March 27, 2006

Here's a picture of a flower in my backyard.

March 26, 2006

March 25, 2006

Hey Mama!

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday, dear Mama.

Happy birthday to you.

72 years ago today, my mother was born. Happy birthday, Mama!

I remember when I was a kid - I would always tell people she was two or three years older than she actually was. She would loudly correct me. If I had told them she was 10 or 15 years older than she actually was, no one would believe it and she wouldn't have to squeal the truth. But, when I would tell them she was just a year or two older than her actual age, she couldn't stand it. And it always made me smile. I don't know why. I guess I loved to hear her squeal her actual age. I can remember telling a friend on the phone, one day, that Mama was about to be 36. She was actually going to be 34. She was on the other side of the kitchen and you could hear her holler, "No I'm not!"

Today Mama's 72.

Really.

(Here are some pictures from Mama's birthday party.)

March 23, 2006

Look what's happening this Christmas!

Please don't call for reservations until April 5th!

I've posted a new reMarkable Radio Show where I play three of my favorite lyrics in the world: The Day He Wore My Crown, Four Days Late and He Stopped Loving Her Today. And I ramble about life and tribulation and how it works the hound out of patience. Check it out!

March 22, 2006

George Hairr forwarded me an e-mail daily devotional by John Fischer who is the senior writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti, and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker.

I love this quote because it's so true:

How do you know when you are working for God? You get tired, you burn out, or the opposite - you become very successful and start taking pride in your success. You begin repeating what works over and over again because you found a formula that will work regardless. This is what the Bible calls, "walking in the flesh" and, in spite of how good it looks, it will burn up in the end like a big pile of dry wood.

So, how do you know if you are dealing in the success of God's power? You are at risk; you are Johnny on the spot; you are way over your head; you are not completely sure what you are doing; you are acutely aware of your own weaknesses; you have ventured into a place where, if God doesn't show up, you are a dead duck. Believe it or not, this is what the Bible calls, "walking in the Spirit." (Don't you love it?)

March 21, 2006

Jimmy Wilson, my friend who has driven for me, used to drive for Anthony Burger and whose main job is to drive for the George Jones Tour, e-mailed me a site of photos of Anthony Burger on the cruise, just minutes before he collapsed and passed away.

March 20, 2006

Today, I went to the bone doctor. He took the staples out of my leg. He said there will be six weeks (total) of no weight on the right leg and six months before I'm, hopefully, back to where I can walk on it. He said it will never be like it was but, in six months, we'll know if I'm going to need a knee replacement.

Here is a little Quicktime movie I made of my visit to the doctor.

March 18, 2006

Last night, Dena, Norman and I went to the Livestock show in Houston. We didn't make it to the rodeo but we took a trip to see all the pigs and cows. I saw a bull that was worth over $300,000. What kind of steak would that make? Who but Oprah could afford it? We took the wheelchair with the leg extender and it was quite comfortable. We ate corndogs, pizza, junk and more junk and I had a burning stomach at bedtime. But it was a lot of fun.

It's so funny to see the few who have felt compelled to write and tell me to quit complaining about my leg and circumstances (referring to my post of March 16th, below). To you who have had it harder than me, I'm so sorry you're having to go through that. When I look around, I can find a lot of people a lot worse off than me. But this is my Web journal, my ramblings, my place to vent. If you don't want to hear me complain (every now and then), please feel free to go somewhere else. This is a free site and no one has forced you to come and read my ramblings. I will continue to flail, vent, rant, rave, praise, love, ramble and do so without abandon and, especially, without having to worry about what readers may think. I love you all but this is my space and I will say what I want or it just isn't worth the effort.

March 16, 2006

I admit it.
I'm no saint. I hate being sick. I hate being hurt. I am mad at myself for getting on that stupid murder-cycle at nearly 50 years of age. (I've already given the murder-cycle away. I wanted to give it to someone I don't like, but I couldn't think of anyone, so I just gave it to the first person who said they wanted it. I just wanted it gone.)

I don't like not being able to walk across the room whenever I get the urge. I HATE putting a plastic garbage bag on my leg before I can take a shower. I hate having to depend on people to help me do things. I admit it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. And God knows I hate it because he's heard me gripe about it for a few days now.

