Thursday, August 24, 2006
Blog Activity Has Moved...
I know that nobody visits this site but just in case someone stumbles across this I have moved my blogging activity to Chuck's Experimental Blog. There is much more activity there and it has actually been visited by some. So...come on by!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Camping Trip!
This last weekend I had the awesome pleasure of going camping with my daughter, we had a great time! She is almost a "teen" and just the fact that she wanted to go with me made me feel good. This was really her first time camping and she did great. She looked over at me while we were sitting outside our tent and said; "I'm having fun, this is very peaceful and relaxing." That brought a smile to my face!
She has already indicated that she wanted to do this again. The trip we went on was part of an organized outing with a group called, "Know Your Resources". Their next trip is scheduled for the last weekend in July...we are currently planning to attend, we will see what happens!
I am very thankful for the opportunity to create positive memories. SB Rocks!!!!
She has already indicated that she wanted to do this again. The trip we went on was part of an organized outing with a group called, "Know Your Resources". Their next trip is scheduled for the last weekend in July...we are currently planning to attend, we will see what happens!
I am very thankful for the opportunity to create positive memories. SB Rocks!!!!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Good Friday!!!
This post is very late but I still had to make this entry...even though I know I am the only one (at this time) viewing my blog. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share along with the story but here it goes anyway.
It was April 14, 2006; Good Friday. Walking up to our church I noticed two additional crosses I don't recall seeing before, one laying mostly prone and the other upright. Everyone visiting the church would have to walk by these two LARGE (~9-10 feet tall???) crosses. Although I didn't make a connection at the time I saw them I did notice that each cross showed some "damage" toward the bottom. Both added something extra to the church setting for Good Friday but it wasn't obvious...there was just something different!
The next night a number of the Sunday School families (called GIFT at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church) met at a members house for a Easter get together. It was a nice and relaxing time with plenty for all the kids to do. The night was nice and everyone ate outside. After enjoying a good meal there were several groups scattered about with a number of conversations on many subjects.
I'm not exactly sure how it came up but the focus of our conversation turned to those crosses. One of our church staff members (Janet) was sitting with us and proceeded to tell us how they got there. At one point on Friday Eric, one of our newer and younger (I'm guessing mid 20s; I'm bad at guessing too) members, popped into the office to get some water. He had looked hot and like he just completed a heavy workout. When he was asked how he was doing he mentioned that he and a friend of his had just arrived at the church (36th St. & Stanford)...they had walked...from approximately 84th St. and McDowell. In my rough calculations that is approximately 9.5 miles. Wow! That is a good size walk!!!
Now it gets better...remember, we were talking about how those crosses got there. Yup! They carried them...through the streets!!!! They picked up a cross and dragged it almost 10 miles on Good Friday! WOW!!!! Sure, there is the physical aspect to carrying a 10 foot, heavy wood cross for 10 miles on pavement but more than that is the emotional and spiritual commitment and impact of such an act.
As this story was being told tears welled up in the eyes of the person relaying the event and in the eyes of my wife and I as we listened. I was deeply moved by this act and whenever I recount the story it touches me all over again.
It can't get better...right??? Well, for me I believe it does. When asked; Why and why he didn't let anyone know??? The humble answer came back that it was just something he wanted to do and he didn't want to make a big deal about it. My awe of his actions deepens!!!
Remember the "damage" to the crosses. Like I said I don't know why it didn't connect before I knew the story but as soon as I heard what was done I thought back to those crosses I saw the night before and remembered how they were worn. One side of each cross was worn away by the pavement, both at different angles accounting for a difference in height between the two men. Both had marks six or so inches from the bottom, on one side only, where I can picture occasional contact with a curb. This was not "damage" at all...it is a further reminder of the eternal life given to us through Christ!!!
THANK YOU to the two men who made this Good Friday journey. Your faith and commitment is an inspiration to me. Very cool! May God bless you both!!!!
TC&TG,
Chuck
P.S. If I'm able to get a picture of one of the crosses I will update this post later with the image.
It was April 14, 2006; Good Friday. Walking up to our church I noticed two additional crosses I don't recall seeing before, one laying mostly prone and the other upright. Everyone visiting the church would have to walk by these two LARGE (~9-10 feet tall???) crosses. Although I didn't make a connection at the time I saw them I did notice that each cross showed some "damage" toward the bottom. Both added something extra to the church setting for Good Friday but it wasn't obvious...there was just something different!
The next night a number of the Sunday School families (called GIFT at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church) met at a members house for a Easter get together. It was a nice and relaxing time with plenty for all the kids to do. The night was nice and everyone ate outside. After enjoying a good meal there were several groups scattered about with a number of conversations on many subjects.
