A Word of Thanks to Lamb's Music . . .

I reported several weeks ago that I had taken two of my acoustic guitars in for repairs.

I recently dropped my Martin D-18 retro onto a tile floor (the strap came off the button), and it bounced twice before I could grab at it with my hands and one of my legs.   The top cracked in two places.   It's an ugly sound when a guitar cracks.  You always remember it.  Sorta stays in the pit of your stomach.

My Taylor GS custom build was damaged when I turned with it and cracked the lower side of it against a chair in my office.  The sound of that crack was also ugly . . . very ugly.   I initially thought it was a finish crack, but upon deeper examination, I confirmed the crack had gone through the wood.

I could have killed myself right then.  What a dunce!

I called J. R. Robeson, our local Taylor rep, and he recommended that I take both guitars to Lamb's Music in the White Settlement neighborhood of Fort Worth.  A good friend who used to be in retail music industry offered the same recommendation.

Lamb's Music is a family run business, and Steve Lamb has an excellent reputation.  To be honest, when I picked up my guitars from him this past Saturday, I was amazed.

I knew from past experience working in a guitar store that the crack in the top of my Martin would still be noticeable.  However, I had to check the edges and binding several times in order to finally see where there had been damage. I was thinking I would have to have the top replaced, but Steve was able to match the finish.  The guitar sounds great, plays great (Thank you Steve for the set up!) and I am very satisfied.

I was a little worried about the repair to the Taylor GS, in part because of Taylor's use of a UV finish.
To tell you the truth, I cannot tell that the guitar was ever damaged.  The repair is superb!  The finish match is outstanding.  And, Steve also set up this guitar, and I've changed my mind about trading it in.  I didn't like the action, but now I love it.  Steve put on a different set of strings, and the sound of the guitar caught my ear.  I need to play this guitar more.  It is the most beautiful guitar I own with a orange sinker redwood top.

I guess it just takes a pro to guide you toward what you didn't know you wanted.  Thanks Steve.

I think the turn around time was about 45 days.  They are very busy at Lamb's Music, as a lot of local musicians take instruments there for set ups, customizations and repairs.

Contact info for Lamb's Music is below in the picture.  I can honestly give them a 5-Star rating.  I know I will be a satisfied repeat customer.

A shout out to one of the good guys . . .

Joe Hagin is the Life Enrichment Director at our area Crowley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.   I have provided music for several dozen nursing homes, retirement communities and senior adult centers in different communities in Texas for over 30 years.   I can hoestly say that I have never seen anyone approach their job with the care, compassion, energy and enthusiasm that Joe does.  Joe is the guy who is always in a funny hat.  He always has a song to sing.  He always has a joke or a cheerful word ready.  And, he really cares about the residents at CN&RC.   To him, they are all family.

He is one of the good guys and deserves our appreciation as well as a pat-on-the-back.

Joe is your contact person if you are interested in volunteering at CN&RC.  Our church is entering a new relationship of support for the staff and residents there in 2019.  They are our neighbors, and we want to support their good work.

A New Daily Devotional Resource for a New Christian Year . . .

The Season of Advent (the 4 Sundays before Chistmas Day) marks the beginning of the new Christian year.   This is the time of year I usually pick a new daily devotional resource to use.

I've made the decision to once again use one of the books from the Guide to Prayer series written by the late Bishop Rueben P. Jones and Norman Shawchuck.   Both of these spiritual leaders have passed from this world militant to the Church triumphant.  Their resources have guided many pastors and laity in their daily devotional journeys since the original Guide to Prayer was first published in 1983.

This new Christian year, I will be using the final volume of the series, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God.   This volume is somewhat different than previous volumes, in that the prayers are centered more on scripture and ancient forms of prayer.  These ancient spiritual prayers and practices speak to many of us, who although near retirement from "professional ministry," still seek to envision the return of the current church to the spirituality of the first three centuries of the Christianity that followed the resurrection of Christ.

This is not a simple read a scripture, story and prayer devotional.  Using A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God involves times of silence, reflection and written journaling.  I find that this type of daily devotional takes me 15-30 minutes to complete in a way which blesses me.

But most importantly, this type of disciplined spiritual practive has blessed many in helping them draw closer to God, and inviting Christ into the center of their lives.

This resource is available from Cokesbury Bookstore (www.cokesbury.com).

Rick ><>

A book that contnues to make a difference in my life . . .

I will be the first to admit that I am more of a "jack of many trades" kind of guy rather than a "master" of anything.

One of my frustrations over the years has been how to keep things in my life organized:  church events and projects, music projects, family activities and responsibilities, travel plans, notes, etc.

I've purchased and used many different organizers:  DayTimer, Franklin Covey, My-Tyme . . . they are all great planners, but never seemed to keep me organized in the way I thought I should, or rather could be.

Several years ago, I can across Ryder Carroll's "Bullet Journal" webpage (www.bulletjournal.com).  His method seemed to resonate with me . . . and 7 plus years later, I've gone through almost a dozen Moleskine or Leuchtturn Journals.

However, something still seemed to be missing.  It ended up being my understanding of a system.

Ryder recently published his book, The Bullet Journal Method.   Folks, if you are like me, that "jack of many trades" sorta person . . . who has their hands, and interests in many subjects, this just might be the book you should read.

On my shelf in my office is a small grouping of books that have really resonated with me.  You know, the books that you regularly re-read every year or so because they mean that much to you.  They bless you.  The Bullet Journal Method is the first book on that shelf now.  It has helped me to understand how to better and more appropriately focus, and most importantly, how to keep track of all my projects and all my ideas . . . especially to determine if they are worth my time to develop, or if they are really nothing more than a distraction.

Ok, I will admit it, I am drawn to bright lights and shiny new things.  I will start a new adventure by making a big financial investment getting "everything I need to do it right" and end up wasting my money and time because it didn't turn out to be what I wanted, or needed to to.   Ryder addresses this carefully in his book, and it is blessing me.

I don't have it all down yet, but I am finally keeping all my life in ONE journal.  My Traveller's Notebooks are quietly stored away now.  My collection of Field Notes is boxed up.  My new journal for 2019 is at the ready on my desk.

For the first time is several years . . . I honestly feel productive, and on top of the important things in my life.   Folks, that is a good feeling to have.

I believe Barnes & Noble is selling The Bullet Journal Method for around $16 on line.  I cannot more highly recommend this book to anyone who has a broad selection of professional and personal projects and interests.

Rick ><>