The Ramblings of James A. Miller

17 Songs and Counting

2012-01-07T21:08:00.002-06:00

Well, there are 17 songs on the playlist now. The band has been progressing slowly amidst life stuff. The CD tracking is getting done among things somehow. It's slow and steady. Before long we'll need to be looking seriously at booking. Any suggestions? Throw me some ideas. Call/text/email/reply, etc.

Hope to be performing for you soon.

Recording!

2011-11-23T10:56:00.001-06:00

Recording of the CD has finally begun! It will be interrupted by Thanksgiving celebration, but that's of course no real "interruption" at all. I think when it is finally released, you'll see much to be thankful for reflected in the content.

Anyway the process has begun. I suspect this will be a rather lengthy time of recording with other life responsibilities sharing our time. Most of the tracks will be from myself, Steve, and Dan, but there likely will be some guest musicians as well. More on that later.

We still need to settle on a band name. Want to help pick? Possibilities below. Thoughts?

Street Lights
The Teacup Pigs
We the Sheeple
J Miller Band

I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and hope you find much to be thankful for.

Resuming...

2011-09-05T08:36:00.002-05:00

Leading Worship
I'm happy to have had the opportunity to lead worship music a bit lately, twice at Oasis of God in St. Charles, MO,and I get to co-lead again this coming Sunday (9/11) at Chesterfield Community Church along with Stephen Adams from PANDORA's Regret. Other musicians include Rob Ritter (electric guitar), Chris Knoll (keys), and Brian Scott (drums).

Band Progress
Now that we've gotten Steve and Rachel married, the band met for rehearsal yesterday and worked on some more stuff. We've got a variety of fresh original and cover material we're working up, and we're looking forward to serving it to you. As of yet, the band still doesn't have a name. If you'd like to help in the search/decision, consider this:

3 musicians, each bringing a variety of styles to the table. (Hard Rock, Bluegrass, Indie Rock, Jazz, Fusion, Folk, Pop, Country & Western, R & B, Blues...) Catchy/fun/important cover songs (by Foo Fighters, Joe Jackson, The Cure, Switchfoot) Original material: moody ballads, sensitive love songs, retro Rock, angst driven songs of betrayal and resolution; each delivered with a philosophical examination of Biblical principles.

All 3 band members are Christians, and while the goal is not to be pushy, the message and their faith are both fairly direct in an engaging manner. There is truth to be heard and considered by all. We're likely not a "safe" Christian band in the sense that we'd fit on your regular Christian radio station. Probably not one dimensional enough. Yet, TRUTH isn't always safe. Sometimes it's gritty, abrasive, and even painful. It also fills a gap...meets a need. It satisfies a hunger deep within. This is what we aim to feed. We want to be music for the people.

Please help us add to our possible band names. So far:

Sol(o)m(e)n('s) +Vice
Solomon's adVice
Solomanad Vice
LambMiller
Canvas City
J Miller Band
The Teacup Pigs
Street Lights
...

Hope you're having a great holiday weekend.

James

Test Driving...

2011-07-25T13:54:00.000-05:00

Well, I did a little test drive over the weekend. Test drove some new songs that is, amidst a full set including worship music at Oasis of God in St. Charles, MO. Received positive feedback on the songs. This was a solo gig.

The band is still meeting every few weeks for rehearsal. Progress has slowed a bit, but that's understandable considering all of the changes going on in our lives. First off, the Miller's have a new addition to the family in case you haven't seen any previous postings elsewhere about it. :-) Josiah Arnold Miller joined us on 4/15/2011, weighing in a 5 pounds, 7 ounces. Right now he's just under 13 pounds, and is quite a happy little boy.

Congratulations to James A Miller Band's guitarist Steve Lamb, and his fiancee Rachel Gardner. 3 more days until their wedding. Then they're off on an adventure together. Also drummer Dan Deming and Karrie Young are engaged. Looks like they'll be tying the knot sometime next summer.

What does the future hold? Lots of diaper changes for sure. Otherwise, I'll probably be doing some more test gigs without the band in the next few weeks. Also I'll be sitting in on bass at Destiny Church, St. Louis. Dan's on vacation right now. While the guys are out, I'll be recording my demo tracks. Hopefully I'll have everything ready for them to put their creative stamp on things when they return to action. We'll resume rehearsals in full force at that time.

Hopefully by this Fall we'll be ready to reveal our hard work to the masses. Need a band for your venue, event, party, function, etc? Like a good groove, soulful sounds, and honest, philosophical lyrics? Then give me a call at 314-308-2235. Can't wait to share the new music with you.

Blessings.

James

Any Dug Pinnick or King's X Fans?

2011-04-02T23:02:00.000-05:00

Any Dug Pinnick or King's X fans visiting here? You might find interesting what I've been working on today. I imagine my band will cover 1-2 KX songs, so I needed to set up my bass rig in order for it, as well as some other heavy music. I'm a firm believer that blending clean & distortion channels is the way to go. Anyway, here's how I think the signal path will end up.

Bass --> A/B/Y

A --> SansAmp Bass Driver DI --> Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL (left channel - for signal routing)
(parallel out)-->tuner

B --> MXR Classic Overdrive --> Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL (right channel - signal routing)

Blended Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL L & R channels --> PreSonus TubePre --> Behringer Ultra DI 100 balanced output --> Front of House

DI through --> QSC RMX 1450 --> custom 1x10" cab/1x10" + 1x15" cab

This seems like it's going to quite a versatile setup. I can get various levels of dirt without a lot of tap dancing, and no matter what I retain a deep bottom. Now I just have to put together a pedal board for it. Perhaps I'll wait just a bit since I expect the number of pedals will be expanding.

Anyone else have any cool split signal chains for bass? Lemme hear from you.

Rock on!

Progress...

2011-03-04T00:29:00.000-06:00

Well, things are still chugging along. Most people that care probably already know that Denise and I are having a baby. If you didn't know, I'm sorry we missed telling you somehow. Believe me when I say I have no idea who I've told and who I haven't at this point.

I'm also really excited to announce there is going to be a band playing my original music, and more! It looks like the lineup will include 3 former members of 1000 Days. We bring a wealth of eclectic experience to the table. Besides myself, there will be my friend and multiple band collaborator, Dan Deming, on drums. Holding together much of the chordal department will be singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist, Steven Lamb. Here's how I expect things will shape up:

Me: Lead & background vocals, electric bass, acoustic & electric guitars, percussion. We'll be playing quite a bit of my original music I suspect, along with probably several rock covers, and a praise & worship set.

Steven Lamb: Acoustic & electric guitars, lead & background vocals, bells, piano, etc. We'll perform selected numbers of Steven's folk repertoire. Check his site out at http://www.steven-lamb.com/.

Dan Deming: Drums, percussion, samples, grunts, screams, and things that go bang!

Anyway, things are still shaping up. We have our first rehearsal together on this coming Sunday. This will be the first time the three of us have played together since July of 2007. Presently I have 15 songs of my own, with number 16 in the works. Steve has probably just as many. Who knows what Dan has up his sleeve...

I'll report more later. We're very much looking forward to playing. Now if only we can book some shows. I hope there's a scene still out there since I've focused on church music the past couple years...

Hoping to bless your ears in the future,
James

Thursday Afternoon Improv

2011-03-03T16:36:00.003-06:00

Here's a rough mix of something I just improvised. It's 3 tracks of bass, mistakes and all. I tried to EQ it on headphones to save your speakers. No promises. Anyway, it was fun. Thought I'd share.

3-3-11 Improv

A Break for Preparation

2011-01-30T14:55:00.000-06:00

If you visit my "Shows Calendar", you've probably noticed a lack of new dates being added. The reason is I'm taking a break from playing frequently to prepare for the launch of my new band. As I mentioned in previous posts, there's quite a bit of new material forthcoming. In the meantime, I'm no longer performing with The Oasis Worship Band. PANDORA's Regret's calendar is currently empty, but expects to be booking shortly. While Travis Lee Band continues to perform full time, I presently am not serving with them, but hope to again in the future. Anyway, just thought I'd let you know. I'm very much looking forward to future performances. In the meantime, along with my band mates, I'll be getting organized. Check back at http://jamesamiller.blogsite.org for future updates.

Sincerely,
James

A Baby and a Band

2011-01-29T23:51:00.000-06:00

The below message was supposed to be an email update, but I figured I'd post it on my website as well. If you happen to be reading the feed onto my Facebook, you may have seen this as a note already. Since I'm prefacing all of this, let me excitedly announce that God is in the business of answering prayers. As part of this message, I've made it known that I'm still looking for a guitarist. It seems that prayer may have been answered. More info to come. In the meantime, here's the latest full update.

Dear friends, fellow members of God's family, ministry supporters, and music lovers:

I would like to solicit your prayer for number of things. The bigger one I can probably sum up shorter...

We're Having a Baby!

Denise and I have a baby on the way. If you received and read our Christmas letter, you're already aware of this. We covet your prayers for this new and exciting adventure. I won't bother to ask for details in prayer, because many of you know better than I where to begin. What we know is we want to raise a child so that he or she may come to know the Lord as we do. In the meantime, there's all sorts of temporal concerns: rearranging the house, vehicles, child-proofing the house, kids are expensive, etc.

The Lord Has Inspired Me

Here's something I can ramble about. I'd like to ask you to pray for my ongoing music project. I am in the process of writing new material, and have recorded a few tracks, but learned God wasn't done inspiring me yet. I continue to tweak some of the songs, and my performance – re-writing, and writing new material. Presently I have 13 original songs, and 1 co-written.

Prayer Requests

So here's what I need from you. PRAYER! Please pray that a fitting guitarist comes our way. Some have had mutual interest, but none have solidified yet. We are seeking a talented, flexible individual, willing to put his/her all into sharing the word of God through music. He/She need be of sound Theology, dependable, humble, musically eclectic, and able to travel some (I'm an associate pastor keep in mind.). A sense of humor is nice too. :-)

Please pray the developing song material brings glory to our Father. Pray the way is prepared before us; to whom and where to perform - reaching those that do not know the Lord, and those in need of strengthening. Please pray for people and resources come together so the band won't have “pay to play” merely for the amusement of Church's complacent portion. (I'm a family man and can't afford to do that!) Pray that Dan Deming (drums/percussion), myself (vocals, electric bass, acoustic guitar), our future guitarist, and any crew, etc, will give our best. Pray we will be worthy of our hire, to the glory of our Father, and benefit of listeners. Finally, pray that we may serve the Lord powerfully in what we do.

Thank You

Thank you for reading this message praying for us. I'll leave you with a listing of the current original song titles and short description.

James A. Miller

on behalf of us all with the “J Miller Band” crew???

James, Denise, & Baby Miller, and Dan Deming

-----

The Music

A typical concert may include 17-21 songs, with some covers thrown in. A 12 song worship set will be available. Rates, band accompaniment, and PA are negotiable, along with most everything else.

Songs & Themes:

1. Bring a Groove - A jazzy light-hearted opener

2. Your Daughter's Dad - Retro Folk-Rock song about involved parenting

3. Spirit - Southern Rock song of redemption

4. Luke - Hard rocker about Christian complacency (lukewarm life for Christ)

5. Pride - Mid-tempo rocker about self-absorbency

6. Forgive - Pop song to remind us "Do not condemn, but forgive."

7. Name - Pop/Rock song about Identity in Christ

8. Longing - R & B song about longing for the new Heaven

9. Naked - Hard Rock song about depravity

10. Long Lost Friend – Country-esque ballad about praying for those beyond our reach

11. Wounds of a Friend - Betrayal represented in Blues Rock

12. Isaiah's Promise - A Reggae tune about a fallen world being renewed

13. Oasis Song - A instrumental sense of wonder, with a middle-eastern flair

14. Pushing - A Fusion tune of chaos & resolution

-----

Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

http://jamesamiller.blogsite.org/
http://oasisofgod.com/
http://pandorasregret.com/

Songwriting Progress - 10 Songs!

2010-10-12T20:25:00.000-05:00

Over the past few months I have been songwriting whenever I could. I have 10 songs as of right now. We'll see how many making it past the chopping block. Originally I began to record some demo tracks merely to recruit 1-2 musicians for live performance, but due to a number of circumstances at this stage in life, I realized I would be using my time more wisely if I would record a full-blown project now, rather than waiting until next year.

In the past week I've begun tracking for this new CD, tentatively titled "Pariah". Of course recording an entire album of material is a time consuming project, especially when you attempt to do other things in life besides play music. Check back for updates if you want to know how things are going. In the meantime, here are the tentative track titles in no particular order, along with the wide range of subject material that is addressed.

If you're a fellow Christian, or ministry supporter, I ask that you would please bathe my entire project in prayer, from it's recording, production, distribution, and eventual live performance. It is my goal to use what music I can produce to glorify God and benefit people that encounter it.

Thank you!

Themes:
Wounds of a Friend - Betrayal & forgiveness
Your Daughter's Dad - Parenting
Longing - Longing for heaven, and perhaps a better situation
Isaiah's Promise - God's purpose in human affairs
I Seek Your Spirit - Seeking God's favor
Long Lost Friend - Loyalty
Name - Identity
Luke (Co-written by Tim & Mike Siebe, and myself) - Indecisiveness
Pride - Self-absorbency
Repent - Repentance

Missing the Open Mic Night

2010-10-05T10:14:00.000-05:00

For anyone that was planning on being at the Open Mic Night at J.C.'s Java House with me tonight, I unfortunately will not be in attendance due to a death in the family. Hope to catch a future one.

For what it's worth, I had planned to play some of my new music. Last week I began band rehearsals for my new solo music. Updates coming. Performances later.

New Demos Started

2010-07-21T22:34:00.001-05:00

For weeks I've been trying to find time to record demos to the new songs I wrote. I'm happy to say song number 1 is almost complete. I have 1 day before I leave on my next excursion. Hopefully I can finish tracking. We'll see. Perhaps eventually I'll post something on here. Stay tuned.

