After my last post I thought it would be appropriate to retell the story of my conversion from atheism to faith.
I love to sing. My mother sang to me when I was a little crawler back in Kentucky. I sang nursery rhymes in kindergarten on the swings. I sang along with the radio when Michael Jackson was part of the Jackson Five. When I was ten, I sang Englebert Humperdinck songs in the basement to a broomstick microphone. When no one was around.
When I was in college at Western Washington University I decided to get serious about music. I had been a starving art student for a time, but my minimalist professors, who alternately painted brown Xs across white canvases and white Xs across brown canvases didn’t inspire me much. So I switched to studying music, about which I knew next to nothing, but thought was really cool.
Despite my thorough lack of musical knowledge and skill, I somehow got admitted into the music department and became a jazz studies major. Music gave me purpose, direction and drive. After a couple of years I learned to play guitar and sing well enough to join a dance band and play in night clubs. I sang Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, and top-forty tunes. I also sang Handel’s Messiah in the university choir.
The choir director was a cute, young graduate assistant named Arden Steves, who called herself a Christian. I sang at her from the back of the bass section. I was an atheist, an unbeliever. I agreed with Karl Marx, who said that religion was an opiate for the masses. I thought Christians were weak-minded people who used religion as an intoxicating crutch. I didn’t like their songs much, either. I’d rather sing the blues than Amazing Grace. I didn’t really know what grace was anyway.
One day, when I was feeling like a miserable existentialist, I asked Arden about her religious beliefs. She told me about her faith in God and her desire to live a life of purity. Her sincerity stunned me. We had music in common, yet we were worlds apart.
I started to consider the possibility that God might really exist. It was exciting. Yet, if He had been paying attention to my immoral behavior during the past decade, I was in serious trouble. I decided to stop partying, just in case, which cost me most of my friends.
I prayed one night for God to give me the desire to seek Him if He was really out there. I’m glad my roommates weren't listening, because I felt like an idiot, talking to the ceiling. Yet soon I was reading books by C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell and R.C. Sproul, which Arden recommended. I bought a Bible, and we read through the Book of John together. I went to church with her to “check things out.” I didn’t like the music much.
The more I read the Bible, the more convicted I felt about the sins of my youth. The idea of forgiveness in Christ sounded appealing. Still, I resisted conversion, because I wasn’t sure whether I was more attracted to Christ the Messiah or to His pretty little gospel messenger, Arden. We had been seeing a lot of each other as performers in the university’s production of Music Man, and had grown close enough to talk about hypothetical marriage, as if it was a thing apart from us that could be viewed objectively. I admired her sincerity of conviction, which included her refusal to marry a non-Christian. Since I was one of those, I gazed across a chasm, it seemed.
As things worked out, Arden flew out of town in August to take a teaching job, and I joined an international dance band (we played in Canada, just across the border, big whoop-dee-doo). We said we’d stay in touch.
With Arden gone, I wondered whether I might just blow the whole faith thing off and return to my former, existential party life. One weekend when I didn’t have any dance gigs, I decided to go to Arden’s church again. The brakes on my beater van were shot, and I could only stop by frantically pumping the brake pedal, so I had a good excuse to skip. Still, I felt I should go, to see if I was really serious about spiritual things independent of her. Five intersections with traffic signals stood between my rental house and the church. I prayed this goofy prayer: “God, if you want me to be at church today, I need green lights all the way there.”
Off I went, slow and steady through five green lights until I rolled safely into the church parking lot. Amazing. My skeptic’s mind told me it could have been dumb luck coincidence, but I had a sneaking suspicion that God had perfectly orchestrated the laws of physics, the flow of electricity, my choice of speed and time of departure, along with the choices of other drivers, to clear my path to that church and let me know He was in charge of such things. I remember thinking, “Nice, work, God.” “Hey, but can you do ten lights in a row?”
While I was at church I enjoyed myself a lot. With Arden not there I could stare at people when every head was supposed to be bowed and every eye was supposed to be closed, like an infidel spy. It didn’t seem like an opium den for the masses. I was impressed by the sincerity and joy of the people in the room. I don’t remember the sermon, but I know it gave me an appetite to hear more. It didn’t matter that I hit red lights on the way home and had to pump the brakes like I was trying to kick a hole through the floor board. I felt I had received a small blessing from God that day. I determined to go to church as often as I could. I would fix my brakes.
I’m not sure exactly when I entered the kingdom of God, but I think He arranged it like he did the green lights to church, and left me wondering how it had happened. I kept reading and questioning, examining my presuppositions, and grappling with the concept of grace. At some point in the fall of my 25th year of life, I simply surrendered, and trusted what I read in the Bible, even though I didn’t always understand it. I began to sing to God in my heart. I was a sinner saved by the blood of Jesus. I wrote to Arden about it and she said she thought I was a Christian. I was okay with the label. I was one of them, one of Christ’s.
Soon, I made a public profession of faith at church that I had accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9). For me there was no recited sinner’s prayer, no dramatic moment of decision, just a confession. God had done everything. I was a recipient of grace. Amazing. I quit the dance band, married Arden, and moved to Alaska.
I went back to school to become a teacher, but continued to be an active musician. Arden and I began having children. We sang in church choirs. I performed special music in church and in the community. I was a professional soloist for weddings, funerals, fund raisers, and private parties, which were much better than the lousy night club gigs I’d played back in my dance band days. As our five children grew up, we taught them to sing parts so that we could perform as a family choir. Then, when they were old enough to play instruments, we formed a family band called Homemade Jam. We have produced an a cappella Christmas CD, which was recorded in our home studio. Our oldest daughter has since married and moved away, but the remaining four children help me lead worship at Coram Deo Church in Grants Pass.
