Resonate

I could feel the Lord resonate in some of the conversations I had this weekend. It was a dark, disappointing, socially driven, and exhausting weekend. Everything I was looking forward to was not what I anticipated. I usually enjoy Halloween weekend because of the wiener roasts and bon fires, but this weekend was different.

I made connections where I didn't think I would, which was a good thing because God met me there and empowered me.

On the other hand there were times when I felt like I didn't belong and I needed to take myself out of the situation. I also felt as though I was being shut out. Not a good feeling, but I can move on and continue to pray.

All I can say is, I'm glad this weekend is over.

Trick or treat is tonight. We are taking my oldest son, who is dressing as Elmo, out to get treats. It will be fun to see all of the kids dressed up. This year won't be as cold as usual and my wife isn't pregnant.

Engage

My boss and I had the opportunity to tour and present the employment aspect of rehabilitation at the Mohican Juvenile Correctional Facility, yesterday. It was amazing. I have been to other correctional facilities and this was not much different. Imagine teenage boys in standard blues and walking in single file lines to their next class, or meals.

What was different was that they are a Therapeutic Community(T.C. for short), which is the environment I work in. It was difficult to see T.C. at work, though. The kids were not paying attention because their is no positive peer pressure. The staff were complaining that they don't get compliance due to this important piece of the structure missing.

In most T.C.'s the structure and language is similar. But, because these were kids, the structure had to be different due to The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections making different rules for them.

In my environment, our men can be placed in a hierarchy position or supervisory position over other men. This helps with getting tasks completed like cleaning the facility. The juveniles have to be supervised by staff only.

As we presented to the kids we knew we had to get them to interact with us or we would lose them. They are preached to everyday about how immature they are, how they need to be quiet, or don't do this, don't do that, which just makes them tune it out. Once we engaged them, they were receptive. One boy came up to s and said he learned more in that hour than he has learned in several months at the facility. This is not to cut on the facility. We were there to show the kids how to make their experience more positive and how they can get a job and keep a job when they are released. Our plan worked and staff want us back to have a workshop or employment day with the kids.

What is all of this about?

The hope that has been lost on these kids really made me want to connect to them. It made me sad to see so many kids putting faith into the street. It also made me appreciate my job and where I work. It made me want to engage.

Dedication

We dedicated my son Ethan on Sunday. It was very emotional as we pronounced our committment to raising him up with God's lead. Several friends and family gathered around us. It really let us know they support us. I was happy to see my family at church. It was something I've wanted for a long time and it finally happened. God is faithful!

Promised Land

Home group was interesting last night. We have been trying to make home group a priority every week and so far has worked out nicely.

We read the end of Exodus where Moses is approving the Ephod and the contents of the Tent of Meeting. The detail they crafted into each piece is amazing and a symbol of their devotion to God and His craftsmanship in creating us. It also symbolized how His folowers would be coming together and worshipping Him until eternity as they set forth to the promised land.

We have been practicing being quiet before the Lord and discerning His voice or direction. One woman shared what God had shared with her in that time. She said she saw people using their gifts and being bold and they weren't in Heaven, but on Earth. Another woman shared that she saw a picture of something stretching out like a hand in a balloon. She said it looked like a baby in womb pushing on the walls of the placenta. I was having trouble clearing my mind, but each of those visions made perfect sense to me.

When I looked at the big picture I could see all of us pushing into new things with God. From our new home group to our time in ministry to recognizing new giftings in each of us. Then, looking at Moses and the tribes of Israel, it was clear that they were also moving into new rituals and a new relationship with the Lord. Aaron was going to be given the first Ephod and his sons would be named priests. Moses was the judge and false Gods were crumbling. God was inviting them to move with faith in Him.

It was exciting to see the group move to new territory and step in faith.

Praise Your name, Lord.

Anatomy: Part 5 of The Drummer's Almanac

I'm very excited to announce Neil Peart is releasing a new DVD titled "Anatomy of Drum Solo". It's at the top of my Christmas wish list.

