I Used To Hate Christian Music

There was a time in my life that Christian music turned me off.  If it came on the radio, it would immediately get changed, to more than likely country or NPR.  Then one day, one of my best friends Gayle, a University of Florida County Extension Agent was going on and on about this group Avalon, and how they were playing in Orlando.  As I recall, it was about October 2005, and I think she even got out of a work detail to go see them.  Because of that interaction with Gayle, it made an impression causing me to to think, "hey, if she thinks they're this good, I'll give it a listen."

When I finally heard the song Testify to Love, it made such a deep impression that I'll never forget.  The song means to me, the very crutch of what it means to be a Christian.  For Mr. Gus, being a minister of the Lord, a Christian, an evangelist, a pastor or chaplain or a good neighbor (in the biblical sense) means simply that I testify to love, showing Christ's example in everything I do.  It's not about living within the confines and structure or a particular religion, but following the example of the world's ultimate example of love. Since that time I have grown to love Christian music for what it represents, namely nurturing a relationship with God, showing gratitude for all things including challenges and taking care of what matters most which is our relationships with others, especially family.

Thank you Gayle for your witness to Christ by publicly sharing your passion for music with your colleagues at work.  I'm forever grateful that you testified to love.  Below are the lyrics, credits and how you can buy the song.

Testify to Love

by Avalon

All the colors of the rainbow
All the voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation
Lives to testify

Chorus
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
When words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the hope in every heart will
Speak what love has done

Chorus 3 times

Writer(s): Henk Pool, Ralph van Manen, Robert T. Riekerk
Copyright: Universal/Mca Music Holland B.V.

Album: A Maze Of Grace, available on iTunes, Play Store or your favorite music vendor.  Google the song, and it will pop up on YouTube to hear it for free.  Like this link.

Peace On Earth Discovered Right Near By

Photo by Kristen Sanderson

For the past couple of weeks I've been wondering what an appropriate story may be for Christmas Eve and this holiday season. I think I've found it, which is finding peace.

One of the greatest blessings we all have this holiday season is the fact that the last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war. Full Story.  What could be better than the gift of Peace for the holidays?

As a 4-H Youth Development Agent, with every kid we reach and child we teach our goal is to impart instruction in life skills so as to make a long lasting, positive impact in a child's life that with culminate in positive behavior change.  In 4-H we typically think of the Life Skill Model most memorable attributes of Leadership, Citizenship, Record Keeping, etc.  On the other sides of the Skill Wheel are categories of Caring, Relating and Living which include the skills of empathy, concern for others and stress management.  These are some of the life skills of peace, and there are others.

One of my fellow outdoor bloggers, March of March's Outdoor Adventures wrote about this putting it in a spiritual context. He goes to the woods to find peace and clarity and to communicate with God. His article, What You Can Learn In The Outdoors, prompted me to consider, "What are we doing to teach the critical attributes of Relating, Caring and Sharing with the youth that we reach?"  In a Scouting program, those similar qualities might be included in the Scout Laws friendly, courteous, kind and reverent - also peaceful skills.

In our instruction we can make significant strides in teaching these softer life skills by emphasizing teamwork and cooperation, as might be part of a group project.  Concern for others can be taught when an older, more experienced young adult steps into a teaching position to help a brand new fly fisherman learn to cast or archer to shoot their bow.  Stress management can be taught through imparting words of wisdom in thoughts of the day or by simply making lanyards at camp or by sitting on a dock holding a fishing pole with their feet dangling down.  All children need these skills, not just so that they have them in adulthood, but so as to cope with the stresses they find themselves in now.  I challenge my readers to leave the house this holiday season and go to a nearby park or waterfront to seek inward peace, and then share that with someone you know.

The Winderness Grace, Perfect for PC Gatherings

From about 1967 to about '73 I spent my summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM.  I could tell you about the activities, treks and adventures I had, but I'll save that until another time.

