Monday, March 31, 2008

Wow

Was yesterdays service amazing or what. I really like the way things move when they are not planned. The use of the kids on the offering song was very touching and what Rick and Nate both had to say was great to see God at work. It was just a great service from the message to the music. I really think that this series is one of those right place right time kind of things and I can't WAIT for next Sunday to hear the next message. I think I'll go download both of the messages so far and check'em out again.

For the music side it went good. I think that we are so close to a great ending for Mighty To Save it just needs a bit of tweeking. I had the start of Your Grace Is Enough and didn't mess it up, I don't mind starting songs out but I always get that "Don't screw it up" thing going on in my head and the nerves kick in and hands start shaking and, well you get the picture, but it didn't happen until later in the song my hand started shaking, I don't know why but it did. The sound sounded good up there and everything was crisp and clear and I think the sound and AV people deserve a round of applause.

Poor kids have to get back into the routine today and it was funny at Youth how when Pink mentioned that they go back and he has the day off, that was priceless. I am getting excited for Compassion Sunday, I think that a bunch of lives will be forever changed that day both here and abroad, I'm pumped.

Sunday set list:
Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) - Brian Doekerson
Lord Reign In Me - Brenton Brown
Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin
Mighty To Save - Hillsong
You Alone - David Crowder Band
Give You My Heart - Reuben Morgan
We Fall Down - Tomlin (I am used to the Kutless version)
Thou Art Worthy - Pauline Mills

Friday, March 28, 2008

Another first

Had another first time experience yesterday after work, I met up with Tammy, Pastors Marrgy and Jeff, and a couple of others from the church at the Muncie Mission to serve a little supper for them. It was alot of fun seeing the faces of these fellows light up when they got their trays, my job was garlic bread duty, 2 pieces per tray and hold it for the lady beside me to put the dessert on there. I was looking out after things had died down at the line and was wondering each one of these guys had a story. That story could be a comedy, drama, action or a horror story of how their life has turned out. I never really knew what all the Mission did besides house people, I didn't know that most if not all of those living there are recovering from alcohol or drug addictions and are getting their lives back in order through Jesus Christ. The mission is very active in teaching the word to these gentlemen and are doing a wonderful job. It was another chance to step out of the comfort zone and be the hands and feet of Christ. I only wish that with a congregation as large as we have for our little corner of the world that ALOT more people would step out and do these things when they are available. I know alot of people at FFC do these things but I think that there are more who do not and are missing out. My hope as well as others there is that at some point EVERYONE at FFC will be involed and actively be the hands and feet that Jesus has called us to be.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Spring Break

I want to know why my kids get a spring break from school but I don't get one from work? They get a summer vacation from school but I don't get one from work, they get a christmas break, fall break, teacher in service days and other various days off. At work I get a few weeks of vacation, which is greatly appriciated, and the major holidays off (New Years, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) but no supervisor in service days or fall break or anything like that. Something isn't right. On the other side I do get paid for going to work where they don't get paid for school so I guess that makes up for it. I hope they enjoy the last 2 days of spring break because it will be back to school in a few days.

Looking forward to in no particualar order:

Worship team practice tonight
Serving food at the Muncie Mission tonight
The weekend
Church and Youth
April 4th back to JOY FM for SRF from 10-11.
April 12th Skillet, TFK, and Decyfer Down @ Anderson University
The start of baseball season
Big boomin' thunderstorms
And just hangin with the family

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

No title available

I had a fun time last night watching my wife make up posters for the Compassion Sunday event at FFC and how much she has gotten into the event. She is very intent in what she does and wants to put posters, fliers, and anything she can to get the word out about it. She is a very organized person when something like this comes up and she goes over things a couple of times wondering if she forgot anything or what can we do to make this better. If coordinating an event is a gift or talent she most defineately has it. We sent out e-mails last night to friends and family for the event and asked them to send it to their friends and families as well. Sent the word out to Joy FM, which by the way I won another cd for the name that tune game, WBCL in Ft. Wayne, WGNR and WQME in Anderson to help spread the word of this event. I am praying that many people in our little town will step out and help these children and I invite you to pray with me for this.

