Passages

A New Day

2009-05-30T20:12:00.005-06:00

I left my home of 6 1/2 years today........

this is the first home for my wife and I as a couple.....
this was the home our girls were born in.....(literally).......

this was the home I discovered who I was in Christ....

this was the home where I beat down many demons...
this was the home I discovered there were still more awaiting me...

this was the home I understood that "All things were possible"
this was the home I found out there was NOT an endless amount of possibilities

this was the home I fully realized that we are ALL just flawed men....no one gets to bypass this one

this was the home that I found out broken promises were hidden with an over abundant smiling face - and some need to feel like a hero............... or a "saviour"

this was the home where I lost myself and rediscovered him again (a couple of times)

this was the home I made some extrordinary friends for life
this was a home where love dwelt..................

YES.....I'm thankful for having lived and breathed in this home...... this home I left today

Oh......the Joy that awaits my new home!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talented guy - Corey Vidal - John Williams Tribute

2009-02-07T17:05:00.003-06:00

I really don't know how Corey did this....but it is a beautiful, hilarious, amazing thing to behold
I'm not sure how long this will last due to copyrights...but enjoy it while you can

January Blessings

2009-01-28T12:33:00.006-06:00

The month of January 2009 has been a time of thanksgiving, reflection
and a renewed wonder in the awesomeness of God.
(and NO....there is nothing in this about the innaugural)

In the christian community, there is so much being debated about God's providence and the proposal that it really doesn't exist....meaning it is only OUR choices that determine OUR fate. I sorta believe in this philosophy because scripture says.... " whatsoever a man sows, he shall also reap..."; however, does this deny the fact that God does look after His children and opens doors that no one else could open? Isn't that what God's providence is?

There are 3 birthdays in January that are very special.

My father, David just celebrated his 62nd birthday on January 9th. He has been the strongest most faithful man I've ever known. Religiosity and all it's minions have tried to destroy my father for over 25 years.....but he is so strong in the Lord. He continues to fight off the powers of hell, even though today it may not be behind a pulpit. He is a faithful provider for his family and works so hard to maintain normalcy in a very sub-normal world. I am so proud of my Dad.

Then there is my grandmother, Jeanetta Turner, who turned 82 on January 27th. Words cannot begin to describe ro capture what my grandparents have meant to me and my family my whole life. They have taught me what diligence, support, gratitude, loveand work-ethic is all about. I will forever try to live up to their example and standard; unfortunately I don't think I will ever get to that level......but it sure is worth trying. Today, Jeanetta is as vibrant as I remember....her secret is hanging with the younger folks.......whatever it is....it works.

Finally, in between these auspisous events, my sister gave birth to her first child, SOPHIA. Born on January 22, 7.4. pounds and 20 inches.....I know my sister Starla and her husband Mike are beyond thrilled, as well as all of us immediate family. It's been a tough couple of years for Starla, but I see how God has been right there for her......it's my proof that angels are watching over us. I don't care what anyone says..........either there are angels watching or God is doing it or some other-dimensional being is doing it.......I choose to believe in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and all His angels

2009 is a transition year for me and my family.....and while its painful.....there is also a wonderful thing that happens when you get to act on your faith. We teach, talk, and preach about faith; but how joyful it is to really embrace the moments in your life where you MUST ACT on your faith.

The beauty is that I am seeing how God's been working it all out long before I knew anything about it........now, come on...........isn't that providence?

Let me be perfectly clear, as of right now, I don't know what, when, where, who, or how anything is going to change in my life.......but I do know that transition is in effect and no matter what takes place, God is making it happen.

I choose joy
I choose love
I choose to be happy
I choose to leave the rest to God.........cast it out, BABY!

Amazing!

2009-01-10T12:25:00.003-06:00

I am amazed at the grace of God more and more each day.

This new year has presented immediate challenges that were not expected.........my family......friends.....church......school..... every aspect of my inner circle is changing.

Where did this come from?

Why all of the sudden?

Why EVERYTHING at the same time?

Well....isn't that the way God is?........Clean sweep......

I don't know what will happen in the future but .....MAN.... I'm excited!!

It can only be a good thing...........because when you've placed you're life in God's hands....He will lead you to His appropriate spot.......You've just got to be faithful to Him......Be kind to your brothers and sisters and family of man............Always attend to God's Word........it is the only things that will not return void.

God Bless 2009.......it's gonna be an awesome ride.......

Final Thoughts of 2008

2008-12-30T12:51:00.004-06:00

It's is fascinating what is happening in the world.

WARS.......Rumors of Wars......Famines......Natural Disasters......One world money market..... Recession......Diseases..............all sounding familiar? (Matthew 24)

I was reading I Timothy 4 today....and it struck me how the closer I think I'm getting to God, the further away, I really am.............Without correction, I would be without hope.....so here I am.... someone who has been in ministry for Christ for almost 35 years........and I know very little.

We are all treading on a minuscule, paper-thin blade of reaping God's blessings or losing it all.

I know this isn't the happiest blog for the end of the year......but its a sobering thought

I trust you all have a blessed New Year.........May God pour Wisdom all over you.
Take a moment and read 1 Timothy chapter 4 today........i won't print the whole chapter but I'll close this year's last blog with the final 3 verses in this timely chapter.

"...Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you."

(1 Tim. 4:14-16)

Love to you all
Greg

The Future of Church Music

2008-11-20T12:36:00.002-06:00

OK......I know I've been slipping on my blog this FALL.....I need someone to do my other job...so I can do this full-time..........HA!!!

Enjoy this.....its one of the funniest things I've seen in a while

My First Experience in the ER as a Parent

2008-10-15T09:44:00.003-06:00

So my darling daughter, Adalyn, with exuberance abounding during my choir rehearsal last night, tripped and fell flat on her face. Her nose began to bleed and then swell. (approx. 9:50pm)

AT 10:10pm, I was made aware of this and we (Angie and I) began the proceedings of going to the emergency room for the first time in this area.....and for the first time as parents.

This is not a pleasant experience for anyone at any age. You are filled with the questions of unknowing. I mean.....did she break her nose?...... If she broke her nose, is there anything that can be done anyways?......if we don't take her to the ER will we regret it?....If we do take her, will it be a waste of time and money?........and by the way, where is the hospital?

We figure out the closest hospital was about a 20 minute drive.....so we go to find it. Addy is being brave...not crying.....but not enjoying keeping ice on her 'boo-boo' (10:25pm)

We arrive at the hospital.....I'm excited because there's not a lot of activity....we're gonna get treated quickly...this is making my decision to go to the hospital easier to accept. We park.... unload everyone out of the car seats....walk to the door.......the doors don't open.......THEY'RE CLOSED?????!!!!!!! What kind of a hospital closes?

Have I really been so out of touch with hospitals that I didn't know they have working hours?

There is a sign that says in between the hours of 10pm and 7am go to [this other hospital]..so we proceed to the other hospital (10:35pm)

We arrive and check in with the receptionist.....she's nice and gives Addy a beautiful green bracelet that has her name and info on it.....Addy want to take it off immediately....but after we tell her only the doctor can take it off...she calms a bit.....and so the waiting begins..... (10:50pm)

At 11:20pm, we are called into triage where we tell the nurse whats wrong and vitals are taken. I am realizing that Addy hates her temperature, blood pressure, & pulse taken....fun times!!