Site & Music Updates

2010-07-05T09:32:00.000-05:00

Well, the site has been updated with a new look, including slight changes in layout. Hope you enjoy. I was tired of the old look. This looks very fresh to me.

Also something quite a bit more exciting to me is an update on the music front. Recently I wrote 7 new songs. I have 3 more in the works if I can ever stay in one place long enough to complete them. As of right now, I've begun tracking demos for the new songs. It is yet undetermined whether I'll be performing these with PANDORA's Regret, solo, with another band, or if someone other than me may play them. I'll post updates here.

The new songs cover a variety of relevant topics, and often conflicts, and offer solid philosophy from a Biblical worldview. Upon listening, I think you'll find you can relate.

More later...perhaps after I return from Florida and Colorado.

More Big Brother...

2010-05-28T08:45:00.002-05:00

OK, I have nothing to hide...yet more and more of big brother into my life is very unsettling.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/05/darpas-beady-eyed-camera-spots-the-non-cooperative/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Anonymous Communication

2010-05-28T08:44:00.000-05:00

The ability to communicate anonymously is a must in a free society if we are to stay that way! Unfortunately many don't think so. Get off my lawn big brother.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/26/AR2010052603693.html

Fighting Blindness...

2010-05-19T13:30:00.000-05:00

Why must people fight for their right to remain blind to Truth, and oblivious to being deceived by Satan while those of us that care get insults hurled at us for trying to show Truth in love? If we love, we should show what is true, not stand by while those we claim as loved ones are lost! May God damn me if I do not risk offense to reach out to those I love!

Lyrics: Three Legged Squirrel

2010-05-18T09:59:00.000-05:00

I was walking down the street one day
When I saw a little red man at my feet
He waved his arms and wagged his tongue
But tried to be discreet

He said oh bean, I’ve got this thing
That’ll make your life complete
Just sign right here on the dotted line
upon this fiery sheet
so I signed right there on the dotted line
to make my life complete
he smiled at me as he laughed out loud
as he rolled up the fiery sheet
as I turned around I had this thought
so I turned around again
what if I don’t like this deal
can I bring it to an end
as he danced a jig and drank a swig
he pulled out the fiery sheet
you sold your soul you must pay the toll
or perform this impossible feat
there’s a 3 legged squirrel that lives in a bowl
down in a hole on top of a pole
to pay the toll you must pinch the mole
as it says on this fiery sheet
so you’ve got 3 days you poor young fool
to reverse what you’ve done
so he clicked his heels and laughed again
and poof he was gone
so I said to myself
self you’ve only got one soul
so I best start trying to find
the 3 legged squirrel and his mole
so I took one step…and another
then another
and then another
but I was rather unsure of where I was going
so how does one find a three legged squirrel
with a mole in a bowl atop a pole
to gain control and save my soul I sold on the fiery sheet
So, I did what any logical person would do
I asked the old warty woman
Hugging the yellow sweat-stained pillow
Sitting inside the weeping willow
How do I obtain freedom from my situation
And she said it was simple

Nobody’s perfect
We’re all just the same
We are all in the hands of another man’s writing of plays
I’ve been used
These strings are abusing me the puppet man is cold
Holding out my arms making me dance
Crying out I scream there must be more than this
Freedom laughs as it runs away from me
Jaded by imposters I recognize I’ve misjudged everything

Don't Be Self Absorbed

2010-05-05T16:40:00.000-05:00

Bible verses for me today! From "The Message" - Romans 13

^11-14But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Airsoft

2010-03-31T17:30:00.000-05:00

So, I've gotten into a new sport as of late. Or rather I should say I'm enjoying playing with the gear. I have my first combat this coming Friday. :-)

Reading the New Testament in 2010

2010-03-09T11:09:00.000-06:00

Several people at my church, Oasis of God, in St. Charles, MO have committed to reading the New Testament in a year. It's really very easy to do 5 days a week considering how short it is. For all those that might find a schedule helpful, I've created a chart you can use here.

Strictly Speaking...

2010-01-25T08:41:00.003-06:00

Here's a post from a friend's blog I wanted to share.

http://witnessingwithjsb2.blogspot.com/2009/12/strictly-speaking.html

We've Lost Our Freakin' Minds!

2010-01-17T06:37:00.000-06:00

We've lost our freakin' minds! Apparently there is almost no common sense left in the United States of America. No longer should we think, but instead live in terror and panic, being afraid of every unknown box with a set of wires visible.

Read this: then try to tell me that an inquisitive child and his family need counseling. You'll never convince me. Here's a better idea. Realize the assistant principal made a mistake after drinking the Kool-Aid, vow not to believe 90% of what our tyranical government leaders feed you, and begin thinking for yourself!

In closing: RIGHT ON motion detector kid! See you in concentration camp if they ever catch us.

Crazy Man

2009-12-21T00:39:00.000-06:00

There's a crazy man who lives in my house
He only comes out at night
He's unseen in the daytime light but
at nights he looks like me.

He hurdles the bed and scares the dog
He barks like a chicken and meows like a frog
I let him stay because he looks like me.
Besides I couldn't contain him if I tried

Crazy man, who are you
Why do you scream and rave
Crazy man, who are you
Give me my pillow you nave

Mailbox stew on the front lawn
Conversation with the neighbors, his boxers gone
Give me that knife you stupid brute
and stop mistaking the closet for the loo...

Crazy man, who are you
Why do you scream and rave
Crazy man, who are you
I think you were born in a cave

Don't wake me with showers at 5am.
Stop picking my belly button lint.
Where's the windshield wiper switch
Where the heck are we?

Crazy man, who are you
Why do you scream and rave
Crazy man, who are you
Why are you digging a grave?

What tha!...

Review: PreSonus TubePre

2009-12-16T20:41:00.002-06:00

Since I often see discussion on the model of preamp I use primarily for electric bass, among other applications, I thought I would share some thoughts reviewing the unit, it's versatility, it's application, and correcting some misunderstandings. Also at each section heading is my rating on a 5 point scale.

A Great Value - 4/5
Our topic of review & discussion today is the PreSonus TUBEPre. At typical retail prices it used to be 2 years ago you could purchase this gem for about $100 (All currency reference USD). Now they are running around $130 and even higher. Still it's a great buy!

What It Is/Is Not - 4/5
If you're looking for a pristine clean to creamy sound and all points in between with lots of punch, and on a budget, this may be the mic preamp/DI for you. I've been successful getting great sounds through it for recording and live applications for: bass preamp/DI, vocals, acoustic guitar preamp, electric guitar preamp/DI, miked djembe, cymbals, and trumpet.

If you are a person that's look for lots of onboard EQ options, this is not the unit for you. I've known of more than one person that has purchased this unit to run in front of their bass amp in order to fatten up the sound. That it will fatten up the sound, but you probably don't want it in front of your bass amp's preamp, because the signal will be too hot by the time you turn up the TUBEPre enough to take advantage it. My suggestion is to bypass your bass amp's built-in preamp, instead using an effects return to run straight into the power amp. The problem that creates is in most bass amps you probably just bypassed the amp's EQ section as well. You probably are still able to use the bass amp's built-in DI for a controllable level signal to front of house, though this may vary depending upon your bass amp's design.

Features - 4/5
The features contained on the TUBEPre are great, but there are a few more included in some similarly priced competitors. Still, those included are very helpful. If you need a straight-forward mic or instrument pre, this may be a good unit to consider. For help in fitting in a mix, it has phase reversal. There's a signal pad for the balanced microphone input. (Note: The pad doesn't work on the 1/4" unbalanced input.) An 80 Hz filter is included to taper off unwanted boom for vocals, room noise, or other things picked up by sensitive condenser microphones. Also the unit can supply phantom power for condenser mics, or phantom powered devices, stompboxes, etc, in front of the TUBEPre in your signal chain. Finally, the ability to blend tube drive and pristine solid state preamplification is wonderful.

A few helpful additions to this unit, that some competitors have, would be an effects loop, the ability to switch the wonderful backlit analog VU meter to observe both input and output levels, and perhaps a USB audio out for easy recording direct into PC.

Also of note, this preamp, along with its competitors, has a wall-wart for a power supply, supposedly to eliminate the possibility of noise. For the price range, that's not unusual. Where the TUBEPre excels is that there is a matching format EQ, compressor, and headphone amp, all of which can be mounted for studio use in a 1/3U width vertical mini rack, or there's the option of mounting them side by side in a 3-wide configuration using a single rack space mounting adapter.

Reliability - 2/5
I'm on unit number 2 of these now. The first one began crackling, but was silent again after a tube swap. Sadly it died with no other complaints just before the warranty ran out. Unit number two has been working great for 13 & 1/2 months. I even experimented with a few different tubes of the same model for the differences in sound quality, drive saturation, and amount of punch.

Three days ago during a rambunctious song I was playing bass through the TUBEPre when the signal quickly tapered to inaudible. I stopped the band only to find a look of horror on the face of my drummer, spurred by the fact that the other half of the rhythm section/band leader was no longer playing, and she was inhaling the acrid smell of electronic smoke. The band finished the last song without my bass. Later that day, the preamp was operational again with the change of a tube...but tubes don't smoke, so there's something else at play here. I expect unit number two's days are numbered.

Customer Service - 0/5
Sadly the retailer that I purchased the original TUBEPre from is no longer around, so I couldn't return the first unit. I contacted PreSonus via their form on their website about the issue, and sent an email, but never received a response. I won't bother contacting PreSonus about this one. When it dies, I'll probably ditch it, and sell my dirt box for a preamp that does both, and includes some of the features the competitors include. I can only hope they will be as punchy as this one and more reliable.

Overall Evaluation - 2.8
These preamps were great while they lasted. They didn't hold up nearly as well as a similar plastic device with shunned brand name I used for 6 years before them though. I loved the sound quality. I hated the reliability. I'm moving on. If you're in a pinch for a great sound now and don't have a lot of scratch, consider the PreSonus TUBEPre. Just realize a year or two down the road you may be replacing it. Then again, don't forget to check out the competition, or just save your money for a more robust unit when your budget allows such a purchase.

12/22/09 Update:
This thing is crackling... It's on it's way out. I've chosen the A.R.T. TPS II to be the successor.

-----

Support local music!

Kingshighway Baptist Church Youth

2009-12-10T22:49:00.000-06:00

KBC Youth...where have you gone? What has happened? I'm alarmed, saddened, and hurt when I see what some of you have done with your lives. Yet some I proudly observe living their lives for YHWH. That makes me very happy. ...But this evening my heart is heavy seeing pictures, comments, and stories of those living in rebellion, not giving a care and wasting the gift that was given by our Lord. Former KBC youth, I poured my heart, soul, time, sleep, energy, money, sweat, and tears into you. Our Lord lived in the flesh, suffered, and died for you...
So that your life would not have to be a sad story of wasted life spent making opportunities for sleezy Facebook pictures, excessive alcohol drinking, and sexual promiscuity. The price was paid in love for you! You break my heart!

Shall I name names? I prefer not to do so. I don't want to embarrass you. This is a plea from one who cares, for you to consider your actions. Your name is either recorded in God's book of life, or it is not.

I know I'm not a perfect man, minister, or example. I give all I can though, and I can merely rely upon the grace I've been preaching for several years now. I pray you may never blame me when you face the consequences of a life of rebellion. Please turn back to the Lord.

For those who are faithful. Thank you for listening to a man who has wanted so desperately for you to know the joy and purpose found in a life with Christ. I pray that you continue in your walk, knowing I, as your brother, am praying for you, and always available to you. Furthermore where I fail, the Lord will not. I love you. If I don't see you in the near future, I'll be reunited with you one day in Heaven with Jesus.

Goodbye to Jay Arthur

2009-11-09T16:55:00.001-06:00

Dear friends, family, ministry supporters, and music fans, today we morning the passing of my alter ego – Jay Arthur. Jay was a weirdo instrumentalist. He was a figment of my imagination. Jay was conceived when I began writing fiction and music some 17 years or so ago. These pieces of art were expressive of my own personal development, though sometimes in fictional framework separate from the reality in which I have lived. As time carried on, Jay grew weak, and was overpowered by the personality of the individual that gave him life. Jay was to be a weirdo, an outcast, a creative rebel, writing music, poetry, and fiction in original works and into to the projects of others. He provided a great companion for such trysts without tarnishing the name of one who once was not comfortable in his own skin. Jay represented individualism without a cohesive bond to a name.

Jay Arthur met his demise when a fiercely creative soul tore him asunder from the soul he sought to inhabit. God had given this creative soul a purpose, a mission, a means, and a name of which Jay Arthur was only a shell. Jay was friendly and comforting, if short, but not real. Arthur was always a second class citizen, unable to recognize the gifts given by God Himself. This ego would never find his destiny as a Miller.

So today I have terminated the life of alter ego Jay Arthur in order to make a declaration of trust in the one that created me: my personality though rejected by some, my weird sense of humor, my sometimes unconventional way of operating, my linear method of processing, and my dedication to speak truth above all else. For these things I have both gained and lost the trust of some along the way. Today let it be known that I rightfully take hold of the identity that is mine, though a common name, an uncommon person. I was created with forever in mind. I was bought with the greatest price. What I will become has not been fully revealed. What can be seen is I am a man, a husband, a father, a friend, a pastor, a failure, a work of redemption, and ultimately a child of God.

While Jay Arthur was a creative outlet for my own artistic purposes, the old man certainly is gone, and the new has come. The old man died April 19th, 1993, when this new person was born of the Spirit. Today I am and forever will be the named by my earthly parents, and adopted by God, as James Arthur Miller.

My hope and prayer is that you too will become comfortable in your own skin. The alter ego was fun for a time, but I felt it was becoming a distraction from what I truly want to say as a musician in order to reflect the creativity of the ultimate artist, my Father. That being said, please email me if you too would like to discover who God truly meant for you to be.

