Closer than they seem...

This picture was taken, edited and shared with me by a friend.

Our Fish

Loretta and I have a 10 gallon aquarium in our home. It's good for conversation when we have guests. Of course kids really like watching the fish and talking about them. Loretta and I find it very relaxing to sit and watch them. We currently have 10 fish in the tank and we have named each and every one. They do not come running when we call their name, they don't go out and get the paper, they don't wag their...wait, now that I think about it, they do wag their tails a lot.

Here's our current lineup with quantity, their common name, scientific name (linked to a info page about the species), and given name:

• 2 X-Ray Tetras (Pristella riddlei)
  Chip and Dale
  
  
• 2 Orange Von Rio Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus)
  Vinny and Finny
  
  
• 2 Upside Down Catfish (Synodontis nigriventris)
  Flip and Flop
  
  
• 2 Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilos aymonieri)
  Passy and Sassy
  
  
• 1 Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
  Speedy
  
  
• 1 Albino Cory Catfish (Corydoras aeneus)
  Gramps
  

Church Bulletin Bloopers

I'm not a very talkative person by nature. This does show through in the staleness of my blog. To get a little newness back in here I'm posting this list of church bulletin bloopers that floats around the email world. Some very good giggles in this list.

Church Bulletin Bloopers

• Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
  
  
• The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.
  
  
• The Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
  
  
• Evening massage - 6 p.m.
  
  
• The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
  
  
• The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
  
  
• Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 pm. Please use the back door.
  
  
• Ushers will eat latecomers.
  
  
• The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
  
  
• For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
  
  
• The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
  
  
• The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
  
  
• During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
  
  
• Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible Experience."
  
  
• Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's healing services will be discontinued until further notice.
  
  
• Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It All"
  
  
• The music for today's service was all composed by George Friedrich Handel in celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth.
  
  
• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
  
  
• The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
  
  
• The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.
  
  
• 22 members were present at the church meeting held at the home of Mrs. Marsha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs. Crutchfield and Mrs. Rankin sang a duet, The Lord Knows Why.
  
  
• A song fest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.
  
  
• Today's Sermon: HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK? with hymns from a full choir.
  
  
• Hymn 43: "Great God, what do I see here?" Preacher: The Rev. Horace Blodgett Hymn 47: "Hark! an awful voice is sounding"
  
  
• On a church bulletin during the minister's illness: GOD IS GOOD Dr. Hargreaves is better.
  
  
• Potluck supper: prayer and medication to follow.
  
  
• Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.
  
  
• The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
  
  
• Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary...
  
  
• 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
  
  
• The choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
  
  
• Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child.
  
  
• Weight Watchers will meet at 7 pm. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
  
  
• Announcement from the Pulpit by the Associate Pastor:
  "Please keep a close watch on your children as they play outside. Several snakes have been seen around the edge of the woods... " (then without skipping a beat) "Our Easter egg hunt is this Saturday here at the church...!"

A Prayer Request and A Friend's Blog

I friend of mine, Ken Wallace, who has also been a co-worker for the better part of the last 20 years has been diagnosed with cancer. He is having surgery today (5/8/2007) at 2 PM. I ask that you remember Ken and his family when you pray.

Ken has created a blog as a means of letting people know his status as he and his family proceed to defeat this disease. The blog is also a good spot for readers to offer words of encouragement. You can visit the blog at http://www.estradacms.com/usana/blogs/kenscancer/

My Idol Take - Top 7

I have two things to say about the performances from the top 7. They are:

1. Jordin Sparks
2. WOW!

I was completely blown away by Jordin's performance this week. That performance put her in the Melinda League. I've grown used to Melinda Doolittle being fantastic and she was again. I was just caught of guard by the indredible job Jordin did. I've known she was good but this was the first WOW performance I've seen from her.

I did also enjoy Phil Stacey's performance. I can see the day coming when I'm hearing him on country radio.

I completely disagreed with the judges about the performance of Blake Lewis. I thought he (except for the obvious weekly worst) gave the worst performance.

Idol Talk

My favorite contestant this year is now gone. Chris Sligh is a complete package. Personality and voice. When you look at some of the others that remain in the competition you've got to believe that some of the movements that are going on against the program are having an effect. I suppose I'll still watch the competition but I won't be nearly as anxious each week to see it.

What I See

What I See, originally uploaded by FishHouse.

Well' here's what I sit and look at Mon-Fri. It changes some but pretty much stays the same. I can spin around and actually see outside. That's a big plus. I don't take that for granted after spending years with a big company stuffed into the middle of a huge building where the sun never shines.

Chosen Witness Reunion

It's taken me over a week now but I wanted to share some thoughts about the Chosen Witness reunion that we had on Saturday night March 17, 2007. The preparation for such a event can be overwhelming at times. So many little details that you think of that need to be handled. Then there are all of those little details that you didn't think of that need to be handled that come up at the last minute.

With all of those little nagging things behind now I want to say how much I enjoyed the evening.

Chosen Witness came together over 10 years ago with the purpose of ministering through Southern Gospel Music. We've stayed with that purpose over the years and as a ministry I believe we've been blessed. There have been rocky roads along the way but we've continued the journey. If your ministry has purpose and is making a difference then there will be rocky roads to travel at times. How you travel those roads will speak volumes about who you are and what your ministry is. I know there have been times that I haven't handled those rocky times as I should have but I am so thankful that I serve a loving Father that is there to pick me up and carry me on.

Whew, now that the preaching is over let me get back to the reunion...preaching?...did I say preaching?...

