Merry Christmas

Let us not forget why we sing... give... love...hug...kiss...
Because of a little baby God -King named Emanuel.


On a night so long ago

By the light of one bright star

Two weary travelers far from galilee

Took refuge in a stable

Where a little child was born

To bring the gift of love to you and me

When the angels told the shepherds of his birth

There came a great rejoicing on the earth



Chorus:



And they sang glory to God in the highest

Dawning that first christmas morn

Peace on earth and ridings of great joy

For unto you this night a child is born



And, lo, these many years since then

That ancient star still guides us

And now again our christmas voices ring

Blessed we are and safe at home

With loved ones her beside us

And in the still and silent night we sing

How the angels told the shepherds of his birth

And there came a great rejoicing on the earth

Windows Sucks (read article)

Once again remind me why I use a Macintosh.

You would think the worlds richest man could build a good browser. Well.... Even a decent Operating System would be nice.....Now WHEN is Longhorn coming out???? 2025??? lol

Get Firefox!!!!

(Added for Clarity) http://browsehappy.com/why/

Honey!!! I'm Home

I am home for Christmas (not the holidays or xmas) oops did I just rant????

Just chillin and catching up on surfing (not the California kind of surfing). Just trying to get in the mood. Kind of hard when you do what I do. New Orleans does not look like Christmas nor feel like it. Kind of hard to decorate a ghost town!!! The people that ARE there are gutting their houses not decorating them!!

Well I have to go watch my son taste peas for the first time. uggh!!! lol got to get his greens lol

Great Little Thought Provoking Read!!

This guy (Dan) has a lot of truth in this post. I agree with him! We are scared of any opportunity that does not come in a pretty package and say "Gospel" on it or "use me for the Kingdom" We are kind of sad as a people and get caught up in some opportunity that will not work. What works is what has always worked.... nothing has changed. What has always worked is what I call a "Relational example" Think!!!

2 Years Now

I have been blogging for a little over two years now!!!
Wow hard to believe it has been that long. I used to have a program that was a little harder to use. It gave me pains, but blogger is pretty much nicer (i know "nicer" ain't a word lol).

On a real high note I got my new iPod yesterday (my third). Now don't go and crucify me for some decadent fool. Let me explain....

I have a 4 year old first gen. 5 Gig. Original. Still works.. but I have 29.63 Gigs of music right at this present moment so HELLO not big enough!!!

I also have a 2 year old 40 Gig 3rd Gen. (now my wife's) We now have in 23 weeks... only, and I mean only, 223 pictures of my son (this is before we feed him rice cereal in the morning, which will be documented thoroughly with photos) So, with that said, the 3rd Gen. does not show photos so HELLO not going to supply me with endless motivation while in the gulf coast working. Needless to say I now have the 5th Gen. 60 Gig. iPod which plays Video and shows Photos and I am set for at least 2 more years.

Headin Home

Today I will cross the Kentucky line hang a right just off of I75 at exit 38. The leaves are almost all gone but that ok. The mountains still hung me every time I drive through Daniel Boone national Forest. There is truly no place like home.

Everybody smiles and although we have gotten so big we don't know everybody anymore we still give a friendly wave.(Hazard does have the biggest version of a super Walmart, an Applebee's,a Lowes and anything else you would want) The south, just the way it is. Although most people make fun of the south...Rednecks and so on...most would love to just slow down and enjoy life. People go on vacation to try and create what we have everyday.

But at the same time I am jacked in, scanning pictures, watching videos, listening to music and blogging all at the same time while we are getting packed to travel 6 hours.

Day Of Resolution

I resolved a lot of stuff today, Got stuff done. Just had to document it with a post.

I Gave What I Can't Keep

I had a great time today. I gave my son back to God.

A little Extra Time

I am listening to a sermon by my uncle. I love to hear him preach. He knows the word of God. He always speaks to into my life, and challenges me.
One day I may post one!!

