The Difference

Last night at youth I had the opportunity to lead the message for the first time ever in my life. To say that I was a little nervous was an understatement, but I made it through alright and no one got hurt so that was good. A few months back I bought a cd by a band named Philmont, and on it was a song titled "The Difference." I always thought that this would make a good little message and a few weeks ago I had a tugging on my heart that "hey you need to talk about this to the youth" so I finally got the courage to ask Pink if it was ok to lead youth some week and he agreed and the rest is history. The song and my message was about how when we give our lives to Christ there has to be and should be a difference in them, meaning if you used to go out and party on the weekends before you gave your life to Christ then after you shouldn't still live like that. One of the lines in the song says "I've tried so hard to mix the old life with the new, but there's no in between if I'm gonna follow You."

I was nervous during Jr. High youth mainly because I've never done this and I only knew a handful of the students. When High School youth was starting and there were about 3 times as many students I was thinking I'm really gonna be nervous with that many people in there but actually the opposite happened and I was more relaxed for that, maybe because I had the first time speaking out of the way or maybe because I know almost all of those students. Either way it was enjoyable and maybe I'll get to do it again.

One thing I'll leave you with and it was something I told the students to think about is a quote from Brennan Manning, author of Ragamuffin Gospel which states "The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." Pink was able to share some of this firsthand after I was finished of his experiences with a relative who would agree with that quote 100% and I firmly believe that when PK and Pink get The Branches of Escondido up and running, Pink's cousin will come to know Christ as his personnal saviour through the work that God is going to do through those 2 and all those who are joining them.

Recap of the past few weeks.

A few things have happened since my last post and I'd like to tell you about them now. First off if you listened to Solid Rock Friday Night this week with my two special guests, PK and Pink, thank you and I hope you were entertained. If you didn't happen to listen all I can say is that you missed out. It was an absolute blast and alot of fun hanging out and talkin and rockin with those two. I'm gonna miss when they head out to California but there are still a couple of Friday nights that we can all get together and have some fun on the radio like say Friday April 9th. Go ahead and mark it on your calendars because its gonna be fun. It was mentioned that we need to syndicate that show and I think that is a great idea. We were on for 3 hours of course and had 32 total requests. that is like an all time record. The amazing thing is that the last 31 songs of the night, which included the last 20 minutes of the first hour and all of hours two and three were requests. And it is always fun to come up with nicknames for our new friends (those requesting) and to have a little banter with them. Next time I think we will take that banter on the air live every once in a while, that could be fun.

The last couple of Sundays on the worship team have been fun, exciting, good and nerve wracking. Last Sunday when we sent the Blacks and Marggy off was really cool when I was talking to Aaron he thanked me for the song I wrote, we did it that day per his request, and I was floored that it meant alot to him, mission accomplished. Yesterday it was fun to play the old bass again and had to switch to guitar for Hosanna and that is where the fun started. For whatever reason I started getting the nervous shakes right before that song, don't know why we've done it quite a few times and I know what to play but yesterday I couldn't stop shaking. We made it through it though and I don't think it sounded bad at all.

Tammy went and hung out with me at youth last night, the kids are down in Tennessee for the week and we have some freedom for a bit. Had fun of course watching some of the kids jump over the cushion chairs up in the 3:7. Next week will be another first, I will be giving the lesson for both the jr. high and high school, I've never ever done that so it could be interesting.

Open Hands Acoustic Performance

This is a song I heard on Air1 one day and liked it. It is from a newer artist named Matt Papa. I'm thinking we should do this some Sunday.

The longest blog ever…

Everyone who goes to church, is a member of a church or a leader in a church should read this and live it. The longest blog ever…

Need more shows like this 'round here.

Last Sunday in Greenville Ohio the Nothing and Everything Tour with Red, Decyfer Down, The Wedding and Me In Motion came rolling into town and the youth group made a little road trip. It was a fun evening and I was blessed to be able to welcome the crowd and give a few announcements before the show started. It is a pretty cool feeling when you say something and the crowd reacts loudly, I dug that. Wasn't too nervous but I did forget to mention a thing or two and I know I'd like to do it again sometime. Funny thing one of the leaders who went, Jennifer Wise, is such a rock and roll rebel, she went out and took a nap during the show. Who does that? Good times and here are a few pictures that Taylor took for you to enjoy although for whatever reason she didn't get a picture of me doing my thing on stage. Thanks to JOY FM, Marty McCabe, and the tour manager for Red for the chance to live out a dream.

What a nice looking group of people waiting to get in, notice the one without a coat? They only stood out there for about an hour. 4 cars with 15 kids and 5 leaders equals a good night.

Seth Mosley from Me In Motion using my mic. These guys got the evening started off.

The Wedding rocking it up. These guys played a short set, the lead singer was battling illness but still gave it all for the show.

Decyfer Down lead singer TJ Harris. This was the second time I've seen them and they're a good band. Played alot of songs I like and even did one I didn't think they would do. I feel bad for them though as Taylor and Rylan were both yelling "We love you Caleb" to the guitar player. Bad thing is his name is Brandon and Caleb was the old lead singer whose not in the band anymore. Hope it didn't upset the band any.

Micheal Barnes lead singer of Red belting it out. This was also the second time I've seen Red and they put on a good show and I'll be seeing them again sometime.

Anthony Armstrong from Red making the guitar faces. I spent some time at the side of the stage before I went on to welcome everyone and was checking out his guitars and set up, maybe someday I'll have that kind of set up with 7 or 8 guitars and a nice amp rig.

Red doing a song called "Pieces" off of thier first cd. Was really surprised that they did this one, I've always liked it and thought we could do it some Sunday.

Great show and we need more of them like this in the area, I know of quite a few people who would go to them. Makes me ready for this Friday night and 3 hours of SRF.

And that my friends was an incredible night

Went out to the high school tonight for senior night and a little basketball between MC and Cowan and let me tell you it was an amazing, incredible, insert your best adjective here night. It was a night that a few years ago didn't seem like it was going to happen but tonight it did. I'm talking about a senior on the team named Shane Hines. Now I don't know him personally but I know who he is. A few years back he was in a serious accident just outside of town. I remember hearing that the doctors didn't know if he'd ever walk again, well he has. At homecoming a few weeks ago he walked out to the court without his cane that he uses, much to the delight of those in attendance. He has been a member of the varsity b-ball team the past few years even though he hasn't played but that all changed tonight. I remember MC coach Jeremy Duncan saying in an article last year that he was going to put Shane in the line up on senior night this year and it would bring down the roof, it did and then some.

Normally on senior night you start all the seniors on your team and let them play for a bit. Shane has never started let alone played in a varsity game until tonight where he started and by a very nice and sportsman gesture Cowan got the tip then proceeded to throw the ball to Shane and he dribbled down the court, even went behind his back at one point, then went to the basket and hit a lay up for the first points of the game. Cowan then went down and hit an uncontested layup and then MC called timeout to take Shane out. I have never heard that gym any louder than tonight, it was louder than last years sectional championship game. Shane recieved a couple of standing ovations from the whole crowd, it was an awesome sight. Big props to Cowan's team and fans for taking part and appriciating this situation, they are a class act.

If you missed it you can either go to WTHR channel 13's website or WRTV channel 6's website as they were both out there doing a feature on Shane or WANE TV 15 out of Ft. Wayne, they were also out there. And of course the Star Press was there and has pictues up on thier site. It was a very emotional and triumphant night at the old alma mater. Great job Shane and all those who were involved.

Madhouse Preview

Here is the video from the post before.