At first, it was fascinating having everybody wait on me. Now I'm sick of it and they are, too. Actually, they have not complained at all, and they've not heard me complain because I'm afraid I'll run them off and I need them.

I know God is trying to teach me patience but He's taking too long.

My leg hurts. And I'm ready to get these staples out. I don't want to have to be in a wheelchair, especially during my Senior Trip, which I have looked forward to for over a year now. I'm going to dance on Friday night, even if I'm in a wheelchair. Surely you can dance in a wheelchair. I'm sure I won't be the only person in a wheelchair at my Senior Trip, maybe we can form a wheel-chair train or something.

Thank you for your prayers, believe it or not, I know they're working. My recovery is coming along quite nicely, I think. I'll know for sure this Monday when they take the staples out and let me know when I can start therapy. Who knows, maybe I will be able to walk by Senior Trip. But, nevertheless, I'll be there.

March 12, 2006

Wanna see my scars?
Did you know you can't rent a wheelchair with an extended right leg in Houston on Saturday night so you can go to church on Sunday morning and thank God that you weren't killed on the previous Saturday? I have to keep this right leg of mine just about gut level at all times or it will swell up and throb. So, I just stayed home today but I still thanked God. If you would like to see my scars, you must have a strong stomach. It's pretty gross. But I earned everyone of 'em. Make sure you're not queasy or you just might lose your lunch. If you really, really, really wanna see my scars, click here.

I'll probably have one of those scoot-abouts by next Sunday.

March 11, 2006

Did you know Bill Gaither called me today and said, "Lowry, I never thought you would drop this low, using a wheelchair and broken leg for sympathy and publicity." I told him only a mind like his could think up such a scheme, I hadn't even thought of it. I was just trying to go eat tamales with friends on a pretty day. But you know that Gaither, he's always thinking. I should have looked around in some of those cars to see if he was videotaping my wreck. Homecoming Wrecks, that would be a good title.

I was on morphine all last week. That week just flew by. I finally had to turn the phone off in the room. You get a lot of phone calls when you're in the hospital and people find your number. I wanted to talk with every one of them but I was flying through a storm at the moment... I'd have to get back with them when I had an anxiety-free moment.

Seriously, the only way to get any rest in a hospital is to unplug the phone.

Now that I'm home, I want to find me one of those three-wheel old people scooters you see on TV. I've got to use the walker during my physical therapy sessions because that builds up my arms and mainly my right leg. The right leg was pretty well shattered. I'm going to see my surgeon a week from Monday. I'm going to take my video camera and have him give explicit details of what happened to my right leg. I'll post it on the Web site if it's not too gross.

I thought it had just been knocked out of the socket but, after the x-rays were taken, he said it was one of the worst shatterings he'd ever seen.

March 10, 2006

I'm Home, Hallelujah!
I just got home from the hospital and it is soooo good to be here.

Here's what happened: Saturday, a friend of mine, Shelley, invited me to meet her at one of our favorite tamale restaurants. So - it being a beautiful day - I jumped on my scooter (Honda Silver Wing, which is now for sale) and headed to the tamale shop. I didn't have to get on any interstate roads, it was all back roads.

I was coming up to a red light at Shepherd and 11th Street when a car pulled out of the Blockbuster parking lot and, evidently, didn't see me. So, my options were to slam into the car or slam on the brakes. I really didn't have time to think, I just slammed on the brakes. The wheels froze and I and the bike hit the ground. My right leg took all of the impact. I thought I was okay. People stopped and asked if I needed an ambulance. At first, I said no. But, when I tried to walk, I realized I needed one.

Several nice people helped me to the curb and a few moments later the police, the fire department and an ambulance arrived. I was whisked to the hospital, had surgery on my right knee on Sunday and am home on Friday. I love America! And I love you for your prayers and God for answering them.

So, that's it. I'm home now, and I'm so glad. Thank you for all of your prayers. And, I can't wait to get back on the road with LordSong, Stan - and I'm especially looking forward to our first Senior Trip. I may be in a wheelchair but I'm going to be there.

March 6, 2006

Mark and the motorcycle...
Dear Friends,
For those who are not aware, Mark Lowry wrecked his motorcycle on Saturday afternoon and has sustained quite a severe leg (knee) injury.

