Obama's approval rating hits all time low

Here’s an excerpt from Glenn Beck’s newsletter today.  It makes my heart glad to know that other American's feel the same way I do.  It sounds like America really does want "Change"......

"Not only is Congress coming off a telling poll that reported 57% of Americans would vote ALL of Congress out, while only 25% would keep them -- President Obama is suffering as well. His latest Presidential tracking poll has him at 46% approval, by far his lowest ever. America wanted change, but it's safe to say America didn't think the change it voted for included Marxism. Check out the POLL."
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

(www.glennbeck.com - 8/31/09)



Keep on Keepin on,

Bro B

Word of the Day - Monday

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6 (KJV)

Word of the Day - Friday 8/28/09

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this:  to believe in the one He has sent."  John 6:29

  Yes, we all know to "Believe in Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved."  It is a must, and the first step to salvation and knowing Him.

  Something we also need to know and remember is, it's not the last step, just the starting point.  The Bible says that even the demons believe in Jesus, and tremble.  Our salvation doesn't stop at just knowing that he simply exists, but knowing and acknowledging he exists starts our walk. 

  The next steps are to be batized, both in water (In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins Acts 2:38) and in the Holy Ghost (with the evidence of speaking in tounges as the spirit gives the utterance Acts 2:4).

  The last and continual step....living for Him.  Living a life of Holiness, free & separated from sin is the hardest part.  Anyone can DIE for Him, but it's harder to LIVE for Him.


Keep on Keeping on!

Bro B

Word of the Day - Thursday

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

Where to Go Next??

Have you ever desired to do something more.....but could never figure out what that "something more" is?? That's where I'm at. I have an undying desire to do something with myself, but have no idea where to go, what do to, or where to start.

I've always wanted to have my own business, doing something I enjoy....or maybe even something I'm not crazy about, but that I can call my own. I've tried a few things...mostly MLM business that didn't get me anywhere. I've searched the web over looking for something, or someone, that would have the answer and/or idea I could run with. Alas....I can find nothing.

Of course there are thousands of websites/links, forum posts, etc. talking about how you can make lots of money blogging. Hopefully this will someday prosper for me, but in the meantime I don't have much direction (really sad isn't it). :0)

I love and enjoy music, so someone had mentioned that I write a book about learning to play the piano. ...Hmmm.......they may have something there. I do enjoy writing (hence this blog), and I do enjoy playing and teaching music. More than anything else, I enjoy sharing what I enjoy with others, and also watching people grow and better themselves from what I can teach them. Though this passion doesn't seem it would work as a store front item for sale (Attention shoppers: "B's Betterment Emotions are now half off), but an instructional piano book.....may be on to something. I've never ventured into an endeavor such as this, but sounds fun & exciting.

Challenging would also be a fitting word for project of this sort. I took classical piano lessons when I was younger, for about 2 years. After that, I more or less taught myself everything I know. I purchased instructional video's, books, have attented multiple music conferences, and have bothered every piano player at every church I've attented. When I put all these together, over the years I have developed my style & understanding of playing the piano.

Though I would never consider myself a professional piano player, I would say that my style and music theory knowledge would be fairly advanced. Being that I am someone who needs things explained either a few different ways, or in a simple way, I feel I am, if nothing else, good at explaining things to others, so that they can comprehend them.

That being said, I'm going to try my hand at writing an instructional book on playing the piano. I'm not sure what my target audience will be, nor the content thereof, but hopefully in the end, I will have a product that will be helpful, inspirational, and something set apart from the rest. I hope it to be practical, visual, and immediately applicable to what someone will be able to use. Hey......maybe I'll include usable song material for those that either work in music ministry, or desire to.

Say a prayer for me.

God Bless & "Keep on Keeping on,"

Bro B

Hitting the Nail on the Head

  So, on my way home from work today, I was listening to the ever so talented Glenn Beck.  I enjoy listening to him, not just because he is a conservative, but because he will never say that he is always right, and that it's his way or the highway.  He will always give you the facts, and if he inserts his opinion, he will preface his statement by letting you know it's his opinion he's about to give you. 

  Anyhow, to my point.  Glenn beck was talking about how politicians won't listen the voice of the people (us), because they listen to those whom vote will matter the most, or whom they are most afraid of.  While talking about this, he pauses and sighs....then says, "What we need to do is fumeigate the White House."