I have also created a new gmail (myname@gmail.com) account just for fun. I may or may not use it I am still debating. I hate to update my address book so I probably wont make you update yours.

I am excited about giving my baby Josiah back to the Lord (formally) tomorrow. We are all here my brother came down and dad we are all going over Lynde's grannies house and spending some quality time tonight. It will end up with music I know....fun fun fun

Great Day Here

My dad drove down last night. I drove home last night. It feels like thanksgiving already. Colors of leaves..Yellows reds oranges golds purples....

Going to the waffle house for some breakfast.

Josiah is amazing, Dad just loves holding him. It is way kool.....I kind of know what it must have felt like for Mary and Joseph, cuz the joy that my son brings is indescribable. Imagine the baby of all ages.... The quintessential picture of hope!!! WOW

Well I have a second or two

No leads today.... so I'll just bloody knuckle for right now. I going to hit some neighborhoods and try to make it happen. I am a roofer and there are plenty of roofs out there but I don't get it. I am still selling jobs but I could be selling so much more. Until next time. Kris

Picture Post

This is my son. In whom I am well pleased. He brings me joy. The worst day is just a memory away when he smiles at me. Josiah

It has been a while

I am listening to one of the most intimate songs I have heard for a long time. I will have it for download (in the title) for a short time. Let me know what you think. Props to trina for the find of such a fine tune.

I am posting a pic we took back in the day in "Power Church" This was the name of my first youth group. This girl was the first girl that came into the teen group from the junior high group. I remember the night she gave her heart to the lord. That moment changed both of our lives... that was a Wednesday night in y2k. She started college this fall, time sure flies. It is the Hannah's that makes everything worth it.

Things are ok in Gulfport MS. I miss my kid and my wife. I hope God opens up the door for me to lead worship again.....soon. Kris

One Good Thing (Not that there aren't more)

I have been thinking about my life this morning over a cup of hot chai. I have discovered something that I like about myself. This is something I have noticed about what I like to call the "human condition". This isn't true about everyone for they lack the capacity to deal with such things. I do not say that condescendingly but just as on observation. I will also preface what I am about to say by stating that I do not say this out of pride but out of rejoicing. Rejoicing because God has always ordered my steps, even when I thought he had nothing to do with it...I admit that some of my confession is made in faith that the parts that I lack will come, to make me whole.

I have noticed that in most of the population people tend to remember the good and forget the bad. Secularist would call these people optimist. I like to refer to these people as just having their God goggles on. However, I am a realist please don't get me wrong. I just believe that time has a way of erasing the bad things we think of, or notice in the heat of the situation. This is good. I will tell you why this is good. A person lives a long life of 75 years and has a 50/50 split of good memories and bad. That make makes for a mathematical equation of 0. Negative 50 plus positive 50 equals... Thats right!!!! Bob what do we have for contestant number 0. Please step through the invisible door to claim your invisible prize. Nothing!!!! But oppositely a person that holds more to the good than to the bad, they end up remembering the hugs, coffee, tears of joy, laughs, meals, God's visitations, you know the warm stuff that will keep you sane in tough times. That what I am going to end up with. Kris

Go Find Me

I was just accepted to be on the blog section and website section of "theooze" website. No there are no trophies involved but it is really kool. There are A lot of people there with different views. Since there is no one here with the the arrogant ideal that they have it all figured out, you may just enjoy the site. (I link to it on my sidebar...the title of this post links it too.)

Mike the guy in charge of admittance to the ooze also put me on his site called zocarnate. So I have returned the favor... (let eyes wander to the right :) :) Kris

I am glad to be back home for 2 days!!! Yeah Yeah

Home for 2 Days

Been in Mississippi for a week. I will not be able to blog very much until I get internet service. Even after I get the web I will be so busy that I may not be able to post. I am estimating roofs right now in the Gulf Port area. My son looks so good.




Here are some pics of the devastation, and one more of why the world will go on.

Change

Hard to deal.....