On another note I was thinking on the way in this morning about the youth group, I have enjoyed these last few months at being involved with them and devoloping friendships with alot of them. I was thinking of how when you look at them they are all at different stages in their walk with God, some are full on in all the way, others are taking steps getting closer to that point and others are just starting out on their journey. It is a blessing to be involved with these students on their walk and who knows maybe I and the other leaders are making a lasting impact on these students and who knows where that will lead.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

How it all happened

Well by now you know that Shaun Groves will be at FFC for our Compassion Sunday in April, here's a little back story on how it all happened. I got an email from Tammy (aka the preachers wife) saying that he was looking for some dates to speak about Compassion. The cool part about all this is that he is not charging anything except for a hotel room and a meal. This was too good to pass up. Tammy (my wife) started the ball rolling by asking around getting the ok to move on it and she called his booking agent last Monday and they penciled us in for the 20th but he said he would verify it and get back with her. They got back in touch with her yesterday and made it official so he will be here for both the 8:30 and 10:30 services for that Sunday. She is going out to the church today to get everything filled out and sent back off to Ben (Shaun's booking agent) and get it all straightend out and all ready. It has always been a dream of mine to bring good christian artists to our church and now it looks like I've found a partner in doing this. Now its time to start getting the word out to others about this event that will change the lives of those attending and lives around the world.

Shaun was one of the bloggers that went to Uganda a month ago and blogged about it and that was totally cool. Wow I just sounded like a valley girl for sure. We have sponsored a child now for a few years and keep in contact via letters but he was able to actually go and meet his child and that is just off the hook. I hope that alot of people are affected by this on April 20th and that alot of children will have hope and a new begining and people here will step out of their box and reach out to a child in need. I'm sure we will keep you updated on all that is going on.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Hmmmmm



Now wouldn't that be cool to bring him (Shaun Groves) to Farmland Friends on April 20th for our Compassion Sunday. That would be too cool now wouldn't it, or maybe it WILL be cool bringing him to FFC?

Back home again in Indiana

Where's Jim Nabors when you need him? Good to be back home after a good trip down south. I will admit that when you look around down there in Tennessee the country side is beautiful and you can see God's hand everywhere but I still don't like all the hills and looking out one side of your window and you see a mountain and the other side is the tops of trees. I don't mind curvy roads but not when they are on a side of a mountain. But it was still a good trip and I even learned a few things and they got me thinking a bit. One of them was when we were at the cemetary where Tammy's mom is buried, I was giving her some time to herself and looking around at the tombstones and I noticed 1 couple was married for 54 years and I thought thats rare in these days now, kept looking and I found a couple that was married for 59 years and I thought to myself, thats what I want, to be married for over 50 years to Tammy that would just be awesome. Thats what marriage is all about to me, sickness/health, richer/poorer, til DEATH do us part. I'm in it for the long haul.

I also was saddened for a family as they had a child born and died on the same day, then they had one born in April and died in August the next year then another one that died the same day it was born, it made me appriciate my kids more and realize how much we've been blessed. I even went southern by riding a dirt bike for the first time. It was funny as I was on it getting ready for my ride and Tammy came running out to get a good laugh. I made a successful trip around the yard then got off before I hurt myself. The trip back was one of those that it was hard to get home between stopping to eat, use the restroom, traffic just south of Indy for an accident, just seemed to take forever. Only one bad thing on the road in Louisville just cruising along going good and some dude decided to come flying around some cars and squeeze in between me in my lane and the car in the lane beside me, which Tammy and I both knew he would do, then for no reason when he whipped in front of us he slammed on his brakes causing me to lock mine up and cars scatter then he just took off, still don't get that one.

One last thing, Saturday we were checking out a roadside picnic area kind of in the mountain, some guy came by and waved then turned around to come back, I was thinking don't ask me for directions cause I have no clue down here. He asked us if we knew what Sunday was and if we knew Jesus and how cool it would be if He came back that day. He gave us 3 rocks he called Jesus rocks 1 for us and 2 to give away. This guy was a little freaky at first but boy did he have a heart and a knack for sharing his faith and I thought I would love to be able to do that and be that excited about what God has done for me. He left us with this and I will leave you with it as well, if you figure it out next time you see me let me know. Please don't post an answer to the riddle here to let others figure it out themselves. Here it is:

What's greater than God
Worse than the devil
A rich man doesn't want to have it
A poor man has it
And if you eat it you'll starve to death?

