War of the Words

2008-09-13T11:43:00.002-05:00

I was pretty certain that I wasn't going to post anything on the matter of Michael Gugliemucci, but after reading Pastor Brian Houston's blog on the subject and witnessing an incredible man of God and a great shepherd handle a tough situation with such transparency and honesty, just wanted to send a little shout-out his way. You can read Pastor Brian's post HERE.

EPIC WORSHIP

2008-06-28T23:27:00.005-05:00

Okay, so it seems I'm that guy..."sorry for the absence, blah, blah" Yep, I'm that guy. So I don't update often...don't hate. I have a good reason to be updating. The latest live worship recording from Healing Place Church, Epic Worship, has just been released. Go buy it. You can find it on iTunes, Amazon.com, and at healingplacemusic.com/epicworship.

Safety First...thataboy Toby!

2008-04-22T17:41:00.002-05:00

Really!?!

2008-04-22T11:26:00.001-05:00

OMG! Is that David Cook?

2008-04-11T22:40:00.002-05:00

2008-03-09T15:15:00.001-05:00

Had an opportunity to be a part of HPC Experience....hosted some great people from a great church.

2008-03-09T14:38:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love boiled crawfish? Thanks JP for hookin us up.

2008-03-09T14:32:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhhh...completion!

2008-03-09T14:27:00.000-05:00

3:00 AM delirium while installing a stage

2008-03-09T14:25:00.001-05:00

Got to hang out (& eat) with some of the nicest, most faithful people @ HPC....our Young At Heart Ministry.

2008-03-09T14:18:00.000-05:00

Great opportunity to serve the community in honoring one of our city's finest.

The Last 2 Weeks In Pictures

2008-03-09T14:17:00.001-05:00

My view of the bridge in New Orleans during late nite run to pick up some lights with my boy Toby Bohl.

2008-02-26T20:02:00.001-06:00

Josh Foster's coffee pot runneth over...I rolled into the kitchen at work to get some delicious coffee and this is what I saw: Josh holding a near overflowing pot of coffee and a subsequent overflow cup under the stream of black gold still pouring from the coffee maker...it was awesome. "I raise this cup o' joe (raises coffee cup) up in honor of Josh Foster...the coffee connoisseur."

2008-02-20T01:11:00.000-06:00

Well, it's official...Bernadette is over the hill...in truck years that is. You've been good to me ol' girl (except when you locked the brakes up on me and we slid into a ditch and and then hit a lightpole...but that's all water under the bridge). I hope to be with you another 100,000 miles. Happy 100,000 Mile Day!

VERY Randon Thoughts of Present

2008-02-18T22:44:00.002-06:00

-Vietnam War was incredibly costly...but for what?

-I love my kids

-Amplified is really, really close...it's gonna be sick

-The writer's strike has been rediculous...please return to me Heroes

-I love these people: Lawrence, Josh-Bob, Tabitha, Faith, Ashlynn, Ben, Elton, Mark, Steve...some of the most unselfish people you'll ever meet

-My wife works harder than anyone I know...she's an amazing woman

AMPLIFIED

2008-02-04T16:46:00.001-06:00

Tell everyone and their mama about Amplified. It's goin down Feb. 22-24 at HealingPlaceChurch . Props to Josh(bob) for designing the graphic.

WWII Museum Pics

2008-01-06T00:28:00.000-06:00

Had a chance to go to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans yesterday and decided to take a camera along for the ride. Thanks to the endless knowledge and advice given by the photography sensei, Master Song, I was able to snap a few decent shots.

Twisted

2007-12-13T08:20:00.000-06:00

Nobody throws a Christmas party like Refuge. To everyone involved....you guys did a great job. Oh yeah...it was good to see Chuck Norris there...that is until he round house kicked us all in the face.

2007-12-08T02:06:00.001-06:00

Right after this picture was taken I jumped the deer and killed it with my bare hands.

I mean....I Love Football

2007-12-05T00:46:00.000-06:00

2007-11-25T21:39:00.001-06:00

Ahhhh...Thanksgiving left-overs and Guitar Hero II = a good Sunday afternoon....until I found out that Virginia Tech jumped LSU in the BCS. I HATE FOOTBALL!

