Founders' Fridays

He's been accused of finding a conspiracy under every rock. His antics are nothing short of hysterical & borderline inappropriate on live T.V. The back of one his best selling books contain the vilest personal insults from well known "journalists" (& I use that term in its loosest sense) & famous personalities, while he mockingly sheds a tear in the background. He eats Chinese takeout on the air, out of a little decorative white cardboard box, with chopsticks (& noodles hanging out of his mouth) while conducting serious interviews with his guests. He has a shiny red phone that only the White House has the number to, should they ever choose to call & correct his reportings (might have a long wait). He's also a devout Mormon, a recovering alcoholic, & unapoligetically cries at the drop of a hat.

Hard to believe I had never heard his name before he came to cable television.

Upon first impressions, he seemed like a bit of a sensationalist (I know, I know, "Said the pot to the kettle" coming from the likes of me).


But love him or hate him, no one can deny Glenn Lee Beck has turned an otherwise death sentence of a time slot, 4:00 p.m. central standard time (thank goodness for DVR's eh?) into the kind of ratings that have surpassed even that of Queen Oprah herself.

The icing on the cake came however, when Beck introduced his "Founders' Fridays" segment this past spring. That's when I officially became a "Benn Gleck" junkie. ;-)

Not only was I hooked, I was completely dumbfounded at the topics & information allowed to air on national television. At times, I didn't know whether I was watching a news station or the old timey suh-thun gospel hour (minus the corniness & big hair mind you).

It was hands down the most educational, jaw dropping, inspirational, programming I have ever witnessed. From "Samuel Adams" (the dude, not the beer) to "Women of the American Revolution", to "African-American Founding Fathers" (his highest rated show ever I might add), I was beyond impressed with the highly knowledgeable guests, (including Dr. Martin Luther King's niece, who oozed the love of Christ Jesus all over his studio right there on national t.v. mind you!), the material, & how it was all carefully packaged & presented in a one hour segment.


Yes, I soon came to realize "Founders' Fridays" alone, was worth the entire cost of my monthly Dish Network bill.

And while I'm handing out kudos, much praise to David Barton, of http://www.wallbuilders.com/, & actress Janine Turner (Northern Exposure) & founder of http://www.constitutingamerica.org/, for their invaluable contributions to the show as well. Both Barton & Turner are raising considerable awareness to new generations of Americans about our cherished history.

As if all the above wasn't impressive enough, thousands will gather tomorrow at the The Lincoln Memorial for Beck's much anticipated "8-28 Restoring Honor" project which you can learn more about by clicking here www.glennbeck.com/828/

In an increasingly critical hour in our nation's story, wars abound, debt skyrockets, & economic collapse threatens within. But despite the never ceasing turmoil, Glenn Beck has managed to become a resounding beacon of light, by simply reminding us of our past... one Friday at a time.

The Wonder Years

Year 1, Act 1, Scene 1: And...rolling...

Tense morning. Sausage undercooked, infant tears, baby bottles on the fly, sun in my eyes, wired traffic, overloaded backpacks, allergies flaring, multiple alarm clocks sounding, nose bleeding, miscommunication, blasted speed bumps, sun STILL in my eyes, soccer mom behind me in overpriced, self indulgent, gas hog of an SUV who clearly got her driver's license out of box of kiddie cereal. And last but certainly not least, I just swatted a mosquito on my neck & a thick, tarry, dark brown substance splattered everywhere.

Repugnant, yet pitiful.

None of the above however has the slightest to do with me being the least bit nervous about dropping my children off at their strange, entirely foreign, tax payer funded institutions of higher learning for the first time... or my daughter's first day of junior high. Did I mention she's the apple of her daddy's eye? Did I mention there are BOYS at her school???? Well...DID I???? AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAVING BOYS AT A SCHOOL MIXED WITH GIRLS CAN ONLY LEAD TO!!!!??!!

Daddy needs a sedative. :0(

Here In America

In the mid summer of 1998, I had the good fortune of spending a week on a Navajo Indian Reservation in Leupp, Arizona. I remember becoming quite anxious nearing our arrival about potential culture barriers & gaining the community's acceptance.

Fortunately, the Lord provided me a very teachable moment upon arrival, while conversing with the pastor of the church we would be working with.

I shared with him my concerns of the perception of bringing "white man's" religion to the reservation. He quickly corrected me stating "Christianity isn't white man's religion. Think of who & where it was founded & who its first followers were."

He was exactly right.

