On Vacation

After a very busy Christmas season, we're on vacation this week in Hunt, Texas. Well, mostly in Hunt. Presently Faith and I are at my parent's house in San Antonio. Leslie and Justin are hunting in the San Saba area. Leslie killed her first deer yesterday evening. Justin's giving it a try this morning. I'm sure I'll hear from them a little later. Anyway, here are a couple of pictures. One is of Leslie and me before a bike ride in Hunt. I'm on the bike that Leslie bought me for Christmas. I bought Leslie one for her last birthday.

There's quite a story associated with how I came to acquire this bike. To locate it, my loving family took me on a wild hunt on Christmas Eve. Leslie gave me someone's garage door opener, and told me three neighborhoods that the bike could possibly be in. The bike was in the garage of a senior adult that we know well enough that he/she would allow Leslie to hide the bike in their garage. Well, if you only knew how many senior adults I know in these neighborhoods, you'd see how daunting of a task this was. She said that if I didn't find it in five tries, that she would reveal its location. So, to make a long story short, the bike was in the 5th garage we came to. But you should have seen me pointing this garage door opener at all these garages. It was pretty humorous. Once, Justin even said "drumroll, please." I thought that was a hint. But he was just bluffing. It wasn't that particular garage.

The other picture is me in front of the Dam Store in Ingram, which is between Kerrville and Hunt. This convenience store is across the street from the Ingram Dam, which is on the Guadalupe River. Leslie and I had a similar picture made several years ago in front of the same Dam Store. Anyway, if you ever get to visit that Dam Store, it's a good one.

Christmas Day 2007

It's Christmas Day. Whew! It's been a very busy season, as usual. Last night we had two Christmas Eve services at our church. Thanks to all who came, and thanks especially to those on the program who had to be at both services. Last Thursday night, there was the Las Posadas Christmas program at St. Stephens where my daughter goes to school. Here's a picture of my daughter Faith with her friends Caitlyn and Callie. Oh, and that's me with the lamb ears on. Yes, while the children played a variety of roles, like shepherds, angels, and wisemen, I was a little lamb. A guy has to be pretty confident in his manhood to wear such an outfit!

When I say it has been a busy season, I think about the second and third weeks of December. After a couple of back to back dress rehearsals our sanctuary choir, orchestra, and drama troupe gave two great performances of a musical called "There is Peace in the World Tonight." Here's how the rest of the week went down: Monday evening I went to the middle school band concert. Tuesday night was the high school band concert. Wednesday night we had a party for all those in the church Christmas musical. It was at our house. Thursday night I had a dress rehearsal for the Starlight Symphony Orchestra, in which I play percussion and timpani. Friday I went with several from our church to "Mainstreet Bethlehem" in Burnett, Texas. Got home pretty late. Saturday evening the SSO had a concert in Blanco. Sunday afternoon, they had a concert in Wimberley. Sunday evening, our church went caroling. We had a "breather" week; and then it was back to work with planning the Christmas Eve services. As I've always said, the Christmas season is one of the busiest times of year for musicians!

Anyway, our family is going on vacation now, and looking forward to some time to ourselves, where the calendar is not controlling our lives. There's a lot of joy in this season of the year. My family hopes all of you are experiencing this same joy as we all reflect on the real meaning of Christmas - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14 NIV).

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Well, not really. But there are definitely three of us. That's Sharon Miller and Tom Haddon with me at the Starlight Symphony Concert, which was held at the Wimberley Community Center. Thanks to my wife Leslie for taking the picture. If anyone wants to know about future concerts of the Starlight Symphony Orchestra, click here.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Thanks to Billy Graham (not "the"), one of our church members, for taking this photo. It was taken at Emily Ann Theatre in Wimberley. If you haven't been out to Emily Ann yet, you're really missing out. They've been hosting the "Trail of Lights" for the past few years during the holiday season. So go and check it out.

Peace in the World Tonight

This weekend our music and drama ministry is presenting a new Christmas musical by Randy Vader and Jay Rouse called "There is Peace in the World Tonight." It has some great musical moments, and a dramatic play that weaves in and out of the music. It's been a lot of fun to prepare. Here's a picture of the choir, orchestra, and cast of the production.

