Cool Music, Awesome Story

If you have a hankerin’ (not “hankering”) for some really cool music, then I’ve got a name you need to know . . . Mike Farris. Mike is a musician who plays what has been called “gospel funky soul.” His music has a decidedly New Orleans jazz flare. The horns resonate, the guitars buzz, and the vocals wail over every track of his latest album, “Salvation In Lights.” The cd takes me back to days growing up in the “Big Easy” –that’s New Orleans, for those of you Yanks unfamiliar with the term. These songs could be heard on a lazy afternoon at the annual Jazz Fest or in a local hell-fire and brimstone tent meeting where humidity-saturated calls for sinners to come to Christ permeated the heavy, South Louisiana air.

The coolest thing about Mike and his music goes beyond his killer vocals and his amazing band/singers; it has to do with his testimony. God has made a change in Mike and is continuing to do so–which, as I understand Scripture, is what God desires to do in all of our lives. Mike had success in the secular industry, touring with the likes of Cheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band, Neil Young, etc., but changed his venue when the Lord delivered him from addiction and vice. Now Mike’s music is a resounding, fun-filled, energetic celebration of hope and redemption. You can check out his testimony and a lot more at www.mikefarrismusic.net.  Also, if you like what you hear and read there, Mike will be performing here in Lexington, at the Kentucky Theater, Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, Monday, September 10. You can reserve tickets at www.kentuckytheater.com ($10/ticket). Check out Mike’s music; enjoy his immense talent; praise God for his obvious change.

Death: Undesirable but Unavoidable

What a morbid title for a blog! But face the facts, it’s true. I mean, who wants to die? No one I’ve ever met desires death. Now, I realize there may be some who are terminally ill or in tremendous physical pain and they have thought long and hard about leaving this world.  Granted, this may be true of some, but they make up the minority of the global population. We are fixed on living, not dying. As humans, we think of any way possible to extend life, not ways to cut it short. Death is, to say the least, undesirable.

But death is also unavoidable–we’ll all die at some point in time. From the moment we’re born, our bodies are growing towards death. Even our peak levels of youthful fitness are fleeting; ask the retired professional athlete who’s added an extra fifty pounds because his body can no longer hold up under the strain of high-level physical activity. I’m not being defeatest or pessimistic; it’s simply a proven medical fact that everybody dies. Rich, poor, tall, short, young, old–people of all ways and walks of life die everyday.

Why the downer? What’s up with such a negative bog? I’ve simply stood by more caskets than I’ve wanted to lately. I preached the funeral of a good friend a month ago; Aaron’s (one of the youth at church) dad passed away two weeks ago; one of my daughter’s softball teammates’ father died Sunday and on the way into funeral home for his visitation yesterday, I received a call that my cousin died in a motorcycle accident. Along with that, I got an email from a good friend from high school who is concerned about death as he serves in the military. Needless to say, death has been on my mind.

 I’ve come to two concrete conclusions: one, death is undesirable and unavoidable; two, there is only one answer to death. Hebrews 9:27 states, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” The judgment is that of all mankind by Jesus Christ. He will judge each individual who has ever lived according to all that we have ever said or done. He will judge whether or not we have accepted Him as Savior of our lives. Those who have trusted in Him by faith will spend eternity with Him in heaven, while those who have rejected Him will spend eternity in hell. I don’t write this with any joy or glee–it’s a stark reality but a reality nonetheless. But Scripture describes how the Christian can approach death, as undesirable and unavoidable as it may be, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

You may say something like, “I don’t believe in Jesus, so death is no big deal to me.” or “When I die, that’s it.” These are not unusual responses, but that doesn’t make them right. Let me give you an old wager (Pascal’s to be exact) and then be done: If you’re right and Jesus isn’t the answer to death, then by rejecting Him, you’ve lost nothing. But if I’m right, and Jesus is the answer to death and you reject Him, you’ve lost everything. Think about it a little and remember to pray for people all over this country today who’ve been effected by the undesirable, unavoidable pain of death.

Stick and Move!

Understand, before you begin reading this blog . . . it is written by a father (ME). This means that, while objectivity is a goal in most writing, it does not apply to any blogs written about the children of said father (ME). In fact, as objectivity is thrown out the window, clarity is the next target of parental omission. So, this blog may be one-sided and incoherent, but it’s written by a father (ME), so be forewarned! Check out Legends Boxing at: http://legendsboxing.phastcat.com/

http://media.heraldleader.com/static/pagepdfs/a1.pdf

http://kentucky.com/141/story/132614.html

Check out the above links to the Lexington Herald-Leader that contains an article with pictures featuring Thomas Alexander Kinchen, III (MY SON; aka “Rocky”).  Thomas and Jevon are shown boxing in their first match. Thomas just turned 7 while Jevon (aka “TNT”) just turned 9; thus the obvious height differential–although, being a Kinchen, Thomas may be plagued by this affliction for life!

(Editor’s note: If you read the full article, know that Thomas, Rocky, is not a “troubled” youth. He has however, created trouble, at times, for his mother and me, various law enforcement agencies, the Ice Cream Man in our neighborhood . . . and, now, for his opponents in the ring. One-sided, biased . . . told-ya’-so.) 