First, for now I am no longer at Chick-Fil-A. Long story but, I am going to Mississippi to help a friend of mine in a roofing company. So I may be out of web service for a while again. (At least through the week) It is only 6 hours away so I will be driving it home on the weekends.

I started a group called The Brew. It is a invitation group at dotmac. Very kool. Hopefully some good conversations will arise.

My son has made me cry all morning long. He and me are going to be so close. He don't say much yet, but I can't wait to tell him how much me and Jesus love him. What a man he is going to be. He is so cute. No wait perfect. If there was a store you could to and design a baby, I wouldn't change anything he is EXACTLY what I wanted in a kid.

Jesus give my little Josiah a heart for you and your people. Help him to mature and be a much better man than his daddy. God bless him with the musicale ability that I only dream of. Pour out your spirit on him. Amen

Nothing New...

Awesome post by Dan Kimball. I read his blog every time he post. He always has something great to write. For all those emerging ones... Check it out.

Lenox Mall Apple Store

I am here waqiting for the mac genius!! He will help me I know. Well I've got to go. I am a poet and don't know don't. Well actually I show it!!!! bye

I'm Off Today, So I post....Often

Check out the Nano!!!! I'm going to the Apple Store today.
I work Saturday so I can stay home today. Well, anyway I have to go. I am excited about the new Apple stuff. iTunes 5.0 was released yesterday so go get it. Got to run!!!!

My Hometown

This link will take you to my hometown radio station. I am so proud of WSGS in Hazard, KY. If only everyone did their part things would be different. The Nitline link (with Ted what's his name) on the top of the WSGS webpage will open up a Shindows Media Player (not proud of lol) pop up and play the interview. Let me know what you think of my LITTLE hometown.

MAP OF HAZARD

Your Opinions

Due to the the increase of spamers in my comments and am thinking about adding word verification, what do you think? This would add a step for you when you leave me comments. I don't like this anymore than you do, but im tired of comment spam. Let me know good or bad for or against.

Podcasting

Anyone did it? I mean made a feed that I can subscribe to. I am getting ready to do it and I want to do it right but it still be easy. I know there are sometimes ways to do things and it be kind of rinke-dink lol. I want a nice feed done, for any podcatcher and itunes too. I have some stuff I have read that have made it pretty clear but if anyone one has any experience please pass it on help me avoid the pitfalls of being a first timer!!! Thanks

Here they Come...Pic Post

I miss coffee and people.

I have a new picture album of Josiah.

I also may be starting to help a church start podcasting very soon. They want me to come on and help them part time with tech stuff and audio/video stuff very kool huh?

I visited a friend of mine and his youth group wed night. Went very well I felt like I got to encourge him and maybe help him some. He his going to be a very good influnce on me also. God is awesome when he put to people together (not to sound gay) to sharpen each other. {note to self, and you too} It's about relationships dum dum. Not about stuff...people are what matter. I dont know who is reading this,but go and build someone up today. Kris

Some Details About WU!!!

Joe had a comment on my previous post on Worship Underground and he asked some good questions. Here is his quote...

Sounds great! What goes on in Worship Underground?

Do you sing praises to God? Do you give testimonies? Do you encourage giving an offering to God as an act of worship? Do you tell them about Jesus? Do people have an opportunity to sing solos, or in groups? Are there any who play instruments? Do they get a chance to share prayer needs?

Do you send missionaries out to other countries to tell them about Jesus and to meet their physical needs as well?

Do guest speakers come and share spiritual truth with them?

Who is welcome in the Worship Underground? Are there people of all ages there? Are there people of different races?

If an attender of Worship Underground has a life-need, how do you try to meet that need?

Does the Holy Spirit lead you to plan your meetings in advance?

It sounds like a grand idea. I would really like to know some particulars. We might try it here.

Is there a manual we could follow?

