David Wilcox

There is nothing quite like good, live music.   And when this music happens to be  David Wilcox, and not only once, but twice in two days, things are more than good.  David performed a free, one hour show at Valencia Community College yesterday afternoon.  Tonight Heather and I have tickets for a sold-out, 75 person show in St. Augustine.  We can't wait to go.  If you are not familiar with David Wilcox you should get yourself familiar.  His music sings to my soul. You can get his stuff anywhere, but most recently at the itunes music store (shameless plug).  Anyway, his lyrics are profound, his guitar style is incredibly creative (open tunings, etc.).  If you ever get the chance to see him live drop everything and make it happen.  He is a phenomenal performer, storyteller and all around great, live act. 

As an aside, what is it about live music that is so mesmerizing and impactful?  As I sat there and listened to songs I'd heard a hundred times, or even a few new ones, it was like it tapped into something deep within me.  It's as if there are streams of emotions that have not flown in a long time and yet somehow get released and bring life and ideas and creativity.  To sit there and have an hour go by in the blink of an eye was a truly remarkable experience.  I felt life.  I felt encouraged.  Ultimately I was grateful that the stories he sings about tap into something bigger, a larger story that I get to participate in.  Connecting with THE STORY makes my soul sing.

Baby & Boone

So we are up in Boone, North Carolina enjoying the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I am sitting at this great little coffee shop and bookstore with free wifi (one of my addictions). I have no time to really write, but enjoy the pics I have posted under "North Carolina March '05". I will try and add more later this weekend. Have a happy Easter.

364 Days Until I'm 30.

So it was the Big 29 on Saturday and I was sick.  The flu is no fun.  Fever since Monday night.  103.8 sure is hot.  Anyway, now that I have effectively lobbied for birthday recognition and sympathy I will move on.  However, this evening I am finally feeling better and able to have some energy back.  The best thing has been able to play with Sydnie again.  No fun when I can't play with her in fear of giving her this vile illness. 

My apologies on the lack of blogging over the past couple of weeks.  Things have been good, despite the illness and my brother-in-law Brian's freakish snowmobiling accident.  Pray for him.  He is recovering quite well but in much pain--1 plate and 3 screws later, his leg is mending.  Long road ahead it seems.  Though I can probably run faster than him right now, but I guess that isn't very nice to say.  Oh quit thinking how horrible it was that I just said that.  Brian would think it was funny.  Just back off.  I am still claiming a fever and cold medicine which affords me a window of opportunity to say plenty of inappropriate things...gotta love being sick. 

Alright I feel better about myself now that I have blogged, though really about nothing.  But just sitting down and writing is a good habit to get into and one that I hope to return to with a greater frequency.  In the meantime enjoy these pics of Syd and I and try and forgive my stupid jokes.  I really do have more to say than just these trivial things, but I just have to sit down and write them out.  Takes a lot out of a man.  By the way, the Wounded Healer book is really, really good.  Plus it's really short.  Have a good night.  Peace. 

Escanaba & Horhays

Ah, what a day. On our final day in the Northwoods, Heather and I skied the Escanaba Lake Trail. It was about 5 miles. We were the only ones there--it truly felt remote and isolated from the world. Beautiful. Then, as if that weren't great enough, we discovered this great little coffee house in Minocqua called Horhays. Great rustic atmosphere in the vein of Caribou, plus great coffee and free wifi. I am in heaven. So we've been just chilling here--Heather reading and I uploading pics and downloading stuff b/c I can, not because I really need to. Small dork. Anyway, we head back to the land of warmth tomorrow afternoon. No more snow. Pack the x-country skis back in the closet. So sad. But the really bright side is that we get to see our little Sydnie! Heather and I can't wait. We have had a wonderful time together, but we definitely feel that "something" or better "someone" is missing. I have more "philosophical" blogs to write once I get back home as I've been doing some much needed reading up here. But that's the update for now.

Northwoods Trip

Well Heather and I are up in the great Northwoods of Wisconsin! It is amazing. So beautiful. We haven't been here in 3 years. We are staying at this great bed and breakfast where we have stayed in the past and x-country skiing! I am stinkin' sore. We skied about 8 miles today in the UP of Michigan. Anyway, there are some new pics for you to peruse. More when I get home and don't have dial-up to contend with. Heather and I are having a fabulous time, though we do miss our little girl. This is our first vacation without her...can't wait to see her on Friday!

Be Nice.

Matt. 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Though in many ways our high school event last night was fantastic, I hated looking around the room and seeing students with no one talking to them. Our students (though I know I would probably be guilty as well) are so self-absorbed that they fail to see the needs of others. I fear we are a very un-welcoming group. New people feel ostrasized. That sucks.

Generations

4 We will not hide them from their children;
     we will tell the next generation
     the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD ,
     his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
     and established the law in Israel,
     which he commanded our forefathers
     to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
     even the children yet to be born,
     and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
     and would not forget his deeds
     but would keep his commands.
                Psalm 78

So my grandpa Brink is in town visiting, which is Sydnie's great-Grandpa.  He sat with her at the lake this morning (see pic below) and just waxed eloquent about what a gift from God she is, and how he wishes she could talk so that he could tell her about Jesus.  Amazing.  This is what the Psalmist longed for, people that would speak the truth into the next generation.  The Psalmist, reflecting God's own desire, longs for this lineage of faith.  I was reminded this morning of the long lineage of faith Heather and I come from, and of which we pray Sydnie will be a part.  Her life won't be blissful or perfect, but Heather and I pray (everyday) that she knows Jesus.  Even if my grandpa never lives to hear her speak words of love and devotion to Jesus, I hope he knows that he was an integral part.