I had a great day today! Rehearsal went very good and we accomplished so much. I took my guitar case over to the store where I purchased it over a year ago, and they replaced mine with a new one. Probably because I am a superstar. No, it was a GATOR case that has a lifetime warranty and the store said Gator would probably just send them a replacement. I was appreciative and played some more Martin D28's as if I was interested in buying one. NOT. I finally set up my Apple MacBook Pro laptop, keyboard, and accessories on the dining table and it feels good to be somewhat productive again. Dinner was at Little Mexico II with pastor and his wife. We had a great time together and now I am back at the motorhome watching one of the two channels on the television. CBS isn't my favorite channel to watch, but the other available channel is Trinity Broadcast Network. I think I'll just rest up for tomorrow's services. I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!
My prayer was answered! After adjusting the antenna, I now can pick up a fuzzy (and weird shade of green) NBC, which means I can watch the olympics! It is killing my eyes to watch it but I want to show my patriotism. Seriously, I took my guitar over to the sanctuary earlier and had a wonderful time of worship... all alone, no one around except me and my Lord Jesus. He has been my Savior for quite some time now, but I'm trying to make him Lord of my life. I'm finding out there is a big difference. Time just flew by during my solo concert for "One". I remember 20 years ago, long before we had children, I used to spend Saturday nights along at the church and work on music and just prepare my mind and heart for the next day's services. It is a wonderful feeling.
I talked with Kim earlier and found out Spencer is playing his "Nashville" harmonica non-stop. Tate wants to share in the playing time as well. I can only imagine how much food particles must be lodged in the far corners of that harmonica! They've played the drums all summer long in the back of my head, on the back of my seat while I'm driving. Somehow, I miss that tonight. It is so quiet here. I hope to get quite a lot of work done this upcoming week. There are some loose ends I need to take care of on a few projects.
I also spoke with a pastor friend of mine from Nashville. I am so glad he called me. We had another one of those conversations about real passion for worship, real purpose in worship, and the real presence of worship. I became so excited about worship during the conversation, I knew I had to head over to the sanctuary after the conversation. (discussed earlier) I admire pastors who desire to think out-of-the-box, with unscripted corporate worship services. If we aren't careful, we will become just like every other church up and down the street... more show and less power. People's lives are at stake. I never want to become so big (in the way) that my agenda is more important that God's plan for a worship service. It's all about Him. I can't wait for tomorrow!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Another Friday
My how time passes by so quickly! I am all alone now that the boys are back in Orlando. They all seem to be doing well. Today I went to the Verizon store to see about getting internet connection for my laptop via my phone. $49.95 monthly. I said no thanks to that. A stop by the music store to play more mandolins and Martin acoustic guitars satisfied me for a short while. This evening a friend of mine took me out in the country to an auction. A real live auction where many Amish folk (and German Baptists) had gathered to buy one another's non-powered junk. It took me back about 25+ years or so! Then it was time for sushi which brought me back to earth.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Perfect Man
That was the message at last night’s service. It was perfect timing for the boys and I to hear. Although, none of us are perfect, we need to strive for perfection continually. Today the boys will fly back home to Orlando and I can honestly say it has been a wonderful summer with very few hiccups along the way. We’ve shared in ministry and grown closer in the process. I can’t help but believe God has some great things in store for us all.
Today began like most days for us with Tate and I eating a bowl of cereal while Colton slept. We’ll pack their bags and head toward the airport around 2:30. They’ll fly home to Orlando and start school on Tuesday. I know Kim will love having them back home (for a few days at least), until the boy stuff kicks in. I will miss them so much once they’re gone! I miss Spencer and Kim very much. When I get back from making the airport run, I need to find some tickets online to fly home a few times in the next several weeks. My plan is to make it home in between weekends that I’ll work, until I make my way back down to Florida with the motor home.
For now, I’ll continue being a Purdue Boilermaker while I spend some time in Lafayette, Indiana. I’ll write more once I get back from the airport.