If you figure it out let me know when you see me.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Few days off

We will be heading to Tennessee tomorrow after all, got the car fixed and we are ready to go for a quick 3 day trip. I looked at the weather for down there and it will be in the mid to upper 60's Friday and Saturday and 50's on Sunday so it will be a small taste of what is to come up here sometime. Bad thing about this weekend is missing church not once, twice, but three times this weekend. Would have been able to be at 3 of the 4 services this weekend but instead I'll be catching up next week when the message is posted on the FFC website. I would watch online but when it is on we will be on the road home at that time. Pray for safety for us if you can and at some point I linked a video from you tube to the blog but it hasn't shown up yet. Enjoy the start of the WAIT series.

Also we did get the Gospel Music Channel and I enjoyed watching a couple of hours of it last night. Looks like Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays are the best as they are rock, hits, and rock/rap/alternative nights. Monday is country and Wednesday is Soul. I think the weekends are a mix of everything. Saw some cool videos last night from Decyfer Down, Eleventyseven, T-Bone and a few others. I have a feeling our TV will be on that channel alot.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

When is it going to dry out?

With all the rain that we are getting today and what we got yesterday, Chalfant Lake is back in our front yard, and all the snow from previous storms I think it will be May now when it all finally dries up. This has been some crazy weather and alot of wet weather for the last few months. I think I'm ready for some nice 70-75 degree days like 4 or 5 all in a row to get over the last month.

Gospel Music Channel is supposed to be on today on DirecTv but I checked this morning before coming to work and it wasn't on yet. I'll have to check up on it later. Get those brackets filled out and enjoy some basketball this weekend as well as the start of what will be an amazing new series at FFC "Wait." Still up in the air if we will be there this weekend, find out later today.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Don't ya just hate it when.......


You know about something that might be happening but you can't say anything until it becomes a definate thing. That's what I'm going through right now on something that is a month away. Only a few know what might happen but it is exciting and cool and would just be "off the hook." I found out about it Friday from someone, got the ball started, heard back with a go for it, the little misses took the baton and ran with it and now we sit and wait. But when we find out I'll let you know one way or the other. This is soooooo cool I can't wait.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Tourney Time

It is one of the greatest time of the year for those of us who are big sports fans, the NCAA tourney is about to begin. I have for the longest time always enjoyed this, watching game after game Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday seeing teams I've never heard of or only seen once or twice, big name teams going down to some obscure school. It is just great, keep winning keep playing. Buzzer beaters, your emotions changing from victory to defeat in a few seconds. Watching these kids giving everything they have just to play another day. Its a great time of the year. Today I've been busy filling out brackets, I did one last night for youth, 3 this morning on facebook, I'll be doing the one from work here in a bit, 1 from a supplier who gives out free stuff to the top 20 or 30, Yahoo will have one I'll do, and Remedy FM has one out. Its all for fun and cool to see how well you can predict games, which doesn't always go to plan. After watching alot of conference tourneys this weekend I am ready for the real deal this week. Enjoyed a game Friday night that went 3 overtimes between Boise State and New Mexico State which Boise finally won.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Busy can't talk now.

I love that line and often use it at work just for fun, I got it from a Fed Ex commercial from a year or so ago, but that described my Saturday. After a little relaxation early yesterday it was off to the radio station to handle the duties on the Saturday show. This was alot of fun, they print out sheets that have everything that is happening that hour including spots and promos so you can plan accordingly for when you want to talk and what to talk about. Which was fun and challenging at the same time trying to do it spread out enough but not too spread out, and what to talk about each time. The only thing that didn't work out was I have forgotten how to use the weather bed, the music that plays in the background as you give the forcast so I just winged it without the music. Had a call for a request so I took care of that and while I was wrapping up that call got another one from PK. He was listening online and that was cool to have him listen and give some encouragement. Funny thing if you know me, I had to put in the request and take out a song, guess who I took out? Thats right a Chris Tomlin song, I kind of chuckled to myself on that one.

