Thanksgiving

I may have already mentioned this, but...I love Thanksgiving!

Why, you ask? Let me count the ways...

1. Good times with family. Cathy and I had a great Thanksgiving Day with Bob & Sherry, and Zach & Sarah. Plenty of laughter and memories for later years...
   
   
2. Good food. At the Baker household, we are ham people. Its not that we don't like turkey, its just that...well...a spiral cut honey ham is just hard to beat. Especially with Cathy's Crock Pot mac & cheese, and a good pumpkin pie. (Have mercy, I'm gonna have to heat up some more leftovers soon!)
   
   
3. Good fun. From family games (Michigan Rummy, Scrabble, Cranium) to the Baker holiday tradition (for Brandon, Zach and I) of multiplayer first-person shooter video games (as Cathy says, "Are y'all shooting each other AGAIN?"), I always enjoy the holiday weekends.
   

But, there is one thing I sort of dread about Thanksgiving, and that is the day AFTER Thanksgiving. Why? Because it usually means getting all the Christmas stuff down from the attic (we have LOTS of Christmas boxes), buying and setting up the "real tree" (lots of sap and needles), and setting up the "fake-O" artificial tree (takes forever). I mean, shouldn't this time be reserved for, say, watching the Hokies perform their yearly stomping of the UVA Wahoos?

Well, for some reason, this year the dreaded day was...well, enjoyable! Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, because my traditional "day-after" whining is not what it used to be. Yesterday, Cathy and I went and bought our real tree at Lowe's, and the cutting and setup actually went well (for once)! And even better, we are going to wait until later this week to put up the fake-O tree. So, this has all added up to a rather relaxing & enjoyable weekend.

I am excited about hanging out with Brandon and Megan tomorrow, who will be stopping by after their visit to Megan's family in Waynesville NC. I hope we can have one of our, shall we say, "memorable" family dinner/game nights... Can anyone say "Dr. Ruth"?

lol

Thankful

All right, it's Thanksgiving Day!

Regardless of our circumstances, we all have a lot to thank God for. I feel particularly blessed this Thanksgiving...God has given me so much, I don't know where to begin.

I am thankful for...

• A God who "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Who created the universe and all its wonders, yet cared for Brian Baker enough to call me to himself, that cold Sunday in January 1991. Who by His grace is willing and able to forgive my ever-increasing mountain of sin (and in fact has already done so!) Amazing.
• A wife who loves me unconditionally, who puts up with my annoying habits, who serves me in so many little ways that usually go unmentioned. A truly godly Proverbs 31 type woman, who loves God and other people with all her heart. She is my soul mate, my only true love, my best friend, my inspiration and role model. She is truly a gift from God. Cathy, I love you!
  
• Two of the finest stepsons a guy could ask for. My boys, by and large, have steered clear of the vices that drag down many a young man, and instead have kept on the narrow path. My boys serve God according to the talents and abilities He has given them, and I couldn't ask for more. They are funny, talented, well-mannered, honest, and hard-working. Guys, I love you too.
• "My girls", Megan and Sarah. You two are truly answers to my prayer that God would send our boys women who put Him first, who see the "big picture", who serve and love others selflessly. Love you guys...er, gals!
  
• A wonderful career at Michelin. I am thankful to work for a conservative company that focuses on long-term success, not short-term gain. I'm also thankful for a great bunch of co-workers that I have the pleasure of working with daily. God has truly provided for me (and my family) through this great job.
  
• A great home. I am thankful for a warm, happy home. Every day after work, I look forward to getting home to see Cathy (and Rupert, ha!). Rupert's "Daddy's home!" routine is truly something to behold (just ask Cathy, she'll tell you). These are truly the "good times" that everyone dreams of...I thank God for every day like this that He gives me.
• A great extended family (Mom, David & Cindy& Russell, Teresa & Mike & McKenzie, Angela & Mike & girls). I only get to see Mom & the sibs once or twice a year, but we always have a blast together. I am thankful for a Mom and Dad who gave me a great childhood, one of laughter, security, and memories. I am also thankful for a supportive and loving bunch of in-laws: Bob & Sherry, Fran & Steve...you all have done so much for Cathy and I over the years!
  
