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Chevelle again rocks the Sokol

Last night, March 14th, the Chicago based hard rock trio Chevelle performed to a sold out show at the Sokol Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska. I was there with my son Corey, who missed the last show in 2009, and my good friend Larry, and most of his family. The Sokol was rocked. There were two opening acts. Another Chicago based band known as Janus, and a duo from California called Middle Class Rut. Both bands were good and entertained the crowd. But you could tell who the crowd was really there to see. Every time any of the bands would mention Chevelle, the place would erupt in applause. Now bring on Chevelle.

From the blistering riff of “Antisaint” to the melodic chaos of “Face To The Floor” the house was a’rawkin’. The place was filled with electric energy. The source of the energy mostly came from the stage, and in particular from brothers Pete Loeffler (vocals and guitars), Sam Loeffler (drums), and brother-in-law Dean Bernardini (bass). The trio super-charged the packed house from the beginning and kicked in the NOS on their underdog rooting “Hats Off To The Bull”, the title track from their new album which was released in December. Some of the other songs Chevelle performed were “Closure”, “Forfeit”, “Letter from a Thief”, “I Get It”, and “Vitamin R (Leading us Along)”, some of which are hard-line singles.

What was kind of fun and unique was to watch Chevelle talk to each other in between songs. Pete Loeffler also likes to interact with the crowd as well as his band-mates. We have been blessed with some above average temps in Nebraska for the past several days, and before the sun went down last night it was 80 degrees outside. This made for some very warm temps on the inside of Sokol. Pete Loefller began the set with a flannel shirt on and after “Hats Off” he shed it down to a t-shirt, and stated to the sold out house “I heard you like your rock hot and sweaty”, which ignited the crowd once again.

The original set came to a close with a couple of my favorite Chevelle songs. The slow and crowd participating “Send The Pain Below”, and the hard-edged “Wonder What’s Next”, both from the 2002 album “Wonder What’s Next”. As the band walked off the stage to prompt the crowd to plead for encore, I turned to Larry and shouted “The Red”!! Sure enough it was the opening song for their two song encore. The packed house knew every word to the song. It was a definite crowd pleaser. The final song was “Face To The Floor” which is the single release from the new album “Hats Off”.

We were rocked by one of the best last night. Much fun was had by all. We bid our friends a good night and headed toward home with a slight ringing in the ears. 🙂

2012 Omaha Chevelle Set List

Rawk On!!

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Posted by barrydean on March 15, 2012 in Chevelle, Concert Review, Hats Off To The Bull, Omaha, Sokol Auditorium

Sanctification Summarized

08 Mar

I so love to post quotes from saints who long ago passed from this world to sit at the feet of Jesus. One of my favorite quotes is from John Newton. Newton was a sailor, and later an Anglican clergyman. His most famous contribution to our world was the hymn “Amazing Grace”. Newton also penned one of my favorite quotes that sums up the doctrine of sanctification to a tee. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit does in us after Christ has done the work of justification by imputing His righteousness on us and taking our sin and God’s wrath on Himself. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and we grow more and more in the knowledge of God. Here is the quote:

I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be. But I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

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Posted by barrydean on March 8, 2012 in gospel, grace, John Newton, quotes, sanctification

Voodoo Circle – Broken Heart Syndrome

01 Mar

It has been weeks since my last music review so let’s bolt out of the gate afresh with a killer album. I was first introduced to this band through my fellow WordPress blogger and music reviewer Rob over at Hard Rock Hideout. He put together a 2011 Top 20 Best List and this Voodoo Circle album made the cut at #16 I think. I would’ve placed it higher but it wasn’t my list. Voodoo Circle is a group of German hard rock musicians from other metal bands such as Silent Force (Alex Beyrodt (pronounced “bairodt”) on guitars, and Primal Fear’s Mat Sinner on bass. They are joined by lead vocalist David Readman, keyboardist Jimmy Kresic, and drummer Markus Kullmann. The music they play is a bluesy mix of metal in the vein of Whitesnake (vocalist David Readman sounds like he has David Coverdale’s pipes on loan), Deep Purple, Blackmore’s Rainbow, and some speed metal in the fashion on Yngwie Malmsteen thrown in for nice liquidity. What you end up with is a retro hard rock metal sound out of the 70’s with the production quality of the present day. Open up and swallow hard.

