Christopher's Thoughts

New CD available online, finally!!!

2012-01-20T17:51:00.000-08:00

The CD is finished, and though I am proud of the project, it is always a little daunting when your creative efforts are out there for the world to see. All the tunes were recorded in my home studio over a period of several months with absolutely no computer generated effects. Everything you hear is played by real musicians with real instruments. This is a very acoustic oriented album, and I believe it captures how we - as a band - sound in a live setting. The album is currently available online at bandcamp The project costs $10.00 for either a digital download or a physical CD.However, if you put the word Poets in the coupon section during check out, you can purchase it for $5.00 plus two dollars shipping on physical CD orders. You can listen to each track in entirety too! you can't do that at a record store!!!

I'm not so sure!

2012-01-15T14:13:00.001-08:00

My oldest brother is by far the most talented artist I know, but somehow he allowed substance abuse to put out his creative light many years ago. As a young kid I would watch the direction of his life and swear that I would never hide my “talent” under a bushel. I would purse my passions and work hard to honor whatever talent I may possess, and for the most part, I have done just that! I worked extremely hard on my songwriting, and actually had three songs picked up by a publisher only to realize that he owned my songs for the rest of my life. Oh, and by the way, I never received the monetary compensation agreed upon either. I’m trying not to complain as much as just take inventory. After all, I’m forty-three now. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate the whole damn thing. Yes, people actually pay me to perform my songs, and that is cool! But sitting in the corner singing songs that mean everything to me and nothing to those sharing my space is somewhat disheartening. Have I been true to my talent? Do I even have any talent? And in the end, does it even matter? Am I better off than my brother who never tried? I’m not so sure.

First church of starbucks

2012-01-08T10:41:00.001-08:00

I can do nothing about it!

2011-12-20T16:23:00.001-08:00

My oldest brother is a gifted artist, and although he doesn’t draw anymore, it’s still true. My oldest brother can take an automobile, cut it in half, chop it, drop it and make it look like it was made that way, and although he doesn’t do it any more, it’s still true! There are a lot of cool things my older brother can do, if he wanted to, but the one thing he can’t seem to do is stop using. I grew up watching him slowly destroy his life - and no matter how hard I prayed - it never changed. I have resigned myself to this hopeless situation. The only thing I am waiting for now is that fateful phone call that will - barring a true miracle - inevitably come. I don’t understand how a person can sacrifice their entire life in pursuit an artificial high. But they do, and he does, and I can do nothing about it!

New CD!

2011-11-20T19:41:00.001-08:00

The new CD is almost completed, and overall I am very pleased with the direction it has taken. It is a very acoustic oriented project without any computer generated instrumentation. I wanted to capture the band as it really is, a three piece acoustic folk band: Nothing more, nothing less! I did add a few piano tracks, provided by our trusty sound man Harry, but he's part of the band anyway. Several of the songs were written after the death of my God daughter HolliDae Nelson, and though I wouldn't call them sad, they do seem to take a more introspective approach. Below is the video for HolliDae's song. I decided to put it on the album because her story needs to be told. Her approach to life's difficulties continues to inspire me on a daily basis.

In America part two

2011-11-07T18:56:00.000-08:00

This video was very revealing to me, and though I support the premise of the OWS movement, this particular instance is repulsing. We need some kind of financial reform in this country, that much is true, but this is ignorance at it’s worst. I’ve been following this whole thing - as much as I can at least - since it began, and I readily admit that I don’t know the whole story. I do, however, count myself among the ninety- nine percent in the fact that I work over forty hours a week - just to make ends meet - and the cost of health care is overwhelming my meager finances. When we live in a nation where corporations are given personhood, then the citizens are bound to suffer the consequences of such actions. However, when those that oppose such excesses lose their moral compass……as this video seems to suggest…….then they are doing far more damage than good.

2011-11-07T18:55:00.001-08:00

In America?

2011-11-01T18:41:00.001-07:00

Fox News......Really?!!

2011-11-01T15:48:00.001-07:00

As it turns out.........

2011-10-30T16:51:00.001-07:00

Trickle down economy

2011-10-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

I have been following - well, somewhat at least - the occupy wall street protest. I have to say that I support the idea of the movement, but that doesn’t mean I want to overthrow our way of life. There has to be, however, a fundamental change in the way we - as a nation - do business and treat our fellow man. Now I’m not an economist, but the whole idea of a trickle down economy really baffles me, and I don’t understand how so many people that are being taken advantage of by this system vehemently support it. The truth is our political leaders are being bought and sold by special interest groups that perpetuate the gap between the wealthy and the working class, and all the while it’s the average man pays the price. Here’s an idea! Ban special interest groups, make our politicians work for the trickle down wages, and let’s see then if there are any changes!!!

Practice

2011-10-18T17:46:00.001-07:00

Mega Church

2011-10-16T19:22:00.001-07:00

Still Thankful

2011-10-09T19:44:00.001-07:00

Man, life moves fast! It seems like yesterday I was cruising up and down main street Cushing in my 71 dodge dart. That little car seen more than it’s fair share of street racing, and I’m proud to say I won more than I lost, but that was over twenty years ago, and the times have certainly changed. Today I’m staring down the barrel of forty-three, and when I look in the mirror I see a soul that has weathered the storms of heartache and joy, and though I may not have known it at the time, I’m thankful for all of it. Now here’s a kicker, I believe we can’t have one without the other. Think about it: If we never experienced sadness, how could we possibly know joy? I was eighteen when I found out my dad had cancer, and by the time I was twenty-one he was gone, and life as I had known it was changed forever. Mom had to sell the cars, land and body shop in order to pay off the medical bills. Everything that had been a certainty in my life was forever gone. Now I’m not saying all this to receive pity, but I’m trying - in my own way - to make a point. Life is about change, and change is sometimes painful. But there isn’t a thing about my past I would change. My dad was a mechanical genius, and there wasn’t a car on the planet he couldn’t restore….at least in my mind. I learned so much from him that I carry to this day, and for that I’m thankful. I believe we all are brought into this life for a purpose, and when our mission is complete we move on. There are many that have touched my life, and then moved on. Some across the country - to continue there mission here on earth, and others back to our heavenly fathers arms. Either way - though the pain was great - I am thankful.

McDouble please!!!

2011-09-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

I resent the fact that in order to order a hamburger, I have top use the term Mcdouble with fries! Why? Can’t I just say I need a double cheese burger with a side of fries? If I did would it throw the whole operation into a downward spiral that would inevitably lead to the downfall of western civilization as we know it? How do the letters m c change the anything???

Wow it finally works!

2011-09-28T19:41:00.001-07:00

Well, after about three months of not being able to log into my blog, it's finally functioning again!!!

Buckhorn Gig!

2011-07-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Funny!

2011-07-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

Music

2011-07-27T15:46:00.001-07:00

I’ve been on a mission to find some music that speaks to my soul as well as my intellect, and to be honest, there isn’t much out there. Oh sure, if you like computer generated music with auto tune vocals then yeah, it’s all over the place, but if not, your pretty much out of luck. Do you think in fifty years historians will be praising Britney Spears for her well crafted lyrics and soulful arrangements? I doubt it! Who buys this stuff anyway?

Thrift Store Poets on Facebook

2011-07-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

Check us our!!

