Journal

Friday, February 1st, 2008

"Well, today it's raining out. What a nasty day. I did some office work today and send out a ton of emails. I just got an ipod. My first one! I never thought I'd break down and do it. I am totally against the illegal downloading and sharing of songs. I am even more against it than the average joe because it's how I make my living. Selling my cd's. I like I-tunes, but I wish they made you buy an entire cd. The cd format or the album format, should I say, is becoming outdated. No one wants to look at the liner notes, see who somebody thanks, see who played what on a record, and look at great artwork. As well, when an artist puts out a cd or album, they normally do so with a specific song sequence to tell a story, give a certain feel to the record, or something like that. With the ability to download just one song and that basically taking over the music business the listening to an album as a whole is becoming increasingly rare. That's sad to me. Anyways....at least Itunes makes you pay for the music and the songwriter and artist still get the royalties. I am on I-tunes by the way! My "Aroma of Sound" cd is available for download there....and yes, individual songs as well. :) I have been adding all of my cd's to my Itunes library. I have a mess of music. So far in the past 24 hours I have added artists like Waterdeep, Caedmons Call, Eric Peters, Jennifer Knapp, and Randall Goodgame. Fun stuff to be sure. My wife is hanging out here beside me on her laptop working on thank you notes for our exremely generous friends and family. Well, I will write more very soon. Have a good one."

 

Tuesday, January 22nd, 5:30PM

"Politics: The word invokes fear and massive anger among so many of the frustrated Americans that feel they have lost any control at all over "the system". I feel largely the same way. People all the time tell me I should keep my political leanings to myself and that it's not right to talk about politics in a public setting such as this one. I happen to disagree. I don't really care, in a certain sense, whether what I believe politically is agreeable to the people I minister to. I happen to believe personally that no political party or politician can or will save this nation from judgment that is certain to come unless there is massive repentance which is not happening now. However.....purely on the basis of political candidates and which ones I might like......RON PAUL!!! He is the ONLY presidential candidate saying ANYTHING that seems like a real solution to the financial and public problems that are plaguing this nation. Of course, I do not believe he will be nominated for the Republican Party's choice. He has garnered massive internet support and massive support from young people who "get" what he is saying. It's hard stuff. It's stuff that would need to have huge changes to our system to really get accomplished. It's stuff that I think needs to happen if we are to see real change. I am not a Republican nor am I a Democrat. I am a Christian. I don't align myself with any party. I am just making a simple observation about the current Presidential race and the current state of things in our country. Ron Paul has some very interesting ideas about finances and world affairs that differ completely with the major Republican and Democrat candidates. As much as I like Ron Paul and I can get behind his candidacy, I really do believe that we as American Christians need to seriously look into our absolute allegiance to certain parties, systems of government, and even nations. We are to pledge our faith, trust, allegiance, and energy to our King and realize that we're strangers in this world and passing through and that our salvation is not found in government or politics or issues at the ballot box. It is found in faith in Jesus Christ. He is the only thing that is unchanging and solid and never fails. He doesn't take money from lobbyists and He doesn't take public opinion polls to see how He should feel or vote on an issue. He is truth and His Word is constant and is always reliable. We have got to remember that those that trust in the arm of the flesh....our massive armies or our government issued freedom in democracy will eventually be disappointed and crushed. It's only when we trust completely in the arm of the Lord that we can count on deliverance and salvation. Amen? I love our country and am glad I live here. I appreciate my freedoms. I do not, however, believe that God wants us to love the U S of A and trust in her might over His. That's idolatry and is something which all of us probably at one time or another can be said to be guilty of.

 

Thursday, September 20th

Today I have been just writing. I love to write music. Of all the things God has blessed me with....songwriting is my absolute favorite. When that stroke of lightning hits and you have to put it down and the melody and lyrics fit so well and you know you've written something that is going to help somebody or just maybe it was therapy to write it and it helped you. I wrote a new song yesterday and today. It's still in the cooker being worked on. It's called"From Here". A song about not really knowing how God got you to the place where you are but realizing He has and that there is an invisible hand guiding you every step of the way to get you where He wants you. I have a new favorite song, I think. And a new favorite record...right now. Shane and Shane's new cd "Pages" has this song on it called "Embracing Accusation". It's all about the Devil accusing Christians and condemning them with a great turnaround at the end that just nails it musically and lyrically. It just brings me to tears everytime I hear it. The fellow who played electric guitars on my cd is Andrew Osenga. He is part of Caedmons Call and had a couple of solo cd's out as well. I just got his first solo cd called "Photographs". It came out back several years ago. What a combinations of vivid details in songs and beautiful melodies that just set the stage for the awesome cd that "Photographs" is. It reminds me of the fall, being in my early 20's, discovering great music, and being on the road with Sarah. Alot of memories.......that's what good music's for.

