October 4, 2011

I Corinthians 15:54 “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:  ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?’”

 My friend, Steve, turned 51 this year.  After pursuing one successful career in the world of investments, he had decided to return to his first love, the theater, by pursuing a teaching degree, and had just earned his masters in theater.  He then had just this semester been given what he called his “dream job,” as head of the Theater Dept. in a local high school in Nebraska.  Steve was a child of God; a joint heir with Jesus; a man who, like the Apostle Paul (and the rest of us), had not yet attained the goal set before him but was pressing on towards it.  His work life was flourishing again, his marriage was more blessed than ever, his children were well on their way to pursuing their lives and careers. 

 And then, the enemy who prowls like a roaring lion (I Peter 5:8) saw a weakness in Steve’s armor, and rushed in to devour him, and on September 23, 2011, he took his own life. 

 “Why?” we all asked.  “Why would he do such a thing to his family?”  In the end, the reasons are not important.  Not really.  What the real question should be is how can a child of God forget wherein his strength really lies, and rush back into a loving Father’s arms, no matter the weakness?   This is not a question of judging Steve’s actions.  In dwelling on and praying over this tragedy and the impact it has on family and friends, like ripples from a pebble tossed in the pond of our lives, I have realized that this is not a isolated question just for Steve.  It is a warning to all of us, even followers of Christ, who have ever been even on the fringes of depression, or of being overwhelmed by the issues of our day; or overwhelmed by the consequences of our occasional poor choices. 

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

 Don’t fool yourself.  The enemy circles you and me, also, looking for that opportunity.  So have you given thanks to God in all your circumstances?  He is a lot bigger than anything you can ever imagine; a lot bigger than anything you might’ve done. Run back to the Father, not into the abyss.   

I will spring up like grass in the meadow;  I will drink, and not thirst anymore.

For You have poured Your Spirit down on this dry and thirsty ground,

And I am yours.*

(Isaiah 44:4; Psalm 63:1)

I love writing songs.  I particularly love finding a melody hidden in scripture.  Some of the best songs of all time are derived from scripture.  I, like many, often wonder what the tunes of some of the Psalms were like.  What style or melodies did David like?  Which ones had a driving, inspirational beat?  (Like the old American Bandstand show, “it’s got a good beat, and you can dance to it”); or which ones were quiet, introspective ballads?

The Bible speaks volumes about singing praises, and songs, and the playing of instruments, particularly in praise to God the Father.  Scripture extols singing the “new song.”  It is no small wonder that music continues to play such a huge part of our lives, even in the ungodly world.  I truly believe that our love of music is a natural, created response in us to the Creator, whether one consciously acknowledges Him or not.   Someone asked me awhile back why I love playing and writing songs so much.  I’ve been asked that often, and my standard response is to quote a line from that old movie, “Chariots of Fire,” where the hero (his name escapes me) is a Christian athlete competing in the Olympics, and he is asked similarly, “why do you love running so much; and why do you smile while you run?”  His answer was simply, “when I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” 

When I create a song, I literally feel His pleasure; His creative energy reflected in me.  My favorite time of the process is while I’m writing it.  Once it’s finished, the pleasure begins to fade.  By the time I’m ready to start actually playing the new song for people, it’s a “golden oldie” to me, and I’m already chomping at the bit to sit down and start a new one. 

“God’s Pleasure.”  What is it that you find yourself enjoying to the point where you feel His presence and pleasure?  Grasp that thing and hold onto it; nurture it; then repeat the process.  My suspicion is that that may be just the thing God has created you to do, and uses in you to smile on others.

 *from “Through This Battle,” © 1997 by Richard C. Trice (BMI) and TriceTunes, all rights reserved, used by permission

I am at an age where going forward in this life could easily be viewed as the "downhill slope on the other side of the hill."  After all, I will turn 59 later this year, which technically puts me three years away from early retirement (one of the last "baby boomers" who can do that at 62).  All these thoughts could cause one to become a bit morose.  Instead, I choose to embrace the new year/ decade with renewed appreciation for what I have yet to accomplish. 

