“The finest men in all the world are not to be found in the warm, genial climates, where the earth has only to be tickled with a hoe, and it laughs with plenty; but the strongest and the most enterprising spirits have been found at the back of the north wind, where there are frosts and ice, and long, dreary winters, and men have a hard struggle for a livelihood. They become really men under that stern training. Now, if there were no thorns and thistles, no struggles and no trials, should we have any brave Christians? Should we have any great and noble souls at all? When did the Church yield her best men for her Lord’s service? It was in the persecuting times, when they had to swim through seas of blood to hold fast the truth of Christ. These are silken days, and we have wretched specimens of Christians everywhere; but if the times of persecution were to come once more, with the rough winds blowing, and the whole sea of the world tossed in tempest, we should then find brave sailors who would put the ship’s head to the wind, and ride safely over the stormy billows in the name of the Eternal God.” Spurgeon, C. H.
From the Thorns and Thistles Sermon, Vol 39.
This year, Compassion International brought some people to see the operations in India. I was invited, but at several thousand dollars, I simply couldn’t afford it at this time. They put a short thank you video together for the sponsors. It is very heart warming and encouraging. I cannot put into words how much sponsoring a child has affected me. I strongly recommend sponsoring a child.
Matthew has requested a trombone several times. This latest occurrence happened over the cell phone; I often play my trumpet during breaks at work. I had finished playing and called Jenn, who hands the phone over Matthew who wanted to talk to me.
Matthew: What are you doing daddy?
Me: I was playing my trumpet.
Matthew: I want a trombone.
Me: You are too small for a trombone. You need to wait until you get bigger. A trombone is too big for you.
Matthew: I want a small trombone, like on Jack’s Music Show. They have small trombones.
Me: Those are just pretend trombones for fun. They don’t actually play.
Matthew: Trombones are actually made of dirt. Somehow, trombones come from dirt.
Then suddenly a busy signal. I try to call back but Matthew doesn’t answer. Later, Jenn mentions that Matthew couldn’t figure out how to answer the phone when I called back, but he continued to talk as if he was talking to me.
Matthew: I’m sorry daddy. I was waiting for you and I love you and I forgive you.
It sure is wonderful to be forgiven. 
I’ve been reading the works of John Owen lately and it is difficult reading, but there are many great insights into the Scriptures. I want to share some of the things I’ve been reading, so I’ll post short bits here. Feel free to add comments as you desire.
In this post, John Owen describes the character of an apostate, a person who is said to “taste the good word”, but later they are found to fall away. This is from Heb 6:4-6, and you should be able to mouse over the scripture reference and the scripture will pop-up for you to read.
“When men feed on the word, it is turned into a principle of life, spiritual strength, and growth within; which a taste of it only will not give. As food, when it is digested, turns into flesh and blood and spirits, so doth the word, and Christ therein, unto the souls of men spiritually. Hence Christ becometh “our life,” and “liveth in us,” as the efficient cause of our spiritual life, Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:3; and we grow and increase by the word, 1 Pet. 2:2. A mere taste, though it may yield present refreshment, yet it communicates no abiding strength. Hence multitudes relish the word when it is preached, but never attain life, or strength, or growth by it.” (John Owen, The Works of John Owen vol. 7, 31)
We went to the San Jose fireworks this year. We parked perhaps 1 mile away and walked until we were in front of the Municipal Stadium and surrounded by people. When the fireworks started we could see the spot they were being launched: across the street, over a fence and in the back of the Stadium, perhaps 1/2 a block from where we stood.
Last year Matthew missed the Fireworks, this year he was exuberant. Take a look at the videos. He’s standing a little funny because he’s was sitting on a parking cone. I had to adjust the light level in the video processing program, so it’s a little grainy, but notice where Matthew says, “I love the whole world”. Wow, if only we can all just get a little dose of them fireworks every day, the world would be a better place. 
If you have a high speed connection, the high quality videos are available for viewing at the link below.
Click here to go to the Video gallery, or play them below.
Matthew and the Fireworks
Part of the Finale
I marched with the Live Oak Emerald Regime Alumni Marching Band in the Morgan Hill 4th of July Parade this year. We won 1st place for Adult Band, which is encouraging, but it was more rewarding to see old friends and catch up with each other a bit. We hung out after practices chatting and having fun. My friend Dan Hirschler visited from Rippon, CA and even stayed a couple nights at my place. One of the trumpet players, Ernie Molina, visited from Washington D.C. where he’s a now an immigration attorney for the government. And there were many other stories from old friends.
But let’s get serious for a second, it’s all about the music! I do wish we played a few more songs, and there are plans for more songs to be added to the repertoire next year. Meanwhile, watch a few of the videos and pump up the volume—-marching band music is meant to be loud!
If you have a high speed connection, the high quality videos are available for viewing at the link below.
Click here to go to the SmugMug gallery for these videos
Stars and Stripes Forever
My Way
Cadence
