Category Archives: Fun

Let the Little Children Come to Me

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logo2Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” While I see his point… he was trying to show that one must transform his heart into that of a little child to come into the kingdom of Heaven, I struggle with his teaching.

I struggle b/c I know it’s hard.  I know it’s difficult to become trusting again – so innocent, so warm, so needing to be loved.  I’ve begun a new chapter in my life and I LOVE it.  I’m the Director of Instructional Technology at Prattville Christian Academy in Prattville, AL.  My job entails the vision of the technology of the school, as well as teaching a Jr. High computer class, a Sr. High computer class, and all Elementary computer from 2nd to 6th.  I also teach Sr. high Bible, which is awesome, and am a D-Line coach on the football team.  As time goes on, I’m trying to create a school-wide grid for technology, so it all connects together for a PCA education that is engulfed in technology.

The reason I struggle is b/c I came into the school year with very LITTLE experience with little kids.  I mean I’ve always loved them, but my only experience thus far has been my own kids.   I am beginning to believe the Lord worked it this way so I could begin to see what true service and ministry is all about.  I cannot express my gratitude enough for our elementary teachers (at all schools) who deal with this CRAZINESS every day.  But I’ve begun to see a change in myself.  I’m trying to be patient, show them how to do computer things, but above all to be real.  I’ve noticed kids starting to high-five me in the halls, come by and wrap their arms around my waist for a big-ol’ hug, and otherwise wave and say, “hey Coach Ellis!!”  It’s really… pretty cool.

Their smiles are so precious.  These kids are lumps of clay to be molded; some of them already have gravel, rocks, sand, and other trash in their clay.  Maybe their home lives are messed up and we teachers see it.  But I believe the Lord uses teachers – and especially teachers in Christian schools – to minister to our kids.  We must BE Christ to them, and show them how to glorify God in all things.  They don’t know how to do it; we have to mold them.PCA 2009

And most of all; Lord Jesus, help me to become like a little child,  and desire the kingdom.  Here I am bumping along – a 35 y/o who’s out of shape, balding, and needing freshness in life – help me to have a heart to forgive.  Help me to see love immediately.  Help me to draw near to those who show kindness and love, and tattle on those who do evil.  Well not really… but help me to readily see Satan’s work, call it out, and oppose it as your child.  Help me to high-five Jesus in my life when I see him.  Help me to wrap my arms around his waist and grow love for him more and more in my heart.

Lord, bless our President, our Principals, our Teachers and Coaches as we try to do your work.  Refresh us in your spirit, and help us to minister to our kids.  You alone will bless us or abandon us, and I pray that we will always be the place you are alive and well.  Father, help us to glorify you in ALL we do.

Majesty – the Grand Canyon

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This past week I was blessed to be able to work in Arizona.  It was productive work, as I met with chapters around the state – 10 or 11 in all.  But being a Christian and an outdoorsy kind of guy, I couldn’t get to Arizona and not see the Grand Canyon.  For Drew’s pictures, click on the link below: 
http://picasaweb.google.com/drooellis/Arizona 

Of course the rest of the state is pretty as well – in its own way.  If you grew up with horses, knew the names to at least 5 John Wayne movies and had a flare for the exotic, the Canyon state is pretty amazing all the way around.

I arrived in Phoenix on Tuesday – they were on the end of a record-breaking heat streak, which ended Tuesday at 108 degrees.  It was hot, but not unbearable at all; as they say, it was a dry heat!  hardly any humidity at all.  Wednesday I was in Tucson, and the temps were around 85.  Thursday I drove up to the Grand Canyon.  And was demoralized by the fact that on the way, about 70 miles out, it began SNOWING!  Yes, snowing… it was 43 degrees.  By the time I got to the park, it was snowing huge flakes (the kind you don’t ever see in Kentucky, Tennessee or Alabama).  I went ahead and went into the park, and when I got to the canyon, it was a complete “white out”.  There was nothing but fog, clouds, and snow.

I prayed for the skies to clear… I mean you just don’t come this far and not see this magnificent manifestation of God’s wonder.  I ran a couple of miles, went to the lodge, and about the time I got to the car, I decided to go hang out on the trails.  I got to the edge, and could see nothing.  Every now and again, the wind would blow the fog up out of the way, and I got to see some space!  And then, almost in a span of 15 minutes, it all cleared up.  I got to see the canyon! 

