FIRST BLOG OF 2025!

 

Missionary Learning Center, Rockville, VA

Yes, it's been a while since I've posted. This is not the first time I tried to write, but it's the first time I've succeeded. 

One quick apology. When I gave my list of favorite novels, I shared the links to my review of those books, except the first one I mentioned, which I said would be up on January 2nd. Uh, no it wasn't. It should be up tomorrow.

I probably was attempting to be regular on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays for the past couple of years. For the most part, I'll say I'll aim to get those three days. If you see a blog, it will probably be posted on a Tuesday, a Thursday, or a Sunday, with this being an exception (being written on Friday).

This year will have some of what you'd expect from me. For example, I've already put down the dates for NCFCA speech and debate contests... well, I've already participated in two tournaments - one on-line and one in person - and will be doing another on-line tournament the end of the month.

How about Kingdom Come Festival? Yep, that's on the calendar in ink, which will be the 19th-21st of June. Normally, it's on Father's Day weekend, but I'm guessing that it's on the 3rd Saturday, which for six out of seven years will be the day before the 3rd Sunday (aka Father's Day); this is the exception.

Other things on the list? Some are too soon to tell, some are waiting to iron out various details. 

As far as this blog, I'm sometimes ready to give it up. Maybe I should, maybe I should work harder on it. Thank you for your prayers. I will be posting reviews still. Interviews? Those have been a struggle this year.

Well, that's it for now. See you all soon.

THIS BLOG: SHOULD i LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE AND PACK UP, OR AM I CALLED TO KEEP THIS UP?

These painted dogs (Cincinnati Zoo) are as active as this blog has been the past month!

 Yep, this blog has its ups and downs. At times it has its planned three blogs a week, and sometimes more. Then there are times that it's weeks between entries.

For example, you notice the "Saturday Controversies" series seems to have fizzled. But I also haven't had any interviews posted. There's a few that I sent the questions and never had the answers sent back. There's some I've got set up to send the questions, but just haven't gotten to it. Same with the list of people I'd interview but haven't taken time to ask.

Another "yep" as far as the future of the blog. In times past, the questioning is based on discouragement. This time, time's the reason. I'm debating whether I should keep this up at all, or if I should just aim for one a week. 

I've talked about getting guest bloggers. True, I haven't taken time to ask, but when I do I don't have any takers.

What's the answer? Please pray for me on what I should do with this blog. Thanks. God is able to use it, but He doesn't need me blogging.

I'll close with this - there will be more blogs this month. After all, I've got my end of the year lists!

FIRST BLOG IN THE PAST WEEK?! WHAT'S GOING ON?

Painted dogs at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. They look as awake as I feel.

Yes, I had been posting three blogs a week for a while, and the past few weeks have me missing some, a trend that doesn't look like it will change.

I've had twice as many interviews from January to April '24 than that same period last year (6 compared to 3), and if I post one interview between May and December this year, I will have posted more than I did in the last 8 months of '23. I have I believe three interviews waiting for completion, and I have a list of others I want to interview, but it will be at least a week before I'm ready to post it.

Another common type of blog are my book and music reviews. As far as book reviews, I'm crawling through several books, so again, I won't be ready to review any until at least next week, maybe longer. When I do a music review, I listen to the project and then write a review, and that takes less time. However, currently I just want music on in the background instead of listening to something to review. Also (if I'm wrong, correct me), I always feel I do a better job reviewing books than music. 

Yes, I have other blogs too. I just have to take the time to write them. (This is a quick off the cuff).

The fourth type of blog I want to have are guest blogs. If someone wants to join in, I'd be happy. Not the first time I've suggested it. But none yet.

Please pray for me. I do have health problems (I have a new doctor to see in a couple of days), and not a lot of energy. There are things I'm doing (being a beta reader for one of my favorite authors, preparing prayer prompts for all the Kingdom Come Festival '24 artists and hoping to finish before the festival starts, cleaning out an e-mail box that I'm getting close to being in the 4 digit range, work, leading a Bible study, being in a D-Group at church, and running sound, and probably more). Pray that I have wisdom to know what to do and what not to worry about. Maybe the time for this blog is over. Maybe not. Please pray.

Thank you for reading this. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll follow the example of the painted dogs above and take a nap.
 

2024 IN PREVIEW?

Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, IN

 You ready for 2024? 

No?

1. I don't blame you, and 
2. Tough. It will be here Monday.

Allow me to give several thoughts on this next year.

