From Tejano to Mississippi hounds

Anyone own a silencer?...for the 3 dogs in my neighbor's yard who bark incessantly at nothing. Anything will work, including my neighbor getting off her couch and opening the door to let them in. Oh wait, there's a doggy door in her back door. So how are they not totally obnoxious to her? It's so bad that my Golden Retriever plastered himself against our backdoor begging to get in out of the noise. I am a dog lover...but these have to go.

Netflix Queue Update...

My Netflix queue is running a little low. Anybody seen any good flix lately that you would recommend for my queue?

Tejano Fest 2005...in my front yard!

Last night when I got home from church (about 9:30) I saw that my neighbors were having a party. This is nothing new as our cul-de-sac seems to be party central for this end of North Texas. The 2 houses across from us are nightly post college frat-boy parties of several of the neighbors sitting in each others' garages, drinking heavily, watching the projection screen for whatever sport is on at the time, playing poker, cussing at the top of their lungs, and keeping the rest of us up with their raucous. Well, last night the other neighbors decided to chime in with their own version of the notorious parties, except this one had a different flare...a south of the border flare. That's right, it was all out Tejano party. Now don't get me wrong, I am a connoisseur of music, but if there is one style that turns my stomach to hear, no it's not rap, it's tejano. Now what really gets under my skin is that our neighbors had their tejano music blasting at 1AM. Since I am the media pastor at FC Uptown, I have to leave my house at 3AM to go get the truck and get it to the school to load in at 4:30AM. But not only did this get me a little hot under the collar, it REALLY ticked off my wife. She called the cops, then sat in our little girl's room until they got there only to see our neighbors scrambling. How high school is that?!!! I love it...ratting out my rude neighbors, and actually getting 2 hours of peaceful sleep before a 12+ hour day! Typically I don't sleep well on Saturday nights because of my fear of over-sleeping one of my 3 alarms. Now, I'm off to nap before we have our own TEJANO FEST 2005 tonight...just kidding, I may not get up until tomorrow, if I'm lucky!

Lincoln Brewster @ FC this weekend!

Yes that's right...Lincoln Brewster is at Fellowship Church Grapevine this weekend! That man has some sick skills with an axe. Tonight, he rocked out some new hits, and a Jeff Buckley classic, "Halleluiah." It was an awesome night of worship at FC tonight!

The Apprentice is back x2

I don't know if you're a fan, but one of my favorite shows is The Apprentice. In fact, my wife and I TiVo it every week and do not miss an episode. Now, NBC has added her highness of domestic divas, Martha Stewart, as the new boss for her own Apprentice series. However, her show was "Trumped" in the ratings by Donald's hit series. Martha should stick to teaching inmates how to paint the prison walls in pastel colors and leave the grueling life of luxury to the Donald. If any one saw Martha's attempt at The Apprentice, let me know as I am willing to add her to my ever-growing TiVo season pass list. Also, if there are any other great series that came out this fall, let me know as my other "Do Not Miss" show, 24, won't air again until January.

Transparency + Mobility = Freedom

This morning I was reading an article in the most recent Relevant Magazine that referred to perhaps my favorite worship band...Hillsong United. Here are a few points from the article that really hit home to me:

>Getting real and personal applies to the worship leaders just as well as to their flock. Sometimes the balance between transparency before God and visibility in the eyes of thousands of ecstatic fans is a struggle.

>"It's difficult to remain transparent for God, letting Him access you not just on stage, but as a total lifestyle. God has put you in that position, so you walk in it, but you always need to be growing in God." Jad Gillies, worship pastor

>"It's about keeping it real and keeping it simple, and the worship leaders I find most effective do the same. Our generation sees straight through anything that isn't in spirit and truth, and we are easily distracted by worship that tries too hard. Sometimes worship leaders get so focused on doing their thing that they get in the way of the very thing they are there to facilitate -- people meeting with God. I have to constantly remind myself to get out of the way, and when it's in spirit and truth, religion and method make way for joy and freedom in our worship times." Joel Houston, worship leader

If you are part of your worship team, whether that be singing, playing an instrument, running graphics, sound, or lighting , remember that we are there to create an environment that is easier for people to encounter God. As we go into this next weekend, let us remember to
get out of the way so that our God will be seen in and through everything we do.

