Taking Time For Friends

So now that I've figured out how this is working I think I'll go back to the old way. I now have my friend Gordon on the very top of the blog, and I'm writing about him last. I guess that is just how some things end up when you're learning. I probably spend more time with Gordon these days than any of the others, we share the stage quite often, and work together in music and stuff(Wednesday we hung mirrors). This shot is from my side of the balcony in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. There are so many more I should add here, but that can come another time. Tongiht my mind is mostly on the arts and faith we share, and how God has brought us together in one another's lives for doing really "good" things for other people's lives. In case you're wondering, the average age in this group would be 57, with a spread of about 12 years overall. Age really carries no significance in a group, though, unless you're really old or really young(this is a personal opinion and has no bearing on anything). What is it folks say about age? It's relative. You know what? This is fun, and I'm surprised I haven't done it sooner! Allow me to close this with a common thread that runs through the hearts and binds all of my buddies together. In the center of every one of our beings is the same Savior. I am only one of the firends that these men share. For everyone that you see here there are hundreds that they each have that are christian through and through. That implies that on this page you are viewing a witness of 5 lives via a 6th and when you total up the believing friends of the average 57 year old male in our group you've got a thousand that share the same Savior. I have no idea how that works in the city, but out here on the Great American Desert that "IS" a city. It also provides me with a great sermon topic for the Sunday that is coming. God bless, Preacher.


All too often we find ourselves running out of time to spend with people that we cared deeply about. School beginning this week and thinking over the excitement I had getting back to the chums I shared education with put me in mind of several of the fellows that you see here. Jim on top of the whole thing with his little buddy(Jim is a "Wing Nut" and that pup rides right where you see him either in the van or on the scoot around town). They both live out behind a little church over in Wyoming and we've been talking for about 12 years now. Faith concerns, mostly, and that's a common thread that I find binds all of us together even though most have never met one another. Gene up in that top corner has known me longer than anyone on the page, we go back to the late 70s. Another thing that puts thes men together on this page is their eyes, they are honest. Oh, they have great smiles to be sure, but if you were to meet them individually you would find that certain something that separates each from the crowd. Some(maybe more)of it has to do with their faith perspectives(everyone of them has an abundance of this spiritual commodity). I can say without a doubt that there are many more just like these five that come to mind when I start pondering my many faithful friends. My life is truly blessed that way! Now that I come to think of it, I don't suppose I could seat them all in our church. Thank you, Lord for so many! In case you haven't guessed, yet, this is yet another of my experiments with the new blog program to see how it fits things together. I'm a bit slow on the takeoff sometimes, but eventually I get enough altitude to keep the wings straight and see the horizon leveling off. That's a good thing, especially on two wheels! Now "brother" Richard is way up top, and that's okay, he should be. We've been talking about our Lord and sharing the ministry in numerous ways for 8 years now. This was the very first year that we had the opportunity to roll some roads together. It felt great! Thank you brother! Richard is a "certified" HD wrench that does wood turnings out in Wisconsin. He's on the West coast this week working another of the evangelistic outreaches that the Christian Crusaders sponsor.
I miss ya man! I can say this kind of stuff 'cause it's alright and they'll be reading right here the next few days. Next a big "HEY" goes out to the newest of this grouping, Blackhawk. A lyracist and guitar playing singer from Wisconsin that I met at one of the Arts Fests. We send Es back and forth, and tried to get together again in Sturgis, but it didn't happen, this time. Somewhere down the road a ways there's a stage(that can refer to a patch of grass where you set up to play)we shall share. That is something I look forward to, that and getting him together with a few of the other guys that play. Blackhawk has a combination faith, one that includes his ancestral roots, but is quick to point out that the only salvation which is attainable is found through faith in God's Son.

Just A Sample, Sort Of Like A Candy Store

I can only imagine what treasures the attic and the basement will reveal on my next journey to this quiet street in Minnesota. Their years together have combined to produce just the right flavor of comradery for coffee and the sharing of faith in our Lord. Church is a short walk down the block, and the river runs so close to the house you can hear the rush after the rain.

An 'All Too Brief" Visit To A Couple's Home!

One of the most enjoyable facets of traveling is meeting new people and having the time to get to know them and their surroundings. Vern and Laneia go on record as being the most entertaining of couples for this year thus far. I was welcomed into every nook and cranny in their house after I expressed the desire to fetch my cameras and "blog" the place.

Trying Again To Make Everything Come Out Right!

I'm learning, slowly, how this all goes together. Chris was supposed to be on the bottom of the next section, but you can figure that out. What a blessing it was to share in the ministry and the music with people celebrating their oneness in Christ. The most moving moments of the week, though, were not found under the bright lights of the stage, they were found in the less bright areas of our encampment where folks too messed up to get around were ministered to. In Sturgis during the rally the police bring by the "paddy wagon" every so often with the ones who aren't really breaking any laws, yet(jail is filled to overflowing)and give them opportunity to "visit" with us, or go to jail. Quite often our minstry teams work with individuals for hours on end as they sober them up, straighten them up, and present God's plan of salvation in terms that can be easily understood. I pray with God's leading that I can share a few of the stories with you from 2005 right here. It's still a little too "fresh" in my heart, not to mention my mind, to put into perspectives that might be useful for helping people to make new and better choices for their lives.

This is my wife, Cheryl, and I working the stage on Wednesday evening of rally week. We decided a year ago that the new CD had to debut at Jericho Camp in honor of the inspiration and support the folks there have given both of us the past 15 years. I can say without reservation that we love each and every one of you. A few of the songs I've written are in direct response to the outreach done in this tiny city during our state's single largest event. The Cd is available direct from us here in Brookings at a cost of $15 (15 original works for a buck apiece) + shipping and handling to your mailbox. The music outlets will be offering it soon for the $21.95 tag, so give us a holler at cltl@brookings.net for your copy soon! Now, I've got to post a better picture of Chris because the first one was too dark. If this does not come out as I planned it, keep stopping back, I will get it eventually. God bless, In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Sharing The Faith In Sturgis

This is our "soundman" Marty! He was with us for almost the entire event. Duties called him back to his home and work before the final two days. We really missed you, Marty, and the work you accomplished will never be forgotten. God bless you and yours, and know that you can touch base with me anytime.

Chris came to us from Chicago. He has a heart for ministry and brought a refreshing combination of hardrock (metal) to the stage with a zeal for delivering the message of salvation geared for the generation he represents. He could only stay with us one day, his father passed away and he was called back to Illinois. His performance was astonishing, and none of us knew the circumstances under which he performed until it was all over. The tribute he provided for his father and the witness he presented on behalf of our Savior was enough to bring the entire gathering to it's collective feet in thanks. Amidst a surrounding of new-found brothers and sisters in Christ Chris was blessed with prayers from everyone and encouragement to continue the work he is doing. Somewhere tonight out there in the world he is working, I'm sure, to hone his talents to an even greater degree as he prepares to launch into the college circuit of believers carrying the one true message of salvation. My prayers are with him, and my wife and I look forward to his coming to SDSU here in Brookings one day soon!
Faith is not simply an activity we take part in once or twice a week, it is an ongoing, daily participation in the relationship we have been given through the visitation of God's Holy Spirit. God bless you, Chris! Keep on rockin'