Speaking at New Covenant Bible Church today

WOW! I can't believe how fast time flies when I am giving the talk in church on Sunday. The 8 AM service went fairly well and the 9:20 AM went much better. I love the fact that I have four times to share the message because it takes so much work to get it ready for presentation.

I have had several people stop by and say how much they needed the message. There are so many people who live their lives under the weight of guilt and shame for things that have happened in the past. This guilt keeps them from reaching the full potential of what God wants for their lives!

God is a very compassionate and merciful God who is long suffering and cares deeply for us. His initial call to Adam and Eve after they sinned was "Where are you"?

God is saying the same thing today! Where are you? He wants to forgive and give you a fresh start.
It's time to head on back in. I usually grab a power bar before the 11 AM service so I have some energy! Tye out.

The sermonator - Does God really care?

I am working today on putting the finishing touches on my talk for this Sunday. I will be sharing in all four services so if you are a praying person I would appreciate your prayers.

I know a lot of my readers do not view my blog on the weekends, but I thought I would put my outline in here just in case you had some ideas you would like to share with me like illustrations, or changes you would make.

I read through the Bible this year three times and the thing that has struck me about this year's readings is how compassionate and long suffering God is. (I know! You're not supposed to end sentences like that, but that's how us mid-westerners talk.) Even when God decrees judgment on a person, place, or thing, he is compassionate and merciful and will even relent his decree of judgment when people respond in prayer and repentance. I know that statement irks Calvinists, but it is in the Bible. Adjust. (quoting Jim Cymbala who I heard say that at a conference for pastors) Here's the sermon outline:

“Does God Really Care?”
Exodus 34:6-7

1. The Bible teaches that God, in his very essence, is compassionate and merciful. (Deuteronomy 34:6-7a)

• Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:9)

2. Because of his compassion, God responds to prayer.

• Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-6)
• People of Nineveh (Jonah 3:4,10)
• The children of Israel (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

3. As compassion receivers we should be compassion givers.

• We must never forget from where we have come (Deuteronomy 24:21-22)
• God, who is rich in mercy, loved us (Ephesians 2:4)
• The Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31)

Conclusion: Does God really care? Yes!!! God has demonstrated his love and compassion over and over again and we can rest in this fact and share this compassion with others.

Let me know what you think. And, say a prayer that God would use this message to encourage, challenge and motivate his people to action. Tye out.

Yogi Berra quote of the week

"Do you mean now?" (Yogi's response when asked what time it was by Rube Walker, the Met's pitching coach, while flying from New York to Los Angeles.)

Road Trip Christmas 2007

We went to Cincinnati for the holidays to visit family. It was a good trip, but it is good to be home. In all honesty it is hard to have a "family" Christmas when you are staying with someone else. But I know it is important for the kids to know their grandparents (and great-grandmother Pearl) so we made the 1050 mile round trip to do just that. (was I whining there?)

I had an especially good visit with my cousin Cindy Hargis on Christmas eve and it is so good to spend time with someone who for many years I did not even know. It is neat that we have so much in common. Great seeing you cous!

Christmas eve we spent time with the Nickloes clan (Judy's side) with prob about 25 people. Christmas morning we had our Christmas at Judy's parent's house where we stayed and then in the afternoon we saw my side of the family. We left Wednesday morning and got back around 3 PM.

Highlights:

• Being with my family (mom, dad, grandma, brothers and their families)
• Being with my family (Judy, Andrew, Allyson, Morgan, and Mackenzie)
• Being with family (Judy's clan)
  
• Seeing Cindy again
  
• Eating at Skyline Chili - twice
• Bob Evans - great breakfast
• UDF ice cream
• Watching back to back episodes of the office with Andrew
  

Next time I think we will plan our agenda ahead of time. There are some fun things to do in Cincy and because we had so many people and places to be it was kind of a "tail wagging the dog" syndrome. We'll see how it goes. Tye out.

Christmas presents

Once again we have experienced a wonderful Christmas! I received a new Cuisinart coffee grinder (pictured at left), Starbucks coffee, some bucks for iTunes (I am listening to Count Basie right now!), some cash, and a new denim shirt. The kids got some cool things as well.

I just downloaded some iTunes with my gift card from Allyson: Gerald Albright/Georgia on my Mind, Count Basie/Basie is Back Album, Joey DeFrancesco/Organic Vibes album, Diane Schuur/two selections from Blues for Schuur.

