Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!
An appropriate title for what was to come next!
Just a reminder! In my last blog...we were in Gillette, WY, awaiting the repair of our beloved bus after our Saturday show in Moorcroft, WY! No, we have not named our bus yet but I have voiced my interest in doing so! The part we need for the repair was supposed to be in Monday morning and we were hoping to hit the road by Monday evening for a show in Salt Lake City on Wednesday! The part didn't come in, imagine that...well it was actually shipped to the wrong location...so we wait, and wait, and wait!
It is now Wednesday...we have canceled the Salt Lake City Show :(( and we are scrambling to locate transportation to be in Las Vegas on Thursday. The band and crew leaves me in Gillette on Wednesday headed for Las Vegas! Eleven (11) peeps in a fifteen (15) passenger van for hundreds of miles...OH MY! The Pastor from Moorcroft, WY, and his wife are towing our trailer loaded with sound and light equipment with their pickup truck! The plan is to pick-up a Rental Tour Bus in Las Vegas until our bus is repaired! We are told the part will be in on Thursday and we can make plans then where I will meet the band! Gillette, WY, by myself...hummm? Prairie dog hunting? Probably not...but maybe! :)) So, now it's Friday! Supposedly...the bus has been repaired and I roll out of Gillette late Friday afternoon with intentions of meeting the band in Tempe, AZ, by Sunday afternoon! In the meantime the band who has already rocked Las Vegas, have a couple shows to play in California! It is early evening when I decide to stop at a Love's Truck Stop...one of many chains of Truck Stops I have become familiar with...this one in Cheyenne, WY! As I pull into the truck stop...I hear the same terrible noise that was supposedly repaired in Gillette! Except this time...it sounds like it is getting worse! I reluctantly phone our Tour Manager, mainly because I know the band is getting ready to rock a show and this is not super news! She provides me with instructions to stay in Cheyenne for the night and they would give me further instructions the next morning! Did I mention I'm in a truck stop...nice...and it is supposed to snow tomorrow? OK...mark another one off the Bucketlist...that is sleeping in a truck stop! No that's not on my Bucketlist, maybe someone else's, but not mine! lol So, I attempt to sleep in a truck stop...not easy with all the noise of trucks in and out but I managed to get a couple hours of rack time! The next day brings another diagnosis...a different diagnosis, IMAGINE THAT! However, the mechanic is convinced I can make it to Tempe, AZ, with no problem and we can have the repair made there! I then proceed to Tempe! Scenery along the way is once again crazy ("wow," "crazy" is an "interesting" word...maybe I use it too much...maybe i use all those words to much? lol), cool! Between Cheyenne, WY, and Denver, CO, I see an bodacious herd of Buffalo and as I travel south to Colorado Springs a beautiful sunset! However, the wind is cranking and challenging me to stay on the road...so I'm really trying to focus on the road! Once I traveled through the wind, I really thought I would get sleepy and have to stop for a while...but I didn't and was greeted by a very cool Arizona sunrise! The mountains between Phoenix and Tempe are freaking huge and require a great number of runaway truck ramps...YIKES! Not having to test one of those ramps, lol, I roll into Tempe early Sunday morning! Now it is clear...another incorrect diagnosis! The rear wheel of the bus...called the tag wheel...is in the process of coming off the axle...as the outer wheel bearing is completely gone! Thank you again Aslan! Fireflight rocks the show in Tempe, AZ, Sunday night and here we are again making plans for "the" repair! Finally, after three days in Tempe and literally thousands of dollars later...by the way I really like Tempe...even ate at a Chick-fil-a on the Arizona State University Campus...repaired and on the road to our final shows in Texas we roll through some snow flurries in New Mexico but arrive safely and with no terrible noises from the bus! In Texas Fireflight rocks Uvalde, Amarillo, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio (home of the opening band, Abandon), and Lake Jackson! Dallas was very interesting in a number of ways! Shortly after our arrival we eat at a place called Angry Dog...which had really good hamburgers; however, the topic is up for debate as to whose burger is better...Angry Dog or at the competition right down the street! A place called The Twisted Root! Maybe next time around! So, shortly after we eat we are involved in an automobile accident on our way to a local radio station for an interview! No, I'm not gonna be interviewed, I'm the bus driver...remember! The "runner" (definition of "runner:" the driver of a vehicle that transports the band and crew, including me, to and from various locations once at the venue), does quite a job evading a serious pile up that had just occurred in front of us after we entered onto the Interstate! No injuries...and only minor damage to the vehicle! A very interesting text dialogue between me and Justin (lead guitarist), though during our ride! Ask me about it sometime!
