Well now... I've never been tagged before. Interesting. Thanks, Kim.

I guess I can take a few minutes and answer these questions before I pass this on to some unsuspecting blogger friends.

1) What is the most fun work you've ever done, and why?
This is tough. I love what I do now as the music/creative arts pastor at Peninsula Covenant Church. I am coming up on seven years here, and I've been reflecting on that with a lot of gratitude. Don't they know they never should have hired me? Honestly... I'm humbled and grateful for the opportunity, over a good, long time, to grow and become a worship leader and head of a department. Who knew I could ever do this? God did, I guess, and He allowed me to be planted in some rich soil... PCC is a dream job in a lot of ways. There have been other times of fun, of course. I loved teaching at Desert Christian High School (Lancaster, CA before PCC... just fell in love with those kids. What a cool time we had. (It's been really fun to re-connect with some all these years later right here on Myspace.) And I enjoyed working for Grace College back in the mid-90s. We in the Visitor Center had some crazy times... Dave Pacheco and I could really yuk it up.

2a) Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did?
Hmmm... work out five times a week.

2b) Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off?
Have a regularly scheduled music (piano/writing) time every week.

3a) What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why?
1 – Easy. I'd like to be a better songwriter. Period.

2 – I'd like to learn to play guitar like Mike Roe.

3b) If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn?
Good grief. Well, I'd like to learn discipleship from John the Apostle. Spiritual discipline from Brennan Manning. Songwriting from Joni Mitchell and Stephen Sondheim. Writing from Philip Yancey and Anne Lamott. And fiction writing from Dean Koontz. Bass from Jon Simpson. Money Management from Dave Ramsey. Acting from Philip Seymour Hoffman. Showmanship from Bono. 

4a) What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
Passionate, honest, goofy.

4b) Now list two more words you wish described you.
Virtuoso, Christlike

5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes)
1 -  It's terribly cliché for a pastor to say "God," but I want to put God at the top of my list because I humbly acknowledge that He really is the center of my universe. He really does hold me together, giving me life. He really has brought me out of darkness into His marvelous light. He is healing my brokenness, freeing me from my self-made prison and growing me into a man He can use for His purposes, which are always in my best interest…

2 – My family… Also cliché, I know. But I don't know where I'd be without these wonderful five human beings. Luanne is the light of my life, and Josh, Jake, Emily and Zach make every day a new adventure.

3 – Music and art. God is a creator, and He graciously shares that gift with us. I love to create and to revel in the creations of other creations. I love New Music Tuesday on iTunes. I love film and theater and dance and visual arts and poetry and novels and prose and photography… Thank you, God!

6) Write and answer one more question that YOU would ask someone.
Since I'm into arts, how about…  Name a favorite book, record and film from the past 6 months.

All righty, this one's easy… although there are a lot I could choose from… Notice I asked myself to name A favorite, not my favorite…

Book: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Riveting, haunting, beautifully written. Every page was delightful to read… and not, as one reviewer has noted, because you want to see what happens (although that certainly is true), but because it's so perfectly written. The dialogue, the protagonist's narration… really beautiful.

Record: Well, this is more difficult. I love so much music. I'm going to choose Say I Am You by The Weepies. Just a great, fresh, simple sound. Check out the track "Gotta Have You." Also, I love Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy." Shawn Colvin just released a cover version that is brilliant. You can get it at iTunes.

Film: I'm gonna say Pan's Labyrinth. Really unlike anything I've experienced. Sad, violent, beautiful, oddly redemptive. Beautifully acted and written. I love this film, and I hope it wins every Oscar it's up for. Also really enjoyed Children of Men, Babel, and Dreamgirls. (I'm a sucker for musicals.)

So who should I tag? How about Krys VanSlyke, Zanne Dailey and my sweet sister Sarah Gingrich.

Peace out.

I don't know what got into me. I have been thinking about it for quite some time, and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Who is this guy? I look like I'm in 10th grade again or something...

My buddy and lead guitarist, Ugur Taner, has been waiting for his new rig to be built and sent from the Netherlands or wherever it is... He sent this email to me today:

I just posted seven songs from the 10/03/06 concert at PCC where we opened for the Lost Dogs. A lot's changed since then... David had just joined us, Ugur only had two kids, and I was 30 pounds heavier!

Enjoy the music! I've posted it on Youtube.

