I'm back

Finally The Chalfants have come back to Farmland.

First off I want to say a big THANK YOU for those who came to the funeral home, those who prayed for us, those who stopped us and gave words of encourgement, and those who just thought of us for a second. It has been an emotional rollercoaster for the last week, some days better than others and some moments better than others. It is hard for me to see my wife sad and upset and not having all the answers or right words to say. I was pretty good at the funeral down south until the part at the end of the service when the dismiss people row by row and they come up to the casket and then turn around to the family and say something. It wasn't that hard for me until they started with the family section, then when I went up there and the first person I saw was her brother then it got real hard.

Funerals down south are totally different then up here even the burials, we were allowed and actually encouraged to hang around as they put the casket in the box and lowered it in the ground and covered it up and then put all the flowers on the grave, kind of one final moment.

Tennessee is a very pretty state with all the mountains and valleys and such but I still don't like the roads with the curves up and down the mountain and how a 2 mile drive takes 15 minutes with all the curves and such but the people down there are just awesome. So friendly and courteous and polite no matter where you go. More on the events of the trip later.

The trip home was one of those that seemed like it would never end, and at the time I had gotten pretty mad and ticked off traveling the interstate leading the way with my 15 year old nephew behind and his dad and Tammy's dad behind them. Had to keep the speed in check so it took a little longer than a stop at a Bass Pro Shop store and the trying to find the store delay with wrong exits and at that time I was the one following the other 2 cars but at the end of the day we heard that there was a bad wreck on 65 with big delays both ways that we missed because of all of the delays and such, God works is mysterious ways that at the time I had no idea but now I look back and understand. Got home at 11:30 last night and got to sleep in my own bed. What a feeling.

Stepping away for a few days.

I will be stepping away from the blogging world for a few days, probably be back Tuesday. Tammys mother passed away this morning so we will be with the rest of the family here in Muncie for a few days then down to Tenn. for the burial this weekend I would imagine. So if you could keep the family in your prayers we would appriciate it.

1st day of school

Today is the day that when I was younger I always dreaded more than any other, the 1st day of school. It meant summer was over, my life was over, freedom as we knew it was over it couldn't get any worse than that day. The 2nd day of school however was allright and it wasn't as bad. This year is Taylors first out at the big school, she is now the little fish in the bigger pond. I don't know if your children are like mine but they neither one were looking forward to today, tomorrow it will be different though. And what is up with starting school on a Wednesday? We always started on the Monday before Labor Day and not in the middle of the week, at least they are going a full day and not a half day to start the year off, that never made sense to me.

It's funny how....

I think it's funny how people are saying that we need rain, we haven't had rain for a while, when's it gonna rain. And now that it has rained the better part of the last week now they are saying.....you guessed it- When's it gonna stop raining, we've had enough rain for awhile, etc....
Indiana weather, you gotta love it. I have a feeling that we will be seeing alot more rain next week once Hurricane Dean hits land.

The new computer is great but I can't seem to get the kids off of it long enough to enjoy it myself. Oh well school starts tomorrow so there is always after they go to bed.

Finally got it.

Well we finally broke down and got a new computer on Saturday. Went to Best Buy, one of my top 5 favorite TOY stores, and picked it up. Can't keep the kids off of it yet they are getting addicted to the games that came with it. Called Verizon and have some high speed internet on the way should be here sometime this week. Yes the Chalfants are stepping into the technically advaced and leaving the dial up behind, far behind.

Yesterday James did a fantastic job leading, I know he was nervous but I think, no I know he let God take over and he did a great job. I don't even know if I was on yesterday or not as I could hear myself in the moniter at all until church was over and we went back into Blessed Be Your Name so I appologize if I sounded bad cause I couldn't hear anything. I think that the songs went over great and you people out there were loud once again.

Friday got to play dj again at JOY FM during Solid Rock Friday Night and it all came back and boy was it fun. Took a few cd's over and played a few tunes off of them go over next week again on Friday and learn how to run the board during their high school football coverage than after the game play some tunes. Should be fun check it out if you can and thanks to those who listened this week and for the words of encourgement, they are appriciated.