Thanksgiving @ Winbourne

2007-11-22T17:23:00.001-06:00

What a great way to start off the holliday season. One thing God showed me last night as I walked around was to make sure I don't ever get to the point that I only feel the need to serve others when it's "the thing to do" (i.e. Thanksgiving...Christmas)...the need is 24/7...as should be the call to serve. Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

2007-11-20T00:49:00.001-06:00

I'm pretty sure he's gonna hate me for his later in life

Vision Night

2007-10-12T00:12:00.000-05:00

Everyone's doin it...goin to vision night that is. So why not you? Go ahead try it. I dare ya. Bet you'll like it. Peer pressure baby...works every time. For real, this is going to be a great night. You wanna make sure to be there early so you have time to tailgate. We do it f0r football...why not for church. Random thought: how cool would that be if we started to tailgate at all our church services....decked out RV's, flat screen TVs tuned in to TBN, radios blaring KLOVE, testamints................naaaaahhh, wouldn't work.

My Heart is Full

2007-10-02T00:18:00.001-05:00

"My heart is full"...great line from a great movie. It can definitely be overwhelming to just sit still for a minute and think about why we're actually here. I mean really...just sit for a couple of minutes in silence and think about why we're here. So many daily tasks become seemingly meaningless...realistically necessary, maybe, but dull and empty in comparison.

How can we be so busy...so busy we neglect the significant..."your them"....whatever that is in your life. Where is your treasure?...of course the bible says we..."store up treasure in heaven", but here, on Earth, where/what is your treasure? It can be so easy to get caught up in the ebb and flow of this life, a life that is focused on helping people, helping others, that we sometimes make the mistake of overlooking the others that are closest to us.

As I write, at this very moment, my treasure is asleep in bed...all three of them. My beautiful family...the people I share my life with. The people that know me the best. The precious treasure that God has entrusted me with in this life.

Why are we here? For what reason?...We're here for people, for others. Just make sure, in this journey, you never overlook the others that are closest to you. It can be easy and maybe even "feel" more rewarding to minister to those that are considered second degree, the indirect.... but priority should always fall to the first degree in your life.

I pray that I never lose focus of that. I love my life. I love my family (first and second degree)...My heart is full.

Epic

2007-09-27T14:07:00.000-05:00

I had to find a reason to throw this pic up. Thanks to David for his wonderfully honed photography skills. Friday night at HPC was incredible. Anytime you can experience the presence of God and ride a mechanical bull in the same night...it's a great night. I can't believe I just put riding a mechanical bull and the presence of God in the same sentence...of course they don't compare...don't judge me. Geeeze.

2007-09-22T23:11:00.000-05:00

Here's my boy Blake Urban showin off his cowboy/rodeo clown skills on the beast of a mechanical bull we had at Epic on Friday night. Blake's the man...one of the most unselfish, faithful people I know. Way to hold on Blake...even though it was only for 3 seconds.

Pic O' The Day

2007-09-14T00:28:00.000-05:00

Thanks to David for the 'pic of the day' inspiration. You're my hero.

Happy B-Day Tweeze

2007-09-11T13:02:00.000-05:00

A big "HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY" to one of my favorite people.

Sat Night In Death Valley

2007-09-10T11:01:00.000-05:00

LSU 48 - VT 7

Ahhh...Labor Day

2007-09-04T00:22:00.001-05:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm...kabobs anyone?

Judah James Robb...Yeah That's a Mullet

2007-08-15T10:53:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we welcomed the newest member of the family into the world. Judah James was born on August 14 and weighed in at 8 lb 12 oz. Congratulations Jessica and Charlton...especially Charlton who timed the birth of his son perfectly just a few weeks shy of the start of LSU football. You're a smart man Chuck. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...Judah was born with a full-on mullet. It's in the genes.

Hallelujah...FREE DIRT

2007-08-14T15:26:00.001-05:00

Now this is a great pic and ya'll know it. How often do you see the words "free dirt" and "hallelujah" in the same sentence. I submit the answer to be never. Usually free dirt is what comes with a new relationship...I've just never seen it in a literal sense. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corithians 9:7) We're blessed to be a blessing...so I say if you're the 1 in 10,000 people who happens to be blessed with an overabundance of dirt...give it. Hallelujah.