Today began like most days for us with Tate and I eating a bowl of cereal while Colton slept. We’ll pack their bags and head toward the airport around 2:30. They’ll fly home to Orlando and start school on Tuesday. I know Kim will love having them back home (for a few days at least), until the boy stuff kicks in. I will miss them so much once they’re gone! I miss Spencer and Kim very much. When I get back from making the airport run, I need to find some tickets online to fly home a few times in the next several weeks. My plan is to make it home in between weekends that I’ll work, until I make my way back down to Florida with the motor home.
For now, I’ll continue being a Purdue Boilermaker while I spend some time in Lafayette, Indiana. I’ll write more once I get back from the airport.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Good Run
The boys are inside the church washing some clothes. Today is there last full day with me, as their summer is coming to an end. They'll fly home tomorrow evening out of Indianapolis and return to school on Tuesday. I'm going to miss them badly. I miss Kim so much and I know it probably wasn't as enjoyable she may have first imagined... having the house to herself, no messes, no arguments to settle among the boys, etc. Just peace and quiet, and some time for herself. Now that the boys are going to be back home, I'll need to get a few flights back to Orlando during the week, and work my way back home with the RV while working the weekends.
All in all, it has been a very rewarding summer for us! The boys have seen a side of ministry and God's work they had never seen before. If we aren't careful, we'll convince ourselves the rest of the world (and church) is just like it is in our neat little box. This is simply not the truth. We've been places where it is a real struggle for those in leadership just to "have church". I hope we've been a blessing and an encouragement to those congregations. Then there were places where the technology was up-to-date, the pews were filled to capacity, and everything was put together so professionally. And to God be the glory! All of this brings things into perspective for me. On this journey to find my place in God's kingdom, there are a few things I must consider:
- To be where I'm wanted, needed, valued, and appreciated. (Don't we all?)
- Have a maximum impact in making a difference in the lives of many.
- Find stability for my family in our schedules and time spent together.
- Be where we are allowed to participate in ministry as a family.
- Allow God to use us in the kingdom without strings attached, or limitations.
- Above all, make sure my family is saved.
In the spirit of the olympics (which we've been watching lately at night), I do want to run a good race. I want to run the race with my family. I want to run with my friends. I want to be a finisher. My eyes are on the prize, and I want to hear Him say well done.
All in all, it has been a very rewarding summer for us! The boys have seen a side of ministry and God's work they had never seen before. If we aren't careful, we'll convince ourselves the rest of the world (and church) is just like it is in our neat little box. This is simply not the truth. We've been places where it is a real struggle for those in leadership just to "have church". I hope we've been a blessing and an encouragement to those congregations. Then there were places where the technology was up-to-date, the pews were filled to capacity, and everything was put together so professionally. And to God be the glory! All of this brings things into perspective for me. On this journey to find my place in God's kingdom, there are a few things I must consider:
- To be where I'm wanted, needed, valued, and appreciated. (Don't we all?)
- Have a maximum impact in making a difference in the lives of many.
- Find stability for my family in our schedules and time spent together.
- Be where we are allowed to participate in ministry as a family.
- Allow God to use us in the kingdom without strings attached, or limitations.
- Above all, make sure my family is saved.
In the spirit of the olympics (which we've been watching lately at night), I do want to run a good race. I want to run the race with my family. I want to run with my friends. I want to be a finisher. My eyes are on the prize, and I want to hear Him say well done.
1968
Talk about being tired!!! Oh my goodness! Getting to sleep around 2:30 AM doesn't help the next day when you know you are driving 350 miles. I normally don't need an alarm on travel days and this morning was no different. 7:00 came and my eyes were wide open. After unplugging and getting ready to leave town, we finally pulled out around 8:00. The traffic wasn't too bad. We made good time. In fact, we were making such good time, I decided to exit south of Louisville, KY and head on over to the Ft. Knox area. Many of my friends know I was raised in Mississippi, but most people don't realize I was born in Ft. Knox, KY and my dad retired from the Army when I was 4 or 5 years old. The reason I know I was that young is because I started first grade in Thaxton, MS in 1968. (Google that town if you want to have a good laugh.) So, I do have a few memories of Kentucky life. (Probably because I am so intelligent.) NOT!
