You're only three calls away...

You're only three calls away from anyone in the world.... I used to scoff at that saying. Maybe because of who said it originally (Robert H Schuller -- the dad, not the son), but I have come to realize it is the truth. I was reminded of it last night in both very good and very bad ways. Interesting to note that the bad ways only affected me in a slight way and only to reflect on lessons I've learned and things I will never do again. All of which happened before I was saved and can see God's grace guiding me through, even before I was a Christian.

The bad ways have become growing experiences for me and made me a casual fan (though an interested party to still be a part of the music industry somehow behind the scenes) of Christian artists rather than a groupie. Groupies are fine and make the shows interesting/fun (as I witnessed at the Jars of Clay concert I went to last night!), but there is a downside to having groupies. I'm sure [insert any high profile Christian band's name] knows what I mean. Sure, I was a major groupie of a few bands way back when (though it seems like only 5 years in some cases!) and literally had my parents plan a trip to Oregon for the off chance that I would actually get to meet Michael W. Smith, dcTalk and Steven Curtis Chapman at a Christian festival that no longer even exists (called Jesus Northwest). As it turned out, I only met SCC... I had to wait two years beyond that to meet dcTalk and still am waiting to this day to meet Michael W. Smith. And sure, I skipped classes to see Jars of Clay in 1997 or 1998 and also to see Michael W. Smith at the Billy Graham Crusade at the Oakland Coliseum also 1997 or 1998. And I did go to Six Flags Hotlanta to see Jars of Clay when I was Nashville on a weeklong trip (a 4 hour drive) back in 1998 or 1999. (All of these dates I have blocked these out of my memory except to say I did crazy things - if I really concentrate, I could get the exact date, but there's no need to at this point). But, now I have to pity some of the groupies. And I mean the young ones who don't know where to draw the line between being a groupie and being obsessive.

"You shall have no oter gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) This wasn't something that the apostle Paul handed down to the Corinthian, Ephesian or Roman church... this was something that God handed down as on of "the big 10" to the Israelites. It's unfortunate that some people still don't get it. I said before the Paris Hilton story made me sick. And though it was definitely Sherriff Baca pulled a horrible publicity stunt and getting burnt for it (which made me laugh hysterically when he was reprimanded) that made me sick initially, it's also that there are much more important stories to concentrate on... why does the entire media have to camp out in front of Hilton's home to watch her being arrested and crying? Never mind, the poor girl has serious issues beyond her DUI convictions and stuff. But the media could have done more with those hours like ... oh, I don't know... maybe reporting on how California is going bankrupt [or, will become bankrupt soon!] because of the poor draining our system or how corrupt King Drew-Harbor Hospital is and that it really needs to be closed down permanently after the death of the woman in the Emergency Room!

I didn't mean for this to be a rant on the media, but the overall depravity of humans and worshipping celebrities. Though also to reflect on all that God has taught me. :)