What makes a good solo? Who knows, who cares.

Solo's are not my thing. Never have been. Probably never will be. It is the boon of my drumming existence when someone calls for me to give a drum solo. Neil Peart, I am not.

Foreshadowing, language, inflections in your voice, crescendo, climax, denoument, variations on a theme. That is the anatomy to which I structure my songs, grooves, and fills. I run down the toms to make a statement and run up the toms to ask a question. It makes a more interesting part when you use literary terms to define your approach to music. It breaks the mundane and fulfills my passion to create because I know I put more into it than just four beats per measure.

Against the run of the mill, Swimming against the stream - Neil Peart

For another good solo check out Chad Rager (my jazz teacher) and his big band.

The Lord Doesn't Forget!

The Lord is doing some amazing things. After making my proclamation, a few things happened that blew my mind. Thursday night group went very well and we had a new couple come. The husband was seeking the lord's voice and needed prayer. He and his wife left before we were able to pray with them. So we kept them in our prayers throughout the week.

Fast forward to Sunday:

Our pastor preached about being a servant and what choices we have to make when we truly serve Him. During ministry time I knew I had to go up front and pray with someone. I left my drumset and prayed with two people that I didn't know. We then hugged afterward and it was great. I knew I was going up front before the sermon was over. The Lord was calling me to serve. I also didn't go up to someone that I knew because it was too easy. I needed to walk in faith and break my mold.

During the service a woman walked in that I recognized. She was the mother of a boy who came to youth group at my previous church. She was late, which is why I noticed her. After the service I walked up to my friend Kelly who led our youth group. I asked her if that was the same woman whose son came. Kelly stated that she had been working out with this woman everyday. She then realized who she was and we talked with her. It was the same woman and her son is now living in Utah. Kelly asked me if I remember her son praying for her in youth group. She said, "The Lord doesn't forget!" I got chills and then Kelly started crying. It was awesome!!!!!!!! I saw her last week at the mall and she was on my mind the rest of the week until Sunday. (I will share more of this story later)

The end of the second service saw the couple that came to small group go up front to receive prayer. He knew the Lord was calling him and he knelt down on his knees. His prayers were answered.

It was a very satisfying service and one that had impact. It's amazing to see the Lord work and move people closer to Him.

Proclamation

Carry each other's burdens. A heavy cross to bear. It's something I must proclaim.
So I will... I am an intercessor. I have heard this a few times, but I didn't take it seriously.

I lay down my pride and false humbleness and proclaim this truth today, Lord.
The burdens I carry, I lift to You
Even when my mind tells me, "no"
I press into you now as a son of God
And I ask the Holy Spirit to minister in Jesus' name
I proclaim today that I am an intercessor
You give me life
Amen

Laying It down

Have you ever just felt restless and you don't know why? This feeling is very common for me. It usually comes at a time when everyone is asleep and I'm "alone" with myself to create, draw, and overthink song ideas. If I don't act quickly, I tend to think I'm wasting time and I need to get these thoughts out on paper because I might get somewhere with them.

Crazy, I know.

Well, this week tested me again in this area and as the restless feeling overwhelmed me, with grief and worry about not making the most out of my time, I sat my butt on the couch and resisted the anxiety. What it ultimately let me do was be OK with not doing anything.

I let go.

"Simplify my life by letting go" is a lyric by Charlie Hall. It is the truth. I layed down my art and my swirling thoughts of nothingness to let my life simplify. A spirit of being driven and never letting myself stop was layed to rest.

I also let my art go by realizing it is a hobby and not my life. My identity is not in what I create, but who I am created to be.

I've made myself create when I should relax, but I haven't just sat down and let things go in a long time. I was so nervous I kept complaining to my wife that I was uncomfortable and I felt like I needed to do something. It was a horrible feeling, but now that I'm on the other side, it's freeing.

Learning to yield.

This week has been about growth and learning new things. It is also about God's hand on me. I spoke this truth to Swanger and he confirmed what I was thinking. God will complete his work in me and I shall overcome.