As I exited off of I-65, the sign said to the right -----> Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, and to the left <----- Radcliff 12 miles, Ft. Knox 16 miles, etc. By this time I'm thinking how cool it is that people can choose either to visit Lincoln's birthplace or come see my old stomping grounds. Now that I've admitted to myself of being in the middle of a mid-life crisis, I turned left with intentions of re-discovering my past. Here are a few of the more pleasant things I remember of Kentucky life:
- No. 1 pleasant memory: the mobile home and park where we lived. (Go Springer!)
- Our Volkswagon beetle bug. Don't ask me how a family of six survived with a beetle bug.
- Snow-sledding down a hill on a car hood turned up-side down (possibly at a city park)
- At church there was an upright bass and an accordian (there is a possibility of the accordian being a tuba.) I admit, I may be getting the tuba mixed up with a church in South Mississippi combined with one marching bass drum.
- The 45+ minute drive on curvy roads while going to church.
- One day my dad (maybe my mom was present also) took me to see the Ft. Knox gold vault! I was told if we walked across the painted lines on the driveway, that tanks and guns would come up out of the ground to ZAP us into dust!
I realize that is quite an impressive list for a little tot like myself. Today, the timing was perfect. Colton was asleep up top, and Tate was crashed on the couch. Can I be honest here? It was very strange for me to be returning to my birthplace after being gone forty years. I've never gone back in all these years. There's been no reason to ever go back... until today. And there I was, heading straight toward 1968 as fast as I could go. I drove into Radcliff where we once lived and could hear the pavement making the same noises I remembered it made when I would sit in the back seat, unable to view the road since I was too little. I also remember seeing the power lines crossing the road from the back seat... and as I looked up this morning, there was a continuous string of power lines crossing the road. Now I realize that probably wasn't even the same road. And it probably wasn't 4-laned back then. But none of that mattered to me today. It was the sights and sounds that got my attention. About three miles of highway driving reminded me just how powerful memories can be. The mind can be so haunting. I noticed how unattractive the town looked. I passed by two mobile home dealerships and thought about stopping to ask where the most popular parks might be where military families might have lived. My heart was racing. I drove past them and continued on. Then I passed a couple of parks myself, but decided to keep going. I wasn't sure I could handle all that I was feeling inside. Lucky for me, the boys were still asleep and I wouldn't have to explain why I was crying and a total mess.
I began to think backward to the past 45 years and wondered if those were the best years of my life. I simply divided the years by the two seasons of my life (the places I've lived), while rewinding my life's video on high-speed. There I saw the good and the bad, the mountain tops and the valleys, the joy and the pain. I easily decided the best is yet to come. Suddenly, a calmness came into the RV. I began to see the potential that lies ahead. All the good that can be transferred into the lives of so many... that was encouraging to me. Faces of those who surround my life now flashed in front of my face. God began to show me the rewards of taking the high road in life, while allowing Him to handle situations and people on my behalf. The future suddenly seemed so much brighter!
I gathered my emotions, and woke the boys up to eat breakfast at Burger King, only to find out it was 11:30 and they were serving lunch. I was trying to remember when and where we left the central time zone and entered back into the eastern time zone. We decided not to eat at BK, and drove into Ft. Knox. Actually, what happened was I took what appeard to be the only exit around, which was called E. and W. Bullion Road. I turned eastward and immediately drove past what I remembered to be the GOLD VAULT! I felt like a billionaire! But not for long because we were directly in front of the gate of the military base. The nice officer met us out front and motioned us into the U-turn lane. I'm thinking, what could be giving us away? I felt so discriminated against. Ha Could it be the RV??? I explained to him about my mid-life crisis, and he smiled and allowed me to make the u-turn. We then stopped in front of what I believed to be the same gates my dad took me to years ago, and I looked up the long driveway to the gold vault! Just as I snapped the picture, I heard a man's voice on the speaker system say, NO BLOCKING THE DRIVEWAY! I pulled out into the road, scared for my life, and read the sign that said ABSOLUTELY NO PICTURES! I must have used about $35 of fuel in the next quarter of a mile!