My Dad

2011-07-17T06:59:00.001-07:00

My dad passed away at the age of fifty-one, and I am now forty-two! Now I’m not saying I will share his fate, but if you do the math you’ll see my concern. My kids never got to know my dad, and that’s too bad, because he would have been a wonderful grandparent to them and a provider of wisdom to me in early adulthood; I was only twenty-one when he died. But that’s neither here nor there, because I had to figure it out on my own, and that’s something I just don’t want for my kids. My oldest son just got married to a beautiful young lady, my youngest is just about to turn sixteen, and I want to be around to experience all of it. You know It’s strange, my dad died over twenty years ago and that moment still haunts me to this day, because everything that I had known from childhood was completely lost in a matter of months. I miss my dad, and I know my siblings do too because there was so much left unsaid.

Questions

2011-07-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

My oldest brother is by far the most talented artist I know, but somehow he allowed substance abuse to put out his creative light many years ago. As a young kid I would watch the direction of his life and swear that I would never hide my “talent” under a bushel. I would purse my passions and work hard to honor whatever talent I may possess, and for the most part, I have done just that! I worked extremely hard on my songwriting, and actually had three songs picked up by a publisher only to realize that he owned my songs for the rest of my life. Oh, and by the way, I never received the monetary compensation agreed upon either. I’m trying not to complain as much as just take inventory. After all, I’m forty-two now. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate the whole damn thing. Yes, people actually pay me to perform my songs, and that is cool! But sitting in the corner of some smoky bar singing songs that mean everything to me and nothing to those sharing my space is somewhat disheartening. Have I been true to my talent? Do I even have any talent? And in the end, does it even matter? Am I better off than my brother who never tried? I’m not so

Men Of God??

2011-07-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

I was told - while having a hamburger and fries at the bar with a very close friend - that one of the songs that I wrote was blasphemous. I realize that many of my opinions and views on Christianity, and religion in general, will rub most fundamentalist - okay all fundamentalist - the wrong way, and normally I really don’t care, but this was a little different because it came from the lips of my best friend. The song in question is called neon marquee, and it pulls no punches on how I feel about televangelists. Charlatans like Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, Kenneth Copeland and countless other “Men of God” make millions off their followers in the name of ministry!!!! It’s a crock of shit!!!! They are fleecing the sheep!!! How does any of this truly pertain to Jesus’ message of love????? Below is a video of Benny Hinn! Please watch it and tell me there isn’t something terribly wrong in Christianity today!!!!!

Paradise Road

2011-06-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

The Parade!!!!

2011-06-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today - while enjoying the company of my family on fathers day - I was startled by the loud shrill of a police siren. I arose cautiously, peaked out the window, only to see two police cars traveling very slowly past my house. Now you have to understand, a couple of years ago there was a triple homicide just three door down, and two math house busts within that very same month. So when I hear a police siren on my block, I get a little more than apprehensive. But that wasn’t the end! Oh no, there was more! Cruising a half block behind the patrol cars was a city fire engine. Two police cars and a fire engine!!! Something must be really going down hear. Maybe a shoot out with a homicidal pyromaniac was about to pursue! We didn’t know for sure, but like good little Okies, we decided to sit on our front porch and watch the drama unfold! Seriously, if we sit on our porch looking for the tornado when the sirens blow, a shoot out with a homicidal, pyromaniac crack head is no big deal at all! So, what happened oh great storyteller?……. I can hear you asking with bated breath. Was there a shootout? A blazing fire? Or - even better - A high speed shootout while dodging a raging inferno set by the crack head? Well, to be honest, it wasn’t anything that dramatic. It was, in fact, a vacation bible school PARADE!! That’s right, one of the local Baptist churches organized a parade complete with old cars, motorcycles, antique tractors and young kids throwing candy and screaming come to bible school!!! Of course, I didn’t see any clowns, but I think there is some kind of biblical ban on them or something!!! I am wondering, however, if that same church would tolerate…….ummm….let’s say a gay pride parade that utilized city resources to spread their message?
Just food for thought.

My thoughts exactly

2011-06-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

My new Doctor

2011-06-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

Tom Petty in Tulsa.... I was there!!!!

2011-05-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

A Song For HolliDae

2011-05-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is my tribute to a beautiful soul, HolliDae.

True Success!!

2011-05-09T13:48:00.001-07:00

I’ve endured a few eye opening experiences this last week via the corporate world, and though the initial experience left me feeling angry and betrayed, I now realize I want no part of the behavior that must be displayed in order to achieve a certain level of “success” within the organization. Jesus said what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul. I don’t believe he was speaking of an eternal soul at all…..How can God lose something that is already his? No! I believe he was saying every time we compromise our core beliefs we lose a little piece of ourselves…..especially if it is compromised for monetary gains. I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to let go of the person God created me to be just to chase a dollar…… the down side of that is I don’t have very many dollars!! But I do have a beautiful wife, a nice home, cool kids, a beautiful daughter-in-law - She’s more like a daughter to me; I have two boys, and I pretty much adopted her - dependable vehicles, a good band and great places to perform. Shoot, my dogs even cool in his own dachshund way. But don’t get me wrong, I would love to have more money at the end of the month, but I don’t want to lose my soul - the person God created me to be - to get there!! The video below is is by Big Tent Revival entitled two sets of Jones. I am usually hesitant to place anything “Christian” in my bog post, because I believe fundamental Christianity has done more harm than good in many areas. The message of this song, however, still rings true. Life should be built on something more solid than monetary gain.

What a crock

2011-05-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

I want t believe there is a reason for everything that happens in our life good or bad; I really do! But it all seems so random. It’s said we reap what we sow. But I see a lot of people sewing discord, lies and greed and reaping great financial rewards. Also, why do the good and innocent seem to die so young while greedy old bastards seem to live forever?? Don’t kid yourself! If you choose to follow the path of Christ, Ghandi or any of the great masters, it’s unlikely you’ll be a financial powerhouse. Christ, Ghandi and Martin Luther King were assassinated, Mother Teresa lived in complete poverty!! And yet we hear these prosperity preachers telling us God wants us to be rich!! What A CROCK OF SHIT!!!

I want a revolution

2011-04-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

The Change

2011-04-19T07:53:00.001-07:00

We all labor under the illusion that we have control over life’s circumstances. Which, for all intent and purpose, is probably more of a coping mechanism than anything. The fact is we have absolutely no control over anything but ourselves, and that’s it! Sure, I can vote for the candidate I feel will bring about change, but does anything really change? No! The Washington fat cats continues to play politics while pandering to those that line their pockets with dirty money, leaving the rest of us to contend with lower wages and the rising cost of daily living. Will anything change? Well, I hope so……but I doubt it! Oh sure, humanity has been given beacons of light to show the way, but what do we do? Well, they usually end up dead. But wait a minute….didn’t Jesus say that we were to be a candle in the darkness? A city on a hill?…… Doesn’t that put the responsibility back on us? Great!……..I guess I better quit complaining and start working towards being that light…… maybe I should start working on the one thing I can change, me!

I have No Words

2011-04-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

The Song

2011-03-29T02:49:00.000-07:00

Today I will play my song for Hollidae. God, please help me!

HolliDae

2011-03-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

This week my best friends daughter - and my God daughter - was tragically taken from us in a car accident. I knew Hollidae practically her whole life - which was not that long considering she was only seventeen - and I am at a loss for words. She was a beautiful soul that endured many physical ailments in her young life that - quite frankly - would have caused me to question my faith, but she never did. She faced every hardship with a level of grace and dignity that belied her age. It's just not fucking right!! Kevin - her father and my closest friend - asked if I could sing a song for her memorial service, and I can't say no. I must do this! I just finished a verse and half the chorus, but how can two verses and a chorus possibly honer this young lady properly? My band is going to back me, and I want so badly to make her memorial service as beautiful and graceful as she was, but I can't! I will do my best though! I'm bringing my own sound system and doing my own sound check! I love and miss you HolliDae!