10:12 AM


Good questions.. The answer is not that easy. There is not one set way to do it but we have had some unspoken guidelines. Keep it simple. The format we have used in the past. Someone will open with prayer and maybe read a passage of scripture or a short word just for focus. Then with an acoustic guitar or accapella we will just sing as a body of believers. It has not really been a time of ministry like us praying for each other or anything but God has shown up and ministered to us. Worship underground is not a church, nor does it exist to form one, or minister to one another or the needs of the community(although this may happen). I know this sounds selfish, but that's what the church is for. The church does a good job of this already, Worship Underground is for God. We gather so many times and we focus on the lost or the sick or the preacher giving us some type of instruction from the word. Worship Underground is a time that people forget about their problems and the cares of this world and just worship and commune with their father. All ages have shown but unfortunately the older generation has been very sparse I think the oldest has been late forties. All races has always been welcomed, the very first one we had we was multi cultural...it was beautiful.
Yes we normally plan them in advance so people can make time, but the first few I was involved kind of happened out of just beginning to praise and the next thing we knew God showed and we just found ourselves in his presence. It was the search for that atmosphere that sparked my desire back when I lived in Augusta, GA.

A Manuel sounds like a great ideal. It would take some time though. Maybe it is time. Thanks Joe

Do feelings matter?

I think they do! I know we walk by faith, but my feelings must matter if Jesus spent so much time telling me how to control them.

Just a thought. I hear so many people say what you feel is not important, or does not matter. That is easy for a person who is not very emotional...But I am!!! So what do I do? I must learn what Jesus would do with my emotions if he had them. Control some try to erase others and stir up some others. WOW!!!!

Origin of "Underground"

Joe asked me to explain the underground thing and I think that is a great ideal. Well about 4 years ago God gave me an ideal to have a organic grass roots kind of worship time in a "non churchee" way. My first ideal was to do it on a fri night at the church I was the worship leader at then. I talked to my pastor about it and he loved it.... But, he did not really get what I meant, he was not on the level I was. I do not say level because my level was higher or better but just a different level.
He wanted to have it but he wanted to call it "Friday night Fire" well I managed to hold down my vomit and get out of not doing it at all. That was my Joseph moment and basically he did not understand my dream. Well anyway I then knew I needed a name...one that was worthy of my ideal (or God's ideal).

I thought about it and my reflection brought me to a time when I was a pastor of the uths! I had an incredible "lock in" it was where I took all there Bibles and got the police to come and tell them that there had been a change of law from the state of GA stating that there was to be no more church. It worked!! These kids hit their knees. I told them we may have to go back to the days of the early Christians. This was where I got the ideal Underground. The first worshipers (when the church grew very fast and was the most healthy) had to worship in what was called catacombs. These were underground Roman tombs. This was not something that was showey, or looked anything like the polished performances that we have today called "church". This was very organic and real.. grassroots. This is one of the things responsible for the gospel spreading so fast. When I was looking for a name for my "event of a different color", I felt like God lead me to this name "Worship Underground". It was not until I got to Yakima WA that I was able to implement that event and that name.

This is where Worship Underground came from and I hope it continues to grow not because I started it, but because "HE" started it long ago and for what it really is... worship at the spring... the source... where we drink from. Just plain worship. Pastor Kris

Worship Underground

I am so proud and excited at the same time. Yakima worship underground is still going on, they had their first house meeting tonight. This is something we started over a year ago. I'm gone... and they still are going strong. This is a wonderful thing. This shows it was bigger than me. I am thinking and planning to start a Bremen cell of Worship Underground. God gave me the ideal about 3 1/2 years ago and I am pumped to see it happening. Who knows what God's plan is. West coast East coast!!!! Worship underground coming to a city near you. God is so awesome.

My Boss

My new job is very fast!!! We serve fast food, the good for you kind. Clean friendly fast courteous are just a few adjective to describe us. My boss is a great Christian and a great leader. He is a great businessman, with influence in the city and his church. He is an elder at his church, he and I had a great conversation today and I want to have him as a mentor (he does not know it yet!!). He took a store (his second one in 18 years) from 276th in the state to number 4 in the state in sales. That only happens with great leadership and a blessing from God. He is a member of the Christian businessmen association and gives back tons to the community. I am pursing Chick-fil-A as a career, I have prayed about it and I feel God is giving me a way and putting people in my life so I can make a difference for the kingdom of God.

