Random Monday AM Thoughts

Posted on August 28th, 2006 in General by Fred

Hey Ya’ll -

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Since school has started back, I’ve gotten back into a much needed “structured routine”.  Of course, I broke it already this morning.  I’ve renewed an often-failed commitment to take care of my body - so I’ve been more active at the gym lately.  I play raquetball every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon but that leaves no time for any weight training, etc.  So, I’ve reserved Monday and Wednesday mornings for that.  I take Jon Michael to school, and then go straight to the gym on Monday and Wednesday mornings - get there about 8:00 AM, and typically get home, showered, and “at work” around 10:00.  That’s 1-1/2 hours late to work on those days, but it’s nice being the boss.  (grin).

This morning I had to break routine because my grass still hasn’t been mowed.  I typically try to take care of that on Saturdays, but  we had our first band practice this Saturday AM for the upcoming “Worship Under the Stars” concert October 20-21.  Joy and I were blessed by our great friends, “The Lee’s” on Saturday afternoon who came and entertained all 4 of our kids so we could have an evening out to celebrate our 8-year anniversary.  So, we enjoyed a trip to “The Outback” and then caught the new football movie, “Invincible”.  This flick was rated PG, but I’m not sure it could’ve been rated “G”.  I don’t think there was any foul language, no bad violence, etc.  It was a great, “feel good” movie and I’d recommend seeing it.  Sunday was our typical, busy morning - and our church service at CRCSSI lasted 2-1/2 hours … yep, very long, but I have to say it was very good.  We had a group minister from Rome, GA and the guy ministering really brought the Word.  By the time we’d had lunch and rested a bit, it was already mid-afternoon so rather than “mow the lawn”, I took a rare “guys night out” and went to see “World Trade Center” with my brother-in-law, Mark.  It wasn’t the “action flick” I’d thought it would be - more like a slow moving drama … but still, it was good … and slow moving … yes, but being buried for two days in the rubble of the WTC would be slow moving.  In the end, the statistics on the screen were staggering, and a sobering reminder of what happened on that terrible day in our history.  In my prayer time this morning, between 6-7 AM - I prayed again, for the first time in a long time .. “God, bless our troops, and help us capture Osama bin Laden so that justice can be delivered to him”.  When was the last time you remembered to pray for our troops to capture that villain?  It’s amazing how quickly we forget.

Back to missing the routine - keep in mind, the lawn still isn’t mowed.  Now, looks like the weather forecast for our area is about to be rain, more rain, and more rain and wind.  Hurriane “Ernesto” is forecast to be right on top of us by Thursday.  No worries here - but I didn’t want my lawn to go another week with lots of rain.  So, rather than working out at the gym this AM, I got my workout behind the lawn mower!

I’m looking forward to this weekend - My parents are coming into town for Andrew’s baby dedication - he’s 4 months old now and we’ll be dedicating him at church on Sunday.  My Dad will be preaching as a guest, and I’m excited about that.  Also, we’ll be glued to the TV screen Saturday afternoon as our beloved “Georgia Bulldogs” begin their season.  I’m not hopeful for much this year - lots of rebuilding has to take place at UGA - but it will still be fun to watch … I hope.

Well, that’s all for now - what a long entry … and I think to myself “who cares” … but as I’ve said before … some days, I just like to blog “because” … it feels good - helps me clear my mind … setup my week.

In closing, please help me out by voting for the most current song on the IndieHeaven radio charts, “Restore My Heart” … I’m really grateful for the handful of people who have teamed up with me to vote every day. It’s really simple - just go to the IndieHeaven radio page, scroll down until you find “Restore My Heart” - click the title (the song should start playing) … then scroll back up to the top of the chart.  You’ll see my picture there, the song info, and a rating box to the right - mouse over and click the “stars” to the right of the  song title - you can do this every day.  This helps the song ‘move up the charts’ and IndieHeaven is working hard to get some great distribution and bookings for their artists.  I feel that it’s a place where God wanted me to be seen for some exposure.