In subsequent musings, I found the following Psalm that conveyed my amazement and wonder.  Praise God for his majesty, the fact that he humbles us, and the fact that he lets us experience his wonderful world.

Psalm 77:13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
       What god is so great as our God?

 14 You are the God who performs miracles;
       you display your power among the peoples.

 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
       the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
       Selah

 16 The waters saw you, O God,
       the waters saw you and writhed;
       the very depths were convulsed.

 17 The clouds poured down water,
       the skies resounded with thunder;
       your arrows flashed back and forth.

 18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
       your lightning lit up the world;
       the earth trembled and quaked.

 19 Your path led through the sea,
       your way through the mighty waters,
       though your footprints were not seen.

 20 You led your people like a flock
       by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Were the Psalm to continue, it might say something like this:  (Drew’s thoughts…) 
     You carve the earth with the breath of your nostrils,
      the canyons and rivers proclaim your greatness.  As a child
     draws in the dirt with a stem, the mountains are a mere
      reflection of seconds of Your glory. 

     The rocks cry out and the flowers display your great power;
      the gentleness of Your love and Your artistry and might.

     Your Spirit touches me as I am overwhelmed by the sight,
      and my breath leaves me as if the Spirit took me by the hand.

     The LORD is great.  He is mighty and good, and there
      is no god, no man, no creature as majestic as the LORD.

Blessed be the name of Jehovah!

Leaf Playing & Real Quality Time

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Last weekend Jacob & I wanted to spend some quality time together.  And for the first time, he is getting old enough to actually help me work!  I had to get the leaves collected around our house, so I put a rake in his hands and I held the blower and went to work on the front and back yards. 

Jacob worked on the spots up close to the house, and got his little pile together, and was so proud of it.  He’s so smart.  I mean it doesn’t require much intelligence to rake leaves, but many kids don’t figure out how to do things the right way, and actually care to work!  I know I didn’t…  but I went to look back at his work, and although he had missed some spots – he had done a great job getting most of the leaves out of the flower bed and all in one pile.  I only gave him meager instruction, but he did a great job.  He was so proud of his work.  Leaning on his rake, he was standing there as if to say, “yeah… check that out, Daddy.”

So we got the leaves all together, and when all was said and done, there was a 4 – 5 foot pile of leaves about 15 feet in diameter.  Big pile!  So right when Jacob said, “daddy, how is this fun, Daddy?”  I grabbed his 65 pound rock solid little body by the leg and an arm – and swung him into the big pile of leaves.  He panicked for a second, then said, “hey Daddy, do that again!!!”

He had no idea that work could be fun.  And lo and behold, working with Daddy proved to be a memorable experience.  I can look back on my time with my Dad, and some of the most quality times I had with him were times working, playing, scouting, or just hanging at the house. 

I was reminded of the Lord’s love for us.  It is for our own good that he allows us to be challenged, to work, to feel the load of daily cares, and responsibility.  It’s in the small things like REAL quality time that we spend with him that we grow truly close to Him.  Time in prayer, time in the word, getting to know him as our relationship grows closer to him; and then out of nowhere he throws us in the leaves; and shows us the simple joys of life in him. 

I’ve been continuing to read a book by Lee Camp called Mere Discipleship.  More than anything, I’m beginning to understand that the Lord wants a real relationship with us, not some sort of proof-texting mastery of the Scripture; and a card-punching unblemished attendance record at church.  What I never knew before – thanks to God for some graduate study in this – was that we are often guilty of Bibliolatry, and worship the Bible itself, rather than seeking a relationship and true quality time with the Lord.

How much more does he want us to be devoted and dedicated to him out of love rather than fear!  Understanding what he has done for us, in redeeming us from our wicked separation from him, is paramount to any relationship we will develop with him.  I pray that God will continue to bless me with quality times with my son, and the presence of mind to MAKE quality times with my children, and not just be task oriented and meaningless with our co-existence.

A Special Boy’s Birthday!

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JacobDay1Amazing how 7 years has passed.  Little baby Jacob is not so little anymore… he’s 60 pounds now, and 4-1/2 feet tall or so.  Some crazy awesome memories of the first few days with this little man, and while we knew the day he was born, we didn’t bring him into our home until July 7, 2000.  He’s a Star Wars buff, and loves soccer and swimmin – he’s a handsome young man who loves God and loves his Mama.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JACOB, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Here are a couple of random shots from recently, too.  Click here for another couple of shots of him this year:  Soccer, 2007, with Sarah Jenkins and Amberlee (sister) in March, Christmas party in 2006 at school, and then a couple of random shots from years 2 and 3.  Wow he’s grown!
Soccer2007 2 Yrs. Old Daddy’s Boots  Sarah Kids Jacob School

The Hi-Lo’s – a group for the Ages

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Ok I am officially hooked on the awesome stuff of the Hi-Lo’s.  It took me a while to come around to it, but if you’ve never heard of these guys, you have to check out their website, http://www.thehi-los.com. 