Got home from that ate a quick lunch at 4 got ready to go out and play for the final time at the Saturday night service. Had alot of fun with that rocking out, only bad thing was the wireless wasn't working right so on the first song for the most part I wasn't audible. Fixed that and went on, only had one bad spot which was I messed up the timing on one song. Here's the Saturday list:

I Believe - Hillsong
Blessed Be The Name - Matt Redman
Beautiful One - Tim Hughes (Jeremy Camp version)
Everybody Praise The Lord - Lincoln Brewster
For These Reasons - Lincoln Brewster
Amazed - Desperation Band
Indescribable - Chris Tomlin

Today was good as well, Ryan did a awesome job with the message and by the looks of the alters each service it was something that we all needed. Music was good except for the wireless problem wasn't what I thought it was so it still wasn't working, have to get that fixed. I had thought about doing some more guitar spinning today like I did at practice but that didn't work out. Here are the songs from today:

Forever - Chris Tomlin
Days Of Elijah - Twila Paris
Prince of Peace (You Are Holy) - Micheal W. Smith
Amazing Love (You Are My King) - Newsboys
Just As I Am - Daniel Baker
The Wonderful Cross - MWS
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Tomlin

Taking next week off as the family is heading south to Tennessee for a quick weekend trip. I hate to miss the first message of the Wait series but I will catch up with it. About time for some EXTREME NACHOS at youth.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Solid Rock Friday recap

Here's a recap from SRF tonight which was a blast.

Song list:
The Afters - Never Going Back To OK
The Almost - Drive There Now
MXPX - Angels
Kids In The Way - Sugar (Requested by Tyson)
The Send - Blocking The Sun
Decyfer Down - Fight Like This (Requested by Taylor)
Day Of Fire - Cut And Move (Played for Tammy as a anniversary gift)
David Crowder Band* - We Won't Be Quiet
Thousand Foot Krutch - Falls Apart (Ticket giveaway won by a lady in Muncie who lives down from where I work)
Seventh Day Slumber - Burning Bridges
Pillar - For The Love Of The Game
The Showdown - Temptation Comes My Way (gave a little plug for the upcoming WAIT series)
Demon Hunter - Thorns
Third Day - Carry Me Home
Jeremy Camp - Give You Glory

I rocked it up a bit in places and had alot of fun, tomorrow will be a whole other animal doing the normal music allready programmed but will be fun. Listen if you can from 12-3 pm either on 88.9 or 889joyfm.com. Thanks for listening.

Pretty cool news

I got some cool news today, after coming home from an enjoyable early afternoon with the little Mrs.'s there was a message on our answering machine from Naomi Miller from JOY FM. They were asking if I would be interested in doing some Saturday afternoons there from 12 to 3 pm sometime. I called them back and got to talk to Dan Franks who runs the station and low and behold I will be on the air tomorrow from 12-3 pm as well as tonight from 10-11 pm. It has been too cool to be able to do something that I had always dreamed about, and now the adventure continues. Listen if you can and I'll give you the inside stuff Monday.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

First of two 3 day weekend

I am about to embark on the first of two straight 3 day weekends in about 5 minutes. Tomorrow is Tammy and I's anniversary so we will be hanging out together tomorrow until she goes for a girl scout cookie sale from 5-8 at JCPenny's in the mall, so if your in the mood for some girl scout cookies they will have them there for you, as soon as she gets home I head to the radio station for SRF.
Saturday I will be playing with the Sat. Night worship team for the final time, I have enjoyed the friendships I have made with those fellows and hope they will continue. Sunday will be church followed by NASCAR at Bristol, then ulitmate nachos at Youth. Ready for a fun and eventful weekend.

Solid Rock Friday Night

Just a little reminder for tomorrow night that I will be on Solid Rock Friday Night from 10-11 on 88.9 JOY FM. If you can't pick it up where your at you can listen online at 889joyfm.com. Tell all you family, friends, co-workers, and anyone else you can think of. Its been a few weeks since I've got to be on the air so I am excited and like the geek I am I will be looking up useful or useless information on some of the bands I plan on playing tomorrow to talk about before or after songs I play from them. Call in at 877-335-4569 and place a request or just to say hey. I plan on taking as many cd's over as I can so hopefully I will have the requests covered, sorry no Gaithers or country though. I put this on here today because I don't know if I'll be on here tomorrow as it is Tammy and I's 16th anniversary and we plan on spending the day in Muncie going out to eat and who knows what else. Listen if you can and hopefully it will be an enjoyable experience for all.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

I am God

Here is the song that I mentioned a day or so ago. I found this a little bit ago and thought it was pretty cool. So crank up the speakers and check it out. Alot of the pictures go right along with the song. Enjoy

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Yet more tidbits, randomness, and facts

Here are a few more tidbits, random things, and facts to go along with this mornings post.

