Advent: Drum

Let the drumroll begin... It's National Drummers Day! Whether it is a legit day of remembrance or just something silly that a local radio station promotes (WJTL) let us make a joyful noise! I'll promote any day that celebrates drummers, especially since I Am a Drummer.

I have been playing drums since I was sixteen when my parents got me my first kit. I'll never forget that Christmas. I pretty much ran thru the streets of Philadelphia yelling for joy. My neighbors definitely knew I got a drum kit that Christmas day, and probably many days after that. (and not because of the yelling)

There have been many influences that has shaped my drumming growing up.

Keith Moon of The Who. No one plays live like Keith.

Lars Ulrich of Metallica. Metal and being a teenager go hand in hand, and he is one of the best.

Jimmy Chamberlin of Smashing Pumpkins. A mix of jazz and rock for a sound like no other.

Ringo Star of The Beatles. An underrated drummer who always played with joy. (Probably because he was just happy to be there.)

I love Christmas music. One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," by Bruce Springsteen. I love the beat that Max Weinberg plays during the breakdown during the bridge. My wife Marisa calls it "The Al Beat." I would play along to that song in the back seat of my parents car on my Dad's headrest as we would travel to see our relatives. Im sure it was annoying but my parents never seemed to mind, after all it was "The Boss" on the radio.

During this time of the year, nothing makes feel as proud to be a drummer or gets me choked up than to hear the song "The Little Drummer Boy." For this drummer who grew up playing in church and still plays in church,

this is my song, and for many of you other drummers out there, it's not just my song, it's our song.

Check out this clip from the classic movie "The Little Drummer Boy."

Wait for the 3:29 mark for the line "Then He smiled at Me..." Uh...that just gets me. A simple story, but a moving story, especially for this drummer boy.

Smarter Christians...Not An Oxymoron

Today marked the end of a great semester in Theology for the VFCC Satellite Campus at Gettysburg Master's Commission. I have had the privilege to teach Theology for a couple of years now. It is challenging but always inspiring. This year proved to be no different.

My goal is to always challenge the students to think.

It is not about regurgitating facts or doing busywork. The class is about opening your mind and allowing God to inspire. Today's Christian can be lazy in how we think and process our salvation. Your testimony is important, but it is not the only way to explain what you believe. When your story and the knowledge of HIS-tory come together, the possibilities are endless.

What I loved about this class were the times when students would ask tough questions. Sometimes I even found myself telling them that I will get back to them with an answer the following week.

Im telling you, this class kept me on my toes.

A well thought-out question may have more wisdom than having a text book answer. Christianity is not a formula. It can be simple. It can be tremendously expansive.

Don't Stop Asking Tough Questions...

Don't Stop Believing... (que Journey)

My hope for Christians is to be humble in what we learn and gracious in how we apply it.

Got a tough question...?

May we remember the words from Isaiah, the prophet, "Come, let us reason together."

The Prodigal Son Returns & The Sixers Throw A Party

Growing up in Philly I was raised on two things; Church and Sports...Philadelphia Sports to be exact. It is expected to love all of your Philly teams Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, and Sixers, no matter what. Thru the good, the bad, and the excruciating, you keep the faith. My Dad taught me that.

In my life time (29 yrs) there are few pro surperstars who have had the heart that transcends sport in Philadelphia. For the die hard Flyers fans remember Eric Lindros, or better yet, remember Eric Lindros' Dad...'nuff said. Then there was the Notre Dame product Ricky Waters, four words people, four words, "For Who, For What!?" That dude just didn't get it. The Philles aren't safe either, how about that Von Hays. I remember taking a picture with the then famous Philly, it was a cardboard cutout, and that pretty much sums it up for Von Hays.

The year 1996 changed every thing, when an outspoken and passionate rookie had the nerve to cross-over Michael Jordan and steal our hearts.

Allen Iverson was a sports star who was unlike any other at the time. He was himself and didn't apologize for it; what 16 year old doesn't love that? He changed a football town into a basketball town when he lead The Sixers to the Championship Series in '01. The Sixers were the only team to beat the Lakers that year in the playoffs, but sadly The Sixers didn't win enough games against LA to win the the series.

Iverson maybe known for alot of things, the tattoos, the off the court drama, and of course his infamous press-confrance about...what....what we talking about..."We Talkin' Bout Practice!"

The quote that I choose to remember that defines Iverson for me is, "Who Wants To Go War With Me."

That is the Allen Iverson that I know and love and missed for three years. He returned to his his original team in a humbling and emotional press-conference. It was obvious that he had grown, he had learned, and had brought passion back to a team that needed someone take them back into battle.

The Sixers lost against Denver in Iverson's first game back with his home team against his former team. (Yeah, he played for Denver, and why does our heart always go to Denver, Dawkins anyone.) The arena was packed, it was jumpin', it was the first sell-out in a LONG TIME. In the end The Sixers lost the game, but it didn't matter... I didn't matter at all.

The prodigal son was back home, and ran into the the open arms of a city, the city of Brotherly-Love. Welcome back Iverson, welcome home.

Someone Who Changed My Life

My friend Jason Fitch leaves today to plant a church in the south...the way down dirty south. Tulsa to be exact. God bless him, not my calling to go that south, that is definitely too close to Dallas for this Eagles fan. But for Jay, Tulsa is a perfect fit.

We met when I was youth pastor in East Berlin PA, and I think they are still waiting for the wall to come down over there in EB. I'll never forget that first day we chilled at Panera Bread, people toss around concepts like DIVINE APPOINTMENT, a God ordained encounter; but for me and Jay it definitely was.

I've never met a pastor like Jay before, he really broke the mold of a typical pastor. He is a brutally honest guy, with good taste in music and I liked him immediately. Jay became a HUGE support to me when I would face some of the toughest times in ministry.

He always believed in me, even when others did not.

I do not know where I would be on my pastoral journey if it wasn't for Jay. He changed my life, and now Jay leaves to change a city.

Jay-Z ain't got nothing on Martin Luther... He's got 95 thesis but the pope ain't one!

I have no idea who made up this music video, but this is pretty funny, and yet...informational. Brilliant take on Jay-Z's 99 Problems, and flip it to Maritn Luther's 95 Thesis. I haven't seen this much history in a rap since Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire" jam from back in the day.

Thankful.Mom.Breast Cancer

This year has given me more of a moment to pause and give thanks than any other year. Last year my Mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and it was a big scare for her, for me, and the family. I am Italian and a Mother in the Italian household is the life blood of the family. Probably because no one else can cook...or clean as good her for that matter :-)

Thank God the doctors found the cancer early enough to the extent of it being very treatable.

Lately there has been alot of talk about the government encouraging women to get tested later in life for breast cancer. The suggested age was 40, and now the suggested age is 50.

Ten years may not sound like alot, but did you know that cancer doubles in size every 100 days?

Let me just say that we need to value the women of this country even if our government does not.

I am thankful for my Mother, she is amazing, and an inspiration to me.

I know there are many other amazing Moms out there, some who might even have breast cancer, let me just say that you are valuable, you are amazing, and there is hope.

This holiday season be thankful for small miracles that turn into big miracles.

This holiday season tell your loved ones that you value them and love them.

This holiday season give thanks to the Lord for He is good.

Starbucks.Troops.Inspired

There are a couple of things in this world that I really love, music, sports, and coffee...er...make that Starbucks Coffee. Yes, there is a difference. I have a little routine in the morning before I go to the office. Take my wife Marisa to work, get some snacks to get her thru the day, and then... get some Starbucks.

This day was a little different, or should I say, my routine hit a interesting speed bump.

I was in line to buy my Soy Latte and there was a woman in front me who ordered some items as well. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Then the Barista asked her to buy some VIA (Starbucks instant coffee, yes it is pretty good) for American troops over seas.

I expected a typical excuse then followed by a typical no.

She proceeded to pick up a HUGE handful of VIA.

In my surprise, I said, "Wow...That's Awesome!" (Christians like to say awesome a a lot) Going back to my little Sbux experience, in the moment of being inspired, I bought a 12-pack for the troops too; still no where near as much VIA as the woman bought.

If this lady went thru the motions and said no I probably would have too. However, because of her Epic gesture of generosity I gave too (ok I used the word epic, I just didn't want to be that guy who says awesome a lot).

I don't know what this woman believes, but her actions are making me notice how she lives.

My hope is that, we who believe, can live and give in a way that people will notice and be inspired.

For this woman it was Starbucks VIA, what will it be for you?