Never go in against a sicilian...

...when death is on the line (any guesses on the movie?).

I don't like being around death. And I know that it's not "the end" and all that. But I still hate being around when people are dying. I don't especially like hospitals anyway.

This afternoon I went to the hospital to visit someone - which I didn't mind, even on my day off - and when I got to the room it was empty and the bed was made. I asked the nurse and she thought they must have been discharged - as no one had been in the bed since she arrived. I thought that was odd, since I've been to that room every day for over a week, but what do I know, so I left. But... as I passed the front desk, I thought I better ask, just to make sure. Sure enough, she'd just been moved to another room - in the "new part."

I wasn't expecting where this was. It was ICU; and the patient was all hooked up to machines and tubes and whatnot. Ugh. They let me in because I'm a pastor, but no one could tell me anything. The patient tried to talk, which she couldn't do, and therefore she starts to turn all red in the face, and then pukes up this gross, gross stuff. I guess that was "hello." I ran and got the nurse; who then called in some others. Finally I was able to go back in. Eventually a family member showed up and explained the situation. Not good. I stayed for awhile, then got supper for Jane and I, but went back up later.

The death of one of your congregants is one of the hardest parts of being a pastor. You can't get too emotionally involved, because you're supposed to "pastor" those who are grieving. But at the same time it's hard to NOT be emotionally involved. At least for me. I really blew it when a good friend died several years ago. I grieved just like everyone else (or maybe worse - he was one of my best friends), and there was therefore no one to help the people in our church. We have yet to recover. I have yet to recover.

I wish I were Sicilian.

Losing the pastor; losing the church

Two great posts that I want to remember:

• Jason's post abandon the pastoral church is just fantastic. And it's not "get rid of the pastor"... but learning to look at the role differently. I dig this quote he uses from Todd Hunter: "...it is the task of the christian leader to learn to lead people towards following Someone Else." Tough indeed, even when you're trying. But necessary nonetheless.
  
• Pernell also has a nice one titled "Missional Church? Be Prepared to Lose." He says we can no longer "...measure 'success' as we always have - by attracting numbers: money, people, programs, projects, mission trips, souls saved, etc. We need new markers... to know if we are becoming more Jesus-y."
  

Draft thoughts

I know... I'm probably the only person who gives a crap about the NBA anymore. My wife is so wonderful that she let me watch the entire first round on TV last night. Though she kept asking why it kept getting blurry (not sure what that was all about). Anyway... while trying to decide if I should mow the tops of the weeds or not; and simmering over some issues I don't really care to share at the moment... here are my initial thoughts on the draft:

• I take back what I said yesterday about trading the top 2 picks. I probably would have taken Oden #1, and would also have taken Durant. Not sure what I was thinking. Maybe that vicoden wasn't for me. I still don't think Oden will be a superstar the likes of Chamberlin or Jabbar, but he should be around for a loooong time - barring injury.
• I don't really have a team in the NBA, but Chicago probably comes as close as anybody. I actually liked their picks. I didn't really care for Noah in college, but I think he will be good for pro ball - kind of like Magic Johnson. The NBA needs more fun (I could say less Stern, but I might get fined). I also liked the Bull's 2nd rounder - Aaron Gray. Neither Noah or Gray are the scorer that they needed inside, but they at least added some bulk.
• I think Portland and Seattle had to have the best draft of anybody. Not just #'s 1 and 2, but the most picks as well - other than Philly, who doesn't have a clue. I personally like teams that build through the draft. That's what Chicago has done; Utah seems to do it. But what to I know...
• I would like to be a Pacers fan - since I only live 90 minutes away - but... Geez, are there any Pacer's fans?? Nothing against Larry Bird... he might be a nice guy (though I've heard otherwise), but I think he needs to find another hobby.
  

Well... that's it. I seriously need a shower; I think I'll mow; I've drank too much coffee; I'm...