I have just finished production on what I feel is the best set of recordings I've done, so far.  Plus, I have material yet to record another eight albums!  If I diligently work at it, I should be able to get these done and released over the next two or three years!  I am also blessed in that new material is still pouring out of me at an unbelievable rate, so that I may never get caught up (which is perfectly fine). 

God has blessed my life.  I don't have perfection yet; not the perfect marriage, but the perfect soul mate; not the perfect family, but the perfect people in my life to love; not the perfect songs, but the perfect Muse; not the perfect job, but the perfect Provider of my needs.

In short, God is still working on me; He has not forgotten me for a younger version; He is still interested in me. 

Welcome to 2011! 

By Rick Trice

“Wearing the Name of Jesus”

 The elderly gentleman wearing a “Jesus” baseball cap walked up to me in the parking lot of the convenience store in Shamrock, TX, where I had just finished gassing up.  He was smiling, gesturing at the bike, and speaking to me.  I only knew this because I could see his lips moving.  You see, I had just pushed my ear buds in, turned on my iPod full blast, and cinched my helmet down, ready to jump back on the bike and continue my marathon ride home from “Changing of the Colors – 2010.”  I had left Iron Mountain at 8:30 a.m., and was on the last leg of that day’s 540 mile goal to reach Amarillo before dark.  “Just a second, I can’t hear you,” I said, pointing to my helmet.  I got the music turned off, got the helmet back off, smiled and shook his hand.  “Nice cap,” I said.  “Yeah,” he answered in his northeastern accent.  “I found it on my table at the café and stole it!”  he grinned.  When he noticed my puzzled look, he offered, “You see, I’m Jewish, so I thought this would be a great joke!”  I was taken a little aback, not knowing quite what to say, so we then talked a little about my trip, and where I was from, about CMA, etc.  Then, as we were parting I pointed back at his cap and simply said, “You know, Jesus was also Jewish!  I think He would’ve loved you wearing His name.”   He shrugged, smiled, shook my hand again, and walked away. 

 And as I headed west into the sunset, I reflected on how I wear the name of Jesus.  I like to kid around and joke with people as much as the next guy.  But as I cross over that line in my life where there are probably fewer years ahead than behind, “heading into the sunset,” so to speak, my challenge to myself is that the Jesus I wear, the One who others see, be the real Christ, and not just some meaningless joke. 

 (C) 2010 Richard C. Trice and TriceTunes, all rights reserved.

By Rick Trice

 “We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ.  We shouldn’t need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God…Let’s grow up, if God is willing!” Hebrews 6:1,3 (CEV)

 In my daily job in the world, I am often required to correct and discipline others whom I supervise.  The Bible is clear on it’s instructions to such overseers, to treat those people with respect, but to speak the truth in love; sometimes easier said than done.  An attentive supervisor will give attainable goals, matched to the person’s skills, then step back and give them room to perform, occasionally offering constructive feedback and guidance. A receptive employee will recognize both their strengths and weaknesses, and use those strengths to improve the weaknesses.  But if you have either a non-attentive boss or an unreceptive worker, you upset a critical balance in the work structure, and little gets accomplished, at least for any long term benefit. 

 Do you see any analogy to how God tries to work in and through us?  If we are in His kingdom, called to be in the world but not of it, we are often pulled to and fro as we deal with things of the Spirit and things of the flesh.  Thankfully, we do not have an inattentive Boss; He is constantly at our side, coaching and correcting.  The problem is it is usually us, as the unreceptive worker, who prevents any further progress.  Maybe it’s time to quit talking to ourselves about the same old deeds and old victories, and let God lead us onto more mature ground…maybe it’s time to “grow up” some.