For the Kingdom,
Fred

This is my heritage …

Posted on August 22nd, 2006 in Faith, General by Fred

Hey Ya’ll:

First things first - I know the “comments” area of the blog is all messed up.  Something in the mySQL database that stores those comments went “kerplooie”, so I’ve got a post in the WordPress support forums attempting to get it resolved.  But I always love hearing back from those who read, so consider emailing your comment instead!
On to the better things:

I’ve not been writing much lately - life has been overwhelming.  Last week, Joy and I were sick … very sick.  We had the dreaded 24-hour stomach virus, only it was a 7+ day stomach virus instead.  We’re finally out of the woods, but we still haven’t gotten complete victory over it.  I lost more than 15 pounds in 3 days.  How’s that for a crash diet!

Among other things, I’ve been battling a couple of serious issues in my business over the last month or so.  Suffice it to say we’ve been in the “battle of our lives”.  I’ve been meditating on several Scriptures that specifically deal with “worry”, “anxiety” and “victory/redemption”, etc.  At the same time my Dad is battling some medical issues right now and he’s been battling a war of his own.  So we’ve been sharing Scriptures and encouragement.  Notice when I say “battling” - I understand that the Bible tells us that “the battle belongs to the Lord”.  Victory comes from Him.  At the same time, the real “battle” is happening in our minds.  Gaining victory over our thoughts, concerns, and anxieties.

This morning, I was meditating on a Scripture that I’ve quoted and heard as long as I can remember … the “no weapon formed against you shall prosper” … but I gained new revelation today as I read both ‘before’ and ‘after’ this Scripture to gain added context:

Isaiah 54: 14, 15, 17

[14] In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.  [15] Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me.  Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake… [17] No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judment You shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me says the Lord. [emphasis mine]

Two things really grabbed me here this morning:
1:  a reminder that I can and should condemn every judgmental accusation against me.
2:  this promise is based on righteousness - it is established in righteousness, and that righteousness comes from the Lord.

This is pre-Jesus/Savior/New Testament.  Yet, even here, the Word is telling me clearly that my righteousness comes from the Lord - not my works or efforts.

One thing is certain.  If my heart is condemning me (if I have a guilty conscience), it’s hard to rise up and stand firm in the face of judment and condemn or dispute those erroneous, judgmental things that may come against me.  However, my heart can be bold and steadfast, as I know that my righteousness is from the Lord.

THIS IS MY HERITAGE! 

Capo Disaster

Posted on August 15th, 2006 in General by Fred

OK -

This one is flying across the internet - and I just had to post it … I heard about this from the blog of Robert Pooley, a pastor friend of mine in Gulf Breeze, FL.  Then, a local minister IM’d me today with the same story, on a different site.

This is what happens when you guitar playing worship leaders forget to take off your CAPO:

http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=440 

Restore My Heart

Posted on August 10th, 2006 in Music by Fred

Hello Worshipers of God!

I’d like to express my thanks to everyone who consistently visited IndieHeaven.Com over the last 90 days to rate my music and vote for my piano solo, “Experience Vellano”. I had no idea so many of you voted daily until I got emails asking where that piece disappeared to! The songs can only stay on the charts for 90 days, so it was removed to make room for more. With your help, we pushed that song into the Top 20, out of 150 songs.

Now, I’m even more excited because my second song has been accepted and added into the IndieHeaven Radio Charts. It’s the beautiful ballad, “Restore My Heart” that Kim Dixon and I sang together at “Worship Under the Stars” last year. Currently, that song is at the VERY BOTTOM of the chart at #146. Will you follow the steps below and help boost this song up the IndieHeaven charts for us?

Instructions:

1: Go to the IndieHeaven.Com Radio Chart. You can click that link, or copy/paste the url below. You can also go to the HomePage and click the orange “Radio Tower” icon.

url: http://www.indieheaven.com/go.idh?section=radiochart

2: Scroll down until you find “Restore My Heart - Fred McKinon”.

3: Click on the song title, and it should begin playing in the flash player located at the TOP OF THE CHART.

4: Scroll back to the top of the chart and verify that my song is playing (My picture and song title should be displayed). Then, mouse-over the 5-stars in the “Show Support - Rate this Song” box located to the top right of the chart and click to submit your rating. 5-stars is the top rating.

5: If you have time, click my name to be take to my artist page and leave a comment rating at the bottom.

Please note that you can do this every day. Only one vote per visitor is counted per day, but I am requesting for you to bookmark the page and try your best to remember to vote EVERY DAY for “Restore My Heart”.

That would be a huge blessing. Thanks so much for your support.

For the Kingdom,

Fred McKinnon