Husbandly Love

Saturday, Elaine wanted to 'mini-homemakeover' a spot in our backyard. So, being the obliging and wonderful husband I am, I gleefully pitched in. (Actually, I knew it was coming - so I figured it best to get it over with before the 100+ degree heat would be joining the party, too.) And, I guess I can't take too much credit, Elaine's mother and both of my parents pitched in quite a bit of effort as well.

There's something nice about seeing things getting done in the yard. There's also something nice about the smile on a wife's face when she gets to see something that's been in her head for a long time. Here's what we came up with (Sorry Elaine, if I'm stealing your thunder....but you have more blog readers than me anyway....)

The whole area between the sidewalk was just dirt before we started...


In other news, our dog has opened up a stump removal business. This huge stump from our backyard was rolled down into the creek, where he chewed, spat, and quasi-ate the entire thing.
I have a video I'll post later....

Walking in the Dark?

John 8:12 - Jesus said "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Christ had just rallied around a woman caught in the act of adultery. She was about to be stoned by the Pharisees. She's probably shaking with fear, shoulders drawn in - trying to prepare for the smack of that first rock being hurled at her. Then Jesus told her accusers, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.'" I can only imagine the dumbfounded look on this lady's face. Full of shame : publicly disgraced - and here is this man challenging those around her. As those with rocks in their hands started to walk away, I'm sure waves of relief began washing over her. There she was, free from accusation and condemnation - in front of Jesus himself.

There's a Wayne Watson song I've always liked (Walk in the Dark) that says, "I'd rather walk in the dark with Jesus than walk in the light on my own." Though I understand the point he's trying to make - something just hit me this morning : I can't walk in the dark with Jesus. It can't happen. It may feel like it - it may even look like it at times - but He is the light of the world.

I can't always reason or figure out what's going on in my life. But I don't have to wait for things to get clearer; having a sunny mountaintop view doesn't indicate that I'm walking with God (but it sure is nice!)

"He who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but HAVE the light of life." I think I wait for the outcome of my plans and actions to produce light - to shed light on my life. But I have the light of life. Maybe the goal for the day should be to follow and HAVE the light of life. Follow and have. Follow and have.

Idol Idol Idol

Over the past few years, I've quietly boycotted American Idol. Not for any other reason than I thought it was getting kind of worn out - I was getting tired of the same manufacturing of a pop star. I was always the one sitting silent when the table talk turned to Idol chatter...I felt a little left out.
This year, we (in a blaze of glory) entered into the mid 90s by getting a DVR. Since then, I've been recording and grazing through episodes of the show. At a time when I figure everyone should be talking about the Presidential election - it's been American Idol that's dominated the conversation. So, for this reason, I've been glad.
I must say - there are some pretty good singers here and there. But for the most part, I see more media manipulation than ever. I think as of today, there's 20 or so folks left. Are they REALLY the best 20 out of the hundreds of thousands that auditioned?
So, it's with great reluctance that I've been sucked back into the Idol machine.

Valentine's Day

My wife knows me well.
Peanut Butter and Jelly with no crust - and a nice pile of stuff to share with Harrison --- what a great way to start off any day.
Today I got the special treatment today with my heart shaped sandwhich.

Valentine's day is an interesting day : people go crazy, buying all these gifts ; expecting gifts...yada ya. The cool thing I was reminded of this valentine's day wasn't the importance of the holiday : but how great it is to be in love and to have a wife that loves me without reserve.

UrBanquet

Last week I got to sing with some friends at the Mission Waco UrBanquet. Mission Waco is an organization that provides programs to the poor and marginalized while also sharing the Gospel. The banquet is a fundraising event held each year to share the vision and successes at Mission Waco.

Elaine and I have always enjoyed attending the banquet because it opens our eyes and grows our worldview. It's also encouraging to hear the stories of those who have been changed by the work that happens at Mission Waco and those who have given their lives over to battling poverty.

The keynote speaker at the banquet was Larry James, CEO of Central Dallas Ministries. Out of all the great things he said, the most impacting to me was the idea that we are all poor in something. He explained that the poor community had an understanding of community that most of us have never even experienced. And even though the were poor in monetary terms, they were rich in the area of community.

When I think of the poor, I usually visualize the person on the street corner holding the sign. That night poverty took on a new mental image for me. Larry explained that over 40% of South Dallas families lived below the poverty line. Unbelievable.

But even more than my mental image of poverty changing, I realized my ignorance to the impoverished community around me. I've been in Dallas now for over 3 years, and I'd never heard of Central Dallas Ministries. I wasn't aware that such a large number of people were barely scraping by only miles from my own house. It always stings to recognize just how narrowly I view life.

I encourage you to take some time to check out these websites and read about what these people have devoted their lives to.