Helicopter parents

I had never heard the term “helicopter parents” before a couple weeks ago. I don’t even remember what book I was reading, but I was reminded of it the other day when I had one land in my office. Helicopter parents are, of course, those parents who “hover over” their children; they can’t leave them alone; can’t keep their nose out of their business; can’t let go. And before I say anything else… Yes, I know how difficult it is to avoid. Parents WANT to know what’s going on in their children’s lives. This is worsened by the child’s desire to be free; to have their own space; to be their own person. But… tough as it is, it is necessary for parents to let go. That’s why I steer clear of my children’s Myspace and Facebook accounts. Yes, I read their blogger blogs (well, Isaac blogs some), but they told me about those. The other ones are where they “hang” with their friends. And I respect their privacy. Sure, these are “public” places where anyone can go… but to me it would be like reading their diary or journal if they left it out in their room. Or tagging along every time they went out with friends. I “could” go there, but it would be a violation of their trust; an invasion of their space. (Note that my kids are older. I may feel different with toddlers). It’s somewhat the same with me. For instance, my mom has asked me several times what my blog address is. I have always avoided telling her – not because there is anything necessarily terrible here, but, you know… this is where I hang out with my friends. And as a pastor I don’t have a lot of friends, so it’s a special place for me, and I’d just as soon not have my parents knowing everything that’s in my head. Anyway… I say all that to talk about this…

I had this lady come in the other day all upset about her kids. And I use the term “kids” loosely, because they are at least as old as I am – they are both very much adults. But she was all distraught because both kids’ marriages seem to be falling apart, and both of them went on a trip with their spouse to try to work things out. Hey… that sounded like a GREAT idea to me. But this lady was unnerved because her daughters talk to her on the phone EVERY DAY… and this week they wouldn’t talk to her. In fact, one of them hung up on her! She carried on for some time about how rotten her sons-in-law were; how she had suggested to her daughters that they both just needed to move in with her and everything would be okay; and on and on and on. What’s funny is… this lady would tell you that she is one of THE NICEST Christian ladies in the world. And, in fact, she has told me as much. :) And it’s not that she can’t be nice, but… hmm… she fails to understand the “leave and cleave” part of marriage. She would rather her daughters be with her than have healthy families themselves. And the sad part is… I see this all the time.

What is it with parents anyway? They either seem to want nothing to do with their kids, or they want their kids to be their best friends. In case you don’t know: friends are friends, and parents are to be parents. I don’t believe in intermingling. Not that parents can’t be friendly, and friends can’t offer parental advice sometimes, but boundaries are vital here. You know that saying, “We’re not losing a son/daughter, we’re gaining another family member”? I think that is THE WORST saying in the world for the welfare of the new family “trying” to form. The truth is… when your child gets married (and even if they don’t), you ARE losing them. In fact, THAT is the whole point of parenting – to prepare them to GO, to be on their own, to separate. We’re not supposed to raise our kids to be good children, we’re supposed to be raising them to be good adults. And perhaps the reason why so many adults seem so immature is because they’ve never been allowed to grow up by their parents.

Okay… sorry for the rant. I couldn’t say this to the lady who came into the office. So I said it to you. Flying away now...

Pray for rain - cornerstone memories

This morning I was praying for rain (again) - you know, not just LOOKING LIKE it's going to rain, but actually giving us some - and my thoughts turned to the band by the same name. I remember the first time I ever heard PFR was at a Cornerstone Festival some number of years ago. Ahhh, the memories. Actually, son Isaac is spending the week at C-stone this week. I've never done a whole week, but we used to really like attending. C-stone is a Christian music festival put on by the Jesus People every summer for... a long time. They own this huge farm near Bushnell, IL and every year around fourth of July or so they bring in hundreds of bands, speakers, and artists from all over the world. You can hear big name acts, new bands, one year we listened to an amateur drummer bang his trap set all night long next to our tent.

At any rate, I miss going to cornerstone. I miss hanging around the Jesus People. They were missional before it was a cool Christian buzz-word. I miss my son. Hope he and everyone is having a nice time. I also wish like heck it would rain.

D-day

Okay, I admit that I really look forward to draft day in the NBA. I would even be an avid fan of the season if they would shorten it. Say 54 games or so. At any rate, here are my thoughts on tonight's NBA draft.