Actions

2011-03-18T20:29:00.001-07:00

I’m getting a little older, a little chubbier and….if not smarter….. Well, then I’d like to think a little wiser. I find that I listen more and talk less. Not to peoples words so much, because talk is cheap and words aren’t worth shit! Words can belie the truth, and I notice it more from those that wear their religion like a badge of distinction than anyone else. I work in retail and deal with several business men and women that proudly display Christian symbols on their business apparel, put scripture references on their signs and have “witnessing” tracts in their waiting rooms. However, it’s not grace, mercy, humility or kindness that I am hearing when dealing with them. No! It’s intolerance, rudeness and arrogance. Apparently treating others as you would like to be treated doesn’t apply in business. I’ve heard it said a million time but it’s true; actions do speak louder than words. They also speak louder than Jesus loves you T-shirts, the fish symbol or neon glowing signs.

Priceless

2011-03-12T18:04:00.001-08:00

One 1989 Ford Ranger $1,600.00:
One all around brake job with new bearings$75.00 (Did the work myself)
One fire engine red paint job $350.00 (Again, did the work myself)
One rebuilt engine $1500.00 labor $150.00 for parts and gaskets. (would have been higher, but I work in an auto parts store.)
One new clutch 350.00 labor $100.00 for clutch
One new steering gear box, power steering pump and hoses $185.00 Installed myself. (I work at an auto parts store. So, I refer you the previous entry on the rebuilt engine.)
New spark plugs and wires $30.00 parts $85.00 labor (Had to pull entire intake to change plugs. I just didn’t have it in me after changing the power steering system.)
One trip to the emergency room, four days of missed work and several trips to the chiropractor after throwing my back out from working on the truck. PRICELESS!!

Below is a video I did starring the danger ranger mentioned above.

My Dad

2011-02-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

Christians don't do bad things!/Emergent

2011-02-20T20:26:00.001-08:00

This dude is right on!!

Take Up Your Cross (The conversation)

2011-01-14T18:22:00.000-08:00

I was talking to my sister-in-law via face book about how our life choices - good or bad - shape the direction of our future. And although I knew she was quite intelligent, I didn’t realize she a had deeper spiritual side as well. That’s really not unusual considering the dynamics of my family. We tend to keep people at an arms length; it’s just easier that way, but I’m trying to change that. Anyhow, here are a couple of excerpts from that conversation:

Susan,
I'm convinced there are some people that aren't happy unless they’re miserable, even if they have to create the misery themselves. i.e. staying in a bad/abusive marriage, drug abuse, alcoholism etc. Unfortunately, many of those people bare the last name of Ledgerwood.

Chris,
The older I get the more I realize that it is still up to each of us to choose our path. We all have stories in our lives. We all have our own crosses to bear, sometimes different than our neighbors, but crosses nonetheless. As adults, we must choose the path that is right. It can't be blamed on anyone else.

Do you think that’s what Jesus meant when he said take up your cross and follow me? If we look past all of the rigid dogma, and bullshit of religion, Jesus’ words seem to ring true! There isn’t a magic prayer or an adherence to a belief system that will change our lives. Jesus wasn’t offering us a get out of jail free card! No! He was saying that we must take responsibility for our own actions, acknowledge our shortcomings and take the proper steps to rectify our behavior. How do we do this? We follow the path Jesus laid before us. Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. If we do those two things God will give us the courage we need to face our “sins” and the grace we need to accept his redemption!

Free download

2011-01-07T14:35:00.001-08:00

Download our new song Dust free! and if you so choose, check ot the video while your there!

I don't care

2011-01-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

I’m getting to the point where I just don’t care anymore. Okay, let me rephrase that. It’s not that I don’t care in the traditional sense; it’s more like I have given up trying to force things that aren’t meant to be. I’m actually more content with life than I have ever been. Which is a little odd considering contentment has always been somewhat elusive to me. I think I finally stopped trying to make “something” of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not quitting my job, selling my house and leaving my family to ride the rails! What I am saying is this: I am what I am and that’s enough! The only definition of success that I need to pursue is mine. This is my journey, how could I realistically compare myself with anyone else? I believe there must be a reason I am here, but I don’t know what it is and I’m fine with that. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop looking for answers. It does mean, however, that I’ll stop basing my self worth off the results, or lack thereof. I’m finally realizing that living in the freedom of the question is far better than the imprisonment of false answers.

Typical Practice

2010-12-26T15:55:00.000-08:00

This ones for my fellow Okie liberal/progressives

2010-12-21T20:00:00.000-08:00

Westboro Baptist Church

2010-12-19T11:28:00.001-08:00

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that I am naïve in many areas. Seriously, I expect people to do the right thing, and when thy don’t - which happens far more than it should - I’m actually surprised! Even when the evidence says otherwise, I still look for an alternate explanation. It’s not that I don’t understand how the world works, because I do. I just want to believe that Gods grace and love will win out in the end. I want to believe that all of humanity will find redemption. I want to believe that there is a little spark of hope in even the hardest of hearts, and to be honest I do. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t ignore the realities of the world in which I live. Now it’s one thing to see greed, selfishness and hatred that is perpetuated in the world today, but it’s quite another to see it in those that call themselves Christian. Biblical literalism and religious fundamentalism can breed the most hateful, vengeful and angry people on the planet. But if we take a step back and look a little deeper into a persons life maybe will see the abuse they have endured too! I ran across this video on the Phelps family. The Phelps family - if you don’t already know - are the founders of the Westboro Baptist Church. The members of this church - almost all of them are related - travel the country picketing the funerals of our service men and women. According to their beliefs God hates everyone, but this video sheds some light on their twisted beliefs. We need to stand up to this kind of ignorance that’s for sure, and a proper understanding of a persons life story helps us do just that!

Life in the Bible belt!

2010-12-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

Imagine

2010-12-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

dust

2010-12-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

I was born and raised in Cushing, OK - the pipeline capitol of the world - and although I always dreamed of moving away, I never did. All of my friends have moved away. Well, all except my best bud, but even he lived outside the city limits for many years. I’m not saying that I regret making my life here, because I don’t! But their aren’t many career opportunities in this small town, and my wife and I have struggled financially in order to raise our children in a small town environment. I think I wrote this song - in some small way - as a reflection of that struggle. All the scenes were shot in the decaying downtown district of my hometown; it’s not pretty, but it’s real.

Believe Nothing?

