in His Name and to His glory

happy holidays

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Nothing makes me long for the simple days of our youth like knowing that once upon a time Mr. T carried enough clout to have the First Lady of the United States of America sit atop his lap...or that the Hoff would from time to time stand outside our windows during the holiday season with a nothing but a gift and a candle.

Merry Christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:36:00 +0000

I can not explain this picture. Nor do I want to. No, I am quite content to allow it to brighten my holiday season with no questions asked. My hope is that you allow it to do the same.

Ignorance is bliss, or so they say. And never more so than not knowing why Nancy Reagan is perched upon the muscular knee, not to mention kissing the mo-hawked forehead, of a Santa-clad Mr. T.

greg is tweeting hilarious...

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:58:00 +0000

Greg Adkins is one of the funniest people I know. Exhibit A...

In light of THIS story about The University of Tennessee's football team and their use of "hostesses", I tweeted this question yesterday:

"So what does "hostess" really mean? Cause pretty girls holding signs is one thing; but pretty girls doing other stuff could be really bad."

Greg's response:

"I can tell you that "hostess" under the previous coaching staff meant one thing and one thing only. Cupcakes."

Well played, Mr. Adkins. Well played.

Devenney's

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:34:00 +0000

Last night one of my (Betsy's) life long dreams was fulfilled when Bill and I sang "Always" by Atlantic Starr at a Karaoke Pub in Orlando. We went expecting to find a bar to just sit and chat and catch up with one of Clint Darrah's high school friends, but what we found instead was an Irish family restaurant/bar/game room/karaoke explosion that only British people frequent. It. was. so. fun.

It ended with a rousing rendition of "Chasing Cars" and all of us standing arm in arm in front of the Karaoke hostess/woman who sang every other song:

excellent.

Happy Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Jude enjoying his first turkey-induced coma while watching football with his daddy. I'm sure there will be many more.

just glad he wears his helmet

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:58:00 +0000

I saw this video this past summer at the Poets, Prophets and Preachers conference. My friend Lyle just emailed it to me and I watched it again.

Um...yeah.

Happy Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:37:00 +0000

...from our band (Jude & I) and our roadie (Bill).

please listen to my demo

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:39:00 +0000

I try not to be cynical when it comes to the "Worship Music Industry". I really do. But when I read things like this...well, I lose that battle.

Below is a description of an actual break-out session from an actual conference that a friend of mine recently attended. I saw the conference schedule/booklet-thingy on his table yesterday, so I picked it up and started thumbing through it. It looked pretty much like every other Christian conference I have ever attended, nothing too out of the ordinary. And then I came across this break-out session (taught by two guys...a marketing guy and an artist development guy...from a major Christian record label):

"Please Listen to My Demo"
11:30am - Room 2
Description:
How to engage and maximize a record label relationship. Walk through the process of developing your music ministry from a local to an international ministry. What you should be doing today. How to get attention. What a fan base means. The process of finding the right relationships and developing them to maximize the impact God has for your ministry.

Cynical or not, I am almost at a total loss for words. What I want to say is that anyone who walked into Room 2 at 11:30am that day should no longer be in Worship Ministry; that anyone who is concerned with those things needs to take a long look in the mirror...or maybe they need to step back from the mirror for awhile; that a record label talking about worship music is about as appropriate as Liberace talking about moderation.

That is what I want to say, however I know that I am over-reacting.

But I will say that every single sentence of their description is wrong. It is just dead wrong. And the fact that its not a joke makes me sick to my stomach.

peyton's language

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:08:00 +0000

I love Kenny Mayne. And I love Peyton Manning. I saw the video below on Sportscenter this morning. It is Kenny Mayne and Peyton Manning at their best.

Enjoy...

Imagination Movers

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:45:00 +0000

This past Tuesday afternoon was like a dream come true...for Betsy. For Jude, on the other hand, it was really more like just a regular dream, being that he slept through most of it.

Disney's Imagination Movers (Jude's favorite show and literally the only show on TV he pays attention to...thus, it has often been his parent's favorite show, too) came to Knoxville and the Tennessee Theater on their national tour.

It was Jude's first concert.