I am looking forward to a great weekend...be on the lookout for some INXS at Uptown this weekend!

Rockstar Finale

Well, my guy didn't win. Marty and J.D. both had incredible final performances, but the suck up finally won. After watching his final performance, J.D. is really going to have to work on not sounding like Michael Hutchence. I think he will write some really catchy tunes, like "Pretty Vegas" but I wonder if he will be able to keep his own style? It was a great season, some incredible performances, some new potential stars, and another INXS album. So, who will be the next Rockstar: ? My wife says it should be Eric Orson...our FC Rockstar!

Way to go Santa!

Tonight my daughter, Kamryn, and I were sitting in the recliner watching one of the greatest rivalries of all time...Cowboys vs. Redskins. This was our daddy time for the day so I asked her how her day went. She began by telling on herself for not being nice to her mom, she told me she hadn't napped, and she told me she wanted a doctor kit. Her friend Reia Storch, Terry's daughter, has a doctor kit and they like to play doctor. So, I told her that if she wanted a doctor kit she would need to ask Santa for one for Christmas. She replied, "No daddy. Bopoo (my dad) is better than Santa! He brings better presents." I guess Santa will have his hands full this year!

You Were Mine...the video that stirred the masses!

Here is a link to this weekend's service element that I referenced early last week with my disclaimer..."I am NOT a home wrecker!" Mad props to the FC Post guys for their hard work! Here is a copy of what I wrote on Womack's blog:

Hey, what can I say...I love the drama associated with this incredible piece. You know it has done what it's supposed to when people are that disturbed. Going into this weekend I never envisioned the amount of talk this song/video would create. Richelle and I are very happily married and take great precaution so that this type of thing would not happen in our marriage. However, if it took this service element to shake some people in their seats...let's do it again! 80% is a ridiculously high number and it is our duty as the head of the household to make sure we protect our marriage and family. Womack, the photo montage was awesome and reminded me of what an awesome family I have. We plan on using the video with a different song to give to the grandparents at Christmas. Again, another great video element produced by the FC Post department.

You can find the link to see the video on his blog, or you can click here to see it.

Captain Cave Girl!

Remember the days when you were big enough to build a cave out of the couch cushions and still small enough to fit in it? My 3 year old, Kamryn, decided that she needed a place of refuge from her 6 month old brother this morning...here is the final product!

Barnes and Noble...HUGE disappointment!

This afternoon, my wife and I took our kids to Barnes & Noble for an afternoon of perusing potential book purchases. While I was digging in the business section looking at books on guerilla marketing (I know that gives you that tingly feeling too!), Richelle took Kamryn and Gavin to the kids' section so that Kamryn could pretend like she knew how to read and describe pictures at the top of her lungs. After I found what I was looking for, I soon joined them. As we were walking over to the stage area so that Kamryn could entertain the store with her renditions of Yanci's Christmas Eve performance at AAC, Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone," and some song from The Wiggles, I looked down and saw that B&N stocked their children's book section with an assortment of books on witchcraft, sorcery, and spell casting. This seriously disturbed me as one of the books spoke of summoning elves, spirits, and fairies. It also gave directions on casting spells on others. I mean, come on! What child needs to be reading this crap? I'm highly circumspect of the whole Harry Potter rage...this takes it to a whole new level. As Terry Storch questioned his paying 20-30% more to buy a book there, I too question why parents would by those books for their kids.

Rockstar: INXS Update #3

Well, Suzie fell and the remaining 3 (Marty, J.D., and Mig) are in the final show. Last night's show was good. Next week's show will be awesome! I'm still on the Marty bandwagon. Although, the ideal frontman for INXS would be a combo of the final 3...Marty's voice and vision, J.D.'s stage presence and songwriting skills, and Mig's Aussie roots. No one can really measure up to the late great Michael Hutchence. Sorry guys, you just don't! Check out the final episodes of Rockstar: INXS on CBS next Tuesday at 9PM and Wednesday at 8PM.

Rockstar: INXS Update #2

So, J.D. showed up again last night. His song, "Pretty Vegas" has a great hook. I could really hear INXS doing that song...not so much for Marty's "Trees." It is catchy, but doesn't have the "rock-titude" that "Pretty Vegas" has. We'll see tonight who isn't a good fit for their band. Thank the Lord for TiVo...I'll get to watch the results after the kids have called it a night! It's too bad that next week is the final episode. Who'll be the next Rockstar: ?????? Who'll be the next frontman for INXS? Stay tuned!

Guess who has joined the blogging community...?

My wife!!! The Sweet Diva is now a member of the blogging community. Check out her blog by clicking here, or check out her website by clicking here.

I am not a home wrecker!

Just to give everyone due awareness, the video you will see this weekend at Fellowship Church is strictly DRAMA!!! Once you see it and hear my wife, Richelle, sing a Dixie Chicks song with it you will understand. I have to disclose this element of the service so that my good name is not defamed across the metroplex this weekend! Since I was told there will not be a disclaimer...here it is!!! Come to one of our 10 weekend services at one of the four campuses and see it for yourself!

Guys' Night Out

Tonight was the first night in a very long time that I actually got to hang with the guys, and do guy stuff. It started with about 10 of us meeting for dinner at Ojeda's. From there, we went to Matt McMasters' cousin's house in a warehouse. I realize that sounds a bit crazy, but his cousin actually built his house inside of a warehouse that he uses for a furniture shipping business. Pretty cool idea. We set up the poker tables and proceeded to play Texas Hold 'em for several hours. I had never played poker of any sorts outside of computer and cell phone games. My cousins and I played Texas Hold 'em last year while we were pheasant hunting, but no money changed hands so I wouldn't call it legit. Tonight, was legit. Everyone bought in and the playing began. With this being my first time in, I played very conservatively. But I guess my conservation paid off, as my rookie appearance landed me 3rd place and $20. Not a huge pot for 3rd, but hey, it was a break-even night including dinner! $10 mexican food + $10 buy in = 1 great night! Thank yous to Terry Storch for the invite, and to my lovely, beautiful, wonderfully gracious wife for letting me go! See you guys next month!

iTunes 5 releases!

Okay...this is my 3rd Apple blog post in a row. This is funny why? Because the last Apple/Mac product I owned was in the early 90's when I had an Apple Classic with an external 80MB, yes 80 megabyte, hard drive. I thought I could take over the world with 80 MB. So, I'm sure I will eventually make it back to Mac...after I inherit a small fortune from a distant unknown relative, or when Richelle's Sweet Diva makes the Fortune 500. Until then, I will live vicariously through my fortunate friends and will hang on to iTunes!

New iPod hits the streets

Welcome iPod nano!!! This thing is no thicker than a (flashback) #2 pencil! Check this out!
http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/

I guess that's what Richelle will be asking for at Christmas...maybe they will have it in pink by then!?!

New iTunes Phone Unveiled...SWEET!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050907/tc_nm/apple_ipod_dc

Rockstar: INXS Update

As much as I can't stand the guy, J.D. Fortune definitely brought it last night. My guess is that it will be him and Marty in the final. I really think that Marty will be the better front man for the band as he is the closest vocally to the late, great, Michael Hutchence. If you don't watch the show, you're really missing out on some great rock performances. I am a big fan of American Idol, but this show really throws all the pop cheese out the window and brings it every night!

Gilligan dies

Actor, Bob "Gilligan" Denver, passes away today.

Forgotten Band...to be reinstated

I was reminded yesterday as I laid awake at 6:30 on a Saturday morning of a very good band that had slipped past my radar and into the numerous forgottens. For any of you who have Directv, you too can be reminded of the wholesome message of this band by tuning into the Freeview channel...124....No, I'm not talking about String Cheese Incident. The band I'm referring to is Lifehouse. These guys really put out some very good stuff. I need to pull out the old cds and put them back in my iTunes library. There is a point during "Everything" that I catch glimpses of another great songwriter and future superstar...none other than our own Derric Bonnot of the future supergroup Foreign Oren. How awesome would it be for these 2 bands to hook up for a future tour?

Things God Reminded Me of This Week

1) Hurt people hurt people.
2) The Golden Rule
3) He's in control of my world.
4) Listen to the weathermen. Eventhough they're not right all the time, they know more than I do.
5) Patience helps all situations.
6) Led Zeppelin IV was a great album.