2010-11-25T17:57:00.001-08:00

It seems obvious to me that humanity is in a constant state of turmoil between both the physical and spiritual world, and it makes absolutely no difference if we are aware of it or not! It doesn’t really matter if I believe in the law of gravity or not, because once I step off that cliff there’s no turning back, I’m going to hit the ground. I don’t understand how gravity works; it just does! And spiritual laws, though harder to recognize, are just as concrete. I truly believe you reap what you sow. Of course, I realize it may not always appear that way, but God knows every heart. The big question is can spiritual law override physical law; I don’t really think so. I do believe - however - that a proper understanding of spiritual law will effect our lives in a positive way. So- in that respect - yes it can! But if I cut off my arm tomorrow it’s not growing back no matter how hard I pray! But is there is a third law at work here that many people overlook? The law of God……..or better yet……..God. Does God’s will supersede both the physical and spiritual laws? Well, I haven’t seen that happen have you? Better yet, what is God’s will? Is it to send countless souls to an eternal damnation because they failed to believe the right dogma? I don’t think that’s true at all!
The God I know is both loving and compassionate, and I could even quote scripture and verse to help validate my belief, but what’s the point in that? I’m not the only one that has studied scripture, and there are many verses that could be used in defense of eternal damnation as well. So, armed with this knowledge what’s a person to do? I like what Buddha has to say on this one:

Believe nothing on the faith of traditions,
even though they have been held in honor
for many generations and in diverse places.
Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it.
Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past.
Do not believe what you yourself have imagined,
persuading yourself that a God inspires you.
Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests.
After examination, believe what you yourself have tested
and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto.

New song and video9

2010-11-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving this year! I know my family and I are looking forward to sharing our first Thanksgiving with our new daughter-in-law Jesse!! In the mean time, here's a new song and video from my band The Thrift Store Poets

New Songs Posted

2010-10-28T15:48:00.000-07:00

New songs posted on reverbnation! Check them out!!
http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3007534

Wiggle it out

2010-10-24T08:46:00.001-07:00

As I leaned back into the the dentist chair, I asked the pretty young doctor if she was the one that was going to yank out my wisdom tooth. She smiled and said "Well, we like to use the term wiggle out instead." Wiggle out....hmmm...that sounds relatively painless doesn't it? After all, it is the twenty first century, ...maybe my apprehensiveness was totally unfounded. Eight shots - I kept feeling the wiggle! - several yanks, tuggs and pulls - and let's not forget the the grinding and cutting - and one and a half hour later my tooth wiggled out!!!!
See More

This is Great/ I love this man's thoughts

2010-10-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

Rest In Peace

2010-10-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Last night I fell ass first on my guitar case. I didn't think much of it until this morning when I discovered the awful truth. My guitar, the one I was never going to sell, the one I hoped my kids would cherish when I was gone, the one I have written many songs on, the one that had all the beautiful nicks and scratches from years of faithful service was damaged beyond all repair! I purchased a brand new Fender acoustic today, and it will be a great guitar I'm sure, but I will always miss my solid top Seagull by Godin! Rest In Peace.

Running the race!

2010-10-10T13:58:00.001-07:00

When I was a child, I trusted my parents to make all the right decisions. In my early teens, and throughout the majority of my adult life, I trusted the church to tell me what and how to think. Seriously, I wouldn’t allow my kids to play pokemon, trick or treat or watch Barney because the church told me it was of Satan! Well, to be honest, the whole Barney thing was me. I hate that purple dinosaur with a passion! He’s far too happy to be hanging out with little kids don‘t you think? C’mon, he’s a carnivore for crying out loud. I‘m not the only one that sees the potential for disaster in this am I? Besides that, it seems to me that Satan having all eternity to conjure up evil could come up with something better than pokemon and Barney the dinosaur! But I digress! My point is this, anytime we allow an organization or individual to make our decisions for us, we deny the truth God has placed in our souls, and by doing so we miss our true calling in life. I’m now forty-one staring down the barrel of forty two, and I am no longer content sitting on the sidelines of life allowing others to scare me into a life of complacency any longer. Life is just too short for any bullshit! Run your race and let others run theirs! That’s what I plan on doing!

That's us....Bottom picture!

2010-10-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

The commercial

2010-09-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

All I can do!

2010-09-27T20:32:00.001-07:00

I would imagine that to those closest to me my change in beliefs and attitudes could prove to be somewhat disconcerting at times. And even though these so called “radical” shifts in perception have taken place over a long period of time, to some it seems instantaneous. So, when I do or say something that seems quite natural to me now, I must remember that not everyone has been privy to my internal journey.
I haven’t - as some mistakenly believe - walked away from God. The truth is I’ve walked away from religion on my journey to God. Why do we as humans believe we need to submit ourselves to antiquated rules of conduct in order to win God’s approval? If we loved God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves there would be no need for rules or religion! But we don’t do we? And to be honest, I’m not sure we can. I for one - however - am not looking back anymore. I’m sure I’ll make many mistakes along the way, but at least I’m being true to myself, and in the end that is all I can do!

Cool!!!

2010-09-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Been on vacation this week, and I’m totally worn out. Seen Tom Petty and the heartbreakers along with ZZ Top this weekend in Tulsa. By the way, you know you’re a well established artist when ZZ Top is your opening band! The boys from Texas were amazing, and Tom Petty and his band were unbelievable. Imagine a sold out arena of twenty to thirty thousand people - I’m guessing here because I don’t actually know the seating capacity of the BOK center - all singing along to every tune he played! Incredible! Anyway, I got home at 1:30 in the morning, woke up four hours later, tried to rest through out the day, loaded our gear at about 5:30 that afternoon, drove back to Tulsa and played my music for ten people. I’m not complaining at all, because it’s actually ten more people than we had last time we were there! A marked improvement, don’t you think? Life is pretty cool right now! We are in the process of recording a new CD, and I am very pleased so far. We are also booking the “elusive” paying gigs too! People are actually paying me money to do something I love! WOW! I really want to make some kind of deep spiritual connection with all of this, but all I can say right now is Cool!!!!

P.S. My oldest is getting married, and she's really a sweet young lady! Cool!

Wedding Bells

2010-09-19T19:32:00.001-07:00

My wife and I had the opportunity of helping our oldest son pick out an engagement ring this weekend, and were happy to announce that as of today he is engaged to a wonderful young lady. His mother and I couldn't have chosen a better daughter in law if we tried. Congrats Franklin and Jessica!

I'm not going to the party!

2010-09-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

It’s been said that familiarity breeds contempt, and that may very well be true, but sometimes it goes beyond mere familiarity, and you just have to call it quits! This is true in all areas of life not just personal relationships. For instance, when our thoughts, habits, beliefs, religious dogma or even friends and family become a negative influence something must change. Life is to short to allow anything or anyone to silence the truth that only you can speak. Sometimes, it seems to me at least, that if a person will not allow themselves the freedom to become what God has called them to be their only recourse is to attack those that have. Misery love company, but I’m no longer going to join the party!

New song!

2010-09-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

Began recording a new song today with our faithful soundman - and encourager of all things good - Harry Hoggard and it sounds pretty good so far. The band is planning on releasing a CD/EP sometime in the near future, and this is the first step in that direction. I laid the guitar, bass, piano and vocals today and hope to have the drums and lead tomorrow. Fun Fun!!!

The Grand Illusion

2010-09-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

Someday soon will stop to wonder what on earths's this spell were under;
We made the grade and still we wonder who the hell we are.

The Grand Illusion
Styx

The band plays on

2010-08-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

We play Ida Reds in Tulsa tomorrow night the 28th Should be fun! If your in the Tulsa area please come see us. We start at 9:00

Ida Red Boutique
3336 S Peoria
Tulsa, OK 74105

918-949-6950

I don't understand

2010-08-22T08:47:00.001-07:00

My Dad died of Cancer at the age of fifty. Not too long before his death family and friends gathered at the house to pray for his healing. The prayer vigil went on for what seemed to me hours. There was crying with desperate pleas for Gods mercy, but to no avail because my dad still died. The Sunday after the funeral those same people were raising there hands in worship to a God that was deaf to their pleas.