Fun at practice

Last night was worship team practice and it was a lot of fun this week. It was a long practice but man was it fun. Got the songs down and are ready to cut loose on Sunday. James will be taking the helm this week and I must say he did a good job last night and I am sure that he will do the same on Sunday. The only bad thing about last night was towards the end of practice we noticed a few fellows coming in to fix some lights and one of them kept looking up to the lights and the glare was just awful, I need some sunglasses, so Clyde get a hat please(ha,ha,ha). Couldn't pass that up. Ready to go to JOY FM tonight and have some fun as well, don't forget from 8 pm to 11 pm at 88.9 on your FM dial check it out.

Looking for some sleep, anyone have any?

I would love to go back to bed right now but unfortunately I can't. Didn't go to sleep last night til around midnight than woke up at 1:30, Tammy was up and she said there was tornado warnings and all kinds of storms around as evident by the constant flashes of lightning to the north. Found out the storms were heading right for us with big winds and the like so I went out and brought the trash can back in so it wouldn't be blown all over and stood outside for awhile and soaked it all in for awhile. We love storms and watching them but sometimes at 2 in the morning when you haven't gotten much sleep and have to get up in 3 hours its not as cool, still cool but not as cool. Enjoyed the storm as it passed and went back to bed about 2:30 only to get woken up by the thunder that was right outside the window it seemed, than finally went back to sleep only to wake up at 6 am with the alarm clock flashing. I am supposed to be at work at 6 so needless to say I was a little late this morning as probably a few others will be as well.

Up to 4 friends on facebook but still looking for others, come on over and check it out.

Back on the radio

This Friday I'll be heading back over to Union City to the JOY FM studios and hang out for the first time in a few months. I really enjoyed taking the broadcast class and then putting that to use on Solid Rock Friday Nights a few times. I am hoping that this leads to something sometime as I have had email contact with the station and what they responded with sounds promising for future endevors. I ask you to pray with me and for me that this might turn into something. I feel that God is calling me into musical venues both at the church and outside of it and I know that if this is His will then all things will work out for HIS glory.

I've been struggling lately here at work with the whole is this where I am supposed to be or am I being lead elsewhere. The atmosphere here is not the greatest with alot of the actions and words spoken. There is alot of sexual inuendo that takes place here in the office that is quite frustrating to be around, the language and talk would make a sailor blush at times, and you can't do anything around here without alcohol and or pot involved so I just do my 10 hours and go. Don't get me wrong this is a good place to work for the most part for the last 13 years but sometimes my spiritual being side takes a beating. Here lies my problem, am I here to help those who have these addicitions by my actions and things I can talk to them about or has my time here come to where it is time to get to somewhere else where my spiritual side can get refreshed and recharged by being around fellow christians that build each other up and help each other out. I continue going back and forth between the two and one day it seems obvious to which one it should be than the next day it is the other one. Sometimes, well alot of times I wish God would put what I should do right on a billboard right in front of me so that even I couldn't miss it.

Thanks in advance for the prayers and be sure to check it out on 88.9 JOY FM Friday night from 8:00 to 11:00 and if you like what you hear and what I am doing there let the station know next week, I'll get you more info on that later.

Not much happening

Yesterday was a pretty uneventful day but I did get to spend the evening with Tammy and the kids as she did not have to close last night. We spent the evening relaxing on the porch for awhile than went for a walk down Main Street, this was the first time Tammy has been on it since the construction started. Nice walk and quiet evening with some good time spent together. We definately need more of those but with school getting ready to start they might be few and far between.

I got a facebook account and I need friends, right now I have 2. Go to facebook.com and type in my name and be my friend.

Spent Sunday out at the race track, this was the first time all year that I have been out there and got to hang out with some friends and catch up and watch a little racing from turns 3 and 4 for the first time in years and I've got the sunburn to prove it. Be back out there Labor Day weekend to help out. They had some crazy dudes on motorcycles doing stunts on the front stretch for a while Sunday pretty insane stuff.

Opps, my bad.

Saturday night I was able to play at the service and had a good time, it was good to play again with Ryan pounding away on the drums and Tim handling the bass, been awhile since I have gotten to play with those two. Things were going good until "Blessed Be Your Name." Now thisn is a song that I have played countless times both bass and guitar so no problem right? Wrong. I decided to mix it up a bit with playing the verses on one setting and the chorus on another. Only problem was is the first time on the chorus I went the wrong way on the pedal and made an unbelievably terrible sound, got a few looks from the fellows with a "What was that" look. I can laugh about it now but was kind of embarassed at the time.

What a powerful video that they played during the service. It hit me a little Saturday but hit harder Sunday for some reason. It makes me thankful for the good health of my two kids but it also makes me sad for all of those parents who have to suffer through health problems of thier children. I applaued Jeff and Mindy for how they are handling the situation that they have been dealt. They are most definately setting an example of God loving people and people are taking note of how they handle themselves. May God continue using them for His glory.

Check this out.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DWQjCpbTmi8

I hope this works, its none other than the MotorCity Madman Ted Nugent jamming with the David Crowder Band* on thier new album.

Couple of pics

All I've got to say is no way.

This would make you do a double take.

Check this out

I subscribe to Perry Noble's blog and he talked about this past Sundays service. It was a message on hell, complete with pyro and the band playing Hells Bells and a coffin on stage. It would definately rattle some cages and put some people on edge. Just watching the video where they are out on the streets asking people what they think about hell, there are alot of lost people out there. The message is a powerful one. Go to www.newspring.cc and check out the video for last Sundays message.

Thief

I am a thief, I am a murderer

Walking up this lonely hill

What have I done? I don't remember

No one knows just how I feel

And I know, that my time is coming soon

It's been so long, oh such a long time

Since I've lived with peace and rest

Now I am here, my destination

I guess things work for the best

And I know, that my time is coming soon

Who is this man? This man beside me

They call the King of the Jews

They don't believe, that He's the Messiah

But somehow I know it's true

Oh, they laugh at Him in mockery

And they beat Him till He bleeds

They nail Him to the rugged cross,

And they raise Him...they raise Him up, next to me

My time has come, I'm slowly fading

I deserve what I receive

Jesus, when You are in Your kingdom

Could you please, please remember me

He looks at me still holding on

The tears fall from His eyes

He says, I tell the truth....

Today, you will be with me in paradise

And I know, that my time is coming soon

And I know, that my time is coming soon

And I know, that paradise, paradise is coming soon.

That is the song "Thief" by Third Day. It is from the perspective of one of the criminals that Jesus was crucified with, you can read about it in Luke 23:39-43. He realizes that Jesus is who He said He was and asks for forgivness on the cross beside Him. It always gets me to think even on the cross after all Jesus went through that he was still compassionate, caring , loving and forgiving. What an example to live by.

Weekend reflections

I have to start out today giving props to Nick and the fine job he did leading worship yesterday, I am sure at some point he will be back leading. Was it just me or was the congregation loud again yesterday especially on All To You and My Saviour My God. I know alot of you don't get the perspective that I am able to get on a Sunday, but when you look out and see people praising and worshiping God there is nothing like that. Looking forward to next Sunday, we will have Brent back in the lead spot. Mighty To Save could become a staple in the worship set as each time we do it seems to be better and better.

Taylor got to attend her first youth group meeting last night, doesn't seem right that she is old enough for that. She really enjoyed it and is looking forward to next week as well. It is always as a parent kind of nerveracking when your child goes from being one of the oldest in a group to one of the youngest. But I am at ease with her excitment from last night. Side note it was cool, for me, that she wore an old STRYPER shirt of mine that we found in the attic this weekend. Bad thing is the only thing she knows about them is that I have their cd's, guess its time for a little rock and roll class 101.

