Frank Abagnale: "Catch Me If You Can"

Favorite Quotes

"Nothing is so deadening to the divine, as an habitual dealing with the outsides of holy things." - George MacDonald

"O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." - Francis of Assisi

"Beware of being obsessed with consistency to your own convictions instead of being devoted to God. The important consistency in a saint is not to a principle but to the divine life. It is easier to be an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful, because God causes an amazing humbling of our religious conceit when we are faithful to Him." ~ Oswald Chambers

“Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” – Corrie ten Boom

“God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile” – Max Lucado

“If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things. It is we, of course, to whom things look ‘little’ or ‘big’.” – Elisabeth Elliot

“Relying on God has to start all over everyday, as if nothing has yet been done.” – C. S. Lewis

Top 10 Hot Wheels (My List)

As Christmas time quickly morphs from expectation to reality, I'm reminded of some of my favorite gifts when I was a child. Hot Wheels were a big deal when I was growing up in the 60's and my brother and I spent hours racing and playing with our favorite cars. Here is a list of my Top 10 cars that I have owned:

Prepare To Meet Your God

We've all been driving along, captured by our own thoughts, maybe getting lost in a favorite tune and then suddenly, we see it. The words, "Prepare To Meet Your GOD", plastered on an huge billboard, maybe painted on a overpass, or possibly held up high by a person alongside the road. Whatever platform you view it, the message remains the same.

In America, seeing that we have all become immune to seeing church steeples on every corner, I fear that this particular message has lost its potency. I do believe that one day I will meet my Creator, but my finite mind starts to shut as I start trying to fill in some of the descriptions of that encounter. It's been my experience that I'm not alone in that conclusion. 

Games of My Youth

In my previous blog I shared my memories of our Saturday evening game nights during high school. By the time my friends and I had graduated from high school, we had already moved beyond card games into two radically different genres of gaming, Fantasy and War games.

I don't remember who in our group discovered Dungeons & Dragons but the game itself was pretty new. (Note: Published in 1974 by TSR) One of my friends brought the D&D Players Handbook to one of our Saturday game nights and we were hooked. A game that was totally dependent upon your own imagination? By Monday evening I had already purchased my own Players Handbook and started memorizing the rules of play. (And there were a lot of rules of play . . . )

A Day That Will Live In Infamy

I invite you to watch this short documentary (less than 15 minutes long) about the Oberg Color Film Footage of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7th, 1941. This footage tells the story of Harold & Eda Oberg, who capture this video during and after the attack on Hickam Army Airfield.

The attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was the most costly attack  on American soil (Killing 2,402 Americans) until the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (Killing 2,977 people). Both of these attacks prompted an unparalleled response by the United States in enacting retribution for these attacks.

You can view the Oberg Documentary at the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b6auSQPvGs

Game Night

By the time I was a junior in high school I had been working for over a year at a grocery store. Working there allowed me to purchase a car, and with that of course, independence. But with that busy work schedule my leisure time was gravely reduced. The first year was all nights and every weekend. After a year however I had risen up the ranks and by the time I was a junior I had my pick of the schedule. This hard bought seniority allowed me the gift of being off most every Saturday.

During my high school and college years I loved to play games. It was a great way to burn off stress, learn strategies, and hang out with friends. In high school my friends and I started off playing card games, always playing at my friend David's house. His Mom loved to have us come over and we quickly were adopted into the family. There was a big table in the Dining Room and we happily settled in for the evening. David's mom would make us food and we would bring some snacks and time would fly by like I had never experienced before. This time became a sacred spot on our schedules. Yes, we would all go through stages where girls would take precedence over game nights, but it always seemed like that was a short diversion. Another interesting perspective is that the girls that stuck around in our lives were always the ones who realized the importance of those Saturday fellowships.

Top 5 Greatest Games

Slate magazine published an article this week listing their Top 40 greatest family games. That got me thinking about my favorite board games and all of the great memories that these games have brought to me over the years. Playing Stock Market with my Mom and brother on our kitchen table, playing chess with my Dad, playing Careers (who remembers this game?) and many more. So without further ado, here are my top five games:

CBS Radio Mystery Theater - The Old Ones Are Hard To Kill

What Evil Is This

Today a middle-aged man got up early and started his drive to his workplace. He got up before the sun had started to share its light and as he drove toward downtown Nashville he might have been thinking about his family, the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, his to do list for his workday and other thoughts common to most of humanity as we start our day.

