WOO HOO!!

I'm excited! The parentals are coming down next week!! It's going to be great because my Dad's birthday is St. Patrick's Day so we'll get to celebrate together! I haven't been able to do that since we moved here. I'm excited!!

NetFlix

Ok, I must really be out of my mind but now I have joined NetFlix.(Melodie, you are a disciple of Netflix, I know. haha) And what are our first 3 movies? Let's see. 2 for Sabrina and one for me! haha Becoming Jane, The Astronaut Farmer and Night on Earth. By the way, I know I've mentioned Night on Earth to a few people who read this, anyone want to get together and watch it? Might not be everyone's cup of tea. It's been so long since I've seen it but I remember liking it. But, then again, I was a major hooligan at the time. So, we'll see. But, yeah, we have 32 movies in our que. But, then again, most of those are double sets, like the V TV show, Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, ya know, classic stuff. :) Sabrina made sure she put plenty of her own choices in there. I might actually watch one or two of them with her! haha

Oh my!

Danny Noriega, the whiny little emo kid who I thought was going to be in the Top 12 in American Idol is going home! I can't believe that America split up the couple! He and Ramiele seem to be having a bit of a connection. I really thought Chiekeze was going home but oh well! So I was wrong. Good luck to Danny in all seriousness. I actually enjoyed his version of Tainted Love. I hated to see Asia go home. She had such a good story.

American Idol-The Girls-what I thought

So, was it just me, or did the judges seem bored? They were constantly off track, well, at least Randy and Paula. Simon was right on. Amanda actually did the best followed by Brooke and hmmm, maybe I dunno. I like Kristy Lee but Faithfully didn't totally work for me. My guess is that Kady will be gone for sure. It's a toss up as to who else.

Oh yeah, my picture!

In case anyone wants to know, which I don't know who, but the picture you see on my blog is from May 7, 2006. After a long time of wrestling with whether or not to go through believer's baptism, I went through with it. One night earlier in the week, I felt God tell me to do it. And this time, I didn't argue or bicker about it because I didn't have a reason not to. It was something I had to do and should have done a long time ago. That was an interesting week. I left a band that I had been a part of. Basically parting ways with one of the guys in the band who I was good friends with. And then May 7, it was just awesome. My good friend Brian Hill did the honors. He was the church's children's minister and I'd been playing with him in our children's band for a long time. I just felt he was the right guy to do the baptizing. And I love him for it! I miss him too.

American Idol-The Girls

Yeah, I'll be watching the girls tonight. The guys did ok last night. David Cook impressed me with his rocking version of Lionel Richie's Hello. David A did ok with Phil Collins. Even dreadlock boy Jason Castro was impressive with his choice. Even whiny emo kid Danny wasn't all that bad, but probably on the bottom 3 as far as my favorites.
Who will go home from them? I'm guessing Luke and Chekieze. Danny is going to get the teenage girl vote mainly because he wears girl pants. At least he can sing. Unlike Sanjaya.
So, who will wind up going home from the girls? I guess we'll find out how they do. I can't see Kady hanging in there much longer. Not sure who else though. I like the rocker nurse but her voice will limit her on theme weeks. Could you imagine her doing a Barry Manilow song????

Parents

This is going to be quick since I have a men's Bible study to go to this morning, but I can't help but feel sad for my parents. They went to visit a long time friend in a nursing home the other day. I've known this lady all my life. She and her husband have been married for nearly 75 years! They walked into the room and she had no clue who they were. When Dad sent me the e-mail on that I just didn't know what to say. I still don't. I'm not sure what this lady has but whatever it is has deteriorated her quickly. I just pray that the Lord will take her home soon.

American Idol

I just have one hope for tonight. That come Thursday, America will vote off the whiny emo kid with the sassy attitude.
When in Alabama, if there is someone in the competition, expect to hear about them constantly on the news. The President could be decapitated and that contestant would still be the top story. I started watching the year of Daughtry. Yeah, he rocks. He should have won. Taylor was fun but Daughtry is much better and his album sales have proved it. So, I'm off to play some guitar while the show is on tonight. Good practice time.

Storm wasn't all that bad

Ok, the storms didn't get too crazy, at least, not at my place. I have no idea what's going on around me. But, I hear rain outside but that's it. No more lightnight and thunder. As Eric Clapton sang "Let It Rain, Let It Rain!". But, he was talking about love I believe. haha Off to the church to pray and then to work.

