My Friend, Bob Stromberg

Bob Stromberg has the best shadow puppet bit you will ever see.  This is a piece that could only come from his slightly warped mind.  I’ve been privileged over the years to have shared the stage with him many times as well as bring him in to do some very special events.  Bob was a great mentor for me right out of college and a very wise voice and tall tree in my life.  Enjoy this video.  Stay committed to it, the payoff is priceless.

On legends, mentors and stories…

A little over a week ago, I had the opportunity to sit in with Phil Keaggy and Paul Clark at their Reunion concert here in KC. It’s not everyday you get to play with a couple legends, so it was a bit humbling but also quite fun.

Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to start sitting in with another legend, but of a different sort. I just came back from a recording session with Eugene Smiley and I’m still a bit wired (maybe I shouldn’t have had that coffee…). Smiley’s a Kansas Citian through and through, but he’s been around and played with some of the greats in blues and R&B music (BB King, Alberta King, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin). I’m finding it quite enjoyable to kick around with him, hear his stories and just play great music. We start gigging in January, so I’ll keep you up to date with the shows.

In the meantime, I thought I’d just remind you to think about those people around you who you’ve been learning from. I don’t know who they are for you, but have you ever stopped to think about how awesome it’s been to have their story providentially fit into yours? Have you taken the time to appreciate it? I’d love to hear what you think…

Baptism and Legacy

Today, along with about 50+ others, my daughter was baptized at Heritage Park in Olathe, Kansas as part of a baptism service of Christ Community Church. It was a very cool moment in the life of an awesome young lady who made a decision to follow Christ at a young age and continues to absorb God’s truth and character in her life. Although she may be young and there will certainly be trials ahead, she humbly models the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.

One of the things that grabbed me today, however, was the role that legacy has played in her life. I was reminded that as a teenager, her grandfather (my Dad), chose to accept Christ into his life, stop the cycle of alcoholism in his family, and raise his family with Christ as the center. And how her great grandfather, (Wendy’s grandfather), similarly stopped a cycle in his family to give new life and hope to his three kids (and now their kids). My grandmother, Agnes Wonders, was a little women (all of 4′9″), but was a giant in faith and love. Her funeral last year was one of the most joyous, beautiful times I can remember. Likewise, Wendy’s grandparents have raised eight wonderful kids who continue to strive to pass their love and faith on to their kids. My parents and Wendy’s gave a life of service as officers in The Salvation Army and were our role models in life, love and faith…

You probably get where I am going, but simply put, it is clear to me that there is a legacy of faith that is being passed on here. A legacy of blessing, of hope, of the transcending power of God in the life of an individual. Erin’s choice to follow after God comes as part of a legacy of decisions that have gone before her. And quite possibly sets up the groundwork for the choice that the next generation will make as well. How might she have affected her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren? Only time will tell, but her legacy is only just beginning. How beautiful…

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know
- Sara Groves, “Generations”