After taking yesterday to get some clothes washed, pick up some others at the cleaners, and run a few errands, I drove over to Anderson, IN for service last night. It was great seeing old friends and spending some time together at dinner. I had taken back roads on the way over to Anderson and ended up going through Alexandria, IN. It had been many years since I've been in Alexandria but was excited to stop by Bill Gaither's studios and music complex. Even if his music isn't your favorite style, one must admit that he has done so much for gospel music through the years. It was funny to see the welcome sign into Alexandria. It said Alexandria was home to someone I had never heard of! There was no mention of Bill Gaither at all! I guess if he was a former NFL star who played 3 or 4 years before going to prison for doing something stupid, his name would be on the welcome sign. Either way, Alexandria is the loser for not recognizing one of gospel music's greatest treasures.
The message at service was entitled "A House Of Prayer" and reminded me of the true focus of what we call "church" and "having church". Over time we've somehow turned "church" into some type of a show, which is usually a feeble attempt of entertainment, especially when you compare it to what we would consider "worldly events" such as concerts, shows, productions, etc. People don't need another "show" when they come to our churches. They need to witness a life-changing manifestation of power that they've never seen or felt before. And yet, so many times we choose to just go through the motions with our little song list, and our ideas that we compiled during our creative worship meetings with the planning team. Who among us would admit to wanting to play God, in planning out every service in detail? If that is what we're going to do, then we had better have a batting average of 1,000. I don't want a person's blood on my hands just because they came to church needing a touch of God in their lives and all I had to give them was a typed up song list that did nothing but meet my little monthly quota of new songs, and making sure that everyone in the "in crowd" was allowed to sing out front and shine brightly. The sad part is that we shine brighter more often than God does. Who are we kidding? As a worship leader I know the importance of proper advance planning. I also feel that Levitical skill should also play a part in our worship leading. When we follow after Christ each moment of the day, it won't be difficult to come into His house (a house of prayer) and be sensitive to what needs to take place in that service. It isn't about me and what I want to do. It is about Him, and all that He wants to accomplish in the lives of His people.
Okay, can you tell that has been on my mind for quite a while? In fact, it has been burning in my heart for several years now. It is only in recent months however, that I've been able to launch out in complete freedom of worship (and leading), without worrying about a program or a schedule. Clearly, the message and fellowship last night was what I needed to help me continue in the vision that God has given me. It was confirmation of the burden I have in my heart for the kingdom. I'll share more about this later in the tour.
After dinner, I didn't feel like driving slowly through the Indiana cornfields, so I took the interstate back to Lafayette. I returned a call to Colton and somehow the energy of our conversation had me going 83 mph in a 70 mph zone. There was no talking myself out of this situation... especially when my radar detector was still buzzing and going off loudly as the officer asked for my license. The good news is he gave me about 7 weeks to pay the ticket. I wonder if I should ask Colton to pay part of it?
I need to run the R.V. over for an oil change, take care of a couple more errands, and meet pastor and his wife for lunch. Tomorrow I leave for southern Indiana and hope to spend some time with Larry Bird and his family. Ha!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Boring
Today was unique. I woke up around 8:00, ate my typical breakfast of frosted flakes and a pop tart. Computer work kept me occupied until mid-afternoon when I finally made it to the post office and shipped Kim's new handbag and Spencer's Purdue bandana, eye-black, and a football poster. A quick run over to the Purdue campus brought me to Captain Gyros, and let me say that he really is the captain! Man-oh-man! Talk about a lot of good food! Then I went over to take some pictures of the Purdue baseball and football teams practicing. I wanted to send Spencer some pictures for good luck since he was playing a make-up football game tonight back in Florida. Stops at Barnes and Noble, Target, and Wal-Mart finally brought me back to the R.V. to put up the groceries. Then I went to Pizza King and picked up some food to take over to my friends' house for dinner. Does it get any better than bacon and onion? I say it probably does not. After watching a Bela Fleck concert, and Concert From New York (immediately after 9-11), I made it back to the R.V. so David Letterman can entertain me until I get sleepy. Boring day, right? Maybe tomorrow will bring more excitement...
The Big City
I always love going to big cities and seeing all the sights! Yesterday I drove into Chicago for the day. The weather report the night before said rain would come, but only later in the night. It came about ten hours earlier! In the middle of the afternoon the rain came and it hit hard! All I wanted to do was shop Michigan Ave. and the downtown area. Was that asking too much? I think not. In spite of the rain, I found a wonderful Greek restaurant for a gyro platter. The food in Chicago is fabulous! I spent quite a while in the Apple (computers) store. You'd better watch your wallet in there though. Apple computers and accessories are not cheap at all. During one of the downpours I found myself in the Gucci store. I must admit, those aren't my kind of price tags, but that gives the sales team no reason to look at me like I'm Julia Roberts in the movie Pretty Woman. I felt so discriminated and violated! Was it the Nike shoes I bought at an outlet in Colorado for $25? Or could it have been the Levi blue jeans? Maybe it was the pullover I got from J.C. Penney's this summer during one of their big and tall sales. It was unfair the way they looked at me as if I was going to shoplift or open a can of beanie weenies over in the corner and eat my dinner while the rain poured outside. My credit card worked just fine earlier in the day at Wal-Greens when I needed an umbrella. (with a "Chicago" logo) Once it was obvious they didn't want me in there, I ended up touching every garment in the store that was on a hanger. Ha! And on my way out the door, I softly muttered, "well, at least I am heterosexual."
