Amos Lee

Friday night Chris and I went to see Amos Lee perform at the Walton Art Center. The crazy thing is that the night before, as Chris was flying back from a New Jersey business trip, he saw Amos Lee (and company) at the airport - later to find out that they were on the same flight to Arkansas together. (My only claim to fame is that I was on the phone with Chris when he told Amos that he and "his wife loved his music"...oh, yeah, I am so cool)

Even though Amos (I am going to refer to him only by his first name since he and Chris are tight now) didn't mention the "preppy guy he met from Arkansas in the NJ airport" while on stage, we still thoroughly enjoyed his show. His voice was beautiful. Perfection. The muy talented band looked like they genuinely enjoyed playing together and that gigs weren't a full time job to them yet. It was a wonderful experience. I think I may have fallen in love with another band yet again. I am going to be in trouble come Austin City Limits Music Festival....

Quotage

I am currently reading "Signature of Jesus" by Brennan Manning. It's been really interesting. Here a few quotes that really jumped out at me from his chapter on discipleship.


"Keep a clear eye toward life's end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - fading symbols of honor, trappings of power, but only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage." [Francis Assisi]

"There are plenty of Christians to follow the Lord halfway, but not the other half. They will give up possessions, friends, and honors, but it touches them too closely to disown themselves." [Meister Eckhart]

"All that is not the love of God has no meaning for me. I can truthfully say that I have no interest in anything but the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. If God wants it to, my life will be useful through my word and witness. If he wants it to, my life will bear fruit through my prayers and sacrifices. But the usefulness of my life is his concern, not mine. It would be indecent of me to worry about that." [Dominque Voillaume] (oh, to really and truly believe that....)

Friends

(I promise I won't bust out into "Friends are Friends Forever"...)

It's a pretty amazing thing when you find a "soul friend" - someone that, no matter how far away they live or how long you go w/o talking to them, you can pick up right where you left off. This weekend I was totally blessed to have my friend, Kobie, come visit me. She flew in from Minneapolis on Friday morning and we parted ways yesterday afternoon in Tulsa after a marathon Wet Seal shopping spree. I don't normally do a very good job at keeping in touch with people that live far away, but for some reason, even living two time zone away (she just moved to MN) for the last three years our friendship has only deepened. I don't know why we have clicked the way we have...maybe it's the love of cigars, good conversation, creativity, graphic design, good music, deep movies, spirituality, disdain for being put in a box, and yummy chocolate dessert with ice cream. Regardless of the reason, I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such an amazing friend that continues to challenge me and help me walk through life's crazy curveballs. Thankfully her husband is a pilot so she can come visit me more often!

Livin' It Up at 50-Something

When my favorite Daddio changed jobs (from full time ministry to go into the speaker business) about 14 years ago, some people called it a mid-life crisis. If that's the case, I am not sure what you call getting a tattoo at the age of 50-something... Regardless, I hope my "mid-life crisis" is this cool.

Good Looks Run in the Family

Yes, folks, they can give "the blue steel" on request. It's quite amazing, really.

The Killers

Chris and I went to see The Killers Sunday night in concert. I have rediscovered the joy of concert attending...and I have developed a new found infatuation with the group. Even with 90 degree temperatures in Cain's Ballroom, the eclectic crowd jockying for the best viewing position (I think a 7' Napoleon Dynamite stood right in front of me) and the occassional spilled beer on my flip flops, I loved every minutes of their show. Brandon Flower's voice was flawless. The energy was contagious. I think everyone in the building, mullets and piercings alike, were all singing along with their songs. I haven't stopped listening to the cd since. I am very ready for my next concert...even if The Killers won't be there.

Alleluiah...and what a large cranium!

WHOOO HOOOO!!!! I can now post pictures. I can hardly contain myself.... (Oh, and it's a good thing I grew into my head. What large craniums the Dodson kids had...)