Harvey Korman - The Funny will never end

Harvey Korman
(1937 - 2008)

One of the funniest actors I ever saw. Watching him and Tim Conway crack up Carol Burnett on her TV show in the 70's will forever live on in reruns and DVD sales.

His turn in Blazing Saddles was also too much.

Cheers to you, Harvey!

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-korman31-2008may31,0,2304229.story

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-korman30-2008may30,0,5523599.story

Special Plug of Thanks

I wanted to thank Leroy Hicks, Jr. for allowing me to use the photo of myself
in my Profiles section.

Leroy is a gifted photographer (as well as one of my main worship leaders at FHC).

If you live in the Chicago or the western Indiana areas and need a photographer for ANY occasion, then contact LEROY at his business: Portraits By Leroy

http://www.portraitsbyleroy.com/index.html

THANKS LEROY!!!!!

Congratulations Anthony!!!!

(PICTURED - The Thompsons - Dr. T, Anthony, Chantelle, Linda)

My Pastor's son, Anthony, got married this week in Australia.
God is good!

Congrads Anthony & Chantelle

Memorial Day - Favorite War Movies

In honor of all those who have laid down their lives for this country,
I offer my Top Ten War Movies

War movies are one of my least favorite genres of film; however, as I age, I grow more appreciative of those who've gone before; and particularly, those who sacrificed, so that I could live in freedom.
These films helped me understand that a bit better:

• PLATOON (Vietnam)

I was a child during Vietnam and didn't understand what it was all about....why were there so many different views about it, etc... When I saw Platoon the first time, I was a little shell-shocked. I couldn't talk about it for a few days. It made such an emotional impact on me. I still have trouble with contemplating the depression built into that movie - its palpable. The use of Barber's ADAGIO FOR STRINGS in the middle of this movie changed my life. Musically, I was never the same after I heard that.

• Glory (The Civil War)

My favorite war movie. The story about the first black regiment in the Civil War. The story, music, and Denzel Washington's "tear" is the greatest "war" moment on film.

• Dances With Wolves (The Civil War)
  

What the new Europeans did to the Native Americans when they came over the pond, was deplorable, unnecessary and wrong......I didn't get that until I saw this movie

• John Adams - Miniseries (Revolutionary War, French/English War)
  

A truly great piece of film making. This fortified my appreciation for our Fore Fathers and those who fought The Revolutionary War

• Casualties of War ( Vietnam)
  

This is the true story of a situation that happened in the Vietnam War. Its heartbreaking and powerful. Very gruesome and adult. The music is some of the best ever put on screen;
haunting and poignant. This is Michael J. Fox's best acting ever.

• Lawrence of Arabia (WWI)
  

Okay, I'm breaking the rules.....this is not about Americans, but the story of T.E. Lawrence, the eccentric British officer who united the desert tribes of Arabia against the Turks during World War I. I didn't know anything about this man or this part of World History....it is fascinating. Probably the greatest technical movie on this list....you will not see better camera work anywhere.

• Letters from Iwo Jima / Flags of Our Fathers (WWII)
  

So this is a little against the rules, but I have to place these two Clint Eastwood directed movies together as one. They tell the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima during WWII from two different perspectives. Flags from the American point of view and Letters from Japan's point of view.

• Saving Private Ryan (WWII)
  

A very cool opening. Probably the overall best opening 30 minutes of any war movie. You actually feel like your on the battlefield. Bloody and Gross; but Awesome!

• Three Kings (The Gulf War)
  

Funny and a bit shocking. I didn't know this stuff happened in the Gulf War.......so many things that get hidden in our society and government. God Help Us!

• No End in Sight (Iraq)
  
  

This is a little cheat because its not a movie; but its an enlightening documentary on The War on Iraq. Don't let the Bush bashing keep you from seeing this doc....its not that bad. I honestly thought to myself, "Where have I been the last 5 years?" after I watched this documentary

Movies I wished I could place on the list but the subject matter is not about Americans:

• BRAVEHEART
• SCHINDLER'S LIST
• LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
• TEA WITH MUSSOLINI

Honorable Mentions:

• Patton
• The Longest Day
• The Patriot
• Gone With The Wind
• Apocalypse Now
• The Deer Hunter
• Tora Tora Tora
  

Major Week of Sadness

I took the fam away the last two days for some wonderful time together. Away from computer, blogs, and even phone (although the latter was not by choice....it just so happens I jumped into the swimming pool with my cell phone in my pocket...yes it died)......

