What's Hot On My iPod?

Do you know how every once in a while you find an album or a song or two that just sticks with you? Well, that has happened with this album by David Crowder Band called "B Collision." Now, a couple of things before I go any farther.

First, David Crowder's stuff has never really connected with me. Suzi says it's because it has to grow on you. So maybe I don't have any patience. Second, Suzi picked this album up at the last minute as she was shopping at the local Christian bookstore. So in a strange kind of way it was like I was meant to hear this album. (I know, that was sappy!)

So here is why I like this album so much...it's bluegrass. I'm so down with bluegrass right now, what's my problem? Anyway, they wrap up the album with a great rendition of "I Saw The Light." I'm not kidding, without even thinking my right foot begins to tap. Bluegrass has that way of connecting with people. Let me throw this out there for some thought: What if bluegrass is the official music of heaven? I'm serious. Is there any other type of music that brings people together like bluegrass? And here is the cool thing, just about anyone can play it. Each song has three chords to it and the rhythm is always the same.

One last thing. If this bluegrass worship stuff really catches on, I have to give credit to my good friend Steve Allen. About 10 years ago he came up with a gospel bluegrass medley that Suzi and I have used in every church we have been in and it is always a big hit...with all ages. So for me bluegrass is king, at least for now.

"That's My Story" - Resource

I just wrapped the message series, "That's My Story" today (you can listen to it here) and a few folks have asked about some more resources to study and explore the whole concept of God's Story. I first came across the whole idea in a book written by John Eldredge entitled, "Epic - The Story God Is Telling and the Role That is Yours To Play." So I would start by picking up a copy of the book (which isn't very long and easy to read...if you were wondering). Or if you just wanted to take a look at something right now, you can go to the book's website, www.epicreality.com

Hopefully that helps some of you on your journey of joining God in the story that he is writing.

"I had always felt life first as a story--and if there is a story there is a story teller." ~ G.K. Chesterton

Friday Fun: Animator vs Animation

How about a little fun for Friday? Check out this link and enjoy. Someone had a lot of extra time on their hands.

Animator vs Animation

The Oldest Copy of the New Testament Online

Here is a link to the story if you would like to read it.

The following is an excerpt which sums up the main idea of the story:

"The oldest surviving copy of the New Testament, a 4th century version that had its Gospels and epistles spread across the world, is being made whole again — online.

The British Library says the full text of the Codex Sinaiticus will be available to Web users by next July, digitally reconnecting parts that are held in Britain, Russia, Germany and a monastery in Egypt's Sinai Desert.

A preview of the Codex, which also has some parts of the Old Testament, will hit the Web on Thursday — the Book of Psalms and the Gospel of Mark."

My guess is that most of you won't be rushing to the website when it launches to read these ancient words, nor would I expect you too. I wanted to share this information with you as an encouragement that the Bible is God's Word, and it is accurate, and has withstood the test of time. Not to mention the fact that as time goes by more elements continue to appear which only improve the Bible's credibility. So not only do we have this almost complete 4th century copy of the NT, we literally have thousands of other copies which agree on all the same major events and details. There is no other book of antiquity that even comes close.

One last thing. With the power of the internet, any one with internet access can read any version of the Bible online for free. And now, if they now koinia Greek they can read the NT in it's earliest written form. Do you think that God is doing something in this world?

Just a thought, why not take a break right now and settle into your favorite reading chair (with a cup/glass of your favorite beverage) and crack open your Bible and read through the Gospel of Mark. It won't take you very long and I promise that you will be glad that you did.

California Vacation

I have been a horrible blogger for the last two months! It is time to do some catching up. Here are a few pictures from our summer vacation. My parents were able to get my family together with my sister and her family in Ceres, California along with my brother. We had a marvelous time and made many great memories. Here is a small smattering of pictures highlighting some of my favorite moments. Enjoy!

My sister and brother-in-law have a pool at their house and we used it a lot. Here Alex, Samantha and I jump in together...with Suzi taking the picture of course.


One of the days we went to Yosemite and did some hiking. Here was my favorite moment of the day. We had hiked up to Mirror Lake only to find that the lake was mostly gone. So I took my kids and my niece Faith and nephew Deacon and went wading in the ice cold water. The view was spectacular!


On our last day in California, my family took the day and went to San Francisco. Here is my wind blown and cold family posing with the Golden Gate bridge in the background.



Here is my favorite picture of the trip...for obvious reasons. I kissed my beautiful and wonderful wife Suzi while overlooking the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean. My son Alex took the picture (and did a nice job) and I think that he was just a little embarrassed.



The same day we were in San Francisco we were able to make it to the beach and of course we had to touch the Pacific Ocean. Alex and Samantha turned it into a game of trying to out run the incoming waves--obviously they lost.



We wrapped up our vacation at my parent's house, the old homestead. We took this picture on one of the rocks that made up the foundation for the old barn.

All in all it was a great vacation! A special thanks to my parents for getting us all together, without them it wouldn't have happened (in many ways). Also, many thanks to my sister Rebecca and her husband Kirk who put up with a full house for seven days.