On our maiden voyage with Princess Cruise Lines, we were introduced to the physical comedy of Uber Rissi.  Just check out a few of his expressions I captured during his comedy presentation.

Kyler Irwin was a great help for us on the Australia / New Zealand Praise & Harmony tour in April.  Here's a photo of Kyler waving his arms on the North Island of New Zealand.

While visiting the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand, we came upon many historical sites.  The first capital of New Zealand was located there and many of the first European settlers arrived in that area first.  Thus, we found many signs documenting the history as we traveled.  After reading sign after sign with the dates and description of their historical significance, I busted out laughing as I came upon this sign:

I found this funny sign in Brisbane:

As we were going through Customs in Brisbane, Australia, we placed our luggage on a scanner machine for security clearance.  The government official asked me, "Where are the lollies?"  I said, "What's that?"  He repeated, in an increasingly accusatory tone, "Where are the lollies???"  My puzzled expression darted from one piece of luggage to the next, wondering what he was looking for.  Upon opening our baggage, he found herbs and vitamins, apparently thinking they were some sort of American candy.  I love European chocolate, so why would I be smuggling American candy?

When you think "Amish," you probably don't think of technology, do you?  First they added electricity, now they have a web presence at http:www.amish.net   Thanks to Bill Carlisle for passing this along.

Hope to see many of you at the Tulsa Workshop this week.  Family reunions can be very sweet.  Acappella will be singing on Saturday at noon this year.  Anthony and I are leading worship Saturday evening.

I love breakfast!  Probably more than I should.  My mom and Sharon make the best biscuits and gravy ever.  Blueberry pancakes or nut and grain pancakes are fabulous.  Eggs and crispy bacon, smoked sausage and country ham make a great combination. Most of my friends do not like sorgum molasses as I do. (It must be an acquired taste - like vegemite in Australia.)

You can say that I'm a breakfast person.  However, I have changed some things.  Believe it or not, I really love veggie bacon.  I don't eat pork anymore and rarely any red meat.  You may have heard that I quit coffee two and a half years ago.

When I think of heaven, I picture a banquet table.  "All things are ready, come to the feast."  A breakfast buffet is a great feast.  I forgot about how good Captain Crunch cereal can taste.  Why am I saying all of this?  Well, it's because of the Breakfast Song.  Will there be no feast in heaven?

After recording "Atom Bomb," I do not have room to present commentary on similar songs.  You'll have to come up with your own.  Hope you had a great breakfast this morning!
 

Twice at the airport, I was addressed as "young man." I didn't think approaching 52 would be described as "young," nevertheless, I accepted the compliment and thanked the kind folks for their astute observation. I also decided to post the video below of a young man singing, "Born Again."

So I asked my Indiana friend, Wes Bedwell, if he could bring his ensemble of singers (male and female) to appear at ACAFEST this July.  After hearing back from Wes in the affirmative, I promptly requested that he send a promo picture and tell me what they call their singers from the Westside Church.

Keep in mind, this is an
1.  A cappella Festival
2.  I asked for a promo picture and
3.  Their singers' name

This is what he sent me:

The more I travel, the more I become aware of various stereo-types.  Being from Tennessee, it's common for people to ask if everyone from our area wears coveralls and walks around in bare feet.  On the other hand, folks from the South think that every person in California must be very odd.

Of course, these generalizations are not accurate, but I did see something a few minutes ago that definitely seemed out of the ordinary; and yes, we are in California.  While leaving a restaurant, we noticed a strange scene.


After a second glance, sure enough . . . there was an iguana on a leash.

Is this a common sight in your neighborhood?

No telling what you'll find in Redlands.



My friend, Roger Ferguson.

Some of you may remember the song, "Listen To Him" from Acappella's Rescue album.  As with many songs I have written, a favored approach has been to write Scripturally-based songs.  Some are word-per-word while others follow the narrative.  The song "Listen To Him" recounts the Biblical account of the transfiguration of Jesus - and what an amazing story it is!

It's encouraging to hear people tell us how our songs have helped them to learn Scripture, and that while reading the Bible, they come across passages that they have been "singing" and hearing for years through our albums.

I can't help but smile as I remember this humorous experience from well over fifteen years ago. I don't remember the year that Acappella was singing for a special event in St. Louis when a new Christian spoke to me about her delightful discovery.  She was so excited, and very surprised when she came across the transfiguration account in the New Testament.  She knew of the song, "Listen To Him" and only after a period of time, came to the realization that, "Hey, that's in the Bible!"

What an imagination that would have been required for me to make up such a story.

I'm always trying to encourage worship leaders to exude enthusiasm.
In that light, I thought this man might be a prospect to lead singing.



