Dad, can I have . . .

Yes.

Yeah...I'm gonna' see it. Got a problem with that?

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

Few things I'm working on:(I TYPED IN RED; I TYPED IN RED.)

1. Setlist Prep.
(Anybody notice I've got THREE sets ready to go?) Check left sidebar.

2. CD Prep.
(Making band charts, scheduling sessions, sitting around my house grinning like an idiot.)

3. Two New Songs.
(Yes, one for Rob's that's done. And another that needs a second verse. Mmmm...maybe it's time for a little Todd/Ross co-writing, huh?)

4. Kissing My Wife As Often As Possible.
(I've had a great week and tried to spend as much time as I can hanging out with the girl who still makes my heart go BOOM BOOM.)

5. Swinging Kids.
(Jonah and Finley are both addicted to the swing set. My job is apparently to push them both at the same time. It can be done, I promise.)

6. Praying for Gigs.
(It's gonna' happen. Really. I'm gonna' get some more gigs.)

7. Thinking About Starting A Local Worship Leader Support Group.
(Get together with other folks in town and talk about songs, resources, needs, etc.)

8. Hoping That Chris Caraway Forgets He Loaned Me Ghost Recon.
(He's got a Wii now, so who cares, right?)

9. Working At A Church.
(Ha ha - that rated Number 9? Awesome)

10. Watching the Crowder Webcams Way More Than I Should.
(There's no reason for this and I should stop immediately.)

CD Update

Just wanted to let everybody know that as of today, we received a $7000 donation toward the CD project. This is the "big news" I had hinted at in earlier posts regarding the CD process, but we just received confirmation today.

The person who donated the funds has opted to give anonymously. Of course, Caraway knows because he's in charge of the fundraising effort, but he ain't gonna' tell me who it is.

So, whoever you are:
Thank you. You have empowered me to pursue what I believe to be an authentic God-dream birthed somewhere in the grand scheme of Heaven. You are making a way for these songs to land in churches across the country so that the Father might receive honor and glory.

This donation, coupled with what we've already raised, pretty much seals the deal on the CD. While we're certainly still accepting gifts toward the project, it's essentially paid for. And we haven't even really started yet.

Just want to let everybody know that plans are now being finalized for an official Water Gun Battle at 1001 Brenda Street, Lufkin, Texas for this coming Saturday.

Right now, it's shaping up to be Sam, Tyler and Jonah against Todd. Ought to be fun...if it don't rain, I should have pictures on Saturday night! Yip-yip-yipee!

Sorry, folks, but

Shakira is one of the worst singers around.

THE DARE

I HEREBY PUBLICLY CHALLENGE BLAKE STEWART WITH THE FOLLOWING MISSION:

1. DRIVE TO WACO

2. GO TO CROWDER'S

3. GET INSIDE THE BARN

4. WAVE TO US ON A WEBCAM

Who thinks darkstew could pull it off?

Thoughts?

Confessional 3

Wait for the payoff at the end.

CD: Day One

Jonah Update:

This little dude continues to inspire, challenge and amaze me as a dad. As we approach summer, the impending Kindergarten year is fast upon us, so I'm doing everything I can to cherish these pre-school days.
Isn't it strange that we learn to love?

When we had Jonah, I loved him...immediately. I thought, "This is it. I now have a kid and understand what parental love is."

But everyday, I learn more about Jonah, I learn more about his uniqueness and creativity and amazing ability to craft ingenious reasonable arguments.

I hope he knows how treasured he is. I hope that, in the midst of school and church and play time and bedtime and bath and all the stuff that fills up our family, he knows that he is the best friend I could ever want or have.

I love you, Jonah.

Does Lance Know About This?

Apparently the widow of the famed Dr. Gene Scott is now producing some pretty cool Bible studies for television.

So far, it seems like she's following in her former husband's footsteps. Except she's sane.

CD Update

Planning on posting a brief video tonight about my meeting w/ Ross. So, if I haven't called you yet, just check back late tonight to get the lowdown.

6:08 AM
Leaving in an hour or so to spend the day with Ross. Pray all goes well.
I have every intention of posting on video of the day once I get home tonight. (If the technology will behave.)

It certainly does feel like today's a big step - like the small crack of a starter pistol for a race I'm totally unprepared for and yet one I've been aching to run for so long.

For those of you who have prayed, thank you and keep it up.
For those of you who have donated, I am so grateful for your generosity.
For those of you who are silently standing back thinking, "I don't know. His songs are okay, but, I just don't know," I wholeheartedly agree with you.
But maybe it's in the "I don't know" that we see God most glorified and honored by our art.