• My country, the great US of A. I am thankful to be a citizen of the greatest country in the world, a country that despite its many flaws, is still the best example of freedom, liberty, and democracy in the entire world. I'm thankful for the founding fathers, whose God-given wisdom has given us 200+ years of stability, strength, and prosperity. I'm thankful for the sacrifices made by our servicemen so that we can continue to experience freedom.
• The gift of music, which God has used to touch my soul in ways that words never could. I am thankful for the musical abilities He has given me, and I intend to use them for His glory. From bluegrass to baroque, rock to reggae, swing to salsa, metal to mariachi -- if it's music, I love it! I am especially thankful for my Christian band-mates (Dave, Benji, Mike), who make "gigging" a blast!

I'm sure there are many more things I'm gonna realize I left out, but these are the biggies. It has been a great year, and I have a LOT to be thankful for.

Remember the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers in Luke 17?

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

Well, I want to be the one guy that takes the time to stop, turn around, and thank God for what He has done for me.

Don't you?

Update

Wow, its been a while... Lots going on this fall, to wit:

• Cathy and I (for some reason) have gotten into watching these new-style crime shows (NCIS, Law and Order, Law and Order Criminal Intent, CSI, CSI-NY, CSI-Miami, etc). Only problem is, Cathy usually guesses the plot way early in the show. I'm don't get upset that she spoiled the plot...I get upset that I have to keep admitting she was right!

• First Baptist Simpsonville is gradually starting to feel more like home. We had a great fellowship time with our Sunday School class at Cracker Barrell this past Friday. This Sunday, we went to the traditional service (8:45 AM) and...really enjoyed it. Good to hear the old hymns again, and also the choir/orchestra. Also, I'm going to play trumpet with the orchestra for the Christmas musical. I think at has been four years or so since I last played the horn...time to blow the dust out.
  
  
• Looking forward to Thanksgiving, and getting the chance to see the kids (B/M/Z/S) again... I'm looking forward to: eating a big meal with the whole group, saying the blessing (ha), party games afterward, and exhilirating discussions (oh mercy). Also, Thanksgiving means pumpkin pie, and Rupert and I have been practicing our pie-eating this week! yeah buddy.
  
  
• Been playing a lot of bluegrass gigs lately. What a great hobby: go play my favorite music, get out of doing yardwork, and get paid to boot! Seriously, my band mates are a great bunch of Christian guys, really fun to hang out with.
  
  
• It's been getting pretty cold here in Sville lately (hate it). Those of us who hate being cold (you know who you are) start to dread this time of year. But, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to fight ole Jack Frost: large hot chocolates, king-size heated blanket, ceramic heater for the bathroom, heavy lined corduroy shirts, thick hunting socks, wool pea coat, Hand Warmers. Wow, after making that list, winter doesn't seem so threatening...bring it on!

Oh well, that's my cheesy update... I hope to resume more frequent blogging during the dreary (but warm!) winter months.

Later tater.

Dole

The year was 1993, and the place was Simpsonville SC (more specifically West Georgia Road, and even more specifically the passenger seat of Jim Frady's car).

My trusty daily driver, a 1966 Pontiac Lemans, was in the shop for repairs, and I was carpooling with a good friend and co-worker. Jim came every morning that week, picked me up at home on Pliney Circle, and drove me on to MARC where we both worked (and still do!). Each day as we drove to and from work, behind our conversation I could hear some really, er, different music coming from his cassette tape player.

Asking Jim what kind of music that was, he said it was bluegrass. More specifically, he had a tape of the Dillards (aka the Darling Family from the Andy Griffith show) and another tape of a band called Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Now, Jim hails from Waynesville NC, and he said this kind of music was quite popular up in the mountains of North Carolina. I remember he and I chuckling at a Doyle song called "Stormy Waters", where the bass singer seemed to go so low it made the speakers rumble..."Tis the rock of ages, cleft for MEEEEEEEEEE." I also got a kick when Jim told me that the proper mountain pronunciation was "Dole", not "Doy-le" (silent y!)

