I'm back!

OK - for the millions of people who have been daily checking my blog, looking for the latest scoop on our lives... I've been unable to log into my blog for nearly a month. But now I can! So stay tuned for more exciting adventures! :)

And already I've failed

So my plan was to blog every day or two, and I started out strong. But then... sigh... I quickly faded off.

Okay, so I do have an excuse. Everyone in the family has been sick. Not just a little annoying type of cold, but the kind of cold you get once every 5 years that just knocks the life outta ya.

I was at work on Tuesday this week. Yup - that's it. Tuesday. Been home since... mainly in bed. So at least I have that excuse. And I haven't been reading in that time. Heck - I haven't been THINKING during that time. I just kinda turned the brain off and wallowed in sickness.

Now Taly and Arja have it. Kanah was over it early this week.

I'm feeling like I may be on the upswing. So hopefully I'll get back into the swing on this blog thing. Until then, I just had to go on record excusing myself for the past week of inactivity.

More soon... I hope. And hopefully it will be about stuff that actually matters.

Grace Interrupting Karma

Bono, on the song "Grace", final song on "All That You Can't Leave Behind"...

"The universe operates by Karma, we all know that. For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. There is some atonement built in: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Then enters Grace and turns that upside down. I love it. I'm not talking about people being graceful in their actions but just covering over the cracks. Christ's ministry really was a lot to do with pointing out how everybody is a screw-up in some shape or form, there's no way around it. But then He was to say, 'Well, I am going to deal with those things for you. I will take on Myself all the consequences of sin." Even if you're not religious I think you'd accept that there are consequences to all the mistakes we make. And so Grace enters the picture to say, 'I'll take the blame, I'll carry your cross.' It is a powerful idea. Grace interrupting Karma."

Thanks Bono. I'm not so sure about the idea of "Christ pointing out how everybody is a screw-up in some shape or form". I think that is a bit of a stretch. Sure, he did that often when confronting the "religious right" of the day, but I wouldn't suggest that was a main thrust of his purpose.

I've never thought of putting the two concepts of Grace vs. Karma together like that. An interesting angle to discuss with a Buddhist. (Since I have so many of those conversations!) I did once know a girl who labelled herself a "Buddhist Christian"... not sure what that meant.

Comments wanted

Hey folks,

This may be my place to hash out my thoughts... my online journal. But it's certainly supposed to be interactive. So please feel encouraged to comment, debate, etc. It's all good. (And if I don't like what you say, I can always delete your comment! LOL!)

Happy Birthday, Babe!

Today we celebrate Arja's life - 30 years with us! Happy birthday to my beautiful wife!!!

A good friend and co-worker took the girls overnight for us (thank you Sandra!!). I had made the proverbial "best-laid plans" that were quickly waylayed by the snowy weather and busy traffic. Oh well - we had a fun time anyway.

After Arja had her 1-hour massage from Jen (thanks Jen!) we ended up getting dinner at Extreme Pita - not the romantic dinner I planned - but something we used to enjoy together years ago. And then it was off to Blockbuster to rent a movie and a quick stopover at Starbucks for some necessary beverage refreshment!

I think the best part of the weekend was being able to sleep in together until 9:30am! Wow - how much you take that for granted before you have children together!

A few hours of relaxed time at the mall, and then it was time to get the girls.

Soon we'll go out WITH the girls to celebrate tonight.

I'm so glad that I get to celebrate Arja's life with her. Thanks to Mom and Dad Albrecht for bringing her into the world 30 years ago, and raising a wonderful God-fearing woman who is perfect for me!!!

Arja - Happy Birthday. I love you! Thanks for choosing to spend life with me! I look forward to another 30 years or more! A couple lines from song lyrics come to mind:

"I'll never get tired of you." King's X
"All I want is you." U2

My heterosexual love affair with Bono & the boys

I love music. LOTS of various music. If you looked at my ipod, you'd see things ranging from Andrea Bocelli (an amazing operatic tenor), to Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, John Denver, Neil Diamond, Dave Brubeck, Nichole Nordeman, and lots of other various stuff.