New Pic

2007-08-01T10:08:00.001-05:00

Faith is doing great...she likes her beauty sleep.

Finally Home

2007-07-26T17:05:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we finally got to bring our little princess home from the hospital. Her breathing has normalized and her bottle feeds suck...haha...get it. I am a comic genius. We are super glad to be home and extremely thankful for everyone's help over the last week. We really couldn't have made it without the help of our family and friends. Now, it's back to life as usual...just with a lot less sleep. Life's good.

Almost Home

2007-07-24T16:54:00.001-05:00

Faith is doing much better today. The doctor said if she continues to do well through the night, she might be able to go home tomorrow. Somer and I want to thank all our family and friends for ya'lls prayers and support.

Mmmmmm

2007-07-23T22:29:00.001-05:00

Who says you can't have a nice dinner for two while in the hospital? A big 'thank you' to Jessica & Charlton and Marisa & Brent for hookin us up with the nice meal...bedside.

2007-07-22T11:09:00.001-05:00

Big brother Noah catchin some zzzz's.

Like Father Like Daughter

2007-07-20T22:48:00.000-05:00

Well it's official...I'm a dad (x2). Faith Olivia Meyer was born today at 1:26 PM. The champ weighed in at 6 lb 13 oz and was an intimidating 19-1/2 inches long. She's already got her parents a little worried in that she's having some breathing difficulties, much like Noah did, because some fluid got in her lungs at birth. Right now Faith is in the NICU for oxygen administration and observation. Pray that the little booger can fight through this and be with us in our room soon. I better go....time to pump...Rob knows what I'm talkin about. More updates and pics to come.

For JP

2007-07-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

I'm blogging, blog, blog, blog, blog, la de da, blog. Ha ha, I'm blogging after JP did. My latest entry is newer than yours JP. Blog, lots of cool things.

Help a Sista Out

2007-06-13T23:57:00.001-05:00

Here's Tab trying her best to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a chocolate salesman...saleswoman...salesperson...whatever. Actually, she's doing her best to raise money for a missions trip to Italy. So, if you see her toting a "World's Finest Chocolate" box around, help a sista out and buy some.

Downsizing

2007-06-02T23:49:00.000-05:00

Talk about dedication...When I saw Dr. Tweeze rollin to work on this sweet new set of wheels and asked him what he was doing on an electric scooter, he replied..."I'm downsizing". When asked to elaborate further he began to brag about all the cool benefits of his scooter including the fact that it reaches top speeds in the single digits, it has an ear piercing 85 decibel horn, it's equipped with a 20 ft range walkie-talkie, and best of all...it doesn't need one drop of gas to run. He then proceeded to tell me the real reason why he was dusting the road on two wheels of sheer electric terror...he wanted to raise money for Submerge summer camp and the Los Angeles missions trip. So, he's using the money he made from selling his car and the money he's going to save on gas and putting it towards the two. Way to lead by example Dr. Tweeze! Okay...so maybe that's not entirely true. Actually, none of that's true. I just wanted to blog something interesting to go along with this picture.

Uncle Jesse

2007-05-28T17:50:00.001-05:00

What's the deal with this random picture of the back of some dude you can barely see? I'm glad you asked. You see that's not just any dude...it's John Stamos...you know, Uncle Jesse from "Full House". Turns out uncle Jesse was staying at my hotel in New Orleans. I'm not really sure how the universal "cool point" system works, but there must be a rule that says u get a lot of cool points for staying at the same hotel as uncle Jesse. Aside from stalking John Stamos, Somer and I had a great time in 'Nalins. It was our chance to get away by ourselves before Faith gets here...in less than two months...excuse me while I hyperventilate...okay, all better. Just playin.

One last tid bit before I go. A lot of you know Brandon and Melodi Hawley and the situation with their daugher Zia. Please keep their baby girl in your prayers as she is in the hospital again battling yet another sickness.

Say Cheeeeeeez

2007-05-24T01:39:00.001-05:00

This is Noah doing what he does best.