After a long day of shopping, and hopping cabs all over town to stay out of the rain, my friends Mike and Pam called to see where I was and offered to come by and pick me up for dinner. But before dinner, we sped off to Chinatown for some more bags, purses, shoes, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and whatever else they sell! Deals, deals, deals! But as it turned out, the best decision of the day was choosing Maggiano's for a most delightful Italian dinner. Maggiano's reminds me of Carmine's in New York City with their family style servings. Three of us walked in without any reservations and was directed to a wonderful table right by the front window where we could view the rain pouring down and the people walking down the sidewalks. I went to the restroom to wash my hands and told them to order for me. (I'm so easy to please when it comes to food.) The servers began to bring our food to the table and it seemed the selections would never stop. Stuffed mushrooms, spinach and artichoke dip, lasagne, tenderloin with mashed potatoes, linguinie, and baked chicken, followed by two different desserts which I won't attempt to remember their names. Good conversation also makes a meal even better and such was the case last night. The most crummy day (weather-wise) of the summer also provided the most enjoyable meal of the tour. The drive back to Indiana was long and sleepy. Had it not been for the sunroof being open and XM radio Fox News blasting, I couldn't have made it back! Needless to say, today I am going to rest up and do some computer work.
After a long day of shopping, and hopping cabs all over town to stay out of the rain, my friends Mike and Pam called to see where I was and offered to come by and pick me up for dinner. But before dinner, we sped off to Chinatown for some more bags, purses, shoes, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and whatever else they sell! Deals, deals, deals! But as it turned out, the best decision of the day was choosing Maggiano's for a most delightful Italian dinner. Maggiano's reminds me of Carmine's in New York City with their family style servings. Three of us walked in without any reservations and was directed to a wonderful table right by the front window where we could view the rain pouring down and the people walking down the sidewalks. I went to the restroom to wash my hands and told them to order for me. (I'm so easy to please when it comes to food.) The servers began to bring our food to the table and it seemed the selections would never stop. Stuffed mushrooms, spinach and artichoke dip, lasagne, tenderloin with mashed potatoes, linguinie, and baked chicken, followed by two different desserts which I won't attempt to remember their names. Good conversation also makes a meal even better and such was the case last night. The most crummy day (weather-wise) of the summer also provided the most enjoyable meal of the tour. The drive back to Indiana was long and sleepy. Had it not been for the sunroof being open and XM radio Fox News blasting, I couldn't have made it back! Needless to say, today I am going to rest up and do some computer work.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Hoosiers
It has been a wonderful experience to spend some time this summer in Indiana. Lafayette is my favorite place to be up this way. It is centrally located in the state and has so much to offer since Purdue University is across the river in West Lafayette. The church here is awesome and I’ve been blessed to have made so many friends. They treat me so well here and I simply feel at home anytime I am here ministering. There is such a rich heritage here among the people, and especially in their music.
This morning before service, I was fortunate enough to have an impromptu jam session with the bishop of the church and some of the musicians. He was interested in my Washburn acoustic guitar (which always sounds so fine… ha), and I had him play it for me. There was a banjo sitting nearby in the case that I quickly picked up to tune and play along with him. We played several songs in about 20 minutes. It was so real. It was so simple. People who live what they sing are always more interesting than those who haven’t a clue as to what they are playing or singing. To think of the life this man has lived, the many years he has served the Lord with his talents and gifts, I stood in amazement. We did the older songs. I even sneaked in a quick version of “Rocky Top” and “Cripple Creek”. (It’s okay. Not all of the songs performed in today’s churches mention “Jesus”.) Sometimes in church services I have to really listen closely to even know if it is a religious song or just a secular jam. I might even put some ‘christian lyrics’ to the song “Rocky Top” like someone did to George Benson’s song “On Broadway”. So, yes, I had a lot of fun playing with the bishop before service. I’m going over to their house for lunch… and we might even practice this afternoon to do some pickin’ tonight. It’s nice being well-rounded and appealing to everyone in the congregation. I wonder where they teach that ability these days?
This morning before service, I was fortunate enough to have an impromptu jam session with the bishop of the church and some of the musicians. He was interested in my Washburn acoustic guitar (which always sounds so fine… ha), and I had him play it for me. There was a banjo sitting nearby in the case that I quickly picked up to tune and play along with him. We played several songs in about 20 minutes. It was so real. It was so simple. People who live what they sing are always more interesting than those who haven’t a clue as to what they are playing or singing. To think of the life this man has lived, the many years he has served the Lord with his talents and gifts, I stood in amazement. We did the older songs. I even sneaked in a quick version of “Rocky Top” and “Cripple Creek”. (It’s okay. Not all of the songs performed in today’s churches mention “Jesus”.) Sometimes in church services I have to really listen closely to even know if it is a religious song or just a secular jam. I might even put some ‘christian lyrics’ to the song “Rocky Top” like someone did to George Benson’s song “On Broadway”. So, yes, I had a lot of fun playing with the bishop before service. I’m going over to their house for lunch… and we might even practice this afternoon to do some pickin’ tonight. It’s nice being well-rounded and appealing to everyone in the congregation. I wonder where they teach that ability these days?
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