REST

"May the presence of the Lord go with you, and he will give you rest."

-from Acappella's album Find Your Way

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

MAGIC MUSIC TIME

My bride showed me this video last night and I had to share it with blog-world!



You're welcome.
Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

I WONDER...

Your thoughts?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

EVERYBODY HURTS

I heard this great song today and it brought me to reality. No matter what we go through, there is hope. No one is immune to the adverse situations that arise in this journey called life. Everybody hurts some time. What makes the difference is how we handle the pain.



Don't give up. There is hope.

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

I WANTED TO PUNCH A KID IN THE FACE

(Disclaimer: I DID NOT punch anyone in the face...or anywhere else.)

We were standing in the check-out line at the grocery store today and quite possibly the single most rude child I've ever seen was standing in front of us with his mother. This little boy, maybe age 12 or so, had short blond hair, iPod earbuds in one ear, and an attrocious attitude. The entire time we were in line behind them, he was yelling (literally yelling) at his mom about how stupid she was - how she wasn't using the self-check-out machine correctly, how she was so slow, how she didn't sign her name on the credit card reader. I stared the kid down the entire time, but he never looked at me. I soooo wanted to walk up to him, punch him in the mouth, and say, "Do you know who this woman is? She's the woman who brought you into this world, provided food, clothing, and shelter for you, gave you all kinds of nice things, like that iPod you have jammed in your head like a fool, and this is how you repay her? I ought to beat some Jesus into you myself, but I'll let her do that for me. You had best learn some respect, and quickly, before you mess around and get yourself killed!"

But I didn't.

Steph wouldn't let me. She loves me too much to see me go to jail for beating up a child. If she hadn't been standing between him and me, though, things just might have been different...

And what was worse, the mom just stood there and took it! I wanted to tell her to beat her child! That's the problem with parents these days: they are so afraid of getting in trouble, and the government is so deep into the parents' business, that parents have lost their backbones. Stephanie was about to go Madea on both the mom and the kid: "You wanna call CPS? I'll call 'em myself!" I really wish she would have... it would've been awesome!

The moral of the story is three-fold:

1. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph. 6:1

2. "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Prov. 22:6

3. "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." Prov. 13:24 (or, in the paraphrase of "Pops" from Tyler Perry's House of Payne, "Get the rod, whoop the child!")

Seen any kids acting a fool lately?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

FAITH LIKE A CHILD

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

FIRE!!!

There was an enormous fire in our apartment tonight!
We were making dinner and some of the marshmallows from the sweet potato casserole bubbled over and landed on the floor of the oven. Then they caught on fire. It was crazy! There was smoke all over the place. I couldn't even see the casserole dish for all the smoke.

Instinctively, I panicked. I didn't know what to do, so I did the only logical thing I could think of.

I blew it out.

Turns out it wasn't a big fire at all.
There was hardly even any smoke.

But my family thinks I'm all brave now. Totally worth it!





Had you going for a second, didn't I?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

GETTING THE ITCH

I'm so eager to get back on stage, I just don't think I can stand it! I'm also getting excited about the upcoming drum corps season, even though I won't get to see any live shows because of the touring schedule. I'm hoping to get a gig somewhere writing/teaching for a high school drum line in the upcoming season. If anyone knows of an OKC area line that needs some assistance, throw in a good word for me, and then let me know so I can pursue it, would ya?

Back to my original statement - getting back on stage. We have less than one month until our first full concert since November! For those of you who aren't counting, that's more than four months!! I can't put into words my level of excitement for the possibilities of what is ahead. We are working on new music, new "old" music, new not-quite-so-"old" music, and of course, some "old" music (gotta keep it all fresh). Some of you who are facebook fans of Acappella, or friends of mine, have seen some rehearsal videos of a few "old" tunes we are freshening up. That's not really even the tip of the iceberg. We are working on some major upgrades that will take our shows to the "next level" and beyond!

Hope to see some of you readers soon at a concert near you. If you find out we're going to be where you are, drop us a line and let us know. We could always use the encouragement!

In the meantime, we prepare for the Tulsa Workshop on March 27.

Hang on tight... it's gonna be a great trip!!

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

HOOKS & VERSES

I was thinking about pop music today. I'm not really sure why. I'm not a huge pop music fan. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of pop artists I enjoy, but I don't necessarily follow the music like some folks might. Now, as I say that, give me a good Michael Jackson, Prince, Boyz II Men, or Mariah Carey tune, and I'm a pretty happy dude!

Anyway, I was thinking about pop music today - particularly about what pop music has come to; catchy hooks sung by people who probably have a good deal of talent but are auto-tuned all to pieces (another topic for another day) can only go so far. That's the part most people listen to...but I know fans of good music, like you, want more than just a catchy hook and some auto-tune.

