Bassman

I started playing music in the 5th grade in beginning band. I played trumpet. As I went through school I moved over to the tuba. I played the tuba in the marching band in high school for a couple of years. But I always wanted to play Bass Guitar. On February 10 1975 I bought a brand new Fender Precision Bass (pictured below) and a small amp. My dad loaned me the money and I got a part time job to pay him back. I got together with some guys from school and we formed a band. We would play at mostly kegger parties. I played in several bands until around 1989. Playing in bars and the heavy drinking got to be to much. When my first son was born I just stopped playing.



Fast forward to July 2004. It was my Dad's 70th birthday and we had a huge party for him. My younger brother Keith plays guitar and my Dad plays sax. So we decided to get together and play a few songs. Our cousin Charles is a drummer so we had a complete band. That was the first time we had ever played together as a family. Everyone really enjoyed the music and we had a great time. Shortly after that Keith asked if I wanted to get a band together and play a few gigs around to make a few bucks. We've been playing at biker bars and events since then. It's fun and we make a little money.



About six months after we got the band together I started going to GCC. The first time I went there I knew I needed to be a part of the worship team. I auditioned and was asked to join the team.



Here's the cool thing. After not even touching a bass in over 15 years God had a plan for me. Since I started playing again I've played the past 3 Christmas Eve Services which averaged around 11,000 people each, 2 Easter Services with a similar attendance. Over 40 weekend services averaging 6000 per weekend, Hundreds of Church leaders and Pastors at the Innovate Conferences, hundreds of children in the children's ministry, and several hundred bikers in the bars and kegger parties.



When I was a kid I had dreams of playing for thousands of people. By the grace of God now I do.

Photo from Summer's End Biker Fest 2007 Bristol IN

Innovate 08

I had the humbling honor and privilege of serving for the Innovate 2008 church conference at Granger Community Church. Innovate is a two day event where pastors and church leaders from all of the country come to attend seminars and workshops. This has been my third year in a row to serve and I wouldn't miss it for anything. For me it's a great way to meet new people, find out where they're from and hopefully build some new friendships. With the wonders of modern technology it's so easy.

Serving in this area is another way for me to help others. My mission is to "Help others find their potential and purpose in life by sharing my experience, strength, hope, and the love of Jesus" and the musical talents He's blessed me with.

During my morning readings on Thursday before the conference I read this scripture.

Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.

2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,

4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,

5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

Time Hog

Ok here's the deal, anyone who knows me knows that it really takes a lot to make me aggravated. But there is one thing that really irritates me. Time Hogs. A Time Hog is someone who talks all the time about things that they think are relevant to the topic but is so far off that by the time they're done you've forgotten what the topic was in the first place. There is a Time Hog in two out of my three classes. The worse thing is is that it is the same person. I try to sit there and listen contently and patiently but after a while I just zone out. As this person goes on and on about their job or kids or experiences I lose it. The instructor seems to be engaged in the conversation but I'm not. I bet this person wasted 10 minutes of class today telling us how to choose what area of Human Services we should or should not get into. It almost seems like the Time Hog wants to teach the class.

Am I being selfish or do I have a valid point? Do I say something to the instructor or not? What you think?

How Great is our God?

Last Saturday I went out to do my usual running around. I went to Menard's to get some supplies to paint my bedroom, Aldi for groceries, and Meijer to pick up a few things. When I got in my truck to leave Meijer the battery was dead. I sat there running all the scenarios through my head (who can I call, can a flag some one down to get a jump) and decided to just go back in and buy one of those handy jump starters. I stood there looking at the different models they carry and the cheapest one is $45. I looked at the batteries and they were $65. My budget is extremely tight. I had the money to buy one but that would leave me short on paying bills. I went ahead and got a new battery, took it out to the parking lot, jumped my truck and went home. All the way I was thinking about my bills and what was I going to do. When I got home I went to get the mail and there was a letter from my mortgage company. Now what? I opened it and enclosed was a check for $288.00, a refund for over payment into the escrow account. And to top it off the house payment went down $15 a month.

How great is our God?

Greater than our problems.

Back to School

Well today is my first day back to school. I started this new adventure during the summer semester and this place was a ghost town compared to today. Man there is people all over the place. I stopped by the bookstore last week to pick up my books and one of them had not came in yet. The lady told my to check back later. So I came in before class this morning and stood in line for 50 minutes only to find that it's still not in.

I am taking 7 credit hours (3classes) this semester, all my classes are on Tuesday so it makes for a long day. The cool thing is that 2 are hybrid so I'm only in the class room every other week. And the other weeks assignments are due online.

I am so excited to be here today. I feel this is exactly where God wants me to be.

OneThought.net

My friend and Pastor Dan Vukmirovich has started a new blog that is simple and to the point. Check it out. Awsome stuff man!

Be Still

I get a daily email from Joel Osteen Ministries titled Today's Word. I don't always read them due to time or just not in the mood, but I read today's and thought I'd pass it along. Just fits where I am today.


Be Still

Today's Scripture

"Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).


Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

In this day and age, our culture has become so accustomed to having constant activity going on; computers, cell phones, television, email, video games. And there’s nothing wrong with that stuff but sometimes, we have to stop and be still so we can focus on knowing God. This is especially true during the difficult times in life. When you are facing a challenge, it’s easy to want to run to a friend or talk about it with a neighbor, but at some point, you have to stop and say, “God, I rest in You. I know You have me in the palm of Your hand.” Remember, our battles are spiritual battles. The people in your life aren’t your enemy, the forces of darkness are. When you choose to be still and know that the Greater One lives on the inside of you, you are saying to the whole world, “I trust God. He is my Defender.” When you choose to believe in Him you will enter into His rest. Remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. As you are still before Him, You will see His hand of victory and blessing in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in Heaven, I humbly come before You. I choose to be still before You. Speak to my heart so I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace as I put my trust in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

So with school starting next week and I have a lot of questions on my mind, I decided to take a ride up to Michigan City and walk out to the lighthouse. It's always been one of those places I go to have some alone time with God. A place to be still.

I sat there for a long time watching and listening to the waves, I started to feel a little sorry for myself. And then a voice inside said "I didn't come here to get depressed! I came here to be energized, strengthened, set free!" WOW that was it! I stood up and looked out over this huge body of water. One of the largest lakes in the world and realized that maybe my dreams have been too small, I have work to do, I've been called to something much bigger than I've imagined. My questions have been answered. I am energized, strengthened, set free.

Be still indeed