Call me crazy, but I WOULD NOT draft either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. They have all kinds of talent and potential - but how many draft busts haven't? If I held one of the top two picks, I would trade it for sure. Get me some veterans, and maybe a 4-11 pick, and I would be h.a.p.p.y. The thing with Oden is... I don't think he's really ever had to work too hard. And while he seems like a super kid, I have questions about his work ethic, as well as his proneness to injury. My prediction is: he will be an okay player off and on between injuries, but never great. As for Durant, I suspect he will start out playing like an all-star, but will either be done in by a serious injury (have you heard of Shaun Livingston?), or will simply fall by the wayside. I say in four years no one will be talking about him.

Who would I take? I would take Corey Brewer as early as #4. He would be my top pick. I would take Mike Conley Jr., depending on the rest of my team (not on a young team). I would probably take Al Horford as well.

So there ya have it folks. Anticipation is building.

Jane's surgery

Jane is home and lazing on the couch after having bunion surgery this morning. They lopped off the bone sticking out between her big toe and foot, then screwed the sucker together straight. The hardest part now is supposed to be staying on the couch for a week - only getting up no more than 5 minutes once an hour. And I'm glad she will have a month off of work (at least), but that 'no paycheck' part is going to suck. Bogey does not like the sound the crutches make when she hobbles to the bathroom either.

Temporary like achilles

From the wiki site:
"Temporary Like Achilles" is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan for his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde. The song was originally recorded in a much shorter length with The Band in New York in 1965 under the title "Medicine Sunday". That take was deemed unsatisfactory and shelved. Dylan added to the song and rerecorded it in Nashville, Tennessee in 1966.

Hello in there...

A great song by John Prine. Prime Prine.

I'm still here. Thanks for the concern/speculation. Not meaning to be coy. Someday maybe I'll explain. Peace.

JATS footage from Perryfest

Both Sides of the Line (first song)
Shotgun Blues
My Heart Still Stands With You
Absolutely Sweet Marie
Absolutely Sweet Marie (full - w/Bruce Hilton)
Broken Whiskey Glass
White Lies

thanks http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=BirminghamSteve

In case you're wondering

We are home again. I think it's best if I just don't say anything to anybody about anything though. Not that things are bad or anything; it's just... you know... it's probably just better this way.

Peace out. Peace in.

Happy birthday, Carrie Jade

Today is our lovely daughter's 22nd. Man... I cannot believe she is a college graduate, all grown up, and all that. Here are a few pics I've always enjoyed over the years. Happy birthday, sweetie!!!Always had a thing for hats; and still sits like this on the couch. :)

The first day of school; in the backyard in Buda. Always liked going to school.

I always liked this whole set of pics from Mautino State Park.

That would be Aunt M.E.'s cow (on the left). What else can you say... ;)

Where else could you have experienced being a cheerleader - having never done it before in your life?

There were hundreds more I could have included. Happy 22nd.

More nashville pics

Sorry, but I wanted to keep this link for safekeeping. Some excellent pics from another Canadian friend (Graham). This is the pic he took of me and the lovely lady at the farm.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=8gjdnlc.174882aw&Uy=-x3xm52&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=1&UV=539814748520_51035518312

The morning project

I think I might actually be on vacation... not real sure. Kinda one of those things. Anyway, I've been trying to get this flyer worked out for the JR show coming up in July. Here's what I've got so far.

A Sunny day...

I breathed a big sigh of relief last night after finally talking to Sunny Taylor in person. I had been worried she was going to back out of opening for Jason Ringenberg on July 27 - because, you know, I'm paranoid... plus she hadn't returned any messages lately. I actually went to open mic last month but left without talking to her 'cause I'm a big chicken. I thought I was gonna lose my nerve again last night, but I finally talked to her (even though I'm such an idiot that I forgot to tell her how awesome she just sang/played). Anyway... she said it was a go last night when I showed her the Jason posters. Man am I looking forward to this. Like having Jason won't be cool enough, but Sunny is fantastic too. I've seen her do this new song she has twice now ("You Never Bleed" or something) and it is phenomenal - as is everything she does.