.........and so we wait......and wait........and wait

Finally we are called to go to the doctor......YIPPEE.........(12:50am)

Nurse comes into our holding room (1:10am)

At this point, I must tell you that I didn't realize their are no walled-in rooms in the ER...so, you get to hear everyone's problems, sounds, pains, etc... It was a packed night....so we had our elderly, our druggies who overdosed, our kids who couldn't breathe, and people with existing illnesses who were screaming out in pain..........all while trying to calm two little girls and two frightened parents

FINALLY..... the doctor comes in at 1:45am......He says it is a good sign she is not bleeding and doesn't think it is broken; however, we can not tell and we need a CAT Scan....DA-DA-DA-DUM! (that was Beethoven's 5th for anyone interested)

I send Angie and Macayla away ( back to the car ) and I begin to wait for this CAT scan.....Addy passes out ( PTL ) (2am)

At 2:35am, we go to the other side of the hospital for the xray and we wait to get all magnetized up

At this point, I must say it is not a pleasant feeling seeing your child next to the CAT Scan machine....even though I knew this wasn't life threatening....its just not a good feeling.

(and YES.....I know its illegal to take pics inside these buildings...but I just had to -
the big hole was about to chomp down on my little girl)

Well, I wished I had the next few minutes recorded...because I'm telling you...CRAZINESS!!!

I had to move Addy from one bed to the other....she woke up and FREAKED out..... She went ballistic....I tried to calm her.....she wasn't giving in......the doctor was an old craggedly man who was towards the end of his shift ( I guess).....he was...."Look, sir....you're gonna have to calm her down".......and I was....... "I can't"........he then said....."You're gonna have to hold her"

So the doctor put the magnetic vest on me.......yes they do make one in a 'very' large size. So I'm all suited up....holding Addy's hand...telling her we are going on a treasure hunt....blah blah blah.. none of it is working

I think I've calmed her down a bit and then the doctor puts foam in between her head and the headrest.....then STRAPS HER HEAD DOWN..........yeah right.......Addy is going ape at this point...........The doctor is yelling at me....ADDY is crying.....I finally get her calm and the table begins to move into the hole............Addy looks up and sees the RED LASER light going to her face and jumps out of that bed....SCREAMING as loud as she can.....

The doctor throws up his hands .....gives me a ...."I can't do this.....we're going to have to sedate her".............SEDATE HER???? EXCUSE ME????? I don't think so

We go back to the ER.......(2:50am).......the [original] doctor tells me that we can sedate her but she seems to be okay because there is no bleeding and she can still breather...so he wants us to keep an eye on her and then he discharges us at 3:05am.

We get home at 3:45am and Addy is asleep..................so was it a good idea to go to the ER? Hindsight no...because we waited 5 hours for them to say "keep an eye on her". But as "inexperienced emergency situation" parents, we would've worried all night if we didn't have her looked at........

I must say, I don't see how anyone could be in the medical profession. Thank God for them. I just don't see how they do it...........

A special shout out to my brave wife Angie, and little girl, Macayla, who were troopers through the whole night.

To my sweety, Adalyn.....I know one of your favorite movies is Hunchback from Notre Dame, but we definitely don't want you looking like Quasimodo....so we're gonna get all better real soon.

My final thoughts about this experience is that the emergency room had no resemblance of Grey's Anatomy, Chicago Hope or even ER......WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

If you haven't started using this...NOW IS THE TIME

2008-10-09T11:39:00.001-06:00

This Reminds Me Of Many Auditions

2008-09-17T00:00:00.001-06:00

Really all I can say is.... "Lord Bless Him"
For those of my TRUTH alum compatriots.....enjoy!!

What would you say to him if he just auditioned to be in your group?
How do you encourage and critique at the same time?
So are the days of our lives.........

SONSEED - You gotta see this group

2008-09-16T09:55:00.001-06:00

This is to cheer you up today!!! Enjoy!

What An Amazing 24 Hours?

2008-08-29T18:06:00.003-06:00

Just as I was coming down from last night's truly inspired, historic, mesmerizing, awe-capturing, show within a show within another show;
a new jolt of adrenaline hit me around noon today.

Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, accepted the VP spot for the Republican Presidential ticket.

Now, first, about last night.....to all my fellow conservatives, it IS possible to be inspired by concepts without agreeing to the philosophies.

I use the word "INSPIRED" as being - a moment something makes you feel, believe, or act differently than you had before.
This does not mean you have to change you own standards or beliefs; it just means that you were compelled to reach a little deeper in your own thoughts and decisions.

You can be inspired by a car and be compelled to buy it......this does not mean you have to agree with everything that car designer, manufacturer, or distributor believes in.

You can walk into a clothing store.....see an outfit that "speaks to you".....decide you want to buy it.......that, to me, is being inspired.....even when you know the designer has different beliefs than you; did that prevent the inspiration?

To those blessed enough to have been to Walt Disney World, were you not inspired? I mean, come on....the happiest place on earth.........but it is widely reported they have special days for those whom you do not agree with spiritually or philosophically.....does that stop the sheer awesomeness of you trip?

This happens in music all the time......there are great musicians throughout time, who have written / performed inspiring music, who have differing views as myself; however, it does not stop the heart from beating faster or the spiritual uplifting gifts that come with that hearing.

Well, last night was inspired! Knowing this country's history and the sins our people have committed on one another throughout the last 400 years, last night was miraculous. I have not heard an orator as moving, with so much pressure put upon them, as I did with Barak Obama when he accepted his nomination last night

And the production was AMAZING......that staging in the little time they had.....it was a wonderful achievement.

But don't get me wrong, I still despise most things he and his party stand for. It PAINS me that we do not have a speaker like that in my party. The gift and talent of oratory is not to be discarded as something 'anyone' can do........Not just ANYONE could've have done that last night.

So, yes, I was inspired and a little saddened as I went to sleep last night........I mean its over... there is nothing we can do to top that next week....

And then this morning, the political storm clouds grew darker..... a name, Sarah Palin, entered my vocabulary. Who is she? How do you say her name? She was picked as VP candidate? What?

WHY, OH WHY DID YOU PICK HER?????????

I mean its no big deal that I don't know who she is.....but NOBODY knew who she was (outside of Alaska)........this could not be happening.........we are DOOMED!!!!

Then I heard her speak.....I saw her family......I learned that she was a mom of 5 (including a soldier going to Iraq and a 5 month baby boy with Downs Syndrome)..Today was her 20th wedding anniversary and she's a fighter for the RIGHT causes. She is a STRONG Christian who goes to an Independent Bible Church

Throughout the day, I got more and more pumped up......this is a breath of fresh air...this is making a true change in our government politics as we know it.

Here is an article that TIME online has put out titled
"10 Things You Should Know About Sarah Palin"
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1837523_1837531_1837528,00.html

It was a surprise to all politicos, pundits, media, and people in general.........all the newscasts are talking about this being the biggest gamble in America Politics history...just imagine if McCain can pull this one off.......................OH MY!!!!

Its been an AMAZING 24 hours of politics in the US of A.

Pastor Hunter prayed the Closing prayer of DNC

2008-08-28T22:21:00.005-06:00

Pastor Joel Hunter has a special church at Northland Church in the Orlando, FL area.
I have wonderful friends that have gone and continue to serve there.
He gave the closing prayer for the DNC tonight and at first I was not a happy man.

How could he endorse Barak? What is he doing?
It reminded me when Sandi Patti and Phil Driscoll performed for the Clinton inaugurals.
I was furious!

My judgmental persona was in fine form..........
Look, the bottom line is we either will work together or be left in the back of the room.

Barak will no doubt be the next president (unless some act of God intervenes)...... I won't turn away from an invite to the White House....If he becomes president, He will be our leader.
We must pray for him ....and for those in position.....pray to him!

Congratulations Pastor Hunter for praying to the world tonight!!!

ps. I particularly like the .."IN JESUS NAME"....real loud at the end of the prayer.