 

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007

"Well, I don't really have alot on my mind today. It would probably be political and it's dangerous for me to speak politically at all because of what I do and
the different views held by so many people. I have been watching alot of the news and debates featuring the Republican and Democratic Presidential hopefuls. I have loved politics since I was 12 or 13 years old. I can remember when George Bush Senior beat Michael Dukakis in the 1988 elections(I think it was 1988) and my birthday was on election day I was sitting and watching the returns coming in and with every state
that went blue I felt a peace come over me thinking that the nation was saved and safer and in good hands. I went on to work for several candidates and campaign for them and I was INTO it. While I still am, it's not really in the activist side of the camp. I needed to
take that energy and focus it on more eternal things. As well, it seems after 15 years of watching local and state and national elections that most of the candidates run on the same issues every year(balancing the budget, getting out of debt, making the healthcare industry affordable, fixing social security, fixing our schools etc.....) while none of the
afforementioned issues ever really get "fixed" for the longterm or even in the short term. Nothing, it seems, changes that much on the broad scale. Despite which party controls the White House and Congress, things seem to stay pretty much the same....a slow agonizing turn downward. This country, from the youth to the seniors, is absolutely out of control. The sin and depravity in the nation is unreal. No politician, political party, or law will change that. Only the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ preached from the rooftops to the point of offense will ever have any positive affect on the outcome of the great moral crater we're in. I don't see it happening either. Not because God can't, but because the Church won't. We are His hands and feet and His hands and feet have been stained with the blackness of sin that we refuse in many instances to wash off and cleanse because we love our prosperity and our sin. July 4th is tomorrow and I am glad I am here in The United States. However, I am much more glad that I am in the family of God and that He has the power to free me and cleanse me from all unholiness and unrighteousness. That is TRUE freedom and it's eternal. Praise the Lord!"

 

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

"I saw "America's Got Talent" the other night. We really don't, but that's not the issue with what I am thinking anyway. Television: A box with a picture than shoots images, music, and information into our homes 24 hours a day. How many American homes have televisions? Probably nearly 100%? How many of those homes where the television abides turn it on and leave it on for hours and hours every single day? A good percentage, I would have to guess. I've tried to sweep it under the rug and or ignore the giant elephant in the room but it's time I have to be honest with myself. Satan is in control of the majority of what is on television. He owns the broadcasting companies. He has the majority of the directors, producers, actors and actresses in his back pocket. He even has steely grip on alot of so called "Christian" television espousing the latest fad and get rich quick prayers and schemes. Almost all comedies, movies, and music videos condone sin, and make a light hearted joke about it and laugh at the very thing Christ suffered and died to save us from. The very essence of what God absolutely despises streams into Christian homes daily where we watch just like the world and ingest massive amounts of evil just as the sinners who have no relationship with God. Then we expect to have a massive effect on our society when we minister and pray. I have been convicted of this. I still watch some television. I still love some shows. However, I am being more and more convinced that the closer you get and labor to get to Jesus, the more you'll see the absolute waste and sinfulness of what we've grown to accept in the American church in regards to entertainment. It's basically Satanic brainwashing that for the purposes of going along with the world and feeding our carnal desires we have allowed to take residence in our homes and hearts. We are in this world for what....70 years? With our purpose being that to spread the gospel, heal the sick, cast out devils, and love people, we sure spend alot of time doing the exact opposite. May the Lord change our views and spur us on towards holiness.....His version of it....not ours."

 

Saturday, March 31st, 3:10PM

"Well, I am in Alexandria, MN on a cold, rainy day. For those of you who read the news article some of this will be a little redundant. Have you ever been lonely? I have experienced loneliness on the tour I've been on like I never have before in my life. Even though I have been surrounded by people for a large part of the time, I have spent countless hours on the road in the little red ugly car I drive alone listening to music or preaching or talk radio. I have spent many days by myself in the hotels or homes I've stayed in. I really felt about 2 and a half weeks into the tour like my heart would explode from just being by myself and alone. It was one of the wierdest feelings. For the first time in my life I really talked to God in depth about bringing me the one He has for me. I think I longed more for a companion on this trip than I ever have. Of course, Sarah, my sister, has always been with me on tours and travels and this was the first massive tour I've ever done without her. It's forced me to treat God as more of a friend and develop more of an intimate relationship with Him than I really have in the past. I've realized that is what He wants from me more than anything as well. It's also made me appreciate family and the cohesiveness I have in mine that you can sometimes take for granted. As well, to see people who are alone not just for a month but for months and years has made me look at those people differently and identify with their struggles, pains, and longing. I read alot while on the road and watched a couple of new movies. I saw the new James Bond movie Casino Royale......didn't love it at all. I re-watched "The Fugitive" the other night with my Aunt Cheryl and what a great movie that is! Last night I got to introduce Keith Martinson(my good friend, and website creator) to Napoleon Dynamite. He had never seen it. I know...I know...I have already gotten on him about that. It was great to see that again. It never gets old. Knock it off Napoleon, and fix yourself a dang quesadilla. If you've never seen it then that won't mean much to you. :) Well, I've opened up alot today. I hope you've enjoyed reading. Virginia here I come soon!"