Both kids did awesome for their first fight. The picture itself is pretty cool, simply for the “Rocky” (as in Balboa) officianados in the group. Thomas is called “Rocky” after Rocky Marciano (for Thomas’ deadly left hook–every preacher’s kid should have one!), yet the pic of Rocky & TNT is classic Balboa & Creed. Remember the end of Rocky III, where Balboa and Creed shared this same pose at the end of the movie (a “favor” owed to Creed by Balboa as payment for Creed training Balboa to fight Clubber Lang; which he did . . . and won!)? The pose was captured on canvas and was seen in the recently released ”Rocky Balboa”–a picture on the “wall of fame” in the back of Rocky’s Italian restaurant, “Adrian’s.”

The first round all Thomas threw left hooks (literally; but it’s his “signature punch”, he just signed one-too-many autographs in the first three minutes). Yet, by the second and third rounds he was actually boxing! (Combinations; stick and move; slip and jab) Which was impressive considering the fact that it was his first time out–heavy bags and boxing mits don’t hit back nearly as effectively as live opponents. He took a couple of stiff jabs but he has no “reverse” gear in his stocky little fear-inspiring frame (bias, I warned you).  In fact, at one point during the fight, he actually climbed out of the ring and went after a heckler in the front row! Not really, but wouldn’t that be cool; I’ll put that on my “things to teach” list for next time. 

Anyway, the Mayor’s Cup, Thomas’ (and probably Jevon’s) next bout, is this Saturday at 4pm at Legends Boxing in Lexington. Rocky trained for 10 rounds today, another 10 tomorrow, and perhaps another 5 Friday (we’ll be travelling back from Florida). He loves it and has, what his coach says, is a natural ability in the ring! PAY PER VIEW!! PAY PER VIEW!! (again, forewarned . . . bias; incredible bias)

The cool thing about the gym where Thomas trains is that the coach is also a pastor: William “Sarge” Farris. Sarge does an awesome job with the kids. He teaches them boxing (a boxer himself while in the military) but also teaches them about the love of Jesus. (See first link listed for the gym where Sarge trains: Legends Boxing) Sarge pastors Maranatha Baptist Church, here in Lexington, Ky.

I suppose that’s enough for now; only because I’m going to watch a movie with the family. I think it’s Masters of Pugilism or Kings of the Ring, or something like that . . . or maybe Dunston Checks In.

Down on the Farm

Vacation time is here! Being with my folks has been a blast; the kids have loved it and Gretchen and I welcome the time away. Not that there’s anything wrong with Lexington, but every now and again ya’ just gotta get away!

It’s been cool to put up sheet rock with my dad, swim with the family, watch the kids drive through the fields in Mom & Dad’s mule–Kawasaki mule, that is! While we plan on going to the beach today, this part of Florida (NW/panhandle) is as much farm country as it is beachfront property.  Having a place to get away like this is a blessing and, to a degree, a luxury. Reasonably-priced land is nearly impossible to find anywhwere, much less the Bluegrass (just ask our church trustees and finance team; they have done great work but it has been tough). Mom & Dad bought their land years ago and have been developing it ever since. Now they live here and can enjoy the ponds, trees, barn, and the solitude of living a few acres off the main road.

Drinking a morning cup of coffee without seeing everyone speeding by on their morning commute is nice. The hustle seems to have less bustle in this environment. To be sure, people in the panhandle still work hard and are hip-deep in the “daily grind” of life; yet, being here seems like a true get-away.

The cool thing about “getting away” spiritually is that I (or you) can do that whether we have a farm in the country or an apartment in dowtown Chicago. Scripture teaches that we can, and should, spend time with God, set apart from everything else that tries to catch our attention. Jesus spent time over and over again alone with His heavenly Father. Christ was constantly followed by incredible crowds (today, His disciples would probably file for a restraining order to keep the paparazi away); but He knew He needed to find a place (a hillside, a boat on the sea, a garden outside of town) to be alone; to get away; to clear His mind and focus on the Father in Heaven.

FInd that place in your world–it might be your breakfast table early in the morning or your bedroom late at night; or even your office during a mid-day break. Spend time getting away from the hustle & bustle, busyiness and barrage of expectations, demands, and obligations that may seem to flood your life. Spend time letting God have your undivided attention; let Him grant you renewed focus and strength. And throw in a banana smoothie just for good measure–health and relaxation all in one glass-full!

“Firmly Planted” up and running

My blog, much to the suprise of my colleagues at Master’s Church, is up and running. Thanks, Andrew, Marc, Tom, and (maybe) Jordan. “Why the banana smoothie theme?”,  you may ask. Quite simply, it’s an awesome way to start the day. Small meals several times a day, right Lori Dawn? Take one banana, six packets of Splenda (come on, you gotta have some sweet factor), one cap full of vanilla extract, and 3/4 cup of 1%milk. Once you’ve got that blended, add one cup of ice (ice that has been sitting out a few minutes actually can make a “smoother” smoothie), blend, pour, and enjoy!

Well, that answers the “pressing” smoothie question; now, what about this “firmly planted’ business? Simply, the title comes from Psalm 1, where a wise Christian is compared to a tree “planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit in its season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:3, NASB) The Bible speaks of the wisdom that can be found in following God, specifically through a relationship with Jesus Christ. This kind of wisdom comes from being “firmly planted” in the knowledge and application of Scripture in everyday life. While my faults and humanity often come through more than I care to mention in my attempts at living according to God’s Word, my desire is to uphold His truth in all I do.

Enough blogging for today–Marc, I know you’re suprised I’ve kept it this short. It’s time for low fat, microwave popcorn. Not as complicated as smoothies, but just as good. If you need a recipe for microwave popcorn, follow this link and eat happy: imadorkandshouldnotbeallowedinakitchen.com.