Furthermore, I will be taking down all “Jay Arthur” related things on the web. Make sure you have my current information in your address book.

Sincerely,
James A. Miller

Cell: 314-308-2235
Web/Blog: http://tenma4.blogspot.com/ (formerly http://jayarthur.blogsite.org/)
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tenma4
Facebook: http://profile.to/jamesamiller
Email: tenma4@gmail.com

Please No Obamacare

2009-10-11T08:26:00.002-05:00

Another article reminding me why I don't want Obamacare. I think it represents pretty much what I figure will happen.

Worth Reading: Camels, Government and Health Care

Worth Reading: Do Not Blame Barack

2009-10-06T17:14:00.000-05:00

Worth Reading: Do Not Blame Barack

I like this.

Last Night's Show

2009-10-04T13:39:00.002-05:00

Well, I'd say last night's show was a success. It was a great debut concert with Pandora's Regret. It wasn't perfect. All in all, it was pretty good though. The music was rockin', the light show added a nice touch, the crowd was into stuff. Altogether it was an intense time of rock 'n roll. It was great to see people have a good time, and socializing. I hope it is the first of many more gigs to come with Pandora's Regret.

Thanks a lot to all of my friends/fans that came out to support last night. I appreciate it! Thank you for helping to build community. You know why I do this stuff. We were created to be God's children, and we were meant to be family. I love sharing this gift God has given us that we call music.

Upcoming Show With "Pandora's Regret" @ The Oasis

2009-09-26T15:53:00.010-05:00

If you've read my web page/blog/social network postings in recent history, then you are aware drummer Dan Deming and I joined a band not long ago. It's a rock band called "PANDORA's REGRET", that functions alongside the men's ministry called CounterPoint.

I'd like to issue a special invitation to the debut concert of PANDORA’s REGRET @ The Oasis on 10/3 @ 7pm. Dedicated to making friends through the shared love of great music, PANDORA’s REGRET plays rock music from last four decades.

WARNING: If you are not into rock-n-roll music, you might not be interested in this awesome event. But if you want to join with us in rocking the house, load up the car, and stop in. Earplugs recommended for anyone with delicate ears.

There is no cost for the concert. Free snacks and refreshments available.

Concert hosted by The Oasis.
2027 Campus Dr.
St. Charles, MO 63301

Directions:
Exit 70 at Zumbehl, Take north outer road west and turn right at first light. The Oasis is located behind Save-a-Lot in St. Andrews Annex.

PANDORA’s REGRET is Brent Griffith--vocals and acoustic guitar, Stephen Adams--lead guitar, James Miller--bass and vocals, Dan Deming--drums.

Set list includes songs from...

* Steppenwolf
* 3 Doors Down
* Linkin Park
* The Refreshments
* Collective Soul
* Sammy Hagar
* Styx
* U2
* The Eagles
* Incubus
* Train
* REO Speedwagon
* Hoobastank
* Bob Dylan

Insect Drones ‘Spotted’ on U.S. Streets

2009-09-25T10:56:00.002-05:00

What do you think? Has the U.S. government been using spy tactics on it's own people in a far greater range than what is public knowledge? I'll say yes. I think so.

Here's an interesting Wired News article about what we can expect.

What Happened to Church Music?

2009-09-24T12:20:00.001-05:00

My friend Stephen asks an interesting question... Check out what he has to say below. I'd have to say I mirror his thoughts.

http://www.stephen-adams.com/blog/index.php/2009/09/what-happened-to-church-music/

Pandora's Regret Debut

2009-09-13T16:50:00.002-05:00

Well, Pandora's Regret, my new band, made a public debut of sorts today. We led worship music at The Oasis of God, my church in St. Charles, MO. I'd say it went really well. I enjoy worshiping and playing music with these brothers in Christ. All in all, I have to say they rock. We'll be playing at Oasis again next Sunday morning, and again on October 3rd for our actual debut concert. What more can I add? Things are developing nicely.

Sexual Revolution: The Death of the American Economy and Society

2009-08-06T16:11:00.002-05:00

Yeah, you read the title correctly. The sexual revolution, along with other liberal, anti-godly lifestyle related ideas are truly destroying our economy and society. Perhaps this offends you. I suggest you read the linked article. Could it possibly be that the God who gave commands on how we are to live our lives has also stacked the deck against those who collectively disobey Him? I think so...

http://www.firstthings.com/article/2009/05/demographics--depression-1243457089

Alains Newsletter: Ten Commandments According to Obama

2009-08-06T15:22:00.002-05:00

Alains Newsletter: Ten Commandments According to Obama

Shared via AddThis

Marriage: What's Wrong With Happiness

2009-08-06T15:06:00.001-05:00

I believe all too many people get married for the wrong reasons...especially my Christian brothers and sisters. I've seen many of them fall into the happiness trap, eventually ruining their marriages in their beginning stages. Some have been struggling on for years, but have never truly found the purpose of their marriage. Plain and simple, some have left their marriage because they weren't happy, and they vehemently defended their actions to me, saying something to the effect that "God wants me to be happy." I certainly believe that God wants what is best for us, but that doesn't always mean constant happiness. That being said, here's a great article from Christianity Today's "Marriage Partnership" magazine. Check it out.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/mp/1999/fall/9m3030.html?start=1

Proud Band Leader

2009-08-05T18:22:00.003-05:00

I must say I'm a proud band leader. I'm really proud of my band members in the worship band of The Oasis. This summer has been kind of crazy with various ones being gone on trips, etc. Today we regrouped to practice songs for this coming Sunday morning church service. We needed to spend a little extra time on some pieces here and there, but the band members worked hard. It's great to watch them grow and experiment as musicians, and teenagers growing into adults.

Oasis Worship Band is:

Braden Mabry: electric & acoustic guitar, vocals
Alyssa Mabry: piano, vocals
Kate Mabry: drums, percussion, piano, vocals
Sydni Davis: vocals, percussion, drums
James Miller: worship band leader, vocals, electric bass, guitar,

Lessons In the Life of a Musician

2009-08-02T21:43:00.004-05:00

Well, this has been an interesting evening. While in the process of cleaning up some files on my primary hard drive this evening I ran across a bunch of old recordings from the past 5 years or so. It's interesting for me to listen to my own growth and development as a musician. Technically, I must say I've come a long ways, on bass and guitar, as well as vocally. I'm happy about that.

I can't say I'm happy about every aspect though. In the past 5 years I've had some definite pauses in creativity. Worse yet, I think what I've written in more recent history is perhaps not as unique as some older creations. I think maybe it's because I've fallen into the rut of doing what is expected of me. In the past I didn't care if my music didn't fit someone else idea of what it should sound like. Perhaps I didn't have the consistent skill capacity to always cop the lick or feel of what was required, so I invented a new way of filling the spot, often with a unique creative edge.

So I've demonstrated a couple of interesting phenomenon here. Necessity was the mother of invention. I either figured out how to make my body manipulate my instrument of choice in such a way to work for the song, often with unique nuances due to my odd technique, or I replaced a given part entirely with one that I wrote. Despite the occasional struggle or learning curve to get there, creativity was the result.

So here's where I find myself today. I've made some changes in my technique on bass, though certainly not entirely conventional. I've developed a sound and style of playing that is my own. Looking back though, I hear a HUGE evolution in my sound. Through various rock bands I hear a heaviness and drive that I've carried until this day, through most of the past 10 years. The more jazz and experimental groups have fostered a sense of harmonic adventure. I stepped out on a limb to try things. A band that never made it beyond my basement in a year's time grew my drive to put out raw, urgent pieces. Then my time with 1000 Days saw a culmination of creativity which employed that rawness and urgency, combined with a new-found freedom for expression through nuance. The urgency often came from the nuance. At that time I ceased using outboard effects. I used only EQ, tube overdrive, and speaker distortion, in their basic forms.

This all sounds good right? So why is there a negative along with the positive. Well, I've spent a lot of time playing in cover type bands in the past couple of years. It has been great for my ability to copy what another has done. I've become a decent chameleon. It's fun to step into a character for one song, then become someone else for the next. The problem is I seem to have neglected the skill set that lets me blow away the boundaries of what role I'm supposed to serve. I suppose I just find myself questioning whether I'm growing as an artist. OK, so I suppose I am. I can play pretty much anything now, but just because I can doesn't mean that I do. I've developed further restraint. I'd like to think I play more tastefully than I did 5 years ago. On top of that I'm a better guitarist and singer than I've probably ever been.

Where does all this leave me? It leaves me with a few lessons learned.

Because you can does not mean you should.
There is a time for weirdo, uber-creativity.
Cover bands often are not the above mentioned time.
Sometimes they are...
Chops are no substitute for creativity.
Creativity is no excuse for lack of chops when you need them.
Being willing to try some new musical adventure is always a good thing.

Hm. Well, I hope you've enjoyed this post. Thoughts? Send me a message. Perhaps we can play something together. You might be surprised what we inspire each other to do.

Alright, it's late for me for a non-gigging night. Time for bed. My hope and prayer is that if you are reading this, you learn that God is truly the only one that creates. We artists merely rearrange the pieces He has made. Let us take joy in working alongside the Creator, and in turn honor Him with our work. Blessings to you.

Pandora's Regreat BBQ/GTG

2009-07-27T09:26:00.002-05:00

Last night was finally when the members of the Pandora's Regret, and their wives/significant other got together for some social time. Oh yeah, and the guys rocked out for a short bit to entertain our wives. It was great to spend some time hanging out with no other agenda than just learning about each other. Everyone seems very cool. It's also obvious that the Lord is doing a work in each of our lives.

Stephen and Lisa hosted the BBQ/GTG. They have a nice place. I think my favorite was the zip line in the back yard. Unfortunately it needed to be tightened to deal with the weight of us adults, as opposed to the Adams' family kids. Hm. I feel a joke coming on...

Anyway, the band practices again tonight. We continue to massage our set list into shape. It won't be long and we'll be ready to do some shows. May the Lord direct and bless our season of ministry together.

Nocturnal?

2009-07-24T00:57:00.004-05:00

So for most of this year I've been sleeping in a biphasic pattern. At times I've thought it was great, and it meets my needs for my regular schedule between being a worship leader/associate pastor, and working part time for FedEx. The problem is, there are constant "exceptions" to my normal schedule I have to make, which means my sleep pattern gets messed up, and I don't get the right amount of hours at the right time. In short, this isn't working because I'm not consistent.

So instead of continuing to whine about this sleep thing, to the annoyance probably of everyone around me, I'm making one (hopefully) last big whine about it on here to say I'm going nocturnal. I should be able to be up in the evenings, spend time with family, work for my church, do my househubby duties, work at FedEx, and finish the day off as everyone else is starting. I know it will take a few days to adjust. So, here's day 1. I hope this works. I'd like to actually be alert and able to hold a conversation when with family/friends/in band practice/Bible study/church activities/not in a daze.

Oh yeah, and right now I'm on an induced caffeine high. Hopefully I can keep this up until I get through FedEx in the morning, just in time to crash for a day of sleep.

Must go now! I have things to do!

Air Force Denies Request for Flyover at Christian Festival

2009-07-10T15:28:00.003-05:00

It stupidity like this that makes me question my loyalty to this once great nation. We are a nation founded upon freedom found only in Christ. Now we've turned our back upon Him.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/07/pentagon-denies-god-country-family-fesitval-fly-request/

New Band: Pandora's Regret

2009-06-30T14:49:00.002-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that my friend Dan Deming (drummer: 1000 days, formerly Paint the Earth, Asaph), and I are the new rhythm section for rock ministry band Pandora's Regret. We are joining vocalist/guitarist Brent Griffith, and guitarist/vocalist Stephen Adams. I'll be filling out the sound with bass and vocals, while Dan brings his intricate brand of jazzy rock percussion goodness.

Pandora's Regret is a Christian ministry band that focuses on building relationships with men through secular and Christian rock cover music. For far too long the Western church has been feminized, so much so that many men do not find a place in which they belong. It is tragic that men, who are designed to be the spiritual leaders of their families, do not feel they have a place in the great family of God.

I'll post more updates regarding the progress of Pandora's Regret in the coming weeks.

2009-06-21T14:42:00.002-05:00

In the past two years I have been contacted by a number of Christian ministry bands that were interested, and even in some cases, "waiting" for me to become a part of their ministry. Several times the music aspect has sounded very interesting. In other cases, there were other aspects that I found more interesting. Regardless, I have either turned down most of those opportunities or quickly came to an agreement that those positions were not for me. Several years ago I dedicated my music to the service of the Lord. Since then I have almost exclusively played in Christian bands, with the few exceptions being secular bands in which I actively engaged in a personal evangelistic mission.

Last year I found myself in an interesting situation. With all of these bands not working for one reason or another, and my continual status as a hired gun for two years, I assumed my use of music ministry would continue outside the church when possible. In the time being I would focus much more on my preaching ministry. I had already been pastoring a house church the majority of this two year period. I wasn't horribly unhappy. I did however wonder what God might have in store for my music skills, if anything. Then unexpectedly I found our house church combining with another such congregation. I had been praying for a mentor to continue learning as a pastor. The combined church is known as The Oasis of God. There are plenty of behind the scenes type jobs to be done with Oasis. So I was rather excited by the possibility of serving as the Associate Pastor. The real twist though was that the church needed a worship leader.

So here I am, ten months later, still serving as the worship leader for The Oasis, and loving it. I feel like I'm growing both as a minister and musician. Sounds good enough right? Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows what God has in store. There is yet again another possibility on the horizon. 1000 Days drummer Dan Deming and I have a meeting this Tuesday with a band that does men's ministry, both in the church, and outside through a cover band. This could potentially be a good growth avenue for Dan and I both in using our talents to serve the Lord. So, we'll see what will happen. Regardless, I'm happy to hear about this men's ministry. I have no doubt it is sorely needed by many.