Sunday was an amazing day in so many ways. First of all, it was the Celebration Sunday for PCC's Beautiful Day weekend. All the people in our church gathered together in one worship celebration at 9:15am. We sang and praised God for all He did... the energy in that place was amazing! Check out Tony's Blog to read more about the whole weekend and see a great video he made.

I had to leave the gathering at 9:45 to head for San Francisco. Gary and the congregation prayed over me, and they all clapped as I walked up the center aisle. That was a sweet moment, feeling the support and encouragement of my church family... and even like I was being sent out on a mission, to use my gifts for the glory of God.

We arrived at 10:40 or so and walked through the Entertainment Gate into the stadium. We found the people from e2k Entertainment, and I went out to the field for the soundcheck. Then came the wait. Two hours till the anthem! We had field passes, so we just hung out on the sidelines. The kids got some autographs, we got to see both teams warming up... lots of stuff to look at and explore. The atmosphere got more and more charged up with excitement.

Finally the big moment came and I walked out onto the field, right down the 25 yard line. I didn't forget the words! And they even shot off explosives as I sang "and the rockets' red glare." It was really thrilling and surreal all at the same time. Remarkably, I wasn't nervous at all. There was a great peace about the whole thing. I am grateful to all who prayed for me. I really did feel the presence of God out there on the field!

After I sang, as I was walking off the field, Bryant Young ran over and shook my hand. It was awesome! We even captured the moment on video, which you can see on Youtube or Google Video.

Then it was up the super-secret-special-passes-only elevator to the press box, where we enjoyed the game in luxury! All-you-can-eat free food and drink, TVs tuned in to network coverage and a killer view of the game.

And what a game! Everyone was calling it the most important game the 49ers had played in years, and they played it really well. I'm not a big sports fan, but I was absolutely riveted to the field and completely tuned in to what was happening! The halftime tribute to Jerry Rice was awesome as well... there was a real sense of history about it, with Steve Young, Joe Montana, Bill Walsh and even Eddie D. (whom my Uncle Alan used to fly for back in the glory days of the Niners) were all there.

Oh yeah, and the Niners won! It was a Beautiful Day.

Is up here. Go read it.

It's been a month since I've posted anything new, and it's not because they're nothing to write about! I've been so busy, so overwhelmed with the sheer magnitude of life, that taking time to write in a blog seems somehow wasteful.

Anyway, here I am for a quick update.

I'm writing from Mishawaka, Indiana. I lived much of my life in and around Mishawaka, so it's good to be back. I haven't had my whole family here since October of 2000, so it's about time we got back. This is the first visit to Indiana for the twins, and it's also our first chance to meet my seven-month-old niece, Lydia.

We're staying at my mom and dad's house (they are staying at my uncle's for the week - giving us a whole house to occupy). My sister, Sarah, and her family live here as well. You can read her thoughts about our family reunion here. My brother, Micah, and his wife drove up from Nashville, too... so it was great to all be together for the first time in six years. Here are all the kids in order from oldest to youngest: Joshua, Jacob, Alex, Emily, Zachary, Maddy and Lydia.

We're grateful to have the chance to see my grandpa and several aunts and uncles, and we're getting together with our dear friends from college, Dave & Emily Stoll and Carissa (Dollaske) Woodwyk. I even get to see an old high school pal, Andy Sommers, and his family.

What else has been happening in the last month? Our oldest, Josh, went to his first dance last week. He's in middle school now, so I guess this is where it all starts! He and a bunch of his buddies got together for dinner at a friend's house and then went to the dance together. The good news? He didn't dance with any girls. In fact, he had an answer prepared for any girl who asked him to dance: "Let me think about for a couple of hours."

One of the coolest things for me and my band was opening for the Lost Dogs on October 3. I'm such a fan of these guys. It was just amazing having them at my church and hanging out with them. Here's Terry, Steve, Mike, me and Derri after the show:

It was a crazy day. My good friend and guitarist, Ugur, and his wife were expecting a baby any moment. Liesl was in labor, with regular contractions and everything. We didn't know what we'd do if she went into hard labor, because we really needed our lead guitarist for the show, AND Ugur was also scheduled to run sound for the Lost Dogs.

In God's gracious timing, the baby waited until the NEXT day. Little Vaughn Joseph was born on October 4. Welcome to the world, little VJ, and congrats to Ugur & Liesl!

