Get Your Spiritual Therapy at the Jamminstation 3.5

Jamminstation 3.5 is almost done! The upgraded study area is in! This is my home away from, but inside, my home. I am blessed to have such an arrangement with my wife. I have spent the last week rearranging and rewiring so that last night, Thursday, it would be ready for the band practice. We had a great practice session.

This is the core of the LifePoint Worship band from the beginning, minus one vocalist, Becky Rodriguez who has gone on to bigger and better things singing and worshiping at LifeWay Baptist Church nearby in Lake Mary. This is the core of the band that for a couple years played week end, week out tirelessly.

Now, we are blessed to have a team of very talented musicians and technicians that work together to Glorify God through music and community.

<<<<—– Our fearless Worship Leading Pastor, The Bald Worship Leader, Phil Ayres!

NOTE: I have to note that below you see the allot of us wearing the brown “12:one” t-shirts. We were all thinking alike tonight These t-shirts were from last years Lifepoint Worship Team retreat in Daytona Beach.  

<<<<—- The passionate and lovely Christi Blyseth. Her screenname on Xanga is “cpurely“…….how appropriate, I have never met a woman before that was so passionately in love with our Lord and Savior. It shows in everthing she does and all the hearts she touches.

Phil and Christi working on the vocals to “Marvelous Light” —–>>>>

<<<<—- Shawn Rinehart has been one of two drummers from the beginning. He has been an inspiration and an encourager as well as a good friend

<<<<—–This is Laura “BeachGirl” Martin. She is a great encouragement to me and every pwerson she comes in contact with.   —–>>>>

<<<—-This Laura’s husband, Greg. An awesome guitarist as well as a great friend. We like to call him the Texture King —–>>>>>

<<<<—- This is the old man of the group. I am blessed to be able to play God’s music with God’s people. —–>>>>

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings

My Second Passion……

I am incredibly blessed by God to be surrounded my a wonderful church family at LifePoint Christian Church in Lake Mary, Florida. God has blessed me with opportunities to live my dreams. My second passion is God’s music. There is nothing like worshiping the Lord from behind an instrument, to feel the notes ring out in love and passion for Him….and to know that in our own small way, others are introduced to God’s Word through praise and worship in song. I am blessed to play bass, acoustic guitar and occasionally sing. Our practices as well as many of our recordings take place at my studio, the JamminStation in Sanford, Florida. You can listen to my Podcast interview at BaldWorsipLeader.com HERE.

I am thankful to be surrounded by a group of musicians that are not only encouraging, but who are family, people that it is fun to do life with. We play, we study, we praise, we laugh, we cry, we pray and we love…..together! I need to take a moment here to brag on my “family” here. They would not want me to as they don’t like to be in the spotlight, but, what can I say, I am blessed to be surrounded by an incredible amount of talent and passion for Christ. I would like to introduce these people that mean so much to me in my life:

PHIL AYRES: Phil “LostDog” is our Worship Pastor and one of my closest friends. When Phil came to LifePoint a few years ago, he took a band that was playing music and turned it into a band that was part of God’s plan. Our practice’s are as important spiritually as they are in sharpening our skills. Phil arranges our music, teaches and mentors many of us as leader’s of worship, plays guitar, drums, bass and is our lead singer. Most of all, he is our friend, our brother, and  mentor. He also preaches on occasion and leads a weekly Community Group Gathering in his home.

If you are interested in leading worship in your church or outside your church in ministry, then you really must check out his website, BaldWorshipLeader.com. This site is dedicated the art of leading worship through music. You’ll find a ton of practical and spiritual helps here. Check out his weekly podacast, recorded directly from his studio, Lost Dog Studio here in Sanford, Florida.

JOEY NEIMAN: Joey, “Dr. J”, is one of our drummers, and a guitarist as well as a primary player in our recordings and mixing of our songs. Much of the mixing and mastering is done at his studio, Studio 12:1 here in Sanford, Florida.

Additionally, Joey is my closest friend. We have been playing together for almost four years. Joey currently leads worship at LifeWay Baptist Church in Lake Mary (LifeWay….we want Joey back! LOL). This is someone who leads worship at another church, but stops by LifePoint at 6AM on Sunday to help us set up and he leads one of our Community Group Gathering Bible Studies. You can listen to an interview with Joey at BaldWorshipLeader.com HERE.