Happy Birthday Noah

2007-05-12T22:10:00.001-05:00

Well, it's official. Time goes by too fast. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH. My boy is 1 year old. That's just down right crazy cause it seems like he was born last month. Love those closest to you...don't ever take the time you have with them for granted...that time is a gift and is priceless.

My friend Bob

2007-05-10T00:50:00.001-05:00

This is why Josh-Bob is such a good guitar player. Actually, this is what happens when he eats shellfish.

Hello Emergency Room...Goodbye Sleep

2007-04-29T09:51:00.001-05:00

2007-04-29T09:49:00.000-05:00

Last night we made our first emergency room visit with Noah. Can you say FUN. Well, it was not. We initially brought him in because he had a 105 degree fever. Turns out he has a bad ear infection and pharyngitis. So five hours later, with the fever down and a strong antibiotic in hand, we headed home. I don't know about you, but I love going to sleep at 3:00 when you have to wake up at 6:30.

I'm sure Noah will be back to his old self, terrorizing our dog, in no time. If you would, keep the little booger in your prayers.

Reality Check

2007-04-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Here's a little reality check for our comfortable American lives. I came across this article while catching up on some world news. I realized how easily we can forget or become numb to what's happening in the world. If it doesn't directly affect us, we pay no attention to it. While we go about our everyday, free, unpersecuted lives there are Christians around the world paying the ultimate price for their faith. Take a quick look at this article and a minute to pray for the thousands of Christians who, at this very moment, are suffering for the cause of Christ.

Also, please remember to keep Dan O. and the full time Elevate team in your prayers as they love on hurting people in Africa.

2007-04-22T16:30:00.001-05:00

2007-04-22T16:29:00.001-05:00

here's one of the instructors, Josh-Bob, showing off his mad skills

Future Worship Leaders

2007-04-22T16:15:00.001-05:00

Musicians in training, Jacob Triche and J.P. Brumfield. You're looking at the future musicians of HPC. This is part of one our newest classes focused on worship leadership training and yes it involves an X-box 360 and "Guitar Hero II".

2007-04-18T19:38:00.001-05:00

this is how i blog.....griffis

Pray for Pascagoula

2007-04-17T22:57:00.000-05:00

1 week after Katrina

2007-04-17T22:56:00.000-05:00

20 months after Katrina

2007-04-17T22:52:00.000-05:00

1 week after Katrina

2007-04-17T22:45:00.000-05:00

20 months after Katrina

Last weekend the Meyer family loaded up and headed to Pascagoula, Mississppi for a visit with T-Maw & T-Paw (my step-mom & my dad). Life is slowly returning to normal for this coastal city hit hard by Katrina. Please keep the people of Pascagoula in your prayers as they try to rebuild their city, homes and lives amidst the ongoing struggle for full recovery of their losses with the insurance companies. It simply amazes me that nearly two years later there are still people living in FEMA trailors due to the bureaucratic nonsense that infects the rebuilding process for so many people. Let us not forget the thousands of people who are still without homes all along the gulf coast. Remember them the next time you sit down at the table for dinner with your family or you watch the game on your big screen tv.....remember the thousands still without a place to call home.

WIKAA

2007-04-13T01:23:00.000-05:00

2007-04-13T01:21:00.001-05:00

2007-04-13T01:17:00.000-05:00

Today I got to hang out with my boys from the WIKAA (World Interntional Kickball Association of America) Pictured from left to right are T.O. (aka "Phones/Kurt"), Steve Ware, Me (aka "Bret the Bomber"), & Justin (aka "Harvey the Hammer"). Also pictured is Pastor Mike "the Hamanator" Haman's foot. Apparently, he broke his ankle playing a pick-up game of kickball against the Chicago Bears. They may have broke his ankle, but he broke their will to win. Be on the lookout for our documentary short set to air, in the near future, on the big screen at LateNite. Don't forget about the three "K"'s of kickball...KICK, KILL, and KATCH.

2007-04-12T00:44:00.001-05:00

2007-04-12T00:42:00.000-05:00

2007-04-12T00:40:00.000-05:00

Worship Revolution

2007-04-12T00:23:00.001-05:00

More pics from the Delirious? concert. Those guys rocked our faces off. Their heart for pure worship was evident and they truely are a band with a passion for a worship revolution.