So many things happened the last few days:

• Little David Archuleta lost......to my surprise and, honestly, joy. I thought the little teeny boppers were gonna rule the phone and text lines voting for the tyke........but D.C. won out.
  

• John McCain rejected both John Hagee and Rod Parsley's endorsements.......... the scary thing about this for me is not only how politicians are so fickle when it comes to "who" is supporting them and what those endorsers can bring (as far as votes); but I am seeing how the church is hiding behind the political correctness that is destroying the whole belief system......I mean all Christians (or those who live by the Word of God) should believe what Hagee and Parsley are preaching but where are the Joel Osteens and Rick Warrens..........they are hiding folks.....or just trying to stay out of the fray.... but isn't that the same thing?

• Dottie Rambo's funeral services were this week. It sounds like it was an incredible service. You can go to this website for pictures and an Order of Service. http://www.gospelmusicupdate.com/news2007/dottietn.shtm

• And, finally, Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old adoptive child, Maria's funeral services were held today. In case you hadn't heard, Maria was accidentally struck by an SUV one of her brothers were driving this week. She died at the hospital later.
  

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/TUNEIN/805230396/1838/TUNEIN03

I can't imagine this happening.....yet it does everyday.
Life is so precious and so fleeting.

How will we live it the fullest and most promising?

Battle of the Davids

David is my favorite name.

Maybe its because:

• my dad's name is David;
• my middle name is David;
  
• if God blesses Angie and I with a boy - his name will be David Tyler

or:

• Except for Jesus, King David is my favorite figure in the Bible
  
• My college piano teacher's name was David
• Michaelangelo's DAVID is the greatest human figure sculpture ever made

or maybe its because:

• the name conjures up "underdog" and "king" all at the same time
• the name means "beloved"
• it simply looks symmetric with its two "d's" next to a vowel, with a spread "v" in the middle

Whatever it is, I love the name.

Tonight marks the first "Battle of the Davids" that I know of......and its on American Idol.

I believe David Archuleta will win due to his unbelievable(and extremely young) fan base. David Cook is more well-seasoned and is far more original; however, I feel if Cook were to win, it would hinder him in sales and acclaim.

David Cook is labeled a "rocker", but if he wins Idol, he will not be taken as serious in the Rock world. The lesson learned by DAUGHTREY (former Idol contestant who placed 4th in 2006) is you don't have to win ( and, in fact maybe better you don't win) to be a major success. Daughtry is the highest selling rock act today...with over 4 million CD's sold to date.

No matter what, both David's will be a major success and I will enjoy seeing what they do next.

Never Give Up!!!!

Another production is over and there's a tremendous amount of relief in my spirit and body.

The shows were great; well performed and well received. I believe it was produced the best of any of the 15 productions we've done in the last 5 years. The set, sound, lights, and camera work was the best its ever been. The acting was very good and the singing was right on point. The reviews from all who attended were very good. A lot of lives were changed, renewed, touched and inspired.

You might assume that this is expected and it just happens.....But there's always an amazing moment in any production that never fails to appear - the moment I quit.

It never fails that at some moment in the 3 months of preparation of a major production, I want to quit (or sometimes I do quit just to start up again). This can run the gambit of casting issues, band issues, costume issues, set design issues, choir issues, sound issues, lighting issues, budget issues, personality issues.....you name it

I guess, in my mind, I don't think its worth it. Nothing is worth this or, maybe, I'm not the one who should be doing this. The hardest part is needing an instant answer for the hundreds of questions that hit me from all departments at the same time; the decisions that need to be made in a split second; the pain of seeing the clock run out and the rehearsals being quickly dissolved. Frustration sets in after all the rehearsals leading up to the performances because, my priorities are not being fulfilled.......I haven't figured out a way to be realistic with my expectations for the rehearsals.....setting me up for a big disappointment at the end of the night.

So really, I'm setting myself up to fail; thus getting more stressed and eventually quitting.