• We're facing a Presidential election. Some are talking about a rematch. When was the last one? Not in my lifetime. I'm guessing the most recent was McKinley defeating William Jennings Bryan in both 1896 and 1900. (The time before that was when Cleveland ran against Benjamin Harrison in 1888 and 1892, with the incumbent being on the losing end both times.) Me? I'm not going to predict. I will say the candidate I'm rooting for on the GOP side is Haley. Should it be Biden vs. Trump? I'd prefer one to the other, but if that happens, we should pray the country prove the theory a third party (e.g. Libertarian Party) cannot win the electoral college wrong. But odds are that most 
• Americans will be voting against one of the candidates, as we've had the past several years.
• Any areas coming up in my life? Well, I'll be hitting 65, meaning I'll get all sorts of calls for Medicare plans. Retirement? Good question. Please pray.
• Activities I plan on taking part of? Of course, NCFCA. The season has already started with a debate only on-line contest just over two weeks ago. I'm thinking of doing a pair more on-line contests and maybe the regional in early April in Louisville (not as close as last year's in Indy). I also will be wanting to do volunteer work at the Always 1 Ministries festivals (Kingdom Come and The Pit) and at the Southern Baptist Convention. By the way, this is the third national SBC even in Indy since I moved here: '04, '08, and '24. Yep, all Presidential election years!
• Movies I want to see? Well, actually I do all my movie viewing on the small screen at home. Definitely on my list is "Singing In The Rain." There was a time I wanted to see every James Bond movie; I've slipped since then, with GoldenEye being the last one I saw. (Octopussy is the only one before that I haven't seen.) I'm debating on catching up as far as Brosnan's; I'm not interested in the Craig ones. I also debate if I want to catch up with the final two of the Jurassic World trilogy. Plus, there are some older Marvel movies I might want to see (Captain America 1 & 2, Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2, and maybe the Black Panther movies).
• Reading? I'm going to do what I did last year and aim for 12 each of fiction and non-fiction. I might think about doubling the fiction should I re-enter my old habits.
• Music? Yes, there are groups I want to hear that I haven't yet: TheoTerran, Theody, Samuel Day, and Undefeated being on the top of my list (unless Daniel Band or Idle Cure decides to make the rounds). 
• Art? I would love to do more drawings. However, I'd love to get back on the keyboard and maybe guitar (I'll have to wait till I retire to learn the instruments that interest me: mandolin, oboe, French horn, and Timpani). I'm also feeling the novel writing bug coming back to life. Pray that I focus on what God wants me to do.
• This blog? Last year, I hardly wrote any interviews. I want to change that, so if anybody wants to be an interviewee (or someone they want me to interview), let me know. I have a few series in mind, but I'm not sure if I'll have a long Sunday series as I did the last two years.

Any questions? Any comments? Please?

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

Me with Doug and Jim of True Revival

 Well, we're at the end of 2023. As usual, I've done my list of favorite songs, fiction, and non-fiction books which will be shared the next three days, plus a look-ahead to on Saturday to next year. I just reviewed my look-ahead blog from last year, and smiled at how I've made several goals.

What were highlights of '23?

I planned a surprise birthday party for Becky, and managed to pull it off without her having any  suspicions! She hosts a monthly prayer time at our apartment for CEF, and I let the regular attendees in on the event, as well as inviting others who joined me in coming into the apartment after the prayer time ended. Becky told me she usually doesn't like surprises, but this one was a blessing to her.

In the "Looking Ahead" blog, I mentioned that this year was also Becky's and my 40th Anniversary, as well as that the NCFCA regional was in Indy which I got to judge in person (in addition to some on-line contests, including one that took place mid-December). Also, I got to go to both the Kingdom Come Festival (more below) and the Pitt Fest - not to mention seeing Fishers of Men, Anna Owens, and True Revival later on -  and I had the honor of meeting the Republicans running for Lawrence Township offices including Dave Hofmann, Bob Jones, and Brent Addington. We also got to go to three of our favorite zoos (Cincy, Fort Wayne, and Chattanooga).