Let's talk about the verses. It used to be that the verses to songs mattered almost more than the choruses.
Take My Girl for example. Most people know the verses to that song because David Ruffin put such thought and care into crafting each line to a memorable moment. The chorus is memorable in itself, but those verses are where it's at!

Nowadays, it's all about the hook. For instance, I Got A Feelin' by the Black-Eyed Peas. If you know the words to the verses of that tune, I commend you. I am willing to bet, though, that most of America doesn't have a clue. It's all about the hook. "I got a feelin' (woo hoo) that tonight's gonna be a good night..." People know that. Who needs a verse when you've got a hook like that?

Today's pop stars, in my opinion, really need a refresher course (or maybe a beginner course) in the art of singing great verses. I'm of the school of thought that verses are the gateway to the hook. If you only had the opportunity to sing the verses, but not the hook, could you still carry the song? People tend to do their most flashy work during the hook, especially once those pesky verses are done. I find it more impressive if a singer kills a verse...and then kills the hook!

And so I make my appeal to all aspiring pop musicians and songwriters:

BRING BACK THE GREAT VERSES!

It would make life, and music, so much more meaningful.

I'm just sayin'!

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate...and great verses

SHAPE

Recently I heard Chip Ingram talking about ways to get involved in ministry and use the talents God has given us. He called it our SHAPE. Puzzle pieces have all different shapes, but they fit together in a specific way to form a big picture and complete the puzzle. Figuring out our SHAPE is one good way to find out where we fit into the puzzle we call ministry. Of course, SHAPE is an acronym. It helps us to better understand how we can get involved in God's work.

S - Spritual gifts (Do I have the gift of counseling, benevolence, organization, etc.?)
H - Heart/Passion (Do I have a passionate heart to serve those whom I'm called to serve?)
A - Abilities (What am I able to do well?)
P - Personality (How can my personality be used to help people see Jesus?)
E - Experience (How can I put my spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, and personality to work and gain ministry experience?)

 So, what's your SHAPE?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

I'M AMAZED

Regardless of what I'm going through, regardless of my circumstances, regardless of my poor choices or lack of discipline, I can't help but be amazed at what Jesus went through for me. It puts my petty problems into perspective. It paints the perfect picture of perseverance. Knowing the sacrifice Jesus made for me, I have no choice but to be amazed.



Lord, I'm amazed by you - how you love me!

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

AND I QUOTE...

"My partner married me because she or he thought the pleasing things I was doing during our courtship would continue for the rest of our lives. Am I holding up my end of this bargain?"

- Willard F. Harley, Jr.

from His Needs Her Needs

 

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

BE STILL

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

I GIVE UP

Considering everything that has happened over the past few weeks, I find it only appropriate to declare that I'm surrendering every aspect of my life to the One who gave me this life in the first place. I will accept whatever God places in my life, whether I like it or not. He is so much bigger than any trial or sorrow I might face. I want my life to bring glory to his name.

So, Lord, bring the rain if that's your will. You are holy.



God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

SORROW FOR THE NIGHT, JOY FOR THE MORNING

I eagerly await the Day when there is no more sorrow. How wonderful it will be when the only tears we cry are tears of joy and awe at the sight of the Holy One!

Unfortunately, that Day hasn't come, yet. It will come soon enough (very soon), but until it comes, we must endure all of the pain, hardship, and brokenness this world has to offer.

There are some, though, who are already experiencing life face-to-face with the Father. One of the most recent is baby Lorna Ganeath Galatian.

Our sweet friends, Scott and Nanci Galatian, have been foster and adoptive parents for quite a while, but never had a child themselves. On Tuesday, February 23, that changed. Lorna was born weighing 2 lbs 11 oz, and was 16 inches long. She was relatively healthy for her age and size and was doing really well. Wednesday afternoon Lorna started having trouble. In a very short amount of time, she was gone. I don't know why God took her to be with Him so soon, but I do know that He is sovereign and faithful.

We have a great opportunity to show our love, support, and faithfulness to God's word by praying for the Galatian family. If you know them, I'm sure you've already been praying and contacting them. If you don't know them, I implore you to lift them up in prayer. This is a grief with which I'm not familiar, but I do know how much a family of believers can encourage a brother or sister in mourning.

"...weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Ps. 30:5 

Shalom

A MODERN MUSICAL MASTERPIECE

This one is for musicians, especially musicians who have studied music and understand terms like "beat displacement" and "a bar of nineteen" and fusion/progressive rock.

This tune, I'm Tweaked, was written as kind of a joke. Vinnie was listening to a James Brown record and thought, "I wonder what would happen if this record were playing at a club and skipped. It would be hilarious to see people trying to dance to it." So, he wrote the tune.

This is not for the faint of heart. I will say, though, that this tune is one of the reasons Vinnie Colaiuta is one of my favorite drummers ever.

Enjoy!



You're welcome.