The boys voted on White Castle (again), and then we cruised through Louisville as I answered Colton's question of why there are so many Jewish Hospitals in Louisville. My answer was, "Hey, did you know Muhammed Ali is from Louisville?" It was a lame answer, I know. We crossed the river into Indiana and the corn fields put us all to sleep. I didn't wake up until we were sitting in the parking lot of the mall, north of Indianapolis. We took our time and finally made it to Lafayette, IN around 7pm. It has been an interesting and rewarding day for me! Oh great! Thanks to the time change, it is now almost 1:00 AM!
As I exited off of I-65, the sign said to the right -----> Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, and to the left <----- Radcliff 12 miles, Ft. Knox 16 miles, etc. By this time I'm thinking how cool it is that people can choose either to visit Lincoln's birthplace or come see my old stomping grounds. Now that I've admitted to myself of being in the middle of a mid-life crisis, I turned left with intentions of re-discovering my past. Here are a few of the more pleasant things I remember of Kentucky life:
- No. 1 pleasant memory: the mobile home and park where we lived. (Go Springer!)
- Our Volkswagon beetle bug. Don't ask me how a family of six survived with a beetle bug.
- Snow-sledding down a hill on a car hood turned up-side down (possibly at a city park)
- At church there was an upright bass and an accordian (there is a possibility of the accordian being a tuba.) I admit, I may be getting the tuba mixed up with a church in South Mississippi combined with one marching bass drum.
- The 45+ minute drive on curvy roads while going to church.
- One day my dad (maybe my mom was present also) took me to see the Ft. Knox gold vault! I was told if we walked across the painted lines on the driveway, that tanks and guns would come up out of the ground to ZAP us into dust!
I realize that is quite an impressive list for a little tot like myself. Today, the timing was perfect. Colton was asleep up top, and Tate was crashed on the couch. Can I be honest here? It was very strange for me to be returning to my birthplace after being gone forty years. I've never gone back in all these years. There's been no reason to ever go back... until today. And there I was, heading straight toward 1968 as fast as I could go. I drove into Radcliff where we once lived and could hear the pavement making the same noises I remembered it made when I would sit in the back seat, unable to view the road since I was too little. I also remember seeing the power lines crossing the road from the back seat... and as I looked up this morning, there was a continuous string of power lines crossing the road. Now I realize that probably wasn't even the same road. And it probably wasn't 4-laned back then. But none of that mattered to me today. It was the sights and sounds that got my attention. About three miles of highway driving reminded me just how powerful memories can be. The mind can be so haunting. I noticed how unattractive the town looked. I passed by two mobile home dealerships and thought about stopping to ask where the most popular parks might be where military families might have lived. My heart was racing. I drove past them and continued on. Then I passed a couple of parks myself, but decided to keep going. I wasn't sure I could handle all that I was feeling inside. Lucky for me, the boys were still asleep and I wouldn't have to explain why I was crying and a total mess.
I began to think backward to the past 45 years and wondered if those were the best years of my life. I simply divided the years by the two seasons of my life (the places I've lived), while rewinding my life's video on high-speed. There I saw the good and the bad, the mountain tops and the valleys, the joy and the pain. I easily decided the best is yet to come. Suddenly, a calmness came into the RV. I began to see the potential that lies ahead. All the good that can be transferred into the lives of so many... that was encouraging to me. Faces of those who surround my life now flashed in front of my face. God began to show me the rewards of taking the high road in life, while allowing Him to handle situations and people on my behalf. The future suddenly seemed so much brighter!
