Kev's Klip of the Week

"When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said." - John 2:22

Limited Commercial Interruption ... Yeah, Right

I am a huge fan of the DVR (digital video recorder) and I believe "time-shifting" (recording and storing television shows for later viewing) may just be the "greatest thing since sliced bread" .. which, when it was invented, was the "greatest thing since the stick with a pointy end."

The DVR does a great job (for the most part) and fits in to our busy lifestyle quite well. However, it occasionally misses a show (this has to somehow be our fault, I'm sure .. human error is the only logical explanation) which is usually "no biggie."

I said .. usually.

Since Cheryl and I are perhaps the only two people on planet earth who don't watch 24 (we refuse to be Lemmings), we have to "settle" for other television shows.

For whatever reason, our all-knowing, all-powerful DVR did not record part one of a two part episode (it did get the second - go figure) of CASTLE .. a show we find very entertaining.

We had the option of deleting "part two" and walking away or watching the first one on ABC dot com with "limited commercial interruption."

To make a long story .. even longer, we ended up watching Megan Mullally pitching I Can't Believe It's Not Butter by singing, "Turn the Tub Around" no less than TEN TIMES during the course of an hour episode.

I find Ms Mullally to be a talented and very funny woman. However, when you see the same commercial over, and over, and over, and over again (especially one with music .. 'Turn the Tub Around' is a take-off of Gloria Estefan's 'Turn the Beat Around' .. appropriate, because after the fourth or fifth time I wanted to BEAT my head against the wall and BEAT someone .. anyone), let's just say I won't be buying any season of WILL AND GRACE on DVD or Blu-ray Disc.

Those who have never seen the commercial may want to Google "Turn the Tub Around" and experience the 30 second spot.

Take my advice, though .. Don't hit replay.

We have enough serial killers running around loose out there.

"I already gave you a warning .." - II Corinthians 13:2a

Count On It

There are a few occurrences in life you can always depend on.

Some things you can just .. "swear by" (inappropriate behavior for a minister, for sure .. but it can and is done if absolutely necessary .. like when trying to start an old lawnmower .. so I've been told) or "take to the bank" (getting paid twice a month used to be one of those .. however, now that we use direct deposit I don't get a paper check to take to the bank .. of course, I find other excuses to go because that's where I get all my nifty pens .. with the long cables).

The Sun rises in the East and sets in the West .. count on it.

It works better if you plug it in .. count on it.

A $1500 appliance will blow just in time to save a $2 fuse .. count on it.

One "constant" that I find from personal experience is this ...

I always have an itchy, scratchy or sore throat when I have to sing a solo.

Five weeks or five minutes .. No matter how much notice I receive, I am always going to have vocal problems when the time comes.

This is Holy Week and there are noonday services planned Monday through Friday at five of our area churches.

Can you guess who has major sinus problems (drain, drain go away .. come again another day) and is scheduled to sing today?

That's right. I knew I could .. count on it.

I need a shot of DayQuil.

"You will drink it and drain it dry .." - Ezekiel 23:34a

RevKev's Day Off

"Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest." - Exodus 34:21a

Silly Song Saturday

I was reminded recently that technically my daily blog really is .. not.

For quite a while, I did write something seven days a week. Of course the key word is something. It might not be particularly entertaining (like right now) .. but I was certainly consistent.

When I started taking Sundays off some time ago that was understandable (unlike my overuse of parenthetical statements) since it is a "work day" for me.

However, when I added Kev's Klip of the Week and Funny Foto Friday, that .. evidently, was viewed by some as "cheating" or "wimping out" since I don't usually write anything on those days.

What you may not realize is this ...

It takes far more time to locate a video or picture than it does for me to write the actual post. Plus, finding an appropriate scripture verse to use (totally out of context, of course) is a challenge, as well.

Silly Song Saturday may or may not become a regular feature at RevKev's.

If it is .. you'll be the first to know.