One of the things that sticks out most in my mind is that when I was a Cub Scout, and my parents were training, we always ate lunch in the dining hall.  Just before we always said grace, which was printed on the wall.  This was very odd to me at first, because this particular mealtime prayer was something very different to me - not the praying part, but the prayer itself.  To this day, forty-four years later, I still remember it.  It is called the Wilderness or Philmont Grace, and it goes...

For food, for raiment (meaning clothing),
For life, for opportunities
For friends and this fellowship,
We thank Thee, O Lord. Amen

A few months ago I attended a conference of the Extension Professionals Association of Florida.  As the FANREP (FL Assn. of Natural Resource Agents) president I was slated to emcee a luncheon that hosted about 350 guests.  I was told by my colleague who was in a supervisory role, to make everyone feel welcome, but not to say a blessing for the food.  I knew why, because after all, we're a government organization, 'church and state", and that rationale.  I can understand the concept, but at the time I didn't feel right.   Midway through the lunch, I interjected a comment of apology to the audience for not saying grace, because after all we have a lot to be thankful for, and in lean budget and economic times, we need all the divine help we can get.  After the luncheon five or six people told me I handled it well.

Photo Credit: Ministry To The Military Itnl.

Since then I have noticed that my County Commissioners say an invocation before each board meeting, Congress prays at the state and national houses, and we still have "in God we trust" printed on our money.  A million people have argued for and against this practice at public gatherings.  We've all heard them, so I won't go on.  When you consider the Wilderness Grace above, it says all we need to say and should not be particularly offensive to any person or one particular denomination, except for the "Lord word", referring to Jesus Christ.  The word God could be substituted to also include Allah, Yahweh, Jehovah or Higher Power for some.  I challenge my readers to continue this practice of giving thanks to our God, however you picture God to be, and to ask for His blessings to us all.  Heaven knows we need them and have a lot to be thankful for.

Professional Shooter

I get paid to see that kids get a safe, fun and rewarding experience in the shooting sports. I guess by that definition of my job, you could say that I’m a professional shooting instructor. Technically its true, but something about the statement seems false. Perhaps it’s too good to be true. Don’t get me wrong, its not like I’m out there teaching defensive tactics or how to put a sniper round through the target at 1000 meters. It’s more like taking a covey of 8 year olds and making sure they don’t shoot each other’s eye out. I’m joking. It’s more than that. It is about fulfilling a kids basic need to squeeze the trigger or release the bow string to let that projectile fly, just like the heros they sometimes imagine to be. At the same time, I might be able to influence the child into becoming a better citizen or someday making wiser choices. Very rewarding.

Last night I skipped out on archery class so that I could attend the Jr. Air Rifle Class up North, which meets the same time. Although I was reluctant to miss archery, it was a good thing. The clubs are supposed to be run by volunteers, and when I’m there the leader lets me take over. I need to help them grow in independence, relying on the parents to step in. I also had to miss seeing my daughter shoot, but that's a good thing sometimes too as she acts differently when I watch. Reports of the meeting were that although things did not go as smoothly as usual, it was a good night anyway.

This is the my first posting...

I call myself a “regular Joe” because I think I am fairly typical of a lot of guys out there.


I’m the grandson of immigrants along with my five siblings, the child of parents growing up in suburbia, a parent of four great kids and the grandpa of four youngins’. I work hard for a living, knowing that while I’m at work I think about home and while at home I think about work. It seems I always need to be somewhere else. My Dad and brother served in the military. Of my children, one of my sons is a student and one is a US Marine. Of my daughters, one is a teacher and one is a student. My Step-daughters are jewels and one of my many many blessings.


Professionally I am an former NASA program manager, and a current government employee working with kids in youth development, teaching all of the shooting sports disciplines. In the program I developed, my volunteers and I teach approximately 1000 kids per year of every imaginable background. I owe my successes to the gifts I’ve received in building partnerships, relating with people (especially youth), a love of the outdoors, great mentors, and an understanding and loving wife. Even though I do not directly mention God. He is creator of all good things to whom I am grateful beyond words.  Listen to this podcast, Size: 1.5 mb, Time: 1:36.