After all, I don't call it Tye's Jazz for anything. Tye out.

Another jazz great dies

I'm a little sad today because another jazz great has died and I did not have the privilege of seeing him perform. He was an amazing pianists that had a style that was unmistakable when you heard it. Rest in peace.

Here's the report from the Canadian Press:

Oscar Peterson, who once said playing piano gave him 'extreme joy,' dead at 82

TORONTO - Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, whose flying fingers mesmerized audiences around the world - from dance halls in 1940s Montreal to the lights of Carnegie Hall and beyond - has died at age 82.

He played alongside the giants of jazz: Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge, Nat King Cole, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, who once called Peterson the "Maharajah of the keyboard."

"Until the end, Oscar Peterson could tour the world and fill concert halls everywhere," said Andre Menard, artistic director and co-founder of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

"This is something that never diminished. His drawing power, his mystique as a musician, was so big that he remained at the top of his game until the end ... Oscar Peterson has been the musician every musician in the world can look up to and aspire to."

Word of Peterson's death at his home in Mississauga, Ont., set off a torrent of international tributes, including a statement from French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who said "one of the bright lights of jazz has gone out."

"He was a regular on the French stage, where the public adored his luminous style," Sarkozy added. "It is a great loss for us."

Merry Christmas everyone!

I want to wish all of you a very merry Christmas. On this Christmas eve I pray that you will reflect on the miracle of the virgin birth of the savior of the world, Jesus. Tye out.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

Happy Holidays

I want to wish everyone "Happy Holidays!" But why would a committed Christ-follower not say "Merry Christmas"? hmmmm

My Christmas wish would be that you would come to accept Jesus the Messiah. He has radically changed my life and given me hope not only in this world but in the world to come. I now have a rational belief system that governs my life and makes as much sense as anything I have ever heard. It explains how I got here, why I am in the shape I am in, and provides basic instructions for life. Most of all the Bible tells me about a savior who came to planet earth to die for my sins. wow.

But I know I have readers who have other traditions and in an honest effort to "not shove my religion down your throat" I am happy to say happy holidays!

A cell phone salesman sings incredible opera

Here at Tye's Jazz we don't typically do anything in the music realm that involves opera or orchestral style music but today I'm going to change that - just today only because I am in the "Christmas spirit."

Paul Potts blew away the judges and the audience on Britain's Got Talent (not the least of which was Simon Cowell) with an incredible operatic voice that brought tears to many people's eyes. (I'm not joking this time)

I've made comments in the past on posts about America Idol about some of the singers' performances and what I think constitutes an American Idol. I believe they should totally wow you and move you in a deep way like when Carrie Underwood, Kelley Pickler, and Kelly Clarkson perform. It's when Nadia Comaneci scores a perfect 10. ( I loved Nadia!)

Now it's your turn to be the judge. Does Paul have what it takes? Let me know what you think. Tye out.

Straight No Chaser performs 12 Days of Christmas

Gina Kaufman posted this on her Facebook and I just had to post it for my faithful readers. This is Indiana University's men's chorus Straight No Chaser performing a Christmas classic. You can purchase their DVD by clicking here. Enjoy!!!

Yogi Berra quote of the week

"A home opener is always exciting, no matter if it's home or on the road." Yogi Berra

O Holy Night - this one will bring tears to your eyes!

This version of "O Holy Night" will bring tears to your eyes. Enjoy!!!

Final Inspection of the basement? PASSED!!!

Today at slightly after 3 PM I received the final inspection on the basement remodeling project. Tonight we are going to do some cleaning and get ready for the carpet which is being installed on December 27th. This is the last inspection to satisfy the building permit and none too soon because my one year had run out, and the 30 days of grace were up on December 27th. Whew!

A politcally correct holiday wish

(I did NOT write this. I changed it to italics to emphasize this fact. I saw this on someone's Facebook and copied it. Enjoy!)

To All My Democrat Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

44 days

Most of you know that I enjoy reading through the Bible every year and this year I am going to read through three times; once in the NIV, The Message, and the NET Bible. I use a website (www.biblereadthrough.org) to track my progress and also to challenge myself as well and it keeps track of the number of days you read in a row.

I broke my streak yesterday - 44 days. As I collapsed into bed around 10 PM last night after a long day it occurred to me that I had not read yet. I was bummed, but too tired to do anything about it. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is week.