The album “Broken Heart Syndrome” was released on May 3rd of 2011. The cover alone (Fender Stratocaster w/Marshall stack amp) emits the old hard rock ‘a roller “Smoke On The Water” classic “fist in the air” punch that many of us from the early hard rock 70’s relate to to so well. The music on the album is the perfect mix for an older “head-banger” of the blues variety like me. The previously mentioned sound similarities bring emotions that are both haunting and pleasing as I listen to it over and over again. The overall effect was very intentional as seen in this interview with guitarist Alex Beyrodt, even down to the use of vintage gear.

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Posted by barrydean on March 1, 2012 in Broken Heart Syndrome, Music Review, Voodoo Circle

The Process of Illumination

10 Feb

First of all, I was not looking to make another move in my working career. I liked what I was doing, and where I was in my career. I had the opportunity to work from home part-time. I was going to be learning about more technologies, including Java. But God had other plans for me.

This is a post I’ve been been meaning to write for almost a month. For anyone who follows my posts here or on Facebook or Twitter will have seen me allude to my new employment. My new employment is with a lighting distributor in Lincoln Nebraska. I am very pleased to be with them and I look forward, Lord willing, to many years of service with them. Here is my story.

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Posted by barrydean on February 10, 2012 in gospel, Jeremiah 29, light bulbs, Miss Oblivious thinks out loud, Omaha Bible Church, software developer, Sovereignty of God

Super Bowl 46; Where is David Tyree?

23 Jan

This will just be a brief post, or a reflection of sorts on a past Super Bowl. The game was Super Bowl 42. This was the last time the Patriots and the Giants met to decide the professional football champion. The game will forever be know as the one with the “helmet catch”. The player who made the amazing acrobatic catch is no longer playing professional football. David Tyree never recovered from a 2008 knee injury during the 2008 training camp. In 2010 the Giants offered David Tyree a one day contract so he could retire as a Giant. That is class in my book.

Below is the blog posting with the link to the NFL video I submitted four years ago, right after Super Bowl 42 and the “helmet catch”.

Best Play From Super Bowl 42

I will once again be pulling for the Giants to win Super Bowl 46. I hope there is an opportunity to see David Tyree at this game as well. Maybe a camera shot during the game. Maybe this will be the year of the “Cruz catch”.

Go Giants!!

Update to this story:

Four years ago I posted this story of David Tyree and the now famous “helmet catch”. But little did I know where David Tyree stood with Jesus Christ. Here is a great story that tells what he has been up to since.

David Tyree discusses faith, and football.

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Posted by barrydean on January 23, 2012 in David Tyree, helmet catch, New York Giants, Super Bowl 46, Superbowl 42

A Year of Change

17 Jan

Yes, 2012 is definitely beginning as a year of change. My body and health continues to improve daily with a new commitment to my diet and regular exercise. I am now down 54 lbs. Every day I feel the best I’ve felt in years.

My bride and I just recently became members of the local church in our town. We are really excited about what God has in store for us there.

Our son Sean and his fiance’ Jessica informed us this past weekend that they are pregnant and will be moving close to home after she graduates from college. With all of this exciting change you would think BarryDean would have had enough. Oh but it isn’t enough.

Yesterday I accepted an offer from a company I am very excited to be a part of. Even as I write this blog posting my excitement continues to bubble up. The job opportunity is to me, a dream job. It will give me an opportunity to develop programs in an environment I have been longing to get into full time. It is an opportunity to really effect direction within a growing company. The new job will also allow me to get some training learn some new skills which is always exciting. It would not be appropriate to publicly divulge the name of the company right now but I will be hinting up and until my start date, which will be January 30th.

All for God’s glory!

Soli Deo Gloria!!

