- It’s still the 4TH Of July holiday weekend.
- Surprisingly the attendance was a wee-bit higher than on recent weekends.
- I think that we may have come close to 150 combined for the two services.
- That included an astonishing number of first-time guests.
- I counted at least a dozen first-timers during the second service alone !
- Next week it’s the grande return of Lead Pastor Travis and his crew.
- I forgot what he looks like.
- He’ll probably look different than the last time that I saw him (with a beard).
- He’ll be kicking-off a fresh new message series entitled …
- It looks downright frightening.
- This week we concluded our 13-week “Rebel” message series.
- Dan Bard led this week’s teaching on God’s weapons against the devil.
- Dan’s teaching was totally passioniate and definitely inspirational.
- Dan is in the same league as J.T. and Gene M. – guys that inspire me.
- I could hang out and learn from those three guys all day long.
- The Good News is one of our key weapons against evil and darkness.
- God’s Army and Angels are constantly looking out for us.
- The Holy Spirit is there to lead us towards the daylight.
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- I choose to capitalize on all of the weapons that God has given me.
- I choose to tell the devil to get lost and don’t ever come back here no more.
- This week’s teaching was based on these Scriptures from The Good News:
– 1 Peter 5:8-14
– 2 Kings 6:17
– Psalm 91
– Romans 8:31-32
– 1 Timothy 1:7
1 Peter 5:8-11 (NLT, 2ND Ed.) 8 Stay alert ! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to Him forever ! Amen.
P.S. Ela – Get well soon. I’m always praying to God for you. I love you.
Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 16:01 PM
· Filed under History, Music
Here’s a song that was originally written back in the early-1960s and remade on several occasions by various music acts during that decade and into the 1970s and beyond. Canadian singer / songwriter Terry Jacks produced a version of it for the legendary Beach Boys, but then he realized that it would work out better if he simply recorded the song himself. He was right. He turned it into a U.S. # 1 gold pop radio smash 35 years ago in 1974. It’s “Seasons In The Sun”, and I present it to you for your ‘Saturday Night Retro’ review.
Here he is as he appeared 35 years ago performing this smash:
And here he is just last year at the age of 64 performing it again:
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 19:39 PM
· Filed under History, Music ·Tagged Disco
The first time this single was released here in the U.S. it was surprisingly a retail and radio flop. It didn’t even reach the TOP 40. And then came along the release of the box office smash “Saturday Night Fever” at the end of 1977. It was included on that movie’s Grammy award-winning hit soundtrack album, radio eventually picked up on it, and it became a TOP 15 pop radio smash and eventual longstanding anthem of the disco music era.
These are The Trammps out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and this is their HOT disco smash from the Spring of 1978 – “Disco Inferno”. BURN BABY BURN !
It’s time for the most spontaneous blog series of the week:
- My work week is done and over with.
- My extended 87-hour 4TH of July holiday weekend has begun.
- Next week will be a long and hectic work week for me.
- I’m actually looking forward to the intense action and excitement.
- Tomorrow afternoon I have a 4 to 6 hour appointment here at home.
- It’s with AT&T, and they will be here to install U-Verse in my home.
- I’m dropping Comcast just as soon as AT&T gets my TV and Internet up.
- Comcast has been my TV and Internet provider for nearly 3 years.
- They took over when Adelphia went away in October 2006.
- I’m looking forward to the new TV technology here in my home.
- I’ll be learning how to use all of my new equipment for the rest of the weekend.
- It’ll take me all weekend to check out my 220 or so digital channels.
- I went to Publix on my way home from work this afternoon.
- Publix is my playground.
- I’m happy and I know it, so I clap my hands – at Publix.
- It has a lot to do with the loud hit music that they play all throughout the joint.
- But really – it’s the food that’s screaming at me to buy it.
- I hear voices from both sides of the aisles – “BUY ME !!!“
- Be sure to hit up this blog tomorrow night for something new that’s old.
- It’s the series premiere of ‘The Major’s Friday Night Disco Party’.
- I’ll kick it off with one of the greatest disco music anthems of the time.
- Feel free to wear your favourite leisure suit to the party.
- You won’t regret it pal.