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail." - Exodus 4:4a

Funny Foto Friday

Backside of Mount Rushmore

"You saw among them their detestable images and idols of wood and stone .." - Deuteronomy 29:17a

Somebody's Been Sleeping in My Bed .. Not Me

In the tale of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," a trio of doglike carnivorans returns to their house in the woods (one can only speculate what the bears were doing in the woods) to find the youngest's porridge plundered, his chair crushed, and the unfortunate baby bear's bed .. bothered.

Let's just face facts.

Goldilocks had to be a psychopath (an individual with an abnormal lack of empathy combined with strongly amoral conduct, masked by an ability to appear outwardly normal) in order to break into someone's home, eat their food, tear up their furniture and then go to sleep .. with a clear conscience.

Evidently, I don't fare as well in the "clear conscience" category since I tossed and turned all night long and got very little sleep.

Much like the fair-haired little girl in this fairy tale, my bed was too hard .. and too soft .. but it was never .. just right.

I suppose there is some consolation in knowing I'm not a psychopath .. I may posses most of the symptoms, but no one can accuse me of appearing outwardly normal.

However, if I knew for certain I could lay my head on a pillow at the end of the day and fall fast asleep, I'm so tired and desperate right now I might be willing to give it a try.

Now that's just crazy talk!

Huh .. perhaps there is hope for me.

" .. his mind was troubled and he could not sleep."

- Daniel 2:1b

Kev's Klip of the Week

"May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples." - Genesis 28:3

I Am Weak but Thou Art Strong

Pick up any newspaper or tabloid these days and you will find at least one story of a celebrity, sports figure, politician or religious leader who has "stumbled and fallen" (that's a nice way of saying 'screwed up') because of their greed, lust for power, dependance on drugs/alcohol or a "roving eye" (that last one can turn even the most rational, intelligent man into a moron .. Have you seen Tiger's wife? .. I rest my case).

Men especially have a difficult time admitting their faults or struggles.

Oh, we have them (just ask our wives). However, admitting it to anyone would show a sign of weakness and men can not be weak (we loosen the tops from pickle jars, for crying out loud!).

Anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis knows I am a very transparent person (except when I stand in front of the television while Cheryl's trying to watch HGTV .. apparently).

That is why I am going to share with you the one thing that has been my downfall in the past.

My weakness has been .. five dollar DVDs at Wal-Mart.

Yes, I have a closet full of 'em .. many are unopened.

They say "confession is good for the soul" (in some instances it is good for .. 20 years to life without parole) and I am actually feeling pretty proud of myself right now. Especially, since I no longer struggle with that problem.

Unfortunately, now my weakness is .. ten dollar Blu-ray discs.

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." - James 1:14

Rainy Days and Mondays

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old ... these are the opening lyrics to the Paul Williams/Roger Nichols hit made famous by the Carpenters back in 1971 and for some strange reason that song is on my mind today (this is just a shot in the dark, but .. perhaps it is because this is Monday .. and it's raining??).

Here is the song. Let's break it down.

• Talkin' to myself and feelin' old (unless you are using Bluetooth .. look out. Your kids can have you committed for far less)
• Sometimes I'd like to quit (I'm in the ministry. It's the day after Sunday .. 'nuff said)
• Nothing ever seems to fit (okay, I've put on a pound or two since high school .. so sue me)
• Hangin' around .. nothing to do but frown (I've been here for ten years .. no one is happy about it)
• Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

• What I've got, they used to call the blues (it's always darkest .. just before it goes pitch black)
• Nothing is really wrong (two wrongs don't make a right .. but three lefts do)
• Feeling like I don't belong (I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members ~ Groucho Marx)
• Walkin' around .. some kind of lonely clown (I had a one-man show on Broadway .. That's who all showed up...one man ~ Krusty the Clown)
• Rainy days and Monday always get me down

• Funny but it seems I always end up here with you (Funny butt???)
• Nice to know somebody loves me (keep calling her 'funny butt' and she won't be around for long)
• Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do (go ahead .. don't listen .. keep up that 'funny butt' stuff .. if the wisecracks don't end soon...)
• Run and find the one who loves me (told you .. you've been dropped like a hot potato and now she's nowhere in sight .. what a sad .. tail)

