Well, it is now 2022, most of us have survived the last few years. Mary Jean and I will celebrate 50 years of marriage in August. Along with that, are our 6 children and 14 grandchildren. It’s been a wonderful ride! Bumpy for sure, but “the Lord has dealt bountifully with us”. I have continued to play guitar, write some songs and write this blog. I have lead worship for the last three years and am now taking a break. As far as the blog, it is more written for me to take the time to write down some thoughts. If you find it, I hope you find it helpful. The world and the church are ever changing, and we are still trying to find a place to fit. We have been enjoying some quiet and solitude, turning off the news and even staying home on Sunday mornings. We have been enjoying the writings of the Puritans and some of the reformed preachers and also learning about the Desert Fathers who tried to avoid the noise of the world and the church. The noise of the news is overwhelming and the christian commentaries on it is endless. It is hard to find “the still, small voice of the Lord” in the midst it all. May we find a place to get quiet before the Lord and ask Him for more of His Spirit. Matt 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Past- I started playing the guitar in 1964, when I got a used acoustic guitar for Christmas. It was not a very good guitar, hurt my fingers real bad, but I was thrilled. I quickly went to an electric guitar, that was not a very good guitar either, but again I was thrilled. I then started playing in a band with some friends from high school, and we all learned as we went, playing songs by the Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Eric Burden and The Animals, etc, etc, etc. After all, it was the 1960’s.
As we progressed, I was able to get a Gibson ES330 electric guitar and a Vox AC30 amp, what a difference! I wish I still had those two items.
I got saved in the Jesus movement in 1971 and since then, I have never been the same. After I got saved, I played in a Christian band for about 8 years, traveling around the Chicago and Milwaukee area playing coffee houses and doing outreach. Those were wonderful days. Mary Jean and I always look back to those days with great fondness, the move of the Spirit was very unique in those days, and very sweet. I will probably write an article about that in the near future.
Currently, we are in Pensacola, Florida, where for about 5 or 6 years we have been involved with some home groups. About a year ago, we did start attending a local fellowship again, trying to build some relationships. I still continue to play as the Lord opens doors. I recently have been thinking about maybe doing a CD, but we will see how that materializes.
Mary Jean and I have been married for 37 years and we have six children, four of whom are married. We have seven grand children, four boys and three girls. That is a lot of fun. All the kids are in Pensacola with us except for Jamie and his family, they are in Minnesota.
to be continued
Enjoyed reading your story we have many things in common. I also used Peter Paul and Mary finger picking style on my Yamaha classical. I think I sold a table and chairs to your wife, but I do not have a current phone.
We closed down the sale. Just need to know. I was on the phone, and she mouthed, I’ll take it for fifty bucks. Then again maybe she said something else. Allen 719 251 1137
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Hey brother!
Hope this finds you all well.
Long time no see.
I carry you all in my heart
and have been thinking about you a lot lately.
Grace & peace be yours.
Dave Fincher
dlfincher1956@gmail.com
Dave, so nice to hear from you. I mentioned you yesterday to MJ wondering how you were.