This sucks.

I have not been feeling well since I got home on Monday afternoon. It has progressively gotten worse so I went to the doctor this morning only to find that I have Strep Throat. Its so hard being sick when I want to be enjoying my time home with my wife. However, I guess I would rather be home and sick than on the road dealing with this. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as we head back out on Friday morning. Thanks so much.

Chris

My wife and I love American Idol. It really is the only thing we watch on television. Few people realize just how talented even the worst of the contestants really are. I know I used to think that anybody with a pretty good voice could make it. That is, until my wife and I held home tryouts!

One night we decided that we’d each take turns standing up in our living room with the other on the couch and give our best American Idol tryout. We would be our own judges! Jen went first and I’ve gotta say that she impressed me. I’ve always believed that she is the best singer I know. Even before we were married or really even knew each other I’d heard her sing and was mesmerized by her voice. She stood in front of me there in our living room and gave a better than Bonnie Raitt (or anyone else) performance of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” complete with stage presence, personality, and perfect pitch. When she was done I burst into a clapping attack and told her how great it was. I raved and went on and on with complete honesty about how intoxicating her voice was as it seemingly wrapped and weaved itself around and throughout my senses.

I talked about how along with her incredible talent I thought she had a certain “likeability” that few others possess. Then, in typical “Idol” form told her that she looked great, sounded great, and for sure would be going on to Hollywood. I was next. Now this took a lot out of me. You have to understand, I DON’T SING without a guitar!!! I felt completely naked and vulnerable standing there in front of her. But, I was committed to this thing so I closed my eyes and gave my best rendition of one of my favorite Keith Urban songs.

I felt like I was “on” with my performance. Even as I was singing I felt a certain “coolness” about my voice and presence. Kinda like whoever was listening was just blessed to be in the room at such an epic moment. You know, like lightning was striking twice in the same spot somewhere and she was just fortunate to have been around for the fireworks. I finished my performance, opened my eyes, and waited for Jen’s response.

She looked up, shrugged her shoulders and uttered. . . . . . . . .”a little pitchy”.

-Hunter

Hey everyone, each night Hunter and I get the opportunity to share with all the youth pastors that attend Winter Jam a little about our mission in this industry and I thought I could share it with our readers.

Hunter and I met almost 9 years ago leading worship for a young adult ministry on the South side of Indianapolis. Prior to meeting Hunter and leading worship with him I would play out at bars and coffee shops trying to get some break and “make it” in music professionally. At this time my motivations were very selfish. When Hunter and I started leading worship together God planted a passion for worship and ministry in me. After a couple years of serving in this ministry I felt God begin to ask me if this
is what He had for me as my calling could I be content in just serving the local church.

After a few months of praying over this thought I honestly came to a place where I could say “yes”. I love to serve the local church because I believe in it so much. After a few more years of serving along side Hunter God began to open some doors for us to “perform” at other venues and record an album. Hunter and I both knew that we were not called into entertainment. Our hearts are for ministry not just to stand up in front of people and entertain them. So every step of the way it is our prayer that this continues to be our mission. We have learned that the world’s definition of success is very different than God’s so we want to serve Him only and not man.

-chris

OK, so my wife and I don’t watch a lot of TV, but tonight we saw a show on FOX called “Moment of Truth”. have y’all seen it? What are you’re thoughts? Is it really worth it to put important relationships on the line for cash? There is the obvious answer everyone thinks they should give, but then what about the people who actually go on the show? Obviously there are people who are willing to inflict wounds on loved ones and ditch there dignity for money. Do you have a price tag? What is it?

-Hunter

Oh, and by the way… Happy Valentine’s Day

I don’t know if this is funny to anyone else, but I made it on two, yes count them two, of BarlowGirls video podcasts! Does this mean we are famous now?

-chris

Heading back home to the Tundra.

It is Sunday and I have enjoyed the this run very much. We have had a great time meeting new people and the unbelievable weather down in the South. It is sunny and 60 degrees right now in Tupelo, MS while it is -8 degrees back in Indy right now. However, it will be great to go home for a few days and be with my wife for her birthday and Valentines Day on Thursday.

If you are in the Tupelo area come out and say hi, we would love to see you.

Chris

Hello.

We are in Jacksonville, Florida tonight and the weather is perfect down here. I thought I might update our readers that may actually be interested in this sort of thing what I am currently listening to (musically speaking). I finally purchased The Killers new album Sawdust. So far it is on course to be another fantastic album. However, Sam’s Town there last effort will be tough to top. I have also been listening to a lot of old unreleased Counting Crows stuff that I stole off of Napster back when I had less integrity. OH! I almost forgot. It has been out for a little while but Sarah Groves latest Tell Me What You Know is a must have.

Probably the coolest thing about being around music all the time on the road is getting to talk with other musicians about what they are listening to and what moves them artistically. Like whenever I listen to a Ryan Adams album it makes me want to pick up my guitar and write. Or how whenever I pick up a Counting Crows album I feel like I should never try to write lyrics again.

-chris

So this morning my wife and I go into our son’s room to get him up. This is always a great time of our day. The three of us layed together in my son’s twin bed and talked about life. We asked him how his night went and he had the most interesting response. I am NOT making any of this up. Apparently this was how his night went:

“I went and got my crocs on and my black guitar shirt and my pants. Then I went downstairs and went out to the woods to throw rocks and see God get the storm on. Then God came back to my room and helped my daddy get my shirts last night.”

We both found all of this to be remarkable. Somehow he was able to dress himself, leave the house, go to the woods and throw rocks, and have a powerful (and practical) encounter with God without waking us up!!

Being a parent brings more entertainment than every lifestage combined. I love hearing stories about what kids say and do. Y’all got any good ones? Let us know.

Hunter

Encounter-(a Christian teen) weekly magazine that correlates with high school curriculum… and that’s me.

-hunter

Hey bloggerific people. I don’t know why I like to blog late at night but that’s just me. I love how God puts us together with spouses that balance us. If you would have asked my wife in high school what kind of guy she would end up marrying a bearded musician would not be her first pick. My wife works a 8 to 5 job and likes to be in bed no later than 11pm. I find I do my best work/songwriting after 12am. Somehow with all this contradiction we just work together perfectly. If I had a wife that was exactly like me we might combust.

I recently read a blog by the very talented Andrew Peterson. In this blog Andy talked about his insecurities as a songwriter and how he cant write in front of anyone, not his wife and not even his young kids. I feel his insecurity, I am the same way. Maybe that’s why I write late at night sothat my wife is asleep. Even my dog Mordecai makes me nervous when I write I need him to at least be preoccupied with a bone or something. I don’t knowwhat it is, I love to share a song that is finished with my wife but when it is still being developed its hard to share. Well here it is after 2am so I guess I should start working. Peace.

Chris