I gathered my emotions, and woke the boys up to eat breakfast at Burger King, only to find out it was 11:30 and they were serving lunch. I was trying to remember when and where we left the central time zone and entered back into the eastern time zone. We decided not to eat at BK, and drove into Ft. Knox. Actually, what happened was I took what appeard to be the only exit around, which was called E. and W. Bullion Road. I turned eastward and immediately drove past what I remembered to be the GOLD VAULT! I felt like a billionaire! But not for long because we were directly in front of the gate of the military base. The nice officer met us out front and motioned us into the U-turn lane. I'm thinking, what could be giving us away? I felt so discriminated against. Ha Could it be the RV??? I explained to him about my mid-life crisis, and he smiled and allowed me to make the u-turn. We then stopped in front of what I believed to be the same gates my dad took me to years ago, and I looked up the long driveway to the gold vault! Just as I snapped the picture, I heard a man's voice on the speaker system say, NO BLOCKING THE DRIVEWAY! I pulled out into the road, scared for my life, and read the sign that said ABSOLUTELY NO PICTURES! I must have used about $35 of fuel in the next quarter of a mile!
The boys voted on White Castle (again), and then we cruised through Louisville as I answered Colton's question of why there are so many Jewish Hospitals in Louisville. My answer was, "Hey, did you know Muhammed Ali is from Louisville?" It was a lame answer, I know. We crossed the river into Indiana and the corn fields put us all to sleep. I didn't wake up until we were sitting in the parking lot of the mall, north of Indianapolis. We took our time and finally made it to Lafayette, IN around 7pm. It has been an interesting and rewarding day for me! Oh great! Thanks to the time change, it is now almost 1:00 AM!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Music Row
First of all, let me say one big "I'm sorry" to all of you who are giving me grief about not blogging the past week. What am I supposed to do? Just say, "excuse me Vince and Amy, I need to go blog while you grill my steak medium-well." (Vince = Vince Gill, Amy = Amy Grant) Haha! I can't tell you how much fun we've been having in Nash-Vegas the past ten or so days! To all of our friends here, let me say a million thanks for all you've done in making our stay the most wonderful time. You have helped us in so many ways, and I pray God will reimburse you greatly for your kindness.
The services have been awesome! The town is amazing! The people are so friendly! Colton played out with some friends, and made some new friends in the music business. It was great hanging with Ryan, Chauntay, and Teresa. (Thanks for the BBQ!) And after playing with Adam Clarke, Colton has convinced me to buy my own mandolin. I even picked around on a few of them today at the music store. I also played some Martin D28's that sold between $1,800 and $3,900. I told the salesman I would need to get back to him with my decision. But the mandolins really were sweet! I can probably pick one up without a permission slip.
I got chills when I turned on to Oak Valley Lane where my friend Kevin McManus has produced so many wonderful and anointed tunes! I can't imagine all the hundreds of world-renowned musicians and singers who have graced that studio with their talents through the years. I felt magic simply by walking through the door.
Last night's dinner at Shoney's was more than a typical Shoney's experience. We were able to hang out with my long-time friend David W. Huff (of David & the Giants fame). It had been way too long! I am always amazed at those who are as gifted as David is. I've known him for 30 years and he was as dazzling last night as I've ever seen him. After we did our concert near Opryland Hotel, we hurried over to where he was playing to catch the end of his concert. After doing his signature song, "Noah", and as the altar call was being given, the pastor asked if I would come play along on the keyboard. I must say, it all brought back memories of when I was 15 years old... and would often do the same thing. It was moments like those that played such a big part in me wanting to become a musician. I felt the same little tingle last night... and today I've decided once again that when I grow up, I want to become a musician.