Now, we realized it was as much for us as it was for Jude and that he probably wouldn't remember the concert. What we did not expect, however, was for him to sleep through it. But he did.

The show was about 90 minutes long. For us, it broke down like this...

First 5 minutes: Jude cried (and seeminly, not tears of joy).
Next 25 minutes: He watched...though it was obvious he would've rather not.
Next 30 minutes: He sprawled across both Betsy and I, and took the most expensive nap of his short life.
Final 30 minutes: He woke up and actually seemed to enjoy the remainder of the show.

All in all, it was a fun family outing. And to their credit, the Movers did put on a good show (all the other kids seemed to enjoy it, at least).

My personal favorite moment was during the last number. With no attention brought to it and no mention made of it...a miniature Stonehenge megalith (about 18 inches high) was slowly lowered from the ceiling. Seriously, they did nothing with it. But for Spinal Tap fans that were there (a.k.a the dads) they didn't have to.

So, there was a little something for all three of us: for me - a Spinal Tap reference; for Betsy - songs that she had long ago memorized; and for Jude - a nap.

a good week at 4 Market Square

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:13:00 +0000

In reverse order...

Sunday - Service was great. It was our second week in the 'What a God' section of Romans (we've broken down our 15 week study of the Book of Romans into 4 parts: 'What a Mess'...'What a God'...'What a Story'...'What a Difference'). Also, for the first time at Crossings, I threw a song at the band that we had not prepared, literally, as we walked onto stage. They nailed it.

Saturday - Leadership Community. Mark was gone; attendance was down; we watched a Rick Warren video...we had everything working against us. But it was actually a good day. We shared wins, discussed how Crossings does 'discipleship' & awarded a new 'Golden BVD Award' winner.

Here's a picture of two grown men with a pair of little boy's underpants...

Friday - Played on WDVX's Blue Plate Special with Jill Andrews. I was a bit nervous; it was only the third time we had played together and it was broadcast live to the world. But it went well. My favorite part, though, was when Jude yelled, "Dada! Dadadada!" as soon as we finished. I guess he didn't realize I was there until he saw me stand up from the piano. Or...he wanted to be on the radio, too.

Wednesday - Despite being alternates AND the MC's not knowing Taylor's name (they announced, "Up next...John Brown and Company!"), we won Round One of the Square Room's 'Sound-Off'. What exactly does that mean? It means we will be one of five bands in the Finals. What exactly does that mean? It means we have a 20% chance of playing Sundown in the City this spring! Seriously, that is the grand-prize. Pretty ridiculous, huh?

So...busy week. But a good week. The end.

blue plate special

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:34:00 +0000

This Friday at noon, I again have the opportunity to play the 'Blue Plate Special' on WDVX. This is the fourth or fifth time that I have been on Blue Plate, but Friday will be my first time not playing with Taylor Brown.

This time around, I am going to be backing up Jill Andrews.

Jill is formerly of The Everybodyfields, and currently is touring the Southeast as a solo artist. She will be releasing an EP of brand new material later this month. You can go to her website and read much more well-written reviews of her music and her talent than anything I could write, but I will say...she truly, truly is gifted. As a songwriter and as a singer, she is just absolutely remarkable.

Her usual piano/harmony guy is unable to make a handful of her tour dates, so I was asked to fill in. (Why was I asked? Shhh....I don't want anyone pulling at that thread.) My first show joining Jill and her band is the Blue Plate Special this Friday.

So, if you can, Friday at noon...click this link and listen in.

Dr. Roman, Theologian #2

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Another installment of the archival, educational film we are using on Sunday mornings to help us define some of the big, theological words in the book of Romans.

This week's word: Circumcision.

(sidenote: Anyone want to guess what song Dr. Roman is whistling at the beginning and end of the video?)

All Wrath and No Grace...

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:01:00 +0000

If you know Mark Nelson, then you know he loves to talk about grace. Well, unfortunately for him, we have spent the last three weeks in Romans 1:18-3:20. In that particular section of Romans, Paul writes very little about grace. He mostly talks about our sin and God's judgment...and God's wrath.