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Posted by barrydean on January 17, 2012 in Calvary Church Wahoo, diet, exercise, God's glory, grandparents, Local church, new job

Something smells fishy here

06 Jan

Usually the above idiom has a negative connotation. This is not the case here. I am referring to the introduction of lean proteins in my new eating lifestyle. The past couple of weeks I have been transitioning into Phase 2 of the weight management program I’ve been involved with since October of 2011. During this transitional period I get to reacquaint myself with lean proteins that are outside of the HMR shakes and entrees I’ve been consuming since that autumn date. HMR does not currently produce an entree with any form of fish in it. I have heard that it is to hard to process a fish entree with any kind of shelf life. So, I have missed seafood and fresh water fish for several months.

The first week of Phase 2 I was able to eat a serving of lean white turkey breast along with my family for Christmas Eve dinner. The following week we could have two servings of lean protein. I found some white fish called Swai at the grocery store. I hadn’t heard of it before. I lightly breaded it, added some spice, Parmesan cheese and baked up a couple of pieces for my bride and I. It was delicious, and so great to once again savor the taste of good fish. For my other weekly allowable serving I had a meal laced with a can of albacore tuna. Yummy!

This week I can have three servings of lean protein. Woo Hoo! I have found a recipe for smoked Tilapia that looks very good. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to smoke. I miss using my smoker and the delectable products it produces. (sniff..sniff) So, while it is still fairly warm in Nebraska, I am going to fire up the smoker for some fish. It should be great. For the rest of the week I am not sure what else to have, but I have so many resources at my disposal. One of them is you, the reader? Any ideas?

Weight loss wise, I am once again back on track. At my last weigh-in this past Wednesday I was down 6.2 lbs for the week. That figure puts down what I had gained over the Christmas break plus another couple of lbs lost. I have adopted those Sprint 8’s and do those on every other cardio exercise day. I am finally feeling stronger in my weight lifting, thanks to my additional protein intake. Sore muscle means muscle growth.

As always,

Soli Deo Gloria!

Update: The smoked Tilapia was excellent. See FB posting with comments link below.

Smoked Tilapia

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Posted by barrydean on January 6, 2012 in exercise, fish, fitness, glory to God, God, HMR, lean protein

Discovering my variable to the eternal equation of the gospel

02 Jan

Happy New Year everyone!! It is my prayer that the gospel impacts your life and the lives of your friends and family this year. Now for the equation mentioned in the title.

Late last year I began reading the Tullian Tchividjian book “Jesus + Nothing = Everything“. I am almost done with it, and I can tell you, without question, it is ranks among the top books that have greatly impacted my life. Pastor Tullian begins by taking the equation and working it backward. By the time you get to the “Nothing” part of the equation Tullian has asked the reader twice to consider what that variable “Nothing” is for you. Here is a quote from the book:

So let me ask you once more, as you get quiet and still: Deep within you, where is that restlessness, that agitation, that impatience, that anxiety? Why is it there? What is it you’re missing, and you’re trying to fill the gap? (Jesus + Nothing = Everything (p. 44). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition)

Taking the authors advice, I prayerfully considered the “Nothing”. According to Tullian, Jesus wants us to make the connection of the “Nothingness” with idolatry. What am I trying to add to this eternal equation?

After much prayerful consideration I believe God has lead me to the answer of my nothing variable. In my life I have put way to much focus on the acknowledgement from those friends and family members around me. It didn’t take me long to uncover the source of what consistently causes me restlessness, agitation, impatience, and anxiety. Desiring acknowledgement is definitely a human trait. Most of us wish to be acknowledged. It hurts when you put yourself out there by taking the initiative to vocalize, or author (blogging?) an opinion, statement, or truth. When you don’t receive the acknowledgement you have built some expectations over, it is painful. But, I believe, when it becomes like the things described by Pastor Tullian, especially to the extent of it becoming that variable to the equation like mine:

Jesus + Acknowledement from men = Everything

This is idolatry.