The Result of Thinking Outside the Box

2008-08-27T11:03:00.003-06:00

This is a very cool live video by some church (I'll have to find out where they are)
I love to see creative, fresh ideas to old concepts
Enjoy!....Thanks for sending this to me Paula

Why Fake An Illness or a Healing?

2008-08-26T13:46:00.007-06:00

Evidently Hillsong and PlanetShakers singer, Mike Gugielmucci, the pastor of Edge Church (an affiliate with the Australian Assemblies of God - now called the Australian Christian Churches - traveled around telling everyone he had an aggressive form of cancer....sang with an oxygen tube in his nose... wrote the hit song Healer (on the latest Hillsong recording)...and milked the healing of his cancer............and now its revealed he NEVER had cancer..... a fact his wife didn't know about.

The church has asked him to report to the police and they will be paying back those who were defrauded monetarily (which is another conversation - I mean if you give to God, it will NOT return void)

I HATE THIS!!!!!!

People we got to put our face before God (DAILY).....the world and its deceptions are capturing too many believers......

Here's the article.............

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24212817-5006301,00.html

If anyone knows Mike personally and can share anymore about this story...please let me know

Here's another article about Mike's wife staying with him

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24247868-5006301,00.html

Youngest Preacher or Youngest Demon? You Decide!!

2008-08-24T17:06:00.000-06:00

Another HAWKINS moment - on church

2008-08-22T00:00:00.001-06:00

I wanted to treat you to another Tim Hawkins moment.
I gotta see him live!!!

Unity is grossly IMPORTANT; Is it IMPOSSIBLE to do?

2008-08-21T00:00:00.002-06:00

While I was in Alabama, I was blessed to hear Dr. Pete Sanchez give a devotion. What struck me was a comment about unity. He said (and I paraphrase), "...when you are working towards unity, watch out....cause its ugly. It's messy....dirty, hard, almost impossible"

Now, I didn't say it the right way and may have used some different adjectives...but it was the idea that seeking unity is ugly - because it is difficult to do.

I came home and my first week back presented a 'not-so-easy' week of challenges - All about unity and unifying our worship teams (we have 7).

Strange as it may seem, I didn't think about Dr. Sanchez's words until after the brouhaha was over......but he was so right......The process of unity is UGLY.

The only way you can be and live in unity is laying yourself down for others - and lets face it, our world is not breeding those kind of people anymore.

The art of selfless living - someone needs to write that book.......it will totally bomb at first until the world collapses and then figures out it needs one another.

How to (NOT) Be in the Worship Band

2008-08-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

A great spoof on the struggles of a worship band leader.
I loved the kicks (@2:45) and also
the homage to SNL's legendary "more cowbell" sketch.
Very Funny....enjoy!

Tim Hawkins - "Cletus, Take the Reel"

2008-08-19T00:00:00.002-06:00

Once again, this guy cracks me up....I want him to come to my church. He has to be one of the funniest comedians in the world of family comedy.

Here he is doing a spoof on Carrie Underwood's smash hit "Jesus, Take the Wheel"
Enjoy

Praise the Lord - Victoria is a free woman

2008-08-18T19:43:00.003-06:00

I was worried about Mrs. Lakewood....... I mean, really....would she treat a flight attendant that way? Pushing her up against the wall?.....I would've LOVED to have seen that happen...but this sounded too much like a little money-hungry-blackmail.....

The Lord prevailed.....and Victoria is a free woman

Trial Begins for Pastor's Wife

http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5586434&page=1

30 LASHES....I know

2008-08-18T18:47:00.005-06:00

Okay.... I hear ya........ I've been away for a very long time. Give me 30 lashes.... I deserve them

I mean....this is my first blog in August.....what????

I must say that it has been a very busy month.
We had a wonderful Inspiring Excellence Conference filled with great speakers and music. KUDOS to all involved.

Then I went away for a little R & R with the family. We went to Branson to see Mom and Dad and my sis Starla. My grandparents George and Jeanetta were there, as well.....looking wonderful and being the best they've ever been in their 80's. I love them so much.

Then, I went sown to Mobile, AL. to the University of Mobile to work with one of my favorite groups. THE VOICES OF MOBILE.

They were every bit the most wonderful group to work with this time. I love their music and the way they are performing it. Keep it up guys.

Anyway, I back to it now. SO MUCH GOING ON!!!!!!!!
Let me know how your summer has gone.......because it is just about gone!

Estelle Getty dies at 84

2008-07-22T14:26:00.002-06:00

This woman was hilarious as Sophia Patrillo on the '80's sitcom, The Golden Girls. I loved to watch that show and laugh at the older grandmother role.
Here is an article about Estelle I found that gives a little more info on some other things she did.
____________________________

Emmy winner beloved for 'Golden Girls' role

By Duane Byrge

July 22, 2008, 01:52 PM ET

Estelle Getty (AP photo)

Estelle Getty, who played meddling mother Sophia on "The Golden Girls," died Tuesday morning. She was 84.

Getty, who suffered from advanced dementia, died around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday at her Hollywood Boulevard home, said her son, Carl Gettleman of Santa Monica.

Getty won an Emmy Award in 1988 for her portrayal of the feisty octogenarian. For her role as Sophia, Getty also notched a Golden Globe Award in 1986. She also received an American Comedy Award.

Getty co-starred on "Golden Girls" from 1985-92 and reprised the tart-tongued Sophia on four other TV series: "The Golden Palace," "Nurses," "Empty Nest" and "Blossom." Getty was two months younger than Arthur, but the illusion of her age was maintained through makeup, costume and her deportment.

In similar vein of take-no-prisoners elder, Getty played Sylvester Stallone's domineering mother, Tutti Bomowski, in "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot." Generically, it was a battling-buddy movie whose comic thrust was the diminutive Getty's bossing around her L.A. lawman son.

Getty was 47 when she got her first significant role in an off-Broadway musical: She gained immediate prominence when she played in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Torch Song Trilogy," playing Harvey Fierstein's acidic mother.

She played Grandma Estelle Little in "Stuart Little" in 1999, and more recently played Sister Roseanne" in "The Million Dollar Kid."

She also appeared on "Hollywood Squares" in 1998.

Born as Estelle Scher on July 25, 1923, in New York City, she acted at an early age, performing in the "borscht belt" circuit. In 1923, she married Arthur Gettleman and raised their two children in Queens. While married, she worked as a secretary in a law office, but continue to act in small theater in New York.

She won her first movie part in 1978 in the teen comedy "Team Mates: Young Gangs of Wildwood High." She also garnered small parts in "Tootsie" and "Mask," in which she played the mother of Cher's character. The same year, she played Barry Manilow's mother in the TV movie "Copacabana."

Her movie career accelerated when she played the mannequin's (Kim Cattrall) mother in "Mannequin" (1987).

She retired in 2000 after revealing she was suffering from Parkinson's disease. Two years later, she announced she was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Getty's other films credits include "Deadly Force," "The Sissy Duckling," "A Match Made in Heaven" and "The Golden Fleece," all filmed in the '90s.

Getty wrote an autobiography, "If I Knew Then What I Know Now ... So What?" In it, she summarized: "I've played mothers to heroes and mothers to zeroes."

Getty made numerous TV guest star appearances, including: "Cagney & Lacey," "Hotel," "Newhart," "The Crew," "The John Larroquette Show," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," "Touched by an Angel," "Mad About You" and "Ladies Man."

