Brian Maines-A Drummer

Dog Days of Summer

2009-07-30T08:54:00.001-07:00

Man it is HOT. Actually, it's been a little better the last week or so, but for a while we were hitting between 102 and 107 every day. My plants have pretty much bitten the dust.

Baby update! Tatum is due in 3 months! I am so excited to have a little girl. I tell everyone I am already wrapped around her finger and I haven't even seen her yet. I get to feel her moving around quite a bit as of late, and that has been a really amazing experience. Mom and I painted her room a couple of weeks ago, and I got her crib put together this past weekend. It was so much fun! I need to put together a dresser now, and we need to get a rocker, and her room will pretty much be done.

Christy has been a trooper through all this Gestational Diabetes stuff. She has to prick her finger at least 6 times a day to test her blood sugar, which for the most part, has actually been very good. I am very proud of her for keeping a good attitude and for staying positive through all of this. It not only helps her, but helps Tatum big time.

I have been keeping a lot better shape as of late. If you don't count the two weeks we were gone at camp, I have run at least twice a week, mostly three times a week, for about 2 months now. I average about 25-27 minutes per run, but the last two have been 40 minutes. I'm getting up to a pace where I run about 12 miles a week. I can definitely tell that my energy level has gone up, and my overall health has definitely improved.

Speaking of camp. We had a great time in Pineywoods. We spent two weeks there playing for three back to back youth camps. We saw anywhere from 450 kids to 750 kids at each camp. What a blessing to be able to worship with so many youth, and see so many kids come to the Lord throughout the course of this camp. Seems that this generation is on fire for the Lord.

Work has been fantastic. I love my job and the people I work with/for. It is such a positive environment, which is rare to find in these times. I am very blessed to be employed by Southwest Foodservice.

Fatherhood really really excites me. Just knowing that I get to take care of a baby brings such a joy to my heart. I have seen all the warning signs of the things that will happen at first (I will lose sleep, I will use all energy).. but I know I am already completely crazy about my daughter, and I am going to choose to let that outweigh the hard parts.

Christy and I have been a part of a bible study/fellowship group that meets on Wednesday nights here in Lubbock. Talk about a breath of fresh air. We love these people! Half of the group consists of my band (which by the way, none of them have been there the last month and a half...i'm just saying..cough cough..sarah, matt, jon, laney, jude), and the other half consists of people we have met recently. All joking aside, the passion for Jesus is very evident in this group, and I am very excited every week to get to learn things from these people. Leah, who I would label as co-founder of the group with her husband, Lex, gave Christy some maternity clothes as Christy gets bigger. That was very sweet of her to do that for us. (By us, don't take this the wrong way.. I have not tried on the clothes:)

Our band heads out next week for another camp. This time with 2 babies, and 1 in a belly. So three babies total. Should make for an interesting trip. I'm very excited though. It will be good to get out there leading worship again.

For those of you who read this, and follow my blog. I thank God for you. I thank God for giving you the heart to care for me and my lovely wife.

Love you all!
Brian

Sunny Days

2009-05-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

So here in Lubbock today it is cloudy and gloomy, which is very uncharacteristic for Lubbock, TX. It has actually been this way for four or five days now. I feel like I am in Seattle, minus the trees, mountains, and water.

I am going to be a dad. I am so excited about it. Christy is a little over 14 weeks pregnant, and it has been such an enjoyable experience. The little things that happen to women during pregnancy are so interesting.

Christy also just started her new internship at Sunrise Canyon. She is really enjoying it so far.

Pearl Merchant is on a three week break from action, which is much appreciated after the hectic, exciting past year we've had. Between babies, pregnancies, and playing 4 times a week including rehearsals, the break is very welcomed. We will be hard at it again at the end of may and all the way until Christmas, so we'll enjoy this time off I'm sure.

I recently played a CD release concert for our acoustic guitar player, Ashley Jones. Her CD will soon be on ITunes, you should pick it up. The album title is "Storm." It is a very enjoyable listen. I got to play drums on 4 of the 5 songs.

Our dogs are fun as ever, but still fairly destructive to our poor backyard. It is surprisingly green, but only in spots where there actually is grass. Ziggy has become a "woman" now, as she has gone through her first heat. Fun stuff.

Paradigm was better than ever this year. It seemed like the students had so much desire to get out and worship every Thursday. We had an amazing privilege to hear a lot of different speakers, and I really learned a lot. It seemed like every week was fresh to me, which can be difficult given the business of American life.

My brother is still working hard in LA. I truly hope he and his girlfriend will move back to Texas soon. I miss him. We talk on the phone a lot, and he is funny as ever, just like he always has been.

Our parents are doing well. They are both very excited to be grandparents for the first time. I know it will be a special time for all of them.

Matt and Sarah are due in June. We will get to go through the whole baby experience again, so we are getting good practice for our big day. We are very excited for them!

Little Jude is doing well. His weight is getting up, and he is a very happy little baby. It's a lot of fun to get to hang out with him. I am spoiled because I get to see him at all our rehearsals. I know Laney and Jon are very happy to have a wonderful son.