 I am sitting in the San Antonio airport, waiting for our flight to Dallas.  Linda and I have enjoyed a relaxing few days exploring the Riverwalk, The Alamo, and other bits of history, as well as enjoying a few great places to eat.  But as I sit waiting for our boarding call, I look around and notice the majority of folks are not engaged in conversations, but rather with their computers (like me), or iPhones, or texting, totally absorbed in their electronic “socializing.”   I am also reminded of how, more than once, we noticed most of the folks we “people-watched “ this week were shuffling along, not smiling, and often downright frowning.  Now, granted, San Antonio in late June can be quite hot, if not sweltering.   Some of these people were surly waiters or young families, shepherding a herd of cranky, over stimulated children (one more reason Linda and I are enjoying more and more our travels alone, now being “empty nesters”).  In fact, one of the few times we saw universal smiles were when we stopped for the obligatory ice cream cones daily.  I have concluded that, in the flesh, ice cream is the great common denominator of “joy,” just as in the spiritual, Jesus is the great common denominator of “joy and peace,”  and not nearly so fattening.   Someone said it takes 40 something muscles to frown and only 7 to smile.  I would add to that:  it really should only take one muscle (the heart), filled with the Holy Spirit.

 Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our daughter was recently awarded her Master’s Degree in business.  To help celebrate this, she and her husband asked Linda and I to go to Las Vegas for a weekend.  Now, we have been to Vegas a couple times before, and always enjoy the amazing lights, the fantastic architecture, the great food, and a show or two.  But each time I am also just as  amazed at the heights (or is it depths) that people will go to in chasing the ultimate “high.”  Literally rubbing elbows with all representatives of humanity, walking up and down the Strip, you see people not only with grins on their faces but a certain desperation in their eyes; people hoping to get lucky at the casino, or “lucky in love,” just allowing all their inhibitions to dissolve.  I’m struck by how hard they push themselves to “have a good time.”  Even on the flight over, there was a distinct party atmosphere on the plane.  But once there it didn’t take more than a few hours for the noise, the cigarette smoke, and the “in your face” attitude of Vegas to begin to rub the veneer right off and expose the darkness underneath.  On the flight back some of those same eyes now contained empty stares, and a more subdued mood, as I’m sure many were reflecting on the fact that the “dream” had once again eluded them.

 James 5:5 says this:  “While here on earth you have thought only of filling your own stomachs and having a good time. But now you are like fat cattle on their way to being butchered.”  Now James is actually speaking against the wealthy who abuse their workers, but I believe the lesson still applies:  Are we interested in our own bellies, or in “feeding” others?  My prayer today is that the Lord open our eyes a little wider to see the hurt and dying around us everyday; to realize every day the fantastic gift of our salvation, then give us the earnest desire to witness that gift to everyone around us.     

Recently, a large corporation hired several cannibals to increase their diversity.

"You are all part of our team now," said the Human Resources rep during the welcoming briefing. "You get all the usual benefits and you can go to the cafeteria for something to eat, but please don't eat any employees."  The cannibals promised they would not.

Four weeks later their boss remarked, "You're all working very hard and I'm satisfied with your work. We have noticed a marked increase in the whole company's performance. However, one of our secretaries has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to her?"  The cannibals all shook their heads, "No."

After the boss had left, the leader of the cannibals said to the others, "Which one of you idiots ate the secretary?" A hand rose hesitantly. "You fool!" the leader continued. "For four weeks we've been eating managers and no one noticed anything. But NOOOooo, you had to go and eat someone who actually does something."  

If you’ve ever had a lousy boss, the above story may hit home.  We’ve probably all  occasionally worked for someone who might’ve said, either verbally or by their actions, “Do what I say, not as I do.”   In other words, someone who does not lead by example. 

 In my “day job,” I am often faced with a situation where I need to put pressure on people to get certain tasks accomplished in a timely and efficient manner.  This is part of being a “manager,” and I try to be careful not to ask someone to do something that I would not do myself.   But as a Christian, I have to be extra cautious to make sure my actions speak as loud, or louder, than my words, not only at work but at all times.  My confession today to you is that I do not always succeed at this.  It’s a “work in progress” between Jesus and me.

