterday Joseph and I drove from Clarens into the historic and always beautiful city of Geneva, Switzerland. So much to see, so little time. Ancient walkways, famed monuments, and landmarks of religious and political highlights of history.

We were treated to a fabulous real-Italian meal at The Spaghetti Factory (merci Ben-J), followed by a walk down to see the fountain of Geneva – an impressive plume of water that spouts hundreds of feet into the air.

That night, I ministered before an amazing group of youth (and spoke a lot about my wife). It was a wonderful time of basking in God’s presence, experiencing His manifest love, and taking time to pray for one another. I was really blessed by the display of genuine affection the youth had in praying passionately for each other; God move on their behalf, and all of us were changed.

Today kicked off the youth conference in Ambilly, France – source of our original invitation for this trip. It’s been a fantastic time solid teaching, practical worship training, a Q&A session, and touching heaven together as the Bride of Christ.

I’ve also met an older twin brother, Mark Pugh, of England (original from Wales). I think they just invited us because of our striking similarities and good looks. But seriously, his messages have been remarkable, simple, and very much about communicating Biblical truth through the stories of his life.

Tonight GodTV (dieutv.com) is filming our concert and all of us are excited to worship together and rejoice in our King. I’m so blessed by the senior pastor and his wife here in Ambilly, Christophe & Sabine Saez, as well as my remarkable band for supporting me so humbly. I’m honored to serve with them all.

A demain! ch:

Filed Under: #heavenmeetsearth, culture, leadership, music, pictures, travel, worship Tagged With: Ambilly, conferences, france, Geneva, switzerland

Clearly Clarens

28 Oct ’11 By Christopher Hopper 6 Comments

After a short drive around Lake Geneva to the mountain-ensconced, lake adorned village Villeneuve, Joseph and I were treated to a long-overdue kebab. Following a walk along the lake, we headed back to our host home where a nap ensued (Joseph’s longer than mine as he didn’t sleep on the plane).

We traveled through Montreux – host of one of the world’s premier jazz festivals – who’s Palace Hotel is pictured above, and loaded in to La Chapelle de Clarens. To my wonderful surprise, the venue had arranged for Rolf Schnieder and Stephane Unger to be part of my backup band, both of whom were instrumental in the recording of our album into French (and are fine musicians and dear friends). Special thanks to Yves and Stephan for adding their considerable talents to the music of the evening.

After a 2-hour practice, Swiss pizza for dinner, and a time of prayer with the pastoral team, it was time to worship.

The church was packed out as people journeyed up to an hour away, which is long for the Swiss, almost halfway across their country. By the third song, we moved all the chairs out, and the dancing began. Granted, I sweat through every shirt I ever wear on stage, but you know things are hopping when it’s drenched by the end of the fourth song.

When we were all exhausted, I shared a 20-minute message of encouragement on the affects of reaching just one person, as Jesus demonstrated in Mark 5. While we long for thousands in our regions to know Christ, it’s often our responsibility with effecting one life that opens perpetual doors for others to walk through.

Upon arriving back at our host home, in typical Swiss fashion, the real eating and drinking began. Julien – a 13 year old chef extraordinaire – presented us with not one but two plates of sushi, and the father of the home, Fredo, brought out a 1988 Pinot Noir from their region in our honor.

We got to bed somewhere after 1am.

Today Joseph and I are heading to Geneva to meet up with the team we’ll be ministering with through the weekend’s youth conference. ch: