Let it snow let it snow let it snow

I have been posting alot lately about weather lately but it is something that has always had my interest whether it is snow, storms or whatever I dig watching it. Of course they are calling for a nice little snow fall tonight and tomorrow and building it up as a big time storm so that means that instead of the 6-8 inches we will get half of that more than likely. I know alot of people like the lower numbers but I'm still holding out for that blizzard I've been wishing for but the only blizzard I'll probably see this year is sitting down at Dairy Queen with cookie dough in it.

These last few days have been very enjoyable on the home front as Tammy has stepped away from her job to be a stay at home mom and I am digging it. Not just because of supper being ready when I walk in the door from work or hanging out with the kids either after school or when they are sick like they have been but because she has that sparkle back. Like she said it is like a weight has been lifted from her and you can tell the difference. I thought that this job was a God send because of how it came together so quickly but soon after that I for one lost focus and started thinking more and more about the money and less on the blessing that it was. Sometimes I think God does (gives) you things to kind of teach you a little something or to kind of tap you on the shoulder and say "hey thats not what it was meant for" or "your missing it" and I think that this was one of those times. Now we are getting our focus back and I am thankful of the little lesson that was sent our way.

Crazy just plain crazy

The have always said that if you don't like the weather in Indiana just wait a few minutes and it will change, how true that was last night. When was the last time we had severe thunderstorm warnings, IN JANUARY? I thought it was cool and enjoyed standing at the door watching the rain just come down in sheets. Then the wind last night was pretty incrediable. Tammy said she was wondering if we were going to end up in Kansas. Got up this morning and going out to the car was a wake up call in itself. It was flat out cold and made me want to go back inside and crawl back under the covers more than I allready did. Nice ride into work where you'd be going along all calm and cool than wham big gust of wind and the car kind of goes rocking for a moment till you catch it. Now I hear the possibility of some snow in the next couple of days. I guess by the end of next week it will be in the 60's the way we keep going here, just stay tuned I'm sure it will change.

Sicklees abound

At the Chalfant house we are having a bout with colds and fevers and its taking its toll on the tissue supply. Since Thursday there has been at least one person in the family who was sick and we got bonus this weekend with both kids being sick. Taylor has seem to have gotten over it for the most part and Tyson is the one who is deep into the sickness bug right now. It is amazing to see the difference in the two kids when they are sick how they act, what they do and just what kind of attitude they have. I know its that time of year and I for one love the winter time but I can do without the sicknesses. At least there hasn't been a foot of snow that they would be missing out on playing in outside since they are sick. Its funny also that when they are sick Taylor still thinks she can do and go to all the places she normally would while Tyson will tell you he can't do this or that because he's sick and needs to stay home and get better. Kids are just funny and I have been blessed with two wonderful kids.

Songs from Sunday

Here is a list of the songs we did today

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Daniel Baker (the same guy who did Just As I Am)
Make A Joyful Noise - David Crowder Band*
Everyday - Hillsong
My Hope Is In You - Third Day
Give Us Clean Hands - Charlie Hall
How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin
Forever - CT

It went pretty good today glad to have the Jackson back, I really like that guitar its nice and light and the neck is easy to get around on. I was having trouble keeping the top string in tune, I'd tune it and it would be good but then go to play a chord and it would sound awful. Tightened up the locking thing at the top and it has fixed the problem. I like Make a Joyful Noise especially when the rocking starts and Everyday has always been one of my faves, crank up the distortion and let it rip. Kind of got a little off on the bridge part, don't know if I was playing it too fast or if the singing was too slow but it was still good. How Great is always good when we stop playing and just do the singing like happened today and Forever was fun to play. I really dug that when the clapping started on the his love endures forever part. It sounds cliched but when the "crowd" starts getting into it then that just gets me more into it, you know feeding off the energy kinda thing. Time to finish up my reading before YG so I can get the all coveted sticker.

Just got back from the radio station

Just got back from another stint at JOY FM doing an hours worth of music for Solid Rock Friday Night. This is the first time I've been over there on a Friday night since the middle of November and it was fun. I got 5 requests which is a personnal record, the previous high was 2 which is just about everytime I go there. It seems that there are 2 kids here in Farmland who like to make requests when I'm on the air, funny last time I was there they didn't call in more than likely because they were there. Going to get on a rotation where I will be there every third Friday from 10 to 11 and I volunteered to fill in whenever. Here is the list for this Fridays show:

TobyMac - Ignition
Jeremy Camp - No Matter What
Hawk Nelson - One Thing I Have Left (first request from a guy from Virgina visiting Ohio)
Thousand Foot Krutch - Falls Apart
Jonezetta - Get Ready (Hot Machete) requested from Farmland from a girl whose voice sounded familiar and wanted to know where her cd was.
Kids In The Way - Fiction (requested from a little fellow from Farmland who also sounded familiar, surprised he didn't request Jesus Freak)
SecondHand - 20 Years From Now (these guys sure can Rock The Cat Box)
KJ-52 with Kevin Young from Disciple - You'll Never Take Me Down
Decemberadio - Table
Skillet - Savior (request from Bryant, IN not Ohio like I said)
DC Talk - Jesus Freak (another request from Bryant, IN not Ohio)
Stryper - To Hell With The Devil (I wonder what would happen if we did this song as a call to worship?)
Demon Hunter - Carry Me Down
Project 86 - Illuminate
Kutless - Strong Tower

Pretty good hour if I do say so myself and alot of fun to be back over there. Do it again in a few weeks I will keep you posted.

More tidbits

Tammy and I have come to the conclusion that we both need to start eating more healthy and watching what we eat. Now I have always watched what I eat, I watch it go from my plate to my mouth over and over again, but we are now starting to take a real good look at this. Monday I hopped on the scales here at work at to my astonishment it read 265 lbs. I have never weighed this much and I kinda thought this is ridiculous so I went home and Tammy and I talked about it and we have been eating alot better these past few days. I jumped on the scales this morning and have allready lost 4 pounds. I am shooting for 220 by summer but less than 220 would be better. I looked online and saw that a man my age and height should weigh 185 lbs, I haven't seen that this decade. We are eating alot of fruits and veggies and laying off candy, sweets, and fattening items especially around bed time. No more bag of popcorn at 9:30 and bed at 10. I will miss a few of the food items that I so love to eat but I know it is better if I just remember them more than eat them right now. Now we need to incorporate a little exercise into the routine.

Few tidbits:
I am getting excited about the start of the racing season now that football season is basically over.

I am really excited about going back to JOY FM tomorrow night for a little SRF after the basketball game. I'm sure I'll remind you all again tomorrow.

I kind of like this little cold stretch we're having in a strange way, sure makes getting out of bed each morning just that much harder. Now if we'd only get about 15 or so inches of snow......

I have been enjoying watching the auditions for American Idol for the first time ever, they are funny, good and sometimes down right awful but I will give those people credit, I couldn't get up in front of people and sing.

I think my favorite show on TV right now is Criminal Minds. That show just rules. It is also 1 of 2 shows that we actually watch every week.

I am about to finish up Exodus in the bible and even started reading the New Testament a chapter a day at work. If all goes well I will read through the entire bible twice this year and the New Testament 3 times.

I am ready to listen to the next three messages again, they were all good the first time around so I'm sure they will be again. I remember the Glory and Warrior series musically because I put together a cd of new songs for the Glory series which we ended up doing quite a few of them and you even still hear it on Sunday mornings before and after services and the Warrior series I helped write the theme song but for the life of me can't remember how it goes. Maybe someday it will come back to me.

Finally I really like seeing all the progress the construction crew is making each week on the new building, it won't be long and we will be having an opening ceremony there than putting it to good use and seeing lives impacted.

30 years ago this Friday

30 years ago this Friday this is what we woke up to here in good old Farmland. Now this picture is not in Farmland but the view is the same as it looked here. I remember it pretty well as I have never seen so much snow. We lived in the country on a road that there were 3 houses, our neighbors (who were in Florida for the winter), ours, and an old house that was abandond. Snow plows didn't hit our road too often and the snow was so deep in our yard that when Chuck and I took off running up towards the barn he tripped and fell and we looked back and saw that he had tripped over the top of the clothsline. Snow was deep on the west side of a building in the barn section that we could literally step from the top of the drift to the roof of the building which then we proceeded to jump off the side into another huge drift, that is until Mom and Dad saw us do that then they kind of put a stop to it. It was great, out of school for 2 weeks, playing out in the snow everyday, man imagine what it would have been like with cable, playstations, and internet we never would have went out. Maybe we will have another one sometime. I read up on it and the weather people only forcasted about 2 or 3 inches and we got around 20 with 30-40 mph winds for a few days. I'm gonna have to go over to Mom and Dads and check out the photos now.