As usual, my wife never ceases to amaze me. She has finally finished all her classes for her masters. So basically, for the first time in 18 years, she doesn't have any homework. But I'm sure that's bound to change as she has internship classes this summer. I am very proud of her, and I can now say I am married to a woman who has a masters degree. :)

Our baby will be here in October if all goes as planned, and I am so excited to be a dad. I'm excited to learn all the in's and out's of parenting, and I'm excited to share Jesus with my child. It is such an exciting time for us.

Till next time, that's the best update I have for the 1 and a half people that read this.

Onward!

Brian

33 Miles; Robbie Seay

2009-02-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

Well, it's been over a month since I've blogged, but I'm glad I'm finally back. It has been a very exciting week for me for various reasons. I will share one of them with you. My band got to open for Robbie Seay and 33 Miles at FUMC here in Lubbock on Sunday night. It was a very exciting time for me, as these are two bands that I have grown really fond of as of late. I have been listening to Robbie for the last 3 years or so, and 33 Miles within the last couple of months.

We had a 25 minute set at the beginning of the show, and we got a great response from the crowd. A lot of people were really surprised that we were a local band.. so that was pretty cool.

My wife and I have been doing really well. We have been in a journey together of reading the bible from front to back. We are currently in Deuteronomy right now, and it is pretty sad actually knowing that this is the last we will hear from Moses, but it has been great for us to get in the word together every night. It seems to always put a perfect seal at the end of a busy day.

I'm loving my new job, and Christy is busting her tail as usual with school and counseling.

It seems so crazy that we have already been married almost a year and a half, but at the same time, I feel like we have known each other forever. I can't even remember what my life was like before my wife. That is a pretty good feeling. We were able to go to my high school last night, and we walked around the athletic wing and saw all my pictures that were hanging up in the "Hall of Fame." It was neat and it brought back a lot of memories from playing sports back in high school. Part of me really wishes that I had pursued sports following high school, but at the same time, I know that would have taken me away from the many opportunities I have been given in music. Nonetheless, it was a very nostalgic evening for us..

That's all for now. Feel free to comment. God Bless

New Beginnings

2009-01-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

The new year is always a fresh start. Right now, although I'm battling a cold, I feel as fresh as I have ever felt. The Lord has been amazing at renewing my heart and soul. My wife and I have been on cloud nine for 5 days now, and the only explanation for why is God is good. He has restored us, and has opened our eyes to some amazing things. He works things for His plan, not ours.

We kick Paradigm off this week. I'm extra excited about this semester. I feel like with the state our country/world is in, people need God more than ever, and this semester could help a lot of people see the bigger picture and see that money isn't everything.

Beware of the enemy. He does desire to seek, kill, and destroy. I have my guard held extra high, and please pray that I am able to see and defend any attempt he has to destroy me.

Life is good, even in the bad times. God is good, always. Please remember that the Lord is everlasting, and He is never absent from our lives. He desires only our best. Our best faith, our best love, our best hope. He takes everything good and transforms it into something better. He opens our heart and helps us see things the way He sees them, as long as we are willing.

God Bless You All.

Brian

Blake Bibby

2008-11-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!!

My good pal Blake Bibby has an awesome college football blog if any of you are interested in reading. I felt like I was watching an analyst on Sports Center with the way he communicates his facts and opinions. Anyway, that's all for now. If you're a fan of College Football, or football in general, or sports in general, or great writing.. (big breath)...go check it out!

sofawarrior.blogspot.com

Fast Times

2008-11-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hello there everyone.. (all three of you who may come along this... probably by accident)

Today is a great day. Most days are great days as a matter of fact. I really don't think I could be more blessed. I actually had a teeth cleaning and a cavity filled this morning, so despite losing feeling in my face for about three hours, the day is wonderful. My wife and I went out for a nice lunch, and she went on her way to accomplish her routinely "busy" schedule. I really don't know how she does it. I am in awe of the hours she puts in, but still manages to keep work work, and family family. I am envious of the drive that she has to perform to her best every day.

We recently got a new Shitzu puppy, her name is Ziggy. She is about 9 weeks old now. She is a handful, but her cuteness outweighs her handfullness. She weighs about 3 and a half pounds, as opposed to her big sisters 50 pounds. She and Jia really love playing together, we just have to keep an eye on Jia because we all know that labs are pretty much insane when it comes to being excited. And of course, Ziggy's grandparents love her.

I got a really nice email from my buddy Aaron Hale this morning, and it really made me sit back and think about a lot of things.

I tend to feel sometimes like I have hit a wall in my walk with Jesus. I obviously know that the only one to blame is myself, but I can't help but wonder why these times are so consistent with me. I think satan is good at clouding the mind with nothingness, and then he accomplishes getting your mind off of the Lord.

I recently read the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, and the premise of the book is about a demon who is writing letters to his nephew, who is basically trying to possess an ordinary Joe. It is a very simple read, but surprisingly, I felt it very difficult to focus. I have read about 8 or 9 books within the last year, and this one seemed to be the only one where my focus never seemed to stay on the book.