This is where grace comes in. I love it when I keep a bible reading streak going but when life circumstances dictate otherwise, I have to let myself off the hook, get a good night's rest, and hit it again the next day.

I have a question for you. Where do you need grace in your life? Forgiveness? Why not ask God for whatever it is you need right now and then get on with trusting him to work in your life? There is never any point in beating yourself up.

Yesterday is forever past. Today is a new day. Let's get on with it!!! Tye out.

...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14NIV

Plumbing is done!!!

The plumbing is done. Thanks to DJ for a job well done. We should be able to have the plumbing inspection tomorrow and then the final by Thursday or Friday. yippee!!!! Tye out.

The Male family was elfed!!!

Alright, I kinda got caught up in the hype of this www.elfyourself.com rage so if you want to see Judy and I dance click here. To see our kids dancing, click here. whatever!!! (it was fun though!)

A call for some new Christmas hymns and carols

Ok, go ahead and say it - "Tye, you are such a Scrooge." I was thinking last night in church as we sang the same exact songs I sang when I was in elementary school 35 years ago that it might be time for a change. (btw, I am not grinding an axe about NCBC. Gary, Angie and Jane do a FANTASTIC job!)

That said, I would like to issue a call to Christian artists and writers to present us some new Christmas carols and hymns that have a more "today" sound combined with today's praise and worship more vertical worship.

I'm not against the old hymns. I'm just a little weary of the old ones.

I have to confess that I do not enjoy singing about theology. I prefer the songs that sing to the Lord, rather than about the Lord.

So, if you have the gift of creating new music and expressing a heartfelt passion for worship of our creator then please get busy and share your talent with the church. I'm ready!!!

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3NIV

Potpourri

I've been really busy the past couple weeks and it shows in my blogging. Sorry to be out of touch for so long. Here's a brief update on a number of fronts:

Family: Judy is on Christmas break from school and is enjoying her time off. She made the curtains for our bedroom and it sure made a difference! Great job sweetie! I played a band job in Iowa City and it was miserable. The place was freezing cold and the band played about the same. I can't remember wishing a job would get over as much as I did Saturday. : (

Kids: Allyson is going to Poland for a missions trip January 25th. What an exciting opportunity. Andrew has been such a great addition to the staff at NCBC as he helps our Washington Campus get ramped up.

New Covenant Bible Church: I am busy getting ready for my talk on December 30th. I believe I will be sharing about God's compassion as evidenced in the Old Testament. We are also ramping up for our winter Impact that launches February 10th.

Basement remodeling project: The plumbing will be finished tonight and I will call for the plumbing inspection. After that, I will call for the final overall building inspection. We will be moving Andrew in on December 27th, the same day the carpet will be installed. I still have some finishing touches but will be able to work on that over the next few months. Frankly, I am burned out and tired of this project and I am very thankful it is coming to an end.

Consider yourself briefed. : ) Tye out.

Yogi Berra quote of the week

"I don't have a ten." (Yogi's reply, after thumbing through a large roll of bills that he pulled out of his pocket, to Joe Pepitone's request for ten dollars for breakfast.)

No electricity, no email - what next?

I am sitting up at Panera (my second office) because when I arrived at the church at 8:45 AM there was no power. We have been without email due to issues with the ISP so I have to confess that I am a little lost right now.

There was an ice storm that started on Saturday and has continued even through last night. There are now tree branches and power lines down everywhere which has caused many to be without electricity including our church offices.

Well, I just received word that the electric had come back on at the church so I'm going to head on down and try to get ready for a noon meeting. Tye out.

It's called Christmas

Alright, let's bring a conclusion to "Video Week" here at tyesjazz.com by watching a video about Christmas. I do have one disclaimer on this one. I don't especially care for the "attitude" that the group takes - it' kinda demeaning. But, I think the basic message is good. Merry Christmas everyone!

Gaining control over our secret thought life

I receive a weekly email from Patrick Morley of Man in the Mirror and this one was especially good because I know exactly what he is talking about! As a man, I realize that this struggle is very real and this is why the Bible tells us to guard our hearts and our minds, taking them captive for Christ. Here is what Pat writes:

There is an ancient fable about a scorpion and a turtle. The scorpion, a poor swimmer, asks a turtle to carry him on his back across a river. The turtle said, “That’s insane! You’ll sting me while I’m swimming and I’ll drown.”