'Sunshine... on my shoulders... makes me happy...'

Jason & Scorchers / Baggs benefit pics

Some great pics from our weekend in Nashville can be found HERE (These were taken by Bratten Thomason).

Darrell Reimer... YOU SHOULDA BEEN THERE!!!

Pics for my 'reckless country soup' friends

Here are a few random pics from the weekend. Sorry about the poor quality. I can't believe the one's from inside the Exit/In even turned out at all. Click on the pic to enlarge it. Thanks for a great weekend everybody!

Farmer Jason at the Fairview Library.

Milling about at the Ringenberg farm (before the rain & hail). I wish I had a pic of everybody crammed in the house.

Bruce & Vickie Hilton talking with Jason in front of his house.

The line along Elliston before the JATS show.

The rest of the line, around the corner and up the street. The lovely lady Jane was supposed to be in this, but the guy walking up the street is right in front of her (you can just make her out in the black shirt to the left of his face)

The Exit/In sign.

Perry Baggs himself, singing "Revive Us Again."

Jason and Warner are barely visible (from the balcony).

Warner & Kenny - probably 2:30 am - and a dirty Exit/In floor. Two great guys (but you never see them dressed like this on stage!).

Jason & the Scorchers concert / Perry Baggs benefit

Oh man am I tired. But was it ever a nice weekend (Warning: long post). Lady Jane and I drove to Nashville, TN, and other than mapquest missing one key line in the directions, it was an exceptional weekend.

Things started off Friday evening with a meeting of Reckless Country Soup members at the Gold Rush on Elliston. I’m sure I will forget a name or two, so lets just say it was great to meet and re-meet faces that belong to email addresses. And little did we know we would find Ken Fox and Andy York sitting at the bar too (former JATS members). Andy took quite a ribbing over the next two nights for leaving JATS to join John Mellencamp.

After the ‘soup’ reunion, we headed over to the Exit/In. Friday was a benefit show for Perry Baggs, who is courageously fighting diabetes, kidney failure and is on dialysis 3 days a week. Perry is the original Scorcher's drummer, harmony singer and songwriter of some of the band's biggest songs. His courage in the face of his illness is a great inspiration to many in the Nashville music community, as well as other diabetes and dialysis patients. All proceeds from both shows will help relieve his medical expenses. Tonight kicked off with Back Porch Mary – an incredible band who, from what I heard, drove 800 miles to play this gig for FREE, and then couldn’t even stick around to hear Jason & the Scorchers the next night. How cool is that? Next up Chelle Rose tore the place up, backed up by none other than Warner E. Hodges, Kenny Ames, and Fenner Castner. Following her was one of the big highlights of the night for me – Tommy Womack was simply awesome. Whenever I’ve seen him he always reacts like he’s my long, lost friend. Tonight was no different when he gave me a big hug and said, “PREACHER DAN!!!” After that we were blessed with a few numbers by Mr. Baggs himself. Backed by a band of bluegrass pickers he did some John Denver and a medley of gospel hymns. Totally, totally cool. Stacie Collins then took over, and like she isn’t beautiful enough, and a good enough singer, and talented harpist, and can move her body in ways that I shouldn’t a’ been seein’…. she was backed by an all-star band of Warner, Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites), Billy Block, Ken McMahan, and there coulda been more – I can’t remember. Then… right around midnight The Bottle Rockets took the stage. I really wished I hadn’t just driven 6+ hours and stood leaning on a pole in the smoke-filled Exit/In for 5 more… but after a couple of songs we had to get some rest. Sorry BR. It was nothing personal.