I plan on singing and making music as long as I can. I think the Bible commands it. “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” (Psalm 98:4) My family has chosen Colossians 3:16 as our musical theme verse. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
I thank God for his wonderful redeeming work in my life. He, not music, has given me purpose, direction and drive. What a privilege it is to use music to glorify Him. I think the last psalm in the Bible (Psalm 150) says it well.
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
Praise him according to his excellent greatness!Praise him with trumpet sound;
Praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
Praise him with strings and pipe!Praise him with sounding cymbals;
Praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
What a fantastic and very cute idea to brighten up a plain wall in your little princess' room. Little Chipipi is an Australian owned and produced range of removable wall stickers that come in 4 different themes - 2 for boys and 2 for girls. They also sell fridge magnets & greeting cards - why not check out their website for stockists in your state. I am actually thinking the butterfly stickers would look great in my office....
While in the market for one of their cool, reversible nappy bags (that is for another post, another day), I met the Isoki girls at a baby expo last year and noticed they had these little slippers for sale. They are so cute and soft, and come beautifully presented in a little drawstring bag. A very sweet gift for any little girl who loves to wear slippers like mummy - just as my two do 
Perhaps first impressions is a misnomer, since I'm offering them here a day after the announcement. But I don't mind saying this was my first impression: if disaffected Hillary voters go for the Republican ticket purely because he selected a women to the vice presidential slot of the ticket, then there's something seriously wrong with how people think.
When you become parents you are forever taking photos of your kids but there is alot to be said about having some professional shots taken. It is always a dilemma to find a good photographer, one who gives you what you pay for as well as provides a great experience on the day. After all, if the kids are relaxed, then you will get some great images. The above photograph of my gorgeous girls speaks for itself. We chose Hawkins Photography because we liked the images on their website & wanted more casual, outdoor shots as apposed to studio portraits. We had a lovely morning on the beach in Sydney & this is just one of many photographs we had to choose from. A father himself, Lyndon had a lovely rapport with the kids and they had a lot of fun which came through in all the shots. I can safely say we are very happy customers. Christmas is just around the corner so if you are looking for a great present for the grandparents, contact Hawkins Photography through their website.
Douse the lights, cue the creepy music, and sit next to your honey because the monsters are out in force!
If you are looking for a gorgeous gift for a gorgeous little girl, you can't go past baby bling! I was looking for a unique gift for a christening present when I found this New Zealand based company who specialise in child sized, genuine, cultured freshwater pearl jewellery. Little Pearls for Little Girls are sold online through Little PJ's online nursery boutique and they are so beautiful, I actually bought a bracelet each for my little girls. The attention to detail is exceptional, from the sterling silver filigree clasp, to the lovely organza packaging and pink satin ribbon. Antonia and her team were an absolute pleasure to deal with. The bracelets come in 3 sizings, up to 10 years old, and the necklace in 2 sizings. They would also make a great present for a flowergirl, or as a holy communion gift - little girls love jewellery (I know mine definitely do!) and this kind of gift is a keepsake they can hold onto and pass on to their children one day. Little PJ's have several other nursery items in their boutique, so I would definitely recommend you have a look - http://www.littlepjs.com/
I heard the news today, Oh boy! About a lucky man who made the grade.
What's not to like in this fish story (except possibly fish)? Apparently a couple of enterprising young students were intrigued by a conversation around the dinner table. Their father, a scientist, was talking shop about bird DNA (and who doesn't?), when one of the teenage girls asked if genetic barcoding could be done on sushi. "Yeah, I think you could," he replied, "and if you did that, I think you’d be the first ones."
I’ve been waiting to post about the US release of Onechanbara for the 360 until there was more info, mainly a solid release date other than “holiday 2008”. The official page is semi-down as of this moment, which could mean an update is imminent. Or that the game is cancelled?! In any case, if you missed the announcement, now you know!
Never got around to picking up Tomb Raider Anniversary, but might try to sneak it in before the release of TR Underworld based on this snazzy costume compilation video.
Not so long ago, the next three Mets games would have been an electric series of games. The Braves are coming to town to play my beloved Mets. Alas, these are not the same Braves that won division titles every completed year from 1991 to 2005. (I still think the Expos would have won in 1994, but the strike killed baseball and essentially pulled the plug on that unfortunate franchise.)
Though the 2007 baseball season is long since finished, Mets fans have not forgetten the terrible way it ended. After weeks of bullpen failures and a lack of clutch hitting, John Maine took a no-hitter deep into the game, and while he wasn't able to toss the first no-no in Mets history that day, he was able to win the game and get the Mets back into a tie for first place. 
I've heard of emperor penguins, but this is a different kettle of fish altogether. Apparently, a king penguin that lives at the Edinburgh Zoo and serves as mascot for the Norwegian King's Guard, has been knighted. (Love the photo!)
I’m sure there are tons of different message boards posting custom creations, but the only one I’ve checked regularly is the NeoGaf one. Some truly amazing ones in that thread. Both custom creations shown here are from the thread.
I’m still in the process of unlocking every possible item in the Tower of Souls so I haven’t made too many “funny” characters. Most are just custom versions of existing characters configured to do well in certain challenges.
I've had a lot on my mind recently. Family. Past. Future. Money. Lack. Vacations. Staycations. Children (which kind of incorporates all the previous thoughts).
After my last post I thought it would be appropriate to retell the story of my conversion from atheism to faith.