Some Thoughts on Being at FBC Wimberley for Ten Years

This month marks my ten year anniversary at First Baptist Church, Wimberley. It was around the summer of 1997 that I began praying earnestly for God to move me to another church, one where I could be a full time minister of music, rather than continuing in the combination position of music and youth minister, which I had done for 13 years. There was a 2 year period in which I taught middle school and served as a part-time music minister, but if I had continued doing that I would have probably suffered a nervous breakdown, not because of the church work, but because I was never called to teach in a middle school environment. Leslie knew it too, but she let me experience it to find out for myself that full time ministry was God's ultimate call on my life.

Anyone who knows me very well realizes that I love living in central Texas and wouldn't desire to live anywhere else. As a matter of fact, there was a time when I served on the mission field. Well, it was at a church in Wichita Falls, but it felt like a mission field, because I was over 300 miles away from the family and friends that I knew in central Texas. Ten years ago, Leslie's parents and my parents lived in San Antonio, but I also had relatives in Austin; so I prayed that God would move me to a church either in San Antonio or Austin, where I could be close to home. I never would have imagined that God would have planted me right in between these two great cities! But this is exactly what happened. I'm reminded of the scripture verse many of us know by memory. But I really like how the New Living Translation puts it:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

There was a path that God wanted me to take, and it led right to First Baptist, Wimberley. What a wonderful journey it has been. When I came to the church, we were having two traditional Sunday services. And now we have two very different services, contemporary and traditional, or whatever labels you want to put on them. The beautiful thing is that we worship the same true and living God in both settings, and that we are one in the Spirit.

Eight or nine years ago, a friend asked me what I thought God had in store for me in the future. I simply told him I would like to remain at First Baptist Wimberley as long as possible, loving the people here, and growing with them. He just said "that's awesome." The friend I'm referring to is Cole Phillips, former student minister here, who is now the pastor of the Connection Church in Kyle.

In my ten years here I can remember being the sole ministerial staff member twice. They were short times, to be sure, but challenging. You see, I've never thought of myself as a great leader. I'm much more comfortable in the 2nd or 3rd chair position of church leadership. And let me say that I am so happy to be working alongside the wonderful staff that we now have here at FBC! Our pastor is a man with a lot of vision, and a lot of great ideas for this church. It's a pleasure to work under his leadership. And what a great time to be celebrating ten years, because didn't we just break ground at the corner of Ranch Road 12 and Winters Mill Parkway!

There are a lot of volunteers in this church who help me, in both the music and senior adult ministries. And if I tried to name them, I would surely leave some people out. So let me just say that there's no way I could have ever stayed here this long without their support and encouragement. I feel that way about our congregation, as well. I have been overwhelmed at the love and encouragement that this church family has extended to my family through the years. Earlier this year you allowed me to take a two month sabattical, for which I'm grateful. It was such a blessing to be able to worship the Lord in many different congregations, without having to be the one in charge of planning the services.

Finally, let me say thanks for putting up with me all this time. It's been an honor to serve here. And I want to thank my faithful and supportive wife, Leslie, who has traveled with me on this wonderful journey. Our children were very young when we moved here. This has been a wonderful community to raise a family. As for our church, it's the desire of my heart that we continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18), and that we strive to always be making a difference in the community and in the world. I echo the words of the German music composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, who used to sign his manuscripts "Soli Deo Gloria" - "To God alone be the Glory."

King's Fair 2007

Every year our children's ministry puts on a community-wide event called King's Fair, which is a Halloween alternative. Everyone had a wonderful time. I was Robin Hood, and, for the record, I wasn't wearing tights. These pictures show myself, as well as Justin, Faith, and some of their friends.

It seemed like people from all over the community were at the King's Fair. It was very well organized by our children's minister, Amy Wagner, and KDO Director, Amber Messenger. So congratulations to these two wonderful people on our church staff. The rest of our staff was there too.

It's wonderful to see how a lot of our church members come together for this event every year. It takes a lot of people to put this on. So, a big thank you goes out to all of you who helped. My wife says I like to play "dress up." So, as you can see, I was in my element.