If Corporations Took Over Our Churches

2008-07-12T00:00:00.003-06:00

OKAY.....I've never heard of this guy....
Tim Hawkins...

but we need more people like him.
FRESH...FUNNY....RELATABLE

Thanks Nathan for sharing this with me.....I love it

If Your Worship Service Were a Televised Sporting Event

2008-07-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

All those involved in a worship service or
all those who love sports will have a good laugh at this.
BRILLIANT!!!!

What's Up With That???

2008-07-10T09:19:00.005-06:00

HOLA

I first want to say to my Spanish born, bred, speaking, living, WONDERFUL friends.....
this is not an indictment on you or your culture......
but I just can't believe the (probable) next president of the USA is saying that we need to "make sure our kids can speak Spanish".

Instead of encouraging proper grammar, vocabulary skills, better writing techniques for the language that should be an official language of this country -ENGLISH; They want us to make sure that other countries can take over more of our jobs, economic stability, and over-all esteem.

He might as well have said......"We are not a strong enough nation to endure the well-being of our children without them needing to go to other countries for work"

or maybe have said...... "Our future businesses will be owned and operated by people from other countries who will bring their own languages, hire only people who can speak their languages, and eventually do business with only those who speak their languages"

In the spiritual realm, its the same thing as saying.... "We need to make sure our children learn other religions......open their mind to other faiths and show more tolerance to other people's lack of standards. Instead of relying and promoting and believing in our faith, let's start looking elsewhere"

Now, I am all for studying other languages, traveling to other countries, enjoying other cultures of food, dance, & entertainment. I have taken Spanish and German in college....I have sung in Italian, Latin, German, French, Russian and Spanish....My favorite food is MEXICAN......My favorite country (other than USA) is Austria....
My favorite city (other than NYC) is Hong Kong.

It is a joy to submerge yourself in other environments.....but COME ON!!!! This is a major US political figure speaking at a campaign rally on the topic of immigration......and instead of pumping up your own country's educational vitality by encouraging MORE ENGLISH learning and speaking, you say "we need to make sure our kids speak Spanish"????

What's up with that???

I leave you with 2 thoughts:

1). If all the other countries have official languages, why is it so politically incorrect for us to have the language we have been speaking for over 200 years be our official language.

&

2). Before we make a national policy plea to ensure our children learn other languages, let's teach them how to spell, write, and read English first. We have a society that doesn't know how to even speak well; Universities running rampant with students who've never learned how to write a decent paper; & All ages who don't know how to read

ADIOS

What a Battle!!!

2008-07-06T15:23:00.005-06:00

I just witnessed the greatest tennis match I have ever seen.
The legendary John McEnroe said it was the greatest game ever played in the open era.

The King of Grass - Roger Federer
vs.
The King of Clay - Rafael Nadal

They've met the last 3 years in the Wimbledon Final with Federer beating Nadal all 3 times. In fact, Federer has tied Bjorn Borg's record 5 straight Wimbledon Finals and today he was primed to overtake Borg's record. Nadal has won the last 4 French Open Championships and no man since Borg has won the French and Wimbledon back to back; so Nadal was ready to finally beat Federer and match Borg's record.

The drama was set, ready to sweep everyone away.....but nobody could've predicted the majesty and sheer exuberance these two men displayed today.

Nadal won the first 2 sets 6 -4......it seemed Federer was down;
but he came back in a 3rd set tiebreaker........then a 4th set tiebreaker.....
now it was all even.......two rain delays.....
4 hrs of playing and now into the 5th and final set..............
it was even up to 7 - 8 in Nadal's favor......
Finally, with the day turning into night.........after the longest championship match ever played, NADAL overtook the King and became the rightful champion.

It was so amazing....and I was rooting for Federer and still loved it....that's how amazing it was.

If a measly little tennis match can give me these kind of emotions; think about how that last Battle of Armageddon is going to be....... i mean, really.........all the drama, spectacle, pain, heartbreak, excitement, victory.............and we know who's already going to win it, but it will be great.

This makes me want to watch the final battle of Lord of the Rings - Return of the King......that was an awesome battle put on film.

I wonder who's gonna film the Battle of Armageddon?......and are we gonna watch the replays over and over in heaven......all sitting up there admiring the warrior skills of each other?
Actually we'll be in the NEW EARTH....so we'll have new, cool plasma screens all over the place.

I can't wait......even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly

For the Worship Band

2008-06-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Okay............... this is great stuff about how to play in a worship band and what to look for, how to listen, what to listen for, click tracks, etc.....

All of you guys and gals that are in a worship band.......please take some time and watch these clips

http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2008/06/church-band-seminar-round-up.html

You get a whole seminar session with this blog...........excellent!!

I Have Seen The Future

2008-06-24T00:00:00.004-06:00

Ok folks.....scary as it may be....O think I have seen what awaits for the future cuisine world.

I first saw it on FOX or MSNBC..or maybe it was CNN.....anyway, there was an interview I saw and later did a little bit of research.

The Entomological Cuisine

or otherwise known as
EATING BUGS

Now, come on.....I have watched every Survivor season....I enjoy the Discovery channel... I have been in third world countries......This cannot be the future!!!

However much I pray, something in me says that through the Apocalypse Era (happening real soon-btw) the insects will become a major source of food intake.

Evidently, it has the greatest amount of protein with low carbs (although some are extremely fatty). If you dare to watch this National Geographic special, it shows a man who has a restaurant in CALIFORNIA serving entomological food (INSECTS!)

Fascinating!!
I'm interested if anyone reading this blog has eaten insects (legitimately)....no one needs to comment on how you hung your head out of a speeding car window and got a bug in your mouth...I mean, WE'VE ALL DONE THAT!..........YUCK!!!!!

Here is a website from the University of Kentucky - Department of Agriculture. This MOST disturbing section is in Discussion NO. 3....it lists what bugs are in our PRESENT DAY...NORMAL BUYING....Food Items!!!!!!!!

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/bugfood/bugfood2.htm

Get your Entomology Cookbooks Folks............times are a-changin'

Where've I Been??

2008-06-23T14:26:00.003-06:00

Ok...so I know I should receive horrible lashings because of my failure to post for the last few weeks......NO EXCUSES.......I just haven't done it.

Yes, we could blame it on being busy, family, work, scandals, gas prices, meat shortages, the Tomato recall, the Midwest Floods, depression over Obama's inevitable election victory, the Midwest Tornadoes, Too many deaths in the past few weeks, New weight loss program, Guests to tend to, Onstart of shingles, Adjusting to Organic Living, Transmission issues on the car, People saying one thing and doing another, Church splits, or even having fun with my Jonas Brothers/ Zac Efron looking hairdo.....................

...................But we won't do that.

Suffice it to say, I have missed my blogging and I am back
(at least for a couple of weeks - then, who knows what will happen)

This clip was sent to me by one of my choir members, Jeff. He said he was surfin' through some of the sites I have listed to your right and found this Louie Giglio snippet. Some of you might have already seen this
At first I didn't know where it was going....thank the Lord I stayed and watched the rest.
VERY POWERFUL!!!

Huh? Huh? Cool , eh?
Let me know what you thought

Peek into Nashville Recording Studio

2008-06-10T00:00:00.001-06:00

I found this on YOU TUBE...... its a peek into what happens in a recording studio for your singers. These singers are the very best. Lisa Cochran is the soprano (hair up) ..... she's one of my all-time favs........ this recording is for Travis Cottrell's upcoming Christmas CD. Brown Bannister is Producing.

Maria Chapman Funeral Service - News Story

2008-06-09T16:49:00.002-06:00

I know this is a little late...but its touching......a bit of the funeral service for Maria Chapman, daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. Matt Redman is leading the worship

Peace....Maria

I Laugh at This Guy Everytime!!!!!!!!