First, I found out I got to sing the National Anthem for the 49ers. Then I found out I get to sing when they're playing the Seahawks (whose head coach is Covenanter Mike Holmgren. Now I find out that Jerry Rice is retiring as a 49er and he'll be having his retirement ceremony THAT DAY. It just gets better and better.

I'm in Sacramento for a class with my denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Church. I am working toward my commissioning in the church... like ordination, for staff ministers like me. I love this class... It's all about theology, and we're wrestling through big issues. I've met some really cool people, and I'm grateful to God for all He's doing in my life. It's such a cool opportunity to be here and be learning so much. I love the Covenant... It's really a great home for me spiritually.

Tony is gonna be a daddy... Read about it here. All my love and prayers to this little one and his amazing parents. I love Tony like a brother, and he's been an awesome friend and example to my kids. I pray that I can love and serve his family like he has mine.

On August 14, 1993, I married my best friend. Thirteen years later, Luanne and I are older and wiser. We've lived through amazing joy and deep pain. We've been blessed with four awesome kids. We've experienced the grace of God in ways neither of us thought possible.

I'm grateful today for my loving, gracious, forgiving, funny, warm, accepting, hospitable, adventurous, brave, talented, organized, willing, godly wife. If I had it to do all over, I'd do it again. I do, I do, I do...

As if I didn't have enough distractions. As if I didn't have enough to do with my time. Along comes another amazingly wonderful time waster. Web indeed.

Of course, I'm talking about Youtube. I'm probably late in my discovery, but I catch up quickly. There's all kinds of live music and Broadway stuff here. Two of my favorite things. Here are a few of the gems I've discovered after just a few days perusing the site:

• Six short clips of the Jason Mraz concert Luanne and I went to last week...
• The Original Broadway Cast of "Ain't Misbehavin'" singing "Black and Blue"
• The Indigo Girls perform "Galileo" maybe a decade ago...
• Sufjan Stevens performing "Chicago" in San Francisco. 
• Maria McKee singing "Scarlover" from her Magnum Opus, "Life Is Sweet."
• A much younger Maria McKee fronting Lone Justice in the early 80s.
• The Roches singing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus on SNL in 1979. Brilliant.
• Sam Phillips's video for "Baby, I Can't Please You"
• Bernadette Peters singing "Rose's Turn" in the most recent revival of "Gypsy" on Broadway.
• Tracy Chapman sings "Across the Lines" at some big Amnesty Int'l event in the late 80s.
• Peter Gabriel - "Come Talk to Me" from the Secret World Live Tour. Featuring Paula Cole.
• The single funniest video I've ever seen. I laughed till I cried when I found this last year. Ladies and gentlemen, meet John Daker.
• Finally, Jennifer Holliday and the Cast of "Dreamgirls" on the '82 Tony Awards.

I'll stop, cuz I could go on all day... Happy searching!

I knew I couldn't blog every day for a week...

I didn't expect to be blogging about this tonight, but it's all I can think about right now. I was just coming inside for the night with Zach. I had taken him and Emmy to the club while I worked out on the elliptical machine. As I was walking down the steps to our front door, I somehow slipped and fell down four steps... right on my butt... BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP. It was so painful!

So now I'm on the couch sitting on a bag of ice and blogging. Jason Mraz is singing "Life Is Wonderful." Whatever.

What are you playing on your iPod? Post a comment telling us the first 20 songs that come up on random. Here are mine:

1. Rhapsodie - Over the Rhine (Patience)
2. The Fortunate Sons - Lost Dogs (Scenic Routes)
3. Deeper Well - Emmylou Harris (Spyboy)
4. Fare Thee Well - Indigo Girls (Swamp Ophelia)
5. God Is Watching You - Sam Phillips (The Turning)
6. Breathe Your Name (Live) - Sixpence None the Richer (Sessions @ AOL - EP)
7. Golden - Suzanne Vega (Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany, 2/24/2002)
8. Bend and Break - Keane (Hopes and Fears)
9. Oh God, Where Are You Now? (In Pickeral Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?  ) - Sufjan Stevens (Michigan)
10. My Blue Ridge Mountain - Maria McKee (What's Going On with Miss X?: Songs from the Little Diva 1992-1996)
11. 10 Million Miles - Patty Griffin (A Kiss in Time)
12. Nothing Can Come Between Us - Sade (Lovers Rock - Bonus CD)
13. An Easy One - Hem (Eveningland)
14. RollerCoaster - delirious? (Touch)
15. Lovesick - The Violet Burning (This Is the Moment)
16. Polaroids - Shawn Colvin (Fat City)
17. Be Still - Justin McRoberts (Father)
18. God of Wrath - David Crowder*Band (Can You Hear Us? )
19. Comfortably Numb - Scissor Sisters (A Touch of Class Sucks - EP)
20. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel (Secret World Live)

