A Week Later

Sunday evening I drove my wife's black Sunfire chasing the burning ball of light into the horizon. It was getting warmer and I was feeling the relief of a weekend laced with introspection coming to an end.

My Grandfather, James Morrison Jr, was buried. The body placed in the ground while he, pained no more, was seeing Jesus.

I didn't lead worship at the funeral. I couldn't. My mind was racing too fast and there were too many people I didn't know. After leaving the church and heading to the burial site the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. We gathered in a small graveyard while a yellow lab barked our trespass. It was here we sang. Joining together as a family full of joy and sadness we sang. 2 songs. The first spoke of the now and the second of tomorrow.

The sun disappeared out of sight, but the sunset stamped the promise of its return and I know someday I will see James Morrison Jr again.

Celebration in Sadness

My wife and I are on our way to Freeport, Maine to spend some time with my mother's family. Unfortunately the reason we are gathering together is for the funeral of my Grandfather. As I am sure all of us can agree death, for a person of faith is an odd experience. A balance of remorse and joy, holding on and letting go.

I have been asked to lead worship for the service and I am struggling with it deeply. Much of me feels as if I haven't fully grasp the fact of my Grandfather's passing and would like to sit and reflect. However, there is a part who desires to give. To be an encourager to those in attendance through worship.

The point is celebration of life and death. Rejoicing in how God can grow a life and invite this life back to Him.

Worship will be the perfect avenue.

Symbolically Brilliant

I watch a lot of movies. It is an easy way for me to lose myself in someone else's world for a few moments and return. Recently I spent some time in the land of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and not only was this film dryly hilarious, but it was an animated commentary about us and our world. I have never read the book, but have heard it is 2x as good (like usual) and plan to in the near future.

While I am on the subject of movies, I have been a member of netflix for over a year and if you are too I would love to link you as a friend. Let me know if you are interested.

Big Leg Emma-ing It

In 1992 I made a very bold statement, 'I like all music except for country' (or anything remotely close). Eleven years later I find myself chomping on my words in more ways than one.

Dancing is a large part of who I am. I like to participate, observe, and comment on other's choice of styles. Living in Colorado I found myself frequenting a local dance hall called the Sundance Saloon. It was here, I walked unknowingly into a land of country love.

My wife, Elizabeth Rowe-Baehr and I finalized our relationship of 10 years with marriage in 2003. At our wedding reception we hired her brother's band to be the musical catalyst for the first 2.5 hours. Their band, Big Leg Emma, created an amazingly focused dance floor, that could not have been facilitated equally by another.

I apologize for writing back to back to back musical blogs, but I figured...I like music, why not. Check them out if you got time. They have a rocky Blue Grass sound so prepare your ears.

Aaron Espe, It Finally Happened

Some of you may know him but most of you probably have no idea who this kid is. Recently Aaron released his first cd and to those who think the singer songwriter is a cliche best check him out. Very talented well crafted album which reminds me of my last year in college and eating lunch to Bob Dylan's 'Time out of Mind'.

Give him a listen.

From Johnny to Joaquin

Ever since U2’s 10th LP, Zooropa I have longed for a voice and style as rough and crisp as Johnny Cash. It was my first introduction to the man who became the true voice of love, lose, and playing cards.

I am riding the fence of excitement and fear when it comes to James Mangold’s “Walk the Line”. I love movies and I love the way many are able to bring a new voice to an old story. That fact enthuses me about this film. However, the other side is a fear of Johnny Cash being transformed from the Man in Black to a Man on a Hollywood Star.

I am sure I will indulge myself in this film and more than likely I will be overly critical and walk away feeling as if I have been tricked by Hollywood. On the other hand, I am sensing it will give me a bigger picture of Mr. Cash and his life as a musician. I do hope they add a scene where Mr. Cash has a vision of Jesus and He better have blonde hair.