Idolatry is trying to build our identity on something besides God. An idol is anything that’s usurping the proper place of God in our lives. An idol is anything or anyone that you conclude, in your heart, you must have in order for your life to be meaningful, valuable, secure, exciting, or free. (Jesus + Nothing = Everything (p. 40). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition)

So as I continue to read this influential book with this eye opening revelation, I can read with with full knowledge of this sin in an effort with the Holy Spirit to take it head-on in the trenches. With the strength provided (Phil. 2:13) I will be able to knock this sin back for a 25 yard loss. (Sorry, it’s College Bowl Game Day) Lord willing it can get knocked out of the game completely.

More to come.

Soli Deo Gloria!!

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Posted by barrydean on January 2, 2012 in acknowledgement from men, gospel, idolatry, Jesus + Nothing = Everything, Tullian Tchividjian

Praying for Renewed Strength

26 Dec

True story. I blew it on Christmas Eve. It was a disaster. I knew I shouldn’t have made my famous peanut butter fudge. The sampling of it was all it took to get me “out of the box” (HMR weight management term). We had all of our adult children over for Christmas Eve, and quite a few delicious foods were being served. It was pretty overwhelming. I gave into the temptation to eat outside of the newly created diet box for the first time in over 13 weeks. Looking back this morning I have figured out what went wrong. We were so busy preparing for the arrival of everyone that I didn’t consider to plan for my meals so by the time the foods were being prepared I was pretty hungry, and gave into eating naughty things. Next time, Lord willing, I plan on being prepared.

My bride had to work on Christmas day so it was a little easier to eat the foods I should be eating. Today I have been praying for renewed strength and self-control, and the Lord has been faithful. I have the day off and got on the treadmill for 35 minutes first thing this morning. After a hot cereal with banana and some cleaning, I made a double protein shake with PB2 and took it and a bottle of water up to the exercise room and worked out my shoulders and triceps for another 30 minutes. I am feeling re-vitalized and strengthened. The Lord is good. Always!

Soli Deo Gloria!!

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Posted by barrydean on December 26, 2011 in exercise, God's faithfulness, HMR, meal planning, out of the box, Prayer

The Blood Tells It All

21 Dec

My lab work is in! Before I give the details let me, tell about my blood draw experiences. The first blood draw as part of my weight management program for me was about 3 months ago. The nurse had a difficult time finding a good vein and had to stick me a couple of times before the blood would flow into her vial. When she went to draw my blood a few days ago she had no difficulty finding a good vein to stick. She said this was due to my weight loss and my healthy water consumption. Just another benefit of getting healthier. Now for the lab results.

Lab results from program start on 9/21/2011:

Test	Value	Units	Ref. Range
Cholesterol	215	mg/dL	120-200
Triglyceride I	251	mg/dL	<=149
HDL I	49	mg/dL	40-60
VLDL Calc	50	mg/dL	<=30
LDL Calc I	116	mg/dL	<=99
Chol/HDL Ratio I	4.4	Ratio	<=5.0
LDL/HDL Ratio I	2.4	Ratio	<=3.6
Non-HDL Chol. I	166	mg/dL

Lab results at end of Phase I on 12.14.2011:

Test	Value	Units	Ref. Range
Cholesterol	122	mg/dL	120-200
Triglyceride I	81	mg/dL	<=149
HDL I	55	mg/dL	40-60
VLDL Calc	16	mg/dL	<=30
LDL Calc I	51	mg/dL	<=99
Chol/HDL Ratio I	2.2	Ratio	<=5.0
LDL/HDL Ratio I	.9	Ratio	<=3.6
Non-HDL Chol. I	67	mg/dL

LDL/HDL Ratio legend for risk of developing coronary heart disease for Men:

Up to 1.0	Low Risk
1.1 to 3.6	Average Risk
3.7 to 6.3	Above Avg Risk
6.4 to 8.0	High Risk

Last night I weighed in at 248.7 lbs. which is down 3.9 lbs. from the previous week, and means a total loss from beginning of 46 lbs. I had set a personal goal to break the 250 lb. barrier before Christmas. Goal achieved!!

All to the glory of God!

Soli Deo Gloria!!

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Posted by barrydean on December 21, 2011 in blood cholesterol, exercise, fitness, HMR, Phase 1, Phase 2, weight loss