Christmas

oh, ye pilgrims

The Pilgrim Project

I've been working on a music project now on and off since the spring of 2006. My background before becoming a Christian was that of someone totally absorbed in music. Regretfully, most of what I listened to was very ungodly lyrically speaking. I played drums originally, starting around age 13, then picked up the guitar at age 15. I've been first and foremost a guitarist pretty much ever since but also started playing keys around age 20. After I was converted, I left the worldly music I was involved with and pretty much for the first time was faced with the need to write my own music, that is if I was going to be "professional". It was 1984. Contemporary Christian music was still in its infancy so to speak. I remember listening to Michael W. Smith, Degarmo and Key, Petra, Kathy Trocolli, David and the Giants, Wayne Watson, The REZ Band, The Daniel Band, Twila Paris, Morgan Cryar,.....and yes, Amy Grant and Stryper. I was convinced this was what I wanted to do.......: Start a Christian Band and have a gospel influence on my generation. As best I know my heart, I truly desired to please God in my efforts. Surely with my background, this was God's will for me...right? Well, no, it wasn't....!! None of the band efforts ever panned out. But God is too wise to be mistaken and too good to be unkind. He knew what was best for me and being a professional musician was not it. Now I don't know what His providence will unfold for me over the remainder of my life, but this much is true. I know longer pursue the music biz like I used to.........and in fact, it has been liberating. Sadly, the more I know of it, the less interested I am in it. Praise God.......
Now,......

Fastforward some 20 plus years..........and yes, I still write/record original Christian music and its been my desire to have a nicely recorded collection to share with at least family and friends. A source of edification for believers and a challenge to the lost........but to the Glory of God alone and in the name of Christ alone. But why...?? Is there a real need/void out there for such a collection. No. Thankfully there is no shortage today of good solid Christian music. Perhaps more good stuff available now than any other time in the past.....But, it's in my heart to do it. To complete it....... and may God be glorified in it or may I lose all interest in it.......and forsake it out of love for Christ above all.
So,......here I am..........with the pilgrim project. What's in a name...? A long time ago as a young Christian I came to love the name "pilgrim". To me, it's the perfect name for what a Christian is: "A stranger in a foreign land...on his way home."


The Pilgrim Project is basically the Christian Music Recording Enterprise of myself. Sometimes me all by myself. At other times me and my wife. At other times hopefully me and a friend....etc. It's simply the name I've come to use to identify my Christian music recordings. I hope to have volume one complete over the next 24 months......the Lordwilling, and honestly, there may never be a volume two...etc.....if the Lord is pleased to allow me to finish this first one. It's painstakingly slow because I do not want it to supercede my family and church and relationship with Chirst.......whom it is supposed to be about anyway!!
So far, it has been fun and rewarding. Hopefuly, I'll be ready share it or parts of it one day.

Vol. One is entitled "Songs of Grace and Truth".

Hate Crimes....???

Christian Friend. We must pray...............

"Christian Web News - Alliance Defense Fund attorneys warn that the U.S. Senate should not pass H.R. 1913, the so-called ‘hate crimes’ bill. If it becomes law, ADF attorneys say the bill could severely impede Americans’ constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression while creating additional legal protections for those engaged in homosexual behavior that are not available to everyone else. “All violent crimes are hate crimes, and all crime victims deserve equal justice,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot. “So-called ‘hate crime’ laws actually serve only one purpose: The criminalization of citizens based on whatever thoughts, beliefs, and emotions they have that are not considered to be ‘politically correct.’ No one should fall for the idea that this bill does anything to bring about greater justice for Americans.”

ADF attorneys delivered a letter to the House Judiciary Committee on April 22 urging it to reject the bill. The letter noted that the enforcement of “political orthodoxy” in the form of so-called “hate crime” laws is being used to target sincere people of faith, including a small photography company in New Mexico which was fined by the state’s Human Rights Commission for declining to photograph a “commitment ceremony” between two women. New Mexico does not recognize “marriages” between members of the same sex.

“The emotion of hate is an unfortunate reality of the human experience,” the ADF letter stated. “But it is not a crime unless accompanied by a criminal action--and even then it is the action that is within the police power of the government, not the emotion. The reality is that ‘hate’ crime laws are designed to punish people for what they think, feel, or believe. The crime itself that is committed is already punished under various federal and state criminal laws.”

The U.S. House passed its version of the bill by a vote of 249-175. The Senate will now consider whether or not the bill should become law."

Source: H.R. 1913

April 2009 Pics.......

Sunday Afternoon

This was Will's first fishing venture.....!

Good and Pleasant

Together standing, hand in hand,
claiming unity....
Each overlooking, vital truth,
in the name of peace....

Unity, apart from the truth,
is not what we need, it's not truth you see.
Unity, based on the truth brings security,
promoting liberty.

How good and pleasant,
How good and pleasant,
How good and pleasant......(repeat)
When brethren dwell together in unity.

We must be praying, calling on the Lord,
for eyes to see....
He has a standard, for His saints,
to know and believe...

Pilgrim Project vol.1
Music: a. town
Lyrics: Psalm 133:1/Carroll/Town

March 2009 Pics......