Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Shalom Church

This Sunday night Shalom Church will meet at the LaSuer home from 5:30 to 7:30. This is an Emergent gathering of friends meeting for worship, sharing, and a meal. Hope you can come! Just let us know.

Peace.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Diggin' on some new music

Just want to share some great music I've been listening to lately. The first is Kenny Wayne Shepherd's new CD, 10 Days Out (Blues From The Backwoods). It's a combination CD and DVD. Kenny literally spent 10 days in the south visiting old blues musicians both familiar and obscure, and recording them in backwoods, kitchens, porches, on stage, and even in a cemetery! The DVD is a jewel. The musicians talk about their lives and the blues and what the music means to them, and includes performances of all the songs on the CD. You'll find this in the CD section. Highly recommended.

I also stumbled on a used copy of King Ernest's Blues Got Soul. The CD is on the Fat Possum Records label which features obscure blues artists. This is King's only CD for the label, and only his second CD overall. It was released in 2000. A few days after hearing the final mix of the CD, King was killed in an auto accident. King was a Christian man who played the blues in clubs on Saturday night and sang at his church on Sunday morning. According to the liner notes, King was planning a gospel CD. He wrote most of the songs on the CD, and does a great cover of Tom Waits' The House Where Nobody Lives. This style of blues is more soulful and in the vein of Little Milton and Al Green. You won't find any screaming blues guitar here, just soulful singing and wonderfully crafted songs. Recommended.

Finally, I picked up Jonny Lang's new CD, Turn Around. Jonny was a teenage blues guitar wonderboy, and recently has turned more to soul and funk very much influenced by Stevie Wonder. Jonny is a Christian and this is his gospel CD, and you'll find it in Christian bookstores as well as secular outlets. It's not praise and worship music, just music with a spirit-filled perspective. Recommended.

I didn't know King Ernest was a Christian when I bought the CD, and I knew Lang's CD was based in his beliefs but I didn't know he was a Christian until I read about the CD. I just love it when I find God in places you don't expect to find Him.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Tonight's Soul

Spring day! Yea!!

Ok, on to the thoughts I want to share...and that is
I'll try to describe the state of my soul tonight.

Happy because I'm with Joy and the family is good....and because I rest in God's creation and love.

Frustrated because even though I love my job right now
I also want to pastor a church. I have the core values figured out
but I don't really know how to begin. The core values are basically
BEING FOLLOWERS OF THE JESUS WAY AND HAVING THE JOY TO FREELY THINK FOR OURSELVES.

Challenged and a little bummed by my skin being screwed up but confident that God will help me figure it out.

In love with music, books, my wife and kids, the here and now, walks along the river, the dog, and new learnings and relationships in life and work.

Scared and much too rational as I ponder life after death. May I practice diving into the Mystery.

Thanks-full.

May God bless your soul tonight my friend.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Kingdom

So, God has been trying to get me to become more involved in my community. I guess you can't hurry how the Lord works things out. But today, after being here 9 months, I went to visit Chaplain Smith at the Marion jail. They have a great ministry there, and we spent a long time talking. Cool dude. I also got to meet the police who staff the place, and I had a fairly long conversation with the Sheriff. I left there feeling like I had finally connected to some people in my new hometown! This is where I feel led to develop relationships with both the inmates and the staff.

Then I came home, and when I got out of my car, I spotted my neighbor getting into his truck. I practically ran over there because I've also been waiting for a time to connect to neighbors. His name is Coy and he enjoys talking. I think the people of this world, including me, are often lonely and are looking to connect with someone....just like Jeff's video told in such a beautiful way.

Today Jesus said, "Watch Craig, the Kingdom is going to happen before your very eyes."

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Does Anybody Hear Her ?

This song and video from Casting Crown is very moving in my opinion. I also think that it is extremely relevant for us today. I am so afraid that we "as a church" turn away so many people wether we do it intentionally or unintentionally.

Can you hear them ? If you can hear them, what are you doing ?

Take 4 mins and 30 seconds to watch the video and see if it speaks to you to make a change in your thoughts and actions to those you come in contact with.

Monday, March 12, 2007

On The One Hand And Yet The Other

Happy tonight but kind of lonely.

Feeling strong but sort of overwhelmed.

Jamie's sitting next to me, beautiful music is playing, and Joy is at yoga.

Glad to be in the present, but miss some of the past.

My mind is learning, and I have purpose.

I sat with a pastor the other night who communicated he was ready to go to heaven
and then died at midnight.

I love life, existence, community, family, and Jeshua.

I cry for both the brokeness and beauty of humanity.

Saw a good movie last night called something like Music and Lyrics. Joy and I watched it all alone in the theater, and we talked out loud during the movie. Fun! A brand new experience!

My mom sighs as she faces getting old. Jamie just sighed for some reason. Joy and I took mom and dad out on the town today, and they found great joy.

Reading Barack Obama's excellent book The Audacity of Hope. Anyone want to work for his campaign with me?

Well, Peace to you and yours. Things to do.

Ah wait. Bird singing his song outside. His sound speaks of his spirit. Beautiful!
God, help us no matter what to keep hearing the bird's simple song.

As Herbert George and my papa say,

Shalom!

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Dad's home and all is well.
Tonight Shalom Church meets.
Remember to love yourself just like you love others.
Peace - Out

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Tonight

I'm staying with my dad tonight in the hospital.
Because of his altzheimers,someone needs to be with him around the clock.
David was here last night and had one of the hardest nights of his life.
My night is starting out pretty rough as well.
Dad is confused,at times very angry, and actually seeing some strange things.
I think it's because he is in such strange territory...away from home.
I have had thoughts tonight about his death...wishing it come sooner than later.
Oh God, be the God of my papa and mama.
This man has taught me more lessons than perhaps any other.
I suppose the lessons continue even tonight.