• What I feel has come and gone before (Doctor, it hurts every time I do this .. Well, don't do that)
• No need to talk it out (I have two rules in choir .. 1. The director is never wrong ... 2. IF the director is wrong .. refer to rule #1)
• We know what it's all about (I may often be mistaken .. but I'm never wrong)
• Hangin' around .. nothing to do but frown (I'm just trying to hold on until retirement .. did I mention no one is happy about it??)
• Rainy days and Mondays always get me down (Move over Garfield .. there's a new cat in town)

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair" - II Corinthians 4:8

RevKev's Day Off

"Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest." - Exodus 34:21a

Look Away ... Dixie Land

They say that birds of a feather flock together (they also say it takes one to know one and don't eat the yellow snow .. but that has nothing to do with this post) and today our little flock (aka the Youth of Yesterday .. or YYs) is flying north (on a Bluebird bus .. no less) to Huntington, Tennessee where we will attend a show at THE DIXIE (to continue the analogy I suppose that would make the women .. Dixie chicks ???).

Most of our day trips are during the week (this is so I can be gone during office hours and still considered working that day .. smart, huh?). However, when this Saturday matinee became available we decided to break tradition and try something new (senior adults really enjoy breaking tradition and trying new things .. much in the same way they enjoy root canals, irregularity and heavy metal bands).

So, we are leaving the church (or flying the coop) at 12:30 today (this means the parking lot will start filling up around 11:15 .. most senior adults like getting up with the chickens and tend to arrive early .. very early) to attend Mandy Barnett's "Salute to the Legendary Ladies of Country" (I have an extra ticket if you want to go, jaybee .. call me) at 2:00 PM.

Afterward, we are eating at a popular Huntingdon restaurant.

You guessed it ... Mallard's.

I just pray no one is in a fowl mood.

"And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped."

- Isaiah 10:14

Funny Foto Friday

"Thou gavest me no Kiss .." - Luke 7:45a

It's Over in Dover

The series of revival meetings that began four days and 640 miles (I drove back and forth) ago, ended last night with a big bang .. at least that's my theory.

It was youth night and the energy level was markedly higher (children's night ran a close second .. two words: puppets and Kool-Aid) with all the additional 7th through 12th graders in the mix.

They were very attentive and you could have heard a pin drop (actually I did hear a pen drop .. and a hymnal, I think) when Bro. Dale shared a powerful salvation message geared primarily to teenagers.

During the public invitation, several made their way to the altar and "did business with God" (btw, He has a life-time warranty and money-back guarantee) and they were joined by a group of caring adults who came to pray and encourage them.

By the end of the service, a young lady named Arial (keep her in your prayers) who had been led through the plan of salvation by one of the youth workers, made public her profession of faith in Christ!

It was a wonderful way to end a long .. but good .. week.

The congregation was very affirming and many asked me to come back again.

Since my last revival at First Baptist Church in Dover was probably around 1985 (evidently, they can only handle the likes of me every 25 years or so), if they keep up "tradition" that will be in 2035.

I'll be 77 years old and ready to rock the house!

Okay, maybe just ready to .. rock.

".. that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."

- Psalm 30:12

Kev's Klip of the Week

♣ Happy St. Patrick's/Patty's/Paddy's Day ♣

" .. and your young men shall see visions .." - Acts 2:17b

You Snooze ... You Lose

This is difficult to admit, but .. I did the unthinkable (at least for me) this morning.

That's right.

When my alarm went off at 5:30 AM, I knowingly and willingly .. hit the snooze button.

There .. I said it.

I'm not very pleased with myself at the moment. However, I'm just "keeping it real" here on the old blog and .. much to my displeasure .. it appears I am one of those "snooze slappers."

There's really nothing wrong with being a "snooze slapper," I suppose.

In fact, I'm married to a skilled superstar "snooze slapper" specialist who is a firm believer in the old adage .. practice makes perfect.

I guess at some point continuing to keep late hours and "burning the candle at both ends" will finally catch up with you.

That has happened to me and I now admit it.

Hi. My name is Kevin .. and I'm a "snooze slapper."