 

Thursday, March 8th, 6PM

"College basketball: My absolute favorite sport no doubt. I would trade the world series, superbowl, masters, and the nba finals all for march madness. It's a glorious time of the year when 64 or 65 teams get to play each other in different cities across the country for a shot at being number one. I always make sure I am on the couch and ready to watch that very first thursday when the games begin. Actualy I watch the weeks prior too when the individual conferences have their tournaments as well. The Virginia Cavaliers, after several miserable years are going to be in the NCAA tournament this year and so I was totally excited until......I realized I had booked this tour at the absolute worst of times and so I will be traveling and playing music and ministering in the face of absolute opression knowing I am missing the one thing in sports I so dearly love. I am just rolling aroun in my own self-pity for a few minutes. Indulge me, please. Pray for me, please. :) On a related note: I am tired. I've only been out for about a week and already I am honestly ready for home. It's been a cold, wet tour so far. And the driving! Man, do I miss Sarah. Almost as much for her expertise in driving a motor vehicle as for her near perfect harmonies and piano playing. His Sarah! I am hanging out with family here in St. Paul, MN right now. Getting ready to head out again tomorrow for Wisconisn where I'll be playing tomorrow night just above the Illinois line. I bought a brand new cd a few days ago. Mary Chapin Carpenter's "The Calling". It's so great. What a flipping writer. She's my heroine. Well, off to pack up again. God bless you all and I'll keep the updates coming.

 

Friday, March 2nd, 11 AM

"Snow: It's something you don't get alot of where I am from in Virginia, but here in the midwest they're just being bombarded with it. I went through Milwaukee, Toledo, OH, and Chicago yesterday and nowhere was there not the white stuff abundantly blessing the ground. Chicago traffic was just horendous last night. I went through about 7PM and it was like rush hour extended by 2 hours. What a mess of cars. Absolutely bumper to bumper for 35 miles. What a beautiful city, though. So far the tour is going great (only one show so far). The fine folks of Winona, OH treated me well and I got to play at Winona Evangelical Friends Church. Sarah and I were there about 2 years ago for the dedication of there Family Life Center and so I got to go back. A big thanks to them. Today I am staying with a wonderful family in West Bend, WI where I am playing tonight with Katie Nelson and her band. It's snowing like lard here (to borrow a term from Central Virginia's own weatherman, John Bernier). I probably need to go out and wipe the stuff off of my car and get some new strings to change for the guitar and practice. I'll write more when I can. Blessings!"

 

January 4th 10:30PM

"Today I slept really late. Not many of you would be too surprised by that revelation. Of course, I actually had a good reason. I went to see the UVA and Gonzaga game last night up in Charlottesville. My dad and I went and had a great time. Virginia won handily. They actually hit 18 three pointers and routed the Gonzaga team that beat UVA last year out in Spokane, Washington. We got to see the new John Paul Jones Coliseum where the basketball teams play. It was beautiful. Charlottesville is a great city. Very confusing, though, to drive in. It's relatively small and quaint, but for some reason it's very easy to get lost there. I've played there a few times and always enjoyed my time. Only about 3 days until the vacation is over. My marathon of shows begins this weekend. For all of you in the Central Virginia area.....I'll be doing a concert at Harrowgate Baptist Church at 11AM on Sunday. The concert schedule has said Chester Baptist for weeks. Sorry for the confusion. It was due to me. Come on out for a great time. I'll be up in Fredericksburg that night for a concert. Check the concerts page for the whole list. Later.....

 

1 AM, Thursday, November 16th

Well, this is the first journal entry for the new site. Thanks for taking a look. I am so glad that this little guy is up and running now. A lot of thanks to Keith Martinson and Northern Heart Media for their help. I don't have much to say here for this first go round other than this will be a place to share my thoughts and convictions on things that are dear to my heart. Some of it you might agree with and some maybe not, but I ask you read if you want to read with an open mind. One thing I think most of us will agree on is our utter helplessness without Jesus. Our life, breath, and complete capability to exist relies wholly in Him. Pretty astounding and humbling, isn't it? Stay awhile and look around and we'll try and keep this bad boy updated pretty regularly.