From the Mouth of Babes.......

I recently read an amazing story in the news about a brave young man in Chicago named Luis Reteguin, who saved his mom from a dangerous attacker. One evening, at 1 a.m., a man armed with a knife entered their home. Luis and his mother happened to be awake (why??????), while his younger sister and older brother were asleep (pbviously the smart ones). At the time, Luis thought it was his father since he usually arrived home at that hour from a graveyard shift. The intruder even opened the door to Luis's room, something his father usually did at that hour, but did not come in, most likely due to the lamp that was turned on. It wasn't until his mother began screaming that Luis realized something was wrong. Courageously, and without even thinking about it, he ran to his mother's room and saw a man attacking his mom with a knife. What fear he must have felt! Luis immediately jumped on the man and began punching him. What a kid! The man of course, began to fight back, and turned his rage on the boy . Breaking free, Luis ran to the kitchen and called the police. At this point, the attacker became scared and fled the house. Everyone was scarred, scared and quite shaken up, but this young mans courage, strength, and quick-thinking saved his mom's life!
We love stories like this. I am sure you will hear it soon on Oprah, or the made for TV version starring Chad Lowe and Rick Scroeder……But, these stories do capture our imaginatiosn and hearts. This inspirational story reminded me of a lesson I easily forget, despite learning it over and over. It reminded me just how much our kids are capable of! While it is often easy to shrug off their ideas, or their interruptions into our “adult conversations”, I have found that some of the deepest and soul stirring theological discussions I have ever been involved in often involve my kids! I am reminded that we need to remember, God uses EVERYTHING to teach us…..including our young people! KIDS TEACH US A LOT ABOUT LIFE.

I believe God gave us children to help us know Him better. They are newer to this world and are not weighed down by race, greed, materialism, politics, or other belief systems. In their innocence they are uncorrupted by the world. We on the other hand, are scarred and dirtied, and have forgotten many important things that dwell in the shadows of such purity and innocence. It is the purity of children that enables us to clearly see the blessings and wonder of the world. I was reminded of this on Tuesday as me and my kids had the best hour we’d had in weeks as we chased bubbles outside on a sunny day! We didn’t need the XBOX, or fancy toys. We needed a $.99 bottle of bubbles and happy and pure souls! Jesus understood this, chastising his friends for trying to dismiss children trying to see Him as a nuisance or a bother. It is so true that “out of the mouth of babes come gems”.

If you are not yet doing so, get plugged in to learn from the kiddos here at West Main. Volunteer in Children’ Worship. Teach a class or work the nursery. Sign up to work VBS or Camp. I can promise you that you’ll be blessed, and not only will you teach….you will learn.

Irish Crackhead????

Sometimes we just need to laugh......

Ipod Shuffle

It has been a while since I bored you all with boring tales of my Ipod mix. My hope of course is that some of you may hear of a song you never knew and be turned on to some great new music! Today, with the sun out, I was in need of some happy jams.....not too bad Itunes shuffle:


3 MC's and 1 DJ- Beastie Boys
Love Isn't Made- Jon Foreman
Walking on the Moon- The Police
From a Whisper to a Scream- Elvis Costello
Spies- Coldplay
Lilac Wine- Jeff Buckley
Purple Rain- Prince
Swing on This- Alice in Chains
Take a Bow- Muse
Jesus Christ- Big Star
Buddy Holly- Weezer
Make You Feel My Love- Adele
MLK- U2
Always Love- Nada Surf
Lovestoned- Justin Timberlake
Pennyroyal Tea- Nirvana
Do You Realize?- The Flaming Lips
Eet- Regina Spektor
Steady as She Goes- The Racentours
Earth Angel- Death Cab for Cutie

The Britt Blues

Sorry to my beloved back in the Dirty….but I don’t miss a THING about living in the South. I only miss my family and the music of Memphis. The ONLY thing I can possibly complain about living here in God’s country, aka Oregon, is that our town has not had the most vivacious live music scene (though over the years it has gotten MUCH better. The one shining light in that is what is called the BRITT FESTIVAL. It is a summer music series that brings all kinds of acts to our little valley. It is a small outdoor theatre, on a hill that is LOVELY. The GREATEST part of it is they let you bring in your own picnic! Nothing like live tunes while everyone is stretched out on blankets drinking wine and chilling! Every year we wait anxiously for the newest acts announced. Some of them are throw away and/or country acts (I’ll pass Mr. Paisley)….no thanks. Others are has-beens fighting off the county fair circuit …no thanks Michael McDonald (although Huey Lewis was actually good!). But every year, thrown in there are some pretty awesome acts as well. Over the years we’ve been able to see: Natalie Merchant, Jewel, Willie Nelson, Wilco, Les Claypool, Elvis Costello, Pink martini, Gov’t Mule, Son Volt, the Black Crowes, Nickel Creek, Michael Franti & Spearhead, G Love, Andrew Bird, the Devil makes Three and The Avett Brothers.
So last week I was PUMPED for the announcement of the 2010 lineup. A leak that She & Him were scheduled had me excited (sadly, it was false). All I can say is that it is OKAY. Just nowhere good as seasons past, but maybe a good show or four hidden in there! Tell me what you guys think! Here are the few I am possibly interested in: Brandi Carlisle, Steve Earle with Allison Moorer & the Carolina Chocolate Drops, The New Pornographers, The Barenaked Ladies, Jamie Cullum, and the Swell Season.

What would you pick?

Easter 2010

Yesterday was a really REALLY nice day! We started off with a visit from the elusive Easter bunny. That was cool, complete with candies, coloring books and bubbles. Sunday service was a quiet reflective hour of nothing but songs and scriptures. I really liked that. For lunch we spent it with some of the best folks we know: Teh McCords, Scotts and Fairs. We feasted and had blast. It was awesome. After lunch and fellowship, despite the urge for a nap......we had a HUGE easter egg hunt in the rain...OREGON STYLE!

It was a blessed day. I hope yours was as well. Here are some pics you may enjoy from it:

Ladykiller
Sibling love
Making the perfect egg

"best eggs ever!"
Hard work being so lovely
But oh SO worth it!
Another beauty queen
"mirror mirror on the wall"
Dad's treasure
My precious
"I found some!"
"I found one too!"

Life is full of blessings and trials. but days liek today remind us all....Life is beautiful and God is good

Good Friday

i wrote this one a few years bacK

Good Friday
A question I can’t fully grasp, too deep to comprehend
That one man gave it all away to bring true life to men

A thought that I can’t wrap around, a love that can’t be real
That one mans blood would always serve as my salvations seal

So pain won’t last forever and hope comes when we’ve cried
Just one of many reasons that my savior died

So no man shall be lonely and all shall know a bride
Just another reason that my savior died

To help me run this race of life, to help us turn the tide
While I was still a sinner, yes my savior died

To give me light in darkness, to give my soul a guide
That is one more reason why my savior died


To save the world…to save the lost
To help the helpless, He took the cross

And still I cannot tell you
Can’t explain it if I tried
But God, my God I thank you……….. that my savior died

BP 2006

Free Music Friday

Well.....since today is GOOD FRIDAY, I will give you a song called GOOD FRIDAY. It is of course by the Black Crowes. It has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the religious holiday, but it is a great song. I hope you enjoy