Jonah Can't Wait

LOVE THIS GUY! (and I may be kin to him, too)

worship confessional:2

Great Exchange between Todd and Kristen

The following conversation occured on Saturday, March 17, 2007:

Todd: You laugh like a cartoon character.

Kristen: You look like one.

Todd: You smell like one.

Kristen: You make love like one.

Ha ha! There you go, wives...a little ammo for the next argument in your house!

Krist and I started thinking today about the greatest TV theme song ever written.

She and I have our picks, but I'd thought I'd throw it out there and get some nominations from you all. Let us know your vote and we'll narrow it down to the big 3 for a vote sometime later in the week.

ISN'T THIS EXCITING?

On Tuesday, I bought this>>>

I also bought this>>>











I bought tobyMac's "portable sounds." I did. I bought it.

And it's fantastic.

What I Did Today...

2007 is the 125th anniversary of our church, so each month, we're having "History Moments." Originally, I planned to use David Runnels, our new youth guy to do this month's video, but we had so many audio problems we lost the whole shoot.



So, today, I loaded up the gear and went and shot my own. Take a look...
















Dang, looks almost good as a NOOMA video, doesn't it?


Today was one of those days where I flippin' loved my job.

An excerpt from "Making/Being Made," written by Rich Mullins;
published in Release Magazine (c) 1992

The Bible is a very great book. It is the written witness to God's revelation of Himself in His Word: Jesus Christ. And, if you like, you can make a great deal of it.

You can speculate about it: This will make you a philosopher and people will think you are deep and very smart.

You can pontificate on it: This will make you a preacher and people will marvel at your courage and gift for oratory.

You can adulate it: This will make you its number one fan. You can display your very fine collection of its various versions all over your house.

You can attack it: This will make you a skeptic and people will admire your honest, blind determination to live in your grim, faithless little world.

You can adapt it: This will make you a youth pastor or a Christian musician or a feminist theologian or a popular author. You, too, can be the icing on a cake.

You can systematize it: This will make you a theologian and people will quote you and regard those quotes as some sort of authority.

You can criticize it: This will make you a scholar - and those who are not put off by your egg-headedness will confer on you M.A.'s and D.D.'s.

You can theorize about it: This will make you an expert in biblical slants on contemporary issues like political science, psychology, church growth, economics, sex, and marriage.

You can ponder it: This will make you a mystic and people will turn to you for spiritual advice (and from you when they get it).

You can practice it: This will make you a model citizen - a fair, generous, and righteous (if somewhat uptight) person.

I miss you, Rich.
So, guys, which one's your favorite?

Happy Birthday or Whatever

Three or four times a week, I have moments where I think...I OUGHT TO BLOG ABOUT THAT! Then, of course, I forget it minutes later. (Oh, the arrogance of bloggers.)

But today at lunch with Krist and the kids, I remembered one! Yes, I remembered one of those amazing thoughts that slipped through my brain not too long ago.

What Is The Deal With the Birthday Song In Restaurants?

I mean, come on...do these waiters and waitresses think we're going to feel that special while they stare at us with those dead eyes and sing to us in that depressive monotone? We get a free dessert and we get to piss off the waitstaff. Happy Birthday to Me! What if your family sang like that at birthday parties?

Managers...please kill the birthday song. Your staff doesn't want to do it and I don't want watch seven people do their best to sing/not-sing to me.

Anybody with me?

Thank You, My Space...

I have no words.

(Would it be wrong to have a caption contest for this?)

Super Hero Shootout

Who would win in a fight? Captain America, Wolverine, or Ghost Rider?

I think I finally got a bead on the song I'm writing for Robert's DNOW in April. Originally, I was working on another thing that was a little more specifically built on the idea of "Overflow," but it kept feeling really contrived and, well . . . .stupid.

/

So, instead, I pulled up another one I've been messing with for a couple of months called "And Higher." Not only is this tune a bit more formed than the previously mentioned song, I thought the overall direction of the song would be a better fit.
//

Essentially, the song examines the idea that as we seek God, we see more clearly how amazing it is that He loves us. It's as if the more truth we know about God, then the more truth we realize about ourselves. In my life, these sort of clear moments always push the actual physical expression of my worship. I'll be honest with you - I love singing, clapping and lifting my hands in worship. But I'm not a shouter necessarily. I'm not a dancer or a bower (bow-er?) But in these times where I'm struck with the full (or fuller) measure of how miraculous it is that God hasn't vaporized me, my worship goes beyond the comfort zone. Suddenly, I'm worshipping sincerely in new ways because I am, like David, becoming undignified.

