Becoming Best Of Friends! 

Taking Time To Let The Wind Out Of My Sails

It's about one in the morning, and I think I'm finally ready to call it a day. Two chapters on the book have reached completion. I'm on chapter 46 now and the final tally will be under 55. It is with much relief that I find myself in full view of the end of that project. And today marked the beginning of another project that has been hanging fire. The CD of all original music and lyrics has reached the studio as of this afternoon. Our technologically advanced world is a wonderful playground for musicians and songwriters alike. Most of the really tough stuff was done before Christmas. I even tried to get one of the singles out for the holidays, but that was not part of God's plan, so according to His schedule I am on track(s fifteen of them)as of today. Cheryl is excited about seeing it come together. I guess I am, too! I'm just a little weary on the edges tonight. It would seem that I have begun to settle in to our home. I really didn't think that was going to happen, but it did! Just in time for the state to decide to tear up a mile of highway that is our only access to this house. Matt, the gentleman from the state office, tried rushing us into signing some papers allowing them to literally tear our front lawn apart, we declined to sign without first knowing what they were planning to do. Sometimes we get blessed in ways that are surprising. Matt told us they would only disturb a foot out by the sidewalk. Now that the surveyors have staked it out and painted my driveway it is quite obvious that he was misinformed. We won't have enough room left during construction to park even one vehicle, let alone three cars a van and two Harleys. But, that is a year away, and only God knows where we might be then. World Day of Prayer is upon us. I try to pray for everyone everyday, but if you don't feel like you've been included let me know and I'll see to it that you are. Have a wonderful Wednesday and celebrate the rest of the week the life you've been blessed with. Hug those you love, and heap some coals on the heads of those you don't, maybe, so much. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Anitque Music, 1927 Baldwin & Fresh Flowers by Candlelight 

A Reminder For Each Of Us! 

Again, I Didn't See It Coming

A lot of Sundays ago our backyard was the most serene picture of quiet and solitude broken only by the revelry of a few local squirrels chasing each other around the trees and digging up the occasional nut secreted away last fall. Today was much like any other Sunday, I attended church, I played the piano, my heart sang, I ate heartily of pancakes and sausages and looked forward to changing my clothes and spending the afternoon touring the countryside looking for possible photo opportunities. I knew this day was coming and the temperatures were very inviting. So what was I doing? I was in the backyard listening to the incessant sound of a two-cycle chain saw, a four-cycle lawn mower and another oil plus gas propelled machine known locally as the "tiller." Their racous sounds assailed my ears on all sides, and they were my machines. Each one built for a specific task, and all running as smoothly as one could desire. The Harley, specifically designed for days exactly like this, stood on the driveway, leaning on her kickstand waiting, and waiting, but I didn't arrive. Postponed for another time, another day. I, in the meantime(I do know what MEAN TIME is) ran machines invented to squander energy in the form of exertion and fossil fuels with no other purpose than making our yard look nice. Well, now I can take a picture of it and everyone can see, as my honey puts it, "How nice our yard looks." Oh, it wasn't all that bad, and I tend to exagerate a lot, and at least I don't have to do it again for maybe a week.........
How was your Sunday? God bless, Preacher.

Winter in the Backyard 

Music In The Midst Of Nature

The photo below came to me from my uncle Lou. There were many in the folder, and as I view them my goal is to let the photos speak to and through me. This one just brought music to mind; bass-thumping, guitar screaming, cymbal-crashing, mind-numbing metal, music. Work on the newest release on CD has been in process since last October, about the same time that I began using a 'puter. One of the singles was burned on December 12, 2004. It will be released again toward the end of Kingdom Tide. I average about 3-4 new songs per month, and most of them end up on tape where I let people listen and give me their input. I don't really keep track of the many diverse opinions I get, other than if it's worth sharing with the world or not. Some music by design is not really worth sharing other than with a few select individuals of a like mind. I guess the proper terminology would be "Not Commercial." I try not to write for the commercial market anymore. My guess is that I left that arena in the late seventies, although I didn't know I was leaving at the time. The music is faith based and ecumenically written to promote the Kingdom of Christ on earth. An evangelist at heart I use the music as another tool for reaching people. My next guess would be that this is what I am doing on your screen right now. The tracks are ready, the studio awaits a Monday evening call, and the equipment is the very best that God could provide for me(so are the people that I'll be working with, and I don't say that just because they might wander in and read this. I love you guys, really!). So I pray about the various endeavors and try to do what I believe God would have me do. Have you ever considered that this is what each one of us does with life? "We do the best we can with what we have to work with." If you aren't sure about that, attend a Special Olympics track meet. An event like that can give a person a whole new perspective on just how much we have been blessed. Like this blog place, for instance, "What a blessing!" I can share my love for the Lord in pictures, music, stories, and verse. Interestingly enough, I have found some really good friends out here in the world of "blogging" and look forward to finding more. In Christ's Love, Preacher.