1. I want a tattoo but I don't like needles. Thats kind of like someone saying they like dessert but don't like sweets. I have an idea of what I want and let me tell you about it. It would be a picture of a heart with a door in it and Jesus would be standing there knocking on it. Anyone out there care to draw that up? I think that would be a great witnessing tool.
2. I still don't like this whole daylight savings time thing. Although we had all the clocks changed and ready Saturday night I still can't get over the fact that I go to work at 5 normal time now not 6 am. I do like the thought that I get out of work at 3:30 normal time not the 4:30 they say it is but it is short lived as I think about the first time statement.
3. Speaking of time we have 6 clocks in our house, 3 in the kitchen are all within a minute of each other and are the right time. The one in the hallway is set about 7-10 minutes fast, if we changed it we would be late to everything, not that we aren't already. 2 clocks in the bedroom, the main alarm clock is 30 minutes fast, it took awhile to get used to but now if it was set with the correct time once again I'd be so late. The other one is set automatically so it has the right time as long as you have it set to the right time zone.
4. I don't like hospitals or funeral homes. I will go and visit people in the hospital but don't like to stay too long and I will pay my respects at the funeral home but I am uncomfortable there, I like to laugh and have fun and remember people in that way. Speaking of hospitals I was just thinking I haven't stayed in a hospital since elementary in the 70's. I was probably 8 or so since I last stayed that I can remember. Now I've probably just jinxed myself so be sure and come visit when I end up in the hospital for whatever reason.
5. Tyson can put both of his feet behind his head and he is more than ready to show you, I on the other hand haven't seen my feet for awhile when I am standing and if I attempted to put a foot behind my head I wouldn't be able to get out of bed for days.
6. As I get older the type of music I like seems to get heavier. Most people I know start listening to stuff that is not as hard or heavy but my tastes are going in the opposite direction. I do like alot more praise and worship music than I did in the past but I'd rather listen to Demon Hunter any day of the week.
7. I get to eat breakfast at the elementary tomorrow with the pastries with parents. I remember when it was doughnuts with dad and muffins with mom but now they have put them in the same day.
8. I am anxious for Compassion Sunday and the opportunity to sponsor another child and talking about our sponsorship experiences, however I don't like talking in front of people so that could be fun. Comfort zone I'll be stepping out of.
9. I feel that there is something big that is going to be taking place at FFC in the near future that is just going to blow us away. I don't really know what it is but I've just got that feeling that it will be amazing and one of those WOW moments.
10. I have kept stuff for years and I don't know why I have kept some of it. And I have other things like ticket stubs that Tammy was amazed that I kept. One of them is from 1982, wow I'm old. I have even kept a few of the long cd boxes that cd's used to come in back in the day, why? Magazines from way back when, newspaper articles and other various memorabilia. Baseball cards, the shirts from little league, old jerseys that I had as a kid, concert shirts that do not fit and it I put them on I'd be like Hulk Hogan ripping his shirt.
11. I used to get together with Bly and another friend and raced bikes on a frozen creek. It was fun but what in the world were we thinking. Used to have alot of those moments and according to some probably still do. I wish we had some of those races on tape, they would be a good laugh. We used to have alot of fun with bikes in the winter for some reason.
12. I actually like all 4 seasons but towards the end of each I am ready to move on to the next one, like right now I'm done with winter, lets move on to spring.
13. I love storms. Dosen't matter what kind they are, thunderstorms, snow storms even ice storms. I'm just weird like that. It is about that time to look to the west and see these big dark clouds rolling in and the wind pick up and a big old thunderstorm blow in. Tammy and I have gotten up in the middle of the night just to open the blind in the living room and watch the lightning. We need a house with a room on the top that is 360 degrees of windows to watch storms from up there, now that would be cool.
14. It is a dream and goal of mine to bring pyro, intelligent lighting, and visual imagery to the services. It would be cool to start a service off like a concert with the music blaring, lights going everywhere, explosions and smoke and have video images that go along with the song. The energy level would be way up there and then end the song with images in a way that just makes you in awe of what Christ has done for us. In a nutshell go from excitement and celebration to humbleness and praise, going from full volume to total silence just feeling God presence everywhere. Thats what I'm talking about.

A few tidbits, randomness, and fun facts

Here are some tidbits, random thoughts, and facts from inside me, kind of a behind the scenes thing.

