Saint Patrick's Day...

As one of the earliest Christian missionaries traveling abroad to spread the Christian faith, Saint Patrick is important because he serves as a testament to the overall missionary legacy of the Church. His example afforded later Christian missionaries the opportunity to assess the best methods to employ when confronting pagan groups abroad. Perhaps the most significant aspect of Saint Patrick’s missionary efforts in Ireland was that he transcended the boundary between Church hierarchy and prominent Church Fathers in terms of the viability of missionary pursuits. Saint Patrick proved that any Christian could live out the Scriptural commandment to spread the word of God while “exalting and confessing his wonders before all the nations that are under the heavens." Patrick’s example would inspire later missionaries to undertake great missions to evangelize abroad in later years. (Wikipedia)

March 17, 2009 is Saint Patrick's Day. What does this day mean to you? Is it a day to celebrate a mans life or is it just an opportunity to party and wear green? There is nothing wrong with in my case remembering my heritage or wearing my favorite color green. But, I think so many times we celebrate holidays with fun being our primary focus.

Christmas = Gifts
Easter = Candy and the bunny
Saint Patrick's Day = Drinking and the color green

I guess I'm saying this to tell you something you should already know. Before you party take time to reflect on the true meaning of each holiday. As Christians, Christ should always be our main focus.

My encounter with demons...

Can the dead come back and visit as ghosts? I believe the answer to that question is no. Once you die your spirit does not roam the earth looking for people to scare. So what about those encounters with the spooky images and noises some people refer to as ghosts? I believe there are two types of supernatural beings that are present on the earth. Evil spirits and/or demons and good spirits (not really a spirit) called angels. The Bible says one third of the angels were cast out of heaven with Satan. So those angels are around doing the devil's evil deeds.

When I was around 18 years old I had a scary and unusual experience. I was singing and playing the guitar in a Christian coffee house. The owner of the establishment asked me if I would pray with him for a young man who had come into the house. He said the young man thought he was demon possessed. I had recently seen the movie " the Exorcist" so fear swept over me. I reluctantly said yes. I put down my guitar and the three of us went upstairs to a room used for prayer. After I had been praying for a short time, I opened my eyes and looked at the young man. I could not believe my eyes. I saw two figures above his head laughing and dancing. Above them was what I can only describe as a very evil presence. The two figures started reaching for me. I was scared, shocked and doubted what I had seen; I closed my eyes and continued praying. After we were done praying the young man left and I started to tell the man that was with me what I saw. He stopped me and said he had something to tell me. He said he saw two figures above the young man and before they could reach over and touch me a dove landed on my head, opened his wings and they disappeared. I was beside myself. I explained what I saw and that his story validated mine. I believe the dove represented the Holy Spirit's protection on my life. I have had some other demonic type experiences but what happened at the coffee house years ago on that particular day tops them all. You may say that you find his very hard to believe and if you do I don't blame you because I doubted it myself. It took someone else seeing what I saw to make a believer out of me.

I believe there are spiritual battles occurring all the time, we just can't see them. I am thankful that God's Holy Spirit protected me that day and continues to do so. We do not need to fear demons or Satan. Demons fear the very name of Jesus. Let Christ fight your battles and you will live a victorious life.

Lord, keep me humble...

So there I am getting ready to sing before a large group of people and I lose my voice, my musical equipment fails or some other malfunction makes me look like a dork. When this happens I smile and say "the Lord is keeping me humble." A few years back I would have gotten very upset. The reason I got upset was that I worried people would not like my singing. Pride got in the way of my service to the Lord. If I am worried more about my performance and less about reaching others for him there is a problem. Every time I pick up a microphone or play my guitar I desire it to be for the glory of God. I want to see others turn their life over to him. I can either be a part of that process or be a hindrance to it.

Christians what is your motive? Is it to serve God or to serve and uplift yourself? Ask God to help you keep your motives pure. This is my desire and I pray it is yours.

Debris, debris, debris...

Kentucky was hit hard by a snow/ ice storm resulting in fallen trees, limbs scattered, and power lines down. Most of the power lines have been restored but the debris will be around for a while. When we have storms in our life they tend to cause damage as well. We may be able to repair just enough to keep us going but often there is debris (baggage) left that takes a lot of work to get rid of.

God help us to let go of the past and to focus on our future (with you). By your mercy we are forgiven, by your grace we are protected, by your love we will have everlasting life.