Alright, I'm on vacation. Time to resume. I think I hear the Pacific Ocean calling me.

New PC

2009-06-03T14:07:00.002-05:00

Whoohoo! No more PC problems. My old computer's motherboard died, which put me way behind schedule, and in mass confusion for a couple of weeks. Now I'm enjoying being organized once again though. The new system should lend itself well with it's dual video, quad monitor setup, dual sound card with recording interface, TV capture, and even FM tuner. :-) If my budget allowed, I could still stand to upgrade the processor and max out the RAM. As for now, 4 GB of RAM is going to have to do. Later I'll bump that up to 16 GB.

Alright, enough joyous bragging. I have work to do!

Upcoming Show: Gospel Down By The River

2009-05-19T22:07:00.002-05:00

I recently got a call to play in Gospel Down By The River on this coming Sunday afternoon. Details are below, and on my shows calendar. Check it out and perhaps come visit.

Info

Psalm 2008-2012: First Book of Democrat

2009-05-12T19:57:00.001-05:00

Obama is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He leadeth me beside still factories.
He restoreth my faith in the republican party.
He guideth me in the path of unemployment.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the bread line, I shall not go hungry.
Obama has anointed my income with taxes,
My expenses runneth over my income,
Surely, poverty and hard living will follow me all the days of my life.
The democrats and I will live forever in a rented home.

But I am glad I am an american,
I am glad that i am free.
But I wish I was a dog
and Obama was a tree.

(Author unknown.)

Back Injury, New Church Building

2009-05-05T22:50:00.002-05:00

Well, the past several weeks have been nuts! I've been working 60+ hours per week between FedEx and The Oasis. There's developments in both areas. First off, I sustained a back injury last Thursday morning at FedEx, which sent me home in a great deal of pain. I'm slowly recovering. Looks like I have several weeks to go until I'm back to normal.

Also I'm excited to announce that my church, Oasis of God, has leased a building and will be moving into it very soon. Fortunately we have plenty of able bodies to move equipment. I'll be assembling what I can when my back is cooperating. As of right now standing/walking for more than a few minutes completely tires me out. At least I can mostly stand up straight. That's a big improvement since Sunday.

Alright, it's way past my bedtime. More later.

The Tender and Just Father

2009-04-29T18:06:00.005-05:00

What's God doing in your life? What's He telling you or teaching you lately? Think about it. Are you listening?

Recently God has been reminding me how much the people of the U.S. are turning their backs against Him. I see the parallel between the present U.S. and Judah as described in the first few chapters of Jeremiah. God is sick of people that are identified by His name pretending that they have a right relationship with Him. God desires that we live our lives in relationship to Him, not make showy sacrifices and payments of lip service.

As I read the words God spoke to Jeremiah, I see the character of Christ. I wish that so many immature Christians, and non-believers for that matter, understood the fullness of God in Jesus the Christ.

Thank you Lord for your justice, grace, mercy, and love. There could be no better friend than you my Father.

Recording, Daniel Ornellas, Bluegrass,

2009-04-09T14:46:00.004-05:00

Recording

Dan Deming (drummer: 1000 Days, Asaph, formerly Paint the Earth) and I have been tracking play-along tracks for The Oasis Worship Band. For those not in the know, I'm leading the worship band for my church, called The Oasis, based out of St. Charles, Missouri. The band began in October of 2008 and is comprised of mostly beginner musicians. It's a real joy to work with them. To help them combat some of the pitfalls of beginner musicians, Dan and I have been putting together some play-along tracks for them over the past couple of weeks. Hm. Since we've purchased music, etc, I'm now hoping it's legal to record this stuff since its basically for educational purposes... We're certainly not looking to make a profit off the stuff, so.... Yeah, anyway, that all gets into a headache for me. As I was saying, hopefully Dan and I will have the play-along tracks done soon. Perhaps I'll even post some stuff on here if any of you reading are interested in using this stuff for your own personal development. That being said, Christian musicians, I highly recommend the Worship Together series of books for P & W stuff.

Daniel Ornellas

Last week I had the blessing of attending a Worship Together Live conference. I found it to be quite helpful with some areas I need to grow in as a teacher of teenage musicians. The fact is, I find it much easier to be a professional musician than I do a teacher, but I enjoy the challenges (generally) of both... I've digressed. While at the conference I was pleased to get to meet and hang with Daniel Ornellas (Tree63, Naked Lyric, Out of Eden, BarlowGirl, Paul Colman, Brenton Brown). He's a very cool dude to hang with, a brother in Christ, and generally rocks! I wasn't familiar with him prior to the conference, though I've heard his playing many times. I must admit he just gained a fan.

Daniel, kudos to you. Thanks for the gear talk. I'll have some recorded examples of stuff we talked about in the very near future when I have time to finish up and mix stuff down.

Bluegrass

This past Sunday evening was pretty interesting. I grew up in rural Missouri, USA, listening to country music, but playing primarily classical and jazz on trumpet. Eventually God led me to playing bass, where I've played a fairly wide variety of styles. I never got back to my roots of country and bluegrass though. Well, Sunday I had my chance. At Corinth General Baptist Church near Puxico, MO I contrasted the usual bass stylings a bit during the evening worship service, and then again for about an hour of jamming after church with the pastor and other bluegrass pickin' friends. I think I can hang with most when it comes to complex progressive rockin' stuff, but bluegrass is a different kind of challenge. I'd like to think I was being fairly teachable. All in all, it was fun, and a learning experience. Props to all those who hold it down in bluegrass. P.S. I murdered the bluegrass tone with my modern sound at first...but I did reign it in a bit by the end. :-)

More later... Must sleep.

Casting Pounds Followup 3

2009-03-30T12:52:00.004-05:00

It seems I have slowed down on the weight loss. I'm holding steady at 200.5, with a total weight loss of 17 pounds. I'll attribute the stagnation to a couple of things. First of all, last week I pigged out 3 days with a late supper not long before I went to bed. That left me with heartburn each night and morning when I got up, accompanied by a general feeling of sickness. I missed a lot of sleep last week too, so that probably didn't help.

Secondly, and more importantly, I've been gaining muscle mass like crazy! I'm quite happy about that. Truthfully I don't care what the number is on the scale. I just want to be healthy and feel good. I noticed something last week for the first time I can recall in several years. I was laying on my back in bed when I looked over at the mirror on the closet door. I realized my stomach was flat with my chest. OK, I can't actually recall the last time that was the case. I'm sure it has been nearly 10 years.

For all of the house work I've done on my day off I've treated myself to a big glass of cream soda. That's gone, so it's water for me now. I'm feeling great. Recording with drummer Dan Deming will make me feel even better tonight. :-) I'll drink to that.

Uniquely Me

2009-03-11T16:13:00.004-05:00

Have you ever thought about what makes you, you? I have, perhaps more than I should at times. The fact is, I spent many years of my life not being comfortable in my own skin. I figure that everyone does that to an extent...as part of growing up. I always felt like I didn't fit in as a kid. Even as a young adult... My gosh I'm making a demarcation from young adulthood to now! What does this mean!? Uhm, anyway, even as a young adult I wasn't so sure I liked me. I must admit I've went through phases of this even in recent years. (The number of sentences in this blog starting with "I" are starting to annoy me now, so if it is you too, please bare with for a bit.) The fact that some people I viewed as my peers decided quite suddenly and boldly that they no longer liked me probably didn't help any. At times it was painful, which for some that was the intended effect. Others I'll give the benefit of the doubt.

So what about all of this? I'm glad you asked. Well, I tend to be fairly introspective, which perhaps helps motivate me to post to this blog in opposition to my concurrent introvert tendencies. What I've discovered is first of all, I am me, no matter what I want to be like. That's offensive to some, though I usually do not intend to be offensive. Some can't handle a matter-of-fact type person such as myself. At times I've tried to behave differently, but what I've found is while I can change my behavior, I cannot change my personality. The point is, I'm writing this in hopes you will read it and understand what so many studies have confirmed.

Our personality is largely formed when we are very young. I must admit I had a large, sudden change in certain aspects, but I maintain most of this was a change in my character, and still not so much my personality. Think about it. These are different aspects of who we are. Modern psychology has clinically confirmed what we can learn from scripture. That being said, my advice to you is to stop running from who you are, which is who you were meant to be, and instead embrace all of who you were meant to be as a child of God through Jesus Christ.

I'd like to share with you some of the thoughts recorded by a man named David, who once was the king of ancient Israel. He went through much of the same struggle that I've addressed in this post. If you continue reading further than the passage I'm quoting you'll see evidence of some other struggles he was dealing with, but we'll save that for another post.

Psalm 139:1-18

¹ O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
⁵ You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths,^[Sheol] you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to [or concerning] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

Tropical Arctic Turtle & Humanzees

2009-03-09T08:46:00.002-05:00

Here's a couple of things I found interesting that don't lend some popular so-called scientific theories much credence.

A fossil of a tropical turtle in the arctic: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/03/06/arctic-turtle-fossil.html
On the same page check out the video for Humanzees.

Casting Pounds Followup 2

2009-03-05T08:31:00.002-06:00

I'm still progressing along. :-) 9 days since my last update, and I'm down to 204 today.

Beginning Weight: 217.5
Current Weight: 204

Casting Pounds Followup

2009-02-24T10:14:00.005-06:00

Though I experienced a setback for a couple of weeks, I'm back on track losing weight. I'm also happy to announce I have a side job that is helping me do that. Get ready for this... I'm a Package Handler at FedEx Ground. Haha! Yeah, I know. Ridiculous title. Anyway, it's a fast paced manual labor job. I basically get paid to work out 4 hours per day, 5 days a week. This is great! On top of that, I'm having a blast. Who knew?

Progress Report
Starting Weight: 217.5 lbs.
Current Weight: 206 lbs.

New Computers & Ubuntu

2009-02-24T08:40:00.004-06:00

Well, I'm finally doing something about my recent computer issues. I've rebuilt my old pc with a few changes. All of my most important data and backup drives are not in it as of now though. It has two new drives and a couple of new burners. Also I've permanently dedicated it to Ubuntu. So far I'm absolutely loving it! Sometime today I'll add the TV & FM tuners and it will officially become my multimedia PC in the living room. Also this machine will be receiving backups across the network. Yay!

Hopefully I'll have time today to complete my new main machine. I'm waiting on the 2 512MB video cards to come in. This machine will get two monitors, and will probably dual boot Ubuntu and Windows XP.

Any other Ubuntu fans out there? I've been converting for a while. My wireless cards have never wanted to work in it, but since the machines that we only using wireless will soon have a wired connection, there's nothing to stop me. My systems run better with Linux, and they suit my needs better. What more could I ask for?

Rig Tweak Followup & Dead HD

2009-02-14T13:11:00.004-06:00

Well, so much for recording sound clips and inserting in the last post... My main computer, which I use for recording, had its hard drive die overnight. It's been acting a little flaky, but I've procrastinated on doing anything about it. Now I have to.

The pedal board is done. I haven't built the case for it yet. I also am working on one for my guitarist. I hope his goes easier than mine did. I suppose it's not the neatest, but it's not terribly sloppy.

Oh! I thought I'd actually post some pictures of the several projects I've been working on. Gotta transfer pictures off the camera. Well, the camera died. So now I have to buy new batteries. I think I'm going to go put up new smoke detectors and pray I don't fall off the chair I'll be standing on...

New Strings & Rig Tweaking

2009-02-13T12:22:00.004-06:00

So I've been tweaking my bass rig lately. I'm in the process of building a new pedal board that will add quite a bit of extra functionality to my rig. For whatever reason I've been neglecting my main bass, my Schecter Elite 5, for the past few months. I've hardly played it at all. The strings desperately needed to be changed too. I figured I'd give a before and after recording. For now, here's the before. I'll post the after soon.

Before: Really old D'Addario XL-170 nickel roundwounds
After: DR Long Neck TMR5-45 tapered core stainless steel roundwounds (sound clip coming soon)

New Band Followup: Flood The Deserts

2009-02-10T09:11:00.005-06:00

Well, I thought it was for certain that I would be officially a member of the band Flood The Deserts. I got together with them this past Sunday afternoon. There was no talk of whether I was officially in or not. David Larash, the passionate band leader, has a heart for sharing the love of God and the joy of worshiping with a fierce intensity.

I've been praying about Sunday's meeting. I was totally stoked to get together with David a few days ago. I know we're on the same page in our passion for ministry. Despite that though, Sunday was a little awkward...perhaps for a variety of reasons. Just a bit ago I received a call from David, confirming my thoughts. Certainly the music isn't a technical challenge for me. Something just didn't sit right though. These guys I believe have their hearts in the right place. They are top notch musicians. So what isn't right?

I think that I probably do not need to be a full member of Flood The Deserts. I talked it over with David, who was having the same thoughts. I like how he said it. Just because everyone is right doesn't mean they are right together. Sounds a bit cheesy perhaps, but it fits. Flood The Deserts is not my place.

That being said, please pray for Flood The Deserts as they set out on this journey. The message is Christian. The style I would say is progressive rock/metal. As I said, they are excellent musicians. I expect they will have some great stuff. As for me, I will be cheering them on, and trying to throw some resources their way when possible.

Flood The Deserts is:
David Larash: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Mike O'Shea: Lead Guitar
TBD: Bass
Jared Wertin: Drums

David, Mike, & Jared, go flood the deserts of mankind's hearts with Christ!

New Band?

2009-02-06T23:52:00.002-06:00

So, it looks like I may have a new band. I'm leading The Oasis Worship Band, which is my primary commitment in addition to serving as the associate pastor for The Oasis church. I play a monthly gig with a jazz improv group called Asaph. I've not committed to doing a solo project, though at times it seems interesting to me. So what brings on the possibility of a new band?