How Cool Is That!

2010-08-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

August has been a petty cool month for me and my band, and it’s not over yet! Earlier in the month my percussionist - Steve Rasmussen - and I had the honor of being guests on the Donna and Molly show. Donna and Molly host the early morning show on KUSH radio, and they are pretty cool ladies in my book! I was more nervous playing my songs on the radio than I have been anywhere else, but it was a wonderful experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And if that wasn’t enough, the band was also given some much needed exposure in this months issue of the Corridor magazine. The Corridor covers several counties in Oklahoma, and focuses on life in our part of the world. There have been some really good bands and musicians spotlighted in the publication, and I’m thrilled to be included. Were also booked to play at Ida Reds in Tulsa, OK on the 28th of this month. Ida Red is a small rock music boutique that hosts several local and national acts. It’s become somewhat of a Tulsa icon for music, and were playing it!!! How cools is THAT! Below is the article printed in the Corridor:

The Thrift Store Poet's are the brain-child of local musician/songwriter Chris Ledgerwood, of Cushing Oklahoma. The play list includes a mix of folk-rock cover tunes and original music written and arranged by Chris himself. As Ledgerwood admits...”the Thrift Store Poet's have been rattling around in my head for some time, and I believe the name accurately depicts what we do!” “We play cheap!” The music depicts the reality of real life...or as Ledgerwood states...”Our life” but also reflects a small segment of each of the band member's personalities.
Ledgerwood has tried on other occasions to put together a mix of heart and soul but in each effort something was missing. His concept included a strong rhythm section and blues harmonica “harp” groove that came together when he added Russell “the muscle” Prince on rhythm guitar, Franklin Ledgerwood on lead guitar, and Steve Rasmusen on percussion and “blues harp”
Chris Ledgerwood currently has three songs published, but the poets are just a few weeks away from camping out in the studio themselves. Ledgerwood easily admits...”this band has a chemistry that can't be faked.” “We believe in each other, and I know that feeling comes out when we perform.”
You can see the poets in person as they play the “Hardback Cafe” inside Hastings Music store in Stillwater Oklahoma on August 7th, at 7:00 PM. They also have a date scheduled in late August at Ida Red in Tulsa.
For additional dates visit Chris Ledgerwood's blog site as they Rock along the Corridor,.

Jesus Knows Me Genesis

2010-08-08T08:51:00.001-07:00

Ignorance is Bliss!

2010-08-03T06:59:00.001-07:00

I’ve been at this chasing God business a long time now, and though I’m no longer a fundamentalist Christian, it’s still a little disconcerting for me at times. Because even though I don’t view scripture as divinely inspired, or the gospels as historical fact, I still find great comfort through Jesus‘ life, teachings and resurrection - though my view of the resurrection is different than most. In fact, I still call him my savior, although my definition of savior is somewhat different than most as well. It seems I have followed Christ right out of Christianity and - oddly enough - I’m okay with that! Christianity, at least the form I’m familiar with, has become nothing more than a religious social club that only allows the “pure“ into their midst. I’m not sure Jesus would be welcome in most churches today, much less recognized! And here’s the deal, the more I learn about the historical Jesus, the more I want to follow him, and the less I want to have anything to do with organized religion. Now I’ve read in several different books that mainline Christian denominations - not the fundies - teach a more historical and critical approach to the Christian scriptures. In other words, those graduating with a degree in divinity understand the difference between metaphor, myth and historical fact. Why isn’t this taught from the pulpits? Wouldn’t that help dispel all the ignorance and bigotry in Christianity today? Better yet, why don’t those in the congregation study more in depth about their own faith, and stop being spoon fed like a bunch of little babies? The truth may set you free, but ignorance is bliss!

Christianity isn't about that is it?

2010-07-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

I’ve read the gospels a few times, and though I realize they each have a different perspective, I never actually read a passage where Jesus told his followers to start a new religion, build exuberant churches, spend their money on flashy sound systems, purchase drop down video screens, try and take over all areas of the government, build holy land theme parks, condemn homosexuals and lesbians to hell, and deny entrance into heaven to anyone that sees things differently from themselves. But it has to be there, right? I mean if it wasn’t churches would probably spend their time and money of frivolous things like feeding the poor, housing the homeless, stopping world hunger, standing up for the downtrodden and doing good works to benefit all of humanity. But that would be just too silly! Christianity isn’t about that is it?

Getting away from it all

2010-07-14T14:24:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I just need to get away from it all, find my center and re-charge the batteries if you will. But life doesn’t always want to cooperate, and it’s getting to the point where frustration is beginning to sneak itself back into my daily life. It hasn’t always been this way, as a child I was able to step out my back door and have twenty acres of wooded bliss to call my own. I could climb hills - which to me seemed like mountains - hunt frogs, turtles and snakes beside the pond, or just sit and watch the creek flow lazily on it’s way. It was pure Okie bliss, and I’m thankful to have experienced it. Today, when I step out my back door, I see the overgrown lawn of an abandoned meth house, an alley lined with trash cans awaiting their weekly disposal, and two pit bulls that don’t seem to like me very much. Well, to be honest, they don’t seem to like anybody very much. But that’s okay, I’m not sure their supposed to. The fact is we all need to find some personal time alone with or thoughts, and though most of us know this, very few actually put into practice. Now I know that my personal prayer, and contemplation wont change the world. But maybe, just maybe it will change how I view the world

2010-07-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

New song with video

2010-07-07T21:17:00.001-07:00

scars

2010-07-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

In my life there is sometimes a great divergence between belief and practice. For instance, I have been known to lose my composure in certain situations acting like an angry, spoiled brat instead of a forty-year-old man. It’s not that I don’t believe (and try to into practice) grace, mercy and self-control. It’s just that my emotions sometimes overwhelm my intellect. Still, if I never had to battle with anger, bitterness, depression and all of the other negative vices humanity as a whole must battle on a daily basis; I would never experience the love, grace and forgiveness that I so desperately need. If you think about it there really is very little difference between the “upright” citizen and the convicted felon sitting on death row. The fact is no matter how hard we try you cannot live life without scars. Life is hard, and we are going to get hurt! That’s just the way it is! The difference is how we respond to life’s injuries. If we choose to internalize all of our anger and disappointment, we will no doubt become what we hate the most. If, on the other hand, we work through our shortcomings with grace and forgiveness we will become candle in the darkness. Yes, you reap what you sow. But if we allow weeds to enter our garden unattended, they will eventually choke out everything until all that is left is worthless. I don’t know about you but that’s not where I want to be!

Strange Logic!

2010-07-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

All reason,logic, scholarly study, and down right common sense be damned!

A Higher Calling

2010-06-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

My wife and I were talking today about growing older, and how our perspectives on life have changed through our twenty-one years of marriage. It seems we both wanted to make some sort of difference in the world….. Leave our mark……make a contribution! But you know, I think were all in the same boat. I think all of us feel some kind of higher call, but we just don’t know how to achieve it. Our society tells us that success in life is based on income, beauty, fame or any combination the thereof. Religion tells us (Well, the dominate prosperity gospel anyway.) that God blesses those that believe properly with not only eternal life, but monetary wealth as well. Is it any wonder we all feel lost? Is it any wonder our religions don’t satisfy? Our whole system is based off a lie! Everything we value is fleeting at best. Money can’t buy happiness, and beauty and fame fade. If these are the foundation of our society - and I believe they are - were screwed! And here‘s the deal, nothing will change until we stop buying into this line of bullshit! Our identity is not found in our job, income, religion or social standing. No! Our true identity is found within ourselves, and it is within in ourselves that God, truth and our higher calling can be found as well.