  I was literally YELLING in my car, and smacking my dashboard in excitement saying, "YES! YES! YES!" over and over again.  The reason for the excitement is because...I've been saying that is what we need for about the last 6 months now.....a clean sweep of all our politicians.  Good, bad or indifferent, they need to go, and we need to start fresh.  The reason being is just what Glenn Beck was talking about.  Our politicians, ultimately, don't care what we think.  If they do, they don't fight for our voice.  Why??  Probably because they may not get re-elected if they do so.  So to ensure their own job security, they go with what the popular vote is, or what will keep them in their political position. 

  Now, I may be competely off, as this is just my own simple & humble opinion. I'm not an authority on politics by any means.  But, just watching our leaders of today, and even of yesterday.....I don't see anyone that says what THEY mean.  They're almost puppets....but I have no idea who their puppet master may be.  It's scary and disheartening.

  Just thought I'd post my two cents, and say that I appreciate Glenn Beck.  Keep on keeping on Glenn. 

Take care & God Belss

Stop the Bus, I wanna get off!!!!

Wow!! What a ride this has been. Yes, it's been quite a while since I've blogged, posted anything, or have had time/desire to do so (really sad, I know). Long and short of it:

We attended the IBC Music Festival, Music Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana back in April of this year. Let me say, that is was more than I had expected. Great clinicians, great music, and lots of useable music that will work at my local church. We all had fun (myself, my wife, bass player, drummer & sound lady), and learned a lot.

Sadly, since that time, our church has been going through a storm. A few families have left our church on bad terms, and others have been going through storms of their own, including myself & family. This has been a growing time for myself & family....and half of my musicans and praise team. My wife & I, main drummer & his wife, including my assistant & his wife were all asked to take a seat during this time, due to....well....all of use making a mistake or three.

We've all learned a lot and, I feel, have grown a lot due to this, but it's been hard. I've learned to love my wife, and I feel we've grown much closer in the last few months. You really learn to lean on each other, and feel for one another when a trial has crossed your path.

If nothing else, the biggest part of my learning has been to see what an intrical part I play in our church, and how many people really rely on what I(we) do. I never really saw it, as I've just do what I do, and have for the last 9 years. Now that I've been forced to sit, I have been able to look, listen, and see what I do, who it affects, and how much of an impact it makes. It really makes you appreciate it all.

I've also learned that.....I've been way to easy on my department. When something isn't played or sung exactly the way it should be (or how I believe it should be), then I've just said, "That sounds good," and moved along. Instead of taking the time to stop what is happening and saying, "No, that's not it, let's try it again" And then continue to do so until it sounds right. What's the consequence of my actions?? Astounding!! I've seen my team, who have been singing & playing the same songs for years, not know their parts or the music. Songs in a minor key are magically played in a major. Three part harmony's become two part harmony's, or worse yet, are sung in unison. The list goes on, and on.

I have never been more upset at my team than now, and guess who's fault it is?? Ultimately, it's mine. Why is it my fault?? I'm the leader. And as such, anything that happens within my ministry/department is my fault. Good or bad.

That's just the first rule of leadership. "EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT!"

Please don't take me wrong. My team, even when I am playing with them, are not professionals. They try their best, and do well with what they have. We all play for God, the church, and also for ourselves. We love what we do, and are not paid for it...yet, but love the result we see when God moves, and touches others. I am proud that they have taken the reigns, and have done their best to make worship service all it can be. Being their leader, and somewhat of a perfectionist, I just know they have so much more potential than what I see. Therefore, I get frustrated with what I see & hear, knowing they should be further than where they are today.

If and when God decides it's time for me to return to my ministry, I plan to be a better, more diligent & much tougher leader than before. Not because of a power trip, but because I care about doing the best I can, and making others better. If we are ever put in this position again, I want my team to be the best, and make this ministry run as though I was still there. They are that good, and I want to bring that out in them. That's what we do as leaders.....we lead....we develop.....we bring out the best in others.

I thank God for this time of trial, as I've grown closer to Him, my wife, my family, and my minsitry. I've learn more respect for my Pastor, the man of God, and pray for him more now than I ever have. All who read this, please also say a prayer for my Pastor, John Mascroft, as he is going through a storm within our church & his ministry. I know, as always, God will bring us through it all.

Take care, and God Bless