pics

Late thoughts

I really don’t even know where to begin. My whole purpose in life is supposed to be about my relationship with a living god. Now there’s an interesting idea. A LIVING God. I think deep down we all recognize some innate being that we want to relate to or know about. Most of us who have experienced something like that have decided for ourselves what we think that is. With all the research and logic behind what we decide it is, I guess that it’s mostly based on experientialism. What I mean is the idea that I’ve experienced it and therefore it exists for me. Even though I do believe that as a Christian you don’t have to believe blindly, but at the end of the day it seems that doing just that is an important part of faith. But back to my original statement – my whole purpose in existence should be about somebody else, but I’m desperately trying to make it about me, my life, my desires, my dreams, you name it. And, after all of that being said I would also have to add that doing that has left me very empty. I guess my personal hurdle that I can’t seem to figure out how to break has been laziness. Typical I guess. Obviously the answer that most Christians would answer to “how do I break this cycle?” would be to ask God for help, change, a desire etc. And, for me I do believe I need to do that. I guess it’s an attempt to find a balance between my work and the miraculous intervention of the Holy Spirit.

Well, I really want to play music. I love it. It’s hard. I’m going to bed.

Engagement

Well folks.... I'm engaged to be married. Her name is Lindsay Merrill. I'll try to put some pics up of the ring and my sweet bride to be.

Jay

Workkkkkkkkkkkk

My schedule is so odd - Sometimes I work 8a.m. til 1p.m. and then sometimes I work 5p.m. until 9p.m.

I'm at work sitting at the sound booth with Chris - he and I work together. It's traditional orchestra rehearsal tonight. My last post the other day was about possibly moving back to Little Rock - I may be an assistant golf professional for my dad. Not really the same as pursuing a career as a full time musician - it's kind of disappointing - but I still haven't decided for sure.

I'm trying to figure those things out. I'd like to keep playing music - but nothing has really come up lately. I guess I might have to stick it out and wait a little longer before throwing in the towel, but it's really difficult doing Sunday morning gigs all the time with different people at different places.

As of about two months ago - I quit playing for Bruce Clinton. Right now I just play for Matt Browuer and other churches.

My job pays well - but it sucks - crappy hours - no benefits - no OVERTIME!!!!! - I would say more but I would get into trouble.

Anyways

see ya

Jay

Aghhhhhh

I may move back to arkansas and work for my dad - giving up playing music full time - ha - that's an oxymoron "full-time musician".

Check out mattbrouwer.com

i tracked the b-sides album - i'm on
here i am again
tis so sweet
all i want
it is well

if anybody still reads this - awesome

love ya

Jay

Vacation Bible School

Treasure hunting adventures galor!!!!! Is that how you spell galor?

Is there anyone who still reads this thing?

- Jay

U.S. Military into Iran?

So - I'm always blogging about myself so I decided to talk about something else.

Most people by now have been hearing rumors about Iran and their attempt to enrich uranium for use in possible nuclear weapons. The UN deadline is soon or already passed and now that the U.S. is in Iraq we have troops on both sides of the Iranian border. This is just an observation, but that seems really scary to me. Iran is not little and their military is much larger and much more organized.

I also happened to see "united 93". Which made me angry. I also thought during that movie about the idea of redemptive violence. For instance - how would Jesus tell us to deal with terrorists on a suicide hijacked plane. That may be a stupid road to go down, but it still made me think. Would he be pleased if I was to hurt one of them? and possibly save the lives of others?

Sick Again

I'm always sick.

I'm moving into a new house.

I'm going to be paying $67 in rent instead of $160

I will still have a pool, but I'll have my own bathroom and a real room.

Hooray

Abilene - I forgot what West Texas is almost like

Well - I'm in Abilene Texas with Matt Brouwer. We are currently leading worship for some kind of Nazerene Youth sports camp type of sorts. Yippy

As most of you know or have heard; I am dating a girl named Lindsay Merrill. She is great. I could describe her to you in detail, but it really isn't worth it. Just know she is amazing and I am lucky to be with her.

West Texas - I do believe we are directly above San Antonio. So, we aren't completely in west Texas, but we are pretty close. Not to take anything away from where my parents are from, but wow it is dreary, dry, and grey.

I am ready to get back.

Our church is building a recording studio and I am getting excited. It should be really cool.

Lataz

J

Another week another sunday

Not a lot going on in my world recently. Still working at a not-so exciting job, but still a great job. I am slowly learning some valuable things. Two days ago I learned how to solder. It was a great experience. Hopefully I can get my photoshop/illustrator/indesign skills back up to par.

I have realized how much easier my life would be with a trailer. I would really like a Pace American "journey". It is a really small trailer but costs about $3,000. I just don't have the money. It would be amazing if I had one. I am currently tearing up the inside of my blazer in order to haul my drums around.

My friend Jacob returned home a couple of days ago from tour with Chris Tomlin. Meeting Jacob has been such a blessing. He is such a genuine friend and has allowed me to meet some great people. I still haven't found an artist that is touring or asking me to play full time. I know that playing full time for someone is a little far fetched, but I am still hoping.

Matt Brouwer has asked me to play a couple of dates with him this next week. He is doing two outdoor concerts that are being sponsored by KSBJ - which is a local Christian radio station.

Well - it is official - I am horrible at foosball. I am yet to beat my girlfriend (Lindsay) - and she now refuses to play with me because I am such an unpleasant loser. She says I am ungraceful.

I will admit - I am a horrible loser.

Where are you Grove?

Well - after being here for about nine months it is official.

The Grove Church is amazing and I miss it a lot.

As I was roaming my itunes as I usually do at some point during each week, I thought to myself; "I wonder what the Grove church is up to." And so, I went to the Grove's website to see what was going on and to my amazement - I discovered that the Grove is podcasting!!!! So, you guys should let Kent know that I am listening to his talks online and that I wouldn't have made fun of him about his gap shirt still having the sticker attached to it - back on the 2ncd of January.

I really miss all of you guys a lot. I miss my community group - Someone tell Roger that he is great and I want to see him soon. Jason Miller and I will be getting together for a conference during April in Waco so that will be cool.

As far as music goes - I am playing for Matt Brouwer and Bruce Clinton on Sunday mornings. I'm doing a little bit of recording for a few other people. I have gotten to play with some really great players down here and as I wrote up my resume I realized how lucky I have been.

For instance:

Bass players I have played with:(if you haven't heard of these bands then go check them out!)

1. Jacob Lisenbe - Currently touring with Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman
2. Russell Wedelich - matt brouwer
3. Ryan Owens - Robbie Seay Band
4. James Colvin - Inhabited
5. Travis Brockway - Waterdeep

By the way - none of these guys hold anything to CHRIS TUCKER

Basically - these guys are really really good - I am so lucky

Go say hello to Jacob when they play in Fayetteville this weekend the 12th - he and I were planning to get an apartment together. He will be playing bass for tomlin and redman.

Lata

Pictures from X-mas Eve Service

These are some pictures that our bass player's wife took durig our xmas eve service.

Weird

I found two of my three bibles today! Praise the Lord.

And to follow a previous post since I realized I hadn't said anything in a while.

The girl I supposedly took on a date didn't know it was a date and told me had she known she would have said no.

I am reverting back to my previous statement that girls are ridiculous.








.....................ridiculous