Oh yeah, selfless promotion

www.myspace.com/theacousticjohnnymetal

Gotta promote my tunes! Someone might fall asleep to them. haha

Storm's a comin

So I thought I'd play around with this old site for a while. It needed an upgrade.
I had done this great post but somehow got lost. Oh well. Here's another shot at it.
So, we have this little storm coming through the area. One thing about the south that I've learned is that it has 3 seasons. Summer, Football and Tornado. We're in tornado season right now. What I would not give for 3 feet of snow from the folks up North!
God has blessed me with some new people to hang out with. Not just me, but me and Sabrina, my wife. A couple of ladies from her Bible study invited us to hang with them and some other friends after church on Sunday nights and we have really bonded well with all who is involved. I'd been in a drought when it came to friends lately so this is very much welcomed.
We have a homegroup which is also awesome. It's a great place to be. But, I'm ready to go that next step into Biblical community with them. We've been going through 1 Thessalonians and wow, the truths that are found in there! Well, the whole Bible!
I've also had the chance to jam with a fellow musician from church. You can check out her music at www.myspace.com/dwatts1. Her and her guitar player have been playing acoustic gigs here and there and I've had the chance to learn her tunes and get up with her and jam on a couple of them. It's helped me as a musician in many ways. Since I long gave up on my ear, it's given my the confidence that I can still pick out music by ear. Plus her songs really connect with where I'm at in many ways.
So I'm hoping to get back to using this site. To anyone who reads this, be blessed!!

JC

Long time no blog!

Ok, I confess. My Space has taken over my life. haha As I type this one out. It's going to be random musings going through my head. It's 5:30 in the morning so everything will probably be unedited.
I'm getting ready to head to Salisbury MD this weekend. In just a few short hours I'll be on the plane. I'm looking forward to a lot of things. One, my family is going to meet me there. My brother and his wife are also coming. I'm going up for my 20th class reunion. I'm looking forward to seeing how people have changed over 20 years. I've been kind of joking with folks at church that I'm going on my second mission trip of the year. If you are reading about this and have no clue as to what I'm referring to, then let me fill you in. In June of this year, my wife, Sabrina, went on a trip to Honduras and then in July, I got to go to Venezuela. It was an amazing trip. But, more on that at another time.
My class reunion. It's a bit odd of me to go to this because I went to this school for only my senior year. So really, I won't know hardly anyone! But, I'm looking forward to being as crystal clear as to where I stand and that is to be a disciple maker for Christ. I must admit that I'm haunted by something our pastor said this past week. He and a couple other staff members were in the Middle East and he had just returned a couple days earlier. He spoke of a Muslim family that they spent time with. They said, and I'm paraphrasing, to hear the cries of hell and not be able to stand it. And that's coming from a Muslim!
Church. We need to be a church who hears the cries of hell and not be able to stand it!
So, I pray that God gives me clarity, wisdom and discernment as I spend time with folks I went to school with. I'm hoping to catch up with some great friends while I'm there. Whew! I'll need a vacation just to recover from this one!

Why am I awake at 3:32 in the morning?

Well, I fell asleep at 8 last night. So, I figured I'd gotten in a good 7 hours of sleep already. I dunno. Work has been driving me crazy lately. Dumb little things have been getting to me. I guess I've never been much for the small stuff of the world but sometimes the small stuff does add up. And I hate that I've been letting it get to me.
I'm getting to go home soon. That'a a huge thing! A month and a half or so I still have to wait, but it will be well worth it. I need a break from Alabama. Granted, I love the people that I have become friends with but I just can't seem to feel at home here. I miss home. Home, by the way is Maryland. I miss my family. Something just feels just feels so incomplete to me here in Alabama.
Well, I'm going to quit now so I don't depress anyone.

Random thoughts and musings

It's interesting the things you hear about sometimes. Like this morning. I go to a website to check on some wrestling news and discovered Chris Candido passed away! I couldn't believe it! He was a great wrestler and will be missed. Now, I wonder what will become of Sunny? Last I heard, she put on weight and was going to be an airline stewardess.
Anyway, I just wanted to say something about that. Another wrestler gone too soon.

Why did I just rent that movie?

Ok, we just finished watching Napoleon Dynamite. I have but one question to myself. Why did I rent that?

Journey

No, this isn't going to be about who's crying now and I won't say for you to don't stop believin, but I will say to come to Christ with Open Arms. With that, I'm going my separate ways........


Ok, thank you thank you. I'll be in Vegas the rest of the week starting the second Wednesday of the month.