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

UPDATE - 2.22.10

I know I said I wasn't going to post any more updates for a while, but this one is too good to pass up:

4:00 PM... Glory be to God for even more great news from the Bynum camp! DEBBIE IS GOING HOME TONIGHT!! She got herself up at 6:30 this morning, took a shower, and put her makeup on! Later, John got her walking the halls several times. One of the doctors stopped them in the hall and said that he wouldn’t have bet a nickel that she would be doing this great! Since John is a paramedic, the doctor said he is going to check out an IV pump and the meds she needs and send them home!!! They did make her promise not to go back to work this week and maybe next week. She will not need to go to the Rehab Center since she is doing so well and they can do any physical therapy she might need at home. Two of her doctors were off today but came in to tell her goodbye.

So, they are sending up a soft food tray and if she can get it all down without any trouble, they will be going home. John wanted me to pass along that he wants to have one big “Welcome Home” bash and invite everyone instead of several groups planning several different events…he doesn’t want to wear her out! Be looking for more info on that soon! John said Debbie would love to have visitors, but please call first to make sure she isn’t resting.

If that isn't an incredible example of the power of prayer, then I'm not bald!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

PERFECT TIME

Quick update on Debbie: She is now in her own room and wants to go home. There is the possibility of her spending about a week in nearby Jim Thorpe Rehab Center to get some of her motor skills working a bit better before she heads home, but the fact of the matter is that she is making unbelievable progress! We praise God for his might, compassion, and faithfulness!!

It's Sunday morning as I type this. A perfect time to worship. Then again, it's always a perfect time to worship!



What are you thankful for today?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

UPDATE - 2.19.10

Here's the latest update on our dear sister, Debbie:

I just got off the phone with John. He told me that she has been awake and talking some today. She told John and the kids that she loved them. She told the nurse that she was ready to go home! She is having a little trouble with fine motor skills, but this is the be expected.



The therapist had been there and when I talked to John, Debbie was sitting up in a chair and talking! Ok, people. Let's stop for a second and let this sink in....Less than five days ago, we were just praying she would make it through the next hour. NOW, she is awake, sitting up in a chair and eating ice chips! What an AWESOME God we serve! Praise you God for your healing thus far of our precious sister, Debbie!!!

Now, here are some intructions from John and the doctors. She can still have visitors this weekend, but here is the thing. She still needs LOTS of rest to continue healing like she has the past few days. SO, the doctors said they HAVE to limit the number of people in the ICU to 2 at a time. AND NO SICK PEOPLE, PLEASE!!! If you are sick, you will NOT be allowed to see her! This is for HER protection as her system is still so fragile. Thank you for your understanding! Also, if there are too many people for everyone to be able to see her, PLEASE UNDERSTAND and not get your fellings hurt. It is nothing personal. Debbie stills needs to get her rest. We expect the weekend to be busy with visitors who can't come during the week, so if you CAN come during the week, that might be better.


So there ya go! I hope to keep giving these great updates!!!


God bless,
Delisa

How awesome is our God?! And how awesome is it that in a matter of just a few days, over 1,500 people have come together on facebook, not to mention the thousands of others who are not on facebook, to pray for this child of God?!

Let's continue to pray for Debbie and the Bynum family. It's certainly not over, but there is so much for which we can praise our compassionate Father.

In the meantime, I'll start getting back to other topics on this blog. I have a lot of thoughts I'd like to share here. Hopefully, I'll be able to make some sense of them and share them in a manner that readers will be compelled to discuss. Although I'm not really a writer, I appreciate feedback just like most any writer would.

Isn't God amazing?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

UPDATE - 2.18.10

This is the latest update from Delisa:

4 PM... John just called and they were able to take the tubes out! They did make her promise not to try and use her voice or talk for 2 hours. I can only imagine how hard that is going to be for her!!

She is wiggling her toes and moving her hands when they ask her to. She is still a little slow to respond, like she's sleepy, but she is responding. John said she even seems to recognize people she hasn't seen in a while, so this is good. He said she is very emotional and cries pretty easily right now.

The Neurologist said it may be a while before they can tell if there are any neurological deficits but they are optimistic that there may not be any. She is recovering faster than they could have even imagined she would have.

Tyler went to the doctor and they said his feeling bad was probably due to stress. Please keep Tyler, Audrie and Shellie in your prayers. It cannot be easy watching your Mom suffer like that.

I am just hopeful that she will be able to talk to them soon! Keep the prayer coming, Prayer Warriors. She's not out of the woods yet, but the trees are getting thinner! :-)

And this is from Amy Hilterbran Bell, a friend of John and Debbie:

I just got off the phone with John. He said she has been talking some, and responding well. She is wanting a vanilla diet Dr.Pepper, lol, but she can't have one just yet!~ She is still very weak and tired, but at least we are getting good news, and moving forward! Thank you Jesus!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Keep praying!!!

Shalom