Thoughts
Monday, February 18, 2008 
Passion D/FW 2008
Two blog posts in 1 month...what's the world coming to? Well, I just had to post about the Passion conference I attended on Friday and Saturday this past weekend (the 15th and 16th). The event was comprised of 4 sessions, each complete with live Christian music from contemporary artists and a talk by a dynamic speaker. Chris Tomlin, one of my favorite Christian recording artists performed there a number of times, as did Kristian Stanfill and the David Crowder Band. The music was uplifting and inspiring. The talks by Louie Giglio and Francis Chan were full of truth and spirit. The whole experience refreshed me spiritually, and I truly felt that the Holy Spirit was present.

At the conference we were asked to pray for the students at Northern Illinois University and Union University, each having recently experienced disasters on their campuses. As part of a relief effort for the latter, the conference attendees were asked on Friday night if they would be willing to give of the clothes they'd brought to the conference so that students who'd lost most every material possession would have clothes to wear. The response was instant and the next morning volunteers at the Passion conference filled a 26' truck with bags of clothes donated to the cause (including 2 shirts and a pair of jeans that I happily contributed). It felt good to see the students respond in such a way.

A few things I took away from Passion '08:

1. Worshiping God involves more than just singing songs. Giving generously and unselfishly to those in need is an act of worship that God loves.
2. The best way most of us will ever spread God's fame and enlarge his kingdom is by living a life that models Christ's (something I have not been doing, but which I am changing)
3. God wants to send us the Holy Spirit...we just need to ask and be willing to accept Him.

That's it for now!

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 
Lately

Wow, time has flown since my last post. Here's what's going on with me:

I recently fractured my radial head (elbow/arm) while playing with Colin at home. I was carrying him and playing this game where Kristen is supposed to chase us around while I run (really more of a light jog) with Colin. Bad idea, I know. We'd played this game many times before with no problems, but this time, I tripped over Dali (our Cocker Spaniel) while turning a corner and badly hurt my right arm. Colin was fine, mostly due to the fact that I broke our fall with my arm. I'm recovering from the injury and am gaining use of the arm for more things with each passing day. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to play guitar again very soon.

Over the holidays I got a number of guitar pedals and a new guitar. The guitar is a Fender Nashville Telecaster. It caught my eye because of its unique colors and because it has a middle pickup. Classic Telecasters don't have a middle pickup, and this Tele does, so I tried it out and the thing sounded great to me, so I picked it up (rather cheaply, I might add). It was made in Mexico, but the workmanship is great and it sounds awesome. I compared it to Teles made in the U.S. and honestly couldn't tell a difference, so why should I pay more for an American Tele if I can't tell the difference between that one and the Mexican one?

In my ear lately:

Radiohead
Ingrid Michaelson
Hillsong United
Owen (the Mike Kinsella project, not the other band)

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I'm glad that you're feeling better. I love you!

G&L (Guitars by Leo Fender) released an ASAT III which also featured a middle pickup - in fact all three p/u's were "Strat style single coils"

FYI - G&L - Leo's final company, ASAT = Leo's last interpretation of the Tele

nice to see the present day company called Fender put out this new Mexican Tele - nice guitar - now go play! :-)

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