However, I'm not sure about his pitch pipe alternative:

Last week, I asked about special terminology that could be confusing to outsiders.   Those comments spurred me to think about humorous terminology - often quite unintentionally so.

Recently I heard the phrase again from the pulpit (usually during the "invitation"), "If you are here today..."  I know I've mentioned this before, but if they are not "here," then who is the preacher talking to?  It usually goes like this, "If you are here today and subject to the Lord's invitation, would you please come while we stand and sing."  I want them to add, "If you are not here today, then I'm not talking to you."  :)

I challenge you to listen for this phrase, as you may hear it so often that you do not even notice.

Have you ever heard anyone pray for the "Elders who have overlooked this church for years?"

My favorite common phrase in prayers is, "Be with those who are sick of this church."    I often wonder how many people are sick of their church.  :)  

It's a sad day when we can't laugh at ourselves.

What funny wording have you heard?

It seemed that Forest Gump had the uncanny ability of being right in the middle of major events.  Sometimes, I feel like I also end up smack dab in the middle of current events.  In October, we flew to San Diego, just as the wild fires were starting to spread and people were evacuating. 

While in Charleston, South Carolina, Senator Obama was speaking only a couple of blocks away just before the South Carolina primaries.  The past two days I've been in Washington D.C. and who arrived right behind me?  The Pope.  I heard he may be coming to attend my worship leaders clinic.

I collect jokes.  I am known to appreciate good humor.  Recently, I haven't heard many jokes at all;  and with more stress and challenges, I need humor more than ever.  Here is some information I found at humorworks.com :

• Physically and mentally, humor is the opposite of stress. Laughter lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation, reduces muscle tension and pain, and boosts the immune system.
• Humor fosters mental flexibility, blocking negative emotions and allowing us to think our way through problems instead of feeling our way through them. It makes us more creative and better at coping with change.
• When we have a sense of humor about ourselves, we see ourselves more objectively, "as other people do," to use the words of the old Candid Camera jingle. That makes us less defensive and more cooperative.
• Sharing humor is essential to building and maintaining teams. It's a kind of emotional intelligence.
• Humor serves as a social lubricant. . .
  

Anyone else need humor besides me?


I have found that a good source to turn to is my friend, Lee Hodges.  He always has something hilarious posted at his blog as well as insightful spiritual discussion.  Hey Lee, I just posted some photos that include you and the Madison gang on our Praise & Harmony trip to Noblesville, Indiana last year.  I appreciate your willingness to join us on that trip.  We'll be back in Noblesville for our third workshop next month.

Here's a list that Lee e-mailed me awhile back that has been circulated.  It's a very humorous comparison of the differences a few years can make:

1977: Long hair
2007: Longing for hair

1977: KEG
2007: EKG

1977 : Acid rock
2007 : Acid reflux  (I'm taking medicine for this now)

1977 : Moving to California because it's cool
2007 : Moving to Arizona because it's warm

1977 : Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2007: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

1977 : Seeds and stems
2007 : Roughage

1977: Hoping for a BMW
2007: Hoping for a BM

1977 : Going to a new, hip joint
2007 : Receiving a new hip joint

1977: Rolling Stones
2007: Kidney Stones

1977: Screw the system
2007: Upgrade the system

1977: Disco
2007: Costco

1977: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2007: Children begging you to get their heads shaved

1977: Passing the drivers' test
2007: Passing the vision test

1977: Whatever
2007: Depends

Can you relate to any of these?

Ever read the phrase on a vacation postcard saying, "The weather is beautiful. - Wish you were here." ?
The weather here in Oklahoma is beautiful, yet I think Tulsa should steal the nickname "windy city" from Chicago.
We wish you could have experienced last night's kick-off of the 2008 workshop.  Maybe we'll see some of you Friday evening at the Tulsa Fairgrounds?

Here's a shot with some of my buds on the Mexican Riviera cruise.


Apparently, no one told us that we could not fly. 
Thanks, Joy Henry for the photo!

Here is a campaign slogan for you:

It's a joy to talk with people at our workshops and reminisce about old Acappella concerts and memories.  Just the other day, a person said to me, "I have not seen you in 25 years. . . You look different!"

Okay, I have a question for all of you (at least those of you who are 25 years or older.)  Do YOU look different than you did 25 years ago?  I guess a better question is, how many people do you know who don't?

This reminds me of recent discussions about how much the U.S. Presidents age while in office.  It also seems there are numerous popular television programs about "makeovers" and extreme weight losses.  Many factors can influence a person's ever-changing appearance.  Why doesn't Bill Gates' hair ever seem to change?

Cosmetic surgery allows many to fight the onset of wrinkles.  What kind of vitamins does Dick Clark take?  For the longest time, he appeared to avoid aging completely.  I imagine I'm not the only one who looks different than 25 years ago.