Jesus in the Cracks.

So, this week I'm situated in a small town in Florida that I can't quite pronounce the name of. I know it starts with an O. My pal Chesley is down here with me and we're calling it detox from the road or normal life. I mean this in the most glorious and non glorious of terms. We're staying in a cabin with other families (including children) all in the name of Jesus for a Young Life camping event held at South Wind Camp. There are middle school aged kids here. It's non glorious in the ways that come along with trying to relate to an age group of folks that you're not accustomed to. I'm here to play my songs and to lead what young life calls "club songs"....basically I lead the pep-rallying crew in pop anthems and campfire ballads alike. And it's like medicine. The "least of these" come clearly defined around here. The insecure, developing, worried. Everyone comes together in the details...to put these kids first...so they can somehow fall in love with Jesus like we did some time ago...and when you're part of a vocation that requires a dangerous introspection that more times than not leads to self-absorption...it saves me to get to places like this. To see people love until it hurts. To become a friend to the friendless. To treat loving with the same vigor and discipline as a world class athlete or CEO. It's just important to me...to get out of the bitter, cynical, competitive plow of an indie musician and remember to do what I can to love Jesus and people in all the simplest but profound ways. It's very important. It's the point I'd say. I'm the same as the kids. Jesus grins and weeps with me as I develop and slip. He does you like that too I think.

A Big Problem

This is a simple post just to create an awareness for those of you who are in the dark about this. Any commentary I would give, unfortunately, might prove insufficient and ignorant. I know this is a problem. It's worth dialogue and action.

Did you know that 2.5 million people have been driven from their homes in Darfur, Sudan? Each day, they face threats that are hard for us to even imagine including rape, disease, and starvation.

These people need our help to put an end to the genocide and they need it NOW.

Please join me in taking the first step to stopping the violence.

Click here to sign the Save Darfur Coalition's petition urging President Bush and UN Secretary-General Ban to take immediate steps to stop the killing.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of people in the region who desperately need outside help.

The Save Darfur Coalition is urging the international community to prevent further killings, displacement, and rape by deploying the UN peacekeeping force that has already been authorized, strengthen the understaffed African Union force that is already in Darfur, establish a no-fly zone, increase humanitarian aid, and ensure access for delivery of food, medication and other essential supplies.

Please do not stand by while the violence continues - you can make a difference. Click here now to get involved.

Then please forward this message to your friends and family and ask them to join you.

If you'd like to make a donation to support the campaign, click here now. www.savedarfur.com

Thanks for your help.

I Am A Winner...

There is no theme to this blog; however, I am a winner. I flew in from Minnesota last night. Dan picked me up, and they lost my instrument. Air Tran lost my instrument. Then the woman who was in charge of lost baggage claims got extra angry at me because I lost my airline ticket with the baggage claim number on it.....this was only confusing for several reasons but only one worth mentioning. I am the customer and the customer is always right. Whether I come in with 3 heads, a golden ticket, or no baggage claim ticket....I am not the one who lost my instrument. Air Tran did....collectively. I was steaming until I saw the gentleman who had helped me before...who had, before, seemed mostly indifferent and tired...he found my instrument, and all was well with the world again.

I do have some interesting news. So when we recorded Advancement (the last EP I put out)...my extremely talented friend and vocal mentor Jason Eskridge was given vocal production responsibilities (side note: I did not give him due credit in the liner notes, and I'm ashamed). We had decided to put a "choir" on most of the tracks or, rather, to stack a bunch of vocals on top of each other. Anyways, he calls me and says " Check it. I'm going to call my homegirl Melinda to double these tracks with me." He may have said it like that...not sure...that's the way I'll re-create it though. So he called this Melinda. I came in to Jason's character-ridden basement studio and heard her do her thing. She sang for real. She put sensibilities on my tape that I didn't deserve. I should have asked her for a receipt. So, the session ended. Advancement was sent through post production with 7 months of elbow grease, and I didn't see much of anybody from those sessions...including Melinda. Fast forward. 3 days ago Jason calls me to check in. We rap. He says " Have you seen this season's American Idol?"....I say "no, why?"....(note: I don't watch much TV, but I really dig in when I do. Like the little boy who never had candy...when he got it....he knew how to enjoy)...He says " Melinda is on this season, and she is killing it".....Melinda Doolittle...couldn't believe it. Hopefully, this is all I'll say about knowing her...but probably not. If I hear anyone remotely even mention American Idol....it's going to take loads for me not to say "hey, how bout Melinda Doolittle? yeah....it's crazy...she uhh sang on my last record...he..wild eh?"...
Right on Melinda. I knew you when. If you do, in fact, watch American Idol...cast your votes for Melinda....I haven't seen the show yet, but surely...she's the best.

I made a small step yesterday....I bought Pearl Jam's greatest hits...and I bought nice slacks from the Gap (smaller step than the preceding)...anyhow..that's what's on the minds in the A.M....

M.C.D.