Hello friends,

It has been a while since I have posted anything. The band and I just got back from an amazing weekend in San Diego. We lead worship for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pacific South West District Youth Gathering, AKA, LCMS PSW DYG, or simply, DYG.  Now that was a mouth full. Basically t was 500 high school students and adult leaders gathered at a sweet hotel in San Diego to worship Jesus and learn more about what it means to follow him while we are living in this world. 

The theme was "ONE." It was based off of Ephesians 4:4-6. The speaker was Travis Hartjen (you can check his blog out at www.unpavedjourney.com). He did an amazing job at bringing God's word to all of us. After each message I was thinking, "Man, he said it all, I don't even need to get up on that stage." But then I realized how easy it was to respond to Jesus after hearing from his word so clearly. The worship was so spirit filled. There where several times that the students kept sining long after the band had stopped playing. It was a very beautiful sound. 

Blessings,

A

Merry Christmas

Yes, I know! Thanksgiving has not even hit us let alone Christmas. I came across this video online from another blog. Check it out. Hopefully we can all start the Christmas season with the right idea this year. 

Shrimp Fest 08!

Last night was a glorious night to be had. My lovely lady, my self and my roommates and friends went to a very classy joint called Red Lobster. Now, I normally do not spend that kind of money on food but this was a special occasion friends. It was the famous SHRIMP FEST 2008!  We gorged our selves on all yo can eat shrimp for $16.99. We had Cajon shrimp, shrimp scampi, pasta and shrimp, coconut shrimp, and hand breaded shrimp. The record  of plates eaten was 12! I also paid my roommate Matt $5 to drink a saucer of left over garlic butter from the scampi. It was amazing. I almost chocked I was laughing so hard.  

Tim and me. Where very excited for our shrimp

Round 1. I was so happy! Tanya was excited for me.

She got hers next!

She is not so excited after 4 plates.

Good bye Red Lobster. Tell Shrimp Fest 2009!

Hello Friends,

Today is a gloomy summer day. It is hot and cloudy which just plays games with your mind and internal thermometer! Come on now! I have been fighting a cold the past few days which does not making singing easy or very fun. Tonight our high school group has our last bon fire of the summer. This will be the last time that I leave the beach smelling of smoke and mallows. It is bitter sweet. I must confess I will enjoy not smelling like a ball of smoke after enjoying the beach after this day. Well, I am off to take more drugs and sit in OC traffic. Blessings!

A

Hello Friends,

This past week has been crazy. God has been teaching me a lot about the value of styaing in his word. A recent series of events have left me feeling confused and angry. My first response is to get mad at poeple and "speak my mind." But the problem with that is that my mind was not in the right place and neither was my heart. I was too focused on my anger and cofussion. But after being in the word and prayer God has soften my heart and mind. Do I still feel the anger and have questions? Of course, I am human. But God has shown me that having those feelings is not worng, it is how I react to those feeling that will either shine his light and give him glory or just feed my own desire and ego.

So, with that said I offer prayers of wisdome and encouragement for all of us. Where ever you are at in life may Jesus grant you peace and wisdom of the heart and mouth. Blessings!

A

Worship

Hello All,

It is hot outside. Today I do not mind that I need yo be inside all day at my desk. At least it has central air in here. Last week was a great week of Vacation Bible School at my church. We had over 700 kids and several baptisms! God is good. I love seeing the kids dance and sing in worship.

Thoughts on worship... I have been having these thoughts about "traditional" worship, or rather liturgy lately. I do not know what they are concerning really, but they are there. I think we write it off to easily as old and irrelevant. Yet, it has been around for thousands of years and does not seem to be fading from existence. I am afraid because I am starting to see so many people just throw it out in a very militant way. As a modern worship leader I want to be creative and try new things in worship, but I do not want to do new things just for the sake of doing new things. Many modern worshippers feel that the traditional folks are so stubborn and narrow minded when it comes to modern worship, but friends, are we becoming just as narrow minded? Think about it...

New Record?

Hello Friends,

I received a call from my good friend Ryan last night about a proposition. Ryan is a very talented guitarist who I am blessed to play with on a regular basis at various churches in the OC area. Our other friends Tim (AKA Timthesloth), Alan (AKA Aran), and Alan (AKA Alan) have been jamming and had the privilege to do a live recording a few months back which was really fun. Anyways, Ryan came up with the idea of us doing an EP. I think I would agree that this would be a good idea. I have been writing a lot and have a lot of unfinished material that needs some other points of view added to them. So, with that said let the journey begin. I have never really gone into the studio with a full band where I fully trusted all the guys I am creating music with like I do with these fine young men. Yes, I have my solo EP that is being pressed as we speak and that will be out soon. But I think this could be avery fun and rewarding project. If all goes well we hope to have final product by early fall of this year. I will keep you posted. Let the song writing begin! Blessings,

A

It's My Party and I Will Cry if I Want Too!

Today was a sad day. I woke up with a sense of excitement and a sense of sorrow and disappointment. I woke up to un-opened gifts at the foot of my bed, but I also woke up with a tight back and stiffness all over. Today I am officially old. I looked in the mirror and this is what I saw looking back at me:

Yes friends, today I am 23. I am now closer to 25 than I am 20. I am on a down hill spiral to my quarter life crisis. Next thing you know I will be wearing loafers and a shirt and tie. I will soon think jean shorts are cool and sandals with socks are hip. I will soon have to purchase products that claim to enhance hair growth and creams that vanish wrinkles. But I will be strong. I will take my multi vitamins and cut back on the red meat and fried foods.

21 was a fun age, certain privileges came with it, even 22 was memorable because I had had those special privileges for a year. But 23? There is not much to look forward too after this age. I suppose 25 has it perks with lower car insurance rates and the freedom to rent a car while I vacation in Florida.

So, to all of you whippersnappers out there... enjoy... time will get you. To all of us old farts, lets not try to complain too much about loud rock music and refrain from repeating the same stories over and over about walking to school in the snow up hills both ways everyday.

Take this challenge from your much older and wiser elder:

Each day is a gift from our Creator, give that gift away!

Blessings friends.

A

Ampeg vs. Mustache

Hey Everyone,

Me and the band did some live recording. It was a lot of fun. We got two songs tracked. I will probably post them as soon as I get them. Pictures will be up soon too. But while you are waiting for that check this video out. Tim had a very hard and ethical decision to work through today. Turns out his mustache is taking over the nice lovable time we once new...





Blessings,

A

New Song

Here is a new song! It is called "Common Ground." There are more to come in the weeks to follow!

Hey Everyone,

It has been a very long time since I have posted anything. I am going to work on that. Be looking out for some new videos very soon. Cheers.

A