Anyway...God calls us to "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story" which we do and we finish the tour in Lake Jackson, TX! "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story" is Biblical, right? Actually, it well may be the bottom line when it comes to our faith! So, was/is our faith real if we fail to "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story?" If we fail to persevere to the end? If we fail to endure no matter the cost? I know this thought could be taken many different ways and I do not mean that we can lose our Salvation once we "really/actually" receive it...so I will clarify and conclude my thoughts with what is unquestionably correct, God's Word! Then, if you have questions, you can see for yourself what God says and what I mean by, "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!"
2 Timothy 4:5-9 NIV, Paul's words just before his death...! No...I do not want myself or the band to die...but this is such a smoking good passage about how myself and many believers long to live out our faith...as Paul did! "But you keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."
I love to read the same passages in other Bible translations, versions, or paraphrases...so here is 2 Timothy 4:5-9 in The Message Paraphrase..."But you...keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep The Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's alter. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting...God's applause! Depend on it, He's an honest Judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for His coming."
God has plans for those who "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!" Need I say more?
So guys...as I conclude this blog of MY FIRST ROCK TOUR...which totally ROCKED FOR ME...well over 12,000 miles behind the wheel...I would like to thank you for all YOUR PRAYERS...! I am convinced THOSE PRAYERS were a crucial part of why we were able to "STAY THE COURSE...Stay In The Story!" Also, a shout out to Dawn, Glenn, Justin, Phee, and Wendy...THANKS SO MUCH for letting me be part of "The Story" God is writing with your lives! It is an absolute privilege!
Consume His Love my friends...because His Love Always Wins!
MORE OF THE STORY: Fireflight's NEW SONG "Desperate" is available for preview on their website...www.fireflightrock.com and their myspace!
Desperate is going straight to THE TOP guys...MARK MY WORDS!
Fireflight will be performing a number of shows of which they will fly to between now and the end of December...check www.fireflightrock.com or myspace for details...and then Fireflight will be back on the road for the Winter Jam Tour (45 Cities), with Third Day, Newsboys, Newsong, Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre, and Revive, beginnning January 8th, 2010!
Just a reminder! In my last blog...we were in Gillette, WY, awaiting the repair of our beloved bus after our Saturday show in Moorcroft, WY! No, we have not named our bus yet but I have voiced my interest in doing so! The part we need for the repair was supposed to be in Monday morning and we were hoping to hit the road by Monday evening for a show in Salt Lake City on Wednesday! The part didn't come in, imagine that...well it was actually shipped to the wrong location...so we wait, and wait, and wait!
It is now Wednesday...we have canceled the Salt Lake City Show :(( and we are scrambling to locate transportation to be in Las Vegas on Thursday. The band and crew leaves me in Gillette on Wednesday headed for Las Vegas! Eleven (11) peeps in a fifteen (15) passenger van for hundreds of miles...OH MY! The Pastor from Moorcroft, WY, and his wife are towing our trailer loaded with sound and light equipment with their pickup truck! The plan is to pick-up a Rental Tour Bus in Las Vegas until our bus is repaired! We are told the part will be in on Thursday and we can make plans then where I will meet the band! Gillette, WY, by myself...hummm? Prairie dog hunting? Probably not...but maybe! :)) So, now it's Friday! Supposedly...the bus has been repaired and I roll out of Gillette late Friday afternoon with intentions of meeting the band in Tempe, AZ, by Sunday afternoon! In the meantime the band who has already rocked Las Vegas, have a couple shows to play in California! It is early evening when I decide to stop at a Love's Truck Stop...one of many chains of Truck Stops I have become familiar with...this one in Cheyenne, WY! As I pull into the truck stop...I hear the same terrible noise that was supposedly repaired in Gillette! Except this time...it sounds like it is getting worse! I reluctantly phone our Tour Manager, mainly because I know the band is getting ready to rock a show and this is not super news! She provides me with instructions to stay in Cheyenne for the night and they would give me further instructions the next morning! Did I mention I'm in a truck stop...nice...and it is supposed to snow tomorrow? OK...mark another one off the Bucketlist...that is sleeping in a truck stop! No that's not on my Bucketlist, maybe someone else's, but not mine! lol So, I attempt to sleep in a truck stop...not easy with all the noise of trucks in and out but I managed to get a couple hours of rack time! The next day brings another diagnosis...a different diagnosis, IMAGINE THAT! However, the mechanic is convinced I can make it to Tempe, AZ, with no problem and we can have the repair made there! I