Do yourself a favor and download the “My Sugar is So Refined” clip from the Nat King Cole show.  Amazing stuff!

If you’re not familiar with the Hi-Lo’s, the guy on the lower left is Gene Puerling, the later baritone of the Singers Unlimited.  A group from the 70’s and early 80’s who never performed live, but were some of the most pristine musicians and most well-tuned and balanced singers of all time… undoubtedly.  They had a bass who was well known as the “Jolly Green Giant,” and the tenor and Soprano of the Group were smooth as silk.  Gene’s arrangements were the standard for jazz vocal groups of several generations, and still his stuff is way, way, way cool, and hard as heck to tune.  Check out the Singers Unlimited and their recordings at the following page, http://www.singers.com/jazz/singersunlimited.html (you can download clips there as well) and their unofficial home page, http://www.powersalad.com/singersunlimited/index2.htm.  Listen to Sesame Street, Fool on the Hill… goodness, any of them.

The Best-est Bass Ever…

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I try to stay as balanced as I can on a lot of Barbershop issues.  There’s the constant effort to try and get a quartet sound to be a “lock” between 4 voices.  The neat thing about this particular hobby to me in regards to quartetting is this; you take 4 individuals of different background, and their voices, their life experiences, etc. are all different.  After work, and work, and more work through duetting, trio-ing, and all kinds of unison singing stuff, you try to get your 4 different voices to match and make a 4-part chord sound like a siren… it’s solid, and exciting.

So as I’ve continued to listen to different Bass singers – there are several who come to mind.  (remember… I’m a product of my generation, so forgive my overlooking of stellar bass singers of the older days!)  Depending on the genre of music, there are some phenomenal low-note singers out there who have made quite a name for themselves.  There’s the bass for Take 6 – Alvin Chea, whose rich deep vocals are truly bass notes.  Then there are men from many other outstanding vocal groups around the country, not the least of which is the solid voice of Bill Gaither of Gaither Vocal Band.  While Bill is getting older, he still cranks out a solid bass sound that’s pretty.  But in terms of accuracy, attention to pitch, intervals, voice timbre and brains, I can’t think of anyone that outranks the bass of the 1978 International Champion Barbershop Quartet bass, the Bluegrass Student Union’s  Rick Staab (pictured with glasses in the quartet).  Sure, there are others that would clearly make the top of some other folks’ list; Jeff Oxley would probably be very close if not tied for 1st on my own list (Bass of 2 Gold medal combo’s, The Rapscallions of 1984, and Acoustix of 1991, also a Silver in Max Q, the current 2nd place quartet).  Jeff has arguably the most gorgeous voice in the Barbershop genre of music, and a range that is unparalleled.   Smoothness, pitch, and rhythm-meister Greg Hollander of Michigan Jake (2001 International Champion BBShop quartet), and Jayson Van Hook from Four Voices for depth, youth, and the wow-factor, (the 2002 International Quartet Champion), and Jay Hawkins for pure lock and ring, brains, and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet (1987 Champs, Interstate Rivals, and 1995 Champs, Marquis).

Rick has a unique ability to sing bass like a lead singer.  For those of you who don’t know what I mean, he is so smooth and lyrical that he merely sings the low notes, and not like a guy trying to crank out the bottom stuff with power.  It’s so smooth and air-driven that no one could possibly doubt the new intelligence this guy brought to the bass part (even though “intelligent bass” is an oxymoron 🙂  While BSU (Bluegrass Student Union) is retired, Rick is still young and can make any bass-melody sound like a great lead singer – simply lower notes!  He has a grasp of artistry and tuning, and voice texture that is appropriate for the context of songs.  He can crank the low stuff with smooth power, yet not be brash or the least bit strained singing higher notes.  As hard as it is to isolate his “great songs”, here are some of the songs he demonstrates his amazing ability on…

  • Slap That Bass
  • Minnie the Moocher
  • Mills Brothers Medley
  • Swanee… and many more!