2008-06-06T11:58:00.005-06:00

I Know You May Have Seen this, but I laugh everytime
( not in a good way)

Oh MY.......... This is what we face here in Chicago, folks.......the mentality of these people in the church (the clapping and snorts ).......and then, the guy gets up and says, "Thank God for the message and the messenger"??? What a way to share the Gospel...... EMERGING CHURCHES; we're in a heap of trouble

CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a Little Disturbed

2008-06-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Check this story out everyone!!!!

The woman you see is Jaymes Foster, the sister of one of the all-time great producers, David Foster. He has produced Celine Dion, Josh Grobin, Andrea Bocelli and Barbra Streisand (to name a few).

The guy is Clay Aiken...the 2002 runner-up to American Idol.

Jaymes has been a producer for Clay over the last few years and now she's gonna produce something else for him

Jaymes Foster has been inseminated with Clay's sperm...... she is gonna have the child in August and Clay will be an active Dad in the child's life.

What is this all about???
Birds of a Feather or Flight of the Bumblebee??

Harvey Korman - The Funny will never end

2008-05-30T21:05:00.003-06:00

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

2008-05-30T19:15:00.004-06:00

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!!!!

2008-05-27T08:58:00.004-06:00

(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

2008-05-26T15:53:00.003-06:00

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

2008-05-24T17:52:00.003-06:00

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

2008-05-20T15:27:00.003-06:00

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!!!!

2008-05-18T09:19:00.004-06:00

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

2008-05-17T00:00:00.000-06:00

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

2008-05-16T16:38:00.003-06:00

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

2008-05-15T23:15:00.002-06:00

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

2008-05-13T22:08:00.005-06:00

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...

2008-05-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

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

2008-05-11T09:33:00.007-06:00

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

2008-05-05T15:50:00.008-06:00

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

2008-05-04T08:17:00.001-06:00

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

John Adams... (part 2)

2008-05-03T00:00:00.001-06:00

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

2008-05-02T00:00:00.001-06:00

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

Adalyn Elayne is 4 years old

2008-05-01T14:35:00.013-06:00

4 years ago......the greatest miracle in my life happened; My firstborn Miss Adalyn Elayne Wiggins entered this world.

The birth was joyful, fun, unexpected, even hilarious......a little bit of a Farelly Brother's movie and a National Geographic / Discovery Channel episode.

The funny thing is that is the way Addy lives her life...... joyful, unexpected and a little adventuresome.

Happy Birthday Princess ADDY....... you will always be my light

How You Live (Point of Grace) - video

2008-04-28T22:38:00.002-06:00

Here is the song that POG won a dove for this past week.
You can hear the country influence.
I love to see the family members of the group in this video.
Enjoy

2008 Dove Award winners

2008-04-24T13:52:00.002-06:00

For those that couldn't see the Dove's last night......here are the winners:

http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/news/insider/39th-annual-gma-dove-awards-recap

A big shout out to my "girls" Point of Grace. They won for Country Song of the Year, How You Live. It's exciting to see God's hand moving them into a whole new market after so many years in the business. Kudos to you ladies!!!!!!

Kelly Clarkson sings Ave Maria

2008-04-22T16:27:00.003-06:00

YOU'LL LOVE THIS....IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD IT.

One of this generations greatest voices.....I've never heard this song sound this good (excusing the first 30 seconds and the ending {ppeeeeeuuuu}

My Friend, Tiffany

2008-04-20T20:14:00.007-06:00

One of my greatest musical inspirations is
Tiffany Coburn.
She is my muse. I love to write for her and her God-Given voice.
Here is a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, I arranged for her.

Voices of Liberty singing SIMPLE GIFTS

This is a wonderful version of SUMMERTIME.
Tiff shows her high range....so wonderful; Especially the recapitulation

Voices of Liberty (full set)
If you've never had the chance to hear the Voices of Liberty in the Rotunda of EPCOT in Orlando....here's your chance.......... you can see how they are considered one of the best vocal groups of the world.
ENJOY!!!!

Thank you Tiffany for continuing to inspire....
and may this year bring you much harvest.

Tiffany Coburn with Marie Osmond

Take me out to the .......Gerald Ford Museum??

2008-04-18T16:25:00.007-06:00

(Lee, Greg, Brian)

Today I had a great day with my best friend, Lee Harris, and another great college friend, Brian Gill. They are the conductor/pianist and the trumpeter for the touring production of Little Women and have stopped in Grand Rapids, MI this weekend.

http://www.littlewomenonbroadway.com/

Since Grand Rapids, Michigan is only about 3 hrs from me, I decided to come see the show.

Having the afternoon off, Lee and Brian asked, "What can we do today in Grand Rapids?" The only thing I had remembered about GR was AMWAY and Gerald Ford. Nothing about AMWAY came to my mind, so I said, " We could go the FORD MUSEUM" (thinking they would call my bluff and laugh it off).

"That sounds good", they both eagerly agreed.

I mean, I was sorta joking....because it was the only thing I knew to suggest... nevertheless, we went.

My wife asked me this morning, 'What kind of trouble are you boys gonna get into?" I replied, 'We're going to the Gerald Ford Museum?"

"You guys are dorks", she said..... or was it nerds or dweebs?... I can't remember. Anyway, she called me a name and I agreed with her.

The wonderful thing is I LOVED IT......of course, I knew I would, being the History buff I am. It was well organized and spaced out beautifully. I had only been to Clinton's "trailer park" museum before.....I liked it ok......I wasn't thinking to much about liking Ford's.......but I did

To get in only takes 7 bucks (thanks Brian for picking up the tab)......it showcased a cabinet room, an oval office, and the grave site, along with many artifacts, clothes, stories, etc... It sits on the side of the River that flows through GR, and has a very serene fountain in front.

I've much more respect for President Ford now that I've actually devoted a few hours to his eventful , if not, providential life.

I'm now off to see my friend's show, but thanks Gerald Ford for bringing this country through a crazy era without too much residual damage. You were a lot of Elmers Glue when we needed it.

Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.
(1913 - 2006)

John Adams...(part 1)

2008-04-17T19:19:00.004-06:00

Okay.... so I've only just seen the first half of the wonderfully insightful HBO mini-series John Adams, but I love it immensely. Here are 10 things I didn't know about one of our Founding Fathers, the remarkable John Adams.

John Adams, being a man of law and who felt deeply this new country must abide by the law to be a sovereign country, successfully defended 8 British soldiers, whom accidentally killed 5 Bostonians. (This was before Independence)

It was John Adams who persuaded General George Washington to help Massachusetts's cause and fight the British soldiers, which later propelled Washington to become our first President.

Adams was separated from his wife, Abigail, for half of their first 14 years of marriage. (Due to their farm being in Massachusetts and he being needed in the Congress)

Abigail raised 4 children alone, on a Massachusetts farm with no slaves....only a few hired hands aided her.

John Adams and his son, John Quincy, went to France right after Independence Day to beg for more NAVAL assistance to help fight the British. He, along with Benjamin Franklin, was our first Ambassador. (This was after the 14 years of marriage)

John Adams sent his son, John Quincy, at the age of 14 to be a secretary for a diplomat in St. Petersburg, Russia. JQA stayed in Russia until he was ready to go to Harvard at 17.

While John was away, Abigail made her and her children take a vaccination of small pox. They had to put the blood of a pox victim into their own bloodstream; which gave them the pox, but they could control it better and not die.

John Adams was fired by Congress as the Ambassador of France, and later became the Ambassador of England (thankless job, indeed)....all while the Constitution was being written and enacted.