Great Gig!

2010-06-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

The Gig went well, and I am surprised at the crowd we had. People were actually coming over from the book store and listening; It was pretty cool! Franklin and Steve were smoking on their solo breaks, and the harmony vocals - provided by Russell and Steve - sounded great as well. There were even a couple of people singing along to songs I had written; that’s always cool! So, thanks to everyone the took the time to come hear us play. It’s much appreciated!!! Next Stop Tulsa!!

Mixing Paint

2010-06-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Part of my responsibilities at my job is mixing automotive paint for our dealer customers, and I’m always amazed at how many different colors go into making just the basic shades. White, for instance, can have can have black, yellow and even red. It’s amazing when you think about it, really! All those different colors working together to make one singular outcome! Man, wouldn’t it be cool if there were some lesson that could be extrapolated from that?

The Thrift store Poets

2010-06-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

This is my band - The Thrift Store Poets - From left to right Me (Chris Ledgerwood) Lead vocal, guitar: Franklin Ledgerwood, Lead guitar: Steve Rasmusen, Percussion, vocals, harmonica: Russell (The Muscle) Prince, rhythm guitar, percussion, vocals: Our first gig will be at 7:00pm June, 26th at Hastings books and music in Stillwater, OK. If your in the area come out and listen to our little acoustic, folk/rock band!

Not pictured Harry Hoggard our faithful soundman, encourager and all around good guy!

No I'm not!

2010-06-11T19:58:00.001-07:00

I’ve touched on this subject a few times before, and I know it might get a little bit repetitive, but I can’t seem to help myself; it’s just so damn frustrating to me right now. So, here it goes! I came into the Christian faith at the age of thirteen. Now, I would like to say that I was some kind of spiritual prodigy in search of higher meaning, but that would be a little miss leading to say the least. The fact is I didn’t want to go to hell, and the church I attended offered fire insurance to anyone willing to say the “sinners” prayer. I was thirteen and in no position to question the sincerity or validity of those whom I viewed as infallible. So it would stand to reason that I believed anything and everything I was taught both in church and the church school I attended. So, without hesitation, I said the sinners prayer, and just like that I was saved. However, that was then and this is now. Today I am forty-one years old and not afraid to think for myself, and I’m pretty sure their isn’t a Conservative Christian out there that would call me brother. Apostate maybe, heretic yes. But Christian? I doubt it! Now, that used to really bother me, but to be honest, I don’t mind it one bit. In fact, I don‘t like to be called a Christian anyway, and here’s why. One: You’ve got your Christian music, Christian bookstores, Christian nightclubs, Christian motorcycle clubs and anything else the word Christian can be put in front of. Guys, you don’t need a rapture because you have your own little world right here! Two: You deny entrance into heaven to everyone but yourselves. If you believe in atonement theology don’t you think that it’s all for not? According to your beliefs ninety-nine percent of all Gods creation will burn in hell. Where’s the victory in that? What’s the point of atonement if all can’t be saved. Again, where’s the victory in that? Three: you deny all scientific discovery that goes against your interpretation of scripture. The world wasn’t created in seven days! Their called fossils….look it up! Four: And this is the kicker for me, the amount of bigotry and hatred that is spewed from the pulpits is beyond belief. It’s not enough to simply disagree with someone’s life style is it? No, condemnation, wrath and judgment are the only tools left for you to use, and you use them well! Now, I said all that to say this. I can no longer call myself a Christian. I now find Christianity to be nothing more than a religion, and I want more than that. This is a big deal to me because for twenty-eight years I have called myself a Christian. However, I now realize that Jesus is my savior not Christianity!

My Future?

2010-06-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Is this my future? Is this me in twenty - thirty years? Probably so, but I’m okay with that! Ever since I was a little kid all I wanted to do was play music. When my buddies were playing Star wars, I was busy forming make believe rock bands. For the longest time I believed that if I didn’t do something “productive” with my music, I was most definitely not using my God given talents. So, what did I do? I relentlessly pursued any form of “success” that would help validate my ego. To date I have had three of my songs published, all of which belong to some dude in Baltimore that has neither the resources or desire to do anything with them. But hey, for awhile my ego was pacified. I am now forty-one and in the middle of forming a new band. It is the most fun I have had in years because I’m doing it for the love of the game and nothing else. Musicians, without a doubt, are a neurotic animal, and trying to get four musicians to agree on anything - much less move in the same musical direction - is extremely challenging. But, if you can pull it off, it’s a very rewarding endeavor.

Check Out Out Music:

To Be Or Not To Be!

2010-06-04T10:38:00.001-07:00

I’ve been pondering on the whole concept of Christianity, and whether or not I can truly call myself by that name. To be honest, it’s been somewhat disconcerting considering I have been in the “faith” since the age of thirteen, and have - up until a few years ago - based my whole identity upon certain doctrines that I now find ridiculous. But here’s the kicker, I still consider Jesus to be my savior, but not in the literal sense that he had to die for my sins. No, that doctrine is simply incongruent with my understanding of God’s love and grace for all his children. He is, however, my savior because his teachings and life have pointed me towards God’s love and grace in a way no one else could have ever done. But, is that enough to call myself a Christian? Probably not, but I’m okay with that. Because even though I mourn the loss of my innocence, I can no longer tolerate the ignorance, hatred and bigotry that organized Christianity so often portrays as the truth. Is there anyone left in the “conservative” Christian movement that can actually reason things out for themselves? How can otherwise perfectly rational people believe the most outlandish doctrines, and worst yet condemn those that don’t? Christianity has gone far beyond it‘s original intent; it’s now a religion and nothing more, and I no longer want anything to do with it.

This Is Just Wrong!

2010-05-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

This video is wrong on so many different levels it’s hard to know where to begin. But, being Chris Ledgerwood, I am going to attempt to put my total disdain for this type of ignorance into words. First: I’ve always believed (well, not always; I was a conservative, evangelical Christian for most of my life) that replacing the word baby with Jesus makes a great Christian song, and know I have irrefutable proof! Second: Can Christianity be any more irrelevant to modern culture than it is right know? How Has Jesus’ message of radical inclusion and social justice turned into this? I’ve been wrestling with if I can call myself a Christian or not, and at this point, I have to say no. A follower of Jesus? Yes! A Christian? Not so much!

The Gig Revisited

2010-05-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend my band and I performed for an RSDS awareness benefit, and for the most part it went fine, but - as par for course - there were a few things bothered me. First off, it was basically a Christian motorcycle/poker run style rally entitled burn out for a cure. There were four bands scheduled to perform, and all but one (my band) was Christian. Now, being a Christian motorcycle event, there were a few Christian motorcycle clubs there as well. One of the bands canceled, and the other young man performing wasn’t scheduled till later in the afternoon. So, here I am, surrounded by Christian bikers all wearing your typical black leather attire with large crosses sewn to the back of their jackets, and a heavy metal Christian band with enough gear to play Shea stadium. Needless to say, I felt somewhat out of place. Sometimes I think Christians feel such a sense of “urgency” in their message that they rarely take the time to see how their actions effect other people. In fact, there were some comments and interactions that made me downright angry. But, if you believe that you - and your small band of believers - stand alone between the masses and Gods immanent wrath then yeah, common courtesies must - and will - come in second. Of course it’s possible that I’m overreacting; so I’m trying to choose my words carefully as not to offend anyone, but I doubt that’s possible. So, here it goes! if it’s your intention to reach the world with your version of the gospel, look long and hard at your attitude towards others. Because nothing else you say or do - no matter how good it is - will overcome that.

public apology

2010-05-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I speak too much. I would like to apologize the for the last post (if you read it, if you didn't good, it was stupid of me to do that) I was both self rightous and arrogant, and I offer my sincerest apologies to the ones I directed my comments to. Sorry.