I'm not exactly sure how it came up but the focus of our conversation turned to those crosses. One of our church staff members (Janet) was sitting with us and proceeded to tell us how they got there. At one point on Friday Eric, one of our newer and younger (I'm guessing mid 20s; I'm bad at guessing too) members, popped into the office to get some water. He had looked hot and like he just completed a heavy workout. When he was asked how he was doing he mentioned that he and a friend of his had just arrived at the church (36th St. & Stanford)...they had walked...from approximately 84th St. and McDowell. In my rough calculations that is approximately 9.5 miles. Wow! That is a good size walk!!!
Now it gets better...remember, we were talking about how those crosses got there. Yup! They carried them...through the streets!!!! They picked up a cross and dragged it almost 10 miles on Good Friday! WOW!!!! Sure, there is the physical aspect to carrying a 10 foot, heavy wood cross for 10 miles on pavement but more than that is the emotional and spiritual commitment and impact of such an act.
As this story was being told tears welled up in the eyes of the person relaying the event and in the eyes of my wife and I as we listened. I was deeply moved by this act and whenever I recount the story it touches me all over again.
It can't get better...right??? Well, for me I believe it does. When asked; Why and why he didn't let anyone know??? The humble answer came back that it was just something he wanted to do and he didn't want to make a big deal about it. My awe of his actions deepens!!!
Remember the "damage" to the crosses. Like I said I don't know why it didn't connect before I knew the story but as soon as I heard what was done I thought back to those crosses I saw the night before and remembered how they were worn. One side of each cross was worn away by the pavement, both at different angles accounting for a difference in height between the two men. Both had marks six or so inches from the bottom, on one side only, where I can picture occasional contact with a curb. This was not "damage" at all...it is a further reminder of the eternal life given to us through Christ!!!
THANK YOU to the two men who made this Good Friday journey. Your faith and commitment is an inspiration to me. Very cool! May God bless you both!!!!
TC&TG,
Chuck
P.S. If I'm able to get a picture of one of the crosses I will update this post later with the image.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Old Friends!
It has been a couple of weeks since I've written anything so I thought it was about time to check in. This last weekend was pretty good. I had taken Friday off to attend the Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts. This is a large arts & crafts fair that occurs twice a year in Tempe. I have been going to this thing probably close to 30 years now and always look forward to the day. The weather was great and since it was on Friday it was as crowded as going on Saturday or Sunday. It seemed a bit smaller this time and a bit odd since we are normally there visiting musician friends (Gypsy Soul - www.gypsysoul.com) of ours who stopped doing festivals about a year ago. I took a picture of the place they are normally setup to send to them; there was a solo guitarist in "their" spot and although what little I heard of him was good it was just NOT the same.
Well, I have gotten ahead of myself so I will back up a bit; beep, beep, beep. OK, before heading to the festival we (my wife, a family friend and myself) stopped at a Starbucks near our house for a little morning coffee. :) Anyway, I sat down and looked over to see a guy across from me pointing at me with a smile on his face...he was an old friend that I last talked to (very briefly through a car window) ~15 years ago and that I have know since about the 1st or 2nd grade. It was GREAT to see him and felt that our meeting there was not by chance only. We talked for a few minutes and exchanged contact information...I plan to email later in the week.
OK...back to Tempe. Good time and actually made a purchase (I usually just look and enjoy the atmosphere) from Sean's Celtic Creations. This guy does great work and I really appreciated his willingness to take time with us and share the thoughts that go behind the craftmanship. My wife, daughter and I all now have rings of the Tree of Life. I would include Sean's web site in my blog today but I was just there and it is mostly under construction still so I will hold off until another time. IF anyone does actually read this and would like the information please just drop me a note or comment.
OK...well, got to run! More later...
Well, I have gotten ahead of myself so I will back up a bit; beep, beep, beep. OK, before heading to the festival we (my wife, a family friend and myself) stopped at a Starbucks near our house for a little morning coffee. :) Anyway, I sat down and looked over to see a guy across from me pointing at me with a smile on his face...he was an old friend that I last talked to (very briefly through a car window) ~15 years ago and that I have know since about the 1st or 2nd grade. It was GREAT to see him and felt that our meeting there was not by chance only. We talked for a few minutes and exchanged contact information...I plan to email later in the week.
OK...back to Tempe. Good time and actually made a purchase (I usually just look and enjoy the atmosphere) from Sean's Celtic Creations. This guy does great work and I really appreciated his willingness to take time with us and share the thoughts that go behind the craftmanship. My wife, daughter and I all now have rings of the Tree of Life. I would include Sean's web site in my blog today but I was just there and it is mostly under construction still so I will hold off until another time. IF anyone does actually read this and would like the information please just drop me a note or comment.
OK...well, got to run! More later...
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Fun & Busy Day!