Sneak peak

Yesterday I got a sneak peak or actually a sneak listen to the brand new Leeland cd called "The Opposite Way" which by the way won't be out until like Feb. 26 or something like that. Well how did you get to listen to it you might be asking. I joined a thing online called New Release Tuesday where every week they send an email newsletter profiling cd's that are being released on that Tuesday. They normally have a stream of one of the cds that you can listen to the week before it comes out. Only bad part about this is that while your listening to it during every song they come over and say "new realesed Tuesday" kind of a station identification thing so you can't burn it or copy it. But by listening to it yesterday I am ready for the release because it is as good if not better than their first cd "The Sound of Melodies." The first song "Count Me In" is a great opener and it is also a good message. The title track was also a highlight, it talks about how the world is leading you one way but Jesus takes you the "Opposite Way" with His plans. Good stuff you ought to check it out.

Delirious? - Here I am Send Me

After hearing the message yesterday I thought of this song and thought this would have been a great song to start and end the service. Great song.

Yesterday song list:
Unchanging - CT
God Of Wonders - Third Day
Everlasting God - CT/Lincoln Brewster
Oh The Wonderful Cross - Micheal W. Smith
You Alone - David Crowder Band

Thoughts

Here are a few thoughts going through this vast space I call my mind, someone really needs to clean out the cobwebs in here.

Don't you hate it when a vehicle goes flying around you only to cut in front of you and either slow down or turn.

Why is it when nothing is on TV you normally end up watching something you probably would never watch in the first place.

Is it just me or is ESPN News one of the greatest channels ever.

I watched American Idol last night for the first time ever. I've caught bits and pieces before but never more than 5 minutes at a time. It was actually kind of funny and entertaining except for the guy who wouldn't leave and just kept singing that was kinda freaky.

Arby's Buffalo Chicken Shakers just absolutely rock....

Why do snowplows drive so slow? I drive slow when the roads are bad but they go reallllllllly slow.

Mean people suck but I still love them anyway.

Why is it when on snowy or icy roads when you start sliding a little bit its a helpless feeling but when you get all straightend out you think "that was pretty cool" or is that just me.

Why do they say the average person needs 8 hours of sleep, I'd like to know who these average people are and if they really do exsist.

Is it Friday yet?

Hands

Have you ever just sat and looked at your hands and think about all that they do for you and all that you have done with them? Some things good and some things not so good. I've had these hands since I was born. They started out small and weak and have grown into what they are today. I look at them and think of all that they have done over my almost 40 years of living here on this place we call earth. Even though I can't remember specifics of playing as a child I do know that they played with alot of toys as a child (matchboxes and hot wheels were always a big hit), played sports (baseball, basketball and football were always favorites) sometimes in a team setting and sometimes all by myself, do you know how hard it is to play pass with a football by yourself? When I got older they have helped my with my job whether it was flipping burgers at Mickey D's or bagging groceries at the Thrift E' or measuring parts at Twoson Tool. And as you can tell be looking at me they have help keep me well fed over the years. Sometimes the did stuff that they shouldn't have like taking something that wasn't mine, buying stuff that I didn't need, trying to inflict physical pain on someone (which didn't happen very often) or letting someone know that I thought they were number 1 in my book at angry times.

As I got older they were joined with the love of my life Tammy and they will always be joined with her. They have held her in times of sadness and in good times, comforted her, protected her, help pick her up when she was down, congratulated her, help guide her, got us to points of recreation and relaxation and have just been there for her. They have held both of our children, comforted and calmed them when they were scared, cheered for them, picked them up when they were learning to walk and or fell down, help teach them, disciplined them when they needed it, protected them, and help guide them as best they can. There is probably more that they have done for them over the past 13 years. People who read your hands say that we have life lines but I think of them more as rings on a tree that tells how old a tree is and more of stories because you know they could tell some stories.

They are even used for and by God doing his work, playing on the worship team (sometimes playing stuff that sounds good and sometimes hitting a wrong chord), doing some work at the radio station getting things on the air and working through broadcasts and keeping the music going. They are used for prayer, turning pages when I'm reading the bible, raised in praise, and reaching out to those in need. Some times unfortunately they are held down and back because of fear, pride and lack of confidence.

These hands however neve did any of the bad things that mine have done nor were they ever afraid to help the least of these when I find it easy to turn the other way, these hands helped them. They even took my place on the cross. To quote some song lyrics "They were pierced for my transgressions, crushed for my sins" and they did it all of that out of love for me so that one day I can join with His hands.

