Going Retro

I dropped my iPad.

It has been about, well, since the beginning of Advent (more on that later)

I never really did anything productive with it.

I tried to read some books or glance at some motorcycle buyers guides.

I played some monopoly, blackjack, chess, and loved watching weather radars.

Looking back it was, for me, nothing but wasted time.

Probably more than I would ever admit.

Time I should have been praying.

So, it's broke.

I'm making no attempt at fixing it or even replacing it.

For a moment part of me wanted to fix it....because I was going to use it in a blues/rock band that my son and I are in.

One day I looked at the 1962 hammond sitting in the living room.

"Retro"  I thought.  "Time to go retro..."

It's been jumping around in my mind for some time--too connected.  And not 'too' connected to all the wrong stuff, but for me just too connected to stuff that doesn't matter.  It's easy to do in this world--to fill up our time with nothing--not even thoughts of God.  Really, do I care what the 36 hour forecast is?  I don't need to check CNN or glance at some ecclesial news portal--even if it is in passing and i'm not alienating my family.  My checking out the internet really does nothing for me.

...or my soul.

Now, don't jump down my throat...Yes I am using the internet at this very minute.  

But I have to tell you...I'm getting ready to go retro.

Or at least--quasi retro (cell phones and minimum blogging stuff)

Let's face it--I started this blog in order to continue sharing a snippet of faith wrapped in my experiences.  

Then I began a Facebook simply to help promote my book, A Lost Shepherd, and I even put together a YouTube video promotion. 

In the end however---i'm not sure why good this blogging has done or how my soul has grown because of wireless connectivity or even how many books sold.

Nope, time to go retro.

Oh, and a funny thing happened on the way through this Advent...At the beginning my prayer was simply 'Come Lord Jesus'.

Then the iPad broke.

I'll keep you posted.

Out of No Where

The other evening we attended a rather remarkable performance of the local junior philharmonic.  On the way out, my lovely wife struck up a conversation with a lady.  I paid little attention and went about my business of going to get the car and have it warmed up for the return home.  Where we live, during this time of year, getting in a warm car when it is cold, snowy, and dark (at 5 pm) is truly a luxury.
It's the little things.

Anyways, it turns out that the conversation my wife was having had an almost immediate affect on our living room.
The lady was looking to unload an old spinet organ.

Three days later, my son and I braved a snowstorm and brought home the gift.

Here is the cool thing.  While I was very happy to have an organ--it wasn't just any organ.  It ended up being a 1962 Hammond m-100 model (nicknamed the baby b3 for all you hammond junkies).  That's right, the old hammond tube sound/reverb/leslie/toggle switch motor--I was in heaven--and it works!!  All we need is a little oil (on the wood and in the machine!)...and a bench.
My son and I can't help but break into the 12 bar blues--you name it he brings the instrument over...sax, bari sax, clarinet, flute, even oboe and english horn (though jazz oboe (next to sax) is very cool with an old hammond!

So, the point?  Tis the Season.
What a surprise.  What a cool gift.
It is spiritually obvious...isn't it?

Out of no where---in the dark cold night--

Second Advent

Come Lord Jesus!


....please


Amen.

Rise Above the Noise (or just shut up, close your eyes and pray)

I realize my last two posts where a bit of a downer.
My apologies to my faithful readers.  It is, after all Advent, and I ought to be doing more soul work than writing about my past month of just plain crappy Sunday morning homilies and experiences.
I decided to delete the second post.  One post was enough, everyone gets the picture.  No need to pile on.  Time to rise above.

I deleted the post--not because it lacked truth but because the integrity was absent.  The bite was too much.
Also, it came across as if I was on the verge of throwing in the towel.   I love the Roman Catholic Faith.  Believe me, I was excommunicated once--do you have any idea what kind of paperwork that creates when you want to clean up your soul and return?  Plus, through in an ontological change and wham!,... Roman Catholicism is in the marrow of my soul.

The last thing the internet needs in the blogosphere is another sharp tongued critic--I don't know of any real good that comes from posting a gripe.

It's not like the 'right' people are reading my opinions and then saying "Oh, my---he's right!  I need to do what he is saying."  I don't think Pope Francis has Praylium bookmarked.  

So, my bite is a little too strong and I ought to use this space for building up the Kingdom.  I suppose that instead of taking a shot I ought to be offering a prayer--but man...that's so hard!

That isn't to say that my hope and patience and even trust isn't currently challenged--it's just that focusing on all the wrong issues  (unhealthy preaching and parish life)  does nothing for my salvation or my responsibility to live the faith as a husband, father, brother, and son.

That said, I still believe that I may be in a bit of a diaspora--that wandering for God that seems to lack a homeland.    Perhaps the title of that penned memoir a few years back has become a self serving prophecy--A Lost Shepherd.