Kev's Klip of the Week

Because of the strong words spoken in the book of Jeremiah, most of the pastors of today spend more time with everyone else's family.

"Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them." - Jeremiah 23:2a

Pardon Me, Do You Have Any Grey Poupon?

If you read yesterday's post you know I was a little apprehensive about leading a rehearsal full of Music Ministers (it was also a rehearsal of full Music Ministers .. we had snacks) from around the area. I was concerned they might be "less than affirming" (okay .. downright critical) of my musical interpretation, conducting technique or selection of music.

Well, I couldn't have been more wrong (unless you count the time I thought I could break up a skunk fight).

The guys were both supportive and encouraging.

They listened to my instructions, followed them completely and treated me with respect. I'm reasonably certain .. like in Scripture .. "their eyes were covered with scales" (D major and G minor, I believe). There's no way they would have been that nice if they really knew it was me!

It's hard to believe, but I tend to "cut up" just a little when someone else is leading.

I make snide remarks and witty comments all during rehearsal to the guy next to me, and often, I share these with the entire group.

This is totally unprofessional and uncalled for, I know. However, if it gets me a few "yucks" .. a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

It's a sickness .. calling attention to myself .. going for the "cheap shot" .. looking for the laugh, even at someone else's expense.

I admit it (that's the first step, you know) .. I need to be on medicine.

Whether it was because they empathized with me or just wanted to "heap hot coals upon my head" (Proverbs 25:21-22), I don't know.

Whatever the reason, they blew yesterday's theory (assuming they would be critical) right out of the water.

Pass the salt, please. This crow is a little bland.

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Christmas Mourning

Several Ministers of Music from across the West Tennessee area will gather at FBC Humboldt this morning for our regular monthly meeting. We will have a little fellowship time (yes, this is a Baptist group) at 9:30, and then begin rehearsing music that will be sung for the West Tennessee Pastors Conference in December.

Music Ministers and Pastors together under one roof when they don't even have to be. That's like cats and dogs gathering together because they enjoy each other's company .. it's a mystery and a miracle.

Under normal circumstances I would be excited about meeting with the group (it gets me out of Monday morning staff meeting).

Not today.

I was selected (I drew the short straw) to direct this group of my peers and I am now beginning to have second thoughts about doing so.

Music Ministers are like fans at a sporting event. No matter how well the coach/team is doing .. they know how it could be done much better.

Don't you think that tempo was a little too fast? .. Why didn't you observe that fermata? .. Surely you're not going on to the next song before we "fix" the problem at the CODA?

Of course none of these things are said out loud. Like Mary, we just "ponder them in our heart" .. and mention it to the other guys (not the director) during our bathroom break, so they will be aware that it didn't escape our attention.

While most of the conflict and distress lies totally unvoiced, there is also the occasional, "The baritones are singing a Bb at measure 41. Shouldn't that be a B natural?" from the "hotdog" on the front row (these guys always sit down front).

Any way you slice it, I am going to have to overcome my apprehension and do this thing.

I'm reasonably sure if there are any problems or concerns along the way, one of my "brothers in ministry" (aka, killjoys) will be more than happy to point them out .. in Christian love.

Disclaimer .. for my music minister colleagues who might actually read this: Like everything I write, today's blog entry is for entertainment purposes only. It was done "tongue-in-check" .. mostly.

"I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long." - Psalm 38:6

Move It! Move It!

Keep it moving. It's Sunday and everyone knows ..

I never post on Sunday.

"They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks."

- Joel 2:7

Marriage Is What Brings Us Together Today

I am including a brief movie clip in today's blog post. I know it's not Wednesday (Kev's Klip of the Week) but this seemed appropriate for several reasons:

• The Princess Bride has been a family favorite (my wife and kids can quote much of it from memory) since it was first released .. we have it on VHS and two versions on DVD.
• One of my watchcare daughters, Sarah loves the movie (watchcare has nothing to do with timepiece maintenance .. at church we 'adopt' college students through this program).
• Sarah is getting married today at 2 o'clock.
• I didn't much feel like writing.

If you haven't seen The Princess Bride, check it out (if you have a VHS player, call me .. I can hook you up .. and perhaps keep the clock from flashing 12:00).

I'll see some of you at the Harvey/Eastin wedding at FBC Humboldt this afternoon (I will be leading a congregational hymn .. no, I couldn't talk Sarah into singing, 'I'd Rather Have Jesus' to her groom).

I also had no luck getting Bro. Steve, who is performing the wedding, to talk like Peter Cook did in this scene.

You people need to lighten up. This is only a lifelong commitment .. not brain surgery.

Well, actually .......

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24

I'm a Slow Starter

Another sleepless night (surprise, surprise, surprise .. I'm getting .. already gotten, actually .. tired of this) has kept me from rising early this morning to post something "blog-worthy." Fortunately, Friday is my day off and I don't have to feel guilty about not getting up at the crack of dawn .. I just said 'no' to crack (and by the way, Dawn .. that's disgusting).

Part of my problem was the stormy weather (Don't know why theres no sun up in the sky .. duh, it's midnight .. Stormy weather) last night.

Thunder (it rattled the windows). Lightning (so much, you could read a book with the lights out). Heavy rain (water, water, everywhere .. I don't get it, ancient mariner .. that doesn't 'rhyme'??).

All that unrest in the weather caused me .. unrest.

An AllegraD .. my drug of choice these days .. just before bedtime didn't help matters. Oh, it unstopped my nose .. no small feat for the Hamilton schnoz .. but it made me extremely nervous (Barney Fife seems laid back compared to me).

So, here I am. Tired. Irritable.

In other words, just being myself.

"Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes." - Genesis 31:40

A Real Pain in the Neck

I woke up this morning with a terrible "crick" in my neck, so today's entry will be rather brief and to the point (okay, perhaps just brief .. I tend to wander around aimlessly here).

For some time now I have had problems with restricted mobility (young man, you are grounded) of my neck and it especially hurts when I turn to the right (those sitting in the congregation who are on my right side may feel left out because I rarely look your direction .. sorry).

I'm not sure if my condition is arthritis related (we're second cousins .. on my mother's side) or caused by tension or stress (worry? .. who me?). Either way this pain in the neck is a real .. "pain in the neck."

Perhaps as the day progresses I will be able to move my head more freely (this is my fervent prayer).

Just to be on the safe side, I am planning out the day to only include lefthand turns (MapQuest indicates it should take me over an hour to drive fifteen miles to visit the hospital in Jackson).

Hopefully, things are looking up.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to move my head enough to notice.

"And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people." - Exodus 32:9