Talking too much about God's wrath and not enough about His grace I think has made Mark go a little crazy. It has been quite scary around the office the past week...

(by the way, turn up your computer's volume...the audio is a little low)

If you've seen 'The Shining', when it starts this way...it doesn't end well. In fact, here is the actual scene from 'The Shining'.

Crossings Baptisms

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Below is a video that we put together highlighting some of the people who have been baptized at Crossings over the past 2 1/2 years. It is set to Andrew Peterson's "The Good Confession", which is just an incredible song. I teared up on a number of occasions just editing the video. Anyhoo, enjoy...

10 years in prison for checking Facebook?

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Let this be a warning to you all: There is a very real danger in being addicted to Facebook. And THIS guy knows exactly what I'm talking about (granted, being a robber doesn't help).

random sports thoughts...

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:32:00 +0000

1. I hate how lucky the Patriots are. And don't quote Billy Zane from 'Titanic' and tell me that "real men make their own luck". No they don't, Billy. The Patriots got lucky. They got outplayed and they got lucky. Again.

2. Adrian Peterson is the best running back I have seen since Barry Sanders. I have always said that you can't simply judge a running back by his statistics. I think much more important, when deciding how good a running back is, is his highlight reel. That is why Emmitt Smith wasn't half the running back that Barry Sanders was. Ever see Emmitt Smith's highlight reel? It is shot after shot of him running through huge, gaping holes and not getting touched. I don't care how good your offense line is; I want to know how explosive you are, how elusive you are, how athletic you are. I want to know how talented of a runner you are. And the best way of judging that...watching the highlight reel.

Anyway, with all of that said...Adrian Peterson, barring injuries, is going to be an all-time great when its all said and done. That play on Sunday was insane.

3. I was honestly okay with the Bears loss on Sunday night...at the time. I really think Green Bay is going to be one of the best teams in the NFC; their defense is ridiculous. And I wasn't disappointed with Cutler. Okay, scratch that. I was...but I can give him the benefit of the doubt. The Bears couldn't get anywhere on the ground, so he had to air it out; his receivers gave him no help, and again...the Packers' defense is just very good.

But, when I found out yesterday that we also lost Urlacher for the season...well, now I am discouraged about that loss. That really sucks.

4. I watched Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame speech yesterday on youtube. I have heard a lot of negative comments about it, but honestly, I don't understand why. I mean, it was extremely arrogant and self-centered. But...that is who he is. I thought it was funny and a kinda cool look into his career. I don't know what people expected.

5. I really, really feel sorry for Serena Williams right now because of how she's being treated (mostly by Mark Nelson).

Okay, that's it. I know its not the most interesting or insightful of blog posts. Sorry. But my guess is that only you, Jason Edelen, have made it this far anyway. So with that in mind...Hey Jason. You should really start blogging again.

Dr. Roman, Theologian

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:57:00 +0000

How do you define the word "Righteousness"? It is one of those big, church-y words that seems to have a million different definitions. At Crossings, this past Sunday, we did our best to define what we think it means.

While helping Mark do some research for his teaching, Taylor and I found this old archival film that was apparently used for educational purposes, and it gives one definition. I'm not sure it's definition is correct, though. Judge for yourself.

Interesting Story and Doubt

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 04:12:00 +0000

As I (Betsy) was checking out at Wal-Mart today the thought occurred to me that my wallet was in Jude's bag. At home. Mortified, I told the very friendly cashier what had happened and that it would be about 15 minutes and then I would be back to pay. He told me he'd hold all of it for me. I went out to the car and realized on the way that Bill had left his wallet in the car and I was too lazy to bring it back into the house as I was leaving. So I got the wallet, paid for my groceries and was outta there in about 5 minutes.

I got home, walked in and told Bill what happened. His response was, "That is so weird. I fell asleep on the couch and had a dream that I lost my wallet."

I don't know what the moral of this story is, but I thought I would share it because it is a cool story.

I have experienced a few things like this recently. Sometimes I wonder if God is showing off; as though he's saying, "If you think this is cool, you just wait until you see what else is in store." It makes me wonder why I would ever doubt.