Well, honestly I haven't been looking for one at all. I've had several possibilities over the last several months. I've had some sub calls, amongst some trying to recruit me. One of those calls I received was to play a one-off gig with a group of musicians I have played in bands with before, plus one guitarist that I did not know. Today that guitarist/vocalist/band leader and I met, jammed a little, and discussed the possibility. This evening I met his other guitarist. Anyway, I suppose I don't know what will happen at this point, but it's a very real possibility. In two days I'll meet again with the aforementioned members and the drummer. I must say I'm interested in this band for the level of commitment they are expressing in serving the Lord, and the level of musical proficiency. Check back here in the future if you want to know more.

New & Old Pictures

2009-02-06T02:26:00.002-06:00

I just added a heck of a lot of pictures to my Picasa albums. Check them out.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tenma4

2009-02-05T14:02:00.001-06:00

I sent out an email newsletter a bit ago for my church plant Impact Worship. In short we've combined with another church plant called The Oasis. The full explanation is below.

-----

Impact Worship

Update 2-5-09

In This Issue

u Joining Forces

u Information Update

u The Future Support of Hosanna Children's Home

u Thanks

u Closing Thoughts

Joining Forces

The Impact Worship staff is proud to announce we have officially joined forces with a concurrent church plant called The Oasis. Impact Worship has operated as a house church since it's inception in April 2007. The non-traditional format church has actively sought the will of God for ministering to those that are disenfranchised from the traditional church. For seekers considering accepting Christ, and relegated church members alike, Impact Worship has fostered an environment of setting aside traditional beliefs and church activities with the goal of investigating scriptural truths and their application. The modus operandi is that tradition tends to develop because people are creatures of habit, but first we must make sure that we are seeking truth in obedience to God. The group discovered that relationship must come before religion. Thus Impact Worship adopted early on the slogan, “God's Family, Our Family”. The slogan represents the two most important non-self relationships that were discovered through investigative scripture study at Impact Worship weekly meetings.

Unbeknown to Impact Worship founders James and Denise Miller, another ministering couple whom they are friends with, had also begun the same journey toward a church plant about the same time that Impact Worship was in its formative stages. Both couples were at times frustrated with the lack of support due to denominational factions in the church during the research toward forming a house church. God was not going to allow the people He had called to be put off. Despite all odds, both church plants began, and through a series of divine events were directed together. Brian and Michelle Mabry began Salt Ministries in 2008 as the support organization for The Oasis – their own non-traditional church. Impact Worship began with 3 people. The Oasis began with the Mabry family of 7. Today the church combined group goes by The Oasis and runs a typical attendance of 35 for Sunday morning Gatherings. Throughout the week are numerous activities with various other attendees also. At present time the growing church is looking for a new location near St. Charles, MO.

Information Update

As of the time of this newsletter, http://impactworship.org/ has been taken down. All further information on The Oasis can be found at the website http://oasisofgod.com/. Any Impact Worship relevant mailings may be sent directly to James & Denise Miller at 12054 Glenrose Dr. - Maryland Heights, MO 63043. James and Denise may be contacted at the following email/phone numbers:

James A. Miller

tenma4@gmail.com

cell: 314-308-2235

Denise Miller

eph11920@gmail.com

cell: 314-308-2060

The Future Support of Hosanna Children's Home

Impact Worship has been a proud sponsor of Hosanna Children's Home in Githunguri, Kenya. The church has been able to raise funding for improvements on the orphanage's property, school fees for the children, some specific needs, and general funding. The fact is, these wonderful kids have great potential, and there is so much more support that is needed. Impact Worship has split off its support of Hosanna Children's Home, with the board discussing the formation of a separate non-profit sponsoring organization. Future business meetings will decide the direction of these activities. There is also a hope that an aid mission trip to Hosanna will occur in early 2010. Please support Impact Worship in this final act under its name for the well being of Hosanna children, so that our Lord's name will be glorified.

Thanks

James & Denise Miller, and the Impact Worship crew want to thank you for your faithful support of our ministry. It really isn't our ministry at all. It's the Lord's ministry, and we've been allowed to participate in a small way in a few areas. We appreciate your cooperation with us in serving the Lord. We couldn't have done what we have without you. Please contact us if you have any questions or thoughts you'd like to share.

Closing Thoughts

We are looking forward to our future of serving at The Oasis, developing a lasting support for Hosanna Children's Home. Then of course there is James' musician alter-ego Jay Arthur, who plays in a variety of bands. Rumor has it he may become a member of a Christian rock outfit in addition to his current jazz improv group “Asaph”, or that he might even release a solo project... Whatever the case, “Jay” is having a blast collaborating with various artists, and leading The Oasis Worship Band. Check out his website: http://jayarthur.blogsite.org/ for further information.

Basic Christianity

Love God
Love People

Advanced Christianity

Love God
Love People

–

Take care and keep in touch.

In Christ,

James & Denise Miller

--
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

http://jayarthur.blogsite.org/
http://myspace.com/tenma4
http://oasisofgod.com/

Band Debut

2009-02-05T07:51:00.003-06:00

I'm excited that this Sunday is my new church band's debut. I'm the old fart in this band that I'm leading. The other musicians are all teenagers. I've been whipping them into shape over the past several weeks. They've worked very hard. The Oasis Band is going to do a great job I believe at this coming Sunday morning's worship service.

For the record, The Oasis Worship Band is:

Sydni Davis: vocals
James Miller: vocals, electric bass
Braden Mabry: guitar, vocals
Alyssa Mabry: piano, vocals
Kate Mabry: drums, vocals

A Bundle of Unharnessed Creativity

2009-01-22T00:07:00.002-06:00

Ever notice how you are the most creative when you get stuck "in the zone", but you're so tired you should be in bed. For the past week I've had that happen regularly. Unfortunately I've been to busy to record any of those moments for memory's sake. My fear is the creativity will die off before I have time to preserve any of these wonderfully spontaneous moments of creativity I've been having. I haven't felt this inspired in several years.

Now I must catch up to reality. It's past midnight, I didn't even sleep half of the night last night, and my list of things to do is L - O - N - G ! Time for sleep.

Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit Testifies the Bible is True

2009-01-18T08:14:00.001-06:00

Here's an interesting article that serves as a reminder about the amazing Dead Sea Scrolls.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=387754

The False Religion of Islam

2009-01-15T13:25:00.003-06:00

I've saved up just a few of Bill Keller's email devotionals recently that I thought were very on target. Here's another one I wanted to share. I'd just post the link but at the moment there seems to be a problem with http://liveprayer.com/'s database.

If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member that would like to start receiving this daily word. You can forward this to them, and they can use the following link to subscribe.

http://www.liveprayer.com/signup.cfm

DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY DECEMBER 27, 2008
(John 14:6)

The false religion of Islam, and the courage to tell 1 billion people that
they are going to hell. Like all false religions and cults, it has a human
founder. Islam was born out of the rebellious heart and mind of a man named
Muhammad, a Mecca businessman that lived from 570-632 a.d. Muhammad claimed
to be a prophet like those in the Old Testament and wrote his "revelations"
down in a book called the Qur'an. In reading the Qur'an, it becomes clear
that it is nothing but Mohammad's warped philosophy of life based on his
rebellion to the one true God of the Bible, and is little more than a poor
imitation of the Old Testament.

THE QUR'AN IS NOTHING BUT A WORK OF FICTION THAT IS NO MORE INSPIRED THAN
HARRY POTTER OR A HARLEQUIN ROMANCE NOVEL!!!

What confuses many people about the false religion of Islam is their god who
they call "allah." This happens because people who are either theologically
ignorant or trying to be politically correct, speak of the God of the Bible
and allah as if they are the same person. Let me make certain you understand
something very clear, allah and the God of the Bible are NOT the same
person!!! If you study the attributes of the God of the Bible and the
attributes of the allah of Islam, it is crystal clear that these are two
entirely different entities. There is only ONE GOD, that is the God of the
Bible. The allah of Islam is nothing but a creation out of the imagination
of Muhammad, no different than Mickey Mouse who was a creation out of the
imagination of Walt Disney!!!

The bottom line is that all men are sinners. We are born in the sin we
inherited from Adam, we sin throughout our life, and even the Bible tells us
that we have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. My friend, it
is that sin that separates us from a Holy God. But God in His infinite love
for us, made a way for His fallen creation to be reconciled back into an
everlasting relationship with Him. He did that by sending Jesus Christ to
die for the sins of all mankind. Those who follow the false religion of
Islam claim that Jesus was a great prophet but deny His deity. Jesus was THE
Prophet, but more important, He was THE SON OF GOD!

Muhammad was nothing but a false prophet, a mere man who lived and died like
you and I. He was born with the same sin that you and I are born with. That
is why faith in Mohammad cannot save you. It was JESUS who God sent to this
earth in an immaculate way to be born without the sin we inherited from
Adam. It was Jesus who lived a sinless life so that He could go to a cross
2,000 years ago and give His live as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all
mankind. That is why it is only faith in JESUS that can save you!!! At that
moment when this life is over and we stand before God there is only ONE
question He will ask us, DO YOU KNOW JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR BY FAITH?

I love you and care about you so much. I pray today that those people around
the world who have put their faith in Muhammad and the false religion of
Islam will open their hearts and turn from that lie and to the Truth found
in God's Word, coming to know Jesus Christ by faith as their Lord and
Savior.

I can assure you that as long as I have breath, I will continue to proclaim
to this lost and dying world that there is only one name by which men can be
saved, and that is the name of Jesus. Buddha can't save you, Muhammad can't
save you, the false god of Joe Smith and the Mormon cult can't save you, the
false god of Charles Taze Russell and the Jehovah Witnesses cult can't save
you, the false god of Mary Baker Eddy and the Christian Science cult can't
save you, the fantasies of L. Ron Hubbard and the Scientologist cult can't
save you, no my friend, there is only ONE WAY to be saved and that is by
faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone!!!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

The Bible Works

2009-01-15T13:06:00.002-06:00

Among other reasons, the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant Word representing Absolute Truth and
our final authority in all matters because it works! Bill Keller @ http://liveprayer.com/wrote an excellent piece on this. See below.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY DECEMBER 26, 2008
(Psalm 119:89, 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:16)

The Bible is God's inspired, inerrant Word representing Absolute Truth and
our final authority in all matters because it works! What I share with you
each day as I deal with what is happening in our world as well as our
personal lives are not my thoughts, or my ideas, or my opinions, but God's.
I deal with everything from what is referred to as a "Biblical worldview."
What I share with you each day is literally coming right out of the Bible. I
don't wake up in the morning and simply write down what I think because the
fact is, at the end of the day it doesn't matter what I think and it doesn't
matter what you think, it only matters what God thinks! Of course you and I
both have the free will to think and believe whatever we want, but Truth
isn't what we decide it to be, it is what God says it is!

You see my friend, we aren't perfect. We are simply frail flesh and blood.
We sin. We make mistakes. We are wrong. God on the other hand IS perfect. He
is NEVER wrong! God is right 100% of the time! Because we are sinners, that
is why we need a Savior. The whole reason Jesus went to the cross was to be
that one-time perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. So when we
confess our sins to the Lord, by faith ask Him to forgive us and come to
live in our hearts, we become His follower. As His follower, that means we
also follow His Word. Jesus said, 'If you love me you will obey me." That
means the Bible. A follower of Jesus is automatically a follower of His
Word!

Over the past 2000 years, people have debated the Bible ad nauseam. I could
sit here today and make an historical and archaeological argument for why the
Bible is really God's Word. I could sit here today and make a theological
argument for why the Bible is really God's Word. But today, I want to use
this time together to make the strongest case there is for why the Bible is
really God's Word. When I tell you, many of you will shake your head and
think what I have shared is not a very good reason. However, I want you to
listen to me since what I am going to tell you is by far the strongest and
greatest argument of all to prove the Bible truly is God's Word. The Bible
is God's inspired, inerrant Word representing Absolute Truth and our final
authority in all matters...because it works!!!

What does that mean? The Bible is God's instruction manual for man, both
during this life and for all eternity. Think of the Bible like any other
instruction manual. When you buy a new toy for your child or cell phone,
there is always an instruction manual. If you take the time and effort to
read the instruction manual and then follow it, guess what? The toy will be
assembled properly and work! The cell phone with all of the incredible
features the new phones of today have will work! The Bible is God's
instruction manual for life, and if you read it and follow what it says,
life works!

You can start from almost the very beginning of life. There are lots of
instructions in the Bible for children and young adults. The Word talks
about children obeying their parents, honoring their mother and father. The
Bible gives basic lessons of life that every child should learn like "do
unto others as you would have them do unto you," and "treat others like you
want to be treated," and "be kind to others," These are all foundational
life lessons every child needs to learn that makes life work.

As you become an adult, most look to get married. The Bible has MUCH to say
about this stage of life. It warns us to not be "unequally yoked with a
non-believer." This is critical since your faith in Christ is the most
important thing in your life and if you can't share that with the person you
have committed to spend the rest of your life with, there is no real
foundation to your relationship. So when you marry someone who shares your
faith in Christ, the two of you can build on that foundation together during
all of the years God blesses you with. The Bible says much about husband and
wives. It instructs husbands to love their wives like Christ loves the
church. It instructs women to be submissive to their husbands. It clearly
lays out the roles a man and woman are to play in life. Again, following
God's Word can make marriage the incredible blessing and gift from God He
intended it to be. It works!

The Bible also has lots of clear instruction when it comes to sex. Sex is
actually a very simple subject. It is a gift from God to be enjoyed by a man
and woman in the bonds of marriage. Period! ALL sex outside of marriage is a
perversion. Pretty clear and pretty simple isn't it? Just think if you
actually followed the Bible on this issue. First of all, you are never going
to have sex of any kind until you are married, and then the only person you
will ever have sex with is the one God gave you to spend the rest of your
life with. Guess what? That automatically eliminates all of the emotional,
physical, and mental drama from your life that accompanies the sexual
relationships people have outside of marriage. With each person you have sex
of any kind with, you are giving a part of yourself to that person. Engaging
in such intimacy is a physical, emotional, and mental investment with
someone you have no commitment to.