It seems that the 'stress' begins to manifest into my body. In the last year, I started to get hives on my arms and legs the week of the productions.. ..strange. I have no warning that these are coming; they just appear. In my mind, I'm not that stressed, but my body tells me different.
I JUST WANT TO QUIT!!!!!!!!!

The Hope:
One of the best things about me is my ability to visualize the future. I can work, prepare, and live in projects now, because I KNOW what the final outcome will be. I can see faces and hear stories years before they happen. In a way, I believe it is a sub-category of a prophetic gift. Certainly, not in the conventional sense of "gift of prophecy"; but it is true that, in some situations, I have seen the END RESULTS long before I even have BEGUN the writing process....before it even hits the paper.

I say all this because when I allow the Enemy to get into my head (first mistake); when I see failure and hurt and pain and it makes me lose it or give up - God reminds me of the 'original' vision. He gives me another dose of vision of what WILL happen at the end of the project. I see the faces and hear the stories. It makes me start again, with a fresh approach. Failure is not an option because I KNOW the end result is good... I know, it sounds weird, But this is my passage right now.

I guess I want to just encourage you; whatever you are facing never give up.....there IS AN END RESULT THAT IS GOOD. Ask God to help you visualize the end of the journey......its okay to ask questions and work out the problems - just don't give up; don't quit. Walk through those fiend walls, because your joy awaits on the other side.

http://presenter.streamingfaith.com/links/WinningInLife/The_Exchange.htm

Another One Bites the Dust

Another preacher in a Sex Scandal......who would've guessed?

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/051708dnmetministerarrest.107c9d887.html




I've been thrilled to have ministered at Prestonwood ( lovingly called the church that Mary Kay built). Its not the first scandal that has rocked this mega-church and it probably won't be the last. They have and WILL ENDURE.

Their music program is second to none......they can do ANYTHING........I've always been impressed by this church

Sorry they are going through this tough time.

Opening Night Jitters

Tonight marks our 3rd opening night performance of The Exchange.

I have been blessed over and again how God has used this musical to bring people closer to Him. You never know how a piece of work, art, music or storytelling will effect anyone until you're able to hear back from those who were touched by it.

This is one of the most artistic, yet spirit-led things I've ever done and every year it never fails to challenge me. There hasn't been a performance that a tear hasn't fallen down my cherub cheek......strange.

Anyway, I thought I would write something to calm the opening night jitters.

• Will the show be any good?
• Will anyone show up?
• Will the actors remember their lines?
• Will all the technical aspects of the show go off without a hitch?
• Will the haze cause the fire alarms to go off?

Its all out of my hands now...........but what I do know is ...this work is all about the Word of God and THAT in itself will never fail.


PEACE

Dottie is "Beholding" Right Now

One of the all-time great songwriters was killed on her tour bus this past Saturday. DOTTIE RAMBO and 7 others on her ministry team were traveling from Missouri to Texas in the middle of the night, when violent storms and wind knocked the bus into an embankment.

She will be greatly missed. Dottie is one of the ones I wish I could've met and worked with. She had written over 2500 songs many of which have been recorded by singers such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, and Porter Wagoner, as well as nearly every gospel singer. Her music crossed all genres of music. From southern gospel through contemporary by artists from dc Talk to Lulu Roman.

Songs she will be remembered for are:

• He Looked Beyond My Fault (and Saw My Need)
• I Go to the Rock
• Behold the Lamb
• I Will Glory in the Cross
• His Name is a Strong Tower
• If That Isn't Love

AND HER MOST HONORED...........We Shall Behold Him.

We Shall Behold Him launched the career of our most treasured Christian Female singer, Sandi Patty. Sandi wrote in her blog about Dottie's passing this past week. I will leave this blog with Sandi's thoughts, as well as a wonderful performance of that once-in-a-lifetime song. Sandi singing with Dottie looking on......powerful

HEART FELT THOUGHTS ABOUT DOTTIE RAMBO

May 14, 2008

I was stunned with the news a couple of days ago that Dottie Rambo had passed away. She was on a tour bus and there was a crash and well…she didn't survive. What tragic news—you never know what a day can bring. I get on those tour busses all the time and you just never think about them crashing. But, alas, they do.