1. I started out as a child, and sometimes go back to that, I might not never grow up.
2. Tammy and I will be celebrating our 16th anniversary Friday, we're old enough to drive now, scary.
3. We will be celebrating at Applebee's for lunch, stop by and say hi.
4. I am currently enjoying a website called Slacker Radio. They have alot of different genres with a bunch of stations or you can make your own. I made my own with about 60 different bands.
5. Speaking of radio I'll be on JOY FM again this Friday from 10-11 pm, you should call in and say hey, more on that later.
6. Another upcoming post when I get all the info sorted out best I can will be on all the bands I've seen which right now tops 115 different bands and all the shows I've seen. April 12th I'll add 2 more bands to that list.
7. Sometimes I wonder why we even own a TV because some nights it gets turned off at supper and doesn't get turned back on or if it does it is on the music channels that are like a radio just playing music.
8. My car sounds like a semi right now and I have no idea why.
9. After tomorrow I will have 3 more months of the 30's left then its off to another decade.
10. I am a big sports nut-baseball, racing, football (college and pro), basketball (college NOT pro), and even some hockey every now and then.
11. My faves from that above are as follows:
Baseball - Atlanta Braves and whoever is playing the Reds, plus there are a bunch of players that I just like to watch play.
Racing - Tony Stewart and I keep track of those who have raced with the CRA or out at Winchester.
Football - Colts and a whole host of players like baseball that I like to watch play. And yes I like to watch a game that is played outside in the elements, snow, ice, rain, mud......
Basketball - IU and whoever is playing Purdue. I don't care for the NBA because they have turned into a bunch of crying, whining thugs who only care about themselves and stats and making the highlight reel on Sportscenter. I do however get a kick out of watching Charles Barkley cause he's just plain funny.
Hockey - no favorite just like to watch a good physical game where bodies are flying all over the place. Need to go to a game as it is the only major sport I haven't seen in person.
12. I am blind in my left eye and have been since I was 5. Got hurt playing a makeshift baseball game out in front of our house during the All-Star game of that year. A realator sign was second base and I hit it and one of the clips that hold it on came off and hit me in the eye. I describe it to people as take a camera as far out of focus as you can and that is what I see in my left eye.
13. I like to eat, esp. anything with chicken in it, spicy or not. When eating out I like Carlos O' Applebees Roadhouse Garden. Or Carlos O' Kelleys, Applebees, Texas Roadhouse, and Olive Garden.
14. I can't belive you've made it this far, thanks for reading.
15. I have been blessed way more than I ever should have been with the most wonderful wife in the world, two of the best kids ever, a great supportive family, and the most awesome church, church family, youth, worship team and pastorial team in the whole wide world.
16. Last but not least a wonderful, loving, forgiving heavenly father who no matter how far I miss the mark, how many times I fail, how many times I am disobediant or fall He is ALWAYS there waiting to pick me up, encourage me and send me back "in the game."

Monday, March 10, 2008

Weekend that was.

How many of you out there like this Daylight savings thingy? I don't see too many hands. Although the clock says 6:38 I know it is really only 5:38 right now and its gonna take some getting used to it again. Ah, I remember when we didn't have to do any thing with your clocks twice a year, those were the days. Good weekend but kinda felt cheated an hour yesterday though. What a nice little snow storm we had there Friday and Saturday, those who don't like it by this weekend you will probably not even see any of it left.

Saturday went and hung out with the McAllisters and Blys eating pizza, drinking sodas, and playing games and had a blast. I really enjoy those types of things and laughing and having a good time. Sunday was good music went well I thought (more on that in a minute) and I really enjoyed the message. I am one of those guilty ones who always asks God for a sign. I really need to work on sharpening my faith DAILY. Youth was a blast as well with the first annual snowman competition, I only wish the snow was more cooperative than what it was. We didn't win but we all had fun. Looking forward to April 12 when 20 of us head to Anderson University to Reardon Auditorium to see Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Decyfer Down. If your there look just to the left of the center aisle in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rows and you will see us. I'm ready to rock.

Sunday set list:
Not To Us - Tomlin
Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman wrote it, Tree 63 made it a hit
Better Is One Day - Matt Redman wrote it, I am used to the Kutless version
40 - David wrote it in the Psalms, U2 made it into a song
Let My Words Be Few - Matt Redman wrote it and many have done it
My Glorious - Delirious (Haven't done this one in awhile, Jennifer called it the superhero song)
Mighty To Save - Hillsong

Looks like a Matt Redman weekend. Ready for this weekend when we have a guest worship co-leader, anxious for Thursday to run through the songs.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Cancelled

Today's post is being cancelled due to the inclement weather that is heading our way or by the time you read this it may be here. Today's post will be made up at a later date to be announced at a later date. So later........