I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but I feel like I had my own demon working on my brain while reading that book, basically because it is one of the most important books a Christian can read. If we were to focus every day on what satan puts in front of us to make us stumble, we would be a lot more successful at making the right choice and avoiding the wrong ones. Are we perfect? Absolutely not, but we will for sure be building up a better guard when we practice focusing on what the evil one lays in front of us.

Now obviously, the spiritual world is at battle, and forever will be until Christ's return, so until then I really need to focus on having a foot in the spiritual kingdom as well as the earthly kingdom, and it's not as difficult as it sounds. Staying in the Word, praying, and simplifying your life are, in my opinion, the three keys to getting a foot in the spiritual world. I really feel like the busyness of my days tend to cloud my mind in the nights. Instead of ending the day by speaking or listening to the Lord, I usually end it with exhaustion and just wait for the next day. My wife, on the other hand, spends 55-60 hours a week working or in school, but still manages to consistently pray every night and communicate with the Lord on a day to day basis. The reason she does that is she recognizes she needs the Lord's strength more than I recognize it. And he has answered that prayer. I really don't think she is a "Lord, please give me" kind of prayer. I really think she is a "Lord, do Your will" kind of prayer. It is evident in her daily life. She struggles, as most do, but still manages to end the day happy, and that is astonishing to me considering all the things she's been through.

So, what to do. I have recently started a new job, and there is something about it that makes me feel more at home than I was previously. I feel like when I get home from work, I'm not bringing any stress home even though this job is high demand. I feel like this company works in such a professional manner that it allows it's employees to enjoy what they do here, but still keep God and Family number one and two.

So the Lord has obviously started me on the right track even though I didn't ask and really didn't even recognize it. Imagine if I had asked? God is too smart and too good though. He picks me up right where I left off and He loves me just as much as He did before, more than anyone ever could.

My life is definitely a journey, I continue to be amazed at the blessing God gave to me in the form of my wife. She is the anchor to everything I do and all I stand for. She holds me accountable, and really makes me a better person. She is always keeping an eye on how I behave and act because she knows how important it is for other people to see me as Christ and not as myself. I will forever be thankful for that. She is extremely unselfish with me, and her goal is to make me a better person every day, whether she realizes it or not.

I am blessed, in the good times and bad, I am blessed. Thank you

Blessed Be Your Name

2008-09-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Father, for giving me the life You have. Thank You for the wife you have given me. Thank You for all the undeserved things You have given me. I deserve none of it, but Your grace provides me with more than I will ever deserve. Thank You for allowing me to have bad days and still see Your glory. Thank You for not giving up on me, and thank You for giving me all the signs in the world to make decisions that are solely based on You, and not anyone else. Thank You for the advice poured through my wife and my family. Thank You for being my couselor. Thank You for pouring Your truth through the word. Father, Your grace is enough. Your love is enough. Your power is sufficient. Your majesty is unending. Your passion is undeniable. I love You, Father.

Test

2008-09-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog. I am Brian. I have an adoring and loving wife, Christy. We have been happily married for 11 months and 9 days. My life is full of joy and the majority of that joy is beacause of the wife that God has blessed me with. I don't know what I would do without her. She is my rock and is there for me no matter what. She helps me through tough times and straightens me out when I need it. I will forever be endebted to all the amazing things she is to me.

I have a typical 9-5 job that I work in currently. I am a food salesman. Yes, seems extremely difficult, but it is not :). I enjoy it and enjoy the people I work with.

As far as my goal in a career, music seems to be right at the top, and it seems as if that is where the Lord keeps pointing me. I started back in 2001 really considering music as a career when I joined my first band, the Reuben Collins Band. I later began taking on other jobs in various rock bands, including Restoring Red and Stealing Summer, and Penni Lawrence. I have played a variety of music, with the majority being in the Christian genre. It is really cool to use my talents for the Lord. It is an honor and it is necessary to give it straight back to Him. He created us to worship Him.

I am currently the drummer for the band Pearl Merchant. www.thepearlmerchantband.com. The majority of the band is from East Texas and I am the lone Lubbockite that has joined them as of May of this year. We played about 45 dates over the summer and had an absolute blast. The hardest part about being gone was the separation from Christy, but the good part was that she was able to be with me on half of the dates, so that helped out a ton. We worshipped with anywhere from 200 people to 1200 people. It was a really great experience.

My wife is the "hard worker" in the family. She burns the candle at both ends constantly and I am so proud of her for doing it. She is in graduate school at LCU, she is only 22 years old, and will be done with all her classes by may of next year. She also has a job at LCU and also has a job at hospice. She loves what she does and she is touching many lives by doing it. The Lord is doing some amazing work in her life and I am so happy to be married to such an amazing person.

I have an amazing family. My mom and dad live here in town and Christy's mom and dad live her in town as well. I have 1 younger brother and Christy has two, an older and a younger. My brothers name is Jeremy, and my wife's brothers are Nathan Wilson and Josh Wilson. Nathan is with the Lord now, and we think of him every day.

We are truly a blessed couple. We have so much love that surrounds us and we have so many people that pray for us. We are seeking the Lord better and better, and it has proven to be such a foundation for our happiness. We have a lot of great friends that we adore, and we are excited about the road that lies ahead.

Thank you for taking time to read this.

Brian Maines