I talked with Mark this morning. He's surrounded by good funny friends and he's in fairly good spirits.

He had surgery on the leg yesterday (Sunday) and he may be in for more. He'll be resting comfortably in the hospital for about five more days. There is quite a bit yet to be determined on how the leg will be handled, so we'll get the word out when we know more. It won't be a daily update. We have had to call off the March concerts but he will have one wild story to tell at April's Senior Trip here in Nashville.

Please understand, we appreciate the offer for cards and gifts but hold onto them and send prayers instead - lots of prayers for a speedy recovery. E-mails will be forwarded as usual.

Sincerely,
Bob Sauer
Mark Lowry Productions

March 2, 2006

Anthony Burger's Funeral
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - 1 p.m., Christ Church, Nashville, TN
Anthony Burger's Web site

It's still hard to believe, but what a homegoing it was. I didn't sit with The Homecoming Singers in the choir, I wanted to sit in the back and watch it all. When I arrived, I wondered where the casket was. Usually, the casket is sitting in front of the pulpit. Roger Talley was playing beautiful music, many of the same songs Anthony had played throughout his career. Around 1 p.m. the back doors opened and the Pallbearers were carrying Anthony's casket to the front. The Pallbearers were: Tommy Cooper, Russ Taff, Kevin Williams, Roy Webb, Kirk Talley and Terry Gibbs. Following the casket was the family and then all the singers.

Lori, Anthony's step-daughter sang the first song, It Won't Rain Always. She did a beautiful job. Then, Buddy Greene played Amazing Grace on the harmonica, Ivan Parker sang Beulah Land, Ben Speer sang Unclouded Day, God On The Mountain was sung by Lynda Randle, Larry Ford & David Phelps sang It Is Well, John Fisher (A.J. & Austin's youth director) gave a word of encouragement to the boys. He told them to look to Jesus for help and strength to get through their grief. Tabitha Huff, Anthony's niece, spoke of Anthony's legacy. Russ Taff spoke to folks watching on the Internet and about the time on the ship where Anthony passed.

Bill Gaither spoke next. He said Anthony was a genius and told about the time when David Phelps was supposed to sing End Of The Beginning, but was no where to be found (Bill says he was on the bus and missed his intro). The track started and there was no David. So, Anthony started playing the song and got a standing ovation. If you would like to hear some of Bill's comments, click here.

They showed a video of Anthony playing, I'm Getting Ready To Leave This World. Charlotte Ritchey and Ivan Parker sang Tell Me The Story of Jesus/I Love To Tell The Story. Then, Jessy Dixon got up and sang What Are They Doing in Heaven today? Then, Jonathan Martin, Joyce Martin and Charlotte Ritchey formed a trio to sing, Rock Of Ages. The Gaither Vocal Band and David Phelps sang, These Are They.

Dan Scott, the pastor at Christ Church, gave the sermon, and it was incredible. He spoke of the scars on Anthony's hands from the burns he received as an infant. He was learning to walk and using a walker which got stuck in the floor heater. Anthony fell and received third degree burns on his hands and face. He had to received three medicated baths a day for a year. The doctor said he would never be able to use his hands. Well, the doctors were, obviously, wrong. Dan said that through those scarred hands God blessed the world with beautiful music. He also said that when Anthony got to Heaven he and Jesus showed each other the scars in their hands.

As the casket was being carried out of the auditorium, The Homecoming singers, including soloists Joy Gardner, Guy Penrod, Johnny Minick and Libby Perry sang Angel Band.

To see pictures of the funeral, click here.

The parents of the Band Booster Organization at Independence High School where A.J. and Austin participate in music have established a Music Scholarship Fund for A.J. and Austin Burger to assist them with their future music education at Independence. All contributions will be used solely for their music education. All funds that remain after A.J. and Austin have completed their education at Independence will be contributed to the general music fund at IHS to be used for those seeking financial assistance with their music education as well. An account has been set up at AmSouth Bank for those wanting to contribute to the fund.

Burger Music Scholarship Fund
AMSOUTH BANK
ATTN: Andrea Latham
4934 COLUMBIA PIKE
SPRING HILL, TN 37174
(931) 380-5060