Yet there are other humans that wake up dwelling on more sinister thoughts. How to steal from others, how to inflict pain, and maybe even plotting how to destroy people they have never met. I can't imagine what has brought a person to this place, to where their obsession is to cultivate destruction but it is evident that this is not an uncommon mindset. Their motivations are the opposite of pure and sometimes our life intersect with these people when we least expect it . . .

"It is Well with My Soul"

"It Is Well With My Soul" is a hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss. 

This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first two were the death of his four-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). 

His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with D. L. Moody's upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". 

Life - It Continues Until It Doesn't

I remember asking my parents as they got older why they always read the obituary section of their local paper. "Because it's the best way to keep up with our friends" came the honest but rather sober response. And as I get older I find myself doing the same, scanning the paper to see who has left this world and at what age.

The departing ages are of great importance to me as I get older and I have found I strangely either draw comfort or discouragement from this fact. But the most heartbreaking losses I view are children dying before their parents. The pain that accompanies this reality is too much for me to even imagine . . .

Viewing death as a real possibility brings a laser focus to one's priorities and tasks. But what about days when death seems as far away as Pluto in the night sky? I fear that in my life, especially as I get older, I move thoughts of death around in my mind like I'm arranging papers on my desk. And those thoughts are getting closer to the trash bin,

Sailing

There are very few songs in my opinion that earn the adjective, "haunting". But when Christopher Cross released his song, "Sailing" in June 1980, that song established a special place in my memories. And it has continued to haunt me throughout my life. 

When I first heard this song I was with some friends in San Francisco and we were exploring the city while waiting for news that the highway to Washington was going to reopen. You see, the highway up to Washington had been closed off and on since Mt. Saint Helen explosion in May. The volcano was still erupting, though not anywhere close to the scale of the May eruption, but it was still worrisome enough to temporarily block traffic on some of the highways. All this posturing would finally culminate in a minor eruption in July, 1980. (Quick side note: After hearing about the high mineral deposits contained in the volcanic ash - which was everywhere - we collected several garbage bags of the ash while we were exploring the Pacific coast. Upon returning home my friends and I were able to recoup the entire costs of our trip by selling mason jars of the ash. Turns out you can grow anything in that stuff . . . ) 

While exploring the city of San Francisco, this song seemed to be playing on the radio every hour. One memory that is burnt into my brain is waking up early to go jogging, (friends that have only known me since the 90's will be shocked at this revelation . . . ) and after my run getting back in my car at Fisherman's Wharf, being serenaded by the sights and sounds of the city, watching the fog bank retreat into the Pacific, and hearing this song being played on the radio. Magical times. 

Internal versus External

If I were honest, 3 a.m. and nobody else around to hear me honest, I would admit that most of my struggles in life originate from internal pressure versus external environments. 

My peace disappears when I take my eyes off of God's goodness and promises and start to focus on what I don't have and what I can't do. This starts a destructive spiral until I ask God for forgiveness and repent of my disobedience. Then He is faithful to forgive and restore me based on His goodness and mercies. 

Yet, I don't think I'm the only one who struggles in this area . . . 

A Magical Night at Red Rocks

It was a rainy, chilly evening in the Rocky Mountains. We settled into our seats, perched high above the stage below. We were at the world famous Red Rock Amphitheater which is located near Denver, CO. If there is a venue anywhere in the world that combines acoustics, nature and design better than this place, I would very much like to see it. Even in our seats the music was powerful, and natural. In fact, I remember closing my eyes and it seemed like the band was right in front of my face. 

Letterboxd

I recently joined a social media site where you can list and review movies that you have watched. I think its pretty interesting to catalog the films you have enjoyed throughout your life and then observe the tapestry of your interests throughout the years. 

If you want to check out my profile click HERE.

