Dreaming in Technicolor

Several people asked via Facebook about how the show was last night, so after my work-out this morning I sat down to write a note to post about it to answer them all at once. I composed a nice, lengthy review of the whole evening, but when I left the page to find a picture to post with it, I didn't realize that it hadn't auto-saved, and I lost the entire thing. By then it was time to leave for staff meeting, so I came to the office, and I've been in meetings ever since. But now that I have few minutes before I need to prepare for church tonight, I'll try to remember some of what I wrote this morning and post it here on the blog.

First of all, anything at The Fox Theatre is pretty much a sure thing for me. It's always been one of my very favorite places, and continues to be so, even though I really think it's just a little too big for Broadway shows. The average house on the Great White Way in NYC is considerably more intimiate than the Fox, because Broadway shows are written and meant for smaller houses. So if you attend a play or a show at the Fox and are too far away from the stage, you generally miss a lot that you would otherwise experience in an actual Broadway theatre.

That being said, last night was, in a word, wonderful. It wasn't the best production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that I've ever seen (and I've seen it a few times over the years), but it was pretty good. The show is a lot of fun...some would say silly (Pharaoh is an Elvis impersonator, for example)...but there are still moments in it that are movingly serious and quite profound. Basically, the show just has a lot of heart

Dreamcoat was Andrew Lloyd Webber's first published work. He wrote it in college, before Jesus Christ Superstar or some of his later, more sophisticated pieces, but it's enjoyable and family-friendly, and has held up well enough over the years. I have an original album soundtrack version of it somewhere that I bought when I was 12 or 13 and memorized, and even auditioned for a local production of it years ago and got the part, but couldn't work it out with my schedule.

That's all well and good, but it's the amazing story of Joseph, itself, that shines through and so resonates with me, regardless of the medium in which it's presented. It's probably my favorite Bible story...a story that is obviously about the power of dreams, but is also a saga of love and redemption, reconciliation in a dysfunctional family, and the mysteries of the prophetic. It's a story about survival and triumph...one that always inspires me, no matter how many times I hear it told (or sung or danced).

The tickets to the show were a Father's Day gift from Judah and Jonah, and of course I thoroughly enjoyed being treated by them to it. We had a lot of fun together last night. And I'm not the kind of dad you by a drill, golf-club, or weed-whacker for, so it's gratifying to me that my sons know me well enough to know what to get me. The best part of the evening for me was the conversation that the three of us had afterward about the Bible...about what it is and what it isn't...about the possibilities in the life of a man like Jospeh who had so many ups and downs in his life (mostly downs, actually), and how that his latter was greater than his former.

These days I really try to savor and enjoy every moment that I experience. I am grateful for my kids, for the wonderful time I had last night with two of them, for art and music and all that goes with it, for my beautiful Atlanta, and for the part of the Word that gives life, instead of the letter that kills. But today I am thinking particularly of Joseph...and about dreams...and about life...and about happy endings to stories of hardship. My favorite Scripture verses in the story are Genesis 50:19-21:

Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
- The Message

Wow. I love it. And I relate to it.

Gotta go get ready for church...

Hold on to you dreams...

FATHER'S DAY AT CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST

"I had the pleasure of visiting Atlanta and CITN this morning. All I could do during worship was cry as I watched beautiful people from all walks of life love on Father together...I am deeply grateful for your commitment and your sacrifice for the Good News..."
- Jeremy Brooks

"Fabulous service! CITN is on the cutting edge of revival..."
- Jamie Gray

"...wonderful word today Bishop and enjoyed Judah singing...he was great."
- Don Craddock

"...tell your Dad he is My hero...I love your Dad so much...he is a great Dad."
- Alicia Neal

"What a mighty out pouring of the HOLY SPIRIT!"
- GRT

"...U R Simply The Best and todays message was Awesome thank u!
- Luv Tuff

"Always love when Judah does that song..but in honor of fathers day and to you, as the cameras cut away to Jonah on drums and your face, the connection of love, passion, and gifts were greatly expressed and all tied together...so glad I get to be a part of that!!"
- Debra Murphy

"Thank you Judah and Jonah for sharing your gifts with us today."
- Barbara Clancy

"If grace is an ocean...we're all sinking...."
- Nancy Courter

"Judah did an awesome job on that song under the anointing. It's the best I have heard anyone sing it so far. He was "smoking". we enjoyed watching Jonah playing in the Spirit on those drums. You are so blessed to have such talented and gifted children."
- Nadine Coker