Another new item

As I check out other blogs everyday I get a few ideas from them on things to do and the latest one is from Lee McDermet who is the worship leader at Newspring Church which is the church that Perry Noble pastors at. Every Monday Lee puts down the songs that were done that weekend with the artist. Now I thought that would be cool because sometimes people hear a song and like it but don't know who it is. So I am here to eliminate that problem. Now this is from my best recollection so they might not be in exact order but here goes.

Sunday Jan. 6, 2008
Better Is One Day - Matt Redman / Kutless
Famous One - Chris Tomlin
How Can I Keep From Singing - CT
How Awesome Is The Lord Most High - CT
Agnus Dei - Micheal W. Smith / Third Day
How Great Is Our God - CT
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - CT

Sunday Jan. 13, 2008
Your Grace Is Enough - CT
Come, Now Is The Time To Worship - Brian Doekersen
Grace Like Rain - Todd Agnew
Go And Leave My Life Of Sin - Brent Smith
All Who Are Thirsty - Vinyard / Kutless
Just As I Am - Two Feet Forward - ? I was told this is the song the play on Billy Graham crusades.
Oh Praise Him - David Crowder Band

This should help you out for starters and hopefully I can keep this going. Any requests?

Good Opportunity

The last few days here at work I've been able to have a couple of good conversations with a fellow employee. He came to me yesterday morning and said that he is trying to live life better and starting to check into God but he is not sure. He said he wants to start reading the bible and was wondering where to start so I suggested John and remembering a message from PK said that he should take a month read a chapter a day and pray for God to reveal himself to him. He sounded very positive on going through with this. So after some good talks both yesterday and this morning I am one of those God highs and allthough there are days that I seriously don't want to be here it is days like these that I know why I am here. I invited him out to church or even finding one here in Muncie for him but right now he is one of those who doesn't look to kindly on church because of things in the past. I'll keep on him though and I know that God is doing a little stirring so join me in some prayers for the fellow and his wife that they keep seeking and that they are led to God. I really dig days like these. He talked about not understanding alot of the bible by the way it was written with the thee's, thou's, and thy's so I showed him the New Believers Bible that we got from the church and showed him the little cornerstones, first steps, off and running and big questions. I said and I think that those are very helpful. We'll see where this leads and I'll try and give an update or two.

Is it that bad?

You know I am a bit bummed by the fact that the Colts lost yesterday but by that same token it is not the end of the world. After talking to Pink last night at youth and he was saying that there were grown men either on the verge of or actually crying over losing a game.......People thats just it, its a game. Now I can understand the players emotion because its what they do for a living but as a fan I did not have any "crying" moments or any reason to cry. I'll still watch the games next weekend and I'll watch the Hype I mean Super Bowl and enjoy it just the same, and as always the commercials will probably be better than the game. I have been a sports fan all my life and I don't think I've ever cried over a game that I was watching, I've been mad and yelled because of the stupidity of my team but never been inclined to shed tears. I am a big Atlanta Braves fan and I've had plenty of disappointment with them in the playoffs that it is no big deal if and when they lose, I am a big Tony Stewart fan but I know that he is not going to win all 36 races nor is anyone else so I not going to lose any sleep when he dosen't win a race or the championship. Its a game and some games you win and some you lose, unless your the Patriots this year, but life goes on. I'm sure if the Chargers lose next week that James will be at work the next day or at youth that night doing what he does, maybe with a little less pep in his step but it won't be the end of the world. And if they win we will celebrate with him and maybe he can enjoy what we enjoyed last year with the Colts.

On a side note the best game of the weekend was the Packers-Seahawks game in the snow. Now thats how football in January should be played, outside in the elements, down and dirty, sliding around. I loved that game.

First week back almost over

Well the first week back at work for the year is almost over and yes I'm ready for the weekend where I can sleep in tomorrow and enjoy all the sports on TV, after all isn't that what weekend television is about? Then off to church and youth group Sunday so it should be a couple of good days. Saturday unfortunately Tammy will be working so she will miss out on sports on TV and the nap that sometimes goes along with it.

I am up to Genisis 40 on the daily reading and I have decided not to follow a certain plan other than making sure I read daily. If I read 3 chapters great, if I read 10 great, no required amount of chapters per day just read. I have a hard time with some of the OT with the details but I do like when reading about Abraham, Issac, Noah, and those that we are all familiar with. I still haven't started the journal or highlighting certain scripture that stands out yet but I will let you know when all that gets going.

I am ready for 2 weeks from tonight when I get to go back over to JOY FM and do a little Solid Rock Friday for an hour or so. I have allready started thinking of what I'm gonna play which I am sure will change a few times between now and then.