I've always loved music. I remember being very young - my parents took me to see Mannheim Steamroller. They are from Omaha - my hometown. They were revolutionary in the late 70s and through the 80s in terms of electronic/acoustic fusion experimental stuff. Very cool stuff. I was ENAMOURED with them. I almost took piano lessons from their keyboardist.

I started playing piano around the age of 4. I picked up drums at 16. I started taking classical voice training in college.

Music has been a part of my life.

I've always had bands I loved. There have always been a few that I really followed. Rush was the first one. I was in high school. I was a drummer. I was into unique rock that wasn't stale. Rush blew my mind. Neil Peart of course was a god (small 'g'). Geddy Lee could play a bass like nobody else.

Then it was King's X. They are the ultimate "musician's band." They are astounding. I followed them for years.

I still love Rush and King's X. But I don't "follow" them anymore.

My band of choice is now U2.

U2 is a little more accessible than Rush or King's X. Almost anyone can listen to U2. I have a love affair with them. With their music. With them as people. With their shows. Okay - I'm not over-the-top like some people I know (initials D.F.). I don't go to 8 or more shows per tour. I've actually only seen one show live - Vertigo - opening night in Toronto. Somebody blessed my socks off by giving me her ticket to go with her husband. It was, without a doubt, one of the most generous things I've ever witnessed on that level (doesn't compare to saving a life or that sort - but on its own level - it was HUGE!).

I could probably write a book about why I love them. I won't do that. But I'll share some stuff. I may come back to the post once in awhile and add more. It won't be exhaustive... but if you are curious about my love of them, maybe this will shed some light. I'll list reasons, but they won't be hierarchical. Reason #1 isn't the top reason - it's just a reason. Much of this is based on personal experience listening and watching, but also reading. I've read a number of things about them. The best has been "U2 by U2". Arja gave it to me for Christmas. It's a gorgeous book. Lots of photos. All "them" - not someone else writing about them.

1) The music. OK - duh! Of course I like a band for their music. But there is something special about their music. It transcends time. The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree - they still are incredible albums with incredible songs. But look at how they've grown and changed. They've been at it for 30 years... and their music morphs and changes. I wish I had been into them in the early 90s when Achtung Baby came out. I was too into Rush to care about U2 at the time. But that was the album that defined them as a band that had the goods to stay. It was a radical departure, and it was HOT! They continue to do that - morph, change, and stay current. So current that they continue to gain new fans. I know of teenagers today who hear Vertigo and are like "wow - what a cool new band!" - sorry guys - they aren't new... they're old enough to be your dads! Heck, even young kids can get turned onto them - my girls LOVE them!

2) The "band" dynamic. I think it's special that it's been the 4 of them for 30 years, and it wouldn't be any other way. Who else has maintained that? I suppose the Stones for the most part... but they change up bass players and add backup singers and stuff. Not U2. It's the 4 of them... forever. They wouldn't have it any other way. You simply could not take any of them away and replace them with anyone else - it wouldn't work. I respect that. It makes them special. Sure - Larry isn't the most prolific drummer. I know of many drummers that could school him. But take him out and put in the most smokin' player, and it wouldn't be U2.

I love the fact that they work together, as a band. They actually drive producers and engineers CRAZY in the studio... because for the most part, they don't write songs before going to the studio. They go in, and WAIT for the songs to come to them... TOGETHER. They hash things out. They spend alot of time on it. They argue. They try different things. But they do it together for the most part.

There is sometime magical about the four of them together, and they know it. So do millions of fans who've seen them live. It's other-worldly... and I don't know how to explain it. They have something special when they are together on stage or in studio.

And they knew it too. That's why, 30 years ago, when they SUCKED as musicians, they believed they'd make it - because they felt something special.

3) Depth. They have depth as individuals. Their music has depth. They have character. All you have to do is start reading books and listening to them speak, and you learn how deep they are. Very few of their lyrics are "throw away". There is meat to almost every lyric they write. The music itself - it's not trite. It's unique. But it's not like listening to Tool or Dream Theatre - it's not so unique that it challenges your ear and your brain. Nope - it's unique, and it's sweet. It's easy to listen to. It's fun.