I was also thinking about being sad because Dottie had died, and then the most humorous image came to my mind of Dottie standing next to the Lord and saying to me, "Sandi, are you kidding me? This is what I have waited for all my life. I am beholding Him right now. Don't be sad for me—rejoice with me." I could just picture Dottie and Vestel Goodman teaching God how to write and sing a really good song. And then teaching God how to sing in the Bill Gaither homecoming choir.

I got the biggest smile on my face as I pictured Dottie saying to the Lord, "you are the one about whom I wrote all my songs".

When I recorded "We Shall Behold Him", I will never forget meeting Dottie for the first time and her kind words to me. She thanked me for "taking her baby and dressing her up so pretty." An artist can never have a better compliment than for the writer to be pleased.

Her "home-going " service will be this coming Monday, May 18 in Nashville, TN. It will be quite a celebration and I have the honor of singing one of her songs for it.

I will miss Dottie, the world will miss Dottie, but Dottie is truly in Heaven and she is Beholding, face to face, our Savior and Lord.

Stress is not good

So the week of any opening is stressful....but I thought this years opening of my musical The EXCHANGE, would not be as hard as its been............Its funny that producing a piece of work about "renewing your mind" and "turning everything over to God" is causing me to react the opposite of the message.

It will all be okay.....but there are some moments in this process that really make you want to lose it.

I was at one of those moments tonight. It seemed nothing was going right. My actors were not feeling it, My singers were not in the mood, My band was eating Chinese food in the band pit, I was losing the clock....time running out...I still hadn't covered half of what I needed to get done.....my musicians, singers, and actors were trying their best; however, just losing focus...........focus is desperately needed in these moments....... I could feel my blood start to boil. I mean...what do you do when you start to feel like your gonna lose it in front of 100 people on a microphone.........


It was just at that time my keyboard player walked around my keyboard and accidently bumped into my mic stand......the microphone stand swung out causing the microphone to bash into my teeth

OOOUUUCCCHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

But the show must go on and I couldn't scream into the microphone........what was even greater is the pain in my mouth made me forget how stressed I was about the musical

We can not let stress ruin a moment in our lives.
Who cares if the musical isn't the best?
......THE PROBLEM is....

I DO



As Dr. T always says....... "MAY GOD HELP US"

And now for another side of PARENTHOOD...

STAY OUT OF YOUR KIDS WAY...............Mr. Archuleta






To add to the well-qualified "Dads of the Year" like Macaulay Culkin's father, Lindsey Lohan's father, and Kevin Federline... Jeff Archuleta, father of American Idol shoo-in winner David, is going down the tubes as a tyrant dad or STAGE DAD in the biz.

A stage dad is one who lives their own dream of fame and stardom through their kids...until it destroys them both.
Most stage dads become managers and executives of the child's finances and, undoubtedly, the millions of dollars get tied up in bad deals
Traditionally, stage moms have had all the bad press. One of the all-time greatest written musicals was a story about the worst kind of stage mom, GYPSY

http://www.gypsybroadway.com/



Anyways, read these articles......poor little David, poor 17-year old Mormon from Utah with a voice of gold and a dad of greed............David, stick to it...your dad no longer can be around you for the next couple of weeks.....you will do well......you will succeed.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90INQO80&show_article=1


http://guanabee.com/2008/03/portrait-of-a-stage-dad-jeff-a.php

MOM.....I love you

Today is the day we collectively honor the mothers of this country.

I am a blessed man to be born from my mother and father. They set great examples and filled our home with love beyond compare. Always striving to be better; Always looking in the face of adversity and reflecting God's faithful grace





These are some stories about my Mother that still stay with me today. Stories which played a major part in creating the person I am today:

• Mom started teaching me piano when I was 4. She always let me choose to play or not...never forced. If I didn't practice, she didn't give me a lesson. This went on for 8 years....until I was 12 years old and she sent me to her college professor.
  

• Mom (and Dad) NEVER missed a performance of mine, for 6 years, when I was in school: 62 choir concerts; 34 band concerts, 10 musicals/plays, 8 piano recitals. 10 award banquets, and (sorry about this) 2 orchestra concerts. (All estimates....probably more)

• We moved from a small town to a big city when I was in the fourth grade. The strange thing is I remember Mom crying when she dropped me off at my new school.....I'm sure she cried when I went to school for the first time in first grade; however, I don't remember that.