Disaster in Kentucky...

It has been a difficult time for people who live in Kentucky. Several inches of snow and up to an inch of ice blanketed the state causing thousands to lose electric, closed schools and caused numerous accidents. My heart goes out to those who are suffering from the frigid temperatures.

Many thanks to the emergency responders and the electric utility companies. Companies traveled long distances to come to Kentucky to assist local utilities in restoring the electric service. Most worked 16 hour days going well beyond the call of duty. Although the state has a long way to go to get things back to normal, much progress has been made. Kentucky's motto is "United we stand, divided we fall". The united efforts of many will return our state to it's pre-storm condition.

Pray for Kentucky; it's responders, utility companies, 911 Centers, nurses, doctors, road crews and the many others. Most of all pray for Kentucky's citizens.

Thank you.

It's cold outside...

Since Tuesday, January 27 I have been dealing with a significant snow fall and the results of a 3/4 inch ice storm. Much of our county is without electric thus causing many of our citizens to be without heat. We have set up a shelter but only a few have come to it. This is a lot like life itself. This world has it's problems; there is no doubt about that. People suffer from alcohol abuse, social problems, financial worries, their failures and many other things that cause them to lose hope. God has offered help to those who are in need. He has opened a "spiritual shelter" but most ignore it and stay in the cold. Their hearts are empty, they feel cold inside. Give God a chance, he will help you and will never abandon you...

President Obama...

Yesterday Americans witnessed the swearing in of President Obama. Regardless of who you voted for, this man and our country need your prayers. Time will tell as it does with every president whether Obama will be a good leader. Our country is in need of a wise leader who will listen to the voice of God and one who will use good judgment. Please join me in prayer for the United States and our new president.

"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6

Being like Christ...

How in the world can a person be like Christ? I have heard this most of my life that as a Christian we are to follow Christ's example. The Savior Christ (the Son) is God as is the Father and the Spirit. We will never be perfect like God is. I have failed God so many times. I have failed my family and my friends. So is there hope for me or a person like me? Sure there is! We were not created to fail although we were born into sin with a sinful nature. Life is an opportunity to show God just how much he means to us. Do we love God more than the sin we commit? Fighting temptation to sin pleases God. But when we do fail, God is there to help us by forgiving us and giving us a clean slate to start over again.

What can we do to be more like Christ? I have listed some things that will help you to be more like him (Christ):

1. Ask the Lord to help you.

2. Ask the Lord for wisdom.

3. If you fail make it right to the best of your ability by asking God for forgiveness and anyone you may have offended.

4. Read the Word of God (Bible), this is how the Lord speaks to us.

5. Study the Word, ask God to reveal his Word to you.

6. Practice the Word.

7. Realize you are human and you will make mistakes. This is not an excuse to sin but if you do sin ask God to forgive you and to help you to not repeat your mistakes.

8. Forgive yourself. This is probably the most difficult thing for Christians to do. I know it is for me. God forgives and throws your sin into the sea to never be remembered again. Unfortunately we do not forget our failures so, learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself. God is not going to hold something against you when you have asked for forgiveness.

9. Forgive others. If someone has hurt you, you have to forgive them. Again, I know it's hard but it is something God has commanded us to do, just like he has forgiven us.

10. Spend time with other Christians; whether it is in church, a small group that will help you grow in the Lord or just talking one on one.

11. Give back. Realize that if you try to help others, this action will help you. Don't always ask for God to bless you when you have the ability to bless others by your Christ like actions.

12. Spend time alone with God. Ask him to help you. Tell him your problems (he is interested in you because he loves you). Ask him to open doors for you to help others by sharing what He has done for you and them.

I will be praying for you...

My life as a musician...

This post is going to be a little more personal (and longer) than most I've written. The topic is my love for music and a test of my faith. One of my first recollections of my music past was when I was very young and I sang my first solo. It was "Silent Night" and my audience was my grandmother and other members of my family. After this I recall my first few times singing in church. I was so nervous I occasionally cried before I finished.