"Bishop u are a great father and a wonderful example to ALL men everywhere for ur truthfulness, integrity, and sprituality."
- Nechemyah Levy

Thanks so much, everyone, for your beautiful words about yesterday's service! It really was a great day...in fact, it was a great weekend. Jared's in Europe (I think...or is it California?...I don't know, we've been phone-tagging), but I got to spend time with Christina and the grandbabies Friday, and then Judah and Jonah blessed me so much in the Sunday service with their music (btw, the praise and worship was excellent, too!). Then we had a wonderful Father's Day lunch afterward with the whole extended family. By the way, Jonah is singing this coming Thursday night at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN (don't forget to bring an hors d'oeuvre and/or dessert if you're coming!). The boys also got me/us tickets to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and are taking me to see it Tuesday night at the Fox. Awesome! It's going to be a busy week...Wednesday night at CITNE, Thursday night at CITNM, and then I'll be ministering in Houston over the weekend, but will be back for service next Sunday.

Lots of good stuff happening...

And we're still trying to perfect the website...thanks for your patience while we work some bugs out.

It's all good.

Love you all...

FATHER'S DAY SCRAPBOOK

We're expecting this coming Sunday to be a great day at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST! In keeping with the flow of "The Fruit of the Spirit is...Goodness", the title of my sermon is Generational Goodness: Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World. I hope to see many of you there!

Being a father has been (and is) one of the greatest joys of my life. My kids, who are all grown now, are basically the main reason I have no regrets...the reason why I don't second guess the life-choices I've made along my path. If my life had gone in a different direction when I was a young man, I wouldn't have them now, so I'm so glad that everything has happened the way that it has, exactly as it has...

My four kids have each become wonderful young adults, and are all a part of my every day life now as my friends. In the last year, especially, their unconditional love and support has been more than I could ask or think.

And speaking of unconditional love and fatherhood, I also want to acknowledge that my own dad, who is now 78 years old, is an amazing, wise man...someone who has become the definition of a true Christian in his senior years, as far as I'm concerned. The last 9 months have been a challenge for him, to say the least, because the events of my life have so affected his life. But he has stood by me, without judgment, and has kept a great attitude, in spite of having to leave the denomination he served for decades because he attends my church, and losing many of his friends because he refused to publicly renounce me. He has no "agenda" in supporting me in this way...he's just being my dad.

So, I am grateful.

And I am blessed.

Here are some of my favorite "Then and Now" pics of dad and me, and of me with my kids, followed by a good Father's Day repost. Hope you enjoy...


DAD AND ME THEN AND NOW...

My first outing...

In South Korea at Parliament...

I like this one because dad rarely smiles in pics...

JARED AND ME THEN AND NOW...

"Ministering" with me (age 2) at Faith Memorial...

Building a Habitat for Humanity House in Peru...

Performing a wedding ceremony for one of his friends...

"Jare Bear"

CHRISTINA AND ME THEN AND NOW...

Singing with me (age 1) at Word of Faith A/G...

With Daisson (my fourth son)...

My beautiful daughter is a wonderful mother...

In Key West for their 5th anniversary party ("Stina Beena")...

JUDAH AND ME THEN AND NOW...

Home from the hospital...

Playing for my 50th birthday...

His Ordination Service...

"Judah Magudah"

JONAH AND ME THEN AND NOW...

Home from the hospital again...

Atop St. Paul's Cathedral, London...

Graduation Day!

"Jonely Bonely"

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!


Originally posted June 21, 2009:

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father. Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives. Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing. Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect. Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own. Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides. Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children. And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

- Kirk Loadman

Big Weekend at CITN East

Thanks to all of you helped with the three graduations over the weekend...

ALCOVY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

EASTSIDE (Jonah's) GRADUATION

There's a lot I could say about this past weekend...a lot I had planned to say...but I'm just going to leave it at "thankyou"...and to say that I am proud of my son, blown away by my staff, and grateful to God that He makes all things beautiful in its (His) time (Ecclesiastes 3:11)...

Good News!

They who sow in tears...

...shall reap in joy. (Psalms 126:5)

Memories From Last Night

God is good...here are some shots from last night with my guys (Jonah's 17th birthday)...a happy ending to a very trying day (thanks for praying for my dad)...all's well that ends well...

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. (Psalms 127:3-5 NIV)