“Dear turtle,” laughed the scorpion, “If I were to sting you and you drowned, I would drown with you. That would not be logical!”

Persuaded, the turtle said, “You’re right, of course. Hop on.”

The scorpion climbed on the turtle’s back, but halfway across the river it gave the turtle a fatal sting. As they both sank toward the bottom the turtle said, “You said it would not be logical for you to sting me, so why did you do it?”

“It has nothing to do with logic,” the scorpion replied. “It’s just my character.”

Secret thoughts are just like that scorpion. They will bite you every time.

Click here to read the rest of the article - it is well worth it!

He's absolutely right. Us men need other men in our lives to help hold us accountable and to partner with us as we seek to live our lives as godly men. If you don't have a mentor I would strongly urge you find one, and it can't be your wife guys! It's great to have someone to bounce ideas off and to air things out with. Tye out.

Chuck Norris endorses Mike Huckabee

As part of I happened to be with one of Mike Huckabee's campaign advisers (and one of Mike's best friends) when he heard the news that Chuck Norris had endorsed Huckabee. Then, my son showed me this video of Chuck and Mike and I was waiting for the right time to share it.

Since it seems like this week is "Video Week" at tyesjazz.com, I thought "Why not!" Here you go!

Yogi Berra quote for the week

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded." (Yogi's opinion of Rugerio's, a popular St. Louis restaurant where he had once worked as headwaiter.)

Free Hugs Campaign

Welcome to "video week" at www.tyesjazz.com. : ) I think I posted this video once before, but that's alright. Maybe you need a hug today so I would encourage you to watch this. And if you are a "sap" like me, get the tissues ready.

To read the story behind "Free Hugs" click here.

Everybody's free to wear sunscreen

I'm in a video mood this week as you can probably tell. Part of this is due to the fact that I have been busy working ont he basement and have not had time to think enough to write something creative on my own.

I saw this on Tammany Block's Facebook and really liked it. I especially like all the kissing (yep, that's right!). We need to take time to appropriately touch, hug, and kiss (appropriately) the ones we love. (it's too bad I have to add that little disclaimer) Also, I should say I don't agree with everything that is said on the vid. Hopefully you are mature enough to select the meat, and toss the bones. : ) Enjoy! Tye out.

This is what Christmas is all about - Evel Knievel accepts Christ

Listen to this - all nine minutes. I especially like the part where he tells how life was meaningless before Christ. Five Rolls Royce's, two jet airplanes, wine, women...did not satisfy Evel.

Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel died in Clearwater, Florida, finally succumbing after nearly a three-year bout with the terminal lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Rest in peace - finally. Tye out.

Hanging doors in the basement

Tonight was a huge night in the basement remodel project. Dave Dawson and Larry Smith came over and helped me get four of the doors hung. One of the doors was damaged and they even took me over to Menards to replace it! Click on the pic for a slideshow of the progress.

It was a "milestone" night and it was fun working with such talented people! Thanks to Larry and Dave for helping me get this done tonight. You guys are awesome!!! Tye out.

Let everything that has breath (even jazz musicians) praise the Lord!

Yesterday was an awesome day at New Covenant Bible Church as the big band performed in all four services. We did three numbers and there was one solo opportunity on It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. You can click here to listen. The recording does not do justice to the band, but will give you an idea of what it sounded like.

BTW, the choir number was really hot!!! It is the third selection in the recording!

The best part for me is the fact that I can use my talent to bring honor and glory to God through a medium that just a few years ago was considered "ungodly."

A special thanks to Gary and Angie for their passion for spiritual worship expressed through many forms, including the Christian big band! Tye out.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary!
Praise him in the sky, which testifies to his strength!
Praise him for his mighty acts!
Praise him for his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with the blast of the horn!
Praise him with the lyre and the harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and with dancing!
Praise him with stringed instruments and the flute!
Praise him with loud cymbals!
Praise him with clanging cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150 NET Bible

Yogi Berra non-quote for the week

Yogi Berra definitely had a way with words. I found a website that has many of his quotable quotes and you can click here to check it out. The website owner also has many quotes that are attributed to Yogi that Yogi never said, but people say he said it. He gets his quotes from Yogi's book Yogi -- It Ain't Over....

That said, here is your Yogi Berra "non-quote" for the week.

"Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets." (Sorry, but Rocky Bridges said this, not Yogi.)

See you next week! Tye