Voice of dissent (Re-post)

2010-05-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

I used to identify strongly with evangelical, conservative Christianity, but that was some time ago. Today, however, I find that I can no longer take such an exclusionary stance. It’s not that I don’t call myself a Christian, I do! But, I’m not so sure my fundamentalist brethren would agree, and that’s okay with me! In fact, I have been told that I am going straight to hell for my views. (Now that would be a scary prospect if I actually believed in such a place, but I don’t.) Seriously, what have we become? Are we nothing more than a legalistic, overbearing religious movement with a take no prisoner’s mentality? Have we strayed so far from Jesus’ teachings that we can’t see the proverbial forest for all the trees? Have we taken the radical and inclusive message of Jesus and watered it down into nothing more than a recipe for personal wealth and gain? I believe the answer to all these questions is a resounding yes! Listen, there are literally thousands, if not millions, of people starving all over the world today, and what is the prevailing message you hear from the pulpit? Money, money, money! God will bless you if you believe like I do, don’t think for yourself, and above all else, give me your money! Wow, that sounds more like manipulation than ministry! This madness must stop! Christianity should be a force for reconciliation, not division and resentment! We should be a voice of dissent in a world ruled by greed, bigotry and violence not it’s staunchest supporter!

Last nights weather

2010-05-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives were changed by these storms!

Are you ready to folk rock!

2010-05-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

After a two year hiatus, I’m back to doing what I love most, playing my music. Of course I realize that the world has not suffered one single bit in my musical absence. In fact, no one even new I was gone, or that I was even here for that matter! However, that being said, it’s still a great source of inspiration and enjoyment for me, and in the end isn’t that all a person can ask for anyway? My best friends, Kevin and Tracy Nelson, are sponsoring and RSD/CRSPS awareness benefit in honor of their daughter - and my God-daughter- Hollidae Nelson. Hollidae is a beautiful, intelligent and gracious young lady that has been suffering with this debilitating condition for a couple years now. So, when Tracy asked me to play I couldn’t say no. Seriously, I couldn’t say no even if I wanted to; she wouldn’t allow it! That being said, I recruited my oldest son, Franklin Ledgerwood, to play lead guitar, Russell (The love muscle) Prince to play rhythm guitar and Steve Rasmusen to play percussion and harmonica. We call our little rag tag band the thrift store poets, and I’m having the time of my life playing my music with these guys. I’m not sure how an acoustic, folk rock band with just a tinge of the blues will fair at a Christian oriented motorcycle event. But hey, were gonna have fun either way! Next month were scheduled to play at the hardback café inside of Hastings books and music. I think were gonna have a real good sound if we can keep it up!

Jesus is my friend!

2010-04-26T15:59:00.001-07:00

This video made me laugh. I'm not trying to be mean, but it just stikes me funny!

It's Scriptural!!!!

2010-04-21T17:49:00.001-07:00

I’ve been thinking about this for awhile - and though my opinion has about as much effect as a drop of Rain in the Sahara desert - there’s still something I need to get off my chest. Christianity is no longer a faith of grace and mercy, but of law and exclusion. To me it’s pretty simple: If your religion requires you to discriminate against another human being based on their faith, race or sexual orientation, then you need to seriously reconsider you beliefs. If your God has to break one of his own commandments (Thou shall not murder.) in order to grant forgiveness, then you need to seriously reconsider your beliefs. I realize, of course, that there are pockets of believers that do not hold to this slash and burn doctrine, but they are definitely in the minority. It seems that conservative Christianity has cornered the market on God by allowing only those that fit into their pre determined criteria to enter “Gods kingdom.” And who, pray tell, is on the top of their no entrance into the kingdom list? Well, gays and lesbians of course. Now the bible speaks of many atrocities’ committed in the name of God. The Hebrews were - again commanded by God - to kill all the inhabitants of any city that resisted their conquest of the “promised land.” In case you didn’t catch that, they murdered every man, woman and child. That, my friends, is genocide! I’m pretty sure that there isn’t a person of faith anywhere that would even consider such an act as godly, but it’s scriptural! Oh, and here’s a great one. If a child was disrespectful to their parents they were to be taken out side and stoned to death! I’m pretty sure that would be considered murder! But hey, it’s scriptural! Where does the ignorance end? Taking a couple of verses out of the whole of the bible and using them to discriminate against a minority group is wrong! Scriptural? Maybe, but wrong non the less!

Below is a video of a wonderful singer/ songwriter, Jennifer Knapp. Jennifer had won several Grammy’s and Dove awards during her career as a Christian artist. She left the music industry in 2001 and has recently returned with a new album that, as near as I can tell, is among some of her best work yet. But will Christian radio play any of her tunes? No! In fact, she is an outcast in an industry that once showered her with adulation. Why? Because she is a lesbian. The sad fact is she was the same person then as now, but they just didn’t know it.

The Path Less Traveled

2010-04-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

When I was younger ( I was going to use the word young, but that would imply that I’m old, and I’m not ready to make that leap of faith just yet!) I just knew that my life was going to be different. There would be no mindlessly trudging through the work day for me! Nope, I was going to make a statement with my life; I would make a difference in this world! Of course I had no real plans. I barely passed high school, was married at nineteen - with a baby on the way - and had no real career direction in mind. Hell, to be honest, I still don’t! I just figured someone out there would recognize my “unbelievable” musical talent and offer me a multi million dollar record deal. Sure, I lived in Cushing, Oklahoma. But hey, God can do anything, right? It was just a matter of time that’s all. But Alas, twenty-one years, and several hard knocks later, I slowly began to realize that life isn’t easy at all! In fact, it’s down right difficult! And here’s the kicker, none of us are immune to it, we all suffer hardships. It’s how we respond to life’s difficulties that makes all the difference. Were all going to suffer loss, have sickness and ultimately die. It isn’t necessarily pretty, but it’s the truth, and the truth - at least I’ve been told - will set you free. The way I see it is there are two ways you can deal with this truth. One: you can say to hell with it all and just live for yourself. This for sure is the easiest route. Essentially, you become what you hate so that what you hate can’t hurt you. The problem with that is you become what you hate! Where’s the victory in that? The other ways is most definitely the hardest. It’s what I believe Jesus was speaking of when he said wide is the road the leads to destruction but narrow is the path that leads to life, and there are few that find it. So, if your out there somewhere reading this, please take my advice. Never, ever compromise your soul, your true essence for anything or anyone! It’s just not worth it! What profit is there to gain the world and lose your soul? And no, I’m not speaking of the whole heaven and hell bullshit that religion tries to shove down your throat. That’s just a control technique designed to keep you in line. I’m speaking of a quality of life that can only be achieved by allowing your true God given essence to shine through. Follow your heart! Do what brings you joy, for by doing so you bring joy to theirs. Do what you were created to do!!!!!! I’ve watched members of my family cast aside their gifts in order to chase a fleeting high that can never last. It’s the saddest thing you can witness in life to see a beautiful soul unable to fulfill their calling because of an addiction they felt would bring them peace. So, I’m going to repeat this one more time for effect. Never, ever compromise your soul, your true essence for anything or anyone! It’s just not worth it! Take the path less traveled