It was so wonderful to again sing with the guys that have been a a part of the group. Johnny Lesley, Scott Bouldin and Rodney Brazil were all there an took part. We had so much fun just remembering things that have happened over the years. Different ones remembering different things about songs, practices or concerts. Steve Ingram was also there with us that night. Steve helped run the sounds for the group for several years. Of course Daniel Key was there who has been running our sound for the last several years and he and Steve did a great job that night.

The current group Mark, Greg, Johnny D., Loretta and myself were all there as well and shared a few songs. As we traveled through the years with the different singers we sang samples of 10 years of Mark Jones' writing. We also shared a song written by Johnny D. and even one that I wrote. It's been such a joy to share this fresh new original music with folks over the years.

Mark Bishop was our guest and shared the evening with us. Mark's writing talent is just unmatched in my opinion. His ability to tell a story in a song is such a gift. I have labeled Mark Bishop as the 'Tom T. Hall' of Southern Gospel Music. For those who don't know Tom T. Hall is known in the world of country music as 'The Old Storyteller'. Mark brought joy to the evening with his wit and humor and his wonderful music.

Although the evening was about coming back together as a group, the message in the songs that were shared is unmistakable:

• Jesus Christ is Lord.
• He was born of a virgin.
• He did live as a man.
• He was crucified.
• He did rise on the third day.
• He does live today in the hearts of those that believe and accept Him.
• He is coming back.

My prayer is that this message will continue to be heard and accepted through the music ministry of Chosen Witness.

Kingsmen Reunion

Wow, what a night. My wife and I attended the Kingsmen 50 year reunion concert in Chattanooga, TN on Monday night (3/5/2007). I praised the Lord of Lords, I laughed, I cried. It was truly a wonderful evening for me.

From a critiques point of view it wasn't the best concert I've ever heard. There were rough spots, unrehearsed moments and scratchy vocals at times. But for someone who was constantly reflecting back over the last 30 years that I've been listening to the Kingsmen it was wonderful.

To hear tenor singers like Johnny Parrack, Gary Sheppard, Ernie Phillips, Chris Collins, Jerry Martin, and Jeremy Peace on the same stage on the same night was such a blessing. Then there were the leads and baritones like Squire Parsons, Ed Crawford, Wayne Maynard, Mark Trammell, Brian Hutson, Phillip Hughes, Tim Surrett, and Tony Peace. Jim Hamil wasn't able to be there and he was missed but the guys carried the music on.

It was the 30 year anniversary of the recording of the "Chattanooga LIVE" project. I distinctly remember my dad buying an eight track tape of that recording and how I fell in love with it as a 16 year old boy. "Is That The Old Ship Of Zion I See?" is one of the greatest live recording songs I've ever heard. Yes, they did it and even had the late Eldridge Fox sing the second verse from the recording as all the guys on stage provided the background vocals.

It's my understanding that there will be a few more of these events this year. If you get the chance to go do so. You will not be sorry.

My Idol Favorites

Well after two weeks of performances from the 24 finalists my favorites (in no particular order) are:

• Melinda Doolittle
• Chris Sligh
• Lakisha Jones

The list I posted last week were what I thought the top twelve would be. As far as my personal favorites I'd like to see these three be the finalists.

My American Idol Picks

You never know what I'm gonna post. This is just my pick for the top 12 in the order I think they will leave the show down to the winner.

• Paul Kim
• Blake Lewis
• Sabrina Sloan
• Sundance Head
• Leslie Hunt
• Phil Stacey
• Stephanie Edwards
• Jordin Sparks
• Chris Sligh
• Melinda Doolittle
• Jared Cotter
• Lakisha Jones

The last ten years

We (Chosen Witness) are preparing for a 10 year reunion concert. It will be on Saturday March 17, 2007 at Hannah United Methodist Church in Gordo, AL at 7 PM CST. Our special guest for the evening will be Mark Bishop.

To think back over the years since this group first formed brings floods of memories. When I start naming them they add up so fast. There are so many that it seems like it's been a really really long time. But in fact, it seems like only yesterday that we gathered together at Bethel Presb. Church in Northport, AL and started practicing a song that Mark had written and wanted to get recorded. We had each been a part of a music ministry but were in a time when we were not ministering in that way. God moved upon us as we sang and we realized we still needed to be sharing the gospel through song to reach the lost and to encourage the saints. So we began our ministry singing mostly songs written by Mark. As other group members shared songs we learned those as well. When Johnny Duren joined the group be brought a whole new group of songs and we began to sing songs he had written. It's really been an honor to share this original music with folks.

We are really excited about getting back together with those that have been a part of the group. Johnny Lesley (original lead), Rodney Brazil (original baritone), Scott Bouldin (former baritone) and Steve Ingram (former sound man). Brandon Porter (former bass singer) will not be with us as he will be in Honduras ministering to the people there.

There have been many stumbling opportunities along the way. But God has been faithful to carry us through and to continue to provide a way for us to minister.

May the Glory be to God for his lovingkindness!

Memories, memories...

I've been listening to old recordings of my dad and my brother and myself singing. I've got a box full of cassette tapes that were recorded at concerts we did over the years. Every time I listen to one of them and listen to my dad talking and singing, in that moment, it's just like he's still here. He passed away in 1996 and I still find it hard to believe he's gone. As the time passes by, being able to listen to those old recordings gets more and more special to me.

If anyone reading this might have any recordings or photos from the days of The Bama Boys I would love for you to share them with me. We had several good men (and women) that were a part of that group over the years and we made a lot of good memories.

Does this mean I'm getting old? The fact that I'm spending more and more time thinking about the past. Hmmmm...