• Mom lived in a hospital for over a month in 1994. She collapsed on July 31 ( her birthday) and stayed for the month of August. She was bedfast for many months after that, losing the ability to walk and play the piano. Today she is doing well and continues to play the piano better than me.

• At the face of death, Mom encouraged me to leave home and follow my dreams. She could've requested me to stay with her....but she didn't.

Mom continues to support me and encourage me today. There is more to be written; more stories to tell; but, these are the ones to tell today. It is no secret that I am such a blessed man.......... a big part of that is because of my beautiful mother.

Mom...... I love you

The Worst Case Scenario

I have predicted that Hillary would become the next president for the past 2 years...not that I want her to....just a gut instinct



Then this guy comes along with baggage from a preacher (of all things) and some pipe dreamed "hope"... he can sure make a good speech.....but what's he really saying?



So us Republicans are left with this guy.......huh? Yes....we thank him for his service to this country but there's no way....this guy is going to get elected by the general population at this time in our US history.



Am I too much of a pessimist?
I think this is the worst case scenario for this country......Apocalypse must be right around the corner when there's no one to admire or root for.

Where is the President Bartlet's (West Wing) ...

...or the Coach Taylor's (Friday Night Lights) of this world?

People that you are proud to have as a leader. This is the power of Television; to create our national heroes we wished existed.

Star Wars Trumpet Solo - Beauty Pageant

I have no words for this....you just have to watch!!!

John Adams... (part 2)

So, I have now completed the extraordinary 7 part HBO miniseries - John Adams. This is part 2 from an earlier blog I wrote about 10 things I didn't know about John Adams...... Here are 10 more things I learned about our Founding Fathers.

• John was an ambassador to England at the same time the Constitution was being written. This was one of the lowest times in Mr. Adams life.

• Jefferson and Adams had a huge falling out of their friendship while bitterly campaigning against each other for President.

• The White House was a decrepit place when the Adams moved in....roof leaks, no walkways from the outside mud.

• Adams kept all of President Washington's Cabinet members for the unity of the states.

• Adams hated Jefferson so much....he skipped Jefferson's Inaugural

• Abigail died peacefully in John's arms a few years before he died

• John Adams got to see his son, John Quincy Adams become the 6th President of the US.

• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were both asked to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both declined for health reasons to attend. Both died on July 4th, 1826.......50 years after they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence.

• John Adams thought he died before Jefferson...so his last words were, "Jefferson Survives". Little did he know, he outlasted Jefferson by several hours.

• Out of all the Founding Father's of our country, John Adams still has no monument, nor has he been put on any currency, or statue in our capital. John Adams is one of the reasons this country exists......and he's been utterly forgotten, until now

If you missed this wonderful event, HBO has just announced the release of the 3-disk DVD on June 30.
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/John-Adams-DVDs-Announced/9243

The Title Picture - Honeymoon and Cars

Some of you have asked about the beautiful picture on my opening title page. I'm happy to inform you this was a photo I took on my honeymoon to the Grand Cayman Islands.

That's right......I took this shot on my little camera or maybe it was my wife's camera.... All I know is it was taken in Dec. '03

Okay...... the story of the honeymoon is a good one...and I guess this is as good as anytime to tell about it.

First of all, Angie and I got married on March 8, 2003 in Franklin, Tenn. We had a couple of days in Nashville and then moved to Chicago for our new assignment at Family Harvest Church. The honeymoon was gonna have to wait.

In August, we learned we were gonna have a baby......SHOCK!!!!!
We needed the honeymoon before the baby came......you know the last-vacation-for-a-while- kind-of-thing.

We went to the Caymans in December thanks to Dad who got us a great deal (Thanks Dad). Angie was 5 months pregnant

It was joyous and wonderful.....we loved everything about it......



.............EXCEPT our rental car.

So, yes, I know I'm a big guy...but REALLY....do they have to make cars so small.

Getting inside this vehicle was an experience.......HILARIOUS!!!




Oh well, the next to last day I broke a tooth on some coconut shrimp and Angie began to have EXTREME Stomach flu symptoms - vomiting all over the beach during our Sunrise Excursion.

It was definitely time to go home....but one day
we will get back there......Gorgeous Place