My latest Dadbloggers post is up. Check it out here. This is one of my favorites, if I do say so myself, and it's already stirred up some good discussion and debate.

Found a great article on Billy Graham and his spiritual pilgrimage today in Newsweek. Read it here. I love how reverent this article is... Like Newsweek actually captured the growth of grace in Graham's life. May I grow old with such grace and love. What an impact this man has had on our society, and now, in the twilight of his life, perhaps his message is more relevant than ever.

I'm going to try to blog every day for a week. I may not have much to say, but I'm gonna say it.

Some great press for PCC's Skatechurch program here.

Somehow I'm not surprised that it's Zach...

Update (7/31): Zach saw an orthopedic specialist on Friday. He has a plaster cast now... Soccer balls! He'll wear it for three weeks. Not too bad. He's got a great attitude, and at least he doesn't have to keep it bent and wear a sling! 

Check it out here.

Also, Jen Ehinger is hosting a video she took of it over at her Myspace. Check it out here. Thanks, Jen!

Oh yeah... I'm excited cuz Luanne and I are joining Michael and Nicole Hoefer to see Jason Mraz tonight too!

It's Sunday night, and I am beat... It's been a heck of a weekend.

Friday night, the Koinonia gig was awesome. Steve and Brad and I had a lot of fun. Luanne and Stacie (Brad's wife) were able to come out and enjoy! (Special thanks to Lindy for watching the kids) I really enjoyed meeting Staci Frenes; her set was awesome.

Saturday Luanne and I took the kids to Pier 39 for the 49ers National Anthem auditions. It was crazy and stressful, but well worth it. 30 of us had been chosen to sing, so we did... one right after the other, O say can you see... After we all sang, the judges took about 45 minutes and whittled it down to 12 of us. Then we all sang again... By the dawn's early light... Then after another extended break, they came out and named the eight of us who will sing the national anthem at a 49ers home game this season! I'm in! We took group shots and headshots... then got together and talked about what to expect... I guess it's a pretty big deal to sing for 70,000 people! You can read all about it here. Not sure why my name's not mentioned, but you see my smilin' mug... I'll know in the next few weeks when I'm singing.

Special thanks to Jen & Steve Ehinger, Ron & Samuel Dahlin, Don Robbins and Gloria Ambrosini for coming out to support me! It was great to have some friends there.

So I was late getting back to PCC for my band's soundcheck, but it worked out fine. The concert rocked. Sara Groves has long been a favorite of mine, and she and her band were just amazing. Andrea Hamilton opened... What a big voice from a tiny little body! She's great... And it was the PCC debut of the Matt Nightingale Band. Very fun to play to a supportive hometown crowd. Everybody was very receptive and encouraging. I am really grateful for Ugur, Steve, Geoff and Brad. They're a great group of musicians... This is gonna be a fun ride, I can tell...

Of course what I haven't been mentioning is the stifling heat. In my six years in the Bay Area, I have never experienced such amazing heat. We're breaking records left and right. It's been over 100 every day for a week... Amazing. Unfortunately we only pulled about 300 people for the concert. I'm sure we could have packed it out if it had been a little cooler... Our worship center desperately needs A/C. This morning in church, Sara Groves played a few songs... She was laughing about the concert, saying that it was a truly bonding experience... we were all melting together in the heat.

This morning was great. Sara sang again... "Add to the Beauty," "The Word" and "Something Changed."

Took the afternoon off - Justin and Kirsten led worship at Sunday At 6 tonight - so the family could take Josh to Frontier Ranch. He had a great time last year, so I know he'll love it this year too. Lots of friends are there this week with him, so that's cool.

Now I'm going to bed... Taking Monday off from work. Praying the kids will let me sleep in a bit!