FredMcKinnon.Com

What a blessing and honor it is that I’m available to celebrate this Special Day. I’m so blessed to have four incredible children.

I had a great day … I came home from church and took a much-needed nap, sleeping through a thunderstorm and power outage. Woke up, took the boys to see “Kung Fun Panda” which was hilarious. Came home and went with my wife to my favorite restaurant on St. Simons Island, the “Blackwater Grill” for their signature Cajun Pasta. Made it home, got the kids to bed, and watched a movie with Joy …. a great evening.

I also was able to call my Dad. I count my blessings to have an incredible Father - not just in the natural and physical realm, but in the spiritual realm as well. My Dad sacrificed so hard for me - working hard, teaching us hard work ethics, honesty, integrity, and great values. My Dad was never a “hard man” who refused to show his love or affection for me. He taught me to hunt. He taught me to fish. He taught me (and continues to teach me) about shooting and other outdoor things. He’s the one I call every year when I don’t know what bushes to cut back or prune. He’s a man’s man … taught me secrets of grilling a great steak. He also instilled in me one of the important, deep doctrines that really make someone great - that of loving the Georgia Bulldogs and Larry Munson’s famous calls.

More importantly, he taught me about Christ. My parents were settled that they’d see their children in the Kingdom of God. They poured the Word into us. They sent us to church, to youth camps. But it didn’t stop there. I will never forget those days my Dad would say “Fred, let’s get in the truck and go for a ride”. He would push the small talk aside and ask me specifically, “How is your walk with Jesus”. I always knew I could give him an honest answer. I always knew he loved me regardless.

He’s an awesome Grand Father, too. My kids love their “Pa-Pa” and go nuts to see him. He takes them on the 4-wheeler, on the tractor. He makes places for us to camp. He always makes sure his boys have a place to come and hunt or fish.

I salute you Dad, and honor you. Thanks for being an incredible model for me.

I’m praying for you today, too. (My Dad has a hernia surgery today, Monday June 16).

And to all you Fathers out there … HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

For the KIngdom,
Fred

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Hey Everybody,

Thanks to all those who prayed for our concert up at Ft. Belvoir, VA this past weekend. It was an awesome trip, and far from uneventful. You can catch some of the highlights of the trip in random Twitter updates and my previous post. Perhaps the biggest ordeal was my realizing that my Driver’s License had expired in November of last year. This morning, I’ll be going straight to the Georgia State Patrol’s office to get it renewed.

This trip was a great cultural experience as well. With the exception of Sonic Flood, all the other bands had a strong urban/black gospel sound. Even though twin sisters Mary Alessi and Martha Munizzi are “white girls”, it’s only in complexion. They are saturated with soul.

My appreciation for gospel music has soared through the roof. Bottom line … gospel musicians play far more complex arrangements, chord voicings, and rhythms than the “same-old, white/U2-rockish, pop/contemporary worship music” that we play over and over. I’ve got a degree in Music Theory yet I am sure I’d spend hours trying to “figure out” exactly that these guys were playing.

On Sunday, I stayed over and brought the Word to the congregation of the “gospel service” at the Woodlawn Chapel on Ft. Belvoir. Once again, with the exception of myself, Jay Sellers (my guitarist), his Mom, our wonderful escort, Lt. John Hunter, and a couple of others … we were the only “white folk” in that service. It was amazing. What rich culture of praising God. And let me tell you - these wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ were some of the most honoring and hospitable people I’ve ever been around. We were made to feel like royalty, and I have a deep appreciation and respect for them. I feel that I’ve found some great friends in the Kingdom and would go back in a heartbeat.

All reports are that Shannon Lewis (Associate Worship Dir) did an awesome job leading a rather mixed team of youth musicians and some of our newer adult vocalists in worship at church on Sunday. Apparently, I missed quite a Sunday - with quad baby dedications, a real pig on the stage, and Pastor David stomping around in full scuba gear.

Which brings me to today. Not only did my Driver’s License expire, but Joy’s AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) credentials have also expired. She’s headed down to Orlando, FL this afternoon and won’t return until Sunday evening. So - just like two weekends ago, I’m “Mr. Mom”. Pray for me to have the extra measure of grace that Mom’s take for granted! I’m looking forward to some quality time w/ the kids!

Speaking of Joy … knowing we were apart all this past weekend, and now will be apart for 4 more days … we had a great date last night.

Babysitter: $35
Sharing OutBack Special and 1/2 Order of Aussie Cheese Fries: $30
Two Tickets to Indiana Jones: $18

Time together: Priceless.
We certainly don’t have nearly $85 budgeted for date night in a week. That’s way over our entire budget for a full week of “eating out, entertainment”, etc. But it was one of those times when I said “Joy, we’ll figure out where to squeeze this out of our budget later … we’re going out, period”. She happily obliged.

So, I’d love to get some discussion on this blog.
1) If you (like me) are Caucasian, what has your experience (if any) been in a more African American church culture?
2) How often do you and your babe date? Do you budget for it?

Fred

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Just got the tragic news that Steven Curtis Chapmans‘ 5-year old daughter was killed tragically today in her driveway. Apparently, one of the older brothers was driving a SUV and didn’t see his sister and struck her.

As you may have seen in this post, we celebrated my son Will’s birthday today … and then to see someone tragically lose their child on the same day is just painful.

I pray for them, for their family, and especially for this teenage brother who happened to be driving the car.

News story here.

Please, please pray.

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William Isaac McKinnon (born May 21, 2002)

Happy Birthday today to my 2nd born, Will McKinnon.  Will is 6-years old today.  This is a picture of him in his wild, crazy personality, hugging his older brother on the beach.  (photo by Chris Moncus).

Will is such a hoot.  Let’s see … right now, he’s in monkey stage.  This kid climbs everything.  If we go to the baseball fields, he’ll climb the chain link fence all the way to the top behind the plate if you aren’t careful.  He’s scaling walls now .. he’s tall enough to spread out his hands and feet in the threshold of the doors in our house and shimmy up to the ceiling.  He’s 100% boy - he’d rather be destructive and tear something up instead of play with it.  Give him a stick, and he’ll either make it a gun, or use it to bang into a tree, or hit something else with it.

He’s sometimes a loner.  When everyone is outside playing, it’s not uncommon for Will to wander off and do something by himself.  Sometimes that upsets Joy and I because we wonder if he’s being left out .. but he makes the choice to go be alone.  Maybe this is his God-given “bend”. We frequently ask God to show us his “bend” so that we can pray him in the right direction.

Will is a clown, big-time.  He’s so funny.  Sometimes, he’s quite the strong-willed child.  He’s not one to really open up and say what he thinks always.  If something is bothering him, he usually doesn’t speak up too much about it (as compared to his older brother, who will have a drama over it).

As I type this and look at this picture, my heart overflows with love and passion for this kid.  I’ll never forget us being pregnant with him.  As the time for delivery drew near, I was afraid - I didn’t see how I could have any more love to give, after having my first son.  As much love as we had for our first kid .. how could there POSSIBLY be anything left for a 2nd (and a 3rd, and a 4th).  With each child, our hearts doubled in size, giving us that much more love to share.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL - YOU ARE AWESOME, and I LOVE YOU TONS, my CHAMPION!

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