LAURA MARTIN: Laura “BeachGirl” is our keyboard player and one of our spiritual leader’s in the band. For over a year she lived in Daytona Beach and drove over an hour to band practice and our Sunday Worship Gathering every week! Our favorite mutual Bible verse is Psalms 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”.

GREG MARTIN: Greg “Gregario” is our primary guitarist and is a master at texture and is as well a shredder. Greg, Laura and I have been playing together over three years. Greg is also our primary technical producer and leads our team of mixdown and mastering engineers. Greg also plays acoustic guitar and bass. You can listen to an interview with Greg at BaldWorshipLeader.com HERE.

<< SHAWN RINEHART: Shawn is another of our primary drummers. A graduate of FullSail in Orlando, Florida, Shawn is now a professor as well as a graphic artist.

DAVID TAYLOR >>: Another of drummers, David has been playing with the band for over a year. As a fellow “Shepherd” of the flock, we like to kid each other saying we smell like sheep.

<< CHRISTI : Christi is one of our vocalist. A good friend, I have always been encouraged by her heart that beats for our Lord every day! When she sings I get lost in praise.

JEN >>: Jen has been gracing us with her beautiful voice for over two years. Always smiling, she brings a warmth and freshness to our group of friends.

<< JAMES: James is one of our percussionist but is better known as our “board man”. James has been heading our technical team of sound engineers for over four years. A great friend and fun to be around, I have rarely seen James in anything but short pants……no matter what the weather!

JORDAN >>: Our roadie extrodinare! This young man can set up any guitar or bass rig, run snakes, lights, you name it! He’s one hard workin’ dude, arriving every Sunday morning for setup around 6:30 AM.

<< STEVE LACEY: Steve records and mixes our services and the band each Sunday and is the driving force behind School of Fish Productions  Christian artist development along with Joey Neiman and Greg Martin. Steve is the King of the Techies and owns School of Fish Studio in Lake Mary, Florida. A rapper, listen to Steve’s testimony in song HERE.

DAVE >>: While Dave is no longer with us, he has been a vital part of our group for over a year. Dave is the best of the best as a bass player, keyboardist and technical guru in the studio. A recent graduate of FullSail Recording Academy in Orlando, Florida, Dave has accepted an internship in a leading recording studio in Nashville, Tenn.

There are also a great number of other people who perform, who help set up, who roadie, who mix, do lights, run our video operations and a host of other duties, all in the spirit of love for jesus Christ. I am thankful for each and every one! I am blessed to be associated with a group of people who are so passionatly in love wity our Lord and Savior.

We invite you to listen to some of our music live from our Sunday Morning Church gathering at the following links or listen to excerpts from our first CD, “Awaken” recorded at the Jamminstation and Lost Dog Studio by the LifePoint Worship Band.

LIFEPOINTAUDIO.COM

AWAKEN

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings

Shannon is in Turkey!

After a series of long and delayed flights, Sannon has arrived at Incirlik Airbase in Turkey. We have talked to her a couple of times by phone and know that she has her own room, is comfortable, and starts inprocessing this week. Please keep her and all the other airmen, soldiers, sailors, and civilians i support of the war in the region in your prayers. My brother, John is, I believe, above Baghdad.

As soon as we get her mailing address I will share it with those who would like to write her. We appreciate very much all that have prayed for Shannon and Jon. God bless you!

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings

My daughter Leaves for Turkey Tomorrow

This is the last family photo before Shannon departs for Turkey. We are getting ready right now to leave for the Airport. Are dad and mom ready for this? I have to tell you, as a parent, it’s both scary and wonderful to let your children spread their wings. We have spent our entire marriage teaching our children in the way that they should go….this is a defining moment for us. This is a defining moment for Shannon. We are both so very proud of the path she has taken, we are both so very proud of who she is as a person, we are both very proud of a girl that has grown into a woman. We are happy for her success,we are sad at the distance that there will be between us. But then, we are also happy at the closeness that we all share. God has blessed us with two very special girls, as well as each other.

May God bless each of you and your families in the coming New Year!

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings

CHRISTMAS DAY 2005

It was great to have our family all together again! Shannon has been at Lackland AFB, just finished basic training and Tech School and will soon depart for Turkey (January 2nd). So…..this has been a very special Christmas. She was our Christmas gift this year, just having her home with us and having the family together.