Along these lines-are you guys familiar with the song "Doubting Thomas" by Nickel Creek? It's old but one of our favorites. We find it very easy to relate to, maybe everybody does. But still, I am in love with a God who does not forsake me in my greatest times of doubt. In case you are interested, here are those lyrics:

What will be left when I've drawn my last breath,
Besides the folks I've met and the folks who know me,
Will I discover a soul saving love,
Or just the dirt above and below me,

I'm a doubting thomas,
I took a promise,
But I do not feel safe,
Oh me of little faith,

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face,
Then I beg to be spared 'cause I'm a coward,
If there's a master of death I'll bet he's holding his breath,
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power,

I'm a doubting thomas,
I can't keep my promises,
'Cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth,
When I'm scared I'll find proof that its a lie,
Can I be lead down a trail dropping bread crumbs,
That prove I'm not ready to die,

Please give me time to decipher the signs,
Please forgive me for time that I've wasted,
I'm a doubting thomas,
I'll take your promise,
Though I know nothin's safe,
Oh me of little faith

I especially relate to, "Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face, Then I beg to be spared 'cause I'm a coward." How many times have I begged God to change me, knowing if I let Him that he would, but instead I chose to remain as I was?

My prayer today: More of You, less of me.

Caravaggio's painting, "Doubting Thomas" or
"Saint Thomas Putting his Finger in Christ's Wound"

um...Elijah?

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Betsy and I saw the clip below when Elijah Wood appeared on Conan O'Brien earlier this week. We both found it extremely funny and have watched it numerous times since.

Conan's response: "When I saw that I thought, 'Wow. Elijah Wood must really love kids. Or...gambling debt.'"

crossings new logo...

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Mark and I designed this logo yesterday. What do you think? It certainly limits who we will attract, but you know...I think it might be truer to who we really are.

No. Actually, we just had our 2nd Annual Crossings Fantasy Football Draft last night. With our picks displayed on a 72 inch plasma screen, we went to almost 11:00pm trying to decide which 3rd string running back is going to produce best sitting on our bench for three weeks before being dropped for whatever defense is playing the Detroit Lions.

I'm almost positive I did not draft well. But we'll see. You never can tell.

Though this is its second year of existence, this is my first year playing in the league and I'm really excited. I'm always up for losing to new people.

Betsy: Poem?

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:42:00 +0000

Just ran across this poem. Maybe it's something you've all heard before. Anyone know where it's from? That's not a trick question. I really don't know. Here goes:

two hearts beat within my breast
one is evil one is blessed
one I love and one I hate
the one I feed will dominate

i am not okay with this...

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:18:00 +0000

Apparently, someone named Dana Brown decided, without my permission, to make a movie based on the music from my most recent album. And as you would expect...it is all about dirt-bike racing.

New job(s) and Arts Academy Video

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:47:00 +0000

Hi! Betsy here. Bill, Jude and I just returned from a fantastic vacation with his side of the fam. For once I don't feel like I need a vacation after my vacation. I was able to have fun with family, eat lots of carbs and finish a wonderful book (Father Joe, by Tony Hendra---please read it!!!!).

I accepted a position as a part-time women's minister at the Christian Student Fellowship on the University of Tennessee Campus. I can't wait to begin meeting the students and working with the girls. Since accepting the position I have been reminded of the dream I had in high school to go into ministry. I graduated with a Media degree at JBC but I actually also completed the entire youth ministry degree too, just for fun, including two youth ministry internships. I loved working with the college students in the Admissions Office and had the best experience in my Crossings small group made up of college girls. All of these student relationships have been so very important to me and I am so excited to start working with students as a vocation. I'll start meeting students next weekend!

Finally, here is a video that Taylor Brown put together with images and video from the first Arts Academy done in conjunction with Tribe One. He did a great job with it. I watch it and miss them! Enjoy.

'my most important question' promo

noreply@blogger.com (bill) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:40:00 +0000

At Crossings we are starting a new project where individuals in our community can film themselves discussing their most important question of faith and life. Below is a video Taylor and I shot to promote it and explain it further. Enjoy...

By the way, almost the first minute of the video is Taylor sitting on a couch...it gets better from there. I promise.