I mentioned a dream festival line-up I'd like to see of seven artists. If "see" means getting to hear them perform, I only got to hear two - Divine Martyr and True Revival. But if I by see I mean "see with my eyes", then you can add Undefeated and Reclaim the Day to the list. Plus, I saw the video of most of a concert by another entry, my long-time favorite Daniel Band. I also had the honor of meeting several artists including Doug and Jim of True Revival and  Jerrod Cunningham (I Am The Pendragon/XIII Minutes), Always 1 Ministries leaders Chris Bousum and Angie Leyda, and photographer Jeanette Yoder. I did spend a day in a building with photographer Chad Fenner, and though I didn't officially introduce myself, I interact with him on Facebook. I also started following the Podcast Lithoscry, hosted by Glenn Remsen. 

How about books? Interesting year. I set my goal of both fiction and non-fiction at 12 each. I broke the goal for both - 16 non-fiction, 20 fiction. On the latter, it hasn't been typical. Sure, 20's a lot, but the past few years it has been over 24 (average of two a month). Plus, the number of different authors this year I've read is 19! That weird enough? I've read books by several of my favorite authors, but several of them failed to hit my top 10! Let me rephrase this - I've read the first novel for years from my 3rd favorite author, and that didn't make my top ten!  

I do not currently have a favorite movie list, and the list of movies to see is relatively short (and not the most modern). However, I saw five movies I've always wanted to see: "Avengers: Endgame;" "Avengers: Infinity War;" "Citizen Kane," "Dr. Strangelove;" and "Labarynth." I'm glad I saw four of those movies. (Any guesses which one I didn't enjoy at all?)

I did a blog asking if I should join Glenn Remsen in the Podcast world. As of now, the answer is negatory. However, I do have three Facebook groups and this blog. I've got my "Holding Up In Prayer The Arms of Christian Artists stronger. My other two groups are not doing any better, and I'm considering merging one with someone else's group. And this blog? Still going. One change is that I can count the interviews this year on one hand, though I've had more album reviews.

So now, I'll open the floor to questions. And should I get any, I'll try to answer them this Saturday as I talk about next year.

Photos on left margin - Becky's party, courtesy of Donna Leinbach;  Me with Mayor Candidate Dave Hofmann and Council Candidates Bob Jones and Brent Addington, and with Divine Martyr, Undefeated, Jerrod Cunningham, and Chris Bousum.

REFORMATION DAY SERIES PART 1 - REPEAT BOOK REVIEW: CHRIST'S CALL TO REFORM THE CHURCH BY JOHN MACARTHUR

 Today is one week from Reformation Day. Forget the other thing people celebrate on this day. But I'm going to make the theme a focus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus a pair of Reformation themed Sunday blogs. How long? I'm not sure yet. But it will be a while. And maybe I'll save some for next year! 

I'm starting off with a repeat of a book review which was actually the first book review I shared this year.

Does the church need a Reformation? If Jesus was speaking to the church, what would He say? Would it be similar to what He had the Apostle John write to the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3)?

John MacArthur has been a solid voice encouraging believers to return to the sound teaching of Scripture and speaking out against modern trends that do not have Biblical grounding. This book is written to encourage today's church to do what Jesus commanded of the seven churches of Asia Minor: Repent!

This book starts off with how unpopular reforming the church is for the status quo. Chapters 2-9 are basically a commentary on Revelation 1-3, reading like a print version of a sermon series. 

The final chapter is titled "The Need for a New Reformation," and looks at the five solas of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone), and Sola Christus (Christ Alone). MacArthur points out most lists end with Sola Deo Gloria, but he chose to end his book with what he focused on: Christ and the Church.

To be honest, I was hoping MacArthur to talk about how today's church mirrors the issues of the seven churches and specific steps the church can take to reform. Maybe I should write a book about that. But this book is Biblically sound and challenges us to be the Chruch God called us to be. I recommend this book. This is a much needed reminder (and for some a rebuke) to a church that needs to regain their first love and to repent.

 

A "BEATLES BIRTHDAY"/BLOG INTROSPECTION

 

Yours truly at Southwestern College, '80 on Clash Day. Photo courtesy of Steve Courteol.

 I have switched to Philosopher font as I'm getting this blog ready to post the day before my "Beatles" birthday ("When I'm 64"). Don't worry, though - my introspection will be basically on this year. 

Do I have the right to feel a little down? Key word is "little." God has blessed this year. I've had some good events this year, and allow me to start with them:

• Becky and I celebrated our 40th year of marriage!!!  Definitely worthy to start the list!
  