Of course, when you follow the Bible and never have sex until you get
married and are only having sex with your spouse and your spouse is only
having sex with you, there is no such thing as a sexually transmitted
disease. There is also no such thing as abortion. First, since you are both
followers of Christ, killing your baby is NEVER an option. Since you never
have sex until you are married, there is no such thing as a child out of
wedlock. Having children is not looked at as a curse but as a blessing!
Children are the natural byproduct, the fruit of marriage. They are
something a husband and wife look forward to and rejoice over. In addition,
when it is only you and your spouse having sex, you don't fall into the many
sexual perversions. Do you see how much pain and heartache, drama and even
death is avoided when we follow the Bible?

By following God's Word out in the business world, employees will be
"working as unto the Lord," and employers will treat their employees fair
and just. Businesses won't cheat their customers and customers won't try to
take advantage of businesses. The Bible works!

The Bible not only works in all of the real day-to-day issues of life, but
it also works in our spiritual lives as well. The promises in God's Word are
true! When we sin, 1 John 1:9 is true when it tells us to confess our sins
and God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all
unrighteousness. When life gets difficult, Jesus told us to cast our cares
on Him because He cares for us. He told us to give Him our burdens and take
His yoke because it is light. God promised that He would never put on us
more than we can bear, and that He would never leave us nor forsake us. What
tremendous comfort we can take from the promises in God's Word because they
are true and they work!

I love you and care about you so much. I could have easily made a case for
the Bible being the Word of God by going through the historical record of
how the Bible came to be. It is fascinating. I could have also easily made a
case for the Bible being the Word of God by breaking it down theologically.
But today, I wanted to make the strongest case there is for the Bible being
God's Word, and that is because it works.

It isn't just a book of good ideas on how to live. It is THE instructional
manual for man that God wrote so we wouldn't have to try to figure this life
out for ourselves. How many times have you tried to put together a toy for
your child or operated a new electronic gadget without looking at the
instruction manual? When did you finally pick up the instruction manual? We
both know that answer, after you broke what you were trying to put together,
or you put it together and it didn't work! Sounds like lots of lives who
have never taken the time or effort to read the Bible doesn't it?

The great thing about the Bible is that it doesn't just deal with your life
now, it also is your instructional manual for eternity. It tell us, "For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life." It says, "That if you
confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved." It also says, "For it is by
grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast." You see, it not
only works during our brief journey through life, but it works for all
eternity as well!

The bottom line is God gave you free will. You are free to believe whatever
you want. You can believe the Bible or reject it. That is up to you.
However, I want you to know that there is only one Truth. It isn't what you
want it to be, or what I want it to be, it is what God says it is! God said
it in the pages of the Book He wrote, the Bible. The greatest case I can
make for the Bible being God's inspired, inerrant Word representing Absolute
Truth and our final authority in all matters is..... IT WORKS!!!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller@liveprayer.com

Obama’s “Natural Born” Problem

2009-01-15T09:55:00.002-06:00

In the past I placed so much faith in the American people that I never thought we would elect someone as corrupt, ineligible, and deceiving into the office of President of the United States of America. Unfortunately much of the world loves him while he and his type will send our nation to Hell in a hand basket. This man should never have been elected President.

See: http://www.alainsnewsletter.com/read.php?sid=47

Casting Pounds

2009-01-13T13:22:00.004-06:00

So, I figured 1/1/09 was as good as any time to begin my official weight loss. So far so good. I'm in good company. Apparently Bart Millard, lead singer for Mercy Me, made a remark about Casting Crowns singer Mark Hall being chubby. It led to an amusing exchange you can check out here.

As for my own personal progress, I weighed in on 12/31/08 at 217.5 lbs. I've upped my protein intake, lowered my carbohydrates, and upped my exercise. As of today (1/13/09) I'm at 208 lbs. Pray for me that I keep this up, and the pounds keep going down.

New Play-Along Tracks

2008-12-19T15:27:00.002-06:00

I'm pleased to say that Dan Deming and I recorded a couple of play-along tracks last night. They're for teaching purposes for my church band members/students. Dan the totally awesome drums. I laid down the vocals and bass. Today I rough mixed them for the students to practice with. Yes, I know they're missing part of the vocals, two guitar parts, and a keyboard. They're both fairly popular songs in Christian music and church circles, so download the chords/tabs, figure them out yourself, or buy the sheet music, then give them a try. If you do happen to buy the sheet music someplace, know that I've adapted these songs for our own purposes. Alright, enjoy.

Play-Along Tracks

Rhythm for Him – You Lifted Me Out (Chris Tomlin cover with vocals, bass, & drums only)
Rhythm for Him – One Way (Hillsong cover with vocals, bass, & drums only)

Project Bass Update: Bridges, Tails, Bodies, & Wings

2008-12-11T20:55:00.003-06:00

The past couple of days I have gotten a bit more work done on my slowly evolving project bass. Yesterday I made a tailpiece in case I decide to go with 16mm string spacing. That's a bit tight for most bassists I'd say, but it's what I prefer, especially since I now primarily play with the addition of a pick. The string spacing doesn't present a problem for me in picking however, I must say narrow spacing makes chords much easier. Most of my basses have 19mm spacing. That's what the bridge I purchased for the project bass has also. So the question that remains is whether I will use the one I purchased, or if I will finish building a separate bridge-tailpiece assembly. This really is the heart of the matter of why my project bass is not complete after so long. It's indecision. The next one will go much quicker because I will have made up my mind better what I want, and what I can achieve (I think...).

Today I made a bit more progress. I cut out the body wing blanks, did a test fit, and determined how I will plane them along with the body core using a template I have yet to construct. Perhaps tomorrow or over the weekend I will find time to build the template. Unless indecision strikes again, I suppose we will see.

A Budding Oasis

2008-12-03T22:50:00.002-06:00

I have to say I am happy as a clam about my new church band. As I've mentioned before, it's a band of beginners. I feel blessed to be training them from beginners to play music for the glory of the Lord. It's humbling and exciting at the same time. The band doesn't really have a name other than "The Oasis Worship Band", which hopefully doesn't sound too much like we're worshiping oases. Yes, that's the correct spelling in case you didn't know. I didn't...

When you're actually in the middle of leading a group, you spend much of your attention on trying to direct the group. You must also balance that with listening to the dialog in the group so that you know how to teach them. Today I tried out my new video camera at band practice. This evening I thought it would be fun to check out our practice. It was an eye-opening experience. I must say I was fairly pleased. I recognized some of my strengths as a teacher and musician. I learned a bit about how I am perceived. I also recognized some of my weaknesses I can improve upon as well.

So what does all of this boil down to? Well, my mom taught me as a kid that you learn as much or more than the class when you are the teacher. Yet again I find her to be correct. I've learned some things about not only my students, but myself as well, which will help me in turn to better teach them. I believe I will begin to record all of our practices as a teaching aid.

For a real interesting look at yourself, stick a video camera in the corner of the room one day and record yourself, forgetting about the camera. It may really give you a clue about how others perceive you.

Next up: Multi-track audio recording with video...

New Camcorder

2008-12-02T17:49:00.002-06:00

I got a new HDD camcorder as an early Christmas present. Hope to have videos added to the site soon. :-)

Upcoming Asaph Performance Canceled

2008-11-17T08:29:00.005-06:00

I am sorry to announce that this Friday's upcoming performance of Asaph at Logos Room has been canceled by the sponsor. The monthly event will resume in early 2009. Keep checking http://tenma4.blogspot.com/ for updates.

Thanks.

For Fatties Like Me

2008-11-11T10:44:00.002-06:00

Hey, just a helpful tip for fatties like me. :-) Hehe. Yeah, I'm a bit chubby. I'm not trying to be mean-spirited. I love to eat, and when I'm not lugging gear for a steady run of shows, whether playing bass or doing sound, I tend to get less exercise than I should. I work out semi-regularly, but it's the amount that I eat that really gets me in trouble.

So for years I've loved tea. Recently I've begun to drink it in all sorts of forms...whether it be hot, cold, sweetened (artificially with Splenda because I'm allergic to aspartame), Kenyan style, and bizarre. Also I've begun drinking coffee. I'm not a morning person, so I find one or the other helps me get my day started. By having a large glass of either during or after a meal, or between, I find I don't eat nearly as much. I'm also getting a steady stream of water in my diet, which I admittedly don't drink nearly enough.

Think about this. Compared to so many other things I could be stuffing into my chubby face, coffee and tea are basically free. Even considering I add things to them that have a bit of calories, I still end up with much less than I would by satisfying myself with junk food between meals. Add to all of this a bit of increased alertness, and I think I've got a win-win situation here. I mean, sure it's taken me an hour and a half to type this because I'm so jittery I have to keep going back to correct errors.... but what a small price to pay. OK, OK, just kidding on the last part. I do feel like I need to go run or something though. Hey! I think I'll go work out.

Lates.

Visiting Reflections

2008-11-10T14:04:00.003-06:00

I must say I am amazed at the visitors I get to this site. I sometimes post, wondering whether anyone actually cares what I have to say...as a musician, a man of God, a father, etc. Not a lot of you comment directly to the site/blog. I receive a few emails. In examining my page stats though, and what you visitors actually look at on my site, I am humbled and amazed that you care. In fact, it seems several of you email links to my site and posts. I wish I had some deep reflection to share with you on this matter. All I believe I can really do is say, "Thanks!" Oh yeah, and I would like to request you keep spreading the word. :-)

Shouts out today to all visitors from Bahrain.

Naturally a Putz

2008-11-08T17:53:00.005-06:00

Ever made someone mad and really didn't mean to? Yeah, me too. In fact, I think over the past 2 years I've done a lot of that. I used to jokingly ask people "Are you naturally this rude, or do you have to practice?" Yeah, OK, so it wasn't such a great joke. Yet somehow I laughed. Hm. Unfortunately I began to get a clue. Practicing came naturally for me apparently...so that must mean I'm naturally a putz. Need to know more? Check out one of my early postings to this blog on how I got the nickname/stage name "Jay Arthur".

How about an example? Sure, why not... So there was a church I once served at for several years. I served elsewhere for a while, but returned one weekend when asked to play an outdoor concert with other former band members there. Practicing had went well. I was looking forward to the show. I arrive early with a MONSTROUS bass rig, anticipating that PA support would not be of the same ilk. It turns out the PA was fair, but it was lacking subwoofers, so it served me well to have brought two power amps and four cabinets.

Having arrived plenty early I got my giant rig all set up. We did sound check/warm-up. We stood around for a while, had some ice water to cool down (summer early evening show), and chatted. It was great catching up with old friends. Where was the opening band? Well, they hadn't shown yet. Time ticked on. They were an hour late by now. The event would be starting before long. They hadn't loaded in, set up, or done sound check.

Eventually the opening band came strolling in one member at a time. Where was their gear? Well, if they could find someone with correct key they had a bass. Someone else brought a keyboard, but no amp. No big deal. I was friends with the sound guy and knew we could piece things together. It was disorganized, but it would work. I offered my amp stack to the bassist so he wouldn't have to worry about finding an amp. ...No speaking English.... OK, no big deal. Where's the band leader? Ah, there he is. Relay...translate...blah blah blah. All is well. I wonder off to ask the sound engineer if he even wanted a DI from me, or if he just wanted to set my volume on my power amps himself. He chose the latter. Cool with me. I'm very flexible.

Alright, I'm relaxing now. I walk toward some people gathered around at the edge of the audience so I can chat. I noticed something that alarmed me though. As I was passing the stage, I saw the heavy weighted keys keyboard was propped up against two of my stacked cabinets. This is not a good thing. I knew that one of those cabs is missing a foot and is slightly unstable, so I'm always careful not to rest anything against them. It's windy outside. This is just asking for trouble! I stroll back to the stage area and reposition the keyboard. Problem solved right? WRONG!

The band leader comes up, clearly bent out of shape. I explain that I was afraid his keyboard, and perhaps my stack, might fall. He gets more bent out of shape. I apologize if it came off wrong and explain one cab is missing a foot and I had almost knocked over the stack earlier myself. It wasn't sitting on level footing anyway. That still didn't satisfy him. He says, "It's OK James. I understand you don't want me to touch your stuff." Of course I respond, "No, no, no! That's not it at all. I'm not concerned about that. Otherwise I wouldn't have offered my bass rig to your bassist." I think that must have went in one ear and out the other. I thought this fellow minister/musician and I knew each other's character fairly well. I like to be a helping hand, and I always want to be truthful to people. That's one thing you can depend upon with me.

This just wasn't going to do. I had to fix things. My friend had walked away, so I approached him again and said "--name--, you know me. I'm sorry. I'm glad to help out. I would never be like that to you." He is still upset. I was becoming a bit disappointed by now. After a pause I said, "You don't believe me, do you?" He replied, "No, I do not." I said, "Wow, that rather offends me." He said, "James, it offends me too." and walks away. That was the last he spoke with me...

This man was someone I considered a friend. I've always believed that friendships are worth fighting for. I've never ended a friendship over something so petty. Unfortunately this is one of several friendships that have ended in similar manner over the past 2 or 3 years. Worse yet, this was the 2nd one that night. The show went great, but generally my night sucked. I had left some equipment stored at the church for the preceding several years, along with a few other odds and ends. That evening was the end of my relationship with that church. My friendship ended with 2 of the head ministers there. I turned in my keys, leaving behind anything of mine that was not on stage. It was a sad ending that I could do nothing more about.