Regrets, I Have a Few

I was watching a TV show recently and the discussion shifted to "regrets". One of the characters mentioned that he didn't believe in regrets because each decision he made, good or bad, resulted in him being the person he is today. I think he's delusional.

In this blog post I'm going to focus on just some financial regrets that I have experienced over the years, mostly in regard to the stock market.

One of my regrets was my lack of belief in the success of eBay. In July of 1998, eBay had less than 500,000 users and had yet to take the company public. I joined eBay that same month and remember reading in the Wall Street Journal about the company preparing to launch its IPO in September of 1998. The projected stock price was predicted to open at $18.00 but by the end of the first day the price was $53.50. If I had invested $1,000.00 in eBay today that investment would be worth over $18,000.

Top 10 Bands of All Time

Top 10 Bands of All Time

1) Beatles

2) Pink Floyd

3) Steely Dan

4) Genesis

5) Doobie Brothers

6) Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

7) Kansas

8) Three Dog Night

9) Chicago

10) Earth, Wind and Fire

No, this list is not up for debate . . .

Memories Of The Braves

My favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, just clinched the National League East for the first time since 2013! This got me to thinking about some of my favorite Atlanta Braves baseball players throughout my lifetime and some of the great memories that I have about this team.

1) Hank Aaron hitting his 715 home run to break Babe Ruth's all-time home run record in Atlanta Fulton County stadium on April 8th, 1974. I remember a couple of things about this historic game, the first was hoping that he would break the record in Atlanta. This was the fourth game of the 1974 baseball season but the first home game of the new season. In the fourth inning he hit a home run which drove in Darrell Evans and tied the game with the Dodgers (who would go on to win the National League pennant that year). Another interesting fact is that the manager of the Braves was Eddie Matthews who is the only Braves player to play in all three of the Braves cities (Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta) as well as teaming up with Hank Aaron to hit the most home runs (863)  of any two teammates in baseball history (they surpassed the record held by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig).

How Quickly I Forget

In the gospel of Matthew, Chapters 14 through 16, we read an astounding account of Jesus feeding over five thousand men. (Just the men are counted in this story but most scholars put that number at twelve thousand plus when figuring the women and children) He performs this miracle with five loaves of bread and two fish and over the objection of his followers.

It was late in the afternoon and the disciples were tired, hungry, and looking forward to a night of rest. Check out what they said to Jesus in chapter 14:15 ". . . just send the crowd away so they can go back to their villages and buy their own food." Can you hear all the undertones of their request? "Jesus this crowd is standing between us and our dinner and rest so can't we just ask them to leave?" How many times do other people's needs get in the way of our own desires? Plenty, for me if I'm being honest.

No Words Necessary

It's a southern thing.

Top Twenty Six Songs

At this point in my life these are my top twenty-six songs that I can press play and enjoy anytime, anywhere. You know, those songs that the within the first few beats and notes you are hooked. These are the songs that I will immediately stop when scanning on the radio dial.

(I did notice after I reviewed this list that most of the songs I picked include a lot of horns and lead keyboard parts, which is probably not a surprise to anyone who knows me. Shout out to all you former trombone and keyboard players!)

I also can't help thinking about how many of these songs unlock nostalgic events in my past. (For instance: "Saturday In The Park" reminds me of playing this song in our band in High School marching down the streets of Gatlinburg, TN.)

One song that didn't make the cut but always invokes a strong memory is "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. (Always reminds me of driving the coast of California during the late 70's) The Jackson Five song, "I Want You Back" was off of the first cassette tape I received from a favorite uncle for Christmas. Elton John's song, "Your Song" was a favorite song to play during my high school years. And so on . . . enjoy!

Sharing Information For All Time

This may seem like an oxymoron but I don't share personal information on social media platforms. I think social media can be a wonderful place to connect with family and friends but it isn't my communication platform of choice.

I prefer to do my communication face-to-face and if that is not possible then with a phone call. There is too much unseen information and context that can be left out when texting or posting, which is one of the reasons I don't embrace those social media platforms.

No Matter What . . .