Temptation comes my way

Not only is "Temptation comes my way" the theme for today it is also the title of a cool song by a band called THE SHOWDOWN. Anyway back to the blog.
The following is a little something I have been thinking about lately, temptation. We all face it at some point, some every once in a while, some daily, and others what seems like every hour. We know that there is a way out each time we are tempted and that God will not tempt us. James 1:13-15 states: And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. 14 Temtation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. 15. These evil desires lead us to evil actions, and evil actions lead us to death. In other words temptation leads to sin, and sin leads to death.

I was thinking of something, now imagine with me if you will that God and satan are sitting down having a cup of coffee and this could be the conversation that they are having:

Satan: Hey God I think I can get old BillyBob Whatshisname in Nowhereville, Indiana on something.
God: I don't think so, he's mine you know.
S: Yeah yeah yeah whatever, but check this out. I know that when he "gave his life to you" that he dropped that addiction that he had forever. I can get him hooked on that again.
G: Try if you like but I think your wasting your time again.
S: OK here goes. (Insert addiction here and imagine the fellow is faced with it)
G: I'm not seeing anything yet.
S: Wait for it, it's coming.
G: Still waiting, your wasting your time you know.
S: Lets kick it up a few notches here, he'll never be able to resist this.
G: Just stay within the rules.
S: Oh yeah he'll never be able to walk away from this.
G: Hang on a second, I'm getting a call. (Walks away from the table to take the call)
(God now enters back and sits down with a smile on his face)
G: So how is it going down there?
S: I don't understand it, how can he jsut walk away from that, he never could resist it. I mean I threw everything I could at him and nothing, he just stood there silent for a minute and then walked away. (Light bulb goes off in satan's head) Wait a minute who was that call from?
G: It was him, I gave him a way out. I told you that you were wasting your time but thanks for playing though.
S: You might have won this one but I'll be back. There has got to be a country music concert around here somewhere, I know I can win there. (Descends back to where he belongs)

I know its a little silly but I kind of imagine it happening something like that. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says : Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience and God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give into it.


When you feel tempted run towards God and the way he has for you.

One last thing check out Steven Furtick's blog from yesterday at the side bar here, what a great post.

Milestone reached

Well here it is post 100, just imagine streamers and fireworks and the whole nine yards on your computer right now. Celebration, fan fair, marching bands, NOT. Its been kinda cool just sharing thoughts, stories, tidbits and other items here as well as reading others comments and blogs, who would have thought 10 years ago you could do something like this.

Last night was my acting debut at VBS and I thought it would be just a 1 time thing at some point during the program, but we had to do the skit 3 times. It was fun and we got the kids and leaders to laugh a bit and that caused me to chuckle a few times. I was Judah Bentherdunthat who is the father of Iva Bentherdunthat and Nevah Bentherdunthat and soon to be Youva Bentherdonthat, made a few jokes did a little adlibing and for the first two performances forgot one of the biggest lines in the skit. I played a fisherman who was an eyewitness to Jesus calming the storm. And the first two I forgot to say that He stood up and said "Peace, be still". We got the message across but forgot that line. It was alot of fun just to be silly, loose, and having fun at my own dorkiness. Will be back there tonight doing something a little easier as the Heavions are making a apperance.

New venture tonight

I get to go into a new venture tonight as I will be playing the part of Judah Bentherdunthat in a skit at VBS. I've never done any acting and being a part of the Heavions doesn't count. Should be fun just hope I remember most of what I am supposed to say, there will be some ad-libing but as long as I stay within the context of the story. The story is the one of Jesus calming the storm so I have a guide to go by but Connie said to make it loose and ham it up. I'll let you know tomorrow how it went. It will be a late night as worship team practice is to follow VBS around 8:45 to 9:00 start time.

I am closing in on post number 100, I could possibly hit it before Barry Bonds hits number 755. I don't think that my milestone post will be on ebay or sold for millions of dollars like his baseball will. It's time to email the girls up at Quaker Haven so they will have to sing later.