///

The song is simple, and it truth, it's more responsive. The song doesn't get hyper-theological, but rather provides a pretty simple musical response to what I'm believing God is going to do in this event. I believing that God is going to mightily anoint this time in Sanger and that kids are come to knowledge of God and His worth.

////

And now, here's an mp3 of the song. Just kidding. I'm still making sure it rocks enough. But I'd love to know your thoughts on this issue.
/////

Should I be rolling into Sanger with a song that asks people to sing something like...
"God, the way I worship is a million years from matching up with how great this salvation thing is!"?
...

Just think...if you say something really profound, it might end up in the song. (But don't expect a cut from CCLI or anything.)

Jonah's Friday Morning

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM LOUD MANAGEMENT, INC., REPRESENTING PRODUCER/SONGWRITER/ARTIST 2-BELOW.

Loud Management, Inc., in full use of its rights as granted by artist herein represented, would like to issue the following statement on behalf of 2-Below regarding recent news related to the breakup and potential reunion of BBL.

It is with some measurable degree of sadness that we must communicate the standing policy of 2-Below and his related staff with regard to BBL. While his days with the super group are still recalled with fondness, 2-Below wishes to express once again his firm position on the issue of reuniting the group.

2-Below maintains that he will never be a part of any such reunion effort. The glory days of the four troublemaking men of the late 90's, early 2000's are over and this particular member has no desire to return to the group.

In addition, Loud Management denies any knowledge of the "Blue Dilly Dilly" conspiracy. As always, we maintain that the credits listed on file with both ASCAP and BMI performing rights societies are absolutely correct. 2-Below did not write the mega-hit by himself, nor has ever maintained as such. 2-Below finds these allegations disturbing and wishes no ill-will upon Ice, Wings and Money should they decide to join forces again.

2-Below is hard at work in the studio mastering his brand new album, Words Ain't Nothin', a brand new instrumental CD that promises to bring this famed performer back into the limelight that he deserves.

My first attempt at posting videos of my own. Didn't do any editing, just flew into Windows Movie Maker and posted in online!

And yes, I WILL be doing a worship confessional. I'm coming, Carlos!

Just finished Crowder and Hogan's book on death, the soul and Bill Monroe. (Thanks, Jinx, for throwing it my way.)

The book started a bit too "Crowder" for me - complete with a little too much in the way of self-deprecation and humor that felt a little flat initially. However, the more I read, the more I loved the book.

It's a fantastic read; the historical stuff alone is well worth the time and money the book would ask of you. I didn't pay for this book. Jinx let me borrow it. (Thanks again, Jinx.) I loved the idea of understanding the "soul" as a concept throughout the ages. I think both Crowder and Hogan were painfully candid with their own feelings regarding the loss of Kyle Lake, an aspect of the book that was quite powerful.

My only real complaint about the book is that it was too short. It's as if the end of the book snuck up on me. I had read the soul stuff, I had read the bluegrass stuff, and I was ready for more. I also thought the "columns" sections were creative - maybe a bit too proud of their postmodern typesetting - but a neat set of stories about connection. (I still don't get the 1.6 thing. Maybe somebody who's read it can help me out.)

I encourage you to pick up the book. I think it's one of those that most everybody can gain something from.

I'd just like to say that Justin Jinkins let me borrow this book. Thank you, Jinx. You are a good friend and I always enjoy spending time with you. You are a great guitar player, man, and a Godly young chap who's doing his very best to be all that he can be.

2008: Year of the Concert

I've decided that 2008 will be the Year of the Concert. I vow to attend the following concerts in 2008. (If at all possible...)

Lincoln Brewster: amazing worship with slamming guitar? so there, man.

David Crowder*Band: i gotta' see how they pull that junk off live.

MUTEMATH: 'cause I'm so trendy. and they're flippin' sweet

John Mayer: you know he wrote Continuum, right?

U2: because. they're U2.


So...who's on your CONCERT LIST?

Final Colmesniel Recap

Got an email on Saturday from Shaun Sifford, pastor of FBC Colmesniel:

"The last night there were 332 people at the crusade and a total of 22 people saved. Thanks for listening to the Lord - I am praying for you daily, man."

To borrow a phrase from the ever-smooth Bob Fitts - Yay, God!

No BFF for BBL

AP - They were once the hottest upcoming group in pop music . . . and now, they're back.

The pop sensation BBL caused a quite a stir years ago as they began making a name for themselves in the independent pop music genre. While "indie" is often associated with more organic musical styles such as rock and punk, BBL - Bad Boys of Lufkin - attempted to scale the ladder of success on sheer will power. And a fantastic wardrobe.