This will not set right with a lot of religious people (yes I am talking to you...pharicee(sp?), is that your face turning red?) I think one of the best ways to impact people that are not a Christian is.... yes that right you guessed it....spend time with them!!! What do we have for them Charlie!!!! Please excuse my sarcasm but I have been around long enough to know when you do something different you will not be understood by people. I have dreams... big ones, and Chick-Fil- A is one of them.. and will help me to achieve the rest of them.

This is my tent making job right now and may be for a while to come (I hope). Pray for me, I want to be the best at my job right now it is learning to make all the food. Next it will be dealing with the people, and then all the business and then the process of going through the necessary interviews to OWN MY OWN RESTAURANT. My boss is one of the best in the country (currently number 15) and he and I have found a great common ground....People. You see... Having a good restaurant is not so much about hot fresh food served fast and just the way they ordered it for a great price...as it is about people!!!! And I love people.

Well I have taken up enough of your time. What are you doing tomorrow? When the day is done are you going to feel like you did something worth while? I hope you do. When you look at things like that, it will change the way you make a chicken sandwich. Kris

Email

Lots of changes lately. FYI.... I will not be checking my krisbarger@charterinternet email account anymore. Please pass this along. I will from now on use only my .mac email account. Later... real busy here in GA. I'm off to get some breakfast change my phone number and some other stuff.

Had a great day at Chick-Fil-A yesterday.

Had to prostitute this it is great LOL

Read the WHOLE thing don't skip the disclaimer at the end. Let me know what you think too. Dan Kimball is awesome.

I now have my web access

Give me a day or two to get some travel pics up and stuff got a lot of kool things going on so ill post soon it is almost midnight here in EST so im turning in. later.....

There's No Place Like Home

We arrived last night at 1:00AM EST. Pictures of some trip stuff to come. Kris

109468

That was my code to the church security system. I will miss that place I already do. There was a old song by a group called Degarmo & Key I can't remember the title but here are the words...

Seasons change days go by
People come and people go
Though our paths lead us apart
They will meet one day I know
For I owe you so much dear friend
For all those treasured times
For you've made me a richer man
Having had you in my life...

I sang this at my high school graduation.

I sing it now in my head while I drive. I hold back the tears (cuz im in the breakfast foyer at the Ameri-Suites) while I type this. I can't express the love that I have. Gary,Eva,Rob,Chris,Selena,Lynn,Matt,Eric&Gina,Dole&Christie,all my baristas at Starbux,and everyone else that helped us and prayed for us and labored with us......I LOVE YOU!!!!

I only wish I could have done more or better. Because time spent for God is not time wasted, even at the most simple of task or the tedious of ventures. Lynde and Josiah say hi. God bless you and yours.

We are in Boise this morn. I will post pictures of why we only got that far in another post. Brake problems 15 miles out of Yakima...tire on fire....you know normal cross country stuff. We started out 5 hours behind.

Love, Kris

A Lugee Hocking savior

I'm setting here in starbux and want to say... that I love Jesus in a major way....

LOL.

Why do you think Jesus spat in the dirt and made mudd. He was God he did not have to do that. I'm glad he did don't get me wrong, I just think it was funny and kool and disturbing (to some people, but not to me) that the God-Man sent to save the world (or at least the elect) made mudd with spit. I love it....what if it was done today? Do you think the church would accept it. They didn't then! Kris

Not Left Yet

I got my bike up in my truck (said yoda tuff it was) But I cowboy'ed ???? up and did it. So hold the applause till the end please. Also, I sold my couch and love seat, and my wife just bought a leather sectional sp??. Moving is fun when you get new stuff.