Ok, now for the serious stuff. First off, Healing the Masculine Soul. I have yet to read the second chapter for this week and I will probably work on that over the weekend. It took me three readings through the first chapter to understand it and myself a little bit. Getting this chance to truly shed the "Johnny Metal" character has been a monkey off my back that I have needed to do for a long time. It felt good being myself the other night. There is still a lot of work to be done though. Keep praying for me there.
Secondly, Sacred Romance. Another one that I will probably work on this weekend. Well, Friday. Getting me back where I belong with God. He called me out on December 24, 1997 and I came, a bundled heap of humanity that needed a Savior. I want to be that bundled heap of humanity again in a fresh way. When I first came to Him. The feelings of joy and release.
Thirdly. Deb-Proof Your Marriage. Yes, I know. 3 books at once. How am I doing it? I've been reading a chapter of this a day lately and it's opening my eyes to how I spend my money and how I need to work on that part of my marriage as well. God is showing me all kinds of things I need to work on in my life and while He's doing it now like Mike Tyson knocking out an opponent in no time, I'm willing to take the punches and ride the journey of Life with Him and some brothers.
Fourthly. The band. No, not Alan, Laura and the gang, although I miss playing with them as well, but the Possum dude and the Torch and um, whatever we call the drummer. :-) We need a bassist!! 3 jams and 2 songs later. That's pretty amazing. I can't believe I wrote a friggin breakdown though! Me, the anti-breakdown king. Oh well, God is showing me something there too. I'm excited about that as well. It's good to have bands of brothers.
Fifthly. Brother Bill, I'll be praying for you. I'm going to miss you coming in the store in the mornings. But, I promse you, we'll be dropkicking and bodyslamming each other a plenty when the day comes and we're in God's House together. See you in HuntsVegas soon!
Alright, time to head to work. Keep praying for me folks. God is working with me and I can use all the prayers. God Bless!!

Shma-March 5th and other music notes

Wow, it's been a while since I posted anything here. Well, let me say that March 5th was an incredible night of metal mayhem. 540+ people. Crowd control? HAH!! FORGET ABOUT IT! Thrown out the window! Or, in some cases, thrown off the stage. Reminded me of the night I saw Pantera back in Salisbury. Only, I didn't come home smelling like pot, cigarettes, smoke, sweat and booze. Just a bit sweaty. I felt bad that we had some PA problems. While on the stage for the Showdown, all I could hear was drums and vocals. BTA said they were having problems too, but I thought they sounded fine. All the bands were great. Now for some new news. It's looking like I'm in another band. Which is cool because I'm getting to do something I wanted to do with the Possum dude and he hooked up with a guy who posts on the board who knew of a good drummer now all we need is a bass player. And hey, we got a song done! I can't say that I have contributed a whole lot to the writing process yet, but in time, I will. I hope to still get a chance to play with Laura and Alan and the gang. Those guys will help me keep my chops up. I'm just happy to have this opportunity to jam with guys and be in an awesome community. I'm looking forward to getting to know the other bandmates a little better in time as well. I even think all of the wives of the band would all get along smashingly. That would be a plus!
No Disciple show for me this weekend. Laura wasn't feeling so hot and Sabrina has to work early Sunday morning and I also need to be up early to make sure she is up early. Plus, I get to play for the kids at church on Sunday as well. That also is a serious blessing. Let's see, anything else? Nah, I don't think so. I have Terror sitting here on my lap just a purring away. I think she likes having me home. She can be lazy on me. Go figure. Anywho, God Bless!

Ok, so what did we do on our day off?

Good question! I'm glad you asked! So, we did a little running around. We had a nice lunch at Moe's. Always go too much on their hard rock salsa though. Always leaves the tongue burning. Thank goodness for Coldstone! Then, off to promote the next Shma show. Wow, that is going to be an amazing show. 4 awesome bands for 5 bucks. It'll be great to see Mortal Treason again. Showdown, Becoming the Archetype as well. Showbread is cool but never was a huge fan of them. Then, we met Joey and Renea for a little dinner and then, off to the movies. Hitch. Ok, wasn't my cup of tea. But, then again, not many people would want to watch the movies I would want to see. I felt like I needed to see a movie like SAW after watching Hitch. But, anywho, there you have it. So, naturally, Sabrina's disappointed in me not liking the movie because we rarely agree on a movie.
Now, just as a sidenote, isn't it horrible and degrading that entertainers get so desparate that they have to pose for a magazine like Playboy? Case in point. Debbie Gibson. I was saddened to even notice a Playboy in Sam Goody's (when did they start carrying them?) and notice that she was featured in the mag. Sad. I guess her "Electric Youth" days are long gone and she can't seem to recapture the magic anymore. Anywho, that is my rant on that.

Oooo YAY! A Day off!!!

Just wanted to say that both the Mrs and I have the day off together! YAHOO!!! This is rare and we're going to take full advantage of it! See you at the next Shma show! :-D

Just a Prayer

Lord, the one thing I pray for today is that You show me the community You and You alone want me to be with. Thank You Lord for how You have blessed me and even though I am far from perfect, You still love me for the egotistical, prideful sinner that I am. Thank You Jesus for what You did for me on the cross. Help me to always know You are near. Bless this day and all days to come.