Wanderings – Page 65 – The Life and Times of Joe Suttle

Play That Thing!

joe April 30, 2008 Music Hector Olivera, Mt. Hermon

Just got an email inviting me to a "Masters" training session with Hector Olivera – only because I'm on his mailing list – not because I am any kind of organist. I'll put in a big plug for Hector – as far as I am concerned, he is the world's greatest organist. There was a reference to to something called the Roland Atelier. While searching their site for information, they showed a link to a video with Hector playing.

First heard and met Hector in San Francisco when he played the dedicatory concert on a new organ in my church there (Miraloma Community Church). The manufacturer had put every "bell and whistle" on the organ for a demonstration site and wanted to show off their organ to the world, and so brought Hector to S.F. Was I ever impressed (me, the guy who loves theater organs).

Then in 2006, Mount Hermon bought a Rogers Touring Organ that was just sitting around the factory. We were at the Home Schooler's Family Camp, and Dave Talbot played a "mini-concert" which was a great demonstration of his talent and the power of the instrument…and then they announced that Hector was coming to play. Decision made – done deal! Karen and I went down and spent the night just so we would not have to rush home. Hector got some impressive sounds from that organ!

Here's a link to a YouTube Video that will knock your socks off. Even if you don't like organ music, what Hector does with an organ will amaze you!

Can't wait until he is somewhere near again…

Global What?

joe April 30, 2008 Faith

I’m sorry folks, but it was cold this morning. I would expect that if there was global warming, it would not have been 46 degrees farenheit! Even now, at 8:30, I have on a sweat shirt because it’s too cold to wander around in a short sleeve shirt. Went out to get the newspaper, and could feel the “cold in my bones.” Maybe it’s the old bones, but nonetheless…

The birds are doing well, and the first of the hatchlings is out and being fed by mom and dad cockatiel. It’s fun to stand by the cage and listen to the little “chirp, chirp” that comes from the babies. We discovered with the first pair, that they even chirp in the shell while they peck their way out.

Getting near the end of James, but was reading chapter 4, verses 11 through 17 this morning. Ran across the term “double-minded”. It does not mean that you have two brains, or are crazy. Did my research and found that it has more to do with people who know things (truths) but can’t quite bring themselves to do or not do something. This used to be called failure by “commission” or “omission” – you know, like knowing something is not right, but still doing it. Or… knowing something is the right thing to do, and not doing it! Does it make more sense now?

Basically, James is telling us that if we know what is right, we ought to be doing that! Period! To stand by and not do what is right is “sin”.

While researching the “double-minded” thing, the trail led me to 1 Kings 18:21 where Elijah came to the people who could not decide (would not decide) between God and Baal. Long story, but well worth the read.

Old Friends Connecting

joe April 29, 2008 Church, General

Have heard from a couple of people from Saturday night, and will have to take a close look at some more pictures. I don’t have a lot from that era, but will dig down in what people have given me.

Turns out that someone at the dinner even knew how to get in touch with one of the two guys I “buddied” with while attending Mission High School. Hopefully when she talks to him, he will remember the phrase we used to use when walking home from play rehearsals at night (we were on the “Electric Crew” running the lights). Hope to hear the results by this weekend.

It was good to see all those guys and gals from back then. Even looking at those old pictures brings back memories of things we did and places we visited. One of the pictures was of me outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. We had gone down for a Christian Endeavor Convention. I remember that trip well, riding on our own Greyhound bus – (well sorta) there were so many kids, that Greyhound treated it like a charter. Guess they figured we would drive their regular passengers nuts.

Oh well, back to other pictures and other memories (all good)…

and then back to the present – things look pretty good now. In fact, right now is “Great!”