Sadly, BBL never made it to the top. On the brink of success, pop music took a turn fatal to the four men who dreamed of bringing their diverse styles to the realm of boy-band pop-making. Suddenly, boy bands were out. Hip-hop was still king, but not for 4 white guys with little to no talent whatsoever.

Fans thought the group was gone forever, but new pictures just released this week prove that BBL is on the way back. Sources reveal that the picture is authentic and that BBL did, in fact, appear at a dance function in Maryland recently.

But many are noticing that BBL doesn't look quite the same.

"Where's Money?" one fan asked.

She's not referring to cash. No, the picture features two new faces, and die-hard fans are not happy. Original members "Money" and "2-Below" aren't in the picture. Founding members "Ice" and "Wings" appear to be surrounded by two new members, both of whom look much younger and hipper than the missing original members.

"I think it's cool," quoted Miles Jones, a long-time fan of the group. "I always liked 2-Below and Money, but for me, Ice and Wings were the real heart of the group."

Industry insiders seem non-plussed. Eddie Bostick of Rolling Stone says changing members is critical for some bands to stay alive in an industry fascinated with youth.

"They're getting on in age," says Bostick. "I think fans will be fine as long as their sound is still true to who BBL really is. But the 2-Below factor could play a part.

Bostick is speaking of the long-time rumor that BBL's silent member, 2-Below, was actually the driving force behind the group's original sound.

"They say 2-Below wrote 'Blue Dilly Dilly,' although that's never been confirmed." Bostick says that if the rumors are true, it could hurt the new and improved BBL.

Jones has heard the rumors;
"I don't think 2-Below wrote 'Blue Dilly Dilly.' It was probably a collaborative effort. Surely, they wouldn't cut the guy who gave them their biggest hit!"

BBL's fate is still unsure, but entertainment experts are all lining up to see what will transpire in this exciting musical drama.

*Wings and 2-Below could not be reached for comment.

TRIVIA

In an effort to find more and more creative uses for this blog, I'll be throwing out movie trivia from time to time. Not because I'm smart, but because I frequent such sites at various times.

Although it would be the most honorable thing for me to do, I'll not reveal my sources at this time. (Because then you'd go search it and win every single time.)

Here we go:

Which movie had this line?

BILL:
I think this boy's cheese has done slid off his cracker.

JONAH

Jonah at one of his favorite places, Hero Connection, our local comic book store.

My Friday

Seen today at a red light in Lufkin:
I Love G.R.I.T.S.

Girls Raised In The South

Why do I live here, again?

For The Laziest of Guitarists

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Transpocapo.

Why I Love Kristen #247

A few days ago, Chris Caraway handed me a CD of a band called Low Stars. Chris is a good friend who knows me all too well and knew I would dig this brand new album from a group of four acoustic-playing singer/songwriters. He was right...I'm enjoying the record.

A few tracks get a bit whiny, but for the most part it's everything good songwriting should be. This, of course, has prompted me to start thinking about getting back into writing songs that aren't worship tunes.

As you know, I love the art of songwriting in general and am constantly amazed at the vastness of styling and skills among today's top crafters of lyric and melody.

So I'm in the kitchen the other day and mention to Kristen...

"I think I want to do some real songwriting."

She didn't even turn around. She just kept sweeping the floor and said

"Writing worship songs is the most important type of writing."

I don't care if you agree with her or not...you see, she knows. She knows what God's called me to do and she sees through all my flights of fancy and my ridiculous dreaming.

She sees me on the brink of my greatest adventure in ministry to date and she speaks true.

Sure, I'm always gonna' write tunes; and more than likely, I'll pen a few that aren't congregational in the least - songs that are just statements about the nature of man and family and the world and in every sense, God.

But I love Kristen because she knows me and in her seeing she confirms continually the daunting task of penning songs for praise.

And she's pretty good looking, too.

As some of you may have noticed, I've been listening to the music of DecembeRadio over the past month or so. I've mentioned them to quite a few people, usually to no response.

However, at the last few gigs I've played, I've wired up the iPod during soundcheck or just as general "welcome music" and I typically get 2 - 3 people asking...

"Who's this band?"

It was until today that I realized that these guys were nominated for a Grammy (they didn't win) and four Dove Awards. (I'm not sure if the Doves have happened yet.)

This is a fantastic rock record that unashamedly proclaims the goodness of God and His desire to restore His people. I'm often not a fan of "Christian Rock," but these guys do it really well. It doesn't hurt that their influences are guys like the Black Crowes, Lenny Kravitz, King's X, Aerosmith. One particular track, "Drifter," is an epic rock ballad of truly eternal consequence. I encourage you to check them out.