Security

2007-04-11T08:51:00.000-05:00

So I show up last night at the Delirious? concert and am greeted by this...my boy Griffis working security and taking his job a little too seriously. Can anyone say Reno911. All I know is that I definitely felt safer knowing Griffis was watching out for the bad guys.

"Ethel"

2007-04-06T03:23:00.001-05:00

I forgot to let you guys know that my new phone came in. As you can tell from my previous entry I've already begun to moblog with it. Oh yeah, I finally picked a name for her. LG enV VX9900 just doesn't have a ring to it, so I named her Ethel. Seems like a good name for a phone. I miss Althea already. I think Ethel and I will get along just fine, but there will always be a place in my heart...a very, very tiny place, but a place nonetheless...for ol' Althea.

2007-04-05T09:16:00.000-05:00

my first moblog...rock on. last night's prayer service was awesome. we're following it up tonight w/ a dose of The Passion and some worship to follow. it's gonna be rediculous. it's set for 9:30 @ the annex. see ya there.

My Dad the Fisherman

2007-04-03T08:46:00.000-05:00

Check out my ol' man with a 7# spec. Oh, the joys of living on the gulf coast.

Goodbye "Althea"

2007-03-31T11:32:00.000-05:00

Nokia "Althea" Meyer
7/23/03 - 4/2/07

I'm laying Althea to rest. She was a good phone. I'm pretty shaken up over this whole phone issue. Althea and I have talked to a lot of people over the years and I must say she's never really given me a problem. She's not the prettiest of phones, but she was reliable. I can remember the first time I laid eyes on her...new color screen...cool new buttons...sleek design. Over the years, when new technology came along like camera phones and multimedia phones, I stuck by Althea's side and she by mine. But now...(holding back tears)...I must move on.

I only have a few days left with Althea, as my new phone (a super hot LG enV VX9900), which I have yet to name, will not be here until Monday. Til then, I will treasure every last minute with my dear ol' Althea. Rest in peace my good friend...rest in peace.

New Technology

2007-03-27T23:36:00.000-05:00

What you see here is my brand new all-in-one camera/video phone. Can you say upgrade?! You can't get this phone at just any store. Oh no. You have to know 'people' to get you hands on one of these bad boys. Very vintage and very rare.

A lot of you know about my phone issue. If you don't, please allow me to clue you in. I have a 1999 special edition "Zack Morris" Nokia COLOR SCREEN cellular phone. Oh yeah!!!!! If that wasn't enough to satisfy your technologically advanced needs, then get this. The screen is broke so I can only read half of incoming numbers/text messages. ROCK ON. So if you find yourself texting me and you don't get a response, don't take it personal and find peace in knowing that if I could respond...I would. Stay tuned for the next upgrade...a video/camera/INTERNET/phone. I'm still developing a shoulder strap for the desktop that connects to shown-above video/camera phone.

Random "Would You Rather"

2007-03-21T23:27:00.000-05:00

Would you rather...

have an incredibly powerful magnetic head

be water soluble?

(Things to consider: rain, showering, electronic equipment, anything metal)

I Forgot to Mention

2007-03-15T08:15:00.000-05:00

Amplified...la la la de da do da la la de da do AMPLIFIED...more words in between...la de da do de da THIS WEEKEND...fill in the blanks la de da $55.

AMPLIFIED

2007-03-12T00:26:00.000-05:00

To the 5 people that read this blog: It's up to us to spread the word. AMPLIFIED is this weekend, March 16-18. Tell every high school student you know to sign up. For more information or to register CLICK HERE.

WHEN: March 16-18

COST: $55

HOST: Healing Place Church

Love Somebody Today

2007-03-09T00:17:00.000-06:00

Well, it's official. My little boy is growing up faster than I would like. As I looked at these pictures I was reminded to cherish every second you have with those that you love. Make sure they know you love them. Tell them you love them, or better yet...show them that you love them. Make every moment count because once that moment is gone, you never get it back.

Spread the Love.