The Bluegrass Student Union was a trend-setting quartet of teh 70’s and their style and song selection has led right up until the modern day with its influence.  If you don’t have their CD’s, you should buy at least one… and if you have a $60 bill and you don’t know how to spend it, buy Legacy, the BSU’s 3-disc compilation of (almost) “all” of their stuff.  What a fun hobby… Barbershop Harmony is something that can be stereotyped to be sure, but no one can argue the precision of tuning, rhythm, and passion that some of the best champions have established as they have left their legacies.

p.s.  NO, I DON’T get a commission off of Bluegrass Student Union’s CD sales!

Soccer time!

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Well, I’ve waited for years for this.  Those afternoons in Memphis in the back yard kicking the ball around, playing soccer with Jacob and him laughing so hard he couldn’t even run very fast, and then my taunting him by saying, “I’m gonna beat ya, I’m gonna beat ya!!!”  He would run and run, and fall down laughing.  What a great picture!  Praise God for his wonderful blessings, and children.

Last Saturday he played in his first game.  His REAL, LIVE first game!  For a Dad who WAS a sports buff, it’s very exciting.  He had his little yellow YMCA jersey and Black shorts with yellow socks – and his rockin silver/red cleats.  He started at Goalie – his FIRST GAME!!!  What’s up with that?  Oh well – I had to stay back there coaching him while the came was progressing, and he made 2 stops!  They scored on him once, but I could never have been prouder Father.  He was hussling, working hard, and got 2 good goal-kicks.

Then I heard the opposing team’s coach yell something at his players.  Remember, this is 6-8 year old soccer.  No kidding, the funniest amazing thing I heard or saw all morning was the opposing team’s coach yelling at his kids around the kickoff circle, “Seamless formation boys, SEAMLESS FORMATION!”

I nearly hit my knees!  I have not laughed that hard in months!  I mean, come on… I just got over one of the Dads of the kids on Jacob’s team telling me all about how serious a competitor his son is the few days before… and how, “he just LIVES to play defense.  I’ve never seen a kid play defense like him.”  No kidding – the guy actually said that… but of course, he had his Marines T-shirt on.  Look, my Dad was a  Marine – but he isn’t warped like this guy… good grief.

I want to see Jacob succeed… really, really do.   But at 6, I just want to see that little boy laughing until he hits the ground again b/c he can’t run and laugh at the same time!   But for cryin out loud, it’s YOUTH soccer!  Anyway, game 2 is tomorrow.  I have to go get the Gatorade and athletic tape ready for Jacob in the morning.  After all he’s got to be one of the fastest kids on the team – and I’ll bet he could…

🙂

Great Honk has right phraseology

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What a fun weekend in Albuquerque!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREAT HONK GOOSES GOLD IN BUFFALO BILLS CONTEST

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Jan. 27) … Great Honk took the gold in today’s the Buffalo Bills-Era Quartet Contest in Kiva Auditorium.

The youngest quartet among the competitors, members of Great Honk are tenor Shane Scott, lead Eddie Holt, baritone Drew Ellis and bass Jay Hawkins. The quartet name is a reference to The Music Man, which opened on Broadway 50 years ago with the Buffalo Bills starring as the School Board Quartet. Great Honk captured medals, trophies and a check for $3000 as first prize.

Second place, and a check for $2000, went to SAGE. Members are tenor Dick Webber, lead Dave Mittelstadt, baritone Fred King and bass Tom Felgen.

Perfect Timing won third place and a check for $1000. Members are tenor Ed Boehm, lead Robert Thiel, baritone Robert Haase and bass Robert Lemkuil.

Finishing out of the money were Brazen Overture in fourth place and Central Statesmen in fifth. Members of Brazen Overture are tenor Gene Woolcott; lead Ralph Brooks, baritone Dick Kingdon and bass Ed Chapman. Central Statesmen members are tenor Pat Flynn, lead John Marshall, baritone Bill McLaurine and bass Bob Cearnal.

The contest was held held by the Barbershop Quartet Preservation Association (BQPA) in conjunction with the Barbershop Harmony Society’s annual midwinter convention this week in Albuquerque. Funds for the prizes came from the BQPA, an independent subsidiary of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Judging for the contest hailed back to a five-category system used in 1948 that scored competitors on the arrangement, balance and blend, harmony accuracy, stage presence and costume, and voice expression. Today the Barbershop Harmony Society uses a three-category system, juding on singing, music and presentation.