I recall deciding that I liked that kind of music - it was upbeat, with great vocal harmonies, intricate picking, and lots of gospel-related content. Over the next year, I bought a bunch of bluegrass CDs from Horizon Records, the best store in Greenville for bluegrass. I took a particular liking to Doyle Lawson's music, and ended up with at least half a dozen of his CDs.

Shortly thereafter, I decided I wanted to learn to play this style of music. I bought a banjo (sorry Cathy) and started trying to teach myself how to "pick". I played those CDs over and over, singing along and trying to pick the banjo that fast (forgive me, Cathy!)

Fast forward 10+ years to 2008, specifically yesterday afternoon.

My band, Last Road, was honored to be able to open for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver at Greenville's Peace Center! Now just so you understand, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is probably one of the top two bluegrass groups in existence today (the other being Del McCoury). Their live shows are so polished, they sound identical to their studio CDs -- perfect playing, perfect vocals. They have won the IBMA award for "Best Bluegrass Vocals" seven years in a row. Doyle is considered a bluegrass legend in his own right, having gotten his start in the original Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys (the band from which bluegrass got its name).

So to put this in terms for the average person, this is the equivalent of a budding actor being asked to co-star in a movie with Harrison Ford, or a fledgling basketballer getting the opportunity to go one-on-one with MJ. What a blessing!

It felt surreal, standing backstage looking out at the beautiful three-tiered Peace Center auditorium, and watching as Doyle and his band members ran a sound check. They rolled through a couple numbers, checking microphone levels and mix. Then, they put their instruments down, stepped up to their mics, and launched into a flawless acapella version of...Stormy Waters!

I instantly thought of that moment in Jim's car, and realized that a dream of mine had come true.

Once again, and this can't be understated...God is good!

Bummed?

I'm bummed. And not for the reason you think.

I'm bummed because my sweetheart is sick, and I can't do anything to speed her recovery. Hopefully, after a few days of bed rest and taking it easy, Cathy will feel good as new. Oh, and a heaping bowl of Breyer's mint chocolate chip should help the healing process, too! ha

I am NOT bummed about the election. Sure, the election did not go the way I wanted it to, and I am disappointed. But although I think Obama's positions on economics, abortion, and foreign policy will in the long run be harmful to the country I love, I am not going to mope and despair. God is still in control, and He is still busy accomplishing His purposes through His Word, preached to the lost by His people. Our hope is not in the political process, nor either political party; it must remain in Christ, and in Christ alone.

So as Christians, we can go forward with our chins up, knowing that nothing eternal changed yesterday: God is still God, He is still in the business of saving lost souls, He still wants us to press on with the unique tasks He has given each of us, and He still wants our focus to be on Him.

And as a conservative, the same applies. I need not change my principles and values just because they are not in vogue at the moment. We need to stick to our guns (literally and figuratively, ha), speak the truth, and let the chips fall where they may.

To borrow from Republican blogstress Michele Malkin:

There is no time to lick wounds, point fingers, and wallow in post-election mud.

I’m getting a lot of moan-y, sad-face “What do we do now, Michelle?” e-mails.

What do we do now? We do what we’ve always done.

We stand up for our principles, as we always have — through Democrat administrations and Republican administrations, in bear markets or bull markets, in peacetime and wartime.

We stay positive and focused.

We keep the faith.

We do not apologize for our beliefs. We do not re-brand them, re-form them, or relinquish them. We defend them.

We pay respect to the office of the presidency. We count our blessings and recommit ourselves to our constitutional republic.

We gird our loins, to borrow a phrase from our Vice President-elect.

We lock and load our ideological ammunition.

We fight.

So, the nonstop worship of the Obamessiah doesn't get me down...I have my own mission and my own tasks, and I'm gonna keep my focus.

Good day!