I love Tennessee football.
When they are good,
When they aren't,
When they bring me joy,
When they don't,
When they hold my attention,
When they can't,
When they make me proud,
When they make me proud.

The Mystery Of Who They Are . . .

As I type these words I'm sitting in my parents living room and giving thanks for them and for their positive impact on my life. I just finished a book by Ian Cron, "Jesus, My Father, The CIA and Me" and in this book he talked about the mystery of knowing our parents deeply, and even forwarded the opinion of if we should seek to discover stories about our parents. His reasoning is as follows, how can we really ever understand the motivations, environments and relationships that drove their decisions? Since it is impossible to replicate their environment in which life-decisions were made should we even attempt to discern the motivation behind such landmarks?

The quandary is that the people we love will always be the most shrouded in mystery, unattainable to the probing questions of their mortal loved ones. This is how it has always been and will always be. I’m reminded of this quote from the TV show, Madam Secretary, (This quote is from the Mom to her oldest daughter) “ If you never listen to anything I say again for the rest of your life, please hear this: Everything is more complicated than you think it is right now. And the only way you come to know that is through experience. And that’s what this whole process of growing up is all about.”

God's Promises - Let's Rank Them . . .

I’ve been spending time lately thinking about the promises of God. And probably because of the amount of time I spend listening to sports radio, I started imagining what order I would put my favorite promises of God. (I’ll bet you're already compiling a list in your head of your favorite promises right now too, aren't you?)

The first and greatest promise is eternal salvation, so I don't think there is much of a debate there. (John 3:16) But what about the next greatest promise?

In my opinion this is the second greatest promise of God. "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." John 15:7

Where is God in our despair?

What about those times in our lives when we are being crushed by our circumstances - where is God?  When we are so beaten down that we can’t make a fist. When taking one more step requires more energy than we can muster. When our body and mind are beyond exhausted, friends have deserted us, family doesn't understand us, and we can’t think of one good thing in relation to our life. What are we supposed to do when we feel hope slipping away from our lives? Where is God when silence seems to be His only response?

Feelings . . .

One of the hardest lessons in life is learning how to deal with feelings. In fact, there is no way you can have a healthy relationship without knowing the difference between having feelings, and being aware of the presence of those feelings. This very small and yet important difference is the key to self-awareness in our emotional lives.

The Bible makes it clear that not being aware of this difference is being emotionally blind to your true situation. In fact, Jesus spent a lot of His ministry trying to remove this blindness and increasing people's own self-awareness. He knew that without truly knowing ourselves there is no way that we could properly know God. (Proverbs 14:12)

Knowing Your Limits

Religion 101. Sounded like an easy course, especially if you believed that you had a pretty good grasp on this religion thing. My rationalization was resoundingly inadequate but that still didn't stop me from my course of action. (Pun intended) - Mark this class as an easy "B" and homework would not be a problem. And it wasn't. The homework part anyway. What was a problem was that I really didn't know the origins of my faith and why I believed the way I did. The target on my back couldn't have been any bigger.

I'm going to spare you the messy details but this lack of a correct Biblical worldview derailed my faith journey for years. Looking back I wish I had done a few things differently to prevent years of living in the wilderness without God's presence, blessing and His protection. (Zechariah 7:13) Not to mention hurting countless people while I struggled to find my spiritual legs. I write these things in the hope that they might help someone else in their faith journey.

Hold Me Jesus (by Rich Mullins)

 One of my all-time favorite artists and songs.

God's Response To Rebellion

In Deuteronomy, Chapter 1 Moses starts off by giving a summary of Israel's 40 year journey that began at Mount Sinai. This is the beginning of the nation of Israel after God freed them from their slavery in Egypt.

Midway through the chapter Moses describes the time when the spies that Israel had sent to scope out the Promised Land returned with news of the people who currently occupied the land. Ten of the twelve spies said the challenges were too much to overcome (exact words were, "The people are stronger and taller than we are and the cities are large and fortified up to heaven.") but the remaining two said, "It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us."

Where Are You?

It is my belief that God is omnipotent. The word omnipotent comes from omni - meaning “all” and potent meaning “power.” As with the attributes of omniscience and omnipresence, it follows that, if God is infinite, and if He is sovereign, which we know He is, then He must also be omnipotent. He has all power over all things at all times and in all ways. 