Wow...can you believe it? Only 9 days between posts this time, a new record! :)
It is Sunday, March 19th and it has been a busy day...well, at least the morning was. Today at the church I attend (Gloria Dei in Paradise Valley Arizona) we dedicated some new equipment recently installed. As part of the dedication we tried, of course, to utilize as much of what we installed as possible so it made for a busy time in the control booth. With my wife (Ellen) on the audio mixing board and me working the cameras and video projection equipment we had a great service!!! In addition to the A/V equipment we also have a new organ which was featured during several solos, as well as, used to accompany the senior choir which was in great voice today. The "trick" with utilizing technology and media in a church service is keeping the focus correctly centered on Christ...I believe this was accomplish and for that I am thankful.
The morning continued with a second service, The Connection, in which I normally do not participate but this week I was asked to sit-in for one of the guitar players of the band Spirit Surge. Awesome!!! It has been a while since I played with a "full band" and I really enjoyed myself both from a music and worship perspective. Music plays a major role for me during worship and probably even more so when I'm in the middle of the music process. I thank Spirit Surge for asking me to sit-in and I hope to have the opportunity again some day.
So, great morning of worship with many different musical styles, enhanced with diverse images put together in a way that hopefully reached everyone attending today in one way or another.
Until next time....
It is Sunday, March 19th and it has been a busy day...well, at least the morning was. Today at the church I attend (Gloria Dei in Paradise Valley Arizona) we dedicated some new equipment recently installed. As part of the dedication we tried, of course, to utilize as much of what we installed as possible so it made for a busy time in the control booth. With my wife (Ellen) on the audio mixing board and me working the cameras and video projection equipment we had a great service!!! In addition to the A/V equipment we also have a new organ which was featured during several solos, as well as, used to accompany the senior choir which was in great voice today. The "trick" with utilizing technology and media in a church service is keeping the focus correctly centered on Christ...I believe this was accomplish and for that I am thankful.
The morning continued with a second service, The Connection, in which I normally do not participate but this week I was asked to sit-in for one of the guitar players of the band Spirit Surge. Awesome!!! It has been a while since I played with a "full band" and I really enjoyed myself both from a music and worship perspective. Music plays a major role for me during worship and probably even more so when I'm in the middle of the music process. I thank Spirit Surge for asking me to sit-in and I hope to have the opportunity again some day.
So, great morning of worship with many different musical styles, enhanced with diverse images put together in a way that hopefully reached everyone attending today in one way or another.
Until next time....
Friday, March 10, 2006
Long time between posts!!!
OK, so it has been 8 months since my last post. From that you would think that I have nothing to say but anyone who knows me knows that is far from the truth. Anyway, since I started this blog I have gotten more involved in things like podcasting and other blog type stuff. I am also very involved in my church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (GDLC), in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
GDLC is in the process of developing a new worship experience in an effort to reach out and bring more people to God. I have to tell you that it is odd for me to be writing something like that down in a blog as it seems a bit more "in your face" than I am usually with regard to my faith. Those who know me know that I believe in Christ and trust God but I think they would also tell you I don't like "pushing" my beliefs onto others. That does not mean however that I don't talk about my faith and involvement it just means that I usually base how and what I say on my audience and since I am writing this in a blog that could be read by anyone my words become a step out of my comfort zone.
My goal is to update this blog at least once a month, with a stretch goal to update twice per month. Who knows what I might talk about; it might be GeoCaching or Podcasting or Contemporary Christian Music or Music in general since I really enjoy all of the above. I'm also trying to learn more about podcasting and creating visual presentations put to music for use at church. Somewhere along the way I hope to become a better guitar player and record some music with one or more of my, way more talented, friends (you guys know who you are).
So...if anyone actually reads this message or checks out this blog I would love it if you left me a short note just so I know if anyone has been here.
TC&TG,
Chuck (aka AzYoda)
P.S. Happy Birthday Pa!!! I love you and miss you!!!!
GDLC is in the process of developing a new worship experience in an effort to reach out and bring more people to God. I have to tell you that it is odd for me to be writing something like that down in a blog as it seems a bit more "in your face" than I am usually with regard to my faith. Those who know me know that I believe in Christ and trust God but I think they would also tell you I don't like "pushing" my beliefs onto others. That does not mean however that I don't talk about my faith and involvement it just means that I usually base how and what I say on my audience and since I am writing this in a blog that could be read by anyone my words become a step out of my comfort zone.
My goal is to update this blog at least once a month, with a stretch goal to update twice per month. Who knows what I might talk about; it might be GeoCaching or Podcasting or Contemporary Christian Music or Music in general since I really enjoy all of the above. I'm also trying to learn more about podcasting and creating visual presentations put to music for use at church. Somewhere along the way I hope to become a better guitar player and record some music with one or more of my, way more talented, friends (you guys know who you are).
So...if anyone actually reads this message or checks out this blog I would love it if you left me a short note just so I know if anyone has been here.
TC&TG,
Chuck (aka AzYoda)
P.S. Happy Birthday Pa!!! I love you and miss you!!!!
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