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Day and night

I've noticed something for awhile but never really made the connection until last night when Tammy pointed it out to me. At night when the kids are in bed and asleep we looked in and Taylor has her closet light on with the door open wide and a night light as well, her room is pretty well lit at night. Turn around in the hallway and you have Tyson's room where the closet light is off, door shut and his night light that he has burned out about 2-3 weeks ago and he hasn't said anything about getting it fixed. So his room is nice and dark. So we figured out the our kids are as different as night and day when it comes to sleeping habits, not just with the lighting but with actually going to bed and rising from bed. Tyson is just about always the first to bed and the first out of bed of the two, and he is a sound sleeper where as Taylor wakes up when the wind blows outside.

One more little thought, in the winter if you have your thermostat on 72-75 degrees it always seems pretty cozy and warm but in the summer when you have your air conditioner on 72-75 degrees it is nice and cool. Same temperature different results. Just one of those things.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Rather interesting

In the past week or so we got our tax check back and safely put it in the savings for a rainy day so to speak. It is rather interesting that since we have gotten the tax check back that the Toyota needs a catalitic converter (couple hundered bucks), the washing machine now needs a new timer switch so it will stop shutting off every few minutes, (again couple hundred bucks), and now the Sable is acting up and I'll be taking it to the shop here in a few (don't know how much yet). I like to think that God allready had this all planned out and knew that we would have the extra funds to be able to take care of all of this, which he so graciously has. It seems that this happens every now and then and it just reminds me that even though we (Tammy and I) sometimes fret what is going on and wonder when it will stop we still know that God is in control and knows what He is doing. We just need to strengthen our faith and give Him the wheel.

Kind of reminds me of a new song that I have really gotten into the past day or so its called I Am God by Kirk Franklin with a little help from TobyMac. Normally I wouldn't listen to Kirk Franklin as it is not my cup of tea but this song is a funky rockin song with a great but simple chorus........."Be still and know I am God." Sometimes during this hectic life that we lead we need to just stop (be still), and listen to God or just take in his majasty and know that He has a plan for us and is waiting to use us (and know I am God).

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Sunday wind down

Well Sunday is over except for the relaxation part now and what a busy day it was. Service went good this morning and the reaction to the first song was more than I expected. It was good to pull that one out and I think it went over really well. One of my earliest memories of that song was when I first started playing the bass with the worship team and hadn't played a whole lot and was standing next to Ryan who was still playing the "real" drums and when it got to the "There is no God like Jehovah" part and he was beating the snot out of them and I was standing beside them just feeling it in my chest thinking this is too cool, just got me that much more pumped up. There is alot of other songs that have been in the vault for a while that we might have to look into sometime. I know Thursday at practice I busted into Shout Unto God and Ryan and Eric followed right in and it was sounding good, hmmm.......

Youth was good again tonight, got to toss around the football for a bit with Samon, the Oliphants, Zach, Parky, Heavy B, Tonie, the Eric Brown, the Grimes boys, and my "nephew" (not really) CJ. It was fun and Tonya made some good spaghetti for us to chow on. I am getting more and more comfortable with the fellows in the small group I lead and they are even opening up a bit which is good. Had a little help tonignt from Nathan which was cool.

Todays set list:
Days of Elijah - Twila Paris
How Awesome Is the Lord Most High - Tomlin. Told James I thought about running over to him during the Hallelujah part and doing some headbanging but we both thought that would have killed the mood, would have been cool but not appropriate.
Holy Is The Lord - Tomlin
Open The Eyes Of My Heart - Paul Baloche
Your Love O' Lord - Thrid Day
How Marvelous (I Stand Amazed) - Tomlin
You Alone - David Crowder* Band

Played bass Sat. night which was fun, its been awhile and I told Tammy I haven't picked up the bass in over a month and mess around with the guitar daily but I still feel more at ease with the bass for some reason. Saturdays songs were:
The Time Has Come - Hillsong United
All We Need - Charlie Hall
No One Like You - Crowder
Everyday - Hillsong
You Alone - Crowder. I really dug playing bass on this one.
You Are The One - Lincoln Brewster
Everlasting God - Tomlin/Brewster