I'm at starbux (that is the way they spell it on their Hear Music cd files) like I am all the time. The 56th street Starbucks is the best in all the world. I have found free wifi here, the store across the street does not have their linksys router WEP'ed so I open up my powerbook and boom, wham, pop, zoewe, thud, crack, whoop there it is free internet.

Moving Pics

I will be posting pics of my move, here is the truck I'll be moving in. After shots (full) will be posted also. I have a good route picked out. I'll be posting that route soon. But for now just pics of the rig. I'll try to find some wifi heading across the country. This should be exciting. Well I have to start manhandleing furniture. Kris

Awesome Post

This guy (Steve) is really creative. He has a good blog to follow if you like to keep up with people and their stuff. This is one of the funniest things I have read lately.

I'm irregular

A irregular blogger....lol I am packing . I hate moving. I have to finish packing and drive our stuff across the country. I would much rather blog and set here (at Starbucks) all day long, but I must go see my wife and new son (Josiah). They are in Bremen waiting on me.

Well I'm leading our home group tonight. The book we are reading is The Unquenchable Worshiper by Matt Redman Great book!!!!

I love this Post

I know I am prostituting another person's blog, but I just can't help it, I love what he says. I have to say it makes me wish I worked at a place like that. Maybe I will?????

Tony had a cool insight when he read this post from Seth.

Bremen, GA

Everyone I know asks me where we are moving. I am going to post some info on Bremen.
First of all, it is a tiny city about 45 min from Atlanta which is just far enough away. Atlanta is huge it ranks pretty high when it comes to big cities in the US. It is the cultural center of the south, in my opinion. You can find anything you want and some things you would never want. Well that may answer some questions you may have.

We Have Gone Too Far

America's obsession with looks has gone too far. Don't get me wrong I enjoy beautiful people, but I'll just get right to the point. The other night I was surfing the TV and found this show called America's Next Top Model. I watched for a little while and I was really ticked..... They sent a girl home. Well, first of all she was considered full sized which in street terms means that she actually had curves and a figure!!! But the thing that really killed her was that she would not pose nude!! This wasn't like playboy nude, but nude with that paint stuff on your body that makes you look like you kind of have clothes on (but really she would have still been nude). She was from Atlanta and said she did not want her kids to see her like that and she had a husband and basically it was against her morals. Way to go girl, stand up for what you believe. But that got her sent home. I was mad. I don't know weather or not this was a new episode, or in syndication, or what but I turned it off thinking that something was wrong. Forgive me for being so blunt but this is my blog. What do you think?

When One Bleeds We All Bleed!!

Look familiar? 9-11/7-7

Least we Forget. Pray

This may be coming!

The phone is labeled the E790:

It will be like a iPod shuffle in function. Very kool, but it may be a while before it shows up on the market. I don't know about you but I would much rather have a few songs on my phone than a lousy camera. It should sync with iTunes and have sound as good as a full size iPod.

This is from a rumor site that got leaked from a website in Israel. (Link in title)

Ok On A Lighter note... LOL

This is cane syrup. Good Stuff!
As some of you know I was a Youth and a Music pastor down in South GA for a little while and one thing that people always talked about was cane syrup. It is not molasses and not some weird honey. This is made from corn, not sugar cane. Different it is, but bad it is not! I do find the label quite funny though. I love the south, it's different from anywhere else in the world. Well, I’ll let the pics speak for themselves. Kris

The Best Thing I have Read In Like....Forever

This blew me away. Please read this! It may a little long, but I have not read something so true and real in a long time. This is coming from me... A "culture guy" I have been culture crazy, but I have some stuff to think about. I have been challenged by this article. Wow, I say this from my heart, this deals with what really matters.

Please comment I want to hear your opinions.

(The link is in the title)

Hello ?

I was just Chillin on my G5 today and ran across this article. I have seen so many security warnings from Microsoft I could not possibly count them. If you aren't using a Mac, then there are a few things you need to do to try and protect yourself from the Big Bad Cyber Wolf. Cuz using IE on XP is like walking through the cyberspace woods in your little Red Hood.

