andrew dodson

This is a post to call out my friends with blogs that haven’t been updated in some time – namely, Cari, Mike and Dwayne.  C’mon guys!  You’ve got blogs.  Use ‘em!

This is also a call to others to start blogging.  It’s very fun.  Just ask Josh Martin!  The boy is addicted now!

There’s plenty of free and easy-to-use alternatives.  Just hop over to your favorite search engine and search “blog” or “blogging” and you’ll find ‘em.

I had to take a little blog hiatus this week, due to other commitments and a general lack of time.  While it was a busy week, it was an extremely good week.

I started off the week with a head cold that has led to some congestion.  I thought this might be gloom and doom for the Josh Martin Band concert on Tuesday, but thanks to the glory of prayer, Excedrin, DayQuil (sometimes at the same time – NOT recommended), orange juice and rest, I was semi-healthy for the concert.  Praise God!
Speaking of the concert, it went rather well.  Turns out, we helped raise over $1200 for Freedom Experience.  Praise God!  How awesome is that?  On top of this, the recording from the night turned out amazingly well.  The playing, however, is a little suspect at times, due to debuting some new material that evening.  Overall, it was a great night.  A very energetic and large crowd was on hand for a Tuesday night.

I’ve had several breakthroughs in my studies of CSS this week.  I’m creating a new site for the Saxton’s Cornet Band that is relying heavily upon CSS, and is one of the best sites I’ve done so far.  I can’t wait to finish it and show the band.  At the same time, I’m creating and updating several other sites using CSS, as well (my personal site, CLS, and others).

I’m looking forward to a productive weekend and more blogging….

I came across the “featured sermon” on John Piper’s website just now. It was from late 1986, and provided a glimpse into what was going on in my life when I was too young to pay attention, or understand. It turns out, the glimpse into the past is also a glimpse at the present. Seemingly, the world is no different now…

(it’s a long read, but worth it, if you have the time)

A Cause to Live for

I’m sometimes amazed at how quickly I can go from having a good day to a bad day, or a bad day to a good day.  Today started okay.  However, I knew I would be the only one manning the office at CLS today (Dwayne & Mike were participating at a Career Day at a local elementary school).  In a nutshell, it was hectic.  Crazy hectic.  What amounted to two hours of work didn’t get done until around 3 p.m. today.  This was due to constant phone calls, customers, problems arising, fixing problems and more.  Needless to say, while I accomplished a lot today, I didn’t get any of my own work done.  I was looking forward to a restful weekend, and now, due to today, I will be going to work tomorrow to prepare for next week.

Throughout the day, I was very disappointed in myself.  Let’s just say, it was a day of “walking in the flesh,” as I like to say to my good friend Mike.  Whenever either of us is feeling un-Christian, we ask, “are you walking in the flesh today?”  Yep.  I was.  I felt like I needed to go home and pray for about six hours.

Then, it was as if God said this to me:  “It’s okay.  I understand.  I still love you.”

As soon as I left CLS, the burden of “walking in the flesh” was lifted.  I felt close to God again.  The Josh Martin Band had a rehearsal tonight, and it was amazing the spirit of worship I felt.  It was only a rehearsal.  But, I was worshipping like crazy.  I can’t say how blessed I am to be a part of the JMB.  Tonight was nuts (…in a good way).

The day ended with a trip to Corinth’s “private sale,” with Lori and Bert, where I finally purchased my Archaeological Study Bible (with the help of a 40% off coupon).  The crazy thing?  I was more excited about the free promo posters that I got for free – Jeremy Camp, Third Day, Tree63, David Crowder Band, and more.  Decorations for my apartment, you see.

As you can see, the day had a great ending.  Too bad I have to go to bed…

For those that may not’ve received my email today… The Josh Martin Band will be performing a benefit concert for the Freedom Experience next Tuesday night at Pleasureville Baptist Church.  Showtime is 7 p.m. and admission is free.  A love offering will be collected.  We hope to see you there!

One of the things I don’t do often enough is keep up with the statistics of all of my websites (I barely have enough time to keep them updated!).  Tonight, I decided to check my personal site’s statistics.  This month, I will eclipse 2000 visitors to my site in the month of March.  That’s crazy.  And yes, that’s “unique visitors,” meaning, if someone visits more than once, they don’t get counted mulitple times.  Looking back on my site’s statistics, I’ve experienced a drastic increase in visits since December, averaging over 1000 visits each month.

Don’t just stop by and leave without saying anything, people!  Leave a comment and let me know you were here!

This is a post about my favorite site, of which I’m the webmaster.  It belongs to the Lexington Brass Band.  Graphically, it ain’t the greatest.  However, the combination of the design and content make it a very useful site.  I enjoy keeping up with the site because the band librarian constantly supplies me with information, and stays on my case until it gets updated!  The site uses tables (shh…don’t tell anyone), but it’s also the first site I’ve designed that incorporates CSS.  After checking out the Cincinnati Brass Band’s website (no link because it’s not a good site, and I don’t want to shame the webmaster of their site), I’m pretty pleased with LBB’s site (if I do say so myself).

Here’s some thoughts while I watch today’s game:

• Looks like Tubby may’ve taken some of my input. Shagari’s getting a lot of playing time so far, and he seems to be having an effect of defense.
• UConn shot 52 percent in the first half. We know from experience that if UK is to have success with Tubby’s defense, the opposing team usually has to shoot under 50 percent.
• In the first half, UK’s bench was outscored 20-0. This is very unlike a UK team. However, we’re (surprisingly) still in the game, and have come out strong to start the second half.
• Patrick Sparks is carrying the Cats on his shoulders right now. He is single-handedly keeping them in the game.
• Randolph Morris didn’t foul until 10 minutes left in the game. That’s amazing, in and of itself. However, he’s picked up four fouls in six minutes.
• UK has been hitting their free throws lately like mad men. Quite a nice surprise.
• UK is down by two with three minutes remaining. Check that – Marcus Williams just hit the shot and got fouled. Missed the free throw, but UConn got the offensive rebound and hit the shot. UK is down by six, 78-72.
• In the matter of eight minutes, Randolph Morris goes from zero fouls to fouling out.  Unbelieveable.

Dear Tubby,

Please play a 2-3 zone against Connecticut tomorrow using the following lineup:

G: Rajon Rondo
G: Patrick Sparks / Joe Crawford
F:  Randolph Morris
F:  Lukasz Obrzut
C:  Shagari Alleyne

You’ll win, I bet.

Thanks for your consideration,
Andrew

As a lot of you know, the biggest theological question that weighs on my mind (at this moment in time) is that of free will vs. election. This is a question that I’d rested on for a while, but has been awakened recently, due to Rick’s bible study of Ephesians.

Knowing this is a seemingly man-made debate causes me to “not care” at times about which is right and which is wrong. In the end, it doesn’t matter. I’m saved and going to heaven. God just wants me to glorify Him and share the gospel with the lost. Plain and simple.

Other times, I get hung up on the issue and wrestle with it in my mind for days. But, I came across a study note in my Quest bible tonight that may put my mind to ease completely:

Though the connection between God’s sovereignty and human freedom is mysterious from our perspective, we must remember that God is, by definition, completely good in his actions. Our responsibility is to trust him in his work and live according to his will. We are never called to solve the difficulties that only God understands.

(emphasis mine)

Ahh… relief.