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

- Jeremiah 31:25

Revival Survival

Several months ago I accepted the invitation (♪♫ Just as I am, without one plea ♪♫ ) to lead the music in a revival meeting at First Baptist Church in Dover, Tennessee where long-time friends, George and Denise Miller serve.

Here are some reflections (although, this morning I am seeing through a mirror .. dimly) on the first day.

When I agreed to do the revival music back in early November, Bro. George asked if I wanted to stay in Dover for the week or if I preferred to commute. After much prayer .. and because I had been to Dover (Fort Donelson and Fred's Dollar Store .. that's about it .. when you've lived in a large urban area like Bemis and Humboldt this would be too much of a culture shock), I opted to go the 160 miles round-trip daily route.

This would allow me to be in the office for most of the day and keep me from missing another Monday SonShiners rehearsal (we had three snow days .. can you believe it?).

It sounded good .. at the time.

However, I didn't realize we were beginning on "time change Sunday" (not the good one .. where you gain an hour ... the evil one .. where you look like a character from a George Romero film by early afternoon).

This meant after losing that hour of sleep (actually, I was hyped up about the revival and probably only slept four hours the entire night) I had to unlock all the doors at my own church (my regular Sunday routine .. I could have asked someone else to do it, but didn't .. so I could sound as much like a martyr as possible in today's post) and then make the eighty mile drive to Dover with an ETA of 8:30 AM (I had a rehearsal with the instrumentalists at nine).

The service was at 10:30 (good attendance) and Dr. Dale Ellenburg had a wonderful message .. sandwiched in between jokes (he didn't tell the one about sucking all the chocolate off the peanuts .. standard 'preacher-fare' for over thirty years that, evidently, is required by the FCC .. or SBC .. to tell at some point during any large gathering of believers).

The "team" (that's what Baptists call the revival preacher and worship leader .. although they rarely coordinate or have the time/opportunity to work together .. much like Tennessee in their recent game against Kentucky) went to lunch and then I spent the rest of the afternoon at the church planning Monday and Tuesday night's service music before leading a 4:30 rehearsal with the instrumentalists and choir.

It was "children's night" and I stayed with the theme by selecting appropriate songs (Jesus Loves Me, Praise Him, All Ye Little Children, etc.) and fidgeting/crying some during the service (I do that when I'm really tired).

Afterward, I drove back to Humboldt and had supper (two buffalo chicken strips) .. at 9:30 PM.

Was it worth it?

A little girl prayed to receive Christ last night.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." - Matthew 18:5

RevKev's Day Off

"Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest." - Exodus 34:21a

Don't Forget to Set Your Clock

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 A.M. tomorrow morning when we all "spring forward" .. yippie.

This is no problem for "night owl" blog readers like jaybee and TWI (funny, I don't think I've ever seen them during daylight hours .. I wonder if they cast a reflection or have an aversion to garlic?), but for people like me who go to bed at a decent hour (okay, I'm up and down all night ... but I do try to go to sleep), this means setting the alarm for two o'clock, getting up, and changing all the clocks in our house (at last count .. 31).

I suppose I could do all that before retiring (speaking of retirement .. looking at my last quarterly statement from the Annuity Board, it appears that's not going to happen anytime in the near future .. in fact, I need to live at least ten more years than I had planned in order to recoup what I've lost in my mutual fund) for the night. However, I'm a "rule person" and if DST starts at two .. that's when I set the clocks.

Daylight Saving Time was instituted during World War I in order to save energy (for war production) by taking advantage of the longer daylight hours between April and October. During World War II, the government again required the states to observe the time change.

Between the wars and after WWII, each state/community decided whether or not to participate.

In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act (in many people's minds .. an unnatural act) which standardized the length of Daylight Saving Time.

Ironically, what began as an effort to "save energy" has resulted in just the opposite.

If you don't believe me, take a look at the faces of those who will be in church (those who actually make it) tomorrow morning and listen to the congregational singing.

I can think of many words to describe what I see and hear on "time change Sunday" in the Spring.

"Energetic" is not one of them.

"And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary" - II Samuel 16:4a