Rolling Stone just posted an article from The Edge asking him what the future looks like for U2. Truth be told, while Bono may be the face of the band the heart, soul, and mind of U2 is The Edge. (Check out the doc “It Might Get Loud” for a glimpse into The Edge’s work ethic) U2’s last album was one of the best selling albums of 2009, they are currently touring the planet on the world’s largest concert stage, and they are undoubtedly the world’s biggest band. And yet, the desire to move forward, develop, and excel is pronounced.

Rolling Stone: What do you foresee for U2 in the next decade?
The Edge: I can’t think that things will change radically for us, because we are already enjoying being in the band. It matters to us that we still make music that connects, and we are still capable of potentially doing our best-ever album. It’s not a foregone conclusion that our best work is behind us. That still makes it really exciting.

Remember, U2 has experienced unprecedented sustained success for 30 years. There have been missteps and mistakes, hubris and humiliations. Does this sound like a man that is burned out and ready to give up? No. This is a man on fire! In fact, that’s a big joke in the U2 fan community. Anytime a journalist asks Bono about the upcoming album he says (without fail) that “The Edge is on fire.” That fire must come from a desire to learn and move on.

What makes ministry exciting is that your best days are not behind you. Find that desire to move forward.

At what may seem like the apex of success or at what may seem like the pit of despair there is a choice. You can get bitter or you can get better. The choice is yours. Getting bitter is the easy choice. You get to complain and people will stroke your hair and sing “Soft Kitty” over you. And you will die inside a little each day.

But.. you choose to get better and there is hope. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2Corinthians 4:16) There’s your promise. We serve a God that takes our dark yesterdays and gives us bright tomorrows.

Do not lose heart. Your best day is not behind you because God’s best day is not behind Him!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1Corinthians 9:24-27)

Weighing in at 7lbs 8oz. Born May 19, 2009 at 9:37pm.

Magnificent
“I was born

I was born to sing for you 

I didn’t have a choice
But to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry
It was a joyful noise”

Don’t just let this season of thankfulness pass you by and don’t just celebrate it on the fourth Thursday of November. Live a life marked by seasons of Thanksgiving year round.

“Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the power of human legs; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalms 147:7-11 TNIV)

I firmly believe that the song of your heart is lived out by your actions. Yes, sing out with thanksgiving. Every day. In every way.

Peace,
Felker

Since I’ve returned I have been unable to shake this feeling of exhaustion though. If I could just take a month off and just sleep maybe I could get over this feeling. That ain’t gonna happen though. I’ll just have to make the most of my nights and and relish in my down time. My wife had to force me to take a day off this week and she chided me for wanting to read some books about small group ministry on my said day off. I relented and picked up a book that I have wanted to read for the last few years.

I started reading Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley by Timothy White. What a fascinating book. It begins with the history of the Rastafarian religion and lifestyle which is supremely bizarre and eye opening. I am more interested in Bob but this backstory of the worldview in which he lived, breathed, and, in some way, helped craft has added a new layer of dimension to this enigmatic purveyor of sweet soul music.

Like most Americans who say that they are fans of Bob Marley I’ve really only listened to Legend, the 1984 compilation released posthumously to capitalize on Marley’s, well, legend. I have another set that is a primer on Bob and his career but like everyone else, Legend is just about it for me.

To supplement my reading I purchased Burnin’, the last Wailers album. The book has already alluded to the cultural and philosophical significance of songs like Small Axe, Duppy Conqueror, and Burnin and Lootin.

After listening to the album this morning I have some new Bob Marley favorites to add to the mix. I am totally grooving to One Foundation, Rasta Man Chant, Reincarnated Souls, and Hallelujah Time.

The lyrics to Hallelujah Time really struck me this morning. I am so tired and stretched thin yet I can’t help but praise my Father. We are all living and breathing because of His grace and by his power. How can we not sing praises to Him?

For those of us who believe in and have been changed by Almighty God and his one and only Son, anytime is Hallelujah time.

Hear the children cryin’,
but I know they cry not in vain.
Now the times are changin’;
love has come to bloom again.

Smelling the air when spring comes by raindrops
reminds us of youthful days.
But now it’s not rain that water the cane crops,
but the sweat from man’s brow;
the substance from our spine.
We gotta keep on living, living on borrowed time:
Hallelujah time!

Yes, you can hear the children singing: Hallelujah time!
As they go singing by and by: Hallelujah time!
Oh, “hallelujah” singing in the morning.
Hallelujah time! Let them sing; don’t let them cry.

Over rocks and mountains
the sheep are scattered all around.
Over hills and valleys,
they are everywhere to be found.
But though we bear our burdens now,
All afflictions got to end somehow:
From swinging the hammer, pulling the plough.

Why won’t you let us be, to live in harmony?
We like to be free like birds in a tree.

Hallelujah time! Yes, you can hear the children singing.
Hallelujah time! Yes, as they go singing by and by.
Hallelujah time! Oh “hallelujah” singing in the morning.
Let them sing; never let them cry.
Hallelujah time! “Hallelujah” singin’ in the morning.

We got up early so I could finsh the last minute prep work on our bird and it is now in the oven working up a sweat.

Yes you read that last sentance correctly. I am cooking the turkey this year.

I soaked it last night in a brine of broth, allspice, ginger, and ice water. We took it out of the brine this morning, washed it again, basted it and gave it a quick roast at 500 degrees. When we took it out to wrap it in foil for the remainder of the cooking time it was already turning a little golden and was begining to smell very, very good. We are halfway through now.

My parents are on the way over and pretty soon we will gather around the table to give thanks for a great year.

A few things I am ThankFull for:

Our marriage: We are in year 7. No itch here.
Our jobs: Both of us feel very fulfilled in our work.
Our health: My wife’s arthritis seems to have gone into remission. very grateful for that.

I pray that you too can find some things to be ThankFull for today and everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Psalms 107:1-9

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for humankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

UPDATED: The turkey was real (good) and it was spectacular.

Side note: I love being a member of the clergy and not paying for hospital parking! It is one of our rare perks.

Sandy and I were the first ones to arrive. While we were waiting for our table to get set up I noticed a placard advertising the new specials. One item caught my attention.

The “Have Your Cake and Eat It Too” Burger consisted of a burger stacked with pulled pork and onion straws. For some reason I was mesmerized. I wasn’t the only one. Zac and Dad ordered one too.

Surprisingly, it was one of the greatest burgers I have ever eaten. Well done Red Hot and Blue. Well done.

Of course the food paled in comparison to spending the evening with friends and family. Good conversation with good people trumps good food every time!