10 minutes

I just got done watching a service online and if you have some time go to the Perry Noble link on the page and go to his links and go to Newspring church and check out the service from this past Sunday 1-6-08 called Crank It Up. I really dig Perry and it is so amazing that what he is talking about is some of the stuff we've been talking about at church. He challenges us to spend 10 minutes a day alone with God. It is an awesome service and message so check it out if you have some time. The video has just about all of the service with a few songs from the worship team, those of us who like the music of the 80's will like the first song then they do a few others than the message or if you just want the message just get the audio version which is shorter. Check it out you won't be disappointed.

Seems to be spreading

Since this is the begining of the year there is always resolution talk but this year I have noticed that alot and I do mean alot of people have the same thing on their mind.......reading the bible. We talked about it at RTCB, blogs, YG, just in various conversations it seems to be that alot of people are taking the challenge of reading the bible daily or for the year. My plan is to do it more than once this year. I completed it last year but this year I'm going for the double. I hope that all those who started will complete their journey through the word and that we encourage each other to keep on reading. At youth we signed a big cardboard list that we even be complete with stars when we reach weekly points. That is a little thing to help keep us accountable. I started last night with the first 17 chapters so I got a late start but I'll catch up in no time. We at the Chalfant house have started a little something where each of us are reading the bible and Tyson and Taylor are even starting some devotionals, it just floors me when the kids do stuff like that and are wanting to draw closer to God. "As for me and my house....."

Thoughts for the new year at 1 in the morning

Here it is almost 1:30 in the morning and instead of sleeping like I should be I'm sitting here typing this listening to Pandora radio, my Hillsong United channel. For those who haven't heard of this you type in an artist you like and they play songs from that artist and similiar artists, right now it's Third Day's King Of Glory, which is another song we need to do. This is getting to be a bad habit these last few days as my normal bedtime is somewhere around 2 in the morning. Kinda like the old days but bad because I hope I break out of this habit before Sunday night when its time to go back to work early Monday. I've been reading other blogs and stuff on facebook and so on and seeing what others are saying about the new year and resolutions, oaths (as we say now, great idea Pink), goals, or expectations and thought I'd drop in my $0.02, thats two cents for those who don't get it. I was thinking about reading all of the self-help books I could that talk about being a better husband, father, friend, and person and those that help with money management, personal growth, spiritual growth, and just making it through each and everyday. If I did that I'd be reading a book a day so I decided to manage my time wisely and just read the bible everyday. It will teach me all of the formentioned items and so much more. Nothing against self help books, they work for some but I think I can get all that in God's word.

I finished up the my first complete journey through the bible on Monday and learned a few things along the way. First off alot of the times while I was reading I was just doing that reading not learning. So this year I am going to keep a journal with it and from time to time I plan on sharing a few of the inserts here on the ole' blog. One of the blogs I read daily is Perry Nobles blog and he does this from time to time and I get alot out of it so I am going to take his idea and put my spin, take, view on it. I look forward to digging deeper and learning so much this year that when next year rolls around I'll look back and say why didn't I do that every year. I know quite a few others are doing this so won't you join us in getting in to God's word and learning and applying it daily.

I forgot to blog earlier today and mention that we now have a teenager living in our house, Taylor turned 13 yesterday the 2nd and I am totally not ready for the teenage years. She was walking around the house tonight saying I've been 13 for 2 and 1/2 hours now and constantly updating us.

Happy New Year

Well I feel like a teenager because I finally rolled out of bed around 11 this morning after a fun night at the church with Rock The Cat Box. The people there last night I believe had a great time as the energy was pretty high. Took a bit to get going with the bands but once they did it was on. The prize giveaways was my favorite part of the evening seeing the different reactions of the winners some were quiet and subdued and some came running with arms waving and yelling, it was just fun and I think everyone had a good time. Couldn't believe that the pizza was gone so soon. If you weren't there you missed it but I hope that this turns into an annual tradition.

Got to hang out with the bands, I dig that stuff cause I'm a music geek, and help get everything ready moving stuff off the stage, would have been a good time to change the carpet, and helping them unload and set up even had my wireless used by all 3 bands and if you were there you heard Aaron from Secondhand talk about his near death experience there at the church around 6 or 6:30. They were starting to soundcheck and he was on the stage and the guys from alltherythm was down in front when he came running down off the stage holding his guitar and mike stand out like swords yelling, we all thought he was just playing around til his brother noticed that he wasn't so he knocked stuff out of his hands cause he was getting shocked. Kinda freaky but everyone was and is ok. Well its time for some football today and relax on the last few days of vacation. Enjoy.