Family Trip to the Zoo

2007-03-05T17:46:00.000-06:00

Saturday, the Meyer family (minus the dog) packed up and headed out for a day at the zoo. Noah had a blast. We let him do some damage at the petting zoo...those poor goats. You see, he hasn't grasped the notion that you pet animals. All he knows is that he would much rather grab a handful of fur/hair and yank as hard as he can...belly laugh...and do it again. So I guess you can say Noah turned the petting zoo into a goat torture chamber. Don't worry, none of the goats were hurt. It looked as though they were pretty used to it seeing that they didn't even budge. We finished up our trip to the zoo by growling at the tigers...or at least Noah did. Okay, I growled at them too. Who says you have to act your age ALL the time?

RED

2007-02-28T11:13:00.000-06:00

This Friday, March 2nd, Refuge is putting on an event called RED. They have a few bands playing (Foreword, No Shoes, & The Refuge Band). It's kickin off at 8:00 pm and will be at the HPC Annex. It's gonna be a great night. BE THERE and tell everyone you know to be there.

Friday, March 2nd, 8:00 pm, HPC Annex.

A Night in Prison

2007-02-12T11:44:00.000-06:00

Last night I had the incredible opportunity to visit Hunt Correctional and be a part of their Chapel service. We were invited out to help lead worship and Ps. Dino was invited to share a message.

The entire night was an incredible experience. The house band kicked it off with some slamin, Holy Ghost power, make you want to slap somebody worship. It was some of the best praise and worship I've heard in awhile. After that, our worship team was able to minister and help lead the way for Ps. Dino to deliver an incredible message about serving. The word that God gave pastor to share with those men truly touched their lives and it was evident by the altar that was full of hardened criminals weeping in brokenness with some making the life-changing decision to accept Christ into their lives. The night finished up with their worship team and our worship team coming together to play some last minute praise and worship before the men headed off to their cells.

As I walked out of the prison it hit me that we all got to leave and go home to our families and comfortable homes while these men were staying in the prison and were returning to a dark cell. They have so much less than we do and so much less to look forward to in their daily lives, yet I watched these men worship their King with everything that was in them. They gave everything they had. And here we are blessed with all sorts of luxuries and we have so much more to look forward to in a day...yet when we worship do we give Him our all? How much more should we worship our King for all that he's blessed us with?

Last night we were invited out to minister to them, but I left knowing that God brought me to that prison for those men to minister to me. A big thanks to Tabitha, Rob, Mark, Donald, and Josh (bob) for helping out with worship. I'll never be as cool as you guys.

Refuge Blog

2007-01-26T09:10:00.000-06:00

Everyone....lets play "Simon Says". Simon says check out the new and improved Refuge blog. For those of you not in the know, Refuge is the high school ministry of Healing Place Church. Simon says you can find what Refuge is all about, what the mission of Refuge is, cool pics, news about upcoming events, and pocket-sized nuggets from Refuge Pastor Jason Laird that you can take with you wherever you go. Simon says if you don't visit this blog you will lose "Simon says"....because that's what happens when you don't do what Simon says.

Refuge on the Road

2007-01-16T00:24:00.000-06:00

This past weekend the Refuge band and Refuge pastor, Jason Laird, had an opportunity to travel and be a part of a winter retreat in Shreveport, LA hosted by Calvary Baptist Church. It was an incredible weekend. In all, about 250 young people attended the retreat.

God showed up and showed off in a powerful way. It was so refreshing to see God at work in the lives of these students. The theme of the weekend was "Ignite"...to ignite a passion in our soul for Him. Without a doubt, the fire of God fell and that is exactly what happened in these student's lives. So many precious lives were changed this past weekend and by God's grace and mercy more souls have been won for the Kingdom.

A big shout out to the Refuge band...you guys did a phenomenal job. Your dedication and discipline in your walk with God is evident in your lives and in your worship. I love you guys.

Christmas '06

2007-01-09T21:41:00.000-06:00

I would have posted sooner, but I lost my camera which held the pictures from the holidays. Christmas '06 was the best. It was Noah's first Christmas and, as you can see from the pictures, he was lovin it. Of course, he wasn't interested in the toy, just the box the toy came in.

No RSV

2006-12-21T00:53:00.000-06:00

We found out today that Noah DOES NOT have RSV. Thank God. We had him formally tested for the respiratory virus and it turns out he just has your garden variety common cold, which he is just about over. Thank you Jesus.