• I not only got to judge some speeches/debates for NCFCA this year on on-line competitions, I also was able to attend my first live competition since COVID struck. I also had the honor of meeting Evan McMahon, chair of the Libertarian Party of Indiana during the competition. (Not the first "celebrity I met at these events - several years ago I met then Indy Star political cartoonist Gary Varvel.)
• I have the honor of co-teaching a men's Sunday School class at Northside Baptist Church with Dale Greenly, as well as serving on two committees (missions and prayer) and being on the rotation for operating the video camera. Add to that being part of a Zoom Tuesday night Bible study, where the members take turns leading it. If that's not enough, I'm on a 3 time a week men's phone prayer group founded by Mark Mirza and including Lewis Turner.
  
• I got to attend my first Kingdom Come Festival, and hang out with Chris Bousum, Chad Fenner, Divine Martyr, Undefeated, I Am The Pendragon, BRVVE, Eyes Aflame, and Rusty Shipp! Plus, The Pit is coming up in a couple of weeks, where I might get to hear (finally!) True Revival and Crimson Overtone, as well as New Day Rising (which features several of the Eyes Aflame band members).
  
• I have the honor of seeing Becky flourish in being on the board for the Central Indiana Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship.
• Last but absolutely not least, I have spent 24 years with Mid-America Clinical Lab/Quest Diagnostics (6 months as a temp), and have wonderful people to work with (as I have for 24 years).

So with all that, why am I depressed? Actually, I didn't use the word "depressed;" I said "down." And "melancholy" or "philosophical" would be an accurate term. Why?

• I'll start with the biggest one - the others are minor. Last December, I came down with what a pulminologist termed chronic bronchitus.  I've had three CT scans this year, and I have some infection in my lungs; the spots on the earlier scan disappear on the next one, but are replaced by others. On Sept. 26th, I've had a biopsy on my lungs and am waiting on the results, and I'm expected to be put on antibiotics for a year. The doctor said it's not life threatening, but it may have affect on the quality of life.
• Okay, second one is also a major one. I'm at the point of considering retirement. Question is when. No, I don't want to retire too early, but I also want time to enjoy with Becky. But I mention that just because it's on my mind.
  
• Let's look at my artwork. Enjoy that look? You remember my Christmas drawing and my "All My Rowdy Friends Happen To Be Preachers?" Those are the most recent, and they're about a year old now. Songwriting? Haven't done that in years; the only instrument I currently have is a cordless keyboard. Novel writing? That's been dormant for years.
• You may or may not know - the last few years my goal was to read 24 fiction books and 12 non-fiction, and I've been making it. I was getting to the point that I didn't want to push it on the fiction, so I dropped my fiction goal to 12. I have made those goals - so far, I've read 14 non-fiction books and 16 fiction.  But I also realize I'm not taking as much time with fiction as I have been. Nothing to get depressed about, but still it does seem a little sad.
  
• My title mentioned my blog. Regular readers may realize it varies between essays, reviews of books and albums, and interviews. And you may notice that the interviews are, putting it nicely, not as frequent. Here's the number of interviews I've done on this blog: 

2020 - 7

2021 - 14

2022 - 36

2023 - 3 

YIKES! Notice how each year doubled or more, until this year! To tie last year's, I need to average 11 interviews a month! By the way, two of those three were in January, the third in April! 😱 And the interviews are usually my most popular blogs, basically because the interviewee invites their friends.

Again, let me say I'm just a little down. I'm keeping busy with a lot of things. But I do miss drawing, songwriting, story creating, and interviews. (Should I interview my characters? Would that help me get started?)

But I do have a lot to look forward to. Next year's NCFCA champions! Maybe getting to hear some bands/singers I want to hear like Undefeated, TheoTerran, Zahna, Worhol, Daniel Band,  Steve Camp, etc. Maybe a mission trip or two. Maybe developing a chaplaincy for Christian musicians (which may be something brand new). Possibly a trip to see friends out west? Who knows.

Thanks for reading this. If you have a comment? I'd love to hear it!

 

 

LOOKING NO LONGER BACK AT '22 BUT FORWARD TO '23 (PART 5 OF 6)

 

Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville, TN

So what am I looking forward to in '23? 

Well, for one thing Becky and I will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary. I'm also looking forward to judging at the NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Communication Association) Regional touRnament in May. And you could say in October I'm celebrating my Sgt. Pepper Birthday. 

What about music? Can I dream here? My dream concert would be to hear a festival including Divine Martyr, Worhol, True Revival, Reclaim the Day, Daniel Band, Undefeated, and Theody. Now, some (or all) of them might be at the Kingdom Come Festival. Or should I form my own festival? Though at the Senior apartments I'm in, my taste might be a little too high decibel. But I am watching to see who will be at Kingdom Come this year! Or maybe the cooler Pitt Fest (cooler because it's in October rather than June). 