It's the WWW! Full of people ready to steal your stuff. Sure, with a digital mugging your not going to walk away with a bloody nose, but that's not the worst thing that can happen to you. You wouldn't leave your wallet in the seat of your new Lexus parked in the "bad" section of town while you decide to hop out and walk your 5 pound Yorkie! Cyberspace is scary enough, use a good browser that is safer. Nothing is 100% safe, but Firefox is pretty ironclad when it comes to surfing the web.

Easy Podcasting

Apple just released iTunes 4.9 yesterday. This version is updated to support Podcasting. Already tried the podcasting and Apple makes it very easy to import a feed . They have always been the masters of drag and drop. Just get the URL feed for the podcast you want to subscribe to and drag it to your podcast playlist... that easy. They did it once again, Mac simplicity.

Here are some feeds about the Emergent Church I have tried so far.
http://del.icio.us/tag/podcast-tech-church
http://www.radicalcongruency.com/category/podcast/feed
http://www.e-church.com/pod.xml
http://feeds.feedburner.com/TommyBaileysLivingRoom

Something I just discovered was a link to a list of different blogs dealing with all things emerging.
http://www.emergentconvention.com/2005/blogs.php

I will state as a disclaimer I do not necessarily agree or disagree with any or all of these authors. Peace out...Kris

Neo....

I have been following the white rabbit for a while now. But I now have in front of me ... A choice

"This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill: the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill: you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."

I took he red pill. Life is different, and oh yea.. the rabbit hole is deep. I'm still learning about life where I am now. Every Sunday I get jacked in. I get to see my friends. I love them, but some of them don't want the choice, they never even cared to follow the white rabbit. Others took the blue pill and believe whatever they want. The people that took the red pill stand out, we recognize each other after just one conversation. They still jack in for the same reason that I do. To find more potentials.

I love The Church, (God's people) however there are some problems. I tired of the masquerade party. It is about time we take off the mask and let people in. We have to stop guarding the skeletons in our closet and be free of the crap we fear the most. Being found out as sinners.

I Want Money... lots and lots of Money

This article (not by me) says a mouthful of truth, some of which is hard to swallow. I think we as a church need to rethink some of what we are teaching people. What do you think?

The Grand ole' Duke of York

This gets a little personal I hope this does not make you nervous, or God forbid hurt your opinion of me! LOL

One of the hardest things for me to do is to get up after I fall. Generally I am pretty good at anything that I do but, when I fall I fall hard. I know plenty of people like me. It's kind of like "When your up your up and when your down your down but when your only half way up your neither up or down". This describes a lot of people, usually us people that have a more creative or artsie side to our personality. We have to work hard at being balanced. I don't take getting crushed well (who does?) I have to work hard at getting up if people saw me fall. When I get embraced it turns me into a monster, and I react harshly.

When this happens to me I must try to do the thing that is Christlike. Just cowboy up instead of laying there and bleeding. My pride or ego is the thing that always hurts the most when things like this happen. God has his way of teaching us. I pray to learn what I have to soon so I can get on to the next chapter in my textbook and ultimately my next lesson. KLB

Life and Death

My mother died a little over 4 years ago. It was the hardest thing I have ever endured. I cried for a long time. My son Josiah was born 6 days ago. I laughed, I was overjoyed, I could hardly contain myself. Then I started to think of the pain this child would have to endure to live in this world. I thought of the heartache, sickness, and ultimately death he would be acquainted with. Then I was reminded of something I read once that a church father said a long time ago. He said "We should cry when some one is born and rejoice when they die". What the heck? That made no sense to me then. But now.... I get it. Life is hard and wonderful all at the same time. What joys we do have, we should enjoy them. When someone dies (in Christ) we should rejoice.

This Is New

I have seen Blogspot all over the web but I have been using iblog for years. I will see how to combine or start over . So Give me awhile. I think I may end up liking blogspot. Well later more to come