Burning Like The Midnight Sun

Christian alternative band the Choir has asked their fans to post this on their blogs, on Facebook, and anywhere else. So go check out the Choir's new album and see what all the excitement is about.

If you have trouble with the link above just go to http://www.thechoir.net .

A Visit With Smokey

Do you remember Smokey the Bear when you were a child? I remember those great commercials on television and Smokey saying "Only you can prevent forest fires."

Just outside of Grand Canyon National Park is the road to the Forest Service Office. Sitting right on the corner is Smokey the Bear. Many people stop and check Smokey out and take his picture. He is life size and as you can see very cool.

We decided to get some pictures with Smokey.

Man! Even Smokey is taller than me!

My wife looking beautiful (as always) with the Bear.

My daughter giving Smokey a hug.

Then, we decided to have fun with Smokey.

Trying to match Smokey's eyes.

Is my wife trying to give instructions to Smokey? Is he listening?

If you ever make it here to the Grand Canyon you must stop and see Smokey. Don't worry, you will not miss him.

An Evening With Pastor Chuck & Love Song

On September 8, 2010, Calvary Prescott AZ hosted an evening with Pastor Chuck Smith and the early Jesus Music group Love Song.

Pastor Raj, the pastor of Calvary Prescott introduced the evening.

Pastor Chuck came out and started the night out with the worship chorus, "There's Just Something About That Name."

This is Kathy (I think that is her name). She spent some years as one of Dean Martin's Golddiggers before coming to the the Lord. Pastor Chuck had her share a song that is basically her testimony. Great song!

Pastor Chuck then came out and shared how Love Song came to him and shared their music with him in early 1970. From that point on, as they say, the rest is history.

The band consists of Chuck Girard, Tommy Coomes, John Mehler. . .

Jay Truax, and Bob Wall.

At one point Pastor Chuck came back out and read from Psalm 150.

This was the introduction to John Mehler's drum solo.

John is an amazing drummer that never ceases to amaze me.

The band came back out and finished their set.

After they finished Pastor Chuck came back out and shared the gospel and gave an invitation.

Afterwards Pastor Chuck stayed in the sanctuary and spoke with many people.

My daughter (and I both) got to meet him and have our pictures taken with him.

Outside in the court area the band was signing autographs and meeting with people.

It was an amazing, incredible evening. If you get a chance to catch this tour DO IT!!! It was a great night.

Here is the set list from that particular evening:

Maranatha!

Joyous Lament

A Love Song

Two Hands

Changes

Little Country Church

Cosack Song

John's drum solo

Freedom

Little Pilgrim

Think About What Jesus Said

Since I Opened Up The Door (encore)

Love Song Box Set - The Book Of Love

A week and a half ago I was able to pick up the Love Song box set - The Book Of Love. The art work for the box set is by the same artist that painted the cover for the first Love Song album. His name is Kernie Erickson. Along with the Love Song album he did many other covers over the years (including Maranatha! 2 and Marantha! 5).

The cover for the box set is a painting just like the original album was. This is a hand painted piece of art, not a computer generated picture.
The content of the box set consists of the three Love Song albums, a cd of early Love Song recordings, a concert dvd and an eighty page booklet.
Each one of the cds contains all of the original recordings but they have all been digitally remastered.
The sound is much better and the integrity of the recordings have been maintained.
"Feel The Love," the live album from the 1976 reunion tour, was rereleased in the 90's but many sections were deleted (including John Mehler's drum solo). With this re-release everything is included.
"The Early Years" are demos from 1970 and 1971. This is the time period prior to the first album and prior to Bob Wall joining the band. These recordings are from the days when Fred Fields was part of the group.
The dvd is from a 1973 concert in San Antonio Tx. Along with the concert is a video of an ocean baptism from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and an excellent slideshow with pictures of the band.

This is one of the nicer box sets that I have seen in Christian music. If you are looking for it, it is available from the Word For Today and, of course, from the band while they are on the road.

Meeting Pastor Chuck

There are few people that have influenced a generation of Christians as much as Pastor Chuck Smith. Pastor Chuck is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (California). His influence during the Jesus Movement of the early 70's has been documented in many books and articles dealing with that time period. What Pastor Chuck is best known for is his clear teaching as he teaches through the Bible: book by book and verse by verse.
I was first exposed to Pastor Chuck when I was about 17 years old. Maranatha! Music was birthed out of Calvary Chapel and was the music label for all of the musicians and bands that were coming out of Pastor Chuck's church. Through the music I first heard of Pastor Chuck and began to listen to tapes of his teaching.

In the late 70's (1978 I think) Pastor Chuck's teaching began to be broadcast on the radio on a daily radio program called The Word For Today. This program is still on the air today. I listened to Pastor Chuck on the radio whenever I had a chance to. But my greatest desire was to one day hear Pastor Chuck in person and to meet him.
Wednesday night, September 8, this desire came to pass when Pastor Chuck and Love Song were at Calvary Chapel Prescott. After the service I got to meet Pastor Chuck. What I discovered was a man who has been walking with God since he was a young child. I felt like I had known this Godly man all of my life.

Pastor Chuck, we love you and I hope to see you again one day soon.

Sometimes You Just Have To Wing It

On Friday after I got home from work my wife looked at me and said that she had some chicken wings laid out for me to grill. Grilling wings is one of my favorites. For seasoning I only use two items: ground black pepper and Lawrys Seasoned Salt.

I throw them on the grill and season them there.
After about seven minutes I turn them over and grill them on the "flip side."
From there I just keep a close eye on them and after about 15-20 minutes they start getting close to being ready.
There is nothing like grilled chicken wings. I am not a big fan of Buffalo Wings. (I don't care for the buffalo sauce.) But grilled wings I do have a huge love for.