Adams got deathly ill in Europe and almost died....Abigail would soon join him in France, leaving her children to someone else.

John Adams had a crazy bad temper and was solidly stubborn; however, Abigail, knew just how to tame him. He responded very well to her in an age where men thought women of little worth.

After viewing the next half of the mini-series,
I'll see if there are 10 more things
I didn't know about Mr. John Adams and continue this game.
This mini-series was based on the acclaimed biography,
John Adams, by David McCullough

How to Write an Amazing Hymn?: A Posthumous Interview with John Newton

2008-04-16T12:51:00.003-06:00

I wished I had written this. I got in touch with Brian to ask if I could use it for my All For Hymn musical......even though he was very gracious and agreed to let me use the "interview" for anything I wanted, it didn't work out to put it into the musical.

I'm glad I can share it with you......it's really good

G.W.

by Brian Thomas

After having read and reviewed Jonathan Aitken’s biography, John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

I was left wondering what it would be like to sit and share a coffee with the man himself, ask him some questions about writing songs for the worshipping community and the power of music to proclaim the gospel. Of course, Newton’s been dead 200 years now, but thankfully, God has blessed me with an “unusual imagination” as my grandmother used to say. The following interview is how I think it may have gone down if John Newton was transported to San Diego in 2007 and met me at a Starbucks.

BT: Reverend Newton, thanks for being here and agreeing to do this interview posthumously. Your hymns, especially Amazing Grace, have had such an impact on the church for so many years; it is a real honor for me.

JN: Please, call me John. Although I may be, er…rather have been, an Anglican, I was a low churchman that always focused on the gospel rather on my specific tradition or church pedigree.

BT: Cool. After reading your biography by Jonathan Aitken, there are so many things we could discuss since the pages of your life turned like an epic adventure movie, but my audience is more concerned about your role a hymn writer, since that is why you are still celebrated today. Could you share a little background on how you began to develop this aspect of your ministry?

JN: Well my life did have a lot of ups and downs, but I don’t if it was all that exciting, especially since I do not know what an epic adventure movie is, but I will tell you that my love for song goes back to my years of being a seafarer. Music was just a part of every day life at sea, singing shanties, generally whooping it up with my fellow sailors during the course of what were often very hard and long days. I wasn’t always a Christian, you know? I hated authority figures, and therefore, I took it out on my superiors – most of them, anyway. I was always good with a verse and found that I could unify the crew in my hatred for the captain or the other officers by creating silly songs that would poke fun at their expense. I acted quite wantonly in those days. But as God in his grace sought to renew and restore me by his loving power, I was given something new to sing about, such as it were. I journaled for years about my life, prayers, and of course, the poetry that would later be put to song. But it wasn’t until my first pastorate that I truly began developing the songs that would make up our little hymnal.

BT: This would be the parish in Olney, right? And that not-so-little hymnal was a collection of several hundred songs that were written by you and your friend William Cowper.

JN: Yes, of course. Olney was my first official church pastorate, and it was a little rural parish, largely attended by lace-makers, blacksmiths, field laborers and general tradesman, so much of that collection of hymns grew out of my love and ministry for this group of saints.

BT: Could you explain the philosophy of writing the hymns, and how you employed them in worship?

JN: Well in those days congregational singing was very poor, and in many sectors general hymnody as you know it was not very popular. It began to grow in the independent movements through the Wesley brothers, which I had an affinity for, because of their desire to see the lost come to faith. At Olney we had a thriving children’s ministry on Thursdays, and because many of the children, as well as their parents, were not literate, I began employing simple songs that I wrote based upon Scripture passages as a means to teach these young ones by memorization. At this time, I had a wonderful woman in the church by the name of Mary Unwin who possessed a beautiful voice, so I often used her to help work out the song arrangements and lead the children. This practice became so well liked that it spilled over into other church meetings and often to Sunday morning services, where singing in this free and joyful manner was considered quite experimental, but the parishioners seemed to enjoy it.

BT: So you employed singing as a means of instruction. How would you determine what topics from Scripture to write songs about?

JN: The majority of the music was written around the particular topics I was preaching on. I used the power of music, rhyme and rhythm, the use of memory to help buttress the preached word. I found that by focusing on one major theme each week it helped to reinforce the entire service, and particularly, to illustrate the Biblical passage from which I was preaching. Of course, early on, we didn’t have a lot of songs to choose from, but Mr. Cowper and I spurred one another on each week and we would write about four or five new songs each month. And we used some of the songs from the Isaac Watts and the Wesley brothers, too.

BT: What particular elements of writing church music do you think you could share with our readers that may help them follow in your footsteps?

JN: My hymns were always much simpler than many of my contemporaries, especially Cowper, who was a first rate poet. The first thing I would say is that your songs must be based upon Scripture, or at least Scriptural truths. Secondly, they must be written for a particular audience to sing, and therefore…singable. I wrote these songs for my congregation. They expressed the desires, needs, and adoration of our particular community and as such, were very personal. That is not to say that they cannot transcend your particular community, because the truth of God does so, and of course, many Christians will share common experiences, but your community must be the starting place in which to create.

BT: When you say your songs were much simpler, what do you mean?

JN: Again this goes back to my community which were common laborers and uneducated. The content of the music expressed the deep wisdom and riches of God, but I sought to convey that in lyrics that were simple to sing. If I did anything well I guess it was that I was able to employ music in a way that made complex ideas more understandable to the man or woman in the pew that just wanted to praise their God. The two most common books in church in those days were the King James Bible and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, and both proved to be difficult for the common man to understand, so the poetical forms I used were very simple: easy cadence, few syllables, and a simple rhyming structure, which helped with memorization, so the church could learn the tune in just a couple passes. [By way of example, Newton burst into verse, which did turn a few heads in the coffee shop.]

And may the gospel’s joyful sound
Enforced by mighty grace,
Awaken many sinners round,
To come and fill the place.

JN: I guess you could say that clarity and simplicity were the cornerstones of my hymn writing.

BT: Yes, that makes sense, because the song you are most known for is both profound, and yet simple, and I guess you could say profoundly simple, since it employs only 146 words, and of those no fewer than 125 are words of one syllable.

JN: Are you speaking of Amazing Grace?

BT: Yes. It has become the most sung, most recorded, and most loved hymn in the world. Could you tell us a little about its background?

JN: I believe I conceived this song back in December of 1772 in preparation for a sermon I was going to preach on New Years day. I often used the beginning of the new year to challenge my congregation to take stock of their spiritual lives, and I believe I was going to preach on the life of David from 1 Chronicles 17, if my memory serves me aright. I saw great spiritual parallels in the life of King David and myself, both the worst of sinners, and yet, undeserved recipients of God’s amazing grace. Amazing Grace had many personal overtones in it, so you could say this song had the two-fold advantage of illustrating God’s grace and a bit of spiritual autobiography in it, which every sinner who was lost but found could grab hold of and make their own song. By using the personal pronouns – I, me, my, mine – I was able to illustrate each person’s spiritual journey of faith, which I guess is why this song has become so prominent. We can all relate to God’s amazing grace found in Christ alone.

BT: Amen to that. Thank you for your time, Reverend Newton. Any last words?

JN: What is this beverage that I’ve been drinking?

BT: A Carmel Macchiato.

JN: Yes. A Carmel Macchiato, you say. It’s delightful!

To learn more about John Newton, please checkout Jonathan Aitken’s biography, “John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace”, by Crossway Books, which can be found here.

Brian Thomas is a Director of Worship and the owner of a missional worship label Semper Reformanda Records in San Diego, CA.