My new favorite Tenor

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Ok – so those of you who are barbershoppers, don’t get upset… (especially my dear wife!)  With no disrespect to any of the talents of today’s champ tenors – especially the amazing Drew Kirkman of Michigan Jake, the smooth Tim Broersma from Realtime, and the astounding Tim Waurick of Vocal Spectrum – I have a NEW favorite tenor.  But he’s no “new” tenor!  He was the tenor from the 1961 International Champion quartet, the Suntones, Gene Cokeroft (see quartet pic, far right). 

I’m not a judge, but my ear tells me this man had such an amazing talent from God, its nearly unbelievable.  AND, he’s still a great tenor today!  The Suntones don’t quite ring as loud as they once did, their Bass singer passed away a few years ago and the replacement is the Baritone’s son (Todd Wilson of Acoustix, 1990 Champs), and they don’t have the control they once mastered.  However, nobody has as sweet, tender, brassy voice as Gene.  What’s more, if you want a rip-roaring tag that has a loud tenor hanger, he’s got that too.  Finesse/power, sweetness and control are some of the few adjectives that come to mind with this great singer.

Maybe I’m just growing up.  When I started singing, like any other college guy, the loud ringer tags and powerful tenors made the impression on me.  Finally, I feel like I’m starting to understand quality regardless of the era, regardless of the different style of song, and regardless of my previous biases.  I mean this is a man who could push out almost any tenor of today and show that what he had 40-45 years ago was just the beginning.  Now, HE’s all grown up and has mastered the whole package:  entertainer, crooner, ensemble blend/harmony singer, soloist, and all-around nice guy.  I’ve had the privelege of visiting with him once or twice, and I was a nobody… yet he made me feel like I had a real future, was kind and warm regardless of my anonymity.

I love the great new quartets.  If anything, I’m a progressive quartet guy (the style should continue to evolve, as should our song selection), but I’d be a fool not to respect a man (and a quartet) that has set the standard.   He’s also still very active in the Society, and a fine judge.  Feel free to check out the story of the Suntones, and see some pics of this famous quartet by clicking “the Suntones.”  Thanks Gene! 

a Great Christmas gift!

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Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for a great gift!  A Books-A-Million gift card!  Woohoo!!  I went in yesterday afternoon to try and find a specific Bible I’ve been trying to find for years; an NIV/NASB/Greek New Testament Parallel Bible.  Oh well, I didn’t find it (pretty much a specialty I’m sure) and I started to browse the other new ones. 

I came across the TNIV Study Bible.  At Harding Graduate School of Religion, the Zondervan folks sent us cases and cases of paperback TNIV New Testaments a couple of years ago for each student.  The entire text (OT and NT) had not been published yet, so I was surprised to see it out at the Bookstore.  I like the translation and the study Bible a lot.  As study Bibles go, this one is great.  I’ve had a few that were better in this or that category… but overall, the helps in this Bible are phenomenal. 

The cover is a neat “worn” look, with bright Red and pale Yellow bindings; very unique.  The font is almost so “new” that you can’t put it down.  It’s like some sort of Arial or Garamond font… very light and attractive.  The pages are in 2-colors throughout; chapter numbers in Red, text in Black, except for the words of Christ.  They are in Red… which I still appreciate.  The introductions to the books are splendid; especially to me are the Hosea and Joel ones… they were done by one of my professors at HUGSR, Dr. Jack P. Lewis – an authority on the Minor Prophets.  Also the NIV Study Notes & Notes index are very good, although a comment from time to time bears a certain sectarian bias – especially toward a Calvinistic bent.  But these are few and far between (plus it’s the notes at the bottom… so some folks don’t read ’em) and the notes are really very good overall.  The maps, Topical Index, and Concordance are the best I’ve ever seen in a Study Bible.  And if you’re wondering, “what makes Today’s NIV (TNIV) any different?” it’s basically for 3 things.  1)  Messiah is used in the place of Christ in cases where the Jews would have recognized Messiah rather than the Greek Christos (Christ)  2) Gender bias in our modern English are replaced by more androgenous terms (Brothers & Sisters, rather than Brethren, or Brothers only) and also other English idioms are used that have evolved in the last 30 years since the NIV came out, and finally, 3) “Saints” is used to replace other equal terms in many places.  The early church would have used this word and apparently the writers did use it in the Greek manuscripts repeatedly.

It’s a great Bible, and Books-A-Million has it for 30% off right now!  Get it in Hardback.  Thanks Morgan & Amber!