then proceed to Tempe! Scenery along the way is once again crazy ("wow," "crazy" is an "interesting" word...maybe I use it too much...maybe i use all those words to much? lol), cool! Between Cheyenne, WY, and Denver, CO, I see an bodacious herd of Buffalo and as I travel south to Colorado Springs a beautiful sunset! However, the wind is cranking and challenging me to stay on the road...so I'm really trying to focus on the road! Once I traveled through the wind, I really thought I would get sleepy and have to stop for a while...but I didn't and was greeted by a very cool Arizona sunrise! The mountains between Phoenix and Tempe are freaking huge and require a great number of runaway truck ramps...YIKES! Not having to test one of those ramps, lol, I roll into Tempe early Sunday morning! Now it is clear...another incorrect diagnosis! The rear wheel of the bus...called the tag wheel...is in the process of coming off the axle...as the outer wheel bearing is completely gone! Thank you again Aslan! Fireflight rocks the show in Tempe, AZ, Sunday night and here we are again making plans for "the" repair! Finally, after three days in Tempe and literally thousands of dollars later...by the way I really like Tempe...even ate at a Chick-fil-a on the Arizona State University Campus...repaired and on the road to our final shows in Texas we roll through some snow flurries in New Mexico but arrive safely and with no terrible noises from the bus! In Texas Fireflight rocks Uvalde, Amarillo, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio (home of the opening band, Abandon), and Lake Jackson! Dallas was very interesting in a number of ways! Shortly after our arrival we eat at a place called Angry Dog...which had really good hamburgers; however, the topic is up for debate as to whose burger is better...Angry Dog or at the competition right down the street! A place called The Twisted Root! Maybe next time around! So, shortly after we eat we are involved in an automobile accident on our way to a local radio station for an interview! No, I'm not gonna be interviewed, I'm the bus driver...remember! The "runner" (definition of "runner:" the driver of a vehicle that transports the band and crew, including me, to and from various locations once at the venue), does quite a job evading a serious pile up that had just occurred in front of us after we entered onto the Interstate! No injuries...and only minor damage to the vehicle! A very interesting text dialogue between me and Justin (lead guitarist), though during our ride! Ask me about it sometime!
Anyway...God calls us to "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story" which we do and we finish the tour in Lake Jackson, TX! "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story" is Biblical, right? Actually, it well may be the bottom line when it comes to our faith! So, was/is our faith real if we fail to "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story?" If we fail to persevere to the end? If we fail to endure no matter the cost? I know this thought could be taken many different ways and I do not mean that we can lose our Salvation once we "really/actually" receive it...so I will clarify and conclude my thoughts with what is unquestionably correct, God's Word! Then, if you have questions, you can see for yourself what God says and what I mean by, "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!"
2 Timothy 4:5-9 NIV, Paul's words just before his death...! No...I do not want myself or the band to die...but this is such a smoking good passage about how myself and many believers long to live out our faith...as Paul did! "But you keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."
I love to read the same passages in other Bible translations, versions, or paraphrases...so here is 2 Timothy 4:5-9 in The Message Paraphrase..."But you...keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep The Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's alter. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting...God's applause! Depend on it, He's an honest Judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for His coming."
God has plans for those who "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!" Need I say more?
So guys...as I conclude this blog of MY FIRST ROCK TOUR...which totally ROCKED FOR ME...well over 12,000 miles behind the wheel...I would like to thank you for all YOUR PRAYERS...! I am convinced THOSE PRAYERS were a crucial part of why we were able to "STAY THE COURSE...Stay In The Story!" Also, a shout out to Dawn, Glenn, Justin, Phee, and Wendy...THANKS SO MUCH for letting me be part of "The Story" God is writing with your lives! It is an absolute privilege!
Consume His Love my friends...because His Love Always Wins!
MORE OF THE STORY: Fireflight's NEW SONG "Desperate" is available for preview on their website...www.fireflightrock.com and their myspace!
Desperate is going straight to THE TOP guys...MARK MY WORDS!
Fireflight will be performing a number of shows of which they will fly to between now and the end of December...check www.fireflightrock.com or myspace for details...and then Fireflight will be back on the road for the Winter Jam Tour (45 Cities), with Third Day, Newsboys, Newsong, Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre, and Revive, beginnning January 8th, 2010!
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