Joy in the Journey

2008-04-15T14:33:00.004-06:00

So tonight is my weekly choir rehearsal and I gotta tell you, I love the rehearsal process. No matter what I am working on, the rehearsals show you what is inside of you and (if you are in charge of a group) your people........... How far do you want to go?......... How good do you really want to be?........... All of it, you find in the rehearsal process.

The performance is the reward.....but the rehearsal builds you,
molds you, creates you.

Never dismiss the times you gotta practice....I mean, greatness is not gonna come by osmosis. God is not gonna feel sorry for you and just let you be a success without the sowing. Its against His nature. Sure, He gives special blessings on some.....but those people still MUST work for it.

At the same time, enjoy YOUR JOURNEY.........don't compare yourself or your walk with anyone else's. You are finding out things about yourself which will create the person/ performer/teacher you will become.

No matter your age, accomplishments, experience, there is Joy in the Journey to be found ...........embrace it

It Is A Good Thing

2008-04-14T15:50:00.005-06:00

OKAY.....The blog world has literally taken this 'American Idol sings Shout to the Lord'- thing - into overkill...pondering motives, calculations, purpose, whatever.

I think it was great. I think 'who cares what the motives are'. I think anyone who can get the approval of multi-million dollar advertisers, paganistic television executives, skeptic producers and unsaved participants to uplift the name of Jesus is A GOOD THING; no matter if they know what they are doing, saying, singing, preaching or acting about.

I hope this song becomes a popular phenomenon......it could start a new Christian revolution (especially since Oprah's Spiritual Nation is getting scarier by the day)

I think the last time an overtly Christian song was so directly placed in front of the world was O Happy Day by the Edwin Hawkins Singers in the late 60's. Interestingly enough, this song spread across the world and was at the beginning of the JESUS MOVEMENT; which, in turn, began the praise and worship movement.

I wanted to share the most interesting blog I've found (to this date) about this subject. Bob Kauflin is someone I've been following for a while. He is so knowledgeable about worship ministry and his blog, WORSHIP MATTERS, is worth checking out. I don't agree with everything he says about this subject, but it is worth the looking into.

http://www.worshipmatters.com/2008/04/shout-to-the-lord-on-american-idol/

What do you think? Let me know

The last fun birthday??

2008-04-13T17:22:00.003-06:00

Why is it that those who pass the age of 40 answer those who ask "How old are you?" with the old adage, 39 and holding?

39 and Holding?

Holding what?............Time???......Memories???.....The absence of Death??

I think its because no matter what happens in your life, when you turn 40, you are an adult in ALL areas.......even if you are still single, living with your parents, and jobless.

Some become adults at an early age because of life circumstances.....some become adults because of responsibilities thrusts upon them....some become adults when they start their own families ... some become adults when they finally understand their purpose....... but when you hit the age of 40.....no matter what has gone on in your life....you are finally an adult... a grown-up...responsible...pressured...aged...UGH!!!!!!!!

Thankfully, this year is my last FUN birthday and I can honestly say I'm 39.............and holding.

SHOUT IT OUT!!!!!!

2008-04-10T14:50:00.004-06:00

First with Dolly singing Jesus and Gravity last week....and now this. I do believe someone at the idol has recently accepted Jesus as their personal savior.

Idols Give a SHOUT TO THE LORD

A Holy Calling

2008-04-09T19:19:00.002-06:00

I found this post from a Worship Leader and loved it.....thought I would share....its from one of my favorite books 'The Heart of an Artist" by Rory Noland...gw

A Holy Calling

by Jeffrey Ream

Can you imagine the difference it would make on your band or worship team if they felt the passion, the privilege, and responsibility of a Holy Calling rather than the duties of a volunteer.

In his book entitled "Heart of the Artist" Rory Noland poses that your ministry teams must not be merely Volunteers but must have a "Holy Calling" on their lives for that specific ministry.

Below is his list of differences between "Volunteers" and people with a "Holy Calling".

1. Volunteers see their involvement at church as community service, but people called of God see it as ministry.

2. Volunteers whine about what it's going to cost to serve, but people called are committed to serving.

3. Volunteers shrink back from resolving relational conflict, but people called of God seek to resolve relational conflict for the sake of unity in the church.

4. Volunteers look upon rehearsal as another commitment they're obligated to fulfill, but people called of God look forward to rehearsal as another opportunity to be used by God.

5. Volunteers do no outside practicing or preparation, but people who are called of God come to rehearsals and a performance as prepared as possible.

6. Volunteers are not open to constructive criticism; they get defensive about it. But people of God are grateful for feedback because they want to be the best they can be.

7. Volunteers feel threatened by the talent of others, but people called of God Praise Him for distributing gifts and talents as He chooses.

8. Volunteers want to quit at the first sign of adversity or discouragement, but people called of God dig in and persevere.

9. Volunteers find their main source of fulfillment in their talents and abilities, but people called of God know that being used of God is the most fulfilling thing you can do with your life.

10. Volunteers can't handle begin put in situations in which they're going to be stretched, but people called of God respond to God's call with humble dependence on Him.

How much more would your team members be motivated, if they were fueled by a Holy Calling rather than by simple duty? Let me encourage you as leaders who are fulfilling your own calling. We must be intentional in the ways which we lead our teams. Remind them of their calling. And if necessary remove them if they are more like volunteers than people with a "Holy Calling".

Not so inspiring

2008-04-09T15:59:00.005-06:00

Very disappointed in last night's idol......I mean some of the best voices and it just was a little dull. Or maybe I was in the wrong mood...I wanted to love them.

I'm worried about my girl Carly....hopefully she has a fan base that will carry her on. Personally, I loved her edginess.....don't know why the judges knocked her down.

Michael and David Cook both were decent but not WOW..... but that little David Archuleta can blow. I mean.....I don't know if I've ever heard anyone that just was born to sing like he is.

I want Kristie Lee Cook to go SOOOOOOO bad; however she didn't do too bad on Martina McBride's Anyway.
Sayesha should be packing her bags tonight while "COOL" Jason Castro enjoys the spotlight for the greatest inspiring performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Inspiration Night at the Idol

2008-04-08T14:57:00.003-06:00

So, here we are that the great inspirational night on American Idol. I faintly remember being a little disappointed last year....can't remember why....just thought it would be better.

Well, I'm sure tonight is going to WOW us.

Bring it on my wonderful top 5: (Although the top 3 could take each other's spot)

Dave A.

Carly S.

Dave C .

Michael J .
& Brooke W.

I'm looking for tears tonight.....BRING IT.

Cannonball Express

2008-04-08T12:39:00.014-06:00

This makes me think back when my father baptized me in 1978. I was 8 years old and I was so nervous. I thought I would get slain by the Holy Spirit and drown.

We lived in a little town of Warren, Arkansas......a place where the KKK continued to exercise their hateful marches and where some of my friends in the "black" area of town lived right behind our home and church. Scary flashbacks are being evoked....I think I will blog more about those days soon.

_________________________

OH WELL......the video clip has been taken off.....it had a pastor doing a baptism and he finishes one kid and is waiting on the next kid...when all of the sudden that kid jumps into the baptistery doing a cannonball. It drenches the pastor.

After several seconds of MAJOR laughing from the congregation, the pastor says, "After 25 years in the ministry, I've never seen anything like this....(crowd laughs)... and I guarantee you, I never will again"

I'm sorry it was taken off - a real funny church clip is always good to have

Can our land be healed?

2008-04-07T14:19:00.006-06:00

If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves, and pray,
and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14

This passage of scripture has always inspired, uplifted, encouraged and strengthened me; but, in a way, it has confounded, confused, befuddled & bemused me.

