Good company

Jesus said tenderly, "The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

{The Message | Matthew 11.27-30}

My space is your space

In other news... I have recently set up a MySpace account as a means to the end of reaching more ears with the sonic audibles. Check 'em out here:: www.myspace.com/joelrockeymusic

Sluuuuurps

Another weekend has come and gone and today I enjoy my Monday by sitting in the Mustard Room, listening to the cars pass by as the scarce birds call back and forth and I sip coffee from my favorite mug... a mug I rescued from the streets of Ball State's campus years ago.

This weekend began with another long long long drive to the mighty Fort... Wayne, that is. My wife and I enjoyed a fine meal of Mexicana with the Horrell family as we celebrated the day of her brother's birth.

Sunday morning I had the opportunity to lead worship at CGPC with several of our Sr High kids. It was truly an amazing experience. Tyler Johnson on drums & percussion, Ryan Helvie on bass, Andrew Furrow and John Shufflebarger on guitar, Brad Brickley on piano and vocals, and Katie Tatlock on vocals. All of the doubts and nerves fell to the wayside as God's Spirit brought us together with the congregation in a beautiful and transformational worship experience! It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of.

Sunday afternoon was amazing on a completely different plain. For the first time ever, I experienced the world of paintball as I joined our Sr High guys small groups for a couple hours of extreme shoot-em-up action at Dark Armies in Indianapolis. For some strange reason, I've always been very hesistant to participate in paintball in the past... maybe the whole being-shot-at-in-the-dark thing just wasn't very appealing to me. But I must say, I had an incredible time. Even after being shot in the bare neck twice, I'd go back again in a heartbeat! However, be prepared to explain that giant hicky to anyone who asks. Mad props to Andrew Furrow for being the last man standing at the end... even after recieving a shot the upper leg that was a little too close for comfort...

Derry down lads!

Midsummer's dust or monkey vomit

Well kids, another weekend is all upons and I'm sendin' a shout out to be heard all across the land of the free and the home of the brave! Holla back if ya dig.

In the wee early hours of the morn, my boys from the Mustard Room and I partook [I'm pretty sure that's not a word] in some fine breakfast fare at one Mickey Dees. As the last to arrive for this exquisite dining experience, I thought it would be a gas to bring along with me the crusty remains of a partially eaten burnt pizza from the previous evening. You see, Mr. T Johnson [I've used only his first initial to protect his identity... In fact, let's just call him Mr. T] is a self-proclaimed Perfect-Pizza-Baking-Timer. He can put a frozen pizza

in the oven and take it out when it has been perfectly and evenly baked inside and out. However, when caught up in the joy of listening to Simon & Garfunkel records and talking of silliness with a few good friends while I try to download a CD burning program with my dial-up AOL connection, one Mr. T loses track of the time... C'est la vie!

Twas not to be, as Mr. T, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Andrew, Miss Morgan, Mrs. Miranda and I were destined to partake in Mickey Dees down the street. We had not even traveled a fort night before we were encountered by Mr. Chris and his bride Mrs. Amy. At our request, they joined us for some fine vittles at the local kill n' grill. A joyous experience was had by all!

Midsummer's Dust or Monkey Vomit... Which will be the name of the newest shade of brown in the Crayola™ family?

love and an elevator,
Joel