Eric's Video Blog Post - 6/6/2009

For all of you who've been wondering where I've been all Spring, here ya go:

Enjoy!

--Eric G.

Mexico Mission Trip 2009 - The Documentary

Here's a little documentary that I put together from all the video that I shot on my recent Mission Trip to Mexico. It's a little fuzzy, as it was shot with a regular old digital camera, but I think it turned out pretty good. Enjoy!

There's more to come later!

God Bless!

--Eric G.

Eric's Christmas Top 10

Well, here we are again. It's that "most wonderful time of the year" that everyone's been waiting for. I started thinking today about all the great music and musical traditions that surround us at Christmas time and I decided to compile a little list of my top 10 favorite Christmas albums.

1. Various Artists - Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas 

My absolute favorite Christmas album to date. Here you have some of the greatest guitarists in the world (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, just to name a few) doing their interpretations of their favorite Christmas classics. Jeff Beck's version of "Amazing Grace" is worth the price of the whole album!

2. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories

I actually bought this album for one song ("Christmas/ Sarajevo 12/24"), but the whole thing has grown on me, and it ROCKS!

3. The Acappella Company - Acappella Family Christmas

A few years back, The Acappella Company decided to compile all the best tracks from their three Christmas albums (A Savior is Born, Acappella Christmas, and Acappella Children's Christmas) along with some newly recorded tracks onto one long-play CD. This has probably my favorite version of "Away in a Manger" ever!

4. Handel's Messiah

Many years ago, while visiting my Grandparents, I discovered a copy of the complete score to Handel's Messiah in their piano bench. Because it is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music, I was fascinated by the score and I kept looking at it over and over again until my Grandmother finally told me I could keep it. It has since become one of my most treasured possessions. A couple years back, I sat down in my studio one night, put on my CD of The Trinity Choir and Orchestra performing the entire thing, and followed along with the score in hand, thus beginning a new Christmas tradition for myself. 

5. Kevin Max - Holy Night

I believe Kevin Max has the smoothest, coolest, most unique voice I've ever heard. I can't get enough of his crooning on this album.

6. Take 6 - He is Christmas

A great album from an amazing group. There are lots of interesting and complex vocal arrangements on this album, but I'm rather partial to the simpler 6-part songs like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Come All Ye Faithful."

7. Various Artists - A Very Special Christmas

Here is your typical late 1980's, superstar rock compilation, designed to bring holiday cheer to all. I think what I like most about this one is that you've got artists like U2, Sting, and Bruce Springsteen all on one album. A very fun listen, to say the least.

8. Glad - An Acapella Christmas

I'm a big fan of Glad's vocal arrangements, especially those songs written and put together by their long-time arranger, Bob Kauflin. This is a fantastic album!

9. Mannheim Steamroller - Fresh Aire Christmas

This is yet another album that I bought for just one song and ended up liking the whole thing. There is an original song on this album, written by Chip Davis, called "Traditions of Christmas" that is a very simple, yet beautiful musical expression of what the holidays are all about. 

10. Jars of Clay - Drummer Boy EP

Okay, not exactly an album. And I realize that Jars of Clay has a really good Christmas album that they released last year (Christmas Songs), but the versions of "Little Drummer Boy" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" on this EP are just better, in my humble opinion.

So there you go, my Christmas Top 10. You'll notice that I didn't mention my own Christmas album that came out last year. That's primarily because I think it just doesn't measure up to these 10. Of course, you can always pick up a copy and judge for yourself! (Sorry! I couldn't resist the shameless plug!)

So what are your favorites? Comment and let me know!

If I forget to tell you later on, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

God Bless!

--Eric G.

Video Post #1

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a little something to let you know that I'm still here. Enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

God Bless!

--Eric G.

Who would Jesus vote for?

This is the best political advice I have received.

WHO WOULD JESUS VOTE FOR?

1. Jesus would not vote according to his "pocketbook."
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2. Jesus is Pro Life.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before you were formed in the body of your mother I had knowledge of you, and before your birth I made you holy...
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

3. Jesus is not tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle.
Romans 1:27-28 And in the same way the men gave up the natural use of the woman and were burning in their desire for one another, men doing shame with men, and getting in their bodies the right reward of their evil-doing. And because they had not the mind to keep God in their knowledge, God gave them up to an evil mind, to do those things which are not right...

4. Jesus would not vote for anyone who has interests in other religions besides Christianity.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

5. Jesus is against welfare (the church should provide for people's needs).
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

6. Jesus is pro Israel .
Nehemiah 13:2 Because they did not give the children of Israel bread and water when they came to them, but got Balaam to put a curse on them: though the curse was turned into a blessing by our God.
Genesis 12:2-3 I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. All of the families of the earth will be blessed in you.???

7. Jesus knows who really controls the economy.
Matthew 6:31-34 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

8. Jesus is not worried about social security or the stock market.
Matthew 6:19-20 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

It all comes down to this. We need God in America again. Our economy, our children, our marriages, etc. need healing. While neither candidate looks to be a strong Christian candidate - as a nation which one will lead us closer to God and not farther away?

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

As Christians, who we vote for does matter to God!

Romans 14:11-12 As surely as I live,' says the Lord, every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

I'm a Christian and I approve of this message

--Eric G.

A Post for J.R.

Yes, my friend, this post is for you.

I realize it has been quite a while (seems like half a year...oh yeah...it has been) since the last post. The truth is: I've had a TON of stuff keeping me from posting. (NOTE: I realize this is a lame excuse, but work with me here...it's been awhile.)

I do have some things coming up that I need to post, but believe it or not, I don't have time just now. I'm experimenting with a little something that may make this blog a little more exciting. More later.

And for J.R., who keeps posting comments reminding me of my absence, thank you for being so subtle. BTW, the studio problem is getting fixed tomorrow.

See you soon!

--Eric G.

1 Corinthians 13 - Christmas Version

My wife emailed this to me earlier and I thought it was worth sharing:

I Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version
by Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.