The memorial service for Kevin Thomson was sad, joyful, moving, reflective, nostalgic, encouraging, and rocking.

I saw people whom I had not seen in nearly forty years, met people whose music I have listened to for those thirty plus decades, and of course, made some new friends.

Of course, the focus was on Kevin Thomson. Speakers with personal reflections included Pastor Bob Probert, a long time friend of Kevin’s, Pastor Oden Fong, friend of Kevin and member of early Jesus music group Mustard Seed Faith, Duncan Bryan, of the Sweet Comfort Band, and Kevin’s two sons, Elijah and Joshua Thomson.

The words of Bob, Oden, and Bryan were primarily memories of Kevin as a friend. Elijah and Joshua’s words were of a dad, and I was moved to tears upon hearing them tell about growing up with him.

A wonderful video of Kevin’s life, produced by Troy Lamberth, was shown. I loved the way it started with the video of the Sweet Comfort Band at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, circa late 1970s, with Kevin preaching just before the band goes into his favorite SCB song, “Get Ready”. We got to hear Kevin doing the two things he loved most…telling of the love of Jesus, and rockin’ on his bass. The video also showed photos while the music played. Very well done video.

Bob Bennett, one of my all time favorite singer/songwriters, sang “(I Know That) My Redeemer Lives”, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. Bob is a wonderful musician, highly intelligent, soft spoken, and a gentleman.

Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa gave the message.

The Sweet Comfort Band, plus some friends, played four songs after the eulogies and Pastor Chuck’s message. Musicians were:

Drums: Kevin’s brother, Rick Thomson
Guitar and vocals: Randy Thomas
Vocals and keyboard: Bryan Duncan
Guitar: Joshua Thomson
Bass guitar: Eli Thomson
Harmonica: Darrell Mansfield
Keyboard: (sorry, I didn’t get this fellow’s name)

Songs played:

“I Love You With My Life”
“Searching For Love”
“Get Ready”
(There was one more, but for the life of me I can’t recall which song it was.)

After the service, a reception was held at Mariner’s Church, where there was food and more talk of Kevin.

I’m so glad I was able to attend. As I said in my last post, I feel like Kev was a friend I never met. Listening to so many memories of him makes me so sad I never did get to meet him face to face, but I know that I will see him in Heaven. As Pastor Chuck said, “Kev just got there ahead of us.”

I have posted several videos that people made at the service on my Facebook page.

From Bryan Duncan’s Facebook page:

“Well Kevin’s funeral is wednesday, We will sing “I love you With my Life” , “Somebody Loves You” “When I was alone”. 1pm service at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, where we played so many wonderful concerts.”

TOPIC

This is going to be a different sort of Lifespring. I owe you an explanation for the long absence, and it’ll take a while to do that, so let’s call this episode of Lifespring the State of Steve Address. I promise to try not to bore you like some presidents do with their state of the union addresses, and I hope to even inspire you with a message of hope. So hang on!

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 57:1-12

MUSIC

Artist: Helen Yousaf

CD Title Child of Mine

Song: Meets You Where You Are

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Artist: wahba

CD Title The Beautiful Effect

Song: Giver

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LINKS

Matt and Mareena’s Wedding Website

100 Best Spirituality Blogs

Kenny Metcalf Interview

Del Brixey Interview

Kathi Brixey Interview

Ok. Show of hands. Raise your hand if you are addicted to internet connectivity. Since this show is primarily downloaded from the internet, I’m going to make the assumption that most of you are fairly well internet savvy, and some of you are complete geeks, and you are connected nearly 24/7. What happens when you lose your internet connection? Do you experience withdrawal symptoms? Weight loss? Paranoia? Preoccupation?

How does this relate to God? Listen to the show to find out!

Music On Today’s Show

Steven Coy Cook…”I Think He’d Dance”

Sharon Wilbur…”Out Of Zion”

Hoo boy. She’s all over the place. She’s rich. She’s famous. She’s number two on the iTunes store’s most popular podcast list, and number one in the religion category.

And I’ve been getting lots of questions from listeners and family members and church members. What about this teaching that Oprah Winfrey is doing on this book, “A New Earth”? What about Oprah’s religion? Oprah says she’s a Christian, but is she really?

Listen to the show for my answer, and lots more.

Music on the show today:
Big Stuf
“Blessed Be Your Name” (mp3)
from “Illusions”
(IMI)

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More On This Album

Sarah Bauer…”Magnificent King”

Link to the blog I mentioned:

Helen Ann’s Blog

Where’s The Evidence?

I was recently having a fatherly discussion with one of my sons…whose identity will remain anonymous for reasons that will soon become crystal clear. At times the discussion became, shall we say, animated. You see, report cards came out in the weekend mail.

Listen to the show to hear the rest…

What is the evidence that we truly are followers of Christ?

Listen to the show…

Music in today’s show:

Matt Chandler
“I Am Yours” (mp3)
from “I Am Yours”
(RecEDGe Records)

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Stream from Rhapsody
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Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Matthew Casteel…”By Your Love”

A new and different kind of show today. We have to mix it up once in a while, right?

Today I tell four stories, and connect them with songs.

The four stories are entitled “This Is Good”, “Tug of War”, “The Refiner’s Fire”, and “When I Say, ‘I Am A Christian.’”

Today’s Music

Kerri Crocker…”Brand New”

MIchelle Gold…”Almost Slipped Away”

Kent Gustavson…”Let My Prayer Rise Before You”

Recent Rainfall…”Bless And Keep You”

“Welcome to Lifespring, 007. Today, we’re reviewing the successful extrication from South Korea, of a kidnapped child, whose own mother participated in the stealth operation. It’s a story of unknown informants, web 2.0 social networks, computer hacking, government conflicts…even dreams from God. Yes, 007, if you listen closely, you’ll learn of a mother’s despair, her tenacity, and a man with a mission.”

Kobe Lee

Thus begins this very exciting episode of Lifespring! Listen as Mark Miller, founder of the American Association For Lost Children, tells the story of how he, with the help of Bazzel Baz, from the Association For The Recovery Of Children, along with Tiffany Rubin, mother of kidnapped Kobe Lee, rescued Kobe from South Korea, where his estranged father had taken him.

It’s an amazing story, and you’ll not hear it anywhere like you hear it here on the Lifespring! show.

Set your TiVo or other DVR device for Monday, March 31, 2008! ABC’s Good Morning America will be interviewing Mark Miller, founder of the AAFLC, and guest on Lifespring! 156. He’s helped to recover an abducted boy in South Korea. He’ll be interviewed sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to the schedule they’ve been given.

We’re blowing it, friends. “Outsiders” don’t think very highly of us. According to the book “unChristian”, we are looked upon with skepticism and suspicion. Ouch.

Here’s a link to the book:
unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters

Listen to the show for what I think might just be the first thing we need to do to change this sad state of affairs. It’s an uplifting and positive message, despite the seriousness of the problem.

Also, I talk about the crisis of Darfur.

Music in today’s show

Shannon Quintana…”Be Still”

Derek Webb (no relation)…”Rich Young Ruler” and “Love Is Not Against The Law”

Jay Wright…”Change Gotta Come”

Website of the Day

Youversion.com