How about books? I'm at the point where I'll still keep my non-fiction goal I had the last two years: one book a month. Currently, I've not been spending as much time with fiction, so I'll go conservative and also set it at 12. Can I have permission to re-evaluate and possible increase it in June?

One other thing I'm considering is strengthening some Facebook groups I've started but are mostly dormant. These are, in alphabetic order (you expect something different?) with links to the group included:

1. Colossians 3:16 Musicians Exhorting And Teaching Through Song. I started this to discuss music and encourage, especially artists that wanted to use their musical talents to not just reach the lost but also build up the believers. 33 members. But I haven't posted, and the only activity is one artist promoting his program on occasion. 
2. Holding Up The Song Leader's Arms - Prayer For Christian Musicians. Started so we can regularly  pray for musicians. It has 11 members. Haven't taken the time to keep it up - the most recent post was May, 2020.  
3. Jeff's Christian Book Reading Challenge. 29 members in this one, but the most active, thanks to yours truly. I post my reviews and my fiction and non-fiction lists there. I also do post on occassion. One author also sometimes posts deals on her books. The purpose was to be an encouragement to read and maybe to get discussion going on certain books.
   

This past year I've been considering the future of this blog. The main issue was wondering if God has called me to keep this up or if I'm wasting too much time I should be doing other things. Conclusion? I do not have indication to not continue this blog. So I will keep up my normal schedule of trying to post each Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and occasionally more. I'll also keep up with book reviews, interviews, and other topical blogs (sometimes a series, sometimes a stand alone). I am going to try something new for some of my interviews that I hope would be easier on the interviewees. Additionally, I'll be setting the time to post the blogs from 6AM to 9AM starting Jan. 1. Why? Because I think when I set it for 6AM it posts at 3AM. (If you prefer me keeping it the way it is, could you let me know?)

May I make the following requests?

• PLEASE pray for me this blog, and the above Facebook groups.  I need God's guidance. Sometimes, I'll need His encouragement. No, God doesn't need this blog. But there are times I could be discouraged and wonder if I should continue.
  
• If anybody is at all interested in doing guest blogs, please let me know. I have a couple of times suggested it. So far, there's only been one guest blog, and that's because I posted something Becky wrote. I'd love to have guest blogs.
• Going back up to the Facebook groups, I would welcome other administrators/moderators. On the prayer group, I'd love for someone to volunteer to post weekly and suggest artists they know for prayer.

Thanks for reading. I have one more blog left for tomorrow.

A Question For My Readers, or "1,000 Words A Day?!"

 I started this blog almost a year ago. At first, I thought of doing it weekly. Then, I thought of things to add that made it four times a week. And the reality? Weekly was a nice goal. Monthly is a little closer to reality.

I also will admit - maybe blogs are past their prime. The blogs that had the best response were those where I interviewed someone else, and all the friends of that someone else came to check it out for that interview.

So for months I've been between forgetting about this blog and thinking about this blog. Writing it was in another dimension. Maybe the Twilight Zone. Maybe the place a fast-food co-worker mentioned: The Fry Light Zone.

Well, I happened to read a pair of summaries on books about blogging. I have yet to read them, but they're on the list. I don't know how they differ, but both agreed on this:

You should contribute to your blog daily. Preferably 1,000 words each post.

Okay.

So should I get back on and give a daily submission to a non-existent audience? Or should I give up?

My goal is the former.

One thing I'll check on doing is changing the name. I came up with a quick name, and I'll confess that while I wanted to get the essence of the purpose of this blog, I didn't think a lot about it. I have another name in mind, and it also fits once you know where I'm coming from, but it may be more vague.

So, though I might be stuck with the name, I'll ask you, reader, the question. Which do you like better? And I'll give the rationale for the titles.

FAITH: FACTS AND FICTION (Current name). No, I am not at all questioning whether faith is fact or fiction. Rather, the purpose is dealing with faith - even some apologetics - and doing it through preaching by pastors and apologists and the like and through artists like novelists and songwriters. Or...

FRIENDS OF THE PROPHETS. By prophets, I'm not talking about people predicting things, but those who communicate the Word of God, and again that includes traditional preaching/teaching and via the arts.

So what are your thoughts on those titles?