Also, be praying for a little girl by the name of Hannah Smith. She is only four months old and is the daughter of Greg Smith, a friend and fellow musician at Healing Place. She is currently in the hospital with some heart complications. Please pray for this baby girl and her family every chance you get. Again, her name is Hannah and her parents are Greg and Lori Smith. You can check for updates on her condition at www.prayforhannah.org.

Good Music

2006-12-19T23:37:00.000-06:00

I was surfin through some YouTube videos and found a guy by the name Andy McKee who plays a guitar almost as good as I do...WHATEVER. This guy made me want to quit playing after seeing what he can do on the git fiddle. He also plays an instrument called a guitar-harp. I really don't know what that is, but I do know if you can say you play a guitar-harp, chances are, you're a really good musician. Strange maybe, but really good. Anywho, you can check out the video of Andy McKee and his stupid guitar skills here. You can also find his music at candyrat.com. Enjoy.

A Day In the City

2006-12-17T23:59:00.000-06:00

On Saturday I went to New Orleans to visit with some family I haven't seen in a while. Some of them came from Cali and the others came from Florida. We sort of met in the middle...sort of. I brought my camera along for the ride and was able to snap a few pics. New Orleans is such a great city. It was good seeing it full of life once again. The tourists were out in force, the street performers were jazzin it up, and the beignets were powdered and hot (yeah Cafe Du Monde). Family, good food, and an incredible city...it was a great day. You can check out some pics from the day by going to my parazz album.

Two Sick Boys and a Pregnant Mama

2006-12-13T21:02:00.000-06:00

Please be praying for my family. We noticed Noah coming down with a cough a couple of days ago so we took him to the doctor at which time they told us there was nothing they could do. They said what he had was viral and that it would just go away with time. Well, it got worse so we took him back to the doctor today and it turns out he has RSV. On top of that I have come down with a wicked sore throat which I'm pretty sure is strep. So my beautiful wife who happens to be in her first trimester of pregnancy is having to take care of both of us. She's doing a great job. She's the bestest wifest ever. Pray that we recover fast and that Somer doesn't get sick. Oh yea, Noah's prognosis looks good. The doctor started him on breathing treatments and the RSV should be gone in a week or so.

It Won't Be Long

2006-12-10T17:46:00.000-06:00

Today was a great day. I mean really good. It started out with good services at the Annex. Pastor Dino brought it and his message was on point. What really topped it all off was the newcomers reception held at the annex this afternoon. There was an amazing turnout and I know a lot of people are on their way to being plugged in at HPC. Which brings me to my main point. As Pastor Dino was explaining different aspects of Healing Place and the different things that are going on, he mentioned Chapter 2, our new worship space project. It always gets me fired up when I think about it. I can't help but feel that this church is on the verge of something great. This is so much more than a building. It's so much more than construction cost, interior design, lighting, stage design, and all other aspects that will play a role in the development of this space. It's all about people. I know, without a doubt in my mind, that this building will serve as one of the greatest ministry tools in the history of this city...state...country...world. It's a great time to be alive. It's a great time to be serving God. And it's a great time in the history of the church. Get ready HPC'ers...it won't be long.

I Have Crossed Over

2006-12-09T22:37:00.000-06:00

Well, I suppose it's official...I've decided to jump on the blogger's bandwagon. For about a year now I've been a loyal blog reader/spectator, but have never made the move to actually have my own. I'm not sure if it's my new found "technology maturity" or because I had an unusual amount of free time on a Saturday (probably the latter), but I've decided to post my first official blog. One, that is, with no association to myspace. Which brings me to my next little comment. For the last year, just as I have been a loyal blog spectator, I have been a loyal myspacer. Recently, I feel as though I've lost touch with the myspace world and, to tell the truth, have not had much intererest in the phenom as I once had. To my modest 140 friends, don't freak out. You're "my friends" number is not going to drop by one. I'm going to keep my myspace account and will check it intermittently. I know that's a relief to some of you...hopefully. And now to all the seasoned bloggers out there...here's hoping for a warm reception into the world of the blogger.