4) Making a difference. This one is mainly Bono. He's the one out their campaigning for AIDS and debt relief. The other guys let him do that. It's not that they don't care... they just know he's the best one to do it. I have watched Bono for several years. I've read his words and listened to him. He's the real deal. He's being Jesus to many people, and I respect him for that. He has learned how to take advantage of his status as celebrity and use it for good. He knows that because he's Bono, the singer of the world's biggest band, he can have an audience with the presidents of the nations, the decision makers of the world. He knows that he can exploit his fame in order to rally millions of people around a cause. Good for you, Bono. God has given you a platform, and you are using it!

5) Men of faith. I won't say much because there are lots of books to read about this. They are (except for Adam) men of faith in Jesus. It might look different than your faith or mine. Yes, Bono smokes cigars and drops the F-bomb. Yes, he dressed up as a devil on the Zoo Tour. If you doubt him, read his book "Bono: In Conversation". Read "U2 by U2".

I respect the way they've been able to integrate faith and real life. They aren't a "Christian band" and that's okay. They are a band.

This is turning out to be really lame. My writing doesn't do justice to the subject. So I'll stop for now. Sorry to be so lame... I think there's so much more to be said about this topic.

I think it's really cool that my girls love U2. They LOVE watching the Elevation or Vertigo tour DVDs. I've been asked 2 or 3 times in the last couple weeks, "Dad - you said you'd take us to see U2. When do we get to see them?" hehehe Makes a man realize what an impact he can have on his kids. I will take them on the next tour if at all possible. I'll be prepared to spend $1000 to take all four of us. A wise investment for one night? Heck ya! My kids will look back some day and say, "Remember when Dad took us to see U2. That was SO COOL!" It may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them. I'd much sooner spend money on that than to take them to Disneyworld. After all - remember that concert I said my parents took me to... that STILL remains as a highlight memory for me. And there it is.

Okay - enough for now.

If you want to learn more... go get a book. U2 by U2 is the best one I've read. And start listening to them.

Why I love volunteers

Where would we be at The Meeting House without our volunteers? NOWHERE!! I get to directly lead about 50 volunteers at our "main" Oakville location. If you aren't one of them, I doubt you can appreciate how much I value them.

I actually have a strange love-hate relationship with volunteers - not specific people - but with the whole thing. I won't lie - it's a pain. I mean, they don't "work" for me - so the dynamic is different. If they need to change their plans, they can, immediately. If they don't want to keep doing it, they can stop, immediately. And if they aren't pulling their weight, it's a little tough to bust their butts. See my point?

And yet, it's mindblowing how much these people give! I know it's true for all of our volunteer teams, but MINE just amaze me with how much they give.

So I have this whole pile of men and women that run cameras, direct video, mix audio, etc. etc. etc. None of them are "professionals", and yet the results - well if you have been to our little church, you've seen how good they are!

It's one thing for me to be there serving for 3 services on Sunday - it's my JOB! But the rest of my team have still put in 40, 50, 60 hours at work, spent time with their families, and then still give their time to the church. When I work extra one week - I take a day off during the next week. When they put in extra time at church, they can't take off during the week to make up time with their families! It's a humbling thing for me.

So I've just come off spending nearly 50 hours between Friday/Saturday and last night (Wednesday) completely revamping our lighting in the theatre. That meant we took down over 100 lights, recoloured them, changed bulbs, fixed lights, and then put them all back up again in a new configuration. It was a HUGE job. We finished this morning at 3am. There's a few more things to do, but the bulk is done. It looks incredible! (It wasn't my design. This is one of those incredibly talented volunteers. I wish I could hire him!)

Do you know that every moment I was there working on it, I had at least 2 volunteers working with me... sometimes 4 other guys were working on it. They were making cables, fixing fixtures, hanging lights, figuring out diagrams, moving manlifts, etc. It was a stinkload of work. My hands are raw. It looks so amazing.

I have a few volunteers that blow my mind. They are so dedicated, talented, humble, and supportive of my leadership. If I didn't have them, I'd quit my job... or at the very least, I'd fail at it.