At the age of 13, I started playing the guitar or at least trying to play. A very good friend of mine helped me and taught me some cords that he had learned from his dad. After struggling to learn but not owning my own guitar on Christmas my dad gave me his guitar. I was thrilled! It was a Harmony Spanish guitar. As time went on my confidence, with God's help, increased and I was able to sing and play in church without too much discomfort. My friend and I started a Christian band called "Revelation". We had two guitars, a bass player and a top notch drummer. Starting to play in churches we were having a blast. Then a problem... we found out there was already a group by the name of "Revelation". What to do? Being the bright young rock (Christian) musicians that we were we changed our name to... "Revelation 2" (how clever). After a year or so our fine band split up and the remaining members called our new band "Obadiah". We thought this name (from the Bible) was cool! This group did not last very long so I decided to go solo. Next I started singing regularly at a Christian coffee house in Lexington, Kentucky. God moved in my life and taught me much about people and their problems. In 1974 (I believe) I entered a music contest at a youth church camp. I sang a song I wrote and played guitar with another guitar player accompanying me. After I was done the MC said "a star was born". Talking about getting the big head! I was on cloud 9. On Friday that week they announced the winner. I WON!!! Yes, I thought I was a star!

In the early to mid 70's I got the opportunity to audition for Bill Walker. Mr Walker was the producer for Johnny Cash and Eddie Arnold. I borrowed a van, loaded up my equipment and headed for out for my BIG BREAK. As I arrived I took my guitar and asked the person at the front desk if I needed my PA system and they said just me and the guitar. I had moved up to an electric guitar which was a Gibson SG look alike. I bought my guitar and Sears amp for $200.00. Waiting for my chance, there were a few people ahead of me... then my name was called. This was my first time in a "real" studio and the people behind the glass asked me if I was ready. I said yes and began to play and sing. When I was finished, they said thank you and I would hear something in a couple of weeks after Bill Walker in Nashville reviewed the recording. I believe this was on Friday. On Monday I received a phone call and the man on the phone said Bill Walker would like to offer me a recording contract. I could not believe it. I was so excited. I was asked to return to the studio.

When I arrived back at the studio they asked me to sit down. They started a multi-track recording of myself. I listened and then came the contract. They said they would spend $100,000.00 and let me record two singles of their choice (not Christian songs). Bill Walker would produce the song and distribute them nationally. Then came the issue of a security bond. They told me I would have to pay $1,500.00 to secure the recording. They said the reason was they were burned on a resent contract after they invested thousands of dollars the person breached their contract. They said they could sue but decided it was not worth the bad publicity. So now new artists would have to invest in their own future. They believed if the artist had to spend their own money they would not quit until at least they made their money back.

$1,500.00 was a lot of money to a young man like me and a lot of money in the 1970's. It might as well been a million. I worked in a hamburger restaurant so I was not rich. I was on my own and money was very tight. So after much thought and prayer I had to say no to my BIG BREAK. I was so disappointed. Something like this rarely happens and now it has passed me by... I have often wondered "What if???"

I have to believe now that it was God's will and his protection on my life that allowed this opportunity to pass. He saw that I would be compromising my values by singing secular music. But at the time I did not think this or understand. I may have ended up as many artists do, on drugs or worst. I don't know... only God does and it was in his hands. I was in his hands and I thank him for that.

In June of the year 1976 I sang at a small Kentucky Church and there in the congregation was a beautiful young lady. I was smitten by her beauty and fell in love. In December we were married and in April of 1977 we moved to Florida. God opened many doors for me in Florida. I got the opportunity to sing and play in many churches across the state, a convention, a local county fair, at the local jail ( I finally had a captive audience) and youth rallies, lead worship in a church and more.

In the late 70's I had surgery on my left wrist. This was bad as it affected by guitar playing and caused me pain when I played. I was forced to change my playing style. In 1978 we had a baby girl. I needed to pay off the hospital bill so I traded my car (a 1968 cherry apple red Camaro) for money and a 1976 Les Paul. I got a baby and a great guitar. In 1981 we had a baby boy. Life is good!

In 1989 we moved back to Kentucky. I continued singing but mostly at my church... Then...


A few years ago my singing came to a halt. I had surgery on my throat. Now after a hiatus of not singing and playing the guitar less and less, I believe it's time to start back. I also believe that if you don't use whatever talents God has given you, you will lose them. My throat hurts after I sing for a while and my range in not like it use to be. I started to get depressed. I thought my music life was over. I tried to sing in church again but I had to sing what I felt were "safe" songs.

Now I have another opportunity. I may start singing and playing in a new worship band. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Please pray for me that God will heal my throat and will use me for his glory. I give the talent I have left to him.

I'm sorry for the long post. More to come later...