<<– This is our Christmas tree. It’s the story of our family life There are ornaments on his tree from Germany the very first year Kelly and I were married. We had a tiny tree that was like a sad “Charlie Brown” tree. But it was our first and was so neat. We have ornaments from the first years that both Jessi (from Germany) and Shane (from Georgia) were born as well as every year in between. There’s a dragon from Alabama when I served in the Chemical Corps after the war. There are cowboy hat’s and boots from our years in Colorado, guitar’s, dogs, handmade and even “Aspen Country Candles” beeswax ornaments we made by hand when we manufactured candles. 21 years of ornamnets! We have a tradition to purchase at least one new ornaments each year and place the ate on it.

Jessica opening her first pearl neclace and Shane watching on –>>

<<— This is my wonderful wife, Kelly. I am blessed just to be with her each and every day.

Around 1:00 we all met at my sister’s home, my mother and father, my sister’s family, her husbands family and us. Christmas is a day to be spent with family, reflecting on the greatest gift that we could recieve, Jesus, and sharing that same love by presenting gifts to those we hold close to our heart.

<<– This is Baba (Tahgi) and my mother, Janet (that’s Shane petting Shangoul).

Kelly watches on as Jessica opens a gift from Aunt Alison, a belt with guitars on it —>>

<<– This is Mehdi and Alison. Mehdi is a genius designer of all our products for both Smart Access and Core Tec Communications. He is also my brother-in-law and a friend.

Alison and Jessi —>>

<< — This is Mehdi’s favorite toy. He just traded in for this one. Went to Germany to pick it out. What is it about beamers’, I’ll never understand I like my Ford truck I guess I’m just old fashioned.

Mehdi and his son, Aria —>>

<< — Momma and Baba (Mehdi’s Father)

Who says’ we can’t love one another The Holy Bible and the Holy Quaran always occupy a place of reverence in Alison’s and Mehdi’shome. –>>

Aria and Momma Sema (Mehdi’s mother –>>

<<— Harold “Boss Moss Bailey and Kourosh, Mehdi’s brother-in-law and a fellow co-worker.

<<— Kourosh and Mahasti (Mehdi’s sister)

Kian (Mahasti and Kourosh’s son) and Nema (down in the corner) —>>

<<– Mehdi guarding the roast (dude can cook!!!!!!)

Alison and Mehdi’s new bed. Don’t ya love it! I do —>>

<<– Neda Bailey Daryadel (Alison and Mehdi’s daughter). She always has the big smile!!

Nema Tahgi Daryadel (Alison and Mehdi’s youngest son)….go Nema go! –>>

<<– Nema and Neda out back

Neda and her grandma Sema –>>

<<– Shane and Jasmine (Yasi), Kourosh and Mahasti’s daughter)

Neda Bailey –>>

<<– Aria and Momma on his new keyboard.

We had a wonderful Christmas! My prayer is that each of you had a wonderful Christmas also. I am thankful for the gifts we have in Jesus and each other. God bless, and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve 2005

We started ot Christmas Eve At my Sister, Alison’s house. It was a great time to reunite our family. Rarely are my brother and sister and I able to all get together at once

<<– Me, my sister Alison, and my brother Jon

Jon is currently working with haliburton in Iraq and is home on Christmas vacation.

(L-R) My nephew, Aria with Mangoul (the puppy), his sister, Neda, Shannon (my daughter), Kaitlyn (my niece), Harry (my dad) behind her, me, Teresa (Jon’s wife), Jon, Janet (our momma), and in front, Kelly (my wife and Eric, my nephew. –>>

<<– Eric (Jon’s son—going to FSU next month! We’re proud of you!) and Mehdi, Alison’s husband and my boss

My sister, Alison –>>

<<– Jessica (my daughter) and Mike (her boyfriend)

Jessi and Mike –>>

<< — Mr.Man

Me –>>

<<– Jon, Alison and Harold “Boss Moss” Bailey (my stepdad)

Me and momma doin’ what we love to do! –>>

Next we drove to Melbourne to vist with Kelly’s family. We went to a candelight church service at their churc, First Baptist Church of Eau Gallie, and then on home to eat and exchange gifts

HAPPY Birthday Jesus! A special cake for a special day! The brown bottom layer symbolizes the wood of the cross, the red middle layer symbolizes Christ blood shed for us, the green top layer symbolizes life, the white frosting symbolizes Christ purity, the red hearts symbolize Christ heartbeat…..His love for us, and the yellow star symbolizes His light shown upon the world.