And yet in Genesis 3 we hear God ask Adam and Eve where they had hidden themselves after they had succumbed to the lies of the evil one who had tempted them to break the only rule that God had given them. Did that mean that God didn't know where Adam and Eve where hiding? Of course not. What it means is that God talks to us in terms we could understand. He could have appeared in a formidable storm of nature, or accompanied by the honor guard of heaven but instead He chose to walk in the garden among His creation, the same creation that had just disobeyed Him and ushered a future history of sin and evil that their human minds could not comprehend. 

"Gods Do Not Answer Letters"

It's always struck me as ironic that one of the greatest sports essays of all time was written by a New Yorker staff writer who rarely wrote about baseball not to mention sports in general. John Updike was twenty eight years old when he was witness to Ted Williams last plate appearance which produced his last home run.

Ted Williams was one of baseball’s greatest hitters, perhaps the greatest hitter of all time. His work ethic and his skill as a craftsman of the game of baseball were beyond approach. Coupled with his natural talent he became such a disciplined force at the plate the likes of which baseball had never seen before. However, this great hitter did not seek out or even appreciate the love of the fans who allowed him to play the game he loved. Which brings us to his last plate appearance . . .

A Christian View of Death

I invite you to view this video from the family of Tony Evans regarding the unexpected death of Tony Evans niece Wynter Pitts. This honest and transparent discussion among Tony Evan's family is an uplifting truth in our fallen world.

Stop Me If You've Heard This Before . . .

In the 1850's a political party was born in the United States called the "American Party". The foundation platforms for this new party were anti-Catholic, xenophobic, and hostilty to immigration.

When asked by outsiders what the party stood for the common response was "I know nothing" which resulted in the party being renamed the "Know Nothing" party. Because of the wide net of conspiracy regarding a shadow government being ran from the Vatican the party didn't grow very quickly and in fact in the South the anti-Catholic vision was struck from the party altogether.

In the vacuum of opposition to the Democrat Party a new party was born in the mid 1850's, the Republican Party. This party was born out of opposition to "the slave power" but they needed to reach out to the Know Nothings to further establish their base. The Republican party rose to power with the election of Abraham Lincoln and the Know Nothing party was dissolved. Yet, their vision, their call of a common fear of outsiders, and conspiracy theories is woven in the Republican party DNA today.

In 2016 we see the takeover of a political party by one man who has appealed to the worse characteristics of what is to be an American. When our call to make America great means we leave a swath of people on the outside of this vision then we have failed to demonstrate the love of liberty and justice that birthed this great nation in the first place. Though there will always be a tension between the current population and the immigrants wishing to also make their home here it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. When fear dictates our policy rather than faith in the goodness of our people and values then we have truly lost our way as a nation.

Have You Ever Thought About . . .

I'm wondering if you have ever thought about the time after God created humans and before we rebelled and got kicked out of our first residence.

I wonder how long that period of time was? We know time existed because Genesis talks about God creating the universe in six days. But how long did humans reside in peace and harmony with the universe and God? Six months? Six years? Six hundred years?

Solsbury Hill

(To my brother, on his birthday,  who doesn't like this song. Ha!)

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill

I could see the city light

Wind was blowing, time stood still

Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe

Lesson From The Judges

The book of Judges is not a great bedtime read. If you're looking for a book that will leave you feeling filled with optimism than I suggest the Book of Ruth. (Which conveniently follows the Book of Judges in God's eternal grace) But if you want a stark reminder of  the effect that our stubborn and rebellious nature will produce than this is the book for you.

Starting in the first chapter we hear the story of the failure that Israel exhibited over and over. (Literally over eight times we see the phrase, "but they did not drive them out") Charged with the task of driving out the people from the land that God had given them they found occasion after occasion to disregard His instructions. The price of their disobedience haunts the nation of Israel to this day. Sin always has a price and that behavior left unchecked impacts not only us but our loved ones as well. Check out chapter two for these sad words, ". . . and another generation grew up after them who did not know the Lord or the work that He had done for Israel. Then the Israelite's did what was evil in the sight of the Lord . . . and they abandoned the Lord."

Remember . . .

When Jesus gives us a command we would be wise to not only obey, but to examine all of the context surrounding His request. For instance, in the book of Luke 17:32 we see that Jesus instructs us to "Remember Lot's wife". So who was Lot's wife and why should we remember her?

Chapter 17 of Luke starts off with Jesus talking about the tug of sin on our lives. He segues into forgiveness and faith (He is teaching His disciples during this part of the chapter) and then as they are traveling to Jerusalem they encounter ten men infected with leprosy. The ten men stood at a distance (as required by law) and called out to Jesus to have pity on them. Jesus instructed them to report to their priests and as they went they were healed! (Another reminder that almost every time Jesus healed someone in the Bible he required a faith action before they were healed)

Problems with Christianity

By the time he got to Yale University, it wasn’t the logical arguments that made him turn his back on Jesus. It was the way kids in the youth group had marginalized him.

“More often than not people’s problems with Christianity don’t have to do with intellectual hang-ups but with the stories of hurt, stories of rejection, stories of people who are supposed to embody the gospel in a compelling and endearing way, they end up doing the opposite,” says Dr. Paul C. H. Lim in the video embed above.. 

Highly recommended, around 50 minutes in length. 

I Love Games

I have so many nerdy hobbies that it can't be a surprise that I also love to play board games. When I was a child we played several games growing up, Clue, Careers, Monopoly, Parcheesi, Carom, Sorry, Life, Chess were some of my favorite board games. We also loved to play Ping Pong, Basketball, Football and Table Top Hockey. Looking back the noise we made playing that hockey game on the kitchen table had to drive my parents bonkers. (Thanks again Mom and Dad!)

In high school I discovered Avalon Hill war games. Panzer Blitz, Gettysburg, Tactics II, Kingmaker and of course, Diplomacy. (The only game guaranteed to destroy friendships in less than the duration of the game itself) In college D&D was growing in popularity and with my active imagination I fell in love with that game. (Go Rowlf! - Palladin / Cleric with a killer hammer)

After work become the driving force in my life I gave up most games until I got married in my very late 30's. Children games became fun again, Chutes and Ladders, Enchanted Forest, Labyrinth, Connect 4, Battleship and Uno were the games of choice. Later, Ticket To Ride, Pandemic, Monopoly, and Stratego were fun distractions until the boys moved out and my daughter discovered boys.

What's next? Hopefully a season of time where our kids will bring their growing families and friends over so that together we can discover the next generation of great board games.

Why Francis Chan Left His Megachurch

Faded Out Feeling

Oh, what a faded-out feeling
Nothing I can see or find
When your dreams are all in pieces
No one walking through that door

Sifting through the dust in my mind now
Perhaps I'm looking for truth but it's elusive to face
Not sure who is hiding from what or whom
Easier to pull up the sheets than to seek the light

Tell me I lack the courage
Tell me that I really don't want to know
Not really concerned with your feelings
Step off that cliff, see if I care

A Life Built On Lies

This past December Christopher Hitchens died. He did not convert to Christianity before succumbing to death by cancer. He did not renounce a life dedicated to warning others of the danger of religion in our world. He had heard the truth of the gospel many times, from many people. He had read the Bible and he did not allow it to change his heart. He chose a life apart from the love and care of the One who created and loved him the most. He walked away from the offer of forgiveness and open arms of God. And then he died.

It Rained Again Last Night

It rained again last night
You know we used to love that sound
From gentle rhythm to pounding surf
Weaving memories in my mind

I guess you decided to save yourself,
No sense two of us going down
But that's not, had we had it planned
And now you can't be found

The streets are wet again
Used to believe rain brought new life
But now I see when hope is dead
Breathing is all that remains

Raise The Crystal

Through the many years

That have come and gone

We've cherished the laughs

and played our songs

For each of us have been

An anchor for

The memories that bind us
      forever more

This I can truly say

You alone are best

When we share our stories

You rise above the rest

Why Is Faith Such A Big Deal?