After a few hours sleep we started Saturday off picking up fellow ‘soup-er’ (and originator of the soup) Bill Reiser and headed for the Fairview, TN library to see a Farmer Jason show. There were likely more adults than children at this show, but it was everything I expected and more. Then we followed the farmer himself to his actual farm for a picnic and good ole’ Tennessee guitar pull. I didn’t bring my guitar ‘cause Isaac needed it to lead worship in my absence, and am I ever glad. Once again I was reminded that I am not a player. My goodness. And I can’t believe the hospitality/generosity of Jason and his wife Suzie. They invited all the people from the RC Soup (JATS fan email list), plus some others, and reports were that 127 RSVP’d. I had a great time distributing name tags (until they ran out), and meeting people literally from all over the world. There were people here for this weekend from Canada, Scotland, UK, Hong Kong, and all over the USA. The party wasn’t even dampened in the least by the torrential downpour and hailstorm that erupted, or the power outage caused by the downed tree next door. And how many rock stars invite you to their house (other than Tommy Womack)?!?!

After a great time at the Ringenberg’s we finally made it out of the mud horse pasture/parking lot; and we were lucky enough to make it around the downed tree (my apologies for driving through the neighbors yard); and then we drove through some of the hardest rain I’ve driven in in awhile as we came back into Nashville. But we survived, got a little nap, and headed to the Exit/In for the main show – Jason & the Scorchers (Or, Jason & the Nashville Scorchers, as I’m still fond of sayin’)!!!

We wanted to get there early, but as we walked down Elliston from the hotel we saw this loooong line of people. It came down to the corner and halfway up the next street waiting to get in. Seemed like we stood in line forever, but we finally got inside. Tickets for this show were $25, but a guy in front of us said someone offered him $125 for his extra ticket. It was sold out, and I think they musta let another 100 or so above capacity in too. Before Stace England and his band even took the stage to open it was wall-to-wall people. Jane and I assumed our spot by the pole towards the back, next to none other than Mr. Bonemachine himself. It wasn’t a great spot for short people, but we could see and hear. Before the night was over we made our way up to the balcony though. It wasn’t front row, but we had a great view, and the air conditioning duct was blowing right on us! Of course, I had already been drenched in sweat for hours.

I can’t even begin to describe how awesome this show was. JATS had always been known as one of THE BEST live bands in the world, and tonight – even though they haven’t played in years; even though they’re all a bit older, out of practice, out of shape, and everything else – tonight was special. I don’t know what else to say. After Mr. England finished up, Perry and his bluegrass mates came out and I literally had tears running down my cheeks as he led us in several old hymns. I mean… I bet that doesn’t happen too often at this place. It WAS a religious experience. And I can’t come close to trying to write out what it was like going from Perry on acoustic, to Perry climbing behind the drums and THE SCORCHERS taking us for the ride of our lives the rest of the night. And it didn’t seem to matter if it was just Jason, Warner, Perry and Kenny; or if it was when Fenner took over for Perry, or when Ken Fox and Andy York came out, or Warner’s mom (Blanche rocks!), or Ken McMann, or Dan Baird, or Bruce, or whoever-the-heck else ended up on stage during the night… there was a tightness to the music that had to have some divine orchestration involved.

I don’t know how long they played. I think Stace must have started around 8:30. Before I knew it it was 3 am and the bartender was kicking us out. And I wasn’t even tired! All I can say is… wow.

We slept a few hours and headed back to Indiana Sunday morning. We sang enough hymns the previous two nights, and witnessed the gospel in action enough that church wasn’t even necessary on this day. Somehow we managed to dodge any rain all the way home too. Incredible. Incredible. Incredible. May God grant Perry hope, strength, and everything he needs. Peace, blessings, and a big amen.

(pics to follow later)

Happy birthday, Isaac!

Today is my favorite son's last teenage birthday. And the first one where he isn't home (with us). We will briefly be in the same city today - he is attending a conference and we will be passing through. Otherwise... we hope you have a great one, son.

Isaac has always been one of my favorite people to be around. He's a great thinker, warm-hearted, conscientious, yet creative to the core. Below are some random photo's I pulled out last night. Happy nineteenth, bud!!!

His first 'real' guitar.

I think this might have been a birthday present. The red tradition is still sitting in his room (she missed you).

Rocking out with the big hair in his high school band. This was a great show - even when you were just tuning (and we all thought you were playing an awesome solo!).

I think this may have been first day of school your junior year of h.s.(?).

Up on the big screen in the RCA Dome in Indy - senior year.

Jammin' in the blue suit during pep band.