So, here it is. I suppose I am naturally a putz. I suppose its for people like that in specific that Jesus commanded us to forgive each other. He knows that without forgiveness, people like me can have a relationship with no one. So just remember, next time someone really ticks you off, perhaps they did not mean to do so. Perhaps it comes naturally for them, though they value your friendship and would never want to harm it. For the several people I have offended who no longer speak to me, I have apologized several times and I meant it. I've honestly tried not to offend them, and acknowledged when I have done so anyway. Alas, I do not know what else I can do. What else can I say? Give a putz a chance.

"The Oasis Worship Band" Song List

2008-11-06T10:49:00.003-06:00

Current Songs

Newsboys - I Am Free
Chris Tomlin - God of This City

Proposed/Upcoming Songs

Audio Adrenaline - Light of the Sun
Audio Adrenaline - Strong
Jadon Lavick - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Chris Tomlin/Hillsong London - How Great is Our God
Chris Tomlin/Matt Redman - The Wonderful Cross
Hillsong - One Way
Matt Redman - You Never Let Go

"The Oasis Worship Band" Calendar

2008-11-06T09:48:00.002-06:00

A Heavy Heart

2008-11-06T08:49:00.008-06:00

I had always intended to keep this blog fairly lighthearted, yet today I am going to break with that tradition because I also intend for this blog to always be true. I could leave out the things that make me sad, but then the blog wouldn't be an accurate thought stream of my own existence... Also I have never wanted to be political. Today I will break both traditions. Let preface by saying I am not a creature that is naturally attracted to politics. Something has struck a nerve and I will share...

Two days ago the United States elected one Barack Hussein Obama as our nation's president. He's a smooth talker. I don't think he has the greatest ideas on the political side, so I was not inclined to give my vote to him. Yet I didn't like his leading opponent either. Of course in the U.S., despite there being other candidates, you basically are throwing your vote away if you are not voting for one of the two major parties. So I chose to vote for John McCain not for his own merit, but because of the possible horror of having Barack Obama as president.

As many of you know, my wife and I have a strong connection to Kenya. We have friends and family there. In December of 2007 the country held their national election for president. Running against incumbent president Kibaki was the Orange Democratic Movement's Raila Odinga. Odinga is the cousin of Barack Obama. Odinga lost the election by approximately 233,000 votes, but much like the Democratic party in the United States, he and his people cried foul. "So he's a sore loser. What's the big deal?" I'll tell you.

What the major news media won't tell you is that Odinga is a Luo tribesman affiliated with Obama's father when Odinga's communist father was Kenya's first vice president after Kenyan independence and Obama's father was a Harvard-educated economist working in the Jomo Kenyatta government. Obama campaigned openly for Odinga for president in 2006 when Obama was in Kenya on a U.S. Senate "fact-finding" mission. Kenya's president Kibaki asked Obama to stop interfering with Kenyan presidential politics. Obama raised an alleged $1 million for Odinga to run for president in Kenya in December 2007, adding to the $1 million raised for Odinga's 2007 presidential campaign by Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. When he lost the election, Odinga called for protests which led his Luo tribesmen to murder approximately 1,000 Kikuyu tribesman, displace another 350,000 Kikuyu tribesmen and destroy 800 churches, while not a single mosque was destroyed.

What does all of this have to do with us? Well, the main stream media won't tell you that it was militant Muslim Luos (Odinga's tribe) that were slaughtering Christian Kikuyus (Kibaki's tribe). Barack Obama helped negotiate a settlement in which Odinga was appointed co-head-of-state and appointed prime minister to end the violence, even after it became publicly disclosed Odinga signed a letter of understanding with radical Muslims in Kenya in return for their votes. Today along with president Mwai Kibaki, Kenya must also reserve an office for their new position of Prime Minister for Raila Odinga.

Why does all of this personally concern me? Allow me to list.

I am a Christian (a real one, not a political or cultural one), and I do not want Christians to suffer though I trust in God's provision and allowance.
Islam is a false religion distracting many from the truth found through Jesus Christ. It comes from Hell and its chief inhabitant, Satan.
Part of my family is from Kenya. They are Christians and a Kikuyus. They were not unaffected by the months of violence in Kenya.
The United States is a Post Christian nation which has turned it's back on God.
The United States has just elected as president a man who is sympathetic (even supportive) with the enemies of God and His people.

This makes me sad. Perhaps I had lost sight of how far my country has fallen. Let this serve as a wake up call for all American Christians. This is no longer a Christian nation. Our primary citizenship is not in this nation. We are citizens of Heaven and members of the family of God. As for now, our freedoms are being eroded away. I believe they will continue to do so at an increasing rate. Our Father will allow this for a time so that we may share the truth of Jesus Christ with all who will listen. Most will reject. Let us remember these things. In the meantime, pray like never before and prepare for persecution.

Sadly,
James

Priorities

2008-10-28T09:28:00.002-05:00

It's amazing how your priorities change when you don't feel well. I've been a bit under the weather for the past couple of days. During that time, I haven't touched a bass. If you want to see where your true priorities lie, see what you actually put effort into when you don't feel like putting forth effort at all.

I've lost the desire to blog at this moment... Sleep sounds good.

New Project

2008-10-23T15:52:00.002-05:00

Well, if you keep up with my other blog, you know that I'm also a minister. My wife and I have been looking for a church at the same time I've been looking for a new regularly gigging band. Well, I think I have the answer to both now. The house church I've been leading for not quite the past year and a half has always had a strong emphasis on international relief work. It seems that is going to be our new focus, in that we are likely going to transform into an organization for that purpose, and be under the umbrella of another young church called The Oasis.

The Oasis is a young church plant based in St. Charles, MO. It appears I will be serving as an associate minister/worship leader there. I'm quite excited. That of course brings up my second point.

I have decided to suspend search for a new band because I am going to be leading the worship band at The Oasis. As of right now, I'm training a new batch of musicians from scratch. We will be the house band for corporate worship services and all related functions of The Oasis. While serving in these roles I will continue to serve as bassist in Asaph the house band for Logos Room each month. Of course I will also gig with The Jessie Phillips Band when the full band is needed as well.

Don't forget to check out Impact Worship for the latest updates in activities there!

A Love of Jazz

2008-10-01T09:59:00.004-05:00

I've found myself of late falling deeper into love with jazz. Now is a great time for a jazz joke. Go ahead. You know you want to. Let me suggest a few.
-----

Q: Where do old rock musicians go to die?
A: Jazz...

Q: Where do jazz musicians go to die?
A: Who cares?

A One Liner:

Jazz isn't dead, it just smells funny.

A jazz musician dies and goes to heaven. To his delight, he learns when he gets there that he will be joining the big band. The saxophones are Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins and Harry Carney. The trumpets include Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Roy Eldridge. The trombones are equally great. Papa Jo Jones is on drums, Oscar Pettiford on bass and Art Tatum is on piano. But when he gets to the first rehearsal Gil Evans, the arranger-conductor, pulls him aside and says:
"Listen, I just have to warn you about one thing. God has this girlfriend who sings..."
-----

Anyway, I'm having a lot of fun doing jazz. I'm looking forward to the next performance of "Asaph". Also I've been writing some stuff lately. We'll see if do anything with it. Perhaps I'll post something here for your listening pleasure.

Gotta go be productive now. Lates.

Project Bass Update: Body Core

2008-09-29T15:25:00.007-05:00

I finished the maple core of my 5 string fretless project bass today. I also started working on the pine body wings only to discover a couple of alarming things. One, the giant old pine board my father-in-law gave me is grease soaked...at least part of the surface is. I don't know if I'll be able to clean it up enough to use it. I'm going to attempt.

The second majorly alarming discovery I made was when I went to turn on the ceiling fan to improve the ventilation in my shop. I flipped the switch and heard humming, but felt no wind, and didn't hear any air movement. Hm...odd. I looked up to find that the fan couldn't move for the extremely dense spider web holding it in place. The web strained, but the fan wasn't going anywhere! Yikes! I then saw the spider the size of a tennis ball sitting on top of the motor. Double yikes! *Shiver* Oh my gosh I hate spiders! Mostly because I'm scared to death of them.

So I think I'm done with working on my project bass today, or any day until I don a can of hairspray and a long BBQ grill lighter. Hopefully I don't burn the place down. I'm gonna torch that sucker! I long to hear the joyous sound of "Eeeeeee! Ppffftt..." when that spider burns and puffs into one final explosive ball of flame and smoke. In the meantime, my skin is crawling and my mind is haunted by whatever it was the spider had webbed to one of the fan blades. I'm pretty sure it was a hummingbird...or eagle...or ostrich.

Crap! I left my dog out there. Hey, how is he levitating? Uh oh... Gotta go!

Good Stuff

2008-09-20T21:16:00.002-05:00

Wow! This was an exceptional week of gigging. On Sunday I had a great time worshiping with the folks at Dorsett Village Church in Maryland Heights, MO. Their music director called me up on Thursday evening and asked if I could sit in with them. This is my second time playing with their band. There was a guest drummer as well. Cool stuff.

Ok, more thoughts at random...

Friday night was quite a trip. I've been talking recently with Dan Deming, the drummer from my old band. I always try to network with other musicians anyway, especially other Christian musicians because of the nature of what we do.

There is another professional bassist out there that harshly criticizes what he believes is a "Christian bassist" clique. I'd have to strongly disagree with him on several points of the topic, simply because with his status as an atheist, he has no idea what is involved being a Christian musician. It's not just playing songs in a church, or for "church people". It's playing music with the vertical mindset of glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our God, our Father, and our Friend. This isn't a clique. It's a family!

Anyway, I've digressed. Friday night...Dan Deming sat in with the jazz improv group that serves as the house band for a monthly event we do called "Logos Room" The focus is on Christ-centered poetry. The band provides a musical backdrop for introduction, the intermission, and the closeout. If poets are agreeable to such a thing, we improvise music to their poems. It's quite an interesting experience. For the most part I'd classify the music as jazzy.

I think the band is finally getting an idea on what we're about. Perhaps the fact that last night the event director named the band "Asaph" is significant. Asaph was either a chief musician in the house of the Lord in the book of Psalms, or was a title for a group of such musicians. Basically, we are, like Asaph, the house band. How fitting.

I must say it was awesome to be playing with Dan once again. I've missed him and others from my time with 1000 Days. Oh but it gets better than Dan laying down his awesome beats. Oh yes! Surprise! Steve (guitarist) and Rachel from 1000 Days showed up. I don't know if it was to support Dan, or both of us, but it was great to see them, and I hope to again in the future. Oh yeah, and Dan will most likely be playing with "Asaph" once again next month. Keep checking my calendar for details.

"Could this week get any better?" you might ask. Well, you didn't, but I did, and yes, it did! Today I was honored to sit in with a band that I look up to very much. I played a show with Travis Lee Band. They've been a great help to the music and ministry of my wife and I, along with our various ministry partners over the last several years. They are awesome musicians, and I treasure their love for sharing the Gospel with others. They do what they do because God has instilled in them a love for other people. So it was quite an honor indeed to share the stage with them. I hope to do that again in the future.

Alright, I should get to bed. I have to get up early to call our daughter in the morning. It's a task I look forward to. Hm...I still end sentences with prepositions. Oh well. Much love to all. Nite nite.

Guest Drummer

2008-09-15T12:33:00.002-05:00

I'm happy to announce that the very talented Dan Deming will be on drums this coming Friday evening at Logos Room! Dan and I used to play together in 1000 Days. I've always loved playing with him. It will be nice to be holding the rhythm down with him once again.

Email Troubles

2008-09-09T20:24:00.003-05:00

If you've emailed me in the past week and haven't heard from me, please re-send your message and/or call. Apparently there was a problem with my email service and messages through this domain have not been reaching me. Information on my contact page is still valid. See the link to the right.

Project Bass Update

2008-09-08T18:26:00.003-05:00

For all not already in the know, I've been pittling with a project bass since about March of 2007. It will hopefully be a fully functional 5 string fretless when I'm done. It has gone through many revisions since I started. This is my first build ever. I've made lots of mistakes. Anyway, I keep trucking on. Ok, I keep crawling on would be more like it. Sometimes I don't touch it for months at a time.

Looks like this bass is going to be maple with 10+ year old pine body wings. Pine normally isn't something you'd use for a project like this, but as old as it is, it's very dry. The pine came from my father-in-law when my wife's parents moved. If he says it's 10+ years old, I'd double that number. Like I said, it's dry.

I'm almost at the point that I'm going to have to commit to a body style. It has a headstock, but it's not too late to change it to a headless design. When I say I'm building this bass, I mean I'm building it from scratch. It's quite and undertaking for figuring things out myself (my choice), and building absolutely every part that I can. If I chicken out on some things I have bought some hardware, including a bridge, tuners, and knobs. I won't be making the pots or capacitor... I will be winding my own pickups though.

So here's the specs on what this bass will probably end up with:

Scale: 35"

Strings: 5

Frets: fretless

Pickups: single string humbucking jazz style of my own design

Neck: rather thick, dual steel rod reinforced, set neck

Wood: maple neck and body core with aged pine body wings

Finish: chrome silver body and hardware with lacquered fingerboard

I'm an odd guy, and this will probably be quite an odd bass. In keeping with such a theme, I'm considering one more detail. I may string this thing up as a piccolo when done for use on my solo music. Guess we'll see.

Lates.

The Lord Gives and Takes Away

2008-09-07T17:04:00.003-05:00

Well, the Lord gives and takes away. It looks like The Jessie Phillips Band weekly gig at Tequila Mexican Restaurant in St. Charles, MO has come to an end, at least for now. The past few weeks the restaurant trafic has been pretty dismal. I'm bummed for them considering how great their food is. TJPB may schedule more full band gigs, but that means at least in the meantime I am looking for another regular gig.

Any St. Louis area Christian bands seeking a bassist? Christian music is where my heart is. If you're a band that's looking, contact me!

Show Cancelation

2008-09-06T14:12:00.002-05:00

Please take note that tonight's scheduled show at Tequila Mexican Restaurant with The Jessie Phillips Band has been canceled by the venue. This is normally a weekly performance. We hope to continue in the future. Check back for future information.

The Book of Hebrews

2008-09-03T17:32:00.002-05:00

I'm considering doing a study through the book of Hebrews and sharing it on the Impact Worship blog. I'm sure I'd enjoy doing such a thing. I know a few people it would be useful to as well. Hm...

Contact Me

2008-09-03T11:57:00.009-05:00

To contact me, drop me an email to tenma4@gmail.com, or call 314-308-2235. Thanks.

If you're one of the social networking or chatting type, feel free to look me up on the following:

Google Talk/Gmail chat: tenma4@gmail.com
Yahoo: tenma4
Facebook: http://profile.to/jamesamiller
AIM: tenma4
ICQ: Number 7632646 or search via email @ tenma4@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Search tenma4@gmail.com

Lessons

2008-09-03T11:33:00.006-05:00

Interested in learning electric bass or trumpet? You can take lessons from me! :-D In addition to live performance and recording session services, I am now offering lesson on trumpet and bass.

What can you expect in lessons?

Private Lessons – Personal instruction with an individual approach.

Reasonable Rates – Just $15 per ½ hour.

Philosophy of Music – Not just how, but why…

Electric Bass

Traditional and Advanced Techniques.
Learn to read music.
Find your “voice” on the instrument.
Improvisation and Soloing.

Trumpet

Traditional and “out of the box” methods.
Sight-reading.
Ensemble playing.
Extended register playing.

Call 314-308-2235 or email tenma4@gmail.com for more information. Home school students welcome!

Current Groups

2008-09-03T11:19:00.019-05:00

Currently I play with:

Pandora's Regret
Travis Lee Band (either on bass or doing sound)

I’m working on some solo music too.

I perform on bass, guitar, trumpet, sing lead or harmony, and teach bass and trumpet. See my Lessons page for details. I am also available for recording or live performance. Please contact me if you are interested in having me play with your group or record on your project. Email me at tenma4@gmail.com, or call 314-308-2235.

Experience Snapshot

2008-09-03T10:54:00.006-05:00

Over the years I’ve performed with a number of groups, serving a variety of roles. Listed below are some of them.

Band/Project	Description	My Role(s)
The Oasis of God (church) Worship Band	Modern Pop/Rock Christian worship band	Worship leader, band leader, head A/V technician & trainer, lead & bg vocals, electric bass, acoustic & electric guitars
PANDORA's Regret	Rock cover band: classic to modern & alternative rock	Electric bass, background vocals, lead vocals
Travis Lee Band	Christian Acoustic Rock/Thrash/Adult Contemporary	Substitute bassist, sound technician
Dorsett Village Praise Team	Acoustic Praise & Worship band	Substitute bassist
Jessie Phillips Band	Pop/Rock/Country & Western cover band	Bassist, bg vocals
Asaph	Jazz improvisational house band for poetry events	Bassist
1000 Days	Christian Folk-Rock	Bassist, recorder, trumpet, background vocals, assistant manager, promotions, tech crew trainer, recording engineer, transportation, contributing songwriter
Print	Christian Indie Rock recording project	Bassist, recording engineer, co-writer
Jay Arthur	Experimental Ambient electronic/instrumental recording project	Electric bass, loops, programming, rubber chicken sales, trumpet, vocals, nose flute, cook
Kingshighway Baptist Church Praise Team	Contemporary Praise & Worship band	Worship leader, band leader, lead & bg vocals, electric bass, arranger, trumpet, A/V technician, A/V crew trainer
Sunshine Mission Band	Christian Acoustic Rock	Bassist, bg & lead vocals
Joe Council Trio	Christian Acoustic Rock	Recording engineer, bassist
D-Ranged	Looping Drum & Bass, Rap	Bass, loops contributor
The Unrevealed	Christian Pop/Rock	Lead & bg vocals, electric bass, audio technician, transportation
Kellen Markovich Band	6 piece Christian Pop/Rock	Electric bass, bg vocals, audio technician
Kellen Markovich	Vocal, Piano, Bass duo	Electric bass, bg vocals, recording engineer
Bet Ami Praise Team	Mid-Eastern Big Band/church praise team	Substitute bassist
Blood n Water	Christian Metal	Electric bass
Prodigal Mile	Christian Electric Folk-Rock	Electric bass, bg & lead vocals, audio technician, recording engineer, promotions, trumpet
Three Rivers Community College's Baptist Student Union praise band	Christian Folk	Worship leader, lead & bg vocals, electric bass, A/V technician, booking
The 5^th Seal	CCM	Electric bass, bg & lead vocals, audio technician
Bill Emerson Memorial Sextet	Brass sextet	Band leader, trumpet
Poplar Bluff Symphonic Band/TRCC Symphonic Band	Symphonic Band	1^st & 2^nd trumpet, euphonium
Three Rivers Community College Jazz Band	Big Band Jazz	Lead trumpet

Other educational related experience

Private Instruction – trumpet, french horn, baritone	6^th Grade Band	Provided private instruction to students
Stoddard County Concert Band	Merit-inducted symphonic band	1^st & 2^nd trumpet
Missouri All-State Juniors Honor Band	Merit-inducted symphony orchestra	1^st trumpet
Puxico High School Marching Band	Marching Band	1^st trumpet
Puxico High School Concert Band	Symphonic Band	Lead, 1^st, & 2^nd trumpets, baritone, flugelhorn,
Puxico High School Jazz Band	Big Band Jazz	Lead & 1^st trumpet, band leader
Puxico High School Pep Band	Band for sporting events	Lead & 1^st trumpet
Puxico Junior High Concert Band	Symphonic Band	1^st trumpet
Puxico Junior High Marching Band	Marching Band	1^st trumpet

Performance Calendar

2008-09-03T10:35:00.014-05:00

I perform with a variety of folks. You'll find me singing lead/backup and/or playing bass/guitar/trumpet. I’d love to see you at a show.

Currently my own band is rehearsing new material. Occasionally I perform with PANDORA's Regret, or serve as bassist/sound tech for Travis Lee Band. Check back for updates.

About Me

2008-09-03T10:23:00.008-05:00

Hi, I’m James A. Miller (middle initial saves confusion), and I’ve spent most of my 3+ decades on this planet being a musician. I've played lots of gigs on various instruments. A few years ago I took about 3 years off from the gigging scene to be a worship leader at a young church. These days my aim is to play as much good music as I can, honoring my heavenly Father outside and within the Church. I sing lead and background, play and teach electric bass, trumpet, and guitar. Also I am a sometimes working sound technician, and occasionally teach that as well.

I’ve played in a wide variety of groups and situations. I love pretty much all musical instruments brass. My main instrument is the electric bass. Otherwise, I'm a husband, father, pastor, goofball, etc.

Any questions? Email me at "tenma4@gmail.com".

Old Blog's Archived Posts

2008-09-03T10:12:00.008-05:00

I've decided to incorporate my previous artist page and corresponding blog into this one. Below are the posts. If anyone actually cares enough about what I've had to say on on that site in the past, it's all pasted below.

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6-24-08:

It's time I got everything working on the site. So that's what I've set out to do today. Hopefully by the time you read this I will have made some great progress. Now on to more important things.

This past Saturday night was the debut of The Jessie Phillips Band. It went well. The venue is a small restaurant. The area comfortable seated about 40 people. Any more would have been standing room only. I figure that's not bad for a first show! We had a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to our next show.

I had a show scheduled this past Friday night with the jazz improv trio, but unfortunately that got canceled. I didn't find out about it until last minute. Of course I always hope many of you will come to my shows. This time I hope you didn't show up and there was nothing going on... Sorry for the lack of notice. It was too late by the time I found out.

I'm pleased to announce that Denise Miller will be once again acting as my artist manager. She used to manage my old band, 1000 Days. She did a great job. For booking requests, please contact her at eph11920@gmail.com, or call 314-308-2060.

Jay

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5-29-08:

I've slowly been working on a major overhaul of the site. Not a lot of new content has been added. There's a new layout, new color scheme, and new graphics though. Yes, I know a few internal links don't work. I'll fix that shortly. The media clips will be back for download soon. In the near future the menu at the left will be revised as well. Also I plan to add a archive section for the blog so you don't see a really long page each time the index file loads. I doubt most people will be too interested in reading months of blog back posts. If you're that uh...special kind of person, then the archive will be for you...stalker.

James

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4-3-08:

Major updates to the site today. I’ve changed the formatting, added the “About Me, Upcoming Performances, Media, My Experience, and Groups I Play With” pages, along with adding a Google Calendar to the Upcoming Performances page. I also uploaded some audio files, along with a few pictures to illustrate projects on the Media page.

In addition to work on this site, I recovered my old blogger site ( http://tenma4.blogspot.com ). I don’t plan on keeping that site updated any longer. I’ve never kept up with it well. Yesterday I also added a link on my Myspace to this site. Hey, this isn’t coming along too bad at all. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll order some business cards that include this site. I’ll try to begin getting content on the other pages as well. That’s all for now. Gotta go take ballroom and swing dance classes with my wonderful wife.

James

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4-2-08:

I’ve finally decided to put my site back up again. It’s been a long time since I’ve kept up with it. My current status as a musician pretty much requires that I do it though. I hope to make this site helpful for you, the reader, thereby saving myself a headache. Hopefully it will prove to be even a fun adventure.

Also don’t forget to check me out on myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/tenma4.

Ever felt like a complete putz? Yeah, me too. If that’s not enough self-abuse for you, go look your name up on Urban Dictionary. I did for my solo project. Here’s what it says below.

1. Jay Arthur

1. Taken from the old Cockney rhyming (London) slang "Jay Arthur Tank" for "wank" or "wanker" ("jerk" in the American diction). Used mostly to rephrase the phonetic vulgarity of words such as "wanker".

2. Can be used to cunningly/artfully to describe a man with no real friends. a "Jay Arthur" = a total wanker.

3. "Jay Arthur" in a modern context may be used a to dub a ridiculously self-loving person that likes to use words such as "psycho" abundantly and "real" philosophically without being able to actually define those words correctly and, ironically, embodies and personifies those very words he uses without realizing it. see wanker. see dumb-bre.

4. A dub for a person with possible incestual tendencies due to lack of any real social acknowledgement.

"I just had a little Jay Arthur at home while watching Baywatch" (*"I had a little wank at home while watching Baywatch")

-or-

a Jay Arthur... a vulgar, shameless, truly tasteless individual who has no real friends because despite of what he may think of himself, will always be regarded with deep suspicion and never really liked - Mostly because he is a true wanker in the most literal and figurative sense.

tags: wanker tosser asshole flash fob

by Nazon John Rañola England May 12, 2006 email it

Integrity

2008-09-02T12:02:00.003-05:00

Is integrity from musicians too much to ask? I mean really? Yeah, I know some of you reading this will think I'm nuts. That's your choice. This really goes out to my fellow Christian musicians. Folks, think about this. Do the lyrics of the songs you're doing with whoever in whatever band really glorify our Lord? Do your actions at your most resent show glorify Him? Do you think objectionable songs and actions belong in the house of the Lord? Do you think they are any more acceptable in the marketplace of the world we have been called to minister to?

If you seriously think that it is OK to play a sexually suggestive song in the church, I would strongly urge you to consider what your true motivation is. Let me remind us all that no one can discern another's motivations, but the "fruit that we bear", our actions, give testimony to what is likely going on inside. Don't believe this nonsense that we are not to judge. We are to judge! To judge is to examine and discern. We are not to condemn. Let us not allow the shortcomings of the structure and application of the modern English language to deceive us into shirking responsibility.

You know all of those WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets that were all the rage for a while? Well think about it. If Jesus were standing front row in your audience at your next performance, would you want to sing that song? Would you make that comment? Don't give me this crap (yes, this is Biblically justified language) about how Jesus is your buddy and He wouldn't condemn you for it. First off, if you are in Christ, you are not condemned for any of your sinful actions. Secondly, forgiveness does not release any person from the obligatory standard of perfect excellence that God requires in the conduct of His children. We should honor God with our actions because we love Him! The fact that we no longer fact the threat of punishment should further encourage us to love and honor our Father.

So, here's my call to fellow Christian musicians once again. "Bad to the Bone" doesn't belong in the church. We are to be "in the world, but not of it", not "in and of the world", and not "not in or of the world". Option 1 is what Jesus has commanded us to be about. Option 2 does not honor God, and anyone who espouses it should probably question the sincerity of their salvation. If you're going to be of the world, you can't be of God. If you're going to be of God, you can't be of the world. Option 3 typifies the traditional American church attitude that has allowed a full two generations of Americans to be almost completely void of solid theological indoctrination. Let me see if I can sum this up better.

1. = Obedience to Christ
2. = Hypocrisy, or Unsaved
3. = Ineffective, disobedient, dying Church which leads to our present Post-Christian United States of America.

Musicians, your conduct matters. Let's glorify our Lord!

Upcoming Things

2008-08-22T22:27:00.007-05:00

Lots of shows coming up. There's a few possibly exciting things in the works. Also I'm looking forward to playing with the Travis Lee Band on September 20th. What can I say? They love Jesus, and they rock! See my calendar at http://tenma4.blogspot.com/ for details. Come join me at a concert!

James

Follow Up to Flakes

2008-08-18T11:33:00.005-05:00

I wanted to follow up a little bit to my last post. I must defend those musicians that are not flakes. Part of the motivation for my previous posting was due to the "flaking out" of some musician friends of mine. I never like anyone being a flake, but the fact that musicians seem to be especially bad about it drives me nuts. As I stated though, not all musicians are flakes. Another group of musician friends have come through for me on the issue that prompted the previous post. Thank goodness for people who have their act together! Now that I have pointed out the speck in the eye of others, excuse me while I have the 2x4 removed from my eye.

Lates.

James