My Dad's Shop

2010-03-21T19:27:00.001-07:00

Everybody has something in life that is integral to who they are as a person, a connection - for lack of a better word - to where you came from and a direction to where your going. For me, and I believe my siblings as well, it’s the fact that we were raised by a father that was a self taught mechanical genius and a loving, intelligent mother that did her best to hold together a sometimes volatile family dynamic. My dad ran a very successful auto body repair shop, and my brothers and I were expected to work there from a early age. My sister, on the other hand, was pretty much exempt from all of this being a girl and all. So, there I was the youngest child in a family of extremely talented gear heads. I was the only twelve year old in my class that spent his summers sanding and priming fenders in his dad‘s shop. My dad helped me purchase my first car at fourteen and by sixteen, with the help of my brothers of course, I had one of the fastest and prettiest rides in town, and I was just sixteen! Seriously, there are grown men that would love to have the kind of car I drove, but to me it was just par for course. I was the son of Frank Ledgerwood, and cool cars had always been a part of my life. I never dreamed it would all end, but when dad passed away in ninety-one it did exactly that; it ended. Today I drive pass my dad’s shop longing to go inside just one more time. I don’t know why, really, maybe it will help heal a part of me that never quite came to grips with the innocence lost. I know it wont, but I still want to.

Derek Webb Rocks

2010-03-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

You say you always treat people like you'd like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
About what you believe, make you sound like a freak

'Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn't be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn't silence your concern when the liars speak
Denying all the dying or the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what's in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straights is all it's all about
Yeah, it looks like being hated for all the wrong things
And chasing the wind while the pendulum swings

We can talk and debate it till we're blue in the face
About the language and tradition that He's coming to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don't give a shit
About fifty-thousand people who are dying today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

Brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

Thanks, Dena!

2010-03-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

I found this Walt Whitman quote on Dena's blog, and I had to post it too!

Consider these words of Walt Whitman's:

"Re-examine all you have been told in school or church or in any book, and dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem, and have the richest fluency, not only in words, but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes, and in every motion and joint of your body."

To be or not to be

2010-02-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

I was speaking with a co-worker the other day when the subject of religion came up, like it always seems to do. I made up some wise crack that I was attending the first united non-condemnation bapticostal temple of universalism. (I really don’t remember what I said, but I thought that would be a cool name for a church, so I stuck it in the story anyway. You know… hyperbole! It doesn‘t matter if it‘s true or not as long as it supports your story) to which he replied: Chris, you just need to stick to your agnostic views! What?? I wanted to scream I am most certainly not an agnostic! I was saved at the age of twelve, filled with the Holy Spirit at thirteen and attended a Christian school from the seventh to the ninth grade. I, sir, am a Christian! But I didn’t, or more to the point, I couldn’t. I’m not agnostic. Sure, there are things we just can’t know; I get that. But I know God, and better yet, I believe He knows me. Being called agnostic doesn’t bother me, not being able to call myself a Christian does. But I absolutely disagree with just about every doctrine the church teaches. I don’t believe in the concept of atonement. Why would God brutally torture and kill someone in order to grant forgiveness? Seriously, Has anyone in Christianity ever thought to question these doctrines? Of course that’s a rhetorical question I realize many have, but still the question remains. Can I call myself a Christian while denying the core doctrines of the faith?

Whiteheart Still Rocks!!

2010-02-12T19:04:00.000-08:00

Questions without answers!

2010-01-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

Isn’t it funny how people can look at the same painting and come up with totally different interpretations? And what about music…a topic very near and dear to my heart? I’m a huge Tom Petty fan; I see him as one of the most prolific musicians and songwriters of our time. There are others, however, that think his music leaves something to be desired, but absolutely love Kiss, a band I just can’t stand to look at or listen to! Why is that? Aren’t we seeing the same brush strokes, and hearing the same chord progressions? Why do we filter the same things so differently? Is that a process of evolution or the divine? Case in point: I just finished reading Bart D. Ehrman’s book God’s Problem. It deals with the issue of human suffering and how the bible fails to offer any solid answers, and though I agree with his conclusions, I do not share his agnostic worldview. Which is ironic considering we both once shared a conservative Christianity worldview. You see lately I have been going through a bit of theological rearranging myself, but not once have I felt the loss of my faith in a higher power. I’ve questioned it, sure! I’ve changed my beliefs, true! In fact, I’ve had to absolutely drop all of my toxic beliefs, but I’ve always felt God’s presence in my life. There are others that have examined the same evidence as me and have come to believe there is no God at all. Again, why? Aren’t we reviewing the same evidence? And last but not least, the disaster in Haiti: Pat Robertson looks at it and sees God’s punishment. Ignorance in action! Others look at it and wonder why could God let something like this happen? My personal belief is that it is a natural disaster nothing more. God, after all, is spirit and deals with all his children on a spiritual level. Those that lost their lives in the disaster are safe with God now, but it’s all of our responsibility to reach out and help those that are still suffering. But that’s just my humble opinion. The truth is I really don’t know! Wait a minute! That’s somewhat agnostic isn’t it? Damn! Here’s what I’ll do! I’ll just keep trusting the compassionate and loving inner voice I call God until the day I’m Called back home. But here’s’ the deal: I’m gonna ask questions all along the way!

Pat Robertson is Ignorant!!!

2010-01-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

This is absolutely crazy! What planet is Pat Robertson from anyway? What I really want to know is why hasn’t the “Christian” right stepped forward to denounce these ignorant, racist and bigoted remarks. I think that silence can speak volumes don‘t you? I am sick of these idiots speaking in the name of God, as if they were so holy and pure! May God have mercy on their souls!!!

2010-01-05T17:48:00.000-08:00

I attended church Sunday in the hope of finding some vestige of a spiritual connection within the faith I know and love so well. But alas no! I’m not even sure I could find resolution within any Christian denomination at this point. I disagree with many, if not all, of the churches doctrines. I have no problem with the concept of evolution. I don’t believe in a literal hell, and I most certainly don’t believe homosexuality is going to be the absolute downfall of mankind. I don’t understand homosexuality, and it’s not a lifestyle I would choose, but to demonize a person for there sexuality is wrong! It seems to me that Christianity has become a religion of condemnation not liberation! It’s a struggle for me because I’m not sure how I can identify myself as a Christian, at least in the traditional sense, but I do. As much as I detest most of what I see and hear coming from the “Christian right.” Which, by the way, is absolutely wrong. I can’t walk away from the Jesus that I have come to believe in. The Jesus I know drank with the “sinners”, called out the hypocrites, forgave the unforgivable, spoke out against injustice, and paid the ultimate price for his beliefs. I personally have a hard time finding a better role model than Jesus. So, where does that put me? Am I a Christian? Depends on whom you ask, I suppose. But then again, who cares!

Never back down!!!

2009-12-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty much a hippie at heart. Well, except for all the drug bullshit that sometimes goes along with it. I have absolutely too much of that in my family.
That being said, I love Tom Petty's music. It absolutely speaks to me. There has been a lot of stuff going on lately, and this song always makes me feel better. So, instead of posting my rants, I'm gonna let Tom speak for me!