Brothers And Sisters

It was only a few weeks ago that I got to play at a coffee house with my brothers and a friend. That was the first time me and my brothers have ever all played together. There's a big age difference between us. I'm 15 years older than Marr'Lo and 17 years older than Tito. (That's Tito with me in the picture.) We spent almost no time together as they were growing up because most of the time they were on the west coast and I was in Milwaukee. I was married and starting my own family before Tito was out of diapers. (That was a tuff 12 years!)

They invited me to come down and see them. Marr'Lo told me to bring my harps and they would call me up for a few numbers. I think I ended up playing with them about three quarters of the night. Our mom was there. She was so happy to see all three of her sons together. It was really a bonding experience for the three of us.

Just this past Saturday I was able to play again with Marr'Lo and our friend Jodi. Tito had to go to California for Naval training. (He served in Iraq. Now he just goes for his annual training exercises. He'll be back in a couple weeks.) This time I played most of the night. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. And it's great after all these years to really feel like I have a relationship with my brothers. And I know our mom couldn't be happier!

It's really ironic that I am writing about getting close to my brothers at a time when, sadly, my wife is experiencing a rift between her and two of her brothers. It's weird because I was never really part of a close family and her's was always close. It's like things have flip-flopped. Over the last year or so my family has experienced a few deaths which has brought the rest of us closer together. My wife's family, too has had several recent deaths and it seems to be tearing them apart. As believers, Janet and I see all this for what it is: an attack of the enemy to divide and conquer. But we are more than conquerors! We know that we do not battle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)

To anyone reading this, i say only this: If you have a sibling or siblings that you can't get along with, that you are estranged from, try to find common ground and begin to heal. Pray for restoration between you. If you can't do that or if they want no part of it then do this: Get alone before God. Proclaim that you forgive them. Release every hurt or offence they've given you. Ask the Lord to forgive you for the same. Do everything in your power to never speak ill of them again. (This may not be so easy. If you fail just whisper a 'Lord, forgive me for that' and move on.)

I myself am estranged from my father. I've released him from all those things and I've moved on. I do my best to never talk bad about him. When I do speak of him I try to find the good things. I keep him in prayer always. But the only way for me to truly honor him right now is to stay out of his life. I trust God to work things out. Me trying to make it happen only causes more problems.

So if things seem hopeless in your family relationships, take it to God. He knows what to do. And surround yourself with your spiritual family. Spend time with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't isolate yourself. The enemy wants to take you down. There's strength in numbers. I think you get the point.

God's blessings to you all. Until next time....

The Best Is Yet To Come!

I still have a hard time believing I'm in my 40's. I don't feel that old at all. Yet in less than 3 short years all three of my children will be adults. I may still have more years ahead than behind. But even if so, not that many. And I'm OK with that. But I have been feeling as all middle-aged men have throughout history, that there are things left undone. Things that may have passed me by.

But with age comes wisdom. Or at least one would hope. I believe I've gained some. I credit a lot of that to my Senior Pastor and one other pastor who have been the biggest influences and blessings in my life. They taught me the word of God! They taught me how to study it for myself. Gentlemen, if you're reading this, thank you.

Now that I've reached that age where things are changing and shifting. Aching or getting thicker. I've had to make some serious decisions. For one, I joined the YMCA. I recommend this to anyone who is thinking about it. I joined their "Commit To Be Fit" program about two months ago and I'm already feeling so much better. I may even post some before and after pics someday!

I also decided that some things can't wait anymore. Some things have to come off the shelf. A good friend recently told me that there's only one thing worse than failure and that's to never even try! And for the record, failure is not 'being down', failure is 'staying down'!

So what am I doing? I'm starting to make connections with other musicians. I'm finding reasons to play instead of reasons 'not' to play. About 2 weeks ago I had an opportunity to play at a coffee house with my two brothers. Both are guitar players and singers. They are 15 and 17 years younger than I am. The two of them and a friend of theirs. The three of us have never played together before. Our mom was there. It was fantastic. It left me wanting more! And there will be more!

I have other life plans, too. Plans that do not involve music. And as those evolve I will write about those. But I am so glad I serve a God that wants me to be happy. He wants me to prosper. To have more than I could even imagine. I'm not too old! The best is still to come! Keep watching this space, it's coming...