should have asked!

So...as part of the Denied 3 Times band/ministry I bought a PA system.  Growing up partially deaf led me to decide over the years to steer clear of sound equipment...my logic was simple...the kid with hearing trouble might not be the one to count on for your sound reinforcement needs...LOL

BUT!

As I am staring down the barrel at 40 i have come to realize that most of us that have played amplified music that is almost always too loud for the venue suffer from some greater or lesser amount of hearing loss/damage...SO...since I have mostly been overly careful about the hearing the Lord gave me I find that i am no worse off than quite a few of my contemporaries.

Having said that, I will get on to my point.  I now own a PA system and play in a band.  A band that has used said PA system several times in rehearsals and twice in performances.  Each time I used the system I struggled to make sense of the 13,432 knobs, buttons, LED's and variety of plugs and input jacks...OHHH! and faders...the little slidey things...they generally make things louder.  I struggled and made the best out of the situation knowing FULL WELL that my dear friend and brother Jeff is a phone call away and is literally an expert on this type of stuff.  Jeff is an engineer.  The kind of guy that geeks look at and say, "DANG that guy is a geek!"   He is to sound gear what Rainman was to blackjack...a veritable savant....but NO...I could figure it out...HAHAHAHAHA!

After 2 shows fighting to NOT sound like we were performing in a barrel, I called Jeff....and I am pleased, embarrassed, thrilled, and a little ashamed to note that ion about 10 minutes on the phone he diagnosed the problem...gave me a darned good primer on the care and feeding of my sound board and explained to me features of my equipment that I will likely never use...

SO...I setup the PA tonight...sand a few songs played my guitar...the difference is staggering...i like my PA so much better now....thanks Jeff!

Lesson - just ask.

Dear Lord, forgive me for my arrogance.  Empty me of my pride and fear and fill me up with your grace and light.  Thank you for the gifts of friendship I have been given through the years.  I ask you to bless and keep all those I love.  I Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

evolving?

I am not going to blog about what is bothering me tonight.  It would be inappropriate and childish for sure.  I would name names.  I would be judgmental.  I would make accusations.  I would question integrity.  I would completely blow it out of proportion.  So, therefore, I am not going to blog about it.

Unforgiveness doesn't hurt the unforgiven, just the unforgivor. (thanks Marty)  All is forgiven.  Done.

I am happy that I realized this BEFORE posting my first inclination...LOL...it would have created an epic mess.  Watch out...I may be evolving.

E

don't have time?

My friend Troy showed up at work today...he is a member of our Habitat affiliate Board of Directors.  He showed up to help out with a project (one of MANY) that we desperately need to accomplish.  Troy showed up unannounced and took charge...he laid out his plan...gathering momentum...explained the process...the whole time I was thinking, "man, I am busy...now is not the best time..."...then POOF!  He was gone.  Gone to spend his time...his money to handle this project that he has decided to adopt.

I sat there thinking, for a minute, that it was not the best time for ME...but it was the best time for HIM.  Troy, a busy professional...a father...a husband...a musician at church...active with his family...and HE took HIS time to help me...and US...the royal WE!  I was left with a sobering realization that my time is not any more valuable than his...or yours...or anyone's.  Thanks, Troy, for that gift...by doing nothing more than giving of yourself, you taught me a valuable lesson. 

I realized too that I do the same thing with God...I often intend to pray for someone...but now, I am busy with (insert selfish reason here)...or I have been blessed and ought to give thanks, but I have to (insert selfish reason here).....MY time over God's time?  Really?

"Lord, forgive me for my arrogance, help me to see the importance of others and help me to MAKE the time to give to you that which is yours, in all ways.  Amen."