The other night I took the boys downtown to see the sights. I love walking the streets, shopping in the tourist traps, doing Printer's Alley, and listening to the music coming outside onto the sidewalk! It seems to sound more clear in Nashville. I really can't explain it. I did however notice the best sounding system I heard all night was the honky tonk using JBL speakers for their house mains and monitors. Man I love JBL! And no, even though I was taunted and made fun of for not "sitting in" with any of the bands, I remained strong outside on the sidewalk, and simply walked away from trouble... (in the words of a Kenny Rogers tune).
Other things I love about Nashville:
(in no particular order)
Opryland Hotel & Opry Mills Outlet Mall
ALL of our friends in town... (too numerous to try to name)
Cock of the Walk (best catfish in town)
The thrill I feel when I am on Music Row
The weather whenever it isn't too hot
Downtown Nashville, Printer's Alley, Broadway Ave.
White Castle between downtown and 17th Avenue
Vanderbilt University area
Rotier's Restaurant
Tennessee Titans' football stadium
The view of downtown from many parts of the city
This list could go on an on... but I'll stop at this point.
I need to let you know the best hamburger I've had (possibly EVER) is across from Vanderbilt University at Rotier's! Even with all of my Food Network experience, even I never thought of placing a hamburger on french bread. The onion straws weren't too bad either. All in all, Nashville is a terrific town!
The services have been awesome! The town is amazing! The people are so friendly! Colton played out with some friends, and made some new friends in the music business. It was great hanging with Ryan, Chauntay, and Teresa. (Thanks for the BBQ!) And after playing with Adam Clarke, Colton has convinced me to buy my own mandolin. I even picked around on a few of them today at the music store. I also played some Martin D28's that sold between $1,800 and $3,900. I told the salesman I would need to get back to him with my decision.
I got chills when I turned on to Oak Valley Lane where my friend Kevin McManus has produced so many wonderful and anointed tunes! I can't imagine all the hundreds of world-renowned musicians and singers who have graced that studio with their talents through the years. I felt magic simply by walking through the door.
Last night's dinner at Shoney's was more than a typical Shoney's experience. We were able to hang out with my long-time friend David W. Huff (of David & the Giants fame). It had been way too long! I am always amazed at those who are as gifted as David is. I've known him for 30 years and he was as dazzling last night as I've ever seen him. After we did our concert near Opryland Hotel, we hurried over to where he was playing to catch the end of his concert. After doing his signature song, "Noah", and as the altar call was being given, the pastor asked if I would come play along on the keyboard. I must say, it all brought back memories of when I was 15 years old... and would often do the same thing. It was moments like those that played such a big part in me wanting to become a musician. I felt the same little tingle last night... and today I've decided once again that when I grow up, I want to become a musician.
The other night I took the boys downtown to see the sights. I love walking the streets, shopping in the tourist traps, doing Printer's Alley, and listening to the music coming outside onto the sidewalk! It seems to sound more clear in Nashville. I really can't explain it. I did however notice the best sounding system I heard all night was the honky tonk using JBL speakers for their house mains and monitors. Man I love JBL! And no, even though I was taunted and made fun of for not "sitting in" with any of the bands, I remained strong outside on the sidewalk, and simply walked away from trouble... (in the words of a Kenny Rogers tune).
Other things I love about Nashville:
(in no particular order)
Opryland Hotel & Opry Mills Outlet Mall
ALL of our friends in town... (too numerous to try to name)
Cock of the Walk (best catfish in town)
The thrill I feel when I am on Music Row
The weather whenever it isn't too hot
Downtown Nashville, Printer's Alley, Broadway Ave.
White Castle between downtown and 17th Avenue
Vanderbilt University area
Rotier's Restaurant
Tennessee Titans' football stadium
The view of downtown from many parts of the city
This list could go on an on... but I'll stop at this point.
I need to let you know the best hamburger I've had (possibly EVER) is across from Vanderbilt University at Rotier's! Even with all of my Food Network experience, even I never thought of placing a hamburger on french bread. The onion straws weren't too bad either. All in all, Nashville is a terrific town!
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