<<– The cousins: Jessi, Shane and Stephanie

The cousins, Shane, Nicjy, Jessi, and Stephanie –>>

Kelly and her father, Wendyl (one of my spiritual mentors!) — >>

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings

Smart Access/Core Tec Communications Company Christmas Party 2005

Great Party! Lot’s of fun and good cheer Below are pictures of our Florida employees having a good time and sharing special time together at Ali Baba’s Restaurant (Persian cuisine) in Longwood, Florida. It was appropriate to eat at Ali Baba’s as Mehdi and his family are Persian from Iran. Great food, great company and lot’s of fun!

Smart Access designs and manufactures Door Access security systems, primarily for airports, but also for courthouses, government operations centers as well as other commercial enterprises. Core Tec Communications designs and manufactures video CODEC systems, primarily for the transportation industry such as Maryland DOT (Dept. of Trans.), Texas DOT, and more. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of these two companies.

<<– This is my sister, Alison, and her husband, my boss, Mehdi. Mehdi is owner and President of both companies as well as chief design engineer for all the products. My sister, I call her “HB” for “Honey Bunch”, are soul-mates. While she is my little sister she holds a big place in my heart.

<<– This is Rocco and his wife, Rocco is our VP of Sales and Marketing and resides in Ontario, Canada.

This is Jim, VP of Engineering, and Mehdi’s son, Aria, my nephew, as well as his friend Brandon –>>

This is my right hand man, Jason and his lovely wife. Jason is my Admin Operations Clerk,  as well as Shipping Manager. –>>

<<– This is me, my lovely wife, Kelly and daughter, Jessica. I am the Admin Operations Manager as well as the Purchasing Manager (among other things).

<<– This is John, his fiance and her daughter and Jon’s daughter. Jon is our primary software engineer.

This is Mike and his wife. Mike is also a software engineer. –>>

<<– This is Baba, Mehdi’s father and my good friend.

This is Momma Sema’s friend, Momma Sema (Mehdi’s mother and my good friend), her son Hadi, and one of our engineer’s, Mike. –>>

<<– This is a wonderful and talented belly dancer and the Children entertaining us.

Hadi just had to get into the act! He’s a great guy and a kid at heart (I guess all guys are kid’s at heart when it comes to belly dancer’s, LOL) –>>

<<– I was impressed by the way this woman worked with and had fun with the children. She was extremely talented, very professional and a joy to watch.

This is another shot of my boss and my brother-in-law, Mehdi stealing my desert! Thank you Mehdi for such a great time and fun party –>>

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I post my “spiritual” ramblings.

Santa’s Prayer On Christmas Eve
by: W. Jennings

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
but Santa still knelt by the side of his bed.

“Dear Father,” he prayed “Be with me tonight.
There’s much work to do and my schedule is tight.
I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well that a reindeer can’t fly.
I will visit each household before the first light,
I’ll cover the world and all in one night.
With sleigh bells a-ringing, I’ll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.

To get in the house is the difficult part,
So I’ll slide down the chimney of each child’s heart.
My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.
I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track.
I’ll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.

I can do all these things, Lord, Only Through You!
I just need your blessing, then it’s easy to do.
All this to honor the birth of the ONE,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So, to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job.

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings

My Brother on Furlough from Iraq:

As most of you know, my brother, Jon is in Iraq as  civilian working for Haliburton. Every six months he is able to take 10 days to meet his family somewhere outside the country. They met in Italy this year. I am so thankful that Jon, his wife, Teresa, his son, Eric and his daughter Kaitlyn are able to reunite and see each other. These will be memories they will cherish forever. I am very proud of my brother and ask for prayers for all those serving there to bring freedom and democracy to this war torn country.

<<– Jon and Eric in Rome

Jon, Teresa, Kaitlyn and Eric in Venice –>>

Jon and a Roman guard –>>

<< — Eric and Kaitlyn

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings

HAPPY THANKSGIVING:

I am thankful for my family and friends

<<– Kelly (my Wife), Jessi (my daughter), Aria (my nephew), Alison (my sister), Harry (my dad), Janet (my mom), Neda (my niece), Airen (my pseudo grandchild: “my little one), Joey (my best friend), Autumn (my pseudo grandchild: “my extra-little one), Jillian (my pseudo sister-in-law).

<<– Autumn and Jessi

Jessi and Alison (HB) –>>

<< — Airen and Neda

Autumn –>>

<<– Airen

NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings