The Right Reverend Bono

I just read the text of Bono's address to the attenders of Thursdays National Prayer Breakfast. Kind of a mind blower huh? The Rock Star Addressing the President of the United States, members of Congress, and other Heads of State, including, Jordan's King Abdulah.
Bono, who has been guilty of tippling a pint too many of Stout, and who has been chastised for dropping the "F" Bomb on TV; had the preach on him. He, of course, was exhorting those in attendance to do more to help Africa. I love watching God use those with willing hearts. Not just those with Degrees of Divinity, or Bible School Diplomas. Not just singers from "Christian" bands.
He spent much of the message talking about helping "The Least of These" meaning the poor, the sick, the forgotten. He was vintage Bono, bold and cheeky; an icon of "Counter Culture" quoting scripture to our "Evangelical" President.
I was blessed by reading the whole thing, but what really ministered to me was this quote:

A number of years ago I met a wise man who changed my life.
In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lords Blessing. I was saying you know, I have a new song, look after it... I have a family, please look after them... I have this crazy idea...

And this wise man said stop.

He said stop asking God to bless what you are doing.

Get involved with what God is doing because it's already blessed.

I've heard that message in different form, but it was a good reminder. It seems we are always letting God know what good things we are doing for Him, and would He please join us, instead of asking "Lord what are you doing, and may I join you?"
To read the full text, click HERE

Sarah Kelly at Saturday Night Life

If you haven't discovered Sarah Kelly, you need to. She is a wonderful Christian singer songwriter. We had the priviledge of having her as musical guest at January's Saturday Night Life. She is commonly described as sounding like a cross between Janis Joplin and Alanis Morrisette, or Dolores O'Reardon. Personally, I think this does Sarah a dis-service. She sounds like Sarah Kelly, and they will be comparing future artists to her. Once you hear her voice you will recognize it the next time. She is Spirit Filled and honest. There is not one false sound to come out of her. Visit her site, and listen to samples. She is currently working on a new album. You can help her out by pre-purchasing it from her site. You will be hearing from her soon.

There's no Congress in Baseball

Is it just me or does it seem just a bit out of proportion to be spending congressional time holding hearings about steroids in baseball. We've got problems in this country that impact more people, such as healthcare, the rising number of homeless, security issues, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I'm disturbed by the apparent trend of performance enhancement drug use in all sports. I just think that Congress has better ways to spend it's time and our money.
I've heard people cry out for asterisks on homerun records held by McGuire and Bonds because of their alleged roid use. OK, let's take it further and deeper. Let's put an asterisk next to Gaylord Perry's win total because of the spitball he threw. (OK ,it was really a vaseline ball) Let's face it, cheating has been a part of baseball since forever. All of a sudden steroid use, howeve,r has become the boogeyman on, well, steroids.

What's with February?

How can it be March already? I've never understood why February only has 28 days. (I know, I know, 29 on leap year) Every other month has 30 or 31. It just makes no sense t me. If I were king, we'd take a day from January and one from March. They both have 31. We'd donate them to February, which would then have 30 (I know, I know, 31 on leap year) Makes sense to me.

Where Have I Been?

OK, so it's months between posts. I look at the link to this page every day and intend to post something, but I always feel like I don't have it together enough to write. I want to have all of my thoughts organized and perfect before I log in. That's dumb, I know.
It's not like I'm not busier than a one-armed paper hanger though. We've got rehearsals going for our big Easter production, as well as rehearsals for this month's Saturday Night Life (Feb 26 for anyone in the neighborhood.)
On the 14th (Valentines Day) we performed at the Union Gospel Mission's Womens shelter for an hour of comedy and music. It was a blessed time for us.

Winds

We had a bit of a windstorm last night. Instead of going to work today, I spent the day buying 3-tab shingles and replacing a bunch that got blown off by the wind. Just over a year ago we had a similar storm which blew significantly more shingles off. That was Thursday the 4th of December, 2003. I was up on the roof covering it in a plastic tarp, in the dark as the wind howled, and the rain came down. Not much fun. It was also the night before I had to fly to Phoenix to be with my dad, as he was dying. Todays little task up on the roof brought back the memories.
I was able to be with him as he took his last breath on the 6th of December.

I'm Baaack

OK, so I've been a slacker about this thing. In June I was formulating some words about my dad for Father's Day. For some reason, I was unable to get it right in my own head so I kept procrastinating. So here we are some five months later, and this space remains empty. I've passed his October 16 birthday, and now we are headed into the holiday season.
I can shout a big Praise God! to have the election over. I was getting more shell-shocked and cynical the longer the campaigns went on. Now those in government can govern once again, and the rest of us can get on with our lives. It's a little distressing, however to hear the stategizing for the '08 campaign already.
The other thing that caught my attention was the increased number of hits to the Canadian Imigration website. That seems so pathetic to me. Some people are so distressed that the President was re-elected that they want to leave the country. No one's going to stop them of course, but it's sad. It's like they're saying "All is lost." Look people, we're only talking about four years here. By 2008 it adds up to about 1.7% of the years since the Declaration of Independence. If all the consevatives had jumped ship after Clinton's re-election, "W" never would have been elected. If you want to leave, go. Canada's nice. Don't you think it's better to stay, and gather your forces, pick a better candidate, and give it another go in '08?