- But until then – REMEMBER THIS:
Bono, The Edge, Adam, and Larry have been together collectively as a band for the past third of a century (since 1976), and this latest jam sounds very retro. It could quite easily be mixed in with all of their other legendary radio hits of the early-to-mid-1980s that made U2 a household name. It’s from their current studio album “No Line On The Horizon”. It’s all about the love that exists for the “Magnificent” One – The Lord Almighty. Only love can leave such a mark. Only love can heal such a scar. Justified till we die. You and I will magnify the “Magnificent”. It’s in the lyrics:
It’s Tuesday night, so you know what that means. Here’s what I’m thinking:
1. I got home from work just a few minutes before 4 PM this afternoon. It was an extra treacherous drive home. If I wasn’t such a superiour driver then I would’ve been involved in at least a half a dozen collisions and in a hospital bed by now. This afternoon’s drive had it all – out-of-control speeders, people stopping all of a sudden with no turn signal, tailgaters replacing tailgaters, slowpokes replacing slowpokes, and even several dozen police cars speeding eastbound on SW 288TH Street with lights and sirens on (heading to a funeral – I’m guessing). I’m glad that I’m off the streets now. It’s MURDER out there !
2. It’s hard to believe that this wild and crazy year known as 2009 is officially half over tonight. We’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve 2010 in exactly 6 months. If the second half of the year is as rambunctious as the first half was then hold on to your wigs and your keys because it’s gonna be a rollercoaster ride !
3. Dude I totally dig this billboard alongside the Federal Highway:
4. We lost television legend Ed McMahon last Tuesday morning. Ed was the epitome of loyalty to Johnny Carson – his TV boss of 35 years and personal friend of nearly 50 years. I watched Ed on TV for virtually all of my life. One of my favourite shows that he hosted during much of the 1980s with one of his other legendary TV sidekicks – Dick Clark – was NBC’s “TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes”. It was one of the funniest hours on television back in its day. Thank You Ed for all of the laughs.
5. We also lost Billy Mays early on Sunday morning at the age of 50. He’s known as television’s greatest pitchman. Infomercials will never be the same again without him. I would occasionally watch his infomercials and standard-length commercials on TV just to watch him perform his skill. He was the best at his trade.
6. We also lost Gale Storm this past weekend at the age of 87. She was a very popular movie actress during much of the 1940s, and then she moved on over to television during the 1950s to star in back-to-back sitcoms “My Little Margie” and “The Gale Storm Show”. Am I the only one who remembers her ?
On this special edition of the ‘Monday Night Countdown’ I present to you my TOP 5TOP 6favouriteMichael Jackson songs of all-time:
6. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You – 1987
5. Remember The Time – 1992
4. The Man In The Mirror – 1988
3. The Way You Make Me Feel – 1987
2. Smooth Criminal – 1988
1. Black Or White – 1991
As you can see it was his later albums – “Bad” and “Dangerous” – that made me a fan at the time of Michael Jackson. Those later albums were often described by critics and fans alike as somewhat pale imitations of the masterpiece that was the “Thriller” set. I myself didn’t care too much for his “Thriller” material, but my little brother ranks “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” as two of his favourite Michael Jackson songs of all-time. (He also includes # 1, # 2, and # 4 above as his TOP 5 faves.)
Here’s a classic video of an AMAZING LIVE performance with Michael Jackson in what I consider to be not only his greatest song ever, but also one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever made. It’s “Black Or White”. REMEMBER THIS !
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 14:41 PM
· Filed under God, People
Here are my takeaways from this morning’s Life Pointe Church experience:
- The main lobby carpet was sparkling clean – because of Richie N.
- He hijacked Flagship Cinemas‘ vacuum cleaner and went to work.
- Kelly D. and Mark S. had an argument spirited discussion about tablecloths.
- Kelly D. takes great pride in the preparation of her 3 Café tables.
- This week’s Johnson count – 4 – J.T., Anne J., LL Phil J., and Marcela.
- Jesse is neither a Priest nor a Pastor; however, he is truly a Leader.
- Jesse is a Leader at home, and he is a Leader at work.
- Jesse was our Leader at church – leading this week’s message.
- Jesse is my favourite Life Pointe Church blogger.
- Jesse is one of the last remaining Life Pointe Church bloggers.
- Jesse gave me at least 4 shout-outs during the first service.
- Jesse stated that I inspire him and others.
- Jesse constantly inspires me to think bigger and do more on this journey.
- I am glad that Jesse is an integral part of this journey for me.
- This week’s message was based on 1 Peter 5:1-7.
Advice for Elders and Young Men 1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in His glory when He is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly — not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
I had advance-planned a totally different edition of the ‘Saturday Night Retro’ for this weekend to commemorate the 23RD anniversary of my very first LIVE concert event that I attended in my life, but due to the sudden deaths this past week of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson I decided to back-up, regroup, and try something different here that wasn’t so planned.
I haven’t decided yet how I wish to handle the great Ed McMahon, and I’ll address Michael Jackson on a very special edition of the ‘Monday Night Countdown’ in just a couple of days.