No Resolution

Many of you know that Elaine and I were broken into back in September. Along with our car, whoever ripped us off also took a purse, cash, my wedding ring, and our ipods.

The morning we realized our car was gone, I just knew that we would never see it again. I figured it was either in a million parts already or being driven until someone decided to abandon it in Mexico or something. Needless to say, it's been 4 months and I've stopped looking for it while driving around town.

But today, we had a message from a detective saying that he had an update on the case. Elaine called the police department and the cops had actually found it....my ipod.

Yes, yes : my ipod has turned up at some pawn shop. And for just $90 I could go pay the pawn guys for it, or I could take the pawn shop to court and try to win it back.

Don't know about you, but I'll keep my $90 and let the pawn shop guys sell that ipod. I could never use it again - just wondering all the places it may have been.

MASK

I made Elaine watch the movie Mask last night. Well, I didn't really have to force her or anything - but she was a little weary of it to begin with. I mean, the movie stars Cher...that didn't really rope her in to begin with.
Turns out, she really liked the movie. If you haven't seen the movie, you should check it out one Sunday afternoon that you'd rather watch a movie than flip through all the channels that have nothing on.
The main character is this kid named Rocky Dennis - and he has this wild and rare disease where calcium deposits on his face and skull and causes it to become deformed. Anyway - even though I know the story has been 'Hollywood-ified' ... it spoke to me. Here's this kid who can't go anywhere without getting some comment or getting stared at. And in his 17 years of life, he went for it : he didn't let the criticism stop him.
Unfortunately everybody's gonna have trouble in life - but it's usually not the problems that cripple us, it's our attitude.

Showing Me Up.

My wife is showing me up.

I recall wanting to start a blog about 3 years ago and Elaine gave it little thought. Now, she's gone blog crazy (and I'm glad) - but in the process is making me look bad. So - I've resolved to get back into the game....

We've had a picture'y' Christmas this year. Elaine and I haven't done the best job in the past with getting good pics of things that we do --- but this year I guess we've turned over a new leaf.

It's really strange how Christmastime changes for me as I get older. I remember marking off the days until Christmas on a little chalkboard when I was younger. I guess it was partially the presents, the time off of school - the food. Remembering back, though, I don't recall many of the presents and only one or two favorite foods (like this crazy-sick peanutbutter chocolate log thing that my mom and aunt used to make...). But I do remember spending time with my family and getting that warm / hearthy feeling of being around everyone. As you get older, I guess it just gets harder.

I've been grateful to be around a lot of kids this season - their eyes remind me of many things. Here's some shots of the season....

This is Santa's Little Helper, Ainsley (my niece) - striking a pose....she's good at that.This is Nehemiah Thomas (son of Patrick, the guy who helped LOADS by producing most of the 'Driven' Album)

Me and my bud, Harrison.

Santa's Little Helper #2, Jayci (Ainsley's siter) - I love her 'cause she'll dance all day with me.

Album Updates

The album is finally finished. It will be released in January. For the time being, there's a new song posted on the myspace page. www.myspace.com/jerodstarkeymusic

Pix

Finally

One more week :

In another week, my album will the leave the studio and all the mixing, and enter into the mastering process. It's been exactly one year since I started this process, and I'm very excited to be nearing its completion.

Crunch Time

If you're reading this blog, you're probably. extremely bored and have checked every other link you have to friends' webpages. My posting frequency has left a lot to be desired.

Just an update :
The album is starting to finally take some shape....we're starting to get closer and closer to a light at the end of the tunnel. Still got some instruments to lay down, some vocals to do, and a lot of mixing/editing...

It's one of those times in life where the 'when it rains, it pours' expression actually fits. The Post 27 website, which will have information about my piano and vocal instruction will be up soon, as well. The site will also have info about customized songwriting and songwriting instruction. I'll be singing in a couple of places over the next month or 2, leading worship for a high-school retreat, and leading worship at Reunion Church.

If you're the praying type - pray that I stay in my right mind - that I'm unphazed by tiredness - and that more than anything I don't settle for less than I'm supposed to.

Recital Time

Kids are very cool.

Today we had a recital at the house for my 9 students. They all came with their parents, friends, and siblings in their spiffy clothing. Each one of them did a great job --- some of them I could tell got a lot of last minute practicing in. It was great.

I remember when I was in second grade and had my first piano recital. It was neat to be a part of a memory that these guys will have for a lifetime. Only unfortunate part is that it makes me feel as old as dirt.

May

I can't believe May is already here. April seemed to fly by. I'm looking forward to the snow cone stands opening up and eating out on restraunt patios. Not looking forward to mowing in the sweltering, heat, though.

I'm still working on my solo album one small step at a time. I'll be posting some stuff on myspace soon. Along with the writing and singing, I'm falling in love with the production side, too.

I have a new nephew named Mason.

If Only I could....

If Only I could....