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6

Why did God create us knowing the curse that would follow our disobedience?

Why create mankind with free will?

Why even allow evil to tempt man?

High Time

      Okay baby, here we go

I say yes, and you say No

Lies written up and down your face

The words you say they are said in haste

You and me, it's a never-ending war

First we're in love, then we're through

Now the tide has turned your way

What are you gonna do?

It's high time! High Time!

That you make up your mind

It's high time! High Time!

To let down your front line

It's high time! High Time!

To realize what you've found

High time! High time!

Are you gonna let me down?

You've been moving me around your life

Bringing me out when it's cool

I don't know what you want from me

You're playing me for a fool

Now it’s really plain you see

A choice has got to be made

It's just my heart you're playing with

What does it matter to me?

Repeat Chorus

Music and Lyrics by:  B. L

One Night

Woke up this morning, feeling older than I should

Fighting with emotions that are new to my soul

Painting a picture of you in my mind now

Just for fear of letting you go

We had it good, hoped it would last

I messed it up, deep in the past

I tried real hard, I'd try again

I couldn't know, I didn't mean

The problem with problems, you're never quite sure

Tough to see things that are close as they are

Life is placing so much faith on a thread

With a raging sea just under your feet

In A Moment

      In a moment, brief, brief moment

We held and cried and prayed

Pleading for a miracle

Not sure what to say . . . 

You were here for a fleeting moment

We longed to see the person you will be

Yet our hope doesn’t reside in this life

Our hope resides in His Word

The things we take for granted now

So precious if we'd look around

The days that fly through our lives

We should grab one in our hands

Though only here for a brief moment

You experienced love stored for years

We trust that all things have a reason,

Yet struggle with the death of our dream

The full grasp of your life,

Someday we’ll come to know

God's ways are not our ways

One day darkness will be banished from the dawn

Faith and wisdom are worthy goals

Our questions are not a sin

We struggle to see God in the deepest pain

When hope is left for dead

But He is there, He walks with us

His mercies are new each day

He promises to never let us go

He will make it right on that glorious day

(Dedicated to Michelle Nicole Lee)

Music and Lyrics by: Byron Lee

Evil Never Rests

In the book of Numbers we see the people of God (Israel) approaching the Promised Land. They had just finished defeating the Canaanites, and the Amorites, and were approaching the land of Moab. 

Balak, who was the king of Moab, asks the prophet Balaam to curse the approaching people of Israel. This strategy failed. So Balak came up with a new plan. This new plan involved the cooperation of his prophet Balasm, and the key was seducing the men of Israel with the women of Moab, as then feeding them food which had been dedicated to their idols. The people of Israel fell for this scheme and the result was that God punished Israel by sending a deadly plague.

We can see from this story that the plans of evil didn't stop when the first scheme didn't work. They merely shifted their strategy. The second plan was simple, corrupt the daily choices of what God's people ate and seduce the men with the beautiful women of Moab. 

Within days God's people went from being blessed to being enemies of God. From being protected to dying without warning. From victory to despair.

Victim of the Blues

 

Listening to the radio

With his head hung low

He don't know what to do

Putting on her make-up

The girl she's not giving up

She's got a lot to do

The boy he hurts deep inside

Pain he just can't hide

He can't believe they're through

All I Need

I've got so many questions

Not sure, I want the answers

Have you ever not really known? 

And you answer in a whisper

Giving hope in the land of death

I try so hard to listen

Waiting with a anxious heart

Lord, please calm my soul

Let your Spirit reign in me

Let your Spirit reign in me

So please  . . .

Catch me when I fall

Hear me when I call

Revive the joy in me

Lord, you're all I need

Hold me when I weep

Protect me when I sleep

Give me eyes to see

That Lord, you're all I need

When life finds me on my knees

Your promises are all I can take

Trying to remember, struggling to remain

I know I’m never alone,

I will never be alone . . .

Without your love, to give me strength

My life would have taken a different course

Lord, I give you all the praise

For everything you’ve done in my life

For how you’re working in my life

So please  . . .

Repeat Chorus

Lyrics by Drew Wade and Byron Lee