I guess because, yes, it is SO obvious....God says, "...If you do this; then I will do this..." [par.]. There should be no confusion...its there in black and white..... right? But, why has it not come to pass? I mean, this was spoken to Solomon backed in whatever-thousandth BC; HAS ANYONE LISTENED?? And if they have listened and obeyed, has God healed the land?

Some people use it for REVIVAL messages; some use it for MISSION sermons; Some use it to condemn while others use it to fortify their surroundings. Does it mean all of those things?

I guess I look at it as our "land" is pretty messed up - obviously heading for the ultimate doom and gloom apocalyptic disaster in the very near future......so our land isn't healed, is it?

But I KNOW, there have been people to pray, turn from their wicked ways, and sought God... does that mean that THEIR lands are healed....or does there need to be a majority?

I know that a great musical from the 70's was inspirely written about it, IF MY PEOPLE;

and more recently, a song from New Life Church, HEAR US FROM
HEAVEN, it has been sung in churches from coast to coast; giving the church a new dose of this powerful prophetical passage.

Does it matter?

Maybe our (geographical) land is too far gone; but our (personal) land can still be saved.
This passage provokes me to continually humble myself and seek God in all things.....maybe the "healed" land is the heavenly land......I don't know

Maybe it was just for Solomon?..........nah.....it's for me too

Moses is Gone

2008-04-06T15:08:00.003-06:00

CHARLTON HESTON
(1923 - 2008)

So Charlton Heston is somebody I never thought would die.....that towering pillar of strength. He's always thought of, in my mind, as that hero who will fight to the finish and win. [Moses, Ben Hur, Planet of the Apes, NRA activist...]

I remember a few years ago when C.H. made a speech to his fellow NRA members concerning the depletion of his beloved second amendment. I can't remember the exact phrase, or why he said it, but he evoked these thoughts.... "I will never surrender my freedom....they will have to tear [my weapon] from my cold, dead hands...."

Well, for some reason, I think the 2nd amendment is in a bit more jeopardy now that it's greatest spokesman is no longer here fighting.

"I got Jesus...you got Simon"

2008-04-03T20:30:00.003-06:00

Ok..... so has someone in the upper power echelon of American Idol recently received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior?

This week was so much Jesus-themed without the usual backlash from the judges. (Remember Mandisa being called "overly indulgent" for singing Shackles back in 2006?)

I mean, don't get me wrong..... I LOVE IT. This week was awesome. Thanks all to Dolly Parton. Her songs are making an impact in the popular culture of music....what a thing to see.

From Jason Castro's "Travelin' Thru" -

Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me

God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru

To "little" David Archuleta's endearing version of "Smoky Mountain Memories" -

Oh and these northern nights they're dreary
And my southern eyes are teary
As I wonder how the old folks are back home
But I'll keep leanin' on my Jesus
He'll love and guide and lead us
The Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong

To Dolly's own performance of "Jesus & Gravity" on last night's results show ( if anybody needed any proof of her faith; they should've been satisfied by her musical testimony last night)

Somethin' lifting me up
Somethin' holding me down
Somethin' to give me wings and
Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground
I've got all i need, Jesus and gravity

He's my friend
He's my light
He's my wings
Jesus, I've got Jesus, I've got Jesus
He's my everything
He lifts me up
He gives me wings
He gives me hope
and He gives me strength
and that's all I'll ever need

As long as He keeps lifting me up
He is my life
He is my God
He is my wings
He is my flight
Lift me, I've got Jesus, I've got Jesus
and that's all I need

Top it all off with the Clark Brother's rendition of "This Little Light of Mine/ Jesus on the Mainline" (including the verses "Won't let Satan blow it out" and "if you need a healing") - and we've got a little Holy Ghost Revival on the Idol.

Of course, it all was topped off by the great line of Dolly Parton's when Ryan Seacrest was asking if Simon Cowell could still have his free pass to Dollywood ( even though he exposed some contrasting opinions with Dolly on the subject of song choice with some contestants). Being gracious, Dolly said that Simon could still have the pass anytime..... and that he was a special man...... so when Ryan asked if she was mad or upset with Simon, Dolly gave the line of the night, " Oh that's okay. I've got Jesus....you've got Simon". To which Ryan replied, "Well, we got the raw end of that stick"

What are we doing here?

2008-04-02T18:58:00.003-06:00

So last night I had to give one of those"speeches" to our worship team.....(unity, being kind to one another, attitudes, etc)... Needless to say, it is the worst part of being a worship leader: the pruning. I mean, its hard when you know you are personally being pruned in certain areas of life and now you need to address issues and stop some behaviors in your group..... so why am I in this position? Why has God enabled me to this kind of ministry? I'm a musician; not a schoolmaster. I'm an artist; not a policeman. I'm a lover; not a fighter. But there comes a point where you see too much evil needling it's way into your group and you got to stop and say......HEY, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? As a leader, you have two choices. Ignore it or Confront it. I've ignored things for too long....it's time to confront and do away with the little things before they become too hard too handle. In my opening remarks last night, I read from Ephesians 4. These passages say it all when it comes to being a part of a team; regardless if you are a part of a church or not.

[I] ...beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keeping yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together in peace. We are all one body, we have the same spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.................Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

- Ephesians 4:1-4; 29-32

May God Help Us

Movies that sing

2008-04-01T10:33:00.003-06:00

"Listen….can you hear it?........The music…. I can hear it everywhere: in the wind; in the air; in the light. It’s all around us All you have to do is open yourself up. All you have to do is… listen."

"Sometimes the world tries to knock it out of you; but I believe in music, the way that some people believe in fairy tales."

- August Rush
_________________________________________________________________________________

Ok..... so YES..... you can predict where this movie is headed from the the first 5 minutes of this film; the premise is hard-fetched; the sentiment is mighty; however, this movie beats the snot out of NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN ( the critically acclaimed movie of the year - and Best Picture for 2008 Academy Awards)

For the musician or just the lover of music, you can not pass the opportunity to watch August Rush (now available on DVD). The songs are good; the arrangements are stellar mixing rock & classical together. It's the emotion of music....the sappy stuff......the stuff most people who are not musicians are too afraid of. It was, my opinion, the best movie of 2007.....next to Ratatouille.

Every once and awhile, a movie will come along and challenge your own dreams and beliefs. August Rush is the latest among other music-oriented offerings to make one forget about the failures and concentrate on the dreams again. The last movie to have this kind of impact was 1995's Mr. Hollands Opus.

Now, certainly, there have been many movies about music or musicians; biographies and historical dramas that have entertained and even inspired. Check these out (notice: not all are family oriented)

La Vie en Rose (2007) -
the story of Edith Piaf , French singing sensation

Ray (2004) - the story of Ray Charles

Walk the Line (2005) -
the story of Johnny and June Cash

Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)-
the story of Loretta Lynn

Bird (1988)- the story of Charlie (Bird) Parker
Lady Sings the Blues (1972)- the story of Billie Holiday
Shine (1996) - the story of pianist David Helfgott

and last, but not least........

Amadeus (1983) -
the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Everyday is Another Passage

2008-03-31T16:14:00.000-06:00

So I begin a new blog today. Why? I don't know......It's not like I need something new to do; or that anyone will ever read this; what is this for?

Still.....this is my passage today. This is what compels me at this moment; To share with the universe. Share thoughts, ideals, greatness, weakness, humor, music, inspiration, craziness, and as much wisdom as I can find.

Are we connected?

Are we alone?

Each day our passages should really do 1 thing - bring us closer to God; the Maker of the Universe, the Author and Finisher of our Faith.