 Frances of Assisi is quoted as having said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”   I think we too often have this turned around.  We can talk the talk, but can we walk it? 

 “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

Chaplain’s Confessions - March, 2010

By Rick Trice 

Greetings to you, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! 

I recently acquired a “Kindle,” one of those new fangled electronic books, with which you can download the latest newspapers, magazines, or even best selling novels, almost instantaneously and carry up to 1500 books / reading material around in a little flat box roughly the size and shape of an average paperback.

 Of course, I “justified” the purchase by immediately downloading a couple translations of the Bible, plus a few devotionals and commentaries (after all, I am a “pastor,” and “chaplain,” right?  It’s a ministry tool!)  But I also used it to subscribe to a couple of newspapers that are automatically downloaded each morning.  I can then quickly scan headlines, and then click to read only those stories of interest. Scanning the Denver Post recently my eye caught the following headlines in quick succession:  “Superman’s Debut Comic Book Sells for $1 Million;” “Museum Displays Serial Killer Ted Bundy’s 1968 VW Beetle;” “More Senior Citizens Using Marijuana;” and “Obama Biography by New Yorker Editor Coming.” 

And then, grouped in with the same stories, was this item:  “Israeli Archeology Find Backs Bible Narrative.”  Recently a dig in Jerusalem has uncovered ancient fortifications that date back 3,000 years to King Solomon that support the Biblical narrative about Kings David and Solomon, and their era of strong government.  This, it seems, is in direct opposition to recent archeological theories that defined those men’s reigns as largely “mythological,” and historically there had never been a strong government system in Israel. 

Of course, my first reaction was “a-ha!” which it usually is when I read that science has once again proven the eternal truth of the Bible.  But then, I backed up and looked at the forest for the trees.  Here was the truth of the ages rising to the surface of a sea of flash-in-the-pan stories that will be relatively unimportant and forgotten (like “yesterday’s news?) in just a short time. 

My second reaction was realizing how much of our time and resources we waste in chasing after the latest news and tidbits of titillating gossip. 

Then my final reaction came back home to roost:  I realized that I (not entirely unlike the idiot who spent $1 million on an 80 year old Superman comic) had better be cautious how I use this new “e-book” in chasing similar trivia, instead of chasing God’s eternal truth!    “You must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free…” (James 1:25)

GRACE (“God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”) to you! 

We are in the studio again, working a couple of projects.  Christian songwriter and musician Ty Deater has worked up a CD-worth of worship and praise music, which I am producing for him.  Ty is a sweet soul with a heart for praising God with his music.  I look forward to helping him complete his project and get it out there for everyone to hear.  Then Linda and I are getting set to tackle at least two projects of our own, simultaneously.  Tentatively titled “One of the Family,” this CD will be songs we’ve written over the years for various family members (kids, parents, brothers, sisters, grandkids, grandparents, even pets-- the title song comes from a song about our cat!).  The second project will be a praise and worship album.  Ironically, most of my songs are NOT strictly “praise” songs, but what I would call songs to “exhort” each other with.  Consequently, I have probably just enough true praise songs to fill one CD. 

 Other things have sort of quieted down this winter, what with our “day” jobs, and pulling back from some other projects.  One bright event on the horizon is that we’ve been asked to lead the praise and worship for the Christian Motorcyclists Association’s Colorado State Rally in July.  This is a tremendous organization with a heart for evangelism, and we are very honored to have been asked.  

 And on an even more personal note, we are pleased to announce the pending birth of our 6^th grandchild in April.  Pray for a safe delivery and health for our daughter-in-law, Mindy, and of course the baby (nicknamed “Blue” for now).

 Thanks to those of  you who keep checking out the website and giving us feedback.  Check back periodically, as we continue to update photos and happenings. 

We love you!

R&L