As for Farrah Fawcett I found something very unique over on the You Tube. It’s one of my favourite songs while growing up as a kid, and it’s set to the opening credits and various clips of the “Charlie’s Angels” television show of the late-1970s (featuring Farrah Fawcett). The song itself is from Alan O’Day (no relation to me), and it’s his U.S. # 1 gold pop radio smash from exactly 32 years ago – right around the 4TH of July weekend in 1977. It’s a memorable singalong pop nugget that reminds me of our family’s frequent summertime road trips from Suburban Washington D.C. across the MAMMOTH Chesapeake Bay Bridge and over onto the quaint beach resorts and long boardwalks of Ocean City Maryland.
This morning on the ‘Shenanigans’ it’s an amusing story and some funny cat pics.
So yeah last night at precisely 7:49 PM EDT my dear friend / guardian angel Ms. Ela O. called me up on the telephone to frantically alert me not to take the Zicam to treat my cold (that she had just read about here on my blog). I then told her that I had indeed gone to the Zicam to treat my cold – but that it was NOT the nasal gel or the gel swabs that have been taken off of store shelves because they could (possibly / allegedly) cause loss of smell for life. I’m taking the RapidMelts quick dissolve tablets. Those are safe, and they work great !
The fact that Ela O. took time out of her normal routine to call me up and warn me about Zicam treating my minor cold less than 3 days before she checks in to the hospital for major surgery is truly remarkable. But that’s what Ela is all about. She’s one of the most inspirational gems that I have on this journey. She also makes me laugh like no other. I always love to hear us laughing out loud together.
May God Bless Ela always now and forever, as she continues her enduring fight to physically heal her body. With God in control anything is possible. You just have to believe – and she does.
TODAY is Day 4 of my first official common cold of 2009. I was the unfortunate recipient of 8 colds in 12 months last year, and this is (amazingly) my first one since the end of that turbulent 12-month period ending in November 2008.
I can think of no better food / liquid to eat / drink to soothe a nagging cold than piping hot won ton soup courtesy of my favourite take-out chinese restaurant here in Homestead – Shanghai. And so that’s how I rolled today at Lunch – Won Ton Soup, Chicken With Broccoli, and Fried Rice. Good Stuff !
That’s it for the local blogs this week. Once upon a time it took me at least an hour every Friday afternoon to go through everyone’s blog to find my favourite posts of the week. Now I can get it done in less than 15 minutes.
As of 4:30 PM EDT today nearly 164,000 new blog posts had been published right here on WordPress with nearly 261,000 new comments. The rumours of blogging’s death have been greatly exaggerated.
- It’s the 22ND edition of these ‘Thursday Night Mini Thoughts’.
- This is as spontaneous as it gets with me.
- What a difference a day at work makes.
- After a couple of rough and tough days it all turned around today.
- Today evolved into one of the greatest days in recent memory.
- Most of the day was spent inside of a conference room.
- Thursdays are like the final 15 minutes of a typical episode of “The Apprentice“.
- Thursdays are like the Super Bowl, and Fridays are like the off-season.
- I’m looking forward to returning to work tomorrow and getting stuff done.
- This is as far away from Christmas Day as it gets.
- It was exactly 6 months ago, and it’s exactly 6 months in the future.
- Farrah Fawcett died just before 12:30 PM EDT today. She was 62.
- She became an International megastar at 29 with “Charlie’s Angels“.
- I remember her wall posters from back then.
- Who remembers Dynamite (magazine) ?
- That was one of my favourite magazines while growing up in the 1970s.
- Nowadays my favourite magazine is Entertainment Weekly.
- I’ve been a loyal subscriber since Issue # 1 over 19 years ago.
- To this day I still have virtually every single issue ever published.
- I’m going into hibernation mode this Friday afternoon after work.
- I’ve got a lot of work to do around the home.
- Much of it has to do with filing paperwork that’s scattered all around.
- I need to organize important documents much better than they are now.
- I’ll be at Life Pointe Church on Sunday morning – bright and early.
- I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.
- See you later alligators.
- After awhile crocodiles.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 16:38 PM
· Filed under God, Music, People, Radio
GRITS stands for Grammatical Revolution In The Spirit, and the duo comes to us from Music City U.S.A. – Nashville Tennessee. They were once part of the legendary group known as dc Talk (also featuring tobyMac). GRITS music has been featured on several movie soundtracks, various MTV shows, and TNA wrestling.
In 2006 they released their 8TH studio album “Redemption”. It included this gem featuring Los Angeles California rapper Pigeon John. It’s “Open Bar”, and it was one of the first hip hop / rap radio singles that I discovered during the first year of my fantastic journey with God. In fact it made me realize that such an eclectic genre of Christian music actually existed in the first place. It’s hip hop and rap music that’s clearly on the side of God. Anything is possible when you are aligned with God. This may be all about an “Open Bar”, but this is not what you think it is. There’s living water in this bar, so get your mind in order. It’s in the lyrics:
