Doug Van Pelt

Jack Maddox

If you can, please pray for Jack Maddox. He is my wife's grandfather (affectionately known as "Paw-Paw"), and he basically raised her with his wife ("Maw-Maw"). He had a heart attack two weeks ago, and had a triple bypass last week, and has been diagnosed with some liver problem and hasn't been given a positive prognosis. (The doctors don't think he'll make it. They're going to try some drugs that act as a blood thinner to unclog a blood clot (if I remember correctly), but they say it doesn't work often.

He is a man of God and helped build the character of Christ in my wife as she grew up. Everyone who knows him loves him. He's been retired for a number of years, but works a job as a grocery sacker, and customers often jostle in line so that they can get waited on by him.

Please pray for his healing.
Thanks!

PS Have a Happy Thanksgiving (for those of you who live in another country, have a great weekend and be thankful to God as always). Take it easy.

Shots Were Fired

I was the first one at work today. It was kinda cold getting out of my car. Blam! I heard a gun go off. Just east of our office is a farm. I saw a bunch of birds fly away in the field. 'Probably hunting,' I thought. Blam! 'Either hunting or trying to kill some varmit that's doing something wrong on their land.' Blam! It felt weird walking in the direction of the gunfire. 'If they were crazy ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was filmed just a block further east...that scene where the girl walks into the store, only to be betrayed and tied up by the store owner? That store is right up the road. They recently rebuilt it to use in the movie "Secondhand Lions.")... if they were half-cocked... if they were trying to shoot me, they'd have a pretty open shot or three before I got to the door. I kept my cool, though, and walked calmly to the door. It was just weird.

I have friends in Poland. I think about them often. For some reason they came to mind as I drove past the deer and zebras this morning. Maybe that's a sign that Warner Bros. Europe is going to pick them up for a label deal. Or maybe it's a sign that Poland will uncover Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, spilling their blood over a snowy white hillside somewhere. I dunno. Maybe it was just a sign to slow down.

Oh, What A Relief!

It feels so good to have the new issue done.
The cover story layout is so amazing that it takes my breath away.

And it's wonderful to have the hi-speed internet thing going at home. I finally was able to fanagle (hey that rhymes!) the pcmcia card thing on my notebook at home, allowing me to be surfing hi-speed at home.
Very cool.

Finished Mark Salomon's new book, Simplicity, last night. It was weird, we worked on the mag until about noon on Saturday. I went to Fed Ex and then came home and slept. Woke up around 10pm, ate, watched a stupid movie, and then started reading. I was halfway through, so I pressed to finish. It was a good read, so I finished ... at 5 am. Crazy. I was also able to get up and make it to church. Our bodies are so weird -- to be able to get back on track that fast after punishing it so hard.

Cowboys won today! Whoo-hoo!

4:00 AM

It's deadline.
Do you know where your magazine editorial staff is?
David's tweaking the cover design for the new issue.
I've been popping in ads that are late-arriving.
I've designed and tweaked the Merch ad, adding back issues to the 2/3 color ad from last issue to make a full page. I kept noticing little things that were "off" in the Subscription ad, so I finally gave it the "measurement" treatment and used guides to make sure the space between each object was equal and balanced, etc. I designed a small ad for The Education Of Monkeys (yes, that's a band name).

I'm listening to a beautiful Sleeping At Last album. I'm pretty sure I hear the s-bomb dropped in the title track. A comedy album that's crazy, by a goofball named "Brother Russell." A compilation CD of hits by The Alarm. I've got Rush Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures loaded up, the White Stripes Red Blood Cells, a best-of compilation by Stavesacre, "Gut Level Music" + "Against The Grain" by The Altar Boys, and it's all helping me stay awake.

Fed Ex is open tomorrow until 1 pm, I think. We will endeavor to finish before then, when I will drive over and drop off the materials for this next issue to arrive at our printer in Michigan by Monday morning. It's important not to miss this deadline, because any delays can mess up "your place in line" at the printing plant, as this time of year is seasonally busier than most. Did you know that overnighting a package via Fed Ex on Friday for Monday delivery costs exactly the same as that same package being overnighted on Saturday for Monday delivery? That's nice.

Wireless, Fireless

My wife found a bargain: In cutting our "metro line" phone service, which we were paying, like, 27 bucks for the privilege of having calls from our suburb into Austin local calls, which we don't really need (since our cell phones can handle that and long distance calls), so we're saving 27 a month and Time Warner has a special right now that costs 30 bucks a month. So, for a 3-5 bucks more a month we're upgrading from dial-up to cable modem. Nice.

Not so fast. I spent a good 3 hours trying to make the wireless network equipment work...to no avail. Always a drag when it's not "plug and play." Oh well, I'm sure I'll figure it out fairly soon. It'll rock to have hi-speed access at home. That's always made me jealous about work, since we've got it here.

Now, I've heard, though, that the Tri-lateral Commission trained a crack group of paramilitary orangutangs, who are going to storm the Vatican and place a giant crystal, which will be the anti-Christ, and will emanate vibrations through the fibre-optics that Time Warner is installing. So, I'm a little nervous that this hi-speed internet might be a part of the one-world government that is coming.
:?)

Joey...Baby...not happy

So I call my friend up at 8:16 this morning.
And I sing to him a partial verse and chorus from "Crazy On You."

"Whatchoo think of that?" I ask him.
"I think I'll have to call you back," he says.

Me thinks I woke him up and/or offended him.
I hope he sings me a song when he calls.
He can actually hit notes and stuff.
Maybe he'll sing "Opened The Door" from the "Infinity" album (the only real good Journey album, mind you).

Anybody have a copy of "U2 : Elevation" DVD handy?
I need to try and get a quote from Bono's introduction of "Where The Streets Have No Name."

(Besides, not many actually posts comments on these blogs. They just read them and go on, making us feel like worms and maggots and dirty little bugs that we haven't even identified yet...)

I saw a bug I'd never seen before yesterday on my walk to the mailbox. Strange looking thing.

It's Deadline

So if I SNAP at you, you'll know why!
(snicker, snicker)
I was able to squeeze in a phone interview with a student writing a paper about Christians and Journalism. I had a short lunch with a friend from church. I finished writing and arranging all the EC's for the "Hard News" section.

What are "EC's?" Just a code word for "editorial content" or, as labelled in the last issue, "extra content." Little "mini stories" that show up at the front of the magazine in our news section. I'm working on arranging all the album reviews this issue. Wanna hear a secret? Not all of our writers have turned in their reviews for this issue. That's a drag, as we might have to just run without 'em if they don't hear our urgent cries for help and "getting those dang reviews turned in." One of our writers always surprises us by showing up with new reviews that we hadn't even considered -- unannounced, but fit and ready for print. That's nice.

I haven't even cracked the Bible open today, yet. I saw a Proverb my parents send to their kids and friends every day. That is always cool. Let's see...

Philippians 1. What a great verse: "...being confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." I love the fact that He's not done with me! (cuz we all still need some work...Lord, have mercy!)

Running In Circles... Forgiveness

There are now 7 zebras over at the ranch I pass on the way to work each morning. Today the colt zebra was running in circles around two adults. Obviously enjoying play. It's so cool that animals have the ability to just play and amuse themselves.

My oldest daughter was having a tough time earlier in the school year. When she was being punished and being sent to bed, she'd break down and bawl, telling me how much she hated second grade. She had a great first grade, she'd say, but she couldn't stand this school year. Seems there was a girl, let's call her "Sasha," who was picking on her and making fun of her. Seems Sasha was very popular in class and wasn't including my daughter in any of her playtime with the other kids. It really broke my heart to hear her going through this hard time. I took the time to talk about forgiveness and loving those who don't love you back.

Well, that was September and October. Now Sasha and my daughter are good friends. Last friday night they spent the night together at Sasha's house. I haven't asked her how they made up and became friends, but they are now.

Interesting Facts @ David Allen

You see this guy pictured at the right?
(You won't see that if you are viewing the "individual blog," which is good because then you see the photo images I post here above each blog.)

Well, David (sometimes) drives a Mini Cooper.
That's an ITALIAN CAR

See his face? He might look Hispanic, but he's not.
He's ITALIAN!

He's interviewing an ex-mobster for the new issue.
Coincidence?
I think NOT!

He's often seen muttering something about the "Divinci Code" around the office.

He'll take my kids and sit them down when they visit and tell them stories. "Have I ever told you about my trip to Rome?" And he fills their pretty little heads with visions of Italy.

I don't know what it is. But I'm very suspicious that something is up.

On a serious note:
Please pray for Jack Maddox, my wife's dear grandad,
who had a heart attack this week and is scheduled for a quintuple-bypass surgery (but there's a complication with his spleen). I'd love to see him healed. He loves Jesus and is a real joy to be around. I'd like to have him around several more years.

God Is Good

"Though He slay me, I will bless His Name."
Job was a solid man.

Do you realize that Satan was given authority to take EVERYTHING from him, save his life? The devil took his kids, his livestock, his farm, his buildings. Some critics might add, "He should've taken his wife, too. That complaining witch!"

Yes, she was the one who said, "Curse God and die!" But here's my theory on why Satan didn't kill her: He couldn't. God gave that fallen angel authority to take everything but Job's life. And, since Job and his wife were one, as in God's design for marriage that He apparently takes very seriously, the devil couldn't touch her.

Isn't that cool?

Foghat Is Cool

I wish I had the clout to declare an edict and make it so...

Here's a list of other under-appreciated artists:

Pat Travers Band (great lineup in the late 70s, w/Pat Thrall, Tommy Aldridge)
Blackfoot (hands down THE best Southern Rock group, period... Take that Skynyrd, Outlaws, Hatchet, .38, Allmans)
Rory Gallagher (Irish guitarist played a beat up strat)
Thin Lizzy Excellent melodic grooves.
UFO (the Led Zeppelin of late 70s/early 80s... Schenker's greatest moment)
Frank Marino (forget Stevie Ray Vaughan... what?! this guys shines. All Hendrix devotees should follow this guy)

David's Tab

Being part of the charismatic movement for many years (and I never left), I feel a certain familiarity with it; and with that a certain authority with which to criticize it. One of the things that's always weird is interpretations of things (whether they be "words," dreams, visions, prophecies). I like the concept of: The prophet's job is to speak the truth, share the prophecy, but don't apply the prophecy. Let pastors and teachers do that. For (crazy) example: "I had a dream: This orange tree blossomed and then a few oranges fell off the ground and rolled away, spreading an orange fragrance everywhere..." And then, "Okay, brother, those oranges are your two jobs, now you're supposed to....yada yada yada."

If it's a dream from the Lord, don't apply it for the person. Let 'em work it out. I've always been suspicious of interpretations I've heard, too; or how certain verses are applied to mean certain things.

But, with all my discomfort, the Bible doesn't do much to help me out. There are some verses that interpret themselves in what I would consider odd or unexpected ways. One such instance is Acts 15:16. In this context, there is a special council that has convened in Jerusalem to discuss the sudden influx of Gentiles into the church of believers (up to that point, strictly Jewish). After Paul and Barnabas told of the wonders and mighty work of God amongst the Gentiles, James stood up and said,

"Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things that have been known for ages.'"

The Old Testament passage James quoted was Amos 9:11. A study of what "David's fallen tent (or tabernacle)" was (check out 1 Chronicles) reveals that it was a giant tent with the Ark of the Covenant in the center. Levite priests would enter it in large numbers, surrounding the Ark with musical instruments (cymbals, harps, lyres, trumpets) and worship before the Lord. Certainly some of the priests were old enough to remember the order of the Tabernacle of Moses. That was where one guy, the high priest, and that only once a year, would enter the "Holy of Holies," the inner-most part of the temple where the Ark of the Covenant was.

In many ways, the Ark of the Covenant represented God's presence. Inside of it were the two tablets of law, a jar of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. On top of this "box" was the "mercy seat." This object was not to be touched (or death would be swift, just ask Uzzah). This concept of several priests inside David's Tabernacle (which was like one big "Holy of Holies") all at the same time must have blown their minds.

What kind of picture must have been in their minds?

'You mean, I have access to God's presence? Not just the High Priest once a year?'

This is quite the revelation. Since this is what was referenced in James' speech at the Jerusalem council about Gentiles being legitimate members of the church, we can probably safely interpret the Tabernacle of David as a type of example or foreshadowing of what was to come with Jesus, the freeing Gospel message, and the worldwide access to the Holy of Holies -- God's very presence. Who knows? Maybe there's something to that...

The Strength Of Your People

There's an awesome song that the church I used to be a part of (it doesn't exist anymore, I went there for 13 years, until it merged with another church--this was 5 years ago--long story), and it was one of many original songs that the talented and, dare I say it (?), anointed musicians and worship leaders wrote. It's from Psalm 28:

Oh, Lord
You're the strength of Your people
A saving refuge for those you have called
Save Your people, Lord
And bless Your children
Be our Shepherd and carry us home.

So beautiful. It's awesome singing Scripture.

Miracle On Cele Road

God is amazing.

Some background:
Back in June we joined forces with a new ad agency and, for reasons that may be attributed to the transition and the economy, we had a terrible amount of ads sold for our Sep/Oct issue. The thought was, "This is gonna kill us." Then, dramatically, over $11,000 in past-due ("oh, we're not likely to see this money in a while...if ever") debt comes in -- all within a few days.

Then the Nov/Dec issue comes up way short in ad sales again. I know God is faithful. He bailed us out of the last issue's jam, but I don't see any past debt floating around out there that is likely to come in. I just didn't see where any large sums of cash could come from.

So yesterday Airborne Express knocks on the door and takes off in their van before I open it, finding an envelope addressed to my wife, who is our accountant. I ask her later what it was. "A bunch of invoices."

"That's weird. I look at them, kinda puzzled. 'Why would our printer send us more copies of old invoices?' Then I pick them up again and look closely. The first is a Jul/Aug invoice that has the original balance on it, but at the top it says, "To reverse invoice...new rates in effect..." Then there's a second copy of the same issue's invoice, marked "Retro Invoice." It's $3,000 less than the original. I look at the Sep/Oct invoices. A $1,000 difference!

I don't know if the #'s are too boring, but that was $4,000 dropped in our laps in one day completely out of the blue! I had signed a 3-year contract with my printer this summer, which had lower rates as an incentive to sign (For 12 years I've printed with this company without a contract, just a month to month agreement and I kept coming back)...and the printer actually went back and retroactively adjusted prices on the Jul/Aug and Sep/Oct issues. What a nice break.

This may not have been the parting of the Red Sea, but I'm thankful to our God Who takes care of us.

I Used To Think Lust Control Was Bold

Man!

You would not believe what I saw tonight!!!

First, let me say that I've seen some bold things take place at the Back Room rock club in Austin, Texas. I used to think that some of the preaching I did from the stage at the Back Room was bold. Lust Control spoke loud and clear about some crazy things, and I always remember trying to be tactful and sensitive towards my audience. I knew that not everyone I was speaking to in a bar believed the same things I did.

Michael Sweet didn't even use tact.
He just used blunt but simple truth with a purity that cut right through the air. It's not supposed to happen this way.

Well, Stryper put on a whale of a show tonight. The place was equally as packed as I'd seen it. All the way from the front to the back, from side to side. Easily 300 people. Maybe closer to 500 or more... And Stryper played very good. They almost played all the notes they used to in those blazing fast double harmony lead guitar solos (although they had different tones dialed in), and the energy and punch were there.

And at the end of the show, Michael asked the audience if they wouldn't mind praying for them while they're on the rest of this tour; and he asked if it'd be alright if he prayed for "you"... The audience responded favorably.

Then he prayed a relaxed, real, honest, and bold as anything prayer, which ended in an invitation to pray to accept in and believe in Jesus and follow Him as Lord and Savior. Wow! I can't describe how amazing this was. I think the prayer lasted almost 5 minutes! We're talking a club here, folks! WOw. And not a single drunk or demon possessed heckler in the crowd. It was so cool and so sweet and so amazing.

Wow.

This might change a few things, here.

Whoa!