And just like that, the pressure was lifted off this pudgy white boy from Anytown, U.S.A.

So good to be reminded that regardless of location, skin color, nationality, etc., the love of Christ is for all.

Indeed, as the song below states..."The Holy King of Israel loves me here...in America."

I'm posting this less than ideal recording over the studio version because in my humble but accurate opinion it's more raw & honest, & captures the essence of the song with just Rich at the ivories over the professionally produced version.

Just my $.02

Here's hoping the extraordinary lyrics of this song speak to you as much as they have to me over the course of this week.



Words & Music: Rich Mullins, for the album "Here in America" (c) 1986

Man of Steel

July 9, 1755: The French & Indian War, an extension of the European Seven Years War, was roughly a year underway in the New World. On this particular day, A young 23 year old colonel found himself on the losing end of what would become known as The Battle of Monongahela.

For two terrifying hours, the colonel rode back & forth on the battlefield, delivering the general's orders to various officers & troops. The officers had been a specific target for the Indians. Of the eighty-six British & American officers, sixty-three would lose their lives that day. But this young man would be the only officer on horseback not shot down.

Following the battle, a note penned to the soldier's brother would state:

"By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, & two horses shot under me, yet I escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!"


The journals of Benjamin Franklin & other noted historians through the years would bring further testimony of the event. But perhaps the best witness would come from none other than the opposition itself... some fifteen years later.


"I am chief & ruler over my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes & to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long & weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. It was on the day when the white man's blood mixed with the streams of our forest that I first beheld this chief ...I called to my young men & said...Quick, let your aim be certain, & he dies. Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss--'twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we, shielded you...I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, & who can never die in battle."


But this would not be the only time the young colonel would defy bullets & certain destruction. It was stated years later during the American Revolution he again was thrust to the front lines on horseback during the Battle of Monmouth. Again the enemy sharp shooters took careful aim, but to no avail.

The subject in question you ask? None other than the father of our country-General George Washington. Who says God isn't on our side? ;0)

Pictured: Prayer at Valley Forge

Fugue in C

So I'm on a Rich Mullins kick. So sue me. ;-) I will never forget learning of his death (car accident) on that fateful morning in 1997 in Kansas City, Mo. A colleague of mine rushed into class sharing the news. At the time I didn't realize the giant of a musician he was. Clearly, his compositions have more than endured through the years & evolved into new arrangements for entirely new audiences.

This particular work was a jury (final exam for college music majors). The story goes he walked into the recital hall full of stoic music professors, began playing...& just kept going! :0D

Hope it blesses your Monday as it has mine. Who is like the Lord our God? Sing Your Praise!

Sometimes By Step

"He lived much of his life on an Indian reservation. He was largely unaware of his own success. One of the few old souls who kept their innocence. . . a lost treasure-- some people leave this planet way too early." -Randall L. Taylor on the untimely passing of Rich Mullins. Well stated friend. Hope revisiting this timeless treasure encourages you on this friday morning.

Restoration

He renews my soul...
Psalm 23:3 GWT











Pictured: Drift wood I came across one late afternoon on Galveston, Island, TX in summer of 2009.

Westward Move

Greetings, Salutations yadi-yadi-yaduh.

I feel it necessary to open this highly anticipated blog entry with a quote from Samuel Langhorne Clemens, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." ;0)

Well my friends, it would appear Blue skies are upon us once again. The hours of daylight are decidedly longer here. A crystal clear Big Dipper silently hangs above my roof each evening. In the wee small hours of the morning it's actually (dare I say it?) a tad nippy at times.

What else?

What else?

Oh yes... a trampoline has invaded my backyard much to the delight of three squeedunks. The entire staff at the local Chick-fil-A blanketed my family with excessive suh-thun' hospitali-tay. A Cessna could probably safely land in my incredibly elongated driveway (thinkin' ten cars could fit in it. Too bad I don't live near a stadium or I could turn a buck for parking). There are multiple undeveloped acres of land within our city limits containing miles upon miles of...nutin'.

Lessons I have learned during my time away: The internet changes rapidly. A cool summer breeze is something no amount of money can purchase & should never be taken for granted. The panhandle sky really is bigger & bluer perhaps giving the state of Montana a run for its money. It's "cacti" not "cactuses". A Tropical depression sitting in the Gulf of Mexico is no longer a concern to me. And finally, Valgal is the only human on the face of this planet reading my blog. That's okay. 'ts cool. As they say in the music world, "Live for an audience of one!"

More to follow. Stay tuned.